jaxxon55

Today I noticed heavy equipment ripping out nice shade trees and bulldozing the sidewalks across from Mantra restaurant. Traffic was backed up to Dolphin circle and tapered to one lane in the construction zone. When I asked a thai I was told Beach Rd. is being widened one lane. Guess the rental bikes and vendors will have more space. If this is true it will be a slow and tedious project. Anybody hear anything? Jack

I heard cuddling causes it. Jack

Yes, but he knows everything better than we do. He stayed at a guesthouse here a few times. Jack

I work out at Centara and it is definitely predominately Russian except on Thai holidays when it is predominately Thai. Jack

How is this related at all? Jack

It is what it is , but not what you perceive it to be. Jack

If you do not know about North and South America a refresher would probably help. Jack

America is a big place. Which country in America are you from? Jack

Yes, my diamond was a little big in the ass but worked out well. Jack

Gabor, You are noted for getting "value for money". Glad to see you giving this place a thumbs up. I think it is a Pattaya special treat and have never had bad food or service and met a few ladies there. Jack p.s. I took 7 Philippine friends that teach in Bangkok there. One told me "Jack, I would love to take you to a place like this when you visit the P.I. But,Jack, We don't have a place like this."

I almost have to agree with you except the room was not so dirty, 1600 all in so cheap for Walking St., nice girl but certainly no stunner and service was superb. I have been back a few times. What did I brag about? I can't mention the places I go or post pictures of the pretty girls I do. They are too well known. I don't need brownie points either. Your emaciated type is not my style but I am sure they are great girls and you like them so I don't care to insult them. Different tastes and different styles. I am older than you so I am not interested in eating noodle soup and playing on Facebook with them. You are nearing the age where you might want to evaluate that yourself. And I only take the pretty ones home. Really, I just call them and they come over. Gabor, You do great reports sometimes and are very entertaining. I think you fabricate a little sometimes about your bar girl discussions but that is no big deal. You do get very insulting and mean. Even more than me. And you try to imply everyone should learn from you and use your methods. I don't agree with most of your methods and I have my own. If I ever see you again I will say hello and be polite but I am not going to change and neither are you so silly to worry about it. Jack p.s. What were you doing in the lowest of the low bars?

Thanks Nuto. It is not the first time the poster imagined something and presented it as fact. Bullshit is rampant in his mind. Jack

You said in your first post you would not be going back. Why did you change your mind? Are you going to keep going back? Just wondering. Jack

Maybe you didn't cool off enough in Mcdonalds. I just couldn't resist saying that. Even knowing what will follow. Jack

I love going to PBG to start the evening and have never had a problem with the food or service. Also, I have met some great freelancers there. But I have not been going out as much lately so I guess I will try it out again this week. Pattaya Pete has always done a great job so I don't expect much to have changed. Certainly not a r.i.p.. Oh, the drama! Jack

EP, Thanks for organizing the trip and the Santa effort you put in. It went well and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. Of course us adults got to enjoy watching the kids have fun. The orphanage was impressively clean and well staffed in my opinion. The kids are lucky to have them. Thanks again, Jack

