I went to a meeting there many years ago but I think it was at the Marriott Hotel back then. I am planning on going to the next meeting in Pattaya. But, I know little about the group. Can someone tell me the benefit of joining, participating? When is the next meeting? What happens at these meetings?

Hope it is better then Chiang Mai's expat club. You pay to join, you pay to go to meetings, at the meetings you hear sells pitches from their sponsors, and the club has no elections, no accounting for the money coming in or out, and it is ran by a clique of people who have businesses connected with the club. Not all rackets are by Thais.

Yes they say the best ex-pats club to go to resides at Tavern by the Sea Restaurant, on Beach Road part if Amari Hotel, the old Joe Bean from 10:30 Sunday much more friendly?

 

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/

I don't know about Chiang Mai, but the Pattaya City Expats Club helped me get a bank account with I-banking at Bangkok Bank by putting me in touch with the bank manager, who took care of everything. In that regard, they were exceedingly helpful. I also tried to get medical insurance through them, but they told me since I was over 59.5 and diabetic, that they couldn't help me. Maybe it's different now, but if it is, that would surprise me. I have been told over and again that 59 is the magic number and you'd better be healthy or you're screwed.

I also tried to get medical insurance through them, but they told me since I was over 59.5 and diabetic, that they couldn't help me. Maybe it's different now, but if it is, that would surprise me. I have been told over and again that 59 is the magic number and you'd better be healthy or you're screwed.

 

They now offer two group policies - the newer one is through Khun Neng who is usually at the Tavern by the Sea when they meet - he gets there around 11am. The one Neng brokers allows you to join up to age 65 and continues coverage to age 75. But if you try to get any Thai health insurance whether group or individual, they will exclude pre-existing conditions including any illnesses that can be caused by that condition - I know of one person who looked into getting a policy from a Thai health insuror and was told they would exclude any heart related problems because he was taking blood pressure medicine.

 

I prefer the Pattaya City Expats Club over the other one - it is a non-commercial social organization and you do not have to be a member to participate in most activities; however if you are a member, you can get discounts at some businesses and restaurants including Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (on room, medicines, dental) and Phayathai Sriracha Hospital (room, medicines, physical exam, and MRI/CT scans) - Phayathai is in Sriracha, but their prices tend to be lower than BHP.

 

Also, they have two breakfast options from 9am to 11am - a full buffet with western & Thai food for 220 Baht or either coffee/tea & toast (refills) or fruit/fruit juice (no refills) for 95 Baht. There is no requirement to purchase either, but they do encourage participants to get one or the other to support their arrangment with the Amari Resort (the meeting is in their Tavern by the Sea Restaurant) - the Amari does not charge them for using the facilities including the audio/visual equipment. Their meeting program starts at 10:30am - many get there around 9:15 to 9:30 for the opportunity to visit with other Expats before the program starts.