[Brewster]

I've been reading the boards for a few weeks now as well as checking out some other sites and I have to say that after spending 80-100 hours searching for info on Thailand and Patong Beach these boards are the most informative site I've found. Kudos to the owner of the MTB for setting this up.
I'm arriving in Patong on January 21st for about 10 weeks and I had a few questions that I couldn't find answers to when I did a search. If anybody has any input on them your help is greatly appreciated.

1. Does anybody know anything about the "Thai Oriental Inn"? I was originally going to book for just a week and then find a place when I got over there but I was afraid everything was going to be sold out so I booked my whole stay there.

2A. What's a good way to politely refuse a BG who is trying hard but just doesn't do it for you?

2B. A good way to give shop keepers the hint you aren't interested without insulting them?

3. I was looking at a pair of Oakley's and the ones I like are going to cost me $160 USD. I usually don't do tell well with cheap imitations and I was wondering if I'd be able to get a good original pair of sunglasses and what I should expect to pay?

4. Should I worry about walking the 5-6 blocks from Bangla road to the TOI loaded(jumped, run over etc..)?

5. If money gets tight and I decide to go for Farang chicks instead of the beautiful Thai chicks where's a good place to go?

Again thanks for any input.