newnative

Quel surprise.

Actually, a lot of the list would appeal to adults. My spouse and I have enjoyed Sanctuary and Nong Nooch--we've been to both several times or more. We also liked Underwater World--I love aquariums. Terminal 21 is a fun place for all ages. Centara, Cape Dara, and Centre Point Space are all nice resorts to stay at, with or without kids. And, of course the ocean activities; we've had wonderful half-day boat trips with snorkeling in the morning followed by a delicious seafood lunch with lots of different selections, eating on the boat, before the fun boat ride back to the port in Sattahip. Also, overnight trips to nearby islands. I didn't mention it, but there are a number of nice golf courses for golfers.

Most of the above list you'd find in a lot of beach cities in America. Substitute crocodiles with alligators when you hit Florida. Apparently, none is attractive to you, but they are to lots of vacationers who find their way to tourist spots on the ocean every year. When you start forgetting what a big attraction the ocean can be to the many who don't live that close to an ocean, then, yes, perhaps, you have 'been here too long'.

Exactly the point I made in my earlier post, which, from your clueless post above, proves my point better than I ever could. What I said: As a big city, yes, there will be some crime. I feel safer here than I did in the large American town I lived in. As noted, a lot of the Pattaya crime seems to take place in the wee hours of the morning. Each incident, and I don't think there have been that many for a big city, seems to be played up by Asean Now as a big news event. Someone mugged and their cell phone stolen or gold chain snatched would likely not get even a mention by the news in any American city of similar size. Here, it's always the headline on AN, which leaves the false mpression that crime is a big problem in Pattaya. It's not. Forget Asean Now, give us the actual stats that back up your claim that 90% of Thailand's crime is in Pattaya, not false impressions from AN.

When a tourist destination becomes big enough to have its own resorts, that destination has outgrown the designation of being a resort, itself. That's the case with Pattaya, with greater Pattaya having a population of 329,000, according to Wikipedia. That's a city, not a resort. But, I think enough on that. The topic is whether Pattaya is family friendly, or not. I think most people who actually know greater Pattaya would say that it is. No, I don't know which areas you visited, feel free to enlighten us. But from your post, you left the impression that it was confined mostly to the entertainment areas. It didn't sound like you had even gotten to Jomtien, where your 'pal' lives, and, apparently, 'loves it'. I think if you had seen a lot of greater Pattaya, you would not have wondered if it was a family friendly resort. You'd know it was. Did you get to the Centara Mirage Resort in Wong Amat? Or, the nearby Cape Dara? Both cater to families. How about Centre Point Space? Did you check it out? The Amari Hotel family wing? Nong Nooch Gardens? Underwater World? How about the fairly new waterpark, Ramayana, or the new Columbia Pictures Aquaverse theme park? All built with families in mind. Sanctuary of Truth? Terminal 21? Both kid friendly. Did you do any snorkeling or take any boat trips? Also fun for older kids. Ripley's Believe It or Not, did you get there? Pattaya Dolphinarium? If you make a return visit, maybe check some of these out, if you missed them on your first visit.

According to Wikipedia, the municipality has a population of 119,000, while the city, what it calls Greater Pattaya, has a population of 329,000. Not as big as the two US cities, but not a 'small town', either.

Agreed. I already mentioned Centara and Centre Point Space. Amari has built a whole new wing catering to families.

No. It's a dated description, more appropriate to small towns. Pattaya has grown into a big city; Google just hasn't caught up. Las Vegas also caters to tourists but I doubt anyone would call it a 'resort'. Ditto for Orlando, nobody would refer to it as a resort. Las Vegas is a big city. And, like Pattaya with its nightlife, it has different areas beyond The Strip.

Once again, as stated already by another member, Pattaya is not a 'resort' When I saw your thread title, I thought it would be for resort recommendations. You weren't asking, but I would recommend Centara in Wong Amat if you want a resort. Very nice, and 'family friendly'. Centre Point Space recently opened in North Pattaya and it is also geared toward families. Pattaya is a big city. Jomtien, Cosy Beach, South Pattaya, Wong Amat, Pratamnak, Naklua, The Darkside, etc., are all part of greater Pattaya. The bar/go-go adult entertainment areas are mainly in certain areas of center city Pattaya, which, again, is just another area of greater Pattaya. Soi 6, for example, is just one block, easily avoided. I, by the way, am a Pattaya resident, living on The Darkside with my spouse. We are often in the center city area to shop, eat, or see a movie at one of the big malls. At spots all over Pattaya, we can use one of the hospital choices, or find somethng we need at the good selection of big box retail avaiable in Pattaya, such as Index, Boonthavorn, Home Pro, Mega, Chic Republic, Big C Extra, etc.. As a big city, yes, there will be some crime. I feel safer here than I did in the large American town I lived in. As noted, a lot of the Pattaya crime seems to take place in the wee hours of the morning. Each incident, and I don't think there have been that many for a big city, seems to be played up by Asean Now as a big news event. Someone mugged and their cell phone stolen or gold chain snatched would likely not get even a mention by the news in any American city of similar size. Here, it's always the headline on AN, which leaves the false mpression that crime is a big problem in Pattaya. It's not. If you ever get to Pattaya again, maybe venture out a bit--there's a lot more to Pattaya than just the small areas you visited. You'll likely find out why your pal, who lives in the Jomtien area of Pattaya, in your words, 'loves it'. He's just one of many.

