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To give it a try, I took the airport bus from Jomtien (opposite Pan Pan) to airport and then took the city line to the stop before Makkasan (appeared to be closest to where I needed to go). On my return, I took the City Line from Phayathai. The City Line can get crowded, but getting on at the originating station (airport or Phayathai) you should be able to find a seat - before it starts picking up more passengers along the way. Also, you may have a bit of a wait for the train, but not much - at Phayathai I waited about 10 minutes before the train arrived.

You might find the following website information useful -- it covers both short term and long term stay. Visa & Immigration Information If you can get a one year multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa, this would be the best for your situation - you still have to make a visa run every 90 days (upon entry, you receive a permission to stay of 90 days, which is the maximum as it does not appear you would qualify for an extension). Leaving Thailand and returning during the year the visa is valid will get you another 90 day stay. If you get a Tourist Visa, you receive a 60 day permission to stay, which can be extended another 30 days at Thai Immigration then you must leave Thailand -- you can apply for another tourist visa in a neighboring country, but the Thai Embassy and Consulates there are getting picky on the number of back to back tourist stamps you can obtain - the first one is probably no problem, after that it might be -- www.thaivisa.com has posting on what is going on at most of the neighboring Thai embassy/consulates at any given time. In your situation, the ED visa is probably the only one that would allow you to stay in Thailand beyond 90 days - there are schools here that help with the paperwork, but you would have to go to a neighboring country to get a Non-Immigrant ED visa - that gets you a 90 stay when you return, but with paperwork from the school, you can get an extension from Thai Immigration of up to one year (can be renewed) -- However, from reports I have seen, Immigration may extend stay for a shorter period - say 3 or 6 months requiring you renew at the end of the permitted stay -- I have also seen reports that the Immigration Officer might want you to demonstrate your ability to speak Thai to see if you are really learning Thai -- not always the case, but could happen. Also, you might find the information on Living in Thailand of some interest - page 2 has links to various topics such as banking, property, etc.

You can try EuroOptics opposite 2nd Road from Royal Garden. I don't use progressive lenses, but I know they make them (I got my last two bifocals from them - tried progressive before, but couldn't adjust).

Most Blue Baht buses follow a general route - the following URL has a map and narrative regarding these routes - but, as noted, the driver can alter directions - there are a few Baht buses that travel on third road and Thepprasit Road - but, they are often few and far between. Blue Baht bus routes The web page with the above link also has the following comments about Bath buses:

There are two limits - one is call time (x baht for each minute - different plans, so costs vary) - when you run out of "baht," you cannot make calls, but can continue receiving calls until you hit the valid time period - this varies depending on how much you "add" - for 1-2-Call, 300 baht is good for one month, 500 baht (I think it is 6 weeks) - the higher the amount, the longer the time the card is valid. I have had mine for several years - the last time I topped up it was for 1,500 baht - that extended my time for one year (previously that amount extended for 6 months). I don't use the phone all that much, so have kept adding money to extend the time - now have around 3,000 baht available. If the bf used AIS, then I could transfer money to his phone, but he uses DTAC - he always runs out of money before he runs out of time. I use my online banking to top up both my phone and his.

I have used their service once to Bangkok and back. Yes, a good service, but I prefer a lower cost method that is convenient for me -- baht bus from Jomtien to 2nd Road Intersection - short walk toward Beach Road (walking street) about half way - table on sidewalk on North side - usually with one or two white vans at the curb - cost is 97 Baht and it goes direct to Victory monument - either taxi or skytrain from there to destination in Bangkok. But, if you have more than a back pack and they have several passengers, they may ask you to buy another "seat" for your bag (still, that is 194 Baht - substantially less than Bell's cost to Bangkok). It is called Pattaya Van and they depart every 40 minutes starting at 6am - trip to Victory Monument about 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes depending on traffic in Bangkok. Last trip is 8pm. Same schedule from Bangkok back to Pattaya. What I found inconvenient with Bell was pick up by van and then drive around town picking up other passengers - then to North Pattaya Bus station to transfer to the bus -- bus goes to airport to drop off and pick up passengers -- then arrive Bangkok, transfer to another van, then drive around dropping off other passengers. Pick up is usually one hour before bus departure - trip to Bangkok via airport is about 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours - then another 30 minutes or longer to hotel drop off point in Bangkok - so trip takes at least 4 hours or longer. For the Airport, a baht bus to Food Mart parking area (opposite Pan Pan on Thappraya Road) - air conditioned waiting room, bus to airport - 124 Baht (I haven't tried it, but some friends have - say the buses used have more room). Anyway, 134 Baht (10+124) instead of 200 Baht - again, no running around Pattaya picking up other passengers and then transferring to bus at North Bus station. Just a couple of alternatives to Bell that some might want to consider.

