Exsexyman

I see he's still dragging that old bag around.

Does anybody out there know if the current arrangement for the sardine special to Jomtien, ie, via the back streets of soi day night is permanent, or will south pattaya road revert back to two way when (or if ) the roadworks are finished?

Just saw two scams in progress one near mike shopping the other outside royal garden .

It is dissapointing to see no local media coverage

This is a very good point. How many newspapers do we have in this city now? Four? Five? Im losing count. These scams have been common knowledge for a long time now, lets face it, its nothing less than criminal extortion. So many people must have had their holidays ruined by these criminals who obviously have carte blanche from the powers that be here to continue with their activities. And where are our fearless journalists when they have a real story to expose? Having numerous photo opportunities with local dignitaries, or appearing on our tv screens advising the people of pattaya on the correct way to salivate when in close proximity to the mayor, anyone in uniform etc. "We dare where others keep silent"? Would be funny if it wasnt so nauseating. Makes you realise there just isnt enough vomit in the world!

Thai tourism is on the upswing for sure. Stop by the floating market this weekend. Global tourism is WAY down...and those who do travel, are spending way less. Plus, tourism is being promoted to the Indian and Chinese market...for sure lots more here in the past few years...and more will come in the future as their economies grow and prosper. 20 years ago I bet it was a rare thing to see a Russian/ex-soviet bloc tourist...now, they are everywhere!

So true about the Russians traveling and I suppose the same could be said about the Chinese and Indians.

I visit Angeles City, Philippines (Pattaya Lite ) a couple of times a yeas and I'm noticing more Indians there. A funny story, an Aussie hotel owner told me. He has a 4 to 6 pm Happy Hour, small San Mig Light beers are only 30 pesos, thats around 21 baht. The three Indians ordered one beer and requested three glasses. They slowly drank their very small portions, then sauntered off.

I don't have a problem with Indians, but I doubt that bar owners are too pleased to have them taking up space in their establishments

I think anyone who has been here a few years will have witnessed this sort of thing. Just a few weeks ago i was sitting outside a thai massage shop chatting to the thai owner, a long standing friend. Due to the lack of business massages were on special offer at 100 baht for one hour. Three Indian guys, very smartly dressed came to the door and said they would pay 200 baht for three massages. Of course they were politely knocked back, but they stood there haggling for about 10 minutes., refused to budge at 250 baht. Were sent on their way with much head shaking and rolling of eyes by the staff. I have also witnessed two Indian guys in a bar with one bottle of water between them, offering one of the service girls 1000 baht to go back to their hotel with them both for the night. Again, they spent ages haggling with her. Eventually they were told to f*** off by the bar owner and they looked genuinely hurt and surprised as they wandered away. I believe Indian people really cannot help it, it is just a national trait to get the cheapest price possible, no matter how rich they may be. A good friend of mine owns some very nice, and quite expensive by pattaya standards, serviced apartments in the outskirts of Jomtien. When he opened about seven years ago one of his first bookings was via e mail from India requesting a one bedroomed apartment. He even gave a discount due to the persistant haggling. Six Indian guys turned up expecting to sleep on the sofas, floor etc. They even tried to re negotiate the price that had been agreed for a one bedroom apartment. He was so stunned he let them stay, (though not at a reduced rate). This scenario re occurred on quite a few occasions so his manager was instructed to make it quite clear to anyone booking from India that one bedroomed were for two people only, two bedroomed for four people etc. They still try it on sometimes though. Two people will turn up, check in etc, then under cover of darkness a few more will sneak in. They get short shrift now though and are sent on their way. Im sure that most people from India do not take things to these extremes, but enough of them do to ensure that a certain reputation precedes them, however unfair this may be to the majority who probably suffer the backlash.

We can always meet up for a drink and compare whos the biggest jt if you like Pm me.

Now Now girls, calm down.

More a case of www.torent.com as opposed to www.torrentz.com

More a case of somebody making their first post on a forum being immediately dissed by two members with nearly 30,000 posts between them in a pompous and patronising fashion. " These newbies eh jing, nudge nudge, wink wink". Here was somebody, who was obviously enthusiastic about the topic under discussion and wanting to get involved, being treated with disdain. Maybe he made an honest mistake with the link he quoted, who knows. Not everybody is perfect. But he or she will probably think twice before making another contribution, and who could blame them. Well done both of you.

You're wrong about me. I have nothing against newbies. I like newbies. But that was a dodgy post. Sorry, it was. Newbie or no newbie. BTW, I don't think there actually ARE any torrents for that movie that don't involve downloading software and paying a service fee.

If you bothered to check my posting history (if you have a year or two of spare time) you will see that on countless occasions I have written very long helpful posts, especially in the visa section, often to total newbies. Like, I said, I like newbies. I suggest you think a little harder before insulting people unfairly.

I fully accept what you and mca are saying. No unfair insults were intended i can assure you, not my style, but if that is how it is perceived i apologise to you both. All i was trying to do was to put myself in the poor guys shoes, making my first post, probably thinking long and hard about it first, we have all been there. Then after taking the plunge, within a few minutes of posting getting two comments like that. You have to admit it was a bit unfair to put it mildly. I think i would have been a bit miffed and disappointed to say the least.. Thats all. Hope that clears things up. I may well follow up your suggestion re checking your posting history jingthing. If i set aside an hour a day how many years would you estimate it would take? Bear in mind that i am not a young man!

I think it's newbies who can't spell very well jing as opposed to a possible virus.

You mean like spelling "clicking" as "clinking" ?

Clinking on links from newbies sounds risky, eh? Check for viruses?

Pompous? Patronising? Moi?

There are two Halloweens in my mind. The American version with something called trick or treat ??? And the U.K. version "Penny for the guy"

"Penny for the guy' is not Halloween, it's bonfire night, celebrated on 5th November, "commemorating" the failure of an early fundamentalist religious act of terrorism, which was a plot to blow up the British House of Commons in 1604.

In some parts of the UK it is still tainted with sectarianism, especially in the Northern Ireland, but it is most definitely not Halloween.

Absolutely correct sharecropper. The leader of the "gunpowder plot" which was an attempt to blow up the British house of commons was a gentleman named Guy Fawkes. Some of us are of the opinion that he was probably the only person ever to enter parliament with honest intentions.

I saw them renovating the place a number of days back, looked like it was going to be good. Anymore reports?

Walked past the other day after leaving Friendship who had sold out of the bread i usually buy. Aah i thought, a new French bakery, just the ticket. Popped in and asked what bread they had. "No have bread" was the reply. " You mean you have sold out?" "No sell bread" So we have a French bakery that does not sell bread! Priceless. Only in Thailand!

Heard he has got an acting job somewhere

Rumours emanating from the UK suggest he has been headhunted by the BBC. Jeremy Paxman having gone on a sabbatical, the legendary "Hammer" will be filling in for him presenting Newsnight and University Challenge. Does anybody have any confirmation of this?

Slightly off topic, but rubbing fresh parsley on mosquito bites works wonders. Try it.

Anything has to be better than Pattaya People. Although i do enjoy counting the photos of Mr Colov. My personal best so far is 54 photos of him in one edition!