Bazle

NOT misty! That is haze from pollution. Mist "is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in the cold air, usually by condensation". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mist

And for this one! I recently have returned to the UK after five and a half weeks in Patts. For the majority of that time, I was unwell to some extent or another with respiratory issues. Those caused lack of sleep, and that made me, to use your words, "feel like hell". I have another trip planned for 4 weeks in March. I'm seriously wondering if I should cancel it.

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has issued an urgent warning regarding the hazardous levels of PM 2.5 particulate matter in the air, impacting 20 provinces across Thailand. The alert calls for immediate action to address and mitigate the severe air quality crisis that poses significant health risks to millions of residents. The provinces on high alert include major urban centers such as Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi, as well as key industrial regions like Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon. In a statement, the PCD has outlined a series of steps that need to be taken to combat the escalating air pollution levels. These measures include stringent control of industrial emissions, enhancement of traffic management to reduce vehicular pollution, and an increase in public awareness campaigns. The agency also highlighted the importance of cooperation from both the public and private sectors in tackling this environmental challenge. The government’s response to this crisis has been swift, with local authorities being mobilized to enforce pollution control measures. Special attention is being given to areas with historically high levels of air pollution, such as Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. The administration is also promoting alternative and cleaner forms of transportation, along with stricter checks on vehicles contributing to air pollution.

Bachelor's agogo in Soi LK was having work done on it as I walked by a little earlier: If the state of the mattresses is anything to go by, it is long overdue!

It looked like construction work had re-commenced on the Las Vegas beer bars (Soi Diana) as I walked by a little earlier today:

Thanks. I think it would be good if you could get that to Bangkok Post, Khaosod English, etc.

For me, it is very worrying that the bad pollution in Pattaya does NOT seem to be arising from sugar cane burning, and I have not read a plausible explanation of the culprit. I fear that it is just general pollution from vehicle exhaust, factories, construction/deconstruction etc., and so will be very difficult to tackle.

https://thepattayanews.com/2023/12/11/provinces-grapple-with-hazardous-ultrafine-dust-levels/ PRESS RELEASE: Thailand witnessed a concerning environmental situation on Sunday afternoon (Dec 10), with approximately 40% of its regions experiencing thick and hazardous levels of ultrafine dust, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISDA). GISDA’s report on https://pm25.gistda.or.th/ revealed that 31 out of the 77 provinces in Thailand, primarily in the Central Plain, experienced unsafe levels of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM2.5). These levels ranged from 38.3 to 75.6 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter of air over the past 24 hours, with the safety threshold set at 37.5µg/m³. At 3 pm, the most severe level of 75.6µg/m³ was recorded in Samut Prakan, followed closely by 73.3µg/m³ in Ang Thong, 72.9µg/m³ in Bangkok, and 72.0µg/m³ in Nonthaburi. Lower but still unsafe levels of PM2.5 were reported in several other provinces, including Sing Buri, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Suphan Buri, and many more. Residents in the affected provinces have been advised to steer clear of outdoor activities, as the Meteorological Department attributes the air pollution to stagnant atmospheric conditions. The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.

A few months ago, I went to have a few moles in various places on my body checked out. By recommendation, I saw Dr Nitivadee Teeyapan-Songdej - website: www.lanitivadee.com email: dr.nitivadee@gmail.com She is located on Beach Road, near Mike's Mall (but the entrance is not easy to spot as it is located behind some stalls). She seemed to know her stuff, and didn't charge the earth (although I don't recall precisely how much).

I took a look along the far end of Walking Street last evening. It is so much different from how it was, say, 5 years ago. It is dominated by dance clubs catering for Indians, plus some (I assume) gogos offering "Russian Girls". I hope these pics give a flavour of the place. I thought this place in Soi Diamond would have been forced to have changed its name before now. I'm a sucker for long hair. 😀 She had a pretty face as well!

A quick Google search comes up with: White Lotus Beer Bar is located in 33/69 Moo 10 Soi Buakhao, Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Chonburi, 20150, Thailand.

A long time ago, there was a puppet theatre, cocktail bar, and restaurant there, but I don't know if they were responsible for the the stalagmites and stalactites.

Great. Thanks.

Thanks. What documents, apart from your passport, did the agent want, please?

I live in the UK but have a condo in Pattaya, and this latest development is unsettling. If I do a side-trip to, say, Vietnam, or spend a weekend in Bangkok, or spend a night in a hotel in Pattaya for convenience, I now have to go to Immigration and file a report when I get back. I can only hope that Immigration is overwhelmed with paperwork that they drop this silly idea PDQ. I think there is an Immigration website on which hotels can register to provide notification of their guests. Does anyone know if an individual can register on this, and provide notification of themselves?

Thanks. Very interesting. Just hope it's wrong!

Something good might have come out of the Soi 15 fiasco! When Soi 15 was inaccessible at both ends, the sub-soi that runs between Soi Buakhao and Soi 15 was being used a lot. (Many of us refer to it as Soi Casino, for what are now only historical reasons!) Soi Casino is mostly a dirt track with bad potholes, except where it runs from Soi 15 up to between the Whisper and Kokotel hotels, which has been concreted. I notice today that it has been blocked off where the concrete ends, and it looks like the concreting is being extended.

Closed all this week for renovation. Re-opening on the 10th -

More likely a troll who can hide with anonymity.

That is a persistent problem with this board with the 'reactions" being anonymous, except to the mods/admin.

The concreting of the Second Road end Soi 15 appears to be complete. Not only that, but road markings are being done. The bad news is that the concrete feels very undulating when walking over it, so be prepared for wet feet after some rain if you are a pedestrian. I'm not entirely sure of the status of Second Road at that intersection. It might be regarded as complete, but I hope not as there are a lot of improvements which could be made e.g. see the drain cover in this picture:

I have noticed today that new seating, looking very similar to what they had before, is being installed along the new Beach Road pavement:

Spotted on Beach Road this afternoon. Maybe a new variety of freelancer?

I hope you are wrong!