Thailandvisitor

I have lost touch with events. Can you clarify for me?

The court ruled that the building is legally entitled to proceed and lifted the injunction. Yes?

Work is proceeding.

The ruling was based on the expert witness testimony.

The contradictory opinion of your own expert witnesses who countered this evidence was not accepted. Yes?

On what basis is there an appeal? The case has been heard and adjudicated.

Why isn't it game set and match for the Town Hall and VT7?

[ and the gorgeous bird who has just thrown her hat into the ring, and who I met in person the other day, are worth watching as people who could shake the town up, as opposed to shaking the piggy bank down.

If Khun Alisa Phantusak wants to dish out free Tiffanys tickets I will definitely vote for her, (in spirit if not in the flesh).

Sadly, she has as much chance of being elected as ....................(Up to you...try Bart Simpson, George Bush, The Pope etc).

[i don't think Pattaya's future boom needs a casino, just largely responsible government and largely uncorrupt police. And this goes back to my first point - that the strict enforcement of the no-drink regulation this weekend suggests to me that something positive is happening in the region, which hasn't happened before.

Here is something for the conspiracy theorists. The Policeman driving along Beach Road telling the bars to close on Friday evening had a Military Policeman with him.!!

What does that mean?

Nothing or something?

What next?

without the bars pataya would die

It would certainly be different but would it die?

If you want to be a gloom monger you can see plenty of indicators that things are going downhill fast for many of the bars already.

Travelling along 2nd road late at night I rarely see bars with more than a few farangs. Christmas Eve was one of the few nights in the last twelve months when nearly all the bars were doing good business.

Its a mystery how some of them stay open at all. Many bar units have been built and have never had a tenant, see Drinking Street, Soi 3 and many others. There are always plenty of desperate bar girls but few drinkers.

I guess that the key money and fit out costs of many bars have been provided by absent farangs boyfriends.

If the US$ continues to weaken and the european economies go into recession then the flow of money from falang to Teelac to bar ownership may fall rapidly. Then the number of bars will reduce fast.

I am sure that the enterprising people of Pattaya will still find ways of parting visitors from their cash but maybe not with the present style of bars.

There were attempted crackdowns on opening hours, dress codes and behaviour by the previous Taksin government. It might start up again. There is already talk of a new War on Drugs.

Pattaya seems to be entering a period of change brought about by more expensive accomodation, condos and new target markets for visitors like India, Russia and China.

Adapt or die may be the new slogan for bar owners.

Does this sound the death knell for projects like Ocean 1?

Ocean 1 200 meters from the sea - 90 f;oors of uninterupted sea views - not any more!!!!!!

Who in their right mind is going to pay many millions of Baht for a condo in Ocean 1 when another 100 storey can be built smack infront.

All those existing condo owners in buildings built 200 meters from the beach.........

Who is going to invest in a VT7 rabbit hutch on the north side when another monstrocity is sure to go up at the waters edge and bugger their view of Koh Larn

A common way of preserving views is to purchase the land over which the view is obtained.

Then if it is sold a restrictive covenant is applied which limits building. This would protect the views of the rear site.

The difference in value between the unrestricted right to build and a limited right to build can be considerable.

That is the price that would have to be paid to protect the views.

I can attach pics using Attach and Upload.Then they just open at the bottom of the text once sent.

But how are they inserted at the right place within the text?

Help doesn't answer and googling brings up out of date advice that doesn't work.

Tonight we ate in North Pattaya and were served beer with our meals. We then took a baht bus to Walking Street, walked up and down and then back again along Second Road.

I have never seen so many entertainment places closed with the lights off and bars with access blocked and no drinks being served.

The Blues Factory has a sign that says Closed 14th and 15th Open 16th.

The GoGos all appeared to be shut completely. Entrances blocked or shutters down.

On previous Non-alcohol occasions such as Buddhist Holidays and Royal Birthdays, many bars remained open with lights down low but no audio visual operating. Some carried on serving alcohol discretely.

