gentlemangeoff

I do not think anyone has any reason not to believe the account given by the OP. So I shall be giving that particular venue a miss in future.

I have not met you Dave but have had many good nights in the BF. Will not be around for the celebration but I wish you well and am sure it will be a very special time.

Inspired writing indeed. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face on a boring day in farangland.

Not a fan of Mr Toom. Let me down. No show. Lots of boardies think he is great. No problem with that. Just think that potential customers need to be made aware that he is capable of a let-down. And after a very long flight, that is not what is wanted.

Jan picked me up from Bangkok Airport on 28th April and took me back there on 18th May. A charming, caring and very courteous lady. Her driving could not be faulted. Drinks provided en route. Jan can also competently find the hotels in Pattaya. All in all I was delighted with the service. I wish Paul and Jan all that is good for the future.

I think that this thread demonstrates clearly that there are different strokes for different folks. Surely that is good. Fortunately travellers to LOS have options available. No one has a monopoly on the transport service provided from airport to ultimate destination. Accordingly, all those involved in the provision of transport services need to stay on top of their game otherwise they will find that they lose out to those who are able to provide a better service. It must be said that there are cheaper transportation alternatives to that provided by Paul and Jan (lostinspace) in terms of transfer from Bangkok airport to Pattaya. I can only speak for myself, but I take into account criteria such as personality, reliability, type of vehicle used and all-round service in the equation as to which particular service provider to use. Others may be driven by other single factors, such as cost. Up to you.

I have just used the taxi service provided by lostinspace (Paul). His very pleasant wife, Jan, was there to meet myself and my friend with my name clearly marked on the board she was holding up. Provided excellent conversation on route. Good, safe driver who knows her way around the Pattaya hotels. Also provides drinks without extra charge. So impressed I booked Jan for the return journey for which she was equally efficient. As pointed out earlier there are a lot of people who sing the praises of Mr Toom. Good luck to all those who find his service acceptable. For me, I would never use Mr Toom again but would highly recommend the service provided by Paul and Jan. Both Mr Toom and lostinspace offer transport services which are theoretically the same . However, lostinspace actually turns up.

Thanks for the information gents

Thanks. So you can only get one set amount of £300? How would you know how many baht that is, if you have to punch in amounts in baht? Sorry, not being awkward. Just find it a bit odd that you do not get any choice. £300 or nothing.

I have always taken travellers cheques to LOS. However, I do have a Flexaccount and am tempted to use my card to take money from ATMs next visit. So I have a number of questions if a kind boardie would be so kind: (a) Do you punch in the amount you want in terms of pounds sterling or do you have to punch in the amount of baht you require? ( Do you get a receipt in pounds sterling or in baht? © What is the maximum amount in pounds (or baht) you can get in one day? (d) What is the minimum amount in pounds (or baht) you can get in one day? (e) Is the transaction really free of any commission or surcharge with a Flexaccount card? Thanks

Although I am way too old for the lady in question, I would be happy to buy her a few LDs on my next visit. Sounds as though she may be snapped up by then though.

I have not had laser whitening but was enquiring on this board about the process recently. I have, however, had the Brite Smile procedure carried out in the UK. It is a painless procedure which involves the patient sitting in the treatment chair whilst a blue light is focussed onto their teeth that have been coated with some sort of gel. Results were good (I was given "before and after" photos). The procedure, as I recall, cost about £650.00 which I thought was somewhat expensive.

It's certainly mad. And certainly NOT my favourite festival.

For me a night listening to Frank Sinatra, Matt Munro, Johnny Mathis etc. would be perfect. I know I am not going to get it. Just speaking up for music lovers.

Is there anything worse than being in a bar, doing no more than having a quiet drink, when some neanderthal, borderline retarded thug wants to fight you for no reason? One of the great things about LOS is that such behaviour seems far less prevalent than in the UK (and probably most other western societies). Sadly it does still happen, although it is very clear to me that the aggressors are very careful about who they pick on.

I infinitely prefer a direct flight and am willing to pay extra, suffer worse service etc. in order to get to my destination a.s.a.p. For me there is very limited attraction in browsing duty-free shops in airports and purchasing warm beer at 3 times the price I would pay for it at home. I also doubt that layovers are particularly relaxing in any case. Just my point of view. I accept that others will hold a contrary view. Up to you.

Thanks for sharing your excellent photos and giving us a shot of nostalgia.

Thank you to all contributors

Thank you to everyone for contributing information to this thread. I think the trays have it over the painful route. Guess I am just a wimp. Happy New Year to all.

Thanks for the info. Not sure I am up for the pain though. The procedure in England (I think it is called Britesmile) was completely painless.

Just been reading an article by Stickman where a dentist in Pattaya offered to carry out a laser teeth whitening procedure for 11,000 baht. The guy was going to accept this price when the Thai lady he was with advised him against it. Instead she took him to a dentist on Third Road who carried out laser teeth whitening on the guy and also carried out a repair to the ladies teeth for a combined total of 4,000 baht. Whilst in Patts I see many adverts for laser teeth whitening. Has any BM had this treatment? If so, I would be grateful for information as to where the procedure was carried out, the price and whether the results were satisfying. Thanks.

Thanks

Thanks very much to all who have been kind enough to respond.

Happy New Year to all. Does any BM have knowledge of a hotel in Patts (other than the Areca Lodge) that has a gym for use by its guests?