Inspire Property Magazine October Issue

THE FUTURE OF PATTAYA? We have seen global recessions, military coups, exchange rate crashes and so on and Pattaya has been hit each time with falling tourism and a decline in the traditional aging expat base upon which was it’s foundation; but it has shown resilience each time to bounce back. The optimist among us would point to this and expect Pattaya to once again come good, but what if it doesn’t?

Arguably the emergence of the Russian market some six years ago was the pivot that ensured tourists continued to visit Pattaya in numbers, they were – many would say – the saviors for Pattaya.

Golf too, albeit to a lesser extent, has ensured a steady flow of a more affluent tourist; it was only 2012 that Pattaya won golfing destination of Asia and Australasia by the leading golf association IAGTO.

Tourism set to plummet this high season?

We can expect numbers to be light at the moment, but as we count down the days until high season there is real nervousness that numbers will be dramatically down due to recent political unrest. One leading hotelier in Pattaya has already confided to Inspire that this high season will be a disaster with bookings nothing near what they should be. Indeed the number one real estate company in Russia for Thailand property sales has stated interest in Pattaya properties has massively cooled versus the last three year comparable.

Recent political sanctions in Russia are also likely to make many average Russians nervous of spending out on expensive holidays this year as recent interest rates are sure to hit mortgage repayments. If they are to cut back it will be on their holiday to Thailand and not the cheaper trip to Egypt or Turkey.

Short Term Expats No More With the new visa restrictions in place it has been made increasingly difficult – although not impossible – for non-work permit holders or retirees to spend a lengthier time in this country. This will also impact local business serving these customer groups. It is understandable why this has been implemented; in an effort to stop non-work permit holders from working illegally.

Pattaya Reputation Pattaya has always struggled with it’s reputation and the world’s media are always too eager to report on the seedier aspect. When I researched this article online so many articles write about the Russian influx of tourists stating ‘...They arrive seemingly unaware of the seedier side to Pattaya...’ - Can Pattaya ever get rid of this image and attract a different tourist demographic when there is so many other tourist destination choices? If other groups decline, such as the Russians or expat segments, who will then fill the void?

The Future?

Pattaya has a reputation for being resilient and in having bounce-back-ability, and with recent developments like the two water parks you would be foolish to suggest Pattaya has had it’s day. With the golf, hotels, acceptable beaches, nightlife, restaurants and attractions there is on offer here for tourists to enjoy from all over the globe. Still there is no denying Pattaya needs be at it’s very best yet again to keep on fighting and pulling in consumers world over. Let the battle begin...

The Changing face o f PAT TAYA 50 years ago Pattaya was a simple fishing village with very few buildings and people compared to the city we know today. The Vietnam War brought many American troops and sailors to the area and the need for R & R facilities grew. Many Thai people from Issan and other poor areas of Thailand began to migrate to Pattaya in order to earn better money from the soldiers and sailors taking a break here. Marine Disco on walking street gets it’s name from the visiting US Marines that they used to entertain back in the day. So Pattaya steadily became the number one South East Asian location for sex tourism.

Pattaya has rapidly developed since the 1960’s and in recent times there has been a major shift in the type of tourist and ex pat visiting the city. Many 5 star hotels, restaurants and family orientated attractions have been and are being developed here and the local and national authorities are keen to clean up the cities sleazy reputation. The NCPO, together with the recently appointed Government in Thailand, have already begun cleaning up Phuket and Hua Hin and have removed many illegal vendors and properties on the beaches. They have also addressed issues with overpriced taxi services in Phuket and corruption. The Govern-

ment, together with the NCPO, aim to deal with all corruption in Thailand. This is a major undertaking and will take time, however, in the long run it is a worthy pursuit, but will inevitably affect many people in the transitional period.

