js007

I think I've used them before. No complaints. I had them pick me up at my hotel in Bangkok for the trip to Pattaya. the driver showed up 1/2 hour early.

For what it's worth, a Cepacol mouthwash is also available, at least here in the states. Can't hurt, I guess. When I was in the Army, that's one of the things they gave guys who went on sick call.

I know, it's an old thread, but I'm sure the problem still exists. I'm one of those people who seem to get sick every single time I visit Pattaya. Every time. Usually, I'm OK for the first few days and then it hits. Some sort of a terrible cough/cold/flu. It doesn't happen to me in Bangkok or Phuket, just Pattaya. Anyway, it can last a month or so. One time, the only way I got better was to get on a plane and head to Phuket. Once I got there, it cleared up. The innocent explanation is simply that Pattaya has vacationers from all over and I'm simply being exposed to viruses that

What happens when you file your taxes? I always thought it would be smart to establish residency in a state with no income taxes, such as Texas. Then, if you were to file your federal return using a Texas address, no state would be after you to file a state return. Anyway, having a residence in one state and a mailing address in another might be problematic, at times.

However it happened, I was pleasantly surprised when the flight back to the USA took only about 13 hours, as the schedule was for a 17.5 hour fight. Of course, it did take about that long going from the US to BKK. From LAX, the plane took the typical route to Asia. From JFK, it was up over the North Pole, then down to BKK. It would be nice to see non-stop flights again. The Premium Economy seating was a good deal.

Thai Air used to have a nonstop flight from JFK using an Airbus a 340–500, but those fights were discontinued. I took it once and also took a similar flight from LAX, nonstop. They were supposed to be about 17 1/2 hours each way, but sometimes you got lucky and caught a tailwind. On my last trip back to LAX from Bangkok, the flight was only about 13 hours. As far as I know, there are currently no nonstop flights.

I did it myself, once upon a time. I almost did it in one trip to immigration, but they sent me back to get a "letter" from my Thai bank. It's too bad they don't make it simpler, or extend the validity of the visa to five or ten years.

The new rules seem a bit Draconian, if you ask me. Lots of documentation, just for a tourist visa. Six months of bank statements showing in excess of $7K? With the "raised seal" of the bank? Do they even do that? Airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc. It would be easier just to skip Thailand and head to Cambodia, Vietnam, or Malaysia.

I guess I haven't been paying attention. Is it still possible to convert both types of visas to a retirement visa once you're in Thailand?

Or, what about a double entry visa in case you decide to stay longer? Each 60 day stay could be extended for another 30 days. After 90 days, a visa run.

I never noticed any scooters for rent there. But if you walk up to Second Road and turn left and walk a bit, my guess is that you'll run into a place that rents scooters. Scooters are for rent all over Pattaya. As for Sabai Lodge. One of my favorite places. I like the pool.

He probably has a federal retiree plan. There are more than a few such plans, but the ones I've looked into really do pay for treatment just about anywhere in the world. However, if the provider is not a "preferred provider," they plan will reimburse you only after you submit the bill for any charges. I have it, but I've never tried to use it overseas. The one time I went to the emergency room in Phuket, the bill was 180 baht, so I just paid it myself.

The Westin "Heavenly Bed." I think that's what they call it. I've thought about buying one myself after I move. I stayed at the Westin Hotel at the LAX airport, and the bed was great. You can buy them directly from Westin, or Nordstrom's sells them.

I bet that by next year it's business as usual.

Sounds like a good deal, but I would never go that far and only stay one week. Hell, it takes me one week to get over the jet lag.

That was a deal. The few times I stayed there I did so cheaply. The rest of the time, when I stayed in that area, I was probably in the Majestic Suites.

I think lots of Pattaya tourists have that kind of money. Anyway, the hotel seems to be doing OK. Personally, I probably wouldn't waste that kind of money on a hotel room in Pattaya. Maybe someday if I win the lottery..

For people on vacation, 9000 might be OK. You can easily spend that much in many of the world's big cities.

One afternoon I went in to get out of the heat and take advantage of the happy hour beer special. Nice place inside, but I didn't realize they had ladyboys, at first. I finally figured it out after about ten minutes. That must have been at least five years ago.

Did you try any of the hotel booking sites? I haven't looked for a while, but I've gotten some excellent deals that way. For example, I once got three nights at the JW Marriot in Bangkok for about $55 a night.

Even when the stoplights are working, I've seen people drive right through at normal speed. They need to make some sort of pedestrian bridge.

I think the maximum Social Security check is around $2700 a month. Of course, many people have other sources of income. So, a monthly income of 100,000 baht wouldn't be so difficult to come by, considering Social Security, pensions, stock dividends, etc. Unfortunately, even that isn't a lot of money these days.

The one time I ate breakfast there it wasn't so good. Never again.

Yep. Anyone who can't afford to put 800,000 baht in a bank account will probably have problems at some point in time. And having only 65,000 baht per month in income isn't so hot, either, for anyone who enjoys bar-hoping, girls, and the nightlife. A person could blow through that amount in a week or so.

Yea, but knowing Thailand, they could demand "proof" at any time, right? When I did it, I had the income verification letter from the US embassy, but I also had my pension statement. They never wanted to see that, but they did want to see proof of a Thai bank account with at least some money in it and a "letter" from that bank. Neither are required by the official rules, and yet I had no choice but to return to the bank to get the "letter."