I saw very little evidence of that tonight! Dozens of bars on Second Road had chairs removed or on the bar tops and no lights on at all.

Whatever has been said to bar owners has certainly had an effect.

Maybe tomorrow will be different.

A pal of mine who has lived in Mexico says we haven't heard anything yet.

He predicts that as the few presently operating advertising trucks have got away with it, they will be followed by many, many more.

Apparently in Mexico they park at one end of the street then move on after 30 minutes or so to the other end to be replaced by a new truck. It goes on day and night.

The actual noise level is getting louder and louder too.

But this is Pattaya and the local residents seem to accept high levels of noise without complaint. Where else could motorbike owners use bikes in residential areas without effective mufflers. Where else would bars have several Televisions all blasting different channels plus a music system drowning out all possible conversation?

No point in complaining. Just learn to enjoy.

Need advise please.........

Replacing the Sony Vaio PCG-FR215H, now over 5yrs old...

Replace with what ? at the moment it is between the following, but which is the better one ??

Sony Vaio VNG-CR13S or Acer Aspire 4720G-301G16Mi

Hi Ignis,

I bought a VGN 13S last week. Its my third Vaio. It is beautifully designed and built and oozes quality.

The Acers I looked at were certainly cheap but the keyboards didn't suit me at all.

Sonys don't set out to be cheap...just good at what they are intended for.

My own computer needs are simple and it does everything I want without fuss. All my other Sony products integrated seamlessly using the on-board Sony Software. ie phone, cameras, memory sticks.

Its everything I expected from Sony and a pleasure to use right down to the well thought out and constructed carry bags supplied with it.

The only problem I am having is with Vista Home Premium.

It seems to tell MS to default to Thai language when downloading Messenger and Explorer.

I have loaded Firefox from the list pinned on this board but my internet bank will not accept it. The bank only connects with Explorer!!

Has anyone any ideas to fix this?

[

Why do you think that a law was passed regulating development of tall structures 200 meters from the waterline? - just for fun? - just for the hel_l of it?

Hello OneMike: You raise an issue that has puzzled me for some time.

Why was a law passed regulating tall structures 200 meters from the shoreline? Why?? Who lobbied successfully for such a regulation

Pattaya has many buildings located well within that limit. The inevitable infilling that will take place as the resort develops and prospers will look very odd all new buildings are set back from the existing building line.

Is it possible that the people who own the land along the beachfront have lobbied for this regulation so that they may first build and sell condos 200 meters back from where everyone wants to be.

When these are all completed and sold then the law might be changed again to allow the front 100 meters of land to be developed. By then its price will have increased enormously.

This would allow the landowners two bites of the cherry and make double the profit.

I have no vested interest in this one way or the other but observe that around the world beachfront land in resort areas is highly desired and nearly always ends up being developed.

It looks like the new Shenanigans is aiming to go upmarket. The drink prices such as 110baht for a botle of San Miguel seems a little optimistic even in that location.

The food specials have also been upgraded and happy hour ends earlier at 7pm.

Its nicley fitted out and will no doubt be very popular in the high season with tourists. I guess the management know what they are doing and will have a very profitable last laugh.

This is a sign of the times. All those shopping malls and upscale developments are aimed at people who are happy to spend freely. Pattaya is changing fast.

Good luck to Shenanigans but other places offer much more for the money.

Read PRIVATE DANCER by Stephen Leather.

Don't leave the airport until you have finished it. Every word rings true and is based on real events!!!

As a back up Thailand Fever which is in both Thai and English on alternative pages. You can read this with your significant other.

No one is immune to the highly developed Thai mastery of releaving Farangs of their wealth.

Have fun. What have you got to lose apart from money?

Singapore airlines allows you to make reservations for an e-ticket online. In fact they encourage it by giving a 15% discount off the number of airmiles required.

Not only can you make an awards reservation, choose your seat and specify your dietry requirements but you can make changes free of charge up to 24 hours before the flight.

SIA often scores very well in surveys of customer satisfaction.

