I've booked the flight!

[Mancs]

Greetings.

I have jumped in and booked my flight - Eva Air LHR-BKK return (£603) - for late November and aim to stay for 30 days in Pattaya (return 27th December),

In the past, I have stayed at the Venue in JC, but as I am staying rather longer this time I would welcome a few pointers in respect of the following queries/ requests for advice and, in so doing, apologise if this is advice that has been liberally dispensed in the past. Please PM if more convenient.

1. I am seeking good value accommodation in the Jomtien or south Pattaya areas with good communal facilities (pool/cafe/wi-fi/laundry etc) as I intend to spend my afternoons on some writing projects. This could be either a hotel or rented apartment and would have to be 'open' to 'joiners' and very gay-friendly. I'm looking for more, on this forthcoming visit, than just a place to rest my head in the evening. Mosaik, I liked in the past for the purpose of sleeping and eh, short time adventures, but it would not suit me this time.

2. I will be spending most of my evening leisure time in JC and while the Venue is a most convenient and much-loved hotel ( I certainly enjoyed their shows - particularly if Ness was performing) I'm now looking for more space with facilities and a good pool with plenty of sun where I can sit in the afternoons. Any recommendations please?

3. I must visit Sunee Plaza Bar (green chairs/ white chairs bar) to see Madam Pai. I do hope she's still there, chewing away on her plate of chicken! We go back 29 years!!

4. I want to visit Cambodia briefly, while resident in Thailand. Any recommendations in terms of flights to and from Bangkok? I'll spend a couple of nights in the capital and a couple of nights in Siem Reap. I've yet to visit Cambodia.

5. Is the Nam Sing Chinese restaurant still in operation, just before you reach the Royal Garden Plaza on second road on the left coming from the direction of BT?

6. I have limited myself to a visit that remains within the 30-day visa requirement, although I am aware that you can extend it, but my health insurance (Admiral one-year multi-visit insurance) limits the number of days I can stay overseas on any one visit. Any idea how a longer visit can be facilitated without invalidating the policy?

Many thanks in anticipation. I'm looking forward already to my first drink (or six) in the @HOME Bar when I arrive in November!! Zak be warned.

PG

I've stayed at Venue and it was ok and cheap but I think Zing Resort gives you bigger rooms, is gay friendly, and a pool to sit by.