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In answer to a previous question, yes, there is a Guess store there.

I too would like to know about proposed fitness centers in Central. Would be hugely convenient. Any news from anyone?

I was in the Guess store and spied a nice pair of jeans, but at a price of 12K+ baht I managed to pass and hustled my little lady out of there before she got a look at something!!

While at this particular border waiting for your documents you can also take advantage of some great deals on alcohol, tobacco and other products at the shops in the no-mans land on the right hand side in back as your entering Cambodia after the wooden bridge. Your allowed to take 2 bottles of wine/spirits but there are local runners that can bring over however much you need.

Outstanding postscript to the original post. I believe these are the sentiments of the "silent majority" of the expat community in Pattaya.

I've responded to Pattaya-bashers on this Forum before......and I'll include my contribution again, just for good measure.

Foreign TV channels and tabloid newspapers, have vilified the resort of Pattaya. Pattaya, very much like London, Amsterdam or New York, is a multi-ethnic, cosmopolitan and vibrant city, with its own distinct and individual character. Like people, there is good and bad in every city and it is naïve to place judgment on a city, or a person, based on the negative aspects of this character, especially as portrayed by some of the aforementioned media. Pattaya deserves a comment on its character from the people who have chosen to reside here, to work here and who have no financial or other Brownie points to win.

I live in Jomtien, Pattaya. I chose Pattaya after considering carefully the alternatives. That was my choice after living and working elsewhere in Thailand. I live here because I like it here. I have no misconceptions about Pattaya and, once again, I exercise choice on what I do and where I go. I would do this no matter where I lived, Pattaya, London, New York or Sydney. The important point is that I have so much to choose from. Maybe that is why “visitors” (families, couples, senior citizens and singles of course) from all corners of the globe come back year after year, in the face of the often heard comment “Can’t imagine why anyone would want to visit Pattaya”.

There is a decent and established infrastructure here. Hospitals, hotels, communications, shopping are probably second only to Bangkok, which itself can be reached in a couple of hours on motorway standard roads. International schools are arguably the best in Thailand. Cinemas would satisfy the most ardent of movie fans. The area is a golfer’s paradise with 19 superb golf courses nearby. The gourmets amongst us are spoiled for choice; we could eat well and cheaply in a different restaurant every day of the year. There are the endless white pristine beaches of Rayong, within an hours’ drive, even surpassing those of Phuket. I accept that Pattaya beach has some way to go before it can be called anything near pristine but it is getting better. Jomtien beach, on the other hand, provides 14 kilometres of clean windsurfing and sailing waters. For those who want the security and comfort of expat societies, they are here in abundance. Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything.

Last, but by no means least, there is the night life….clubs, discos, girlie bars and go-go bars. Choice is the by-word here. You partake or you don’t, there is no obligation. For those of you who haven’t seen the sleazy equivalents in Soho, Amsterdam, Hamburg or Lisbon, in comparison, Pattaya is Disney Land when it comes to the sex scene. If the night life centres of Pattaya are somewhat brash and noisy for some, there are alternative, quieter places for evening fun and relaxation.

Pattaya is NOT a “hel_l on Earth”. Simply, it’s a case of If you have never tried it then don’t knock it. Maybe, if you do try it, you might find it a “Heaven on Earth”, as the majority of visitors and residents do.

Artisan

SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: February 5th 2007

EXCITEMENT OF THAI-SINGAPORE MATCH KILLS AMERICAN FOOTBALL FAN

Mr Stanley Storch, an American aged 79, staying at Howard's Bar Guest House, South Pattaya, was so excited by the Thai-Singapore football match that he died of a heart attack on February 5th. At 4 o'lock in the morning, the police and Sawang Boriboon Rescue Team found the aging American's body in his room on the 3rd Floor of Howard's Bar Guest House after having been notified by Mr. Punyah Rattanaayu, the owner of the guest house.

Mr. Storch was found lying on his bed with the remote control still in his hand and the TV still on. He had previously been down to the bar to order a beer at 7 pm and complained that he was not feeling well, before returning to his room to watch the Thai-Singapore football match on TV, according to Mr. Punyah. Mr Punyah also told the police that Mr. Storch was suffering from heart disease.

He further related that wishing to clear the bar bill at 3 am, he had called Mr Storch's room by phone, but had received no reply. Accordingly, he went up to the room, but receiving no answer to his knocks, used a pass key to enter.

The police searched Mr. Storch's room but found nothing amiss and do not suspect foul play, merely that the American's death was the result of natural causes due to becoming over excited by the football match.

Impossible, no American has ever worked up so much as a yawn for a soccer game, never mind croaked over one.

In the "fine dining" category here are a few more suggestions.

