Top Cat

I've just experienced a couple of the same problems as the OP when applying for a 60 day Tourist Visa through the e system. However this is my first experience in dealing with Thai bureaucracy so I wasn't too sure what to expect. These are my observations:

1. Similar to the OP I was asked to supply the ID number of the Thai person I was staying with. As I am going to Thailand on holiday, and staying at a hotel, I just re-confirmed the hotel booking that was entered in another section.

2. I was also asked to confirm the Employer, Institution etc. inviting me to Thailand so I just put in another copy of my Bank Statement that had also been entered in another section.

3. In the ID Section you can enter your mobile number. As I'm from the UK it starts with the prefix +44 and as usual you miss out the first digit of your mobile number then enter the remaining digits. Except the software overwrites the first two numbers with 44. So the number reads +44 44XX  XXXXXX and the last 2 digits of the mobile number have been missed off, meaning the Embassy cannot contact you by phone. I have edited this twice but the software keeps "auto correcting" to the incorrect number.

Sent the application away last Monday and checked up again today on progress. "Processing" was the update which I think it also read immediately after I had submitted the application. If the Visa comes through OK then no problem, but its a muddled contradictory process for something thats relatively minor in the grand scheme of things.

The Golf Pros at Dianna Garden Resort (David Race) and Pattaya Driving Range (Mike McLaren) are PGA registered so at least they have a track record. There are other Golf "Pros" in Pattaya who aren't PGA registered and can only be considered to be "professionals" as in they charge money for lessons, as could anybody.

16 hours ago, topt said:

Thanks. I have seen and heard the guy teaching at the Third Road range on many an occasion - his name is McLaren by the way not McLeod

Using your link I also found this -

John O'Flynn

PGA Professional

Grade: AA

Open/Close

Address:
Siam Country Club
Pattaya Old Course
50 Moo 9 T. Banglamung
Pong, Bang Lumung District
Chon Buri
THAILAND
20150

Contact:
0066 3890 9700

Thanks as I never knew there were so many UK pros based in Thailand.

Thanks for confirming its Mike McLaren and not McLeod. Quite embarrassing as I have met him, although it was some years ago now.

Didn't know about John O'Flynn at Siam Country Club but I suppose PGA Pros must come and go all the time. 

5 hours ago, topt said:

Can you tell us who the 2 are and where they work from?

Certainly.

One's a Scotsman who (if I remember correctly) is called Mike McLeod and works at the Pattaya Driving Range on Third Road (towards the Pattaya Nui end).

The other's an Englishman called David Race who works at the Diana Driving Range. The Diana Driving Range is situated at the Diana Garden Resort which is located between Third Road and Sukumvit (towards the Pattaya Nui end). Theres a sign for the Diana Garden Resort on Third Road, not far from the Pattaya Driving Range, which directs you to the Soi. 

16 hours ago, prk888 said:

That was the point of my first question.  Is there a National register of PGA golf pros I wonder?

 

Not sure if he was professional but certainly gave good lessons

Maybe try the PGA? http://www.pga.info

Just thought I would add a bit to the thread. No idea who or where the Swedish Golf Pro is but as far as I am aware there are only 2 PGA Registered Golf Pros in Pattaya and Tyronne isn't one of them. 

There again it depends what you class as a “Pro Golfer”. Someone who is PGA registered or isn't but just charges money for lessons.  

The bar at the Third Road end of Soi Chaiyapum. I think its called Maggie May's or even Molly Malones.

I have never stayed there but have looked at some of the bedrooms, seemed to be good value. My mates 70+ years mother stays there twice a year and loves it.

It is out of the way but the hotel has a free return shuttle bus that runs down to the Dianna Inn which is near Mikes Shopping Centre. This doesn't run through the night, so alternatives will be required if your a night owl. There is a moto stand near the hotel.

The area its in is pretty much residential and there is a very nice little restaurant, called Relax, on the nearby LK Housing Estate run by a Thai chap called Pep. Well worth a visit.

Hi Kinrara

Although not married myself I know a couple from the UK who are roughly in your age group. They have holidayed in Thailand visiting Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

Initially they were dubious about Pattaya but have grown to like it to such an extent that they bought a 2 bed condo in the Jomtien area and plan to retire there. They mostly socialise in Pattaya and just don’t bother with the girly bars and have found other venues that suit them fine.

Of course whether this would work for yourselves or not remains to be seen!!

I have tried to locate your hotel but the best I could come up with was an address on Jomtien Beach Road, so I cant help you on its exact location or what its like. Jomtien is quieter than Pattaya, so its probably the best choice for yourselves.

Obviously as you know by now Pattaya comes in for a huge amount of criticism, some of it is justified, some of it not.

