MrWorldwide

It rains a lot for a 'hot season' thats because its not the hot season yet ???

March to june is classed as the "hot season".

http://www.tourismthailand.org/Thailand/weather

LOL "Hot season". "Hot and wet" or "hot and dry" would be a more appropriate way of naming the seasons.

April:

Precipitation

The average monthly amount of precipitation has been recorded at around 69 mm, that's 3 inches. Throughout the month you can expect to see rain or drizzle falling on 4 days of the month.

http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Thailand/Pattaya/climate-profile.aspx

I take it you werent here in Jan when many of us were commenting on the fact that it actually felt 'cold' in Pattaya at night. Many of the Thais were wearing jackets and pullovers in Pattaya - a first IME. The 'cool season' might be short lived but its real enough - many of us had coughs we couldnt get rid of until it warmed up again.

Ooooooo goody another scouse bashing thread.

Was it one scouse lad who's bringing some of his mates over?

Not exactly gone ruin songkran is lad. Pattaya is a pretty big place.

I dont know - they seem like a determined bunch !

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810419-songkran-2015-will-you-leave-pattaya-hole-up-at-home/?p=9222385

As for 'ruin Songkran' I suspect that others can do that without any help from the scousers.

http://www.thefinancialist.com/the-curious-case-of-thailand/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=the_financialist_main&utm_content=34252461

Not the first time I've seen low population growth described as a negative for Thailand in relation to its neighbours, but how many here want to see even more vehicles on Thai roads ? How many want the huge pool of under-employed people that seem to be seen as 'assets' on the balance sheets in Indonesia and the PI. I doubt that too many in Bangkok are reading these numbers with any kind of roadmap for the future in mind: thoughts ?

Those less-than-desirable demographic trends are hurting the economy. The combination of labor shortages, low investment rates and the scarcity of high-level skills have already become binding constraints on long-term growth rates. As a result, Thailand’s potential GDP growth rate could fall to around 3.5 percent over the next decade from the range of 4 to 4.5 percent that has been seen in the past, according to Credit Suisse analyst Santitarn Sathirathai

Thanks Don Mega.

@jerry123, try to keep up mate - its not that hard to work it out a few days from Songkran. No secret that April is the hottest month in both Thailand and Cambodia - happy to see any meteorological data you have that proves otherwise.

OK - as much as I normally enjoy Naam's postings, the last 6 or so posts here have had little to do with the topic - perhaps this thread has run its course ? Just a thought.

i [not so] humbly beg to differ that the cost of utilities, specifically electric energy, have little to do with the topic "how much... fairly high standard of living". in my [also not so] humble opinion a high standard of living comprises a comfortable climate at any time in any part of the home which can't be achieved by cross-ventilation, fans moving hot air or excessive consumption of icecold beer.

a fairly high standard of living means also a "fistful" of fridges and freezers stuffed with delicate foods available at any time without shopping, washer and dryer and last not least a pool.

of course... mileages vary

I still dont get why you didnt just ditch the wife and run off with Ginger - Gilligan and Skipper had one another and the Prof wasn't man enough for Ginger - that left one lucky SOB. I guess what happens on the island stays on the island, eh Thurston old chap ? Even at eight years of age, I knew Ginger's coconuts were something I needed to see.

She is still young and this incident certainly will change her life.

Feel kind of sorry for her to have her vacation end up like this.

None of us know exactly what happened. All I see is guesses.

Vacation ?

Miss Amanda, who came to Thailand 2 months ago and is reportedly working as a foreign language teacher in a local school

I'm guessing said school tore up that contract and she's now penniless in addition to being one of the most hated Farang in Pattaya.

Chances are you'd be mightily dead - its a miracle she didnt kill several people with her efforts.

[soundcloud][/soundcloud]I remember reading an account of this situation on this forum yesterday by a member who was present at the time. He said the man was extremly drunk, rude, aggresive and bothering the serving staff and was asked to leave then was escorted outside of the bar. He then tried to re-enter and was stopped by security and then accosted the security guards. I do not recommend the use of weapons or such but from the members description the guard did not use a hook but used one of those collaspsible batons you can buy at almost any stall on Beach Rd. I think the owner is doing much more than neccesary to make amends to a drunken fool that should have been escorted out by the police and thrown in the drunk tank. Apparently one of the serving girls also had gone to the police to request assistance (ha-ha) if that could have been expected. Now my rant is over but why should the owner have to suffer for a drunk, aggressive foriegner. As usual every post here has been hang the owner but yesterdays post makes more sense to me and I am not a tee-totaler and have been coming here for many years and have never had a problem

blitzfix's correction does refer to the pole they use to lower the metal grille at the front of many bars, and that does indeed have a hook on it.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815359-polish-man-assaulted-by-pattaya-go-go-bar-security-guards/?p=9281215

The remainder of your post seems like a reasonable summation of blitzfix's firsthand account from the front of the club and there is another account in the same thread from a TVer who claims the Pole was making an a-hole of himself inside the go-go before he was asked to leave. Always two sides to every story but my experience here is that the hanging jury on this forum doesnt need to hear either of them - a Thai hitting a Farang with a hooked metal pole is the only 'story' they're interested in.

