seasia

I hadn`t noticed, Big C did seem to have a lot of Xmas related goods for sale though.

It is not something I celebrate, means nothing to me.

If you watched the Veronica Pedrosa (Aljazeera) interview, I would hardly say she was supporting Yingluck, in fact, she could hardly suppress her incredulity at the attempted answers.

I watched that and got the same impression as you.

Great weather.....but what language is "Strueth" (know an area in Northern France called that....but )

It used to be used in England but seemed to mostly fade away, heard Aussies use it a fair bit.

Maybe similar to "blimey", mostly used by Brits, have to admit to using that sometimes, not in an offensive way though, just as an expression of surprise.

Forbes has a bias towards North American readers ...

Notice most on the list are in the Americas.

I.......

America has the world's 3rd largest population - perhaps 4 - 5 times as large as the UK, but I seem to find more Brits in Los than Americans. Maybe that's a wrong impression I have? America has 15 times the population of Australia, but I seem to meet more Aussies than Americans in LOS. For Aussies, LOS is close and cheap.

I prefer Thailand to S. America and will take the long trip, but I have no desire to move there permanently.

You make some interesting points and think that you have the right impression as regards more Brits than Americans in LOS, it certainly seems that way to me. I`m British, part of the reason for me being here is due to climate, some not all Brits end up hating the UK climate, whereas as you say the climate in southern North America can be/is warm.

I had been looking at Florida as a place to live some years ago, better weather, property seemed good value compared to south England, prices generally lower etc.

I also wonder if for those still working holiday entitlement plays a factor, in the UK statutory paid holiday entitlement is 6 weeks per year, plus various bank/public holidays whereas if I understand correctly minimum holiday entitlement is lower in the US ?

So Brits have more chances to get away.

I`m curious as to why you prefer Thailand to S. America, other than Mexico never been but did do some reading on Ecuador, sounded quite good.

Thanks

No, my Thai partner had not heard of him.

I had to put on a light fleece jacket for the journey home last night and that in Pattaya.

It at least amused my Thai GF, " you cold in Thailand but your country( UK) is more cold ?"

Ok I will be the first to say it.....

Another set of lights for the "selfish idiots" to jump

How long before someone loses their life here

The only real deterrent to these people is "strong policing".....and confiscating and "crushing" their vehicles when they offend....

But of course that is too sensible for here (sadly)

Unfortunately I agree with you.

Ever since they put the concrete ( ? ) barriers up forcing those coming from naklua road to take a very short detour on to Pattaya nua before heading back to the roundabout, there`s been many who simply go round the roundabout the wrong way.

I don`t/won`t ride a bike out here but every time I come back from central Pattaya on the back of my GF`s bike, there`ll be Thais speeding the wrong way through the roundabout.

2 minutes of their life too important to show consideration and safety for other road users.

They`ll just jump the lights when/if they are installed.

Hi

To OP I live in naklua, about 4 years now, quite like it, also do like Jomtien when I on occasion visit.

From the main naklua road, say around sois 16 - 18 it would take you about 10 minutes by bahtbus to get to Central shopping soi 9 Pattaya ( Barring very heavy traffic)

I sometimes walk by this place, on soi 18, same soi as Leos Blues bar, about 1 minute walk to Beach, about 3 to main naklua road, bars, restaurants nearby.

Never stayed there, they list some 1 bedroom apartments at 25 K baht a month( bills electric, water cleaning internet etc are extra though)

It doesn`t seem cheap although location excellent.

http://www.vtr-6.com/index.php?content=Welcome

Hi

Thanks for the answers, have learned a bit from them.

TallGuyJohnin BKK Yes, you figured out what was mostly confusing me, thanks for taking the time to explain.

JLCrab & wayned, also useful info.Thks.

To answer another poster`s question, No, not currently in UK, am in Thailand but will be going back to UK briefly next year.

Interesting article, I noticed a piece on increasing foreign investment in to Cambodia on a regional news channel.

Good to see the country growing and looking positive.

Hi

I`m a little confused here, from what I read the monthly income requirement for a retirement " visa " permission/ extension to stay is 65 K baht over a 1 year period, i.e minimum of 780 K baht over that 1 year.

Would I have to show 65 K+ baht coming in to the country every month or could I merely transfer say 200 K + baht 4 times a year, totalling 800 K+ so a little above requirement ?

The money would come from my UK bank account by TT in to my Thai bank account.

I have already been doing this anyway.

British citizen, 51 yrs. old, only used 1 year multi O visas before so no experience with this.

If answer is that I do not have to have 65 K baht coming in every single month, merely a monthly average over a year to be more than that, what proof of funds leaving UK and then entering Thailand would I need to provide?

I have had a little look for the answer but couldn`t find anything making it clear.

Thanks

Hi smokie

re. Baywalk Residence I have not stayed there but as regards location, excellent, it is just a short way back from Beach Road going towards 2nd Road so very good for easy access to the 2 main bahtbus routes.( less than a minute on foot ) Beach, restaurants, bars etc.

I`ve walked by it a few times.

re Bayview, if it is the same hotel as Siam Bayview( don`t know if there are 2 with very similar names), location also OK but would put Baywalk slightly better.