Its simple really you either like Pattaya or hate the place and there's only one way to find out!! If you walk from Jomtien to Pattaya, on Threppaya Road, there is an arch over the road defining the boundary(?) between Pattaya and Jomtien, it reads:

“Welcome to Pattaya the Extreme City”. Enough said.

I have broken your post down into headings, each with three items to consider and hopefully other BM’s can add to this:

1. Scenery (Where??!!)

I wouldn’t describe Pattaya or Jomtien as scenic, although I think it looks pretty nice when the sun sets in the evening, assuming your looking out to sea.

Instead of specific scenery try the Sanctuary of Truth, Big Buddha statue or Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.

2. Beaches

I find Pattaya beach usually grotty, Jomtien a bit better. Although they do have “good days” when they look OK.

My favourite is to charter a speed boat (or you could take the ferry from Bali Hi pier) and go to Koh Larn which is just off the coast and has plenty of beaches that are better then Pattaya or Jomtien.

3. Bars

Well if its girly bars you are spoilt for choice!!

Assuming its not then there’s the Blues Factory (assuming you like blues music), Pig & Whistle and Shenanigans.

4. Restaurants

Too numerous. You could try Indian By Nature, Bruno’s and Mantra to name but a few.

I must point out that this not an exhaustive list, just a few places to maybe try, and I have no vested interests in any of the above establishments.

Where are they located and how do you get to them? Your trip would be over by the time that was all explained!!

I think the best way is to get settled in and orientated at your hotel then do a bit of a search on the web and sort things from there.

Travelling around is easy enough, with the baht buses, and there are plenty of threads on here explaining how they operate.

Enjoy your trip.

T.C.

For me I would have given her something like 200 baht for knocking the bike over.

Maybe then she would not have gone off winging or whatever and the "outsiders" would not get involved.

But if push come to shove then the 1000 baht trick usually works a treat.

So it would have cost me 1200 baht!!!

Mai ben lai.

Top_Cat

Hi

New to this site, hope I've posted ok, coming to Thailand in January, haven't been to Pattaya/Jomtien before, hearing mixed reports on Pattaya! The accommodation we are going to be staying in is called the Hill Beach Hotel, which I believe consists of apartments on the beach between Pattaya and Jomtien, basic but cheap. Can anyone give me any info on the beach there, Hill Beach Hotel, places to eat, trips etc.

Regards

Hi Kinara

Sorry to answer a question with a question. BUT

1. Are you a single guy or guys looking for fun in the sun?

2. Are you going to Pattaya/Jomtien with a girlfriend?

3, Are you going to Pattaya/Jomtien with a wife/partner and kids in tow?

If your answer is No. 1 then you have probably made one of the best choices in your partying life.

If 2. or 3. then you can still have a good time assuming you are flexible and broadminded.

But more info. will make a BIG difference.

Chok dee kap.

Top_Cat

Have been to both Slices and Oasis Go-Go.

Found both to be excellent value for money.

In Slices during "happy hour(s)" eat all you want for 99 baht.

Oasis 2 for the price of 1 drinks during a random type "happy hour".

I would say the quality was pretty good and if you havent been give both a go.

Top_Cat

Thanks for the replies.

I have not formed a Company but did like an apartment that has now sold out the foreign allocation. Therefore the Limited Company route was the only way open for me to purchase in this particular development.

However I am going to forget this Limited Company idea all together as it leaves the foriegn purchaser out dangling on a limb.

Chok dee kap.

Top_Cat

I am seriously considering buying a condo in Jomtien. I haven’t got anything specific lined up as yet.

Looking at the boards all the advice says always buy a condo in your own name.

That’s fair enough but has anyone bought a condo in the name of a Thai Limited Company?

Obviously each condo block has to be 51% “Thai owned “ but I doubt this would see many condo blocks being sold out, so surely the Thai Limited Company route must be followed by many Falangs?

Are there any BM’s who went down this route willing to share their experiences/opinions?

More specifically did you suffer any major trauma when there was the scare in June about Falang Thai Limited shell Companies owning land?

Or I am missing something whereby the Falang/Thai Limited Company route ownership of a condo is more straightforward and less likely to suffer problems from the Land Office?

Look forward to your comments.

Top_Cat

Gentleman

You started this thread "Marrying bar girls why?"

Then you respond half way through:

"In all honesty I couldnt care why and who would marry a bar girl - totally "up to you"

Then why did you start the thread??

Oh, you state that you are not married to a bar girl. Nor am I.

Are you trying to claim the moral high ground?

IMHO its not a good idea to marry a bar girl. But that's not to say it can't work and best wishes to all those that are willing to give it a go. Chok dee.

There are no statistics as to the success/failure rate. As your not, according to you, personally involved (or interested???) why do you want to chew up other guys who only want to live a happy life?

