gk10002000

Say no to RFID.

RFID is very unsecure. Never use those pocket key chained size credit cards. Cticard sent me one and I quickly took it apart and cut it up. Same with all those "quick pass" gas station cards. Just accidents looking for places to happen.

Lewinski's bar on Soi Pattayaland used to make a killer club sandwich.

I haven't had one in a couple of years so it might have changed, but the last one I had was great.

Thai club sandwiches often have a fried egg tucked in there which doesn't complement my diet. I would love to find a big falafel type sandwich stuffed with salad and hummus. Any suggestions?

I have not had one yet while over there and I love a good falafel sandwich. I saw a few places that had them on the menu. Many of those arab and middle eastern places towards the south side of town , soi 13 and higher have them on their menus.

Listen to all your complaints about Pattaya and some positive posts it really makes me wonder

I have been in Thailand for just 1 year ( being here many times before) and I went to Pattaya for the first time a few weeks back and I must say it is a nice place, and yes the beach might be a bit dirty but so is the one in Phuket or any beach you go to. And I am not worried about bars or night clubs.

In my opinion stop picking on Pattaya we have members here, who don't live in LOS and if you don't like Pattaya go to Kings Cross or the Reperbahn or where ever.

Yep. And as far as beaches go, a short hike around the corner and a ride on a baht bus and one is in jomtien for about 20 baht. The beach there is fine for swimming. Certainly as good as any water in Los Angeles, California and much warmer. Pattay is a great place for a stopover or a few weeks of mindless rest and recreation for a pretty dam_n good price.

Funny thing is on my last trip in March I was in super agogo down off of walking street. The lights were flicked on and off and all the girls put their tops on! Then two police in uniform and one guy in civilian clothers came, walked around the stage then left. The tops came off. Too funny. Really now.

Hmmm, good pizza and near soi 6. Might have to run over there. We had the pizza delivered by motorcycle once to the bar we were drinking on soi 7 one night. That food or pizza 24 roving menu? I can't recall where the pizza actually came from but it was pretty good. I grew up in the Northeast USA and miss that pizza a lot.

Pattaya tourism is down 30% this year. Combine that with bad exchange rates, higher plane fares and costs back home and tourism is down. Not to mention it is the low season. Wish I was there, but very busy right now.

Pattaya is still a pretty decent town. I love a town I can walk around in, easily hop on Baht bus pickups, easily hop on motorcycle taxis etc. Lots more to do in Thailand, but for a few weeks of easy going, Pattaya is pretty tough to beat in my opinion.

YEah. Been approached by two of the three motorcycle types described. In one week, I kept seeing him all over town and he would wave to me. Their scam dealt with going to Jomtien and seeing some place. Not interested.

i needed some new sheets for a bed i recently bought with my great credit card; for a single twin bed. i wanted better (greater) than 220 thread count. i wanted a fitted sheet, a top sheet (or duvet cover), and a standard pillow case. at homepro, homeworks and the outlet mall, they were quoting me 5,500 to 7,500 baht, including their current 35% discounts, approximate).

i found these prices insane. so i was in Bangkok and went to the real department stores there where they have real "amazing thailand" sales, unlike Pattaya. i got the identical, i repeat identical 286 thread count "exotica" brand sheets at the chitlom Central department store sales "event", for under 1,200 baht. there are never any real sales in pattaya. bangkok had all sorts of real sales in every department store.

Yes. Pattaya locals or merchants are treating the town as a pure tourist trap now. I saw signs of that before, but the process is accelerating. Also, remember the articles in the papers last year where the city was trying to get all the hotels to raise their prices so they would attract a "more desirable" group of tourists?

I have been with Etrade bank and brokerage for 8 years now. In general they are OK. However, lately their money operations are becoming a pain. They no longer accept Money Order checks for deposit! In addition, they no longer accept Wire Transfers from Western Union! They have other limitations that probably would not make them the best overseas to US banking firm. I pasted the check deposit policy and wire transfer policy below from their website. Obviously I would double and triple check this, since as I said, they DO NOT accept wire transfers from Western Union according to the ETrade Rep I spoke with, even though that is not listed as being prohibited.

We cannot accept:

Cash (except in-person at the Arlington bank branch)

Traveler's checks

Money orders

Temporary checks

Starter checks

Checks issued more than six months ago

Checks not payable to E*TRADE Bank or E*TRADE Clearing, or their respective account holders

Post-dated checks

Credit card checks

Loan checks

Unsigned checks

Incomplete checks

Foreign currency checks

Checks drawn on non-U.S. institutions

3rd party checks

Counter checks are not accepted (by E*TRADE Bank only)

Altered checks (white-out, revised amounts, etc

*************************** To Wire Money

Wire money into my account

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's fast and easy to wire money into your account from another institution. Below, you'll find separate instructions for wiring money to your bank and brokerage accounts.

