seasia

Hi

Interesting topic.

I`ve never been but considering it for a visit, from Thailand.

Some basic questions.

How is it for getting around, if distance too far to walk, are taxis available most of the time and at a reasonable cost ? ( comparing to Bangkok say )?

It sounds like there would be a good choice of foreign food restaurants, would that include a selection of British, French, Indian & Italian style foods ?

Last question, what would be the ideal location for a first visit, lively, rather than quiet ?

Thanks.

For a bit nightlife looking, BOR PEN NYANG RESTAURANT AND BAR on the riverside upstairs, nice view to.

Good draft beer and a big bar with always some punters and some ladies.

One of the few places where you can see some of the Vientiane Ladies of the night.

On the end of the riverside, are also a bunch of nicely lit dinner restaurants, board walk restaurants, worth a night there.

Only open late afternoon.

Also on the riverside, nice Belgium Restaurant.

http://www.chokdeecafe.com/

Yes, that Belgian restaurant/bar is good, went a couple of times, quite busy.

I quite enjoyed my visit to Vientiane, nice restaurants, good baguettes some reasonable wine, good beer ( Beer Lao )

The photo of Swedish Pizza and Baking House posted by Happy Grumpy almost makes me want to go back, I somehow missed it when there.

What do you expect from kids growing up watching every day these so called Thai movies. Even my Thai isn't good enough to understand what is spoken in these movies, its always the same. Rich and beautiful young people permanent shouting, solving problems with a gun in their hand, beating up women and elderly, not even old enough to have finished an education but driving around with luxury cars and and and.... If you would have had to grow up with all this bullshit penetrating your brains on a daily basis, what do you think you would do when you are older and nobody gives you a car, a job, sufficient money to hang around with your friends? You would start to take it, and you would take it from those who you think that they are rich and don't belong to your country. Education starts early, about the same time envy starts

Fatfather

I`ve often thought the same way.

I try to avoid even glancing at what I would describe as Thai soap operas.

They do seem all the same,consisting of cheating, fighting, lying and shouting.

That nonsense must get entrenched in their brain.

I tried Royal Indian Masala as a result of reading here.

Enjoyed my meal,poppadoms nan bread, chicken tikka masala & pilau rice.

First 2 items, have had better, last 2 and the most important really were better than other places I`ve tried.

They do seem to be putting some effort in.

I was a little curious as to the pricing of poppadoms, seemed high and made a comment to the owner, which was well received and explained.

Other items all OK price wise.

I will go back, glad to have found a fairly decent Indian restaurant, tried a fair few others that have been disappointing.

The bar mentioned by Mr WW is possibly Poppy bar, name not important though.

Usually sois 7 & 8 are the first to pre start, maybe there are others that do also.

If anyone still needs to stock up Big C have a promotion running 9th to 15th, spend 999 baht +, get 120 baht discount.

Quite generous, doesn`t apply to alcohol and a few other items though.

The branch on Pattaya Klang do free delivery on any purchase over 1000 baht ( They will not deliver perishables, fresh or frozen food ) but can be included in the overall spend, just need to take any of those items home with you.

I`ve no connection with them nor do I personally know anyone working there, just shop there from time to time.

I think both they and Tesco do online ordering and delivery, I`ve not used.

I`ll probably go out in Central Pattaya tomorrow night, after that just stay where I live, naklua, a fair bit calmer here other than the 1 big day and a little bit on other days, although really from tomorrow onwards there is the risk of getting soaked by someone wanting to start early.

Quite a few people I know have either left or are mostly staying in

Someone here does make the lamb elephant leg thing that you're talking about and 2 places I know of selling lamb doners made from it are The Punch & Judy on Soi 17 and Nick the Pizza. Free delivery with Nick the Pizza so if this thread has got your mouth watering for one of these you could be eating one 30 mins after reading this without having to leave the comfort of your bed/chair/hammock/whatever... (There are some things I love about this town...)

They're not cheap mind - over 200 Baht at both places.

The other kebab I like is from the shop a few doors down from the entrance to Tops car park at the Beach Road end of Pattaya Klang. Not sure if it's already been discussed on this thread - it may be called Kebab King, or Doner King... something like that. Anyway, their beef kebab with garlic and spicy sauce (optional) hits the spot. Available either rolled up in flat bread or else with that other bread shown in some pics people have posted. Eat in or take away - 90 Baht.

