Basset

we are booked into the new holiday inn for xmas/newyear could anyone tell me how far have the builders got in finishing it and also what was on the site before,

Previously the site was shop houses around a large central car park at the front and another hotel (the name of which escapes me now) at the back. The old shop houses hadn't actually been up long (and I believe the other hotel refurbished) when it was decided to build the Holiday Inn. A lot of the tenants/owners had spent money fitting out their units and were then kicked out after only a relatively short time. Unsurprisingly they were very upset and demonstrated for a while. I'm not sure if they ever received any compensation.

It was the Regent Marina Hotel, the Soi was also called Soi Regent Marina/Soi 0. I was there for a year of a 3 year lease but they did pay compensation, the longer you hung out the more you got.

I will certainly sponsor KIm Aussiechick, however are you sure it's not the BED RACE .

Will call in soon, Bert

The international manager at Phyathai in Sriracha is Gavin Waddell. He is from Scotland, and is a member of the British foreign legion.

Barry

Now, Now Barry. French Foreign Legion;Yes. American Legion;Yes, British Foreign Legion;NO. Try the Royal British Legion who have a branch in Thailand to help former and serving members of UK Forces who may have a problem whilst in Thailand. Gavin is a member but that in no way suggests we recommend him or Phyathai Hospital.

Bert

Greg's Kitchen 2nd Road ooposte Soi 6 ( nearly ) , an outstanding Breaking of Fast.

Outstanding prices too.

I wonder which bright spark thought of charging a 20 baht premium to TAKE AWAY a pie?

You'd think it would be cheaper not using the facilities of the restaurant.

I avoid Greg's kitchen now. For some reason it's gone down the pan.

I noticed that Greg's sausage quality deteriorated and that set alarm bells ringing.

Far better to cross the road and go to Soi 6 & 1/2 and get a breakfast at the Royal British Legion: (Crazy Bert's). Bert's sausage is always on form, a generous size, crispy and with a real English 'porkiness' which is sadly missing at other restaurant breakfasts.

Methinks you mean Tropical Bert's. Went there today for breakfast. Nice quiet environment & choice of good quality American or English breakfasts.

Thanks Royboy for correcting things, Crazy Bert's!! next thing you will want me to drop the price to 95 Baht with a Happy Hour all day! Syd Barrett you owe me a pint !. However thanks for your comments, sausages or consistant good ones are an ongoing problem, at present we get ours from AKA Soi Town in Town.

Ladies and Gents

As you are all aware we lost one of if not the founder member of the Friday Night Piss Ups recently, Buckwheat. He was always first on parade here and always folowed the same routine, Milk, Pea and Ham Soup followed by plenty of beer. He often checked in for the night so he could follow you all to walking street, even when he started to have health problems he would always try and attend on a Friday wherever it might be. If I heard that phrase " God Damm It! " once I heard it a 100 times whenever Buckwheat was around, especially the first time he set up the BBQ in the car park and security tried to tow it away, he had put the chimney over the wall into the adjoining hotel forcing an evacuation !!. Things went a little pear shaped with this and that and I will take responsability for some of that but Fridays will always seem a little stale without him. So after checking with George if anyone would like to raise a glass to Buckwheat this Friday you are more than welcome to join me here, I will lay on some Ribs but dont expect them to be upto his standard, he showed me the Dry Rub but never the Sauce, that recipe is still with him and rightly so. About 7.30 ish would be good, names please

Bert

Bert I think this is a great idea. SWRWS just got back from surgery and I know she won't make it, but if she is well enough for me to leave her on her own for awhile, I will be there. Sorry for the uncertainty, these are uncertain times.

Thanks for this offer. Buckwheat will be missed.

kdf

Thanks KDF, and my best regards to her indoors who of course we all miss and look forward to a sloppy kiss from !!!. Perhaps I should have arranged a date for a couple of Fridays ahead and opened a new thread, Buckwheats Wake. We have the Asia Meeting going on now and Songran next weekend so perhaps a Friday after that. Raro it would not be the same without you Cursing in German anyway so perhaps a Friday in the future.

