billdo2000

Last time I was in the Sportsman was about 3 years ago.

From what I remember the food was great.

Is Greg's kitchen stil open, across the road from Soi6 on Second Road ?

Also, great food.

Greg's Kitchen is still open. He remodeld the front sitting area and it's quite nice in my opinion. Everything I've eaten at Greg's has been outstanding.

It's a bit overpriced for me, but I'm on a budget and holding US dollars, so everything is expensive for me at the moment.

bad news Snowball passed away early december

That is terrible news. I've known Snowball for ten years and he was a gentleman for sure.

I'm an elderly fellow and I've drunk beer all my life although I've not got a particular high tolerance for the beverage. Were I to start drinking at 6pm I would not remember too much of what occurred by the end of the evening. That's normal.

I don't think you have a problem and I assume you are just a social drinker who gets the flavour and is reluctant to leave the pub as are many people everywhere. If you don't drink indoors, don't crave a drink and it causes you no trouble at work or in your personal life carry on as normal. I would not even think of you as a boozer.

So according to you having blackouts is "normal"

OP has a problem & he needs to put it down cold turkey.

He was only referring to himself when explaining that blackouts were "normal" if he drank beer from 6pm onwards. Read the original post again.

Very sad, sorry for your loss. I hope her children are in good hands.

Thanks. I'm not sure, but I think they are with their Grandma. about one year ago, my lady-friend asked me to take care of her kids if anything would happen to her (motorbike accident, illness, etc.) and I said that I would. Aside from financial assistance, there is nothing I can do as I have no legal rights and the family legally takes custody (as they legally should.)

I have seen this story on pattayaone.net in December.

This was a girl who I have known for almost 4 years and I took holiday from work to attend the ceremonies. I actually spoke with her on the phone at 1am Sunday morning, evidently just hours before "it" happened. She was not depressed, sad, angry, hostile, or upset. She was normal. I've spoken with her almost every day since I met her in early 2006, so I would have known if she was in a suicidal mood.

I paid very close attention to her arms and hands when I saw her body at the cremation. I saw no bruises or scratches that would have indicated a fight. Still, I would really like to know what really happened that night. I honestly don't believe she was "beaten up by a customer". As previously stated, I knew her for almost 4 years and she always answered the phone when I called, regardless of time or day-of-the-week. She always claimed to be faithful and I appreciated that, but I was not concerned. She was more my sister than anything and she stated the same to me (not a boyfriend, but like a brother). Quite frankly, I never really cared if she went with other customers providing they did not abuse her and she was a willing participant. She felt the same and would pick out good looking girls for me. She was one of the coolest girls I have ever known. She was fun, funny, smart and seemed to know what I was thinking/wanting before even I knew...

I wonder to myself if there was something that I did (or didn't do) to indirectly cause her fate. I fear it might be something I have to live with forever.

She leaves behind two young kids, both male. I hope she found peace and if there is such a thing as reincarnation as all Thai's beleive, I hope her soul finds somewhere/something in which she can have a happy "next life".

My favoirte is Tropical Bert's on second road almost at soi 6. Best in town in my opinion.

One thing is for sure, WOW (Waiter on Wheels) has gone downhill big time. I have ordered with them many times over the last few years (and was always impressed) but I have noticed a change in the last few months. I ordered something tonight and what I actually received was wrong. I called them and explained their error and they told me it was MY fault. No refund and I couldn't eat what they sent me...

JUST WONDERING IF ANY MEMBERS KNOW OF A HOTEL IN SOUTH PATTAYA WITH ROOMS WITH WHEEL CHAIR ACCESS AS I WISH TO VISIT IN APRIL,MUST HAVE SHOWER ROOM WITH NO BATH AND PREFERABLY HAVE A CHAIR FOR ME TO TRANSFER IN THE SHOWER,ANY IDEAS WOULD BET GREATLY APPRECIATED,THANKS

pattaya bay resort. they have rooms specially designed for the disabled.

Ive checked the amari and the longer u stay the better the rate.. think it was£1100 a month which aint bad as im paying that ere in England for my home, council tax and utilitiy bills.. Also coming to thailand is more bout doing some volunteering work than going on the piss everynite.. Its just trying to find some where to volunteer. the pattaya orphanage want you to work 5 AND A HALF DAYS AWEEK .. thats far to much work i want to enjoy myself also.. not work myself to an early grave....

