What are you paying for things?

[LocalYokul 422]

 

I know someone who has a tea shop & they use:

https://chatramue.com

 

It is The Best in Thailand, if you enjoy tea, try it.

 

[Bullfrog 2,305]

27 minutes ago, Bruce Mangosteen said:

Thanks.  I'm actually quite surprised at the inexpensive rents being mentioned on here.  I suppose part of it is if guys have been in their digs for a while the rent might have risen more slowly than unoccupied units would.  

I'm planning to rent in Pattaya, and up until now my assumed rent budget is 20K/month.  I certainly wouldn't mind being off by 20% high though!

Check this chap out ..

https://www.youtube.com/@PremierTraveler/videos

[sailingbill 1,273]

1 hour ago, Bruce Mangosteen said:

hanks.  I'm actually quite surprised at the inexpensive rents being mentioned on here.  I suppose part of it is if guys have been in their digs for a while the rent might have risen more slowly than unoccupied units would.  

I'm planning to rent in Pattaya, and up until now my assumed rent budget is 20K/month.  I certainly wouldn't mind being off by 20% high though!

It’s a lovely thing, rents have not significantly increased in 10 years. I paid 20k for probably the most hi so place on the beach for 6 years. Now returning I told the Realtor I don’t want to live in Northpoint but find me something directly on the beach for 15 k which he did, also many house are in your range though a private pool is higher . I think Jacko and force know about house cost. For reference my condo is 55 sq, renovated as I’m an old dude and cannot do bathtubs.  I sit on the balcony tracking the ships going in to Leam Chabang 

Edited September 29 by sailingbill

[LocalYokul 422]

 

The highest I paid was 7K/month & three months up front, so 21K to move in & yes they kept the deposit.

It was a serviced apartment in Rayong city near the temple, & a lot of the residents were Japanese.

 

I got quite a deal by word of mouth for the one job I did in BKK, a room in a private home down the alley beside of a convenience store on Soi 22 Suk. Road.

A condo room in Muang Tong Thani was not very expensive either, but that is in Nonthaburi.

 

[LocalYokul 422]

 

Banchang would be cheaper for renting, but then you are not right there at the action.

If you like real beach living, that would be the place to go.

 

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,382]

16 minutes ago, sailingbill said:

...many house are in your range though a private pool is higher .

We'll probably rent a condo because I can't be bothered with yard work, and hiring people would drive up the monthly cost.  Probably in Jomthien, with View Talay I being high on the list of possibilities.  We lived there last time and loved the lifestyle; and we don't particularly care if the property is new as long as it's secure and well cared-for, both of which VT1 was last time.

13 minutes ago, LocalYokul said:

I got quite a deal by word of mouth for the one job I did in BKK...

I reckon we'll try word of mouth in VT1 given that we still have friends there.

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,382]

1 hour ago, Bullfrog said:

Check this chap out ..

https://www.youtube.com/@PremierTraveler/videos

Took a quick look, but at work now so will dig in later.  Thanks.

[LocalYokul 422]

On 9/27/2025 at 8:58 AM, Bruce Mangosteen said:

PAYIN' for stuff, rather than what they're CHARGIN'

If you are in the same pool of Jomtien/Pattaya expats & you want the sort of thing they are advertising, it is one & the same.

We know you can eat Thai all the time, so just do that & then you will not be bothered with what Expat imports cost.

Ironically, Vegemite is cheaper in the LoS than here on the East coast, unless settle for Marmite in the big tubs.

probably because Vegemite is Australian

 

[jacko 9,038]

13 hours ago, Bullfrog said:

I normally buy this from Lotus that seems to last forever ..

 

https://www.lotuss.com/en/product/barbasol-soothing-aloe-thick-rich-shaving-cream-198g-73110485

 

But last week I needed to stock up on Typhoo tea from Siamburis and ended up ordering shaving foam on there to knock it over the required 1,000 baht minimum dry delivery order. No idea what it is like because I still have an unfinished Barbasol ...

 

https://expatfoodsthailand.com/shop/personal-care/insette-sensitive-shaving-foam-250ml/

 

Typhoo Tea (100 tea bags for 119 baht) I am fully aware that most think it is like drinking piss water but I find it refreshing ...

 

https://expatfoodsthailand.com/shop/hot-drinks/typhoo-one-cup-tea-bags-100s/

 

 

 

Haven't visited Lotus since they made North Rd so difficult. Plan to pop into Foodland today for a look, now it is more about getting what I want than price. Have a large stock of disposable razors that need a good lubrication else I lop the top off a mole by my nose which will bleed for ages! Tempted to come home a different way though. I miss the Tesco/Lotus convenience store that was near Numchai years ago, and on my usual route.

Typhoo tea, despite what the Chimps say, is a bit tight on the tea and I get a weak brew in my mug! Yorkshire from BigC is my brew of choice. 

Edited September 29 by jacko

[sailingbill 1,273]

9 hours ago, LocalYokul said:

 

Banchang would be cheaper for renting, but then you are not right there at the action.

If you like real beach living, that would be the place to go.

