gerry53

For the guys complaining about Pattaya beer prices please give Malaysia a miss. A small Tiger beer sells for the equivalent of 100 baht in a cheap 7-11. Thailand and Cambodia is the place for heavy drinkers to be!!

In the same area behind Jomtien 2nd road not only Maldives, but also Laguna and Dusit Grand are being build...

Some new developments are selling fast because big investors buy let's say 70 units at pre-construction prices.

Then they put them already on the market at higher prices..

This was the case with Grande Caribbean, I was told by one of their sales people..

Surely the new developments with many amenities, big pools, ships even, need a lot of maintenance, to be paid for by new owners... But who take charge of the committee..??

I would not believe everything a condo sales person tells me (or a used car salesman). They want you to believe it is selling fast and you had better buy very quickly so you don't miss a great opportunity to make money! (then they get their commission - you MAY get shafted). You have to remember there are thousands of new units in Jomtien they can not already sell with thousands of more new units in new developements coming online over the next few years. If there is a real estate or financial hiccup I would bet most of these would get abandoned with the potential owners facing the loss. The money always seems to dissappear and to fight it legally is cost prohibitive, better just to suck it up and take your losses. Pre sales are a pefect way for developers to build things using other peoples money with no intrest, it is also easy to walk away from financial liability. Even guarantees to provide penalties for late finish dates are often disregarded. There is also the change of name method where builder one sells to builder number two so he is not responsible for "issues" that occur. Please look up the Suan Sawarn fiasco if you think it can't happen.

I don't understand why a person would risk this for any presale - but some are less risky than others.

jbrain I took a drive by today, 1 block (possibly 2 but joined on lower floors) is rough built up to level 4. They are starting footings on another building also. There is definitely activity.<br /><br />This Maldives project is over a 1 km walk to the Rompho beer complex and market but to drive re 2nd road is about 3 km due to the concrete meridians and lack of u-turns on 2nd road. If you took the back road you are 2 km away and walking thru unlit areas. The back road takes you by the apparently abandoned Suan Sawarn Condos which is 300 metres from the new Laguna Beach II project which has not been started but has been fenced and a small showroom put up. I wander if they are using pre sales to fund other developements as others have?<br /><br />The Maldives advertisement that it is under 2 km to central Pattaya is false. It is that distance to Thappraya Road then at least another 5 km to Pattaya Tai. (which is at least closer to central Pattaya!) I also question the 900 metres to the beach in Jomtien.

I love this websites computer generated graphics that people think are pictures - even if it isn't real it looks so beautiful. This project is located on a back road east of the new Jomtien 2nd road, nothing beach related about it? I am sorry but a 23 square metre studio is what I consider a prison cell not a dream condo. With the enornous size of the pools and waterfalls I have to question what this will cost to maintain, especially with typical Thai building practises and the lack of water already in the Jomtien area. There are also well over a dozen other large condo projects going up in the Jomtien area. I see the multple Koral Condo project next to the lovely Slik Road housing estate went into recievership after putting in all their pilings? I am not trying to be overly pessimistic but you have to be cautious.

So The Koral is definitely a no go ?

I had that impression from the first day they started promoting it a few years ago, but didn't know it was completely cancelled now.

Since you seem to know the location of Laguna Beach, have they started construction already and what are your personal thoughts about the feasibility of this project?

I heard the Koral was a no go and people were trying to get their money back. They appeared to be winding down the sales building a few weeks ago when I went by.

I just got back in from Malaysia tonight and will do a drive by the Laguna Beach site in the morning. Their website said they were under 2 kilometres from Pattaya city centre - sorry but that's BS, maybe Jomtien? I can't give you my personal opinions because the project is only as good as the developer and the financiers wants it to be. Too many so called reputable builders and developers have taken the money and run.

I have over 50K kilometeres driving in Thailand and you start thinking Thai driving is "normal" - IT IS NOT. We are currently in Malaysia and it is very easy to get used to the politeness, non aggression, yielding the right of way etc, etc. In Thailand the tourist vans and buses (some better companies do have professionals) are the worst of the worst, many are absolute yaba ridden maniacs who have no regard for anyones lives.

PS - the roads are 5 times better here also.

If there's only 1 of you and you want to make a pig of yourself then the all-you-can-eat is probably attractive.

