Jiu-Jitsu

Forgot to add...there may be an AA sale in a couple of days, so hang on until then.

I not been able to get an Air Asia flight including CC booking fee from BKK to Surat or Nakon .. within days to a week etc.. for less than 1800. Add the 250 for bus and ferry ticket to nathon, although it is Nov now so you might be able to prove me wrong. And the 100baht song thaw to lamai/chaweng/bangrak or 500 taxi. Lets stay (optimistically) 2500. More if you got more than 15kg luggage etc.. Book bangkok air 4+ days you get either 3850 or 4000 or 3350 (for early/late flight). However skin't I get I alway seem to go BA (and then moan), but on reflection its saves wasting an extra 5hrs or a day.

In your case your probably looking closer to 2500-3000 baht saving pp round trip, plus 5 hours pissing about (more than 15kg luggage too?). If planning a year in advance and willing to pay 1500 a night. then pay an extra 3000 baht per person and enjoy an extra day. Expat & visa runners perhaps different scenarios.

Like i said actually the Roundtrip Rate for BA is about 7.500 THB/pP and the AA is just only 3.000 THB/pP for April 2011.

AA i still need + 500 Bus/Fairy + 200 Transort to chaweng for roundtrip= totally for a roundtip 3.700 THB.....that´s nearly 50% from the BA Rate. But in one case you are right, AA just only transport 15 Kilos for free , that´s a point for think.

I really don't know why people are trying dissuade you from your course of action. Now with ridiculous posts about one way flights. Perhaps so they don't have to mention the 400 baht airport tax on the way out.

Funny they don't mention the cost of getting to and from Samui Airport to your hotel. Often far outstrips the cost of the Songthaew from Nathon.

To be fair Bangkok Airways do have an Early Morning promotion, so it's possible that you can fly return for 6500 baht.

But then AA also have promotions. I booked Surat Thani this year for 261 baht for a return flight including luggage.

In the end it comes down to choice. If I need to be there in a hurry, I will pay B Air to get me there swiftly. I was happy with my choice to pay 261 baht. It got me there safely and I had a romantic ride of the ferry to boot.

thinking about it, somebody caught one of these sexy Russian tourist now found everywhere in Thailand ?

I'm sure some of them would like to know some westerners with a good passport to travel anywhere in the world :-)

Actually they look so hot, but usually they can't say 2 words in English...

Any experience ?

You are a little bit sad.

I spent a fair amount of time with quite a few of these 'tourists' and they seem to be doing ok. I have invitations to Baikal, St Petersburg, Moscow...

Most either have their own companies, work in the travel industry or have a professional qualification. e.g Electrical Engineer, Dentist...

Made meetings for Italy, Eygpt and Thailand again.

Often I find that if there are two girls travelling together, only one speaks English well. Sods Laws dictates that the one whom I like and who likes me is the one who has limited English.

I've met quite a few nice Russian girls. I also don't go with the Thai girls. For me, going with them would be akin to paying to roll around in the gutter.

I prefer to meet a 'normal' girl and to build a nice friendship. Perhaps it's the thrill of the chase. Paying to shoot fish in a barrel is just not for me.

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone knows any nightspots with plenty of European/Russian girls??

My friends and I are 20-21-23 year old Australians/English and not really into the 'bar' scene (not that there's anything wrong with it) and prefer European girls (don't shoot me ) to Thai.

Thanks in advance

Hi,

I understand your "concern" I am living here in Pattaya as 21-years old, because I moved my IT business from Denmark to Thailand.

You will not find a 100% "Eurogirl" club, because there is only very few girls comming here from "the West" and also few guys on my age. There is one go-go bar in town with "European girls only" (Read Russian girls) But keep away from that place, I have heard of a lot of people being ripped off in there.

