simplelife

Hi, I don't know any Thai at all and this concerns me for my upcoming apartment search (especially since I'm looking for a lower end rental). Can anyone suggest a good place to learn basic conversational Thai so I can speak to apartment managers about prices, terms, etc?

I can raise budget as need; I make an online income that's comfortable in the states so will not be an issue in thailand, thanks

Thanks, I noticed the following on Bangkok Bank's website: "If you have a work permit, are a permanent resident, or hold a long-stay visa, you can apply for a wider range of services such as a cheque account, internet banking and online international funds transfer services." I want the online banking and fund transfer services. Do you think showing them a triple entry visa and a completed application to a local language school would convince them I will be having a long term stay? (the school app is a bluff for now, but I will use it once my tourist visa expires).

Hi; what are the best Thai banks for allowing convenient money transfers from a US bank? In order of preference I want of of the following: 1. Regularly scheduled, automatic transfers from the US to the Thai bank, done online 2. Manual online transfers 3. Manual transfers at the bank (least desirable)

Thanks; I'll be shopping the lower end: studio without A/C 2k-3k baht/month

I know some places are slower than others when it comes to renting an apartment. Is Pattaya one of those places when you can find and move into an apartment in 1-2 days, or does it take much longer?

I'm considering going to Thailand for a long term stay; should I order a copy of my birth certificate? I'm a US citizen and will bring my passport, driver's licence, and social security card and am not sure if bringing the birth certificate is needed for anything, or a good idea to have.

I just printed a map and it looks like the West side of Sukhumvit is where you want to be. What are some good upper and lower boundaries to keep in mind? My primary needs are public transport, relatively low cost, reliable internet.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Another question about securing the bike--Is it safe to keep a bike strapped outside with a regular cable lock? Or is bike theft a big problem? Most likely I will live in a tiny apartment so this is important.

Hi, once I reach my hotel in Pattaya I'm going to start searching for an apartment. Low end room, no frills, 3k-4k per month (I have a good budget but enjoy living on the frugal side). Who are the best people to ask? I am thinking of cab drivers but they have obvious conflicts of interest--maybe I'm being unfair. Or I could just walk into every older building I see though that could be time consuming.

How developed are the sidewalks? Are there rules against biking on sidewalks?

Hi, do you think a bicycle would be a good primary form of transportation in Pattaya? I'm not the type to take lots of trips so my needs are to get to groceries and a general supply store in under 20 minutes by bike, and "entertainment" areas in under 30. Bikes cover about 10 miles an hour (excluding traffic) and I'd be traveling from a cheaper part of the city. Thanks!