Ping

Probably the major concern will be gridlocked traffic, as more Thais who are currently on scooters can afford and opt to buy cars (even older used ones). Naturally, as tourist and expat numbers increase, more Thais will be attracted to the island to enter service industries. Since my first time here, growth in traffic, and resultant congestion, has been incredible - I don't see that pattern changing.

You can look through real estate ads here online. Some places come unfurnished/partially furnished, but the majority are furnished (usually with low-end stuff). I would never contemplate shipping my stuff here because it is unlikely that the shipping costs would render it economical. However, others have done so and will no doubt tell you of their experiences. As to customs exemption for importing household goods, read here:

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/

I haven't had any problems with it (3BB), but it may have just been that I wasn't online at the affected times... Compared with a few years back, reliability has increased markedly.

Of course, what they are doing to the third road is something that they should have had the foresight to do in the first place - making it a permanent structure that won't pothole and breakup every time there is a drop of rain. I understand the work is set to be completed somewhere around the middle of next year. In the meantime, it is an absolute debacle in Nanai during the peak (and often a mess off-peak as well) and oftentimes standstill on Ratuthit.

The third road will become the major thoroughfare and relieve a lot of pressure from these other two thoroughfares. To be fair, now that they have actually got into the project, I don't see much else that they could have done to avoid these temporary woes. No-one likes it, but the end result should contribute to vastly better traffic flow and will also ultimately accommodate the tunnel traffic.

I've never used them and I'm heartily sick of the spam.

The further north and east you get, the better local and expat people you'll find. People still look at the eyes and kids say their hello's with wais. But then again, I live very much at the North-East of the island so I guess this is very subjective.

If you have lived in Patong, but wish a bit cheaper environment, then maybe Kamala would be a good location for you to check.

I live in PAtong, not particularly but choice but more out of need, in our little enclave all of our neighbours (Thai & farang) smile & talk to each other and the kids still wai! Ok the kids that are old enough to wai that is.

We even have collective street cleaning, so decent areas can be found!

I have a similar experinece in Patong.

Not a lot of kids are old enough to "wai" where I am, but if you wai to them, they wai back, without fully understanding te significance of it.

The adults, well, they think, that as a foreigner, you do not know the importance, or respect, attached to a wai, so, not much wai from the adult Thai's, but you get a smile and a "hello."

I ask the locals about how their business is going, and make some general conversation. Sometimes I ask "mama" if I can have a beer with husband - answer is always "yes." I buy.

Patong is not as bad as many will have you believe on this forum, and as I have mentioned recently, take a look at the violent crime on the island in recent times. Most of it hasn't happened in Patong.

Same for me as well. No interest whatsoever of moving to another area on the island. Where I live, it is quiet, the neighbours (Thai and farang) are friendly and the best of shopping and entertainment are all close by. Once that third road is finished, the traffic problems will decrease significantly. Unfortunately, many people seem to think that Bangla is Patong (just as some tourists seem to think that Patong is Phuket). Sure, the prices vary greatly (as with any tourism centre), but fair prices can be found for those who know the ropes. So for all of those who insist that Patong is a 'cesspit', you are cordially invited to remain in your own little patch of paradise.

Fair enough. I've had mine now for more than two years - not into the minor update thing. I was hoping to replace it next year, but with 2015 being launch year, it will be nearly four years old (and likely have about 6,000 km on the odo - currently just over three). Maybe have to jump ship to some other brand of SUV if a new model with better specs comes out beforehand. I would even consider going for a Fortuner if they fixed up their rear seats to fully fold down. The front seats look more comfortable (better padding) than the PJS - but I've never sat in one, so I don't know.

Yes, I meant the new model. So they've put it back to 2015? Thanks for the info - can you point me to any reliable sources?

My understanding is that the PJS is due for a major update in 2014 (I've been planning to update mine on this basis). This is what has been previously reported by various folk, but of course, things can change.