Extracted from Thailandguru.com information on dengue fever:

It is my understanding the incubation period is around 5 to 7 days - medicinenet.com mentions that it can be up to 15 days. In Thailand, there are 4 strains - the worst being the Dengue hemorrhagic fever. I had dengue fever about 2 years ago - started with a severe headache and high fever. Aspirin didn't work, so sent bf to pharmacy and he brought back ibuprofen which did relieve the headache - this was on day two. On day three, I did a Google search on symptoms, suspecting by now it might be dengue fever. One symptom mentioned was developing a rash - I didn't have that. Day 4, yes a rash appeared on my chest. I arranged for a friend to drive me to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya the next morning as I thought I would have to spend some time in the hospital as I didn't want to drive myself(previous news articles I had read indicated a hospital stay would be involved). Asking the friend to drive me turned out to be an absolute necessity, because on that morning (day 5) I couldn't stand or walk without pain (that is where dengue fever gets its other name - break bone fever). Sitting, I had no pain, only when standing or walking. I had to use a wheelchair when we arrived at the hospital because the pain was too severe for me to walk. Arriving at the internal medicine section, I said I thought I had dengue fever. After a short wait, I met with Dr. Apachai (I recommend him highly). He agreed it was probably dengue fever, but said a blood test was needed to confirm it. That came back in about 20 minutes and it did confirm it was dengue fever (low white blood count). I spent 3 days in the hospital being treated with IV and other medication for the pain - a blood test was done daily to see if it had run its course - Dr. Apachai told me it normally lasts 7 to 8 days. He also sent a blood sample to Bangkok to test for the strain (apparently don't have that capability here in Pattaya). He also chastised me for taking ibuprofen or any other blood thinner, explaining that it it was the hemorrhagic strain and internal bleeding occurred, they might not be able to stop it if you are taking ibuprofen, etc. He said Tylenol was the medicine to take. The 2nd day in the hospital, he told me the test from Bangkok showed I did have the hemorrhagic strain (although this is the strain that can cause death, this usually affects children and those with poor immune system). My 3 days in the hospital, I actually felt fine with no fever or pain. I was released after my white blood count was found to be okay. Overall, I had a moderate case, but even so, it was not a pleasant experience. Also, according to Dr. Apachai and some material I have read, I am now immune to the hemorrhagic strain, but can still get any of the other three. Also, the Hospital was required to report the case and my address to the local government. A few days after getting out of the hospital, a card was left in the mailbox - had both Thai and English - it was a notice that the City had sprayed the area for those dastardly mosquito.

When I obtained a BUPA policy for my bf, that is the way I read the benefits section -- seems that is not a correct interpretation -- the 50% applies to the death benefits of the policy. My bf had a couple of accidents after we got the policy, BUPA paid 100% of the costs for his treatment at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya -- which, fortunately, was not much as both times he was treated for scrapes and bruises.

Can't make it myself, but if anyone make it to the November 31th party, let us know how it went.

Not really enough information. BUPA has several types of policies with various limits. Also, did they consider part of the treatment to be a "prior condition" or an "exclusion." A friend of mine has BUPA and, so far, they have covered several surgeries, including part of his super sight surgery (related to cataracts, but not the new lenses). Also, my bf had BUPA and was in hospital - much of it related to an excluded item - initially they said they would pay none, but I persisted through their representative and hospital staff for a surgery that was I felt not part of the exclusion -- eventually prevailed and they covered the surgery - but not the other treatment that was necessary.

