Lostpack3t

I've lived in Pattaya for about 5 years now and must say i have to agree with all the Pattaya haters. I just hate it here.

I dont like the hustle and bustle of the big cities so choose to live in Pattaya but Bkk is just a 1.5 to 2 hour max ride away in a taxi if i want a taste of the city. I live on Beach road so if i want to duck over to Koh Larn, i walk out from my condo, cross Beach Road, walk out onto the beach and wave my hand. Within 2 minutes I'm on a speed boat and heading over to the island for a true tropical beach experience. There are many beautiful and challenging golf courses, a number of great restaurants, cinemas, many places to take the kids and the nightlife is fun and relaxed. The locals are fun and cheerful (as most Thai's are) and the constant ebb and flow of tourists do bring an air of adventure and expectation to the streets. My kids go to one of the best schools at a cost of less than half of similar schools back home. What makes Pattaya interesting is its diversity and its location that opens up many other options. Search for what you want and you will find it here. 

So yes a hate Pattaya and am bewildered why i would choose to live here. 

"Mafia run Pattaya" comments are just a joke. Pattaya is no different to any other Thai community in this regard. 

Although frustrating at times, i have found the police professional and courteous even on one occasion when i was in the wrong and being abusive to them. 

The only things i would like to change if i had a magic wand would be some semblance of city planning  (too late for that now), sidewalks, parks or open spaces, and i hope to God one day Thai's could just drive correctly and stick to the rules of the road (but we all know that will never happen).

But as always as soon as the word Pattaya is mentioned haters are going to hate. To each their own i guess. Pattaya is not perfect but it is so easy to travel around based here (Utapao to Chiang Mai, taxi to Bkk, speed boat to Koh Larn, now the ferry (fingers crossed) to Hua Hin. For me, Pattaya is more central then Bkk to explore what Thailand has to offer. It is not the be all to end all places to live. 

I have had the same problem. No branch would do it, even the Kbank Business Centre.  I got around it by using a Thai friend to come with me, and with cash in hand transfer it from their Thai account to my account overseas. I know it doesn't meet your requirements as it isn't directly from your account however without a work permit i found Kasikorn simply refused to do it. I have experienced this for about 12 months now.

Its just speculation and trolling by certain people. No truth to this at all. I'm speaking from a business perspective and not from some rice paddy in Issan.

TV and its residents love this type of speculation.  Enjoy the New Year and disregard the utter bs that floats around on the net.

Why not ask "Your big names"? <deleted> why ask on a forum? What you hear on the internet is better than the people you personally know in the business? This is just a troll post.

The only answers you're going to get here is pure speculation or wannabe's opinion.

If you want to buy quality brand name clothes and provide western foods including such items as strawberries, cherries, good quality meats, even western cereals then you will spend much more. It really just depends what you want to provide and what you are comfortable with. The choices you are facing are really the same if you were living anywhere. Some things you will buy the cheap option and sometimes you will buy the more expensive or best option.

There will be a time in the future when the world won't rely on oil. Then let's see what will become of the Arab world.

Must have hired a car in Cambodia...

I stay at Northshore on Soi 5 Pattaya Beach rd. Although I think it is overpriced I can not fault the management, service, reception and security. Foreign management makes a world of difference. There are a number of ignorant and ill informed responses to your post. There are some good condos around if you're not picky with the price. I've been in Northshore for almost 3 years and while I keep thinking to move out to somewhere with better value (but further out) I always just renew my lease. Drop in and have a look. Powerwave Real Estate have an office at the front gate and can show you some rooms. There is also a notice board with available rooms next to the elevators.

The BDD's new motivational theme song...

https://youtu.be/otCpCn0l4Wo

Take photos and show to city hall. Tell them you will.alao talk to the army. The police will not be concerned until directed by city hall

As per first reply. Visa is still valid. Just your WP is no longer valid.

As normal, commentary from someone who onced lived here, knew someone, or their former room mate's cousin once visited. I've lived and worked here 4 years. Some aspects I love, some aspects I don't. Same as my home town in Sydney, Australia. Pattaya is a small town you make as you please same as any adventurous town. Look for peace you will find it, look for fun you will find it, look for trouble you will find it. Stop the trolling and get back to real reporting.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Don't let short sighted pessimistic fools hold you back. This vision won't happen in our or our children's future but will happen in some time... just wish I would be around to tell everyone how I used to go to school on the back of a water buffalo. ..

Been here 4 years and never been asked. Even when my passport expired and I left and entered the Kingdom on a new passport. The WP states that it must be kept with you OR at your place of employment so that is why they could not demand it from you at the border. Your response can and should always be that it is at your place or employment. Immigration will work from your visa first and your justification for the visa second. Don't worry the keyboard warriors who tell you otherwise. They are just that. In 4 years I have never been asked to show it and simply leave it at work as it states on the permit. 'Nuff said.