I lived in Pattaya for over one year while in a wheelchair. My one concern, wherever I went, was stairs or uneven sidewalks. It seemed like everywhere I wanted to go was unaccessable for me. I was not in the chair for a very long time and I would think you can get yourself around quite successfully (I couldn't).

I read other comments on this thread regarding the fares charged by baht-bus drivers. I agree; they were either theives tryting to charge 500THB or they went out of their way to help me and not overcharge.

There is a hotel near the Avenue shopping mall that has specially designed rooms for the disabled (wide doorways, plenty of bars in the bathroom, etc.) I have stayed in one of the disabled rooms. I am no longer in a wheelchair, but my foot (and part of my leg) are paralyzed and the setup of his bathroom gives me confidence while in a wet shower. Anyway, it's called Pattaya Bay Resort and it's about 1k THB per night. Check it out if you can't find anywhere else that suits you needs.

Full disclosure: an accquaintance owns it.

Further to "Glen" the Aussie in the wheelchair . He is now in Singapore & was charged $30 to be put back into a wheelchair when the flight landed in Singapore..

Ya gottal love the care of Handicapped Tourists...........

I sincerely hope the mainstream, international news agencies pick up on this but I fear they won't. I was in a wheelchair for over a year after a serious accident and have flown international airlines through Thailand. I always felt somewhat 'helpless' not being able to get myself around and I've never been treated like that guy. I feel very badly for Glen...I hope the Thai employee of Jetstar gets fired for this, at least.

Two stories I have first hand knowledge of recently happening to visitors to Pattaya

1. Involves myself undertaking medical care here which was a rectification of an earlier proceedure, I am still an outpatient & when presenting a Medical Certificate requiring me to stay another 2 months , it was thrown back at me & I was given 7 days. The problem has since rectified by flying out to another country & returning thereby obtaining another 30 days last Sunday & my Doctor withdrawing (By Needle Aspiration) 88cc of Seroma Fluid from my abdomen.

Thank you Jomtien Immigration did not realise your Inspectors were medically qualified.

2. Early this morning an Australian Tourist who has been holidaying in Pattaya for 3 months went to board his JETSTAR (australian Owned) flight to return to Darwin via Singapore. His bags are on the plane , he arrives at the gate to board & the Thai Supervisor at the Boarding Pass Counter refuses to allow him to Board!!!! Why ???......because he is in a wheelchair & cannot walk...... Jetstar do not allow this , you must be able to walk . BUT, the passenger tells him , I flew up here with Jetstar , The Thai said he was lying ,but would not check it out on the Computer. THEN , the Thai (Claims to be the Manager) delays the Plane & has the Aussies baggage UNLOADED.....& walks away leaving him stuck & abandoned. The Aussie is travelling alone. He rang me & I contacted his Aussie Travel Agent. 8 calls later Thai staff offer him a Swissair Flight , BUT, he has to pay extra.....No way>>>> finally , another 4 -5 calls & Jetstar are flying him out , guess what , at 2115 hours tonight & then has to stay overnight in Singapore & they will only pay him up to $150 & he cannot stay at the Airport ,he has to enter Singapore & stay at the Roxy , which if I remember is about $200+ a night.Aussies Christian name is Glen he was totally smashed up as a boy on his trail bike by an idiot that set a mantrap for kids on motorbikes, his physical condition is not the best , he is a 37yo recent graduate Psychiatrist ,returning to take up a post.

This last tale would never make the Sanitised Pattaya press , but, as I am a media used expert in my fields in Australia , it is going to make the Australian press.

I am hearing other tales , but I mention these 2 as Coroberrated Fact with documents & witnesses.

Very Disappointing

What a shame on both accounts...

I have been talking on this forum for months now about leaving Pattaya - my daughter has just been signed in to REPS school, so my first move will probably be for a year or two to Rayong - but Pattaya is no place to raise a family.

Who ever said it was? That being said, I see thousands of Thai and foreign residents doing it so it must not be too difficult.

Sh!t happens anywhere...sorry to hear about your wife but I certainly don't feel that Pattaya is unsafe compared to most Western cities.

Nonsense. I would say Pattaya is the center of street-crime in Asia (except Manila). And I am pretty sure, many PTY-residents agree with me. and with the economical downturn and a pathetic police-force, things can only get worse

Most of the bad crime is thai on thai,and yes there are necklace robberies etc but mainly no harm done other than a few baht less.There are burgalries too but to say Pattaya is the centre of street crime is crazy.I think you mean se asia as india/pakistan,parts of the old russia are all Asia.

