Up2u

Isn't the Ambiance Cafe open 24/7? Breakfast is pricey but good. Short walk or baht bus from Howard's.

The price is regulated by the Thai government and can fluctuate daily. The Bangkok Post home page always shows the price and it is currently 13,800 THB/baht.

I agree with GB, the company route is still in a state of flux and has contributed to the depressed real estate market. It might take years but I would wait until it all got sorted out. GB what happens if you want to sell and let's say buy I condo in your name or forced to return home? Want happens if the bf dies and you must deal with his heirs? Each to his own but give me condo in my own name.

It's a completely different game to get a retirement Visa when you are in your home country. I still believe a health certificate and evidence of a clean police record are required. Looks like all that is waived if you get the Visa when in Thailand.

He actually got most of it right. A recent youtube video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uHYvaqj7EiA

Looks like we use the same airline and schedule. This last trip (this month) I experienced a wait of 45 minutes for my departure (12:30 p.m.). Long lines and not all the stations were open. Luckily I arrived 3 hours before my departure so it was no big deal but if I had arrived late I could missed my flight.

If you like the Boyztown area you might consider the Serene Hotel or Welcome Plaza Hotel just across 2nd Rd.

Although I didn't go in, I know there was a gay bar on this small soi last summer when I passed by.

From today's Pattaya Mail: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1 The Immigration authorities have issued new requirements for foreigners wishing to apply for a retirement visa, including the need to have an ATM card and a credit card. Pol Lt. Samruay Saman, deputy inspector at Pattaya Immigration announced the new rules on November 12. Pol. Lt. Samruay Saman, deputy inspector at Pattaya Immigration Applicants using visa application form TM 7 have to enclose their passport, a 4 x 6 cm photograph, 1,900 baht fee, proof of income (certificate of bank deposit and bank book savings account, or a fixed account for at least the last three months), and proof of an appropriate amount of money from abroad through the bank in a certain period of time, such as a certificate of transfer from abroad or copy of a banking transfer order. In the event of having any dependents such as a husband, a wife or children, then the relationship certificate approval with Thai translation certified by the embassy or consulate must be presented. The authorities reserve the right to ask for any additional necessary documents in the event of requiring a copy of an ATM and credit card statement, a bank statement, a bank book, and a certificate of pension from the embassy in the event the source of such an amount cannot be checked. Regulations for taking into consideration a foreign applicant’s extension for staying in Thailand require that the foreigner be more than 50 years old, and not forbidden to enter into the kingdom. The foreigner must have financial proof of a deposited amount of no less than 800,000 baht, or a monthly income of no less than 65,000 baht, or an annual income of no less than 800,000 baht in total. For more information please visit www.immigration.go.th

Very true, Thailand is still a good deal. I support justifiable cost of living increases but I think 25% is over the top and just an attempt to gouge tourists for the high season. These bar owners are on the same wavelength as the Thailand Hotel Association (see Pattaya Mail article): Hotel room rates to rise as Pattaya goes for upper end of tourism market Hotel rooms in Pattaya are going to become more expensive next year following a decision by the Thai Hotel Association - Eastern Chapter (THA-EC) to increase room rates, after discovering that prices were lagging behind those of competing Asian destinations. Committee members and members of the association were asked for cooperation in adjusting their rates during a meeting at the Dusit Resort on November 1, when the strategy for next year was discussed and plans drawn up for attending ITB in Berlin in February. ITB is one of the biggest international events in the tourism industry calendar, and the Eastern THA will conduct a major promotional campaign there. Association chairman Chatchawan Supachayanont said that the campaign should focus on the quality end of the tourism market to expand Pattaya’s base in that sector. Chonburi Administrative Organization and Pattaya City have been asked for a support budget of 6 million baht for ITB, and to date 3 million baht has been raised. The THA-EC has asked members attending ITB to design their stands at the exhibition to reflect the upmarket approach that is being adopted. Competition from other Asian destinations is, however, going to be intense, and Chatchawan said that one problem for Pattaya City is the standard hotel rate. Hotel owners and operators have kept their rates deliberately low to attract large numbers of visitors, and as a result Pattaya lags behind in terms of both revenue and image. This is particularly the case when you compare the hotel room rates to nearby competing countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam, he said. “There is worry about sharing the tourism market with Vietnam, because the country is increasing its investments in tourism, and this may affect tourism in Pattaya,” said Chatchawan. He added that Pattaya was still expected to stay ahead because of its large number of attractions and its well-developed facilities, but in terms of development strategy there had to be a focus on the future. Chatchawan told association members that Pattaya City has provided a 20 million baht budget for other marketing promotions in 2008, including advertising and providing information for the markets inland and abroad. Of this, 12 million baht will be used for overseas promotions, focusing on Russia, the Middle East, India and Japan. The remaining 8 million baht would be used for domestic promotions and an advertising company will be appointed to devise a promotional campaign. http://www.pattayamail.com/745/news.shtml#hd3

