whitespider

Not this year it aint! I saw a weather report the other day that says we might not get a "cool season" for another 40 years Obviously its a bit better than April but its still fukkin hot here now. I was 4 years in Bangkok before moving recently and although the official average in BKK is higher there is a lot more shade and air-con so it seems a LOT cooler. Its hot here for the time of year.

Python - yes there is always an easter and it is always expensive. Try tailoring your flights AROUND the actual two weeks the kids are off school that way it will be cheaper. I have always found WestEast to be the best agent in the busy times as they tend to keep their prices fixed. More details on them here Oh and by th eway you could have got a lot better than $470 (pounds) direct and probably at the same time you booked your Emirates flight. WestEast tend to have these kind of prices available all year you DON'T have to wait until close to departure to get cheap direct deals. Indeed they can often go UP in price the closer you get if the seats are in short supply. There is no hard and fast answer - I always used to fly direct and you just have to be happy with what you get. Remember however cheap you get it there will always be some guy on the plane who got it for less than you.

Historically this has been true, but like the phones they are now tumbling in price. There are brand new Toshibas (not sure of the model number) at TuKCom for 16,000'ish.

Marine seafood is amazingly over-rated. I think many people viote for it becasue they havent ventured "out of town" to the Thai Seafood joints. Try the big Thai BBQ place at the top end of 3rd Road Eat as much as you like for 119 baht including as many big king prawns as you can stomach. Also kids eat free so great value for anyone with family or gf with kids. I tried the new Mantra place last night (end of beach road) and that was quite a spectacular venue with Thai, Italian, Indian food on show. The food was not actually all that awesome considering the price but a good joint to go if you want to impress the girl. http://www.mantra-pattaya.com

Meatball - then why not fly BA, Qantas or EVA - all are direct, all have personal screens (EVA has interactive), all have better seats, better food, better service, better hostesses. I should have pointed out I was only referring to the UK-LOS service where they still use (very) old 747's with the one large single screen.

I had the misfortune to return on Thai Air a few weeks ago. I had avoided Thai for some years due to the rapidly declining service but could not believe that it had actually got worse. How any airline can expect you to travel in this day and age for 11 hours with still only the one big screen entertainment system is beyond me. ALL their competitiros now offer personal entertainment and some like EVA even offer the latest interactive versions - it was like flying Bedrock Air. In addition, getting service and drinks outside the trolley runs was a nightmare. I remember when Thai was regarded as a premium airline but it has just fallen so far behind the other direct carriers now I can't beleive anyone would actually CHOOSE to fly them anymore.

EVA switched to 777s on the LHR - BKK route some time ago and Evergreen class was replaced with a new name. Its never been the same and not as good value to upgrade from economy now. I used to love Evergreen for the extra 150 pounds.

200 seems about right - I know its more in Bangkok and some even do it for a percentage of any moneys that result from the mail but sounds like she is telling the truth to me.

Jacko Will do re city hall - thanks for that. Everyone in iour street has the same proboem but it does seem to be getting better now. You will NOT be "asked" to complete the tax return the obligation is on YOU to make it - failure to do so is an offence but as you are aware a lot of people (perhaps the majority) never bother and never get caught. This is uusually through ignorance of the rules rather than them avoiding do so though. If you are quite sure you have no liability in Thailand it might be worth getting the ball rolling. If you have no liability then there would probably be no harm in making the return. One point though - you do not have to have 'earnings' in Thailand to be taxable - personal tax is due on incomes that are not earned or are earned outside Thailand. The Personal Income tax rules state:- "Non-residents are taxed only on income from Thai sources. Residents are subject to taxation from foreign sources as well, if such income is brought into Thailand". As you are here for over 180 days in each year you are classed as "resident" (for tax purposes) and therefore may be liable for tax on income from foreign sources. My situation is different in that I think you are far more footloose and fancy free than me - I have a young family so I can't run the risk of not having my visa and permit renewed by making a mistake that they can latch on to. The worse that can happen to you is probably just a fine or problems getting your retirement (assuming that's what you have) visa renewed one year end in the future. If I fell foul it could be far more serious for me in that it could affect my kids schooling etc. Perhaps we have gone on long enough - cleary it is each individuals personal choice whether they "comply" or not - I was originally simply trying to make the OP aware that he SHOULDF make the return.