 

Banchang is on my list do do. I have never been and will probably catch Adams next bar crawl there. Im just back to Pattaya for a year, howling at the moon, love seeing, partying with many friends. Winding down my dirty life and times with the girls. But at the end of the lease I may be ready for the quiet beach life.  Ill rent a bike and tour for a week or two but perhaps I'll land there if i can upgrade to a nice beachfront place..  Been to Hua Hin a couple times and a possibility but I would like to be in striking distance of Pattaya.   Maps shows 1 hour from Ban Chang beach to LK Metro. Anyone with local BC knowledge, suggestions please advise me. 

[jacko 9,038]

On 9/28/2025 at 2:13 PM, Bruce Mangosteen said:

I think I'll start with a non-O/retirement extension then switch to a marriage visa.  I've heard the horror stories but we have all the documentation including an American marriage certificate and she has cops and military in her family so we have those references too.

Not that I am married but the marriage extension always looked like a lot of pissing around..... plus you had to wait a month in limbo for Bangkok to approve it! That and getting immigration goons visiting your home and requiring Thai neighbours to vouch for you, no thanks. Even agents prefer to push a retirement extension on you instead. I am not saying it is likely, but fall out with the Mrs and you get a week to get out!

(After thought, you feel having a USA marriage certificate might make it easy,  but I suspect you may have to get it certified by USA embassy and/or Thai Ministry of Interior). 

Edited September 29 by jacko

[sailingbill 1,273]

12 minutes ago, jacko said:

Not that I am married but the marriage extension always looked like a lot of pissing around..... plus you had to wait a month in limbo for Bangkok to approve it! That and getting immigration goons visiting your home and requiring Thai neighbours to vouch for you, no thanks. Even agents prefer to push a retirement extension on you instead. I am not saying it is likely, but fall out with the Mrs and you get a week to get out!

(After thought, you feel having a USA marriage certificate might make it easy,  but I suspect you may have to get it certified by USA embassy and/or Thai Ministry of Interior). 

Strong advice,it can be a lot of pissing around depending on your province.  If the wife says fuck off I'm in the PI in a month.    I'm in a difficult position with NON-OA , requires health insurance, As to marriage I may want to provide a survivors annuity to the wife yes the Marriage had to be certified by the US for her to get a pension but not a problem.  I have  always been a plan b,c guy so a marriage visa would be that in the unlikely event of No more Agents. Thats a big rice bowel I believe probably not happening.

[Bullfrog 2,305]

35 minutes ago, jacko said:

Not that I am married but the marriage extension always looked like a lot of pissing around

 

9 minutes ago, sailingbill said:

Strong advice,it can be a lot of pissing around depending on your province.

Shit yeh! It was my stance on any Marriage Visa discussions on Thai Visa Forum that got me banned! I simply refused to give up my point of view that in some Provinces it was impossible to do, in particular my experiences in Kamphaengphet and using Nackon Sawan Immigration. It was an impossibility (at the time) due to strict timings with them, my bank and the time taken to drive there.

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that it is best to ignore the flack from the "If you can't afford to live here fuck off back home" brigade and just use an agent..Simples!

[LocalYokul 422]

 

the agent greases the palm, but perhaps you tried that?

I had to many times.

[LocalYokul 422]

 

Johnnie Walker Green or Chivas was a good agent, 😁 depending on tastes at the post.

 

[LocalYokul 422]

1 hour ago, sailingbill said:

Maps shows 1 hour from Ban Chang beach to LK Metro. Anyone with local BC knowledge, suggestions please advise me. 

If you drive your own personally owned vehicle, it would be about 44 minutes, but not on a heavy traffic time.

On a motorbike, possibly faster.

the Dark Side is a little easier to get to, as you can nearly avoid Suk. Road:

If you are looking for a residence by word of mouth, go down to the Rom-Son restaurant, on the beach.

Ask the staff there & other patrons, too.

A friend of mine lived in a Rom-Son bungalow for years, they have little little bachelor pads right next to their parking area.

Rom Son = Shade of the Pines

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057233239929

 

1 hour ago, sailingbill said:

Been to Hua Hin a couple times and a possibility but I would like to be in striking distance of Pattaya.

There is a ferry from H.H. to Patttaya.

 

[Bullfrog 2,305]

49 minutes ago, LocalYokul said:

 

the agent greases the palm, but perhaps you tried that?

I had to many times.

 

46 minutes ago, LocalYokul said:

 

Johnnie Walker Green or Chivas was a good agent, 😁 depending on tastes at the post.

 

I tried at the Immigration here and was very pleased that I was able to do it directly with them and cheaper than an agent .. but then he wasn't available when we needed him !!! The other officer insisted we used an agent that charged 45,000 Baht!! Fuck that for a game of soldiers!

So we reverted to the original agent that did the first one when we arrived in the region..

I know it is possible to DIY but the risk is just too high at the critical moment if there are changes.. Use an agent but shop around..

