pepsi666

Hoping to get a 6 month visa

Not really sure of location, just as long as its near amenities, shops, bars, possibly beach, not really bothered about being near ex pats (can take or leave them, but I'm no snob )

Just somewhere to spend those chilly months in the UK

I thought that View Talay Condominiums were timeshare

I have stayed there when they were TS, last place I would want to stay at, the rooms were filthy, the service abysmal and the bloke who was on duty, or the manager a pig, he was english, and he was so lucky I never hit him with the snide remarks, and swearing,

So no View Talay Condominiums are NOT an option, even if they were free

Any recommendations for an exteneded stay (6 months or so)

I'm looking at renting somewhere for 6 months or so, any ideas ?

Me and the Missus stayed at the Dusit resort a few years back, couldnt get near the pool for Russians, we didnt stay, (my review and photos got deleted from trip advisor)they were loud and very drunk, the Thai staff werent happy

I have met Russians away from holiday resorts, they are okay, but god, they drink like fish and it dont affect them (they dont want a fight after a few beers (or vodka's) like some

I dont have a problem where they go, I daresay, I'll bump into them where ever I go, along with other Brits, Aussies, septics, Germans, Poles, latvians, and why not, they are all finding out what is out there,

At least some are out there with their families and some are trying to get some kind of dress sense, god help em if they look to some of the Brits for ideas

But if you look at any race, there is good and bad among them all, dont tar them all with the same brush

(I met a few different races on the wall in Berlin, my first time I had ever met East Germans,, Russians, Yanks, French, Geordies, Jocks I thought they were great, it werent till years later I met the other kind, I prefered the guys I met on the wall, we all were just doing a job, we didnt want to be there, and we all moaned at each other about it, we just wore different uniforms, I went to a visit over the wall, they had buger all, even worse than the Haitians now, but they were nice people, dunno what they are like now though, seems to me, the more you get, the more you want)

Greg's Kitchen (Second Road) used to be very good for breakfast but haven't eaten there in a while.

Havent been there for a long time,you have reminded me that i have to start thinking about where i will have my xmas dinner

I have enjoyed many meals at Gregs, not just breakfast, only complaint I have is the coffee, its instant, it would be perfect if they made REAL coffee, but the wife says the tea is very good

How would this affect anyone who doesnt have a thai wife ?

Is there anyone who I could contact (via email) to discuss this at length

I dont have a Thai wife, so the 49/51 rule wouldnt apply for me

Would I still be able to get a place under this 30-30 ? (I doubt I would get the second 30 year anyway, unless I was buried there)

I know there is a lot to critisice about Pattaya, I like it though

The Philippines and Vietnam seem to have lots of tourists right now.

Someone must be dreaming. I don't know about Vietnam, but the Philippines never has "lots of tourists" and right now tourist numbers there are lower than low.

Everywhere I have been I have seen a drop in tourists, even here in London

Where I work (Heathrow) there are empty aircraft stands, the terminals are no where as busy as they were a year ago, quite a few shops have laid off staff, some shops have put up the shutters

Terminal 4 is a ghost terminal

Rumour has it BA is mothballing some of its aircraft

BUT all this makes for some great holiday packages out there, and everywhere is discounting heavily, strangely enough not in Thailand, they seem to have increased hotel prices, flights arent any cheaper either

I read it in the daily mail and the daily express, about a week or so ago, probably longer

I cant have any links for them, sorry

I dont know if it was posted by developers or who the estate agents were

There was no mention of needing a Thai wife or the 49/51 rule

I thought the 30 + 30 rule was finished

(I was considering this at one point, but couldnt get very much information about it, all the Brits I spoke to seemed rather 'wideboys' and rather brash,)

I dont have a Thai wife, and it seemed a way of living out there, even if it was for a year, didnt really fancy the retirement visa way

I had arranged to meet up with a poster in here on my last visit to Pattaya to chat about various aspects of renting, buying in Pattaya, but he never showed up or contacted me while I was there (he had business while I was there, apparently)

No, the rules have NOT change (yet).