Its my favourite airline but mainly for the seat pitch (bigger than many) and cabin service. Usually beyond reproach.

Its also a member of the Star Alliance so you can use other airlines if you prefer including Thai and United. The online booking only applies to SIA as far as I know.

The Blue's factory rocks....but only because of Lam morrison....when he dies or retires,it will be same same as all the other mediocre venues in patter's...get there while he still lives

Yes he is playing in the Lam Morrison Rock Club from 12.30 ish onwards.

I took a group of visitors to hear him last week but the volume of the support band was so deafening that we left before he arrived.

It was only 11pm on a weekday night and nearly empty. The sound system is terrific but the operator seems to take no notice of the number of people present and their reaction to the volume.

I noticed he was wearing headphones in his control area. Perhaps he is isolated from the ear bursting shattering power of it all.

Lam also played very loudly at the Blues Factory but was part of his 'rock-n-roll' performance and you could shelter behind the other customers and soften the impact a bit. The acoustics at the Rock Club are like being in a steel drum when its empty.

(Yes. I know...I must be getting old!).

I needed to extend early last year. Pattaya immigration told me that it was not possible. I then went to Bangkok and there was no problem

Hi.

Are we talking about the same thing?

I need to renew my existing Retirement Visa with another one year extension.

Unlike previous years I will be abroad when the current extension (visa) expires.

Therefore, I want to renew it six weeks before the expiry date.

Are you saying that Jontiem were unwilling to do this? You mention Pattaya. That office closed a long time ago.

I believe you are talking about a one year extension of stay from Immigration that will be coming up for renewal but you will not be here are the time. It is normal to renew between 4-3 weeks early but if you have plans and earlier date can work. Take your travel tickets with you and go six weeks early - it should not be a problem when you have a reason. Be sure to obtain a (new) re-entry permit after you get the new extension of stay stamp.

Thanks Lopburi3. Yes. One year extension is what I am talking about.

I will do as you say. The obvious place to get a correct answer is the Immigration Office but language confusion always seems to create uncertainty.

I need to buy the airline tickets far in advance of the travel date and it would be difficult to change them at short notice if Immigration said come back next week etc.

How early can I renew my annual retirement visa?

I need to be abroad for five weeks before it expires and up to nine weeks after.

Can I renew six weeks before it expires?

Has anyone any experience of this? Its much easier for me to deal with visa matters here than abroad.

Yes mate everythings fine.

Good in a way because I would of had to replace him at some point and the replacement is working out brilliantly.

I must be imagining things. I could have sworn that his old bass player Toto? was playing with him two nights ago. But whoever it was; was playing a four string bass not a five. Does he have a twin?

The female bass player/singer/dancer/entertainer in the girl band was playing a five string. He hasn't transmogrofied into a female has he? After all this is Pattaya.

Has anyone been to the Lam Morrison Rock Club. If you have, whats your opinion? (Is there already a thread on this? I can't find one but apologies if I am doubling up).

I have been three times so far and have mixed feelings.

The support band...Play Girls (I think) are a sensation. A riveting visual treat plus excellent singing and skilfull playing. All my friends have been amazed and captivated by their energy and presentation. One who had agreed to go in for just one drink managed to sat till nearly closing time.

That was just as well since Lam didn't actually start playing till more than an hour after the time promised by the pullers on Walking Street.

I guess good time keeping just isn't rock'n roll but with all the competition out there in Pattaya its easy for disgruntled customers to find a welcome somewhere else.

I hope the club thrives. Its a great concept.

I wish it the best of luck.

I suggest you phone Sattahip first 038 245735 to make sure they can help you.

I was referred to Pattaya Bangkok hospital for coronary problems when I finally found the place, registered and waited to see a nurse.

Bangkok Pattaya presents itself as excellent quality care but with a price to match.

Bumrungrad in Bangkok is similarly high quality but also very expensive by local standards.

Good luck and good health to you.

Welcome to TV!

