Tengotodo

I would like to join your gents to Pattaya on the 31st. Please see me on the calendar and PM me to cofirm as the time drawers nearer! Pattya - 44

Just wondering if anyone out here has so many miles they want to barter? Does anyone know how to get those scratch-off promotional FF certificates whereby you can add between 500 and 5000 miles to your skymiles account? In any event...44 days and counting!

I did a lot of research before I finally settled at the Areca Lodge. My next and final choice (all things considered) was Sawadee Sea view. The only reason I changed mind at the final moment (and at greater cost) was the 1 or 2 negative posts I've read about SSV. Those posts included; no pool, far from the action, poor rooms.. In the end... the only reason I did not book is no pool.. After I get drunk for several days a nice respite by the pool is very comforting (you can use the other pools the company owns, but you have to travel to do so). The rooms in this section are "new" and do have in-room safes ( a big plus). Guest friendly and only 10 baht bus ride to walking street (I was told). I will have to check it out myself when I get there because I feel I may have made a hasty decision to cancel. ON the other hand, I have heard NOTHING BAD about the Areca Lodge.. FYI. Have fun!! ( I will)

A little more back on topic....There are NO discount deals from USA to BKK!! :frustrated I was lucky to have purchased in August for about $1K (US), but now the price is considerably higher. What's up with that? Where's my cheap-ass fare you guys are talkingn about??

Special Offer from Thai Airways International: $862 - Fly non-stop from NY to Bangkok * New York, Bangkok, Thailand Travel dates: Travel must commence by Dec. 10 Offer Expires November 30, 2005 Award-winning Thai Airways is offering a special fare with a great upgrade bonus. Fly non-stop from New York (JFK) to Bangkok, Thailand for just $862 roundtrip -- one of the lowest non-stop fares for this route. Plus, you can upgrade to the Premium Economy class for an amazing low price of $199 each way. Ranked the forth of the best ten airlines by Travel+Leisure magazine in 2005, Thai Airways currently serves over 73 destinations worldwide in 34 countries, including Europe, Russia, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, and Australasia. Note: The $862 fare does not includes a $50 fuel surcharge or air taxes and fees.

Don't really want to spend New Year's Eve in a car, but if you happend to stay in BKK that night, I can share a cab with you to Pattaya on 01/01/06.

Everything I've read suggests Thai Air and Singapore Airlines are superior to the rest. I plan on trying one next flight.

I scrimp and save my peanuts all year just so I can afford a lousy 3 weeks vacation in Thailand for the 1st time in my pathetic 43-year-old life, and you want advice on the best way to take 4-months off! :frustrated Wish I had your worries, mate. I'm very jealous!!

You don't suppose they "bumped" me for someone willing to pay the higher prices (since they all went up very recently)? No, they would never do that!! Bastards!!

got a call from my travel agent yestersday. Seems Delta screwed up my ticketed reservation purchased over 2 months ago. All of a sudden there are no seats available for me on the outbound flight AND on the return flight. After 3 hours on the phone with various idiots, all they could do was get me on the next plane out, 13 hours later AND forced me to take a 10-hour layover in LAX. I figured this was all their fault and quite an inconvenience so they should somehow compensate me for all this. NOPE. They told me either a refund or take the layover. NEVER fly Delta again!!!! (I took the layover)

Maybe, just MAYBE I"m in the bed for 6-7 hours a day. All I really care about is the availability of companionship and the location of the nearest beer garden. Nice pics. thanks for sharing them

And let's not forget about the likely "surcharge" for the Gala dinner event (bullshit). Add another B2000!

3 months? Christ 'ol mighty. How can anyone afford to vacation for 3 months! I"m very jealous.

I've heard somewhere that the "Miami" hotel in BKK is a place you can afford and will remember the rest of your life.

Hey, I though you were living on a budget? What are you doing trying to rent a room at the Nana?

Welcome to the board. How many days left for you? Read the posts and you will learn so much.

I'm guessing there must be quite a few frequent flyers here who may have amassed a great deal of miles? If so, does anyone know the forum for discussions about trading/bartering/buying FF miles?