Saturday night Grand Buffet at the Royal Cliff Resort, beautiful setting and incredible selection of food in gorgeous surrounding. Worth the price but bring your appetite

Mata Hari on Thappraya Rd. beside Manhattan Steak House, fine European style dining, reasonable pricing for the outstanding quality.

Mantra at the Amari Resort, northern end of Beach Rd. on the corner. Excellent relatively new restaraunt, very impressive dining room and bar area. Many different styles and types of cooking, very nice.

Gents (and ladies!!) Don't forget that most of the Western banks or cards also have a nasty hidden "currency conversion charge" for any overseas transactions in a currency other than the originating bank. My experience has been that this charge is never less than 2% and as high as 4% of the transaction. Unless you're a real reader of the fine print on your statement you may have never seen or noticed this on your statement. Call or email your card provider to find out what their policy is, you may be in for a nasty surprise. I was able to switch to a card with no currency conversion charge, no ATM service charges, and even refunds ATM fees that get charged by other banks up to $100 per month. If you live overseas and still bank back home all those charges can add up, make sure you're not getting skinned by your own bank before railing about a couple of baht over here!!

I use Citibank in the US. One of the account options available is if you have a minimum of $6,000 in your accounts there are no bank fees nor ATM fees. The $6,000 can be in a CD and my CD pays 5.5 percent interest so not too bad. The currency conversion rate is one percent and that one percent shows on your statement. I get almost exactly the exchange rate shown on my Yahoo home page less the one percent. I DO watch for any silly charges or fees.

I was using Merrill Lynch when I first started coming to Thailand 5 years ago. At the start of a new year (2002 I think) I noticed the 2% currency conversion charge for the first time on my statement. I called them and asked that they waive it as I had a substantial amount of money invested with them and was going to be spending a substantial amount of time in Thailand. After going through 4 or 5 different supervisor types with no luck I gave up and closed my account with them and moved all my holdings to Charles Schwab who has the no charges and remits any ATM fees. Been with them going on 4-5 years and they've been great. Just have to make sure to call when heading back into Thailand because they will hold up a charge if they notice it's from Thailand as a precaution.

Gents (and ladies!!) Don't forget that most of the Western banks or cards also have a nasty hidden "currency conversion charge" for any overseas transactions in a currency other than the originating bank. My experience has been that this charge is never less than 2% and as high as 4% of the transaction. Unless you're a real reader of the fine print on your statement you may have never seen or noticed this on your statement. Call or email your card provider to find out what their policy is, you may be in for a nasty surprise. I was able to switch to a card with no currency conversion charge, no ATM service charges, and even refunds ATM fees that get charged by other banks up to $100 per month. If you live overseas and still bank back home all those charges can add up, make sure you're not getting skinned by your own bank before railing about a couple of baht over here!!

Until proven i think the tip comments don't belong on this thread as it is starting to sound like you're all accusing Manhattens of doing this.

Maybe it all goes to their staff?

Well, I think the silence of tommyv speaks volumes...

To all of you "experts and mind readers" who have presumed to know what I think and do, this is tommyv, and I will tell you now that all of the 10% service charge goes to staff, but is taxed, according to Thai law, as income, so the staff gets the service charge minus tax. Furthermore, our service staff are well paid. We pay much higher salaries than most F&B establishments in Pattaya, including the hotels. If anyone is so interested in the welfare of my staff, please come and ask them if they are well taken care of and happy with their jobs! I provide much more than salaries and service charge. I provide staff meals, uniforms, medical insurance, and paid hoildays. Do all of of critics think that all of these benefits come cheap? Get real! Manhattans Steakhouse provides quality food, good service, great live music starting in November, and a pleasant atmosphere. Many other places do as well. We are what we have decided to be. If you like it come and enjoy, if not, go someplace else you like better and can afford. To those of you who have tried the place and enjoyed it, I thank you. To those of you who want to try and decide for yourselves, I welcome you. To those of you who wish to find restaurants more to your liking, I wish you well. Pattaya is changing, look around you. Is anyone critising the mulitude of "high end" condos and residents going up in Pattaya? Additionally, getting a credit card services in Thailand is a nightmare. We applied months before opening, and the reality is that the banks will only issue services to new businesses after they see a "trading history". This is Thai banking practice, and out of the hands of the applicants. This process can take 30 days to 180 days depending on the bank. Do any of you really think that we want to operate without this service to our guests? It is bad for us and bad for our guests, but it is the way it is in Thailand. I would like to remind you Mata Hari fans that Louie was without cc services for more than 30 days AFTER his opening in April.The only reason Louie got his services after 30 days is because he is an established business who merely changed location. He posted a sign at his door, as we have done, stating the lack of cc services, and suffered the same inconvience that we are suffering.