Bert

Ladies and Gents

As you are all aware we lost one of if not the founder member of the Friday Night Piss Ups recently, Buckwheat. He was always first on parade here and always folowed the same routine, Milk, Pea and Ham Soup followed by plenty of beer. He often checked in for the night so he could follow you all to walking street, even when he started to have health problems he would always try and attend on a Friday wherever it might be. If I heard that phrase " God Damm It! " once I heard it a 100 times whenever Buckwheat was around, especially the first time he set up the BBQ in the car park and security tried to tow it away, he had put the chimney over the wall into the adjoining hotel forcing an evacuation !!. Things went a little pear shaped with this and that and I will take responsability for some of that but Fridays will always seem a little stale without him. So after checking with George if anyone would like to raise a glass to Buckwheat this Friday you are more than welcome to join me here, I will lay on some Ribs but dont expect them to be upto his standard, he showed me the Dry Rub but never the Sauce, that recipe is still with him and rightly so. About 7.30 ish would be good, names please

Bert

Looking at the time of posting and the Ice Cram comments I take it Begs and Mamanoodle posted after they left from the Sunday afternoon session here .

I didn't go round and about a lot but certainly enjoyed it when you came here, so if you want to start fresh I will put on a free Sausage Sizzle at 7.30 ish. As you know there is no problem for parking and if you want to leave your cars and move elsewhere, again no problems, over to you.

Bert

This area was once actually quite nice but it now seems to be loaded with all kinds of property ranging from high end to absolute slums.Lovely houses built right next to derelict apartments,the views from the windows of some of these places shocking,sitting in your 25 mil house looking at an overgrown piece of wasteland with a 4 storey derelict building on it ??Vastly inflated prices.Crime is rife,burglary,muggings etc etc.

How can this area pass itself off as the most sought after place to live in pattaya / jomtien.Have a drive around and the place looks absolutely awful.

EPG.

Agree with you EPG, but what I find stupid is alongside your warning are a heap of Google Ads advertising the opposite!!. Dump the Google Ads Admin, you have no control of what comes up, ie a guy or girl gets killed, we say sorry and you will be advertising funeral directors!!!

Just trying to be constuctive

Bert

I don't think we need to label people about this, but I also very much appreciate the new mall.

Hate shoping!! but went to the new Mall with the wife and loved the food hall downstairs, suprised on joining the discount scheme it was Tops!

Agree with you Jingthing a great asset to Pattaya

Isn't there more than one hospital in Sriracha?

I have heard good things about Phyathai Sriracha. Not true?

http://www.phyathai-sriracha.com/Eng/index.php

You are correct Jingthing Phyathai is very good, far cheaper than the main Pattaya private hospitals yet with very often the same specialists and equipment. They also have some very good monthly check up deals, we use it within the Royal British Legion as do the American VFW and both Ex Pats clubs. Only problem of course is if you have an accident within Pattaya you will no doubt be sent to Bangkok Pattaya.

I have just come back from shopping in the new Central (very impressive). There I bumped into a farang idiot with a parrot (or is it a cockatoo?) on his shoulder. Surely he should not have been admitted to a food store? Who is this man, and why does he wander the streets with a bird on his shoulder?

Better the parrot than a Chip

Tropical Berts is a real nice feed (stop using them crappy snags though) hehas full English, American as well as others. The only thing that let's it down has been mentioned already.

Thanks for your comments Binkie, as regards the Snags ( Aussie for sausage I think ) maybe we should have a thread for the Best Sausage In Pattaya. It's not easy to cock up Bacon, Eggs, Beans and so on ( though some do ) but the humble sausage is an on going thing. I have tried most and at the moment use AKA Foods however if like many others the quality becomes inconsistant they go out the window, oh for a simple Walls banger!!!. Many comment on how good our bread is, it is Toast Bread from the Continental. I have nothing to do with the 2 firms mentioned, just trying to be helpfull

Soi 6 just got notice Friday will be a closing day!

Just spoke to some owners on Soi 6 and as of today they have NOT had a letter to close. Last year some closed others stayed open it was up to them.

Afternoon All

I will be in Bangkok on Friday 24th Oct to meet our small BKK team led by Chalky and give them 20 Poppy collecting trays and boxes, these will be taken around the local Ex Pat bars by Chalky and his small team. I will bring down some application forms with me in case any of you would care to join ( you do not have to have served but you must support the priciples of the Legion in that you Care for those who have served, are serving and their dependents). Whilst Chalky is doing his bit I will be in the Black Swan under Asoke sky train station from 12.30 with a pint in one hand and said forms in the other, anyone who joins are of course more than welcome to join us at the British Embassy for Remembrance and to the many other events and trips we arrange, cost 1200 Baht per year.

