gerry53

Jomtien Beach Condos have great security, good pools and OK gyms but the rooms are a bit small and the balconies just big enough for the A/C units and laundry. The price you stated is Ok for a true 1 bedroom especially if in the S1 or S2 buildings, they seem to go for a premium because they are closer to the beach and have more bars, restaurants etc. on the ground floors.

First, sorry this may be a bit off topic but does the VT 7 building effect the UBC satellite signals as they built this only a few hundred metres away from the Jomtien Complex (A building). The lower floors must have been blocked from picking up UBC signals from the angles I see from these dishes. Renting there appears that only Sophon cable is available? Any comments appreciated.

Jingthing would be an asset to any law enforcement agency in the world with that great ability of yours to detect a whiskey laugh versus a drug laugh - you are too funny!!! I think your avatar should be "goofy".

Is JT flexing his muscles now? He should have done that during the baht bus really big gun escapade instead of fearing for his life.

I agree IHateCaptcha about Jingthing droning on and on and on. JT thinks he is the transportation specialist and food critic rolled into one and is willing to let everyone know his opinions. He complains about the baht buses and their tactics but continues to put up with their BS and actually fears them and Jomtien - Pattaya area. He's pretty snooty when it comes to food here also, he is obviously much more refined and cultured than I am!

JT that's what you get for riding on them dam_n baht buses, they knew the driver wouldn't go after them (no money in it). If you were on a motorcycle they probably wouldn't have tried to pull a weapon (real or not) because you might go after them. You didn't get hurt and survived to tell the story so chalk it up to one of lifes interesting experiences.

I went to the UBC office on Pattaya Central opposite Carrefour today to get satellite installed in my rental condo, they refused to take my request because they said they needed the deed (title) for the condo, I had a lease agreement only. I had a copy of my passport which was also requested. Has anyone else had this problem or could recommend a supplier reasonable to deal with in Jomtien for this or a pirated satellite service?

Anytime an independant franchise like this starts pushing so hard to recruit new clients for fees you have to question their long term plans. Alarm bells should be going off with this hard sell. I think Pdaz has it right saying he wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Remember how easy it was to get money before the financial collapse?

Gyms in many countries are notorious for selling lifetime memberships then going out of business and your money just dissappears. Even in countries with good consumer protection laws the loss is usually not enough to warrant hiring a lawyer to try to recover it and they know it. In Thailand just say goodbye to it because it's not worth beating your head against the wall. Remember that the salespeople get paid upfront and the gyms themselves will siphon off these lifetime membership fees before the doors close.

I apoligize for calling Ulysses G a Brit with that name I should have known better. I erred reading a quote he used and attributed it to him. Americans are usually more flexible and not so obsessive, obviously not a Rambo type.

Oh yes Ulysses G you are one of those Brits who is obsessed with your food. You claim to throw away thai beef because you can't chew it, Bobs burgers aren't up to your high standard and the Lek isn't fit for a swine. I hope someone puts a pea under your mattress I know you won't be able to sleep all night!

The Lek incidently seems to do a good business and is convenient and fast when in a hurry but I'm sure it could not meet your royal standards.

I too agree with Jing on the Pattaya Beer Garden, good reasonable priced food, great setup and location and nice staff.

Ulysses G my taste buds work fine I'm just not anal about it. Mind you I do eat a late breakfast buffet at the Lek Hotel on occassion (and enjoy it) and other boards say it's not fit for pigs!!!! Go figure.

That was a hel_l of a review over a $5 (150 baht) hamburger and fries. I would hate to see your critique of a $150 (5200+ baht) hamburger at New York cities Wall Street Burger Shoppe! No, I am not making it up.

Thai versus USA or Ozzie beef - I have shot many old rutted out moose for consumption and the hamburger after the grinding process alway tasted great (not so with finer cuts of meat). Maybe I am just a low class not to fussy Canuck but the Brits seem to spend far too much time analysing their food and obsessing about it.

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll try the south end Big C first and go from there. Tesco Lotus is the closest though. I normally just carry a few bags on the motorcycle but it is easier and safer to get a large bulk order delivered then I can pick up small things as needed. I seem to be forever having to stop at 7-11s for a few beers, mix or incidentals for in the condo.

I am heading to Jomtien in October for 6 months does anyone know if stores like Big C or Tesco deliver large orders free of charge? I'd like to get some boxes of Chang and a case of Sang Som along with initial setting up the kitchen supplies. Any other reccomendations? Thanks.

My experiences were mixed. Stopped in Na Jomtien on the Suk and only had my Canadian drivers license because my international was drying out in the condo from a monsoon I got caught in earlier in the day.

He wouldn't let me bring it in to the station - 400 baht fine into his pocket, no ticket. (tea money)

Next one was same cop pulled me over on the Suk and my license plate(insurance) was 1 day over limit, I had rented 3 months and rental company forget to update. (month was written in Thai so I didn't have a clue!) Cop knew this as rental name was on front of my Yamaha Nouvo, I suggested the rental company needed to sort this out, he said we would be 4-5 hours at the police station so I offered him 200 baht. He refused but would forget if I offered 400 baht. For 4+ hours of being at the police station and possibly having the bike stolen it was a no brainer for $14 Canadian. Money went into his pocket again, no paperwork. Shit they must drink alot of tea in Na Jomtien!!!

I have been stopped in Naklua and Jomtien proper on regular checks and were good experiences with friendly and polite officers. It has me not wanting to drive down to Bang Saray or Ban Chang because this crooked pecker of a cop knows my profile and thinks I am a walking ATM. Make sure everything is in order then double check! I don't hate them all just this one!

One I have used in the past is AUM rentals, they rent out of a restaurant on Soi Boukhow near Soi 11 (Honey) on the side closer to 3rd Road. They have near new shiny Yamaha Nouvo automatic scooters for 3000 baht a month, I got second month for 2500 baht. 1000 baht damage deposit and no hassles on return. They usually have 1 or 2 outside for display.

I think he adds a nice touch to Patts. With all the bad publicity regarding sex, drugs, crime and pedophiles this is harmless and fun. To say he has no friends and is an attention whore is moronic, he is having a good time, staying healthy and making most of us smile in his journeys. He is different but it would be a boring world if everyone was the same. Good on ya.

Tipping upon buying a book in a retail store is ridiculous and being coerced into giving one is plain rude. Giving a tip under these circumstances is stupid. Tipping should be for GOOD service and not rewarding poor service, rudeness or strong arm tactics. To give one under these circumstances just encourages any service provider to continue and make it more difficult for everyone else and sends them the wrong message.

For GOOD service, politeness, efficiency, etc a tip encourages these desireable traits. The better the service the more I tend to pay (usually 15 - 20%) but I will not be coerced into giving one for poor service even if they have 4 kids in Isaan, sick relatives, etc, etc.

I agree regulated routes and TRULY metered taxis would help but for profit public transportation has lots of associated problems. Not exclusive to baht buses in Pattaya - Jomtien, tuk tuks in BKK, cyclo's in Vietnam or taxis in most western countries etc, etc. I realize others have to rely on baht buses here but SOME drivers are scamming, strongarming bandits that operate with no rules only self interest.

PS - I haven't been drinking. (wish I was)

Gerry

About your condo Jingthing, keep buying bandaids to deal with the problems and don't deal with the real problem. A tent may be more practical for you. The issue is the baht buses and their inconsistencies.

I have had problems with the baht buses like coming from Jomtien they refuse to go past Pattaya south (I was only passanger) and do a Uturn to get into the lineup for a return trip to Jomtien. They still expect the full payment but I was going to Pattaya Klang. I just got fed up with the headaches and rented a new Yamaha Nouvo scooter for 3000 baht per month and my headaches went away. I know many say it's too dangerous but have done this for years and never had an accident. I put 3,000km on the bike this spring and would never go back to the inconsistancies of the baht bus mafia. Plus I like the mobility of going to Naklua or Ban Saray for a day away from Jomtien. Moto taxis scare the hel_l out of me.