Harry wrote:Solid oak flooring, a nice rug, a lick of paint, a couple of nice sofas and a plasma tv. Bingo.

Driving lane discipline? Impossible, until all the mototcycle drivers truly believe (and take an oath) that they have to drive by the same rules as those who drive cars.
The rug would cover the oak flooring, and the termites would eat it. Don't ever step on a rug here if it is drooping downward

(yes, Thai termite teeth can eat oak..as well as concrete).
Sofas are good but get anti-mildew material.
Plasma TV's are here in force. Name brand like Panasonic 42", about 105,000 Baht but...they give you a free home theatre system (speakers and wires). There are brands with ??? name, same size, that go for about 25,000 less. They let off a lot of heat though. I've got one and luckly I have a ceiling fan almost directly above it. Pete
PS: Funny story. Shopping for the above and decided on the 42" as the 50" was 205,000 Baht. There were several expats in the same store (Numchai) here in Pattaya. One guy blerted out, "WHAT.....maybe some lonely woman will pay 100,000 Baht for 8" but I sure won't.....! The place (even the Thai's) roared!

Pete