piker

I have had three root canals.....

Very good post. Thank you. Pattaya International (Soi 4) wants 10k for the root canal and then another 8 for the cap/post/whatever. I'll have to shop around or does anyone feel it's worth the extra expenditure to go with who you know?

I'm set for my Penang visa run in late October/early November (anyone wanna come?) and I understand that using an agent is the most reassuring and cost effective and trusted, dare I say, means of obtaining the visa.

I understand that I will be referred to an agent on checkin at the hotel. Anyone with recommendations? Thank you.

I've asked a few Thais what they think of farangs wearing the Yellow shirt which marks the sixtieth anniversary of the king’s ascension to the throne.

The answers seemed split. When answering honestly, many Thais don't really care much for Farangs and so couldn't care less what Farangs wear as long as they wear something.

Others were really happy to see Farangs absorping themselves into Thai culture and showing their love forr the king.

What do you think of Farangs wearing those largely poor fitting Yellow shirts?

I use this bus from Pattaya Nua regularly and have done for years and I have never had a movie played on it, what bad luck for you. I always take my i-pod with me to block out the noise around me on the bus I really hate the Thai girls that talking incessantly and very loudly on their mobiles for the whole journey, but the i-pod does work.

I forgot to mention that happened...

I said something rude to her in Thai and she went into whisper mode and her face became a little red. I don't care who I embarass.

http://www.pattayapeople.com/default.asp?F...;IdArticle=7401

Speaking for myself, there's just one thing keeping me specifically in Pattaya and it starts with a "P" (for slang).

The above link brings you to yet another local news article somehow demonstrating how things are getting worse in Pattaya.

I love to live here but it has really come down to only 1 reason: supply. The researched expat knows Hua Hin is the cream of them all now and in the future too I believe. The royal family owns big property there so I predict Hua Hin will never ever ever ever sink to what Pattaya has become. This is all IMO.

These product recommendations are only good if they can adequately block out noisy Thais and Englishmen. Accept no substitutes!

I have taken to Bangkok to Pattaya bus several times but had no video shown at all - which bus did u take?

I rode the newer buses. There were 2 screens for your viewing pleasure and about 20 speakers for your deafening displeasure! 113 baht same same the older buses. All from North station.

If you see me, please speak up.

As many of you already know, Thais only have 1 level of sound volume: EAR SHATTERING LOUD!

I took the bus to Bangkok the other day and a movie was showing which is a great idea as there's little else to do.

The movie was about a bus trip but just like the soaps on Thai TV, much of the dialogue is shouting and highly dramatic. Jai yen yen!

The volume of the 90 minute movie was ear shattering so nap time was out of the question.

Lucky for me, this was the 11:00am bus so I had already had my 2 cups of java. Does this also happen on the 5 am bus too?! Talk about rude awakening. The Indian fellow next to me was snoring through it amazingly.

I am a devotee of the beautiful Dr. Aree DDS in International hospital (Soi 4). This morning, she quoted me 10k for the root canal and 20k for the post, cap, etc.

I've trusted her for a few years based on board recommendations but now I'm wondering if this price is right or over the top. I don't mind paying for her quality work and the peace of mind she will do a great job. However, like anyone else, I don't want to overpay.

Who's your dentist and have you ever had a root canal in Thailand or elsewhere? What did you pay and how long was the entire treatment from day 1 to finish? Thank you.

Now you can't grab mammaries in Pattaya?! Geez, what next?!

Terry,

I fully agree with your assessment. In the 3 years I've been here full time, I'm having unprovoked encounters with hot headed Thais. I was recently cut off by a motorcycle driver who shoved me with his forearm. Never had a Thai touch me in an aggressive manner within the last 3 years until then. I've recently had beggars touch my arm with their dirty hands while I was in conversation. Been poked several times by vendors while I'm in conversation with others. Had the lazer pointer people shine their lights in my face countless times. I stay in Pattaya mainly for 1 reason but I'm looking at Hua Hin more and more because it really does offer almost everything that Pattaya does but on a lesser scale which is fine with me. Anyone else for Hua Hin?