I realise that you have been quoted out of context but IMHO you appear as if you want to gloat at other peoples life decisions. That is truly sad.

Really liked/admired the posts from Martin and Chonabot.

Mai pen rai.

I am not defending Bud but I find his postings hilarious.

IMHO it depends on how you read them. The most recent to cause upset seem to relate to Bud's assumptions on Thai women.

The way I read it is that Bud's assumptions are based on the women he has met. Therefore when he states "Thai women want/need/are etc. etc. blah blah money etc." He is referring to the THAI LADIES HE HAS MET not Thai women in general.

It seems that most of the women Bud has met in Thailand are via the internet, bars, massage parlours, go-go's etc. Personally I've no problem with that.

However that would obviously give a biased opinion and thats the one Bud posts on this site.

The saddest part is that Bud seems to be looking for love in all the wrong places.

He seems to not have been too successful. Maybe this causes his 'sort of angry head' to appear.

Basically IMHO Bud wants a long term investment based on short term speculation.

Over to you Bud, D80 and Kathe. LET THE FLAMING BEGIN.

Bud get back here boy and skin the high fives.

Chona nice to see your posting regurlarly on two sites now.

(Those avatars are a bit of a give away.)

Think your more suited to the 'other site' and hope you contribute big time. Though watch out or a gum shield may be required on Walking Street. :laugh:

Top Cat

Python Lee Jackson???? (AKA Rod Stewart)  :cool:

'In a Broken Dream'

'Every day I spend my time drinking wine feeling fine........'

Are you now living the broken dream? Perhaps its time to return to Falang land.

In the U.K. the clocks went back today.

Yes the onset of winter and the beginning of 14 hours + of darkness per day.

I'm sure this would improve your mood.

Top Cat

Dexlowe

PRETENTIOUS, MOI!!!  ???

Dexlowe

"Am I the only one who didn't check in his sense of humour at the door? Anyone with half a brain could have seen that my post was not intended to be taken seriously."

Yes I thought you would rise to the bait and bite. I did think that my reference to Sir Les Patterson would give the tone of my post away but obviously not. (LOL!!!)

Sorry Axel were going off topic but the exchange between Dexlowe and myself proves that native English speakers can often fail to understand each other.

More down to its not what you say but the way that you say it. Keep up the good work.

T.C.

Dexlowe

Your universal use of the word "Pom" to describe an Englishman displays a level of ignorance that is now world wide.

For your information the word "Pom" derives from the initials P.O.H.M. which means Prisoner of His/Her Majesty which refers to convicts that were forcibly transported from England to Australia. As you may be aware a colony was established there some years ago and has prospered some what since.

For some unknown reason the decendants of these P.O.H.M. now refer to natives of England as "Poms" which given the origins of the phrase is some what bewildering.

However we in the Motherland are usually forgiving of our colonial cousins faux-pas which we attribute to excessive alcohol consumption, sun stroke and having Sir Les Patterson as a cultural ambassador.

Therefore assuming your not a "Pom" (i.e. Australian) you may find other English regional speaking peoples' more than willing to give you a "Scouse kiss" or "Geordie nod" given the tone of your post.

"she'd much rather be working at the butterfly farm - that I am certain of".

That must be Pattaya.

"She reckons the bar tips are very generous if the customer gets good service!"

Standard bar girl phrase "Me take good care of Falang."

Cue the next gag:

"Has she mentioned to you anything about a tattoo ?"

Keep it going lads LOL

I strongly suspect that I will either be flamed or ignored....but in contrast with the posts I read above, I applaud what the Thai government is doing.  The commercial sex industry in Thailand has been the source of much suffering, disease, and (in more recent years) death.  The industry isn't going to be eliminated, of course, but if it could be driven back into the shadows where it was when I first arrived in Thailand 40 years ago, that would be most welcome.

Differing opinions but could be the ideal solution. All the old hands say the naughty nightlife is not as it was. (like everything else)

Maybe making it more discreet but legitimate would satisfy everyone. All the punters would be happy and the Govt. could rake a fortune in. Perhaps this is the start of it.

There again would there be some 'loss of face' involved or does money overcome all.

I strongly suspect that I will either be flamed or ignored....but in contrast with the posts I read above, I applaud what the Thai government is doing.  The commercial sex industry in Thailand has been the source of much suffering, disease, and (in more recent years) death.  The industry isn't going to be eliminated, of course, but if it could be driven back into the shadows where it was when I first arrived in Thailand 40 years ago, that would be most welcome.

I strongly disagree. These activities will go on no matter what. Rather than being driven into the shadows so we can bask in the illusion of moral righteousness, it should be tolerated, legalized and taxed.