dalmatian

Thanks for the the tips on roads, side trips etc. Just bought the Michelin Thailand Map which should help. Will let you guys know whether I survived when I get back!

If you go to Nong Khai a really scenic drive is along the Mekhong River Valley through places like Sangkhom and Chiang Khan.You can then head south to Loei which has decent scenery.

Stay at the 4* Amari Loei Palace Hotel for 1000 baht per night promotion,including breakfast,then head towards Udon Thani via Nong Bua Lamphu visiting Phu Kradung National Park and Erawan Cave on the way to Udon.

Thanks Macclad for the info. That route is easily travelled by a Honda Jazz or is that where I would need 4 door pick-up?

Did see the info on Phu Kradung and Erawan, looks really beautiful.

The roads in Isaan are some of the best I have seen in the world, especially the road from Udonthani to Nong Khai. Beautiful dual carriageway all the way and only takes about 25 minutes. Honda Jazz will be fine....unless you intend to go into some of the outlying villages which still have some dirt roads. Having said that if you are sightseeing as you go then it is worth considering a four door pick-up instead as they are just as comfortable as the Jazz but sitting so much higher from the road allows you to see over hedges etc.

HL

Thanks for reply, will check a little bit closer as to where we are likely to go but the 4 door pick-up sounds like a good move. Cheers

I am doing my first trip to the north with a friend. We will have a Thai female escort with us who comes from just outside of Udon Thani.

Now as much we will stick to the main roads coming up from Pattaya (with a stop in Korat) our escort mentioned that if we wanted to travel around to places like Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon and further afield we may need special car. I am hiring a Honda Jazz which is about the best I can get in Pattaya so I need to know are there areas that we may find ourselves in that would require much more than a wee little Honda Jazz. We are not going mad as have only 5-6 days in the north but would obviously like to see some sights and sounds of the north so can anybody tell me if our car will get us to most destinations.

Have looked at the pinned subjects for maps and hotels so pretty satisfied there but can't see too much about state of roads, advice would be grateful.

My concern is only with the cinema ratings. Everything is based on making money so if the ratings system is adhered to and restrictions on age really do take affect then some good movies may not get shown. It is true that I have seen children as young as 4 watching adult oriented movies with their parents and restrictions should be enforced. I just hope it does not take away the ability to see some good movies that may otherwise be seen in our own countries.

I know this is aimed at the Thai people and protecting them from harm but the cinema is one of the pleasures that I have to pass the day. The idea that some of these restricted ratings films can only be shown late (if shown at all) on the day is also a pain as I usually like to see the first performance when the theatre is not so packed.

In Pattaya we already have quite a few cinemas and they are not that packed anyway so applying restrictions may just limit the movies that I am able to watch. Will be intersting how this implemented. The only good thing is that it might stop the 10 year olds laughing and talking when somebody gets murdered or their head chopped off. That really restricts my viewing pleasure.

So what you're saying Dalmation is that we should all adapt to the Thai culture and push in the queue ahead of everyone else.

Wouldn't that cause chaos with everyone all trying to push in foront of each other?

Oh hang on, that's how it is in India.

Not saying that all, I thought I was getting across the idea of being tolerant and understanding of other cultures. Cultures are traits that are readily acceptable as social behaviour. What is right to one may be wrong to another. We just see it one way because we are not Thai. If you believe that what Thais do is wrong then time will tell, things don't happen overnight, maybe 20 years from now things will change if that's what they want.

The guy who pulled his GF for pushing in is missing the point. Do you think she was happy for you to pull her up in front of people, she just did not know any different because she is Thai. We are so lucky to be Farangs with our superior ways.

I pulled my Philippine girlfriend up once for embarrassing me at the Westin Hotel reception cos she squatted on the floor while waiting for me to check-in. She cried as she did not know what she had done wrong, it was really me with the problem cos I did not equate her cultural traits and actions as natural for her. I was the one in the wrong not her.

