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Having a few probs. Wait out. Last Sat, Work at Soi 4, 2nd Road junctio. Where I think Noi Bar 4 was, all the bars in that complex have gone: Soi 2 to 3, along 2nd Rd:

Hi, I just got back from a few nights stay in the Sabai Wing. I have been using the Sabai Lodge and Sabai Wing for a number of years now and was also concerned regards the demise of Soi 2. I will try to post a few photos I took last week.

Johnny, Thanks for your help. I will get prices & times when there. I just wanted to be sure there was a regular service. Regards,

Guys, I want to travel from Hua Hin to Pattaya, and back, at the end of Sep or early Oct. I would like to get the boat/catamaran at least one way, or any means of going by sea should any service have started by then, but I am not very hopeful and not gonna depend on it. A taxi return is a bit expensive, so.... are there many minibuse services to Patts from Hua Hin? what about departure and return times to and from Patts? Do any of you guys know or could you recommend any partcular company or driver? Finally, what could I expect to pay? I know the journey takes about four hours each way. I need to book hotels now so I need to go firm on dates and know how I'm gonna travel . Any advice is appreciated. Regards,

Guys, I have read as much as I can find online ref this ferry boat service, wether it be boat, catamaran or whatever and I am stil unclear. I have read that due to the low season the service does not resume until Oct. Is this true? Is their any ferry or boat service at present? Is there more than one company operating this service after Oct? I would be coming from HH to Pats for a few days in Oct and have been advised that the direct minibus service from HH to Pats is my best option. How long would it take by road and how much does it cost? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi, this is a good topic. So many songs bring back many good memories. Just wondering, does anyone know a good place to download Thai music mentioned, also Pattaya Pattaya song, in MP3 format? that I could then use as ringtone for my iPhone? Sorry, but I'm a bit of a "technophobe" Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Pizza Big, on Naklua Road is by far the best pizza I tasted in LoS. Regards,

jacko/all, You claim "Spend about 60-70k baht/month" after rent. Thats what I reckon to have each month, farang wife, but no car, bike or rent. She may be teaching so another extra few bob each month. This is after I buy a condo. If you don't mind me asking, if you have been there a while are you happy renting or wish you bought a house or condo at the time you first settled, or a few months after? All, Does anyone thats lives in Pattaya know anyone that has two passports? Dual nationality? I have a thought... I travel on a British passport but am entitled to another, as is Mrs. I'm from Northern Ireland and due to some agreement between the British & Irish Governments I am entitled to both countries passports. A British pp and an Irish pp. Is there any reason why I could not exit LoS on my British Passport, getting exit stamps, then re-enter on my Irish pp. I then post my British pp to a family UK address with downloaded and completed application form, they forward to Thai Embassy in Hull. Hull Thai Embassy process and post back to same UK family address. My family then post to me in LoS. I then leave LoS on my Irish pp and re-enter on my British pp with my new visa? British Immigration does not stamp/frank passports. No expensive return to UK required? What you think? Would this work or have I over looked something? Even if you do not know someone with two passports can you foresee a problem with this? Your thoughts appreciated.

Char, If you like Sabai Lodge then I think you will like adjoining Sabai Wing. I know I did. I think I paid 1350Tbt a night last month. You are still in the location you like and with the same pools etc. Regards,

Not a great start to your trip, but look on the bright side! At least you only paid for a couple of nights up front as a deposit and not all upfront for your stay!!!! I read on here, and have met guys that paid in full for a hotel, that they have never stayed in before, and paid months in advance before their stay. They arrive, think its crap, want a refund, hotel says no, so they feel caught and stay as they can't afford to write off the money they have already paid for hotel!! I first experienced this in Areca Lodge. I think its crazy to pay a hotel for more than for a couple of nights upfront if you don't know the hotel and have not stayed there before. At least you could change, though its still annoying and a pain in the arse. Regards,

Thanks for posting. I gotta say, the rooms look good & at a fair price but I think I would miss a pool for daytime and occassionaly the room service. But then, I think I'd pay more for that, so any recommendations for a hotel with similar type room, price, pool & RS? Same area. Could be handy, I like Club Blu! Regards,

fopa, I am sorry to read this. I've stayed in Sabai Lodge many times over the last 5 or 6 years and never experienced any probs with the staff. In fact I've thought their attitude was a real asset to the hotel. I checked out of the Sabai Wing (I think of it as same hotel) last month after a 3 week stay. First time I stayed in Sabai Wing and I did notice the construction noise coming from two locations, one across Soi 1 & the other beside the hotel, direction of beach, but pretty close. During my stay the noise was not much. The staff attitude, as you state, I would not accept but I suppose theres nothing they can do regards construction noise. If I experienced the same as you I would try another hotel, probably Sabai Resort. I just hope you have just been unlucky with your experiences and this is not now the norm. Regards,

jacko, Thanks for replying. We do not intend to work in Thailand. Spoke to Embassy in Hull regards visa. We rquire a Non-immigrant Visa. Cat O, Multi-entry. Valid for 12 months, if I leave and re-enter Thailand a few days prior to its expiry date, I get a further 90 days. So valid for almost 15 months. Then I must return to UK and get another Cat O Visa. I would require to do this until I am 50. Then retirement visa. We must both do this. My Mrs is a graduate and I think she could teach in Thailand. If I'm correct, and she decides she wants to do this, she applies for a Cat B Visa. Inflation is a concern I agree. Regards

soi6 & owen thank you both for replying, and all others for some great advice. Like I said in my original post I could spend upto 6.5 mil on a condo. But I agree it would make more sense to buy a cheaper condo and have more cash each month so most likely thats what I would do. The figures that I mention regards monthly income are from interest on savings in a UK building society, that would obviously be greater, if I buy a cheaper condo and my pension that is a government pension, inflation linked and for life, so why could I not "expect" this amount monthly? I am fully fit and not disabled in anyway and nor is my wife. I am aware that 2 x medical insurance policies would be wise and would obtain them. As for entertainment and transport, I want to be in either, Naklua or South Pattaya/Jomtien and on the baht bus route or walking distance to it. Eat out modestly, 2 or 3 times a week and go into Central Pattaya for a drink maybe once a week. Owen, you really think that this could not work? what information may I be lacking or erroneous perspective borne of being 38 yrs old may I have? Genuinely, I would welcome yours/anyones comments . Regards,

