happyaussie

patsfangr you put your point across well and I agree. But I still stand by the fact that 99% of men living here in Pattaya originally came here with one thing on mind. Thai women (or for others Thai men). Yes, a lot have met women (or men) and settled down, and yes some have reloacted with their farang wives (or husbands). Why anyone would do this baffles me. And to make comparisons to other countries also doesn't work. Everyone knows what made Pattaya great. Just because some people have found their love and settled into a quieter life doesn't mean others should be denied their chance to achieve the same.

So please stop pretending to be so pious. You enjoy your journey and let others enjoy theirs.

Some of you guys amaze me. Close the bars and get rid of the girls. How stupid is that. What are you going to tell me you moved to Pattaya for the palm fringed idylic beaches, stunning architecture or it's natural beauty. NO, I would pretty well guarantee that 99% of men who live in Pattaya came here for one reason only, SEX. Pattaya has it's faults, but where doesn't. I for one think it is moving in a positive direction. And the bars and girls are fantastic. Yes, I'd prefer not to have the loud mouthed holligans. But unfortunately they come with the territory.

I have spent long stints in Pattaya on several occassions. I found staying in Pattaya itself gets a little over the top after a while. I prefer Jomtien area and View Talay villas are great (good quality construction and well maintained). I'm also not sure paying a premium for a view is all it's cracked up to be. Most have Westerly aspects, therefore strong afternoon sun. Save some bucks and get something better a couple of blocks back.

A mate of mine bought an apartment in one of those large blocks. He sold it after 6 months. Main reasons - constant renovation works in other apartments (everyone just loves those bloody electric tile cutters) & lack of maintinance of public areas, pools etc.

There are some nice areas just North of Pattaya. Not sure what the area is called but it's right next door. As others have said, be careful of what future developments are planned in the vicinity. Even if down the road you'd have trucks coming and going all day.

Good luck and have a ball.

I drove past a new or refurbished hotel the other day. I think it was called "Gracelands". Really weird name, but the hotel looked very nice.

Personally I think you're better off staying around the Kata Beach or Kata Noi area.

It's all a matter of discipline. The most annoying thing is when parents let their brats scream their heads off and go into tantrums in public. Then sit there as though this is acceptable behavour. Kind of like, "if I have to put up with it so does everyone else". Small children travelling on planes should be banished to the back in some form of sound proof capsule. When in restaurants children should be seen and not heard. This is adult space. They can run rampant in McDonalds etc. Parents using strollers have no special right of way. Fathers should refrain from using those ridiculous "front packs" for carrying babies and there should be kid/family designated spaces on beaches.

Parents enjoy your kids just don't think you have special rights over those of us who don't desire to be annoyed by their screaming and tantrums.

I would like to first say that I grew up with a father who was an Architect and a Mechanical Engineer. With that said, we always lived in a house that made sense. Now I don't want to go off on a rant here; but I am just sick of looking for a house here in Phuket, but I can't seem to leave. I love living here, and I am addicted. But what is killing me, beyond all control, is the lack of a decent house for rent.

My wife and I had an altercation a few weeks back, some of you might remember, the Mafia Bar Owner....Anyway, in my haste, I told her over the phone she could look for a new house herself, without me. Bless her heart, she is wonderful and I love her, but she has absolutely zero taste when it comes to a fine home. I have seen her house from when she was a kid, and I understand what she would look for, but I must say, this new house makes me completely sick. It is disgusting, and has no form or design in mind. 4 Walls and an outdoor kitchen. I have to go outside to go into my bedroom, and my deck wasn't built with 'standing or sitting' in mind. It is old, and falling apart. And get this, from Nov 27 - Dec 26, I got an electric bill.... on a POSTIT note stuck to my door for 9950thb. Now, I am sorry, but I don't pay PostIt Notes. They are charging us 45,000thb per month and I wouldn't give them 25,000, and I am so sick of the house, I immediately offered myself up for another job and returned back to work. My wife, she loves it because the neighborhood has a plastic pole that you have to have a card to raise. They refer to it as a security gate, but it is a white piece of PVC Pipe.

I have tried to use the local property finders. I have been through about 4 of them. They are not to blame, but who designs this stuff? I am writing this in this post because I know many of you live here, and know about real estate. I would buy property, but what is for sale is not worth 1/8 of the money they are asking. I would LOVE to build my dream home, but the land prices are just plain stupid. Some of the plots I have seen are just ridiculously priced, and are in crowded areas.

For now, I would just like a nice place I could actually feel comfortable in. Somewhere I could actually feel good about returning to. I am going to put this out here because I know there is someone here that knows about a house for me.

1 Floor. (Or 2 Storey with 1 bedroom downstairs.)

3 Bedrooms each with bathroom, with an office type room for computers.

Views are over-rated, so not necessary.

Big Western Kitchen - Appliances not required. Will buy my own, or I may already have.

Fenced in with nice, Small Yard

Heavy on the A/C. I lika da A/C in TV room, and Bedrooms.

35 - 65k per month price range.

Thalang - Rawai - Nai Harn

Just NOT Patong, Karon or Kata. Anywhere else can be tolerated

ADSL area and Phone Area is high priority.

Covered 2 Car Park, tall enough for Fortuner.

As few neighbors as possible.

Quiet, away from beaten path, nestled in the jungle or with many trees?

The farther away from the crowd, the better. If it takes a 4WD and a 15 minute trip just to get too, OHHHH I WOULD BE IN HEAVEN.

If someone can help me find this house, regardless of the terms, I will give them a 25000thb cash reward . Even Businesses, No one excluded.

Why do we as humans always feel so compelled to live so close together? There is so much room on this Island, and yet all of the housing is so close together. I find it very disturbing that all of the property for sale is right next to someone else?

I would really LOVE to meet someone who could help me find land in East Thalang. Go North and hang a right at the Heroin Monument. Across the road (4423) I believe from Mission Hills. Yes, DEEP DEEP DEEP back there would be heaven for me. I would be very generous if such a person existed. Very Generous indeed.

I am desperate, and would like to move it as early as Jan 15th. Please don't make me return to my chicken coup.

PM me if you would like to help.

Can anyone advise what legitimate channels someone can go through to gain child custody.

I am writing on behalf of a Thai friend who had a child to a farang. As is often the case the honeymoon is over and they split some time ago. Since the split she has maintained custody and received NO support from the father. Not one baht. Nor had she or her child heard or seen him until a few weeks ago when he came to see her and has since then taken her away. He has called a few times to let her know the child is okay. But refuses to return the child to her mothers place. Where she has been raised and goes to school.

My friend doesn't want trouble. She is happy for the father to see the child. All she wants is for the child to be returned. Could this guy take the child out of the country (mum has passport)? Is there a government dept that handles this type of thing? Does anyone know how much a lawyer might cost and whether it is worth it? Can anyone offer some advise.