MrBill

My last stay in BKK I booked a room at the Glitz Hotel. http://glitzbangkok.com/ It was about a block or 1-1/2 blocks from Tarntawan, same side of the street. I booked through Agoda and got a cheaper rate that included breakfast. No people elevator at that time but there was a dumb waiter for luggage. I was quite happy there and no trouble with joiners. Only trouble was the name. Taxi drivers couldn't make heads or tails of Glitz. Give them "Gleece Hotew" and they knew right where it was.

I couldn't find an exact fit for this topic, but I know from experience that many of you regulars take photos of your LOS trips as I do - and not all are BDJ - (boy du jour) pics. Last weekend I attended an all-day travel photo seminar put on by National Geographic Magazine. The presenters, a senior travel photographer and the photo editor in chief, included a list of resources for travel photographers in their handout, so I thought I would share it with all y'all. I did not test all of the Internet addresses so I cannot confirm that they all work, and some of the resources are USA-specific, but I thought there was a lot there worth sharing. Hope you shutterbugs enjoy! Resources for Travel Photographers.pdf

Sorry, my quote function doesn't work, but in response to Vinapu's question about Glitz hotel, it is down the street from Tarntawan Place 1/2 block. I've never been to Tawan so can't say for sure where it is in relation to Tawan, but the rooms you describe are much the same as what I had when I stayed there.

Pronunciation can be a big issue as well, between Thai and farang. I once stayed at the Glitz Hotel in BKK. I took a cab from the airport. The driver had a hell of a time getting me to where I wanted to go. When we finally found the hotel, it dawned on me that Thainglish pronunciations are decidedly different, so I asked the desk clerk what the name of the hotel was and he said "Gleece." After that, I just told taxi and tuk tuk drivers I wanted to go to the Gleece hotel and there was never any hesitation. If you don't have the location printed in Thai, best to know how Thais pronounce the word, not how farang pronounce it.

Shanghai White Vodka - premium a la Grey Goose and similar high-end brands, designed for drinking neat rather than mixing. Though I am more of an Irish whiskey fan, I wanted to bring back something not likely to be found here in the states. http://www.bloodandsand.com/index.php/shanghai-white/

My last 2 trips to LOS have been award trips from UAL. Both times it was MUCH easier finding cheaper award seats on UAL than it was on DL. DTW is a major hub for DL and it seems award seats are fewer in number and far more expensive mile-wise. Fortunately, on both those occasions, the majority of the flying was on partner airlines. Both Turkish Airlines (chef on board) last trip, and Air China this trip. along with Thai were much better in my opinion than UA itself.

Duty Free at PEK. Bought 2 bottles of Chinese vodka. $88 US cash, if using credit card $97 US. That's a pretty steep add on for cc.

Actually, looking back, it was 120K NOT 150k which was a saver award for business class. Same dates on DL from DTW was 245K miles for business.

Just returned BKK-PEK-IAH-DTW on UAL award ticket. $76.80 USD + 150k miles. I didn't have many problems in PEK. At first the transfer lane had a long line as there were only 2 immigration agents on duty. Within minutes they opened up other transfer lanes on the other side with additional 4 agents, so it took me about 20 minutes to get through transfer lanes. Did experience some congestion with security rescreening as the space is limited. Things were backing up at the bottom of the escalator to the point that was becoming dangerous as there was no room for people the escalator to disembark. Again to their credit, they added security screeners and things started moving faster. I minimized electronics in carry-on but they did have to be removed from bags, same as here in USA airports. Total time for transfer process about an hour. I haven't travelled through NRT in several years now, but each time I did, it took me much longer to transfer there than it did in PEK. Last 2 times in NRT I nearly missed connecting flights due to congestion at transfer/security, so I felt PEK was bearable. No new boarding card was required. Boarding was quick and efficient. There was security on the jetway, but took literally a minute for me. The flight on Air China B777-300 to IAH made it all worth it. I was very impressed with every aspect of this airline from BC lounge to seats to food. Really LOVED the comforter that came with BC lie flat seat and the soft perimeter lighting that changed throughout the flight.

Hmm. I must have gotten lucky then. I checked and the rate I got from Chase was same sell rate as quoted on XE.com for that day and no service fees. The thing I like about Chase is that they have dropped foreign transaction fees on credit card purchases. Not sure if that also applies to ATM withdrawls. Last time I was here and used ATM, both the Thai bank and my bank at the time charged fees for using the ATM. I'm not a big fan of BoA. I got caught in New Orleans once short on cash. I couldn't find a BoA ATM. I checked their website and couldn't find one (and there's an ATM on most every block in NOLA). I called the toll free number on my BoA ATM card. After20 minutes I was told the nearest ATM was in Meridian, MS. The CSA asked, "Is that close to where you are?" My sarcastic nature took over. The only thing I could think of to say was, "Only if you consider 160 miles away as close." That was when I switched to Chase.

I went on Monday not knowing exactly what was wrong. For the consult with Dr. Tapasit including x-rays 1350 THB. He sticks to prosthodontics these days so I had to come back again. On Tuesday for the local anesthetic, extraction, pain medication and antibiotics 1850 THB. 3200 THB total. According to XE.com that's $99.55 US. Cleanings at my dentist in Michigan run me over $200, so I consider this VERY reasonable. I might suggest contacting them by email and asking for price range. I will come back next year. Dr. T said to contact him by email beforehand. Knowing what specific teeth need work he can give some idea he said. Best thing for me besides the price... I haven't needed the pain medication. Two Tylenol after the procedure and two in the evening before bed did the trick. I woke up this morning with minor expected soreness, but NO pain whatsoever.

