InternationalTraveler

My first ever visit to Thailand was in 2002 (after regaining my single status) and at the time I remembered saying that I never wanted to leave. I stayed with some friends in the Diamond Beach Hotel on Walking Street and spent most of the time down that end of town. After 30 something visits in and out of Thailand and to many beaches and cities all over Asia.I finally decided to lay my hat here. Having worked or holidayed in 65 countries on 6-different continents I consider myself a man of the world. Having just completed my 2-years probation in Pattaya, I think I have passed the test of en

My new place is just off Central road oposite Soi Buakhao and it costs 20,000 baht /month +electric/ water and cable. Yes maybe as another few years roll on i may tire of this central location eventually but at the present time i am still 'back in the candy shop' enjoying every minute. I am 58 years old manage to get out of Pattaya 4 or 5-times a year, so it gives me a break and i cannot wait to come back.

Once i had decided on the permanent move to Pattaya my first apartment was on the 'darkside' down Soi Nern Plubwan, the other side of Sukhumvit and more than 4- kilometres from town. The rent was 6,000 baht a month for a 1-bedroom apartment + electric and water but included free cable and Wi-Fi. This was picked at random from the Pattaya People or some other newspaper purely because of the price and it was somewhere to lay my hat while I evaluated my finances, established my relationship and worked out some sort of daily routine. The few bars around had very few punters and the price o

The British guys in my complex are pissed as they all have packages with True Visions. It will not worry me as all the bars will all have new set top boxes by the start of the new season...and that's where i watch all the games.

I follow the exchange rate every day and at last it has started heading in the right direction. I changed ££££'s from the UK in December and got the bank rate of 49 thb. Lets hope it reaches those crazy heights again, my bank account will soon be running on fumes.

Stevo, I bought my first car in November but not from a dealership. Took a test drive. I would guess they sort out the log book at the dealers. I had to drive to the land regestery office to change over the blue book into my name which also needed a residency certificate from Jomtien immigration. Full insurance from AA Insurance oposite Big C on South Pat Rd which included breakdown recovery cost around 13,000thb

Have used Rosies for many years and can recommend the gammon, pinnaple, egg, chips and baked beans. However just recently i have been using the Pig and Whistle next door as the beef stew is twice as good both for quantity and quality and also includes bread and butter. Both venues give me a chance to leave the San Mig alone and sample the black stuff..........guinness

Knowing your neighbours is probably one of the most important reasons to consider during renting or buying a property. Whether the appartments are with permanent residents or they may be rented out...people come and people go. I used to rent an appartment for nearly 2- years and had a number of British neighbours on either side and above. You would have thought that it would not create too much of a problem but.... On one side there was noisy arguments on a regular basis both day and night with next doors girl and her screaming kids. On the other side the guy was partialy deaf and all

I use DHL office in Pattaya 2nd road near Mikes mall for sending mail to both the UK & USA every month and never had a problem. Even the taxi drivers cannot find my place on the dark side when i want to go to the airport so for incomming mail i have a drop box /security box in the Jomtien complex condotel which costs thb 1000 for the year. They call me every time i get a delivery and have had deliveries from FedEx, DHL, and TNT. Again never had a problem.

I am used to fighting my way through the traffic on 3rd road...photos must have been taken early doors and not at rush hour. Try not to go to Thai venues any more as the few i have frequented (trying to impress a girl) have always ended up with warm beer and ice cubes. Not my style.

What about packing your clothes with silica gel ....sure i have seen these in Big C...just an idea....everything i seem to buy has these sachets inside.

Did you know that tourist numbers are up yet again and this is nothing to do with the 'City Planning' or in their case lack of planning to improve and promote Pattaya as a major tourist destination. Falang numbers are low purely down to economics whilst the Chinese and Indian numbers are up due to cheap pakage deals....yes only 2-hours away for a couple of hundred bucks. As long as the punters keep comming and the money rolling in do you think they care. Many Russians come as families and are staying a stones throw away down in Jomtien and at Cosy Beach. Unless you are from a different