Walked through Royal Garden Plaza Mall at ~8pm earlier this week and i could have been carrying a shotgun for all the bored staff would have cared. No idea how the tenants down there are paying the rent if that was indicative of the patronage they're currently enjoying. The only place where I do have to contend with a mob is shopping for groceries in Big C Extra - the cretins who run that place seem to be back to their old trick of only rostering 6 ladies on at the checkouts while staff literally hide in various departments so they can while away the hours laughing and chatting. Classic.

You mean he has not fired the guys who did this??? If not permanent boycott of club is in order.

I'm guessing you've never been there and have no intention of going, along with myself and at least 98% of the regulars on this forum - I'd say a 'permanent boycott' was in effect long before this incident. I have nothing against the owner or the staff, but blitzfix's firsthand account of what happened is the complete opposite of the media's portrayal of the victim as a hapless tourist who was set upon by 3 Thais.

For those who continue to bang on about the need for more Tourist Police to take care of unruly patrons, have you had a good look at many of the TP volunteers ? These guys aren't cage fighters and even if they were, they pack up early and go home well before most of the serious altercations take place. I was in WS at 1am this morning and there was no sign of the TP - quiet night and they probably had something better to do at home.

Another absolute ripper drenching the city this afternoon - hopefully it will wash away the scousers who've threatened to make Songkran especially memorable miserable for the rest of us !

Bring it down, Huey old mate, bring it down.

So, after they announced he was 86'd (that's an American restaurant industry term for banned, or taken off the menu) he refused to leave. So, instead of calling the police and having him trespassed, their security beats him up. The club owners should be permanently banned from operating nightclubs. Self-help evictions are not acceptable in the hospitality industry.

Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, a weapon was used that could have killed the man.

That might make some think twice before they act the thought of 15 years in the BK Hilton but this these guys will get off light.

Any one know if the Aussie if off the hook yet.

Are you referring to Mark Pendlebury ?

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Australian-expat-kills-Phuket-nightclub-bouncer/51534#ad-image-0

That initial report was completely contradicted by several eyewitness accounts of what actually happened but it's all covered in the thread in the Phuket forum. All I know is that he was granted bail, but as I pointed out before there is rarely any court reporting here - the only way we will know the outcome is if someone connected to Mark makes it public.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808321-aussie-expat-mark-pendelbury-granted-bail-in-phuket-murder-case/

1. FYI - Just for everyone's info., I read another article that described the metal rod as a common tool used to pull the metal door down in front of a business at closing time. Having read that I realized that is what I saw. At the time I did not see the hook on the end because it was in motion most of the time but it most certainly had one.

2. It's obvious some people don't read existing comments and just post ill-informed comments on an article. Oh well.

3. The article said the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday. It most certainly did not. It was around 9:30 or so Sunday night. The article also said "2 Thai bouncers". there were 3. They were very tolerant and the foreigner threw many punches before one of the bouncers went and got the weapon. As several people have pointed out, there should be a better way to handle drunks than with a metal rod. Agreed. Tasers? Aikido training? Any other ideas?

Thanks for the clarification. Most Police are taught basic joint locks and submissions for restraining a suspect - in this case, the problem would appear to be that they couldn't get close enough to him without being punched in the face, but technically there were 3 of them vs one man. If you watch bouncers take someone down there will usually be one bouncer who goes in hard and the others rapidly pile on after their target is on the ground. That first guy has to be prepared to cop at least one punch or kick going in but they're normally big enough and ugly enough to handle that.

Most of the Aikido I've seen demonstrated online features a compliant partner who isnt trying to take the instructor's head off - I'll leave it to the board's resident martial arts experts to assess how feasible some of these joint locks would have been in this situation.

Bangers - the Big Mango - BKK.

you guys down there keep us informed via this page, should be interesting when it re-opens, i bet it does before songkram.

I'll get right on that ....

I regularly walk past Showgirls, the go-go where 3 Brits were set upon by anywhere up to 12 Thais a month or so ago, and its business as usual with smiling Thai guys motioning punters inside. Someone who knew the guys personally claimed they dont normally go looking for trouble but there has been zero follow-up from PattayaOne or anyone else. As this news article points out, these incidents are hardly new in Pattaya but any attempt at chasing the outcome seems to be a foreign concept. Given the farce on Koh Tao and the Red Bull bandit, I wouldnt hold my breath for an outcome here.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/488716/3-foreigners-beaten-by-pattaya-bar-bouncers

Bar-bouncer attacks against foreign tourists has been a continual problem in Pattaya, with authorities adopting a zero-tolerance response to such attacks. In January, a Russian tourist was beaten senseless...