Buffets may indeed suit people who want to eat a lot, but they also suit people like me who want to taste a little of many things rather than just ordering one or two large dishes which they may not like.

I have to agree with this comment. Another reason I enjoy buffets is I do not have to worry about the waitress getting the order screwed up or bringing the main course first before the appetizer. (or even worse - desert!!) Most buffets are reasonably priced, you don't have to eat that much to "get your monies worth". I also like not waiting a long time for a meal - sorry in many instances I am not a fan of Thai service due to past experiences. That said many provide good service.

Bistro Oscars is still open. I like Ogara's on Pratumnak Rd, small breakfast is 110 baht and large is 150 baht.

O'Gara's at the Tara Court is a favorite also. Good breakfast, tableclothes, airconditioning, classy surroundings and service at a reasonable price.

I believe the one the OP is talking about is on Soi Whitehouse. The Whitehouse now is the Splendid Hotel.

On the same side as the Cowboy Bar but further along is the Damnark Hotel which has a great buffet breakfast for 160 baht. It is Scandanavian style with deli meats, cheeses, potatoes, breads, plus several Thai dishes for the ladies. There is a chef who cooks your eggs to your liking, The bacon is great also and they have cereals, juices and fresh milk also. It is my favorite and stays open until noon for a brunch.

I would say it's mostly Thai getting stopped, and they search their bikes for guns/drugs, and what i have seen it's only Thai's that have to do the road side drug test.

I did read something a week or 2 ago about a dedicated crackdown on criminals in Pattaya and the setting up of road blocks. There was one near my condo for a week and the impression from the article was not that they were targetting traffic violations but checking for drugs and guns as you say,

Does seem to be a lot more checkpoints in the past week. Never bothered me; looked like they were stopping mostly Thais. A farang w/ no helmet (there are always some of these idiots on the streets) is of course a magnet.

I hope you have the same high opinion of the local BIB officers riding around Jomtien and Pattaya in uniform without their helmuts on.

My pal came on holiday from the UK for 10 days. He has a UK (car and bike license). He wanted to rent a Scooter for the duration and I recommended he got his Thai license to ensure legality, since he does not have a valid international license, only Europe.

Long story - short. Medical done, photos done, letter of residence (he stayed with me at my house in Jomtien) done, short trip next door to regency school - license DONE!

He was able to drive legally for the duration of his holiday.

I used to get stopped before I had my Thai licence, I must have looked nervous. On the four occasions I was pulled over, I was never asked for a bath, I just popped down the station, tookmy ticket and paid the fine published on the wall. My experience is that if your not doing anything wrong, you don't get stopped.

My observations can also confirm many more Thais being pulled, searched and road side drug tested. From what I have seen foreigners tend to get stopped for wrong or no license OR no helmet.

I disagree with your statement that if you do nothing wrong you won't get stopped. I have been stopped about 8 times since January 1st, no reasons,no infractions and no tickets were issued. Just roadblocks and these targetted farangs - mostly for checking licenses. I have noted other stops targetting Thais where searches were conducted, mostly on backroads in and around Pattaya and Jomtien.

You claim 4 previous stops but no time frame? Maybe you are not putting many kilometers on or riding in a small area?

I started reading this with some interest even though it has been inactive for 5 months. I can't understand why people who want to invest in Thailand do not utilize some of the better equity mutual funds? Many of the larger banks have these and their performance has been great. In 2112 I believe the SET (stock exchange of Thailand) ended up 36%. My mutual fund here in 2012 gained 42% and is off to a great start in 2013 posting a +11% so far - mid February. In my fund it is managed by a large bank, has a great record and is diversified in numerous sectors plus the returns (redemptions) are NON TAXABLE unlike dividends. I do not mind taking calcuated risks if the rewards are promising - I don't do fixed income!

It is only 20% of my portfolio with the other 80% in my home country in markets which I understand better from 25 years investing. My returns here of course are superior and I take my profits off the table regularly. I can't see why I would run a bar or other business, invest in real estate, or invest in individual stocks here with this type of hands off returns. I am retired (early) and all I have to do is monitor this funds progress against other similar funds to make sure the fund managers are keeping up or outperforming the competition.

Cheers

an owner has little chance of getting "justice" for a simple noise issue.

