paul1970

Mine and the missus's teams are in. Come on Hoi Hom FC and Falang Khi Nok (why she picked that name I have no idea...... )

Today, because of the rainy weather and not having much else to do, I took a drive up Soi Khaonoi and Soi Khaotolo to add the restaurants I could find into that GPS of mine.

So, starting from the Sukhumvit end of Soi Khaonoi, the first place I spotted is one of the tiniest holes-in-the-wall I've ever seen, called 'Peggy+Re.' It's very small. Their sign is almost bigger than the restaurant. There are only a couple of tables inside and one outside. I was going to write it off, but I did see a group of four farang sitting at the outside table and it looked as if they were enjoying it, so maybe I'll give it a try one of these days. But I doubt it's going to make it to my priority list of new places to try. Still, you never know about a hole-in-the wall restaurant. Sometimes they're horrible and sometimes they're teriffic.

I'm surprised none of the posts have mentioned the Continental Bakery on Soi Khaonoi at Soi 11 (There is a big yellow sign there that says "Wobbly's"). I'm not much of a breakfast person, but when I do eat breakfast it's usually with friends and we go to the Contionental Bakery in Jomtien. It's one of the best breakfasts in town, with a great many different choices of breakfast styles. An excellent review is in an older edition of the Pattaya Mail: http://www.pattayamail.com/576/dining.shtml

The Continental Bakery on Soi Khaonoi is the same outfit, serving the same food. The bakery itself is very good and has excellent fresh breads. Much of the bread sold at the real Villa Market comes from the Continental Bakery. They even have fairly good bagels. They serve lunch and dinner too, although I've never gone there for either. Further on, at Khaotolo Soi 16, just past the big "Royal Park" sign I spotted a restaurant simply called "Sally." I could see they do breakfast, but I didn't stop in to look at their menu.

At Khaotolo Soi 10 there is a restaurant called "New Inn." Their sign says they serve both British and Thai food.

The last one that looked interesting to me, a little bit beyond the "New Inn," on the left there is a small restaurant called Indian Kitchen.

A friend told me there is also a nice restaurant called "Friendship," but I haven't been able to spot it.

With the exception of the Continental Bakery, I've never been to any of these restaurants. I would certainly be interested to hear what you have to say if you've been to any of them.

I went to the New Inn a few times and the food was only OK but I beleive that it has changed owners since but I haven't been back to try it out. Must go one of these days to see if it's improved.

Sorry Monty, the above makes no sense whatsoever.

Also they do not share billing. I signed a contract with TT&T, and expected a single bill for ADSL and phone. I now receive a TT&T bill for ADSL, and a separate TOT bill for telephone.

I know it is confusing

There are actually 3 companies involved when using Maxnet.

Of which only two you signed separate contracts with. TT&T to supply a phone line, and Maxnet to supply ADSL over TT&T's phone line. You have nowhere entered into a contract with TOT, which only would be possible at TOT's office on Pattaya Klang/third road junction.

The 3-some works as follows:

TOT, which does the billing of the phone line (107 Baht or 139 Baht with caller ID/month plus any phone calls you make).

TT&T which owns and installed the line.

And Maxnet, which is your ISP (a subsidiary owned by TT&T, but entirely separated from the phone part). Maxnet actually pays DSLAM rental fees to TT&T for each ADSL subscriber they have!

If you want to use Csloxinfo as ISP, Csloxinfo will pay the rental of the DSLAM to TT&T. The Csloxinfo contract can be signed at TT&T's office! No need to contact Csloxinfo directly. And you'll still receive a phone bill from TOT.

TT&T receives part of the phone bill, after TOT has deducted the concession fees.

You can also pay at TOT's office on Pattaya Klang, no problem. Only the phone bill, NOT Maxnet!

If you have a TOT line, you cannot subscribe to Maxnet ADSL, since TT&T simply does not have access to TOT's phone lines!

And vice versa, if you have a TT&T line you cannot subscribe to TOT's goldcyber ADSL (not that you'd want to )

I pay my maxnet bill at the office at Carrefour which I think is a TOT office, but I am not sure

The office in Carrefour is TT&T.

I currently have TOT's 1M/512K package which costs 2700B a month which has proven quite reliable with actual speeds of 850K/380K to BKK, though international can be a bit hit and miss.

Anyone have information on prices of other packages and actual acheivable speeds ? I also see Banglamung Cable TV are offering internet packages, anyone with info on the speeds and quality ?

A laptop is something like 6 volts DC. How you could get a shock off it I don't know.

Suspect something else is wrong.

the shock he is getting is a 'floating' voltage of around 120 volts(rms,or 160 peak)

an earth or ground would eliminate this .however the shock won't be of anyharm,since as soon as you touch the casing of the equipment,you are doing the earthing thru yr body.

under no load,the voltage could measure thousands of volts,(maybe you can hear a spark also when you touch the offending unit)however the current is extremely small.

