nkped

I agree with the assessment on Fraser's. Nothing wrong with the food but not a great attraction either. As to the burgers, they don't compare to Punch 'n Judy or Brooklyn Diner. As to the furnishings, they need to raise the bar stools or lower the bar and I'm fairly good size. I had had no awareness of a farang eating establishment at Maggs apparent location despite many trips up and down Thepprasit. I'll have to give it a try. It probably won't be for the pork belly special, which, to be diplomatic, probably points out some of the differences in American and UK tastes.

Think moto taxi circa 1975.

The samlar is a nice touch. The cat proves it is authentic.

It looks like it really is closed now. It definitely was not open tonight. The sign has been removed from its overhead location and was sitting in front of the door. It looks like work is in progress to enclose what had been a small outdoor seating area. Too bad, Sam had some of the best Tex-Mex in Pattaya.

The expression is known in the US as well. "Then things really went pear shaped."

That would explain why I was familiar with "goat rope," a similarly misspent youth. At least in the 70s, you would occasionally hear fubar, but not as often as goat rope and cluster fuck.

I found the Rock Kitchen and had the shrimp pasta with pesto and was very happy with my choice. Probably a failure of imagination on my part to not order the grilled duck breast which was the special. Kamon asked if I was happy with my food and when I said was, she asked again to make sure I wasn't just being nice.

Just got back from Fraser's where I had the beef wellington, a dish I never had before. I ordered it medium which seems to be the magic word for getting a piece of meat which is done through but still moist. It was tasty but not very tender. Having some knowledge as to how you raise tender beef, that is not a great surprise. The vegetables tonight were basically coleslaw which was fine with me. I had the baked (jacketed) potato, which was excellent. Overall it was a good meal, but like every other widely separated meal I have had at Fraser's, it did not leave me in a hurry to go back.

"The Centurions" by Jean Larteguy. Novel about the French army in Vietnam and Algeria. Apparently, it has become something of a cult favorite in today's US military. I'm three chapters in and they deal with individual French officers held by the Viet Minh after the fall of Dienbienphu. Very intense although not a lot of action. It was first published in 1960 and was panned by the Harvard Crimson in 1962. http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1962/2/24/what-the-french-army-needs-a/ That's a recommendation by itself. You do have to keep track of the characters.

Appears they have that on special now. https://m.facebook.com/allamericanhotdogandsnowcones/

It is a novel place to visit with a TG. It's surprising how many of the effects are more visible through a camera view finder than with the naked eye. The GFE provider and I got in for 400 baht. My Thai drivers license seemed to matter.

Saw this Government Savings Bank ATM at Central Festival. I don't know whether it gives you a hug or seizes you if you try something nefarious.

When I am confident enough a driver will let me cross to risk my life on it, I will wave, but that is solely to acknowledge a courtesy.

Customs is a different issue. In the past, had you been able to board your connecting flight without again going through security? FWIW, at Taipei, Seoul Incheon, and Narita, transit passengers always go through security before having access to anything other than hallways.

With a few months driving in Pattaya now, I won't say zebra crossings are completely ignored, but I certainly don't rely on them when I'm walking.

Cat fight in aisle 3.

If you can possibly do so, go back to the branch where you open the account. Doing it over the phone is stressful. That's my experience as well. I only get the amount in THB. Having done the initial setup, it's a great way to move money.

I have the good luck to meet the monthly income requirement without difficulty. Executing the income letter isn't that big a problem even if I have to go to the embassy. On the other hand, to establish a Thai bank account with 800K baht in it, I would have to move money in ways which would be taxable events. I'd rather not do that if I could avoid it.

Sometimes you don't have a lot of choice. Even if you are on a two week trip, if you lose a crown or have a tooth collapse on the first day, do you really want to wait two weeks to get dental care?

I eat there regularly. I have had the Philly cheese steak and thought it was okay but not my favorite sandwich on the menu.

If you are at the intersection where Tappraya turns towards the beach (location of the Hannuman statue), the Jomtien Plaza is on the southwest corner, west of Jomtien 2nd road and south of Tappraya. I haven't been to the place Gabor reviewed so can't help you beyond that.

Probably so. A graphic artist may create a stamp that will work occasionally, but they are rarely that good and their work won't be reflected in the computer.

Assuming there is any actual involvement with immigration.

Depends on the time of day you hit town. Midday you move through the construction zone going south without too much trouble.

Just got back from a weekend trip with a Pattaya dive shop to Koh Chang and didn't see any evidence of restrictions on vehicles boarding the ferries. The GFE provider met me there and had no problems with her car.