I've known a case where homeowners did shutdown a karaoke bar by a petition and persistence.

Anyway, a buyer should be aware of zoning laws and prepared to deal with issues that could arise. It's possible to buy in locations where there's no chance of a karaoke bar opening across the street, such as in Northpoint. But Thailand is a noisy country in general. I carry earplugs wherever I go. Sometimes where I live a nearby hotel will hold an outdoor party at night. Closing the windows and turning on the air-con and the TV or music is usually sufficient to handle that, but I don't mind putting in the earplugs if necessary.

Many owners do soundproof their condos. Just double-glazed windows will go far to mitigate the problem.

I'll be dam_ed if I will wear earplugs to accommadate an illegal Karaoke Bar blasting music, I would rather move if as stated by DaNiro city hall takes no action for 1 year after repeated, multiple person requests.

Knowing someone in a position of power or money makes many problems dissappear. Your solutions are simplistic - go after the root cause or move out - this is Thailand not farang central.

NEVER INVEST IN THAILAND UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO WALK AWAY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT!

Every night, around 3AM, 4AM, 5AM, 6AM...myself and my neighbors call Pattaya City Hall about the illegal Karaoke Bar in Jomtien, Theprasit Soi 7.

After a year of repeated phone calls to the Pattaya City Complaint Line #1337, about the ALL NIGHT KARAOKE!, nothing has been done.

In fact, the City Hall Complaint line staff is sick of hearing the complaints and are very rude when we call.

"nothing we can do".....

Now, in our neighborhood, I see several large developments taking off, Zen, Maldives, Laguna, The Park...

The customers purchasing units have no idea that a dangerous policeman owns a nearby bar that will keep them awake ALL NIGHT.

If you are considering buying real estate in this area you are making a mistake.

Posted at 5:30AM

First sorry for you predictament, it sounds like a nightmare. After a lifetime of work and stress the last thing a retired person needs is your type of problem in your own home, we supposedly come here to chill out, relax (that includes a decent sleep) and enjoy life. I have had a few similar noise issues and it strengthened my decision to only rent here so I have the flexibility to move when the situation becomes unbearable. If city hall and the police cannot control the jet ski scam, the transportation mafia, corruption etc an owner has little chance of getting "justice" for a simple noise issue.

It's going to get a lot worse soon as well when they finish the new condos they are building at the top of the hill. The Axis 400 condos, the Grande Caribbean 1,000 condos, Treetops 300 condos. There must be thousands of condos now in a 2 km stretch of road between Jomtien and Pratamnack Hill. In peak times it's quicker for me to walk into town.

It is worse than that. What about the 20 or so mega condo projects being started in Jomtien on Second road and Beach road right down to the new Reflections Towers at the south end. If all these projects get completed not only will the road access to Pattaya be impossible and any hope of catching a baht bus - what about the water situation that is already lacking?

Well done - couldn't have put it better myself

The place is a cess pit , prostitution is illegal ( ha ha ha ) really corrupt town hall, police . and on and on and on. If you you like this enviroment good luck to you lots of nicer places to live.

Fair enough - name one ?

And let's see if it offers:

[1] Fantastic, world-class nightlife.

[2] Beaches to while away your days on.

[3] As much swimming in the sea and public pools as anyone could wish for.

[4] Several multiplex cinemas.

[5] Range of gym's at all price levels (please come back CAWOW ).

[6] Kippers for breakfast (Trop Berts),

[7] Amazing range of eating-out options from almost every corner of the world (though still looking for chòu dòufu).

[8] Number of English language bookshops - first and second-hand.

[9] Great, and incredibly cheap, street food.

[10] Range of public transportation options, starting at 10 THB.

[11] Diverse range of expats and visitors.

[12] Proximity to a major international airport.

[13] Golf courses.

[14] Places where you can have a sit down and a natter in the afternoon, watch the world go by and have a beer for 30-50 baht.

[15] Range of accommodation options at all price points.

[16] Great shopping, for clothes, electrical goods etc as well as touristy stuff.

[17] Nice walks up the hill to the Big Buddha, viewpoint and then down into Jomtien.

[18] Few minutes to a well staffed immigration office

[19] Lots of internet cafes.

[20] Number of fishing parks within walking distance.

