californiabeachboy

I will be coming over to Thailand for my second visit in a week or so, staying for three weeks. I will not be bringing my laptop, but I will be bringing my samsung MP3 player. The biggest thing I miss when traveling is having good music in my hotel room - not the songs on my MP3 that I listen to at home all the time, but a variety of music (I have satellite radio here at home)- jazz, sometimes rock n roll etc. And I don't want to walk around the room with earbuds/headphones, so I have trying to think how I could get music while traveling and I would like some advice.

1. Is it possible to buy a cheap, old computer (say for $100US or less) that would still allow me to play Internet radio. As far as I know most of the places I will be staying have free wi-fi. That would give me the most variety

2. Can you buy a docking station for a MP# player there (not an Ipod) so I could hook up my MP3 and listen to local radio stations (how many local stations in Bkk?).

3. One possibility is to bring a bunch of cd's and buy a cd player while there. How much for an inexpensive CD player?

Any other suggestions on how to get music for under $100 while visiting Thailand. Whatever I buy there I will probably just leave there.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks to all for the great responses. I will leave my old mobile here in the US - I don't want to look like Jerry Seinfeld in the old Seinfeld sitcom where he pulls out the phone that is so 90's.

Thanks again.

I am taking my next trip to Thailand next month. On my first trip in March I decided not to buy a mobile phone there, and just use the hotel phones. Of course that was a mistake. I will be back next month for three weeks. I have an old mobile phone from here in the US that I think still works, but it is so old it isn't even a flip phone (might be a bit embarrassing to pull out in a trendy Bkk bar). I don't really care. But I am wondering. How much would it cost if I go to a place in Bkk and buy and old used mobile and sim card. I will be there for three weeks, only to use the phone for some local calls, and will probably just give the phone away when I leave since I don't need it back here. How much would it cost, and where should I go to buy it? Thanks

I think the comparison of LA to Pattaya is a good one in terms of trying to describe Pattaya. I grew up in LA near the airport and loved it - close to the beach, nice weather, etc. But if you are stuck in other parts of LA, crime, smog etc. it can be horrible. Pattaya struck me the same way - it is all about picking the right spot. In my opinion, human nature being what it is, people who don't like Pattaya will lump it all together, and people who like it will distinguish the various parts.

I am far from an expert on Pattaya, having only visited there once in March. I find these comparisons interesting, except for the fact that when I was in the Pattaya area, there seemed to be a huge difference between central Pattaya on the one hand, and Wong Amat beach to the North and Jomtien to the South. I didn't like Central Pattaya at all - too many hustlers etc. all the things others have mentioned. But I actually liked Wong Amat area - still a few hustlers, but more local shops, easy to get around, just a better feel to it. So when people on this site and others are talking about Pattaya, are they talking about places to the North or South as well? Just trying to get the local terminology

This old-timer is hoping that the in-laws enjoy the house. Too bad the mother-in-law and father-in-law are not around to live there. I certainly will not be living there anytime soon. It was built with cheap living in mind and that is certainly not the case any longer. I can live just as cheaply in the house I own in GA in the USA and not have the barking dogs, blaring loud-speakers at 0500 and noisy roosters that cannot tell time. If I want Isaan food, I go up the road to the Lao-Isaan community and eat, drink and speak all things Isaan. I can even get Singha beer at a good price. So, at 30-baht to the dollar, I will stay where I am and live out my days without the need to fight immigration and jump through their <deleted>' hoops. I will do my visit every year or so and be happy with that. Chok dee, Thailand.........Oh, here I am not worried about wearing the wrong color shirt either.

I agree. I love Thailand - the food, the people, the wonderful cheap massages, but I don't want to live there. I live in a nice place here in the US. If I was out of money, maybe Thailand would be the place, but until I run out of money I will stay here and visit Thailand every year (or maybe twice)

Thanks for the info - very helpful. Nice to know there are good options there. Cheers.

I will be spending a month in Thailand later this year (from the US). The one thing I miss while traveling is listening to music in my hotel room, and I don't like to walk around the room with earphones on. Is it possible to buy some inexpensive portable speakers (maybe around $30US or less) in Bangkok that will work with a laptop or MP3 player or (ideally) both? Then I will just leave them there when I come back home.

Thanks.

The irony is that even though the US government is in dire straits in terms of the deficit, people are more willing to loan money to it than to any other government. Every time there is a financial crisis, the US dollar strengthens, (the so-called flight to safety). Also, we have the good fortune of being able to grow our way out of a deficit, and I believe we will always be able to fund our Social Security obligations (I hope so as I am 59). That is why I am not a doom and gloomer, but If I was a citizen of Greece - I would be a big time doom and gloomer.

