Shutterbug Guy

I use Food Panda, although there aren't as many delivery drivers as Line/Grab has. Line/Grab isn't English-friendly.

I should have stated where, generally, the Jomtien, Pattaya area. When you hear them cuss, it's a European/Australian voice.

What is with all of the European motorbike drivers that feel a duty to lay on their horn, cuss you out, and flip you the bird? It seems like a weekly occurrence as they feel a need to exceed the speed limit, lane split, and generally cut you off when they see the opportunity and then yell profanity and wave obscene gestures when all I'm trying to do is stay in my lane and observe the speed limits, when I do change lanes I signal. I'm careful to check all of my mirrors prior, which can be treacherous when a road-raging motorbike chooses excessive speed and lane splitting. It's not a boxing match, a race track, or a venue to show off your manly traits. Is this the way you drive in your home country? Just rude, inconsiderate, and downright dangerous.

Traffic law enforcement here isn't enforced. Rarely do I see police issuing tickets except during road-side checks which can prove to be a cash cow for them.

Rent first and get to know the area and the condo I've rented in different places over a half dozen years or so before buying. Once you purchase, you're stuck; be sure it's the one that works for you. I bought a nice sea-view unit that I will never resell; I will only give it back to my family upon my eventual demise.

It must be a cash cow for them.

I'm certainly not an expert or even a healthcare professional, but I procure 2 types of nasal spray at the local pharmacies here in Jomtien. The 1st type is Phindroz with the mentioned 0.05% Oxymetazoline (oxymetazoline) and the 2nd type is Nasol with 0.1% naphazoline and 0.25% chlorpheniramine. They seem to do the trick for me although they sometimes raise the blood pressure a little but they are available locally. https://pharmacy.mahidol.ac.th/dic/knowledge_full.php?id=57 Good luck with your search.

J&E Concierge gives driver's license classes to foreigners with different languages. They also will take you to get the license(s) after graduation. https://www.facebook.com/conciergepattaya

If you travel north through Koen Kahn, Korat, Chiang Mai, etc. you'll see huge areas of what looks like "scorched earth". If you look closer you will see local nationals actively burning their fields. Every year they promise to enforce the no-burn laws yet each year the burning persists although they always are quick to point fingers at neighboring countries, vehicles, etc. It must be a customs thing or perhaps it's ingrained into them to burn their fields every year I don't know. I do know that this is human created and not much is being done to prevent it. Folks nationwide are suffering from it and I would imagine it affects the economy and tourism greatly.

The wives' tales and all of the armchair experts, amazing....

I'd recommend one of the View Talays as they might be a few years old but the construction has been proven. The condos are quiet and close to baht bus routes and other conveniences. Right now I see that View Talay 2 has a few for a great price with reasonable square meters and decent parking with amenities. It's a stone's throw farther than Pratumnak but not surrounded by Russians like Pratumnak is and across the street from a baht bus route, bus station, restaurants, and a farang grocery store, Food Mart. https://maps.app.goo.gl/neiqDZnkU9KxWzPSA. There are others I'm sure, just an example.

Mr. Moo on Thepprasit 9 Aly near 2nd Rd south of Rompho Market has pretty good Thai food, even my Thai gf likes the food. https://maps.app.goo.gl/KpnkX5Q9qxdZtUDB9

I found the cheese island interesting as they had 3 different varieties of pepper jack cheese and other cheeses.

DHL is my go-to delivery service when given a choice. They are extremely reliable and communicate well making the process too easy. The only difficulty is assigning them as an import agent for you which involves going down to customs with your passport and filling out their form. I've also assigned UPS which I don't recommend as they aren't the brightest bulb here.