I hate to copy and paste but some bms need this info on manners badly. Jack Social Faux Pas Made By Frugal People If you have to stop and think about whether it is a questionably frugal action or not, it is probably safe to not do it. For instance, recuperating the used salad dressing from the plates of your guests and pouring it back into the same salad bottles in front of their eyes is a definite social faux pas. You can be fairly certain of never seeing those guests return to grace your doorway again nor the others in your circle who will certainly catch wind of this extreme escapade. Here's another frugal, more sanitary way you could economize on your salad dressing expenses: Put it in a smaller squeeze bottle and let your guests use the exact amount they want to. Don't Talk About How Broke You Are It's one thing to be broke and to let others know your budgetary constraints when they're trying to choose where you should all go to eat, but it's another thing to rub it into people's faces all the time. At some point or another, you'll alienate your friends who will be sick and tired of hearing how you don't have two pennies to rub together. Your true friends won't even care that you're broke, but they certainly don't need to be awkwardly reminded about it each time you get together. They already know and are sensitive to the situation. If they forget, you can always politely bow out of the situation or suggest a more frugal option you could all do together instead. They'll get the hint. Don't Be a Rainy Cloud on Others' Hard-Earned Sunshine It's nice to offer ideas on how someone can save money by buying Product A instead of Product B because it's essentially the same or to tell them when the store's next predictable sale will happen so they can save some money. People love and welcome ways to save money on things and services. However, if you say he or she doesn't need Product A because he or she could make it out of scrap lying around the house for pennies or berate him or her for spending so much money on something so unnecessary, all you're doing is making the person feel guilty for not being broke. If you really feel strongly about it, try and find a nicer way to suggest a more frugal item or service. Don't Be an Obnoxious Penny-Pincher Yes, it is a virtue to be frugal, but there are times where an attitude that is too frugal can be quite impolite. For instance, if your colleague comes dressed as an elf and cheerily asks if you want to participate in the office's Secret Santa this year, don't refuse in a rude manner by saying: "Oh, the budget is $25 this year? I won't do it unless it's 20." Politely decline because it isn't in your budget this year. The Bottom Line The bottom line is that how people want to spend their hard earned money after they've saved for retirement is not really your concern. It's their disposable income, not yours, and although you may think you're helping or teaching them frugal behavior, you may just be raining on their parade and alienating them.

Big D, Do you think Holiday Inn,Tulip Group, Raimon Land, Dusit, Centara do not have marketing and research units that might know more about supply and demand than the average ex-pat? Jack

I have 3000,000 in it. I bought it new off plan. My net (after expenses-all expenses) is around 13%. It is listed on his web site as v.i.p. room v.t. 6. AS I said I am not marketing it. Jack

Skyfall was a good movie. The Thai lady holding my crotch most of the movie might have influenced me but it seemed fine. I didn't even care she was pretending I was Bond (or the Thai BF or some of the other guys she has known.). I was pretending I was Bond myself and enjoying every minute. Pattaya illusions are a wonderful thing. Jack

I only have one rental condo and it is professionally managed by Dancewatchers. They have standards for their rentals but service is superb. I did not buy my condo for an investment but thanks to them I cannot afford to live there. All I do is pick up the money every couple of months. There has never been a problem and it is booked up a year in advance usually. My estimate after expenses (all expenses) is 13%. They are also long time personal friends but this recommendation is unbiased. Read the reviews on their website. Jack

This week-end I had 5 teachers from the P.I. that teach in Bangkok visiting. I had promised to show them around Pattaya a few months ago. We had a great time at Nong Nooch and touring in general. Thursday night we had dinner at PBG and walked along Walking St. Being conservative Catholic girls they were shocked and amazed but loved it. I took them into FLB and introduced them to the band. The band sang songs from the P.I., had a couple of the girls and one guy come on stage and sing with them, and generally just made their night. One of the girls told me yesterday FLB was her favorite of all the things we had done so far. They planned to return last night. I will find out later if they did. So thanks to the Band for making my friends so happy. They are really a friendly group. Jack

We certainly agree on this Big D. Unlike the club sandwiches.Many people are waiting to get in Starbucks when they open every morning at soi 13/1. Millions of people can't all be wrong. Jack

Good one Big D and you are right. I just have never had a club sandwich that wasn't tasteless. I used to order them when I had a hangover because I was sure they would be bland enough to not cause any problems. Centara is a beautiful place and I work out at their gym but I really have no experience in their restaurants. I would think it would be pricey because they have to pay for a lot of beautiful water entertainment. Jack

Everything you ordered is basically tasteless. Hard to put excitement into tomato soup and club sandwiches. And vegetables taste much the same world over. Better stick to BK. Jack