Danlo

Your not going to last long in Thailand, your thinking western ideals and not understanding Thailand, leave now or get used to it, it will still be the same however angry you get and only you will be crazy.

The location and new chip shops all over the place as well as everywhere offers fish and chips was always going to be its downfall.

Beats me why so many people come to Thailand and eat it when the Thai food is far more healthy, tasty and reasonably priced.

Dont make a fuss when they piss on your front porch, once you complain to the typical cat owner who says the cat was here before you they then know you have a problem with them.

Just stay shtum and drop them a tasty morsel that will dissuade them from doing it again.

Jing, I doubt you will get that much from beach books, I used to use that shop at tops and you were lucky to get 50/60 baht for a brand new book bought the week before in Asia books.

I have found the best exchange from Canterbury Tales Bookshop but you sometimes need to speak to Dave himself as his staff are not right up on it.

Where is Pauls sports bar Jomtien condos by the way ??

Yes just as horrible as in UK, Only difference is in UK they breed well because plenty to eat, song birds eggs etc etc, here not so much to eat and snakes and such eat thier eggs so not so many.

I play Golf here and cringe when I see them as I hate them, they are similar to the Carrion crow in UK and sound and fly the same.

Sorry how long did you say you had been here ?

Went once in the jomtien bookshop and offered the lady 3 books I had bought in UK and at the airport, she offered me 30 baht for each although 2 were as new, I had a look at her stock and found it dated and over priced, in fact one of her books was the same as I was selling, she had it up for 220 baht and mine was in better condition and she was offering 30 baht.

I used to use tops but his lady was a bit stroppy with me as I took a book back from there and complained it had 3 pages missing, she say I lose page, I said no of course not, she refused to give me another book or even credit as the pages were missing, how easy they lose a customer.

Since then I use Canterbury Tales Bookshop, the guy Dave offers a good fair exchange rate, they have far superior choice and are cheaper than tops, what really ads to the place is the cafe all day English breakfasts 90 baht, free wifi and I have stayed in some of the rooms and very competitive in a great location.

This is where I found the book above in post #65

Typical, every time someone dies, some idiot pipes up as if its a murder cover up, brainless people who pass on the rubbish they hear other idiots blurt out.

This company has been running for many years and have a good reputation, they have a base on 3rd road by the fire station and also have bikes outside Canterbury Tales Cafe & Bookshop, they have good monthly rates and good insurance.

Running since 1995

Has anyone actually flown with them yet ???

I was drinking coffee at a place down there when one of the watch selling guys came along, he displayed his watches to me in the case and with his other hand underneath picked up my phone, I had no idea until he had gone and I wondered why he left so abruptly.

Beware these types.

On soi Bauhkao opposite the R-con hotel, good close shave and hair cut 60 baht each.

I found this little gem recently, anyone want it when I have finished it.

I still have it.

I spend most of my time in this area, so many bars, some good some poor but is all down to choice, I am an avid reader too so most mornings I have breakfast at Canterbury Tales Cafe and am probably one of their best book customers, they have such a huge collection and the exchange scheme is something Asia books dont offer.

Pattaya falling into a cheap charlie abyss ? No way !

Holiday Inn, Pullman , Sheraton and Hilton groups would disagree, this investment by some of the worlds leading quality hotel chains is quite recent, and I'm sure the people entrusted to manage the investments of these multinationals are pretty good at their jobs and have done their homework, so why did they choose Pattaya ?

However much it may irk those who don't live in Pattaya or those that struggle by on meagre funds in a 3000 Baht per month room in Soi Exzyte, or those that just can't stand the fact that Pattaya can attract people outside the stereotypes they imagine all visitors to Pattaya to be, Pattaya is in fact, in an ascendancy.

Yes there are run down areas that cater to the budget conscious people, Soi Chaiyaphum for example, and I was there myself only a few days ago at Canterbury Tales for some books, but the lack of a paved road makes the whole road look really bad, take that with impossible parking, it's not very apealing to people who are here on holiday.

Put those same Tourists on Wong Amat beach, they'll think totally different.

I dont think it will effect guys on holiday as not many have cars, a few have bikes but the average holiday maker who knows better will not use a motorbike, too dangerous, chaiyapoon soi has been resurfaced now anyway.

Compensation, ahh those Western ideals.........

Its funny when people say, it didnt rain this time last year as if it comes in the post.

I know 8 people who left about a year ago, some went to Phili and some back home, all yes all are back now in Pattaya, its a case of the grass is greener but it does not take long to realise there is only one Pattaya.

I love sonkran, I can never understand people who moan and winge over the best event in Thailand's calender.

Sorry but its down to you, if you cant stop your cat doing it then the only mistake I guess he made was that he told you he was going to do it.

To me cats are vermin, I know they are pets also but pets some of the time and out killing song birds when they get the chance and crapping in someone else's garden and peeing all over the place.

I read A Woman of Bangkok by Jack Reynolds, a true Classic, anyone want it ?

I am just about to read Christopher G Moore's book, A Killing smile, anyone read any of his other books ?

Go to Foodland or Freindship buy some real mince beef, a small pot of Paprika, an onion some salad and some rolls of your choice, you will beed a hot plate of course and make your own they are much nicer and real.

This is Thailand, stop thinking western standards, if you want western service go back there and pay through the nose for it, no insult meant but look at the big picture in Thailand not small detail.

On soi Bauhkao just along Northerly from Oasis a go go, opposite side next to the gold shop and a gold shop opposite a great REAL Thai massage with no extras but all the girls are very experienced, Foot, Thai massage 100 baht per hr and oil 200 baht, never had a bad one yet.