nonameidentified

Jomtien Condotel. Right accross the street from View Talay 1 and Food Mart. I have quite a few friends that are just starting that are taking leasons there now. They seem to like it a lot. Well they keep going anyway.

Do you have contact number where I can check out on the rates and stuff like that?

I am wondering if there is any tennis coach out there that would be able to teach me tennis. I'm usually free only in the morning cos that's when my kids are out to school!

Or does anyone know any tennis coach? Well, even if it's a Thai it's fine. As long as they are certified and speaks a little english!

I'm thinking of taking lessons like once or twice a week.

Thanks in advance!!!

My first band starts at 9pm and they are amongst the best in Pattaya (individually some maybe the best in their field) but i've always kept an open mind on guests playing early, Work permits can be a problem although i'm not to worried as they are'nt working, the other problem of course is some are'nt really good enough.

What about those expats who work in the day and used to play in bands before? That can solve those work permit problems.

What they do in singapore is that they pay the musicians cash on hand directly after the gig. They are paid by hour and there's no tax forms to fill for the musicians. So sometimes the person might be playing just for a week or a night. They come and go but good music stays!

They are still legally not allowed to perform, although as said jamming etc normally is'nt a problem.

Well, anyway it's just a suggestion. By the way, if you need any guest musicians appearance once in a while like special gig for a night, you can let me know. They do visit Thailand pretty often. And well, of course they are not amateurs.

Who are they?

Gheez, there's quite a lot of friends that I know. There's a band that I know who used to play at the Hard Rock Cafe singapore for a good old 10 years before they move on to play at another bar. They are called 'Jive Talking'. Then, there are some musicians here and there that I know in singapore who plays jazz, and some play rock and blues.

Well, guess they might not be as famous as your house band perhaps.

My first band starts at 9pm and they are amongst the best in Pattaya (individually some maybe the best in their field) but i've always kept an open mind on guests playing early, Work permits can be a problem although i'm not to worried as they are'nt working, the other problem of course is some are'nt really good enough.

What about those expats who work in the day and used to play in bands before? That can solve those work permit problems.

What they do in singapore is that they pay the musicians cash on hand directly after the gig. They are paid by hour and there's no tax forms to fill for the musicians. So sometimes the person might be playing just for a week or a night. They come and go but good music stays!

Well, anyway it's just a suggestion. By the way, if you need any guest musicians appearance once in a while like special gig for a night, you can let me know. They do visit Thailand pretty often. And well, of course they are not amateurs.

I was down the soi at 2 group of bars the other night. There are a few bands in different bars there. The one that I thought was pretty good was the one 2 bars down from soi 2 on the front of 2nd. road. On the check bins it had "Pacific Bar" on it. Really good stuff coming out from 3 Thai guys, 1 on drums and 2 on guitars. Was really worth listening too and the prices were average. Who was the farang guest singer wearing a yellow shirt, he was awsome, really knew how to sing. Tried going to Easyriders at around 9.30 - 10 PM but there was no one there? Can't go into an empty bar, maybe I was too early.

That reminds me of another question. Usually the bars start their bands after 10pm is it? Very often the bars are dead before 10.

It can be a good idea for the bars to have stuff like those bars in singapore. The so called happy hours bands or accoustic bands. Ranges from a soloist (guitar or keyboard and voice) to like 3 pieces band (voice, guitar and bass). They sometimes start as early as 7pm till 10pm. It's usually a good way to discover new talents and potentially combine musicians to form a band. And of course since some of them can be amateurs, they're not paid as well too. And that's why it's not so tough for the bar owners.

Anyone wants to buy this idea????

That's very subjective BM as aren't you part of the TV clique in Pattaya, as is the owner of the Blues Factory?

Clique, wow, I wish I knew of that. Everytime I go there Dave is either not there or is too busy to say hello.

When did you go?

I've been away for a week otherwise the staff sometimes say i'm not there when i'm really in the office.

I'm normally there 5 days a week and i normally pop outside for a drink after about 1230am.

When Dave's not at the Blues Factory, you can prob find him at Jenny's with Kurgen.

Gheez, you guys really know each other well

That's a real noodle long!!!

What is?? Getting the bus or train?

Both are just as looooooooooooooooooooong.......................................... be prepared to keep yourself occupied with some gameboy, books, magazine, mp3 players, food etc for the trip!!

We live in Sriracha and there's a lot of good Thai bands in the clubs and bars here. We enjoyed that a lot.

There's a lot of great musicians in Thailand I must say (but singers.....especially females, not many I thought...)

Since we're not very familiar with Pattaya, or even Bang saen and chonburi, we don't know where else we can find good music. The last time when we tried exploring Pattaya. The only bar that is not sleazy and is actually selling good beer and playing live music is an irish bar (I think) along the whole stretch of the "men-inviting' bars at the walking street at the end of beach road.

Anyone know if there is any other good bars or clubs playing great live music anywhere else in Chonburi province?

if you like heavy rock tribute stuff then go to easy rider's

in spite of the earlier negative post by someone else

Well, we're not particular specific music goers. As long as the musicians knows their stuff and plays with their souls, they rock!