To wire money to your E*TRADE Bank account:

Contact your other financial institution and ask them to wire funds to your E*TRADE Bank account, or print out and complete our incoming wire form.

Provide your other financial institution with:

The amount you want to wire

The receiving institution information:

E*TRADE Bank

P.O. Box 1542

Merrifield, VA 22116-1542

ABA transit routing number 256072691

Account number (if a new account, use your social security number instead)

Social security number of the primary account holder

The name, address, and phone number of the primary account holder

Account type and term (one-year CD, money market, etc.)

To wire money to your E*TRADE Securities account:

Ask your other financial institution to wire the funds to E*TRADE Securities:

Provide them with:

If your financial institution is located in the United States:

The amount you want to wire

The receiving institution information:

E*TRADE Clearing

P.O. Box 1542

Merrifield, VA 22116

ABA transit routing number 056073573

Your eight-digit E*TRADE Securities account number

Your name and address

If your financial institution is located outside the United States:

The amount you want to wire in U.S. dollars

The receiving institution information:

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Swift Code: irvtus3n

FBO: E*TRADE Securities

Account Number: 890 034 6256

Your eight-digit E*TRADE Securities account number (add the letters "ET" before your account number, for example ET12345678)

Your name and address

Check your account the next business day to verify that the funds have been received. If your institution included your account number and the wire was received before 6 p.m. ET the previous business day, the funds should be in your account.

Good link. Thanks. I would add that some banks reimburse all ATM fees if you have a large enough balance with the bank. I use Etrade bank, and they reimburse all ATM fees if you have over $50,000 in combined assets. I have used my Etrade ATM card overseas and the fees are instantly rebated.

I wear shorts I bought in Thailand or no-names I bought form Wal Mart. My watch cost $8 USD from Kmart. My shirts, while of the polo style are $9 specials also from Wal Mart. I look decent and reasonably neat, but am not wearing Designer Shirts or Labels of big companies. I believe in the low profile dress approach. Never wore jewelry anwyay. Probably becaues I had no money growing up and never got in the habit. As the years go by, I notice good stuff just gets lost, or stolen or decreases in value (new cars). In the States I drive my 1997 Buick Le Sabre. Cheaper insurance, not much of a target for thieves, not much of a targe by Cops as I don't look like a kid, and I don't look like someone with enough money to bother being shaken down.

I do like the post from that guy that said he wears a small baht gold necklace in case he lands in a hospital! At least he would get stabilized. Hats off to him.

Yes, I am sure there is no reference to it in the regulations. My main point was it may come across as a little different, and that anything out of the ordinary might hold things up. But, I don't know exactly what one shows on the immigration paperwork. Do you get a letter from the bank? Do you just show a bank statement? That statement might just show an account number and an amount and not indicate that it is a timed account so all would be fine. Maybe put the funds in a regular account, then put them in the timed account after getting the visa approved?

I love all the stuff on this website.

Do not assume that all is accidental. I prefer to give the average person the benefit of the doubt on a mistake, but there have been several high profile lawsuits in the USA against stores that deliberately misprice and over price by significant amounts. 1-2% and even 6% adds up when you are grossing 4 billion dollars a year. Several states easily proved their cases by sending in shoppers and meticulously documenting the prices listed versus charged. Stores usually pleaded just sloppy accounting or pricing was out of date, but that was a poor defense.

I like your idea of the time deposit account. One would think it would require some paperwork or authorization to withdraw the money earlier, and there would be a bit more of a transaction record or withdrawal record etc. However, I suspect you would raise the suspicion of an immigration person if he noticed the type of account. Obviously one can't spend the money, so what would you be living on? I know the deposit is just a formality, but it still might raise a flag just because it is different than what they usually see. Of course, I doubt you could get a clarification answer in advance, because that sort of detail is almost certainly not specifically listed in the retirement visa process.

Just a related note. If one used a non-Thai bank and wired your money there, you would of course first have to change your cash from baht into something you can wire. Etrade bank, will NOT accept Money orders for deposit ( in case you tried to mail it), and Etrade Bank will not accept Western Union Wire Transfers! True true true. I have been with them for years and recently tried it and I still have $1400 USD floating around the US mail system some where from two Money Orders. While yelling vehemently at an Etrade representative, he pointed out that they do not accept the Western Union Wire transfers either.

I saw the reference to Tony's. Do they offer a one month membership? Do other places offer a one month membership?

Some shopping food stores in the USA do have Handiwipes or little towelettes for disinfecting the carts. Some people are trying to protect their babies, while others are trying to protect themselves from babies that were sitting in the carts. It goes both ways.

