LALes

The guys with the guns set it up so that they can't lose. You wanna challenge that?

Started to look more like the Soi Bukhao flea market so the hammer came down? That family is rich enough. They don't need the piddling rents the street vendors were probably paying.

The US has 800 military bases around the world. They meddle EVERYWHERE!! To think otherwise is just plain naive. What are US interests in this election? Which party will be more favorable to the US and not China?

I am shocked-shocked-to find U.S. meddling in foreign elections. Round up the usual suspects.

Whoa, baby! Gonna see some fireworks in the Thai Baht next week. Got a lot of dry powder on the sidelines waiting for an event such as this.

Apart from Covid, this election is THE major event of the last 8+ years since the last coup. You can't just pooh pooh this off as a minor annoyance. There will be a lot of eyes on Thailand next month to see if they can deliver a peaceful transfer of power. The exchange rate is like the Vegas odds. Sentiment is driving this. Who knows which way it will go.

Russian tourists using Russian ride hailing app and Russian rent-a-car service, too. Cuts the Thais completely out of the loop in Phuket and Pattaya. Friction was bound to ensue and here we go.

Gotta be better than Pattaya or Jomtien. I know that's a low bar but...

Your Pattaya experience is not complete until you've been pickpocketed by a ladyboy. Preferably on a baht bus.

As the French say, "plus ca change, plus ca meme chose."

Dollar dropped 50 satang an hour ago but recovered a lot of it.

I spent many years in some top U.S. steakhouses and I can tell you that U.S. beef will only be outdone by true Japanese Wagyu, not some clown sticking a Wagyu label on his local steaks. That said, Aussie beef comes in a distant second or third (depending on the quality of Argentine you can get). Thai beef doesn't even register on the scale. And the much hyped Thai-French blend is hardly better than average Thai. Do yourself a favor and steer (ha!) clear.

Damn, same age as me. Why do we keep losing all the good ones? He seemed like a selfless individual who's main aim was helping people. I was one of the countless to benefit from his knowledge. RIP, Joe.

When I wandered in there 2 weeks ago for a look, I asked to see a menu and he gave me a tablet with pictures on it and Chinese writing. I asked him about english and he seemed a little surprised. I'm not sure they really anticipated an English-speaking clientele.

Talked to the Chinese guy who runs the place a week or so ago. They were in soft opening. I didn't eat there yet. He and his staff are all from Xian. What that means as far as what type of Chinese cuisine they serve is open to conjecture. If this damn smog would lift, I'd head over there and try it.

In BKK, Siam Kempinski, behind Paragon, has an excellent cigar lounge with everything well cared for. They have a second venue at the Kempinski on Lang Suan with live jazz next door. You can't go wrong at the the Oriental, by the river, either. I assume, by your requirements, that you won't be frightened by their price point.

When I look in the mirror, I think, "that can't be accurate." So much for attracting the superstars of 20 years ago. Old Father Time. He will humble the best of us.

All right! We got some new ethnic groups to hate on.

I miss the Panasonic portable shavers. I should have bought the last 4 I saw in Robinson, Soi 19 a few years back. I bought only one. 2 shavers in 15 years. I like that kind of longevity. Seems like Panasonic has drastically reduced their footprint in Thailand.

Be afraid! Be very afraid!!

Six of one, half dozen of another. Pick yer poison. They love him in Isaan because he at least recognized their existence. Sad state of affairs when that's all you got to hang your hat on.

Don't be deterred. Go back there. Its the best pizza in Pattaya, maybe the best in Thailand. Real deal pizza from a real deal New Yorker. The only competition is Soho in Bangkok.

When I grow up I want to be transfered to an inactive post.

Vinyl outsold CD for the first time since 1987. Still, I have hundreds of classic rock and jazz CDs and I would never part with them. Don't need no streaming service.

Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, go straight to inactive post.