Also if it is Siam Bayview, I have stayed there albeit years ago and thought although OK ish, somewhat dated.

May have had renovations, no idea, sorry

To OP

Lan Pho public park, north naklua, near fish market.

Slides. swings etc, open areas, many Thais take their kids there.

Free, ideal for an hour or so.

Hi

Although seems more or less covered I`ll just add my own experience.

I flew BKK - Udon, Air Asia, decided to stay in Udon a couple of nights, as had never been there so took a taxi from Udon airport in to town centre, maybe 300 baht ?

Then after 2 days took a bus Udon - Nong Khai, then a tuk tuk for brief journey to bridge, filled out form for Laos visa paid US $35 waited perhaps 20 minutes and then a very short bus trip, taxis waiting other side, took one in to town centre, again 300 baht I think,

All quite straight forward and that was my first time doing the trip.

Applied for visa 1 day, took maybe close to an hour waiting , then returned next day to pick up, which only took maybe 20 minutes waiting.

i found Vientiane very pleasant, stayed about 5 days.

RikDao

Thanks, enjoyed reading your report.

I went to Vientiane a couple of years back, both for a tourist visa and holiday, 5 days.

I found it quite pleasant, at some point I`d like to go back and see a bit more of the country.

This article might be of interest to you :

"Thailand unexpectedly cut its key interest rate for a second time this year, as escalating anti-government protests threaten investor confidence and local demand, hurting the nation’s growth outlook. The baht fell "

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-27/thailand-unexpectedly-cuts-rate-as-protests-crimp-growth-outlook.html

I did that route the other week, Ekami to Pattaya,it was 124 baht, near enough that, took just over 2 hours to Pattaya North ( nua) bus station.

You`re right there is another bus service from there also, maybe quicker, was happy enough with the one I took, driven quite well I thought.

Hi

Are you looking for a per night basis or monthly for long stay ?

How cheap and what are your requirements/ standards ?

The answers to those questions might help others to help you.

hi yea my requirements are

1 preferable a soft bed

2 toilet and cold shower in the same room, (i avoided saying en suite because it souds a bit up market)

fan and air con not necessary

i forgot to mention its just for 2 or 3 nights 200 to 400 is ok

You might well be able to get cheaper but Thai Thong apartments on soi 27 naklua are advertising 400 baht a night, I`ve never stayed there, a friend of mine has, actually has air con and in room bathroom.

Old/worn but seems to be popular, less than a minute to a main bahtbus route to get about from.

If you cannot find anything else, I live not too far away, could probably get a Thai phone number for you to enquire.

Another possibility might be Little Court on soi bukhao, convenient location, cheap but have no idea of what the rooms are like.

Walk In Mansion ( misnomer) on soi bukhao maybe but think it would be 500 baht a night if they even have a room available.

Hi

Are you looking for a per night basis or monthly for long stay ?

How cheap and what are your requirements/ standards ?

The answers to those questions might help others to help you.

Hi

I appreciate the various posts here, particularly the OP, NeverSure & Ubon Joe who all come across as trying to help.

I`ve one main question :

Has any British citizen between the ages of 50 - 64 been able to obtain a non imm O multi entry visa within about the last 2 weeks, if so I`ve missed it ?

I`m 51, British, not married and would prefer to if possible obtain the above mentioned visa ( next year ), have had 4 previously.

No issue with showing proof of funds in a UK bank account.

I`ll be back in England next year but with limited time and being without a passport if it is held up will be very inconvenient

If I need to go down the retirement visa extension route,( my wording might be incorrect) can do that, would just need a little more planning.

A tourist visa then conversion to extension to stay I could do also.

No problem abiding by rules, just I am struggling to keep up with so many reports and seemingly changing requirements.

If anyone in the near future with similar circumstances does manage to obtain a non imm O multi entry I`d be grateful to know.

Thanks

27 - 29c if used at all.

Regardless if in own apartment or staying in a hotel.

Did set it to 25c daytime in a hotel I recently stayed at for a while then put it at 27c for over night.

There's a new house in Thailand full of every appliance thought of, house and appliances bought by me.Plus have to wait 12 months for a divorce and you say move on

I can feel some pain in your posts but the answers so far have been trying to help.

No, of course not easy but think they were posted with good intentions.

I can only wish you Good Luck, no consolation , sorry.

You can only do the best you can, Jay Sata`s post might be worth following through on.

chin up, look forward , not backward.

Sad to read really.

co codamal brand is not available here, but there are several brands of paracetemol + codeine/ tylenol + codeine that are. However can only be gotten fro ma hospital pharmacy on prescription.

Sheryl

Thanks for your answer, I was wondering if the same combo might be available from a hospital, if I get stuck I`ll do that.

Hi

No expert but you can get a double entry tourist visa whilst in the UK that would give you just about 6 months, you`d have to go to a neighbouring country to activate the 2nd tourist visa entry, after the first 90 days totally exhausted on the first one.

Although I live here , had considered your idea of splitting time between Thailand and UK/Europe.

This is good stuff.

Entertaining, yes