GypsyT

"Lake Mabprachan" - that's where I'll be going and staying next time. AirB&B places have great rates and many European style restaurants, bakeries and coffees. What I've heard and seen in pics Lake Mabprachan walk ways are great. Muscle parks too to impress ladies. I like to take long walks on good streets and clean area, up to 10-14km a day, starting 4am. That's why I like Jomtien beach. The best what I've seen. They even limited patented "Pattaya trade mark sh** smell" by covering up raw sewage system man hole covers under side walks. Unfortunately Thailand use lakes to dump sewage and garbage like in Khon Kaen. They have two nice lakes but both are dumping places of raw sewage...

I have the cheapest flight reservation back to Vietnam which I cancel as soon as I get into a plane. OR; I have a free flight booked on Airline Miles which can be cancelled and points redeposited. OR; when you buy a ticket in any EU country (works only on the net buys) you always have 14 days to cancel w/o any fees (something good to be EU member...).

"If you are staying in a hotel, you do not need to submit the TM30 yourself" It used to be like that pre-covid. Hotels gave a copy of the report screen shot without asking. Not any more. During Covid hotels mainly had locals and their attitude changed toward farangs. Now they wanted to add 4% "processing fee" if paid by the card. That wasn't on the price list on the net. I could have used Booking etc but I don't trust them after not getting help when I had problem with a bad hotel before. I even had hard time to get cash receipt! After handing over over 10 000B cash every 14 days I had to wait because "the person making receipt isn't here". After a few visits to the reception they gave up and I got the hand written (!) receipt. I know very well what they were doing... But you gotta accept "new rules, new attitudes" or stay out of Thailand. So here I am; checking flight to go to get more of same ????

I like you. You don't give up ???? You make good grave digger... which is the last job on earth. 100% Job security.

"every country changes the requirements never seen one yet that makes it impossible for retirees to live there" That's bull*** European Union has 27 countries with same rules. If you have National Health Insurance in one it's transferable to any other. You get 100% same services there as locals.

For me it's 30-day visa free walk in every 30-days. Quick Vietnam visits between. That way no any kind of proof of paid hotels, health insurance, etc. My prepaid return flight is flexible so if needed I can escape sooner. I rather fly to Vietnam than walk to Jomtien torture chamber... Welcome!

"The Thai embassy in Brussels is confusing as hell, 555 " No, it's fair warning what's waiting here...

"Firstly, may I suggest you learn the difference between Europe and the EU." I'm from both and don't know the difference. Can you help me?

Do you know this? Where was American know-how? "The Soyuz was the primary form of transportation for all astronauts and cosmonauts after NASA's space shuttle program retired in 2011."

Why to bash England team and manager? They can be very proud to make that far FIRST time. Can you name an other manager who has taken a team to finals two times? It could have gone other way too, both were very good. I guess 1-0 says nothing to you...

Same happened to me @ Jomtien last winter. They told "Go and get owners Book Book or something like that. PLUS TM30'. I didn't get TM30 when I walked in on visa-free 30 day rule. I also stayed in a hotel and had all payment receipts. They didn't care, "Go to HOTEL Owner to get papers!" "But the hotel is owner by an Japanese company". "Then go to Japan!" I turned, took two steps and stepped to next line and the girl who came to handle my case accepted my papers... I believe they are rude to get all to use agents so they get CASH share of them... During my waiting I saw two agents with stack of passports; first 35 pcs, then 55 pcs. My case took over 7 hours...

"Wait till they start demanding female police officers be excluded from arresting male Muslims and demanding the change of menus with all pork dishes removed. Instead of the usual T- Shirt sellers, they will be offering bargain burkas " I believe they escape home country conditions. Like most Russian who come to Thailand. A friend of mine went to So Thailand Muslim area and said "It's the quietest and safest place". The reason; No alcohol! I plan to go to see it too. On Jomtien I bought the best fried chicken from Muslim street vendor 2 yrs ago. Last winter they, an old man and woman, were gone. I miss them.

I'm very Happy ????

"My" girls won!!!! England played well. Good to see new nations were best!

If you Google "142 Thapparaya Road" and use Google View you'll see 1/2 mile homeless camp across Gran Caribean Hotel. At night they have 10-15 dogs there, sleeping along the road and often on the sidewalk. Very dangerous spot to pass! Also dark alleys in Pratamnak are patrolled by mean dogs. I try to take other street but if not I wait for a local man or woman and go with them. They seem to know how to talk to them or take a stick and whack to the nose of the leader... I've seen 40 kg young Thai girl to do that! It worked, dogs run away in hurry. Me? Was hiding behind her....

"Many years before you, at the British Embassy, there were a few agents waiting outside. One lady said to us, I will do everything for you, including taking you to a marriage registry office, for an all in fee of 8000bht. At the time, it was about 70 bht to the pound, I thought that sounds good..... She did everything, even taxi's were included.....???? ' Was that "fee per lbs" based on her weight or you, or both?

"This is excellent advice (removing CCV number) ... I never even thought about it (but will follow it). " What kind of cards you guys have? - I can block Internet purchases on my card via my internet bank. When I need it I just activate it and block again. - I also can limit internet transaction amount to any $ amount. I trust Thai hotels. Never a problem. I make friends with the cleaning crew. They are my "security" offices ????

Take a trip to North Vietnam and study how to skin 'n cook them. Then open a restaurant... free supply of meet for years to come.

Best to spend a night or two to see if it fits to need before signing a lease. VT6 is quite expensive per night but location's great and Tops Market and others @ Central have inexpensive good food. https://www.booking.com/hotel/th/view-talay-6-pattaya-beach-condo.en-gb.html There are other condos to try for less money. Deals come and go. Good Luck!

I'm in Europe now and women football is big! They show every game live and I've seen 80% them. Very entertaining, hi level and super interesting. My favorite is Spain - I like/love Latinas... ???? They are not too big. They are like Asian in size. Maybe not PC to say so but I got other faults too like San Andreas in California...

"Credit Rating Craziness in the US" I've had credit cards for 40+ years in the States. Never missed to pay balance IN FULL. Never paid a dime on interest. This year I wanted to open Hi Interest accounts at two different banks and make a large 12m deposits. My rating was 870 but I was turned down on both! The reason? Since I haven't have loans for 38 yrs my rating is bad! Or there is no rating at all. All 3 rating companies said that and sent me a copy of my record. Their stupid system gives rating ONLY on loans, they don't care anything else. Like large deposits in the banks or properties you own scot-free. All that was new to me. I ended up putting money to a regular Discover checking account which pays well and also to Chase 12m CD with low rate. Chase was the only one letting me to open a CD. Lesson learned; DON'T get rich in the America and DON'T pay all bills in time! If you do you are outcast...

"I have to say that I’m not a big fan of the railings on VT balconies. My balcony railing is 30 to 40 cms wide at the top. Comfortable for leaning against etc VT railings are just a pipe. " How about buying a chair? PS. I don't think epileptic person is very eager to lean or be on balconies....

"Vietnam mentions a 3 to 7 day timespan to handle and deliver the visa for 90 days with no asking for unnecessary support documents. ' I agree! Also, Thailand cheats you - you pay for 90-days but it's only 60-days what you get!

Well.... some are honest how much their life is worth ???? and won't spend extra.

Why noisy Pattaya location? My experience is Jomtien offers much quieter and better living for same price. Like VT7 & 5 right on the clean beach.