Would you guys consider living in Pattaya permanently?

[jacko 8,766]

Bet you can't name one such place.

 

.

Guantanamo.....

[bratpack 91]

I am with you. I hate Bangkok. I don't even like visiting Bangkok. I dead it. I enjoy Pattaya for a day trip. But I will always make my home in and around Chonburi City / Bangsaen area.

 

 

I was thinking of looking around that area one day.Still happy with Pattaya but my gf son now 9 yo and might be a good idea in the future to move away.No problems for a piss up in Patta i would stay overnight and go home the next morning,sounds fucking good to me Stinky

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Well it isn't just a Tesco Tom... we got a Macro too!

And the Tesco stocks shoes beyond size 42!

I have the expats club which is a wealth of support and knowledge...

English pubs if I need to......

A few very good international schools for those that have kids.

Immigration and vehicle registration services on the doorstep.

A motorway nearby.....

Great nightlife and restaurants abound.

And lots of tarts...

An airport just 1.5 hours away that goes to everywhere...

Great medical facilities nearby and superior Bangkok ones not too far away.

Wonderful tourist police to help us when we have problems..... and assistants who speak our language.

 

Jacko,

 

We've got most of that down here ...

 

Macro - well, we've got a Makro if that counts

Expats Club - no. I've got ThaiVisa.

English Pubs - what are they? We've got them and Irish and American Country - call it The Green Lion/Wyoming or something and add 25% to the prices.

English friends - and English hooligans, drop outs and other undesirables by the ton - Nope, you can keep them.

Immigration and Land Transport - yes, without the queues of farangs.

Motorway - yes, we have them too. and six lane highways and pedestrian bridges over all of the busy main roads.

Great nightlife - not sure what you mean? Beer Bars and GoGos, or what?

Restaurants - I'll give you that. Our choice of Farang-style restaurants could be better. But you can still get a "Full English", scoff supplied by Yorky in Jomtien apparently, Sunday roasts and all the international/Thai chain restaurants except Burger King for some reason.

Lots of tarts.. - Quantity with dubious quality and half of them started life as blokes. We have quality and variety - Isaan, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Chinese, Vietnamese. Got to admit, Pattaya has a few more ladyboys though.

Tourist Police - yes, we have the friendly and helpful variety.

Great medical facilities - yes, we've got them at 20% of the price as well as the more expensive Bangkok Group International option.

 

I most certainly wouldn't want to live in a condo on 3rd Rd using public transport.....

 

Ditto.

 

English friends around with similar lifestyles.

 

You can get that in Chester.

 

And the idea of living in big city like Bangkok or Nakhon Ratchasima repulses me...

 

Ditto

 

But the place is changing and heading in a direction that likely will force me to move on... I do hope my house increases in value in the meantime.

 

Inside or outside of Thailand?

 

Serious question - Would you live in Pattaya if it wasn't for the availability of the tarts i.e. was it a deal-breaker in your decision to live there?

Edited March 24, 2010 by CheshireTom

[Big_Brian 179]

Don't want to live IN Pattaya, somewhere 30 minutes or so out will do me fine. Close enough to get in easily a couple of evenings a week, but not so close that it's in your face all the time.

[packhike 13]

Pattaya is for short time only. The rest of Thailand is for long time.

I'll take where I am at now over pattaya every time...

[joekicker 53]

Guantanamo.....

 

heh. I'll remember that one.

 

Actually, though, Guantanamo is a very diverse place. They may all be Muslims but they sure as heck aren't all Arabs.

 

.

[Ian_Kilmister 0]

You must be joking. There's lot more Catholics in Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) than there are Muslims, LOL

 

I'd think BKK Burbs would be ok, especially with the Skytrain or MRT to get you into town easily.

[Stinky 12]

You must be joking. There's lot more Catholics in Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) than there are Muslims, LOL

 

I'd think BKK Burbs would be ok, especially with the Skytrain or MRT to get you into town easily.

 

 

Maybe you can give us some information on the Ban Chang / Rayong area, since you are a long time expat from that area?

[Ian_Kilmister 0]

Rayong is a quiet town. There's plenty of places for the young people to hang out, but just about nowhere for old timers.

It's got a Big C, Lotus & a shopping center called Laam Tong (Golden Point).

 

Laam Tong is the only one with a movie cinema, but they do not show soundtrack movies, only movies dubbed in Thai.

 

The beaches are nearly an hour farther East & Samet Island is another 30-45 minute ride by boat.

If you just like to relax in a quiet town it's nice enough. I'll be there this weekend with my GIK, so will be well rested for a look at Banchang on Sunday afternoon/evening.

[Ian_Kilmister 0]

BTW, why can't I post to brag about my new TV over here ? :

 

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47586

 

Is there some sort of validation period or something ?

