paul-s

My I compliment you on your really great photos - I have a JAA (UK) Private Pilots Licence and am a photographer. I flown in Chiang Mai and Pattaya but I have never yet come back yet with any great photos, due to the haze. The views however were spectacular and I can reccomend it all to many one.

As side note the "CM Flying Club" was great.

As the writer if this Topic may I thank you all for your comments so far - they are extremely helpful. They are helping me clarify my mind and as I read it all I realise that one of the big issues that is stressing me is - "retiring". Not just moving to Thailand.

Being bored was one of the other issues and taking on board your general comments: I am always a very busy person here with lots of interests outside work, which include photography, tai chi and flying and I am rarely bored. Therefore, as you kindly point out, if I have inertests now it is likely that I won't be bored in Thailand.

I do like the Thai culture and for the most part their funny ways, I enjoy Thai food in Thailand and I try to speak a bit of the language, so this may help.

Your points about not selling up completely and leaving some assetts here in the UK seems a very good idea and I will most likely rent out my house here.

I do like a beer or two now and again, but I am not a heavy drinker - I do like to look around the bars and chat to the girls now and again (even at my age as one of you so kindly pointed out). However, I am not a fan of some of my fellow farangs that hang around the bars, paticularly in Pattaya and this puts me off a bit. This an area where I could be easily tempted so I had better watch myself here be careful with my money and not let it get out of hand. The Mrs will probably keep in check anyway.

None of you seem to have come up with anything really bad, other than crooked farangs - I think there is always someone looking for a mug anywhere and I am farely street wise.

I think I will more than likely do it - it just seems such a bloody great step to make.

Please continue to add your comments as it is all being a great help to me - thanks

If you're financially secure with 50k+ (baht) per month in steady income, I'd say go for it.

Edit: Actually, for two people maybe 60k+

Being a self employed person I don't think I have ever had a regular income, but I do have some money put aside and assets I could sell to alllow myself that sort of income.

I guess I am just a little nervous of makng the jump

I am considering moving to Thailand - I am getting to the age where I am considering retiring. I am currently self employed, working around 10 hrs a day, in the UK and have a Thai Lady over here who I have been with for over 10 years. I think I would have enough money to live comfortably.

I am fed up with the cold and wet weather of English winters and the high gas and electricity charges that go with it. Although, I have not yet managed the bottle to give it all up here in the UK and move to Thailand.

I have English friends in Chiang Mai and Pattaya who all say its wonderful and tell me to stop peeing about and go for it. They are so enthusiastic that it worries me!

So is it that good living in Thailand? - Do I go for it? - What are the bad things to watch out for? - Will I get bored

Air carriage rule on liquid display enforced June 1

BANGKOK: -- Airports throughout Thailand on June 1 began enforcing a requirement that passengers display liquids, gels and sprays in transparent containers in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.

--TNA 2007-06-01

I don't know what all the fuss is about - Why do people want to carry so much liquid in their hand luguage anyway.

I leave from Heathrow in the UK - Clear plastic bage for my toothpaste - Water etc I buy in Duty Free.

The check for carrying liquids is between Passport Control and Duty Free - Some of the other checks are bit of pain. So long as the plane dosn't blow up I am happy.

Chin up! you guys in Thailand its peeing hard and cold here in the UK

As old firefighter (volunteer) I reckon that MBK is by far the most unsafe pace in Bangkok for fire. Fire escapes have now been built but insufficient in numbers for the thousands of people being ther on a bust Saturday afternoon. Escalators are not following each other, and badly indicated, ofter far away from each other and for every floor at a different location.

But most of all will be the smoke. This will be the big killer if ever a serious fire will start. It scares me each time I go shopping to MBK and I try to avoid this place as much as I can.

I thought buildings in Thailand were getting safer after a number of incidents, but having recently stayed in a reasonably good hotel in Pattaya the old habits have come back. The hotel had fire exits, signs and extinguishers, but just to check it out (I always do) after going down two fight of stairs the exits were totally blocked with unused furniture.

I am appalled at the lives that could be lost in a serious fire in Thailand - I guess there are either no inspectors or they are taking back handers.

My only concern are those SYT's we meet in the bars. What if we can't buy them Lady-Drinks anymore? Oh what a sham... er, shame that would be. Oh boo hoo.

You'll be Ok - The're alchohol free

Pattaya IS Pattaya (like Las Vegas IS las Vegas) so put down some REAL rules and make a youth curfew!

Stop having kids roaming the streets after 22.00 h. and there will be less possibilities for this sick pedophiles!

Firstly I agree kids should not be out late and that includes those selling watches and roses ect.

However, I can't really see how a curfew would stop pedophiles as surely they can target children any time of the day.

I do think there are a lot of incorrected statements about under age sex and Thailand in the press etc. (they are most likely trying to sell their stories which were a little boring). I have been to Pattaya many times and I have only come across it once, and then I wasn't quite sure.

Why didn't he just swallow the evidence?

Yeh! - then he could have said he was an upright citizen

Sorry - I tried not to, but I just couldn't help myself from saying it

I have never needed viagra in Pattaya!

Whatever happens, i think that for anybody to launch a military coup in a democratic country is guilty of a despicable act, bordering on terrorism and i only hope that the free world are very very careful about dealing with this person Sonti. Why could he not let the normal electoral process take place. I fear that Thailand will head the same way as those low military rulers in Myanmar, then see what happens to Thailand. What right have the military got to take over a country, they were never elected to that position.

I agree I hate to see the miltary taking over, but was it a true democracy? If Thaksin gained even more power where would his form of democracy have lead?

Lets hope they return government to the people soon. The Thais have alays had a peculiar way of doing things (that I have become sort of fond of really) that often work out OK in the end.

