moonseeker

I had major lung-surgeries a little while ago in Europe. Non-smoker. The pathologist actually came to my room to inquire where I was living. When I told him in Thailand/Pattaya he told me: "OK, now I understand. Your tissue samples show, as if you had worked in a coal mine for 20 years."

These days I use a mask to protect what is left of my lungs, driving my bikes. But does it help? Seeing more and more people with masks in Pattaya & BKK. I am shocked to see parents with babies in their strollers parade along Soi Boukao, Beach Rd. etc., with black exhaust fumes blowing right into their kids face.

Have a nice Sunday. MS>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

A bit early to call it a flop. Amazing however how entrepreneurs can invest huge sums of money without proper market research.

How do you know they didn't do proper market research? Does that mean first consulting the TVF Pattaya Central Planning Bureau? The Bureau only goes by "what's needed." Nothing has been needed in the last 20 years, so no Hooters. Anything new is destined to fail. Period. Hence no surprise that Hooters is already pronounced a flop.

Having visited Hooters 3 times now at lunchtime I think it has a good chance of success. How well is the question. If it catches on w/ the Chinese, as has the very different Hopf, then it should do well. Otherwise, so-so I'd say.

Thailand is such a difficult & different place to run any kind of business.

Another point: Why did the architect not take advantage of the beach location and create a view from all areas , with some raised open areas, different levels etc. etc. The inner & outer areas look like 2 boring large factory-halls, actually hiding away sit-down tables inside on top of all. With the money spent, a good architect could have created something much better, if not spectacular, that actually attracts people and pulls them in. Now it is a large box with and unpleasant large stage on one side etc. etc. Never too late to make some changes. Make this the fun-place it it supposed to be. Need to be turned into a destination, just too many options around for the run-of-the-mill and unfortunately a huge majority who will actually be too cheap to even frequent run-of-the mill and look for the plenty of bargain-places without any atmosphere at all. Tough days ahead in low season, which seems to have started January 15th. already. Best of luck! MS>

I thought about this comment today. I think the view's fine, nobody much cares if it's a box. Stage is OK if the bands are any good, as they probably won't be. At least the bar will shield the booths from the noise a bit. In fact the noise is and will be a nuisance in the neighborhood and should be strongly regulated if permitted at all.

I would have liked some larger tables around the bar, not just for 2. The roof's gonna leak in the rainy season. But the manager says they intend to make some modifications. Music wasn't too loud, and acceptable. Hooters girls do a little dance session during lunch hour.

The attraction will be the food & service & the wimmens. Fact is, the food's quite good for what it is. To be quite good, though, and pay for everything, it's gotta be rather expensive. Havana has the same problem, but it has the hotel advantage. Service was OK if not great. Sure beats Kiss anyway. Wimmens do look in shape (no comparison to the States, however) and have obviously gone through some training.

TQ is right up the street, so Hooters can be a warm up. In fact my friend and I adjourned there after lunch: fortunately one of the good DJs was in control of the music. So it was another nice afternoon in Pattaya. Think I'll stay.

Business seemed adequate during the three lunches I've had there, for a new place. Not wild about it, but I think the place is a worthwhile addition to our fine cesspool. I'll go back. I don't miss the beer bars it replaced.

So, we'll see. As champers once wisely observed,

Patience is a virtue and Geena is a punk rocker!

—champers, 2014-04-30 01:29:07

Yeah. Sheena, too.

Good points and nicely presented. Food, as I mentioned was good - better be for that price - and if the fries come hot the next time, I will be even happier. Still feel, a good designer could have done something so much better. Main problem, as told by several of the girls is the the staff problem, even with their good salaries and benefits. Agreed, Indians & Asians might turn out to be the main crowd, also I have seen quite a few long-timers (Falangs) when I was there. Also hope they make it, I wish the same for every entrepreneur, especially in this country with some very difficult hurdles to take and keep taking before success.....Good night for now. MS>

Memorial or Pattaya Int. Could be anything. From flue to dengue or something more serious. I.e. Pneumonia is a killer amongst the elderly here. Do not self or pharmacy treat unless you are an expert. Get well soon. MS>

Thank you all. No wife or kids :-) So best he does a side-trip by plane and gets another 30 days as he requires 3 weeks more. THX again MS>

Friend needs to know if the above visa can be extended or what his best options are to get another 3 weeks, so he can stay until he has to fly back home. Thank you all. MS>

Bronx is OK, but certainly nothing to drive far for. Maybe for a quick snack

L'ITALIANO on Walking Str. is very good & tasty, but not cheap at that location, obviously. MS>

Tried Fire and Stone for the third and last time. Everybody on table agreed. Bland and very light on toppings. Much better choices in town. MS>

Centre Condo is one of those places where foreign ownership exceeds 49%

Yeah, and there are others. This "quota-hold" was in place for quite a while (several years) and I remember, after if finally caught on, quite a few people switched from company to private ownership or hurried to buy, I was one of them :-)

Now people who not even want to sell get all exited about "their huge investments" in a 30-K Euro studios loosing value, while they on the other side plan to stay in paradise until their demise.

Storm in a teacup IMO. Most problems can be resolved with a connected lawyer in no time, case by case. There was an article about this in one of the big E papers a few months back, trying to find it....MS>

Update... I believe we are not allowed to post BKK Post links?

Google: "Foreign Quota Condo Problems Unable to Sell Jomtien" >>> The first link gives some more details.......