[buriramboy 0]

Might be worth a read for some of you considering living in Thailand full time.................make what you will of the article.............

 

http://www.retire-asia.com/thai-advice.shtml

 

Farang Living in Thailand – some advice for newcomers to the "Land of Smiles (and Guile)"

 

The writer's opinions, posted anonymously on a news group recently, may seem overly cynical and negative. However there is a lot of truth which can be verified by discussions with ex-pats or 'farang/falang' (referred to by Thai Immigration as aliens) who live or have lived in Thailand for extended periods. Hopefully it may serve to help others, including the many who are disenchanted with life in their own countries, who think after spending an idyllic fortnight's holiday in Thailand (and probably falling in love with a Thai), that they can find happiness and contentment in this 'tropical paradise'. Sadly, it's a dream that rarely comes true. However, people usually want to make their own mistakes rather than believe the 'tales of woe' of others that have gone before them. This may prevent some from doing so! Read on...

 

I believe that chances of success or survival in Thailand are better if you belong to one of the following groups. If you are rich and also sensible with your money, then go ahead. If an international company or similar offers you a high salaried job in Thailand, then fine. If you are retired or have steady funds from abroad and want to live modestly on those funds, go ahead, but watch yourself. And if you're a young traveller seeing the world, and you want to spend some time in Thailand teaching or whatever for the experience, then that's fine too.

 

If you don't fall into one of these groups, then you should probably only consider Thailand for short holidays. Many middle aged westerners in particular (including professionals) like the idea of living there, having a business or making some money and "enjoying life" in Thailand. But very few make it, including most of the western food restaurant, girlie or gay bar owners and alike you might meet in Thailand who boast about their good life there. It is common for faltering foreigners to try and keep up appearances. Many end up broke, broken-hearted or crazed, sometimes all three! Some will leave to try and pick up the pieces of their shattered lives elsewhere. Thailand 'got them' in the end.

 

Thai business, visa and residency laws, corruption, dishonesty and deceit and other aspects of the "Thai way" are likely to get you in the end. Have a minor run-in with a wealthy or important Thai and your status and possibly your life will be at risk. Their whole culture is geared around making sure that foreigners pursuing individual efforts are not successful. It's ingrained in them from an early age to believe that they are the never-colonised master race of Asia (yes they really do think that) and their mythology runs so deep you'll never budge it.

 

Remember, in Thailand you'll never have any real business, legal or ownership rights. But Thais can probably go to your country and buy and own anything they can get their sticky hands on (because of the more tolerant business laws). To Thais, this is just further evidence of how clever they are, and how foolish are the foreigners who go to Thailand.

 

Thailand is ruled by a comparatively small business and industrial elite, mostly from Chinese origins. They hold all the power and most of the wealth in the country. Although the king and royal family are revered by ordinary people, they have little real power in a 'parliamentary democracy'. The idea of western foreigners living in the country and achieving wealth and status through individual entrepreneurial efforts is seen as a threat to the hegemony that the elite has over the Thai underclass who form the bulk of the population. For this reason, it is never allowed to happen.

 

Thailand should be seen from a western perspective as being rather like a casino; a place of entertainment with a touch of excitement, the lure of good fortune and the good life, a place for fun but with always the risk of loss. Most sensible people visit casinos occasionally. Spending every day there, and you will surely lose, because the "House Advantage" will get you eventually. So it is in Thailand. The Thai "House Advantage" will get you. They make sure of it.

 

Of course, if going to Thailand with all your money and slowly losing it and ending up teaching English for a pittance, because that's about all you can do, either illegally or working legally but being treated like a serf by Thai institutions, appeals to you then go ahead. Maybe a hand to mouth virtual poverty lifestyle appeals to you. And running around the country several times a year getting visas, or always being at the mercy of authorities on visa matters might also be your bag. If so, then go ahead, at least you'll be able to spend your nights at cheap restaurants sharing your impoverishment and frustration with other exploited western teachers. If not, think seriously.

 

In case you are thinking, let me say that I am not a former go-go bar owner gone bust, I have not lost my all doing business with Thais, no I haven't been cheated of everything by a bar-girl, no I haven't been reduced to the indignity of teaching English for a pittance. I have my own money, have spent a lot of time in Thailand, and have done some business there, have observed the experiences of a lot of foreigners, can see what goes on, and have enough concern to want to tell others about it.

 

If my words can prevent even one westerner of modest means from selling up and going to "enjoy life" in Thailand (and getting shafted in the end) then that will be something. Don't make the mistake of thinking that as a foreigner (even with professional skills) you can "make a contribution" to Thailand, no matter how good your intentions or needed your skills may be. Your contribution will never be welcomed, only your money. There is a saying in Thai that captures it well: "farang roo mark mai dee" - foreigners who know too much [about Thailand] are no good.

