Gentlemen, I have taken the plunge and will be in Pattaya in late February for a month. Got a good fare via China Airlines New York-Taipei-Bangkok for $1110; premium economy between JFK and TPE and business class TPE-BKK. As of now intend to stay at Zing at first and East Suites later to try it out.

It will be a pleasure to arrive in Bangkok at a reasonable hour (10:00 am) for once and just hop the bus straight to the Jomtien terminal.

My IPhone worked fine for Hornet, etc., last time. Is it worth buying a cheap phone for local calls while I am there? I have heard this and that about changing chips (?) for local use in Thailand but I fear messing with my iPhone.