RedRackam

My advice to some on the board is 'stay in bed' it's dangerous out there on the streets Seriously, as one of the posters noted its not that dangerous if you don't go over 30mph , go extra slow around big junctions, be very aware, always look over your shoulder when moving or turning left/right, common sense really. And also let's not forget about the simple probabilities. As some would have it there must be 1000+ dead or maimed everyday in pattaya? I reckon and it's a complete guess that there must be 1 accident per 2000+ motobike rides and maybe 50% of those could be avoided

A low class tourist destination attracts low class tourists. Always exceptions to the rule of course

Anyone who doesn't get a bike when in Pattaya in my opinion is mad. Forget about it all being crazy everything actually works pretty well if you forget what you were taught in your own country. So get yourself a moped for 100bht a day, drive nice and slow, be a little bit more aware, drive like the thais do and you'll be fine. You'll also have an incredible amount of freedom. Out of Hotel, down to Soi 6, up to Carrefour, then to the driving range, on to jomtien for an hour or so, back to the hotel for a shower, off to eat on 2nd road, check out a few beer bars, down to walking stree

Ben, both 5000 and 2500 are fine so you should spend 6 weeks there or so. 5000 is easily enough for a great/day night if you don't go crazy and buy everyone drinks. 2500 for a slower day, afterall do you want to be completly trashed every night? Why not do 2-3 days ON and 1 day OFF, that sort of thing. If you eat cheap then this can easily be done. And as for keeping your money safe, why take it all cash. If you're in the UK go and open an account at the Natiowide because they've got a really good cashcard that makes it very cheap to use when abroad.

Tom I'm not doubting you but if you look at the seat plan it looks like 70 is right in front of the bogs, surely 68 and 69 are OK? Seat plans

What about that suberb tip of heading into Terminal 2 (or 1 whichever is the one that everyone doesn't go to). When I landed in Nov there were about 50 people in each Q but a quick walk to the next Terminal as I had to Q behind 1 person! This has to be one of the best tips around

Yes it was, just booked those seats! Thanks a lot Bergs

I love to save money and popping a valium or 2 and going coach is one hell of a way to go versus business class/evergreen etc. I always recommend people do this and then use the saved money to either buy some nice goods or check into a far better hotel/room.

Yep, that's also another good way of looking at it. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, and of course you can guarantee that the media will lap it up, nothing they like more than a scare story.

Yes that's all lovely Monykey but I'm poor and cheap so only travel 2nd . Anyone been in cattle? I'm going next month so will give a quick report but sorry no cameras, don't want to get tagged as a nerd

Pretty sure the last bus is at 9pm. No other way to Pattaya other than a taxi, 1200-1500bht. Work out if staying in Bangkok for a night is cheaper. Taxi to Hotel = 350 max Hotel = 1000-1200 (take off your hotel price in pattaya) Entertainment = ? but you'd be spending a similar amount in pattaya Taxi from hotel to bus station = 100 max Bus = 100 baht bus to hotel in pattaya = 60 max See what you think

I would not panic about this kind of news. You see these days you have to learn to look behind the curtains, normally everything comes down to money. Chances are the present scare is being heavily promoted by vested interests who're looking to make a lot of money out of it. This is the state of the world we're in, money and the pursuit of it is normally the lowest common demominator of most news. And interesting example of this is the 'if you want a healthy lifestyle/lose weight etc then you must drink at least x litres of water a day etc etc'. But proper studies now show

Anyone flown on one of the new Eva Boing 777-300s yet? I think they've just started flying from London to Bangkok. Travelling soon and just wondering what they and the music/video/tv is like?

Yep, I agree with you, common sense in the way to go, not just with taxis in thailand but also most other things.

You have a point Pen, but then what are the odds of this happening? I'd put them at about 5 million to 1, maybe higher especially if you're going to get murdered, Bangkok ain't Mogadishu last time I checked And also how does anyone know that Mr A,B,C or D driver who people recommend on this thread is not going to get 'hijacked' by his friends somewhere down the road, they rob you and bash Mr A over the head to make it look like he wasn't in on it, then they split the booty the following day. The risks are there all the time and if people are that worried in foreign countries th

I don't see how wanting a taxi for 1050 can be construed as cheap, seems like good value to me, after all it's only a taxi from an airport not a limo to pick up your bride and take her to the church. And why's its so important to get right? You book a taxi (without paying any money upfront) and it doesn't turn up. Not really that much of a problem in my book as there are about 1001 other taxis in the vincinity most of which would love to take you to Pattaya for 1200bht+. Also reading this thread it seems that others have tried to pay full whack, only to regret it as well..........

That's one hell of a deal from the Airport. Has anyone got his email address? Thanks

Well, in my experience of message boards the more views and the more sub-posts the more people find it interesting. Therefore the thread can be deemed as a success. But let's all wait with baited breath for the thread that you start to see how thought provoking it is. PS. Didn't take long for someone to take the bait on the Irish jibe. However, at least one of your countrymen has a bit of style and wit about him with his reply.

Very droll, Gggggrowler

What about the 'cloud question' I know you've can get really burnt when there's cloud cover and no sun (still got the scars to prove it from when I was young!), but can you still tan? I think so, but at less of a rate than if the sun was out, but has anyone got any concrete information?

Yes, that's better thanks. Think I'd rather be Angolan than Irish

PS. Why have I got a mick flag next to my handle, it should show the mighty Cross of St George

Yep, good tips fellas, thanks. However don't think I'll be able to do any sunbathing at 9am in the morning or even 12 for that matter, usually wake up around 1pm-2pm. Also one thing I've never been able to work out is what happens when it's cloudy (light coloured clouds, not dark rainy ones). I believe it it's still possible to burn in that weather but is it possible to tan as well?

I've never really been able to get the hang of getting a good tan in thailand, has anyone got any tips (by the way I'm not intererested in any lectures on skin cancer ) The sun as we know in Thailand is fierce, way more than we get in Europe, even the hottest parts. Basically I tan pretty good once I get rid of my white skin but there lies the problem - how do I get over the hump (before the skin turns) without getting burnt? Suncream stops one burning but does it also stop you getting a tan, or does it just nullify the sun enough for you to get brown without burning? What I

S7 Thanks a lot for your help, pretty strange in this day and age that a commercial business has no access for an email! Still, they've got a fax number so that's great. Once again, thanks for your help SoiBoi