Newpat Questions

[Shilo 371]

In about a month I will be making a trip to Pattaya for the summer... all summer, I should be there from May through August. This is a big event for me because I have been to Pattaya at least 15 times over the past several years but never for more then 7-14 days at a time. So with 15 trips under my belt, I can't call myself a Newbie but then again with "only" a 4 months stay coming up, I wouldn't call myself an expat either....

 

thus the new term: Newpat

 

I've taken care of about everything that I could think of here at home but I have a few questions on what to take.

 

I am one of the 72 people left in the industrial west who has never owned a cell phone. Talking on the phone all day was a major part of my job and the last thing I wanted was one of those damned things attached to my hip

 

Second, I have an X-box 360 that I have never played. I got it from work (a bonus payout). I use to like video games but got away from it several years ago. But now I will be in Pattaya with lots of free time on my hands. It's easy to carry the console over in my suitcase but what about games? I assume that you can find X-box games in Pattaya but are they new, used, or bootleg. Are they cheaper in Pattaya or should I plan to buy more here in the states and carry them over?

 

And lastly, where to stay. I was planning to just come over as I had in the past and start with a cheap room at the Sabai Lodge. Once there I'd take a few days to look around for something for the long term. But just in general: for a 4 month trip should I look at hotels with a decent monthly rate, give the service apartments a try, or look around for a summer lease on a condo rental? FYI: I'm looking to spend around 15-20K, and would like an in-room stove and fridge, USB cable and wifi.

 

Thanks in advance and will see some of you guys soon.

 

Shilo

Edited April 18, 2008 by Shilo

[jacko 8,814]

The States is one of those countries that went against the flow wrt cell phone standards. So if you do buy one there you need to be sure it supports the system in Thailand, GSM. Also it might well be locked to a particular provider. Buy one here, plenty of models available, only annoyance is the Thai characters on the keys making them hard to see.

 

Not sure about video games, everything seems to be available in Tuk Com... my bet is you will be into outdoor pursuits due to the climate and indoor pursuits with company, would not likely be playing games.

 

Your plan on accommodation sounds good, although I would pass on the hotel idea for long term. A serviced aparment (on a long term deal) or condo is the best.

Edited April 7, 2008 by jacko

[sinbinjack 251]

The Pattaya bay resort might suit you if you can get one of their studio rooms at the cheaper price of (I think) 20,000 baht a month . these rooms have all you need including flat screen TVs

[zaphodbeeblebrox 0]

Second, I have an X-box 360 that I have never played. I got it from work (a bonus payout). I use to like video games but got away from it several years ago. But now I will be in Pattaya with lots of free time on my hands. It's easy to carry the console over in my suitcase but what about games? I assume that you can find X-box games in Pattaya but are they new, used, or bootleg. Are they cheaper in Pattaya or should I plan to buy more here in the states and carry them over?

 

And lastly, where to stay. I was planning to just come over as I had in the past and start with a cheap room at the Sabai Lodge. Once there I'd take a few days to look around for something for the long term. But just in general: for a 4 month trip should I look at hotels with a decent monthly rate, give the service apartments a try, or look around for a summer lease on a condo rental? FYI: I'm looking to spend around 15-20K, and would like an in-room stove and fridge, USB cable and wifi.

 

Thanks in advance and will see some of you guys soon.

 

Shilo

 

 

I also bought an X-Box 360 to play in retirement. You can get all the games in Pattaya. The best store is on 2nd Road, just north of Pattaya Tai. You can also find games in TukCom, and there's a store on the 2nd Floor of Tops, next to the DVD store. The only thing I haven't found in Pattaya is the game controller (guitar) for Guitar Hero 2. (they carry the PSP version, but not the X-Box version).

 

For living arrangements, I would go with a serviced apartment or condo. Lots are available right now in your price range. I agree that cooking facilities, internet and TV connection are critical. BTW - I think you meant UBC satellite, not USB cable, and the LOS name for UBC is now "True".

 

See ya in May,

zaphod

[joekicker 53]

Thailand is currently only ranked No 5 software pirate in the world, but it tries harder. You can get all the games you can play in 5 months.

[volsfan 43]

One piece of advice on your X-box is that you are gonna need to get it "modified" to play the copy games. Can be done in Tuk-Com quickly and cheaply. Original game in US - 50 Bucks. Copy game in Thailand - 3 bucks. Up to you which you choose to buy.