Here's hoping!

I am not sure the Thai's are going about it in the right way, but there is a need to slow up these big multi nationals from ruling the world. I am in the UK and have to travel miles to shop for groceries, as all the small independents have now gone. Some were very good, cheap and did not out of date produce.

The delema is, I do love the big stores prices and choice. But I do hate traveling all the way to Thailand to the Far East as it called and then seeing Tesco (it sort of takes away the magic)

I'm not quite sure how having Muslim only airlines/flights would solve the situation. What would it take for a bomber to shave and pretend they are a Christian for the flight. Passports do not have religion in them any more (at least British ones don't)

Perhaps we could make the bombers sit at the back 2 rows?

If you are worried about the possiblity of Muslim bomber surely the safest people to fly with would be with a Muslim airline.

Royal Jordanian tax and fees £115

Aeroflot £78

Lufthansa £160

Emirate LHR £41

Emirates LGW £39

My point is that these taxes are NOT just LHR tax, but all the airports you stop at. Note Lufthansa has to pay Frankfurt tax for 2 landings and 2 take offs for the trip, another expensive airport whilst Dubai seems to make no charges at all for Emirates.

That is, unless you think LHR charge different taxes to different airlines?

It does seem that diiferent airlines charge differnt amonts;

But, Also checking Lastminute this is the quote for a

Thai Inter flight NO STOPPING - LHR to BKK

Price: £607.01 per adult inc. £95.90 tax & fees

I understand though, that under new UK rules they must quote all taxes, fees and surchages up front and this could be a reason, but it is shown as tax.

Some travel agents, like West East Travel are advertising prces without tax and get added later in the booking process.

What is your source for this information. I have not seen it reported in press. It is strange that such a large increase has got such little attention

This is a quote today for a flight from London to Bangkok

Price: £422.90 per adult inc. £96.90 tax & fees

Outbound 06/03/2006

GULF AIR From: HEATHROW AIRPORT (LHR) Depart: 09:30 06/03/2006

Economy To: BANGKOK (BKK) Arrive: 09:10 07/03/2006

Flight no: GF0002/GF0150 Indirect flight 1 STOP - click for details

Inbound 22/03/2006

GULF AIR From: BANGKOK (BKK) Depart: 18:25 22/03/2006

Economy To: HEATHROW AIRPORT (LHR) Arrive: 06:35 23/03/2006

Flight no: GF0151/GF0007 Indirect flight 1 STOP - click for details

All other airlines seem to be charging around this amount, with some over a £100

Here is a link to that page of it works http://www.lastminute.com/lmn/lfe/flights/...&dc=BKK&cc=NONE

My point was, if London can charge this extortional amount of tax, then what othre airports will be next?

I have just been trying to book a flight to Thailand for for March the Airport TAX will be in the region of £95 ( 6000 BHT ) for leaving London Heathrow (LHR) airport. That's 20% of the ticket price! Gatwick will be around £50

If other airports follow suit then it is going to make travel very expensive. Just imagine having to get a 5000 BHT ticket from the machine before you leave at the New Bangkok airport.

Couple of Offers now on with West east...

London -Bangkok....

EVA Air 

Bangkok - Economy £360.00

Bangkok - Elite £570.00

Bangkok - Business £1380.00

 

Thai Airways 

Bangkok - Economy £430.00

Bangkok - Business £1300.00

 

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I just phoned WestEast Travel and you need to add £93.40 Tax to the above prices. That seems a lot of tax to me, as I think you are only paying for the London end.

I flew in Thailand last year with CMFC "Chiang Mai Flying Club" I already have the JAR (International) PPL issued in the UK. I could fly in Thailand but there requirement for a extra licence from the Thai DOA which gave an extra licence which enebled me to fly and Pilot in command of Thai registered aircraft. It lasted until my medical expried.

Flying up over the and through mountains around Chiang Mai was superb.

CMFC were great and really helpful. You can learn to fly there, but the rules for Thailand are slightly diffferent to other parts of the world.

I am not sure I heard it right, but I believe they have a personality test. I am not sure I would have passed that one

I have a my PPL(A) from the UK. Last year while in Thailand I did a little bit of flying with the Chiang Mai Flying Club. They were great and extremely helpful.

I am expecting to come to Thailand again this March and will be looking for another flying experience. I will be staying mostly in the Pattaya area, but I am quite happy to travel.

Does any one have any tips or ideas?

I always though that a free exchange of views is what keeps a forum alive. I have found the info on this subject extremely useful and I am sure it's up to date.

I am not married (been married once, trying to aviod it since). Does this make a difference when opening an account?

I am living with my Thai lady partner here in the UK and would like to build up some funds in Thailand.

Thanks all

The irony of this is that here in the UK, the law has just been changed in the last few days to allow for estabishments to open 24 hours

Surely Clubs and Hotels will still be serving drink

Thanks for all your opions and we are taken them on board. Even, if the truth hurts a bit. With regard to the price, maybe it is a shade high, but it does give us room to negotiate. We do know of other bungalows in the same place getting around that price. Also the house and its contents are absolutely Brand New.

This is our first attempt at this and we are taking a bit of guidence from a Thai friend who has and rents out several properties in Pattaya.

Paul

Thanks for everybodies help! I will be taking up some of your suggestions. I have also made a website for the Bungalow with all of its details

Bungalow for Rent in Pattaya

We (my Thai partner) have recently purchased a brand new bugalow in Pattaya - Just North of Sukumvit Road in the area of Soi Cow Noi. Viallage Chok Chai 5. We wish to rent it out. We already have a friend to mamage it there, but we need to promote it. We are currently living in the UK and are looking for 6 month+ lets.

Can any one help?