galt67

Doesn't the NEW Whitehouse Condotel, Soi 13, have high speed Internet in the rooms I read somewhere they wired the place with hi-speed Ethernet cabling. Also, Mike's on Soi 4 I understand has hi-speed WIRELESS Internet.

And if your a golfer, their's a nine-hole golf course across from the Cabbage Resort at Asia Pattaya Hotel. Also, the food's VERY good!

Although the rooms DEFINITELY look nice, they have NO view--unless you want to look at Soi 13.

I have ONE simple question for ANY prospective bar owner: What will make your bar UNIQUE??? Having a pool table, cheap beer, etc., do NOT differentiate it. If you don't have a 'UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION', the long-term odds are against you.

Here's some apartments I've looked at in Pattaya, with prices: http://home.earthlink.net/~galt1967/id8.html If you questions on any of them post it here.

I THINK Asia Pattaya Hotel, a few kilo up the mountain, allows NON-guests to play tennis. Only about five minutes from Walking St.

Regardless of how much decide on, do NOT leave much money in your room--Use the hotel's safety deposit box. In the past week, MULTIPLE guys have had THOUSANDS stolen from their room.

I suppose I'm the only one here, but I thought JAL was EXCELLENT the time I flew from LAX-BKK! Very good service, snacks placed in the OPEN (without asking) throughout the flight, etc. Compared to Korean, NWA, Asiana, American, or Cathay they were probably the BEST!

You might check out Hua Hin--A smaller, quiet beach side city but becoming increasingly popular with farangs buying homes. The King of Thailand also has his summer home there, so it's generally kept MUCH quieter than Pattaya--which it's frequently compared too.

I used the 'diet' described on this web site pretty sucessfully: http://www.antijetlagdiet.com/ Essentially recommends alternating feasting/fasting a couple of days before leaving for Thailand--and before you leave. Doesn't eliminate jet lag but helps.

Saweedee Hotel, Soi 10, close to Beach Rd probably has some cheap rooms in the 'old' section for around 500B. The rooms are not much to look at, but location's excellent!

Check around Soi Day-Night for rentals, with a/c, for around 5-6,000B/month. Good location with everything you need within walking distance.

Be careful of '100% cotton' shirts as they will probably shrink by HALF! I recently bought two shirts at a store in Royal, after being ASSURED they won't shrink, but they've gone from a 'Large' to an 'Extra SMALL'! My teeruk's the winner, though--two more for her

I'm a buffet 'connisseur' so here's my 'faves' in order-- 1-Lek Hotel 2-Apex 3-Diana Inn In the evening, the Sizzeler buffet (inside Royal) is a good deal, too!

Try 'Valerian' which is readily availiable at drug stores. Doesn't work for everyone, but worth a try.

Here's an EASY way to formulate how much you need to retire on: Take 25X your ANNUAL Pattaya living expenses-- Hypothetically-- You need 60,000B per month to live happily (720,000 annually) Take 25X720,000B=18 million Baht is the TOTAL 'nest egg' you'll need Assumes the following: 1-A 50/50 mix of bonds, stock market index funds 2-Adjusting annually for inflation (US CPI) 3-Is the NET (after tax) income One way to implement is to have 20% of the TOTAL in 'laddered 1-5 year CDs' with remaining 80% split as stated above. Regarding US taxation, their are several

A couple of points: Their is NO 'correct' DOLLAR amount for everyone--The amount YOU need to retire on is VERY specific to YOU. I know guys that have lived in Pattaya for years on pensions of around $1,000USD. Another guy in Chiang Mai living on less than that. Would most us want to live like they do...? Probably not but I suspect many do. Remember, EVERYTHING in life is about choices and perceptions. For most people, our lives are neither heaven nor hell. And moving to Pattaya will NOT radically change that. Bottom line: If you're reasonably happy now, you'll probably be h

I, too, have used Priority Pass--it's excellent! Beware, though--It's FREE for YOU to enter the club, but guests are $24usd!

Here's some ideas for day time stuff, from my web site: -Diving--From beginner to experienced you'll find plenty of shops around. -Fishing--Deep water available from operators. -Golf--15 (18)-hole courses within one hour of Pattaya City. A 9-hole course five minutes away! -Bowling--Three different alleys, all with organized leagues. -Go-karting--Two competition go-cart tracks near Pattaya. -Mini-golf--Thai girls LOVE playing! Two courses in the area, one at Beach and Central Roads in central Pattaya. -Movies--First run, Western films with English subtitles. Two nea

Don't write NWA's obituary too soon Yes, they'll probably file Chapter 11 but that means VERY little--UAL and USAir both have been flying for years while in bankruptcy. TWA, before being bought by American, was in BK twice The point--NW's probably going to be around A LONG time.

Thanks guys, for the constructive feedback I've made SEVERAL changes on the web site based on ideas from this forum and emails I received from members. Choke dee!

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback! And, yes, it is DEFINITELY an 'amateur' FREE web site developed by someone who simply plans on retiring to Pattaya. My agenda? To help other people as I have been helped by the MANY message boards like this one. Choke dee!

Guys, Being a frequent (soon to-be) retiree to Pattaya, I've put together a free web site that newbies my find helpful. I talk about owning vs. renting your housing, driving, and MOST importantly $$$!! Here's the site: http://home.earthlink.net/~galt1967/ Let me know what you think!

Call NW and have them check flights with their code share partner, Malaysia Air. I've seen reports of decent availability, especially in Bus. Class and First Class.

Anyone know of self-storage place for storing 'small' items (clothes, books, etc) for rent in Pattaya? I considered renting a 'safe box' but their too small. Need rent something the size of a small closet--any ideas?