Zeus

For a budget place I like the Welcome Plaza Hotel - excellent location, large pool, rooms 700 baht/night!(and I've gotten lower) I love the location - near Walking St, RG mall and right across from Pattayaland 2! For everything else it is right on the baht bus route(2nd Rd) to Jomtien or North Pattaya attractions. Zeus

I agree with your conclusion, and if I end up in the LOS long term - I will be a renter. The flexibility would be the thing that does it for me. However, the main arguement is that there is some inherent value in owning vs renting. The place you own could go up in value and in a market like Pattaya, should be worth at least what you paid for it. So the value of the rent is keeping yourself flexible. If after a while renting (1-2 yrs), you know the area(s) and the fact that you can live comfortably on whatever budget you set - then it might be a decent decision to buy. But I would always opt for renting for a LONG period first! Just my humble opinion, Zeus

Its a never ending circle.... Once you earn miles (or elite status) then want to use them, it is difficult or impossible to use them at a base rate. I fly them a lot, and also have substantial miles, but using them is another matter. Some suggestions (that I'm sure you know) - Leadtime - if you book when the seats are released (approx 11 mo. in advance) you have the best chance. If you can plan that far in advance you have a good chance. A quick search on nwa.com for Mar 07 had several 60K packages available (though the majority were 90K or 120K). - Earn elite status (easier said than done), but they have more seats for the elite FF members. - have VERY flexible dates. The ability to fly early in the week(Mon-Wed) will help your chances. - As others mentioned (and you tried) - call a NW agent. If you dont get good results, try again in 4-8 hrs. You might just get a more helpful agent. - As a last resort, if you can't get the ones you want, book dates close and keep calling back for a change. It will cost you $50 (unless you are platinum elite), but I have heard that this method has worked. I have been a longtime NW FF (sometimes elite), but the recent clampdown on the BKK route has really irritated me. -They are no longer price competitive (I didn't mind paying an extra $100 to get my miles/status, but the current $500 premium over other alternatives is another matter) -award seats are non existant in Bus. class to BKK and standard seats require a lot of advance planning. - most/all NW Asia promotions now exclude the BKK route. They know that their planes will be full (NRT-BKK moved from a 747 to a A330 2 years ago, eliminating 100+ seats), so no incentives are given. - And as always, the 6:00 am BKK departure just sucks big time! Bottom line vote with your wallet. If NW doesn't offer better fares (relative to the rest of the industry) to BKK then they have lost my business. Zeus

No problem with the comments..... I wouldn't put anything on the board if I couldn't handle any response.... isn't that what this place is for. Your points on principle are well taken. I guess I really knew that already, but was approaching the issue from the angle of "how to replace some of my income" if I retired early. So I guess my initial goals were really where I felt truly comfortable chucking the job and going it alone. No way could I get an equivalent paying job if I left my current one(even I wasn't gone for years), but I'm sure I could get something. So for me the real question is how long do I hang on to a good thing. That probably also colors the goals I set. When I retire, I want there to be no looking back (I know - never say never) Thanks for your comments. Zeus

Shilo - I agree that is why I set my goal so high ( I don't have it yet) Owen - first thanks for all your posts.They are good reading for the retirement minded. I am using the site you mentioned (note the redirected link is now http://www.firecalc.com ). I started my planning at 50K/mo, which seems minimal to live in the US, even if half the year is in Thailand. To net that post tax, the number needs to be about $62K (even if state tax is 0). (a rough number - not a detailed analysis of deductions etc.) Admittedly I have not researched the tax subject when living abroad, so I just used current domestic rates. I think uncle sam will always want his piece if you are a citizen. I would live to see the inputs of any US citizen living in Thailand (full or part time) as to any tax situatations and/or strategies. At a 50/50 equity/fixed income ratio that calclator comes up with $1.8 million for 62K/mo and 40 years. So my number seems right on target (I need a little buffer). This early in life I will not risk my future unless I am 99.99% sure that the funds will not run out. So everything is slanted to the conservative. As I mentioned in my original post, if i didn't want to keep a US base, I could go now. $600K at 5% return would yeild $30K per year (or about 90-95K baht/mo, depending on rates) and I would not have to touch principle. But that won't cut it here in the US. Especially afer taxes. BTW - I have no property to speak of now. so there is no vacation home to be lost (never was). I sold my place when real estate spiked. It put me in the financial position to start consider these retirement options, as well as not keeping me tied down. And I have no dependants now, but would like to be in the position to have one in the future Zeus