Had to have a tooth extracted this A.M. I would wholeheartedly agree with Firecat69's recommendation of Dr. Tapasit. His colleague, a periodontist, was the one to take the tooth out, but he was there checking on things, and he spent almost an hour with me yesterday. All the dentists in their practice are highly skilled with superb credentials. Dr. T got his dental degree from Georgetown, a masters in dentistry from Univ of Maryland and post masters in implant dentistry from Univ of Toronto. My dentist in Michigan is going to be pissed when he finds out that I will be returning to Pattaya in 2014 to have some crowns done, which my dentist "treatment planned" (what a euphemism) out as just over $7k. www.studiosmilethailand.com is their web site. I am happy they could fit me in on short notice, and didn't initially notice they are open 7 days a week - 11 hours a day Mon-Sat and 8 hrs on Sundays.

My friends wrinkled their noses as well, until they see the pictures I brought back and hear about how much better and cheaper medical/dental care is here. Also few appreciated how modern Thailand is in many ways. Their BTS rivals Chicago's El and they can trump you by adding a subway as well. But you got Da Bears. As a Red Wings fan I I am forbidden to utter the name of the hockey team "youse guys" got. You didn't mention what age range Thai men interest you. I tend to play around Gay Romeo a month or two before I am scheduled to travel. That gives me time to see how interested and interesting people are and who's out for just money. I have chatted with several college students and some employees, mostly in the hospitality industry who would welcome a non-sexual relationship, even temporary one, with a Western man. Some do it as a way of improving English skills, others because it gives them some experience in their chosen (hospitality) field and other out of love and pride for their country. Continuing an ongoing chat on Skype can also be helpful in getting to know someone from here. I do agree with Kokopelli, a visit to Pattaya for a few days is worth it. The first time I came to Thailand I was intimidated too, but that seemed to melt away when I stepped off the plane. The biggest thing I struggle with now is the whole negotiation thing around goods and services a 10 bht trip in a tuk tuk, songtaew or taxi can cost you a hundred to a thousand or more if you're not careful. Front desk staff at your hotel can be invaluable in providing info about how much things should cost and knowledge you'll need, so always play nice with hotel staff. I have found much of the signage is in English as well as Thai (though Pattaya seems to be replacing English with Russian) so finding directions or reading menus etc. are not a problem. If you do make one trip, I doubt it will be your last. Pleasant travels!

Since this is about Gay Thailand I think you would want to incorporate rainbow as well as Thai traditional colors purple, orchid, gold (but not so much as to become confused as Gay Thai Airways

I haven't had trouble logging in (knock on faux wood in my hotel room) but my quote and multiquote functions do not work at all.

My quote function doesn't seem to be working, but I used to do the same thing. I like the convenience of carrying just one phone. When I avel I can keep my regular sim card in and add a local sim. At home I can carry the same phone with sims for business and personal ph #s.

My UA flight Business/First was 2-4-2 seating rather than other airlines' 2-2-2. Assuming all 777-300 ER are the same width, something had to give in the cabin. I'll let you know what my return experience is like. Air China gets some good press on the comfort of their BC. When transferring through PEK there was no gate security to speak of - one guy standing at the side of the gateway watching people pass through. I did have to take out all electronics but here were so many screening checkpoints it didn't take long to get through, just a bit more hassle. Previously I had to take out all electronics everywhere I flew in USA until I joined TSA prescreen. Now I don't have to take out my camera or laptop, just my cpap machine. Obviously heavy snorers are a threat to freedom

I did forget to mention that there a couple of new cats that patrol the terraces along this side of the soi

Haven't noticed much different from last trip. I even have same room as last year. Some new employees and some same as last year. When I checked in there was a young lady behind front desk. Since it was difficult getting down the soi at 11:45 PM, 2 employees came out to the head of the soi to take my bags from the taxi. Room rate exactly same as last year. Still get 10% discount from Utopia card. Haven't used the bar yet. There was a piano player last night. Menu seems to be just the same with no increase in price that I could see. Maybe my imagination but the mattress seems harder this year, or my body's become more brittle. I do like that the electrical outlets are set up to accept US plugs without the need for a converter.

I have the $50/month T-Mobile plan. As soon as I turned my phone on when I arrived, I received a text msg from T-Mobile warning me that data could cost "up to $15/mb." I never thought to check and see if sign-up were required. I just assumed. While here I have been looking for Android Dual Sim phones only to find out most will only work with T-Mobile 2-g slow internet

14 hrs 10 min from IAD. We arrived about 25 minutes early so you are very close. But much more bearable than DTW to NRT in my estimation. The immigration and security rescreening went so fast because it was very well organized. My biggest problem was layout of UA "Business/First" they advertise "true lie flat seats". I am a shade under 5'11" and while the seat could lie flat, there wasn't enough room for my body to lie flat with the back-to-back seating. There was a cutout for my feet to fit in which would have worked better if I were one-legged. Thai 747 wasn't total lie flat but at least I could stretch my legs full length.

This is Dr. T of Studio Smile by the dolphin roundabout on Beach Rd? Just looked at the web site. Now there are 5 dentists with impressive credentials. I left an email requesting an appointment. Thanks SO much for the info.

I can't speak for BofA rate but since Chase got the money from BofA I would hope they would charge customers accordingly. Ironically, my local BofA branch wasn't even aware that they could get me baht. apparently it comes from a separate business division. I paid sell rate of the day. Total transaction: I gave them 1K US and got back 999.54 US worth of baht from Chase

I checked the board and last entries about dentists I can find were circa 2008-09. I arrived 22 November felt some tenderness in one tooth. Now it's progressing to pain so I don't think it will last me till I get home on 04 December. I will leave Pattaya for Koh Samui on 28 November. I often get a physical at BKK-Pattaya while here, but previous comments suggest competent service at lower prices can be had for dental elsewhere. I am staying at Le Café Royale area. Thanks.