torrenova

The VIP buses from NCA are like mini business class seats which recline to about 150 degrees. The TV is crap, all Thai rubbish but it is off after an hour or so. I used to go to Korat before I got the truck. Not too bad and bloody cheap.

I spent months down in the South Andaman quite a few years ago and I could have lived there on next to nothing if I had to. I ate whatever the fishermen caught, all Thai dishes, prepared for a pittance. I drank with the owners family, his place being family land in a cove on an island. With an investment of about USD2000 I could live there rent and bill free forever and all I'd need was money for food, beer and clothes. Could I do it ? yes, I probably could if I was single. Maybe go out with the fishing guys, the occasional TV when there was electric etc. Boring ? perhaps but you l

No worries but remember this, please. ANY extension of a 60 day visa can be counted as one of your 30 day, non visa allowances in 180 days. So, if you did, 60+30+60+30+60+30 you would have hit 90 days extension in a maximum 180 days (likely to be less as you will probably go before the final day of your allowance). If you go to the border, you may only get 3 or 4 days until your true 180 days are up. Beware this. Even the agents do not know for certain, whatever they say. If you want to stay for Xmas, then work backwards. You don't want to have to travel at that time so book a flig

Why ? just SWIFT large amounts over. Small amounts just withdraw from the ATM. Front of house bank people outside the City (and the Bangkok Bank in London is outside the financial centre) are not the brightest bunch. Factor in potential language barriers if they employ Thais and you would be courting a recipe for disaster.

Fair point Jacko. Just a lot of guys don't want bikes either and using the bloody buses for non standard journeys is a pain in the ass. I agree with the drink driving thing and the "where you live" argument. I advise people to rent on the outskirts of town (say Jomtien) which makes it easy to get into Pattaya and then see whether they can cope with the transport issues certainly before going past Sukhumvit etc.

I think that is a worry for most retirees here. Most are 50+, many 60+ and the situation with Larry has highlighted the worries. Continuing cover is often only available to those who were with the company before a certain age. However, there comes a point where self iscurance is a viable option. Depending upon your age now, paying ludicrous premiums now, just so you can be covered when you are 65 or 70 is madness in some cases, especially if finances are stretched. Putting that money away and perhaps getting a more simple policy or a policy with less "bells and whistles" is the way to go.

In condos you see so many more people but spend less time with them as most you see will be in or around the lift or the pool so they do not actually know where you live. In a house, they know immediately where you live. I think you develop a bond with those who are similar to you but there are changes all the time. I suspect that changes occur more frequently with condos than houses.

Only depends upon whether you own your own accommodation (sensible if you like luxury digs), drink like a fish and barfine every day. Work those figures out and add on about 30k and you'll be fine.

You mean you really want a limo or just a 4 door car ?

You do not have to disclose things which you know but which are not on record, under your name (use a different name to get checked out). The principle is uberrimae fidae.

If you really have suck limited time are you going to give the contract to someone and "hope for the best" ? I would not seriously ask anyone here to go about a project if I was not available to monitor it on a regular basis. If really forced into a corner, then "copy this" from an existing similar sized and shaped shell would be a possible solution.

I think that if you live here 12 months a year and can afford one, a car, pick up or whatever is a good idea. Just the flexibility to get out and about is great. Just think about not only getting out for a nightime drink, but also shopping and near area transportation. Then think about getting around Thailand and exploring. I'm not on about driving to malaysia or that far but going to bangkok, Rayong, visa runs, Cha-Am, Issan etc.

View Talay 2, starting at about 12k upwards for a high floor studio (circa 46 m2). Less for some others. 1 bedrooms from about 16/18k. 2 pools, mini mart, laundry, taxis etc.

OK, loss of income and a few other things etc. I wasn't trying to be too scientific. I tell you this though. Try living without a car for a long time here in Pattaya, through the seasons, through the good and the bad and I swear this, if you rent a car for a week, you'll never go back to not having one again. Life is just so much easier that the costs would have to be so much higher to have to worry about it.

What you need depends upon what you do with your life. If you want to stay at home, you'll need somewhere to cook, eat, a balcony and somehow to seperate sleeping and living quarters. If you just want to treat it like a hotel room, then a small studio is enough. What would I do, I would rent a large studio, say 45 m2 or so. Then, you will find out whether you need a seperate bedroom. After that, you should be able to decide on the right size of apartment.

I've lived abroad for donkey's years but I don't reckon they could find a way of refusing ttreatment if I went back. Anyone with half an ounce of grey matter can get around any rules syuch as these. I bet I'm still registered with my doctor I haven't seen for years. Just because you didn't get sick doesn't mean they can just delist you.

Thanks

Timetable and stuff here: http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

Can you save these ? trying to see how but I'm not clued up on this sort of thing !

You'd think Nova would be in there with their sticky mits on this one wouldn't you ? Its not rocket science you know. Just go to pretend you are want to rent or better buy somewhere the same size and take some photos to send back to the non existent "wife" in whatever country. Go to the Home Pro etc. and have a look at their bedrooms and kitchens, bathrooms etc. Basic advice, don't over bathroom. I have seem 2 bed 4 bath condos - WTF ? But, don't make the bathroom too small. In a studio, don't go OTT on the kitch area, people are not going to entertain at home. Bathrooms still

Carrefour will deliver your goods but not you ! Let's face it, there is no alternative in Shilo's case. However, even with his experience, his holidays have been focused on getting to where he wanted to party, not thinking about long term living. most people develop a life in the vicinity to their home if they do not have transport. The reverse also exists that some people live where they want o get out and about. The Bt800 taxis are a joke as they are just any old guy who has been on the receiving end of a one way trip from Bangkok or the airport to Pattaya. You can get numbers of

Prices vary enormously. Take the Pattaya Expats one mentioned above. Standard rate for al which means that if you are below median age group you will be paying more as the older participants will be skewing it in their favour. Good to know that this plan has increased in cost significantly due to its popularity and most likely claims history whilst offering somewhat limited benefits.

A stateside version of "Scouse Eggs" for the English.

Crap prices. Crap airline now. Old planes. Better off going elsewhere and saving 10k off those "deals" !

Sportsman's sausages are crap now and a cheaper version of what used to be. Pig is still the business, large brekky for around Bt150 or something. 3 or 4 bacon a few weeks ago. Shamrock in Pattayaland has alternative versions and very good value. I've never found a buffet breakfast worth getting up for, except if you caount the Marriott but its something like Bt650++ if you are paying for it.