seasia

Hello

I`ve been to Guangzhou a few times although not for quite some time.

I went primarily to do some buying( for import in to UK ) and quite liked the place although some of my friends hated it.

Out of touch now so can`t suggest where to go but you should be able to find cheap( ish) goods there.

If you want a reasonably pleasant area to stay in, google Shamian Island, I`ve stayed in that area about 3 times, at both the White Swan Hotel and the Victory Hotel.

Near the river, there was at the times I went a few bars by the riverside to relax in the evening with an iced beer or two.

You`d need to use taxis to get to more central Guangzhou but no hardship with that.

Sorry to hear that news.

RIP

I stayed at Jings there last month.

More than happy with it, handy location, paid 800 baht a night, decent size comfortable room.

Other rooms there from 500 - 1100 baht a night.

Hello

I watch it sometimes, but not usually until after midnight Thai time.

Just switched it on now though, to check, it is fine, sound and picture.

I`ve never had any problem with the sound or picture quality, it`s actually better than BBC World, which is sometimes very poor.

I`m on cable, through Banglamung TV, in naklua

No idea if that helps you and I`m not in the slightest technically minded but seems fine/excellent to me.

I am shocked the police did nothing. I wonder what would happen if you insisted to make a police report, which is your right. It might have forced them to act ???

Oh for XXXXX sakes.... A bouncer thumps a gobby, drunken punter as he gets kicked out of a club on Union Street in Aberdeen on Saturday night. There's a proper working police force in the UK but he doesn't go running to the cops does he. He's pished and more likely to get banged up by the cops for being a bloody nuisance.

Kudos for the OP for having enough sense to take it as a 'reality check' and not to argue over something as worthless as excess charging in a locale where honesty isn't commonly practiced. I only venture down WS when I have some mates visiting from overseas. Although I first strolled down the former WS some time in 1979, even back then it was loads more fun with a group or at least one buddy.

If I saw the fella who did it again I'd have no beef with him at all.

Have to say though I don't think the punishment fitted the crime. If they had gave me a warning ie if you don't pay up in 30 seconds you are going to take a beating then fair enough, or if I was attempting to leave the premises without paying (doing a runner) then again fair enough. But that wasn't the case.

I had to re read to see whether you had paid or not, appears you did pay going by this post.

An over reaction on the part of security, if a bar`s staff can`t handle having the odd complaint/question about a bill, they perhaps need some re training.

Happy enough to take money whilst a customer is getting a little drunk, then not equipped or prepared to to deal with the result.

I think I am in the minority here but think the OP should not have been hit, no need.

Bill paid, some words, end of story, enough.

I am surprised nobody suggested Hopf on the beach road. A huge pub, with nice live music and great Italian food, and of course their own brewed beer. It is almost always full of people, nice atmosphere. In my opinion. And yes, there are also normal people living here like me and my gf.

Thanks.

That is one place I`ve never been to, aware of it of course.

if anyone knows whether live music is on every night of the week or not and up until what time,I`d be grateful to know.

Cheers

Hello

" Walk In Mansion " on soi bukhao was 8 K baht a month, tiny( I do mean tiny) room. Larger rooms but 10 K + 12 K

" Baan Po " 3rd Road, soi 8 was 7 K a month, small but not tiny, quite nice for the money.

"Baan Choi Na soi 9 Pattaya Klang( also off soi bukhao ) about 7 K a month.Reasonable.

Central Place Apartment soi 16 off Pattaya Klang, about 7 K a month.

I`ve viewed all but not stayed at them.

Have contact details if any use/interest.

Also have info on some naklua places at similar prices.

A few off topic posts have been removed from view.

There are lots of places to visit that would fit your requirements. Try the Purple Space Monkey, Hard Rock, Gullivers, Green Tree, Moon River Pub. I like the beer garden on the right just before you enter walking street. Leo's Blues bar has a pretty regular group visiting there. Though not all would be called "normal" Just kidding. Leo is a great guy.