I went to Pattaya once. Stayed 6 hours, left and never returned. Not my cup of Thai tea.

That was too much time!....I took 1/2 hour to find a parking space....1/2 hours to walk by bars facing the crowded beach, and the line of old farangs seated on to enjoy the hookers parade...1/2 hour more in a small restaurant paying prices of a big restaurant....and I was in my way to Rayong .. just 1/2 hour drive to a very nice and deserted beach to spend my weekend. Pattaya?...never again!

Thanks for dropping by to give us the riveting account of the time you almost came to Pattaya - sounds like you were traumatised by a very ordinary hour and a half in our fair town. Not so much as a squirrel grip from a katoey or a hearty 'Frack you mi'ter !' from one of our delightful flower girls ? Mate, you havent lived.

overpriced and overrated so shouldnt be a surprise

Sadly, I concur, but during a good tourist season they could still get away with that. I guess arrogance goes a long way and the owners of many of these bars have are earning enough OS to keep propping them up - under normal circumstances many would be abandoned and derelict by now.

All I ask is to show a little respect...

He is in a foreign country, and yes Thailand does have laws.

My guess is he got his ass kicked for being a total a**hole....

Seen this many times before, and from what I ever witnessed, most of them deserved it.!

Maybe their embassies could give them a little,

Training on how to act in Thailand.....

Just a thought.....

Here we go again. The farang's fault. He didn't show sufficient respect so the Thais justifiably beat him to a pulp.

The only a**holes are the Thai security guards and in most civilized countries they would have been arrested, waiting sentencing, and facing 5 years prison terms for assault.

I assume you dont accept blitzfix's firsthand account of what actually happened outside the club ? 5 year prison terms - really ? There are people in Australia who've done less for killing someone on the street.

@blitzfix - thanks for the firsthand report - I doubt that it will sway the haters but their minds were made up long before they logged in today. When 3 Thais cant deal with a single Westerner - assuming he isnt Dolph Lundgren - without resorting to weapons perhaps they need to ask themselves if this is really the industry for them, but from your report it would appear that the Polish man was the instigator. Not really sure who in their right mind would fight to get back into a club where they could potentially corner him and really do some damage - one can only assume that he had another target in mind and these guys got in the way.

I dont have a lot of experience in go-gos, but I've seen some complete idiots who seem to be under the illusion that anything goes. I keep my hands to myself and my eyes on my bill wherever I go in Pattaya but I cant say the same for everyone else here.

As Pattaya is serious about trying to portray a better image it would help immensely to reduce the ugly pictures of foreigners covered in blood daily from gang beatings.

Pattaya has a need for good organised doormen and yet the clubs still employ anyone that will wear the shirt and stay up till 4.00 am. Why doesn't someone invest in a real training school for doormen that could simply walk the drunk foreigner to the door restraining him but not physically harming him. This club in particular would already be in pocket as now they face a closure or probably a large portion of tea money to pay. I think these schools are run privately in other countries the trained get a licence and then work in teams throughout a particular town. They are in radio contact with other doormen who will warn them of daft drunks that seem to want trouble and so they simply refuse entry and the idiots have to go home to cool off.

Considering the amount of clubs in Pattaya,Phuket etc it could be a real business. It could also be done cleanly and without corruption.

All good in theory, but its a lot cheaper for the clubs to just hire another set of thugs, er, doormen whenever there is a probem. I doubt that they really care enough about their customers or their image to invest in anything longterm. Most of our home countries have had problems with bouncers getting overly enthusiastic and seriously injuring or killing people - in some cases, they're the ones on the receiving end - but the difference here is that there is absolutely no attention given to the responsible service of alcohol. Letting someone who is clearly pie-eyed and bellicose into your venue is asking for trouble, but how many of the bars can afford to turn people away ?

OK - I didnt land at Swampy last week, and I'm out and about from 1pm to ~3am anywhere from Soi 7 to Walking St and back down Buakhow - things look pretty dire to me, in some respects worse than the 2014 low season. Songkran will need to be a complete turnaround for many of the bars and restaurants in this town to keep their doors open beyond May 2015 IMO. I dont venture into go-gos or massage joints but the people outside those establishments look increasingly bored and listless each time I wander down sois like Honey and LK. I know girls who've already gone back to the province to sit it out until Songkran - I guess we'll know soon enough if their strategy pays off.

As with anything, I may simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time - happy to hear that I'm being too pessimistic here. I've seen the numbers Stickman and others throw around re what a bar can potentially make in a good week - perhaps I underestimate just how deep some of those pockets are. Sane feedback most welcome.