The Blues Factory has 2 bands-

Lam Morrison and his band

The Blues Machine featuring Snowman.

Schedule is-

2 bands 6 nights a week except for mondays which is only the Blues Machine and wednesdays which is only Lam Morrison.

Thanks a zillion! Where there's life, there's music!!!

That's a real noodle long!!!

Is this Mercy centre connected to the one established by Fr. Joe in Khlong Toey? I don't know if there is any need for it, but I have a couple of bags of childrens clothes that I was going to give to the MC in BKK but I suspect they could be better received in Pattaya. The Mercy centre here is really well supported.

I'm not sure about that but I don't think so. The Mercy Center is run by Pastor Dianne and Pastor Fred.

And as for the clothes. It's up to yuor choice. For your information, clothes donated to the Mercy Center not only goes to the children in the center but also to those in need living in the slumps and the very poor too. So you can be sure that they don't go to waste!

Being objective and frank, in so far as my choice of live band, do make and effort to go to the Climax Bar on west side of Walking Street. The band at the Climax Bar knocks spots off all the other live bands anywhere in Pattaya. The band at the Blues Factory comes in second place but don't expect to be able to carry on any sort of conversation inside the Blues Factory. Sorry Dave, but it's true. You need to turn down the volume just a bit!! A 'big band' need a big auditorium.

Its a live music club, its has to be loudish.

Climax are good but musical talent not on the same level as Lam's band or The Blues Machine.

Snowman is most certainly the only winner in Asia of the BB King "Lucille" award and the International Blues Federation's award.

The houseband especially play at a certain level every night, they've always got a bit more to give but watch them at a festival or similar then they even make my hairs stand up on end.

Hold on a second, so the Lam's band, the Blues machine and snowman all plays at the Blues Factory? Does that mean that their house band changes everyday? So who's playing on which day and on your point of view, which band is of your preference?

Coming from Sriracha you've probably only experienced the Thai band scene.

Pattaya has a wide range of venues... ranging from the Thai bands playing the pubs and clubs on 3rd road, to the Philipino bands playing the Hard Rock Cafe, Henry J Beans etc, and of course, the Thai/expat combos that play at the Blues Factory.

Plenty of choice... and some very good musicians around.

None of these places are sleazy.

Where's Henry J Beans by the way?

And yep, Sriracha bands plays almost 100% Thai Music but I must say that the musicians especially the drummers in thailand. Gheez! they play well for what they're paid for!!

We live in Sriracha and there's a lot of good Thai bands in the clubs and bars here. We enjoyed that a lot.

There's a lot of great musicians in Thailand I must say (but singers.....especially females, not many I thought...)

Since we're not very familiar with Pattaya, or even Bang saen and chonburi, we don't know where else we can find good music. The last time when we tried exploring Pattaya. The only bar that is not sleazy and is actually selling good beer and playing live music is an irish bar (I think) along the whole stretch of the "men-inviting' bars at the walking street at the end of beach road.

Anyone know if there is any other good bars or clubs playing great live music anywhere else in Chonburi province?

You can try the Blues Factory, just of Walking Street. Go to the Entertainment forum and click on the Blues Factory website

Also there is Lucifers who used to have a good band play once a week but I haven't been there for about 18 months.

At the north end of Beach Road there is Henry J Beans , which is part of the Amari Hotel, they used to have a good band also but haven't been there for about 18 months either.

None of these places are sleazy but Lucifers is a disco so it's very noisy and busy

What kind of music does the Blues factory play? rock, jazz, blues?

Coming from Sriracha you've probably only experienced the Thai band scene.

Pattaya has a wide range of venues... ranging from the Thai bands playing the pubs and clubs on 3rd road, to the Philipino bands playing the Hard Rock Cafe, Henry J Beans etc, and of course, the Thai/expat combos that play at the Blues Factory.

Plenty of choice... and some very good musicians around.

None of these places are sleazy.

I've seen a Filipino band playing at Hard Rock Cafe last year November. Sucks bad!! It really spoils the name of Hard Roack Cafe. The band in Hard Rock Bangkok was not so bad though

We live in Sriracha and there's a lot of good Thai bands in the clubs and bars here. We enjoyed that a lot.

There's a lot of great musicians in Thailand I must say (but singers.....especially females, not many I thought...)

Since we're not very familiar with Pattaya, or even Bang saen and chonburi, we don't know where else we can find good music. The last time when we tried exploring Pattaya. The only bar that is not sleazy and is actually selling good beer and playing live music is an irish bar (I think) along the whole stretch of the "men-inviting' bars at the walking street at the end of beach road.

Anyone know if there is any other good bars or clubs playing great live music anywhere else in Chonburi province?

As you've might read a lot of Mobi's posts with regards to Mercy center, hmm... that's how I've got to know them too.

I've visited them a couple of times and have actually asked them to list down the stuff that they need in Mercy center at the moment. I've tried to purchase and get the stuff that is listed but I don't think I am able to complete them. SO I'm extending this out to anyone out there who has these stuff used and still in good working condition or who are able to purchase any one of these stuff as listed below to help out. It'll be greatly appreciated if you can let me know what you'll be buying so that I'll strike it out of the list. Thank you in advance for your help.