There is three places (nightclubs) I come, the best one is Insomnia by far, I love the music and you can actually find non-working girls in there. If I should suggest other places it would be Walking Street(The club), Mixx in the "Pattaya sign" end of Walking street next to Starbucks, and Lucifer. Luficer is beginning to have too many freelance girls, but you need some places to go before Insomnia get's filled 2-3 o'Clock.

Mixx were also a very good place to come 2 years ago, but is looks like the Russian economy kept them away from Thailand.

I always bring my european freinds to the fun club "What's up" the first time they come to Pattaya, only to see their <deleted>?!? face, they have girls hanging from the roof and in a jacuzzi:)

When have you planned to come here? Feel free to mail me at <snip>

Jakob

Thanks for your reply!

I've seen a few people mention Insomnia... so I'll have to check it out.

We'll be there just for 2 nights 15 & 16 July, as a stopover on our way to Koh Chang (from Bangkok).

I've been to Pattaya before and saw loads of Swedish and Russian girls during the day and at restaurants... but never at night!

I meant non-working girls by the way, so hopefully some are out there...!

I've never heard of What's up club.... sounds amusing

How amusing...you are going to be there for two nights, but you hope to make the acquaintance of non-working girls in the time.

It works for me from Jomtien to North Pattaya. Haven't tested any other areas, but the map shows the coverage.

Do you mean this map from their web page for coverage in Pattaya:

Do you live on a boat?

Cool, they have a promotion, sign up for post paid and get 750 Mb for 349 Baht per month.

The first 3 billings you'll get 2 months for your money (i.e. you only pay on month 1,3 and 5.

But, the killer is the excess data charge. Ridiculous. 0,01 Baht/kb. Or a cool extra 10 Baht/MB. So if you use 850 MB instead of the included 750 MB, you'll get hammered with 1349 Baht instead of 349 Baht if under the 750 MB...

You are completely erroneous in your assertions. The 3G is not a chargeable product. The Excess Charge relates to EDGE/GPRS usage.

I guess the form would be to set the software to 3G/W-CDMA only and only when that allowance runs out, switch to 2G(at the speeds they offer for EDGE/GPRS, you would be hard pressed to use up the 250MB allowance).

The promotion that you mention is only if you purchase and utilise their Air Card by the 31st of December(the promotion in on the included SIM).

No, but AA probably will be 6.000 then.

As soon as you arrive in Surat by Air Asia there will be transportation to Nathon available. Don't worry. The transportation system in Thailand is fine....it's a country serving tourists since decades.....

Songtheows in Nathon will transport the luggage on the roof for a small fee. Otherwise consider 500 Baht by taxi.

Why are you making such statements, before even checking the prices? 3000 baht is a standard price with AA. It is still less than 3000 baht for April.

Also, I didn't know that Songthaew started charging for carrying luggage.

Diamond City Pattaya

Tradewinds in Chawang. Within your budget, right on the beach, nice bungalows, nice part of the beach and good food and right in the centre of Chawang. It is where I put friends who stay if they cannot afford my place

I like that they haven't cut down all of the trees.

Another possibility maybe be this iPhone plan for 599 baht plus VAT monthly.

With that you get a 3GB allowance. After which the speed gets throttled to 256kbps for the remainder of the month. So unlimited in a form.

You also get:

300mins of calls to all networks(Domestic)

300 SMS

50 MMS

Unlimited Edge

Unlimited Wifi

It may be supplied in the form of a Micro SIM though, I'm not sure.

The old iPhone 599 tariff. I think the promotion may have ended on the 30th of September.

Now it appears that they offer a Micro SIM for the Ipad and iPhone 4, so I'm not sure how you can use that in an Aircard. Perhaps there is a template available.

Anyway the new package offers 3 GB of full speed 3G, after which the speed is throttled to 256kbs. You can find it here

I reiterate. I don't expect high quality foodstuffs on Bua Khao. It's not necessarily their fault. Their target audience are 'cheap charlies' who buy on price.... generally the cheapest.

So please explain why the Continental Bakery is so busy.