What are the chances of that happening ?

What is likely to change ? (if anything)

I'd be very surprised if the 49/51 rule ever changed

Have the rules changed on owning property in Thailand (and Pattaya) ?

I have been reading in several newspapers about owning property in Thailand, Pattaya in particular

They go on to say how easy it is to buy property and make investments in property in Pattaya (I dont know why Pattaya was singled out, but no other place in Thailand was mentioned)

They make no mention of visa's though

I thought the rules on property and investment were pretty much cast in stone

The Ad did show quite a few villas, detached homes, but no mention of Condo's or the 49/51% rule

There was a lot about the 'stunning' scenery, 'liveley' night life, 'fantastic' beach and 'great' water sports, 'great shopping expeiriences'

There were a couple of photos of places I have never seen in Pattaya (but I havent travelled all over Pattaya) so they maybe of Pattaya

Anyone know about this and any law/rule changes ?

so what would you say is unique about Pattaya ?

Now you're answering a question with a question.

You've been spending a lot of time posting on a Pattaya forum which means you should be able to answer your own question.

Let me help you. Imagine you are single.

I was in Thailand in the 70's, and I had never even heard of Pattaya and I was single,I was a soldier Thailand was a lot different then, I never got to that part of the coast

There was nothing unique about Thailand then and I dont think there is anything unique now, I would say its interesting, but then so are a lot of other places

I asked YOU what YOU thought was unique about Pattaya, in your own opinion

Yep, The tourists are voting with their feet (and money) there are more than Pattaya out there, offering better value

I know everyone has said they dont need the tourists, but without them and their money, places will shut down, small bars, small shops will probably be the first, the larger places will try and weather it, but a lot depends on the Thai government to sort out things

It beats me why there arent better hotel deals out there

Some may get their wish for a quieter Pattaya, but what will happen to any shops, stores and bars, I assume you all eat and drink, but then maybe you like an hours drive to go shopping (its happened to villages in the UK, it could happen in Pattaya, but it would take a lot longer than it takes a village in the UK)

Enough with the melodrama.

Tourists are not voting with their feet (and money) against Pattaya. They're just staying at home because they cannot afford to travel or don't wish to spend their dwindling savings travelling. The drop of many currencies is adding to the problem because the baht has remained strong while other currencies have plummeted.

You talk about better deals than Pattaya. Pattaya is a unique tourist destination. There's no other places to go that are anything like Pattaya. If you think there are, then please be specific.

Some people have been touting Bali, but Bali doesn't hold a candle to Pattaya. It's just plain boring. I've been there twice and would never go back no matter how good a deal they can cut.

You say there aren't better hotel deals in Pattaya. Where are you? Have you been looking? I just heard from an Aussie friend yesterday that one hotel offered him a 70% discount for a month's stay.

..and...If you're into it... the girls are exceptionally friendly right now and fresher than usual.

I did look at the hotel deals ealier in the year and thats why I wnt somewhere that offered me a better deal

nope, I take my wife with me, dont need a Thai girl

I wouldnt say its unique, there are crappy beaches anywhere, there is pollution and noisey traffic where ever you want to look, so what would you say is unique about Pattaya ?

The single blokes I work with have said that Thailand isnt as good value that it used to be, now that maybe due to the falling pound, but they havent missed their holiday (and they never would (only got their dicks to look after) and they are still going on holiday

They want more for their money, same as I did,

Not everyone is giving up on their holiday and not everyone is skint over here

I havent seen any good fligt deals and I've looked at the links on TV for hotel deals, I werent impressed

Of course the girls are a lot more friendly, its a dwindling market

^ I lived in Jomtien 6-7 years ago, way back then! it was dead everyday, apart from weekends and holidays when Bangkok Thai's would arrive.

