torrenova

The future is obviously internet but getting what you want, as fast as you want it (live preferably) and in sufficient definition to watch on a TV - well, how long is a piece of string. I suggest 5 to 10 years here in Pattaya but up in the boonies relying on satellite stuff, I don't know when.

I've stayed there numerous times over the last 3 years and would agree that the rate has crept upwards. Then again, so have all the other hotels in that area and Bangkok in general. You cannot compare it to the Nana. The shuttle bus is free but often out of service or already on a job. A walk is only 10 minutes max so it is not too far. Buffet breakfast is free and you might eat something but you would be disappointed if you paid a lot for it. Usually just some coffee and toast with an egg. TV is basic hotel stuff, rooftop pool is nice but I find it cold ! Then again, what do you expect for about Bt1000 ? Often cheapest on latestays.com I'll stay there again as there is nothing really wrong with it. Others cost more so for the budget concious, it has a great appeal.

I've got to be honest and say that there is not a great deal around the RG to recommend. There is a lot more than even 2 years ago but I don't rate the pasta joint (cheap and cheerful but low quality), some stuff you see is actually further up the hill than you want to walk. There is a 7/11 and a laundry. Overall, I reckon you stay at the RG because you get a one bedroomed suite for Bt1400 which would cost a lot more in town. People who want to be in town either pay more for the same or compromise and get smaller accommodation. I liked the setup and stayed there for months before I found my own place. Its not too far out and affords a trip into Jomtien within 10 minutes. Likewise you can get to Walking Street in 5 minutes on a bus. I find it hard to fault at the price.

So you do want to hide it. You initially said your "income is not taxable, as it will be below the the limits". I think there is more you need to open up to so I suggest you seek professional advice on tax mitigation (or in layman's terms, avoidance).

With inflation in Thailand far in excess of any fixed term deposit here, you cannot put money in an account and have it keep its value. Leaving some here for your next trip is handy as is occasionally sending money over which you will use in the near future. There is also rationale in sending money over as a savings exercise for your next visit but not for long term financial planning.

there is also the language barrier. I could explain all this in English but because my linguistic skills are lacking, I would not be able to go into it so technically in German. In Thai, I would not know where to begin.

Fees went up massively in July 2004 I think. Now some ridiculous 193k or thereabouts. Half that if married to a Thai. Still cannot own land, still have to report, stil need a WP (I think) but it does put you on the road to citizenship (which takes longer than most people have left). 3 years paying tax on back to back extended visas. Miss one day, start again. Not worth the hassle, especially as I think you have an interview in Thai and have to answer questions in Thai.

Years ago they were all safe but I heard that in Europe at least and I suspect the rest of the world (for the average Joe), the governments have had some success in getting them to open up their account information. To give you an example how it was, I had HSBC onshore try to find my HSBC offshore accounts giving them sort codes (branch identifiers) and account numbers. They could not find them and believed I had given them incorrect information regarding onshore acounts (I never mentioned they were offshore accounts). Citibank are good but you need to retain some minimum balances (not high in some countries, high in others). HSBC likewise, a presence in all ports. It doesn't seem like you'll be doing it to hide large sums of money so what is wrong with an offshore branch of your main USA bank ? The main adavantage of a global player is that they know you from back home and you don't have to jump through the local hoops (work permit etc.) in many places. They just open a ocal account for you.

Just an update: Eventually, for the ease of doing so, I went with TOT 1024/512 which costs Bt1000 per month. Speeds up to about 870/423 but some blips down to 400/350. Just checked 811/412. On a side note. I have a friend in View Talay 2 who has had this 1024/256/512 ? for a year and was offered by TOT in writing 4096 down for the same price as he has had it for a year. The paperwork is real but I have yet to see them selling this capacity.

The stupid thing is that a westerner and his Thai wife need only to show Bt40k earned income at any age (tax paid on the 40k) for their whole family and their rent if they do not own property, whilst a western couple over 50 need to now show 130k per month income even if they do own their own property. Logic ? none at all.

