Thujone

Check out the price of import beer. You might change your mind...

Loose lips sink bars...

That's right, woodchuck-chuckers, it's GROUNDHOG DAY!

I'd happily pay quite a bit more than the going rate for an import beer in a bar. A Paulaner Weissbier or Fuller's London Pride, for example, would get my money, over and above any bargain prices. But, regrettably but understandably, these options are rarely, if ever, available. Thatcher's Cider is sometimes a refreshing alternative.

There are less complicated and more hassle-free methods to lose money.

That's confirmed it. Mme Thujone and I were just admiring it, shining like a diamond in the sky. Think I feel a poem coming on...

That's interesting. But that doesn't mean there isn't going to be something to draw large groups of well-off people to Thailand. Who will make use of all that infrastructure. Casinos, perhaps... Which means the many bar beers, cheap restaurants and so on in Pattaya are in the way of new development.

Unless they are planning a Sihanoukville-style transformation of Pattaya, when casinos are legalised, which seems likely to happen. Even though Hua Hin has been slated as a casino hub, Pattaya would make much more sense, with an airport just down the road, and Suvarnabhumi a couple of hours drive away. It would also explain the extensive and long-term road construction which has been occurring on the sukhumvit between U-Tapao and Pattaya, which seems a lot of expense and effort for Chinese tour groups. The old fart bars will increasingly permanently shut down the longer the booze ban drags on, and the new variation of the illness just announced makes a January 16th opening seem optimistic. Restaurants and other venues will also shut as tourists find restricted Pattaya less tempting to visit. Made in Thailand-style demolitions may be seen in several areas. Speculators could buy up the land with a view to building hotels and casinos in the relatively near future. They are likely to have a handle on how close this casino-legalising near future will be... Sihanoukville was transformed from being largely low-level houses and shacks to a mini-Macau in a relatively short time.

Before covid led to the entertainment centres being closed, there were plenty of people riding elephants in Pattaya...

If these new variants are real, why not open everything up and party 'til we drop? What are we waiting for?

They could have picked a more tempting picture of what tourists can expect to enjoy on a visit to Thailand. Maybe a pic of the vibrant nightlife. Oh, maybe not...

It's then likely that the brothels, out of date go-gos, and bj bars will overnight convert into 'real' bars and clubs...

I had two conversations in a row with elderly expats in Pattaya, which lead to them telling me about their gout. In case I had any doubts, I realised I must be getting old...

Whoopee! Here's to 2022. Possibly...

How about if they've got a full head of hair? Or is that still a no from you?

If you are enjoying a drink in a restaurant in Bangkok, but then notice it is 9:00, you must "Drink it up or pour it out." Welcome to Thailand.

The more things change, the more they get weirder.

Really? There must be two versions of it. The one I watched didn't have pillage or rape, but had enough action to be entertaining.

Vikings is also good.

Have they read the report that Delta+ has entered Thailand?

Just as I was preparing to say, "Drinks are on me..."

Maybe she got it from the same stall I bought a Lacoste t-shirt at a very competitive price. It was roughly that shape and size after one wash.

So is the idea that you fire one into that from a distance?

This from a report on the tourism reboot, posted yesterday. 'Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha last week said entertainment venues would reopen by Dec. 1. '

Money doesn't buy happiness, but it can buy distractions from being unhappy.