York

Great hotel but the location is the problem. It's behind Royal Plaza and Soi Buowkaow. If you have a car or bike, it's no problem but if you like to walk to places than it can be a problem.

use your common senses and you'll be fine.

One thing bar girls hate about farangs is farang without money.

Yes, it's nice to see young fools for a change since I'm tired of seeing old fools rest of the year. Vast majority are well behaved with few rotten apples. Those young bar girls love those young military men with all that energy, looks and stamina. I guess I can't blame them. It's only for few weeks. I can take it.

There are many more. http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_update.html

Best to enjoy the current exchange rate while it lasts since Thai economy is getting stronger and stronger every year. Give this fact, prices will rise for the worst. I don't know in how many years but don't be surprise to pay double in ~10 years.

For mostly Thais but farangs are welcome as well. Thais love to show-off and spend money in discos like this or Disco Duck, Hollywood, Star Dice, etc.

The main reason why vast majority returns to their farangland is because of MONEY is all gone and change in health for the worst. Thailand is not a welfare country like the West and other industrialized countries. Once farangs have no money, Thais want farangs to get out of their country and all "friends and Tilacs" will disappear. As it was mentioned in Dear Hillary section of Pattayamail 2 weeks ago, Thailand attracts biggest fools and jackasses in the world who are not financially, physically and mentally stable to live in Pattaya(no pun attended). The large expat community is mostly elderly who are ready to kick the bucket at any moment and want to enjoy younger women before the big one comes or forced to go back home or to nursing homes in their farangland. If you noticed, many foreigners die very young in Pattaya at around 60.

I flew on China Air 2 times from the States. 1st time they lost my baggage and I got it back after a week. 2nd time, we were delayed for 1.5 hours but beyond that it was OK. I'm an average size man so the seats were OK but I don't recommend it for fat boys. For fat boys take business class or take EVA economy deluxe seats.

Decide for yourself, http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_update.html

Does anyone know where at the airport do you catch the bus to Pattaya? And where do they drop you off at the airport?

Budget according to your lifestyle but don't ruin it for the rest of us by over-paying for bar girls and goods. I noticed most newbies like to show-off by over-spending when they first come to Thailand to impress bar girls and bar owners but after awhile they slow down and realized how stupid they were by doing so. It take experience and wisdom and it usually works out for most people but NOT all. Some gets royally scr-wed here. Budget B2,000 per day plus emergency money and this will go far, especially at slow season. Save the rest for the next time. And yes, you will comeback again, again and again. Barfine is 200 baht and short-time is B500 and long-time is B1,000 in beer bars. Go-go bars want 500-600 baht for barfine and girls want B1000+ for short-time and B2,000+ for long-time. However you can negotiate for the price. I usually take beer bar girls but yesterday I took a go-go girl. She wanted B2000 but I countered her offer and with B1155 and I got it. That all I had and it was up to her. Normally I don't take go-go girls since they are usually over-priced and aggressive but I liked this girl, so I took her it was worth it. In Thailand, always negotiate for better prices since it's Thai way of doing things here.

Grand hotel/apartment and pricey but not on a grand location.

This Welcome Plaza hotel in Pattaya has a huge problems with bed bugs, so be wary of this hotel. They are having problems eradicating this bug but they still put tourists in there without their knowledge.

I got a meter-taxi from departure drop-off ramp to Pattaya for 1,000 baht plus tolls for 150 baht. You have to haggle for best prices. He originally wanted 2,000 baht plus toll but haggled to 1,000+ toll or I'm leaving and he agreed. He turned the meter off and headed toward Pattaya. And I paid 1150 at my hotel in Pattaya. I just hate that "you stupid farang" look when he wanted 2,000 baht.

Its a slow season and it rains alot.

I did a 6 month trip few years back. It wasn't bad at all for 40,000 baht (US$1,000)per month, I lived very comfortably.There is a BIG difference between being a tourist or expat. If you live in Thailand, everything is much cheaper since you know where to go to get the best prices on everything. And you don't go out every night. After awhile, you get tired and bored going out drinking and buying p-ssy everyday. In the early years, I used to spend much more to impress bar girls and other farangs but after awhile, you learn your lesson and cool down and live and spend more reasonably. This happens to most farangs. Bar girls and farang owner love those "suckers", especially to newbie to Thailand. Many farangs who hadn't had women in years in their own country go crazy in Thailand with young bar girls 1/2 or 1/3 his age. And when the money runs out, they get very depressed and suicidal. Read PattayMail newspaper for sad stories. My expenses on my 6 month trip was; 1. Rent 5,000 baht/month for condo. 2. Food 100-300 bhat per day. 3. Short-time 500 baht plus bar fine 200 baht. 4. Transportation 20-50 bhat per day. 5. Drinking 100-500 baht per day. 6. Other entertainment/costs 100-500 baht per day. 7. I got a live-in girlfriend later on and cost me 6,000 per month. There are thousands and thousands of expat retirees living on 20,000-30,000 bhat per month and live very comfortably. They stay on "Thai side" of Pattaya and don't adventure out to tourist area except during happy hours. Checkout Soi Buaukow to 3rd road and beyond for best prices. It all depends on your lifestyle.

Never done that. Even though I thought about it. I take 2-3 months a year and plan my trips accordingly. In the early years, I thought about quitting my job and move to Thailand but I realize that it wasn't going to work so I decided to work hard and retire earlier. I only have few more years to go. I see so many farangs who prematurely make that move to Thailand and jeopardize their career and future over it. Some even work illegally or con other farangs to support themselves there.

For some reason, all the expats on disability that I met in Thailand are former government employees. Either federal, military, city or state. Why is that?

I personally don't recommend buying a condo/house since Pattaya apartments are so cheap to rent. Prices are so cheap especially if you adventure to the other side of the highway. Stay and live for awhile then you decide where you want to buy. Always bargain for the best prices. Thais, well as farang agents will shaft you if they can. If you decide to buy, buy during slow season for the best prices. I like to rent because of apartments are so inexpensive and affordable, plus if Thailand decides to change their visa policies or cost of living rises, then I can move on to other areas in Thailand or other countries.

If you got a military pension, you're set for life but if you expect to make a living in Pattaya, then you're in for deep sh-t. Make your money at home and enjoy your money in Thailand. Becareful with many expats who'll offer you "business offer" that is too good to be true. Lots of farangs will try to take advantage of newbies, just like the bar girls.

Insurance for most part are useless. If you get in an accident, Thais are going to blame it on you. Expect to pay on the spot it this happens but always haggle for the lower price.

I love the rainy season. The weather is cooler and it only rains for about an hour per day. However, it can get very heavy at times and cause flooding. The best thing I like about the rainy season is the lack of tourists and lower hotel prices and airfare plus tons of bar girls per punter.

I remembered 1US$ was getting 25 baht, now it still good at 37 baht to the dollars. Prices hasn't gone up that much since Thailand decided to float their bhat. We should enjoy this while it last. Thai bhat will strengthen and Farang currencies will weaken. Thai economy is getting stronger and stronger and the prices WILL get more expensive in the near future.

I only got 4+ years to go for retirement but it seems forever. How do some of you who already retired in Pattaya coped with your wait for retirement?