Now, I have a restaurant to run, and wish all of you well. Anyone wanting to ask me any questions regarding Manhattas, or make any comments, please feel free to come in and see me, and we will talk. I haven't time to constantly be replying to all of this misinformation. I also will not reply to those of you who take such delight in attacking Manhattans. I would rather use my time taking care of the many happy guests who have not only dined here, but have returned several times. Whatever happened to conversation face to face? It's much easier to assult people online, isn't it!

Excellent reply Tom, I don't understand people feeling the need to criticize people for where they choose to dine. I visited your fine restaurant on my birthday in September with a group of six and we were taken care of beautifully by your staff and yourself. Best of luck and I'll continue to see you on the special nights when a great steak, service and ambiance are required.

Could someone please recommend a good orthodontist/ dentist in Pattaya City? Costing aside..

I've a small sized hole in my pre-molar tooth. At first I thought i'd need only a composite/ 2 surfaces filling, but then i've been told by one dentist in Central road that i've an exposed nerve and a root canal in this pre-molar is most necessary. This is a major turn off, but i'm willing to do what is needed, and i'd be interested to get a recommendation from expats in Pattaya as to whom is trustable and professional?

I'd prefer not to find myself having to go back to a dentist with a root canal which has not been properly cleaned (technical terms?) and do it right first time and with in mind to select the best material for the pin and crown following the three stages to conclude the whole painful experience?

This is a first time experience and what i've typed is all I know. Who do you recommend and who do you recommend to avoid. Reading through the internet things can go wrong as in having to come back and re-place the crown material and this and that or other, with which i'm ignorant?

Any help expats?

I've been living in Pattaya for 5 years and have had a lot of work done at Bangkok Pattaya. Most recently an implant on a front tooth which was a difficult procedure. My dentist was Dr. Tappasit and he is excellent. He specializes in crowns & implants. I have had other dentists there perform root canals, extractions and other work all to a a very high standard. Although their cost may be a little higher than some of the smaller clinics I have had nothing but good experiences (if going to the dentist can be a good experience!!) there. I have read on this board about some horror shows at BP but can only give thumbs up.

Does anyone know of a restaurant or bar in Pattaya that regularly shows the Monday & Tuesday morning American football games, & doesn't change channels half way through. Thanks

Lewinsky's on Pattayaland Soi 1 between Beach and 2nd roads. American owned and shows all the US Football games on a big screen and another large LCD TV. Good food, quiet place except when the golf crowd is there and gets to drinking!!!

I can only speak of my own limited experience when buying my condo; and that was through David Gray of East Coast Real Estate. I found David to be extremely helpful and pleasantly devoid of the usual bullshit; and his helpfullness extended long after the deal had been closed.

David Gray is very good, whether buying/selling or investing he will tell you the truth about the property as best he can. I have had nothing but good experiences with him, his advice has always been sound as well.

From 1993 until about 2002, I recall that the US sailor boys and their ships moored in Pattaya Bay frequently...maybe twice a year. Then their visits stopped. This might be folk lore but does anyone know if it's true that the reason for the disappearance of these flotillas from Pattaya Bay was because the Governor of Chonburi had the bright idea of charging a 500 baht per head landing charge everytime one of the sailor boys landed at the old pier? The admiral at the time (and I think the last major ship to vist Pattaya Bay was the USS Kitty Hawk), or whoever was in charge of the flotilla/fleet, said something like "Bugger this for a game of soldiers (or sailors)" and pulled up the anchors and left for Singapore never to return to Pattaya Bay.

Since the USNS Cole incident in Yemen, and of course 9/11, the Navy has become much stricter with what they call "force protection". Any Navy or auxiliary ships whether anchored or at a pier must have armed picket boats serving as protection. It doesn't matter where in the world. The rules are very complex and most ordinary ports aren't capable of providing the level of protection the regs require. I suspect this is why we haven't seen any US vessels moored off of Pattaya. I heard Sattahip and or Lam Chabang, Thai Navy vessels may be providing the picket boat protection.

I got a letter from the condo association telling the land office what belonged to who. The land office will NOT put your name on the chanote unless everything is proper and legal. I do have a friend who bought a condo in View Talay. He paid his down payment and when they were ready to go to the land office they informed him that the farang condo ownership had reached 49 percent farangs. They didn't want to refund his money and instead gave him a free Thai company so he could "OWN" his unit. I told him that I would have insisted on having my money back. They convinced him that the company was perfectly legal and that he had no worries.

DON'T pay anything until you know for sure you can own the unit freehold. Once they get a substancial amount of money from you it may be VERY difficult to get it back.

I presume that you are referring to View Talay Project 2A. This was to have been part of a government incentive (it finished over 2 years ago) which was applicable at the time of starting constrcution, allowing unlimited foreign ownership provided the developer registered its intention to be part of the scheme at least 12 months before the buildings anticipated registration.