"Most of the bad crime is thai on thai,and yes there are necklace robberies etc but mainly no harm done other than a few baht less....."

I would guess you have never been the victim of what you call "no harm done" burglery...otherwise you wouldn't have written that statemenet. H.B. certainly was harmed physically, but how do you think he feels knowing his wife was put through that situtation?

H.B - I work in the Middle East and I am not sure what I would do if my lady was the victim of such a crime (she lives 15km outside of Pattaya but goes in for shopping, etc.). Your missus is physically okay though, so, at least that is a good thing.

The hel_l Club !

Soi LK Metro.

Go in there and come out 2 hours later changed for life.

But it's not a bar - it's a brothel.

It has a very nice bar too.

And you will not be treated anywhere near as good by the management as you will in HC, totally professional from the time you walk in till the time you leave.

Don't talk about Brothels to me, Soi 6 is full of them and after a visit to HC, they all pale into insignifigance...

And I'm a Soi 6 fan too.

Thanks for the information! I've always been intrigued about the place since it opened but I've never been able to get any reports on the place. I hang out in the area and next time I'm in town, i'll check it out.

I am arriving mid March on a flight from Phnom Penh that gets in at 6.45 pm and wanted to get to Jomtien straight from the airport.

Unfortunately I'll have missed the last Bell Bus service and don't fancy getting myself to Ekami to get the bus or standing in a taxi que to pay 1,400 + baht.

I've found 3 companies that provide airport pickup for the trip to Jomtien that are within my price range.

The following prices include 'highway' etc.

1. 'Pattaya 4 Leisure' taxi service charges 1,200 baht
   
2. Mr T asks 1,000 baht
   
3. Mr. Toom also asks 1,200 baht
   

Based on experience or reliable reports you have heard - who would you pick?

PS. Last time I took the train and while it was interesting and relaxing enough it's probably a once only type of trip for the novelty value.

I always take Yaril. It's expensive, but the piece of mind knowing the taxi will be there on time is worth it to me. Lost wages due to a taxi which has gone MIA costs much more than the extra 1,500THB. Plus, they always bring my lady to the airport to meet me upon arrival and have cold beer to savour during the ride down from Swampy. Upon return to the airport to fly out and go back to work, I never worry that my lady friend will have any problems on her solo ride back down to Pattaya.

Mentioned to the Manager in Lucifer's - basically told farang worry too much, just enjoy yourself.

Bet if anyone said the manger of "Santika" prior to the events of New Years Day they would have basically been told to mind their own business too...

It is not just Lucifer's, it is virtually every business on the west side of Walking St, I recall that progressive administrations at "Pattaya Hall" keep on about knocking down that side of walking street.

It is not just Walking St but many bars, guest houses, restaurants, hotels are not up to standard, may be the fall out from the Santika tragedy is that the guys who used to do the building inspections will be replaced with uncorruptible ones that start to close business that fail to meet building and safety codes.

I would like to think that things would change in Thailand but as we can see from history, they will not. The Jomtien Palm Beach Resort fire in which over one hundred people died occured in 7/11/1997 and the night-club-fire in Bangkok happened on 1/1/09. There have been MANY fires take place in the interim time between these two events in which people have died or been seriously injured. Some have been left permanently disabled (me). It is pretty obvious that little if any changes have taken place to prevent these events. The only one who can guarantee your safety is you and your actions. Stay on a low-floor of the hotel (if possible) and don't go to death-trap locations where you have a building capacity of thousands but one very small and diffficult entrance/exit. Why these businesses are allowed to operate is criminal.

Take it from my experience, don't take your safety in Thailand for granted.

With all due respect..... absolute horsesh*t for the most part of your post, but do agree with the sentiment that you should go to the best doctor availible to you

What exactly are some typical farang problems in a tropical climate ??...

Personally I have had medical treatment at various locations worldwide and the worst treatment I received ?.... in the US and second place is the UK, and in both cases I was on a private medical scheme, the service, diagnosis and treatment was dire and very over priced

Best places....South Africa and in second place Thailand...

So personally think you are talking out your ar*e

You can disagree without being abusive.,

The best doctor is one who understands that farangs react in different ways to Thais for a whole variety of medical problems. If this isn't so, then why do most western countries advise you to have a series of shots before travelling to places like Thailand?

I don't see any Thais taking these shots.

