Thread: Is Pattaya the tops?

Last month’s BBC report claiming that Thailand is a top place to retire has caused a lot of comment amongst local expats. BBC author Rob Budden claimed in his article that Thailand was the seventh best choice in the world as it offers a slower pace of life, lots of sunshine, favourable tax rates, quality healthcare and a better standard of living. The ranked countries in the report were Panama, Ecuador, Malaysia, Spain, Malta, Portugal and Thailand.

IG-A-Destination-O_Pattaya_087The report stressed the importance of the Land of Smile’s friendly image for Thailand, which means that older people are respected whilst they enjoy a bureaucratic system which imposes no taxation on retirees from abroad. Author Budden gives strong emphasis to the reasonable financial regulations for over 50s wanting a one-year retirement visa – 800,000 baht in a Thai bank or an overseas income of at least 65,000 baht monthly or a combination of both.

Pattaya Today conducted an informal survey of about 60 elderly expats, mainly British, who have lived in Thailand from between 2 and 25 years. Those who agreed most strongly with the report lived in the Isan region of northeastern Thailand. Arthur Greenwood, living in Nong Khai, was typical of this group. “I met a genuine Thai lady and built a home here. I agree with everything the report said. The people round here are very pleasant and the cost of living is cheap. The local hospital is very good. Frankly, we just ignore all the bad things about the country as we don’t meet them here. Things like corruption, police harassment, violence and trouble in Bangkok just don’t concern us.” Arthur is also a member of a local expat group, composed of elderly men, which meets on a regular basis, if only in the local pub. Nobody seemed to disagree strongly with Arthur’s assessment, although one man was disillusioned as his wife had deserted him together with the proceeds of the entire joint bank account.

But we found rather a different reaction in the Pattaya area which is home to perhaps 30,000 expats, mainly European. The general reaction to the report was Pattaya “has changed,” although what that means varies from person to person. Some retirees comment on the phenomenal growth of the city in terms of population and pollution, others are disturbed by the recent influx of Russian and then Chinese visitors, whilst still others maintain that it is becoming increasingly easy to be financially ripped-off here by lovers, business people and the police. Several correspondents gave as evidence the fact that there are fewer western Europeans taking up residence here. Frank Daley, who has lived in Pattaya for 12 years, said, “Most expats living in Pattaya are now in their late 60s or older. They are not being replaced by younger people.”

A particular concern was the cost of healthcare. Whilst all agreed that the quality of healthcare can be as good as back home, the expense of operations in Thailand’s private hospitals can equate with the UK. Frank explained, “It is all very well telling people to obtain medical insurance, but the companies don’t want ageing pensioners for obvious reasons. I know many people who were kicked out of their scheme once they reached 70 or thereabouts or found that the yearly premiums were rising dramatically.” Frank, who is 73, said he dropped out of his international scheme voluntarily after the annual premium rose to more than 500,000 baht. He added that, sooner or later everyone has to become their own insurer.

But not all Pattaya-based expats agreed with that assessment. Bob Mason, 68, said he had moved to Pattaya seven years ago and had never regretted it. “I bought a house on the Dark Side because property prices there are much cheaper than in the city. I enjoy playing golf twice a week and spend most evenings meeting other expats in the local pubs. There are some excellent restaurants in East Pattaya (the Dark Side beyond the railway line) and they are great value for money.” He added that he deliberately had not sought a Thai partner, thus avoiding the fate which has befallen some expats. “As regards health matters, I joined the recently-opened Pattaya City Hospital on Soi Buakhao and have no complaints whatever about their services and charges.”

Perhaps the basic lesson for expat pensioners living anywhere in Thailand is to live, partly at least, in a bubble. As retired British embassy officer Barry Kenyon wrote in his book Honorary Consul Pattaya, “The best advice is to live within your means and to mind your own business. Don’t flout the law and get mixed up with the Thai law courts. Be very careful about whom you trust, Thai or farang, and don’t believe everything you hear in the local pub.”

Is Pattaya the Tops? | Pattaya Today Newspaper

They didn't interview LT or Piwiannoy then?

“

The best advice is to live within your means and to mind your own business. Don’t flout the law and get mixed up with the Thai law courts. Be very careful about whom you trust, Thai or farang, and don’t believe everything you hear in the local pub.”

and that, in essence is the recipe for a stress free, trouble free and happy life here.

favourable tax rates

Pffffft!

Originally Posted by taxexile

“

The best advice is to live within your means and to mind your own business. Don’t flout the law and get mixed up with the Thai law courts. Be very careful about whom you trust, Thai or farang, and don’t believe everything you hear in the local pub.”

and that, in essence is the recipe for a stress free, trouble free and happy life here.

...well, to be fair, I do think those points would apply to pretty much anywhere.

No shit,Sherlock.

Frank Daly says that younger x pats are not replacing older x pats.
Never knew that was an issue.

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

Nobody seemed to disagree strongly with Arthur’s assessment, although one man was disillusioned as his wife had deserted him together with the proceeds of the entire joint bank account.

There's always one...

Originally Posted by Neo

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

Nobody seemed to disagree strongly with Arthur’s assessment, although one man was disillusioned as his wife had deserted him together with the proceeds of the entire joint bank account.

There's always one...

No different in the West,

When you have a joint bank account Bankruptcy is only ever 1 good fight away.

^^But in Thailand they do it in style and it's hilarious

In the west the idiots get sympathy

I settled in Bangkok for the convenience but Pattaya was a close second. It's not as bad as folks make out, depends where you spend your time. I often stay at a friend who lives darkside. Would happily live there. Not sleazy at all.

Last few times in Pattaya, I didn't venture across Sukhumvit except shopping at tesco or foodland I always stay on the darkside anyway, quite far out.

Last time I had a night out around Beach Road or Walking st was 2008, and stayed in the ice bar most of the evening with my cousin, then ate at some seafood place on 2nd Road

I'd rather live in Preston than a stinking open air corrupt brothel like Pattaya.