Yes, all your numbers make sense. I always talk to the boys/waiters/mamasans and next visit I'll buy them their down-sized 150 baht Coke and toast and celebrate their salary increase. My recollection is waiters got around 3000-4000 so the new range would be about 4000-5000 baht. (Why do I think I'll get a blank stare and he'll probably think I'm another ting-tong falang.)

I've had nothing but good experiences at Po Pot. Good basic food at a good price. I will try Eric's new restauarant. My group had mixed reviews when he was at the Clubber.

I too take precautions when on long vacations but a plastic sprayer hose is far more likely to fail than a cast iron pipe or fitting. Just one reason for the bathroom drains in Thailand and also a reason they are banned where I live.

I was trying to understand the rationale of raising prices 25% other than high-season is approaching so let's gouge the tourist mentality. Higher gas prices are not a factor in this increase. Does anybody really believe rents have increased that much or salaries have been raised so drink prices must rise to cover these costs? I drink diet-Cokes which cost less than 15 baht at 7-11 so I see a 10-fold mark-up a little steep.

Where I live in California I was told they are against the building code. You have probably noticed the most American bathrooms do not have bathroom floor drains. Should the bidet hose burst, leak, etc. the water damage could be extensive. Imagine if you were on a long holiday in Thailand and this happened while you were away!

Wow! That's a 25% and quite frankly I find it hard to justify. Hopefully Sunee and JomTien have not followed suit. When I ask why in a few weeks I know I will get the standard reply, "cheap for you!". As an American dealing with the weak dollar my bar hopping activities might curtailed.

GB, we will have to start calling you "LMTU2". Thanks for the bar updates. I was in Pattaya last July and the drinks (non-alcoholic) were 110-120 for many of the BT area bars. Has there been an over-all price increase (again)?

Who was playing the organ?

I agree. This post was by a newbie "troll" that is probably kicking back and laughing at the responses. He cleverly dragged the board owner and moderators into the fray. They responded. Let this thread die.

Ditto.

It would be nice if you or someone else could post some pictures for those of us who will be unable to attend. Speaking of pictures is Boxer Ok?. His site has been inactive for quite sometime.

No big deal to me. Hotels take impressions or copies of CC's all the time.

Thanks! I also enjoyed that bar and hope it can re-open before my next visit.

There are 2 bars with similar names and I get them mixed up. Is this the one on Soi Yensabai where the boys dance on tables or the one near Yensabai Condo (old All-boys)?

I personally wouldn't travel half-way around the world to Thailand to see farang strippers no matter how young and attractive they might be. If I want to see Czechs I'll go to Prague or Brazilians I'll go to Rio, etc. I don't think a faranag go-go dancer will qualify for a work permit. I have seen Thais with farang blood that almost looked farang working in bars but I don't know if they got more offs or not. I think a farang stripper would have appeal to Thai women and some appeal to older gay Thai men who no longer have what it takes to get a farang. In the straight world things may be different with female Ubekistan prostitutes apparently popular by both locals and tourists. Consequently the big payments to BIB.