Chapter One: On the Road Again
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Its been a while since my last report but guess i can blame my job, slaving to death (sort to speak), anyways, need the dough and have what i have to do.
Had a chance to retrace previuos trips from Singapore and since already here i didn't let it go to waste. got my airtickets before leaving from Singapore at:

Smart saver travel PTE. LTD
#02-26 lucky plaza
Orchard road
Phon: (+65) 6736-4575
6736-4530
Fax #: (+65) 6736-4578

As previously done, i went to the Golden mile complex for my land transportation to Bangkok. got my ticket just to Hat Yai for Sing$ 50=. the company was:

Sing Thai express service
#01-10 Golden mile complex, Singapore
Phon/fax: 63921831 HP: 94245539

The bus left on schedule, around 4 pm and no problems making it on time. just make sure you get on the right bus 'cause there are many parked outside the complex, you don't want to end going the wrong way!!!



the ride to the crossing at Johor Bahru is quick and the whole proceess going through singaporean and malaysian inmigration a breeze.



The bus travel non-stop with just a short stop break and we passed kuala lumpur, reaching the malay-thai border at sadao around 3:30 am the following morning. hardly notice it 'cause i was pretty much sleeping all the time. we had to wait til 6 am to get into thailand and at least my process was quick, just kept my travel documents handy in case somebody wants to see them (don't show them unless ask for).



Word of advice, if you are heading to sadao/dannok; get your hotel room line up 'cuase of the big influx of malaysians coming to this border town for the nitelife. it would be very unpleasant to find yourself nowhere to stay and wouldn't have other alternative to head back to Hat Yai to get a room. not much to do during the day and the fun is once the sun sets in.
My hotel was just a little ride past the border crossing and off the main road to the left, there is also a sign on the road showing where to turn. the room cost about THB 850=
SP sweet hotel
sadao
Phon: 074-557 432-5
Fax: 074-557 431



Hotel is spacious and kind of new (well maintained). town is expanding since my ifrst time here long ago and getting bigger, slowly but surely. room got all the amenities you would expect (a/c, fridge, cable tv, big bath and nice bed), only the phone wasn't working but who cares i got a cell.



Very typical border town and the main landmark is the Oscar palace hotel, just by the border crossing, can't miss it unless you're blind or dumb!!!



Not much to do daytime and just did some walking around and got me a quick snack at KFC.



Now, such places like Bangkok cafe are deceiving, most if not all the nice looking dancers won't go out with customers. there are just to lure customers in and shell big money. you need to go to the KTVs all around the town for your "bookings"; that's the word, not barfine!!! remenber.



Other fancy joints like bar Berry, high society, kiss, etc.. have the same problem. i made it a point and went to a few of them to made it clear with the floor managers that i wanted to take the girl for the night just to be told not possible!?!? go figure!!!
Going to sadao is an eye opening experience, been here before and just wanted to see how has changed over the years. sex is plenty and readily available, got to see not many westerners here. probably one main concern is finding a room, options are the Oscar palace hotel, Marina inn, Paramount palace hotel, Siam thana hotel, etc.. if any wants specifc info on these places just drop me line.



Food is very tasty and i enjoy much thai food, still you can get your western fares here. want to add, massage parlors are in most hotels and if not wanted to go to a bar or club just head to a massage place for your needs.
Going to Hat Yai just go to the 7/11 store across the oscar palace hotel. there is a van service there, book your seat and is about THB 50=. you still can getg a taxi ride or special van but expect to pay about THB 1,000 or more!!! (do it if you got lots of bags). the day i left, i got a nice driver and was friendly enough to drop me off at the hat yai bus station (got a nice tip from me). got me a seat for that morning departure for Bangkok (9 am).
trip from sadao/dannok is just 45', easy ride and get to see plenty of green aorund the road. still got some muslim u unrest but luckily it was quite a the time. there is strong Army presence but it tends to stay out of sight, you can see some of it if you go for example to the train station at Hat Yai.



The bus station is off the main drag in town and not too far from the catholic church.



