seasia

"Cheapish" Charles Alert or Value Seekers, etc.

VOLARE Italian restaurant, Soi Buakhow (on corner of road that runs from the back of Avenue mall) trying to stir up business in this LOWEST of low seasons.

volare-rest-cafe-friends.jpg

Last night they offered any pizza or pasta dish on their menu for 200 baht.

Of course many of those dishes are over 200 baht, so there's the deal.

That was Tuesday. Not sure how often they will offer this.

Also they have an ALL YOU CAN EAT promotion on THURSDAYS.

Now that is 550 baht.

I am not sure what the deal is with that, but IF you can order anything off their regular menu (as opposed to a limited menu or buffet table) that would represent a great value. For those who have no shame and are very hungry, that is.

I`ve eaten here a few times, one of about 4 Italian restaurants I go to or buy for takeaway from.

My opinion : Food quite good, service OK, friendly owner, when he is there.

I`ve eaten pasta dishes there that I think were about 260- 280 baht so a reasonable discount being offered.

Pizzas somewhat average.( I think Valentinos beats it on that front, albeit at a higher price.

Drinks prices middle range, forgotten exactly how much but didn`t strike me as being excessive.

A glass of wine about 90 baht I think but buying a carafe worked out better value ( as is usual)

Neither the cheapest nor the best but an option.

It is open at least until 1.00 AM, maybe even 2.00AM

Last visit was a little over 2 months ago as been away from Thailand on holiday and just got back.

I`ll return there for a meal again sometime.

Kodak shop opposite Nikom Court soi Bukhaow 100 baht-done in a couple of hours

Thanks for that, I`ll go there next time I`m in the area.

Am I right in thinking Nikom Court is on the corner of soi Diana & soi bukhao ?

Cheers

Studio Smile at Dolphin Circle. Dr. Tapasit fully trained in the US, all staff speak very good English, and it is a state of the art clinic.

http://www.studiosmilethailand.com/index.html

As a result of hockey injuries when I was a kid, I have been to many dentists in several different countries over the span of decades, and he is without question one of the best that I have consulted.

Thanks for that ( and to living in Patts )

Unfortunately I am going to be needing some implants at some stage, I`ll go to Dr. Tapasit next month and see what he says.

Cheers.

Asia Books at gate C. I too like to get all the formalities out of the way first before tucking into beer. Don't need pit stops on a 45-minute flight:-).

Thanks for your posts/topic.

Same as you I prefer to get all the formalities out of the way.

Last time I was airside at Swampy and fancied a quick beer before the flight, first shop I checked was 220 baht, declined that, second shop was 280 baht..

Just for a small Singha, I went without.

It will be Asia Books next time then, cheers.

I really couldn't handle " sitting in a bar " every day and night! - I would be bored and " twitchy " after 5 minutes! ( also i dont drink ...) also with this lovely weather who would want to sit in a bar all day?

I live in Naklua ( Pattaya ) and get out and about on Thailand's wonderful " Railway " Pattaya 's Train station is only a 20 minute gentle stroll from Pattaya Klang and is great fun! I often catch the afternoon train to Si Racha ( it takes 30 minutes ) and it costs only 6 baht. ( an affordable price for everyone! )

Just an idea!

Farang Jaidee

Hi

That sounds good, I have never been on a train in Thailand, can you then catch a later train back to Pattaya or do you stay overnight in Siracha ?

I have tried a google search but where else could one go by train from Pattaya in less than 1 hour ?

Thanks.

As a general comment, I`m certainly not bored in Pattaya, wish there were more hours in the day and days in the week.

Taking a break from Thailand currently, going around UK & Europe, enjoying it, some things better than Thailand, others not.

Pros and cons everywhere really.

Hi

I`m in Italy now and it would get my vote, except wouldn`t fancy it in winter, just don`t like the cold.

Excellent scenery & food, not costly compared to the UK, I`d say cheaper in comparison.

In the north now not far from Milan, weather great, heading south in another week.

If you`ve not been , worthy of consideration.

Nice restaurants, nice bars and people that like to live life.

I`ve been visiting for many years, always a pleasure to return.

Big C on Pattaya Klang offer free delivery on any overall purchase above 1000 baht.

I`ve used them many times, they messed up just 1 time( mistake corrected), overall a fairly decent service.

The branch near you might have a different policy, no idea, sorry.

I thought it was only an Embassy that could provide an income verification letter ?

I don`t know that, just what I assume.

So, can a Consulate provide an income verification letter?

As other posters have mentioned there are at least two other consulates in Pattaya that will provide the verification letter for British nationals, and for a lower price. So well worth considering.