I am a retired American lawyer and enjoy spending time in Thailand. But after two or three weeks I get bored - you can only spend so much time eating. I have thought about connecting with a university (or possibly a law firm that does international work) to volunteer to assist some of their students with improving their legal English skills, or talking about the US legal system, etc. I only want to do it as a volunteer, maybe a few hours a week. This is not a question about a visa as I will deal with that, but my questions are:

Is there a real need for this, or would I spend more time trying to do it than actually doing it, and

If there is a need, should I just sent out a bunch of emails to the universities or law firms? If anyone has any ideas on good universities/law firms in Bangkok to contact that would be helpful.

Thanks

Mmmm. As the OP, these responses do not paint a pretty picture! Is it really that bad? To clarify, I live in a large apartment complex, and I have found that out of 100 or so that live here, there are a few who whose company I enjoy, sometimes on a short term basis, but others have become friends. But we support each other in a way - rides to the airport, borrowing things (and returning them), so maybe I am just lucky. Admittedly I have had to invoke the "5 minute rule" on occasion, in which I stop and chat with a neighbor, who is somewhat annoying, but I terminate the conversation after 5 minutes and move on, and it seems to work to keep the peace. All in all I enjoy it.

Maybe it is not the same in Thailand - it certainly was not the same when I lived in Paris and nobody knew each other and wouldn't even answer the door. But I suppose luck has a lot to do with it.

Thanks for the responses - a good read.

I have a question for those of you who have been in Thailand for more than a few weeks. I am retired and looking at places to spend a few months each year in Thailand. I now live in a complex in the US with many apartments, and the nice thing is that I know my neighbors, and if I need a ride to the airport, a cup of milk or whatever, I can always count on them. I am not looking for a best friend, but just people who live around me that I know and like (pick up my mail when I am in Thailand?). My question is, for those of you who live in apartment/condo complexes, (I am looking at Naklua, Phuket or Bangkok, but the question can apply to any area), do you know your neighbors? (whether Thai or farang), or does the transitory nature of this place prohibit that kind of interaction. It is important for me if I am going to live in a place as opposed to just visiting it.

Thanks.

Why is it that so many male farangs come to Thailand because of the beautiful women, but when the women try to make themselves prettier, the farangs complain about it. C'mon guys.

I am coming over to Thailand for a few months. Here in the US I rent a DVR from my cable company to record or pause the TV programs - it is the best money I have ever spent. If I come over there and sign up for cable/satellite TV, will I be able to rent a DVR as part of the package? I don't want to have to deal with buying one.

Thanks

On a related subject, can you rent a dvr (digital video recorder) or similar device from your cable company in order to record or pause programs? I am addicted to mine here in the US and almost never watch a program live. The cable company charges me an extra $10 per month, which is about the best $10 I have ever spent. I will be a part-time (a few months a year) resident there so I really don't want to have to buy one and then deal with it when I leave.

Also, do any of the channels carry American football (gridiron) there?

Thanks.

I have lived in France and Australia in addition to my home state of California. I just returned from a visit to Thailand (Bangkok and Pattaya) to see how long I want to spend there.

My two cents worth:

Cost of living is very specific to your lifestyle. I like to cook and I like to eat all kinds of food. I will spend just as much on groceries in Pattaya as I would in California because I don't want to only eat Asian food. A jar of pasta sauce at the grocery store in Pattaya was more expensive than in California. Australian groceries are shockingly high in my opinion

Rent is clearly more expensive here in California - I pay about $1200 for a nice one bedroom apartment near the beach with a pool, spa and business center - my guess it would be half that in Pattaya, BUT I pay twenty dollars a month for electricity because I never need the heat or air-conditioning (very moderate climate). Based on my experience, if I was in Thailand, I would use enough electricity for air-conditioning to light up the Eiffel Tower every night.

The other issue for me is transportation. If you need a car, Australia is very expensive. I loved the baht buses in Pattaya - no need for a car.

Anyone looking at costs should simply make a list of the things they do each day - then do the math.

I had a massage from the Blind Man massage when I visited Pattaya a few weeks ago. It is misnamed because it is "blind women" also, and I prefer a massage from a woman (softer hands) and they do that as well. My Thai friend who lives near Pattaya recommended it because much of the fee goes to support the people who actually do the massage. They also have a little cafe there with really good food. It was one of my best experiences while in Thailand and I will got there again. It is a block or two North of the Dolphin roundabout and a few hundred yards down the soi (soi 20??) towards the beach. I think most can direct you there.

I had a kidney stone several years ago when I was in Paris. If I had known how to say "get a gun and shoot me" in French I would have said that. Luckily, I didn't know how to say it, and they didn't.

My advice, after studying it for a while (but I am no doctor) is that the best solution is to drink a lot of water. Anything that tens to pass a lot of fluid through your kidney's helps. Also, I take hydrochlorathiazide for moderate high blood pressure, which takes water out of your blood and passes it out. My doctor says it also helps with kidney stones.

