Pattaya Reports

[Crocodilexp]

Does anybody know when the despicable Beach Road market will be gone? Is there a schedule for that event?

I go to Pattaya mostly for the Beach Road, and will go elsewhere if the market is still on.

[LittleBigMan]

LBM, I really appreciate your contributions to this forum but why do you always put a question mark at the end of a sentence that is not a question? It makes reading a bit confusing sometimes.
In your last post there's a question mark at the end of almost every sentence but there's only one genuine question in the whole post, LOL! (where you ask 'Why?')

Simple the information I give is sometimes hearsay and not first hand and is for you to ask not me. Guess been here too long and it is embedded in me like a " up to you thing ".

The question mark might be old information. There is places that were there yesterday but not there today.

The question mark for the bikes cost etc. Are not exact prices just speculation since the vendors will themselves guess to the price of the bike if you ask them what the cost might be. Everything is pretty much a unknown to Thai in my experience so I put a ? for readers just out of habit never pay too much attention to it until now. Thanks for pointing it out.

I reduce the number for you to 1 ? Better? Oh 2 now.

[TDriskell]

I would like to rent a scooter when I come in late Feb. Anyone have any recommendations of a reputable place and rates? I know about the scam where they try to make you pay for scratches that were already there. I was told to take photos w the person leasing the scooter of any damage. The thing I am worried about is someone stealing the scooter. Am I on the hook for the cost of the scooter? Do they provide helmets?

Thanks!

I rent them when I am in Thailand.

[Mogwai]

I would stay away from the vendors on Beach Road, this is where you will find most of the scams, what I call nick and tick you to death unless you know the vendors. Rumors, some have the extra keys? There are a number of falang who own bars that rent out bikes? I think there are a number in the Soi Baukhao area like Soi Leng Kee. On Soi 6, not sure if he stills rents but as soon as you enter Soi 6 from 2nd Road the first or second shop on the left?

I would stay away from the any of the PCX, they are the most stolen right now in Pattaya? Here is what you should pay if the bike is stolen or totaled? Once you pick the bike ask the guy how much is the bike worth? Why? It depends on the model and the age of the bike? Most bikes new will run around 52,000 baht, the PCX, new is 80,000 baht.

I recently rented a bike for 2 months for my cousin, picked a bike not too new the vendor said worth about 25,000 baht? So expect if stolen etc. I recommend a dark color bike since it shows up all the nicks a lighter color is harder to inspect. Check the lower part of the bike? When in doubt use your cell phone to take photos this will give the vendor you are not a sucker?

LBM, I really appreciate your contributions to this forum but why do you always put a question mark at the end of a sentence that is not a question? It makes reading a bit confusing sometimes.
In your last post there's a question mark at the end of almost every sentence but there's only one genuine question in the whole post, LOL! (where you ask 'Why?')

[LittleBigMan]

There's no insurance provided. Several expats have told me this. If it's swiped or damaged, IS on you. New scooter runs about $900 USD+. Two helmets are provided, can only store one under the seat, second one will be left hanging on the mirror should you take it with you. Cheap helmet cost 100 baht. Don't worry, about them being swiped, instead worry about the crazy way they drive here. To begin with, they drive on the wrong side of the road. LOL. Possibility of a wreck is greater. (Also on you.) The 150 CC are more expensive than the 125 CC or 115 CC. The daily rate in the tourist trap area is 150 baht. They also want a deposit of 1000 or 2000 baht. All that being said, I rented a 125 CC for a month. Best of Luck.

I would stay away from the vendors on Beach Road, this is where you will find most of the scams, what I call nick and tick you to death unless you know the vendors. Rumors, some have the extra keys? There are a number of falang who own bars that rent out bikes? I think there are a number in the Soi Baukhao area like Soi Leng Kee. On Soi 6, not sure if he stills rents but as soon as you enter Soi 6 from 2nd Road the first or second shop on the left?

I would stay away from the any of the PCX, they are the most stolen right now in Pattaya? Here is what you should pay if the bike is stolen or totaled? Once you pick the bike ask the guy how much is the bike worth? Why? It depends on the model and the age of the bike? Most bikes new will run around 52,000 baht, the PCX, new is 80,000 baht.

I recently rented a bike for 2 months for my cousin, picked a bike not too new the vendor said worth about 25,000 baht? So expect if stolen etc. I recommend a dark color bike since it shows up all the nicks a lighter color is harder to inspect. Check the lower part of the bike? When in doubt use your cell phone to take photos this will give the vendor you are not a sucker?

[JesseJames]

I have been here for the last 6 high seasons. Every year there are less punters than the year prior. This year the worse by far. Combined with less asian tours and big drop in Russian families this town is dead quit. I saw the Jomtien Airport bus arriving on Christmas Eve afternoon with maybe 25% of the seats occupied. This time of year you usually need to book in advance to get a seat.

Some expats, like me, hate the Beach Road street Fair which clutters up everything and makes you walk in the street dodging cars. Some short timers may be changing their vacation times to avoid it too. Before that crap, Pattaya was fun on New Years.