The Vast majority of the business have opened in the last few years based on unrealistic, unplanned, greedy growth.

They have tried to attract every nationality under the sun, but few want to sit by a very busy road, listening to unnecessarily noisy traffic, being pestered by hawkers when they are eating, even fewer want to sit on a polluted beach.

Sure the world is in a downturn, but Thailand can only blame itself for many of its shortcomings!

On top of this, its no longer the cheap place it once was.

The government lives in La La land and has done nothing to help, but then the rich Thai are not suffering

Yep, The tourists are voting with their feet (and money) there are more than Pattaya out there, offering better value

I know everyone has said they dont need the tourists, but without them and their money, places will shut down, small bars, small shops will probably be the first, the larger places will try and weather it, but a lot depends on the Thai government to sort out things

It beats me why there arent better hotel deals out there

Some may get their wish for a quieter Pattaya, but what will happen to any shops, stores and bars, I assume you all eat and drink, but then maybe you like an hours drive to go shopping (its happened to villages in the UK, it could happen in Pattaya, but it would take a lot longer than it takes a village in the UK)

FINO

I didnt come to Pattaya to visit the brothels or visit any of the sex trade, I didnt come to get a Thai bride, I came for a holiday

NOT everyone that comes to Pattaya comes for a sex show, a beer bar, or a Thai bride, some visit because its different from home, they come to see the sights, and that includes walking street (do you know what it lkooks like to a kid aged 6, its all bright lights and girls, she thought it was great, the working girls just wanted to talk to her,) they are human and not just 'meat' for old farts who couldnt make it in their own country

You must have a very jaundiced view of Pattaya,

I've had plenty of great holidays there, and havent tasted the so called 'delights' of the brothels (its not compulsory you know)

There we go again, one eyed view of men looking for Thai ladies, but of course you have discussed their motives with all western men with nice Thai wives, no doubt.

Well, news for you; some of us DON"T WANT domineering, judgemental, unfeminine western women that we meet at "home". Some of us want to meet feminine ladies that don't think men are just for working to provide house and nice car for them to take in the divorce. Some of us want to meet ladies that don't think sex is a dirty word.

( Before you put me down for my viewpoint, I work in a female dominated occupation and have many female friends, I just wouldn't want to marry any of them ).

Please give direction to brothels, as you are so knowledgeable in all things to do with Pattaya. I have yet to see one.

better ask Fino or some other poster in here, bout the brothels, I've never looked or needed one

Just look at most of the Ads in TV, they are for Thai Brides or girl friends, eve34n over here in the UK, there are Ads for Thai Brides and Thai girl friends, I would say that they are pandering to the market

I cant speak for other blokes wives, but my wife isnt domineering, she is definately feminine, and not judgemental (if she was we would never have been to Thailand or Pattya) and she dont think sex is a dirty word either

I DO know of 3 blokes who married Thai girls, they bought them back to the UK, the marriage's never lasted and they lost an awful lot from the expeirience, but I'm not saying all Thai/Brit marriges end that way, I daresay most are happy relationships and only the bad ones end up in the news

they are human and not just 'meat' for old farts who couldnt make it in their own country

Lots of the old farts could or have made it in their own country. It's just that they can't have sex with hundreds of girls in their homeland without going bankrupt or being ostracized.

Yes, thats correct, but one of the 'working ' girls told me something I have never forgotten, Love is fine, but money number 1, so I would assume, the older the bloke, the nearer the grave yard, and she is young enough to enjoy the rewards of staying with him

Just my view, and if its her view, I cant blame her

Some of the working (and I say SOME) get more money than a solicitor or hotel manager, not bad for 10 minutes of huffing and puffing

FINO

I didnt come to Pattaya to visit the brothels or visit any of the sex trade, I didnt come to get a Thai bride, I came for a holiday

NOT everyone that comes to Pattaya comes for a sex show, a beer bar, or a Thai bride, some visit because its different from home, they come to see the sights, and that includes walking street (do you know what it lkooks like to a kid aged 6, its all bright lights and girls, she thought it was great, the working girls just wanted to talk to her,) they are human and not just 'meat' for old farts who couldnt make it in their own country

You must have a very jaundiced view of Pattaya,

I've had plenty of great holidays there, and havent tasted the so called 'delights' of the brothels (its not compulsory you know)

Didn't you move to China?