Yes Doner King

Eaten from there many times, beef kebab with garlic sauce.

Only once had one somewhat sub par, was close to closing though and didn`t put me off.

Usually above average.

Closes 12.30 AM

I flew with them 3 times last year, 2 were BKK- LON, LON- BKK, free upgrade to Economy + on the latter

One MIL- LON economy.

No complaints from me

I`m going to book between 2 - 6 flights with them this year.

N.B I`m fairly small so don`t need lots of space.

Service was good.

Terminal 5 HTR which is their hub is horrible, truly so IMO, hated it.

I do also fly EVA and like them .

Wow - there's some proper hate in the comments on that article. I think there are many better hotels in PP than mentioned in that article but that's a matter of taste I guess.

Hi SR

Although I`d read the article shortly after it was being posted here( enjoyed it as it goes ), never the comments section until your post made me curious and read them

Yes, some strange maybe sad people posted on there.

Same on another Guardian article, a friend of mine was featured in it.He happens to be a freelance journalist but had not written that piece, it was by quite a good well regarded semi regular journalist.

Same thing there, some hateful comments about a fairly innocuous and "light" read.

Way of the world I guess.

HJC

Sorry to hear that also.

I`m stunned by one of the nasty replies but perhaps nothing should surprise me here

Started just before 5.00 AM naklua

A fair size Chinese presence here.

Leaving Thailand for good ? probably not but am seriously considering spending less time here.

I`ve lived here about 5 & 1/2 years after having had many visits previously.

When I first moved here I didn`t even want to return to my " home country " ( UK, area, a little north of London )

I hate the cold, other than that not too much to complain about the UK.

Thailand obviously beats it for me re. climate.

My alternative for part time away from Thailand is likely to be Italy, have visited for many years.

Last year I spent 3 weeks in the UK, 5 weeks in Italy.

Later this year I am planning 1 month UK, 2 months Italy, looking forward to it.

( Thanks to those who have posted views/experiences with both Portugal & Spain, both seem to also have appeal )

Maybe I have become a bit jaded with Thailand, maybe partly my fault but that is how I feel.

Some aspects I like, some grind me down.

Those are my genuine current thoughts anyway, as well as being a little jealous when the American posters mention how cheap some items are in the US ( compared to UK )

As a Brit I`m sure the health costs would be prohibitive for me, otherwise I`d give that thoughts.

I guess a 3 month travel health insurance policy might be OK if I wanted to spend some time there.

All the Best

I quite like May here, a bit quieter than usual, can be hot though.

As to bargains in shopping centres, don`t know, don`t think prices vary all that much in reality plus I hate shopping

There is another that has not been mentioned, it used to be on Pattaya nua, part of the Success Inn shop complex.

It moved a few months ago to soi pothisan, naklua.

If you turned right at the traffic lights on the main naklua road in to soi pothisan, the shop would be a little way up on the left hand side

I have not been there for some time so unaware whether it is still there, used to have a reasonable selection of books

I wasn`t even aware they had closed.

I have no business here nor do I want one but anytime I speak with anyone who has, they all seem to talk about staff being the biggest drawback.

I prefer not to name it but a large company with business in Pattaya and other parts of Thailand offer a fairly decent overall package, they give an extra 1 month salary as a Xmas bonus.

What happens when that is paid out?, they have staff leave or simply not even turn up, no warning.

i thought running a business in the UK was tough enough but that seems to pale compared to here.

I found it difficult to find good staff there also but after a lot of perseverance ended up with a good team

As another example a small business here I give a little custom to, foreign owned, took on what turned out to be a fairly useless member of staff.

I accepted that as one of those things, didn`t put me off but anyone encountering that as an introduction would likely never return.

That staff member either left or was pushed, no idea which.

Not easy here at all.

Interesting

I live in naklua, which you state as busy.

No, sorry it is not, many of the vendors I speak to comment on how quiet it is

It is, I like it that way so not complaining.

