How Long Haircut?
At a busy and popular barber shop in Pattaya a Falang sticks his head into the barber shop and asks the lone male barber, “How long before I can get a haircut?” The barber looks around the shop at the waiting customers and says, “One hour.” The man leaves but does not come back.A few days later the Falang returns and asks the lone male barber, “How long before I can get a haircut?” The Thai barber says again, “One hour,” and the Falang walks out.The Thai barber says to a friend in the shop. “Hay, Wichai, follow that Falang and see where he goes.”Wichai returns laughing hysterically and says, “He go your house.”
 

There are cooks and there are “Chefs.” There is fast food and there is fine dining. The trick is to find the same quality food that is served in the fine dining restaurants at fast food prices and it has to be prepared by a European educated, trained and experience chef. Thai Food

You can have this experience at “Le Petit Liegeois” Restaurant Belge which is located inside the door at the new “Carefore” store on Central Pattaya Road. This is your chance to eat great tasting food. The taverne opens at 9am-11pm and the restaurant opens at 11am-10pm. You must understand that this restaurant has been awarded the “Chaines de Rotisseries” which is the highest culinary award from the Chefs of the world. This is the Chefs choice of restaurants.The tavern serves soups, salads and pasta plus that extra special French bread. This bread is called “Dagobert.” The bread is made like the bread from Liege in Europe. It is crispy and fresh French bread and it is soft on the inside. It is so good.The Chef and his staff use this special bread to make the best sandwiches that my Thai wife and I have ever tasted. Yes, something as simple as a sandwich reaches new heights of gastronomic taste. You got to try this sandwich. They are big and very satisfying and the best part is they only cost 75 Baht to 150 Baht. Some of the sandwiches are tuna, ham, smoked, cheese, Brie, smoked salmon, chicken curry, the Chef’s pate and ham and cheese. It sounds so ordinary but you must try these sandwiches and only then will you understand how good they taste.At 11am the main restaurant opens. Modern Thai Food: 100 Simple and Delicious Recipes from Sydney's Famous Longrain Restaurant

They have a selection of full meals. You will find appetizers that cost 65 Baht, the Chefs specials and a verity of wines and the most interesting food that you have ever tasted. Treat yourself to this experience. It is a “must do.” It’s the little things that will impress you, like the sauces with the meat dishes are prepared on the spot so the sauce is at its peak of taste. It’s all about taste and quality and verity. Maybe, you should see the set menu. It is 210 Baht. Maybe, you should stop in for anything on the menu. Cooking Thai Food in American Kitchens

This is your chance to taste the food of a fine dining restaurant at fast food prices. Bon a petit.

How long will you be renting? If it's for less than a week, you'll probably do best with a major rental company, such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National or Thrifty. For rentals of a week or longer, you may get better rates from local companies, particularly auto dealers. Remember, however, to be wary of local companies if you plan to drive a lot; if you break down or get into an accident, they usually lack the support services of the majors.

Always shop around, even on the Web. Major companies often offer Web-only discounts -- take advantage of them whenever possible. Check the individual car rental Web sites. If you're booking online, read the restrictions carefully. If you're booking on the phone, make sure to ask the agent about restrictions. Always be sure to check out our selection of bargains before making any reservations.

Ask about discounts for major national organizations, frequent-flier programs and credit card programs you may belong to. They'll frequently offer deals on car rentals. Those offered through AAA can be very good. If you're employed by a company that frequently rents cars, they may have a negotiated rate. Make sure to check.

Be sure you understand the conditions of your reservation. Is there a penalty for no-shows? How long will the car be held if you're stuck in traffic on the way to the pickup station? Is there a fee for additional drivers and must their names be listed in the contract? Is your 20-year-old daughter old enough to drive the car? (For liability reasons, this is important.)

If pertinent, ask about any restrictions on interstate travel. For your own protection in case of breakdown, be sure the company has offices in all the states on your itinerary.
For one-way rentals, ask about drop-off charges. They can be exorbitant.
Always get a confirmation number. For airport rentals, be sure to give the customer service representative your flight number and scheduled arrival time. This will usually protect your reservation if the flight is delayed.

The rate you see advertised in big print may become so inflated with state and local taxes, airport surcharges, additional driver fees, insurance and gasoline bills and drop-off charges that you end up paying more than double what you expected. Also, the advertised rate may be valid only in off-season Florida or California, when many cars are idle there, but not where you want to rent. Finally, it may be only for a car size that you would find unsuitable.

Travelocity is taking away some of the mystery surrounding car rental rates: they're the first on the Internet to offer "total pricing" for cars. Your total rental cost (including all taxes, surcharges, and fees) will be calculated prior to making the reservation, guaranteed to be within one percent of the actual rate. We recommend utilizing this service when booking any car rental so that you're not shocked by all the additional fees.