[LocalYokul 422]

 

Only one time did I get called back to the scene of the greasing, when I did it in Cambo & the officer who issued me the visa I wanted got called out by his boss & they contacted me to come get it corrected.

So I did the Cambo run again, but it was a stroke of luck that my TGF & I had already arranged a weekend in Koh Chang.

 

[Bullfrog 2,305]

1 hour ago, LocalYokul said:

 

Only one time did I get called back to the scene of the greasing, when I did it in Cambo & the officer who issued me the visa I wanted got called out by his boss & they contacted me to come get it corrected.

So I did the Cambo run again, but it was a stroke of luck that my TGF & I had already arranged a weekend in Koh Chang.

 

WOW the same sort of thing happened on a Cambodian visa run using the agent in the Queen Vic yonks ago (15 years++ ??) but the solution was rather bizarre !!

We were on the minibus on the return journey from a "successful" trip to the border when the driver took a phone call, stopped the van and asked for a couple of passports. He then used his pen to cross off the dates on the visa stamp and enter new ones .. the correct ones!! Those concerned went ballistic!!!

Buyer Beware and fucking check your stamps !!

[LocalYokul 422]

 

My first time going to Malaysia the driver tried to extort us for more money, so we simply got out & did our own.

On the other side we got a taxi to a hotel & Lo & Behold we booked a room right next to the same driver who tried to con us into giving him more money, & there was a room full of them, partying loudly, watching sports on TV ALL night long.

It was a terrible trip altogether & it was 25 December.

Some of us could probably write a novel about our visa run mishaps. I had some good ones to Chiang Rai/Burma & Laos. Ho-Chi-Minh city was nice & the best Non-Imm multiple entry I ever got.

even better than my employers arranged in Singapore

Oh wait, the food was good on that first trip to MY, dim-sum for breakfast, & tandoori chicken for lunch, just about every day.

 

[jacko 9,038]

21 hours ago, Bullfrog said:

I normally buy this from Lotus that seems to last forever ..

 

https://www.lotuss.com/en/product/barbasol-soothing-aloe-thick-rich-shaving-cream-198g-73110485

Foxed again, a large Gillette Gel at Foodland is 400 baht, couldn't bloody believe it! Tesco when I get a chance!

[helloitsme 290]

7 hours ago, LocalYokul said:

There is a ferry from H.H. to Patttaya.

 

Closed in the early covid days, never to re-open.

[sailingbill 1,273]

1 hour ago, helloitsme said:

Closed in the early covid days, never to re-open.

Yup and incredible stupid rules. If the weather was poor, a frequent occurrence they would cancel last minute. Policy was no refund. 

[helloitsme 290]

32 minutes ago, sailingbill said:

Yup and incredible stupid rules. If the weather was poor, a frequent occurrence they would cancel last minute. Policy was no refund. 

Yup. I went to book a couple of days in advance when I wanted to use it, to be told that. Let's just say I booked last minute on the day I went, having checked the weather carefully, and asked several times about the state of the boat and whether it would be going.

[Bruce Mangosteen 1,382]

21 hours ago, LocalYokul said:

If you are in the same pool of Jomtien/Pattaya expats & you want the sort of thing they are advertising, it is one & the same.

Except as a vendor it's their job to get the highest price possible what they're selling, and as a consumer it's my job to get the lowest price possible for the value I need or want in a product.  So, while advertising has its purpose, especially documenting what's available in the market I will be working in (as you suggest), I prefer to hear from fellow consumers about the price and value they're getting for the products they're buying.  There is certainly more than one way to get the data I'm looking for, this is simply how I see things.

14 hours ago, jacko said:

Not that I am married but the marriage extension always looked like a lot of pissing around..... plus you had to wait a month in limbo for Bangkok to approve it! That and getting immigration goons visiting your home and requiring Thai neighbours to vouch for you, no thanks.

Yeah, I've heard these stories too.  Clearly too many scam marriages in the past have poisoned the well. 

I've asked my wife to do some digging into how much help her family and other contacts would be in this effort.  For example, she has one cousin who is a military officer in the southern border area; we've met and are on very friendly terms.  He might possibly be able to pull a string for us.  Also, we've been together for coming on 17 years, and we have no shortage of Thai friends and neighbors who will vouch for us.  At the end of the day I'm not married to the idea of the marriage visa, so to speak, but I think it would be preferable to the non-O/retirement if I could pull it off without undue difficulty.

14 hours ago, sailingbill said:

If the wife says fuck off I'm in the PI in a month.

Yeah, that's another problem with the marriage visa.  I'd probably just switch back to a retirement visa in that case.  It's hard to plan for future events regarding visas because the Thais are constantly chopping and changing them, and that shows no sign of letting up.

14 hours ago, LocalYokul said:

the agent greases the palm, but perhaps you tried that?

I told this story elsewhere on this board, but in my case the immigration officer simply told me to go see a lady at the bank with an envelope full of money, then bring the envelope to him afterward.  I did the retirement visa without the agent and without the cash in the bank for years; only later when they cracked down did I have to use an agent.  I have food friends who have been using an agent for donkey's years so I won't have to do much searching.