chris2004

Why buy off plan. There must be thousands of condos already built and you can look around them and make a choice. If you have cash you can probably get a good deal.

I always laugh when i hear the Grande Caribbean advertised on the radio. They have been promoting it for nearly 2 years and they haven't even dug a hole yet. That tells me they haven't got the money to start it let alone finish it.

I always use the Jomtien bus, great service and price and i live just by the bus station.

I would recommend the Pratamnack area. Close to both Jomtien and Pattaya but still a quiet area. On the Thappraya road you have access to baht buses as well. The new Axis development looks very nice, if i was buying again i'd go for that. I think the View Talays are too big and impersonal.

Don't buy off plan.

When you can buy a new ipad4 for 15,900 baht is it worth getting some tacky knock off which isn't going to work well for the sake of saving a few thousand ?

I've tried this before and there aren't any hotels near the airport, most are a longish taxi ride away. I did however stay at the Amari which is VERY nice and super close to the airport, just 5 minutes walk. It is however a bit more expensive but still cheap by western standards. I would recommend anyone to stay there rather than save a few dollars travelling to some cheap hotel.

Crazy to buy a bike on credit here, 2% per month interest. A while back though i managed to get a bike for my tgf with 50% deposit and 0% interest but only over 6 months. Even that really wasn't worth the hassle, pay in cash.

My tgf had an icon. It seemed OK as you say very similar to other small Hondas. I find them a bit "flimsy" for a farang but find for short distances.

I never understood tinting. If the car is too hot turn on the a/c, if it is too sunny wear sunglasses. Why risk an accident for that.

"sinical" - good one.

Neversure is 100% correct, the usa is wayyy cheaper on EVERYTHING. I pay DOUBLE for a fleabag BKK hotel more than similar in USA. 1500 baht to be exact for a 50 year old bkk special vs $29 for similar in western USA. I can rent an SS Camaro convertible with a 6.2 liter engine for $1200/month in USA. Food and ALL goods and services are CHEAPER with wide selections of anything and everything you need. I love Thailand for so many things but cost and goods and services in general are NOT what the Dude loves about his adopted country. Yes to Brits and Euros sure wow dirt cheap and so much variety of cheap goods available, lol.

Americans are so lucky. They do not realise how cheap it is in the States compared to Europe (and most places in the world). Whenever i go to the USA it feels like a bargain basement sale, things are sooo cheap. It must be hard for Americans as going abroad (even to Thailand) is going to cost them more to live.

Wait until they finish the several thousand condos they are building around Jomtien. It will be quicker to walk.

Cigarettes are cheap, beers not expensive, who cares about the rest?

You forgot women

I presume Banglamung is the government hospital which serves Pattaya

I see my role as JPM to implement the wishes and decisions of the committee. The committee agrees actions in relation to the condo but these in practice are undertaken by the thai office manager (and her staff) guided by the thai management company. The committee ensures the condo is run well and the finances are in order. I present information to other co-owners at AGMs etc and seek their approval for major policy changes. I also sign all cheques for condo spending. I also sign off debt free letters where condos are sold.

chris2004-If the office manager was asked to name her boss-what would be her reply?

She would probably say the committee as they agree her salary/bonus and hiring/firing etc.

We originally had the thai developer as the JPM but this was a disaster. He charged a large monthly salary, did very little IMO and there is always doubt as to how the financial affairs are managed in this situation. Although i don't speak/read thai i, and my fellow committee members, see all expenditure and can check it against budget and query any variations. I think if condos are to be well run they need a strong committee and an input from the farang co-owners. As JPM i don't report to the committee as such i chair the committee and the office manager, and management company, is present at all meetings.

The low Pound is certainly causing me problems but if i left where would i go? The cost of living is probably as much anywhere else, certainly more in the UK. Are there any other locations which are much cheaper than Pattaya that still have good infrastructures, facilities, hospitals, western food etc. It's no good having more money if you have to live in a shit hole.

I see my role as JPM to implement the wishes and decisions of the committee. The committee agrees actions in relation to the condo but these in practice are undertaken by the thai office manager (and her staff) guided by the thai management company. The committee ensures the condo is run well and the finances are in order. I present information to other co-owners at AGMs etc and seek their approval for major policy changes. I also sign all cheques for condo spending. I also sign off debt free letters where condos are sold.

I wouldn't bother about the build quality Bangkok will be under water in 5 years.

HEADS UP!!

The definition and qualifications for the post of JPM are incomplete and unclear in Thai Condo Law - no two ways about it.

Last month a farang JPM was busted and spent a while in jail for violating the Immigration Laws regarding "working without a permit". She is going to trial. Yet nowhere in the Condo Law does it specify that a JPM must have a work permit. I think it safe to assume that there are other issues not addressed in the law, which can be challenged legally.

Interesting note: same person was serving on the Committee, but wasn't busted for that.

So, that answers one long-standing question. so i understood that any farang could do it.

Do you have any details about this incident. I am the farang JPM for my condo (with no work permit) so i am worried if this is likely to be enforced at other condos. The actual operation of the condo is run through a thai office manager and a thai management company. As the JPM i do not speak or read thai.

Just load anonymoX as an add on with Firefox and you can access the BBC iplayer

If you bought in Paradise Park then the transfer fees are the least of your problems.

I'm on Gold package and a bit worried with all this shake up, whether i'll be able to watch F1 this weekend on Fox Sports HD. Can someone confirm if it is still there?

It is number 152 now on my list.

Are you on Gold?

Yes gold, and I pay more for HD. About 300 Baht I think.

Ask to check your bill. HD started out at 300 but i think dropped to 150 (with a loss of some channels notably Fox Sports HD which pissed me off as that shows F1). I want Fox Sports HD but i don't want to have to pay an extra 500 baht to get Platinum.

Kasikorn aren't free, they've just charged me 550 baht, i presume an annual fee.

• I use the anonymoX add on with Firefox. It works great to access overseas players like BBC iplayer

"In other tourist places, Hua Hin, Koh Chang, Samui, Phuket, Bangkok I heard nowhere near this number as a percentage of foreigners".

Haven't you compared the prices?

The answer is pretty obvious.

Not to mention that Chiang Mai offers things that none of those places has. Why would an American move to Hua Hin when he can move to Florida or Mexico for the same, and likely better beaches? Not to mention for the same or better prices.

Er what about the thai ladies - 40 kgs instead of 140 kgs.