jacko

As said above liability insurance is a must. The obligatory cheap insurance does not supply sufficient cover, for example, the bail amount you would need would not be enough for a falang, it is twice that for a Thai. It might keep you out of the cells until cash, that you might never see again, could be obtained. Sufficient cover can be had for about 2,500 baht/year above the oligatory cover. Buy these insurances via a broker from the same company if you can. This figure does not cover theft... that bumps the premium up a great deal, to about 7,000. Obvious reasons. But I did get a deal from where I bought my motorcycle new, theft insurance for 2 years, 80% value for 1st year, 50% for the second, about 2,500 baht again. This policy had to be taken up within a week of buying the bike, from the dealer. My other insurance was via AA brokers, near the Big C on Sukhumvit.

Comparing prices to 'back home' is one thing that has been going on for years, yes of course the cost of living in Thailand is a lot less than there. But nevertheless inflation is here too, and some guys who budgeted to live in Pattaya on 40-50,000 baht/month may need to move to 'village of the scratching chickens' for those numbers to work. The amount I pay for food basics, alcohol etc has gone up.... and I put diesel in the truck yesterday, it is 37 baht/litre now rather than just over 32, a month or so back (been out of Thailand for a month). As for the price of cigs, irrelevant....... a waste of money and an easy thing to economise on.!

Perhaps the fact that it didn't last.

Not sure if I would agree that they beat KLM in Business Class. I just got back to LOS using them. They have upgraded and now have electric seats that go flat and interactive entertainment with a bigger personal screen.

Well share some details... £450 inclusive of taxes? Which airline.... Who did you book through? Aussie chick..I agree this can be the case, but certainly not for all airlines... Singapore for EG

Agreed Emil, Bangkok Bank charge for both out of province deposits and withdrawals. But how they define this (as per the Bangkok to Pattaya being free) well TIT.

If you pop along to Weatherspoons (Soi Buakao) ,or The Sportsman (Soi 13, beach rd) you can book yourself on a visa run for about 2400 baht. There will be 5 other guys on the mini-bus and normally a couple of them are old hands... very old..and old guys we like to be helpful.

Well, some good feedback there Joe, but, as much as I dread to do so (who in their right mind would get into an argument with you? ), I dispute this above statement. I checked my bank book, a Bangkok bank savings account, and I most definitely have been charged for some withdrawals. Ten baht several times for use at a Bangkok Bank ATM, but in another Thai region than the account. I have also been dragged all over Pattaya by Thai friends, looking for ATMs of their own bank, to avoid some inter bank charge. My GF often gripes about charges exacted when she draws from her Korat account, here near Pattaya. ( I am in awe at what I can learn from Thais regarding saving a baht). Perhaps you meant the charges were trivial?

A starting point....... http://www.uk.mobissimo.com or you will likely end up here... http://www.lastminute.com/

You don't want to be trying to get TOT to do anything, they really are imcompetent.

Hull is a good visa source..... I have the same arrangement you are considering, but with the option of converting to a retirement visa at any time. As I like to return to the UK a couple of times per year, this isn't necessary. You will need to factor in costs of 2 UK flights every 15 months,and of course 2x visa runs per 90 days. The flights are going to get more expensive. I don't know how long Hull will be so liberal with the issuance of the Non-Imm O... German friends I talk to cannot easily get such a visa from one of their consulates or embassy. I could not live on 60k/month, I support my Thai GF... admittedly I rent accommodation (but it isn't that much outside the tourist traps), also a car and 2 bikes to keep. Occasional big ticket items can hurt... annual medical insurance, vehicle insurance, a new TV or computer, flight tickets..aircon packs in. Listen to Owen regarding money issues... keep asking questions here regarding day to day living in Thailand, plan well.... calculate the budget on the high side and good luck.

Do you and/or your wife intend to get Thai work permits? I was curious to know what type of visa you and your wife would be using to live here, at only 38. Currently I guess you pay withholding tax on your UK building society account, you could obtain tax free interest (once non-resident) but strangely the interest rates are often poorer in that environment. Inflation will kill you.... it is quite high here right now, driven by rising oil prices, hence transportation and basic food prices. It has me concerned and I am somewhat older than you, without a farang wife to keep, and a bit more cash.

I thought the OP was asking about a Bangkok Bank ATM card... some people seem to be confusing the subject with foreign ones. As I said, I seem to be limited to 25k per withdrawal, and accept that I could put the card in again and get more. I also recall setting some daily (or 24 hour) withdrawal limit when I opened the account. I was interested in Joe's statement 'free Thai transfer'... tell me more. Outside of Thailand,I have always reverted to my UK ATM cards... with ensuing high expenses.

There has been some rule changes of late regarding validation of monthly income.... having documents verified by your embassy, and for a while having that verification verified by some Thai ministry ... money for the boys, but that went away for now. It seems a lot of effort to verify income ..... the option of just keeping 800,000 in a Thai bank has a second benefit, it is money on hand to cover any emergency medical treatment while the insurance guys look at the policy small print for get out clauses. Your ATM will get you treated.

I seem to be limited to 25,000 per withdrawal when using a machine stocked with 1000 baht notes.. less if the machine is loaded with 500s. I seem to recall setting a daily limit with the bank when I opened the account, but I find 25,000 / day suffices! It can also be used like a debit card if buying big ticket items.. I bought an LCD TV using it recently, 50,000 baht.

They are illegal...... well for farangs they are. It is regarded as a non approved modification of a motorcycle to attach a side car. Of course they turn a blind eye to Thais... as it is often their means of doing business. A farang I know uses one though and has learned to accept the occasional 'fine'

This statement has some perception when given thought...if the airlines can make money on this it will go ahead! I only ever used the on-board telephones 3 times on many many flights myself.....

You can get an extension on the 60 days at immigration without leaving Thailand, then do a visa run. A second extension can be obtained on the second entry. I believe they are issuing 15 days extensions now...if I am wrong someone will post a correction.

I don't know, I can't see it.....

I went fishing yesterday and darn the back of my neck got burned... a baseball cap only protects the eyes and forehead, and it increases the risk of cracking one's nut on the Thai - height boat. There is a hat popular in Oz that looks like a hood which keeps the sun off all round... sure looks daft though.

Well my rent is more, my internet less, but I really mess up on the 'Misc'

I would say that in Pattaya, as opposed to being in the middle of a 100 acre farm in Ohio, boredom can be alleviated more easily, if you have a bit of cash in your pocket, and don't mind transfering it. Simply having a better climate, and the sea nearby, offers diversions. There is always the pleasures of an airconditioned GO-GO or massage parlour on a hot afternoon.

No problem as long as they go outside to use them.

A baseball cap works well enough when I am out on a boat..... on the right way around! I carry a small towel to wipe the brow now and then.