horizons

Check out Pattaya Bay Resort's I like the place - free in-room wifi, (no charge for overnight in-room wifie And the rates are fair, though I don't know your budget range. Happy hunting.

Hey, Tetrapod, That place looks excellent, and very close to walking street! Have you stayed there? If so, what was the overall impression? Are the rates firm? Sorry about the slow reply. Yes, I've stayed there three times, am booked for a few more weeks in Feb. That's my endorsement - voting with my baht. The low season prices (per week) are excellent. Yes, the rates are firm. What they say on the website is what they charge at the desk. If you've got specific questions, such as the ones you've raised later in this post (about long-term occupancy & absences), I recommend that you email directly to the manager, Kim. He's a Seppo (American ) and a professional hotelier - you'll get a straight, prompt answer within the day. Better than hoping to negotiate at the front desk on arrival. Contact him through the link on the hotel home page Overall impression - excellent. I hope that is your experience, too.

Try the new Pattaya Bay Resort (next door to the Mercure) in what I call Soi Dogleg - Soi 15 Second Road, running through to Soi Buakhao. Straight behind the new shopping-cinema complex on Second Road near Sois 13- Post Office & Yamoto. Clean, friendly, free WiFi in rooms, pool, fair rates, American-Thai managed, quiet, even wheelchair access, no joiner fee ...

Lloyds TSB, Isle of Man is good. Plenty of support. Good secure internet banking. ATM work well.

Thanks, Khun TN. Invaluable - you should be bottled (probably have been. 555 ). All replies appreciated.

Does anyone know of a place in Pattaya where I can have a Canon EOS digital camera cleaned? (You know, dust specs on the sensor, etc.) I'm seeking a professional job, not an amateur with a puffer brush and an invoice? Also, a place (same one, preferably) that can service and repair auto-focus lenses? In other words, a professional camera service centre.

Geewizz, I've not yet bought property in Thailand but I have looked at it for a long while. I'm no pessimist but here are some tips (IMHO) if you're in the condo market: 1. Read plenty - there are various legal websites, retirement sites, law firm websites & probably postings on Thai Visa & other farang sites. Get really well informed. 2. Read local papers like Pattaya Mail & Pattaya Today, especially their real estate legal advice columns. 3. Be aware that there is no professional registration required for realtors (real estate agents) in Thailand. There are scores of such agents in Pattaya - new ones each week - and among them you can be sure there is a fair quota of snake-oil salesmen & farang carpetbaggers. 4. Be aware that a lot of Thai owners (farangs, too, presumably) aren't much interested in paying maintenance levies/sinking funds beyond the absolute minimum. Be careful of 'bargain' buildings that are going downhill & have uncommitted owners. 5. It's probably worth renting for a few months while you really suss out the market, the properties, the heroes & villains, and then buy. 6. Finally, many people seem to be of the opinion that you shouldn't invest any more money in Thailand property than you are prepared to walk away from - should it all go arse-up, as it can. 7. Finally, finally ... do the searches & purchase through a really good, recommended local lawyer - and NOT one offered by the vendor/agent. good luck.

God in BKK has to pour the plastic I opened an acct. at the little Krung Thai Bank branch on South Pattaya Rd - not far from Second Rd intersection. Nice folks. Easy paperwork on a standard tourist visa, no questions asked - maybe it helped that I could give a Pattaya permanent address (my TG's) rather than a hotel. That was the upside. With the sign-up paperwork done they then said 'your card will be ready for collection in a week.' ( I think God in BKK has to pour the plastic.) Bummer. I will collect it next week on my return trip. I think the tip with Krung Thai is don't go to a sub-branch, try a larger one. And ask FIRST, how long does it take to prep the card? PS. I love this site. Such good info sometimes.