Leaderboard

I came back to town again this month to collect social security. What a difference a few months makes. It seems every empty storefront has become a cannabis shop and with the renewed economic activity it doesn't look like a bombed-out disaster zone anymore. Ganja Station, the new Believe It or Not exhibit at the Royal Garden Plaza WTF? There are even cannabis vending machines. This one on Walking Street. I stayed at the Hard Rock Resort again but the novelty has worn off after two visits.

I had the opportunity to join the Darkside Crawl, organized by Hammer, which was excellent. Really enjoyed the attention from the ladies and the camaraderie with board members. Otherwise, again stayed at LK President. Think I'll choose a guesthouse next time so I won't have to cross Third Road. Facing south this time, from the 16th floor. Easy access to Soi Pothole Which becomes Soi Puddle after a rain Went to Hopf Brew house but they were so busy I gave up waiting to be served.

I took a walk on the beach under the buildings on the west side of Walking Street. Start from Pattaya Beer Garden and finish just before Bali Hai Pier. The walk took 25 minutes.

I wanted to stay someplace new so I choose Sleep With Me, near Treetown. Bar Girl: "Where You Stay?" Me: "Sleep With Me" Bar Girl: "I only go short time." It's directly west of the Hilton, between Soi Buakhao and Third Road, about 100 meters from Soi Buakhao. Place is clean, guest friendly, no hassles. Walk-in rate is 1200, I paid less by booking ahead. I chose the hotel for the location and positive reviews. Room included a microwave oven that I didn't happen to use but could come in handy sometime.

Came down to Pattaya for Christmas, been a long time since I spent Christmas ? in Pattaya. I had to ditch the mask ? after a few hours, I was the only farang wearing one. Most people are wearing masks in Bangkok, so I was accustomed to wearing one in public. It felt like the first shave after a full beard. Again, stayed at LK President on Third Road at Soi Pothole/Soi Lengkee. It's beginning to be my GoTo place, based upon value and location. Biggest problem is crossing Third Road, which can be very dangerous depending on time of day. There's no median so it can seem like sta

Hi Guys. Been a while since ive posted here.... sorry about that! Been super busy for the last year. I am getting some failing hard drive notifications on the server this site is hosted on, and I fear the backup is out of date. So I am going to move it asap. Not sure that will happen today, but it will be very soon... and there will be no further notice. When I start I will take the site offline and you will see a message saying the site is offline... and when it comes back up it should be on the new server, provided the hard drives last that long. ? Will update here as

Greetings Monkeywatchers, showaddy crap encore une fois, and welcome to another round of unlikely tales, the most unlikely of course being the truest. As if it wasn’t bad enough that the proposed 4am bar closing times have been unceremoniously binned, the boys in brown have now decided, as part of their Tourist Prevention Programme, to undertake a blitz of raids to ensure that the existing 2am closing times are rigorously enforced. No doubt they’ll be aided and abetted by the Anti-Tourist Police to make sure that everyone has as miserable a holiday as possible. Amazing Thailand? Bloody u

I took a walk down Soi 11 yesterday, my old neighborhood. I took along the Nikon ZfC, my street photography camera, and everyone thought I was a tourist. ? I knew it was only a matter of time before "Happy" Pizza ? ? came to town. I haven't ventured up to the 5th floor lounge yet, I've been trying to watch my weight. Everywhere you look, more dispensaries are opening. This is a new and emerging market with modest entry costs, so many players are testing the waters. Eventually it will reach market saturation and the less savvy will fall by th

I took a walk up Soi 11 last night, hungry for a burger. I usually visit Bang Bang Burger but wanted to try Artisan Burger next door this time. It was Tuesday but the Soi was alive. The bar area was doing some decent business. Food and drink were available Samsonite was asking about Ava Bar. I've never been in there, but Hillary 3 appears to be doing much better. A few years ago, Soi 11 was like a block party every night with VW Cocktail Vans parked up and down the Soi. (Just look back in th

Nightlife I visited Hua Hun same time last year and in nightlife a lot has changed since then. See last year: https://forums.pattayatalk.com/topic/72403-hua-hin-may-2022/ Last year Soi Bintabaht was nearly a desert it is not the same any more. It is not a hotspot like it was in the past but many more bars have open and there are more girls and costumers. Some of the girls are even very good looking. Beside there are bars with live-music. Soi 80 has also more activity than last year but I like Soi Bintabaht most of the two arias. Some might not agree. Around town more bars h

I typically visit GoGos 5 nights a week. Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are doing a fantastic business, busy every night. Even Patpong is making a comeback. The night market has re-opened on the southern edge of Patpong 1. More popular is the food court that occupies the northern half of the street. Unfortunately, it's right outside Kings Castle I. On Patpong 2, mamasan has raised the price to 500 in order to close the curtain, still cheaper than a bar fine, and I've managed to shoot my load in every booth with some very attractive ladies. Mama

Stayed here towards the end of August. Blackwoods hotel is located top end of Soi 7. Guest friendly, and a great little buffet breakfast included ( well included in my deal anyway). Paid £50 per night (through ebookers) but gave heard the rack rate is nearly £100 so pays to shop around. WiFi has a great speed and each room has their own WiFi router located behind the back of the tv. Localchannels on the tv as well as access to Netflix and Amazonprime too! Pool, gym and sauna on the top floor. Bar next to the pool openuntil 7pm ( I think). Would very happily stay here again.

