Relocating to Pattaya making it happen!
Every year, thousands of folks of all ages, from all over the world, pack their bags and set off for a long awaited vacation in Thailand, which happens to be my home now. They stay for just a couple of weeks or up to perhaps 3 months, before reluctantly booking their flight home, and for many, this is sometimes their 20th or 30th yearly trip!
And, like myself, thousands of these vacationers have spent a great deal of time and effort, trying to work out how they can live in Thailand permanently, and this first section in our Relocate to Pattaya series, is an attempt to explain why you too should perhaps consider life in the Land of Smiles.
Although much of the information in this series can be applied to all of Thailand, most of our Club Members live in Pattaya, or are hoping to move here soon, and the information presented here is mainly as a result of our work with the Pattaya Expats Club.
My name is Pete and I am one of the founders of the Pattaya Expats Club, which is dedicated to all of us expats enjoying the good life in Pattaya, and those of you across the world that would like to join us here.
The Pattaya Expats Club is all about expats helping expats and all Nationalities are welcome. Whatever your question or problem, you can be sure there is another expat in the Club who has “been there, done that”. New friends who are ready to share their experience and expertise on anything and everything to make your stay in Pattaya more enjoyable. Free assistance on one year Visas, medical insurance, home buying etc., so find out the facts BEFORE you make an expensive mistake.
So what better group to explain to you why they wake up each morning with a smile on their face, happy to live in this beautiful corner of the world. We have in excess of 10,000 expats living in Pattaya, and all of us have a different story to tell, but I have tried to distil the experience of many of our members to explain the magic of living in Pattaya, so here goes:
If you are middle aged, or older, you can be sure that living in Pattaya will knock at least 10 years off your age, and probably 30 years off your attitude to life. You truly will start thinking like you did as a young man or woman, full of anticipation in each new day, and happy to be alive.
Need some proof of this? Just spend a few days in Pattaya and try to explain the smile of contentment on the faces of expats young and old.
The magic is in the people of Thailand, and particularly in the friendliness of the young Thai women. Where else in the world would a 70 year old be greeted by a friendly smile from a beautiful and graceful Thai girl as you walk along Beach Road? And that smile is a genuine expression of her happiness that you are visiting her country ?V and you will be walking on air all day!
A cartoon in the Pattaya Mail recently said it quite succinctly:
Before moving to Pattaya: 68 years old, wife died, no job, small pension, lonely, family never come to see me, neighbors do not speak, body aches with rheumatism and arthritis, rain 11 months of the year, high gas, electricity and food bills, savings being gobbled up, crap TV, nobody cares. Just waiting to die.
After the move to Pattaya: 68 years old, widowed, pension, never lonely ?V who cares if the family visits? Neighbors are so friendly, rheumatism and arthritis gone, sunshine all year. Cheap gas, electricity and food bills, savings intact, pension goes farther. TV great, football, movies, no license fees. Best sex in 40 years. Lovely people, thank you God, thank you Thailand.
And here is a similar view from one of our members:
The friendly welcome I always get from Thai people, young and old, rich and poor. A beautiful smile as you pass a stranger in the street that makes you feel on top of the world and happy to be alive in Pattaya.
Beautiful weather, even the rain is warm!
Breathtaking beaches, just take a bike ride down Jomtien Beach Road in the morning.
Low cost of living, you can live like a King on $1,000 a month or less!
Something about the Buddhist religion that seems to help people get along with each other.
The joy of getting to know Thai families and their beautiful and well behaved children. The nice feeling you get when all of the neighbors come to your home to share a meal in the cool evenings.
The relief to be able to live an uncomplicated life without the day to day stress that is just a normal part of life in many Countries.
Delicious food with a fantastic abundance of fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood etc.
Excellent medical care, knowing that the doctors and nurses really care for you as a human being, rather than a calculation about how many dollars you can be charged. No waiting, well trained staff and low, low prices.
Thank you Pattaya, thank you Thailand.
All I can tell you is that young or old, man or woman, rich or poor, fat or thin, healthy or not so healthy, you are missing out on the time of your life if you do not visit Pattaya at least once. But, be careful, odds are that you will fall in love with the place and start to plan full time living here in the Land of Smiles.
