mrblonde

We are due to spend 10 days in HH in November, as a potential to see what it would be like to retire early (we’d plan additional trips each year as retirement is 3 years away). Next stop in November after HH is Krabi for a few days. Rather than train/taxi up up BKK and then fly down, we (me and English partner) are considering hiring a car for 3 days and taking a slow drive down, stopping off in Chumphon maybe for a night. are there any rental companies in HH where we can hire a car (ideally a pick up, Ranger etc) and then drop it off in Krabi, then fly back to BKK for the rest of our trip thank you all in advance

We’ve just booked 2 weeks at the end of May and logged into EVA air website to select seats (we know it’s £40 per person, each way) every seat was grey out as ‘unavailable’. Are they greyed out until a certain time before the flight? have only ever booked a seat last minute previously, as in 2 or 3 weeks before departure.

My plan is to move out to Thailand permanently within the next 4 years, I’m currently 46. I did have a buy to let flat in the U.K. (in South East) for a few years but the combination of increasing interest rates and the government targeting landlords I chose to sell up. The way non-paying tenants are so protected in the U.K. was also a genuine concern. I’m considering buying a couple of condos in Pattaya (outright) to rent out long term. ROI am looking at 8% in most cases. When I move out to Thailand, I’ll move into one of them. With the way the West seems to be going, I’d imagine more people wanting to head East as they near retirement, keeping property prices stable (at worst). I’ve seen other posts on here advising the stock market for an income but I have a SIPP and do not want all my future income (my Thailand retirement fund) tied to a potentially turbulent market. are there any things to consider? Anything to avoid?

thanks all morrobay - I did wonder than after I got back to Pattaya. I remember northern Jomtien beach years ago was always narrow. so Na Jomtien around Soi 19 area will always been a very deep beach, any time of the day

Wanted to get some photos and video of Jomtien beach when the tide is right out, went past today about an hour ago and there was only about 4 or 5m of beach (opposite Cafe Amazon half way down beach road) was over nearer to Na Jomtien last Friday and there was 40m-60m of beach. Does anyone know when there’ll be loads more beach to see, or is the beach a lot larger down Na Jomtien/Soi 19 anyway?

“I’ve served 20 guys who look like this guy already this morning”

dog lover here I’m afraid…

Any unusual coffee shops in or around Pattaya worth a visit? Been to Paboon Cafe with the koi fish over in East Pattaya off highway 36 and also to Black Forest in Jomtien, any other unusual cafes worth a look that are a little more interesting inside/outside than Starbucks or Cafe Amazon?

Thanks everyone, ended up using a Grab but handy to know for the future.

The Wi-Fi in our condo is very slow and I need to do a couple of hours work a day while I’m here. Can anyone recommend a good plug-in Wi-Fi hotspot I could get from Tukcom, and what’s the best sim to use? thanks all

Currently in Grand Avenue for 3 weeks, if I order a large Grab delivery (or do you guys recommend anyone else?) will they drive into the basement car park so I can unload it right by the car park entrance to the lifts of the block I’m in? didn’t want to do a large shop and them be waiting around out by Centra Azure and the back of Areca Lodge

Coming to Pattaya for 3 weeks soon and was wondering if my Alexa from home would work straight away if I connect to the condos Wi-Fi? I’m a bit of a technophobe

We are staying on Soi 15 Grand Avenue for 3 weeks and was wondering where to catch the baht bus to Jontiem? Will it be obvious where they are headed (I know not to flag one down with no one on) And what's the latest they run?

Thanks all, looks like it'll be fine to bring some new vit's in from the UK in my suitcase.

Sorry should of said, Vit C, Vit D, Zinc, B12 and echinacea

I take a selection of vitamins daily in the U.K. and would like to continue to in Pattaya while I’m there, didn’t fancy my suitcase being scanned in Suvarnabhumi on arrival with 6 or 7 small tubs of various sized tablets. Are there any decent, reputable places in central Pattaya (2nd road, Bukhaow, Terminal 21 areas where I can buy what I need?

Me and mrsblonde booked our flights with EVA air back in March for this November, has just dawned on my I hadn’t selected our seats so went on the app, and it’s charging us £56.60 per seat, per flight. So £226 to ensure we are sat together, is this right? Im sure we didn’t pay last November? Anyone know if it’s correct?

Thanks all. Me and mrsblonde (English) are cool with only/predominantly Thai places and seen a few bars that look OK on YouTube. Have booked 2 nights in The Sea hotel on the beachfront for a weekend when we arrive in early Nov, with a view of maybe returning 2 weeks later for Loy Krathong if we like it. We usually do Loy Krathong in Ayutthaya, but not heading there this year. Thinking of doing one night in Rayong but again, unsure of the better nightlife areas there (we know they will be very placid compared to our usual hangouts of Bukhaow, Tree Town and soi 7)

Long time visitor to Pattaya here, well, for me anyway. since 2005/2006 with a couple of mates, never ventured into a gents club, ever. (we were young and could dance back then, so lived in Marine, Tony's etc). what makes gents club different to a normal bar? or go-go bar? Thanks all

Aaaaargh! saw a couple of youtubers cycle through boomerang and it looked almost finished from Tums massage down to The Avenue... guess I've got another 8 weeks so ill play it by ear, as it could all change again and there's me still planning on downsizing in the UK and making a permanent move out there! I'll tell myself its part of Pattayas 'character' ????

2nd vote for Areca Lodge, great location, great hotel and close to most things you'll want. Agree with others who say it isn't what it was 20 (ok, 17) years ago. But then, where in the world is? Its probably the closest you'll get to Sodom and Gomorrah these days.. enjoy!

If it gets much boggier than it currently is they'll probably build another international airport on it ????

Cheers Pattaya57 - looks a nightmare. I saw a YT video about 10 days ago either PattayaJoe or David Strachan I think and directly outside Grand Avenue looked level. Still got 10 weeks til we are out (me and Mrsblonde) so hoping they’ve finished it by then. Can always cut through Areca Lodge if need be, but I was hoping we could head up and through Boomerang instead for obvious reasons ????

Thanks all. Saw another YT and it was looking better, at least from Grand Avenue going down towards the Avenue direction. I’ve a little more faith now than I had 2 weeks ago, but anything could happen between now and mid November! thanks again guys

I’m over in November and considering Bang Saen for 2 nights for Loy Kratong. Is there a central area, bars and restaurants? I’m assuming it will be mostly Thai bars and very few westerners? going to look on AirBandB and need a landmark to search for accommodation near by thanks all