Teerak2

Thank you both for the information, understood.

I had read in many other threads of foreigners transferring to the developer and the reason I asked. The developer told me they would take care of the FET, and then do power of attorney down at the land office to put title in my name.

The method you both explain does sound much safer, and as stated you just never know who to trust and who not to trust.

The realtor who I rent from recommended a few developments if I was interested in buying. She has had some former renters like myself who have bought in these developements, I don't know any of these people personally, but being that she now has their condos up for rent I assume the transactions went smoothly, or semi.

My questions if I decided to buy would be:

-Taking into consideration the above and my own observations should I still involve an attorney to look over paperwork/title when buying a new completed, ready to move in condo directly from the developer (and what might this cost from those who have used attorney for this)? Just curious as to how many people have bought direct from developers and did not use attorney or real estate agent also? When I try to search this topic on the net, I get all links to attorney websites who of course recommend you use them.

-If I transfer money directly to the developer how can I ensure I get the amount correct? Given I would be transferring international wire in dollars, which their bank would change to baht, and it takes a day or two to complete with rates fluctuating, I'm assuming the amount could come up a little over or short, no? How can I know how much $ they actually recieved, and if it over amount would they credit me back? If I transfer to my own Thai account to avoid this, then I would have to get the foreign exchange transfer certificate myself, and they seem to be leaning towards direct to them.

Thanks for any advice/information in advance.

Doesn't matter what's it's called (gay, straight, somewhere in the middle), as long as you're happy.

Landmines...what's wrong with people?

The low price of sex in Pattaya's red-light district is a draw for many sex tourists. It is often as low as eight US dollars.

Directions please?

Potential opportunistic pimps will go in there and say, 'I have this great opportunity. We can bring you to the United States...

Oh yeah I forgot the United States is passing out visas to Thai bar girls like they're going out of style soon. What's he say next "I know we said we'd be flying you on a plane, but I'm going to have to ask you to hide in the bottom of this boat for the next 2 weeks."

...not every prostitute in Pattaya is working against her or his will...

I like how "guy" prostitutes are mentioned too...of course he's American, it wouldn't be politcally correct to not do so. Not to mention the against their will part

I haven't laughed this hard in a while, and for that I thank this "investigative" reporter.

When you walk in the front of Central Mall from the Beach Rd. side, there is a shoe store on the left near the elevator.

The shoes aren't cheap, but they are real and won't fall apart. I know it's tempting, but don't "cheap out", get a good pair of shoes that will last.

Take if from someone who has been there done that.

Same reason farangs don't...next question please.

It sucks that fun and safe don't usually go hand in hand

2 ladies, 3 condom filled bags...who was the lucky one?

That must have been one uncomfortable plane ride I would think.

I don't care much for smoke as well, but can never recall having a problem anywhere, I think you'll be good.

Beach Rd. is fine, just walk along the beach side, and not the other...I whiz right along day and night, until I see a beautiful girl wanting conversation that's the only thing that tends to slow my walks down.

It'll be tough to get a place in VT6 with a view especially this time of the year for under 20k, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Visit some of the offices downstairs and check-out the cork board near the elevators. Last year I found a place on the 26th floor Central Mall side for 18k/month, out of high season. Trying to find a place during high season is the worst, as mentioned the $ numbers are created from thin air regardless of the inventory on hand.

Jomtien VT2, or 1, or 7, all can work, and priced lower.

There's a big difference between being in Pattaya at VT6 vs. Jomtien, especially if you don't have a car or ride motorbike. If you're single, looking to mingle almost all nights, want to be able to walk/be close to everything then it's hard to beat VT6 and Central Pattaya.

I like to workout at Tony's on Soi Buakhao, but most people think it's a shi*hole, I could careless, has what I need. You can also hit Tony's on S. Pattaya Rd. I don't know a lot about Muay Thai, Fairtex is the only spot I know of on N. Pattaya Rd. (and that's a long way from Jomtien if you're hitting it on the regular).

3 month lease will help to negotiate a lower price.