Quietest I`ve seen it for the last 10 years or so.( for the time of year )

I feel a bit sorry for some of the hard working Thais selling food etc, they`ll do OK with their Thai customers but as to foreigners, they are in short supply.

As to central Pattaya, some places are doing OK, some very quiet.

I hope the good ones can see it through.

I think a good test (apart from the quality of the food) would be on a Sunday night. If the place is busy with Italian expats watching La Liga (Italian football) and drinking Italian beer and eating the food, then the place is still a goer. If not, look elsewhere. Grottinos is off the main road, near to dolphin roundabout. Italian owned and good food and service. Soi 33, I think, opposite Woodlands resort.

It is indeed on soi 33 and does a good pizza, not tried any of the other dishes though.

There is another Italian restaurant virtually opposite it, name escapes me for now, will try that one sometime.

Hi

Not a review but merely some " news" in case of interest to anyone and probably not worth a separate thread

Dominos ( Pizza) have been very busy in getting a new branch ready in naklua, opening would be any day now by the looks of things.

If coming from the Dolphin Circle it is on the left hand side, about a 5- 7 minute walk or 1 minute on a bahtbus.

Well signed, just before soi 18/Wong Amat.

A lot of competition for pizza business in Pattaya generally but guess they have done their homework and will do OK

As of yesterday evening, not open but very nearly so, indoor eating area evident, telephone number for delivery already displayed.

I might try it although prefer to give independent restaurants my custom.

More choice always welcome though.

I have never eaten Iranian/Persian food but would like to try it.

A buffet would seem an ideal way but as an alternative, any suggestions for a dish that is predominately beef or lamb based, not too much in the way of green vegetables, no peas no lentils.?

Accompanying rice or potato fine.( tomato/mushroom/onions all OK also, no idea if they are a feature of Iranian food though )

Does the Persian rice with berries make it have a sweet taste ? I`d likely like that if so.

May well try Pardis buffet but equally happy to try a la carte.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

I wasn`t going to vote at all but as it seems fairly important to you and I have found your restaurant reviews interesting & useful, as well as your baht bus posts both entertaining and accurate you just got my vote.

Where is/was this located?

Who closes a bar one week before New Year's eve?

soi Wong Amat, 18 naklua, near where I live.

I don`t know him personally although have said Hello, surprised at the news, shame and I`ll admit to being only an infrequent visitor, pleasant bar it has been there years.

I guess it is tough everywhere but even in what should be a busy spell, a fair few naklua bars not really getting all that many customers.

The restaurants seem to do OK, the bars generally not so.

Changing times I suppose.

Some things for sure Ill miss,but the thoughts of small town/village life in Portugal,that obligatory small town square ,one side taken up by a church the peal of the bells,rest of the square taken up by small bars and cafes,quaffing frothy beer,something accompanying it a bit stronger,sliced dried ham,plate of olives too on the table fronting.The morning walk to collect the bread roll , it could bring tears to my eyes at times the thought of it

Just the thought that I could do it all,be there in 48 hours inspires me no end, just the damned baggage

.....

Hi loppylugs

That paragragh rings true for me also.

I`m British, lived in Thailand for just over 5 years but considering other options, even if just part time.

I`ve been going to Italy since a youngster, was there earlier this year for about 5 weeks and will be there for a couple of months next year.

Yes,small town, walk in to a little town centre as you`ve described, pick up some fresh bread, then later go to a small friendly bar, ham, salami, olives accompanied either by a beer or wine.

Although not Portugal, similar view

Also yes, it has been a good interesting thread.

Hope all goes well for you, would be fascinated to hear how it goes when you make the move.

To OP

Just in case you have not seen it, there is a thread running here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780486-alternative-retirement-destination/

in which Portugal does get at least a couple of mentions.

JT

Thanks for the review, it does look a charming place.

Have you ever tried Froggy`s French bistro, soi yumee, very roughly behind Big C Extra ?

I do not have any photos did eat there some time back, had the 3 course set menu, choosing Salmon cake starter, Duck leg main and profiteroles desert.

Portions not large but the meal was enough for me and thought it tasted good

.French chef/owner

Price is 330 baht

I believe the place was/is up for sale, whether it has changed from my visit I truly do not know.

website http://www.froggyfrenchbistro.com/menu.php