Guys, I find this topic of great interest as I am now considering options. If I sell up and move to LoS I could spend upto around 6.5 mil Thb on a condo, but would probably rent for first 3 months until I bought. If I live of the interest from other savings and pension I receive this would bring me around 55,000Thb per month. Based on current poor exchange rates. I don't want a car, maybe a small motorbike. Obviously no rent to pay. Home to UK once a year. Condo must have communal pool, sat tv and internet. I would still keep about £10k/$20k extra in reserve. One other thing, my Mrs from the UK would be coming also. I know this will increase outgoings in a few respects. But in many ways her presence would save me money, keeping me sensible and not still in party mode after the first week or so. I'm 38 at the moment and I will receive in addition to above, £180k/$360k approx, in around 10 years. I want to go asap, but mrs wants to wait about a year. I've been to Thailand/Pattaya many times and shes been twice to Pats and also many other parts of Thailand and Asia. She knows the score ok with Pats and doesn't mind. as long as I buy a nice place for her, not in central Pats. My question is, do you think we could live ok/comfortably on the above figures now? So many conflicting estimates regarding budgets! could you not live ok in UK or US on £200/$400 a week if rent free? surely you could in Pats? Am I still dreaming? or should I wait 10 years? Your thoughts welcomed. Regards to all,

Hi fopa, Emil is spot on regards location and recent work. I also think it may be complete now. I passed by a couple of weeks ago. I looked at staying there once before, a couple of years ago, but discovered it was not for me. I believe that it is very much a family orientated hotel and "mongers" with BG in tow are not welcome. Either they will hit you with a whooping joiner fee or simply say no. I wouldn't take the risk, though you could email them and ask them their policy regards joiner fees. I think I would keep looking if I was you. Regards,

Could you really class a 12" deep area of swimming pool, like that shithole, The Areca Lodge, or a good hotel like Sabai Wing, has, as a jacuzzi? I think not. I find, unless I have many £ to spend, I can't find a hotel with a good pool and a proper private jacuzzi. So I go for a good pool. Many hotels that offer the jacuzzi have no pool. Hope someone can tell me I am wrong? Regards,

Cheers Montydog, Glad you agree. Just curious, but the girl in your aviatar, is that Kanny, from the bar at the top of Soi 8? beside the Family Mart or 7/11? If yes, did you have a good time with her? Regards,

Hi, I just checked out a couple of days ago. I thought it was fine and would happily use again. U can use the pools in Sabai Lodge as its all the same place with the same relaxed attitude and good service. Paid 1350Tbt a night and would do again. Cheers,

johnk, Thanks for that. Cheers,

Hi, I would happily recommend Wan Chai. My Mrs and I stayed in the Cosmopolitan Hotel opposite the Happy Valley Racetrack in Wan Chai. Wan Chai has some incredible restuarants and great shopping, 10 min walk from Cosmopolitan. Also, a must see, is Victoria Peak, and its not far from the Hotel, walk or short taxi ride away, just try to go on a clear day!!. I do not know the room rate as I booked it as part of a trip with Travelbag but know it was at the lower end, though fine and would go back tommorrow! Hotels in HK can be very pricey. We had been told not to spend to much on a hotel room in HK as you will hardly be in the hotel. We found this true. Have a look... Cosmopolitan Hotel If you get the chance take the night cruise to the fish market, dinner included and taking in the harbour at night. My best memory of HK. Regards,

Hi, I can't comment on the Jasmine Mansion as I've not stayed there, it sounds basic but ok. As for the Areca Lodge not bothering to reply, I think thats a blessing in disguise!! I checked out after my deposit was spent!! If any hotel can't be arsed to reply I think that says it all. My thoughts, regards booking through Sawadee, Siam.com, Asiarooms etc is don't, unless you already know the hotel and you are happy with it. Reason being, ok you may get a free breakfast or slightly better rate but you pay up front, in full, for a hotel/room you may want to be out off after a couple of days. Refund chances I guess are slim. When I was in Areca I met guys that hated it but felt trapped as they had paid in full, in advance, for 14/21 days or whatever. Who ever you choose I advise a 2 or 3 day deposit at the most. A hotel losing biz because you change your mind or get a better offer is up to you, not your problem. Surely this would not be a problem to a good, busy hotel? In my mind, paying in full for the duration of my stay, 4 months, before I've even set foot in the place is crazy. Not sure, but, think Jasmine may insist on this? Personally, I need a pool for daytime, so, I would consider another location or lean towards Sandy Spring as I've heard only good about it and thats from my mate that stayed there on and off for 3 months until his house build was finished. Anyway, good luck and hope you choose a winner,

nidnoyham, Thank you. As I am paying for it myself I think that seems a fair price. Even less than expected. Best regards,