Chris100UK

The title of the topic was taken from the video clip, i wouldn't necessarily use the word 'sleaze' in a negative light being a monger myself.

Apologies if this has been posted before. I just noticed it on BBC website Not sure if those outside the UK will need a proxy server to access? It's just a short video about plans to change pattaya's image http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/fast_track/9748412.stm Brief footage inside Alcatraz. I always wonder how they get these shots? Obviously with the permission of management (these are not hidden camera shots and the girls are not nude), but i wonder if they pay?

Ok, i'm inclined to think this was nearer to Bali Hai pier end of walking street if not at that specific location. I took this still from the same 1984 documentary. You can see the more permanent structures near the start of walking street I'm guessing this was nearer the other end of walking street....cut off from view without a panoramic lens. This modern day view shows Bali Hai pier This shot from Bali Hai pier shows how close it is to the hills And a still from the video shows it isn't too far out. Possibly the same spot...but from the beach rather than halfway along the new pier?

Where the Pattaya Beer Garden is? So it was clear beach all the way down behind walking street back then?

Not sure where this pier was located? Is it where Bali Hai is today? Hills to the left seem further away than present day Bali Hai pier. It was filmed in 1984 as part of whickiers world 'Fast boat to China' QE2 documentary

I bet that new ATM/Currency Exchange gets hit a lot with the prices at Galaxy

If getting a Kasikorn account make sure you get the normal K-debit card. They may give you the more expensive K-Max card and you will pay 700 baht (as opposed to 300) for the bonus or having some extra health insurance.

http://www.pattayaforum.net/forum/forum.php

One more Soi Diamond meets walking street 1975 or 76 Credit to Kaiyai

Credit for Pics to Paul, pumpuang1, and Donald20 vielen Dank

Some photos i found on a German Pattaya forum....hopefully a few that members haven't seen before. I can't vouch for the dates. Hopefully no problem reposting them (as they are not exactly Private content) Pattaya 1960 Pattaya 1965 Pattaya 1972 Pattaya Palace 1972 Pattaya 1975 Jomtien 1975 Pattaya beach 1977 Pattaya Palace 80's Pattaya Beach 1981-82 Lam Morrison 1984 Lam Morrison 2008 Soi Diamond 1985 Soi 2 bars 1986 (later demolished for HoneyPot) Soi 2 1986 Central Pattaya road 1986 Walking Street 1979 Walking Street 1986 Walking St early 90's

I love those sandwiches. After boozing a can't resist a snack, and these stop me from hitting Mcdonalds or getting kebab.

Priority is good entertainment, reasonable food, and quick layovers if necessary. For stopping off i like Emirates and Qatar. I make sure there is only a short layover in the Middle East (my limit is 3-4hrs). Both have good entertainment systems. to pass the time. Direct... i prefer EVA to Thai. Again, better entertainment. I have flown Kingfisher before. Not bad, but Mumbai to BKK leg saw us on a less impressive plane than London-Mumbai. A higher % of Indian nationals using there home airline (compared with say Arabs using Emirates/Qatar) means things like queues and boarding procedures get messy. Trying Oman next time. At £495 i thought i'd checked some reviews. Surprisingly positive. Hopefully a decent alternative to Emirates/Qatar.

Well done boys!

Looks like nuts or chocolate to me. He was saying what sounded like Tao-lat on his megaphone.

I don't usually stay in rooms with a safe (even then i don't trust them having had a maid skim some cash on a trip to Angeles back in 2010). When i barfine i undress (and therefore take money/cash cards) in the bathroom before taking a shower. Back up cards and travellers cheques are already locked in a suitcase. I have chanced it before in the past...but i'd have the bathroom door open and have sight of where my cash is. Going for a shit was the problem!

Watching that video i wouldn't have described him as an old guy. "Apparently some big dude (40's or 50's) walked into staghead grabbed an older guy who was sitting in there" Are we certain this Brummie guy was the one getting beaten?

The Post Office have been advertising free international money transfers to overseas bank accounts Post office money transfer I can only assume they give a poor excahnge rate to make their profit?

No, not me. I was merely filming the recycling lady at work

Yes, i find masturbating at the window is cheaper than paying barfines

Not sure which floor to take for the best view of soi 6. I want to take some pics so the top floor with balcony will be too high. Good for a general view...but not for girly pics (angle too steep so getting tops of girls heads/distance too far). Does anyone who has stayed there have an opinion on whether floor 1 or 2 offers the best view? The powerlines across floor 1 may be a problem?

Thanks for the advice. Bank transfer is a better option than i thought. It may be worth opening a halifax account to take advantage of cheap transfer rates. I've also got a side trip to the P.I booked. I wonder if my Kasikorn card will be any cheaper than using a UK bank card for atm withdrawls? Not really a fan of carrying cash. I've had some skimmed from a hotel room safe in AC, and some taken from my bag in a bkk hotel.

Just weighing up which option to go for? I already have a kasikorn account My bank would charge £25 for a bank transfer. The other option is to take Sterling TC's (1% charge on £1500 = £15)and pay them into the Thai account for convenience. With bank transfers, do you tend to get a poorer exchange rate? If taking TC's, will paying them straight into the bank be a mistake? Would i be better cashing them at a currency booth first to get a better exchange rate?

Looking at some info i have just discovered that i paid more than i needed to for my Kasikorn debit card. Not knowing that there are different ATM cards to choose from, they naturally signed us up for the K Max debit card (which has an annual fee of 550baht plus 150b card fee). Total = 700b If you want a regular ATM card you only need the 'K debit card' (200 baht annual fee + 100b for card itself). Total = 300b The extra annual fee for the K Max card gives you some sort of basic life insurance, which presumably you won't need if you have already got travel insurance. The woman who helped us open the account didn't discuss our options, so make sure you ask for the cheaper basic ATM card. On my next visit i will have to go back and change my card over. The annual fee for a card (even at 200b) is a pain in the arse for the simple reason that you have to make sure there is always money in your account. You can do without the card and just use your bank book for withdrawls, but you are relying on bank opening times. Travellers cheques would be more convenient.