I just came back from Thailand. I had a water bottle in my hand all day.

Good luck.

I thought there was a good article in one of the newspapers by a military strategist saying that the government should wear them (the Red Shirts) down. I am not a Red Shirt nor Yellow Shirt, but a someone who likes Thailand and the Thai people, so I want to weight in. When "crunch time" comes most people act in their own self interest. I believe most Red Shirts want to leave the intersection in Bangkok and go home to be with their families and live their life. I believe 90% of the Red Shirts believe in what they are doing but don't want civil war. However, in any conflict there are a small minority who benefit from war. The key is to separate the two. Give the 90% something they can take home with them that makes it look like their effort was not fruitless (so called saving face). Arrest the leaders (who benefit from war, as they will be the new leaders) and take the microphone away from them. Once the leaders lose support, or realize that it is not in their best interest to wage war, the conflict will end.

I am also looking to spend some retirement time in Thailand. I like Naklua - North of Pattaya. near water, plenty of markets/food, easy access to Bangkok for fun or medical services.

I assume many readers here are like me - have some experience with visiting Thailand, but are struggling to understand what is going on. I know about the closing of the airport, etc. but possibly someone could explain Thai elections. For example:

1. Here in the US we have set dates for elections. I believe that some countries (Australia, for example) elections can be called within a window period by the sitting government. How does it work in Thailand?

2. Is the Red Shirt's call for an election within the existing law, or outside of it.

3. Who won the last election, and how long was it supposed to be before the next one.

4. Very subjective I know, but who would be favored to win if there is a new election. I assume the existing government thinks it won't win, otherwise it would just call an election.

5. If the Red Shirts win the election, does that mean that Thaksin could come back and lead the country?

Thanks for any help in understanding this situation. My guess is that most Thais just want to carry on with their lives.

Having just returned from my first trip to Thailand, I want to share my thoughts about Pattaya.

I was reluctant to go there, having heard all the negative comments, and thought it might be h..l on Earth. Central Pattaya is in fact pretty bad - the bar girls wouldn't leave me alone, even if I was walking with my female friend). It is basically an open-air market for prostitution. But then I went up to North Pattaya (NaKlua - North of the Dolphin roundabout), and to my surprise, I really liked it! Good local markets, comfortable hotels. Not the greatest beaches in the world but not bad, and swimable. It is one of the most tourist friendly places I have been to in Thailand - great transportation with the public taxis, English is spoken, easy transportation to Bangkok, lots of good restaurants.. My feeling is that "Outer Pattaya" is not as bad as it is portrayed.

As I have just returned from my visit to the Pattaya, area, and as the original poster. I thought I would share my opinions, having visited both Jomtien and North Pattaya (NaKlua):

I preferred Naklua, as it seemed to have more of a village aspect to it - okay beach, a lot of markets and restaurants, old stately homes. I took the tuk tuk down to Jomtien, and while the long beach is nice, to quote Gertrude Stein, there was no "there" there. It seemed to me just a strip of construction. I didn't see any markets, but maybe because I only stayed on the beach road. I think Jomtien is a few years away from becoming a place to stay for more than a few days. Just my thoughts. Cheers.

Thanks to all for your thoughts - it has helped me focus. From what I have heard, the idea of riding a motorbike in Thailand scares me almost as much as driving the freeways here in California - best to avoid whenever possible, so I am going to try to find a place where I can do it all using my two legs while they function. I think I will hire a taxi and explore both places.

Thanks again.

I have a question about the difference between living in North Pattaya and Jomtien Beach. I am a retired (50's) American and thinking of spending a few months each year in Thailand, and looking at the Pattaya area. I am coming over for a look in a couple of weeks, but I would like to get some information before going and get a hotel in the area that looks the best. We are all different, so a little more about what I am looking for:

1. Food, I am learning to cook Thai food and enjoy cooking, so the convenience of grocery stores is very important. Which area would have more in number and variety (both Asian and Western) of grocery stores.

2. Transport. I hope to go up to Bangkok for overnight trips on occasion. From reviewing this form it looks like North Pattaya has better connections up to Bangkok - is that right?

3. Workouts. I like to run on the beach, and I guess Jomtien is better for that. Are there air-con gyms in either places. Would I get killed in either place if I rode my bike?

4. Any difference in character of the two places - i.e. is one generally nicer, newer etc.? I am looking for a studio apartment with a nice pool, and also within walking distance of the beach (I guess similar to View Talay in Jomtien), for around 20,000 baht. I am not a bar person so I want to avoid the heavy bar scene, but going out for live music (jazz, blues, rock'n roll) once in a while is nice.

Thanks for any help.