[Ozskin]

Gday Aussie87,

Sounds like you are in for a great time, going with a mate first time around is good fun, has he been before?
Im sure you will see 100's of good ideas on this site.
First id suggest if your looking to do some day trips / sightseeing to book them at one of the many tour booking desks on the streets around patong. Remember to bargain a little because they are usually flexible on price. The hotel will sell you the same tour for twice the price.

Also there are some good seafood / normal thai food restaurants located down a small alley next to the tiger disco and bars. Excellent food and a fraction of the price of the more expensive beach road restaurants (although a meal at the upmarket beach restaurants is nice to try also for atmosphere)

Of course there are hundreds of bars and it will be hard to choose. Remember Mai thai bar in soi eric good place to meet up with guys who know the place well and can fill you in on all sorts. Doesnt normally get too many people until 10pm onwards. Any of the bangla rd bars are good hangouts earlier on.

Also MBK shopping mall in bangkok which is adjacent to National Stadium BTS station (1 stop from Siam) should service all your needs.

Enjoy!