jacko

True, I was surprised by the heat my LCD gave off.

That is interesting, might be tempted to do an Emirates just to get to see this aircraft from the inside.

I read so many posts that exact details might be overlooked. How old are you? I estimated 56 so in 9 years you get a further £15k p.a. Whoopee.... That could be an extra 10,000 baht/ week by then.. An LD will be 250 baht and a bottle in Tony's about the same. If you are happy that is good. Whatever others say is irrelevant. But Torrenova's post said what I meant.... Okay, perhaps I can withdraw frugal, and say 'economical', or not being a spendthrift. I think I spend approximately 60k/month now, but that excludes my big ticket items, insurances, flight tickets, house jobs and purchases. I would say I live a frugal life, relative to some who brag of 5k bar bills. I don't think I ever had a bar bill over 4k to pay, and would be pretty much flattened by a restaurant bill of about that...... Good luck mate.....

All sounds fine to me... keep it up. Regarding the coughing, do you smoke? If so stop it and then you will have more money to spend on beer. PS Define 'functioning'

I think monthly and 50-60k seems sufficient for, as you say, a frugal life.Just the sunshine and warmth may suffice for some. But I question whether in 5-10 years time, it still will be enough. Whatever income a retiree has, needs to keep up with inflation.

Don't give up yet mate. Although forget the idea of 70/80 baht per £ for now.A few more years, more pension, more home equity and all could be well. But I am of the opinion that Thailand will become less of a retirement place for Europeans in the next few years. Those of us here already may have established themselves with a home, and trimmings, but I agree with Torrenova that many will be forced out by the exchange rate. New arrivals will find it tougher....

Fine idea...But I guarrantee, you will get 'hitched'...ie end up living with a TG. It happens to all except those that prefer a Thai boy. Along comes a bit of responsibility for another family. It will happen and will affect finances.

Slight thread fuck Mr T, but if I am selling a business, I might be quite pleased to have mug punters coming with buckets full of cash and having no idea what anything is worth. Good point though, this steady influx of them, all recently loved up, does keep the ball rolling!

Yes, but you are Scottish... He is a Londoner.....

I have sophon cable so most of the time the resolution is irrelevant, but now and again I stick a DVD in, select HDMI and am pleasantly surprised.

He can't get back in to reply........

That's great Tom... people differ. It might be me too.....Bad neighbours are just that irrespective of nationality. But the farang ones generally are older and don't have 5 kids and 8 dogs, and paint their houses now and again!

If he is old enough to get the state pension, he is too old for insurance! To the OP. You can't get 50 baht/£ now and 57k baht/month alone is not sufficient to live near Pattaya. When you first come here you may need some big ticket items (car/ motorcycle or accommodation). Do you have savings? A bit in the bank on top of this might see you through........ let us know and good luck.

I'm in there already stinky, come contradict me if you dare...

Yes....... But not so restrictive as saying the home country... I might say Brits, American, Australian and Western Europe.... but no Irish. (Just kidding on the Irish comment). I am afraid to say that Thais are not the best neighbours..... Nor am I..... I epitomise the grumpy old man.

Way off track but attracting attention......Yes, the Thais expect to be served in a restaurant, just like I do. Even at the Fox and Hounds in Melbourne, I bet the excellent fish and chips were brought to you...with a knife and fork! That is the difference, dining, or just eating. A restaurant or a fast food outlet. I have no idea when you will get upgraded....... 50 or 100 posts perhaps.

Well I could hardly eat them with a knife could I? And you don't eat with cutlery because you can't.

Just the facts BiGC, I got into a banter with Joe over it and Pattaya got the City status (Thesaban nakhon, เทศบาลนคร) while Chonburi, despite being provincial capital, is Thesaban mueang (เทศบาลเมือง). Where do you go for visa issues/ immigration?

Oh come on.....Quesadillas and Nachos are a great snack with the beer in a sports bar.... But for dinner, I don't want to be walking back to a table carrying a tray, eating with my fingers and having the stuff spill out all over the table.... did you grow up in a trailer?

I will not extol British food, it isn't that great, but good fish and chips can be had there.Other than that, as the French like to say, to eat well you would need to take breakfast 3 times a day. But everything fried in oil.... no, that is the Scots and Mars bars, pies and savouries figure more, a lot of baking and roasting. A Hush puppy, (not the shoe brand), is simply deep fried left over salty batter, comfort food and filler, like Yorkshire pudding. The sad thing to me is that Americans are quite content and know no better than to eat at places like LJS, Taco Bell, KFC, McDs etc. You stand in line and go eat at a formica table, eat with your fingers, and are meant to clear your own table after. Even in the USA you can do much better.

You aren't there now though are you? Anyhow, you were working there and the OP is really discussing being retired and living in Pattaya, more time on one's hands. And by the way, Chonburi is a town not a city, (ref Joekicker), the CITY is PATTAYA! Do you think you would be content living with your wife, near to her parents, one neighbour (is it Brad?) if you didn't escape to work most of the day?

You know shit Stinky.... left-over cornmeal batter deep fried, used to be fed to the dog!I have never eaten well at Long John Silvers...

But you used to come to Pattaya quite often didn't you?And are we talking of Laem Chabang or Chonburi here? (I forget) Same province Big Chief....and not the boonies.

Is it the shoes you eat or the Basset Hounds?

Perhaps Big Cities is a better definition. The crowds do it to you.... those New Yorkers maintain a sweet disposition though!