dennismoore

No, i am not a train enthusiast. Not since I travelled 14 hrs in a train from Cairo to Aswan. But Bangkok- Pattaya is only 3,5 hrs. Coming to think of it: 3,5 hrs for a 150 km. journey isn't such a great average speed. But it is only 40 baht and the bus from Ekemai to Pattaya isn't much quicker. So maybe I take Thai Airways bus. Thanks!

Hi, I'll be arriving at BKK around 5.20 am, so that leaves me enough time to go the railway station near Rama IV Road (train leaves at 7.10 am). Just a few questions: - Is there a trainconnection from BKK to the railway station at Rama IV - Can you just show up and buy a ticket or must you make reservation in advance Any other comments are welcome!

Hi, Stephan Leather's book "Private Dancer" is an absolute must read. It is already a classic! It's free (PDF-format) and can be downloaded on the author's website www.stephenleather.com. There are also links from Freeelancerbar.com and Stickman.com to the author's site. It's one of my favourite books. I also liked "Apsara Jet" by Nicolas Merriweather, which is set in the region (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos). I liked it, although it is not as good as Private Dancer (matter of taste I guess).

Hi all, I tried to make reservation at Apex Hotel for my trip in january 2003, but they claim to be fully booked. And so is Flipper Lodge. So if anyone plans on staying in Pattaya in january, you better act fast to secure your favourite hotel.

Hi, I stayed in the Apex in June. 500 baht/ night in a so-called marble room, which was located in the back side of the hotel. Nice and clean room, had very good large TV (with cable and satellite), large fridge. In room safe is good, but too small for laptop (if you're travelling with such a thing). Deposit for key of inroom-safe is 1500 baht, which will be refunded at check-out. There was no joiner fee. Minibar bill is a little scam. They tend to add a certain amount to your bill. Not a big deal to me, although the thought of being ripped off, even if it's for a few bath, may be too much for some. Think of it this way; you spend thousands of baht on girls and beer, so the 200 baht extra for the minibar (hopefully) won't make you do a "Enron/ Worldcom". My communication with Apex was good. Not fast, but I received response within a couple of days (Promenade Hotel in BKK responded to my request after 2 months!). If you read the reviews, you'll notice that the Apex is a basic hotel (not even close to the RG!). But I liked it! It is perfectly located on 2nd Road. Just a short walk to beach, Royal Garden Plaza. If you decide to take a baht bus, there are millions of them passing the hotel, so no problem. I used to walk to Walking Street every night. Great 15 minute walk along the beachside (my idea of fun). The hotel staff is friendly. After a couple of days they started to remember my roomnumber, so when I returned to the hotel I didn't have to say a thing. They knew which room I was in. I will stay at Apex in January and June 2003 again. Unbeatable price, good location, good hotel. Just my opinion. Hope it is of any help to you! Dennis

There is a very good, if not excellent, offer from a Dutch travel agent Holiday International at the moment: Flight from Amsterdam-Helsinki-Bangkok and a 7 night stay in Sabai Lodge in Pattaya for € 579 (price valid from 11 januari until 31 march 2003. Free of charge you can extend your stay (once booked you can't change return date). I realise this may not be very helpful at 1st sight, but if such an offer can be made in Holland, why can't it be done in Norway? So check out the travelagents for a good deal with Finnair. Dennis PS: Flew China on several occasions and their crew, including pilot, speaks English nowadays. No problem!

Thanks Alan and Pete! I certainly am NOT in to sex with underage girls! No way! But spend time with a 18 year old bargirl. Which seemed okay (legal) to me at that time. Next day I came across the part of the FLB site saying 20 years or over is the legal age. That was an very unpleasant surprise and scared me. So all you guys out there: Check ID's upfront! You don't want to be in thai prison. I don't want to anyway. Next time I'll make sure the girl is 20 years or over. Bu the way: Loved FLB bar! A very pleasant place to hang out. So much different from all the beer bars. More style so to say. And the ladies are very nice and pleasant to talk to as well. See you next time. Dennis

This is not intended to be an question about bargirls, so please allow me this question: Can anyone tell me the exact status on this? FLB website (this site) says that the girl you have sex with must be 20 years or older. But other sources say 18 years or older. I got me confused and scared for a few moments, when I spend some time with a 18 year old girl. Don't like to end up in Thai prison.

Just an addition to my earlier reponse: It has been reported by other members, that the Apex tends to mess up your minibat bill. And yes they do! But don't get alarmed. Since items from the minibar are so cheap, even with adding 200 baht to your bill, it's still cheap. But it's just not a nice thing that's done by the Apex. Once again: They do tend to mess up your bill, they did it to me, but it won't stop me from staying there again. But I rather see them stoping this kind of thing en raise there mini-bar prices by 10 baht. Then it would still be cheap and some guest wouldn't get mad.

Hi Defwez, Did I get a discount? No! I was truly surprised, since I'm staying there for 10 days and yes, I did ask. They just said no. Then I thougt: " well, I'm checking out late, so maybe they'll let me keep my room until 6 pm for free". Big no again. Have to pay full rate for checking out late. That surprised me, because In Thailand it seems like there is room for bargaining everywhere. But not in the Apex Hotel. But still I like it. 500 baht for a nice, simple A/C room is okay for me. So I don't give it a second thought. The ID-policy Chico is referring to is strict. But I like that. Some might like it, others don't. Up to you! You might get a nicer hotel in Ptty, but it will costs you more. Although I'm on a budget somehow, 300 baht/ a night won't kill me. So I can afford a "better" room, but since I only sleep there (and some other things, no need to explain ) I thought and still think I can save myself a few baht and stay at the Apex. Not the perfect hotel, but clean, nice staff, close to the action. So good enough for me. By the way: I stayed at JW Marriott in BKK. Now that's a hotel! Wow!

I am staying at the Apex right now and think it is pretty good for the 500 baht rate. Simple rooms, but with good 21" color TV, lots of channels (incl. StarSport, Starmovies and StarWorld, CNN, BBC World). Also large fridge. Minibar-prices are cheap. Breakfastbuffet is cheap at 85 baht, but Kiss restaurant is just a few metres away and they are an absolute bargain! Breakfast (2 fried eggs, bacon, toast) 32 baht. Walked past Eastiny Inn, Flipper logde etc. They are RIGHT in the middle of the action. If you like that, stay in Flipper or Eastiny. If you like to be very close to the action, but not IN the action then you better stay at Apex or Diana or Lek Hotel. Must say Eastiny and Flipper (don't know whether it was Lodge or House, was on soi 7) looked very good from the outside. I noticed there are rooms availible in every pricerange. Even saw rooms for only 200 baht. So whatever your budget is, Pattaya has a room for you.

Comment on China Airlines: Indeed good service. European non-stop flights to BKK from Amsterdam (daily), Frankfurt and Paris (?). Amsterdam flight departs from Schiphol Airport at 14.25 hrs., which is good for me. Flight back home at 02.25 hrs, which is also good because you can enjoy whole day/ evening in BKK. No problem to depart in middle of night since we are in "night mode" anyway Flew CI last year and will fly CI again this year because fare is also very good (€ 575 rt in June). Beats KLM anytime on both fare and service.