teelack

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

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 i

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 th

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 g

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.

Not sure how to put this but there is a massive erection going on in Tree Town. It could be a covered bar area but I have no idea what. Also some new bars have opened at the second road end this joins up the main road in Tree Town with Soi Made in Thailand. Seems like for each bar that closes one opens. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

Starts my morning off with a smile. Great stuff. Thanks

Last time in Pattaya I found a copy of an eye opening book even if it was first printed in 1991 and revised to some degree in 2003. Seems ancient but very fresh for me. The book is PARLIAMENT OF WHORES by P.J. O'Rourke. I am sure that many Americans here have read it but for someone who has no understanding of the political set up in the US it is an eye opening page turner. P.J takes no prisoners but seems to be fair and well balanced as he has chips on either shoulder. A recommended read.

I was reading this morning that Thai Air is badly in need of increased revenue. It is losing billions ( this year expecting 11 billion) each year and I suppose that the fall off in Euro travellers may be biting as well. The reason that I am losing faith in them is that the pricing is all over the place and can vary for me by NZ$600 or so from Auckland to Bangkok return. That's in the region of 12000 baht. Today's announcement was also a pisser in that they are starting to charge between 480 and 3195 baht if you want a "Preferred" seat at the front row or beside the emergency exit. I realise th

In fairness I don't know that your Smart Gate experience is typical. Like I said, for me it is less than a minute and never yet had a queue. I have no idea what the future of Thailand airports will be and I have just read a rant (on Thai Visa I think) saying that around noon it is a nightmare. I can only judge as I find and if a backwater like New Zealand can have state of the art immigration I am sure that Thailand can as well. Things that could be dumped? Perhaps the photos can be taken automatically? I really don't know as I have no experience in the area. Surely there are some airport geek

Because in future I would see it cutting down on some steps.Sorry to hark back to the Smart Gate system but now there is no queue, no stamps and its all handled by a machine that's not having a bad day, due her period or going through the menopause. Like it or not the gradual computerisation and AI is displacing people for technology. There would be no reason to spend hundreds of millions of baht on a system that has no advantages or long term savings.

Why do you think this? I have yet to read that it is problem! Sure, initial input is perhaps 2 minutes but I am sure that the end result will be a speed up of the immigration process. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

Just read this on Pattaya News. Thailand’s tourism minister has blamed a surge in the baht for sapping tourist arrivals into Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy and says he’ll take up the matter with the central bank, highlighting rising concern over the currency’s gains. Arrivals have dropped because of the baht’s strength, Piphat Ratchakitprakarn, minister of tourism and sports, told reporters in Bangkok after he officially began his new role. Piphat said he’ll discuss with the Bank of Thailand and the finance minister what can be done to help support the industry. “The s

Surely the simple answer is supply and demand? There is more demand for instance for the Thai baht that many other currencies. It may not appear rational but it is the same principle as "Voting with your feet" in that you put your money into places that you like and withdraw it from places that you don't. Financiers are not sentimental so perhaps we need to believe that there are good reasons despite what seems apparent. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

I hope that Pattaya news will forgive me for lifting this story. Pattaya. Nikkei Asian Review released an article this week in which they stated that the head of the cities Business and Tourism Association has forecast a total of 19 million visitors to the city this year, a 5% total increase, which is nearly half of the total predicted 40 million visitors. Significant work is being done to draw Indian, Muslim and Chinese tourists to the city as a quick walk down Walking Street will show any visitor. CP, a $63 billion food and retail group, intends to reshape the flows of p

As a side comment. For whatever reason the price of avocado's went crazy here a couple of months ago. We grow them locally but first class was as high as $10 each, approx 200 baht. Now down to a quarter of that but beware of the Chinese middle classes who are flexing their economic muscles. Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk