AmeriThai

I've noticed over the last couple of days or so, the ad banners found at the top of forum's home page seem to follow (remain on screen) when you scroll down. I've seen similar ads on other websites, but they usually include a button to close the ad. The ones here on TV don't seem to have that. The only solution I've been able to do to get rid of them after I've scrolled down, is to hit the Refresh button. Are these kinds of annoying banners something new, or could it be something quirky on my end?

Thanks in advance.

probably a silly fashion thing, new years eve my neighbour's daughter was wearing glasses even though she has normal eye sight

Not as daft as the ones I've seen walking around wearing the frames only. No lens in them at all

LOL! Frames only. Still, that isn't quite as weird as this guy with tattooed eyeglasses.

Last time I checked Stable Lodge a couple of months ago, the rooms were 1700, but you might get the price down if staying there for several days......

I've also been there just to enjoy the Danish food, but on the last two occations I found the staff to be not too attentive, and my lack of patience took me to Sunrise

According to the rates posted on their website, rates are higher from October to April. It also depends on what kind of room you want, Standard, Superior or Deluxe. But then again, I have no need to stay at hotels.

About the inattentive food service staff, same people as when you stayed there a couple of months ago? Just thinking about a possible turnover, which isn't unlikely (TiT), or it could be any number of other reasons.

Where's Sunrise located?

Stable Lodge Rates:

http://www.stablelodge.com/Reservation.html

Stable Lodge down on Soi 8 is pretty decent and also has a pool.

http://www.stablelodge.com/

This is looking like my 'post of the year' so far.

Thanks I'll give it a try....and the smorgasbord....mmmmm!

You're welcome Smokie. IMO, while nothing will ever quite compare to the old Mermaid's Rest Guesthouse (RIP), I have a hunch, based on what friends have told me, Stable Lodge might be close to the next best thing and likely to provide some great memories. At a guess, I'd say it's probably about half way down (maybe not quite that far) from Suk and on the left side of Soi 8. I'd also hazard a guess that they'd take walk-in bookings, if they aren't filled up, but I'd suggest making advance reservations just in case. If you decide to give it a try, how about posting a personal review of it?

Just dating myself a bit, I used to frequently stay at Mermaid's Rest (with the mansion) on Soi 8, which regretfully no longer exists. The longest stay was for 6 weeks and you could bargain for rates for longer stays. It had a pool, outdoor bar, indoor bar/restaurant, a small garden, and a nightly all-you-can-eat outdoor BBQ, and just a few steps off Sukhumvit Road. This was long before the Skytrain was built there. The entire staff was friendly, helpful, and like family. It closed around 20 years ago, then was used as a beer bar before it was finally demolished. No idea what's there now. I've got loads of great memories of the place. The smallest small room in the mansion at Mermaid's cost me 50 baht/night, and a larger room facing the pool was 150/night. LOL! I was among the very last people to stay there just before it closed. Mermaid's Rest had two places on Soi 8, and I believe Stable Lodge, which is down the soi a bit farther, was part of it. In any case, Stable Lodge became the replacement for Mermaid's and has the all-you-can-eat BBQ, and a pool. Evidently, the BBQ is only held on Sat and Sun. Good times. From what I understand about Stable Lodge, the staff from the old Mermaid's moved over the the newer place, but I don't know if any of them are still working there or not.

Used to spend may a happy evening in the restaurant with lots of the guys who used to use the agency.."Videochoice" which I think like the "Rest"is also now long gone......

From memory I seem to remember that the said restaurant had a the usual big fish tank in the window,nice little bar and they would do Bar-B-Qs by the pool in the cooler seasons.

The rooms were indeed reasonable and I certainly remember booking the front one for one guy who was on his "uppers" but he thought it was great value and eventually ended up teaching for a couple of years ...now retired back over here.

They also had a connection with their sister hotel in patti and would book /arranged you accomodaton and transport from the Mermaid...

A much simpler and quieter and slower Bangkok.

After it went the site became a Beer Bar for a couple of years but never really took off...now of course it just a happy memory of a bygone period.

Right you are Rinrada about Mermaid's sister hotel, Mermaid Beach Resort at Jomtien. They have a diving course for people who want to go scuba diving. Never been there, but I too remember guests and others would take off daily from Mermaid's Rest in BKK. Mermaid's Rest on Suk, Soi 8, is a place I've never forget. It was surprisingly quiet once stepping through the front gates as it was just a stone's throw from Suk Road. Closer to Suk and on the same side as Mermaid, was a barber shop that I always enjoyed going to. Very friendly folks there too. The lady in from of the barber shop sold cold drinks, cigarettes, and snacks. I think her name was Willawan or something like that. The shop was her husband's.

I never go into BKK anymore, except for a few occasions. No real need to since we have a house in Saraburi province. Last time I was in the Sukhumvit Road area and around Witthayu Road, I had no bearings because its so completely different.

Regarding the Miami Hotel, there's a little history attached to it. If memory serves me, I believe it used to be a favorite hangout for GIs on R&R during the Vietnam War.

Miami Hotel on Soi 13, just off Sukhumvit, has a pool. Looks like they finally put up a website with some pics of the pool. Just sayin'.

http://www.thaimiami.com/en/index.html

It looks fine in the pictures, but has had a bad reputation for many years. Has anyone stayed there recently?

You're right, UG. It wouldn't be my first choice either. That's why I added "Just sayin'". Still, it's within the location and price range specified by the OP and has a pool, and people do stay there. Last time we stayed there (years ago) it was looking a bit run down, and the desk staff wasn't exactly the friendliest. The maids and bellhops were fine though. We stayed there because of the price, familiar location, and it was easier to get to the airport at DM than hassle with trying to get there from Saraburi or Ayutthaya.

Stable Lodge on Soi 8 is a bit higher, but still within the requirements of the OP. From friends I've known who have stayed there, it's a good choice and fairly convenient in that area of Sukhumvit.

Just dating myself a bit, I used to frequently stay at Mermaid's Rest (with the mansion) on Soi 8, which regretfully no longer exists. The longest stay was for 6 weeks and you could bargain for rates for longer stays. It had a pool, outdoor bar, indoor bar/restaurant, a small garden, and a nightly all-you-can-eat outdoor BBQ, and just a few steps off Sukhumvit Road. This was long before the Skytrain was built there. The entire staff was friendly, helpful, and like family. It closed around 20 years ago, then was used as a beer bar before it was finally demolished. No idea what's there now. I've got loads of great memories of the place. The smallest small room in the mansion at Mermaid's cost me 50 baht/night, and a larger room facing the pool was 150/night. LOL! I was among the very last people to stay there just before it closed. Mermaid's Rest had two places on Soi 8, and I believe Stable Lodge, which is down the soi a bit farther, was part of it. In any case, Stable Lodge became the replacement for Mermaid's and has the all-you-can-eat BBQ, and a pool. Evidently, the BBQ is only held on Sat and Sun. Good times. From what I understand about Stable Lodge, the staff from the old Mermaid's moved over the the newer place, but I don't know if any of them are still working there or not.

Miami Hotel on Soi 13, just off Sukhumvit, has a pool. Looks like they finally put up a website with some pics of the pool. Just sayin'.

http://www.thaimiami.com/en/index.html

Stable Lodge down on Soi 8 is pretty decent and also has a pool.

http://www.stablelodge.com/

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Here's to the best one ever!

Does it really take 5 hours? Lonely Planet says 6-7 hours.

Dutchscouser and LP's estimate is pretty close. Depending on the bus and how many stops it makes along the way, I seem to recall the trip takes around 7 hours or so. When we've traveled by bus, Suk to BKK, it seems like departure from downtown Sukhothsi was around 8:00 AM and pulls into BKK around 4:00 PM. I can't remember how long it takes to get to Sukhothai from BKK, but as I recall, going from Sukhothai to BKK, includes a brief stop at Phitsanolouk and another for lunch. We've also asked to be dropped off at the taxi stand along the highway by Ayutthaya, then take a tuk-tuk into town (Ayutthaya).

Hi AmeriThai

We are on the south side of the city. About a mile up from the start of the west side bypass. School is probably less than 10-minutes away and on to the Bangkok road in a couple of minutes.

Looks like we ate almost neighbours! When do you think you will be next back?

First impressions of Saraburi on our first quick visit was 'oh no' but now we are finding our way around I'm actually quite liking it. Quite a sleepy little place but has pretty much all you need. May have a different view if I was younger. Notso good if you are looking for nightclubs and bars.

Cheers

I'll send you a PM so as not to get the thread too far off track.

Hi AmeriThai,

Hope you are well.

As you can gather we are now well and truly on the ground here in Thailand. We've been here 5 or 6-weeks now most of which has been spent travelling around to get a feel for Central Thailand and as you know, find a school.

Thanks to information from TV and from your good self we were able to put a plan together in preparation for our search. We looked around Korat and visited a few schools but wasn't overly impressed. Next stop was Saraburi and once we visited SJMIS we made a decision and the rest of the plan went out of the window.

Found a house on the Saraburi bu-pass which is about 10 - 15-minutes from school and now just waiting on the arrival of our container so we can get moved in and settled.

Many thanks for your advice previously, it made a world of difference.

Cheers.

We're doing well. It sounds like things are looking up for you in terms of getting settled. What direction from Saraburi is your house located? On the south side? It's still going to be a bit of a haul to BKK, although plenty of people do it all the time. Still, considering you've found a good school for your daughter, Saraburi is a good compromise between BKK and Korat. Our place is on the NW side of Hinkong several kilometers south of the city of Saraburi and north of Nong Khae. We're looking forward to getting back over there before too long.

All the above is based on my personal recent experience. Our daughter is 9-years old and will start at SJMIS at the beginning of the next semester which is 17th January.

We have only been in Thailand about 5-weeks or so and originally wanted to settle in/around Korat. However, with schools with a proper 'English Program' being next to impossible to find outside of Bangkok we decided to settle in Saraburi purely because of this school.

Glad to hear you've decided on where to send your daughter for school. Your post above is very descriptive and helpful.

Some peaceful views of the ruins at Si Satchanalai Historical Park in the province of Sukhothai.

A photo of the cover band "Thai Beatles" at O'Reillys, and a brief YouTube clip of them doing "The Ballad of John and Yoko". They seem to be a pretty popular feature there and provide some enjoyable, nostalgic entertainment.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JufXpVVlF6RVq3ZFGEV8Rw

Speaking of ads, here's an interesting one for an "Anti-Cough Pill", although somehow the centipedes don't seem very enticing

(Found here)

http://www.alibaba.c...Cough_Pill.html

well they still must be available, my Thai wife brought (looks like) a years supply over with her to Australia. BTW ... they taste horrible

LOL! I wouldn't doubt it's pretty awful stuff to get down the gullet. I'm not sure how long this stuff has been available. The picture seems to suggest the founder dates back quite a while. I'm also not sure of the reason for the inclusion of centipedes on the packaging. That alone would be enough for me to avoid it.

We built a house in the province of Saraburi. We aren't there at the moment, and have a few relatives who stay there. They said there was plenty of water completely surrounding the property but it wasn't very deep. There's a small klong nearby. Fortunately, we had the foresight to have fill dirt brought in to raise the elevation before construction. Our house has remained high and dry. Not sure about the other neighbors though.

The wife says she needs to go in person with her ID card.

I'm moving this to general as it's not a visa question and you may get more responses there.

Correct , if she has any problem , get her to take some one who can vouch for her, that she lived in the village that she says she had. I had a simular problem and we solved it that way , also you may not be able to get her birth certificate from another province , because computer records only went back to about 1976, maybe they have changed now , hence a trip back to the place of birth.

Glad you mentioned that Thongkorn. My wife has no birth certificate because she was born at home in Sukhothai in 1950. When she was 8 or 9, her family moved to Saraburi province. When an occasion arose (for a visa) that required a record of birth, it was necessary to go to Sukhothai to obtain verification from people who knew her. Her mother, who I knew, was elderly, uneducated and couldn't remember the birth date. No one celebrates occasions like birthdays, and seldom had any need to know a date of birth, so the only date her mother could 'remember' was completely wrong. None of her brothers and sisters knew the date either. Both her mother and father have since passed away. Since she still has close relatives and longtime friends in Sukhothai, we stay in touch and visit with them from time to time. In this case, one of those people was a former school teacher who clearly remembered her and her family was able to provide a written statement which was then certified in lieu of an absent birth certificate. Evidently, this teacher had kept a record of all her former students. I'm not certain, but I think these days even home births are required be recorded with the provincial or district office within a reasonable period of time following the birth.

Evelyn Reinhardt's look at Thailand (Siam), mostly around BKK, in 1939

I saw a monk picking his nose (no offense). He was really digging for gold

I know it is a "cultural thing," but it seemed strange.

Same goes for seeing some lovely young thing stolling by who then proceeds to search for choice nose nuggets. I've never gawked long enough to see how those treasures are disposed of. Not sure I'd want to know.

^should try Narita - check out the smoking rooms, very hard to see people in it from the outside. Smoke galore.

Yeah, it does get pretty thick in the smoking rooms at Narita.

The big ear phones muffle all outside noise and you only hear what you want. They are great for those long flights as well. The ear phones will fit into the airlines speaker outlets. No more crying babies to annoy me when I want to watch a movie.

Thanks Ian. Good suggestion. As much as I try to ignore it, the constant din of the engines can also be a bit annoying, not to mention chatter and coughing of other passengers. I'm going to try one of those headsets on my next flight.

Just riding around on my motorbike for one day in Thailand is enough to provide a year's worth of adventure stories by North American standards.

Well said Ian. I agree there's seldom a dull moment to be found in Thailand.

I guess youre right... Ive never left home before so I asked the questions that seem most important to me.

Its not that I cant afford a fridge its that I reckoned I dont need one... I might be wrong in the hottest months.

Im not really bothered about safety because I felt safe in Bangkok. I saw the safety tips in the womens forum and one or two of them were about cultural differences like not sitting in the front of the taxi but most were common sense... I dont go out after dark in this country anyway.

I think you'll find you'll be wrong in every month:rolleyes:

I agree with you TM. Thailand has 3 seasons: Hot, Hotter & Hottest.

I would like to make two prediction which will not be refuted.

A. The sun will super nova

B. I won't be here when it does.

Sorry, but your first prediction is way off and clesrly wrong. The Sun doesn't have enough mass to explode as either a nova or a supernova. However, it'll eventually swell up, expelling its material with solar winds, possibly large enough to engulf the Earth. Whether it'll actually reach the orbit of Earth or not won't matter because it'll still render the planet into a barren, lifeless, uninhabitable rock before it gradually shrinks back down to become a white dwarf star. Fortunately though, long before the world becomes a celestial cinder, we'll all be gone.

http://www.universetoday.com/18795/will-the-sun-explode/

Is anyone thinking what I'm thinking? I'm going to start buying up land in Saraburi immediately. On that 7th year I'll be sittin' on beachfront property!

We've got some land in the province of Saraburi. Hadn't thought about it as beachfront property though. Hmmm. Might need to think about stocking up on beach umbrellas, inner tubes and banana boats.