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 conditioner

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

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 di

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

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

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.

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 Jomthie

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

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.