Best Regards

Bert Elson

Secretary Royal British Legion, Thailand

Ryans Bar Naklua Road ( next to Drum and Monkey) 150 Bt a pint,

Looking bad, Jack Tar bar closed down yesterday they are at the moment changing licences.

well, my cahier has just come back again from a meeting in soi 6 and today is saying all pattaya not just soi 6, must not open till 6pm!

so still no clearer, just phoned bertie whos gone on a recon see if he can make it any more understandable.

so they cant turn all bars off in thailand till 6pm at night, surely, so some will have to open, then will it be bars serving food? or accomadation? or open bars or closed bars or air con bars or non aircon or non smoking bars, bars with "you" in the name?????

see what tommorow brings!

Most of the girls are now ouside the back doors!! Soi 6/1

be careful of those girls at the back or you might get a little surprise....................

Not the ones I am looking at!

well, my cahier has just come back again from a meeting in soi 6 and today is saying all pattaya not just soi 6, must not open till 6pm!

so still no clearer, just phoned bertie whos gone on a recon see if he can make it any more understandable.

so they cant turn all bars off in thailand till 6pm at night, surely, so some will have to open, then will it be bars serving food? or accomadation? or open bars or closed bars or air con bars or non aircon or non smoking bars, bars with "you" in the name?????

see what tommorow brings!

Most of the girls are now ouside the back doors!! Soi 6/1

Darkside only me thinks

Just wanted it for Supersports really, maybe Sophon will add them once they notice there missing some customers!

Sweet dreams....I fear.

Dont see why not, just got back from the Kwai and Kanchanburi Cable also have supersports 1,2 and 3, Sophon have supersports 2 on now. Only takes the flick of a switch.

Darkside only me thinks

Correct, tried to get it today for my place ( Central Pattaya ) but its a no go area for them. Just wanted it for Supersports really, maybe Sophon will add them once they notice there missing some customers!

Bert,

I am moving back to Bangkok on the 21st of this month, having just finished my 22 years in the Royal Signals, funny I should come across your post, as two of the few things I am bringing with me are my veterans badge and my medals. I did wonder what happened on 11/11

Here to help in any way I can.

Regards

Lloyd

Just a point guys.

I have been here in Bangkok for over a quarter of a century and rarely, if ever, have I found the chance to 'buy' a poppy and thus contribute to the fund. Whilst I realize that my laziness has pervented me from contributing on-line or in another way, shape or form it would be good for those of us wishing to remember the fallen were given a better chance at doing our bit, albeit in a small way.

"Lest we forget"

AjarnP

I hope this year you will be able to contribute Ajarn.Whilst our branch started in Pattaya and raised 121,500 baht during remembrance last year we intend to spread our wings by having Poppy Boxes in many parts of Thailand this year. We cant go out and about but you will find them in many of the Ex Pat bars around Bangkok.

Bert

Firstly I hope the Mods dont mind me doing a bit of recruiting. The RBL Thailand has been up and running for just over a year now with over 80 members spread around Thailand. We have a good social life meeting every Sunday in Pattaya with other groups active in Chang Mai and Korat, we arrange trips to the Embassy for Remembrance, the River Kwai for ANZAC Day and also Malaysia every June. As well as the social side of things our main aim is the welfare of those who have served, are serving and or their dependants, on our benevolent side we have spent over 100,000 Baht on things from funeral expences, hospital bills, hospital and prison visits and the care of 4 widows here in Thailand, the money used for benevolence comes from the Poppy Appeal in November. Many of our cases are in Bangkok yet we only have 1 member there, so what I am after Ladies and Gents is perhaps a Sub Branch being formed in Bangkok. You need have only 15 members to do this and you do not have to have served in the UK Forces to become a member, here in Pattaya I have many Aussie's and Americans who are members, they may not have served but they support the principles of the Legion. You would have your own meeting place ( Pub), Chairman, Secretary etc. It would be a great help to me and Chalky (our lone ranger in BKK) with regards visits and the Poppy Appeal.

Please PM me should you be interested and I will give you details of our webbsite, I would gladly travel down to help with the formation.

Bert Elson

Secretary

RBL

hi,

i am a member of the Legion currently living in Manchester. I am planning to move to Chiang Mia early next year by which time i will be a trained volunteer Case Worker. I once heard there was a branch opening in Chiang Mai and if so i would love to join and help out/work in any way i can - socially as well

If not, and if you still need the support in Bangkok then great too. Any info you might be able to give me on their webistes would be great as cant seem to find too much on any branches over there. M

Many thanks

Rach

Hi Rach

We have at present 7 members in Chang Mai, once we can hit 15 they will form there own Sub Branch, the contact up there is Pedr ( Welsh for Peter I think! ) who runs the Olde Bell Pub. Being a trained case worker would be a great asset as we only have 1 at present who is also based in Chang Mai, Glenn who runs Croston House Childrens Home. If you PM me I will give you contact details.