This is the first post I have seen which mentions the month of December!! That means my time is coming - finally!! Unfortunately, I don't arrive until 12/27/05 at noon. I'm starting to tingle

Thanks to all for their input. I continue to believe my decision to try the Nana for the first BKK experience is a good one, at least for the first few days. I would have done the same at the Flipper in Pattaya if it wasn't forever booked, so opted for Areca. Looking forward to Nana parking lot and proximity to NP! With Soi Cowboy a short skytrain away I'm sure I'll have plenty to report upon my return (IF I return) Someone recommended a "suite" at the Nana, but the hotel informed me via email there are no suites available. Others have stated BGs won't go with you if you have a room at the Nana (which I'm not sure about but I seriously doubt it). So, lot's of information to be gleaned - some good and some questionable. All in all, however...lots of fun sifting through it. Nana? I'm on the way!

This is not a Newbie Section, so a small, heart-felt flame is coming your way...You've been a member of this board since August 5, 2005 - about 100 days. Have you been reading at all? This question has been asked/answered a million times. I am new myself and admittedly don't know shit. But I sort of feel you have to "earn" your knowledge with at least a minimal effort. Interesting to see how the other members feel...

That is so funny! I have no doubt it's quite true as well. I began this thread only because I know sure as hell I DO NOT want to retire in the US, so I"m sort of searching for places to go (in about 15 years or so). My first choice is somewhere in South America or Mexico since I am fluent in Spanish and the cost of living is generally cheaper. However, the nightlife, while I"m sure exciting, probably does not equal the likes of Pattaya (based upon my limited research to date). So, where was I? Oh, yeah....73 days to go! I've extended my vacation for 19 days so I can get a better "taste" of what BKK and Pattaya has to offer!

Popular suggestion for newbies (like us) is to meet at Gulliver's in BKK for expat advice and heavy beer drinking. Do a search on the term, or just read! Looking forward to your trip report! Welcome.

I was simply trying to be informative for other board members Personally, I don't care if there's a cholera outbreak, black plague epidemic, SARS scare, ebola, etc.. NOTHING could actually keep me from going. Hey, my "normal" life sucks on a regular basis, so I have arguably not much to lose (since I"m going straight to heaven) In fact, if the government was so concerned about thwarting the spread of virus and disease, they would do well to consider banning me from going! Ok, seriously...there are no known cases of passing the flu from human to human, so like a previous poster said, ".....don't fuck any live chickens and you have nothing worry about." 73 days 'till wheels up!

this is from the US CDC and WHO: The vast majority of the known human cases have resulted from direct contact with poultry, and there is only limited evidence to suggest possible human-to-human transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department are concerned about the potential for human-to-human transmission of this highly dangerous flu strain, and are working closely with other partners in an effort to monitor the outbreak. At this time, CDC and the WHO have not issued any travel alerts or advisories for avian flu-infected areas. However, CDC advises travelers to countries in Asia with documented H5N1 outbreaks to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. CDC advises travelers to clean their hands often with soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand-rubs to help prevent disease transmission. In addition, as a precaution, all foods from poultry, including eggs, should be thoroughly cooked. CDC further advises any travelers with a febrile respiratory illness returning from countries affected by H5N1 virus (bird flu) to seek prompt medical attention. The WHO does not at present conclude that any processed poultry products (whole refrigerated or frozen carcasses and products derived from these) or eggs pose a risk to public health. A specific vaccine for humans that is effective against avian influenza has not yet been developed. Based upon limited data, the CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication Oseltamavir (brand name-Tamiflu) may be effective in preventing or treating avian influenza. Using this input, the Department of State has decided to pre-position the drug Tamiflu at its Embassies and Consulates in the Southeast Asian Region for eligible US Government employees and their families serving abroad. Tamiflu may not be readily available overseas and the State Department encourages American citizens traveling or living abroad that are interested in obtaining this medication to consult with their physician. Americans who are planning travel to a country that has reported the virus or who are concerned about the Avian flu are advised to monitor the CDC and the WHO web sites, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm and http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ for the latest information. Additional country information can be obtained from the Department of State's Consular Information Sheets at http://travel.state.gov and from the Department of State's toll-free number, 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from overseas, 202-501-4444. CDC Contact Information:

In a pathetic attempt to "protect" me as well as to thwart the fulfillment of a dream, my loved ones have recently brought to my attention a newspaper article dated 10/11/05 that warns of the Asian Flu epidemic in Thailand this year. The article is very sobering and warns of a pandemic the likes of which has not been seen in decades. Specifically mentioning Thailand (Bangkok), Cambodia, and Vitenam, the article warns travelers to NOT go and if they must, to get innoculated. Question: Has/will anyone change their plans because of this? I'm new and dumb, but not stupid. Does anyone else take this as a serious threat?