Still no word from Thai Visa on who is pocketing the 300k+

Asked for a quote from AA insurance through Thai Visa. Posted up why the quote was 340,000 baht against a better (longer duration) policy in the Uk at around 25,000 baht and asked who was pocketing the excess. Post deleted (still available through the search function), no PM, PM to moderating team has not been replied to. Seems the same as Secrets over there with crazy censorship and no explanation. I think people want to know why the premium is 14 times the Uk amount but obviously between thai Visa and AA Insurance they don't want to say why ?

Be aware that the 30 day extension of a 60 day tourist visa is counted as a 30 day non visa entry the same as a 30 day entry stamp as it can catch people out trying to do 3*30 + 1*60+30.

They won a case and I thinkon one website it stated that the Supreme Court had backed the plaintiffs. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113118

Buy something in Lamai and you'll be pouring money into a bottomless pit. Seriously, if you don't know the place don't invest.

Canon service agent on the 5th floor of Tukcom on Pattay Tai (South Pattaya Road). Just get the lift up and straight ahead.

Thanks for that. My missus wants to go to Cucumber and we will but I agree with you (I have reviewed the menu) that it is expensive and dare i say it, just overpriced and especially so given the area. One you may wish to try out though not open for lunch is the Japanese restaurant on the left up the street to the left of Tukcom (if you were standing facing it, on the side towards 3rd Road). Cannot remember the name but all bamboo outside. Very good menu and incredible quality for the price. I will eat sashimi there and I'm very fussy about where I will trust raw fish. Japanese owner who is usually there. Great value set menus.

I've ordered it from door to door and found it expensive, reasonable quality but the side dishes are abysmal. Popadoms are that crap you get in a packet and fry in oil - inedible. Special naan breads especially keema nans are just nothing like they should be and again, inedible. Regular nans are ok but how can you screw those up ? I've had 3 orders from there but would not order again as it is too expensive and the quality is just not up to it.

The problem with the Expats Club policy is that most people taking it out are old and thus likely to claim. It is no good for younger people. The cost has risen dramatically in the last couple of years. What looks a far better scheme is a small companies one from BUPA. I'm doing some work on insurance schemes now and would be prepared to post up all I get if others are prepared to split the workload and find out something themselves.

There has been no official withdrawl of the 90 in 180 rule as far as I am aware.

So she wants to do a job which is according to your previous post one where the girl gets barfined and puts out. So why change the rules and introduce all the argument for this one girl ? Either she works and fucks or she works as service. Why try and create yet another type of worker and confuse an already bewildering array of names even more ? I don't see the confusion above that which need not be there.

I don't think Alex cooks the food when he has a party and I suspect he has it catered in. Presumably the curry and trimmings will be prepared wherever and driven over ready for the evening.

BigD, Not wanting to keep banging the drum but what do you want from the house ? There are cracking places around 25k per month and some shoebox 2 bed ton houses (read rows all glued together) for around 8k per month ? Do you want land or cheap price. Whilst I would love an 8k house I know I could not live in one as the living room is smaller than your average garage and the average kitchen is not big enough for a bath tub. However, when you are not there, 8k per month is a lot better than 25k per month ! Do you want to be near a market or shops ? Some places do not have baht bus transport. Need to have a few more details rather than just a house in Pattaya.

So before we had go-go girls, deck serves, cashiers and a mamasan. All the go-go girls went off. Now they want 10 different categories of girls and in many places it is a way to charge OTT barfines. The thing is that punters expect them to put out. If you go begging for drinks, you should go. It is the same as a girl begging and then saying she is on the rag when the guy want to take her out. She should tell the guy first, he may still barfine her for a BJ ! Stick a tag on them aka FLB ? perhaps. Just not having them makes it easier. The reputation of some girls and go-go girls in particular due to the loony salaries which bosses are paying in going LT and then changing it into ST at their discretion is still out of control. Having a bird who lets on that she is available, begs drinks and then maybe has the mamasan in on the act or begging as well causes more problems than the extra business she brings. I reckon if I had such a large place with many other staff able to cover her position and had in place a policy which she does not adhere to then she would have already received the order of the boot and this thread would be unnecessary.

Best of luck. I've a couple of irons in that fire myself so give me a shout in a few weeks and lets see if we cannot do something.