Trust me I don't like people pushing in but it does not mean that it is wrong. We are visitors in this country, we do not have a right to dictate what is right or wrong even if we believe life would be better for the changes mentioned.

I stick by what I said but obviously it is not a point most wish to agree with, sorry.

Why is it that alot of Thai people (not all) I have encountered in Pattaya have no manners? They always seem to push in front of me when Im in the 7 11 or anywhere else for that matter and the shop assistants always prioritise the Thais? This has happened more than a dozen times.

This really pi@@es me off, they appear to have no respect for the Farang or they see the Farang as second class???

Your experiences and thoughts please

This is all about cultural differences that occur not just here but in many different countries. You are either trying to insinuate that Thais are not nice people or maybe that you have not yet got a grasp of the culture in Thailand. In many countries there are differing manners that don't equate with ours, this is not an issue really but just our inability to understand (or want to understand ) the Thai culture. They are inherently good people with a different set of life rules to ours.

I am a Brit and I would be embarrassed to even try to defend the way we often treated foreigners when they came to live among us. I believe the way we "think" we are treated by Thais is completely irrelevant against the way we have treated visitors to our own countries in years gone by as well as today.

I am sorry but Thais pushing in front of me in 7/11s doesn't really rock my boat!

I agree that Thai motorists are sometimes likely to try to ignore white lines especially if the car in front has gone ahead but I can asure you the white lines in Soi Khao Noi on the west side have made a difference.

I have noticed that having no lines on the east side does make for a free for all but most cars on the west side do slow down and usually give way to traffic coming down Soi Khao Noi. I am not saying every car but there is a marked difference between the boldness of cars going across the east side as opposed to the west side and most of those I have spoken to agree.

Nothing will be perfect but having white lines will make a vast improvement for what is on offer now.

What is also noticeable is the lack of drainage on the road between Soi Khao Noi and Soi Khao Talo, if it rains heavily then it is almost impossible for cars, even 4 by 4s to negotiate this stretch of road. The inevitable u-turns helps the build up of traffic around the Soi intersections to an almost unmanageable situation.

The only good thing is that during heavy rains Soi Khao Noi (east of the railway) is only unpassable for about 20 minutes after the rain has stopped instead of the few hours that it is used to take for the water to drain away.

Now if only the Thais could stop throwing all their rubbish down the drains.

As I live off Soi Khoi Noi (East Pattaya/Darkside) I am still wondering when they are going to paint (if at all) the white stop lines on the relief road. This is the road that runs along the railway. I am aware that the west side of the tracks appears finished but the east side is not. I am only knowledgable of the intersections with Soi Khao Noi and Soi Khao Talo, maybe others are still not completed.

There have been various accidents (not aware of any fatal ones yet?) because nobody knows whose right of way it is although I do get the impression those cars on the relief road believe they do have right of way. The way some cars, vans etc drive straight across the intersections without slowing down is criminal. I always slow down when coming down these sois but it is only a matter of time before somebody becomes involved in a really bad accident with loss of life.

Does anybody know if there are any updates on the painting of these stop lines. If so please advise; would also appreciate any locals who may have council influenceif they would mention this in the right circles.

A similar fate was our lot, a bit over a year ago.

This is what you do: call Mr. Andre Machielsen at 089 - 71 93 555 This fabulous Dutchman has operated Master-Safety Co., Ltd. for over 30 years in Thailand. Don't fiddle with "DIY" 'solutions'; get professional help from this chap. I did and we never had another incident PLUS we have a peace-of-mind factor, which is priceless, if you know what I mean.

I have had Andre's system in for 5 years, absolutely superb. Have the large lights outside, the PIR system inside together with magnetic breakers on every window. The wiring is hardly noticeable and I can highly recommend his after sales service.

I had my doorlocks changed on the day I moved into my house. I have metal keycards for my entry, no keys. The system cost me 49,000 baht for a 3 bedded house with 3 main entry points, 14 alarmed windows and 4 outside flood lights The keycard system was an extra 10,000. Quite a few of the houses near me without alarms, even those with bars on their windows have been broken into.