Even if you actually go to the embassy it is still the consular services department of the embassy that deals with this sort of thing (visas and paperwork generally). A consulate or honorary consulate will generally be able to provide most of the simpler paperwork services that the main consular services department of an embassy does, except when they have been told not to as the honorary British consulate in Pattaya was last year, before the post was finally abolished.

Thanks KK and others for correction .

I genuinely but wrongly assumed it was only the BKK British Embassy that could deal with the income verification.

Very useful to learn there are 2 Consulate options in Pattaya, that will be more convenient.

I`ll call either/both of them when I return to Thailand with all the paperwork

The OP might like to consider using the services of another consulate rather than the British one. This has been discussed recently in several threads on here, so do a search. The advantages seem to be that the other consulates are cheaper and less fussy, and for those in Pattaya they are much more conveniently located also.

Hi

I thought it was only an Embassy that could provide an income verification letter ?

I don`t know that, just what I assume.

So, can a Consulate provide an income verification letter?

I thought not although it would be more convenient if so and yes, am usually based in Pattaya but no problem to take a trip to Bangkok.

I spent a week in PP last year as a tourist, my first trip there, and focused on the place as a potential fall-back position from Thailand, should that ever be needed. And I found the city to be a pleasant and reasonably hospitable place. Generally friendly, English speaking people, especially among the younger generations. American money used. Lots more better and independent western/European eateries vs. pretty much just the international chains here in Thailand. Far better local beer. Vastly better wine choices.

 

The longer-term visa situation there is manageable for right now, just pay an annual fee and you're done. Transportation around PP is easy and cheap, being a smaller and less congested place than Bangkok (but no subway or elevated rail, of course). The locals told me the Internet was OK and getting better. But the big thing that usually crops up as a barrier to farangs moving from Thailand to Cambodia is what's considered to be Cambodia's much lower standard of medical care, even in the capital city of PP. Though perhaps that will change with time.

 

Of course, all of those impressions were before the Cambodian government started attacking its own citizen/protesters some months back amid big demonstrations -- not that that's an unknown occurrence here in the Land of S....

 

Interesting, on my tourist visit, slightly before yours, I got virtually the same impression of PP.

Taking a break from Thailand currently although fully intending to return.

PP just seemed  more laid back, more genuinely friendly, I`m comparing to Pattaya rather than BKK though.

I wouldn`t hesitate to go back to PP and also try to see more of Cambodia, the health care issue as mentioned a big deterrent to an actual move, visits fine though.

Hi

Thanks for answers, particularly ubonjoe, Jip99 & Bpuumike.

Yes I plan to visit the British Embassy in Bangkok with my income proof, not just do a postal application, that way any questions they may have I can answer.

I will also take several months bank statements with me and maybe more than just 1 year`s income proof.

As to dividends not being proof of future income, fair enough but it doesn`t seem to me they ask for that, rather they are looking for proof of the prior year`s income received in the UK to the level Thai immigration require for an extension of stay, i.e 65 K baht + a month,which I will be able to show.

I would hope that would be acceptable.

Almost impossible to prove future income.

Thanks.

Hi

I would like to use dividend income I receive from my UK share holdings to prove monthly/annual income

I can provide " Consolidated Tax vouchers " from 3 well known UK brokers, they include my name and UK address.

Does anyone know or have thoughts on whether this would be acceptable as income proof for an extension of stay in Thailand, hope I am using the right terminology.

In addition I can obtain a statement from my property letting agent for rental income received.

I`m 51 yr.old British national

Many Thanks.

Is Mr. T still around and good, I ask again?

I`ve used his service 3 times so far this year, still good.

2 of the drivers I`d describe as excellent, the last one was maybe a little too fast( for me), still OK though.

On time, quick confirmation of bookings.

900 baht for SUV, 1200 baht for DM., either way.

Thumbs up from me.

I`ll be using him again.

Hi

A fairly cheap way to transfer cash would be to open an account with the Halifax in the UK, their charge for SWIFT transfers is only 9.50 GBP.

You may be able to get the first 2 done for just 7.50 GBP, either through an offer on their website or searching for a discount code.

Obviously you would need a Thai bank account open first, I`ve found Kasikorn to be quite good.

Decent exchange rate/efficient service, I`ve used that method for a few years, you will have an electronic paper trail of where your money is coming from, a positive IMO.

Strictly speaking you need to remain UK resident officially to have that Halifax account

Enjoy & Good Luck

"Booze Lounge" Soi Bukhao, aircon bar, all day Chang & Leo 45 ThB, free pool, some waitresses are serving in bikini.

I`ve been past it, the name did make me chuckle, I`ll likely go in for a beer sometime.