[Java Man]

I would like to rent a scooter when I come in late Feb. Anyone have any recommendations of a reputable place and rates? I know about the scam where they try to make you pay for scratches that were already there. I was told to take photos w the person leasing the scooter of any damage. The thing I am worried about is someone stealing the scooter. Am I on the hook for the cost of the scooter? Do they provide helmets? Thanks!

There's no insurance provided. Several expats have told me this. If it's swiped or damaged, IS on you. New scooter runs about $900 USD+. Two helmets are provided, can only store one under the seat, second one will be left hanging on the mirror should you take it with you. Cheap helmet cost 100 baht. Don't worry, about them being swiped, instead worry about the crazy way they drive here. To begin with, they drive on the wrong side of the road. LOL. Possibility of a wreck is greater. (Also on you.) The 150 CC are more expensive than the 125 CC or 115 CC. The daily rate in the tourist trap area is 150 baht. They also want a deposit of 1000 or 2000 baht. All that being said, I rented a 125 CC for a month. Best of Luck.

[LittleBigMan]

Haha!

Yes LBM. You have a good memory. It is my Red Car girl.

I think I may go for it. Though I will skip getting a room. I am staying just a few blocks away at City Garden condos.

Have you been to the bar on the 16th floor. It seems like the better deal as it include food. Is the view any good? Will we be able to see the fireworks?

I believe you should be able to see everything as long as it faces the Beach Side, it has been a while since I have gone up but I do believe the 16th floor is on that side but surely not as good as the top of the Hilton.

[Uncle Volodya]

To be honest that is a pretty good price at the Hilton. The Holiday Inn is 4900. And many other venues offering is the same if not higher? Some are cheaper but that is because there is no food.

You can go Ala Carte but in the end you might end up shelling out even more? I would take the deal and if possible get a room at the Hilton and do it up like it was your Honeymoon? Red Car girl?

Haha!

Yes LBM. You have a good memory. It is my Red Car girl.

I think I may go for it. Though I will skip getting a room. I am staying just a few blocks away at City Garden condos.

Have you been to the bar on the 16th floor. It seems like the better deal as it include food. Is the view any good? Will we be able to see the fireworks?

[LittleBigMan]

Wow,

Was talking to a friend about the rates of hotel rooms for NYE? He said compare to some the rooms at Hilton is a bargain? 13,000 baht, some of the other big and well know hotel are even higher? Maybe that includes everything?

[Steve7777]

I have been here for the last 6 high seasons. Every year there are less punters than the year prior. This year the worse by far. Combined with less asian tours and big drop in Russian families this town is dead quit. I saw the Jomtien Airport bus arriving on Christmas Eve afternoon with maybe 25% of the seats occupied. This time of year you usually need to book in advance to get a seat.

Seeing same here. One night you will see a bar hopping. A few days later you wonder where did all the horny men go.

Hard to believe but sex sellers seem to be a part time weekend thing now.

[AmaBondSx]

I would like to rent a scooter when I come in late Feb. Anyone have any recommendations of a reputable place and rates? I know about the scam where they try to make you pay for scratches that were already there. I was told to take photos w the person leasing the scooter of any damage. The thing I am worried about is someone stealing the scooter. Am I on the hook for the cost of the scooter? Do they provide helmets?

Thanks!

[LittleBigMan]

Hi guys!

I hate to get off track, but can anyone recommend a good venue for NYE? I will be spending the evening with one of my regulars and I'd like to do it up and show her a good time. Ideally a roof top bar with a nice view of the big fireworks show and maybe a good band.

I checked the Hilton Roof Top bar on the 34th floor, but they its pretty damn expensive. 4300 Baht per person. Though it does include free flowing drinks.

They also have a package for 3300 Baht that includes food and drink at the 16th floor bar, Drift. But I am not sure we would get a good view of the fireworks from there.

Any suggestions?

To be honest that is a pretty good price at the Hilton. The Holiday Inn is 4900. And many other venues offering is the same if not higher? Some are cheaper but that is because there is no food.

You can go Ala Carte but in the end you might end up shelling out even more? I would take the deal and if possible get a room at the Hilton and do it up like it was your Honeymoon? Red Car girl?

[Gin And Tonic]

I have been here for the last 6 high seasons. Every year there are less punters than the year prior. This year the worse by far. Combined with less asian tours and big drop in Russian families this town is dead quit. I saw the Jomtien Airport bus arriving on Christmas Eve afternoon with maybe 25% of the seats occupied. This time of year you usually need to book in advance to get a seat.

[Member #4591]

Hi guys!

I hate to get off track, but can anyone recommend a good venue for NYE? I will be spending the evening with one of my regulars and I'd like to do it up and show her a good time. Ideally a roof top bar with a nice view of the big fireworks show and maybe a good band.

I checked the Hilton Roof Top bar on the 34th floor, but they its pretty damn expensive. 4300 Baht per person. Though it does include free flowing drinks.

They also have a package for 3300 Baht that includes food and drink at the 16th floor bar, Drift. But I am not sure we would get a good view of the fireworks from there.

Any suggestions?

Above eleven is on Suk 11 on the roof of the Fraser Suites. Reasonable prices and great atmosphere. But it's in BKK. Might be worth the trip.