I find this hard to believe as the transformer that feeds the laptop has an input of 240v and an output of approx 18v, also the input lead that is connected to the mains socket is of thick gauge to accomodate 240v the output lead is a lot thinner as it only carries 18v.

If what you say did happen then the 120v (floating voltage?) would melt the output lead completely,and probably the laptop too.

The only part of a laptop configuration that can be earthed is the transformer input lead that connects to the mains socket and this would only earth the transformer NOT the laptop, as it runs on 18v DC.

My suggestion is that the laptop needs to be checked for insulation by an electronics engineer.

High voltage would not melt a lead, it is excessive current that causes leads to melt or burn. That is why fuses are rated at the breaking current and not breaking voltage, excess current causes excess heat disapation which cause the fuse to melt or wiring if not properly fused.

If the laptop power adaptor has a 2 pin input plug from the mains lead then there should be a logo that shows a small square inside a larger square to indicate that the adaptor is double insulated and does not require an earth (ground for the US) connection. If you are getting a shock of this type of adaptor then it's likely that there is a fault with the adaptor.

A Class II or double insulated electrical appliance is one which has been designed in such a way that it does not require a safety connection to electrical earth (US: ground).

The basic requirement is that no single failure can result in dangerous voltage becoming exposed so that it might cause an electric shock and that this is achieved without relying on an earthed metal casing. This is usually achieved at least in part by having two layers of insulating material surrounding live parts or by using reinforced insulation.

In Europe, a double insulated appliance must be labelled "Class II", "double insulated" or bear the double insulation symbol (a square inside another square).

Alternatively if there is no square within a square logo and the input connector has 3 pins then the adaptor needs an earth connection as there will be an EMI filter on the input that connects the live and neutral to earth via some capacitors, this will cause a small leakage current that would normally go to earth through the earth lead in the mains cord but if this lead is not connected to earth then this small leakage current may go through the negative output of the adaptor, which is probably what you are feeling. This current is small enough not to cause you any damage, though if the EMI filter capicitors where to short circuit with no earth connection then you could possibly get a nasty shock.

There is a new place opening on Soi Khao Noi that at the moment only sells beer but it is supposed to start doing food soon and the owner used to make indian food for Noi's bar and the Rockhouse which always seemed to be very popular by people who frequented these bars.

I am really looking forward to this place starting to do food which I gather is going to be Brit style food and hopefully Indian food.

It is about 100m before Noi's bar driving up Soi Khao Noi from Suk, not sure of the name.

Why don't you do us the honor of giving us the first review of this place

Based on what you wrote, I think I'd rather do you the honor of being the last to review the place.

I live very close to this place and pass it almost every day and it's a standing joke between me and the missus that we have never seen anyone in there, farang or thai.

When it first opened it was supposed to be 24hr then it changed to close at 4am, then 2am then 12. It keeps getting earlier and earlier and the missus reckons it will be closed in a month at most. So it seems this one is not going to be a success.

On the Nernplubwan Soi 47, this is the soi on the left side coming from the Sukhumvit just before the Crossroad Bar, 150 m on the right side there is a new small restaurant called Crossroad Restaurant

Tried to locate this place today but couldn't find it

I also tried to locate it today and couldn't find it. A previous post says to take the right fork on Soi 47. That's what I did. All I saw was a small bar called West Bar or Western Bar (can't remember which). It didn't look anything like a place to eat to me. It's a short soi and there was nothing else there.

It's very confusing because the post above says it's just before the Crossroad bar. I saw the sign for Crossroad Bar on Neurnplabwan, but the sign indicates that you take the left, not the right fork on Soi 47.

Ok, I went back and took the left fork. Guess what? I couldn't find it, or even the Crossroad Bar, going that way.

I think we need instructions that make it much more clear. If someone has been there, what exactly do you do once you make the turn onto Soi 47 from Neurnplabwan?

Also, as you are headed toward the lake from Sukhumvit, I spotted a restaurant on Neurnplabwan, about a quarter of a mile on the right, past Soi 39, called "Tatawan." Going in that direction, if you get as far as the Rung Thip Restaurant, then you went too far. I haven't seen any posts about the Tatawan. It looks like a nice place, but I didn't stop to look at the menu. I don't know what kind of food is served there. Has anyone tried it?

I think the only one who tried it was Patsfangr and from memory it wasn't up too much. I'm not even sure if it's still open but it was located on Soi 47 on the right hand side as you drive from Nernplubwaan. I can't remember if it was before the fork in the Soi or after but if you drive down the soi and keep an eye on the right it would be difficult to miss it, though it is a very small place.

Maybe Patsfangr can update us on if he's been back.

The owner of the house I rent is getting the whole bungalow painted and the garden walls and fencing. For paint and labour as well as for concreting a small area of garden about 1M * 20M. Total cost 15000 Baht.