Nope, I only went for a holiday, nice place, dont think I would want to live there though

FINO

I didnt come to Pattaya to visit the brothels or visit any of the sex trade, I didnt come to get a Thai bride, I came for a holiday

NOT everyone that comes to Pattaya comes for a sex show, a beer bar, or a Thai bride, some visit because its different from home, they come to see the sights, and that includes walking street (do you know what it lkooks like to a kid aged 6, its all bright lights and girls, she thought it was great, the working girls just wanted to talk to her,) they are human and not just 'meat' for old farts who couldnt make it in their own country

You must have a very jaundiced view of Pattaya,

I've had plenty of great holidays there, and havent tasted the so called 'delights' of the brothels (its not compulsory you know)

And you Nurse why are you coming to Pattaya ? Facination for poor girls from Isaan probably

A strange assumption, not everyone wants the sex trade

I never came to Thailand for that,

I came to Thailand for a holiday, I bought my wife, my grand daughter, we all enjoyed ourselves, we have travelled to various parts of Thailand and enjoyed it, just because the sex trade is there, it doesnt mean to say we have to get involved in it

I know there are other things to do in Thailand

Quite possibly one of the most boring threads ever.

If you don't like Thailand or Pattaya.......stay away. Easy peasy.

Continually moaning about a place you don't like makes you out to be some sort of.....numb nut. Go find a place that you adore............say Milton Keynes. or Birmingham, Alabama.

I have never said I didnt like Thailand or Pattaya, read the entire topic before you make a comment like that, please

I have compared my costs to the DR and Pattaya and the value I got from both places, if its that boring, why read it ? I am sure there are more worthy threads aqnd topics in here

As Pattaya is dead, dead, dead, may as well have bit of fun in here,

A TRUE cockney is born within the sound of Bow Bells, I suppose with the internet, it could be any one these days, regardless of nationality, even some of the 'irons' in here

(for those not up on slang, a septic is slang for a yank, = septic tank= a YANK, hope this clears up any confusion)

Actually.....you come over as a bit of a tanker. Thats slang too.

Not wishing to get deeply involved in the debate - but its normally 'merchant banker' in the part of London I am from.

neither is East London slang, they are squaddies terms, the same as a septic

But why not go to them and see what they got to offer, you may like it

***raspberries***

Right back at ya,

I had a look on their forums, not a patch on this one, I'll stick with TV

jai yen yen na. i think we get it. and you might enjoy this place: http://dr1.com/forums/

they'll probably get your cockney slang and while you're over there, tell them if any one of them ever decides to come to Pattaya, we're gonna totally beat them up

Thanks for that, I never knew the DR had a forum, I dont think they would understand slang, they didnt when I was out there, by the way, I'm not a cockney, I wasnt born any where near Bow Belles

You may well beat em up, but they'll put you in a pot and eat you

But why not go to them and see what they got to offer, you may like it

(for those not up on slang, a septic is slang for a yank, = septic tank= a YANK, hope this clears up any confusion)

Whatever...I was always told not to get into a pissing match with a skunk

As to wanting to get the most for your "quid," well, I'm sorry to have to say that the British "ounce" is just not worth much these days...anywhere in the world.

Well, whatever the quid is worth (or the ounce, as you like to call it) it bought me a really good holiday for 2 weeks (£1200) and that is half what it would have cost to go to Pattaya

a good thing you didnt get into a pissing match, you would have got your shoes (or flip flops) wet