Also remember the CRV is designed as such. is not a 550K Truck with a Shen N Chairs bolted to it for 1.5Mil.

Totally agree, and glad you found your own comment so amusing as to leave yourself rolling on the floor laughing (simple things, hey?) - but do try to comprehend the point I was making. It really isn't all that difficult...

Also bear in mind that you are getting less bangs-for-bucks with a CRV than a MU7, PJS or Fortuner. The CRV is a 5 seater and is taxed as a passenger car, whereas the others mentioned are taxed as passenger pickup vehicles because of the 7 seat configuration. You are paying 15% more in tax on your CRV.

B800 for half an hour's work? Perhaps you should have had the missus deal with it...

At one stage I was looking at buying either a Civic or Accord. By chance, I ended up renting a Civic for a week up north. What a disappointment. It was low miles but comfort level felt like something out of the seventies - its suspension felt like that of a ten year old taxi. So maybe when looking to buy a car you've never been in before, a test drive (in the least) is not a bad thing.

It strike me that different people enjoy/like different things (an odd thing, human nature). Some expats enjoy the 'only expat in the village' experience, others can't stand it (myself included). I know of several people who have stayed in Patong, then lived elsewhere and then returned. When I was staying here part time, I tried staying at another area on the island and didn't enjoy it. I could not see myself leaving Patong again unless it gets seriously worse than it currently is. But yes, there are downsides to it that one has to compare with the downsides of staying at any other particular location - it depends upon your viewpoint and what you see as important in your lifestyle. I do not criticise people for choosing to live in, for example, Chalong - up to them. But why do they see the need to constantly denigrate people who choose to live in Patong? What is the point? We are all different in our wants and expectations.

Once again, this thread turns into bickering and personal insults. Unbelievable.

^^LiK, wouldn't it be the same as the build-your-own boat issue? (You can build one without a work permit provided that it is for your own personal use, it is not intended for on-sale and is in fact not on-sold.)

There's also the thorny issue of work permits...

OP, I always used to use Amex TCs - secure, easy to cash at any bank, and better Xrate than cash. Best idea is to get them in your home currency, because you will almost certainly get a better Xrate here. Many institutions in my country offer them free to account holders - probably the same with you.

^If that's the case, it probably needs replacement by now...

Someone still remembers Patong Night Plaza? They tried to make people believe that Bang-La will be shut down and many tried to open a bar over there. Didn't last very long...

Was that the pretend mall just about opposite Cristine Massage on Rat-u-tit. I remember that, was empty/derelict for years then someone came up with the bars idea. There was some sort of club upstairs advertising Thai super models on show. Lasted about a couple of months. Derelict again for years and eventually demolished.

The failure of the Night Plaza was probably one of the reasons so many people (including on this forum) said that Jungceylon would not work. I don't think the upstairs area of the Night Plaza was ever occupied - but perhaps one or two boutique shops. Ocean moved a large supermarket into the back downstairs a fair time after the place had already opened - must have lost a lot of money. I recall wandering through the place a year or two after it was abandoned and all of the upstairs flooring was already destroyed (rippled). I seem to recall that they may have moved some sweat shops in there for a while. I think the problem was that in those days, it was in a bad location - out of the way. That was never going to be a problem for Jungceylon, because the area south of it had become established and it was handy to the centre of town.

Definitely, though I'm sometimes loathe to put queries on for minor issues. I wouldn't mind seeing a general 'Where to buy' thread pinned for small queries such as this, which would also simplify searching and could be used as a general informative read. Any thoughts?

Emancipated - he escaped from his owners? (Perhaps, emaciated..)

It seems your neighbour is a decent type. Hope the animal finds a good home...

Three tier pricing is in place at a certain international hospital here: Lowest pride: Thai national, Median price: Expat resident, Highest price: Tourist. That some hospital is one of those that complains about those tourists who don't pay their bills - the height of hypocrisy.

There have been two thefts - the theft of the original money and the theft by the hotel of the employees' wages. Disgraceful.