billdo2000

I see two possibilities:

1) The lady in question is jai dee, and now she takes care of him who took care of her before

2) The lady is taking care of him hoping that he will send her some money later

The reality is probably some of both.

Maybe 1, maybe 2, but if the guy is running low I don't suppose he minds either way. I know if I were in that situation I'd consider it a matter of concience to send her some money when I got sorted out.

That is exactly what I did. I got back home, got myself sorted out, got a job and the next time I went back to Thailand; I returned the generosity to all the people who helped me in my time of need. After all, what goes around, comes around...

I was speaking to a single male tourist this morning who said that his "extended vacation" was really starting to pinch him financially (in both current expenditures and lost earnings). However, he said the companion he has been with for 2 weeks during his trip has graciously offer to put him up in her room for free during the remaining duration of his stay and he has accepted the offer. He will be loosing the air-con but that's not a problem this time of year and she has cable he said. He also said other "incidentals" were also going to be thrown in gratis

I wonder how much of this is going on as few/any new tourists have arrived for over a week and many that are stuck here may be running low on funds?

There might be quite a few people who are stranded and left without money for "incidentals." Staying in Thailand while short on cash can be very uncomfortable times...I've been there myself. Fortunately, those days are long gone, hopefully never to return.

did n't realise the pattaya bar girls had a social welfare plan for farangs,thought they were more like the private hospitals "you dont get fixed up unless you pay"

Actually, they were pretty good about it in my case. But those were also known assoicates at places where I would frequent and where I knew the mamasan/manager/owner.

I was speaking to a single male tourist this morning who said that his "extended vacation" was really starting to pinch him financially (in both current expenditures and lost earnings). However, he said the companion he has been with for 2 weeks during his trip has graciously offer to put him up in her room for free during the remaining duration of his stay and he has accepted the offer. He will be loosing the air-con but that's not a problem this time of year and she has cable he said. He also said other "incidentals" were also going to be thrown in gratis

I wonder how much of this is going on as few/any new tourists have arrived for over a week and many that are stuck here may be running low on funds?

There might be quite a few people who are stranded and left without money for "incidentals." Staying in Thailand while short on cash can be very uncomfortable times...I've been there myself. Fortunately, those days are long gone, hopefully never to return.

and "she" prefer maybe the brazil ian au bois de vincenne in paris or " folies bergère "

I don't get it?

Me either...

according to my translater:

folies bergère = feminine shepherd.

au bois de vincenne = with the word of vincenne.

(I think he likes you in such a way that only a Frenchman can).

Ok - for all those people left wondering, I have just added a gallery to my profile..

How many people have been dropping by for a shuftie then (apart from me)?

Loads, you pervs. (Oh, and I did, but purely in the interests of research for this post!).

This might become a popular thread...

Ok - for all those people left wondering, I have just added a gallery to my profile..

Nice pictures....

Just changed my hotel to move into one provided by TAT in Pattaya, accommodation and food for free, all well so far,its the least Thailand can do to stranded guest in their country.

Now the hotel want to charge me B900 a DAY to use the internet in my room.

I tried explaining to the manager that its needed urgently for my work and business, and that Thailand has already cost me and thousands others a lot of money, and they should assist as much as they can

Its just like they are trying to make money out of my predicament, the image of Thailand already damaged badly has not gone up in my opinion when you get treated like this, and i will make my feelings well and truly known to the hotel when i get back home .

I am just a hard working guy and it took me a long time to save to come on this trip, and I've already had to draw on emergency money i cannot afford

Use a cheaper internet cafe in town. There are lots of them. If they have put you in a posh hotel with free food, you can't complain too much (look at the events in Mumbai if you wish to feel grateful). It's not the manager's fault and nor his job to underwite the sins of PAD. Sorry.

I do appreciate being given a nice hotel, but program's on my laptop are need for work, i was supposed to be back yesterday. I just think B900 is taking the piss

Its normally B900, B5000!!!! for the week.

Its the Sunbeam

Well, if they normally charge 900THB for service you can't fault them too much for wanting to charge you in this case. Personally, if I were in that situation as a hotel manager, I would give free internet to guests who are displaced by the airport fiasco.

BTW - I have history with the Sunbeam. I kid you not, one of their employees saved my life five years ago. Without their assistance, I would have died. When in the hospital, the manager(s) came to visit me. I think that hotel is top-notch.

All of you who are stranded have my sympathies.

I find it difficult to believe that utter Thai strangers saved your life once as I find they so not stop in the worst of traffic accidents to tend to their own. Not to side-track this thread but pray tell briefly describe the situation in which your life was saved. Thanks!