If you are looking for something to do tonight, there's a charity event at The Village on Suk and Chayiapruek for a local musician. Should be some good music to listen to and lots of others there to help support Andre and his family.

https://www.facebook.com/events/355903001189173/

I`ve been to all the places mentioned there( middle paragraph) and think any would be suitable.

Despite living in naklua and Purple Space Monkey being the furthest away, for me it just edged out the others.

Hard Rock bottom of the list, all the others in between depending on personal taste.

I`ve also been in some of the Thai bars along 3rd Road, forgotten the names but busy and friendly, never had any problem there

Just a quick report on my visit :

I stayed at Jings Guesthouse, which had rooms from 500 baht to 1100 Baht I think.

Chose a 800 baht room, it was fine, comfortable, everything worked and for me as a 1st time visitor was in a handy location.

Nice selection of bars and restaurants in Hua Hin I thought, enjoyed the visit.

I`d happily re visit.

Hello

I was in Hua Hin a couple of weeks ago on a visit.

I only tried 2 Italian restaurants so cannot compare to others in Hua Hin but the pizza in Da Marios was excellent IMO.

Thin crust, good ingredients, I had the Parma Ham one, plenty of choice on the menu.

A pasta dish there was also good.

Not particularly cheap and service maybe not quite what it should be but enjoyed the meal and the food was good quality.

Large restaurant, nice setting and well laid out.

I would go back.

The other was Curuso, pizza good without being exceptional( Da Marios better) but a very pleasant small restaurant with excellent service.

Hi

Just a possible lead for you :

I noticed there is a Thai muay thai training centre in north Pattaya/very near naklua.

Open front.

Just off Pattaya nua, on a cut through soi to Big C north.

It is approx opposite Navin Mansion 3, could be soi 7 north pattaya.

Seemed to be all Thais.

That based on a glance whilst going past, no personal experience.

I`d second the suggestion of Canterbury Tales, he has an extensive book selection there, don`t know of course if he has 1984 and yes, it is a good book.

I went to Power Buy in Central yesterday.

There was a product there I wanted to buy after having done some research, prices, suitability etc.

Nobody approached me, just how I prefer it, went and found an assistant, I immediately had 2 assistants help and demonstrate the item.

I bought it, no problem, good service.

I cannot of course comment on what any future back service will be should I need it, hopefully not.

Last year bought from Banana IT in Central, also thought the service and price was good..

Numchai in naklua, bought a couple of products there, once again, no complaints, ( although would prefer to browse first without being approached).

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Hi

I enquired just yesterday with the minibus service that I`m sure is the one mentioned by Scorpio.

Tel no. is 088 7092365.

Departs Pattaya 8.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 12.00 mid day, 2.00 PM & 4.00 PM

400 baht.

I take it it's a mini-van...not the most comfortable or safest way to go. Is it a VIP type van with individual aircraft style seats or a regular van? Also, is it a direct non-stop route (except for pee breaks)?

Hi

I just came back from Hua Hin having used the service I mentioned.

It is an ordinary minibus, wasn`t all that comfortable to be honest and stopped about 6 or 7 times on the way to HH, less on the way back.

I have used Yellow Bus( not to Hua Hin but elsewhere) and Yellow Bus is more comfortable by a fair degree.

Hi

I enquired just yesterday with the minibus service that I`m sure is the one mentioned by Scorpio.

Tel no. is 088 7092365.

Departs Pattaya 8.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 12.00 mid day, 2.00 PM & 4.00 PM

400 baht.

Hello

I`ve used Good Tour & Travel on soi bukhao a few times, pick up and return from where you`re staying.

I was paying 1800 baht but think it may be 1900 baht now.

12 seater minibus, usually full.

Hope OK to post their Tel No. which is 038 411472.

Also used Cambodia Inter on soi bukhao once, good service I thought.

Thank You for posting and Get Well soon. Good warning post,

Years ago I used to wear the flight socks when travelling from LON - HK, non stop, also used to walk around a bit on the plane.

I then discarded the socks, didn`t feel comfortable and have a tendency to take sleeping pills for long haul flights.

Time for a re think based on your experience.

Thanks again.