I too often dream and calculate the "retirement" factors. What keeps me from taking the plunge is my family and friends here in the states. I have too many ties here to just cut and run away from it all to a land halfway around the world. I am sure I could afford to live in Thailand if I chose. But my ideal lifestyle would be to live there for 6-9 months and have 3 months here in the US each year. Maybe even a 50/50 split. To make such a move I would indeed require that I end a good paying career and try to make what I have last for the rest of my life (I am 42). That combined with the complexities of maintaining a residence in the US, as well as finding a semi-permanent one in Pattaya would stretch my budget too far. As far as planning goes, I figure if I get to the point where I have $2 million US net worth I will have enough self sustaining funds to keep me in a comforatable lifestyle on both continents. If that number sounds high - over 50% of that net worth is in retirement vehicles(IRA, 401k) that I can't touch (without tax penalties) until after age 59. I am not there yet, but with hard work and a good economy, I'll get there soon. Until then I will cherish my regular visits to the LOS and enjoy it in small 2-3 weeks chunks. And I'd like to add a thanks to all the BMs who post their budgets, or even better their actual retirement expenses from the LOS. Zeus

If any one is really worried about keyloggers do this: Open a word processing program and type in a bunch of garbage with pieces of your password mixed in. Then cut and paste them into the password entry box in sections. Don't forget to delet the clipboard info when you are done.

This place looks upscale. At least the website is - it is worth exploring if you are looking. I don't know if they are done yet? http://www.sunkingproperty.com/concept.htm Has anyone seen this place? Zeus

Ouch! A 2x increase in the departure tax?! Can any one confirm? But I guess that isn't much for an improved location, and nicer facility. Just think how pissed off you would be if they put it on the other side of the city! Be thankful for small things! I also think Q1 2007 is probably a good guess for the opening. Does anyone know if there will be a single transition, or will airlines be flying to both airports for a while (In Thailand this might be a year or two)? Zeus

Well I'm not really sure of the hours, but I would guess 9am to 10pm at the branch I mentioned. I also know that they close the exchange window for lunch (and probably dinner). So sometimes that can be a pain if you are trying to cash a TC at that moment. But in a city like Pattaya there is always something to do for an hour (even if you have very little cash). Zeus

I've been to the LOS 13 times, with each one paying primarily in Visa T/C. Every now and then I hear that some places dont take them, but most will, and I have never had a refusal. My favorite place to cash is the Thai Military Bank on the corner of Soi Pattayaland 2 and 2nd Rd. Large, convienient to my hotel and reliable. I will carry an ATM card and some US cash as a backup, but I have never had to utilize them out of necessity. Zeus

Finally.... http://www.thaiairways.com/About_Thai/News...s1205-wu425.htm I know the press release is dated (Dec 2005), but there have been no recent posts on it. It kind of sucks that they only fly nonstops 3 days of the week (Sun, Tue, Fri) - but I guess we have to be happy with what we get? I priced out a direct flight on Travelocity for Feb/March at $970 + $163 tax = $1133. For a nonstop, not that bad, considering a lot of others are increasing pricies due to rising fuel costs. Has any one flown this route ??? Zeus

At least it looks like these guys put a bit of $ into their website. It is one of the better ones I've seen. The place looks cool, but it is probably pricy. http://www.sunkingproperty.com/concept.htm Ahh... to be back in Pattaya again. Zeus

Small world! I am flying in from LAX to NRT. If you want, let's meet up in NRT. Two and a half weeks is too long to wait, isn't it!!! I'll send you a PM. Zeus

I too get in Nov 11 at 23:50 (NW 27). But I'm probably going to spend at least a night or two in BKK before hitting Pattaya. Zeus

Your needs are very basic, so I will offer a basic solution. Welcome Plaza Hotel. - Excellent location, pool, and rates are currently 750 baht/night. I got 650 by emailing them directly and saying I would stay for 1 mo. in Nov. (Wheels up in 24 days!!) Most rooms have a balcony, and the ones on the sea side have the best view. http://www.welcome.co.th/wplaza.htm Yes the standard room has a tub. However, the rooms and bathrooms are worn, but are clean and roomy. So don't expect a sparkling bathroom, you get what you pay for. But I really use the room for only 5 things: Sleep, Sex, Shower, Shit, and to store my stuff. That said, I have stayed here on 11 of my 12 visits to the LOS. You just can't beat the value for the money. And I have looked. Most other hotels with this price are of poorer quality and/or poorer location. Zeus