Here's the list:(Striked out ones are those that has been fulfilled.)

Higher Priority

- 4 drawing cabinets

-16 mattress pads

-4 large rotating wall fans for the multi-purpose halls

-2 clothes rack for the girls and boys room

-Clothes pins/pegs for handing out.

-Mama type dry soup noodles packages (Helps with easy meals when cook is away)

-Drink boxes of unsweetened milk

- Car seat for a baby

-Shoe Racks (for storing children’s shoes)

-Racks for storing plates, bowls and cutlery

-20 blankets

-Fence (and small gate) to divide the car parking area from the grassed play area

Lower priority

-Materials to build another covered car park area will cost approx. B 3000

-Bike Rack – so that bicycles can be neatly stored and chained

-Garden Shears

General MERCY needs:

· Disposable diapers – small, medium and large

· Baby formula - Dumex 1 and Dumex 2

· Any household items, appliances, clothes are always welcome

Try this company called Podium. They've got two branches. One in Seacon Square, Bangna Bangkok, and one in Chonburi opposite Makro.

The owner Khun Somchai is usually stationed at the Bangkok branch but I think you can get a lady who speaks english at the Chonburi branch.

When I first moved here, I was searching high and low for good wood furniture with nice work. Went to search in almost every shop at Pattaya and a few in Bangkok. Finally, about 75% of our furnture comes from Podium.

Custom made furnitures are made with rubberwood and the rest of the furniture in their catalogue are made from imported wood. They've got a website.

http://www.podium.co.th

check them out. I've custom- made my bedroom furniture and we have no regrets. And he mentioned also that if ever we need to dismantle the furniture for moving, we can always call them to come over and do so. (Well, I guess we'll film that down so that we know how to put them back in one piece if it's not in Thailand!!)

Well, we shall wait for the opening of the new airport.

See how it goes with the new transport system and as for the increase in price, if the govenrment has made the decision to do so, can the foreigners go on a strike? Guess Thais wouldn't say no too.

Anyway, most of the Thais who can afford to take a plane can afford to pay the taxes. And as for us, the non-Thais, we'll still pay at the end of the day if we want to stay.

Tourism will not decrease because of that because they jolly well know that they won't come here like 5 times a year. And shopping here is still cheaper than their own countries for the moment.

My sis who is an avid shopper tried changing lieu and visited Vietnam instead. She screamed at the price of the clothes, the lousy quality, and the limited designs.

The fact is that Thais are really good in imitating. Just as good as the Filipinos learning music. So designs of the products, they copy. Materials, they produce. Quality may not be as good but seeing how similar they are to the real stuff or how nice the products look, tourists buy them.

Verdict? nothing much will change.

hi everyone iam in the uk with my thai wife ,we will not be back in pattaya until december 2007,i would like some one to send me each week or every two weeks the pattaya news paper for me and a thai paper for my wife,all i need is your bank account in uk and i will put money in your account and a bit xtra for your time so you can have a drink,

if you think you could do this for us please pm me

many thanks pete and som

many thanks for looking

p.s. can not wait till we are back in pattaya

Well Pete,

if you really want hard copy, pass me your address. Cos at my condo here, they distribute free late copies of Pattaya mail. It'll not cost much trouble to send a copy to you.

And as for the cost, it's fine. The newspaper's free and stamp doesn't cost that much.

I have some surplus kitchen stuff from my apartment and quite a lot of clothes - used but in very good condition - that I would like to dispose of - preferably to some charitable organisation.

I know about local orphanages here in Pattaya (which I do try to help from time to time ) but can anyone recommend any other charities (apart from the usual wise guys out there!) or charity shops. Back in England, the High Streets seem full of them and they clearly provide a valuable service. It seems to me there should be scope for a few here too.

I've been to this mission before. Well, they sure need stuff like that. Because they've not only got 20 children in this home but also, they do visits in the slumps etc. and these people do need help too.

My daughter is in ISE. (http://www.ise.ac.th) It's in the Barapha Golf club. I must say that they did a great job there. Everything's so well organised there.My daughter just love going to school and got so upset when there's no school.

And if you've got younger kids, try Montessori Children's

Centre. Heard a lot of good comments of them. It's for children between 3-9+ years old.

I know that Bangkok Bank do ask for your work permit or proof of residence. The proof of residence will be given by the management of your condominium or estate if you live there.

And also, the banks do not allow tourists to have a credit card unless you've live here for at least 5 years I think.

And as for the other banks, I'm not sure.

Also, do make note that each branch handles their own accounts. For example, if you open an account from a specific bank in Pattaya, you'll need to go back to the same branch if there is a problem with your account or card. They don't handle your problem if your account doesn't comes from the same branch.

Tough yeah?

l

check out the website:

http://www.ko-sichang.com/

If you need any help, write an email to Pan and David, they're more than happy to help you out with the hotels and stuff like that.

Very friendly and lovely people there. Pan and david has a restaurant which serve great food at Ko Sichang too.

And as for the beach, check out 'Haad Sai Kaew' it not as popular as Tham Phang beach among the tourists but it's defintely more secluded and cleaner though.