Cost of Living
Not only is Pattaya a fun and exciting place to live, but here it is possible to enjoy life very comfortably on well under US$1,000 per month, or about 40,000 baht. This would be enough to rent a comfortable, two bedroom home for yourself and your partner, and take care of all of the essential expenses, and with enough left over to enjoy your leisure time golf for instance or any other sports, and a night on the town every so often etc.
Here are some typical examples of the essentials with low end, moderate and luxurious options. These examples are for a couple, say an American or European etc., with a Thai partner. Everything is in Thai Baht and US$s and the cost is per month. Note that the exchange rate varies somewhat but the baht numbers are exact.
Item Low end Moderate Luxurious
Rent home 4,300 ($100) 10, rich or poor, fat or thin, healthy or not so healthy, you are missing out on the time of your life if you do not visit Pattaya at least once. But, be careful, odds are that you will fall in love with the place and start to plan full time living here in the Land of Smiles.
Cost of Living
Not only is Pattaya a fun and exciting place to live, but here it is possible to enjoy life very comfortably on well under US$1,000 per month, or about 40,000 baht. This would be enough to rent a comfortable, two bedroom home for yourself and your partner, and take care of all of the essential expenses, and with enough left over to enjoy your leisure time golf for instance or any other sports, and a night on the town every so often etc.
Here are some typical examples of the essentials with low end, moderate and luxurious options. These examples are for a couple, say an American or European etc., with a Thai partner. Everything is in Thai Baht and US$s and the cost is per month. Note that the exchange rate varies somewhat but the baht numbers are exact.
Item Low end Moderate Luxurious
Rent home 4,300 ($100) 10,000 ($233) 15,000 ($350)
Electricity 400 ($10) 1,000 ($24) 3,000 ($70)
Cable TV 300 ($7) 300 ($7) 300 ($7)
City water 350 ($8) 430 ($10) 645 ($15)
Drinking water (delivered) 80 ($2) 160 ($4) 250 ($6)
Food (groceries) 2,500 ($58) 4,500 ($105) 8,000 ($186)
Fresh fruit and vegetables 1,000 ($23) 1.500 ($35) 2,500 ($58)
And here are some individual items for comparison with home prices:
Jar of Chivers Marmalade 12oz 86 ($2)
Bottle of HP Sauce 255 grams 90 ($2.10)
Can of premium beer 35 ($0.81)
1 Kilo various fruits in season 30 ($0.70)
Large Pineapple 10 ($0.23)
One Pound of bananas 5 ($0.10)
Local telephone call (unlimited time) 3 ($0.07)
Internet connection (per hour) 8 ($0.19)
And how about eating out?
American Breakfast (Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee) 38 ($0.88)
English Breakfast (Egg, Bacon, Sausage, Fried Bread, Toast, Tea) 70 ($1.65)
Thai lunch (Chicken soup and chicken breast on rice) 30 ($0.70)
American Soup and Salad Bar 90 ($2.10)
Draft Beer (half pint) Happy Hour 30 ($0.70)
Draft Beer regular prices 45 ($1.05)
British Sunday Roast Beef dinner etc 195 ($4.50)
First Class Continental dinner 295 ($6.90)
American Fast Food Chains complete meal) 70 ($1.65)
Ice cream cone 7 ($0.16)
The cost of medical care in Pattaya is very reasonable. Although you do not need a Doctors prescription to purchase antibiotics for instance, there are some excellent drug stores here (including Boots the Chemist of England) where you can get excellent free advice. As an example, a 5 day course of antibiotics would cost about 200 baht or under $5. Boots also provides an excellent value health insurance vacation package (up to one year) for coverage while you are traveling, but you need a UK address. Check out the details at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for this and other options.
There are two or three excellent hospitals in Pattaya, with European or USA trained doctors, and the service here is excellent. As an example I recently had to go to the Emergency Room at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital after a motor cycle accident. I required X-rays to my head and foot (luckily nothing broken a check over by the doctor, dressings on my foot, and several medications for 10 days. Including one follow up visit, the total cost was 1,690 baht or $40!
