teelack

Adam! Bugger! I was at you last party and it was great. Good turnout, tasty grub and even tastier ladies. Sorry that I won't make this one but I will be hoisting a drink or three. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

It could come to me but he was there every day when I passed by. That was less than 2 weeks ago. Funny thing is that I was thinking the other day that since I first noticed him he has turned from brown hair to mostly white. I think that I go to Pattaya too much! Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

I agree with you but have a look at the average Indian tailor as you pass by. Sure as shit he will be on his mobile phone. I honestly think that this is the reason and one of the greatest things we have gained from the mobile. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

Butch, how right you are. Generally speaking I have had a good relationship with Thai people even when I was shagging their daughters! I have some great memories of just sitting around eating and drinking with the TGF and her extended family. It is a bit difficult to recall all the smaller things that happen but I recall a MC taxi rider happy to give me his chair when I couldn't walk awaiting a new hip. I still pass him and we still share some banter. Just a while ago I was chatting with the manager of my hotel and we touched on the currency woes. Her reply was to say that I could book at the minimum rate and she would upgrade me on every possible occasion. Its a small thing but I have been introduced to a few of my TG's kids and that to me is going beyond the call of duty. As near as the last week I was invited next time in Pattaya to visit a kid of a lady friend. I can hear the cynics saying, "All traps for the gullible farang".I just dont see it that way. To me its a privilege, not a trap. I am sure that I could keep recalling but there is one thing that keeps popping up in my memory. This is the way that some of the ladies have gone an extra mile keeping me happy. Its very difficult if you have taken a "Cynical Pill" this morning to believe that we have anything else than a commercial transaction. Sure, many of them are but that only makes the real special one stand out more. I think for instance that we all enjoyed Awesome's recent TR and what he feels he got from it. The other point to this is that as you get older, slower, more decrepit and look like shit the kindness of some of these ladies comes out in stark relief. Again, money may be the motivation but try to get that in the Western World. Yeah right!

Interesting topic and brings back a few memories. The problem is that every day in Pattaya brings forth some weird sights. As for the Glitter Man. I cannot recall the whole thing but I tried to photograph him one day and he got pissed off at me so thanks for the excellent photo in the thread. There are so many eccentrics floating around but some of my favourites are the Cellphone Man in Soi LK. He goes around at march pace having these long conversations I assume with no one. Then there is the guy who works for Scooters, well I assume he is paid. He is about 4ft 9 and wears western gear including a stetson. I have never figures what he does. Then there is the tall and very busty katoey who works at the Rockhouse. I always have a friendly chat but she/he can be outrageous when in the mood. There is another guy who has sat at the same bar from open to close in Soi Buakhao. I call him Rex but who knows but all day long he sups large Chang's and I haven't even see him go to the toilet. There are many others but if I was to hand out a prize it would be as follows. Each and every day I see "Mr. Everyman" who is any of a few hundred guys held together with spit and chewing gum who have great looking ladies on their arms looking after their every need. I am all for that but for sheer courage its the guys who have lady-boys for a 'Girlfriend' and who look like guys in dresses rather than feminine katoey. Vive la difference!

Thanks Jacko. Seeing the rates on a regular basis is quite important to we people not in the country. It is also handy to compare with what can buy baht for in our home country. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

I could have booked a ticket at least $200 cheaper using one of the Chinese airlines,. The issue for me is connecting flights and this is where they are of little use. The other issue is that the vast majority of flights had unacceptable lay overs in China and stretched the flight times right out. IF however the times and flight schedule fit with your needs there is nothing wrong with them.

Butch. Yes your correct. Zopiclone. I admit to using them with a couple of red wines and end up with the horrible taste of cheap red in my mouth! Can you advise me but is Melotinin readily available over the counter? do you get pills or liquid? Never tried it but anything to give me a sleep would be a great help.

Since arriving home a few days ago I have realised something about currency fluctuations. The tipping point is probably very variable and depends where you live and what currency you live on. In my own case I note that the $NZ is the second worse currency for dropping against the $US this year. It really has been brutal and the rate against the baht even more so. In other words there really is no one answer to the question. I have been hit in a number of ways this time but mainly in the rise of air fares in the last couple of months due to av gas rises and the falling dollar. The only thing that consoles me is that I have just made a booking and it was less in actual dollars than 15 years ago so is about half price taking in inflation.

Because I am trying to get 4 trips each year from New Zealand to Thailand and I have domestic travel to add on to the cost I simply could not afford to fly other than Economy. I have however found a few tricks that help. I am always last or near last on the plane and often snag the emergency exit seats or an empty row of 3. Two days ago I wasn't so lucky but told a lady who had 3 seats to herself to move over so I got one and a half seats. I rarely fail to improve the situation. I also spent $5 with a prescription from my doctor on some quality sleeping pills which in addition to a couple of glasses of red wine give me some sleep. Don't get me wrong. I would always fly superior if I could afford to but I can't and I would much rather have a fourth month in Thailand than cut it to 3 and upgrade. If you're retired and want /need to stretch your dollars you need to be realistic. When I was in the work force I could alway rely on money coming in on a regular basis but retirement means that you have the time but not always enough to make luxury purchases which is what Economy or Business is. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

Butch. Re early afternoon venues in the Soi Buakhao area. I disagree with the comments in that I can easily find a dozen Gentlmens Clubs open from 2.00 pm that I can get to on foot and I am am old man. I have accommodation in central Buakhao so this is fact, not opinion. In addition to this I believe that there are about 5 afternoon gogo places in the two small sois where the Pump House is. Again, a ten minute walk from Buakhao. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

Yes indeed. I would sit outside and play pool but occasionally I would pop inside just to let the band know that someone was listening to the music. They were good and I miss the place. It is a big space and hope that it will be filled soon. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

Correct but it's demeaning for both the pissee and the pursuer. Anyway Thanya is a shell now that is gradually being vandalised. It is a real mystery how anyone makes a buck here. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

As usual a great start to my Pattaya day despite the hour. I laughed aloud to the amusement of my fellow diners. Didn't know till you told me that I was breaking the law when I was drinking night after night at 4 am

Perhaps worth mentioning that a story in the Bangkok Post this morning was interesting. In order to boost tourism there are some major tourist subsidies to be announced. The include extra hotels discounts so if you are planning to come to Thailand keep an eye out for the update.