Tough times Thailand
Tough times Thailand 2019 on two fronts, first we have Thai immigration making it more difficult for expats to live in this wonderful country, secondly the exchange rate for Thai Baht to the Aussie dollar (and other currencies) is hitting rock bottom.
The following 2 charts will highlight the situation.
This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history.
This photo blog covers from July 1st to December 31, for the first 6 months of 2019 please go to THIS LINK.
Australian $ to Thai Baht
In 2012 there was 33 Baht to the dollar, today it’s 21.
Australian term deposit rates
In 2012 they were over 5%, today it’s a miserable 1.5%.
Rising costs for food etc
Five years ago in 2014 this selection cost $72 AUD, today it would be $98 Aud, one of the reasons Thailand has become less attractive for expats.
Life is still very good in Thailand
Just ask my good friend Hamish, he hasn’t a care in the world. 🙂
Coffee at the Holiday Inn
Most afternoons I tear myself away from the computer & enjoy an afternoon coffee.
A small tip for a little lady
I often give this nice lady a B20 tip when I see her of a morning sweeping the road at Terminal 21, it’s just under $1 AUD. She gets so excited you would think it’s 200. 
I’m guessing they don’t get paid too much.
Love watching the storms roll in
So exciting when the storms roll in over Pattaya Bay.
There’s nothing like a September sunset.
I was sipping a red wine at the Holiday Inn watching this magnificent sunset.
Soi 1 demolish a small hotel.
Right next to Markland condo where I live.
Aussie guys at Atlantic bar
Doug Burrows, Bill Perry, David Herd, Brian Rawnsley & Shane Andrews. Shane is here for some major dental work which is around 1/3 of the cost in Australia.
Fusillo Italian restaurant
A nice evening with Matt Harkness & is girlfriend Bow.
Spaghetti seafood
Fusillo is in Naklua Rd, what a great looking dish.
Pattaya sunset
From floor 22 in Markland. For more magnificent sunsets follow THIS LINK.
A super cloud
This was 8 am on the morning of October 13, the previous shot was 6.15 pm the same day.
Halloween
Lola, Nina & Lucky playing trick or treat. I anticipated the visit & stocked up on lollies etc.
The boys from Oz
Shane Andrews, Bill Perry & Greg Caldwell were here for some major dental work. According to Greg he paid 55,000 Baht or $2650 AUD for 1 x Implant – 1 x Root canal – 2 x removals and a complete clean which took 2 hours’ in the chair.
Holly’s coffee at Terminal 21.
helping me maintain my 112 kilos.
Tough times Thailand with high levels of pollution in Pattaya
The unhealthy haze from farmers burning their crops in Thailand & neighboring countries.
Thailand is the least miserable country
Australia comes in at 54th. 🙂
Let’s talk about convenience, I often wonder what it would be like living in Australia again. I ask my friends on the Gold Coast to imagine if they could walk from their home to Robina Town Centre, Southport Park & Pacific Fair in less than 12 minutes? How convenient would that be?
Well folks, that’s what I can do in Pattaya, add to that the 6 five star hotels also within 12 minutes of where I live. All with terrific restaurants & coffee shops.
Plus I have a 24 hour supermarket, chemist & The Coffee Club on the ground floor of the condo where I live on the 20th floor with a view to die for. I probably should mention the 200+ restaurants & food courts also within 10 minutes walk.
Convenience folks, are you getting the picture? 🙂
The burning question is, could I be happy living in Australia again?
Cruise ship visits Pattaya
December 7 & a cruise liner anchors in Pattaya Bay.
Lets’s do the crocodile rock. 🙂
Crocodile on the spit at Central Marina.
The Peak at the Dusit Thani
I’m with my brother Warren enjoying the best Dim Sum in Pattaya, sadly the Peak is closing on December 8.
Oyster night
I brought 4 dozen French & Irish oysters from El Mercado in Bangkok home to Pattaya. My good friend Hamish Elton was in charge of shucking.
Tough times Thailand
It was such a good night I would like to make it a regular event.
A typical Thai street scene
Thai people really love their street food.
Beautiful morning on Pattaya Beach.
This is what I see on my morning walk along Beach Road.
Healthy lunch at Central Festival food hall.
They have doubled the size of the food hall, see much more on THIS LINK.
Central Marina food park
These are the best teriyaki chicken or pork skewers in Pattaya.
Soi pups
Four of these little guys live next to Markland, I have been giving them food most days.
The old Mantra site
Not sure what we can expect here, but I think there will be a restaurant & a cafe.
Xmas day
Hamish & May are moving into a lovely house in Jomtien.
Xmas dinner
A terrific meal at Harlan’s to celebrate Xmas.
Brad, poor & cousin Glen
We took a Sunday drive to check out the monkeys at Bangsaen.
Lots of people feed them bananas
They will crawl all over your car looking for food.
Asparagus & salmon sashimi
Great value fro Foodland at Terminal 21.
Breathtaking view
From my Markland balcony.
Glenn Frey will tell you how I feel.
Counter only started June 16 2020.