I also like The Avenue Residence of soi 15 between soi Buakhao and Pattaya 2nd Rd. No beach view, but it has a small gym and long pool, good location and priced around 18k baht/month.

Others opened fire on the gunman as he ran down soi 7

How many people are carrying guns on soi 7?!

A few years ago soi 7 was my go to spot. I quit going because I started getting a bad vibe, mamasans too pushy with the drinks, always up in my mix with the girls, and I felt like they were the kind you didn't want to cross (at least in my mind)...looks like it was all for the best. Soi 7, sorry I had to let you go you'll be missed.

So, ... I have a double entry Thai visa. I used the first entry to be here now. I am not sure how I will activate my second entry, but for the sake of discussion, suppose I want to go to Sihanoukville, Cambodia and back.

Do I still get stamped out of Thailand-into Cambodia-and back into Thailand, activating my second entry?

or would they just wave me through to Cambodia and back to Thailand all on the first visa (never activating the second entry).

Or would they stamp me out of Thailand, cancel the second visa as an entry to Cambodia, leaving me with no visa back to Thailand...

Or would they let the person choose to stay on the visa or activate the second.

There's a lot of ways this could work.

It sounds like a great idea, just not sure how it actually works.

Maybe it needs to be a special "Thai-Cambodia Visa" and the "Double Entry Thai Visa" I have isn't even an issue at all.

Exactly what went through my mind thanks for saving me the trouble of having to articulate it.

while the younger generation tended to spend more time studying rather than entering the workforce.

Oh sh**, so who's going to work in the sweatshops that keep the Walmarts stocked with dirt cheap products?

We may have a developing problem here.

Girlfriend always calls me it...especially when she needs something that usually costs a lot of money and then she pronounces it Teeeeelaaaak and follows it up with a "please" and those puppy dog eyes.

Nothing after it, and 1 were taken, so I ended up with Teerak2.

Great to read this story as I loathe these anti social greedy bastards. We are so quick to jump on the social security dodgers, poor but albeit lazy buggers who fiddle the tax payer, but hey if you took thousands of these social security fraudsters the loss to the tax payer would be tiny in comparison to what a handful of these wealthy greedy selfish fat cat fraudsters are getting away with.

Tax avoidance is indeed legal, but it is as totally anti social and deplorable to most folk, as many other far less damaging social behaviour problems we all jump on hard, like say leaving rubbish around, spitting, playing loud music in a residential area all night long etc for which those supporters of aggressive tax avoidance would be amongst the first to rightfully complain and demand police action. As I think our right wing PM in the UK said, (or was it the chancellor Osbourne) that aggressive tax avoidance was truly loathsome and socially deplorable and that changes in the tax laws are needed to close these intolerable tax loopholes. It is these very damaging tax avoidance schemes for the wealthy fat cats that rob the ordinary and poorer people (at least 90% of the population) by thus making them pay far more tax than should be needed and by taking away and reducing the benefits that genuine poor folk (many exploited with very low pay) really need.

Aggressive tax avoidance is indeed to 90% of folk totally unacceptable it seems based on most investigative reporting. Tax evasion is totally criminal and should be heavily punished as it usually is when they catch the bastards. Aggressive tax avoiders who cannot be prosecuted should none-the-less be very much named and shamed, so we can all treat them with the disdain and abhorrence they deserve, by say not buying their products or services any more for example. So just as we would treat other anti social behavioural folk too. So this is good news indeed to all of us normal straight ordinary working folk (and retirees of course too who have worked all their lives ) Oh and yes for sure I say the same even if I was wealthy and never ever moaned when I paid the 40% Super Tax rate in the UK at my not huge salary that took me a little way into that super tax bracket, as it was of course right and fair that I paid more than low paid hard working folk .

So yes it makes me very angry when I hear of these greedy spoilt brat tax dodgers, legal or illegal. Certainly I can and will say that the distribution of income tax liability in the UK ,if followed to the letter and the intentions of the tax laws is very fair and correct, though I believe there should still be a much higher income tax rate band too for those taking ridiculously high salaries way above what ANYBODY is worth.

That is my two pence worth so whether you personally agree or not, it is genuinely said with social fairness and common sense in mind and for no personal hidden agendas.

