Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=Stakeout;1175250]This brings me to another question. Thais in general don't read and write the Roman (Falang) alphabet, do they? They don't really have any real use of it, compared to learning English phrases phonetically, which they really have use of.[/QUOTE]The great majority do: at least the alphabet and sometimes a few words of English are taught in most schools (though usually poorly). Knowing just these basics and with a pecuniary incentive they typically pick up a lot very quickly in Pattaya. In fact they do have a lot of uses for it, such as exchanging SMS with foreigners, using the internet, etc.

Here's an example of an SMS I just received:

[i]"Hello, tilak (my name misspelled drastically) are you ok? Good sleep ok and hope you want to see me and want to fuck my ass again tonight ok(her name) sexzy ass."[/i]

[quote=stakeout; 1175250]by the way, i forgot to say, i did get the 200-baht sign a couple of times six months ago, but then it was late at night som i assumed they were full.

so, apparently the sign says "looking fee 200 baht"[/quote]this is funny. typically the door girls are trying to drag you in, not you trying to sneak a peek. just to be safe you could say before walking in to a bar,"is there a cover fee?" or "i will just take a look, ok?" then if anyone tries to pull a "looking fee" on you just say,"no thank you. i don't pay looking fees. if i like the way the girls look i will have a drink and stay." and then walk away. vote with your feet.

[quote=mouse1; 1175383]i don't see anything wrong with going into a club and having a quick look around to decide whether you like the ambience, the layout, the number of girls, the noise level, etc etc. probably most of the time you can get that from a peek around the curtain, but a quick look around shouldn't be a problem to the management. why should it?

never been to a strip bar in my country, but plenty of times i've walked into a pub then decided i didn't like it and walked out. what's the big deal?

if you walked into a club and there were 2 ugly girls. 50 punters and no seats, would you stay? of course not.[/quote]this is an excellent point; however, the buisness here is not really the alcohol. at a bar the primary purpose of the owner is to sell alcohol to make money, likewise, the purpose of these establishments are to entice gentlemen to barfine the girls, the alcohol helps do that and makes the owners money at the same time. if you choose not to drink at a bar where you are from its because there is no space or not the adequate environement, usually not because they don't have a drink that you want. at these bars you trying to get a taste of the merchandise for free. you are shopping for the girls (which is the primary purpose of these establishments) without contributing to the owner of that establishment (buying one cheap drink that cost you a couple bucks). i have walked in and saw there was no place to sit and walk out just passing the curtain on the establishment. by doing a walk around you are looking at the goods without contributing to the buisness.

[QUOTE=Stakeout;1175254]Well, I always try to be polite when scanning the place, smiling and greeting everyone in Thai. But how am I supposed to know I am obliged to buy a drink if I go inside, even if the place is horrible? And talking of polite, how polite was the doorman to me?[/QUOTE]You are right. The doorman was not polite to you. That is ignorance thought. Unless you can freely communicate in Thai. He is doing the best he can to communicate in English with you. You can not have the same expectations as far as courtseys go from a third world country. They were not raised the same way you were. Money is what drives this country. Your actions are actions that are perceived as disrespectful to this man or this establishment. A 55 baht or even a 90 baht drink is a small price to pay to keep good relations with a establisment that you may frequent again. If you choose not to frequent this establisment again then don't worry about buying the drink. But if you may want to then it's just a good policy or courtesey to buy a reasonably cheap drink even if you don't drink it. I order water or a cheap beer and sometimes don't drink it just to get a good look at the place.

[QUOTE=Sangkid;1173856]Been here long enough to understand a few reasons why Pattaya has become such a popular location for older women, mothers and well-worn pros. This is the only place that they can get fucked and make a very small amount of money. The message must have been sent to all ugly women in Thailand. Go to Pattaya and make some money from the fat, old and sometimes smelly foreigners that now live in Pattaya, patrol the beach road and who only pay 300 to 500 Baht for a fuck. It's pathetic and totally fucked up Pattaya. These women are the lowest of the low. Thai men don't even fuck them. No wonder it's getting so hard to find decent sexy looking girls in Pattaya. These girls are staying away because they are a few leagues above foreigners living here. Why would they work in Pattaya where they have to deal with these people? The cheap rabbit like condos that have sprung up everywhere don't help. Foreigners buy these 25 square meter hutches and actually live in them. They drink excessive amounts of alcohol every day which helps give them the down and out pathetic appearance. The Thais just about tolerate them but really think they are the lowest of the low. So there you have it. You have the lowest of the low Thai girls fucking the lowest of the low foreigners.[/QUOTE]SO different for what the scene was 7 years ago. I quickly came back to Bangkok after the first 2 days instead of the 4 days planned.