The hotel next to the Sunbeam is the High Five hotel. On X-mas eve day, 2003 I fell from the fire escape (during a fire in the High Five hotel) and landed on the Sunbeam hotel pool deck. In addition to the 18 other broken bones, I had a compound fracture of my tibia and fibia through which I would have lost a lot of blood. The kid behind the Sunbeam's poolside bar saw me fall and fashioned a tournaquet around my leg - preventing blood loss. He then went and got the paramedics/rescue workers.

With the damage to my body (broken bones: Pelvis x 4, right leg x 4, left foot x 9, etc.,etc.) any severe blood loss would have had probably killed me with the shock of the event and all - this, according to my orthopedic surgeon(s) in America who were stunned I lived anyway. They were certain massive amounts of bloodloss would have finished me.

This is all verifiable in Pattaya Mail...Google search it if you don't believe me.

Thanks for sharing and I am happy to hear you survived. Not that I didn't believe you I wanted to see the details so I did 'Google' it and one article I read stated that you "jumped".... and yet another from the same Pattaya newspaper stated you "fell"..... Anyway, I hope you had a full recovery and I am sure in the future you will be looking for all fire exits upon checking into your room as I tend to do this with unfamiliar hotels I stay at. It is always a wise safety precaution. By the way, after hearing your 'first hand' story and reading two different accounts by the same Pattaya newspaper I really wonder about all those so called 'jumpers' they write about down there in Pattaya.

Like you say, I have first hand knowledge of this. I went to speak with a few lawyers in Pattaya after the incident and spoke with almost everyone on Soi 8 over the following two years (or so) during my recuperation. Every single Thai that I spoke with in Pattaya, regardless of their background (lawyer, bargirl, store/bar owner) all asked me: "why did you jump?" Well, I fell. I didn't jump. I would assume that the local media said that I jumped because it puts the onus of the situation back on me (it's my fault I'm hurt because I jumped) and saves face for the hotel. It was always funny because the Thai girls would ask me why I jumped. I would respond: "Do you think I'm stupid? If I jump - I die. I have accident not jump". The funny part about that is their confused/bewildered answer to their question.

The interview in the Pattaya Mail took place on 12/26 immediatly after my second 12 hour surgery in two days. I barely remember the interview and it isn't accurate...I wasn't my normal self.

Life is good now. My foot and part of my leg are both paralyzed but I don't have much pain. I still see people in Patt/Jomtien who recognise me and ask me how I"m doing. They acutally can't believe how well I walk...

I have a good job and get to come to Pattaya every four months on holiday. I NEVER stay above the second floor of ANY hotel...

Just changed my hotel to move into one provided by TAT in Pattaya, accommodation and food for free, all well so far,its the least Thailand can do to stranded guest in their country.

Now the hotel want to charge me B900 a DAY to use the internet in my room.

I tried explaining to the manager that its needed urgently for my work and business, and that Thailand has already cost me and thousands others a lot of money, and they should assist as much as they can

Its just like they are trying to make money out of my predicament, the image of Thailand already damaged badly has not gone up in my opinion when you get treated like this, and i will make my feelings well and truly known to the hotel when i get back home .

I am just a hard working guy and it took me a long time to save to come on this trip, and I've already had to draw on emergency money i cannot afford

Use a cheaper internet cafe in town. There are lots of them. If they have put you in a posh hotel with free food, you can't complain too much (look at the events in Mumbai if you wish to feel grateful). It's not the manager's fault and nor his job to underwite the sins of PAD. Sorry.

I do appreciate being given a nice hotel, but program's on my laptop are need for work, i was supposed to be back yesterday. I just think B900 is taking the piss

Its normally B900, B5000!!!! for the week.

Its the Sunbeam

Well, if they normally charge 900THB for service you can't fault them too much for wanting to charge you in this case. Personally, if I were in that situation as a hotel manager, I would give free internet to guests who are displaced by the airport fiasco.

BTW - I have history with the Sunbeam. I kid you not, one of their employees saved my life five years ago. Without their assistance, I would have died. When in the hospital, the manager(s) came to visit me. I think that hotel is top-notch.

All of you who are stranded have my sympathies.

I find it difficult to believe that utter Thai strangers saved your life once as I find they so not stop in the worst of traffic accidents to tend to their own. Not to side-track this thread but pray tell briefly describe the situation in which your life was saved. Thanks!