 

For tourists, who don't need or want to see the full picture, Thailand is great. So, go as a tourist, enjoy what you enjoy there, but don't be taken in by the culture or people, as many westerners have been, and don't under any circumstances give up anything back home to go and stay there unless you are financially secure for life, or know exactly what you are doing. There is a tradition of resident foreigners in Thailand not telling to the truth about the country because they don't like to admit to themselves and to others about the mistake they have made in moving there. Thailand is slowly recovering from the financial mess its political and business leaders got the country itself into, through a mixture or greed, incompetence, arrogance and corruption, but there is still political uncertainty and there will always be greed and corruption. Times ahead will still be difficult for many Thais. For foreigners, even more so.

[Bazle 1,450]

In answer to the OP I would not wish to live in Pattay permanently.I would however not mind staying 4-5 months a year and still live in the UK for the rest of the time.Might not suit everyone but I think it would suit me.

That is my plan. Hopefully, my condo purchase will be completed shortly. It is only small but is in a quiet spot by the temple and just off Second Road - a few minutes walk to most places I need to get to. That's important as I don't intend to drive.

 

I'm hoping to spend mid October to mid Feb in Patts. I'm not expecting it to be easy. I will lose the support system of family and long-standing friends in the UK, and know very few people in Patts. I don't speak any Thai and get very pissed off by things not happening as they should do, so I know I need to change my approach to life if I'm going to survive.

 

I don't think I'd like to live there 12 months a year, but escaping another British winter is a very appealing prospect.

[MM 6,562]

BTW, why can't I post to brag about my new TV over here ? :

 

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47586

 

Is there some sort of validation period or something ?

 

Read the INTRODUCTION forum section!

[nidnoyham 30]

After 20-+ trips over an 8 year period, I go along with buriramboy's post.

 

It doesn't have to happen to you, for you to realize the odds are well in the Thais favour.

 

They make and change the rules to keep it that way. Not unlike the rich in any other country.

 

I have seen blokes arrive with wedges of cash and within 2 years be down to a few thou'.

 

Men overstaying their visa, living off the generosity of a bar owner, waiting for the hammer to fall.

 

Others getting involved in drug running to Japan to subsidize their life in LOS ( and getting caught ).

 

It ain't just the Thais who will rip you off, it is fellow Ferangs of dubious backgrounds, looking for the arrival of the newest 'sucker'.

 

It is probably as much not wanting to be seen to fail, that will perhaps make someone take risks they would not take at home.

 

Good luck to those who make it to the end. As long as the end does not come sooner, because of living in LOS.

[js007 795]

Pattaya has its moments, but I've come to the conclusion that I wouldn't want to live there permanently. A few months here and there, fine. But as a place of permanent residence, I don't think so.

 

A few years ago I retired and was going to move to Thailand. But after a while I concluded my life would be simpler if I kept a place in the states and just traveled when I wanted to. For example, I'm staying in Thailand for six months this trip. Maybe I'll come back in the fall, or maybe I'll go somewhere else for a few months or so. For me, that kind of arrangement makes more sense.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Thailand is ruled by a comparatively small business and industrial elite, mostly from Chinese origins. They hold all the power and most of the wealth in the country. Although the king and royal family are revered by ordinary people, they have little real power in a 'parliamentary democracy'. The idea of western foreigners living in the country and achieving wealth and status through individual entrepreneurial efforts is seen as a threat to the hegemony that the elite has over the Thai underclass who form the bulk of the population. For this reason, it is never allowed to happen.

 

William Heinecke would disagree.

[buriramboy 0]

William Heinecke would disagree.

Obviously that article is just one mans opinion and there are a few what i would call 'inaccuracies' in it, aswell as quite a few generalisations, but overall it's a pretty fair assessment IMO.

[Stinky 12]

I would never live in Pattaya. I would not put that onto my wife and kids to have to see that shit everyday.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Obviously that article is just one mans opinion and there are a few what i would call 'inaccuracies' in it, as well as quite a few generalisations, but overall it's a pretty fair assessment IMO.

 

Sometimes they need a bit of farang co-operation, such as Dietrich Mateschitz. He and his Thai partner have done rather well, IMHO. Without wishing to generalise, opening a beer bar or Go-Go in Pattaya hardly quailifies as being innovative when talking about entrepreneurs.

 

Anyway, as nidnoyham pointed out, there are enough farangs about who will happily rip you off without worrying too much about the Thais.