Earlier in the year I had two moles removed by a specialist in Dermatology there no waiting, excellent care and a total bill of 1,300 baht or $30. Compare that to my experience in the USA where I had planned to have the moles removed. There was a wait of 3 months to see the Dermatologist, a minimum fee of $300 just for him to tell me the moles should be removed and then who knows how much for the actual surgery!
Golfing Pattaya has 18 world class golf clubs in the immediate area and the greens fees vary from 400 to 600 baht (about $10 to $14) for guests during the week, to about 1,000 baht ($23) on the weekend.
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
It is possible to live in Pattaya without learning a single word of the Thai language. Happily, the staff in the hotels, restaurants and shops speak at least a little English, German and French etc., and you will have no difficulty in making yourself understood – especially if you smile a lot!
No doubt too, it will not be very long before you find yourself a companion, a 5 day course of antibiotics would cost about 200 baht or under $5. Boots also provides an excellent value health insurance vacation package (up to one year) for coverage while you are traveling, but you need a UK address. Check out the details at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for this and other options.
There are two or three excellent hospitals in Pattaya, with European or USA trained doctors, and the service here is excellent. As an example I recently had to go to the Emergency Room at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital after a motor cycle accident. I required X-rays to my head and foot (luckily nothing broken a check over by the doctor, dressings on my foot, and several medications for 10 days. Including one follow up visit, the total cost was 1,690 baht or $40!
Earlier in the year I had two moles removed by a specialist in Dermatology there no waiting, excellent care and a total bill of 1,300 baht or $30. Compare that to my experience in the USA where I had planned to have the moles removed. There was a wait of 3 months to see the Dermatologist, a minimum fee of $300 just for him to tell me the moles should be removed and then who knows how much for the actual surgery!
Golfing Pattaya has 18 world class golf clubs in the immediate area and the greens fees vary from 400 to 600 baht (about $10 to $14) for guests during the week, to about 1,000 baht ($23) on the weekend.
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
It is possible to live in Pattaya without learning a single word of the Thai language. Happily, the staff in the hotels, restaurants and shops speak at least a little English, German and French etc., and you will have no difficulty in making yourself understood – especially if you smile a lot!
No doubt too, it will not be very long before you find yourself a companion, and then you will have someone to translate for you when necessary. It is amazing how quickly the young people in Thailand learn your language, and there are several language schools in Pattaya to help them. In fact, for just 50 baht (US$1.25) a month, your Thai girl friend or boy friend can go to school for a couple of hours daily, to learn the language.
It is also true that, no matter how poor you are at learning a new language, you will eventually know enough Thai words to make yourself understood wherever you go in Thailand, just by listening everyday to those around you. Never mind that you are saying the word on a rising note instead of a falling one, eventually you will get it right and your Thai friends will stop giggling every time you open your mouth.
However, there is a great deal of satisfaction in at least being able to speak the language fluently, and being able to understand what others are saying. You will have so much more fun, and doors will be open to you that were previously closed, so why not go ahead, make the effort and get a lifetime of benefits. Who knows? One day you may even be able to write and read in Thai!
There are several choices when it comes to learning the language:
1 Learn from your spouse or friend. Not a great idea because neither of you will put a great deal of effort into the task and also, you may end up speaking the Thai equivalent of a broad cockney accent!
2 Buy one of those computer programs that walks you through the sounds, and even grades your progress. Not a bad way of learning if you can stick to it, but most people I know find it a great effort to sit in front of your monitor for hours on end. Certainly not much fun and soon the attractions of Pattaya will be calling you and the computer disk gathers dust in your drawer.
3 Sign up for some one on one lessons with a professional. The prices are reasonable (100 baht or less for an hour) and you will probably make good progress. I tried this myself for a time, but I found that although I could say the words OK in class, they were all forgotten in an hour! What you really need is practice, practice and more practice, preferably on a small group of words at a time until they are firmly fixed in your head. One other disadvantage of the one on one method, at least from my point of view; I found the lessons somewhat tense as I tried to master some of the more impossible pronunciations.
4. So my favorite way of learning a new language is in a small group of say 4 or 5 friends with a really competent instructor. The lessons are fun as no one minds embarrassing themselves with friends, and as you all start to see progress, there is a real incentive to learn more and more. In fact my son is presently learning Oriental Languages at CSUN, and he has made incredible progress since starting a Japanese social club on campus – so I think this is the way most people learn the best.
