jacko

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 guy, beyond the remote expat shops, not so easy. Foodland and BigCX disappoint, Tops in Central, Villa in Avenue better, but expensive. New Plaza not getting the early crowd. Surely Play Girlz isn't being renovated again? They sure make a point that THEY own the pavement too! .

Actually seems to have fixed a small issue I had......

Well it is far too hot to be wandering about town taking pictures. The March sun will burn a hole in the top of your head. There is also a lot of traffic, both in town, and trying to get in and out of it. They keep having festivals, but the roads can't support it. Beware guys, heat had me feeling dizzy. Two pictures from Buakhao, what was a beer bar for some years, then an Expat food shop for but a few months, looks like it has failed. I didn't get my treat, a bit of English cheese.

Trainspotting.

No Country for Old Men

Joe Pesci

No need to beat the new guy up over this..... sure he is doing it himself. If here complaints can be filed at City Hall. Getting a lawyer involved might be just chucking good money after bad.

I hope they have a bathroom! This 80m stretch is like a breath of fresh air on Buakhao, a chance to relax with little fear of getting sideswiped. Bling, been working on it for 3 weeks plus now and it appears there is still a lot to do. A peek inside shows it is undergoing major changes..to be a success it needs to be like Billabong downstairs, and Kinks upstairs! Soi Pothole very quiet at 11am... 'every day' I was told by some who work there. MPs were the past draw.. fewer of those. Or are we really to have a low season? Quite a few diners in Big-CX..although for midday weekend, maybe not. Never been a fan unless my Mrs is there to go fetch. Have to queue 3 times when once should suffice. Do I need one of these?

Be a nice change from the dump you are usually in!?

You got the outside pics on a nice clear day considering the haze that has been around of late. Looks pretty good.

Talking of pavemens, the job never quite gets finished here. Always a few bits left incomplete, sometimes for weeks, months, forever. Pattaya Klang as an example. Don't look up, the buried cables are there! A disappointed customer? Looks like Bling will look different inside when it next opens. Somebody has plenty money...but look around, nobody else in this area does. It is mostly crumbling old derelict structures around puddles. Another example, old Retox location, a scavengers base of ops. Last but not least...don't be taken in, it's a trap!

I notice there are not any lines or kerb markings to inform of the no parking rule... are there signs or anything to tell motorists?

Sorry about the reflections. If you are a pedestrian you may or may not have a pavement. This is one of the better ones, watch out for holes underfoot too. Bling, less bling!

I guess you mean the one that became Nevada which was actually on Post Office?. The guy who owned that Las Vegas a go go did come back to Pattaya and opened a couple of places in soi Yamoto IIRC. Not heard that he is back again opening places though.

I certainly agree.... getting round them either on the bike or on foot has always been part of the battle. Large delivery trucks, for Family Marts and the 7-11s part of the tale.... but there seems to be an air of 'fxck everyone' else when pickups are parked there to allow a visit to said shops or drop off, as you say. No solution with the amount of traffic there.

Barton Fink

Yours too..... visitors don't grasp that Thais get real upset when people do not pay the agreed price, even small amounts, and the reactions are often volatile... like the guy who didn't believe a Thai was collecting parking fees of 20 baht, and refused, and got whacked over the head for it! I had a house guest for a while and after several days I was already wanting him on his way. We were already on separate tabs when we went out as he was rather cheap, didn't like to buy LDs etc. At one GGB we ordered and the poor girl got confused and brought 2 bottles, when he had ordered a draft... the bottle probably 70-80 baht more expensive. He flatly refused to accept it and I told him she likely would have to pay for it, his response was 'I am not paying for her stupidity'...... I took the 2 bottles and 2 tabs and told her to bring one draft...... funny really, when we were pals years prior, I was the tight one!

Thanks again for your write up........much fun. It took me back a long way for some obscure reason to many many years ago when I was coming off the beach in Jomtien .. there was an elderly farang lady, struggling with the heat, arguing with a songtaew driver. Her accent was definitely close to my origins and I interjected, worried she may trigger a volatile reaction. Got the story that she had been on a day trip, the songtaew had been rented to take passengers back to their hotels from the minibus. Poor old lady had not been paying attention and not got off at her hotel and sat there until it was just her and the driver at the last place on his list. Now he wanted 200 baht to take her back to her hotel ...it was her fault in his mind, his fault in hers! Her hotel was up some hill and a little ways off, Cosy Beach IIRC.... and as stated, she was not doing well in the heat. I decided there and then that all this 'respect for the elderly', and good nature of Thais, did not extend to songtaew drivers! Old dear was game enough to get on the back of my motorcycle.... and as stated, came from where I did, so could get the juice from a penny!

The old buggers among us may recall the Tops shopping mall at second and klang...bowls, second hand books and other shops upstairs. Down, the supermarket, and a small food court where excellent Thai food could be had. Where did it go...? What will it be. The rough bit of soi 15, Bua khao.

Wats around the outskirts often have annual festivals. Various stalls, darts, cork guns, baby animal petting, bingo. Of course food, a lot of sweets, cakes, bugs etc. Often a few fairground rides. Live music in the evenings...stops at midnight. My personal treat... Some of the show a bit raunchy for temple grounds. 20230219_223524.mp4 20230219_223524.mp4 20230219_211656.mp4 20230219_223524.mp4 20230219_231314.mp4

Last time I transited there the place was mayhem, crowded and they seemed to be confused as to which gate planes were at..... I made my connection, but interesting for you, my suitcase did not. (Sent to my home in a taxi next morning in Thailand). You can normally find a block of seats somewhere in most airports..... and at KLIA, there is a bar but it took some finding.

Yes, crossing 3rd can be difficult... and Robin Hood has great service and a fine steak. I visited Kinks but while quiet downstairs, upstairs was packed, not a seat to be had. Thanks for taking the time to post.

There are aa few new shops just opened opposite Visa Express and Tum's Massage (another massage of course), thought I saw a laundry there... nevertheless some in Lengkhee nearby.

I think the food in Robin Hood is quite good... I am partial to a steak there.... a larger 400g Rib Eye with bacon wrapped asparagus spears, truffle mash and some pepper sauce was not cheap at 1350 or so (with a soda), but good standard.

Crossing Over