Good morning Sir Paul

If you search the subject carefully, you will find several posts about this subject. Chateau Dale comes to mind. People are always fast screaming fraud, in this case there might be a very simple explanation. During several years of the Asian crisis the quota-system was "put on hold" and this enabled foreigners to buy units in their foreign name. This brought up the quota above 49% in several big condo buildings in town. Obviously there were MUCH fewer back then. They are well known, the ones that are of age now and struggle to convince the "cheaper" owners that funds are needed to upkeep the 20+ year old buildings and systems.

So, several of these condos have been over quota for many years, but about 6-8 months ago the local LO under pressure from BKK started "refusing" to transfer units in foreign name to foreigners, as they had orders to get the quota back to below 49% foreign ownership. BUT, as you might find in other posts, there is always ways to "resolve" this. I am aware of at least 8 transfers that were done successfully, anyway.

Any good lawyer will be able to tell you in advance how the procedure will and can be handled, after having had a talk at the LO.

BTW, cost of transfer have been reduced for a limited time, I believe it is still discounted right now. I am talking about the official fees, taxes etc.

So best, let a competent lawyer handle this and refrain from listening too much to the Pattaya ""screamers & rumor-mongers".

I doubt the value of your unit drops due to this, it might drop if your condo is not well maintained, as there are many modern & brand new alternatives now. I suspect, this whole issue will go away quietly one day, as most issues in the LOS and unless you want to sell now, I would not worry too much. Hopefully one of the TV-lawyers will have a say here to add some facts. BTW Your condo's JP keeps track of the quota, as it was outlined and registered at the time of original registration of the project at the LO, so you can get some info in your condo administration, too. A last point, I was told there seems to be more leniency towards owners, who had NOT bought during the Asian crisis, meaning owners who were within quota originally. But again, let a lawyer handle this, well worth the peace of mind.

Nice day. MS>

I actually wanted to post this info a couple of weeks ago, but did not think it would be of interest. I like fresh and good yogurt (Thai stuff is horrific) and just felt the large FARMERS CHOICE "GREEK" & "REGULAR POT or similar" was adding up to quite a bit of cash and why not try another way, against advise of friends.

Got myself 2 bottles of 1 L Meiji Full Milk / Blue Top and 1 each of the Farmer's yogurts, small for about 60 Baht each.

Now, absolute hygiene is very important, don't re-use bottles, don't stick anything in there to stir etc. etc.

1) Pour out a small amount of Milk from a fresh bottle of Full Milk, preferably not directly out of fridge, but slightly warmer.

2) Add 3 small/tablespoons of yogurt, whichever your preference, I prefer the creamy GREEK.

3) Close the bottle and shake it well.

4) Open the bottle and just leave the top on the bottle as protection, don't screw it on.

5) Leave the bottle quiet for 10-14 hours, I pick a shaded place with average temp. of 29-32 C on my balcony, if by then the yogurt is not thickened enough, add a couple hours.

6) Stick it in the fridge, I have kept it - to experiment - up to 12 days and it stayed perfect.

7) POUR the yogurt after a brief shake, don's stick anything in there. Add honey, coffee-powder, Choco, Muesli or whatever :-) in the bowl.

8) Shortly before running out, repeat the process with your own-made yogurt and a fresh bottle of Milk. Again, pour it, don't use anything that could contaminate it.

My friends told me it will only work for 2-3 times, if at all. I have done it up to 10 times, without seeing or tasting any difference. Both types of FARMER'S CHOICE turned out great.

If I run out, or forget to make fresh one, I just go and get a small cup in Friendship and some milk and start again.

I am the opposite of cheap, just wanted to see if it works against my friends opinions, but I might keep going with my 1L = < (less) 50 Baht GREEK Yogurt. :-) You do the math. Hope it helps somebody who lives on a budget. Nothing wrong with that.

There might be a minimal difference in consistency vs. the bought-one, I am sure they add stabilizers etc. In fact, I feel my own-made one is creamier & tastier, have never tried low-fat??? Might be worth a try if you on a diet. BUT use the bottle, the one in the fridge section.

Enjoy & Good night! MS>

A bit early to call it a flop. Amazing however how entrepreneurs can invest huge sums of money without proper market research. Thailand is such a difficult & different place to run any kind of business.

Another point: Why did the architect not take advantage of the beach location and create a view from all areas , with some raised open areas, different levels etc. etc. The inner & outer areas look like 2 boring large factory-halls, actually hiding away sit-down tables inside on top of all. With the money spent, a good architect could have created something much better, if not spectacular, that actually attracts people and pulls them in. Now it is a large box with and unpleasant large stage on one side etc. etc. Never too late to make some changes. Make this the fun-place it it supposed to be. Need to be turned into a destination, just too many options around for the run-of-the-mill and unfortunately a huge majority who will actually be too cheap to even frequent run-of-the mill and look for the plenty of bargain-places without any atmosphere at all. Tough days ahead in low season, which seems to have started January 15th. already. Best of luck! MS>

pattaya is fun and relatively cheap. One of the best party cities in the world? never. Would struggle to make the top 100.

It is if your IQ is less than your shoe size

MS>

FATTIES

Tattooed

Unwashed

Delights

CHANGES

CLOWNS

Posers

Addictions

Tightwads

Madness

STENCH

Good morning. I no, I did not refer to any particular law-service.Took me a while to find real lawyers here. Not the ones who sell tours and air tickets, too. Indeed, very pleased with Kh. Dao. I was not aware they were represented here in Pattaya. Thanks for that. Makes it even easier for people. Have a great day. MS>