My first visit to Pattaya was in 1986 - no BBB back then. The go go bars as I recall were Gentleman Club and My Way (Pattayaland Soi 1). Going South on Walking Street and continuing on toward what is now Bali Hai Pier, there was another bar called "69." In North Pattaya there was Adam and Eve. There were two bars (may have been more, but they were the only ones I visited) - one was Cafe Paris (If I recall correctly) which was a little ways before "69." The other one was the Homex Inn in North Pattaya. The Cafe Paris did not have any boys for off, but it was a hang out for many freelancers. The Homex did have some boys I think (I wasn't looking as I already had my Thai companion). As time went by, more and more places were opening each year - some didn't last long, others did. In Pattayaland Soi 3 you had BBB and Cockpit (about where Copa is now I think) - also, the Amor (yes, I said Amor - before Richard Burk acquired it and made it into a restaurant, it was a go go bar). There was also a beer bar with off called cocobanana - originally on same side of soi as BBB, but moved to a new location (later sold and renamed Panorama).

I don't know specific period for getting a renewal, I did mine about 3 months before it expired - takes about 2 weeks for new passport to be issued - it expires 10 years from issue date. When they take your application, they give you back your passport - when you pick up the new one, they give you a letter to take to Thai Immigration. At Thai Immigration, they will look at the information in your old passport and include information from it in the new passport (a series of stamps where they record the information - original visa and subsequent extensions - these are not the same stamps used when extending the visa - smaller so they take up less space). There is no cost for the transfer. I would suggest making application a few months before expiration - US Embassy ACS schedule shows they will be here in Pattaya on March 1, June 1, and September 1 in 2011.

The Pattaya Times is a bi-weekly publication controlled by an individual who became either a partner with the former publisher of Spice or bought the magazine and retained the former publisher to work for him. He published it for a while - I don't know details, but the rumor mill is they had a falling out. So, the article probably is a business dispute - the individual who controls the Pattaya Times has, in the past, printed similar articles regarding other individuals that he had some prior problems with.

From the Pattaya City Expats Club Website: Computer Services * "A" - 08-1743-7073. He works out of his home. He comes to your location. He does repair work and can build a desk top computer to your specifications. Several members recommend, his English is good and his prices reasonable. * Kilin Poolswan - 081-295-3860. He works out of his home - repair at your home, new desk top computers built to your specifications, WiFi installation. Recommended by several members - English is good and prices reasonable.

I have used door to door a few times - I usually order through the internet (as their site says, they will call you back to confirm the order - I think within 10 minutes, but they have always called me back within 5 minutes - they also send a confirming email) -- I quit telephoning my orders in when the lady taking the order calculated it by adding the food and delivery charge - then applying the 10% service charge to the total - it was only about 7 Baht more (10% of 70 Baht) - but it just irritated me to be paying for delivery and then expected to pay a service charge on top of that - after a bit of discussion and her saying that was the price, I said fine, just cancel the order. I then ordered from another restaurant through WOW (still had a delivery charge for Jomtien - but no service charge). Sometime later when I wanted to order from a D2D listed restaurant, I used the website, which calculates the service charge on the food price only and then adds the delivery charge. Also, as mentioned, the Door to Door price can be 20% higher - the half feast from the Great American Rib Company is shown on Door to Door as 780 Baht - if ordered from the restaurant the price is around 650 Baht if I recall correctly - happened to notice the difference when I was thinking about ordering that item through D2D - needless to say, I didn't place that order. I also have found that getting several items in several containers that you need to sort out and put in plates is just not the same as having it served to you at the restaurant . So, I usually order something simple - hamburger, sandwich, bowl of chili, etc. rather than a full meal when using D2D.

You can also subscribe to the weekly newsletter direct from their website - click on Newsletter and then click on "Subscribe."

It is my understanding that the Embassy income letter can be used if it is not more than one year old. Also, that 3 months early is generally the maximum for renewal - but, as mentioned, if you have a special need to do it earlier, it might be possible - so act nice, explain the situation, and hope they are in a good mood on that day

To my knowledge, there is no tax on pension funds transferred into Thailand - at least I haven't had to pay any. As far as interest received on Thai bank deposit, as I understand it, the 15% is deducted before the interest is deposited. Apparently, if the interest is earned on a "time" deposit, one can get a refund -- see this article refund of taxes paid on interest Immigration will accept bank accounts that allow you to withdraw funds at anytime (some banks with higher interest accounts require funds to be on deposit a specified length of time, but allow withdrawal at any time, but you lose the higher interest if before the time specified). Bank accounts that restrict withdrawal until a specified time period has elapsed (e.g., similar to US bank certificates of deposit), will probably not be accepted - at least this is what was said when the recently former Honorary British Consul spoke to the Pattaya City Expats Club.