The hotel next to the Sunbeam is the High Five hotel. On X-mas eve day, 2003 I fell from the fire escape (during a fire in the High Five hotel) and landed on the Sunbeam hotel pool deck. In addition to the 18 other broken bones, I had a compound fracture of my tibia and fibia through which I would have lost a lot of blood. The kid behind the Sunbeam's poolside bar saw me fall and fashioned a tournaquet around my leg - preventing blood loss. He then went and got the paramedics/rescue workers.

With the damage to my body (broken bones: Pelvis x 4, right leg x 4, left foot x 9, etc.,etc.) any severe blood loss would have had probably killed me with the shock of the event and all - this, according to my orthopedic surgeon(s) in America who were stunned I lived anyway. They were certain massive amounts of bloodloss would have finished me.

This is all verifiable in Pattaya Mail...Google search it if you don't believe me.

Just changed my hotel to move into one provided by TAT in Pattaya, accommodation and food for free, all well so far,its the least Thailand can do to stranded guest in their country.

Now the hotel want to charge me B900 a DAY to use the internet in my room.

I tried explaining to the manager that its needed urgently for my work and business, and that Thailand has already cost me and thousands others a lot of money, and they should assist as much as they can

Its just like they are trying to make money out of my predicament, the image of Thailand already damaged badly has not gone up in my opinion when you get treated like this, and i will make my feelings well and truly known to the hotel when i get back home .

I am just a hard working guy and it took me a long time to save to come on this trip, and I've already had to draw on emergency money i cannot afford

Use a cheaper internet cafe in town. There are lots of them. If they have put you in a posh hotel with free food, you can't complain too much (look at the events in Mumbai if you wish to feel grateful). It's not the manager's fault and nor his job to underwite the sins of PAD. Sorry.

I do appreciate being given a nice hotel, but program's on my laptop are need for work, i was supposed to be back yesterday. I just think B900 is taking the piss

Its normally B900, B5000!!!! for the week.

Its the Sunbeam

Well, if they normally charge 900THB for service you can't fault them too much for wanting to charge you in this case. Personally, if I were in that situation as a hotel manager, I would give free internet to guests who are displaced by the airport fiasco.

BTW - I have history with the Sunbeam. I kid you not, one of their employees saved my life five years ago. Without their assistance, I would have died. When in the hospital, the manager(s) came to visit me. I think that hotel is top-notch.

All of you who are stranded have my sympathies.

Just changed my hotel to move into one provided by TAT in Pattaya, accommodation and food for free, all well so far,its the least Thailand can do to stranded guest in their country.

Now the hotel want to charge me B900 a DAY to use the internet in my room.

I tried explaining to the manager that its needed urgently for my work and business, and that Thailand has already cost me and thousands others a lot of money, and they should assist as much as they can

Its just like they are trying to make money out of my predicament, the image of Thailand already damaged badly has not gone up in my opinion when you get treated like this, and i will make my feelings well and truly known to the hotel when i get back home .

I am just a hard working guy and it took me a long time to save to come on this trip, and I've already had to draw on emergency money i cannot afford

Use a cheaper internet cafe in town. There are lots of them. If they have put you in a posh hotel with free food, you can't complain too much (look at the events in Mumbai if you wish to feel grateful). It's not the manager's fault and nor his job to underwite the sins of PAD. Sorry.

Weather or not there is a 1 baht/min cafe even across the street is incidental. The fact of the matter is they are attempting to gouge him through circumstances that are WAY beyond his control. Perhaps he needs round-the-clock access to internet for some reason (work, family issues) or perhaps he is travelling with small children that can not spend all day in an internet café.

To use a situation like this to extract money from someone (if that is their intent) is ethically wrong...plain and simple.

Just changed my hotel to move into one provided by TAT in Pattaya, accommodation and food for free, all well so far,its the least Thailand can do to stranded guest in their country.

Now the hotel want to charge me B900 a DAY to use the internet in my room.

I tried explaining to the manager that its needed urgently for my work and business, and that Thailand has already cost me and thousands others a lot of money, and they should assist as much as they can

Its just like they are trying to make money out of my predicament, the image of Thailand already damaged badly has not gone up in my opinion when you get treated like this, and i will make my feelings well and truly known to the hotel when i get back home .

I am just a hard working guy and it took me a long time to save to come on this trip, and I've already had to draw on emergency money i cannot afford

Out of curiosity, how much does this particular hotel normally charge for internet service in the room? Some hotels give it free as a perk. It would be really, really bad if internet was normally a free service but out of greed, they decided to charge you...

Could currents events result in the quick development of Utapau as a viable, and hopefully defendable, international airport to the long term benefit of National security and the area's economy?

Surely the runway/tower control has had a much higher capacity during it's "heydays".

