EDP

Soi Buakow if for the guys on a budget.. The newer Hotels are new but they still have the Thai bare bones concept. Nothing wrong with staying on Buakow and its actually becoming quite active these days. Thats just the scoop on the Hotels...

I have been travelling to LOS since 1992 an avg of 4 times a year. I stay in Pattaya a min of 3 weeks. I also have my own bike that I keep over there.I have witnessed a total of or the aftermath of about 4 bike wrecks in all those years. Normally they are the idiots on crotch rockets racing right into the back of a baht bus. I have also noticed when reading in the paper that alot of Thais are killed out on Sukhumvit racing along late at night. Where most of us would not be operating one in the first place. Those guys drive like idiots are normally drunk and are asking for it. Yes I have met bar girls with the road skid marks on their legs. And normally to go with it is a THAI MOTO Taxi driver that was driving her, Or her lack of any experience operating one herself. Talk to any of the ex pats over there and u will see it is a way of life to have a bike. There are 70 year old guys driving them on Soi Buakow. **If you read the paper you will now see that many tour busses or taxis travelling from BKK to Pattaya or the re reverse are being involved in horrendous accidents! Drivers falling asleep with tourists on board. Now there is a risk right there! I am more uncomfortable on that late night long trip to and from the airport than on my moped! Hey its totally up to the tourist of course!! But it isnt poor judgement to say not to use one. Its up to a rational thinker to understand the responsibilites and to not get on one if he never rode or has conditions that would not warrant it being a good idea. Happy motoring!!

It is FULL of Arabs and they are up at the weirdest times and make A LOT of noise. I stay right down the street and that place is packed.. gets quiet when the US Navy is in town though. Id steer clear of that place....

Had a guest stay there needed emergency room This was just in Feb 06. Rooms are new and clean but small and very very basic. if you just want a cheap and clean room its fine But for me I coudlnt its to depressing. Typical Thai style bare walls a bed an end table and tv Bldg is new.

Your so right in not being restricted as to when and where to eat and on that note shopping for goods either.. You have som much more choice. Dont forget how spendy it can get if you can get to Jomtien beach! Not on a bike though! They are just so handy that it outweighs the risks

Took some girls out an evening in the Boyztown area to let them have a look see at the guys strutting around in their white drawers ..hey I thought it would be a nice way to get them lubed up for fun later. Well they went into it all happy and actually enjoying it for a little bit. However, It was VERY obvious that the guys working in those places are not catering to a female clientel and I would advise against it. You got the look and the general aura that it wasnt working. Actually,, women know the difference when they are almost nude gay guys vs a stripper club with straight guys like back home.. Sorry for such a negative outlook thats just my experience. Maybe others can ad further!! Ed

Ive been hitting Pattaya 3 to 4 times a year since 1992 and have rented the Big Bikes when I was young and carefree and as time went on " Graduated" to the smaller 110-115 cc Kawasakis Hondas and Yamahas. I do not think that you are taking your life in your hands to ride the smaller bikes unless you have little to no experience on a bike at all. A lot of the accidents are the idiots that drive aggresivley and just dont give a sh..t. You just have to remain alert and not watch the sidewalks and whos walking on them. The bike allows you the freedom to get away from those stupid baht bus drivers, and save quite a bit of money. To go grab food where you want and when. To walk a few feet to a bike then wave down the baht bus. Hey I understand and said with respect that alot of gents on here might be cautious and perhaps a bit up in years or with health issues. Then I would seriously agree to stay off. But if your in ok health can operate a small bike, then go for it!! Yes the Police target bikes, but I have not been stopped ever on my trips. I wear a helmet and just follow the rules. Probably the only one haha.. But that it. The Police will slam a Thai these days just as quick on violations. They are looking for pretty much three things. 1 helmet 2. Insurance 3. Drug users.. On the new Yamaha Nouvo. be careful!! "Hot bike" for theft now... If you rent get one thats not brand new. Less of a target!! they do steal bikes!!!!!! Happy riding!!!!

I used the departure cabs too area before but had a guy jump in the back seat saying he was just getting a ride. You should have seen me bail out!! a 2nd time I tried it the cab started out OK then wanted me to switch to another car in downtown BKK. It has its good point and its bad....

