Travel tips for expats and hints in Pattaya

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PATTAYA POSTAL SERVICES & POST OFFICE OUTLETS

PATTAYA POST OFFICE: The second Location and easier to get a park is follow

e Naklua Road from the Dolphin /Kiss corner and drive approx 3kms past 2 sets of lights and turn right at the next set where you see the Phillips Electrical sign on the right opposite corner at Soi Sawang Fa -- turn right. The Post Office is approx 300m on the right side. There are also numerous photo copy shops around this P.O. if you need.

The seaside city of Pattaya in Thailand is a haven for the single minded tourists and ex pat haven boasting some 1600 bars. It is situated on a 4 km stretch of road along the sea & along the North end are around 96 bars, hotels and restaurants. This is the seafood paradise. Pattaya is famous for its ski boats, water sports like fishing with all night bars and nightlife. Formally a US Military rest stop and recreation from the 60s and 70s it saw a rapid change in its development. Today it is a premier beach resort with over 1 million tourists visiting a year.

2010 many foreigners are being taken for a ride or is it the landlords demanding more key money each year

1b/. Walking around at night watch out who may be behind you. One of my friends was accosted on the elevator by a young Thai going down who quickly was behind my friend going back up -- a pick pocketer?? Theres more young kratoeys around now as well as bike gangs; yabba sellers etc on the beach areas of Pattaya & especially late at night. As at May 2009 many kratoeys are robbing foreigners, pick pocketing, drugging foreigners then relieving them of their wallets etc. Watch out for 2-3 of them as theres now many lady boys in Pattaya and many cannot get work. Their makeup alone sets them back 3000 baht??? a month so they need lots to cover up their boy looks & youre th target if they can get to you?

2b/. To renew your license now cost is 1060 baht for both motorcycle & car and you have to do a couple of easy eye tests and watch a movie and read a rode code for 1 hour. Theres 80 people a day getting licenses but make sure you have a 1yr license as you could sit there & then find out you cannot renew. You get a new license upstairs at the Pattaya Reg but make sure you have pics for your immigration letter at Counter 9 before you go out; current visa,passport copies, old licenses and thats it.

3b/. If you are not sure about your rights check out www.thaiexpatlaw.com and they offer 24 hour helpline with English whether it is an accident or you have a run in with the Feds.

4b/. Buying and selling a bike a foreigner selling must have a letter from immigration. The tabian book must be also signed by the previous owner due to many bikes being stolen same as a car. Pattaya Reg dept is the only place that does this. If you have a problem then use Khun Mal: 0817617251 who sells insurance at Pattaya Reg Office near the Regents School. She can also do all the paperwork for a small fee & believe me its worth using her. If your car is registered in Chiangmai you need to go to Chonburi to change the paperwork and this is a headache. She can also change over car reg at Mor Chit for you in Bangkok which will save you a hassle. Even for FREE advice ask Khun Mal.

5b/. Thinking of buying a bar or restaurant in the local mag. Our advice is don't? Theres too many but if you have a theme, plenty of money for advertising and marketing and an attraction like eat all you can for 99baht etc then yes it may work. But, you need backup. We can help you--just ask us.

6b/. Changing money theres many banks here and its easy to open a Bank account while youre here. Then you can get an ATM card and not carry so much cash around.Do noit give your card to anyone let alone get them to take money out. Also joint accounts a withdrawal slip can be forged so don't open one with a Thai unless they are your wife and you have an excellent situation.

7b/. Yes to buy a car or motorbike you need a 1 year visa.To renew your book now take your passport esepcially with Kasikornbank. They keep your old book if closing the account but ask them to copy for you before you give to them. You never know the book could be altered

8b/. Getting your pictures developed with a digital camera. We tried the Fuji shop in Buakaew Rd but they cost 10 baht each picture. Ended up asking for 2 pics -- and we got them back under exposed. Next stop was the Digital Express shop by Big C off Pattaya 2nd Rd take the turn right straight after Big C on the left about 150 metres up by the Tiger DragonTatoo o the left --Big C across the road. 6 baht each picture & they take their time to Abobe shop your pics instant service and ready within 5 minutes. This is the place-great value.

