cochran

@Seismic, I know the place you mean.  Good idea to check there as well.     

@taichiplanet, good recommendations, thanks! Will check with Bira and see what they have to say.

Kawasaki, thanks for your reply. We are not on high capacity bikes, only 250-500 cc.  Not looking for a group to ride with, but for actual coaching.

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a basic motorcycling course, similar to the MSF programs offered in the USA?  Looking for training either in Pattaya or Bangplee / Bang Na areas. Can be private or public and need not carry any certification. Only looking to improve skills / gain confidence in riding. 

Thanks in in advance for any suggestions.

PM sent.

Thanks for the input so far. Excel Language doesn't show Mandarin on their webpage, but I've sent a message to them anyway to check and see what's available. If I find anything, I'll post here.

I would like to take a beginner's Mandarin class on weekends in Pattaya, but I'm having trouble finding options. So far, I see only ProLanguage is offering private classes, and I'd like to have other places to review before choosing. I need a native Chinese teacher who speaks English, so this leaves out some of the schools that are only offering Chinese for native Thai speakers.

Can anyone offer advice or perhaps a recommendation from experience?

Thanks in advance!

Yep, new batteries, cleaned battery contacts, reset the remote repeatedly, etc.

One of the air conditioners in my house needs a new remote control unit. The old unit isn't working. We've verified this by using another remote control from one of the bedrooms, and it works fine.

I tried an universal remote control unit from PowerBuy, but no luck. One of the 501 available codes was able to turn on the power to the unit, but no adjustment, no power off, etc.

Brand name is Yashima. Does anyone know where I could find a replacement remote for this brand?

We are in Pattaya.

I need to send a very small money order to the USA for some documents. Must of course be in US funds as its going to a government entity. They don't take credit cards, EFT, PayPal, personal checks, etc.

Does anyone know where I can get either a money order or a cashier's check (some kind of certified instrument) in US funds in Pattaya?

Bayboy,

Thanks! Just what I needed. Where can I find this plant?

I am looking to find out what types of plants are available in the Pattaya area that would be suitable for use in a hedge along a property border. Would like to find something that will top out over 6' / 2m high, responds well to pruning, and does not require massive babysitting. Evergreen much preferred. Can anyone contribute some advice? Also, where can you go to see plants of this type?

Thank you in advance,

Cochran

The old gym (across the street from the new one) has also removed all the water coolers, and posted A4 sheets in various spots explaining that due to the bad economic climate and in order to maintain service levels, they will take out the free water and only sell water. Unfortunately, they've taken away the mineral water they were selling prior and the only option now is some offbrand bottled water.

I agree with previous comments, in that while the older location does have pretty much all the equipment you need, it is really crowded and limited on space. Difficult to get from one side to the other without feeling like you're intruding on someone's workout space. I'm hoping the new gym will "thin the herd" at the old gym and maybe make it more convenient to navigate.

Insufficient! All you lurking slackers out there - sign up now! I know there are more than 18 people on this forum - I've gotten smart-a$$y replies to posts from more than that!! Come on now, out of the woodwork and into the light.

The last one was a real blast. I would hate to see so many miss out.

ROBJSThailand - exactly what import beers are available at The Beach pub you mentioned? Always interested in that.

At the last event, there was some grilling going on. It created a nice little conversation pocket during the event, and if this is possible again the location should take that into account.

Agree with 5th as a solid date. 12th and thereafter aren't good for me...but don't let that stop you!

If we can do it in early June, I'm in. Three week business trip to Germany will kill all of Mid and Late June.

Not too particular on location, but we should make sure the place has an area that welcomes our smoking members as well...without risk of getting hit by cars!

Last one at Pattaya Beer Garden was pretty good, but other places would work as well. Really like Bert's idea of a TV-only night, provided we get the headcount committed.

Hasn't ever really come up, so far as I know. You should check the place out. There's this one amateur guitarist who gets up there occasionally and then he......umm, never mind.

No worries, raro. The rules are not overbearing here.

Rules are now clarified, so back to topic? Or is this one dead now?

I don't want to give the impression that the place is a dump. It certainly looks nice, has good views, and is physically comfortable. However, you can't escape facts and experience: bad electrical issues, bad plumbing issues, and really bad external noise exposure.

Like everything else, it all depends on what you're looking for and what tradeoffs you're willing to accept. If a very convenient, central location is your highest priority, you can't beat this place. But be willing to deal with traffic, noise, and the potential for electrical and water gremlins based on my experience with a 20th floor unit on 2nd road side.

Not free advertising really. We all discuss restaurants by name, with opinions and prices and etc, on multiple threads. No harm, right?

Don't pout, Aussiechick. I'll buy you a SangSom & Soda next time I see you out, okay? By the way, recently had lunch at Jameson's. We should discuss later.

RabC, I thought so too.

I'm totally bummed now to know (for sure) that there won't be a price decrease on alcohol. And double-whammy - no cost break on drowning my sorrows!!

I don't so much mind the beer prices that much (just the dreadfully meager selection most places), but the wine and liquor prices are what I was looking forward to seeing drop.

If you have any option of getting a house instead of a condo, we've had a very positive experience in making that kind of move. Of course, I'm renting instead of buying, and I know its complicated to buy a stand-alone house.

For condos, try Ananya (sp?) next to the Naklua branch of Mum Aroy. Best views ever, lowrise buildings. Kitchens very small, but otherwise nice enough. A colleague lives there and really likes it.

Lived in that building for one year. Miserable. Terrible infrastructure. Wireless internet so slow as to be useless, and also frequently completely unavailable. Very easy to trip the breakers for the electricity, and no, they're not in the room, but down the hall. Hot water pipes blew off of heaters 6 times in twelve months. Music from across the street (beer bar on 2nd road) is louder on 20th floor than at ground level - quite difficult to sleep at all.

AVOID.