We gonna meet this Friday evening at Jameson's in North Pattaya behin the Big C...if you fancy a drink, stop by!

Hi Raro,

Where is the Jamesons behind Big C?

I have only ever been to one in the middle of nowhere on Soi 4 behind the Bangkok Bank on Second Road.

A good place but a terribly inconvenient location. No baht buses and an unpleasant walk from either 2nd Road or Klang.

A new one near BigC will be good for me.

There seems to be a policy to open new bars until there is One Bar For Every Visitor.

This will be achieved quite soon in the low season although customers may be forced to share with a couple of other people during the high season.

When you see a piece of empty land anywhere between The Dolphin Circle and Bali Hai you can relax in the knowledge that soon there will be yet more bars to service you, should you need it.

Many would say that 'you can't have too many beer bars'. (apart from anyone daft enough to try and make a profit).

But surely Pattaya would be greatly improved if we each had our own personal beer bar with our own six favourite girls. A couple of newbies added every week who could replace anyone who failed to light our fire anymore.

If you think I am joking just walk down Soi 2, 3, etc. etc....have a look at them all.

After Blackpool...... anythings got to be better

Whats wrong with Blackpool?

Don't you miss the bracing sea air? Seven miles of clean golden sands. Three piers, trams,the Tower and its bars and circus. The Tower Wurlitzer. The best ballrooms in the whole of the UK. The largest number of White Knuckle rides on one site anywhere in the world at the Pleasure Beach. The world's tallest roller coaster.

World class shows and entertainments.

Peaceful, pleasant public parks.

Safe roads and pedestrian crossings.

Beautiful Lancashire lasses who know how to ejoy themselves.

Friendly, helpful bobbies. Street signs and maps that actually help you get to where you are going.

The sound of families and children laughing and having FUN.

And its only a twelve hour flight to Pattaya (thank Buddha).

North Star Library on Sukhumvit runs Thai lessons for farangs.

Monday and Thursday mornings from 10.15am till about 12.30. The cost is 100 baht per day for non library members and 50 baht for members.

The first hour is taken by the English teacher from the school next door and the second hour is conversation pratice taken by a Thai lady who speaks no English. (Your scheme Mobi).

Its difficult but fun!! Americans, Australians, English, New Zealanders and Philipinos make up the class at the moment. (Also one Spanish lady).

Theres an old guy who plays in Pattaya, Morrison or something and he's apparently known as Thailands best??

Overindulgent crap, there are far better in Thailand.

Your getting really boring now Noodles with your pathetic views.

Lam Morrison has had and still has more recognition in the WHOLE of Thailand than you ever will.

Do you get emails sent to you from fans all over the world? Doubt it..

I think the closest thing you'd get would be negative replies to your negative posts.

Hi everyone.

Yes Dave I've got to agree that Lam is the best. He is technically brilliant and combines his amazing skill with real creativity. Who else would play Beethoven 5 in the style of Jimi Hendrix? What other band plays with such cohesion and power? All the members are great,great musicians. Lam tends to overshadow them with his style but anywhere else the others would be treated as stars in their own right.

Sorry to be negative about my favourite Band and my favourite Bar but......wait for it.......WHY DO THEY PLAY SO LOUD?

The sound level is far too high. I have no doubt it exceeds all health and safety guidelines. On top of that it makes any conversation almost impossible.

The other night a group of my pals met to chat and the Blues Factory was immediately vetoed on the grounds of noise level. Even an ex muso among us who knows for sure that he has damaged his hearing through excessive contact with speaker stacks declined to go.

We ended up in the Big C area of town and wandered forlornly along the beer bars which were generally empty apart from a few girls and a chrome pole molester. (Low season looks really low in beer bars). Then down Soi 2 we found what exactly we were looking for. A bar with more customers than any other ten in the area combined. Why? The music was BACKGROUND music not deafening disco rock.

Good luck to the OP. There are more good guitarists in Pattaya than you can shake a stick at. Still, no one becomes a musician to get rich (or do they?).