barry_bonds

I agree with Zaris. Never book a room on the internet. You can always book one night and shop around the next day for a better deal. It is easier to negotiate when they're gaining business from another hotel because you're going to the lowest bidder. Just bring your calculator....

Isn't the general rule in Pattaya, most places are girl friendly, except for 5 star place, where most whore mongers aren't going to waste their money on...

I stayed at a service apartment. It was near an Irish Pub called Jameson's, which is near Soi 6, closer to 2nd Road than 3rd Road. It was relatively new when I stayed in 2007. Back then I paid around $300/month. It has a swimming pool on the rooftop, which I believe is on the 4th floor. It's called the Siam View Residence. Maid service every other day or 3 days a week. It had high speed wi-fi in rooms and 1st floor lobby. What you have to be careful about with service apartments is the electricity bill, which you have to pay. If you stay at an old place or with crappy air conditioners, you could be paying more than B10,000/month. I think I paid under B2,000. This place is owned by an individual, Thai guy, who is honest and a good guy. The other place that I went to, which is owned by TW Wong, their management front office were not reasonable from my experience.

I remember posting a year and a half back, a lifetime special for 10,000 baht and it included all of Tony's facilities... Expensive is no joke. List price as I recall around 500 baht a day, unless you are a guest at the hotel, then it is 250 baht a day. I would negotiate a weekly rate of 1000 baht, a shit load of money for Thailand standards, but then again I am paying $25/day in Las Vegas, so usually I pay for it at all costs. Equipment is new and comparable to top tier gyms. Small gym but at that price, no waiting.

You got to be kidding. Wearing valuables makes you a prime target, especially by katoyees or gangs. Sounds like a troll post to me. Money laundering doesn't pay-off. You play with fire and sooner than later you get burned...

That is reason enough not to buy property through a business. Too much government regulation that is subject to change! Can you imagine owning a house which is contingent upon keep the business open? There is no retirement in this equation. There was so much hoopla about buying condos through a business, when the 49% farang buyers limit was met. I passed on those opportunities, as I rather picked a property in my own name and not in a Thai company's name.

I had my suits sent to me. I let the store owner handle the details. Sent me the goods as promised 5 to 7 business days. Only cost me 2000 baht. My point is Thai business owners, especially tailors/suit owners, would know best option.

Also did the 5 months stay, unemployment pay is 6 months, you do the math... Missed the channel surfing with about only 3 english speaking tv channels. Missed going to the movies, Thai had D-rated selections, so I settled with pirated DVD movies, some so badly prepared, I could the crunching of popcorn. Had some explaining to do, when the immigration officer at US was going through my luggage. To be honest, what I really missed was watching US broadcast sports channels. It seemed that the ESPN in Thailand was all about soccer, which I could never get into, because I took naps in between goals being scored, if any.

Aside from being expensive, I heard insurance companies don't like to cover theft and will sell you a cheap version that pays less than the replacement cost. Keep in mind that stealing motorcycles is a lucrative economic opportunity for teenagers or young adults. Even for local motorcycle business owners, theft is a risk passed on to tourists, who don't have coverage. As many times, I have rented, the only thing I had to worry about is a missing helmet.

Make sure the person who sells you the insurance, speaks English. After purchasing a new Honda Click in 2006, I found out later that the insurance that the dealer recommended up front was not really full coverage. Sometimes the phrase, "you get what you pay for" applies. I suggest that you hear and see it in English.