As it happens, we have set up a small group learning environment in the Pattaya Expats Club. So the next time you are in Pattaya you are invited to our regular Sunday breakfast meetings, where you can also sign up for your first group learning module, with a great instructor. Details on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com
Visas
One of the more surprising things we have found out, regarding obtaining a one year Visa (with multiple entries is that it is much easier at one of the Honorary Thai Consulate General offices in the USA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and possibly many other Countries. Once you get to Thailand, or the general South East Asia region, it is much more difficult.
These are the options you have for a long term stay in Thailand. Note that the Visas are issued yearly and often you will be required to leave the Country every 3 months. This can be done by making use of the many Visa Run services from Pattaya to Poipet (on the Cambodian border where you would leave at 8am and return home at about 6pm. The cost for the coach trip and the Visa fees is 2,000 baht ($48).
Note that the Thai government has recently increased most Visa charges. Check at the end of this section for the new fee schedule and also log on to www.thaivisa.com for up to the minute visa information.
Option I (recommended)
Before you leave your home Country, contact any Honorary Thai Consulate not the Thai Embassies in the large cities). You can see a list of these Consulates in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com.
These consulates are run normally by citizens of the Country in which they are located, and provide a good service issuing Visas for Thailand. Here you can normally obtain a one year Visa with multiple entry options (allowing you to go in and out of Thailand during that year without having to apply for another Visa). You can ask for an (O) Visa for simply living in Thailand or a (B) Visa which allows you to apply for a Work Permit once you are in Thailand. Again, more complete details on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com. Incidentally, your Visa can be processed by mail at any of these Honorary Consuls.
Option II – Retirement Visa
For this option, first obtain a 90 day Tourist Visa from any Thai Embassy, before you leave your home Country, or in Malaysia or Cambodia if you already are in Thailand. On the internet you can search for the keywords thai embassy for the location nearest to you. Note that this 90 day Visa allows you to enter Thailand during the next 30 days, and to stay in Thailand for a total of 60 days from the date of your arrival. In Pattaya, you can get this extended another 30 days for a payment of 500 baht ($12).
While in Thailand, you then need to apply for a Retirement Visa, but be advised that this is sometimes a frustrating and lengthy process.
These are the regulations posted by at least one Thai Embassy on their web site. Note that even if you are under 50 years of age, our expats can probably suggest some alternatives. If you need additional help or clarification, please attend one of our regular Pattaya Expats Meetings or check out the continually updated Visa Information at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com. To the best of our knowledge, the information on this site is correct but if you have information to the contrary, or feel that there is something we have missed, please let us know at [email protected].
VISA ISSUANCE FOR THE SENIOR AGED 50 YEARS AND ABOVE
(NON-IMMIGRANT VISA CATEGORY “O-A”)
This type of visa will be issued to applicants aged 50 years and above, wishing to take a retreat in the Kingdom for a period of at least one year..
I. QUALIFICATION OF AN APPLICANT
A foreign national whose age is 50 years or above.
Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (A.D.1979).
Having in their possession an amount of money that is not less than 800,000 Baht
or a monthly income of 65,000 Baht, or savings and annual income totaling not less
than 800,000 Baht. For instance, if you have an income of 30,000 baht a month, you would need to show savings of 440,000 baht – 800,000 less (12 times 30,000)
II. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION
A copy of visa application form completely filled out.
Two passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months.
Photocopy of the applicants travel document with validity not less than 18 months.
Financial documents (copy) as stated in I.
III. CHANNELS TO SUBMIT VISA APPLICATION
Applicants can submit their applications both at the Thai consular missions abroad and at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand.
The whole process will take about one to one and a half months.
