js007

SWIFT code? Does that mean a wire transfer type deal? If so, my bank can do it,I'm sure, but the cost is ore in the $35-$40 range, not $3 as reported. J

Wally, What's this about transferring funds from your Bank of America Account to the Bangkok Bank in Thailand? Have you actually done it? I've got a Siam Commercial Bank account and a Bank of America account, but I've never actually tried transferring the money out of the B of A account to the Thai bank. I didn't think you could do that because you need some sort of routing code the Thai banks don't have. Or do you also have a Bangkok Bank account in NYC? Anyway, I usually just use the ATM for 20,000 baht at a time and pay the fee. I suppose I should figure out a cheaper way to get my money. J

Try the Andaman Sea Guesthouse. There are lots of little guesthouses around Patong Beach that don't really advertise much but are usually just fine. No pools, but the beach is usually not far. That's what I'd do if I wanted to keep the costs down. J

From my experience, Phuket doesn't have to be more expensive than Pattaya, and it certainly isn't as expensive as Bangkok. It can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Anyway, if you're going there try booking one of the many guest houses or smaller hotels. I'd say you can find something for around 1000 baht a night in Patong Beach. If you eat Thai food, that can be cheap also. As for the girls? There aren't many good go go bars, but there are tons of beer bars and a few good discos. The girls are more than happy with 1500 baht long time, which is more than I can say for some of the girls in Pattaya and Bangkok. J

For the credit cards with no fees you could try Amex Blue. I've also got some sort of Bank of America card that gives points and has no annual fee. Same with Discover. J

It doesn't really say how much you get each day for option 2. I might have to try that route. J

You might try Livingstone's Lodge on Soi 33. You should be able to get that for around 1800 baht, maybe less. J

A free ST. Maybe they should just print coupons. I got a letter last week about it all. I suppose it's worth $25 to fill out the form. J

The only thing I could add here is that, depending on where you usually go when you go out, consider the problem of having to cross Second Road, which can be hazardous to your well-being. J

People will have to learn the hard way. Or maybe not. All I know is that for me, 4-6 million baht would be no small deal. For other people, maybe not. In any event, I'm not about to pay that kind of money for a "chance" at owning property. J

You cannot contract an illegal act? Sure you can. However, you'll likely find that the contract is unenforceable. J

If I could find the right deal, I might consider a 30 year lease. Lease the land and have the house built. Every once in a while I read about some guy that managed to build a brand new house somewhere for cheap. Say 1,000,000 baht or so. So if the land lease was reasonable, you'd be set. J

Translation? If the even stricter version goes through, will they be cracking down on falangs that own houses through bogus companies? J

I don't know, but people here in the USA are worried about a collapse of the banking system and a deflation of the world-wide property bubble. There's a real credit crunch and the big banks may be insolvent, or close to it. Real estate prices are already tanking in the USA and, from what I understand, also in England and Spain. I suppose things could get bad in Asia, despite what everyone thinks. J

There are a bunch of guest houses on the same street. If you can't find a room at one place, just try some of the others. The Rock House has rooms. Also the Cock and Bull, if it's still there, the Stereo Bar, Drunken Duck. There's a few more, but I can't remember them all. J

No complaints from me. Just be prepared to walk up some stairs if you're on one of the higher floors. Otherwise, it's great. Good Wi-Fi and an interesting neighborhood. The Hell club is just about right across the street, Lolita's is around the corner, as are two go-go bars. Over on Soi Bukaow is Club Oasis? Something like that. The food in the neighborhood is also good. There's Robin's Nest and a Pizza place over on Soi Diana Inn, and plenty of food carts out on the street. There's a laundry right on Soi LK Metro with reasonable rates. And if you want Walking Street, just take a baht bus down Soi Bukaow. They can be booked well in advance, though, so if you want to stay, book ahead. I almost forgot. The staff is good. J

There's always a chance of doing a little bit better, but I wouldn't count on saving much more. Keep in mind, also, that some of the so-called good deals require a very long layover. Is it worth $100 to sit around some airport for 11 hours? I'd say anything under $1000 R/T from LAX is an OK deal. J

You can probably cash either type at any bank. If you think the dollar is going to tank further, you might think about the Canadian travelers checks. J

Get visas before entering Thailand? Well, that's what I always thought. And yet I keep reading reports about people who are able to convert tourist visas to "O" visas and then to retirement visas, all for the payment of the correct amount of baht. J

In fairness to the Denver consulate, I first dealt with them by email, so they didn't really know where I was. They told me what to send and I did, via Express mail. I guess at that point they figured they'd just go ahead and issue the visa. From what I've read, the easiest way to handle all this is to do it all once you're in Thailand. Less hassle. J

I used the Denver consulate. I wasn't anywhere near Denver, though. From what I've read, they may now request that you use the Thai consulate nearest to where you live. The problem is, some may not be so easy to deal with. J

Two more hours? LOL. I guess you don't have much room for negotiation. J

You don't say where you're flying from, but that fare sounds expensive to me. Just the other day I was looking at R/T fares from LAX and NYC to Bangkok. Depending on the airline, the fares ranged from around $900 to $1200 and more. Depending on how far you re from those two places, you can probably add another $200. J

I'm from the USA. Last year, I obtained a multiple entry non-immigrant "O" visa, and entered Thailand on that visa. When I applied for it at one of the USA consulates, I told them that I was "exploring the possibility of retirement." They gave it to me, no problem. After my original entry into Thailand, and before the first 90 days was up, I took a flight to Kuala Lumpur for a few hours and then reentered Thailand on a return flight. Before the end of the next 90 days, I went up to Bangkok and got a letter from the US embassy. That part is simple. You just fill out a form as to your monthly income, and some Embassy official signs off on it. I had heard that Thai immigration sometimes also likes to see a Thai bank account, so I stuck some money (about 40,000 baht) in a Thai bank. I took all that stuff, along with a 'letter" from the Thai bank, to Jomtien immigration. Came back the next day and picked up my retirement extension, good for one year from my last entry into Thailand. Very simple. J

It's funny you mention broken water pipes. I know two people that have dealt with that issue. One guy has a house in Vail and another house back east. Left the house back east for the winter only to have a water pipe break and flood the place. I think he finally sold it. Whoever bought the place had to just about gut it and start over. Another friend had a similar problem with a lake property. He'd go there once in a while but sometimes wouldn't go for year or so and so it'd sit empty. Right now he's in the process of rebuilding the place. Between broken pipes, trees on the roof, etc., it was a mess. The insurance paid, though. Of course, you can always shut off the water. J