9b/. Have a problem with a foreign (FPV)Tourist Police Volunteer then report to the Police station Soi 9 Beach Rd. They are not allowed to detain anyone & some were accused of asking for tee money March 2009 & if in doubt call on: www.thaiexpatlaw.com Some of these foreign blackies as we call them are ex uniform guys who want to be important but basically are and do help the odd foreigner in distress. They are also based at the main Police station on beach road to help foreigners.

10b/. Do you have an older car before year 2000 then make sure you don't use GASOHOL. Always ask for "Benzine tamadar" which means normal petrol. If you do put in GASOHOL and your car starts to smoke then stop before it blows up. Put normal petrol in TO SOAK UP THE GASOHOL with a tablespoon or 2 of engine oil & it will come right. The other year a German owner in his Ferrari blew it up when the gas station boy put gasohol in his car. Ferraris & older cars hate it as the gasohol blows the valve seats??--this German guy got 10-14km and blew his dream up but maybe it was mean't to happen as he was starting the largest Ocean1 Tower condo (biggest in Thailand) and it never got off the ground--maybe someone who paid his deposit for their condo talked the petrol attendent into pumping gasohol into his car???as payback. Gasohol is 90 percent un-leaded petrol and 10 percent ethanol. Ethanol is not an easily renewable energy source, and it takes gasoline to harvest the crops that in turn produce ethanol. Gasohol is 3-5 percent less fuel efficient than normal petrol, you use more fuel to travel the same distance. Gasohol also ‘eats’ fuel lines, so expect vehicle maintenance costs to go up.

9b/. Buying a suit; ordering clothes made; etc with deposit make sure your receipt says PAID and make sure the address or biz card is attached. No mention of payment means you haven't paid.

10b/. Buying a condo watch out and talk to others as some condo maintenance is poor as is the fine print??? & moreso many are not being finished as no demand?

11b/. Lending your car or money. Don't fall for it. If someone wants to borrow he has no money?? hows he going to pay you back. SAY NO & especially foreigners in Thailand???- theres no such thing as pay you back. For cars you lend at your own risk. No insurance paid out and if your friend smashes the car and has no money to pay for the Mercedes he just hit then you have to pay? Again if someone wants to borrow its easier to say NO.

12b/. Letting Thais stay in your home while on vacation DON'T. Your tel bill will be out of the sky & they may have sold it before you come back. Renting can also be a hassle as rent may be unpaid and how can you claim as youre not paying tax??

13b/. Taxis to Bangkok airport 800baht---inclusive of how many in the cab. Return normally 1200 baht as the taxi does not have return fare. A taxi has to pay the tourist shop 300 baht on the Pattaya-airport trip? There are buses at Pattaya North Rd depot and also on the corner of Tepprasit Rd that go to the airport. Fares 200baht and 137 baht.

14b/. Songteaws are 10 baht on a straight line road. Once it turns the corner another 10 baht.

15b/. Hotels many of which do not take your details. When you pay ask for a receipt that yourve paid.

16b/. Open a Bank account and don't carry too much money around. Theres plenty of ATM machines around to help you.

MOTORCYCLE HIRE: Most hotels will arrange for you but theres plenty of motorcycles from Honda Dreams at 150 baht per day to bigger 400cc Hondas @ 500 baht per day to even bigger Harleys etc. prices are cheaper for week hireage. Use your international passport & it pays to have a copy of your passport and deposit must be left approx 1000 baht. (Current rate 38.2 baht per $US1). Hey and remember hire shops will not tell you you need a Thai drivers license and you may get a fine from the many road checks on Beach Rd???? just pay the fine normally 200baht and remember next time. Also if you crash you pay?

PATTAYA INVESTMENT SCAMS: Behind the scenes of fun in Pattaya there are the odd scam artists and one of these is no other than the Australian scam artist Lance Frederick Shaw of www.hiperfinance.com who scammed many foreigners in Pattaya and is still running FREE. [ CHECK THIS GUY OUT ] [Check out Ocean1 Tower ]

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