Arrived at Patpong early and had a beer in Crown Royal, hadn't been in there in years. Radio City has opened now as a GoGo bar, used to have live music. Kings Castle I are also open. Over at the Strip, for 400 baht the mamasan closed the curtain so I could get a BBBJ from one of their pretty, slim, young dancers. Next door, XXX Lounge had Triple Bush Belgian Beer for a limited time, 10.5% ABV. The amazing thing was the price, 140 baht per bottle, I would expect to pay double considering Heineken is 190. I had three bottles to finish the eve

What say we crawl out of the septic tank and into another cesspool. Patpong. I recently made a visit to discover The Strip, Bar Bar, XXX Lounge, and Black Pagoda were all closed. Not much happening now, just as it was making a rebound. Never went into Bar Bar but I'll really miss the great BBBJs at The Strip. Kings Castle, Kings Castle I, Kings Castle II, Bada Bing, and Pink Panther are still open. Kings Castle I has a very good lineup, nearly as good as pre-covid. Papasan will sometimes pull on the girl's g-string bottoms so the audience can see if th

I took a walk around Soi Cowboy and counted 11 cannabis dispensaries within a block. In addition, there were another six table stands set up selling, making 17 places you could obtain some weed within a few minutes. It's much the same at Nana Plaza Here's a trivia question: Who can name this GoGo Bar? With all this high-grade cannabis, where to go to satisfy the munchies? Of course, if money is no object you can visit El Gaucho, New York Steakhouse, or Rib Room for a big, juicy steak. But these places ar

River City is a center for arts and antiques located by the Chao Phraya River near China Town

I am in Pattaya as I write this. Great trip for me but it must be hell for most bars and clubs as there a few spending customers. There is however one are that is causing me some distress and that is the mixture of cigarettes, ganja, cigars and vaping smells. Thankfully no pipe smokers. This will only get much worse as tourism picks up. It is for this reason that I believe that we need a new forum called possibly "Non Smoking Venues". I have been very happy to support Heaven Above, Sugar Sugar, Windmill and Windmill Annabelle which are non smoking on the ground floors. Many gogo bars h

Thought I would visit this Little known museum celebrating the Thai Navy today. Easy to find as a BTS station is right in front of the museum. Also, museum entrance is free! Not too much info written in English here, which can be a little annoying, but still a very enjoyable place. Lots of interesting artefacts. Manned by Navy personnel who try their best to look after you inside.

Happy New Year Everybody. How New Year's Eve Used To Be in Pattaya ! (Video from Cherry Bar 2006)

Just opened last summer, at a cost of 15 billion baht, the largest railway station in southeast Asia, with 26 platforms. Although it's been open for a while, there's not much happening there. Bang Sue Grand Station replaces the existing Hua Lamphong rail station, which is over a century old. It was initially announced that Hua Lamphong would close at the end of last year but now looks to be in operation for at least two more years. I wonder if people are just nostalgic and they don't want to leave. There's talk of eventually turning it into a museum, which I

Many bares with a lot of girls Chinese shrine at Wat Phnom

Arrived into Bangkok from Hanoi yesterday. As I’m staying in Soi 10 on Sukhumvit I thought I would check out these old buildings and see the redevelopment of this area. Have to say it’s very impressed and well worth the time to stroll around this green oasis in a city of concrete and skyscrapers!

The roadworks causing traffic congestion on 2nd Rd... but it looks like they are ready to resurface. Walking Street early evening. Soi LK Metro later on.....

Season’s greetings Monkeywatchers, core coon crap for paying a visit, and welcome to this, our 200th edition, full of Christmas magic and festive fun. Well no, not really. The Thai PM has advised organisers of New Year events to do so taking “maximum precautions.” Against what, exactly? Following the devastating news that China is to ease its travel restrictions in January, we can no doubt expect to see hordes of diminutive Covid-infested yellow pests swarming all over Pattaya in the near future. Reckon most people would prefer a swarm of locusts – though the effect would be much t

It was unseasonably cool ❄️ yesterday, so I went for a walk in the park. I took the Z6 ? with one lens, a 28-300 mm (for some reach) which I used through the FTZ adapter. There were lots of people in the park, with food and crafts. It was the Red Cross Fair ??????? I guess that explains the shooting range This guy passed out from exhaustion ? The children were playing A lot was happening in the lake The Monitor Monsters were out in full