Option III On Entry Tourist Visa
Enter the Country with no Visa, and you will be allowed to stay for 30 days as a Tourist as long as you are a resident of one of the following Countries:
1. ARGENTINA
2. AUSTRALIA
3. AUSTRIA
4. BAHRAIN
5. BELGIUM
6. BRAZIL
7. BRUNEI
8. CANADA
9. CHILE
10. CYPRUS
11. DENMARK
12. DJIBOUTI
13. EGYPT
14. FIJI
15. FINLAND
16. FRANCE
17. GERMANY
18. GREECE
19. ICELAND
20. INDONESIA 21. IRELAND
22. ISRAEL
23. ITALY
24. JAPAN
25. KENYA
26. KUWAIT
27. KOREA, Republic of
28. LUXEMBOURG
29. MALAYSIA
30. MAURITANIA
31. MEXICO
32. MOROCCO
33. MYANMAR
34. NETHERLANDS
35. NEW ZEALAND
36. NORWAY
37. OMAN
38. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
39. PHILIPPINES
40. PORTUGAL
41. QATAR
42. SAUDI ARABIA
43. SENEGAL
44. SINGAPORE
45. SLOVENIA
46. SOUTH AFRICA
47. SPAIN
48. SWEDEN
49. SWITZERLAND
50. TUNISIA
51. TURKEY
52. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
53. UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
54. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
55. VANUATU
56. WESTERN SAMAO
57. YEMEN
At the end of the 30 days you may apply for an extension (10 days only) at the Pattaya Immigration Office (500 baht)
And these are some other options for a Tourist Visa:
Before leaving your home Country, apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa at the Thai Embassy. Just recently, in Washington, the charge was $15 and it was a requirement to apply on one day and pick it up the next day. This Visa is valid for 2 months from the date of entry to Thailand, and you can obtain a 30 day extension (500 baht) by applying at the Pattaya Immigration Office. You may also apply for a double entry Visa which means you can enter Thailand twice, on the same Visa, allowing you a total of 6 months in the Country 2 months plus one month on the first entry and two plus one on the second entry.
Apply for the same 60 day Tourist Visa (or double entry Visa) in a neighboring Country, such as Cambodia or Malaysia (Penang is probably the least hassle although the Embassy staff in Pnom Phen are also very helpful).
Note that for all of these options you must cross the borders of Thailand to obtain extensions, other than the 10 day or 30 day extension issued by the Pattaya Immigration Office.
Option IV Residence Visa
THAI RESIDENCE
Who can apply?
A foreign National who has been permitted to stay in Thailand for a total of at least 3 years up to the date of the Application for Residency.
What are the Categories under which Residency may be granted?
Investment of a minimum of 10 million baht or,
Employment in Thailand with a salary of at least 80,000 baht per month or,
Relationship with a Thai Citizen wife, husband of at least one year, father, mother or children under 20.
Having a particular expertise, with at least a Bachelor degree and a certification from your Government.
When can you apply?
Normally the applications may be submitted from about the 15th of December (each year) until the end of December. Exact date is announced by the Minister of the Interior.
Where can you apply:
Applications are accepted at Section 1, Sub Division 1, Immigration Division 1, Immigration Bureau (Room 301 Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok.
How much does it cost?
The non refundable application fee is 2,000 baht.
The Residence Permit Fee is 25,000 baht if you have a Thai family and 50,000 baht otherwise.
If you have any questions regarding Visas to Thailand, please contact Pete by e-mail at [email protected]
NEW VISA FEES BEGINNING AUG. 26, please contact Pete by e-mail at [email protected]
NEW VISA FEES BEGINNING AUG. 26, 2003
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised all Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulate Generals to begin charging the new visa rates beginning August 26, 2003.
Transit Visa US$20.00
Tourist Visa US$25.00
Non-Immigrant Visas: Single Entry US$50.00,
1 Year Multiple-Entry US$125.00,
3 Year Multiple-Entry for persons who hold the travel documents of the APEC member countries to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of business US$125.00
There is some indication that the Retirement Visa (O-A) is considered to be an extension of an existing an O Visa. If true, the new fee would be 1,900 baht.
The new Visa fees in Thai Baht are –
Transit visa, single entry 800 baht;
Non-immigrant visa, single entry 1,000 baht;
Non-immigrant visa, multiple entry for use within one year – 5,000 baht;
Application for visa extension – 1,900 baht;
Application for a single re-entry permit 1,000 baht;
Application for a multiple re-entry permit 3,800 baht;
Application for a residence permit – 7,600 baht;
Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) – 191,400 baht; Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) for a foreigner married to a Thai, the spouse of a resident, and any of their children who have not reached the status of a Thai juristic person (i.e., unmarried children aged below 20 years of age) 95,700 baht.