Agreed if things worked in theory, but I'm more sickened by mishandling of tax dollars by the government (those who are elected to represent the people's best interest and then who don't), in comaprison to those going to lengthy extremes to avoid paying it (when I say avoid, I mean legally) to those mentioned who then misappropriate it. If tax dollars were actually funneled into the places they were supposed to go/should go then it would be worth getting more upset over. Unfortunately, it seems greed only gets worse at the "top", but then again that is the mindset it often takes to get to the top. If only we lived in a perfect world, things would be so simple.

Since 2010, its reported that Mr. Dunn has contacted the Crime Commissioners to ask if he would be facing charges.

Sounds like he's been living the dream inside the nightmare for quite some time now.

I've seen a driving range off 3rd Road.

Found this list on the internet that you could check out:

Diana Driving Range

Diana Garden Resort, 209/ 112 Moo 6, Pattaya Nua Road - North Pattaya, Thailand

Tel: 038-415-212

Green Way Driving Range

Sukhumvit Road, Jomtien, Thailand

Tel: 038-232-083

Harold's Golf Driving Range

Pratamnak Road Soi 4, Pattaya, Thailand

Tel: 038-250-658

Pattaya Driving Range

3rd Road, Pattaya (between Pattaya Klang and Pattaya Nua on the left coming from Pattaya Klang)

Tel: 038-370-462/3

Pride Driving Range

Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya (opposite Pattaya Klang intersection)

Tel: 038-488-349

Tommy Driving Range

Thepprasit Road, Jomtien, Thailand

Tel: 038-251-564

What a bunch of rubbish, since when is one person's opinion a fact? The article needs to drop the "Top" and it should just be called 25 Destinations in the World.

Let's not forget about the Lonely Planet incident where a former writer admitted to penning fake reviews.

These travel sites are more in the business of making money then they are of providing credible information to travelers.

Isaan never looked better

As compared to where?

As compared to metropolitan areas with bad traffic facing worse traffic in 2014, and higher amounts of pollution. The smiley face used to indicate a smidge of sarcasm since I like cities just as much as the countryside...everything in moderation.

I usually have my eyes peeled for things that I own to see what they are selling for in Pattaya. With that being said, I've never seen Kindle for sale in Pattaya, you can also add Google Nexus 7 tablet to that list. Sorry, I know this probably wasn't the exact answer you were looking for.

Are there any condos that are particularly bad (or otherwise) for this? We just want a reasonably quiet, peaceful existence.

It's hard to go wrong in any of the View Talay buildings.

Plenty of bar complexes off 2nd road that I like:

-Made In Thailand just opposite View Talay 6, and next to the Pattaya Night Bazaar

-Drinking Street (one of my favorites up closer to Soi 1, you can't miss the huge sign)

I was pleasantly surprised the last time I went out to Jomtien and hit the bars; not overly crowded, but some nice diamonds in the rough.

Also, a few bar complexes off Naklua Road, just start going away from dolpin statue and you can't miss them.

You could also hit LK Metro, and then head down Soi Diana which has plenty of bars and a good complex next to Papagayo. Maybe Soi Honey for a massage or Sabai Massage on 2nd Rd. right near Soi 2.

For the beach I wouldn't bother with anything other than a trip out to Koh Larn, besides the swimming pool. Catch a ferry or speedboat from the pier.

Kind of hard to recommend places to eat because the range is so large: Thai, farang, high-end, street food, etc.

Some of my favorite spots: Bake N' Brew (Soi Xzyte), Beer Garden, Pig and Whistle, Sailor Restaurant (Soi 8), Lee's Diner (Soi Diana), Munchies (Soi Buakhao), South Pattaya Rd. street food at night (and a million other street food spots as well), Pizza Company, many restaurants at Central Mall Pattaya, Soi Buakhao market on Tuesdays and Fridays, many places on 3rd road but I don't know the names (sorry I know that doesn't help, but you can just cruise it and find places that look good to you), plenty of places off Naklua Road as well.

I hope this helps.

Isaan never looked better