Yea I have the same dillema. I'm 42, single, just love the LOS, and could retire there (I have the money) but a few things keep me from going. - Family is in the US (parents, and sisters), and while I am independant, living on the other side of the world from them is a huge step. - I have a good job I like and make decent $$. The job also provides medical coverage, which I would need to independantly acquire in the LOS. While it is not the sole reason for staying ( if I was fired - I'd head to the LOS), but it does help tip the scales. - Stuff. It is amazing how much stuff one can end up with over the years. To really make a switch to the LOS most of it would have to be sold or given away. It would not be practical to move it. You really are starting over. That said, I try to lay the ground work, I sold my condo last year making a tidy profit. However I still have too many ties here in the USA. One day I may retire here in the USA and spend winters in the LOS, but I think I would always have a USA base. I think the best interim plan is to utilize all my vacation for trips to the LOS. But I am envious of all the members who have taken the plunge to commit to a life in the LOS. 53 days...... Zeus

Passports can take some time - it all depends on the applicant. The post 9/11 age will have the US doing a background check to validate that you are a US citizen, particularly if this is a first time application and not a renewal. The average time is 6 weeks. There are times when you can have that sped up ( if you have a near term flight ), but why risk it? Start now. Here's a quick lick for first time applicants of USA passports: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html Thailand has a 30 day tourist visa program for US (and many other countrys) that allows visas to be issued immediately at the airport (as opposed to getting one from the Thai consulate). The information filled out on the plane is the entry and departure card associated with that visa. It is basic info, and most of it is on your passport already. cenctm is right about the airline reservations. Most major airlines require a passport #. Start now. The good thing is that US passports are good for 10 years, so you won't have to apply again for a while. And renewals are easy - you can mail them in! Zeus

I never had a problem in November doing a "walk-up" (no reservation) for a room. I go every year at that time. I just like to have my first night booked. Zeus

I've traveled LAX- BKK 12 times (through NRT) and I have always found the out bound trip goes fast. There is just so much anticipation of returning to the LOS. Actually the westbound portion is two hours longer than the return, but the anticipation makes it go faster. Just make sure that you have something to keep yourself busy (movies, music, book, sleep). That plane will touch down sooner than you will think. I have to second the advice about bringing a pen! In fact - bring two. My last trip I lost my pen in NRT, and had to borrow one from the passenger sitting next to me before we got to BKK. Not a problem, but it was a hassel. If you plan on repeated trips (even if you don't plan on it - Thailand tends to get you hooked - You will be back) I find that investing in noise cancelling headphones is worth it. While they do not provide absolute silence, they do seem to be designed for the frequencies that a plane generates. Most of the engine noise is eliminated, and it makes your music sound better. Bose (the best known) go for $299 which is a bit too expensive for me, but other headphone mfgs can be had in the $50-$150 range. And finally, This was just a bonus... I picked up this Awesome MP3 player from Sony. About the size of a lighter, and packed with features (NW-E507, $130). Now I don't need to carry CDs, or a CD player for music. This thing has a 50 hr rechargeable battery! I charged it up before I left and It had plenty of power to spare after 4 flights and 3 weeks in Pattaya. I love it! Plus in the LOS, you can pick up MP3 CDs with hundreds of songs on each. For example I got all the albums of the Eagles on one CD for $2.50 (100 baht). http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS...x650/NWE407.jpg Zeus

Dynasty has been asking for CC details via FAX for several years (and probably not getting a lot of them). In the past year and a half they have been asking for it via email as well (as in your example). I used to stay at the DI BKK for 1 or 2 nights prior to the trip to Pattaya on every trip (12). I always sent them a polite message saying that I could not send my CC info due to security reasons. My room was (almost) always available, and I arrive around 12:00am - 01:00am. Two trips ago they said that they did not have my room, so I walked across the street to the Nana Hotel. Not quite as nice as the DI but it had a room for about the same price. Now for new trips, I reserve a room with the Nana ( So far they do not ask for CC details). No problems to date. I would not have an extended stay(over 3 days) at the Nana, but it is a OK place to crash (with a TG - and there are plenty TGs around the Nana hotel) after a long flight. The DI BKK lost my business by turning me away. But I still take their free shuttle to Pattaya, and spend a couple of days in the DI Pattaya. Zeus

Yeah I saw that miles hike to 120K by NW. I'm just glad that they are still honoring my 90K biz flight to BKK in Nov 05. ( I booked it before the hikes were announced). Bottom line - if you have miles, use em. The airlines will change the rules each year - and it's usually not in our advantage! Zeus

Thanks for the responses! 12 hours till wheels up....... See you guys soon. Zeus

I'm headed out to Pattaya in a few days, and was just wondering how the noise was on Soi #13. I usually stay at the Dynasty (nice hotel and a free ride from BKK). But since I've been there last, the rates have jumped from 990 to 1200 baht, and I always hear reports on this board of construction noise there. During my stays, there was always construction, but never any serious noise. So how's it like now? Zeus

I got mine Apr 15 (Tax day!) for $830 all included LAX-BKK May 26 - June 6 on NW. This fare is still available (M-Th departure). Zeus