DSBones

I am fortunate enough to have worked in Asia (Philippines & Taiwan) for the last 6-7 years. My current job is just like working for a western civil service which means I can get over to Thailand once a month if I want. I am an engineer so I am confident that there will always be work available to me in Asia for as long as I want it. I am 38 and my plans are to buy as much property in the UK as I can afford by the time I am 50 & then semi retire in Thailand using the rental income as my pension. Absolutely no plans to 'invest' in any business in Thailand - way too risky. I reckon $20k a year is more than enough for me to live comfortably in BKK/Pattaya. It amazes me some of the budgets that people come over here with. $75 a day is high living in Thailand (I assume this is exclusive of accommodation) unless you are looking at 2 bar fines a day & eating at western restaurants all the time. I have friends in Jomtien, one of whom has 'retired'. He lives off less than $10k a year. It's a fairly basic lifestyle & I couldn't do it but he seems happy enough. He doesn't bar fine from go-go bars he just waits for girls (whose boyfriends are temporarily absent) to pass his apartment door. They know where he lives and if they want a bit of cash they find him. This keeps his costs down. He drinks in the launderette because its 5bt cheaper than the bar next door and he eats at the roadside stalls. The fact that he is Scottish has absolutely nothing to do with the 'cheapskate' way he lives his life. I suggested we meet for a beer in Shenanighans a few weeks back and he broke out in a cold sweat at the thought of paying over 50Bt for beer. If you are single then there should be no worries about trying life in Thailand for as long as you can tolerate it. There is more to life than money...but you should have enough in your pocket so that you never need to compromise on your enjoyment of life.

For holiday reading Stephen Leather or John Grisham. Stephen Leathers stuff is getting better with every book. Some of his earlier books were a little contrived but I have just read one about people smuggling & eastern european mafia which was informative & easy to read. I met Mr. Leather very briefly at Jools on Soi 4 about 6 months ago & he was a thoroughly down-to-earth bloke - no different to 90% of the guys on this board. In a funny way, I am glad I like his books. It's the same when you meet a footballer..much better if the bloke is a decent person you then tend to defend them on the pitch even when you know they are shite! Other than that I tend to read non-fiction. Have just finished John Simpsons book about Saddam Hussain. In the book he is not very complimentary to the new US regime and the regular US military (you can understand why to a certain extent but he is normally pretty objective). He has a great deal of respect for the US Marines & Special Forces though. Fox News..now that's another matter!!

I was in the US a couple of years back & it was just like I had wandered onto the set of "Jeux sans frontieres" - European It's a Knockout for the non(cunni?) linguists. I spent all my time looking round for Stuart Hall & Eddie Waring and damsels at the top of well oiled ramps waiting to be rescued by these bloody great lumbering walls of lard who were stumbling around bumping into each other whilst trying to keep their liquid in the container ready for Arthur Ellis's dipstick. Apologies to the non-UK brethren..I got carried away there and strayed somewhat off topic. Americans = fat (with the Brits catching up, unfortunately).

I get all my contact lenses from Thailand (either BKK or Pattaya). In Pattaya I use the opticians in the Royel Garden Mall (ground floor LHS as you come in from 2nd rd.) They may not be the cheapest but they are convenient for me and you are only talking a difference of a 100bt for a months supply. I use the disposable throw away ones. There are normally two well known manufacturers and both are ok for my eyes (I have a low prescription). I choose whichever is in stock. The eye test in the UK uses a different definition of blindness than Thailand & you may end up with the wrong lenses. It's better just to let them test you over here if all you are looking for is a sight test and not a full eye health check (altho' I have every confidence that they could do that for you as well). Health care for foreigners over here is much better than the UK in my opinion.

I got the short straw on the RG rate. My usual hotel is fully booked (29 Dec - Jan2) & a quick search & a few e-mails suggested that other hotels were the same. I didn't want to wait for a cancellation so I e-mailed the RG direct. Theywere pretty efficient and I have a room but at full rate (2500Bt). A few days later I joined this board on BigD's recommendation. Wish I had done so sooner! I have been looking at the RG with a view to a long term stay so this is the ideal opportunity to test the water. Location for me is fine. 2 mins on a Baht bus, 10 min walk. Don't fancy the last 100m uphill though at 4am staggering all over the shop..I may need to invest in a pair of TG 'stabilisers' to help my balance. I am sure the bars on Walking Street provide a 'home delivery' service for a reasonable fee

Without knowing enough about your travel plans it's difficult to offer specific advice. I would suggest 2-3 days in BKK (around Sukhumvit 4-22) Day trips to Grand Palace & Ayutthaya (that should keep you off the streets during the day). Night trips to Nana Plaza & Soi Cowboy ( I like soi 33 myself, but it's not to everyone's taste). Taxi to Pattaya (if you are travelling light or feeling confident then get the bus..it's not as scary as you may think) If you take a fancy to a TG then let her show you round..there are a few places to see but I would only recommend with a TGF in tow, otherwise you may get a bit bored. Nong Nooch is worth a visit. It is not difficult to make friends in Pattaya. There are plenty of guys on their own who are happy to chat. I often go to Pattaya on my own & it's as sociable as you want it to be. It's not like the UK where you will be left alone..there is always someone willing to be friendly!!! I will be in Pattaya over the New Year & then back again on my own in Feb. If you are booking your own hotel then I recommend Sabai Lodge..very friendly & reasonable price. However, there are plenty of hotels in a similar price bracket that are equally as good. I hope you enjoy Thailand!