Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=Priamos; 1410838]Well, some Shia muslims, affiliated with religious orders, wear turbans. So do many of the Pashtuns in the tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. But, I agree, one would not expect to meet any of those in downtown Pattaya. 555!

I understand that some posters are riled by popper's condescending style, but I think you have misunderstood his mongering tactic. It's not about picking beach road girls (which could be done for 500B per pop) , but about picking 700B girls off the street. It looks to me like the girls he picks up a bar workers, who'd normally be for sale for 500B ST on a slow day. The barfine he saves is then shared with the girl in the form of a slight premium on her fee.[/QUOTE]So what is your explanation for him calling others "FOOLS FOR PAYING BAR FINES" and then goes and pay 900 BF HIMSELF? No one is complaining about his style picking up girls from Beach Road or any other road for whatever price he wants to pay?

LBM

[QUOTE=Loxfun;1410722]Guys, popper gave great reports, great advice and great information to the rest of us who read here. Why do people have to make issues about his observations or comments. WTF. We are all supposedly here to give information and help each other get what we wanted by joining this forum not making snide comments about someone telling us what is important to know. Get a life.[/QUOTE]No one is giving him a hard time, I think Popper can pretty much take it and give it? But your comments regarding his is it works both ways here if your observation and then comments are making snide comments about others who might choose to pay B. F. Which is their choice no different than his not too. I think It's surprises me over and over again that others who join here like yourself only think about one thing and anything other than that one thing we are being unfair! I see and hear lots of short time mongers and long time that seem to like to criticize and seem to know all the answers but when they are challenged they cry foul and try to make other feel guilty for doing so I end by saying WTF too!

LBM

Great report Popper, thanks!

[QUOTE=Popper1; 1410494]OK, since you guys are the best friends I've ever had, will let you in a few of my secrets after spending over two months in Pattaya.

Those chicken stands which sell chicken thigh and drumstick for 40 baht. Cheap. Protein. And while there, grab some gal who is walking by. But be careful, one place literally had cockroaches crawling on the chicken. The woman cooking was completely unconcerned too. Then again, this is a country which eats bugs as a snack. I've seen kitchens at even expensive restaurants in Pattaya, and some are beyond words disgusting. Always watch them preparing the food, if possible. And no pepper / salt / crap on the chicken; they completely drown it in that poison.

-Popper[/QUOTE]Well. Move to S-E Asia and you will stop to care of cockroaches after 2-3 years living here.

[QUOTE=IamJohnGalt; 1411213]but I need to buy a prepaid sim card for my cell phone. I believe I used 1-2-call AIS last time in Pattaya.

Cheers![/QUOTE]I recommend true move as they give overall much better service-1. 5 bt to us and europe and in Thailand.

Many times they hand them out free at airports, other wise 50 bt for the sim card. Top up at 7'11.

[QUOTE=Islandboy54; 1411336]I recommend true move as they give overall much better service-1. 5 bt to us and europe and in Thailand.

Many times they hand them out free at airports, other wise 50 bt for the sim card. Top up at 7'11.[/QUOTE]Thanks Islandboy.

By better service do you mean stronger, more reliable signal?

Looks like (from their website) that they have coverage in Bangkok and Pattaya, and that's all I need for this trip AFAIK.

Where in Pattaya can I buy the sim card (in case they aren't giving them away at the airport)?

Cheers!

[QUOTE=IamJohnGalt; 1411492]Thanks Islandboy.

By better service do you mean stronger, more reliable signal?

Looks like (from their website) that they have coverage in Bangkok and Pattaya, and that's all I need for this trip AFAIK.

Where in Pattaya can I buy the sim card (in case they aren't giving them away at the airport)?

Cheers![/QUOTE]Better overall value-no need to get into all the details-good connectivity.cheapest overall especially when calling abroad-no need to refill when you still have credit-and no, I don't get kickbacks.

Not sure where to buy one in pats.but if they don't have it at seven eleven then they will have a store in that huge shopping mall.

I think it's called festival, or at big C etc.

[QUOTE=IamJohnGalt;1411492]Where in Pattaya can I buy the sim card (in case they aren't giving them away at the airport)?[/QUOTE]IslandBoy: Thanks for the advice, I'll try True Move next time I need a SIM card. I've been using "TH GSM" (comes in green packaging) for B 100 / card because I heard it was the best cellphone reception / connection but they usually expire in 60 days from last "top-off" (additional pre-paid minutes loaded).

