galt67

I've seen A LOT of interest in retiring to Thailand so I developed a 'basic' guide to retiring to Pattaya, Thailand.

You can find it here: http://home.earthlink.net/~galt1967/

Hope you find it helpful!

Jockstar

Why Pattaya? There is far better places in Thailand. IMHO.

galt67

Good question! As Pattaya is NOT everyone's 'cup of tea'

Many instead Chiang Mai (cooler weather) or Phuket (nicer beaches), for example, but having traveled throughout the Kingdom I believe Pattaya offers the best COMBINATION of:

1--Scenery (beach, hilly terrain)
2--Price (food, housing at ALL price points)
3--Easy transportation (easy to walk or ride the baht bus)
4--Close to Bangkok (within two hours of the airport)
5--Large, diverse expat community
6--Quality medical care (multiple hospitals nearby catering to Westerners)

I think that offers a good start for my favortism of Pattaya

massagelondon

I would rather stay in Bangkok - I don't particulary like beaches and all the tourists and tourist industry.

Unfortunately they push prices up for property, food and services.

I can get a quality therapeutic thai massage in Bangkok (on the Thonburi side - on the other side of the Chao Phraya river) for some 250 baht for 2 hours from the best therapists in Thailand - in Pattaya it would be 2 - 3 times more expensive and no comparable in quality at all.

There is still reasonably priced land to buy around Taling Chan floating market area - where you can feel like living in the traditional thai willage.

There are several of nice homestays in that area - old thai teakwood houses on stilts just overlooking slowly moving canals. You are in the middle of verdent fruit orchards, vast lush gardens and flower groves.

There is nothing comparable to it in the whole Thailand - a dream retirement destination.

Jockstar

Been to Pattaya a couple of times to play football. Wasn't very impressed. I like Bangkok also. But if i had to choose and money wasnt an issue. It would be one of the islands. NOT Samui though. These places IMHO are not like Thailand. But like Spain where all the tourists go. Costa Brava etc etc. Each to their own though. Just not my idea of a nice place to retire.

xJenniex

Hi

Is there anyone on the forum who could tell me about living/retiring to Hau Hin.

Thanks for any info.

xJenniex

massagelondon

It's a small and compact tourist town - nice as a holiday destination but I wouldn't stay there forever unless you are beach-addicted. Not to much to do in the evenings.

Jockstar

Check here for more info and questions etc.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showforum=34

perthukcharlie

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hi there i would love to work and live in thailand for a few years does anyone know how i can do this weekout been with a thai girl ?

Jockstar

I dont quite unedrstand the question. What are your skills? Could you offer something that so,e Thai couldnt? Can you dive? Can you teach? You have options but we need more info.

londonthai

to be a teacher now you need a degree, but there are jobs around in the travel/hospitality industry.

you might apply as well for a business visa if you are going to invest some money and open your own company in thailand

Jockstar

You were always supposed to have a degree to teach. But you can get a job without a degree. I know, i've done it and many of my friends have also. I lived there for 5 years and worked 4 and a half. It can be done. But with the new visa rules its more difficult.