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#1
29-01-2007, 04:12
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Newbie from California
Greetings to all and thank you for giving me the chance to participate in your forum. The forum has been an invaluable resource in planning my trip to LOS later this year and I really appreciate all of the information and insights that so many BMs have shared and left here for clueless newbies like myself to soak up.
As my profile states I currently live in the Bay Area about 30 minutes from San Francisco. This May will be my first ever trip to LOS. I'll be in HKT from 26 May until 10 June and right now my plan is to end my stay with a week in BKK but I'm mulling over squeezing in a couple of nights in Pattaya before I fly back to SF on June 16. I've booked the Summer Breeze for my stay in HKT (I based my decision almost entirely on what I read in this forum, btw happy belated B'day Bill if you ever read this). I first mistakenly booked a room at the Horizon Beach Resort through Sawasdee.com but after I found this forum I realized what a mistake that was given that the Horizon isn't guest friendly. That's when I emailed SB. Luckily the hotel that I'd picked for my stay in BKK (Majestic Suites) can be booked through Sawasdee and they were nice enough to take the deposit I'd made for the Horizon and apply the entire sum to my booking at the Majestic Suites. (They've been really helpful and responsive at Sawasdee and I'd definitely second the endorsements they've received from other BMs here). So far it looks like I'll probably be coming to LOS on my own. I've talked about it with some friends but they either don't have enough time or money to make such a trip or they're being really lame and talking about going somewhere like Jamaica or the Bahamas  (yawn, been there done that). This won't hardly be the first time I've traveled by myself and some of my most memorable vacations have been when I traveled solo so no worries there. If I have one concern it's what kind of reception I'll have given the fact that I'm black. I've read stuff in forums where people said it wasn't an issue at all, and others where people said it definitely affected how they were treated/welcomed. It's never really been an issue for me when I traveled abroad before so I'll just have faith that it won't be an issue now. I'm a really laid back kind of guy (almost to a fault ) so I figure I'll just take things as they come. If the BGs don't want my money, that's their loss! (More beer for me that way too and besides there'll be plenty of "touristy" things to keep me busy) But the impression I've gotten here and at other forums is that there'll be plenty of action coming my way, in spite of or maybe even because of my skin color. I just hope I don't crack up laughing when I hear BGs calling out "Hey Chocolate Man!" while I walk down Soi Bangla!My flight gets in on the morning of May 26 and after I check in to the Summer Breeze and get unpacked I'll probably try to nap off some of the jet lag so I'll be ready for my first night in Patong. (I heard that taking melatonin before the flight can help you to sleep through it? Anyone ever try this?) My first stop that night will be to MTB so I'm looking forward to meeting a few BMs and getting last minute instructions before I set out into the Patong nightlife. One question that I have for BMs is whether it's worth it to try to get a couple of days in Pattaya while I'm in LOS for this visit? I read that taking a bus or even a taxi from BKK to Pattaya might be the best way to go. Any thoughts on that? Thanks for taking the time to read my intro and I'm looking forward to tossing a back a few frosty beverages with any BMs who'll be in LOS while I'm there. Cheers! 
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#2
29-01-2007, 04:23
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Hi Bsmoov, Welcome to the forum A nice intro  Glad to see that the board has helped you already with your hotel choice. Keep browsing and you will be sure to pick up plenty of hints and tips. If you need to ask a question, try using the search function first as lots of newbie questons have been asked and answered before. As far as having a couple of days in Pattaya, why not, as you are already nearly there. There are plenty of members who love the place, so you may as well take a look for yourself.
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#3
29-01-2007, 04:33
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Welcome to the board and thank you for the detailed introduction. As for how long to stay in each place is a call that you can best make your self. Some people have a problem packing up and moving to another city/hotels too often. Certainly, since you are there for 2 weeks you should visit at least two. As you mentioned the travel from Bangkok to Pattaya is minimal.
I do not have any knowledge as to whether skin color matters or not. Thais are very playful and I would almost expect some to call you Chocolate Man. Your choice to stay at Majestic Suites is a good one. Stayed there a couple of time and will be there again in a couple of weeks
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#4
29-01-2007, 04:53
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Bsmoov, welcome to the board, great intro.
With an attitude like yours, the girls will be flocking to you regardless of skin colour (but not baht  ).If you come down to MTB, you'll never feel alone, always plenty of board members to chat with and compare war stories. again, welcome
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#5
29-01-2007, 05:02
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hi bsmoov, welcome and good reading in your intro! i'll have left phuket a couple weeks before you arrive. enjoy your trip.
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IN LOS YOU DON'T LOSE THE GIRL....JUST YOUR TURN! 
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#6
29-01-2007, 05:10
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Welcome to the board and a really good intro. As a newbie myself I agree with you whole heartedly about the board. Have a great trip.
