In a remote area midway between Bangkok and Pattaya something special is happening. Kids as young as twelve-years-old are slowly being shaped into the soccer stars of the future, and two of them will eventually play for Arsenal.

THE rapid and dramatic transformation of Bang Saray from sleepy fishing village a few kilometres south of Pattaya into a major tourist resort moves a step closer with the launch of Beaches, a huge residential and hotel complex, complete with water theme park, man-made beaches, villas, restaurants and a kilometer-long shopping mall.

ASK members of Bangkok’s sizeable expatriate community whether they would swap the Thai capital for a new life in Zurich, Helsinki or Vienna and the vast majority would almost certainly respond with a resounding ‘no.’

They’d probably also reject an offer to move to Berlin or Montreal. Even the prospect of living in Copenhagen is unlikely to excite many expats here.

And yet the Danish capital has been voted the world’s top city for quality of life by monocle, a British publication set up 18 months ago by Tyler Brule, the founder of Wallpaper magazine.

Pattaya has an ability to offer a host of international sports and leisure activities, combined with all the conveniences of a modern and cosmopolitan city is attracting investors sold on the tropical lifestyle of this great destination.

A visa is fundamentally a document affixed into the passport issued to a foreigner by the Thai government allowing a foreigner to travel to the Kingdom and a granted permission to stay for a certain period of time. Visas can only be obtained outside of the Kingdom from a Royal Thai Embassy consulate. A visa has a validity period which denotes the period within which the visa may be used to apply for entry. The validity period is NOT the length of time you will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom.

There are many worthy causes in Pattaya, and the Mercy Center located in Soi Nong Yai, Soi 8 is a prime example.

Most foreigners working in Thailand are well aware that they need a visa and work permit to stay and work in the country. Yet, they find the law and regulations rather complicated and difficult to comprehend, especially with immigration rules dramatically evolving in the past few years and posing a challenge to the status of many expatriates.

As of this year, Thailand’s Bangkok Bank has begun offering mortgage loans to foreigners living and working in Thailand who want to buy residential property. However, because commercial banks in Thailand are not permitted to offer loans to foreigners directly, potential homeowners must apply for a mortgage loan via Bangkok Bank’s branch office in Singapore. Borrowers can obtain financing of up to 70 percent of the property’s appraised value with a limit of S$1 million (about US$592,000).

It feels like a case of déjà vu. Here I am in 2008 writing an article again about new property tax cuts. It wasn’t that long ago when the same tax cuts were in place to support the recovery of the real estate sector following the 1997 economic crisis.

The developers behind the Ocean’s Edge condominium project near Pattaya revealed that they have signed a construction finance contract with Kiatnakin Bank PLC which will cover the development of all of the project’s remaining phases.

How tolerant Thailand became the guy tourism capital of Asia

“Travel broadens the mind.” This truism applies not only to the tourist, but also the host country.

Visitors naturally feel most comfortable where their hosts are welcoming and tolerant. Few nations have been as historically open to others as the Thais. That’s why in a polarizing world, easy going Thailand proves so popular with Arabs and Israelis, traditionalists and hedonists, straights and gays. Thailand got its hug gay visitor-base without even trying, through word-of-mouth, private enterprise and by just being itself.

Asian property markets weathered last year's global financial storm triggered by the sub-prime fiasco in the US and are expected to perform well this year, says Jones Lang LaSalle.

Being English (and sometimes proud of it) I am always amazed to see how the Thai people react to celebrating under the hot sun, fuelled with alcohol and throwing gallons of iced water at each other…they laugh, joke and Wai each other with respect…imagine thousands of young people in an English town on a hot bank holiday Monday (a contradiction in terms) full of whisky and throwing water at each other…how long would it be before the police had to break up the riot?

Rental, operations and financial leasing, factoring will be allowed to have majority foreign ownership.

Four additional restricted businesses - rental, operations leasing, financial leasing and factoring - will be made more open to foreign ownership this week.

"For these four businesses, it will be easier to hold more than 50 per cent in the company," Kanissorn Navanugraha, director-general of the Business Development Department, said last week.

Koh Larn is a wonderful little island in the Gulf of Thailand, located about 7km off the coast of Pattaya Beach of which is about two hours drive south of Bangkok.

Ratchadamnoen to get B7bn 'cultural' revamp.
The government has decided to revive the ''Ratchadamnoen-Champs Elysee'' plan under a seven-billion-baht scheme to overhaul the landmark avenue in the inner Rattanakosin area. A government source said the cabinet yesterday approved the establishment of a public organisation to oversee the scheme which was first launched in 2001 by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra before being buried after the coup in September 2006. The initial budget, proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), was 13 billion baht.

New Act puts tighter controls on escrow transactions.

The Escrow Act of 2008 came into effect on May 21, establishing laws governing the escrow business in Thailand.

In an agreement to purchase and to sell immovable property, or any such reciprocal contract, one party will have an obligation to transfer or deliver assets or documents to another party and the other party will be obligated to pay the first party.

A perfect end to the week…or for some a perfect start to the week…Sunday brunch at Casa Pascal restaurant in the heart of Pattaya, close to the Royal Garden and The Avenues shopping malls…but just far enough away…

Advance booking is essential…how unfortunate to see those inquisitive diners respectfully turned away while you tuck into your terrine du canard.

Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee on Thursday voiced confidence that business in the property sector would grow markedly in the second half of this year after measures issued to stimulate the sector take effect.

Speaking after presiding over the opening of the 18th House and Condo Fair exhibition, he said the property sector is considered a key area of focus for jump starting the economy.

There is always something going on somewhere in Pattaya that is how dynamic this part of the Eastern Seaboard is.

For one, shopping has become a major workout for Pattaya quests. Walking through streets and bargaining endlessly seem like a good cardio-activity and this is a common sight in the busy shopping areas.