oakweb

Before they built The Avenue, they knocked down a good restaurant ( Vientiane, which has now moved ). The restaurant was busy every night, and probably had more customers in a day than The Avenue has in a week. Progress !

I like the idea of a Robinsons. Why isn't there one in Patttaya ?

I remember when Vientiane was there, it's still a great place to eat but now on Pattaya Klang

One thing I dislike about The Avenue is the parking and the security guards there. Quite a few times I had minor run in's with them. I simply want to park without explaining where I'm going or having to get multiple pieces of paper to justify it.

Villa Market has some food that I can't find anywhere else, so I hope at the very least if The Avenue can't make it.. I hope Villa finds another location.

You are in luck, I have a whole team of Ikea handyman ready to come out and help. I bought just about everything you could imagine and my guys did a great job on the installs. Give me a PM with your phone and I'll get them to come over.

I should note I'm in Pattaya and so is the guys I know, they would not be able to go to Bangkok.

OK, back on topic.....

I am sorely tempted to buy a Note tomorrow, but would like to hear from anyone who is using it as their main phone for a while. I am worried I will struggle with the sheer size of the thing - and it will be my main phone dragged around in my pocket 24/7.

My BB Torch bit the dust last week (drunken moisture ingress - long story). I was thinking about getting a tablet, and need a sat-nav, so the Note offers good value for me personally, if I can live with it as a day to day phone.

QED for me the size is only an issue when I work out, I kept my iPhone for that and use my Note everywhere else.

Itunes is horrible, it's embarrassing for the Apple team and I have to think they are working on making it better. Every tech writer out there bashes it, and I'm one of the customers that loaths it. Having multiple computers in my house and trying

to remember where what iDevice is synced where is ridiculous in my book, and their limitations on how many "authorized devices" you can have. How about trying to make a backup of your contacts to use on another device besides Apple, anyone tried that yet. Almost impossible.

There are many people I would never advise an Android phone, e.g. Naam... if Naam came to me and said, "I'm ready for a smart phone but I'm not tech savy" I'd have to say go with an iPhone. I think at that level Apple really does have the market. But lets say

you are someone who is comfortable with technology, you probably would really love the Galaxy Note. That being said, I purchased 2 Galaxy Notes and one was for my friend who never had a smart phone before. By the end of the day he was taking pictures

and using the basic functions easy. Time will tell how many questions I get from him, but he really liked the screen since his eyes are older than mine. I think the user has to get it in their hands and give them both a try, it's getting to be a close race now for

entry level smart phone users.

13 Reasons why I like my Galaxy Note more than my Iphone 4s

I've been a long time user of Iphone's, since their first one came out. I'm not an Apple fan in any way, I do think they have

a great OS and IOS is also impressive. But with my recent purchase of the Galaxy Note, I can say I like it more.

#1 My eyes are not what they used to be, the Galaxy Note lets me see things easier

#2 The unit fits nicely on my Chevy Captiva screen area and acts as a Navigation System (still waiting on Chevy for English GPS Version)

#3 I can simply transfer files to and from my computer without going into the Apple World to do it, no Itunes yea!

#4 Camera and Video on the Note is better since the screen is larger, I can't always see the iPhone screen that well

#5 It has a pen! perfect for practicing writing Thai or simply drawing something out

#6 GPS Navigation with the Galaxy Note is fantastic, the screen is the perfect size (I highly recommend Sygic GPS, works great in BKK .. found Ikea easily)

#7 Faster processor - my Skype would choke on my Iphone4s, I could never load all my contacts. Galaxy Note handles it easily

#8 Easier to arrange applications in Galaxy Note - with the Iphone4s you have be agile to hold down apps to drag them into category boxes.. it's a pain

#9 Galaxy Note back button is easy to move back and forth between functions, I always know where to hit back with it

#10 I'm able to block numbers from calling me with the Galaxy Note using Call Guard, Apple does not have that nor do I think they will ever let an app like that exist

#11 Galaxy Note works in my Captiva for voice calling and answering, all my Iphones do not. Some kind of bug

#12 Easy to remove mini SD card, you can buy them anywhere and put them right in the phone

#13 Takes a standard SIM, not the super small PIA ones

Here are the things I don't like

#1 No Flipboard for Android! I hope it comes out soon

#2 No more working out with the phone in my pocket. Pretty sure its just a little too big to do that

#3 No Category Folders on one screen. I do like the way I can drop similar apps into a category I name on the Iphone.