The fact that you had lousy treatment in the UK and the USA and good treatment in SA and Thailand proves absolutely nothing. Of course people come from all over the world to hospitals like Bumrungrad, which is rated as one of the world's best hospitals.

Your argument is full of holes and I think you know it.

It seems you just want to hurl some abuse.

And this is Christmas Day.

Maybe you are all alone

Merry Christmas my friend and calm down

I was in an accident in Pattaya and after my surgeries, I was left in traction. I had steel rods drilled into my femers. After two weeks the doctor came in one day and had a small hammer in his hand. Without saying a word, he took the hammer and pounded out the rods in my femers (removed all the traction mechanisms).

I was very shocked and suprised would have appreciated a full explanation of his intentions before he did it, but I'm a westerner. I don't think an Asian (specifically Thai) would care; he would put his faith in the doctor. I guess that would be a face-thing. I was taught that questioning authority can be a good thing under certain circumstances therefore, I want an explanation first. This is only one example of many throughout the month that I was in hospital where I was given no explanation of what was happening and what their plan was.

A doctor who is used to dealing with farang would recognize this and explain the situation beforehand. This Thai doctor saved my life and has become my friend. I'm not knocking him...it's just his way of treating patients.

By the way, this was in 2003. I had four, 12 hour surgeries, stayed in the hospital for a month and went to Physical therapy almost every day for eight months and it cost 800kTHB. I had another surgery in 2007 which took one hour and stayed in hospital for two days. Total cost was 200kTHB. Medical in Thailand has gotten very expensive.

A pretty good hospital is the Queen Sirikit in Sattahip. I know it's a bit out of the area (pretty far out), but it's a nice, clean and good hospital.

Used to go there with and without my social security card and in both cases the assistance was perfect and accurate.

In one case, where I suffered from some kind of muscle stress in my right upper arm, the doctor examined me, prescribed a bag of medication and I was ready within half-an-hour and paid for the service THB 380.

This hospital is more and more frequented by foreigners, especially those who are living in the Baan Amphur, Bang Saray and Sattahip area.

Is Queen Sirikit also referred to the Naval hospital? If so, I have heard good things about it before.

I assume I can talk about this since it is an entertainment venue and I am not discussing bar girls.

When I have friends in town I usually take them to angelwitch to see the show. Mamasan knows me there, she usually comes up for an uninvited chat hoping for a drink. One of my friends very clearly ordered rum and coke, the only thing he drinks. they brought a tall glass which he took a sip of. He told me there was no rum in it. i called the waitress over and she said, Oh, he wanted rum and coke and not just coke. she then rushed off, grabbing the bin, without taking the coke and brought back a rum and coke and the bin. we looked at the bin and saw two drinks, a rum and coke and a coke. I nicely told the girl that she made the mistake and to take off the coke. she said no, he drank some of it. I explained that would be the only way he would know there was no rum in it. she said sorry but he took a drink of it and cannot take off the bill. Now there we 3 waitress discussing it. Knowing mamasan I called her over to fix this. She said she cant take off the coke since he already drank some [maybe 5% of it, one sip]. I told her it was not our mistake and how are we to know there was no rum in it unless we tasted it. she said no. I told her, no problem, I will put it on the internet and let everyone else know. She shrugged and walked away. Stupid people, they have lost a lot of money since I go often and I bring friends, and now, hopefully others will know what a bad policy they have. An expensive coke for them since I wont be back........

and yes, I did post this on another forum since I feel this is a public service

I make a trip to Angelwitch every time I'm in Pattaya. I've usually had a good time in there and have gotten to know some of their employees. The last visit in September was different. Within minutes after sitting down, I was hammered for lady drinks by service, the mamasan and some dancers.

I do not like to be pressured while in late-night establishments. I need ten minutes to get accustomed to the air conditioning, order a beer, and then relax after a long walk in the SEA heat.

The little hospital down the road from me charged me B300 for rabies shots every time I went in there for one year, total course was maybe 1500 baht. The nurses were charming, pretty and helpful. No difference at all in treatment or cost between what I paid and what any other person pays at this hospital. I am told that a lot of people from Pattaya even go there because it is cheaper and a lot more friendly.

It's all to do with the top management and how they see their bottom line, if they see one hospital getting away with exorbitantly high prices of course they will some of the cream as well.

Which hospital? I could use a reference for a good hospital. Glad to hear they treat you well there and not just a walking ATM.