The fee for notarial service is going up from $30 for first item and $20 for each additional document to $50 for each document. The pension income statement is considered to be a notarial service - I think it was around 1,000 when I got mine from American Citizen Service in May. So, expect it to go up to around 1,600 Baht starting next Tuesday.

Leave it up to PDN to have a sensational headline - other than the headline, no where in the article does it say the drugs were fake - it says they were illegal - So, from the article itself, all the drugs could have been legitimate - just not brought in under license from the Thai FDA. That said, Thailand does have more than its fair share of fake or counterfeit drugs - not just those for bedroom gymnastics. One reason to use a reputable pharmacy.

I will "second" GB's comments. Most expats will choose based on their on likes and dislikes. For myself, my plans were always to live in Pattaya having previously visited (as a tourist) Bangkok, Phuket, Chaing Mai, and bf's hometown near Khorat. Also, before committing to live here permanently after retirement, I obtained a multiple entry Non Immigrant "O" visa, which let me stay up to 90 days before having to do a "border run" to get another 90 days. I spent about 6 months living here for before deciding to make the move permanent. I had three primary reasons. One, being on holiday in a foreign country is not the same as living full time in that country. Two, quality of medical care as I do have a heart problem. The third reason was whether my bf and I would still be compatible living together on a day to day basis over time. We had a long distance relationship for the previous 10 years (me visiting twice a year for 2 weeks at a time). I found that I liked living in Pattaya where I now have many expat friends (both gay and straight)and an abundant supply of good restaurants and other entertainment opportunities. I have found the medical care to be very good and if an emergency, can get treatment fairly quickly. Very important is that the bf and I do get along living together. It has now been 8 years since I moved here permanently and except for a few minor (and expected tiffs), we get along very well.

I have used Dr. Manoon at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for the past 8 years and have been satisfied with his medical care. A few years ago, I had an angiogram followed about a week later with an angioplasty in the Cath lab at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. I recently started having shortness of breath after mild exertion. Dr. Manoon diagnosed the problem as a pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) and the treatment prescribed is appropriate for the condition (I trust Dr. Manoon, but I still use google to get information on any medical ailment I might have or any new medicine prescribed). Queen Sirikit Hospital near Sattahip and the Naval Base is considered the best Gov't hospital in the area - but if an emergency, it does take time to get there. Being a Gov't hospital, the costs savings from the private hospitals such as Bangkok Pattaya, Pattaya International, or Pattaya Memorial can be significant. I prefer to use Bangkok Pattaya as I have found the doctors I use there to very good and its location is convenient (if cost was a major factor, I might think differently, but since my USA health insurance covers me here in Thailand, I will continue to use Bangkok Pattaya).

I use Bangkok Bank. I opened it with a non-immigrant "O" visa with no problem. But if you want online banking, they require you have a work permit or long term visa (retirement, marriage, etc.) After getting my first retirement extension in 2003, I did get online banking. After my bank in US was bought out by Chase and the fees significantly increased for ATM use outside USA and for wire transfers, I opened an account with INGDirect, which allows me to draw funds from my Chase account at no charge, which I then send by "electronic check" to my Bangkok Bank account (through their New York Branch) at no charge by INGDirect. Bangkok Bank's NY Branch charges $10US and Bangkok Bank here in Thailand charges .025% with a minimum of 200 Baht and maximum of 500 Baht. It takes about 3 business days. Several of my friends also transfer funds through Bangkok Bank's New York branch -- one uses his Chase account, I think there is a small fee for account transfers within the Automated Clearing House (ACH routing numbers used by USA banks). You can find general information about banking in Thailand on this webpage

The following information is from the Pattaya City Expats Club website noting that the IBAN code is not used by Thai Banks: Their website also has a list of Thai banks showing their SWIFT codes as well as links to the bank's website: List of Banks The website also has more information about banking in Thailand at: Banking