essexman

Thanks MickA

It looks quite easy to find, just off Sukhumvit.

I've been following Pattaya FC this season. Good entertainment for 120 baht. They play Siam Navy FC away on the 19th of October. I have looked up on the web for they're ground, and can't find an address?

What I have found out is its in the Sattahip area.

Any member know where this stadium is?

So my wife has always said she would like to live in Chiang Mai. In the past I have not warmed to the idea, as I like being near a beach. However when I really think about it, I don't actually go to the beach much these days.

I still have 6 months left on my contract here, so have a bit of time.

In that case I would just sit tight for now, and see if you and your wife will let you extend the contract. No point in making plans now if you're on your own anyway in six months. But if still together then just visit Chiang Mai for an extended visit and see how you like it.

I really haven't a clue what your on about? I'm very happily married. Yes we could extend our rental contract here, but as I mentioned in my original post, we fancy a change, for various reasons. I also mentioned I intend to make a visit to see if I like the place.

I shouldn't think the traffic and the driving standards are any worse in Chiang Mai, than what I encounter each day in the Jomtien, Pattaya area.

When I came to Pattaya 18 months ago, I really didn't know the area very well. I rented a lovely apartment on a really nice complex. However the location was not that good. After 6 months I moved to where I am now. So as I have some time, I thought it would be good to do some research before I visit. What better than ask the members who actually live in Chiang Mai for the areas to look out for.

Thank you to the members who have posted.

WinnieTheKhwai, you lost me with your post?

Well I spend my time in Jomtien doing various things really. I do a couple of different walks, one being a morning walk with some fellow residents, its brisk and you can drop out anytime, most do an hour. I usually have a swim after. By then I'm starving so have breakfast. I belong to a gym, so amble down there till lunch. I meet the wife for lunch .. Usually somewhere local as she has to get back to work. I have a circle of friends and I usually meet up with one or two of them in the afternoon. I watch Pattaya FC when they are playing at home, or away if within an hours drive. 90% of the time I get around on the scooter, occasionally get the car out .. But as previously mentioned, the traffic is very bad here, so it is occasionally.

When I came to Jomtien I knew 2 people. One I see now and again, the other I hardly ever hear from. But I met new people, and feel I could move and enjoy a new environment. I know I need to have a few days in Chiang Mai, get the lay of the land, see if its for me. I don't want to move to a village or anything like that. I need to be in a town and what goes with that. My wife is keen as well, so why not.

i suppose its the benefit of renting ... I can move and live anywhere. Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming.

After living in Thailand 4 years now, and the past 18 months in Jomtien, I quite fancy a change. To be honest, Jomtien is beginning to lose its appeal. I rent a lovely studio apartment on a nice complex, but soon as I go out, well the traffic gets worse by the day. They are over building here and not doing anything to the infrastructure to support the thousands of condos being built.

So my wife has always said she would like to live in Chiang Mai. In the past I have not warmed to the idea, as I like being near a beach. However when I really think about it, I don't actually go to the beach much these days.

I still have 6 months left on my contract here, so have a bit of time. I think I should make a trip to Chiang Mai for a few days to get the lay of the land, and to see if its for me.

So I would love to get a few pointers from the members who live there. Places to look out for, and hopefully get some information on places to avoid. The condo rents seem a lot cheaper than Pattaya/Jomtien. So that seems a good plus point.

Any information I would really appreciate.

Well I have only been looking for a car the past few weeks ... So can't really comment on the 30% in the last six months. However I did find the price of a second hand car extremely expensive. I went to a Nissan dealer in Pattaya, I just wanted a small car, thought the Nissan March would be ideal. New price starts at 382,000 baht. This is for the basic model, and when they say basic .. Its basic, not even a radio !! The next model up had all the bits you expect on a car, price 444,000 baht. I spotted a second hand car and wandered over to have a look. It was in good condition, but had 72,000 kilometers on the clock. When I inquired I was told the car was 3 years old, the best bit, it was the basic model ... How much? 350,000 baht !!! 32,000 baht cheaper than a new one?

Can't be true! that ridiculous..

Its true, what do you think I made it up ?

G'day all.

Some advice please. I know I'll get half wit replies but I'll filter through them.

I'll arrive in LOS in mid March to retire. I've been visiting several times a year for about 10 years. Having spent a lot of time recently getting everything in order here for the relocation I haven't given much time to car purchase research.

I hope to buy, second hand, soon after arriving. Budget up to about 600,000 baht including tax & insurance & all other on road costs. I'm interested in any advice, info on used car purchase. Best places to look, forums & web sites.

I do have a good sense of humor, but guys, PLEASE not too much comedy in your replies.

Thanks in advance..... Mal.

Hi Mal

As mentioned in another post, with that sort of budget I would look in the new car market. I recently bought a new Honda Brio Amaze. I'm really pleased with it. On the road cost was 482,000. They added a few extras and free insurance.

Good luck which ever road you take ... Oh, pardon the pun :-)

How did you meet this woman?

In a bar, where else ?

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Just for the record, I met her at Jomtien Night market where she sells clothes. Not everyone has to go to a bar to meet a woman !!!

