@Mma ******

thanks Mma, we're going to give it a whirl with the hotels for a bit to see how it plays out. I've budgeted that amount and very comfortable with that budget. I'm not swinging for the fences, its just that in north america $3K to $4K was standard for monthly expenses so if I can get it for less then for sure I'll try hard to negotate with the hotel for a bit more money off the monthly rate. But its high season now so I doubt most will budge.

@Maxim **********

no troll post here Maxim, I have friends and colleagues in Thailand who spend more than that a month on rent, food, going out every other night. I'm a family man so the family wants to stay around terminal 21, the supermarkets, lots of street food and cheap so I have to keep them happy.

Myself I could care less about that stuff, I'm looking at the beachfront, swimming and working out. I worked hard so I like to relax in the sunshine. Sorry if you don't agree, to each their own. I've heard from lots of people that Thailand can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be, it all depends on what you want to spend. Be well.

@Martin ********

yea my visa agent is in Pattaya and a good one. the hotel is going to write a letter to immigration and will do my reporting for me. when it comes to "money to burn" its not like that.

I work hard for my money and have for a long time.

The family wants to be around all the amenities like terminal 21 to walk through every other day, they want the markets like big C, lotus, tons of street food in the area for like 20 to 30baht so can't beat that.

We have yet to eat in an actual restaurant and really do not plan to, the food is cheap everywhere we go outside and in soho market etc etc etc.

@Phil *****

entire family wants to be around terminal 21 for the amenities, Big C, Lotus, Beachfront, I'm indifferent I just want beachfront ocean view but the family wants to be around those tourist type amenities. If there were a terminal 21 in every city along with those type of stuff the family is looking for it would be easier to relocate.