Like the airlines, the major auto rental companies have adopted "yield management." That means that their computers can quickly readjust prices according to changes in the supply of cars available. This means the rental rate you are quoted is valid only at that moment. Unless you reserve immediately, the rate is likely to change.

If your first drive will be from an airport to a hotel for the night, why not take a shuttle van to the hotel instead? Doing this may save you the price of day's rental. In major cities, you could also probably pick up the car downtown. Even if you must drive the same day your flight lands, you don't have to necessarily get the car at the airport. By picking it up downtown, you can often avoid hefty airport surcharges.

If you have personal auto insurance or charge the rental to a major credit card, you will probably be covered at least for collision damage. If in doubt, ask your insurance agent or whoever issued your card.

Be wary of prepaid gasoline plans. Always fill the tank before returning the vehicle, as rental car companies can charge up to several dollars a gallon to refuel.
Before you drive away from the pickup station, inspect the car carefully for body damage. Be sure the lights and turn signals are working properly. Check the mileage odometer. Report any defects to rental personnel at once.

Be wary of returning the car early. It could be expensive because your rate structure may change. Also be sure the check-in attendant inspects the car's body in your presence and that you agree about any damage. Examine your rental agreement carefully for all charges and make sure they credit any deposit to your account while you wait.

Enjoy your holiday !!!!!!!!!!

Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and correctly pronounced "Patti-yah" not "Patt-eye-yah" this lively destination located roughly 150 kilometres from Bangkok ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world. Each year a million and a half visitors enjoy its myriad attractions, and the number keeps growing. Although frequently criticised for its spicy nightlife, it satisfies the needs of leisure travellers in a way that few other destinations can match, anywhere.

Pattaya's tree-lined main beach extends for roughly 4 kms, commencing at the Amari Orchid Resort (the 'quiet end') and terminating at South Pattaya "strip" in a crowded shopping area which is also home to most of the of the discos, and nightlife. A short taxi ride further south brings you to Jomtien beach, which is longer, less crowded, and a base for many water sports.
Unlike Bangkok, Pattaya has no magical mystery hidden in aesthetic corners, and it makes no pretence of being anything more than what it is: - an unbeatable combination of essential, thoroughly satisfying holiday ingredients.

To illustrate this, some years ago a leading travel trade magazine conducted a poll of several hundred clients of different nationalities staying at a first class hotel, where the guests were predominantly couples or families. The results showed just how extraordinarily successful Pattaya is. Over 97% of respondents said they were "very satisfied", would return again, and would recommend Pattaya to friends.

Looking closer, it is not hard to see why. Pattaya is comfortably accessible from Bangkok in just over 2 hours on an excellent highway, thus avoiding the added expense of air connections, as is the case with Phuket and Samui. Even so, it has its own airport at Utapao, formerly built to handle B52's during the Vietnam War, can accept wide-bodied long haul charter aircraft such as 747's with ease. It enjoys year-round sunshine, and suffers few of the extreme weather conditions that can ruin holidays elsewhere. The cost of comparable accommodation in Pattaya is generally less expensive than Phuket and Samui, which makes it excellent value for money. Furthermore, it features almost every water and land-based sporting activity you can think of, boasts excellent restaurants, good entertainment, and countless leisure pursuits. The bottom line is that nobody can possibly be bored in Pattaya.

One last aspect perfects the appeal - numerous offshore islands with deserted beaches. This makes it possible to combine 'Robinson Crusoe' activities with all the fun of Asia's premiere beach resort. Similarly, a short drive takes you into all the pleasures of the Thai countryside, and there are many worthwhile excursions to places of interest, including trips to Bangkok, which can be done comfortably in a day.

Probably more has been written about Pattaya's nightlife than any other place on the planet. For years, television crews and eager journalists have scoured the back streets in search of sensational, often exaggerated stories. Not surprisingly, the destination has acquired a mixed image of both bouquets and brickbats, a fact that may indeed discourage prospective visitors, who, uncertain of Pattaya's merits, may choose to go elsewhere.

What hoteliers know and most others don't realise, is that Pattaya receives a large number of repeat visitors - professional people, families, and retired couples - many of whom have made it their preferred choice after spending holidays in various other resorts around the globe. If you ask them why Pattaya wins over other more exotic or fashionable places, they point to its long list of assets: climate, accessibility, location, affordability, top class accommodation, fine restaurants, plus the huge choice of sporting, leisure and entertainment choices - arguably far and away the best in any Asian beach destination.The Traveler's Complete Guide to Pattaya & Southeastern Thailand (Thailand area guides)

They will also tell you that Pattaya's main night spots are contained within a downtown area,Pattaya: A City Guide which like London's Soho, you can either choose to visit or ignore. Those who choose the former out of curiosity will inevitably confirm with a smile that most of the girls are charming and polite; a far cry from the dubious personalities of their counterparts in the West, and a just being a spectator in one of the downtown bars can be a lot of fun.