Thanks Jacko I'll try that place

Go to the Thai Consulate website - make sure you get the HULL consulate not the London embassy. Dowload the form for the non imm O and just send it by post. They are still giving Non Imm Os for any reason whereas the London embassy requires proof of Thai Spouse etc. It will cost you (I think) 90 pounds and will be back with youin about 3 or 4 days. If you time your rentrys it will be valid for 15 months not 12. At the end of that time you will not be able to renew it in Thailand unless you have the Thai Spouse or are over 50 but at least you will get enough time here to see if you really like it.

Jacko - agree re "Thailand" but there is (apparently) an official drought here in Pattaya. Granted it might have more to do with the pipes but I was just trying to explain that 300 might be a slight underestimation. I too am on a meter but we have had little mains water in the last 2 weeks and have had to rely on the tanks. I have a house - condo's might well be different. Re the tax form - the rules are fairly simple - if you reside in Thailand for more than 180 days in each year you must complete a tax return. That does NOT mean you will actually pay tax but the return is SUPPOSED to be made. Of course many people never bother (TiT after all) but given the new visa regime etc (clamping down on tax avoidance amongst other things) plus the fact that your entry and departure is now computer logged it is a wise idea to do so. I for one would not want to give the authorities any reason to nail me should they ever choose to look into my affairs and not filing a return could well be thrown at you if they wished to. More info available on the 180 day rule =tax]here Info re US citizens taxation in Thailand =tax]here

Hi I see many shops with very elaborate birthday cakes but can't find one that caters for kids. My son is 3 next month and we would like to get a Spiderman or Power Rangers cake for him. Back in the UK you take a picture or photograph along and they change this into an icing top. Anyone know anywhere in Pattaya I can get similar? Thanks in advance

In reference to Jackos reply 300 for water is probably underestimated at the moment - with the currect drought I am filling my tank once every two days at around 120 a go. You must complete an Income Tax form if you are here for 180 days+ in any year - that doesn't mean you will actually be taxed though. Lots of rentals/agents listed on one page here

Hmm - not overly useful, though possible true. What would you suggest then Owen? We have a car already but the missus commandeers that every day and I wanted a little freedom. Baht busses / bike taxis are OK for the first few weeks but after that it becomes a real drag walking to the main road and back a few times each day.

Hi Well it looks like our BKK - Pattaya relocation may become permanent and I am interested in getting a motorbike. I passed my bike test in the UK when I was 17 but haven't ridden a bike of any description since I was 20 which was 27 years ago now. I'm not too comfortable just hopping back on one and would like some kind of refresher course and maybe even a Thai bike licence. Anyone know where I can do both?

As far as I am aware your Thai Will needs be in Thai NOT in English for it to be legal. I also underdstand that you should notify your executors of your home country will of the existance of the Thai one. What is more scary is that in the UK over 70% of people die without making a will at all in the mistaken belief that everything passes to the spouse on death which is NOT the case. If you are here but have property cash etc in the UK you can make a (UK) will online in a few minutes at sites like www.online-will.co.uk - costs about 25 pounds but can be printed off wherever your are.