Really are the dogs <deleted>, arrive before 9am by 9:05 have already been to 7/11 to stock up on beer lao and mekong by 10am the wifey and kid turns up so they can all lie down on the lawn and sleep for a while before a strenous lunch washed down by copius amount of leo. Then time to sleep on the lawn again before waking around 4pm for about 30 minutes worth of painting before clocking off time.

I'm glad it's the owner of the house whose paying and not <deleted> me. Theyve been here 2 weeks already and have just about finished the first coat on the garden wall and fencing. I think they may just about finish before August.....2016 !!

Sounds like it's worth a shot, can't be any worse than the other chinese places I've tried in Pattaya. Soi Chow Mein....<deleted>....<deleted>....<deleted>. Montien overpriced and vastly overated. The lack of decent chinese eateries in Pattaya is mind boggling.

BTW I agree with a previous poster, chinese food in China is disgusting and even more disgusting is the chinese people hacking up and spitting on the floor inside the restaurants, they really must be the most disgusting race on earth.

Crikey. You'll not be going to the olympics then Paul?

NO I certainly won't. Actually I spend a lot of time in China as well as most other Asian countries working in hospitals. I have worked in hospitals all over the world and the worst and dirtiest by far are the ones in China, even the so called good ones. I was there once in Beijing where they where operating on a guy with the windows of the operating theatre open with flies and mossies crawling all round the open wound, unbeilevable.

Advice for anyone, if you ever get sick while travelling in China don't bother going to the hospital just get on the first flight outta there.

Sounds like it's worth a shot, can't be any worse than the other chinese places I've tried in Pattaya. Soi Chow Mein....<deleted>....<deleted>....<deleted>. Montien overpriced and vastly overated. The lack of decent chinese eateries in Pattaya is mind boggling.

BTW I agree with a previous poster, chinese food in China is disgusting and even more disgusting is the chinese people hacking up and spitting on the floor inside the restaurants, they really must be the most disgusting race on earth.

Finally made it for a follow up on the food at 'The Courthouse'. It is definitely better than it was on our last visit there. The western menu is still very limited, and almost entirely English. I tried the English fish cakes, which were just OK, IMO. The French Fries/Chips served with them were terrible. Soft, and oily.

On the other hand, my wife ordered a couple of Thai dishes, and both were very good, in her opinion and mine. I will definitely be open to going there again, but likely to order Thai, rather than western food.

Anybody else been there lately? Opinions?

I have been a few times now, I also tried the fish cakes which I'm usually partial to but the ones here where not to my liking only ok but as for the chips (french fries) I found them quite nice as they where real potatoes and not the frozen rubbish but probably more welcome to a British rather than American palate.

The jewel in the crown of this place for me and many others judging on the number of people eating it is the Sunday roast, though limited to only lamb and chicken at 300 baht or 240 baht respectively. This IMO is the best Sunday Roast in Pattaya, real roast potatoes not thye deep fried imitations served in many places and also real gravy not bisto and a nice selection of vegetables. I have been every Sunday since it they began serving this and I look forward to it every week.

As for their midweek menu I'm still undecided but Sunday is a winner.

Without doubt the best place I ahve found in Pattaya for Sunday Lunch is the Courtyard on the darkside. Real roast potatoes not the deep fried imitations, real gravy not bisto crap and a nice selection of veg (even brussel sprouts - yuk, lol). Only downsidse is they only do lamb or chicken but both are delicious.

Of the carvery's Sportsman is the best by far, most of the other places already mentioned are poor.

Mr T taxi from Pattaya to airport 900 Baht. Taxi today from Airport to Pattaya 1100 Baht.

Just wondering if anyone has been brave enough to try the Courtyard recently ? Passed there a few times in the last couple of weeks and always empty, but today at around 3 PM I went past and there was quite a number of cars and bikes parked outside and the place looked quite busy.

Could it be that this place is finally picking up ?

Just returned from a shopping trip to Carrefour where I was disgusted at the frozen food section.

Of all the chest type freezers only one of them showed a temperature below -18C and one actually showed 9C and all the food inside was already thawing. Most of them had temperature ranging from -5C to -10C and the top layers of frozen food where already soft to the touch in most of the freezers.

While I generally prefer Carrefour to most of the supermarkets in Pattaya, I will certainly not be buying frozen foods from there again.

Tried Mum Aloy with the girlfriend (thai) as it appeared to be getting good reviews, the food was only OK for me but for the girlfriend she has decided that the place should be renamed Mum Mai Aloy !!! She was not impressed at all and barely touched any of her food and exclaimed that much better Thai food (also a lot cheaper) was to be had at rung thip and happy eater on the dark side, though not upper class places by any means.