I never missed a flight but I have changed flights on the travel day several times at the last minute. I have also changed the same flight several times while on the same visit. This has been with EVA and China airlines. Only once did I have to pay a $25 USD change fee. Oh, and of course the gal at the travel shop charged about 100 baht for her time and phone call.

Sadly, I bought my first "leatherman" the summer of 2001, right before Sept 11. My old boy scout training suggested it was a handy thing to have. I used it many times at work and on the road for those minor things it comes quite handy for. It seemed like the great traveling tool for my carry on. Then of course 911 happened and you can't carry it on board. I almost never have checked luggage so I rarely am able to bring along what would be a great traveling aid. Life is not perfect.

I've always wondered about this; what sort of checking do they do with luggage? Is it x-rayed, for example?

I believe the US airlines and TSA public statements are that they Xray every bag and have the goal to run it through some sort of explosive detection system, sniffer or whatever. When you check in at LAX in Los Angeles, you often have to run your bag through the big X ray machines before even getting to the ticket counter. I only travel with carry-on so I have not been in those lines. They are quite chaotic and just add-ons so the quewes are a real mess.

I agree with you. I can not imagine why somebody would travel to the USA. The paperwork and costs, and airports are a mess. I guess the strong overseas currency could make it more palatable. I travel to countries that make it easy to travel to. Thailand, with visa on arrival is one of them.

I have used Bell Once from the airport to Pattaya, and twice from Pattaya to the airport. I never had any problem. I never had any reservation in advance. The bus in Pattaya seems to always just about get full, as if people know exactly how many seats there are. Anyway, I don't know what happened with that person, so I can't comment on it.

As far as the comment about finding an alternative solution. I must admit, there is a bit of a dark side to the wonderful LOS. People do not have a lot of money, and competition for services is tough. It is not the quiet, serene utopia all of the time. On my travels there, I have had a wonderful time and met some very nice people and enjoyed wonderful service. I have also experienced quite a bit of nastiness now and then. The world is not perfect and I do try to smile and walk away, but will admit it is not easy.

Looking for some Kohn Kane hotel choices. Strongly prefer a nice swimming pool. 1000 baht a night with a weekly rate would be acceptable. I have only been to Bangkok , Pattaya and Ko Samet so far. Time to start foraging further.

Thanks

I have been to Pattaya 8 times. I was born in america but all 4 of my grandparents came from greece. Grew up with a lot of greeks and greek food in the New England area (mostly in Rhode Island).

I ate at one of the middle eastern places once in pattay and it was ok. had some decent rice pilaf but nothing really greek.

On second road between soi 7 and soi 8 there is a bar called the "Athens Bar" I think. I probably walked by it 600 times but never stopped in. Always wondered if the owner was a greek.

I think a Greek restaurant would be a big hit, especially if they have some entertainment, the belly dancer, the guys balancing tables, the dancing in the aisles, etc.

If you ever get a chance and you are in the Los Angeles California area, check out the Papadakis Tavern down in San Pedro, the south side of Los Angeles. Great food that is so rich you might die before leaving the place/. The food is a bit pricey, but they put on a pretty good show.

Oh I miss thailand. It is coming up on four months since I was last there, and my ticket buying is getting itchy to push the "buy" button and head on over.

I think the Thais way overdid the mall developmen , just like they overdid the 7-11s on every corner. You have Big C, Gardens Mall, Mike's, the place where Shenanigan's is, and now that huge place. Not to mention the Tesco Lotus and Carre 4s that are around the corners. You know the typical Pattaya Thai native will not shop in these new developments. I guess somebody thinks they can make money or they pay very smally building loan interest or land rent or something. I don't like this many shopping places. Doesn't add anything to the city and doens't make one think they are in Thailand. I wonder who bankrolled this one? Foreign investors?

Hehe. I must say, some of you guys wrote some witty replies "curent" was an example. I majored in thermodynamics and thermal sciences. These Hydrogen Oxygen fuel cells are nice, but people tend to forget where the Oxygen and Hydrogen come from. You don't get anything for free in this world. You must use electricty to make the H and the O. Assuming electrolyisis is how you are making it. Electrolysis is itself has inefficiencies. Then however you made the electricity to drive the electrolyis (lets assume a coal or oil fired plant) has its own inefficiencies.

The bottom line is that when you consider the overall energy balance, you used up much more energy than you get out of the fuel cell. The H2O fuell cell is a great idea for certain applications like space vehicle and other vehicles where cost and overall efficiency is not important. But don't make the mistake of thinkng they are the solution to an energy problem. The first and second laws of thermodynamics along with some electrochemistry limits for dissociation and association will prevent that.