In my experience it comes down to the management of the condo. I personally stay away from Thai company managed condos. Those managed by foreign companies with a demonstrated history do the job well and I have little concerns. Those managed by Thai companies, well there are just too many stories whereby the money is never recovered or not allocated to repair and maintenance as described.

Just my 2 cents and observations over the past 4 years living in condos myself.

Perhaps contact some of the more luxurious hotels here directly. They may have contacts with companies that facilitate this sort of event. As above, I would recommend getting legally married back home (perhaps after the trip to Thailand) but having a marriage ceremony here. Thats what I did back in 2000 getting "married" here but then returning home and conducting the required paperwork and ceremony to then apply for a marriage certificate. It just means you have to remember 2 wedding anniversaries. One the "real" emotionally attached date and the second the official date.

My understanding of Pattaya Beach is that the vendors are allocated a 15m x 15m stretch of beach space. Payment is made directly to City Hall under contract. There is no opportunity to exploit other businesses as is/was the situation in Phuket. What the operators did in Pattaya though was to simply take over all of the available beach space and establish semi permanent storage areas leaving equipment and chairs etc on the beach overnight. They were also operating beyond the contracted hours (6pm). There has been an improvement since the coup so I would expect with constant supervision (ok now im trying not to be cynical) Pattaya Beach will continue to improve.

Then again maybe not. Time will tell.

Taxis have meters? ?

On a serious note, it will be interesting to see how well received it will be here in Patts (by the drivers that is). I just wish motorbike taxis had meters....

Flying from Sydney to Cairns about 4 years ago I was pulled up for flying with a small allen key/hex key. It was used to tighten the tripod mounting plate to my camera. All my camera gear was with me as carry on. I asked why I couldn't carry a small hex key and the security team told me it was a tool and no tools are allowed on board. I would have to hand it in to them or return to the check in desk and check it in. My response was to tell the security boss I thought he was a tool but I bet the airline would still let you on board. Needless to say I was lucky to fly that day as the resulting searching of my carry on continued right up to my flight departure. On the same flight was a uniformed Army medic with her medical kit. She had her medical shears and decompression needles confiscated also. It was an interesting experience and one that hasn't happened again even flying with the allen key again.

In Chonburi I work off a budget cost of 10k per metre construction only. This may increase to 15k/m2 if unusual circumstances and/or higher quality materials. Fittings and all furnishings range from 10 to 15k. This is using craftmen who are used to working on farang projects and guarantee timings and budget costs (hence the higher cost). I would say your numbers are realistic.

Im not going to enter the debate about whether you should or shouldn't. You will get hammered with these types of responses here unfortunately.

One of the biggest issues here in Thailand with operating a profitable small business is the lease terms. The landlord has great control of your business and it is difficult to find landlords who are not just reasonable but also understand business themselves. They are often Thai/Chinese and dictate their terms without any real world considerations. Most contracts run for 3 years so after 3 years if you and the landlord have a falling out you may find your key money and/or rent increasing dramatically. Also confirm what your electrical rate will be too come ro think if it as I had a friend who was charged 4x times the rate as it was never discussed at the time of purchase (she paid the first month then threatened to abandon the shop unless the rate was brought back to par the following months- lets just say she no longer runs the shop).

You also need to discuss the business face to face with the landlord before any payment is made to the owner. Ensure you confirm it is the landlord you are talking too. Confirm all lease terms before settling with the business owner.

Be prepared to be frustrated by uncompromising landlords and if you do find a good one, develop the relationship even if you dont go through with the deal as a good landlord is half the battle won IMHO.

Dont invest money you're not prepared to loose (I know I said I wouldn't get into that debate but... yoy do need to know that)

Best of luck and enjoy the challenge and the journey. If you're not having fun doing it, walk away.

-Brett

Wasn't checked 5 days ago. Did not see any foreigner being checked either. I think nothing has really changed.

There are many different views on this.

My experience moving money from my Aus account to my Thai account is by using Ozforex.

Exchange rate is generally .24 to .40 baht lower than the spot rate and there are no fees from any institution as I pay òzforex via electronic transfer feom my australian account and receive funds in thai baht into my Kasikorn account. Takes about 3 days.

If im in a hurry I transfer directly from my australian account to my thai account. Takes 1 to 2 days however there is about a 10 to 15 dollar fee (australian side) and the rate is generally 1 to 1.5 baht below the spot rate.

Better exchange rates have been found on the street booths in the last 12 months so I have asked friends to carry cash over with them the last few months and I have just exchanged AUD as required.

Hope this info has helped.