Sorry, I have to correct this, it is: http://www.montpeliergroup.com

I don't think it's correct yet. That's a link to a firm of accountants. There's also a (UK) Montpelier Asset Management that doesn't appear to be linked to the accountants, but they don't have overseas offices. There are then companies like Montpelier Wealth Management which appears to have offices in China, Malaysia and Thailand, but doesn't appear to have any links to the UK.

Anyway, whichever company you're writing about, anybody who claims they can invest "in bonds etcetera with a minimum risk ... can garanty a 8% yield/year" is clearly very, very dodgy. The only way you can guarantee 8% a year is by eroding the capital. The only way you can make 8% a year is by taking on a significant degree of risk.

My advice: keep clear.

Yes, as above keep clear, no knowledge of Montpelier, although know of Pimco who it has been said they invest in.

Unfortunately a lot of companies will convince ordinary people to invest in a product/package that is totally inappropriate.

Sometimes there can be punishing early exit fees, i.e. if for any reason you or your family needed the cash for something else, it could be an expensive exercise to get that money out.

I was quite sad to witness an elderly couple who had been talked in to a somewhat complex " structured product " have second thoughts and try to get out.I should not have even been privy to the conversation.

I`m struggling to add much of use but basically if someone is trying to sell you an investment and you don`t understand it fully and any risks that go with it, walk away.

Unless you have both the time and some ability, anything you do, and there have been some decent suggestions, has to be fairly simple.

I take on some risk in achieving above average returns but am aware ( mostly ) of them and spend a lot of time digging in to detail.

A reasonable spread of investments, with not too much in any one is maybe the best for you.

On a far lighter note, am aware of the frustrations of being a landlord ( in the UK )it can sometimes hardly seem worthwhile after deducting agents fees, maintenance, repairs & inspections etc.

I do still rate UK property though, as part of a mix.

Hi

I`ve only stayed in hotel rooms in HK but know some people that use the YMCA, should be able to get a relatively cheap priced room there.

http://www.ymcahk.org.hk/sales/html/e_SR.htm

Not sure if might be of any use.

Hi

I have about 6 or 7 days/nights for this, have been to PP, liked it but never to Koh Kong or SKV.

I do not know what would be the best Thai/Cambodia border crossing to use, would it be Ban Hat Lek ?

My idea is to go from Pattaya to Koh Kong in one day, overnight there, then take the ( Lunchtime ? ) bus to Sihanoukville.

I have no idea what Koh Kong is like, if I just turn up there should I be OK for getting somewhere to stay for the night?

SKV to PP seems easy enough by bus, then will have a flight out from there.

Any flaws in this plan ?

Also any suggestions as to where to stay in both Koh Kong & SKV would be appreciated, I like central locations, late night road/street noise not an issue, US $ 20 - 40 a night.

I had and still am considering flying BKK - PP, then return bus to SKV, seems a waste though, might as well do outward journey by road.

Many Thanks

Hi

I`m not knowledgeable with Lebanese food but myself and partner tried Lebanese Palace restaurant on 3 rd Road, not far from the Tony`s Gym & Lido Apartment complex.( There is a very similar sounding Lebanese restaurant in Central, I`m not talking about that one, never been )

We both considered the food and service to be very good.

https://www.facebook.com/lebanesepattaya.

Open 11.00 AM - 2.00 AM, last orders 1.00 AM

Oops...forgot about this place. Snowman is awesome on the guitar. Hard to find, but might be interesting for you:

https://www.facebook.com/moodpattaya

I`d never heard of that place, think I`ll take a look, and listen one night.

Thanks.

Agree the music genres the OP asked about not well represented here.

Hi ryro

It was still there Wed night and was very busy.

I`d heard a rumour it was going to move, if true not happened yet.

Dr Olivier might,maybe call him

http://www.dr-olivier-clinic.com/

I doubt a neurological problem if this is the sole symptom. The most probable cause is cataract, possibly a fairly early one(s). See an opthalmologist.

I agree that an ophthalmologist should be seen, not an optometrist.

But depending on age and other factors, macular degeneration needs to be considered. My eyes see the world in slightly different ways because of varying subretinal pressure and as changes take place I often get double vision until my brain readjusts to the two sets of data being sent to it.

You might try looking at the Amsler grid (below) with each eye to see if either or both distort the grid, but whatever you do, still see an ophthalmologist.

In Bangkok the best place is Rutnin Eye Hospital. In Pattaya Dr. Attaporn at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is excellent.

Instructions for use of the grid here: https://www.amd.org/living-with-amd/resources-and-tools/31-amsler-grid.html

Thanks for that.

For some time I have been having some problem with what I can only describe as " tired eyes" and deteriorating eyesight.

Using that grid, fine with my left eye, but double lines( noticeably so ) with my right eye.

Best I have an eye test I guess, I`m 51 don`t wear glasses, read a lot, mostly on line.