 

As for phones, DO NOT buy one in the US. When you arrive here, you will find thousands of used ones available in all the mobile shops. Cheap.

 

Loads of places available in your price range now. Wait till you get here and look around. You will find loads.

[MM 6,562]

Second, I have an X-box 360 that I have never played. I got it from work (a bonus payout). I use to like video games but got away from it several years ago. But now I will be in Pattaya with lots of free time on my hands. It's easy to carry the console over in my suitcase but what about games? I assume that you can find X-box games in Pattaya but are they new, used, or bootleg.

 

Be sure and check if your power adapter supports 220v. A friend brought over an Xbox 360 and fried the power adaptor, thinking, like all decent electronics, it would support both 110 and 220.

 

As to games, I think volsfan is right...it has to be modified first to get "cheap" games.

[Shilo 371]

Thanks guys

 

But staying on the same subjects for a bit longer...

 

When you have the Xbox modified, I assume that it then plays both manufacter and "cheap" games... or do you have to modify it back to original before returning home.

 

After thinking about it some more, I'll wait till I'm in Pattaya to buy the phone. I don't see myself using the damn thing when stateside if for no other reason then that the US doesn't use sim cards but rather 1-2 year contracts.

 

But you could really help me with understanding the TV situation over there. I don't plan to spend 4 months sitting in a bar and certainly not during the daytime when it hot. At those times I like to stay at home with the aircon, my trusty laptop (thus interest in wifii) and a TV.

 

But what good is a TV in Pattaya without UBC? Seriously, the crap that is shown on the hotel room sets is in my mind a leading contributor to the city's drinking problem.

 

Can anyone suggest hotels or service apartments that have UBC. Or do I need to go the lease a condo route?

 

Thanks again

[volsfan 43]

Thanks guys

 

But staying on the same subjects for a bit longer...

 

When you have the Xbox modified, I assume that it then plays both manufacter and "cheap" games... or do you have to modify it back to original before returning home.

 

After thinking about it some more, I'll wait till I'm in Pattaya to buy the phone. I don't see myself using the damn thing when stateside if for no other reason then that the US doesn't use sim cards but rather 1-2 year contracts.

 

But you could really help me with understanding the TV situation over there. I don't plan to spend 4 months sitting in a bar and certainly not during the daytime when it hot. At those times I like to stay at home with the aircon, my trusty laptop (thus interest in wifii) and a TV.

 

But what good is a TV in Pattaya without UBC? Seriously, the crap that is shown on the hotel room sets is in my mind a leading contributor to the city's drinking problem.

 

Can anyone suggest hotels or service apartments that have UBC. Or do I need to go the lease a condo route?

 

Thanks again

 

A modified game console will play both real and copy games. As Martin said, just ensure the power adapter is dual voltage or you will need to buy a new one here (adapter not x-box). As for TV, I agree that the Sophon cable is shit. You will just have to look around for a place that has satellite. Should not be too much of a problem.

Edited April 9, 2008 by volsfan

[Shilo 371]

Thanks again for the help guys but I'm still hoping for a little help on where to stay.

 

I plan to book a room at the Sabai Lodge again to start but once in Pattaya I will look for someplace with a good monthly rate. But what I really need is a list of any hotels, service apartments or "other" that has both UBC and wi-fi.

 

 

Thanks (19 more days)

[dv34917 13]

Hotels with wifi or adsl and monthly rates include Bella Villa Prima, Pattaya Bay resort, LK mansion & Metropole. They are in your price range but you may have to commit to 3 months at some.

 

Don't get a condo and then try to install phone and adsl. You will spend the whole 4 months waiting for TOT to get it working. Be sure the internet is already up and running!!

[bigdelta 46]

I had service with Verizon until a month ago in the US and had a GSM phone.

[jacko 8,814]

Hotels with wifi or adsl and monthly rates include Bella Villa Prima, Pattaya Bay resort, LK mansion & Metropole. They are in your price range but you may have to commit to 3 months at some.

 

Don't get a condo and then try to install phone and adsl. You will spend the whole 4 months waiting for TOT to get it working. Be sure the internet is already up and running!!

You don't want to be trying to get TOT to do anything, they really are imcompetent.