BjornAgain

Just be aware April is still "Smoking Season" in the North.

The bloke on the right reminds me of an old boss of mine, called Phil.

There's only one pussy, and that's Mrs. Slocombe's cat Tiddles, from Are you being Served, the English version ( Grace Brothers). Not to be confused with our colonial loaf-stealing cousins version at Bone Brothers.

Need to look further down the beach if you want space and value for money. My old condo was 2 Bed, 2 Bath, open plan kitchen/living room/dining, uninterrupted sea view with balcony, communical gym and 2 pools, dedicated parking space, also Satellite TV at 105m². 25,000THB pcm or 5.5MTHB to buy, with 6,500THB pcm community fees. Bolt to JC 120THB.

According to Google Maps, it's not really walking distance. Expect 200THB in a Bolt.

For a comparison overview of Condo's look at thailand-property.com . Bare in mind the info isn't 100% up to date, for that use the specific Real Estate details and look on their website. Site is useful for giving build details, so date of construction, also links to Sale and Rental availability, so you can gauge condition and quality. If using AirBnB or VRBO, don't expect the landlord or person / agency offering the rental to complete the TM30 paperwork, which is required by law to be completed within 24 hours of you taking up residence. Hotels do this at checkin, hence why they always photocopy your passport. Fine to the property owner is 1600THB. Just don't make a reason to be apprehended by the BiB. Good luck.

Thanks for the update. Will ensure to make a trip when next up in BKK and enquire further.

Are the old photo's on display, or can you ask to see them? As would be interesting to see if my dad is in any of them.

Never been one to trust Thai alarm systems, so have my installed my own. Previous Condo had a sprinkler system and ceiling mounted fire alarm system. By European standards Heat Sensors are installed in kitchen areas, noticed all the sensors where basic smoke sensors. Furthermore in the 2 years I stayed there, there was never a test. 2 months before I left the funds had been accrued and approved by the Owners / Juristic Committee to carry out a maintenance check. Discovered this was 7 years in the making. When I left no remedial action had started, as basically since the condo was commissioned close to bugger all maintenance of the Fire Alarm system had taken place, so all the sensors were pass their End of Life date. And would require full replacement. Not something that would happen over night, as the building was only 70% occupied, and not every owner had paid or was paying the Service Charge, hence a large hole in the finances. Did ask when was the last time the Sprinkler System was tested, not a clear answer, but assumed it was the day it was commissioned, i.e. 14 years previously. In my current condo, ceiling mounted fire alarm sensors, all with flashing LEDs, so implying working system. Yet in 8 months not tested once. No sprinkler system. So instatalled a plug-in power monitor with a cabled Heat/Smoke sensor above the kitchen area. Uses a variable mobile carrier data connection, so not linked to a single mobile network or WiFi system. Get an alert on my mobile for any ambient temperature changes above threshold or alarm activation. And, yes I do test it. The alerting power monitor is useful for power cuts when I'm away as well.

I have images of you stroking a white Persian Angora cat called Solomon.

In fact they have two in Pattaya, one in South Pattaya on Pattaya 2nd Road (Pattaya Sai Song Road) opposite the entrance as @Foolish says, also up in Na Kluea on Pattaya Na Kluea Road between Soi 27 and Soi 29. Bit pricey, but good English spoken.

Who doesn't like a pogo!

Can't see the secondhand books idea being much of a success, as seem to remember from my youth, before digital media became the norm, condition greatly effected sales, as pages were often stuck together! Music is key, if you want to play to your Australian heritage, then if you create an '80s Aussi Bar, you've got me as a regular, as that's my favorite music. If you go for a double unit, Bar and 2nd business. Then suggest as a double entendre, a hairdressers called "Blow & Go". As @floridarob said " Dealing with permits, labor and corruption in a third world county? " , is not for the novice. I would suggest having a face2face with some of the other Farang bar owners in Pattaya to gain a better understanding, that this isn't for the fainthearted. Also, is Farang type customers a viable business model? Saw an interview with a bar owner in Soi Buakhao who's diversified to opening a Thai nightclub as that's where the money is. Good luck.

Having spent some time outside on the bench after the 23:00 show watching the comings and goings of the boys, there was very much a 'family' atmosphere of the place. The management were eating and drinking on the big table by the street, and everyone had a good sense of camaraderie. No sense of hierarchy in terms of who sits where or talks to whom whilst the boys had their outside kitchen cooked meal. So I think you're second point makes total sense. Also the fact everyone wears their QR coded ID badges, gives the impression of a professional, and potentially trustworthy outfit. (Wouldn't make the same the comparison of UK / USA companies I've worked for, but a small bar / club in the back streets, to me seamed unusual). So paying via the electronic till would keep a record for the boy and bank the funds until personally needed, or as you say @bkkmfj2648, X-Boys expenses deducted. If the QR codes are linked to a clocking in/out system, then 'away time' whilst on shift is logged and their percentage of general tips could be calculated more fairly. Will inquire more from my waiter friend in coming weeks. Also The French Connection intrigues me.