beerboy

if you get a room overlooking the small front pool you will hear the music from the bars until about 0200 when things are turned down. the pool area catches all the noise from soi dianna inn. all the pile driving etc has been finished for a while, they are now doing the vertical construction jobs. virtually no disturbance at all from it. the air con units make more noise.

Recently went back to the Novotel in Chiang Mai. 4 star, little bit outside [ 50/60 bht ride ]. special offers on their website from 1000 bht pn inc an excellant breakfast [ normal price 250 bht ]. some rooms with a view of Doi Suthep.

just booked in a few days ago, and was allocated a superior room overlooking the big pool and building site. work is still going on, but there is very little noise and it certainly doesn't wake me in the mornings. the air conditioning unit takes a couple of days to get used to though. very very efficient. using the small pool at the front so again no problem from the site

Looks like their special deal has finished, now its £680

Over the last month i have been looking out for prices to LOS rom the UK. I usually go with Thai as there are often good deals around. This time its Eva Air that scores the best. Go to their own website and the price for next year is £495. Beats all the agents by at least £100. Just booked for next April.

i've just returned from nearly 4 weeks in Pattaya, staying as usual at the Sabai Lodge. i first stayed there about 4 years ago, moving on from the Diana Inn when that started to get a bit worn round the edges and Soi Diana Inn got noisier etc. i booked around late December last year and got a Large Pool Deluxe A room for 1450 bhat a night. The Sabai Lodge was never the cheapest in Pattaya but i believe that its location on Soi 2 and all round feel made it worth while. Before i went over the prices increased and this room now costs 1850. Neither price includes breakfast. Whilst the room itself is fine, i will not be returning again. The periferals have all gone downhill. Very rarely were there pool towels available without having to ask at the bar for them. The vast majority were threadbare and patched up. Some [ not all ] of the room maids only did a mediocre job in cleaning the rooms. The buffet breakfast was fine [ only ate it once ] but at 180 bhat was way overpriced. The restaurant/pool service was good but again the food was overpriced in my opinion. Still the same miserable Pool cashier, never smiles. Next trip will probably be at the Residence, although i was told by a bar owner [ Easy Rider Bar ] that the Lek Villa on the way to Nakua is good value. Forget this place now, usual Thai mentality applies = lots of guests = increse prices + reduce quality. sad but there we are

Used Mr Toom on Sunady for the return trip to the airport. driver 15 mins early for the pick up, perfect ride back. thanks

tried Secrets the other night, and can now understand why they have to continually hype their place up. Will call in later tonight after drinking with some ex pat mates.

just arrived in pattaya. mr tooms man , Noi, was at the airport by the exit as scheduled. great ride down here. relaxing before todays pub crawl.

i sent an email to mr toom this morning, checked on the pc a few hours later and all was confirmed. cannot beat that for efficiency. see you in february

just booked for the middle of february via airline-network.co.uk. thai int [ admitedly midday flights ] £510.00. next cheapest was well over £650. suits me on the way out ( i work nights ) so can sleep most of the way, bit of a pain on the way back.

i've used Pattaya Optical on Pattaya Klang several times now. good efficient service, with no problems as to the perscription.

Mister Sophann has just got back to me ok ing septs trip, he's also got a friend lined up in Siam Reap. Forgot to mention the rate for trip, last January he was charging $25 a day. This was being on call all the time in a slightly worn aircon car. Other drivers may have more modern vehicles, but Sophann always looks after 'his' foreigners. eg i chose a girl who on leaving K11 became the most miserable thing going. i wanted to write the whole thing off to experience by getting rid of her after dinner. Without me knowing Sophann got in touch with the Mamsan and changed her for one with a great attitude and superb 'service' skills. great guy

i'm using Bangkok Airways for a round trip from Bangkok - Siam Reap - Phnom Phen - Bangkok in September. At the moment the price is £171, but will reduce slightly 6 months before travel date. Have arranged my usual driver in Phnom Phen, Mister Sophann [ mistersophann@hotmail.com ] who is sorting out one of his mates in Siam Reap to act as my driver there.

just planning the next jaunt to LOS and have come across an offer the on travelocity website for Austrian Airlines. From the UK via Vienna then on to Bangkok on a Boeing 767 for £458.40. Just wondered if anyone has either a) used this airline or been on a 767 for 10 hours. anythoughts would be appreciated

If you enjoy getting wet and covered in talc paste then you can't go wrong. One word of warning though, whilst we all enjoy the fun, Camera's and especially Video cams don't respond too well after the Talc is rubbed in. Make sure you're insurance is up to it. martin