Londoner

Thanks, Reader , for raising this interesting issue. I agree that the age factor is central; my generation of gay men spent their younger years in a homophobic and legally-perilous environment. To us, Pattaya meant freedom and liberation. Younger guys don't need to travel thousands of miles for that now. Yet today's Pattaya, admittedly bland compared with the past, still offers us an enormous amount, particularly if it means time spent with a loved one. The hotels remain cheap, embarrassingly so compared to the UK, the dining opportunities numerous, offering even better value. Even the beaches are cleaner. It provides an escape from a northern winter, the denizens remain friendly and welcoming and the travel easier from the airport than back in the day. My ninetieth visit is iminent and I am still like a little boy looking forward to Christmas. The Pattaya/Jomtien to which I return hasn't got the "edgy" flavour it once had but probably that makes it even more suitable for someone who has aged in three decades years as much as the city has changed. The question on my mind is what will happen to the gay scene when my generation has gone.

He contributed to the Chiang Mai thread with his usual eloquence.That was less than three weeks ago.

I'm not mocking anyone's travel booking mistakes having discovered only yesterday that our booked flight to Chiang Mai in two weeks left two weeks ago. And Bangkok Air isn't cheap.

A little later in March I'm paying 1600 bht pn , via Agoda. i suspect that OD was being given the price for a deluxe corner room. I note also that Agate is back to 1600pn (direct) after charging 1800pn over the high season. ( Peter RS and I were posting simultaneously, hence the repetition.) Regarding Agoda, I've found their prices excellent with the important (for us) exception of those offered for Agate (Jomtien) where booking direct is the best option.

We stayed twice at the Lavender , in premier rooms. They were dated but priced appropriately. We liked the roof-top restaurant, the attached show bar, Power Boys, infinitely preferable to some we'd seen elsewhere while the massage facility had some cute guys, as well as a fearsome mamasan. The lower floors were often used by Thai guests who were visiting relatives in the hospital next door. A rather odd arrangement, apparent at breakfast when we were outnumbered by Thai families. I liked the position too; near my favourite (and venerable) shopping centre, now alas closed down. Lavender had previously been the Tokyo Hotel and last time we were in CM, the premises was still operating as a hotel. I was disappointed when Lavender closed but CM had long since stopped being a smaller rival to BKK and Pattaya. Its gay bars were too spread-out and apart from the rather questionable places near the Night Market, there was no discernible "gay area." However, I do remember Adam's Apple being packed to the rafters on occasions, the audience including university guys who were cuter than some of the dancers. Some readers will recall that the bar was also a fire-hazard! We still go to CM regularly; but not for the gay scene.

Unless you want to sail across the Gulf of Mexico.....heaven knows where you'll end-up. Mar el Largo?

Thanks; yes, Cigna is one of the two that I am looking at. I particularly appreciate the provision of a private room if admitted to hospital.

Yes, I've just received a helpful report from Pacific relating possible deals. I note that other emails to Thailand relating to my proposed relocation have not received prompt replies. In fact I found that in four cases this morning, websites contained non-operative email addresses. I thought it was good business practice to keep websites up-to-date. Thus, four Pattaya companies have thereby lost my custom in one morning. Surprising; I'm not making the move "on the cheap"; I'd have thought that I'd be a valued customer.

Has anyone any experience of the new procedures, personally or vicariously?

Thanks guys; a difficult question. I need advice and I am being quoted $1300 pm for full coverage. I have the usual elderly man problems but have yet to be asked to list them. I cannot forget my American buddy whose US insurance let him down when he was being treated for cancer. He died in squalid conditions without proper treatment in a public ward.

I never forget the white polystyrene reindeer that decorated our Krabi hotel afew years ago. We returned in April and the d**n things were still there. But brown. And a couple of weeks ago, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer was playing on a loop in the supermarket next to Outlet Mall. Lotus? I could have screamed....it was mid-November. Has it stopped yet?

Has anyone any recommendations regarding full health insurance for expats in Thailand?

My impression- and I have no evidence of this- is that, putting aside the high-high season around Christmas, over the years the difference in tourist numbers has been less pronounced. Maybe the influx of Asians? Or the utter confusion surrounding Covid? At any rate, when I was visiting as a punter, I never took much notice; most of my activities were indoors!

Thanks everyone. Including for the disagreements... always more fun than agreements. They are part of the rich tapestry of Pattaya ex-pat life!

Can anyone recommend a reliable, English-speaking lawyer in the Pattaya/Jomtien area who can help me with my proposed move to that fair city? and assist me in replacing my UK Will with a Thai one?