This is the group of beer bars just before you get to Klang on second heading North.... they actually look more dusty and derelict than the picture suggests. Further South, just a little, on the other side, we see 3 Indian restaurants, side by side, and there are a few more outside the range of the photo.... more prolific than the massage places ever were. There are groups of Indians wandering about too.. as if searching for something rather than being tourists. I seriously believe they hunt for prospective business venues. The face of town will change a lot in the next few y

Open: Wednesday-Sunday 8:30-16:00 Fee: 200 baht

I have a new bar now next door, Milk. A bit naughty. Thanks To Frosty and Dave for the help setting a few things up. You may recognize my mamasang

Today is a no alcohol until 6pm day, due to elections. So a good day to get a small job done on a bar. But is it a quick modification, a full upgrade, or a repurpose at King's Club? Today's rates.

Ok, site back up and on its new home. Please report anything at all that looks weird! Sorry that took so long! Frosty

Spent a little time in Hanoi beginning of this month. The “Hanoi Hilton” is certainly worth the visit if you’re ever in this great city.

Viharn Sien Temple and Museum

Same same as in Thailand ?

Greetings Monkeywatchers, showaddy crap for joining us, and welcome to more tales of the unexpected from the city of the even more unexpected. Fasten your seat belts and away we go. There’s been a story in the Thai press about officials meeting with taxi drivers to discuss the issue of “stealing customers.” Well we’ve had stories about gold necklaces being stolen but this takes it to another level. Wonder how much they get for them? Wouldn’t have thought there was much of a market for stolen customers. Mind you, there’s more than a few bars around who look like they could use them. A

This Monday marks the 17th Year Anniversary of the Cherry Bar. Seven years on Soi 8 and now ten years on Soi Diana. Not a bad accomplishment in today's Pattaya climate. There will be free food, shots and lots of fun So if you're in town, please join us to help celebrate this occasion.

Greetings Monkeywatchers, showaddy crap to you all, and welcome to freedom month. Yes, it’s all over. Or is it? Time will tell… The old “Indian who’s reported to police that he’s had his gold chain nicked by katoeys” count has now risen to eight in the last two months. The latest was a bit bolder than the others, upping the ante from 50,000 to 120,000 baht. Just how stupid do they think the insurance companies are? Silly buggers. The patience of the police with all this seems to be wearing a little thin as well, with stories of them throwing statements into the rubbish bin as soon as the

Having a good chuckle seeing a hash friend has made the news. They had a hash run on Koh Larn on Sunday. He went off trail and ended up sliding down a steep slope. Crawled back up to where several Thai came upon him. They summoned the rescue squad and bundled him off to the hospital to get patched up. By then then the boat hired by the hash had left with his bag and all his money, and on top of that, the last ferry of the day had left too. The Thai organized a private boat for him, got him back to Pattaya where he was met by the Tourist Police who gave him a ride back to his hotel; all g

Another hot and busy day in town.. I am told at the barbers and MP, it is low season, no customers, but the vehicles are nose to tail on Buakhao, 3rd and Sukhumvit. Saw several groups of Indians, so can I say they are back? Walking in smallish groups (for them). It isn't just mad dogs and Englishmen who do it. Like Ben Gunn I fancy some cheese, but Churchill's Munchies appears to be history....if a samlor or motorcycle food or drinks cart has taken root..the spot is claimed! And Sir Winston isn't particularly welcoming! Finding a variety of cheeses for a UK gu

Greetings Monkeywatchers, showaddy crap to another New Year, and welcome to the latest invasion of the yellow peril into Fun City. Well, it had to happen sooner or later, though later would’ve been infinitely preferable. A Thai folk music commentator has been arrested and accused of interfering with a 16 year old boy late last year. Well, as they say in the North of England “There’s nowt so queer as folk.” Well imagine our surprise. Thailand welcomed in the New Year by reintroducing mandatory Covid vaccine certificates for anyone arriving from abroad. Yes, this applied to everybody –

Greetings Monkeywatchers, core coon crap for dropping by, and welcome to another walk on the riled side. Best foot forward. Well, the holiday weekend saw Pattaya filled with hordes of Thais, Indians and other stinking pigs of indeterminate origin. It’s been reported that “Many bars and restaurants are now modifying their offerings to appeal to the South Asians.” This will no doubt involve a drastic reduction in the number of glasses and an equally drastic increase in the number of straws. Construction work in North Pattaya that was meant to reduce the flooding problem in the area end

Wat Phnom National Museum Chinese ready to go home

Greetings Monkeywatchers, core coon crap for peeking in, and welcome to another month as Fun City creaks slowly back to life. On with the show. TAT has recently received a briefing from City Hall on how Pattaya is planning to encourage more Indian tourists to visit the city. Don’t know what was said, though if we’d been there our suggestions would have been for hotels to put eight more beds in each room and for the police to pretend to believe all the ludicrous fairy tales about stolen gold necklaces that we hear reported every other bloody day. Since Covid gave them delusions of re