I took a 5 month hiatus last year to take a break between jobs. After a month, I was burned out on the night scene and began to watch alot of dvd's at night. I must have watched some of the most poorest quality dvd's in my life, but WTF, it was better than the 3 or 4 cable channels (in English). Generally, my pace of life was much slower than a typical 2 week vacation. I slept alot, perhaps recuperating from burn-out. I would sleep at 4 am, wake up at 2-4pm. Sometimes it would be dark when I wake up, almost as if I was a vampire. Since I lived in a apartment, even though I did not necessarily go out every night, it seemed like I was awake like everybody else, because it is not always easy to sleep early, when everybody is awake and some people are partying or fucking all night long. I quickly learned that a simple event like going to get vehicle registration for my motorbike (purchased new) took a better part of 2 days, back and forth, learning curve. I was nowhere as efficient in getting tasks completed and so the real biggest accomplishment of the day, was waking up and finding some new place to eat or shop. It took more effort in keeping some kind of daily supply of pantry food, fruits, and beverages in the fridge. After a couple of months, I began to establish my favorite places to go, knowing what options I have as a Plan B or Plan C. Nothing beats just exploring and being spontaneous. I enjoyed driving around Pattaya, Jomtien, and especially around the non-tourist spots. I never did so much walking and I so I did not hesitated to stop at a foot massage place, which I liked especially at night after checking out the scenes on Walking Street. Before long, I knew how to run a tighter budget if I need to and still have a good time. Nothing beats the relaxation of a Thai massage, which I took the liberty of each day. Having said that, it makes doing all the other vacation things to do, more enjoyable.

Thanks for all previous inquiries...the motorbike has been sold.

I received two offers both for 30,000, one lady owns a motorbike rental business on Beach Rd. The other offer was from the manager at the Honda Dealership on S. Pattaya Rd near 3rd Road. Both tell me they are going to strip down the custom paint job back to original boring colors.

One thing I hate about Thailand...there policy seems to change quite frequently without much thought or long-term planning.

You got big kahonas for doing that. I know I do my share of complaining but I'm too much of a wimp to make threats to a police officer, especially in Thailand...and to take his photo...daaaaammmmmnnnnnnn My Thai is limited to massage talk...I guess it helps if you can converse in Thai. I surveyed some Thai people and they didn't think you can bribe an PO without a Thai person on your bike or speaking on your behalf...little do they know.

Purchased in November 2006...has just over 2000 miles on it. Many upgraded parts (front and rear shocks, neon lights, custom paint job, etc.). I'm looking for the best offer and will be looking to sell very quickly, as late at this Friday, returning back to Farangland...

I'm here in Thailand for 5 months, so I was in the same situation of needing to stay longer than 90 days, as my plane tickets were already purchased before the new law change. I had to respond quickly, so I used Sunbelt to help acquire the company sponsorship to get the necessary visa. Sunbelt is highly visible on the Thaivisa.com website. They were very quick and professional in dealing with. It seems to me that anything is possible is obtainable in Thailand when you show them the right money. I suspect Sunbelt is very influential in Thailand to be able to do what they do. See below the email message that I received from Sunbelt. I believe their rate may have dropped a little since then. Their website address is: http://www.lawyer.th.com/ Once you receive the package from Sunbelt, you can go get the passport yourself or use a service. I used passport plus in Houston, Texas. Here's their website: http://visatoasia.com/thailand.html?OVRAW=...;OVMTC=advanced Sunbelt can help you acquire a Multiple Entry One Year Non Immigrant Business Visa for Thailand. Our professional fee for the sponsorship documents is 7704.00 Baht. Courier Fee is an additional 1000 Baht. With benefits of this visa type are: - Unlimited entries to Thailand - A full 90 days on each entry - May apply for a Thailand Work Permit - Ability to explore business opportunities and/or investments - Can open a Thai Bank account The way it will works: 1. You will provide the passport details of the applicant Please refer to the attach scanned copy of my passport (archive.zip) 2. You will transfer the fee to us via Bank Wire or Western Union. Please refer to the attach scanned copy of my wire transfer (wire_transfer_visa.pdf) 3. We prepare the sponsorship documents and courier them. 4. You will apply for the visa, with our sponsor documents, at the Thai consulate. 5. They will issue you the one year multiple entry non-immigrant B visa. 6. You are now welcome to enter Thailand. Please be aware that a One Year Thai Visa is valid for a period of 12 months. Each entry is valid for 90 days. After each 90 entry you are required to leave the country via any border checkpoint to secure another 90 day entry stamp. This is simply a stamp, no visits to a Thai consulate and no fees are required. A short bus trip to Cambodia is the easiest route, BUT any border checkpoint will be fine. Note: our fee if for the sponsor documents only. You are responsible fees at the Thai consulate (5000 THB) per visa. You can make payment of 8704.00 THB to us via Bank Wire Transfer or Western Union.