Just to add

In Phnom Penh I paid US $ 50 to a travel agent for obtaining a tourist visa single entry ( all in cost), did notice one offering same service at $ 45 afterwards.

No issue with that.

In Vientiane the touts/agents outside seemed to be asking 2000 Baht extra,I sorted it myself, queuing etc.so didn`t use them.

I didn`t think to ask at my hotel in Vientiane, guess I`d have paid 1000-1500 extra if it had been offered, just to save time.

Hello

I am planning a weekend break in Hua Hin next month, never been before.

I`d appreciate suggestions based on the following :

Accommodation, only need somewhere clean & comfortable but really want to be somewhere I can walk around from, stroll/walk to the Beach, a nearby 7/11 or Family Mart and places to eat, have a beer in the evening.

Budget anywhere from 500 - 1200 baht a night, guesthouse would be fine if location good.

Don`t need a swimming pool but a TV & Fridge in room would be useful.

Noise if not after 2.00/3.00 AM not an issue.

I`d like to listen to some live music in the evening, anything but Country & Western.

Mid range steak or Pizza restaurant would appeal, have looked at the pinned Restaurant topic above and already have an idea.

Where to stay please ? Location a priority.

Thanks.

Hi

A few days ago I noticed Siam View Residence on what I think is soi AR ( about 7 or 8 minutes walk to Pattaya Klang) had a sign offering rooms at 800 baht a night, it`s near Jamesons, Nova Amara Suites etc.

Swimming pool and wifi, never stayed there.

Palm Garden hotel on 2nd Road very near the Dolphin roundabout( almost naklua) directly on a baht bus route sometimes have rooms for about 880 baht.Swimming pool, no elevator, no balcony, OK place though.

As Doner King on Pattaya Klang got a few mentions on this thread, I tried it for the first time a few nights ago.

I had a beef kebab, tasted fine to me.

I thought the service was a little on the slow side but kebab above average and will return.

Glad it was mentioned.

Thanks

Where is this place exactly? I can't tell by the address:

http://www.foodpanda...zza-(-Pattaya-)

Hi

It is on Pattaya New Plaza, 2nd Road, approx opposite soi 8.

I`ve been past but not tried it yet.

Thanks. That's what I thought but wasn't sure. Anyone tried it?

I went there a couple of nights back, just after midnight, still open but had run out of lamb kebabs, chicken kebabs still available.

I had instead minced beef & cheese, with a very small quantity of tomato and onion on a pitta style bread, open, not folded.

Tasted OK to me, will try their lamb kebab another time as well as Doner King which seemed to be doing a good trade the other night.

Hi

I went and returned from there August last year.

Neither myself nor my Thai GF paid any departure tax at PP.

Flights were with Air Asia.

Hi

Just to confirm re. Phnom Penh, I went late last year and got a single entry tourist visa.( I did not need nor ask about double entry)

I used a travel agent, handed in passport on a Sunday, received back Thursday with visa.

Here is another very vague restaurant tip. I sniffed it out but haven't tried yet. It looked promising and hope to get there. Maybe someone will beat me to it and comment on it.

Anyway, here is a vague description.

It's an Italian restaurant in a shophouse off Soi Buakow.

To find it head south on that soi towards Pattaya Tai starting from Soi Lengkee.

Then a ways down on the right hand side, you will see a sign for an Italian restaurant pointing down that soi.

There is some kind of fried food fast food joint on that corner.

I did peruse their menu and it looked good, casual, and well priced. Mostly pastas, I think some seafood, some appetizers. Dishes such as spaghetti puttanesca. The ownership and clientele appeared young and Italian and the food on the tables looked authentic. Wasn't hungry at the time so didn't try as yet. Sorry no name to supply yet. Like I said: vague!

Hi

It`s "restaurante itialiano " , not an original name , run by an Italian by the name of Massimo.

He used to have an Italian restaurant & Pizzeria on soi Excite( near the soi Chayapoon end) and re located something over a year ago to where you have described.( without the pizzeria part)

I`d been to his old place several times, it was mostly Italian clientele then and amongst my favourite places.

Food I found to be excellent, prices OK also.

Not yet tried his new place, when I last looked it was busy.