Serviced Apartments in Thailand

[Sanook]

Hi,

I've got another post in the Samui section regarding serviced apartments, but I'd like to ask a general Thailand apartment question.

If I want to find a serviced apartment in Pattaya, I have no problem finding plenty to suit my needs, usually with a good few reviews from people who have stayed there before. But if I try for anywhere else I usually get mixed to poor results. In Bangkok there are usually a few, but the vast majority seem to be in the 50k+ price bracket.

I've stayed in serviced apartments the last few times I've been to Thailand, as I'm usually there for at least a couple of months. Main priorities for me are a decent internet connection, and the place has to be relatively close to some restaurants and transport etc. I have read that the best way to find an apartment is to stay in a hotel for a couple of days, and take a tour around the area looking at places to stay. The problem I have with this is that you still don't know how stable the internet connection is until you move in. That's why I prefer to read a few reviews before I decide. You also get an idea of the general feel to the place, and any little problems BMs may have experienced.

Are we just very lucky with the situation in Pattaya? Or is it within reason to expect other destinations in Thailand to have a few decent serviced apartments?

I was wondering. Could any BMs please post a selection of serviced apartments they have used, all around Thailand. So if we want to go to Chiang Mai we will know what apartments to look for, or maybe we fancy a month in Samui, where again we'd at least have a starting point.

I'm planning my next trip and I'm yet again no further than Pattaya. I'm not complaining as I really like Pattaya, but it would be nice to have a choice.

Cheers.