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#1
21-01-2006, 07:49
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Hi everyone
Hi everyone first off a little introduction, my name is Patrick and I am from Chicago.
I decided after reading some intros that I should have done a little better job then just name and location. lol Dojoden001 made the suggestion to update my intro so I will add a little more about myself. I am 35 I grew up in the northern burbs of Chicago. I have worked in the Amusement Industry for 18 years. I started out working as a mechanic for a friend of the family who owned a carnival. I left that company in 96 to start a business that repairs and installs amusement ride in parks. I have worked on equipment in parks and for carnivals all over the US, Mexico, and Canada. This will be my first trip outside of the US that isn't work related. One of the unfortunate parts of owning a business I guess. I have never been married and I don't have any kids. As my screen name would hint I like to scuba dive. My buddy Dan and I are in the proccess of planning our first trip to los in November 06. I have read some of the posts here and there is a great deal of good info. I have been looking at the hotel guide on here. I see there are some places listed for $13 US a night and they go up as high as $800 US. At what point do you get a nice place. Here in the states you don't get into a decent hotel until you get in the $150 range. Some of these even at the $13 dollar range look pretty nice. My question is are they as nice as the pictures or is that photoshop magic. lol Thanks and I am looking forward to checking out all the great info on here. Patrick Last edited by scuba875 : 28-01-2006 at 08:02. 
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#2
21-01-2006, 11:09
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You get a good standard of room for little money.. I have stayed in places at 10 - 12 USD per night that was ok.. places at 1000 - 1500 baht high season are usually pretty good (check with the BM's before booking) also dont take the prices listed on a website as the actual prices, those are more like the actual maximum prices.
Some guys like thier luxury (Marc26), some guys want a hotel right in the thick of the action, some guys like a place smaller and more relaxed (me), in town, outskirts of town, etc etc etc Lots of personal preferance.
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
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#3
21-01-2006, 12:03
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Thanks Livininlos,
I am look at a few places maybe some one here has stayed at one of these. Deevana Patong Resort & Spa Blue Sky Residence I really like the option of the spa in the room that Deenana Resort offers.
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#4
21-01-2006, 12:23
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Blue sky is good budget accomodation away from the center of town.. Booked it for mates in the past very cheap (haggling on the spot) made a few posts about it that the search engine should throw out..
I got a room in BSR for a buddy at 10k per month !!
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
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#6
21-01-2006, 12:51
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found the posts on both places looks like I don't want to stay at Deevana for sure. To many horor stories about bringing girls back.
I the BSR is looking better. Thanks again for the info.
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#7
21-01-2006, 15:49
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Welcome to the board Patrick , nice to see someone do a quick introduction before posting , also , as you did a bit of research it was easier to get a reply to your specific questions.
I'm sure you'll have a few more questions before your trip, best bet is to keep reading the forum as you will then have a better idea about "the wonderful world of LOS". 
__________________
Member of Phuket Hash House Harriers
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#8
21-01-2006, 16:01
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BSR is a long way from downtown.. Will need to be on a bike or using bike taxis a fair bit.. Just soemthing to bear in mind..
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
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#9
21-01-2006, 18:18
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Good tip that, people may not know that 'real' taxis are not available, so the temptation to take your bike out in the evening is huge.
__________________
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#10
24-01-2006, 00:41
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scuba,
welcome to the board. the more Americans the better, im sure everyone will agree!  anyways, just googled BSR, looked ok, especially for the price. also check out patong villa and jintana. good reviews on both and very close to action.
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#11
24-01-2006, 01:20
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Marc26 that might depend on who you talk to. lol Where you from?
Thanks again guys for all the info. I have been on the site reading all weekend. I think I am addicted to the los and haven’t even been there yet. I am learning a lot. I am still looking over the many different places and once I narrow it down to say 5 places, I will post them and see what kind of response I get. Thanks again Pat
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#12
24-01-2006, 01:20
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Hi Scuba,
When are you guys going to Phuket? Make sure to stay somewhere in Patong if you are going to check out the nightlife otherwise you will have a long ride home at night and you will also end up needing to give your lady extra money to get her home every morning. Lots of places reasonably close to nightlife that should fit your bill. Make sure that wherever you stay you find out their guest policy/joiner fee and take the e-mail confirmation with you. For example, Holiday Inn in Patong is nice hoitel but absolutely not guest friendly.
