The internet is not working, at least for me, at the hotel. I want to like the Secrets Hotel, but the incident with the blood stain and the internet has given me a bad impression. The rooms are nice and everything looks new. There is not too much noise at night and the staff seems to speak very good English, but I really do need a fast dedicated internet. I told the hotel about the issue, but it has not been corrected.
I am going to look at this hotel:
http://www.jasminehotel-pattaya.com/booking/rezeasy.html
They say they have very good fast internet and the rooms are 600 baht. Cash only though. There is no perfect hotel in Pattaya unless you are willing to pay a higher rate. All I need is good internet, a semi-quiet area, reasonably new accomodations and air condition.
Although I brought my laptop, I don't really need it. There are plenty of places offering internet and the use of a computer at 30-40 bahts per hour. I could have gotten away with just taking a media drive with me. I have a 500 GB HP media drive and it plugs in fine at the internet cafe.
Tomorrow I plan on renting a motorbike for the day. I hear its 200 baht for the entire day. This is not the safest thing in the world to drive around, but it seems like a good way to get around for a day of photography.
I have lots of pictures that I will upload after the trip is over.
I wish I could be more responsive in the commentary that follows, but I can't spend all my time at the internet cafe. If the in-room internet actually worked, then maybe I would be able to be more responsive.