I think the bus fare was about THB 1,000 or 900 baths, not much anyways and it only stopped for meal break once; arriving at the southern terminal in Bangkok at 8:45 pm.



Made my reservation with the Maxxim's inn for THB 890 a nite. i think it was a special at the moment. decent place and very girl friendly; did check other places like the old travellodge (now siam inn), sukhumvit crown hotel and others. chck other spots like eden club and lolitas.



Hotel is just across the Nana BST, very handy.



This hotel is an alternative for me when in Bangkok and though the room was small is very orderly and has all the comfort i need, including wifi.



The hotel has been renovated a bit and the location is very good, just between NEP and soi cowboy, also close to landmarks like miami hotel, robinsons where you can get quick snacks and fruits.



The BST rail system is so convenient and easy to use, i tend to used it as my main way of moving around town. gets me close to all major nite spots (nana, cowboy and PP).
I got me this gal from tilac but sorry to say, she didn't want to have nothing to do with pics, still it was awesome catch, not a problem and stayed with me til next morning. now, most of the bar girls want up to THB 4,000 l/t and 2,000 s/t. you might as well forget with the 2,500-3,000 deals; maybe in pattaya but i can see changes in the air.
Nana plaza is by far my favorite spot and though higher prices you still got a big numbers of cuties to be found here, one going strong is angelwitch bar.
Once i got all my medical check ups out of the way i was ready to head to Pattaya; no need for a taxi or special bus ride, just grab my bags, walk my ass to the Nana BST and got to the ekamai bus terminal for my THB 119 ride to pattaya.!!!

Woukdnt ut have been faster and about the same price to fly with Air Asia or other discount Airlines from Singapore to BKK?

It would probably be about the same cost if you booked well in advance. These discount airlines make up for the cheap seats by gouging the people who book within 30 days of leaving.

A lot of people cringe at the idea of riding buses, but you'd be surprised how many times I've come across a brand new Hyundai bus with great AC, good legroom, and most importantly being in a vehicle with a long wheel base. This gives a much smoother ride than being in an old Toyota Corolla. Once I discovered Ekkamai bus station I never took a car to Bangkok again. I've taken buses in the PI and Cambodia too with no issues and for about 25% of the cost of a private car. When you think about it, a bus seat is comparable to a plane seat.

Marco,

I'm wondering why you went to Bangkok first just to backtrack to Pattaya? Also thanks for the report, I'm eager to see more. I feel like I'm traveling, when I read your reports.

Bigppopa/Blazers;
I was coming from Hat Yai so the bus has to go through Bangkok , so anyways that's where i was going. true, i could have bought me air tickets and fly, but, i kind of like to see the countryside and mingle a bit with locals. do get my fair share of air travelling and though faster, you don't see nothing (except ur seat and the main aisle!!).
good times guys
MarcoPolo

I took a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Took about 5 hours and was really cheap. Double decker, they had a lounge downstairs and 2 - 1 seating upstairs. Big seat, great legroom, nice ride. Cell phone service/wi fi service along the entire route. Not a bad way to go.

That is what i'm talking about!!!! we get too hang up on getting anywhere fast and quick that we don't get to enjoy plain life when on vacation.
My time off so i got all the time in the world; you can call it simple living. that' not the first time i do this kind of trips between singapore and thailand, never get tired of it. thinking i would like to do next time is to go from bangkok or pattaya to cambodia.

MarcoPolo

Stayed at the Maxim a few times myself when I was in Bankok.
Glad to see you on the road again Marco.

I took a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.-sounds cool for long distance, but what about short hops between spots in-town. Bangkok works best by bus/car/Uber? Should I worry about trying to go by foot? Solo or in group as well?

Bdombrowsky;
About short hops, what you mean by walking? you actually want to go hikeking??? one thing is go walking through the countryside and another trying to walk from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Not going to tell what to do or not. i am not doing any hikeking, walking or anything like it from town to town (unless i'm in the Army).
For short hops, just buy you a intercity bus ticket and on your way. i tend to do my trips alone, so is up to the person if he wants to set a trip with friends.

MP