Pattaya is next on the list for cleaning up. The newly appointed Pattaya Chief of Police has made it his mission to rid Pattaya of prostitution, crime and corruption. The local authorities are currently starting to implement regulations and laws that have been set in place. What does this all mean for Walking Street and the infamous Soi 6 and so on?

Well, the beach side properties of Walking Street are technically illegal. All these bars, clubs, restaurants and A-Go-Go’s have been built on public beach land owned by the Kingdom. Such properties are already being removed in Phuket and Hua Hin, but Walking Street is a multi-billion Baht street, to remove all the illegal properties would be catastrophic to local tourism and trade. But, if Pattaya is to clean up its sleazy name then at least the sex shows and A-Go-Go bars will need to be removed or re-located. Bangkok cleaned up it’s act many years ago and now there are only 3 main relatively small areas where you can visit A-Go-Go’s.

5 years from now Pattaya will almost certainly be a much more family orientated city. It will be almost impossible to eradicate the sex trade from the area completely, so relocating to more discreet areas of the city away from the beach makes sense. If you own a club or shares in a club on the beach side of Walking Street, Beach Road, Soi 6, Soi 7 and Soi 8, it could be a good time to sell up. Alternatively, hold fast and in a couple of years it will be business as usual…However, this recent coup and military take-over has brought sweeping changes to Thailand and the authorities are currently not relaxing their plans to clean up corruption and all illegal businesses.

If you are the kind of guy who enjoys the night life and all Pattaya has to currently offer, now is a good time to visit before it becomes a thing of the past….Maybe!

Inspire team up with CEA Race Team Inspire was delighted to have recently signed an agreement to sponsor the CEA Race Team, last years winners of the Thailand Pro Racing Series, designed to further cement our position as market leaders within the events based media business in Thailand.

What can be better than seeing the Inspire branding on the front of a racecar that has a record of leading out in front?

The CEA race team is the only team based in Pattaya and has a very healthy following from both Thai’s and expats – not surprisingly really as their lead race driver Thomas Raldorf is considered one of the best drivers competing here in Thailand.

“The Inspire association with the CEA Race Team mixed among the glamour, speed and passion that comes with competitive racing was a perfect match for the Inspire brand that is built on energy, events and it’s competitive differential to its competitors” Dan Cheeseman, co-founder and director of Inspire, explained.

If you would like to keep up to date with how the team is performing you can visit the Inspire Pattaya website (inspirepattaya.com) or App (inspire-emagazine), alternatively you can follow the race driver, Thomas, via Facebook on ThomasRaldorf-Fan-Club, which already has over 11,000 fans following him.

SOCIAL GOLF If you are new to golf or indeed have always enjoyed swinging a golf club you will be pleased to know in Pattaya this is a massive social experience. You are not only spoiled with the huge number of courses and styles, but the options to play golf with different golf societies.

The largest golf association for expats is Pattaya Sports Club. Founded in 1979, the club is registered as a non-profit organisation in Thailand and features dozens of amateur sporting events each month, with the largest being their golfing division. Do visit their office 3/197 Pattaya 3rd Road or give them a ring on +66 (0) 38361167 for more information on how they can help you get the best golfing rates, support your golfing handicap and with any golf days they organise.

If you like friendly competition golf then maybe the Pattaya Amateur Golf Series (PAGS) is for you. To quote their mission statement ‘We aim to provide participants with the best value golfing and social experience on the Eastern Seaboard.’.

They play the last Wednesday of every month and attract a lot of women golfers too and especially social golfers that only play once a month.In this context, they hope that all participants (and their non-golfing partners) will choose to attend the post-PAGS BBQ at Shenanigans, Jomtien – 7pm onwards. This participation is particularly desirous for all prizewinners – overall and novelty. Prize presentation is usually around 8pm. Come along – it’s fun and there’s also an attractive lucky draw for all non-prize winners. For more information you can ring them on 0859 459 689.

So, maybe it is time to dust those golf clubs down and get out and enjoy not just a wonderful game of golf but the company from one of the many expat golfers in this town.