The place is a joke. I went in with breathing probs, the quack xrayed my neck and said I need an mri scan. I walked out went to a pharmasy shop and bought some tabs, 5 days latter I was ok.

Last time I was in Pattaya Memorial, I had to take my GF as she was VERY sick. I represented myself as the BF and they made me sign as the financial guarantor (No big deal - I considered it my responsibility to take care of her). While I was there, I sought reassurance from medical staff that she was being treated well and that she would pull through quickly and successfully. They pretty much ignored me for the entire time (for the few days that she was admitted) until it was time to pay; then they were all over me in a somewhat threatening manner. I pulled the money out of my pocket and handed it over in payment, and then they all left. It was a pretty bad experience. I received the proverbial "walking-ATM" treatment the entire time.

Has a similar experience a few years ago: My friend got involved in a serious motorbike crash, kissed the asphalt with his right ear, and ended up in PM, pretty lifeless. They called me and I appeared. At that time they were busy keeping him alive with the breathing balloon. After half an hour of treating and pumping, they decided that he should be transferred to Chonburi Hospital, because of the scan-possibilities there.

They shoved my friend in an ambulance, but the bloody car wouldn't move until I paid for the treatment and the ride to Chonburi. I still wonder what would have happened, if I wasn't there at that time.

I was in a similar situation where I was a patient. I was in an accident and in critical condition at PM hospital. I called my brother, told him what happened and where I was (used a nurse's mobile, called from Emergency), and my brother came to hosptial immediately. he decided I should go to Bangkok Pattaya but before they would release me, my brother had to pay for all Emergency expenses up to that point (about 10kTHB). They actually made him go to the ATM while I was near death in the ER.

Funny thing is: My brother said they weren't doing anything for me when he got there. Presumably, PM thought I didn't have any money and decieded to let me die. Lucky for me that my brother came...

It's all about the money for them. No morals, ethcis, ideals, NOTHING. Only money.

The place is a joke. I went in with breathing probs, the quack xrayed my neck and said I need an mri scan. I walked out went to a pharmasy shop and bought some tabs, 5 days latter I was ok.

Last time I was in Pattaya Memorial, I had to take my GF as she was VERY sick. I represented myself as the BF and they made me sign as the financial guarantor (No big deal - I considered it my responsibility to take care of her). While I was there, I sought reassurance from medical staff that she was being treated well and that she would pull through quickly and successfully. They pretty much ignored me for the entire time (for the few days that she was admitted) until it was time to pay; then they were all over me in a somewhat threatening manner. I pulled the money out of my pocket and handed it over in payment, and then they all left. It was a pretty bad experience. I received the proverbial "walking-ATM" treatment the entire time.

lets see the Real Estate Companies run for cover. Hang on to your money.

Yada yada yada... prove it! Show me where in Pattaya to get cheap real estate from all those companies and owners who "run for cover". I send out 20-30 offers each week and all I can see is that Pattaya prices are still going up. So if you truly believe this crash, then how come nobody is reacting by lowing prices?

Because there is generally a lag effect between hits to the economy and real estate values. Prices stay the relatively the same after a hit to the economy, demand drops due to issues such as unemployment, then units quit selling. Sellers drop their prices in competition to sell their condo. All others follow suit. Simple Supply and Demand economics.

That goes for everyone out there - if you hear about anyone wanting to sell below market value, then please send me a private message cause I would be more than happy to give them an offer.

Be patient - a drop must come.

If you're looking for poor people, you're in the wrong country. Only 10% of Thais live below the poverty line, about the same as most wealthy nations. Take a trip to Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines to experience true poverty where about 50% live below the poverty line.

Not to mention Myanmar (Burma) where poverty is a soaring 70%. That country (and Bangladesh) are by far the worst countries I have ever been to.

Simple idea: Generally speaking, most condos bought/sold in Pattaya are aimed at foreigners (us/me). It could even be Thais buying condos with the intention of eventually selling (or renting) to a foreigner.

If the real estate bubble has burst and westerners aren't bringing money over, exports are down and Thai businesses are losing money and banks will not loan the money, then where does the real estate investment money come from? The normal economics of thailand will not justify these prices for condos and homes.

There's a plaice for everyone.

Virtually all Western democratic countries have a mechanism in place to repatriate their citizens who fall on hard times while abroad.

Really! I feel myself falling on hard times imminently and may need that 'mechanism' this weekend!!!

Pretty much think that if your dumb enough to lose your arse while overseas, not many 'western democratic countries' give a sh!t.

