Emil

I got mine back in September. I arrived on a 30 day entry stamp. Went to the US Embassy and affirmed that I had a pension in excess of the 65K baht a month at a cost of $30 or 1200 baht ( I'm also a retired Fed). Opened an account iwth Bangkok Bank (10K). Got a Dr certificated (am told this is no longer required). Went to Jomtien Immigration and had to first get a non-immigrant "O" visa (cost is 2K and about 10 minutes) then went to the retirement visa station and paid 1900 baht plus copies of forms, passport, and photo. Left it overnight and came back the next morning and pick it up. At that time I then applied for the multi entry stamp (cost 3800 baht). I thought the whole process was rather simple. I forgot to mention that at immigration the person wanted to see 3 months of activity with my bankbook. Told them I had just opened the account yesterday and they went ahead and prosessed my visa. Also I took TGF and many times the person at immigration was speaking thai to her so maybe that helped with the process.

Another option is to find the best priced hotel and then go buy a chair. If your staying any length of time this will be the best option. Most of the stores will deliver the chair for free. Give the chair to a friend of TG after you leave.

I can say that they have a pool as its right out front. I've heard that its overpriced and caters to asian tour groups. There are a few other places in that area such as the Bella Villa Prima and Sunshine Vista to name a couple.

I've been on some where you could either stay on or get off. I've also been on some where you had to get off.

I have to add another one to my top 5 and that is a seafood restaurant that Irishman intorduced me too a few days ago. Its located next to the beach in Bang Saray (sic) and I don't know its name. Good grub and reasonable prices.

There is a difference between a direct and non stop flight. You can have a direct flight with a stop if the flight number doesn't change.

I agree that getting to Walking St from the J & P is not much different thatn the RG and if you want to get to the Soi 7/8 area or the Big C area J & P would be quicker. The OP wanted a place with a pool, I don't think that those 2 places between J&P and the Opey have pools.

Just a few meters down that soi another hotel opened last month, can't remember its name but its cheaper. Also nearby the Nova Condos should open later this year and the Nova Residence soon thereafter. This area had nothing about 4 years ago, now 5 places up and running with more on the way.

Its in a great location and 20 years ago was probably one of the top hotels in Pattaya. Haven't stayed there because from the outside it looks like they haven't done anything to the place since it opened which is odd because the Nova Group has recently opened or is in the process of opening many other fine hotels/apartments/condos in the Pattaya area.

As Gabor would say, "Your an overspender". I only pay 7500 a month for a large room with a kitchen area and its near Carrefour. With the TGF cooking many meals my food cost is next to nothing. Unfortunately no pool.

I wouldn't worry about it becoming too popular with readers of this board. Most of our BMs are afraid to cross 2nd Rd and think 3rd Rd is in another country. Even one Pattaya bar owner thinks this area is out in the sticks. For those that have never been there don't let the price of this special meal think that this place is expensive, also they serve Thai food in case you decide to bring a date. I agree with MM about the speed of receiving your order, don't go there if your pressed for time, but they do have a small serve yourself salad bar buffet to curb your hunger pains.

A new hotel opened recently on Soi Buakaow across from the night market. Also another hotel might be ready to open when you arrive in the Soi LK Metro area across form the Cock and Bull.

Warren, Normally I arrive about the same time as you on United out of Narita. This time United routed me through Beijing and the last leg is on Thai arriving earlier. If I'm delayed I'll look for you. For the last 3 years I've used a car service out of Pattaya and have never had a problem. Cost is 1000 baht plus another 60 for tolls. Let me know if you want contact info. It should only take you about an 1 1/2 hours to get to Pattaya at the time your arriving.

When it comes to shagging you are winding down. I'm 60 now and in no way am I as sexually active now as when I was in my 20's. So what ones needs now for a budget to live in Pattaya, excluding inflation, will be alot less when your over 65 than when you were in your 30s or 40s.

I am scheduled to arrive on Thai Air Flt #615 around 10 PM. Should be through immigration and customs around 10:30 PM. Anyone want to share the cost of a ride to Pattaya?