Also, learn to count room numbers.

Because people like bread? Please explain why this kind of thing sells so well in the UK? People eat what they are used to eating. It doesn't mean that it is high quality or even good.

I have never visited the Continental bakery, but I would suggest that if it is busy, it is because it caters to exactly the kind of people whom we have been describing.

Nothing wrong with that. It's good business. If I'm in the region and I feel like some egg, bacon and baked beans for breakfast, I might consider a visit.

As to learning to count rooms numbers...it is not important to me. Maybe there is one, maybe there is two. There are still in an undesirable area for me. Plus I'd be surrounded by exactly the kind of cringe-worthy people that I am happy to avoid.

Cheers.

It's only cheap if the flights are booked weeks or months in advance. Otherwise the difference is not worth the hassle.

That's not really true is it? The prices stated by thomas are accurate for booking within the next few days. 4000 baht is a substantial saving.

Looking at the costs on the True website you gave, time-based looks the better option at Baht 149 for 7 hours daily, of presumably-unlimited data. As you may have surmised, that is not what you are going to get. It is 99 baht per month for 5 hours per month, not per day. Perhaps you can cancel the package once you have used up your allowance in order to begin a new one immediately. Could work out to be quite expensive.

I don't know who decided that the price of the packages were appropriate. As 349 baht for 15 hours is more expensive per hour than their package of 99 baht for five hours. I don't consider their GPRS/EDGE offering of any use at all other than for mobile telephone usage.

The Truecorp website has a coverage map for Pattaya which shows 3G to be widely available well north and south of the metropolis, as well as inland several miles.

The True Move website you so kindly supplied states, "Baht 99 (Service Fee per day) for 5 hours of 3G" on the hour package (automatic extension). This seems reasonable if it is 5 hours per day. Although the site is not terribly clear, it seems a stretch that it actually means B99 per month for 5 hours only, especially as that would be far too little for most users. Looks like I'll have to go into the True shop at Tesco Lotus (North Pattaya road) to confirm what I am actually getting, and the best package.

I'm hurt that you don't believe me.

Report back with your findings.

As I wrote earlier, there is nothing to stop you from getting the service as you describe it; you'll just need a lot of SIM cards.

You can take a look at some of the TRUEMOVE Prepaid SIM only packages available, here and here.

Very helpful, thanks. I already have a True Move SIM for telephony. Incredible overseas value at Baht 1 per minute (using prefix 006004), or Baht 1.5 to Thai mobiles. Are they the same as 'DATA SIMs'? In the West, and even Indonesia, they make no distinction. First time I saw a 'Data Sim' was in Thailand. Looks like I need to buy an 850 MHz modem though, 'coz this E220 is only gonna deliver EDGE.

In general, the SIM is the same. The DATA SIM usually comes with a particular package, whereas with a normal SIM you have to choose your Data package.

i know nothing about modems / dongles etc. I just use internet tethering on my iphone. works fine. used in CM and Pattaya when i was there.

was using it in north pattaya, way over that hill, way down the other side near that big new hotel complex near the beach. If True has 3G there, assume most of pattaya would have it

One thing that I can tell you about Dongles and Modems is that they are certainly a lot cheaper than an iPhone. My 3G modem cost less than 500 baht.

Which hill is it that you describe? Can't picture it.

Tried that, but cant read my mails unless i plug the dongle into something.

directions....... dolphin roundabout - up the hill, down the hill to the bottom - turn left........ big hotel complex on beach........works there

From reports it sounds as if the beach areas are covered, theough I don't know how far back the signal may reach.

You can take a look at some of the TRUEMOVE Prepaid SIM only packages available, here and here.

Very helpful, thanks. I already have a True Move SIM for telephony. Incredible overseas value at Baht 1 per minute (using prefix 006004), or Baht 1.5 to Thai mobiles. Are they the same as 'DATA SIMs'? In the West, and even Indonesia, they make no distinction. First time I saw a 'Data Sim' was in Thailand. Looks like I need to buy an 850 MHz modem though, 'coz this E220 is only gonna deliver EDGE.