If you have the opportunity, when building a new house (can be done on existing roofing), have insulation (LOHR Trading) sprayed onto your roof, keeps anybody from pulling up the tiles, this is the usual entry for thieves. Of course some people get done whilst in their house, having a shower, swimming or relaxing because they leave their front doors open. With Andre's system you can alarm all the doors to the house except one, this works well for me when I am in my terrace or pool.

Thanks for updating directions to Cafe Uno, went to bed early last night so appreciate others for passing on info about the place.

I agree Dao do the best pizzas although I must admit the one I had at Cafe Uno was most acceptable although I really only like pizzas with anchovies and capers, I am not much of a meat eater. I still think their paninnis are exceptional. Craig will try and accommodate most tastes and is willing to add or take out ingredients as requested.

Cafe Uno is open on Sundays and Tuesdays from 1000 -1500 believe it's 1000 - 2200 on all other days.

Heh, it isn't Casa Pascal but for good honest food, especially if you are drinking over the Darkside or just need a change, it is well worth a visit.

If anybody gets over the darkside (east Pattaya) then I do recommend dropping in at Cafe Uno. Very unassuming place with about 6 tables but does great food. He seems famous for his paninnis but his pizzas and indian fayre compare favourably with the best italian and best indians out there. Their Chicken Jalfrezi is the best I have tasted and for the price 195 baht including poppadoms and rice I don't think you could get a better deal anywhere. Have had their tuna melt paninni for 110 baht, personally too much for me but the wife is always happy if I bring a piece home in a doggie bag. If he was located down in walking street or Soi Bukhao I think he would be packed to the rafters everynight, would need more than 6 tables. The boss is Craig, great guy, get down there and try for yourself. Think he delivers aswell.

The last 4 times I have caught a ride from the public taxi rank it is obvious back handers have been paid. The girls give you a ticket which you then give to the seated guy who then designates a queuing taxi driver as your ride. I am escorted to the taxi, get in then notice the driver going back to the sitting guy and handing over a note (looks like a hundred), he then comes back and we depart. Works probably only for province rides as Bangkok should be on meter. There is no price board on the taxi stand. I have been charged 1400/1500/1400/1500 (in that order) over my last 4 trips. It is obvious that the journey should be 1400 but the backhander must be paid by the farang not the taxi driver.

Obviously they know it goes on and it would be so easy to stop it, catch the culprits and offer a decent service to tourist and residents alike. The problem is whether, like so many things in the LOS, this is just a PR exercise and nothing more will be done. Maybe the prices will go down to 1400 baht for a while.

I don't think the girls (who write out the tickets) are receiving the backhanders directly but probably they benefit from the scam by way of the guy who designates the drivers. They will get away with it as long as the authorities turn a blind eye.

Your original Quote:

How can you look up to them. even my dog looks down on them. be real they are filth not something you would take home to mum or want to be the mother of your child. They have their place in society and that is on the rubbish dump. they will never find a decent person to marry and I feel sorry if they have children the cycle of garbage will continue.

Now you have decided to come clean as you quote below:

I love Thailand the people and the culture it is a wonderful place. It is Pattaya and the girls there that are dragging Thailand down.

99% of the girls in Pattaya come from outside of Pattaya such as the North East etc so the your comments relate to all girls in Thailand and therefore the country as a whole. Be advised that the farang interested areas of debauchery pale into comparison with the Thai/Chinese prostitution areas spread throughout the Kingdom. All their mothers live next door to you and down the street so watch what you say, it is unfair to label people, they are human beings with less opportunity than yourself. They do have their place in society and it is only farangs like yourself that are dragging the country down not Pattaya or the people (both Thai and Farang) within it's city limits!

Can you see the rubbish dump from your house?

How can you look up to them. even my dog looks down on them. be real they are filth not something you would take home to mum or want to be the mother of your child. They have thier place in society and that is on the rubbish dump. they will never find a decent person to marry and I feel sorry if they have children the cycle of garbage will continue.