View Talay 2A sold like hot cakes, quicker than 2B as it did not qualify for the scheme, and it seemed too good to be true. And it was for some. The Land Office were merrily accepting registrations in foreign names until the 49% cut off point was reached. They then said 'no more'. The problem was of View Talay's making, they had not registered the building to be part of the government incentive 12 months before it's anticipated registration. To appease the disappointed purchasers, one of whom I was representing because he was in the UK, View Talay offered either a free company set up with the annual balance sheet costs paid for 3 years, or a full refund. The option of a company or a full refund was made very clear to me. I broke the news to my friend in the UK, told him that was on the table and he accepted the company option.

I pre-purchased at VT 2A before the first pile was driven and was assured I was within the 49% foreign rule. I live here now and the only thing I can read in my "Blue Books" is my name in English so I know they are in my name.

My experience with other condo projects since then, has been when the developer reaches the 49% threshold of foreign ownership no more sales are made. At that point the only other sales are either to Thais, companies, or resales by foreigner to foreigner. Much of which was seen with the Northshore project, with many of the more desirable corner units flipping at very high rates of return some multiple times prior to the recent completion.

I am looking to buy absolute beachfront seaview condo on Pattaya Beach. Have looked at Northshore and have been offered View Talay 6. I need advice, the price difference is 100,000sq/m on Northshore and 65,000 on VT6. Is the the VT construction group reputable? The building will be completed in 2008. How are the other residences they built?

Does anyone have an idea on Markland as a place or other buildings?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Northshore is still under construction but it is in the very final stages. There are currently several owners already occupying their units. Prices for the units have risen approx. 50-60% from what they were at pre-construction. The finished building should look beautiful. Very classy lobby area with a 1st class health club and pool for residents. I believe there are several units available for re-sale but they prices are quite high. Another project that is nearing completion that should have a great view of Pattaya Bay but is not directly on the beach is Regent Pratumnak on Buddha Hill. Supposed to be completed in Sept. or thereabouts. Prices are much more reasonable than Northshore and a great location. I live in View Talay II and am quite happy with it now but during the construction phase when everyone was working on their shells was 2 years of absolute hel_l. Good luck

Need recommendations for somebody who can build me a "built" in kitchen, anybody had one made that can point me in the right direction.

(Checked the housing forum but no joy)

Cheers.

Kitchen Studio in Jomtien on Thappraya Rd. has a huge showroom with many different types and sizes of kitchens. They are a little pricey but will custum design to your place and will work with you on your budget. If nothing else, you can get ideas and then locate/purchase on your own at various local vendors and subcontract out on your own. Manager is an Irishman named Kieran who is very helpful. They did my kitchen and I was very satisfied. Good Luck

At the moment there are two threads going one the tragic death of a Brit, the other deadwood Pattaya.

I have only been there a few times in the past five years. only problem I had was during Sung Kran, a Brit high on Yaa Ba. Got a gun stuck in my face. But even with that had my attiutde been a little better probably would never have happened.

I enjoy it there fpr an occasional get away. I pretty much restrict myself to the tourist areas and know of nothing of the rest of the city. I figure I'm going to get ripped off ny the bar gorsl but it han't really happened that much and usually jut being overcharged, so no biggy, figured into the budget in the first place.

So lets say a guy wants to visit for a few days, get spoiled a bit by the cuties and go home a happy man. Doesn't get drunk out of his mind, doesn't flash cash or jewelry where are the best areas to go and the ones that you would need to be more informed to participate in, I'm not.

Seems like from what I can see most of the violence isn't happening on walking street for example.

So for us novices what would be a good safe trip plan?

I've been living in Pattaya/Jomtien for over 5 years. If you are as you say, you should be able to go anywhere in town and do just about anything you like. The main thing here is to have fun, as long as you're not overly aggressive or threatening to a Thai, almost all else is forgiven. Generosity is obviously looked upon fondly in your dealing with the girls and staff at your hotel, restaraunts etc.. Come and spend your money with a smile on your face and you should have no problems. Act like a loud, cheap, lout and you get what you deserve both in service and in the type of attention you attract. It's really pretty simple. I hate to make the sweeping generalization, but its been my experience, that the falangs who tend to have the most trouble here invariably bring it on themselves, by treating the locals as inferiors. Behaving in a way that is certain to bring the worst out of

them. For the type of town it is and the entertainment and night life it provides I doubt there is a safer "Sin City" anyplace else in the world. Come and enjoy.

Sunset in Jomtien

I am always eating thai food and would like the occasional pizza. I live in jomtien but I am in pattaya often. let me know where you can find the real deal, not pizza hut ? any Italian owned Pizza places would be great.

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La Rinya on the soi opposite Soi Diana off of Soi BuoKao!! Excellent selection of topping thin crust and the price is right. No delivery but they do box up for takeout. Best I've found in 4 years.