#4 No search in "applications". I can't seem to find it, maybe I'm missing something

#5 Iphone4s Siri is superior so far to Androids, I don't know why it likes to cApitAlize woRds incorrectly

#6 No docking station yet in Thailand that I can find, guess I have to wait

#7 Buttons on the Galaxy Note drive me crazy, you turn it off and on from the side. Volume is on the other side. As

a result you often are turning it off and on when you turn it up or down.

I'm still using both, walking around with 2 phones is a pain but with the Note it's like a tablet too. If anyone is thinking about

getting a smart phone and never has had one I guess I'd still say the iPhone is a great way to go if you can afford it. The Android

phones can be a bit technical sometimes.

I think the problem is its PPV, and the time difference. I'm also wondering if establishments are worried for the copyright use of rebroadcasting this event?

I'm considering opening a establishment, and I have the ability of showing these events.. but worried about this. I think for use in the states you have to

pay quite a hefty fee, no way will Singha revenue cover for it.

I've been looking around for a while now, does anyone have an alternative vendor for a wood fire / gas pizza oven like the ones they sell at

pizzaoventhailand.com

Thanks in advance

American Football, hope someone can point out a place

Where is the best place in Pattaya for Monday Night Football games? I need to catch the Saints playing this coming week.

Thanks for the candid and detailed review!

I completely see the point of comparing the two - they're both in the same sort of price range, and there's a very limited amount of options in TH at that price point, so you may as well explore them all IMHO

One thing I do have to mention though is ride quality - the Accord is pretty average on this front, even on better roads - so I'd say that If comparing the Captiva to a Camry or Teana, the balance might swing to their favor, except for gaping potholes perhaps

How would you compare the two on road noise levels? The Accord has never been very fantastic on this front either, so I'd be surprised if the Captiva didn't do a better job here too.

I can see why some people think it's odd to compare the two, but they are both in the price range and really our options are so limited I felt this kind of comparison was worth while.

As far as road noise levels, I'd say they are pretty much the same. The Honda has a nice feature that will auto adjust the stereo level as the interior noise rises. Chevy stereo lacks this, and as far as stereo quality goes Honda beats Chevy but not by much.

Gas mileage so far seems to be about the same, with a advantage going to the Chevy since they have that Eco mode.

Another thing about the ride I like on the Chevy is the height, in the Honda you sit lower. I really like having some height, makes driving a bit safer.

Digitalbanana has it right, really for Pattaya driving.. or even Bangkok, the roads just suck so bad you should not even consider anything but a SUV or a truck. When I see the locals driving around in lowered cars, I just have to shake my head.

AWD for Captiva, and 2.4 for the accord

I have been driving my Captiva now for about a week in Pattaya, and I like it so far. Here is the breakdown, in case

anyone was considering getting one. I also own a 2010 Honda Accord, so I'll compare it to that.

Suspension - The Captiva is great for all the crumbling roads and potholes in Pattaya, you will cruise right over them

without a hard jar or jolt in the car. In comparison my Honda I spend a great deal of time making sure I don't hit a bump

here or there. Really for driving in Pattaya, you need either a SUV or a truck. The roads just suck here too much.

Engine - No problem for power and they even have an Eco button, usually I drive with Eco on and I'm able to pass cars

without a worry. My Honda is a bit faster, but not that much.

Interior - Some things bug me, like the compartment on the top of the dash. It's just large enough for my hand phone to

come in and never come out. The middle console is smaller than my Honda, but the side compartments seem larger. There is

a nice slot for cards, parking cards I guess. Never seen that before, I use it all the time. Must be an Asia only thing.

Driver side seat has power, passenger no. Comfortability seems to be close to my Honda Accord, but the Honda has passenger

and driver power seats. Honda has lumbar adjustment too, Chevy does not.

Blue Tooth - Here's the bummer for me so far. For some reason my Iphone 4 and Iphone 4s can't pair up properly at all with the Chevy.

It's too bad too, since Chevy does Blue Tooth Audio and Phone. I tried my Android phone and it worked fine for Bluetooth Audio but failed

when I tried to call someone. I could hear them but they could not hear me.

In my Honda by comparison, I'm able to make hands free calls and receive them on all my phones. But the Honda does not have

Bluetooth Audio, so if you want to play tunes from your Iphone you have to get something aftermarket to do it.

So for now I go into the car with my Android and play by Podcasts and Music from it. No hands free calling, hoping they will

fix this and I'd love to hear from other Thaivisa members if they have theirs working.

