Gaybutton

Last night I spent some time at the opening. They've really done a beautiful job. It's a very friendly place and the boys working there couldn't be any nicer or more attentive. Yaya himself speaks English quite well (and he's damned good looking!). There won't be a communication problem and Yaya is right there to help you if a translation problem does occur. There is seating at the bar as well as comfortable seating outside. My drink was a drink. I actually got a good gin-&-tonic, not a glass full of tonic with a slight hint of gin as you get in some other bars I've been in. They do have a computer station set up and there was also one on the bar. It's a good place, well worth dropping by next time you're in Sunee Plaza. I certainly was very pleased. I felt genuinely welcomed and that my business was truly appreciated. I think this bar will quickly become a favorite.

Ok, I won't let it stop me, just as it doesn't stop you from disregarding results staring you right in the face. Noooooo, that poll can't really represent how most farang customers feel. No way. The reality is that these results represent the opinion of just a few people who happen to post here, but if we had a way to poll all the farang customers then the real results would surely be entirely different. Bar owners, take note. Don't pay attention to these results. The best thing to do is disregard them.

And you don't think the poll is an accurate representation of how most customers feel about the music volume???? Great. Turn up the volume. Make the music as loud as it can get. In fact, get more speakers. Customers are going to love it. They're sure to flock right to those bars.

While that is true, it's hardly the point. I'm with Lvdkeyes on this one. I don't get it. It's crazy. What happens if your credit card has been lost or stolen? That could happen right in the airport if you happen to be the victim of a pickpocket. I've also seen ATMs eat credit cards. What does happen if you paid cash for the ticket? Given that all kinds of things could happen to a credit card, it's difficult to understand that airlines would require seeing the card that bought the ticket and if you can't produce it, you don't get to board the flight. I don't understand why they would need to see it in the first place. If you have other forms of identification, what's the necessity of the credit card? Who comes up with these ideas, anyway? I can just picture the executive meeting at the airline: "Hey Dan. I just thought of a good way to increase security. Let's start requiring passengers to show their credit cards. You know, the one they bought their ticket with. That's a sure fire way to cut down on terrorist tactics." "What's that supposed to accomplish?" "Well, that way we can make sure nobody boards a plane if their ticket was paid for by Ali Ben Gabba." "Great idea! Phil, call the printer. Let's get this one rolling before the end of the day." "I'm working on another idea. This one's perfect. It'll solve all our security problems!" "What's that, Phil?" "Nobody gets to board the plane. Bing-O! No more security issues!"

I wonder what you have to show if you pay cash for a ticket. If it were me and I was buying the ticket for someone else, before purchasing I would ask the airline how to work that. I would think they have some sort of alternative if you tell them at the time you're purchasing the ticket that it's for someone else.

Also, Rhonda at Norcross Travel can get tickets, even when the flight originates in Thailand. I'm sure she'll put the ticket in whatever name you want. If you use Skype or a similar program, calls to toll-free numbers in the USA are free. Rhonda's number in the USA is 888-888-7157. She'll issue an E-ticket. All you would have to do is download and print it out and take it with you to the check-in counter at the airport. If for any reason your friend can't download and print it, you can do it for him and give it to him or mail it to him. She has always gotten tickets for me at much lower prices than anywhere else, so it might be worth talking to her before you commit to anything locally.

Not yet. I just discovered this place today and it isn't even dinner time yet. I did buy some beef and I'm going out to dinner tonight, but I'll try it tomorrow or the next day. I don't think he carries lamb, but I could be wrong. I didn't notice any and it didn't occur to me to ask what he can get that isn't present in the shop. But give it a try. Besides, you know light years more about cooking that I'll even know, so your opinion will carry far more validity than my own. I'm anxious to know what you think of it.

Today I noticed a small butcher shop called Prime Beef. They are located on Central Road (Pattaya Klang) just past Soi 6, about a half a block before you get as far as Foodland, on the same side of the road, as you're headed toward Sukhumvit. I spoke to the owner. He has been there for 8 months and I never noticed this shop before today. He has all kinds of prime beef, ranging from steaks to prime rib, and at reasonable prices. He also has a store in Bangkok. If you're looking for good, aged, grain fed prime beef, you might want to stop in and have a look.