As you can see Chiangdan is a newbie, not many posts but what he does say is quite disgusting. I think he needs to stick to the Chiang Mai forum, what he is doing on the Pattaya Forum I don't know. Sad that somebody can be so bitter, the way he talks about Thai girls I find very distasteful, they are human beings whichever way you look at it. I think he has demons that are haunting him and he finds this forum a perfect vehicle to vent his sad diatribe.

For me all I wanted to know was a decent disco to go to for a dance with my wife and what do I get, this bloody idiot trying to Hijack it. I think he will kill any decent debate; the sad fact is it is not the Thai bargirls to give a wide berth to it is sad cases like Chiangdan that we should all hope are not on the barstool next to us, an embarassment to say the least!

Think some of you guys should start a new thread about no bar girls around in Chiang Mai, a few of us just wanted to know where to take our farang wives for a good dance.

My advice would be to try a part of Thailand that isn't full of working girls to start with ! As another poster said. I cannot understand why a couple want to go to a part of Thailand renowned for its sleaze? I suppose that some people thnk Pattaa is Thailand ? sad really !

As for me and the wife I have lived very happily on the outskirts of Pattaya for 6 years, I have absolutely no issue in going into Pattaya South looking for a good evening and usually find it. The idea that my wife and I (in our 50's) should not set foot in Pattaya is so rediculous. Sounds like the person who said it must have had a bad time or got taken for a mug by a young Thai lady. Of course he is now in a happy marriage after all his failed outings to the countries hotspots, he has also become the voice of the Farang in Thailand with his all too typical condescending and arrogant clap trap!

The mix in Pattaya suits me, I for one am not anti-bar girl, they add to the atmosphere in many different ways. Great place Thailand, it has something for everyone even the idiot who posted the quote above!

Been here 6 years and used my thai creditcard the last 5 years to pay tickets online 5-10 roundtrips a year. Never been asked to see the card. But check in at hotels, they always ask to see the card when prepayed online.

This is one of those situations where if you take a chance then you could be lucky or unlucky.

I have travelled Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Thai and Tiger Airways and always booked online. I believe that on each occasion the web site advised that I must produce the credit card that purchased the online booking. I have never been asked for my card, just my passport. This could be luck or it could be that because my passport confirms my name, same as booking, same as credit card payment they are not as strict. However if my name was different to that on the credit card that purchased the online booking then I am sure they would ask for the card. I believe all my tickets were E tickets whereby a copy of the booking is all I have and a passport was sufficient. I think though the issue here is that they have already advised you that they wish to see the cc that paid for the online booking, what can be clearer than that!

I am not willing to play Russian roulette at any airport let alone Bangkok airport. Anybody who wishes to do that is welcome to try. I always read the small print, it is there for our benefit aswell as the airlines. I have seen many people complain at check-ins about how harshly they have been treated or how they have a booking so they must get on. Certainly I know of few airlines who will back down and give in to loud, remonstrating passengers so would recommend doing as the airline says and avoid any delay. This is why airlines have very stringent rules.

My wife and I like to go out for a drink and would love to find a disco that actually plays middle of the road pop. Everything we have tried is techno, rap, house etc. My wife (farang) loves J Lo, Shakira, Lady GaGa, Britney etc but have never found a disco that plays that type of music. If, even on 1 day a week, anybody knows a disco that plays that type of music then please let me know.

I suppose it is annoying but I am sure BA have made this decision based on their own commercial needs and also their forward loads ex UK. If they wanted or were able to offer the deal from Bangkok I am sure they would have. There are some pretty good deals from UK at the moment. At least in the UK they are trying to stimulate demand for air travel, some markets respond well in a slump.

I know for a fact that the loads for BA business class ex Bangkok are very good at present so there is really no need for a seat sale to take place. The BA flight originates Australia and business out of there is also quite good.

I dunno what to do. I dont beleive her anymore. What are your life stories. SHould i find a new girlfriend. Are there girls who are faithful?