150 baht a day? You might mean one of the 100-125 CC scooter bikes Like a Dream, or Nouvo etc. They are fun and really peppy! Stay off the Big Bikes! Insurance is required in Thailand and they check it ALL the time in Pattaya as well as helmets. If you have a fair guy renting to you the insurance card will be kept attached under the seat where you pick it up to fuel. You can check the exp date when you rent the bike. This is probably the most limited Insurance you could carry on the bike. The card is about worth the paper its on . All new bikes come with the insurance deal thrown in. It only covers a little bit IM talking like a thousand baht etc. If you trash the bike you are responsible to pay for it as well as any other damages that occur as well as medical bills. They might want to hold your paasport at time of rental. I have gotten away with a photocopy of it along with the Hotel Im staying at. Lock the bike wherever you go even if you see others not locking it.<<< It only takes a sec. The newer the bike the better a target. I just make sure that I have enough money that I can access through my bank card to pay for it If I ever trashed one. I have been going there since 1992 and have not yet. Youll have so much fun and the least trouble on the small bikes. Good luck to you!!

Great advice. I found this last trip though that the fares are for sure going up. They have the gas prices just like we do as well as alot of drivers are not wanting to drive at 2 am. They want a little more for early AM trips. Those signs you see in Pattaya for 800 Baht to Don Muang are not too accurate. If you have a normal lets say 10 am departure no prob but if you have one of those damn 0600 take offs nope on cheap taxi. Back to leaving Don Muang. The 3 a day Minivan offered from Thai Limosene is no longer. That was a cheap way. Prob why its not around any more. If your going straight to Pattaya then the taxi stand outside the terminal just might do it. There is also a service charge involved> Read the sign in front of you so you dont think your getting ripped off. They are a little tip crazy at your destination though. I tip good too!. Toll ways are extra<<<<<< Lets figure 1300 total for the treip... Just an estimate. Calling a hotel taxi in bangkok might cost more do to traffic and tollways to get you unless youve called in advance...

Sorry if the posts got you down a little bit. Its only because many gents have gone over thinking we had enough but like previously mentioned You never know what is going to develope!!! Every day can be a new adventure!!!!!! Get yourself excited and pumped up!! Man I wish I could say I had 6 months to go over and kick back!!!!! I can tell you this. Pattaya will get old after you have been partying non stop. Plan a few side trips to islands, scenic places and the rest. Just to get out of town for a few days. Then its exciting when you come back again! If your in Pattaya there are many travel offices to hook you up with side trips. They will pick you up right at your hotel/house door so just menader down with your hangover and jet!!! If you try to take a nice lady with you for an adventure try somone from a stand bar. the go go girls will cost you an arm and a leg to stay with you out of work etc. Wishing you the best!!! Ed

Starting out with a month is time enough!!!! And you wont burn out or come home totally broke. If you can.. have an open return ticket<<<<< Important!! My first trip over we didnt have all these message boards so I burned money so fast had to go home early... Also if you can avoid it dont bring all that cash with you ATM cards work great over there!!! Read the board carefully before heading over. Safety is not an issue. Youll be fine. Just getting scammed is another thing!! It pays to do your homework in advance:-)

Dont go over there blind, or go over there with high hopes of finding a great job. I think most of us have felt that way after the first 2 trips over to la la land. Your so in awe with it all you just want to bail out of the real world and move over there forever. No cares, beaches, the best girls, you know the deal. Reality is... it does catch up to you with finances and unending issues surprises back home. If your all squared away and got your 20 or plus in I know youll have a full check coming your way. Thats great!! Dont expect much in the way of your Military Insurance if you get sick. Its a cash only deal and getting worse over there. Great Hospitals!! But reality is starting to catch up on prices...Some insurance works " BUPA" some doesnt. Like alot of American carriers! With a Military pension youll do just fine. Youll be doing the trip to Cambodia every 3 months or so for a new Visa but who cares.. Please let me know If I can help any further. Been there done that!! All the best to you and Thanks for your Mil. service!! ED

Only there for two weeks?? All I know is that when Im out whooping it up at night and getting in in the AM as well as with mixed company The farthest thing from my mind is looking around Pattaya in the hot sun for a gym.. If I was there over 2 weeks I sure would take it up but with the combination of jet lag and trying to squeeze as much fun in as you can in two short weeks you have to wonder!! HAVE A GREAT TIME