[torrenova]

We are having unseasonally warm weather at the moment this December, it is usually a few degrees colder than this but for westerners it is never cold. even the eveings are warm as opposed to getting a cool or cold breeze coming in off the ocean. Well, that's global warming for you !

Some people like Songkran but I and many other hate it. So I'd avoid it, usually some time in April, check with google.

Hotel prices go down after Songkran, some before but the difference is marginal in most cases and only a couple of pounds a day so don't worry about that.

Fly in from manchester via the middle east or Amsterdam / Frankfurt. I personally don't like the 6+6 flights and if I had to change, I would prefer 1+11 or 11+1 but the cost rides the choice for many.

Unless you're used to 30c+ then it will be warm all year.

I'd come when you can get away. You'll be blown away on your first trip so it won't matter when you arrive.

You will have to fly into Bangkok and Pattaya is about 90 minues in a taxi. One piece of advice as you don't know Pattaya is that the taxis you get from the airport don't know Pattaya at all in the main. They and you won't know where your hotel is and as such, you might be better to get your hotel to get you a taxi or pay more for an airport limo (not more than 2000 baht though) just to make sure.

When you've got your dates, post up about hotels, what you want, what facilities and your budget and I'm sure we'll have a wealth of advice to hand out.