Not really. Time for an Executive Summary: You seem to remain confused by not seeing 'false' in the OP list of EV statements. Hence, your comment, 'The real article had "False" appended to all the statements. Which, it actually didn't. But, your implication being, the OP should also have had false appended to its statements. Which might, or might not, have prevented your confused post questioning why the original poster thought Britain's power grid was 'creaking'. Which left several of us going, huh? How did he come up with that? Obviously, misread the original post. (When some of us highlighted your gaffe, it didn't help your cause any to accuse the original poster of not doing a 'proper job'.) Another, huh? In any case, the purpose of the thread was to call attention to the article and invite readers to click on the article to discover for themselves whether the statements listed in the OP were true or false. In summary, here's a list of statements regarding electric vehicles. Are they true or false? Click on the article and find out. The answers are not here in the OP.

Just admit it. You misread the original post (OP). And, apparently, are still misreading it. You missed the sentence, "Questions covered in the article:'. The OP then listed a number of statements regarding electric vehicles, with a link to an article that explained whether they were true or false. You had to click on the article, and actually read it, not the OP, to see whether a statement was true or false. By the way, the 'real article' did not have false 'appended to all the statements', as you claim. One statement was appended 'incomplete' and one was appended 'mostly false'. So, if you actually got to the 'real article' you misread it, too.

Deathtraps

I think most of us careful readers easily understood the OP's useful post, with the helpful link to the actual article, which I found interesting. I don't know what more 'proper job' he could have done.

As a US citizen, I plan to keep my head down and go about my usual business. I plan to transfer about $30,000 before the end of the year, in transfers under $10,000 each. Spouse and I also have money that is already here to draw upon, that shouldn't be subject to taxes. If we need money from the US at sometime in 2024, I'll transfer the exact amount of my monthly SS payment, and not notify anyone. If someone from RD ever knocks on my door, I'll remind them the money I sent was shielded from Thai tax by the DTA between Thailand and the US, and plead ignorance if they tell me I should have filed paperwork of some kind. Perhaps by the time I make any transfers next year things will be better clarified.

Terrific suggestion to have the thread take you back to the post you have quoted after you hit 'submit reply'. Like now, I am quoting your post, which is on page 8. Once I submit this, I will be at the end of the thread. To continue reading the thread, I have to go back to page 8, and then find your post to start reading the thread again. Hope AN staff will see if they can make this very helpful change.

I personally feel less is more in the way of moderation/changes. Some of the topics posted by members may be considered frivolous by some other members but, if it seems like a frivolous topic, just ignore it. I've found some of them to be actually interesting and I've posted my thoughts on some of them. I, myself, don't mind at all if sometimes a thread meanders off-topic--sometimes those threads can be some of the most interesting and fun ones. I frown a bit when I read the message, 'Some off-topic posts have been removed.' What did I miss? If someone bothers to take the time to post, I think the posts should remain, unless they are in violation of Forum rules. Also, there is sometimes a fine line between what might be considered bickering by some and lively debate by others. When in doubt, consider the posts to be lively debate and keep them. I feel very fortunate that we have such a thing as AN here. It keeps me up-to-date on Thailand and other news, and, especially, on things that can impact my life living here. I heard about the proposed tax changes here, before anywhere else, for example. It was a fount of helpful information when I was first learning how to file my 90-day reports on-line--starting with telling me there was now such a thing I could use to avoid treks to Immigration. Sheryl, of course, is always so patient, helpful, and informed on health issues--so lucky to have her. And, she's just one example. There are others who also step in and help with other issues and topics. I wouldn't change too much.

Yes, it is very common, as you have seen from other posts. No, there will not be 'a bank guy' from any bank 'closing the deal' with me. Never has been. Many foreigners here, including me, pay cash for property purchases and don't get mortgages, which is also very common.