Jack, My TGF and I took the bus and skytrain and got their about the same time, we were in and out in about 15 minutes. Good to know that I don't have to get that done when I renew next year.

[quote name='Gary' date='Dec 23 2006, 12:15 PM' post='413621 You can go to the US Embassy and get a statement to verify your 65,000 per month minimum income OR you can go the 800,000 baht route. Good luck. Getting that statement verifed is very easy but does cost either $30 or 1200 baht. Even though I brought proof that my pension exceeded 65,000 a month they didn't want to see it. All they wanted me to do is affirm that what I had stated on the form was correct. Also the form states pension or other income, so interest income, dividends, rental income or any other counts. If your monthly income is less than 65,000 a month, then the required 800,000 in the bank is reduced. Say your monthly income is 33,000 baht a month, then you would only need 400,000 in a bank.

Like I posted earlier, if you want the retirement visa, just get it. When I got the "O" just prior, I didn't tell them anything because they were the ones who told me to get it before they would process the Retirement request.

I flew in ther in 99 and thought the whole terminal was a dump. I thought that they had built a new terminal in preparation for the Olympics that they are hosting in 08.

I did it back in Sep and wasn't even planning on doing it when I arrived. About 2 weeks into my trip they came up with that new rule that you couldn't have 3 entry stamps in your passport within a 6 month period as they wanted to curb the monthly visa runs to Cambodia. I had been staying in LOS for anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks before returning home for 3 to 4 weeks for the past 2 years and this was going to impact me so I decided to get the retirement visa. Went to the US Embassy 2 days after the coup and get the pension verification paper stamped (cost 1200 baht) and returned that afternoon to Pattaya and opened an account at Bangkok Bank. The next morning I got some passport photos and made copies of my passport, went to Bangkok Bank and got a statement from them that I had an account, then went to Dr Belem office to get certified that I was alive (been told this Dr Cert is longer required) then headed to immigration at Jomtien with TGF. I fond out that first I had to apply for the non immigrant "O" visa after I went to the retirement visa counter. So I filled out that application and gave them 2000 baht. It was issued and then used in about 5 minutes. Then went to the retirement visa counter again, gave them all my paperwork and 1900 baht and they told me to come back after lunch. TGF and I went and got a bite to eat and returned in abpout 30 minutes (didn't have to wait in line again) and talked to an immigration officer. She wanted to see 3 months of activity in my bank passbook, I told her I just opened it yesterday and she said ok. This was on a Friday and she told me to come back Monday morning and again come directly to her desk. Came back Monday morning and picked up my passport and was given a piece of paper and told to report back in 90 days. I then went to another counter after filling out another application and applied for the multiple entry. Paid them 3800 baht and was out of there in another 5 minutes. I thought the whole process was rather painless but I did have TGF with me who was answering some of the questions that were directed to her in Thai. Total cost for everything including transportation to Bangkok was about 10,500 baht. When I get it renewed I won't have to pay that 2000 baht for the non immigrant "O" visa. Also if you don't plan to leave the country don't get the multilple entry. If you do leave then it will cost you 1000 baht each time, so if you leave 3 or less times your baht ahead.

On my upcoming trip United has routed me through Beijing, does anyone know if United or Thai airlines has a lounge at this airport? TIA Emil

Superbowl is Feb 4th. I think its going to be difficult to find a nice big house for only a 1 month stay that will be vacant on the day that you arrive. You will have better luck to contact a real estate agent.

I don't think you can set a specific time. I would tell them to be flexible, they should wait until after the morning boom, but don't appear to be in a rush. Let the punter release them unless its getting well past noon. I think every go-go girl I have been with left shortly after the morning boom while the beer bar girls I practically had to shove out. Consequently I never barfined a GGG on consecutive nights as they didn't appear to be that interested while many BBGs I kept for numerous nights. This basically resulted in lost revenue for the go-go places and more business for the beer bars from me. It seems to me that most GGGs are looking for the short term benefits while the BBGs look more at the future as I've seems many BBGs become live ins or wives. Then again maybe its because they are more BBGs than GGGs.

Denny, Are you still hyping that place? Are you planning to live there when you move over in 6 months?