Backup Camera - I love my backup camera in my Honda, it's saved my butt on more than just a couple occasions. It baffles me

to no end why Chevy on the top of the line Captiva with Navi they would leave out a backup camera. Seems like most vehicles

have this now that are 1.5million or more. Now I have to go check for an aftermarket solution.. which sucks. The sensors work

ok, but I miss the camera.

If I had a choice and I had to choose between the two, I'd get the Chevy. The roads around Pattaya are just too rough for

anything but a nice hefty SUV for day to day use. That's just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

Tempeh is very healthy, mix it with some Quinoa and you have the perfect complete protein super food

You can order it online at orgathai.com

How about Pattaya area, anyone know of any Airsoft shops? or any good mail order sites in Thailand offering them?

Is there any place in Pattaya that sells gas airsoft guns? Not cheap ones but about 5000 baht on up?

And has anyone had any problems bringing them over in the box from USA?

TIA

Looking for a humane solution, I'm a big dog fan. This particular dog is a Thai / Farang dog mix, the most dangerous type IMO.

Thanks but I had a stick, he stayed his ground. There is a bitch (maybe in heat?) hanging around as well.

They can't possibly be illegal, I saw many Thai sites that offered meet ups and gave product listings. Mostly out of Bangkok

Thought about a wrist rocket, but those things can do more damage than a airsoft gun. And the gun I can hand to any of my security

dog team to use.

Is there any place in Pattaya that sells gas airsoft guns? Not cheap ones but about 5000 baht on up?

And has anyone had any problems bringing them over in the box from USA?

TIA

Steve was right up there with Thomas Edison in my book. Even though I'm mainly a Windows man, I love my Apple devices and even starting to love my Imac. Without Steve, I don't think anything in the industry would what it is today. Rest in Peace Steve

6 years ago I was able to get a 10 year visa for my Thai girlfriend, but almost was refused.

My (Isan) Thai girlfriend and I went for a interview, I let her go up there and the nice American girl spoke Thai

to her asking the normal questions. She then spoke to me with a few normal questions. Then she said, "I'm sorry

I don't think I can grant her a Visa". I said to her if she had all my info.. that I was married to a Thai before

for 10 years, and that I live in Thailand. She then asked my girlfriend about that, which my girlfriend explained

I purchased a home here. I told her that it's no problem if you want to refuse, I will be ok with going for a Fiancé

Visa. She then looked at me and said, "I changed my mind, I'm going to give her the VISA".

I was really happy, she now has traveled back with me to the USA 7 times, and with that VISA I was also able to

get her a Schengen Visa and UK Visa for tourist travel there. But also we were refused twice for return trips to

Europe on Schengen Visas, not sure why.

She's now my wife, but my advice is if you want to try to take your girlfriend to USA, be prepared to show substantial

means and a good foothold in Thailand for yourself and your girlfriend.

I usually don't gripe about things, but the U-turns on Sukhumvit drive me crazy. I'm always finding myself 4 or 5 cars back waiting for some driver to get the

all clear from the other direction on all 4 lanes! Then when they get it, most of the time they are going straight.

I won't say it's all Thai drivers as I have seen Farangs do it too.

Why are so many clueless on how to merge into traffic using the merging lane?

Wait for closest lane to be clear, turn into the lane, speed up, look mirror, merge.

I'll try to call the number on the banner they have next to foodmart and get the scoop

I am constantly amazed at the types of people who need to keep abreast of world affairs or to attend to life-changing emails on their little smartphones. People like students on motorcycles, waiters hiding behind counters in restaurants, shop assistants in dark lonely corners of Home Pro, motorcycle boys under a coconut tree and even the hairdresser whilst waiting for his customer's hair to set.

Did I miss the smartphone sale? Do these people know of a really cheap monthly plan with a service provider? Should I be embarrassed for not owning a smartphone?

I agree with you, people are glued to their dam_n phones and don't be ashamed for not owing a smart phone. I just got so fed up with my HTC- internet-GPS- bluetooth &Wi-fi and god knows what that I bought the cheapest Nokia phone on the market (960 bath) and do you know what, I can talk and send messages on it (world wide) without reading a +200 page manual first, hurray.

HTC is android based, you need to be a little geeky for it (not much though) try an Iphone if you want something simpler

I'd be lost without my Iphone and HTC, love them both and proud to be super geeky since 1979.