Can anybody provide me a link to a reputable transfer service for pick-up at BKK and transport to PTY hotels. Something more upscale than just an airport taxi. Maybe a service that also offers refreshments (water, beer, etc) for the trip? I would like to be able to book online. On my last visit we had transportation service like I seek through the PH hotel, but not sure if they're owned / operated by the PH. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=Nixonbd;1175630]Can anybody provide me a link to a reputable transfer service for pick-up at BKK and transport to PTY hotels. Something more upscale than just an airport taxi. Maybe a service that also offers refreshments (water, beer, etc) for the trip? I would like to be able to book online. On my last visit we had transportation service like I seek through the PH hotel, but not sure if they're owned / operated by the PH. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]Best service available is the Limo Pattaya. Google it for email and phone number. I have used them for years and never a probelm.

[QUOTE=Nixonbd;1175630]Can anybody provide me a link to a reputable transfer service for pick-up at BKK and transport to PTY hotels. Something more upscale than just an airport taxi. Maybe a service that also offers refreshments (water, beer, etc) for the trip? I would like to be able to book online. On my last visit we had transportation service like I seek through the PH hotel, but not sure if they're owned / operated by the PH. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]I've never taken a taxi to Pattaya but I found this secret website [url]http://www.google.com[/url] And entered the phrase 'taxi service to Pattaya'. They provided quite a few links.

Good luck!

[QUOTE=Nixonbd;1175630]Can anybody provide me a link to a reputable transfer service for pick-up at BKK and transport to PTY hotels. Something more upscale than just an airport taxi. Maybe a service that also offers refreshments (water, beer, etc) for the trip? I would like to be able to book online. On my last visit we had transportation service like I seek through the PH hotel, but not sure if they're owned / operated by the PH. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]I use a driver from Nana Transport, his name is Amuay, pm me for the mobile number.

Others have used this service:

[url]http://www.pattayataxi.info/[/url]

When are you going? Because I'll be there in a little over a week. Soi 6 crawl?

[QUOTE=Almotu;1175340]When I am on holiday, I try to keep a low profile and would not go back to a place that is so confrontational. There are many other places that deserve your business.[/QUOTE]I will naturally not return to Happy. Just thought I would share my experience, discuss what the etiquette is when entering a club and the weird 200-baht sign the doorman at Happy uses.

[QUOTE=Mouse1;1175383]a quick look around shouldn't be a problem to the management. Why should it?[/QUOTE]The doorman's opinion was that you are not aloud to look for free.

[quote=tomjackin; 1175724]i use a driver from nana transport, his name is amuay, pm me for the mobile number.

others have used this service:

[url]http://www.pattayataxi.info/[/url]

when are you going? because i'll be there in a little over a week. soi 6 crawl?[/quote]i always use them. on every trip, they meet me, wait for my girlfriend to arrive 45 minutes later, carry my bags to the car, drive at a good speed, not killer fast, but not slow. they will stop at the rest area on the motorway if you ask when they start. you can get anything there from a slurpy to kfc.

when i went back to bangkok, i just called in the morning at 8 and i had a car waiting at my hotel at 9:30. he took me to my hotel in bangkok, with a stop for an egg mac muffin at the rest stop. i can't say enough good things about them. they charge 1000 bt to pattaya and pay the tolls and garage fee. i always tip a couple hundred bt, because we all want to live a good life, including the driver.

[QUOTE=Stakeout;1175745]...you are not aloud to look for free.[/QUOTE]

Maybe they want to keep the noise down...

[QUOTE=Gaolei;1175749]I always tip a couple hundred Bt, because we all want to live a good life, including the driver.[/QUOTE]The price police will not jump on you as this is not a girl price. Anyhow I perfectly agree in tipping abit for the said reasons

[QUOTE=Gwailo; 1175687]I've never taken a taxi to Pattaya but I found this secret website.

[url]http://www.google.com[/url]

And entered the phrase 'taxi service to Pattaya'. They provided quite a few links.

Good luck![/QUOTE]It would be so easy to just call you an asshole.