I wonder if a member can steer me in the right direction regarding my Fino. I bought the bike new over 3 years ago. Although I paid for the bike, it was put in my ex partners name. Just over a year ago we split up. I moved to Pattaya and bought the Fino with me, she kept the truck and has never bothered or contacted me since. I taxed and insured the scooter a few months ago with no problems. However, I do wonder if I ever want to sell the bike, I might have a problem as I'm not on the owners green book. Is changing the ownership a issue? What I don't want to do is have contact with my ex over it. I'm tempted to leave it as it is, but of course if I get pulled by the police, and they want to see the green book, I might encounter a problem.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Interesting reading. i still have to do the MOFA part. I did smile at Carolina James post ... 1,500 to get the document notarized ... Good old British Embassy charging 3,315 baht for the same thing. looks like I need to leave Pattaya early to get to the MOFA. Although I have sort of made my mind up that getting it posted to me is OK. I'm in no rush.

Anybody got a Fortuner with 300,000km on the clock?

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My brother in law in Jomtien has a Fortuner. Its 6 years old, and he has had it from new. Petrol engine, and he has just clocked up 290,000km. It still runs very well.

Must admit, like Pattaya Pat, I need occasionally, a "Western fix." Be it fish and chips or a burger .. Obviously something completely un-healthy.

Fish and chips I tend to go to Simon's in Jomtien. Sounds a bit pricey after reading some of the comments on here, however I always enjoy, so not worried about paying a few extra baht. Can recommend the burgers from the Kiss restaurants ... Nice big burger, and 47 baht. You can push the boat out and have cheese for another 6 baht.

^{Well I think the price for a second hand car in Thailand is not far to expensive. 2 years ago my Brother-in-law paid 490,000 baht for a 8 year old Toyota saloon. I just paid 482,000 baht for a new Honda Brio Amaze.}

Well went to the Embassy in Bangkok yesterday ... It all went without a hitch. The Thai divorce papers were all accepted, without having to have them translated. I guess I was in there for around 1 hour 30 minutes. I had 4 people in front of me, and I waited about 45 minutes after being seen, for the affirmation to be done. I was approached by a tout to get the affirmation translated into Thai. They did this for 300 baht. Thought that was quite reasonable, my wife checked it all and hopefully it will be accepted for the visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I could have let this agency do this for me, but they wanted 3,300 baht. I don't know, I just felt it was a bit steep, plus I was a tad worried about them sending it to me. I have found Thai post a bit hit and miss, and I could just imagine the hassle if the documents got lost. So I will at some point go to the M.O.F.A myself. Run out of time yesterday because my wife wanted to get to Pratunam market to get some stock for her market stall. Must say all the travel yesterday went without hitch. I parked at Bangna at a Tesco lotus. Caught the Sky train to Ploenchit. The Embassy is really close to the exit there. After we caught the train to Chidlom... Only one stop for the market. Coming home I used the Google map GPS ... It got me out of Bangna and on to the expressway easily. OK ... Is it possible to get to the M.O.F.A by driving? I'm in no rush, but will go there within the next month I would think.

I have the 3 Millennium trilogy books in paperback. Girl with the dragon tattoo, girl who played with fire, and the girl who kicked the hornets nest. A really fantastic read and all three books became international best sellers. Tragic really as the author Stieg Larsson never saw the success as he dropped dead at 50 while the books were still in the manuscript stage.

Have watched the films, also very good.

Well I have only been looking for a car the past few weeks ... So can't really comment on the 30% in the last six months. However I did find the price of a second hand car extremely expensive. I went to a Nissan dealer in Pattaya, I just wanted a small car, thought the Nissan March would be ideal. New price starts at 382,000 baht. This is for the basic model, and when they say basic .. Its basic, not even a radio !! The next model up had all the bits you expect on a car, price 444,000 baht. I spotted a second hand car and wandered over to have a look. It was in good condition, but had 72,000 kilometers on the clock. When I inquired I was told the car was 3 years old, the best bit, it was the basic model ... How much? 350,000 baht !!! 32,000 baht cheaper than a new one?

Well I'm going on Monday (28th) so I will stick a post on when I get back. For you information Joe, the Embassy told me that a English or Thai divorce paper is OK. The lady I spoke to, said the staff accept a Thai divorce paper, and no need to translate into English. However the proof will be in the pudding on Monday.

Regarding getting it translated, I agree, its no big hassle. However if its not required, why do it?

Thanks to the members who have given me advice on my OP.

Having phoned the Embassy, it sounds like the Thai divorce papers will be acceptable.

Not sure if any member can help me with this one. I want to go to the British Embassy to get a affirmation of freedom to marry sorted. The only divorce papers I have, is my divorce from my Thai wife. This was done at the amphur in Pattaya. The whole document is in Thai ... Will this be a problem when I present it to the embassy?

Thanks for the info Crossy. Sounds like a good way of saving a trip.

Thanks for the replies. The MOFA is to get a freedom to marry rubber stamped.

Hi David, thanks for the quick reply. You may well be right about this Tesco's not being the start station for the Skytrain. What I'm after is driving directions from Pattaya to the said Tesco's, and maybe some sort of reference so I can see the route on Google maps.

Hi, I am after a bit of directional advice. I have to admit my sense of direction is not great, so really need to be able to find where to go via Google maps. OK, I live in Pattaya and I want to find a Tesco Lotus on the outskirts of Bangkok that is the starting point for the Skytrain. I have been told you can park at this Tesco's, and walk upstairs to get on the Skytrain. I need to visit a few places, not all on the same day. I need to go to the British Embassy, so any member know which station I need to get to? Also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The other places i am going to I have found which stations I need.