__________________
variety is the spice of life. I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. Mav's a hasher, not a basher, Tell me it ain't so! Mav, he sits on ice, says it feels nice, enjoyed it so much, he did it twice.
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#13
24-01-2006, 01:24
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well, 1st off you live in one of my favorite cities in the world! im from Boston, live in NYC area for last 11 years before heading to LOS for a year. now i am up in Vancouver, BC
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#14
24-01-2006, 01:35
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Thanks seafox
We were thinking Nov. but I might try to move it up to Oct. My business is very seasonal. I install and repair amusement rides so spring into early fall is my busy season and after the new year I have a lot of trade shows ect so those 2 months are what I am limited to. I read some post about the joiner fee and the email confirmation. That is a great tip. I tell you with out this site or going with someone who knows the ropes you could find your self in a bad situation if they don't like guests. I am really looking forward to this trip.
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#15
24-01-2006, 01:40
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November is better for scuba diving as they close down the Similans for scuba diving for most of the monsoon season(May to October). Also more BG's in November but also more tourists, starting to ramp up for high season. October hotel rates are lower though.
__________________
variety is the spice of life. I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. Mav's a hasher, not a basher, Tell me it ain't so! Mav, he sits on ice, says it feels nice, enjoyed it so much, he did it twice.
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#16
28-01-2006, 08:02
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I think we are looking at Nov. I want to go diving for sure. How is the diving there? I have only gone in the Cayman Islands. I worked there for 3 years for a month and a half each winter.
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#17
28-01-2006, 08:44
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Hi Scuba,
Everything is negotiable in Thailand, so I advise you not to start booking day trips or hotel packages from the USA. As recommended above, a trip to the Similan Islands is a top spot to be if you're into diving. If you are not sure about what hotel to stay in. Just book a hotel for the first couple of nights, to settle down and get rid of the jetlag. Have a look around Patong while you are there. Plenty of good quality accommodation options in November everywhere. Just go with the flow without too much planning ahead and you'll have a great trip. 
__________________
This post is sponsored by 'Poodles & Noodles'
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#18
28-01-2006, 09:01
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Thanks for the advice.
Has anyone on here ever rented a car and driven from Bangkok to Patong. That might sound nuts but I figured it would be a great way to get to see the country. It might not even be possible I don't know.
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#19
28-01-2006, 09:02
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It is possible to do, but make sure you stick to the big 3, just for insurance purposes.
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#21
28-01-2006, 12:57
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 I went to Hua Hin from BKK, which is only a 3 hour drive, but some of the driving i saw was crazy, and i think there were about 2 crashes which we saw on the way down.
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#22
28-01-2006, 14:31
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Welcome aboard fellow newbie
Good to have you here. You certainly have the advantage of reading this board before you make your first trip. I wish I had found it earlier.
I do not have the insight that the regulars have, but I did notice on my first trip something interesting. Maybe the vets can answer this........ I stayed at a new 4 star in Karon my first trip. Prices were reasonable, but I found that the girls were sort of excited to spend the night there. Granted they will probably go back to a shoe box with you for the right $$. I dabbled at half the staff at one particular bar in Karon, only once did I pay a bar fine. I became friends of the lady who owned the bar, and I was shelling out a good sum of money on coctails. Maybe it was the fact that I was spending 2K Baht on drinks that waved the fine.....who knows, who cares at this point. I only did Patong about 6 of the 14 nights I was there, so could be different.
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#23
29-01-2006, 02:55
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Its the same as doing anything, you plan and reasearch. You obvously wouldnt just jump in your car and decide to drive out of Bangkok, although its not all that difficult. The drive south from Bangkok is not all that difficult, just dont expect to order a burger and fries on the way.
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#24
29-01-2006, 06:43
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