FOR THE BIGGEST GLOBAL DJ NAMES THERE IS ONLY ONE CLUB! For that big night out, whether that be with your partner, on your own or with your business, then Lima Lima nightclub is the essential destination in Walking Street, Bali Hai. Lima Lima attracts the very best worldwide DJ’s from Boy George, DJ Aoiki, Tiesto and Bob Sinclair; and covers the very best in house and hip hop from two designated areas in this immense club.

The club prides itself on delivering first class customer experience and all their staff will serve and greet you in a friendly manner. They boast VIP parking and plenty of parking for all. If you want a free VIP mini-bus - with some terms and conditions - then make a reservation by ringing the club on 083 983 8984. Like wise if you want to host a VIP party they have an area which holds in excess of 150 guests available for you, with full catering available too.

So, what are you waiting for. Head to Lima Lima and see for yourself how phenomenal this clubbing experience is.

Botox for Wrinkles Botox, a simple, non-surgical procedure that can dramatically reduce even your toughest wrinkles within days, is extremely popular nowadays because it is simple to perform and consistently achieves good results.

In Nicha Clinic on Second Road, Pattaya, Inspire has found an excellent clinic devoted to customer care, correct treatments for each customer, and they use only the highest quality products; and so if you have considered Botox or would like to know more we suggest you try Nicha Clinic. Could Botox be that simple treatment that you have been looking for to make your appearance look that subtle bit younger?

What is Botox?

Botox is a purified, natural protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating a smooth, more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. It’s a remarkably simple procedure that offers instant results and a more younger you!

How does Botox works?

When the toxin is injected into the muscle, it works to block the nerve impulses, temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles. Once the muscles are relaxed, you cannot contract them, so the lines gradually smoothen out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming. Botox will not “freeze” your facial expressions, it merely softens them, and because it works on specific areas other muscles like those used to raise the eyebrows are not affected, so a natural expression is maintained.

What is the treatment like?

The doctor will determine where to administer the injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. The location, size, and use of the muscle that create a furrowed brow vary markedly among individuals. Botox is then injected with a very tiny needle. The injected Botox attaches itself to nerve endings. Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine, causing the muscle to become relaxed.

Property Surveys & Inspections Something that has always amazed me since I arrived in Thailand is that there are no legal requirements or obligations of property inspections on new or second hand properties. If you are like me, a British expat, you will know that it’s compulsory when you are buying or selling a property a building survey is required. This survey is usually carried out by the lenders, or mortgage provider.

What many buyers and sellers don’t realise, is that this survey is an inspection to establish the value of the property. This survey doesn’t tell the buyer

if there are any defects or structural problems with the house. There are 3 types of report the surveyors can carry out on properties, the first a valuation (most common) and then a buyers report. This is the report the lender will usually ask for if the building is more than 10 years old. The third is a full structural survey, which is left to the buyer’s discretion, if they wish to obtain from the surveyor.

It may surprise you to know that one in five homes that a surveyor inspects will have major faults.

Over the years we have been approached on numerous occasions by Real Estate agents and buyers throughout Pattaya asking if we can carry out a property inspection and provide a ‘Property Survey’. The majority of the properties have been the ‘older’ type of houses rather than condos and new builds. We try to recommend to all buyers on any property in Thailand to think about having an inspection carried out before purchasing. Buying a home is probably the biggest investment we all make in our lifetime, so why not spend a minimal amount to make sure what you are looking to purchase is ‘sound and secure’.

Whether the house is new or old, you should determine if the property has been constructed to the correct specifications. Common faults are the electrics. Most of the older developments, and many newer ones don’t have an earth to the electrical supply and this is highly dangerous. Other areas of concern that should always be considered are the actual structure of the property itself, making sure columns and beams are to the correct sizes, making sure they have sufficient concrete cover on the steel, and most importantly, making sure they have been formed and the concrete vibrated enough to make sure the structure is solid and without air pockets. Insect infection, such as termites, which are common place, can be a nuisance and any wood structure can be at risk.