What would it take to rush in a load of pre-fabs for the civil authorities and passengers and a load of concrete and cattle grids to keep the rabble out?

I was in Philippines last month. No way do you approach the terminal without a ticket or pass there.

A good idea. I have wondered for some time why this airport is not used more. The entrance is controlled by the Military anyway so when I have flown from there, I have to give my driving license as security and they give me a big metal number that I have to return when I arrive back. Parking was about 50 Baht a day when I last used the Bangkok Airways flight to Samui earlier this year.

I have never been to Utapao airfield but considering it was a B-52 airbase during time of war, you would think the runways/tarmac/flightline could handle a few 747's. The problem would be the age of the runways, tarmac, etc....how well was it maintained over the last forty years?

I was thinking about coming to Thailand (very soon) for an extended period of time for surgery. I wonder what flights (if any) can be booked into BKK which actually land at Utapao.

From the current Pattaya Mail - the pinch is definitely being felt

City discusses bar opening hours

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

City officials meet with owners of entertainment establishments in Soi 6.

Staff reporters

City officials have agreed to the request of owners of entertainment businesses in Soi 6 (Yodsak) in Central Pattaya to discuss longer opening hours during which food and non-alcoholic drinks can be served, to help the businesses survive the current declining trade.

Some 50 bar and restaurant owners met with city officials on October 15 to lobby for longer opening hours during the high season to compensate for the declining number of tourists due to the current economic crisis.

While agreeing to compromise on opening hours, City officials insisted that the entertainment premises must operate within the law.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Pongtasit Pitchanan, deputy district chief of Banglamung, and city counselors went to Soi 6 to meet the business owners on location.

The officials were told that the owners had to open their bars and restaurants earlier to gather more business but police came to crack down and make arrests. The owners asked the city officials to understand the situation better and be more supportive.

Pongtasit told the business owners that while the authorities would discuss extending the opening hours, the owners themselves needed to keep their side of the bargain and conform with regulations for the good of tourism.

He said for example that the women and transvestite sex workers who "dress inappropriately and are too pushy" damage the overall image of Pattaya, especially in the eye of members of the media.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh emphasized that everyone must accept and follow regulations while Pattaya City would always provide as much support to business as it possibly can.

More discussions will now be held to relax opening-hour regulations, he said, as the meeting finished on a positive note.

Incidentally - bar/club owning friends in AC (Angeles City - Philippines - near Mount Pinatubo - adjacent to the former Clark Air Base) say that business is quite good, considering the economic situation / season / media reporting. But then they probably would. A couple of friends with bars in both places say that AC is much better than Pattaya - they're losing their socks in Pattaya and both are seriously thinking of pulling out. One transferring his LOS site to Snooky (Sihanoukville, Cambodia) the other concentrating on AC.

You are right to suspect your friends' rose tinted views on Angeles. I am in AC for a few days, and last night (Friday) it was very quiet, much quieter that a Friday (or even a low season Tuesday) in Pattaya. I'm not knocking it as I love it here, for a few days, but if I owned a bar I would be sweating. Some have closed on Fields Avenue leaving the place looking a little deserted, but for fun, it is always as good if not better than Pattaya. Same same but completely different.

Which would be safer at the moment, Pattaya or A.C? I read the article about the American (who by the pictures looks lucky to be alive) who was attcked by a sword-carrying Thai. This does not bode well for me coming to Patt's on my next holiday.

A big competitor for the Tourists Dollar is now Bali , now that the Bombings are a fading memory (6years on the 12th) there are , I believe now 20,000 more rooms available for Tourists than last year & I know my wife & a few of her friends were lucky to get a room this & next week & the prices are far , far cheaper than Pattaya & from Australia the flights are much shorter.

It will be interesting to see this year if there is a major downturn in numbers.

Friend of mine is running a travel organisation specialised in South-East Asia, operating in the Benelux and west Germany

Bookings in general are down at least 10%

Booking to Thailand are down 15-25%.

In general cheaper holidays are selling well.

The number and class of hotel rooms bought in by various tourist outfits for customers in Thailand is also down.

There will be glut of hotel rooms in Bangkok and the tourist destinations, while the number of tourists seems to come down.

Spending per head is down at least 12% on the sold packages.

It is questionable if tourism from other destinations, including Asia, will pick up enough to compensate for the loss from Europe, and probably from the US.

Also questionable if the spending per head in Thailand will stay on the same level if tourists from Asia can pick up the lost numbers from Eur & US.

I checked on flights from Los Angeles to BKK on Thai. The fares are pretty cheap and it's the direct flight (which was extended, I guess). The other airlines were quite a bit more expensive and had the layover in Tokyo and/or Taipai.