I dont beleive in that anymore.

Just speak to any farang and they will tell you their life stories but whats the point telling you anything, you are basically ignoring all advice. Some of it is harsh and you may not like the sound of it but let's do a reality check here, she just fancies playing away. If you are willing to put up with it then there is no point in you carrying this topic on any more. Most of the posters here sound callous but trust me it is the best advice. You are obviously a weak and jealous type otherwise you would not be looking in phones and offloading your sad story here. As for girls who are faithful, you are probably in the wrong country for that but then again everybody makes their own bed and lies in it, without trust there is no point but it is your life, make something of it and have more self respect. You need to accept the girl for what she is or move on!

Wake up smell the coffee, it will make you feel better in the longrun but then again "you are not listening to sound advice are you"!!!

I use Deedial to call UK although mostly London 020 numbers. The cost is 1 baht per minute. I use my mobile to phone preset numbers (Bangkok 02 numbers preset for upto 20 numbers), the system does not connect but is set to call you back and you hear the dialing tone (there is no charge to my mobile). Call charges to 01/06/07/08/09 numbers and mobiles is 7 baht a minute. I call the Philippines aswell, think that is about 14 baht a minute when I use my mobile.

Can be a little bit of a pain getting topped up in 7/11 as staff seem confused but as I load 500 baht at a time it is a long period between top-ups.

Playing the UK lottery has very important rules for UK nationals living abroad in regards buying tickets through a retailer and playing online.

If you are in the UK, are a UK national and buy a paper ticket through a retailer then you can be sure that you will pick up any prize your ticket wins. If you are in possession of the ticket in Thailand, no problem, but you can only claim the prize in UK so suggest next plane home in first class and phone their customer services or visit them in Watford or Liverpool.

The issue causing concern is if you play online in Thailand. I have been told categorically by Camelot that they will not pay any prize to somebody who has an online account and accessed it online in Thailand to buy tickets. Even though the system does not stop you from purchasing tickets if they could check where you bought the ticket online then they would not pay out. (Personally I would not take the chance of buying online and hoping they may not/could not check). They would only pay out if you purchased the tickets online whilst in UK. Now I do know that windows, yahoo, my bank, every porn site knows where I am cos they keep telling me to access the local yahoo or meet some gorgeous white girl in Bangkok. So maybe Camelot would know where you purchased the tickets.

For me though the important problem is also that you need to be a UK resident, not just a UK national. If you are normally non-resident in the UK then officially you should not be playing the Lottery online. This may be harder for them to prove but if they know you played online overseas they may suspect you are a non-resident and try to check. I don't think they would call the tax office but again I am not taking the chance.

You can set up a direct debit in UK to pay for Lotto tickets (not euro millions) and this would be acceptable to Camelot even if you lived overseas. I am waiting for their team leader to come back and tell me if this scenario also works for non-residents.

For me it is just purchasing paper tickets through a retailer for 8 weeks when in UK and then getting back to UK on a regular basis. Anything else would probably have me quivering with shock just in case I won, I couldn't put myself through that.

I have just had a team leader from Camelot call me in relation to my post above.

You need a UK address and verification of utilities bills etc in your name at that address to claim a prize. That applies to all tickets whether played online or bought by a retailer. Now I am only talking about amounts over 50,000. Anything less and it is usually paid by the retailer (limits apply) or by Camelot sending a check through the post (questions still asked). Over 50,000 and you must make a visit to their offices to verify the ticket authenticity and your validity as a UK resident. They will not pay out if you have played online overseas. She advised that they can verify that fact. They however will expect you to confirm UK address, show passport to show you are a British National and offer enough evidence in the form of utility bills, credit card statements, bank statements or other letters that identify your name to the address given. Council tax bills would also suffice but not mandatory (most of those playing in the UK would also not be able to adhere to that, it is just another form of verification like those above.). They are bound by UK law and are just carrying out that proviso, i.e no tourists popping into the country with no fixed address can claim a prize unless they can satisfy Camelot as above (The UK passport will stump them straight away).