Has anyone recently installed a swimming pool in their garden. Can they give me some idea as to how much per square metre I would need to budget for, and point out any pitfalls that need to considered in selecting a contractor.

A lot of people are now going to salt water pools, as they are easier to maintain & healthier so i'm told, although the intial cost is a little more, if your looking for a pool builder who really knows his stuff regarding salt water pools, pm me & i'll send you his contact details.

a lot of people who talk about "salt water pools" have no freaking idea what they are talking about. what they mean is a setup which generates chlorine from salt through electrolysis. that means there's chlorine in those so-called salt water pools but no salt water (although the salt contents is a tad higher). on top of that other chemicals are needed to balance the water like in a "normal" pool and of course the expressions "easier to maintain and healthier" are not warranted at all.

Be careful of chauffeur's that over building advice!!

Arctic Air

Soi Neun Pleb Waan.

William - 0899931307

English speaking Thai mechanics

almost 24/7 service

very proffessional

What are their rates for clean and recharge?

Barry

Decided to give Arctic Air a call, called on Saturday afternoon and Bill from Arctic Air said you may have service Sunday but if not certainly Monday.

Sure enough Monday morning 9.30 2 guys and a lady turn up and go about the most thorough clean of an Air con unit that I have seen since I've been in Thailand.

Bill quoted me 600 Baht for 1 unit or 400 Baht/unit for multiple units.

Full service for 3 units 1200 Baht plus I gave 300 Baht tip, very satisfied with service and will use again.

Can anyone recommend a good Air con repairman ?

I don't just mean the type who will turn up and refill the gas and wave their hand in front of the air con and say "air cold air con fixed".

I need someone who can fix the vane swinging as I have 3 air cons with the vane stuck fully down and also can replace or test a temp sensor as I have 1 unit that thinks it's 30 Deg all the time even when it's 20 Deg which means it never turns off and results in expensive electricity bills.

So if any of you know a guy who can fix these types of problems any info would be appreciated.

Can anyone recommend a good Chinese restaurant in Pattaya ?

How original, KDF....

I suggest we give the new beer garden a test drive - why not starting there?

Is it open yet?

Last I saw was lots of folk swarming over the site and most of the shutters down.

Opened last week I think.

Just checked their website, bar opened on the 25th but the official opening party is tomorrow the 29th.

Best Denatl place by far in Thailand is the Dental Hospital Sukhumvit Soi 49 BKK but pheang mak mak. First visit there and was seen by 5 different dentists each specialising in different areas of dentistry. But like I said expensive and only for the well off or if you have dental insurance, I had a root canal done, total cost about 30000 baht.

Haven't been able to find any dentist in Pattaya anywhere near as good.

You guys are sick! I wouldn't go into a McD's when I lived in the USA. I certainly wouldn't go near the Thai imitation.

Want a good burger? Go to: 1. Rung's; 2. Great American Rib; 3. Bob's; 4. Crossroads. Every one of them is a "real" burger. McD's is the prime example of what Euro's point to as American CRAP! In that case, they are right!

Dead right, that is American crap with a capital C, even my ex Thai gf who loved farang food referred to the Thai McD's as plastic meat.

I took the wife with me to road test the Accord this morning. We both liked it very much. Very comfortable, very responsive, very smooth, even over bumps. Nice looking, very spacious vehicle.

Then I took her to the Chevrolet showroom and we looked at the Captiva. Her response was: "Very nice, but not really that much difference to the Fortuner, and I thought you wanted a change?" (I have arranged a test drive for tomorrow, but I might cancel.)

She then went to work, and I drove to the Toyota showroom. No one was interested in speaking to me, and there were no Camrys on the forecourt so I gave up, for now.

Then I drove to Chonburi to look at the BMW 320D. They had an American salesman, and he took me to see it. It was a beautiful machine, and he let me test drive it.

Quite frankly it is in a different class to the Japanese models. This is some car - handles beautifully and goes like Sh..t! Better than the old 330i

It's also bigger than the older 3 series models, and will seat 5 - reasonably well.Fuel economy is impressive, and there is completely free service for 5 years/100k kms. The only thing not 100% covered is the tyres. Wherever I breakdown in Thailand they will come and get me, and deliver me and car to the nearest dealer, where, depending on the problems they will provide me with alternative transport. The tyres will run flat for 100+ kms, and I won't feel a thing. There is a great on-board computer system.

The price is 2.85M That's about 45,000 pounds. The Accord is 1.5M or 24,000 pounds, just over half.

Decisions... decisions...

I would have thought that you would be more interested in avoiding more accidents after your recent experience, obviously the warning hasn't been heeded by the sound of things. I pity any scooter riders as you go like shit on the shit roads around lake Maprachan.

I was in a go go bar in Pattaya where an old American man started talking to me, found out he was 85 and he came to the go go once a week because he still liked a BJ once in a while. I said good on you but TMI