Bert

Firstly I hope the Mods dont mind me doing a bit of recruiting. The RBL Thailand has been up and running for just over a year now with over 80 members spread around Thailand. We have a good social life meeting every Sunday in Pattaya with other groups active in Chang Mai and Korat, we arrange trips to the Embassy for Remembrance, the River Kwai for ANZAC Day and also Malaysia every June. As well as the social side of things our main aim is the welfare of those who have served, are serving and or their dependants, on our benevolent side we have spent over 100,000 Baht on things from funeral expences, hospital bills, hospital and prison visits and the care of 4 widows here in Thailand, the money used for benevolence comes from the Poppy Appeal in November. Many of our cases are in Bangkok yet we only have 1 member there, so what I am after Ladies and Gents is perhaps a Sub Branch being formed in Bangkok. You need have only 15 members to do this and you do not have to have served in the UK Forces to become a member, here in Pattaya I have many Aussie's and Americans who are members, they may not have served but they support the principles of the Legion. You would have your own meeting place ( Pub), Chairman, Secretary etc. It would be a great help to me and Chalky (our lone ranger in BKK) with regards visits and the Poppy Appeal.

Please PM me should you be interested and I will give you details of our webbsite, I would gladly travel down to help with the formation.

Bert Elson

Secretary

RBL

You are correct with the point that there is a lot of confusion. The Police are interpreting the law as they see fit and many bars including the Outback are taking a safe line of no smoking at the actual bar face. We are open air but the second law says that we must provide a non smoking area and a segregated smoking zone. We, like many other bars are waiting to see how the chips fall while keeping very safe. The personal fine is 2,000 baht but the bar fine is 20,000baht for allowing smoking at the bar. No bar is willing to pay that just so that a couple of guys can have a durrie.

CB

So are you a customer at the Outback bar or one of the owners? Because you use the term "We are open air".

I am the manager - not owner

CB

Exactly as I thought a bit of free advertising for 'your' bar in the context of the smoking topic. Other bar owners like myself would be given a 'warning' or a 'holiday' for such a stunt!

Following up on my PM and out of interest - how are you and other bar owners coping with the law?

Indoor or outdoor?

A/C or Open Air

Designated smoking area and where?

cheers

CB

We are 100% air con CB however I am lucky in that I have front and back outdoor area's that I have made smoking area's. My only concern now is they may say the front area should be No Smoking as its in view to Non Smokers. The best way to go about it really is invite City Hall down yourself to check and advise. Thats what I intend to do and will report back, King Kong bar of all places did that a while ago, I asked the City Hall guys to check us out but they were tied up with all the smokers in there. There back door faces mine!!!!

You are correct with the point that there is a lot of confusion. The Police are interpreting the law as they see fit and many bars including the Outback are taking a safe line of no smoking at the actual bar face. We are open air but the second law says that we must provide a non smoking area and a segregated smoking zone. We, like many other bars are waiting to see how the chips fall while keeping very safe. The personal fine is 2,000 baht but the bar fine is 20,000baht for allowing smoking at the bar. No bar is willing to pay that just so that a couple of guys can have a durrie.

CB

So are you a customer at the Outback bar or one of the owners? Because you use the term "We are open air".

I am the manager - not owner

CB

Exactly as I thought a bit of free advertising for 'your' bar in the context of the smoking topic. Other bar owners like myself would be given a 'warning' or a 'holiday' for such a stunt!

May I remind all business owners, managers or entrepreneurs that advertising or promoting your business interests on this site requires a sponsorship which can be discussed by contacting [email protected].

As far as your bar begs is concerned you have been given plenty of leeway in the past and many a free plug so I don`t think that you have any reason to grumble

Now then Mr Fox can you enlighten me as to your comments on "Leeway" and "Free Plugs". Would Leeway perhaps be the 10% discount I gave Thai Visa and still do on social nights, and would the Free Plugs be the free advertising I gave Thai Visa in all 3 local papers. The word Barter springs to mind rather than Free, please check your facts before engaging a gear.

Best Regards

Bert