I'm gonna assume that you inherited alot of money or has cashed in on some valuable stock options, because 35 yrs. is a highly unlikely age in which to retire. Having said that there's a big difference between living in LOS and visiting LOS on holiday. Before you make any big financial decisions about retiring, I suggest you try living in LOS for at least 6 months to get some good idea of what your life will be like. Be sure to live according to your planned budget to get a more realistic look. My guess is that despite how much fun you are having in LOS, you may miss home, family and friends. Another thing, 35 is too young to retire, meaning that you are bound to get bored out of your wits and will be tempted to start a business of some type. My warning is that the only people, who leave LOS as a millionaire, arrived to LOS as a billionaire. It is not easy as it looks.

Seems like you have plenty to retire on...if you are not really sure...I suggest you try it out for a year or two, rent out a condo and purchase a motorbike to get around. I'm sure you'll get the real deal answers for yourself to consider

I'm only 41...purchased a condo last year and have been "cuming" here since 2004. In between jobs, I decided to take a 5 month sabbatical to test out the waters. I can tell you one thing. Life is so much simpler and easier out here. I never have to do my laundry...just drop-off and pick-up is by far, my biggest chore. I don't even have to slice my watermelon or cantaloupe, when I want some healthy fruit to eat...it's easily available at a street vendor, so I save a trip to the market. My favorite drive each day is going past Soi 6 and trying to spot 1 girl, I like...but it never happens...as I spot 3 or 4 to choose from. Entertainment is practically free, as you can sit by the beach, listen to the music and near Big C to hear the bands play, and of course, all the girls walk by. The best part is the $5 massage, which I try to enjoy each day if not everyother day. There's an old man, living near a friend of mine back home. He's filthy rich, owning buku land all over the hillside. His wife has past away and he lives all day in his house, in front of the TV. My friend and I keep thinking...this guy needs to get his arse over to LOS and enjoy the rest of his life...if he just knew better...sometimes we don't experience it and don't know better. Don't let this happen to you!!!

You are correct...no motorbikes allowed. I did check out Diana Estates. 250/baht per month...underground parking...rail available to chain motorbike to...however, deposit and next reservation is required.

There are two storage sizes, "half-cubic" and "one-cubic". ...the cost is 300 baht and 500 baht, respectively, per month. ...they seemed to have just raised there prices... ...there is one month discount for six month rental and two month discount for twelve month rental. ...bring lock or pay a deposit of 500 baht for lock. Actual storage location is within the location's attic or private upper level floor. ...there are narrow stairs to walk up there and a hydraulic lift to move boxes up there. ...it seems safe or rather awkward for theft to occur. The location is at the Jomthien Complex Condotel (tallest condo on right side, before Beach Road). ...go past driveway to condo's entrance, located on right side before entrance. Refer to the pics below. ...it maybe hard to tell but the 1st pic is the half-cubic and the latter is the one-cubic ...the price sheet includes other sizes, but that has all changed...only half-cubic and one-cubic are available

I'll check that out too...thanks!!!

Thanks Adam Glad to hear that the Thai developer has good rep. Last year, I purchased an 18th floor unit at TW WA and I started to have some "fear" (false expectations appearing real) that they were gonna do some shortcuts. I may have been in a rush to purchase it, as I was there at Northpoint, when only a few units were available (1 BR's) and it was selling at 4-5 million baht. I did see Nova Mirage's units and was looking at the second development, but only 6th floor and below was available (not good as a view to the beach). When I got the chance to purchase a unit at TW WA at the 18th floor, I went for it, figuring that I could always rent it out, until I retire one day.

Thanks I've been getting "interesting" offers, as people want to know what I will be doing with my motorbike when I go back to the US. One taxi guy, who operates his biz in front of the apt residence place I'm at, offerred to rent it out or store it...I just get a creepy feeling that he's gonna make some income out of it (rental) and when I get back, I'll be hearing some rubbish story how it was mysteriously stolen...not gonna happen.