Eneukman

During the day, I wear shorts and a t-shirt but at night I wear long trousers and a short sleeved shirt. I bought a few shirts last November for about 150 baht each. A couple of tailors said that they could make shirts for me within 2 or 3 hours. I declined their offer but doubtless worth while for you guys who need larger sizes. Alan

I've got to disagree with you, kit. Like many others here, I like the RG. Yes, the road is very busy but so is virtually any road in Pattaya. However, up to you where you stay. The Home Laundry across the road is very good and inexpensive. They are also honest. I somehow managed to leave some money in my trouser pocket when I put them in to be washed and the money was returned to me when I picked the washing up the next day. I gave her a tip for her honesty. Alan

Humidity will be sky high in April. I've been in LOS once in April and in Bangkok just stepping off the sky train (at night) or walking out of the hotel (at 7.00 in the morning) had my glasses steaming up INSTANTLY!!!! I usually had to go back to my hotel to change my shirt half way through the night because it was saturated I was sweating so much. Good point about bringing your own fan - must buy a couple for myself for when I go out later in the year. Anyone know where you can buy these battery operated fans in Pattaya? Alan

The Omni Tower looks promising as I'll need to spend a fewdays in Bangkok later in the year though the cost of a studio seems to have increased to not far short of 2,000 baht a night. However, as it'll be the low season when I'll be there might be able to do some negotiating. It seems to be close to the British Embassy? Alan

I reckon Scotland are going to come good on 19th March. thus consigning the current world champions, whoever they may be to the wooden spoon. Alan

I don't see a problem with getting off the plane at a scheduled stop though obviously if you had baggage that went into the hold you would have to ensure that it was only checked as far as your stop. It would seem to be a good idea to tell the airline that you're not staying on for the whole flight but plan on getting off at London. This would avoid the flight being delayed through it waiting for your non reappearance. Alan

According to the web-site the hotel is on "Phra Tamnak Road", which is the extension of 2nd Road as you head towards Jomtien. The "driving instructions" map is a waste of space though but hey - TiT Alan

I'm not an expert on the law but I would say that you should be allowed to fly out on another date with Phuket Air or if that is not convenient you are entitled to a FULL refund. Of course, if you get a full refund you will then have to find another package and it could be that this will cost you more than £200 more than the original cost. If you can't get an answer from your travel agent, (who might be trying to dodge the issue ) it might be worth putting the question to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Alan

I've just booked the RG for 4 weeks from 15th June 4 months, 3 days till I fly out to start a new life. Alan

Jack, as some people will be fed up hearing I'm retiring to Pattaya in the next few months. My intention is to rent, at least to begin with. You, yourself, have given a number of reasons for renting. On top of that there are the various obstacles that are placed in your way if you, as a foreigner, want to buy your own place. OK, they're not insurmountable but still a pain to deal with. I've still to decide where I'm going to live and won't make up my mind one way or another until I've viewed a few properties but I am very interested in View Talay. They're close to the beach at Jomtien, o

Sorry to hear about your problems nidnoyham. Think you forgot to mention that your old school now had indoor toilets! When I first went to primary school, the boys' toilet was outdoors - close by the bike shed. It was certainly a sure way of ensuring that you went at break time, particularly in the winter. I'm all in favour of England getting its own national anthem. In the Commonwealth Games, England uses "Land of hope and glory" for it's national anthem. As much as I detest that song, why can't England's football and rugby teams follow suit? They could use another song such as "Sw

Doug, A charge of £75 for the ability to change the return date is probably quite a good deal. You could always wait till nearer September before buying your tickets but you would of course run the risk that ticket prices would be considerably higher. I take it you'll be obtaining the appropriate visa before flying out. Alan

Liked that Alan

Dode, There are three firms virtually next to each other offering taxis to Pattaya etc. The one I took last time was, I think, 1,800 baht plus tolls. With all the competition, I really don't know how Thai Air get away with charging what they do. Doubtless, they rely on people arriving for the first time and not knowing what a taxi should cost. I know I could get down to Pattaya cheaper but, by the time I get through customs i'll have been on the go for a bit under 20 hours and really can't be botherd hauling my case up stairs to find a taxi that's just arrived from Pattaya. A

bifcake, Unless you have a work permit, the answer has to be "No". Even bar or restaurant owners are not allowed to work in the bar etc unless they have a work permit though doubtless someone will be able to correct me if I'm wrong on that point. I'll be applying for a retirement visa later this year and my intention is to simply relax, get plenty of exercixe (swimming) and learn to speak and read the language. It will be essential not to get into the habit of having a beer of three in the afternoon before going out at night for a few more. Alan

I would say it's around a 10 minute or so walk to Walking Street - not allowing for the time it takes to cross the road. The location doesn't really bother me though if you are heading back from Central or North Pattaya it is better to take one bus to Walking Street and then walk round to the extension of 2nd Road and get a bus that's moving to take you the rest of the way. Alan

But did Fergie and Wenger come to blows after the final whistle? Alan

Or that he's slipped an extra zero on to his monthly salary Alan

One point I didn't see being covered is - What happens if your flight is diverted for some reason? On Airline (the programme that looks at easyJet's operations - or a copy of BBC's Airport except that it concentrates on one airline rather than one airport) one flight was diverted because Luton (I think) was closed because of bad weather. The airline didn't give a toss about their customers inconvenience. It wasn't their fault - so basically make your own way home or back to Luton where your car is. Airlines should also be expected to help passengers get back to the correct arrival air

80,000 baht per month is a very high salary in Thailand and you will be able to have a comfortable lifestyle on that. One point to bear in mind is that even with your work permit, you may have to leave Thailand every so ofen and re-enter. Again, I would suggest asking the same question on the Thai visa board. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/ There will be many people on that board who will be able to give you a very quick and full answer. Alan

I'll do that leadbelly. One point I would make is that I think it is essential to have a look at any place you're thinking of renting beforehand. There is I believe quite a difference between many of the condos in View Talay. Alan

Leadbelly, I'm not there yet - still got 4 1/2 months of miserable Scottish weather to put up with first. :crying I'm looking at getting a condo with a serperate bedroom. I quite fancy around the View Talay area. The baht buses pass by the door and it is only 10 baht to Pattaya South Road. There are a couple of condos available just now via East Coast Rental at 18,000 baht per month. http://www.thaiproperty.com/renting.htm I also plan to e-mail View Talay direct and see what sort of deal they are willing to offer me for a 12 month lease. My plan is to book a room at th

Chef Andy, I don't know any web-sites with the information you're looking for but bear in mind that if you plan to do ANY kind of work whatsoever in Thailand, you MUST have a work permit. You may also want to check out the Thai Visa site - there is more chance of someone there being able to point you in the right direction - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/ Alan

I think on 45,000/50,000 baht you would be better off staying up country somewhere. But then, you would need to be able to speak the language reasonably well and have a live-in girlfriend who is able to work and doesn't have expensive tastes. I'm retiring later this year and am budgeting on around 80,000 baht per month or so. I will have a one-bedroomed condo for that, which will cost me around 18,000/20,000 baht per month plus electricity and water etc. Alan

Don't know about United but British Airways will allow you to change your return ticket though the fee is a bit steep at £200. Alan