The roof structure of houses in Thailand which is prone to such fierce tropical weather conditions can sometimes be a concern, as well as common grounds for signs of subsidence.

We have even been asked to carry out inspections on brand new properties, including condos and houses. Many buyers have come to us at the time of their property being completed by the developer and asked for a completion survey. In many cases it has been found that the finishing details of many properties to be insufficient. In con-

struction terms we call this a ‘snag list’. If you are a buyer and you have no construction experience (again it costs a minimal amount compared to the cost of purchasing a home) to have a professional inspect the property at the time of completion. You as the buyer can then present the snag list to the developer so they in turn can rectify any defects or mistakes.

If you are considering having a house built here in Thailand by a local developer or even a local Thai contractor, it should be recommended to seek the services of an independent surveyor to carry out routine inspections throughout the build time.

There are a number of companies in the local area that provide these services. The surveyor can provide you the buyer with on-site inspection report from each visit and can then outline any concerns of faults he can see during the construction of any property.

The costs of these surveys can vary and are usually determined by the size of the property and the age, if they are secondhand. To give an example a single or double storey house will cost around 1,000 THB per square meter to have a full inspection on a completed house. If the house was new the fees tend to be a little less. For an inspection throughout the construction of the house the price is determined by many factors, such as location, size, the number of site visits, the projected build time, etc.. If you are requiring this type of service it is recommended to contact a local contractor and ask for advice.

Chez Yvette Having lived on the Eastside of Sukhumvit Road for some 7 years now, we have seen an abundance of establishments arise to cater for the ever increasing numbers of Expats. Pattaya is moving away from the ‘Sin City’ image quicker than you think and this has been noticeable from the number of foreign families moving to our shores.

The nightlife tourist will always be here but the high end, lower cost lifestyle of Pattaya is making this a very attractive spot for many more walks of life now.

Family friendly restaurants and venues are now becoming ever more popular. Since becoming a family man myself some 6 years ago, you strive to find that spot where the kids can run free and enjoy themselves and the parents can relax. Chez Yvette located in a quiet and tranquil spot within the grounds of the Holland Tulip Resort is just that. Designed and built to give the feeling of a Spanish Colonial Resort, you really wouldn’t know you was in Pattaya let alone Thailand.

somewhat Spanish, Latin atmosphere that makes you want to stay and relax all day. There is a large swimming pool for the kids to play in and yes theres a separate kids pool for the smaller ones.

With the raised veranda over looking the pool the parents can sit, relax and let the kids play without spoiling the other diners time.

Having been in Thailand since 2003, Jeremy explains that his Grandmother always dreamed of her own restaurant, but never quite managed to get fulfill her dream.

Having studied and obtained a degree in France in hospitality management, Jeremy went on to work in the bakery trade for a company named Tradibake for a number of years.

So now the story continues and Chez Yvette is one of only a select handful of places I feel you can say are family friendly in Pattaya’s Eastside. With the atmosphere, the pool for the kids, the amazing food which we mustn’t forget and the friendly staff that are very attentive and work hard. Prices are Chez Yvette is the inspiration of very attractive and there is a kids Jeremy and his wife Jit. Having menu which even allows free food hailed from France but raised by for those under 7 years old. his Spanish Grandmother Yvette, this is the final part in a long chap- To find Chez Yvette you will find ter of his life to bring his love for Holland Tulip Resort between Soi food to the local expats, families Siam Country Club and Soi Neun and couples of East Pattaya. With Plab Whan. Turn right at the cross a predominantly Western Menu roads off Soi Siam Country Club but also including Thai food and and take the first right. The resort a large array of very well priced is just a few hundred meters down wines, Chez Yvette provides a the road. Bon Appetite!!!