koiwaolao

Made an enquiry with booking com for 11 nights from 23 Dec to 3 Jan and was offered some 300 hotels with prices ranging from 2000 Baht to 4000 Baht and that included up market places such as Hilton, Marriott etc etc. These are the cold, hard facts!

Some of you may know of this service being offered at the airport. Unfortunately its become very popular and the last time I had to wait quite a while and almost missed my flight.

Does anybody know of this service being available in Pattaya? I would like to pack my case on dept day and have it wrapped before going to the airport.

I think the answer for me would be to find a Farang owned/run restaurant which specializes in seafood. There used to be an Australian place on Jomtien 2nd Rd, around the corner from Immigration. Something simular anywhere?

Thanks for all the feedback so far. The accent of my post was on taste rather then price which I only quoted for info. Still, it should be within reason.

Firstly, the presentation i.e all in one. Secondly, the taste for Western palates including garlick sauce and spicy sauce ( non smelly!). Last but not least, butterly cut grilled prawns which I also never have come across here.

Whether yellow rice and chips on the side is PC is secondary to me - the main dish was the attraction.

I know there are many restaurants here where you can mix and match the items but you will not get the taste. Buffets ( moo gata's) are ok to have yourself a seafood orgy but what do you spice it with and what to have on the side besides white steamed rice?

Coming back to the price, perhaps some very upmarket restaurants in Pattaya would be willing to tailormake something simular but the cost would be unacceptable.

Yellow rice and chips? That's not any national cuisine I know of. Maybe Bradford.

I think I could quite easily find something better than that here for the 300B you mention, but it would not be the same (no chips for a start).

Bradford? You seem to be a real gourmet! I was talking about Western/International cuisine.

Its a shame that with the abundance of fresh catches from the ocean there is a severe shortage of restaurants who prepare food to western taste! Prawns are mostly steamed, squid served poorly cleaned and fish which lacks any preparation fantasy. To crown it all, condiments served auch as sauces are pagan to say the least!

The other day I was in Pnohm Penh and had this delicious seafood platter, grilled butterflied prawns, grilled calamari with periperi and tasty fish, all served with yellow rice and fries as well as civilized sauces! Price 10 USD.

Now, any idea where I can get simular in Pattaya?

Murderous bastards! They will squash you like a bug if in their way either as a pedestrian or a m/c driver.

Would be interesting to learn how many of the present family tourists are or will be repeat visitors? Local authorities seem to take the shotgun approach to huge markets like Russia, China and India without having to care about customer satisfaction. With these numbers there is one born every minute!

Somebody mentioned that a strong baht at least makes imported goods cheaper - sadly this is not so! Just one example: In 2009 (then) Carrefour sold a 5 l casket of South African wine for some 850 baht. At the time 1 SAR = 4,50 baht. Nowadays the same wine costs not only 965 baht but 1 SAR = 3,10 baht today! This represents an increase of some 60 - 70 %! Surely this goes for many other imported goods ( mainly brought here " because farang likes") and it illustrates the enormous profiteering practised by Thai business. No wonder the country gets richer and richer by the day.

Anarchy broke out on Soi Buakhao at noon today already!

OMG - Indians are on a crime spree! Robbing ladyboys, stealing a motorbike taxi and robbing a kinsman at the ATM Big C! What is the world coming to?

Beach chair vendors had it too good with the masses of Russia tourists descending on them over the past few years! Gone are the days when they were friendly and obliging in the hope to see you again. Like someone mentioned, the Pattaya prices should be 30 baht and not 50 as happened to someone else and frankly, also to me. I went to Central beach near Mikes mall and having just sat down a Thai guy came and yelled at me in the most rude manner: "50 baht and you pay now!"

Thanks again for all the feedback received. In case some readers of this thread are also interested in a BBQ set, I can recommend the one on Soi 17 corner 3rd Road where I got lucky and found exactly what I was after. Half barrel cut, plenty ventilation from bottom and side and a good stable stand. Large cooking surface with 2 stainless steel grids. Cost: 1200 baht.

Just in case anyone is interested Friendship now has a full stock of the stuff.

Went in at 10 am and saw a lone can of tonic - thought I am having a Fata Morgana! Quickly grabbed it and clutched it to my chest.

However, on the floor were two big trays of tonic bottles, unpacked yet. So, I tried two hours later - not one left!

A country without tonic is just not civilized!

Thanks guys, will check suggestions out today.

I am looking for a cheap, simple Bbq set, not the fancy Weber etcetc you buy in big stores. Also must be charcoal operated. Something like cut in half steel barrels or simular or as used by street food vendors would be ideal. There must be small hardware stores selling it?

After the Dolphin Circle carry on up Naklua Road for about 2km on the left big sign: Drycleaning. Had 3 pants done there for 300 baht.

Foodland now sells Tonic flavoured soda water! Does this mean that the real McCoy is not about to return any time soon?

You are lucky to be alive to tell the tale!

Don't know why I get this strange p sign when my posts go up?

You are lucky to be alive to tell the tale!

<p>Plenty topless Russian chicks on Pattaya North beach yesterday! Told a few shocked Thais: Mai pen rai, Pattaya Beach Farang Agogo!</p>

I usually buy Anchor and my second choice is Orchid - they are nowhere to be found

And bloody expensive those local butter brands are too! Three years ago 220g sold for 36 baht and now for between 78 and 84. By international standards 4 Euro for a pound of butter is obscene!

Just checked Friendship, Tops Central, Big C Extra and Foodland - NADA!

Interesting, thanks.

Lenny W

The auctions, I'll look into those, but I would prefer to donate a lot of the stuff to the needy if I do take a furnished place.

Jerry...

Hahahah.

Pattya Parent

Nirun is in the right area yet I have heard a lot of bad stories about that place. Yet I will consider it an option.

Next door to Nirun is 9 Karat Condo. A while ago they had unfurnished refurbished units for sale and for rent. Dirt cheap! Outside aerea of the building is very nice with good swimming pool etcetc. However, inside the building is dark, worn and a bit like council estates in the Midlands!

Tried to get some take away myself as I just live around the corner. Was told "Take outs only via Door to Door delivery service"!

Somebody on this thread mentioned he picked up food there so I am just puzzled if I just encountered a lazy staff member perhaps? Still, this brush off pissed me off and I havn't been back again!