I agree and I'll even go one further. They don't give a sh1t, period, regardless of if you were "dumb enough to lose your arse..." or if you just happen across some bad luck (vehicle accident, crime, etc).

Most people read the news and recognize that accidents can happen through no fault of thier own on a frequent basis in Thailand. Quite frankly, I wouldn't want the 'western democratic countires' in my business under any circumstances anyway.

billdo2000, your post has brought up so many memories for me. I worked as a nurse in Saudi and moved there because I wanted to escape alcohol. Unlike you though my drinking actually deteriorated while there because of the easy availability of the illegal stuff on my compound. I was lucky to leave that country alive. Others were not so lucky. One of the paramedics had a similar idea as mine and had also moved to Saudi to escape his addiction. Like me he drank again, but unlike me he never left Saudi. He eventually died a horrible death by drowning on his own blood due to complications from his liver disease; bleeding oesphageal varicies. Anyone who thinks that addiction is self-inflicted is an idiot. I wouldn't wish the life of a drunk on a dog.

billdo2000, I do hope that you manage to leave alcohol behind, It is obviously doing you no favours. My life today is so wonderful. Amazing things can happen when you walk away from an addiction. I hope you too find this. You deserve it; everyone does.

My situation is a little different. I came here for the benefits it would have towards my career and the money, not really to escape anything. I never had anything major happen in my life as a direct consequence of alcohol abuse (I've been lucky) and never considered drinking a problem but I now realize it was (is). I've got many, many stories of passing out in college, etc., etc. but nothing like this last time.

I really went from recreational drinker to problem drinker after an accident. I broke my pelvis and severed some nerves to my foot causing some pretty nasty nerve pain 24 hours a day for over one year. If I drank, it went away...given your profession, you know where that went.

This occurrence (or job loss) was a slap in the face and made me realize that my life took a serious hit as a direct consequence of alcohol. Like I said though, I'm lucky in that I still do have my original job and still do well. It is pretty nice being here in spite of my work/living arrangements (I work in the bad areas of the Middle East.) Before coming here, I got drunk once a week for almost 15 years. Like I mentioned earlier, after the accident it went from once a week to drinking every single day. Remaining alcohol free for four months is quite nice. I feel sharp-minded and do very well...

I met a guy here who claimed that this job saved his life. He went from successful CPA to homeless drunk living in his truck after his drinking finally caught up to him. He found the happiness of sobriety here and says he absolutely will not drink again. He says it's a shame his ex-wife does not share the same idea.

If we are caught drinking here on the compound we lose our jobs; no questions asked. I always follow the rules so drinking is not an option. I know for a fact that when I move to Thailand (hopefully soon) I will have to completely stop drinking.

Sorry to hear about your co-worker. I'll bet that was difficult given your history.

Garro,

You seem to be the only one showing any compassion or understanding for a human being down on their luck.

As a parent who has seen the slipperly slope that drugs (Alcohol & substance) can do to a human. When people "looking on" observe and comment, it does not get through. The person does not realise, nor are they aware, where they are heading or ending up.

A dose of charity is in order.

"There but for the grace of god go I"

I couldn't agree more with all of Garro's comments. I am an educated, hard working, motivated, and ambitious professional who has a problem with alcohol. I live and work in the Middle East in a country with pretty severe penalties for consuming alcohol - so I don't even consider drinking. I do well at work and make good money. When in Thailand on vacation, I go absolutely nuts...two week drunk-fest. This last time I was on vacation in Thailand, I got so bad that I postponed a job interview for a position somewhere else in the same geographical location so that I could stay on my drunk-fest. I didn't want to go back to the "dry-country" any sooner than I absolutely had to (for work) and the interview was scheduled a few days before I had to return to work.

The potential employer, after my having given them my BS excuse, was no longer interested in me and I lost an opportunity to almost triple my income.

I never planned this scenario and who in their right mind would? It was something that happened over two weeks of drinking hard every day. By the end of the holiday when I had to go back early for the interview, I used whatever logic in my mind to distort the situation to where I could justify (in my alcohol soaked mind) postponing the interview. When I got back to work and had a week to sober up, I thought to myself: "What the hel_l have I done?" In fact, I'm thinking of it as I type.

Having mentioned all of this, you probably might not find anyone with more empathy and understanding than me. Personally, I have wised up. When I leave this country and return to the west, I will completely stop drinking. Otherwise I could very easily end up "on the streets" and a begger...and not by my own choice.