Health Care
As explained in an earlier section in this series health care in Pattaya and the surrounding areas is generally excellent and relatively inexpensive. And perhaps the best way to provide you with the information that you need is to detail the various options open to you.
One word of caution wherever you are treated (pharmacy, clinic, hospital etc.) there seems to be a general tendency to over prescribe prescription drugs. Often a simple sore throat or fever will result in you taking home four or five different medications, so use common sense in limiting the variety of prescriptions. Find out exactly what each medication is for, before you start taking it.
Pharmacies or Drug Stores:
There are many excellent pharmacies in Pattaya, two of them open 24 hours, but our recommendation is to use one of the Boots the Chemist branches there is one in the Royal Garden Mall and another on Walking Street.
Here there is always a pharmacist on duty and you can probably rely upon the quality of the drugs prescribed. There are sometimes accounts in the newspaper about fake drugs on sale (such as look alike versions of Viagra) so it is prudent to purchase your drugs and prescriptions at a large, well known company.
Remember that many of the drugs and medications available in your home country may not be available in Thailand. For instance, Lotrel is a medication for hypertension that is widely prescribed in the United States, but is just not sold in Thailand. However, there are equivalent drugs (in this case two tablets to replace one capsule so you need an experienced pharmacist or doctor to recommend the available drugs. At www.webmd.com, and at other similar sites, you can find information about your particular medication, and its equivalent if necessary.
Clinics or Doctors Offices:
There are literally hundreds of these health care Clinics in Pattaya, many of them specializing in a particular field (urology, dermatology etc) but often claiming expertise in everything from sexual dysfunction to plastic surgery!
Many of these Clinics are well run but the licensing regulations appear to be quite lax, so unless you have a specific recommendation from someone you trust, be careful about risking your health care at these Clinics even though they are so convenient and are open sometimes round the clock.
Our recommendation for a General Practitioner is Dr. Oliver who has an excellent office in Soi Day Night, close by to the Pattaya People newspaper office. I have no connection with Dr. Oliver (other than as an occasional patient) but all of the expats I know, who have used his services, recommend him highly. He was trained in Switzerland and then took the exams all over again in Thailand, when he married a Thai wife and moved to Thailand. Here you will get the best of care at a reasonable price, and with very little waiting.
One other tip if you are paying for your Thai partner to attend one of the many Clinics in Pattaya, do not go with them when they seek treatment. The cost probably will be inflated if a rich Farang is about to pay the bill.
Hospitals:
There are four or five hospitals in the Pattaya area, all providing excellent care but at widely varying prices. However, compared to the United States the cost at all of them is minimal (even if you have no insurance) and the convenience (access to specialists, little waiting time) sure beats service in the United Kingdom.
Two hospitals go out of their way to provide health care services to foreigners with up scale facilities, packaged health care options and no language barriers with the nurses and doctors. There is the Pattaya International Hospital and the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and this second one has the lower prices.
My recommendation is to use the Bangkok Pattaya hospital and to consider purchasing one of their health care packages. For 2,000 to 3,000 baht (US$45 to US$70) you get a thorough physical, plus good discounts on any future visits to the Emergency Room and treatment as an in patient at the hospital. Check out the available packages soon after you arrive in Pattaya, rather than waiting until you need their services.
Health Insurance:
There are a variety of health insurance plans available, from several different companies, but the Buyer should beware. Even though you may have purchased a comprehensive policy on paper, the real test is the amount of the bill that is actually covered and the speed with which your claims are settled.
Our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com has up to date information on several insurance plans (expect to pay between 30,000 to 70,000 baht per year depending upon your age but you may also want to check at the Bangkok Pattaya hospital to find out their experience with the various companies.
Pre existing conditions will not be covered, at least for a period of time, and you need to check if your policy can be renewed as you get older. There have been cases of policies being cancelled after a claim has been paid, so check with other expats before you purchase your health insurance. The Pattaya Expat Club and Expat Friends of Pattaya meetings are a great place to get advice on this and all other aspects of living in Pattaya.
If you have an address in the United Kingdom then Boots the Chemist has an ext