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It really depends on one's particular circumstances. I live here (Phitsanulok) full time. On one hand costs are cheap - go to the market, food stalls, bread 36 baht a loaf, water 7 to 10 baht a bottle, etc, etc. On the other hand the funds that finance this lifestyle come from Australia, my army super, and so the exchange rate has affected the extras I can buy. When I came her 10 plus years ago I got around 25 baht to the dollar; now it's just over 20, so my slush fund has taken a hit. Having said that, I have no intention of going back. Home is here now, but I do hope for a rise in the Aussie dollar, sooner rather than later.

Still a good place to check the rate of the big exchange houses in Bangkok: http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx And the best place to exchange the USD might not be the best place for the Euro and Pound. TT Exchange in Pattaya usually posts their morning opening rate on Facebook.

That’s the bonus of Katty bar for me, it’s the kind of place I’d normally like to hang out in anyway, and the cheaper beer just adds to the experience. In more expensive bars I’d sometimes hesitate about having one more for the road, but at 60B I just drink till moving on calls.

Thai Ladyboys rule supreme. I love to see the vides where ladyboys are fucking and getting fucked with same guy. Mutual fucking is the new high in my sexual preference. BUT I am not gay

I one again have to draw the distinction between those of us that are and are not in a permanent relation ship with a LB. I will likely go to Katty Bar a number of times during the up coming trip. But I don't go because the beer is 60 baht. But in cheap charlie mode KINK is a rare example of a GoGo where I actually go that doesn't have a cheap draft. But even KINK is a lot better some nights than others.

Just went to their Facebook page and see that they now have a website. https://ttexchange.com/ This site is usually accurate when I've checked. But I see the closing price on the Super Rich website says 30.12 for the USD while on the other site it's 30.11. Doesn't sound like a big deal but if you are exchanging $5000 it's 50 baht. I do have to exchange big money and will try to find Super Rich or SIA whichever has a better posted rate for that day. I have to go to Bangkok anyway otherwise the approx 250 baht or so difference between Bangkok and Pattaya wouldn't cover the bus fare. Yea, I do realize that some guys would not want to walk a mile to save 50 baht but I think of it as exploring a new part of Bangkok and I like walking around.

One bedroom at 30 square meters?? No thanks.....my couch at Chez Arch here in Queens is a bit bigger than that one in the above pic!!!

The Base sort of seems to have started that trend in Pattaya. A one bedroom is 30 sq m. This is the living room:

I guess some people have a problem with Nidcha but I go in from time to time. Katty Bar is a better place to just hang out IMO. I can go alone and likely end up chatting with some other guys. Nidcha, just for drinking, is probably better done with a group of guys. Last trip I did end up getting a few crazy/weird Russians on the baht buses coming back to Pattaya late night from Jomtien. Makes the trip home a bit less enjoyable on occasion. The USD, on the street, is still barely hanging in above 30. I've seen below 30 on the street before (first time 2008). But that is nothing compared to the mess the ₤ and € are in at the moment. I guess the dollar would have to be down around 25 for me to feel that pain.

Talking to some guys on the ground it seems guys are moving away from bars somewhat as the place to hook up with ladyboys and instead go to massage and Thai Friendly Not that this is an overnight occurence but it does seem with every passing year there is greater reluctance to pay for ladydrinks and barfines especially if one just wants sex and doesn't really enjoy drinking at bars. I'm out of the game but guys seem quite pleased with Zaza Massage! http://www.ladyboyreview.com/index.php?/topic/7347-zaza-massage-pattaya/

Some of these "one bedroom" units are little more than chopped up studios. I had a look at a very nice, new building recently and the rooms were sooooooo tiny. It was a no go for me living there. The "living room" couldnt even fit my couch. That would be a major stumbling block for a possible Chez Archie. BTW this building was on Bangkok but about 20-30 km from the main "downtown" areas. The MRT reaches out there and theres a more laid back vibe to it......

Sadly I think it's a sign of the times , there have been and are many bars and massage shops closing . It's a combination of lack of customers per establishment and ridiculous rents landlords are now charging and most are now getting hit with key money + rent and you do need a gimmick/ drawcard to get the customer in and with the strong baht does not help . I do wish all businesses the best and hope this next few months will help with customer flow .