What are the pros and cons of moving to Pattaya and what visa options are available for long-term residency?

OA visa from your own Country can get 2 yrs out of it no money in a Thai bank.It will make or break you.

One Con is that Pattaya stinks of cum and you will be surrounded by LBH.

Rent for a year get a feel for what you like. There are different neighborhoods here and each have their own characteristics.

Foreigners can not own land but they can kinda own the company that owns the land. They can also lease the land for 20 or 30 years (I am not sure how long).

We have Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya which is foreign friendly. I am not sure I would choose that place for serious medical treatment (cancer, major surgery) but it's plenty modern for most medical needs, most doctors speak English.

The heart of Pattaya is party central, the further you get away from that the nicer things become.

Please get it real rent . Fools rush in were angels fear to tread .

I am sure you meant to say 'tia - or thanks' at the end.. 🙄

Thank you for your help and support

Hi Bertie. Depending on your age and criteria you may be eligible for an ltr visa which is by far the best visa to have if you qualify.

I would get in touch with baan Thai immigration solutions visa agent in Bangkok and speak to mark and tell him Neil asked you to get in touch and his team after you google and see if you fulfill the criteria.

The 2 main hospitals down there are Bangkok hospital and memorial both very good. Don’t forget Bangkok is only 2 hours away should you decide to choose one of the ones there like bumrungrad etc

As for health insurance providers dm me and I can help you as not all of the insurers deal with all the hospitals down there as direct reimbursement, I’m an independent financial adviser with 25 years uk experience and can help you with all that do not go to a tied brokerage who can sell a few.

Correct with the buying of a condo and not a villa it’s down to owning the land which you have to be either Thai national or have citizenship after permanent residency.

Advice for Thai nationals ?

I just retired from the Chicago Public School District Teacher’s and my plan is to move to Thailand 🇹🇭 permanently

I think I’ll be marrying to my fiancé in Thailand in November

We began dating a year

If you are 50 years of age or older, you might consider a one year Non-O based on retirement.

Before investing you should try to stay a long period in Thailand, since the dreamscenario based on a few weeks holiday, may be far from what everyday life is.

The only visa you might be able to get based on buying a condo is the investment visa. That requires something like 10 million invested and they have to be approved by the BOI first. You might be able to get a visa but you certainly won't get residency.