Pattaya is a total nut house, anyone who lives here and says its safe must be a complete fool.

I've lived here for far too long and next week I move out of Pattaya for good, the reason being I value my life & all my limbs.

From the minute I go out of my condo I have to take care that I don't upset someone whether it is someone who cuts me up in the car or basically some one who is pi-sed at the world & there are so many like that here.

I've been sat outside Starbucks at Tuc Com 10:30 in the morning & a yaba head just walked up to me and smacked me across the head ?? and that is absolutely nothing to what I've seen or been thro over the years………Pattaya you can have it

I've lived in BKK Nana and there is absolutely NO comparison

People who have been in Pattaya for a while and had no problems......it will soon come to you so don't worry

Scoby's on 3rd Road next to Cherry Restaurant is getting rave reviews and I'm one of the happy customers.

Disclaimer: Piker is not the owner or son of Scoby's.

Carrefour food court with chicken or duck. 40 baht.

now the thread gets finally interesting

....looking for potato chips and some cans of beer....

A sign you're a bored expat. Haha.

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So am I (sshhh!)

I'm also interested in this. Does anyone use PayPal here or another pay service?

My current 2 paypal (PP) accounts are through 2 out of country accounts. I've done this for 2 reasons:

1-If I put my account into Kasikorn for example and then withdrew as you do from PP into Kasikorn, I wouldn't know who to complain to about the deposits not showing up if I were out of country. That would be a major panic until I were back in Thailand.

2-PP purports to be your friend but in the event there's a resolution attempt, your funds are frozen and PP will always see this in your record even if you refund the buyer.

3-It is my understanding that if your account is Thai based, the buyers can see this and it could lead to some prejudices against you as a seller. If I had to choose between USA or Britain vs. Thailand or Nigeria....

South: Bottom of the hill to Klang?

Central: Klang to Big C?

North: Big C to North Road?

Naklua: North Road to Naklua market?

What's your interpretation?

I'm wondering where people park and what, if any, arrangements are made for those wishing to leave their cars at the station on Soi Siam Country Club?

The bus station has a 30bt/day guarded parking enclosure.

Maybe a taxi would be easier?

I would like to know how "corporate restructuring" sounds like when it's fully spelled out...

Sigh. I don't enjoy gossip but the word out is that Bob's partners have been getting in the way and Bob is frustrated. So he couldn't decide what to do about this problem. Carrefour was making no money. Most people don't go to the Carrefour food court to spend 200 baht on a meal and that was a big part of the problem. So a few days ago, Bob decided to simply close down. His partners won't want anything else in the resto business so Bob can easily liquidate everything and then <poof> reopen in a few weeks all by himself with the burger format but without the annoyance of partners.

This is the gossip and this is only a forum so take it all with a grain of salt. I like Bob and wish him all the best.

From another board:

"I was in Bob's company for a fair bit of last night.

I regret to inform you that ALL of Bob's Food Outlets will be closed until further notice while the Company undergoes Corporate Reconstructuring."

Any engineers here?

I'm curious if the overpass wouldn't be too steep (hard on some old farts' legs) in order to accommodate the large buses and trucks??

they simply are none

http://www.mrroomfinder.com/detail.php?id=1461

http://thetraininn.com/room.php

I was in conversation with a close friend of Bob's this morning who confirmed both his restaurants are closed and he's out of business altogether. To further the speculation; his website "has been suspended."

edit: Just called Bob myself and he says he's "closed for reorganization" for a few weeks. All 3 branches will be closed until then.

Will Bob's BBQ see the light of day again? We'll all know in a few weeks. Good luck Bob.

From the Lek Hotel entrance on 2nd road/Soi 12 to The Avenue (new shopping/restaurant/movie plaza), one must tempt fate by attempting to cross life threatening 2nd road.

Anyone heard anything more definite than the rumors of an overpass being built?

Went to Carrefour for my first meal of September only to notice Bob's stall with no staff, the cash register gone, and looking barren.

July 1-September 1 (RIP?)

So how's it going? Any problems? Buyer concerns? Services fees? Length of time to withdraw into account? Who you banking with? How long did verification take? Thanks.