Wow - sounds like you met a bad apple, but no reason to assume all are the same. 1. For ADSL just go to the TOT office on corner of 3rd and Central and you can sign up in minutes although it takes about 2-3 weeks for actual connection. 2. Hmm sounds bad - why sign it? 3. I have never had a problem getting deposits back - again just sounds like you got a bad apple. 4. This is difficult as most landlords/agents would insist on a copy of the passport to protect them against a tenant doing a runner anyway. To the OP Its not easy getting a 3 month agreement without paying a much higher price. Short term rentals ARE available but always at a premium. You can negotiate a 12 month lease with a 6 month (or 3 month I assume) get-out subject to one months notice. Remember high season is virtually on us so many landlords don't need to negotiate as they can often rent for double the cost for short term lets than they can for long term ones at the moment. The house next to mine usually costs 32,000 for a 12 month lease but he is letting it easily for 2 x 1 month contracts at 50k per month for December and January. There is a list of most of the main rental agents here

FWIW - 5 years ago $US was 32(ish) and GB Pound was 59 Now 36 and 69 respectively (mid price).I think we are looking at this the wrong way round - the high rates of 14-15 months ago were probably artificially high NOT low now.

Bill Long list of links to property rental outlets at http://pattaya-news.com/property-to-rent-pattaya/

Guys Help me - OMG I am in serious mental trauma. Well, every man's nightmare has now happened - my wife (Thai) wants to play!! Can anyone recommend a course where she can play and have some lessons without me having to die of embarrassment. For obvious reasons I want to avoid taking her to my usual place and to be honest it isn't very "newbie" (or women) friendly anyway. I should add we live in BKK but weekend in Jomtien - somewhere down this way will be better Cheers

Page of links to many "agents" etc with condo to rent in Pattaya. Most are long term only but there are some short term ones there too http://pattaya-news.com/property-to-rent-pattaya/

I would advise book in advance but direct not with an agency website. Agency sites usually make you pay the whole amount in advance which makes it difficult to move on if you don't like it, find a better one, or decide to spend a night or two away. If you "make a reservation" direct with a hotel you can still get good deals and you pay when you leave not before you arrive. I have seen many times people book hotels through websites that want the whole amount upfront - not really a good idea at all. If you are interested in an appartment rather than a hotel - I have put up a lot of links inot one page on http://pattaya-news.com/property-to-rent-pattaya/ There are some short term rental paces on there as well as the usual longer term ones.

Tel We have been looking for a house in Pattaya for a few weeks now. I was attracted to East Pattaya as its far enough away to keep the kids out of the way and at the same time there are nice houses very cheap. We found a 3 bed where they were asking for 23k a month but he went down as far as 18k (shows how desperate owners are becoming I think). An equivalent house in South Pattaya or Jomtien (on the baht bus route) would have set us back at least an extra 8k a month. However this access issue has completely changed our thinking. Between my wife and I we would have to make at least one return trip a day just for work, let alone if we go out again in the evening. We reckon we could easily run up 700 baht a day in travel expenses between us, either using taxis or hiring a car. Neither of us really likes motorbikes as we have 2 very young kids. Thats 21,000 a month! We have now decided to pay an extra 8-10k a month to rent somewhere more central, or at very least on the baht-bus route itself. For an additional 10k we can have a 3 bed close to the beach in Jomtien, right on the baht bus route and only 10 minutes into Pattaya itself. All in all I came to the conclusion that East Pattaya is a false economy (unless you already have a car) when you add all this up, especially if you are NOT just going to sit at the pool all day every day.

Great tool :) For ease of conversion 400 wah = 1 Rai 1 rai = 1,600 square metres So as SinkorSwim points out 100 Wah is 400 sq metres Put another way this is 20x20 or 40x10 etc. If you are thinking of building on it, be careful if the dimensions - if its long and narrow it could be hard to build a house on. Just out of interest how much was the price for this land? We paid £800 ($1,440) for a similar sized plot near Yasothon and built on it. I have a feeling they saw me coming at that price On the other hand "beach" land in Hua Hin is currently fetching 17m-up per rai. Current "average" prices in CM seem to be about 370 baht per square metre so you should be paying something like 148,000 baht for land this size. Of course, it depends on the "location" but that should give you an idea if you are being ripped or not.