Me, too! Yes, that is great news! While you have your eyes on Royal Cliff, I'm patiently waiting for Saranchol Condo in Wong Amat, built waaay back in 1994. My goodness! That isn't even this century! Cheapest condo is still 25 million baht but I feel sure Keep Right is correct and it's going to deteriorate into a slum any day now. Yes, any day now. Way overdue. Just a little more patience . . .

It actually is a hobby of sorts for us. My Thai spouse has a regular job and I am retired. I think our only 'business savvy', if any, was always buying seaview condos, both in Rayong and Pattaya--and, we always did that because we, ourselves, wanted a seaview. We always buy and renovate with ourselves in mind, not a future buyer. Most of the projects were small, because that was all we could afford in our early years here. It was easy to move from place to place because we always sold the condos furnished. We did six View Talay studios, for example, plus at least that many small 1 bedrooms at different projects. We were always fixing up places for us to live in ourselves, which we did--just for not too long. I don't think much in the way of 'details' is missing. Things are simple here, with real estate, compared to the US or the UK. Transactions can, and often do, conclude in a few weeks, or less. In our case, we have never had any of your mentioned marketing or advertising costs. We list with as many realtors as we can, which is free, and we use free marketing, such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. You don't necessarily need to use a lawyer to do a real estate transaction here, although I would recommend using one if you are uncertain about the process and what should be, and not be, in a real estate contract. In any case, just a small expense. I'm not following your statement, 'You can sell at a profit but still make a loss overall.' In my book, you either make a profit or you don't. It's always one or the other, and easy to tell which, if you keep accurate expense records. We always pay cash for a property here so there are no mortgages involved, and no costs associated with them. Also, no appraisal costs, no termite inspection costs, no costs to test for radon, no settlement attorney fees, etc., here. But, yes, always closing cost fees and taxes, and usually realtor commissions. It's all pretty cut and dried. You are correct that there are monthly maintenance fees and utilities. We don't bother to figure them in because, frankly, they are so low here, and we see them more as cost-of-living items. For a year, it might be 50,000 baht, more or less, for a condo's maintenance fees. The house we just sold had monthly estate fees of 1,500 baht, or 18,000 baht a year. Utilities don't figure in at all, in my opinion. We also don't figure in rent savings, although we do save on not paying rent.

My spouse, whom I met in the US, is Thai.

Agree. Very common practice.

No, of course you don't make those kinds of profits here. Perhaps, I should qualify that statement to just speak for myself and my spouse and say that we have not made those kinds of profits here. Maybe others have, and I don't want to speak for them, but we have not. However, it is also true that we have never lost money on any condo or house purchase we have made in Thailand. Never. That includes 2 condos in Rayong. 1 condo in Bangkok. 2 houses in Pattaya. And, 18 condos in Pattaya. The larger 2 and 3 bedroom condos and the houses made bigger profits than the smaller studio and 1 bedroom condos, but they were all profitable. Since we have only been in Thailand since 2010, it's easy to see that most of the above properties were not owned for very long--none for your 10 years. 5 of the Pattaya condos were bought as rentals and then sold when we decided we didn't want to be landlords anymore. We have always made a profit because we don't sell until we do make a profit. It's that simple. We have, luckily, not been in a situation where we needed to sell quickly, even at a loss. Deals will come along, even during covid, when we sold a condo and a house. Even during a pandemic, people need a roof over their heads. Sometimes properties sell quickly, sometimes patience is required.

Plenty of reasons 'why'. If you actually lived here, rather than, perhaps, just visited the tourist spots, you'd know why lots of people choose to live here, rather than anywhere else in Thailand. My spouse and I could certainly live anywhere in Thailand--we have a Bangkok condo and spend time in Bangkok now and then--but we choose to live in Pattaya full-time. It just suits us better than anywhere else we have been in Thailand, for a variety of reasons 'why'. As a growing city, apparently many others feel the same way.

Blah blah blah. I didn't see anything concrete being proposed that would actually make a difference--just more of the same old same old.

Not necessarily true that a condo buyer '...is just sitting in the same place for the 10 years.' My spouse and I have been in Thailand since 2010 and we have owned condos and moved around in Pattaya from one owned condo to another eleven times, plus 2 moves, so far, in Bangkok. Not to mention our initial move from a condo we owned in Rayong to Pattaya. Certainly, one can stay in a single place, if that's what floats your boat, but owning has never kept us from moving when we wanted to try a different area. Or, in the case of the Bangkok moves, from a smaller condo to a bigger one closer to the MRT.