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#7
29-01-2007, 05:57
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bsmoov(by the way, love the name!!)
between other tourists you will have zero problems, especially at MTB, Love Bar and summer breeze like anywhere else you will find thai girls that prefer different races, wether it's black, white, or any other like someone else mentioned, you may be called Chocolate man but do not take offense. they are only playing, which in most cases, means they like you I will tell you that i found there were alot more black guys in pattaya and seemed i met alot more bg's that preferred black guys in pattaya. my friend BJ is black and lives in Pattaya so i was often in a few spots that had many bg's that preferred black guys feel free to send em a pm and if your heading to Pattaya, ill shoot BJ an e-mail and maybe you guys can meet up for a few beers and he can show you around he's a good guy from the Staes
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#8
29-01-2007, 08:37
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Welcome bsmoov,
I'm sure Your vacation in LOS will be a life changing experience.....one You will never forget. I cannot speak with much experiance as my first and only trip was in May-June last year in BKK but I found my trip to be the best vacation of my life and I traveled alone. I think the color of Your Baht will be much more important than the color of Your skin. Have a great trip. Paulf1  Forgot to tell You that I have been planning my return trip the day I got back from LOS......and I will be there again in about 10 days. Last edited by paulf1 : 29-01-2007 at 08:41. Reason: Addition
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#10
30-01-2007, 00:08
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Thanks everyone
Quote:
Glad you like the name! Can't take credit for it though, it's a nickname that a rather cheeky friend of mine came up with. I've pretty much made up my mind to go ahead and plan a few days in Patts. No telling when I'll be back in LOS again so I might as well see as much as I can. Thanks again to everyone for all the feedback and hopefully I'll get to meet at least a few of you guys when I get to LOS.
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#11
30-01-2007, 00:22
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I thought about the option of just buying some clothes in LOS. The only hesitation I had was wondering if I'd have a hard time finding stuff in my size. I'm not fat but I'm a fairly big guy -- 6 feet tall and around 200 pounds. It can be hard enough to find things here (especially after a sale).
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#12
31-01-2007, 02:43
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Hi bsmoov, Welcome to the board. Be warned! It's pretty damn hard to be alone in LOS. You're in for the treat of your life. Get clued in from the old hands before you venture out alone - it'll save you a mile of moolahs. Have fun.
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#13
31-01-2007, 02:44
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P.S. Colour doesn't mean a thing there.
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#14
31-01-2007, 15:36
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Welcome to the board mate. I enjoyed reading your intro and I am sure you will enjoy yourself overthere!
__________________
 Operation SnowGirl will continue 
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#18
01-02-2007, 22:36
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Hey me fellow Cali pal. Welcome to the board. Hope all goes well on your trip and going to Patts is a definate.....
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Livin' 4 Vacation.....I is 
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#19
02-02-2007, 01:20
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Nice introduction!
Welcome to the board ``Hope weŽll meet sometime in LOS mr. chocolate man! ^^ KK
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#20
02-02-2007, 03:30
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Welcome Bsmoov, and nice intro.
This forum really is a gold mine of information and it seems you have certainly researched your stuff, so fair play to you. I shant claim to be a professional on the subject of your question, as their are far more experienced BMs on here who can lay claim to that prize however, I shall happily offer you my opinion/thoughts on your questions. Firstly, I have never been to Pattaya, although was meant to last time down there in November. Just got so tired of the travelling around lark - had a few weddings to attend, all over the place, so we were flying all over for best part of 2 weeks - and when the day came we landed at BKK and were meant to jump in the limo to head to Patts, we decided to forget it and go straight into the city instead. That said, yeah if you can fit it in, I would deffinetly suggest you do. having been to LOS a few times now, my next plan is to arrive in BKK airport. Straight down to Phuket, then head back up to Patts for a few days before the last 2 - 3 days in the big city itself before heading home. By my reckoning it will be a sort of self indulged assessment of improved service at each stop 55555555555555555 As for the fact that you are a chocolate coloured man - so what? Yes it is true many Thai's - especially the bar girls (or Issarn girls to be more precise) secretly wish to be white - or at least paler than they are, and you will see many who pile on some kind of skin whitening stuff - it's not powder - and look totally daft with it, as it usually stops at the chin. So the only possible reaction you may notice will be from the so called posh Thais who think they are better than the slightly darker Issarn ones. As for the bar girls, I would imagine you will be well sought after because you are different type of farang to what they are used to seeing - best of luck to you and hope to see the trip report sometime after June!
__________________
You can lead a girl to culture - but you can't make her think
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#21
02-02-2007, 15:42
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Bsmoov quote:
"One question that I have for BMs is whether it's worth it to try to get a couple of days in Pattaya while I'm in LOS for this visit? I read that taking a bus or even a taxi from BKK to Pattaya might be the best way to go." Why don't you fly from Phuket to Pattaya, then take a bus from Pattaya back to Bangkok when it's time to fly home. Saves the hassle of flying to Bangkok, then taking a bus to Pattaya.
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