As said you can set up a direct debit (in the UK with Camelot) to play the Lotto, not Euro Millions; this is then treated as a paper ticket and not an online transaction.

Follow their regulations and you will be fine, don't follow and buy at your peril!

If you believe there are ways around then good for you, I originally spoke with a customer representative but she advised that a team leader would call back as she would know more about the rules governing overseas players. I am happy with what she told me. She was very understanding and said they do not want to prevent people from winning but they have regulations to adhere to. I will no longer be playing online from Thailand but will once I am in UK.

Playing the UK lottery has very important rules for UK nationals living abroad in regards buying tickets through a retailer and playing online.

If you are in the UK, are a UK national and buy a paper ticket through a retailer then you can be sure that you will pick up any prize your ticket wins. If you are in possession of the ticket in Thailand, no problem, but you can only claim the prize in UK so suggest next plane home in first class and phone their customer services or visit them in Watford or Liverpool.

The issue causing concern is if you play online in Thailand. I have been told categorically by Camelot that they will not pay any prize to somebody who has an online account and accessed it online in Thailand to buy tickets. Even though the system does not stop you from purchasing tickets if they could check where you bought the ticket online then they would not pay out. (Personally I would not take the chance of buying online and hoping they may not/could not check). They would only pay out if you purchased the tickets online whilst in UK. Now I do know that windows, yahoo, my bank, every porn site knows where I am cos they keep telling me to access the local yahoo or meet some gorgeous white girl in Bangkok. So maybe Camelot would know where you purchased the tickets.

For me though the important problem is also that you need to be a UK resident, not just a UK national. If you are normally non-resident in the UK then officially you should not be playing the Lottery online. This may be harder for them to prove but if they know you played online overseas they may suspect you are a non-resident and try to check. I don't think they would call the tax office but again I am not taking the chance.

You can set up a direct debit in UK to pay for Lotto tickets (not euro millions) and this would be acceptable to Camelot even if you lived overseas. I am waiting for their team leader to come back and tell me if this scenario also works for non-residents.

For me it is just purchasing paper tickets through a retailer for 8 weeks when in UK and then getting back to UK on a regular basis. Anything else would probably have me quivering with shock just in case I won, I couldn't put myself through that.

www.deedial.com

Good deals to UK and other countries. I use to phone landline in UK for .99 baht although I phone 020 numbers. Mobiles are about 7 baht a minute, also numbers starting 08 or 09 or 01 are 7 baht.

Got my card from an agent who used to op out of Robins Nest but not there now, probably get from 7/11 as you can top up your card there.

Ops on the basis of going online, inputting your numbers against 02 Bangkok numbers. When you dial the BKK number, it gives a few beeps, cancels then calls you back. Slight delay in voice to voice but soon get used to that.

Songkran oh Songkran, that wonderful time of year when all the residents and longstayers hide in their homes or take a welcome trip abroad. For me it will be a trip back to the UK on the 10th and arrival back after the 19th.

Having endured 2 Songkrans in 2003 and 2004 I decided enough was enough. If you stay here you need to immerse yourself right in it or stay locked in your house. I was ill on both occasions I got into it. Doesn't matter how you try to conduct yourself you will end up with talc, paste, water in your gob and ask yourself where does that lot come from. Well the water comes from anywhere and I mean anywhere and you want to swallow that, not for me anymore. That and the usual yobs who hijack the event have made me decide to stay away.

It could be such a good event but it just doesn't turn out that way for most foreigners. I am sure that most Thais have a good time especially in the provinces where there are not so many "farangs" but here in Pattaya it is just an excuse for farang yobs to try to upset every other farang. Don't even consider getting on a motorbike or at least make sure your medical insurance is up to date, you won't stay on that thing for long if you try to attempt to cut down a soi around Beach Road, 2nd road or Soi Bukhao.

Can't wait for Loy Kratong, now that's my style of Thai festival. One I will be fully getting involved in with my better half.