Where else are you going to find all of that lot in Asia, or the world for that matter. Maybe Florida ?

I do not disagree with many positive things you have listed even though they seem to be stated overly optimistically in my opinion. For most of these from the beaches, diversified tourists -expats, nightlife, immigration etc, one could list many negative counter arguements? I still I like to focus on the positive and this is a good area to live in unless your glasses become too rose colored - you have to be realistic.

Pattaya reputation worsens more and more !!

Don't be a drama queen...people are robbed at gunpoint the world over on a daily basis...I bet it even happens in Moscow and St. Petersburg so I'm sure nothing new to these folks.

True but Russia is not promoted as the Land of Smiles either?

Simply ask him private, i did and i won't attend a cerTain bar anytime soon

I PM'd the OP also and will pass the Bars name onto my friends so they (or I) don't get into this type of unpleasant "predicament". I am sure the OP would not put this incident on Thai Visa for all to see saying he was hit and roughed up unless it really happened.

Driving While Intoxicated

Please put it in a language the UK members can understand "driving WHILST intoxicated"!

I can't make head nor tale of any of this.

Nana bar ............ Nana, Soi Sukhumvit, Bangkok; transported to a mucky lake near nowhere; green alien invaders and everyone admits to bar after bar, even providing directions by way of bars, eastern mysticism and 'looking East', which is a bit hard really when so far east in the first place. And all that bar stuff but little acceptance of being too far gone to focus on aything further away than your feet.

Stuff floating on the top. Interesting. Cream floats to the top. But then the proximity to Pattaya [that wonderful city] has me remember that so too does scum.

More likely to be some form of scum then. I expect there to be a charitable whip round, local TV, the usual faces all putting in an appearence before the announcement of xxxx baht was raised for the little orphans of the green. One week later and .......

The green stuff remains. The little orphans are forgotten and the money ..................... what money?

Thats quite a rant over a simple question? Are you a conspiracy theory guy? You went from directionally confused, eastern mysticism, scum, orphans, corruption to conclude with a bash at Pattaya. You are too funny - are you on the p_ss tonight?

I had a few drinks in the Rendezvous Bar in the afternoon a few days ago and noticed the floating aquatic plants. Could it be the wind blowing them into a line and giving the appearance they are multiplying? Sitting in the bar close to lake level doesn't give you a good overall view on whats happening and the alcohol doesn't help either!

Any reports on how the Jamesons Xmas dinner was last year?

double posting

Aside that fact although I have a British passport and formaly lived in Nottingham for many year I am not British, nore was I born in the UK. I learned English in 1978 as at that time I was starting a training course that required English, this is what makes a lot of the above so funny as you are all so typically English, I was born in France, and am FRENCH, I flew in the USA, and then came back and spent the rest of my years in the UK. Hope that clarifies it for you sparks who seem to see fit to put down others comments and idea s. Obviously so British.

Aside that fact although I have a British passport and formaly lived in Nottingham for many year I am not British, nore was I born in the UK. I learned English in 1978 as at that time I was starting a training course that required English, this is what makes a lot of the above so funny as you are all so typically English, I was born in France, and am FRENCH, I flew in the USA, and then came back and spent the rest of my years in the UK. Hope that clarifies it for you sparks who seem to see fit to put down others comments and idea s. Obviously so British.

This proves nearly any nationality can become twisted and bitter.

maybe I can answere my own question with more drivvel, and then I really must get packing. The thousands of Russians in Pattaya are paid for by the Soviet Union. Now we in the West have been slagging off communism for decades saying things like comrads are as poor as church mice, living in harsh conditions sharing a roll up in sub zero conditions. The powers that be back in Russia are well aware of the banking crash and subsiquent depression in Europe and has set about on a big propaganda hype to demorolise us, the soviet party is atualy very rich indeed and see s money well spent on flooding a western popular holiday destination with Soviet comrads, prooving that comrads are not poor as popular belief and are in fact better off than us western bods now, and therefore communism does indeed work contrary to popular belief, a kind of shove this in your pipe and smoke it. Well the Russian comrads certainly arn t paying cos I know they just ain t got the dosh. So summits cracking off ain t it. And such discussions as this is exactly what they want. Maybe

Please get busy packing - you may miss your plane out of this h_llhole (Pattaya).