Best of luck to you. I hope your bar will be a great success.

Often starting as early as 7:00am!!! And it is also quite common to see letters-to-the-editor in English language newspapers complaining of karaokes blaring their music at all hours of the night, not giving the first damn whether the local residents like it or not.

Be that as it may, if we include Lvdkeyes' explanation of his vote, that's 32 out of 40 votes so far that dislike the loud music. I hope that tells all the bar owners something, especially if they want our business.

Considering that most of us are probably unfamiliar with these places, can you tell us the names and addresses of where they are located?

That's up to GT, but personally I see no need. If you knew how rare it was for any of us to actually get thanked for anything around here, it would make much more sense as to why I wouldn't bother making a special icon or code.

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I'll bet the boss was there.

As soon as you find any jokes that are actually funny, just let me know . . .

Which means none of them came around to check if you had finished your drinks and wanted another. I agree with z909 in that the boss can't be there all the time, but in any bar I would think the boss would want to make sure someone responsible is there. This is what happens when you leave a few kids in charge of your establishment. If the boss was there, then he needs to figure out that he ought to regularly come out and check on what's going on. If I was the boss and found out that my employees are busy playing cards and ignoring my customers, those employees would get a very quick education.

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I hope you brought this to the boss's attention. I don't think he would be very happy to know he is paying his staff to play cards instead of taking care of customers, especially these days when so many bars are lucky to get any customers at all. This is very unusual. At most host bars the boys are always very attentive. This is exactly the kind of thing I've been talking about. If you had been treated well and the boys were attentive to you, you would almost certainly return next time you go to Jomtien Complex. Now, somehow I don't foresee you or your friends making a special trip to go to the same bar. There are plenty of host bars in Jomtien Complex and every one of them want your business. I think you will probably go to someone else's bar next time, where you are welcomed and treated well. Who would want to spend time and money in a bar where the hosts act as if they're doing you a favor by paying any attention to you and where you can't get service even when you're the only ones there?

What's the matter, don't you believe in a next life? Besides, I think we have accomplished something. Personally, I think the "pissing and moaning" is a good thing. I like the idea of beating this particular dead horse. "He'll hang there 'till he rots!" - Charles McGraw, 'Spartacus'

Ahem . . . I really don't think the message board is the appropriate place for people to be making their personal hotel arrangements. In the future, please do that by PM or Email.

Here 'tiz . . .

Two sides to every story. You folks out there can believe who you want, but until now I have never heard a complaint about Tui, but I've sure heard plenty about farang who publicly make fools of themselves.

You might be surprised at how many bar owners do read these forums, but rarely post on any of them. If they are not aware of the results of this little poll, they'll know soon enough. The next question is whether they'll pay any attention to what is being said here.

I like 2lz2p's checklist better than my own. It is more detailed and it is correct. One of the things that seems to happen regularly is that different immigration offices have different requirements and all too often people have different experiences in the very same immigration office. The Pattaya immigration office didn't ask me for any kind of address or lease information, but that doesn't mean they won't ask others for it. To me, the smart thing to do is to take any documentation with you that has been asked for in the past. Maybe they'll ask for it and maybe they won't, but it's better to have it with you and nobody asks than it is to be asked for it and you didn't bring it. The worst that can happen is you'll take it home again. There is one exception. If you are applying for the Retirement Visa within Thailand, you do not need a medical certificate. Years ago it was a requirement, but that requirement has been dropped at all immigration offices - within Thailand. Embassies and consulates in other countries, if that's where you are going to apply, may still require a medical certificate, possibly along with other documents that are never asked for within Thailand. Outside of Thailand, many Thai embassies and consulates also require a police report. If you are going to apply for the Retirement Visa in a country other than Thailand, make sure you know what documents are required at the facility where you will apply.