Looking at the costs on the True website you gave, time-based looks the better option at Baht 149 for 7 hours daily, of presumably-unlimited data. Over 7 hours' daily use qualifies for nerd / get-a-life status, methinks!

As you may have surmised, that is not what you are going to get. It is 99 baht per month for 5 hours per month, not per day. Perhaps you can cancel the package once you have used up your allowance in order to begin a new one immediately. Could work out to be quite expensive.

I don't know who decided that the price of the packages were appropriate. As 349 baht for 15 hours is more expensive per hour than their package of 99 baht for five hours. I don't consider their GPRS/EDGE offering of any use at all other than for mobile telephone usage.

I think a couple of SIMs for a mix of volume based and time based usage. Sometimes 'always on'(volume based) will be suitable, whereas you may need to download a large file and time based may be more suitable.

As Siamect has suggested, it doesn't seem as if you are booting from the optical drive. Perhaps try formatting the disc first.

I've sent you a PM with links to a suitable disc.

The places you mention are not beachfront properties. An example of a beachfront resort within your budget is the The Island Resort & Spa

You can book via AtSiam.

There is a bus/boat service from the airport. Perhaps 350 baht or thereabouts.

I will leave the Samuians to recommend you a place to stay.

For those interested, the TRUEMOVE Aircard is a Huawei E176.

If the firmware hasn't been upgraded beforehand, Huawei has released firmware to upgrade the modem to HSUPA 5.76. Firmware is here.

Otherwise you can pick up the aforementioned ZTE MF626 or Huawei E160 in Thailand for around 1500 baht.

For those who have the need for such a thing, there is a Mifi unit, the Huawei E5836 for 4,790 baht.

this is really confusing.

I have a nexus one (US t-mobile version) which is '900 MHz, AWS, 1700 and 2100 MHz'

can i get 3G in Pattaya or not? If so which carrier ?

That will be a no. You need 850MHz for TRUEMOVE.

are you sure TRUEMOVE is the only one in Pattaya?

Do you have a problem with reading or are you just being lazy? Read the thread.

i guess you think you are the only one that knows anything about 3G. Look at your posts in this thread and it is clear who the fool is. When you don't know do you always say you can't post the link?

Are you auditioning for Dumb & Dumber 4? Does your post actually make any sense?

What is wrong with "my posts in this thread"? Perhaps you can tell me.

Be careful of irony though. Because it may slap you in the face when it is revealed that the only one who knows nothing is you.

Read the whole thread and gain a free education, instead of being lazy and expecting people to repost information already posted.

Probably best for you not to reply, as you'll only make yourself more stupid and ungrateful.

Last time, well actually the only time, I changed my itinerary with Air Asia it was easy to do on-line there was a fee for changing and then I was charged the higher price for the ticket, so I didn't bother to go down that route. I actually purchased a new ticket and then didn't fly on the other one, I then claimed the airport tax back, it was a bit of faff but a fair bit cheaper.

Cheers for a pertinent answer theoldgit, much appreciated,

I got into the form but then when it looked like I was going to have to purchase a new ticket I stopped, still not sure of the date for a change so will give it a try closer to the date.

There is no problem with experimenting, as the change is only locked in when you actually pay for the new flight and changes. So don't worry about doing something irreversible.

Perhaps if you state your requirements, you might get some suggestions for where to stay.

this is really confusing.

I have a nexus one (US t-mobile version) which is '900 MHz, AWS, 1700 and 2100 MHz'

can i get 3G in Pattaya or not? If so which carrier ?

That will be a no. You need 850MHz for TRUEMOVE.

are you sure TRUEMOVE is the only one in Pattaya?

Do you have a problem with reading or are you just being lazy? Read the thread.

Nice to see the community pull out all of the stops in order to help.