IamJohn:

- Family Mart & 7-11 generally does not carry SIM cards but they do have "top-off" available to reload your SIM account.

- During the daytime you can purchase a SIM card at the malls (Central Festival attached to the Hilton, Big C, The Avenue outdoor mall, Royal Garden Plaza attached to the Marriott, Tukcom electronics mall) , just go in the mall and ask any employee "where can I buy SIM card for my mobile?" and the employee will point you to the mobile zone (where there will be a bunch of small vendors / kiosks selling SIMs, used cellphones, etc).

- You can try the airport cellphone kiosk which probably sells SIM cards with the mark-up being negligible; instead of B 100 it might cost B 150.

- On WS (Walking Street) in the late afternoon & nighttime there are at least 2 vendors. One vendor with a small glass display case on WS just past the entrance, left-side. There's a mobile store on WS Soi 15, just to the left of Beach AGoGo, and they're open 6 (?) pm until 2 am.

Has anybody read Money Number One by Neil Hutchison? It's suppose to a good read on Pattaya. I'm considering my first visit to Thailand later in June or July.

YP

Funny, for years on my arrival I would go to 7-11 and get a sim card. Would even tip them 50 bhat for putting it in and testing.

That said, has anyone out there ever bought a knock off unlocked cell phone in Pattaya. Was at the large cell phone, communications store (South Pattaya Tai Road) on my last trip and saw quite a bit of them. A lot of gals I talked with told me they work just fine.

[QUOTE=Amex Spg; 1411698]IslandBoy: Thanks for the advice, I'll try True Move next time I need a SIM card. I've been using "TH GSM" (comes in green packaging) for B 100 / card because I heard it was the best cellphone reception / connection but they usually expire in 60 days from last "top-off" (additional pre-paid minutes loaded).

- Family Mart & 7-11 generally does not carry SIM cards but they do have "top-off" available to reload your SIM account.

[QUOTE=Yellowpaul;1411706]Has anybody read Money Number One by Neil Hutchison? It's suppose to a good read on Pattaya. I'm considering my first visit to Thailand later in June or July.[/QUOTE]Yes. I enjoyed all of his books.

Thanks to all who responded to my questions on getting a sim card in Pattaya.

Its been 4 years since I last visited Pattaya, but looking forward to being there in early May.

I am arriving about 830pm at BKK airport (if on time) with no checked bags and I plan to take the 389 Airport-Pattaya bus.

I see it goes to North Pattaya bus station at that hour and likely arrives around midnight.

Anyone have experience with this bus and station that late?

Is it safe and are tuktuks available to get to Walking St, Soi BJ area?

(I realize its walking only on Walking St at that hour.)

Cheers

[QUOTE=Amex Spg; 1411698]I.

- Family Mart & 7-11 generally does not carry SIM cards but they do have "top-off" available to reload your SIM account.[/QUOTE]7-11 at the airport does sell Sim cards. I buy one twice a year from the same 7-11.

[QUOTE=Tomjackin;1411909]7-11 at the airport does sell Sim cards. I buy one twice a year from the same 7-11.[/QUOTE]I can confirm the 7-11 at BKK sells SIMS and at better prices than that large booth with the 3 main cell vendors at arrrivals. The 7-11 is a level or two below the main arrivals floor. I also use 1-2-call. I'm hoping to bring an unlocked Galaxy S4 with me next fall. When I insert the Thai SIM will I need to change phone settings to get the internet. This will be my first smartphone in Thailand.

[QUOTE=Allover;1412335]I can confirm the 7-11 at BKK sells SIMS and at better prices than that large booth with the 3 main cell vendors at arrrivals. The 7-11 is a level or two below the main arrivals floor. I also use 1-2-call. I'm hoping to bring an unlocked Galaxy S4 with me next fall. When I insert the Thai SIM will I need to change phone settings to get the internet. This will be my first smartphone in Thailand.[/QUOTE]No adjustments to be made. Just put the SIM card in and follow the instructions to activate it.[QUOTE=Tomjackin;1411909]7-11 at the airport does sell Sim cards. I buy one twice a year from the same 7-11.[/QUOTE]If you get True Move you will not have to buy another. The number keeps for 1 year after the last addition of minutes.