Edited March 24, 2010 by CheshireTom

[bratpack 91]

I've probably lived in Thailand longest of anyone here, but I can't imagine living in Pattaya. I love the sleaze - for a short time. Plus, it really is primarily a white ghetto and it's very, very difficult NOT to live in that ghetto. Not very many Thais live in Pattaya, or want to. I'm with them. I can't imagine I'll die anywhere but Thailand despite some lengthy absences the past few years, but I'll only die in Pattaya totally by chance during a short visit, not by choice in my residence.

 

.

 

 

I bow to your many years of wisdom but to say not many thais live in Pattaya is a bit strange

[joekicker 53]

There is a tradition of resident foreigners in Thailand not telling to the truth about the country because they don't like to admit to themselves and to others about the mistake they have made in moving there.

 

So why did this guy break the tradition, i.e. why is he more credible than any other anonymous poster who rants about "the Thais".

 

.

[joekicker 53]

I bow to your many years of wisdom but to say not many thais live in Pattaya is a bit strange

 

Your post got cut off here. How many Thais reside in Pattaya -- "reside" as in the foreigners (like you) who have chosen to reside there, as opposed to those who come for the job and have no intention of actually establishing residence there or registering Pattaya on their ID cards as their primary residence? I bet without looking that not 5 per cent of the Thais in Pattaya reside in Pattaya. Heck, I'd even make a smaller side wager that the MAYOR doesn't reside in Pattaya.

 

So what's the actual figure?

 

Either way, though, I'd argue that it's not "a bit strange". It's either right or it's wrong.

 

.

[capdagde 1,954]

If it ever happens I expect to reside permanently in Pattaya on a temporary basis.....

 

Wehey!

 

Andy Cao

[jacko 8,766]

You can get that in Chester.

 

No..... the similar lifestyles include swimming in our pools, and having drinks on the terrace watching the sun set. Chester has issues there.

 

Ditto

 

 

 

Inside or outside of Thailand?

Hah... both. I think the house will accrue in value and the Thai baht has done so too, so it's win-win isn't it?

 

Serious question - Would you live in Pattaya if it wasn't for the availability of the tarts i.e. was it a deal-breaker in your decision to live there?

A collection of factors... above when I mentioned nightlife your comment was

not sure what you mean? Beer Bars and GoGos, or what?

Beer bars have little impact on my life, but I like the odd GO-GO. Live music at say 'The Blues Factory', or a night infront of a big screen watching world cup football in AC comfort with beer being brought to me. We just had a 3 day music festival complete with big name bands and shootings! Soon we will have a 7 day songkran ended with a day of locked traffic and drunken maddness! Shit, Tom, I am going to come live down there...

As to the question... the availability of tarts might be a deal maker on top of the other factors. I have seen enough of rural Thai lifestyle to know that isn't for me, and why settle for something in-between when I can have the best... warts and all. Tonight I will be in an airconditioned GO-GO with some cute little knickerless thing bouncing in my lap.....

In Nakhon nowhere, it's bedtime at 8pm, after 3 hours of sitting in the dirt being bitten by bugs drinking warm beer.

Sea fishing in a few days....

Edited March 25, 2010 by jacko

[torrenova 644]

A collection of factors... above when I mentioned nightlife your comment was Beer bars have little impact on my life, but I like the odd GO-GO. Live music at say 'The Blues Factory', or a night infront of a big screen watching world cup football in AC comfort with beer being brought to me. We just had a 3 say music festival complete with big name bands and shootings! Soon we will have a 7 day songkran ended with a day of locked traffic and drunken maddness! Shit, Tom, I am going to come live down there...

As to the question... the availability of tarts might be a deal maker on top of the other factors. I have seen enough of rural Thai lifestyle to know that isn't for me, and why settle for something in-between when I can have the best... warts and all. Tonight I will be in an airconditioned GO-GO with some cute little knickerless thing bouncing in my lap.....

In Nakhon nowhere, it's bedtime at 8pm, after 3 hours of sitting in the dirt being bitten by bugs drinking warm beer.

Sea fishing in a few days....

 

I think that is a fair assumption. I wonder just how many of the people who want to live in Thailand permanently but don't want to live in Pattaya have actually spent more than a few days in the boonies or even the nearest town of note to their girls's mama and papa ? OK, some go live there because they cannot afford Pattaya. Some people don't have a/c either ! I guess some people still think the world is flat.

 

I think living past Suk creates a natural break and no matter how many quasi swimming brothels they put up (and which will surely die off as there cannot be sufficient business) and no matter how many people move there, there will always be some places to relax and chill out. I'm not talking about those cheap glued houses which look like they came off a factory conveyor belt, you know the ones, no grass, no trees, just straight streets of yellow coffins with green lids like those at the top of Soi Khao Noi.

 

I always liked the south, I felt more at home there but I don't think I'd live there. Not sure but I still think Pattaya is hard to beat when you consider the alternatives.