Maha Sarakham

He's dead, Jim.

I did one of the smaller rice barge Chao Phraya cruises that are slightly more upscale, without the music/dancing. Nice for a date, 5-6 course meal, but unfortunately by the time you eat its lukewarm. Drinks are very expensive. Views are great obviously, I'd take first timers to Thailand or Bangkok for a 'wow' impression but outside of that, don't think I'd go again. The food, as everyone mentions, isn't that memorable on any of the boats.

Really comes down to the individual and their education, life experiences and awareness of the world that exists outside of Thailand (yes, there is one).

Just a tip for anyone coming into Pattaya for this, try to stay in a hotel that is walkable and don't leave the same night as the festival ends. The roads are a nightmare trying to get in or out of the city, it once took us about 4 hours to try to get out of Pattaya from the Central Festival parking garage en route to a Bangkok hotel, we didn't arrive until 2-3 AM. Traffic literally stops, its gridlock, don't underestimate it.

APEC will amount to little other than lip service...

Maybe a bit of both.

One of our favorite festivals of the year, we'll be there!

Every time I see Xi he looks more and more like Winnie the Pooh.

The rain this year is relentless.

Hotel Moco would work for your purposes.

Covid really helped expedite the downfall of cinemas. I don't think they will ever come back to their previous popularity.

I think that is why it lost its appeal.

I used to think I wanted to when I first started coming to Thailand, but I almost feel like less is more these days. No longer have a desire to fully assimilate, I will strike a balance between the two cultures as I see most appropriate. Neither is perfect.

That's one thing I could do without is the tip culture. Had some Chinese waiter literally yell at us and demand a tip when his service and attitude was absolute rubbish. The entitlement of some restaurant workers in the US never ceases to amaze me.

Keep in mind the first two weekends of December are long Thai weekends that many Thais will be traveling. Many hotels are expensive those weekends already. Hua Hin tends to attract a lot of Bangkokians for the weekend, so book early in the place you want to stay if you intend to be there during those two weekends.