It does seem quite quiet around but a mate of mine arrives tomorrow and reckons he had to call 4 different hotels before he could find one that would take a 3 day booking, which suggests a different story. Unless there's gonna be a lot of cancellations....

Perhaps, he tried booking on a weekend in one of the more popular hotels. I was surprised how many Thailand based tourists were around only on Saturday and Sunday.

I was actually considering an extended holiday from early December through February in order to take care of some business in Thailand and take a much needed break from work. I further considered the "stuff" going on in BKK right now and thought I might stay in the PI for some of this holiday. I would assume that it is business as usual in Pattaya right now despite the situation in BKK.

name='billdo2000' date='2008-10-28 20:17:12' post='2299646']

I am American, but I drink like an Australian!

So you get drunk real quick, like after 2 bottles of VB.

I've never had a VB. I always have a Fosters if I drink Aussie beer. I've heard Australians prefer V.B. - I must try it.

No one in Australia drinks Fosters - it is so bad we export it to the world in fear that we may have to drink the stuff if any remains

Try Carlton Draught - I prefer it to VB

CB

Where can I find Carlton Draguht in Pattaya? I will definitely give it a try...

Its slow but still quite a few tourists here.

I ate at Sailor Bar, Soi 8 just off Beach Road (great Cordon Blu for B100) on Oct 28; they had plenty of customers in both the bar and restaurant.

Later I rode my bike down Beach Road and got caught up in a huge traffice jam near the entrance to Walking Street. Plenty of farangs in those Songteaws

Try visiting Oasis Go Go on Soi Buakao any night and I bet you will find most seats taken.

Oasis is one of my favorite places in Patts. You are right on with that one.

name='billdo2000' date='2008-10-28 20:17:12' post='2299646']

I am American, but I drink like an Australian!

So you get drunk real quick, like after 2 bottles of VB.

I've never had a VB. I always have a Fosters if I drink Aussie beer. I've heard Australians prefer V.B. - I must try it.

After 4 months at work, I'm pi$$ed after 1 bottle.

After one week, I'm back to my normal self - Pints of Guiness in the morning, gradually switching to hundred/nam in the afternoon.

I will tell you one thing; if i do come to Pattaya on my next vacation, I will certainly not spend money like I have in the past. No more ringing the bell and no more one-bedroom suites with multiple "joiners". It will be happy hour drinking with hopefully cheap drink and an 800THB room.

My net worth has gone down by 50% in the last month and I just can't rationalize spending the money that I have in past trips.

I would think that many of the visitors (those who have the available funds) to Thailand will act in the same manner...

You must be Australian???

I have to say that my net worth in Thail baht has disintegrated over the last year from 20million baht to about 8 million and still dropping.........

I wasn't ready to retire but was thinking i only had 5 years more to go but now who knows .....

I am American, but I drink like an Australian!

I've lost so much money in the stock market. Before the "crash", I was thinking about taking some time off and live in Pattaya again but now, there is not way I would feel comfortable quitting work.

I will tell you one thing; if i do come to Pattaya on my next vacation, I will certainly not spend money like I have in the past. No more ringing the bell and no more one-bedroom suites with multiple "joiners". It will be happy hour drinking with hopefully cheap drink and an 800THB room.

My net worth has gone down by 50% in the last month and I just can't rationalize spending the money that I have in past trips.

I would think that many of the visitors (those who have the available funds) to Thailand will act in the same manner...

You must be Australian???

I have to say that my net worth in Thail baht has disintegrated over the last year from 20million baht to about 8 million and still dropping.........

I wasn't ready to retire but was thinking i only had 5 years more to go but now who knows .....

I am American, but I drink like an Australian!

I've lost so much money in the stock market. Before the "crash", I was thinking about taking some time off and live in Pattaya again but now, there is not way I would feel comfortable quitting work.

I've heard it can get boring...in the P.I. and that you have two main "party" streets, but if they are fun bars, that is good with me. I think Pattaya is the place to live (long term) and the PI is the place to party (short term). Also, I used to work with a Filippena who was one of the most beautiful asian girls I have ever seen.

I actually lived in Pattaya a few years ago and I liked it all things considered.

I will tell you one thing; if i do come to Pattaya on my next vacation, I will certainly not spend money like I have in the past. No more ringing the bell and no more one-bedroom suites with multiple "joiners". It will be happy hour drinking with hopefully cheap drink and an 800THB room.

My net worth has gone down by 50% in the last month and I just can't rationalize spending the money that I have in past trips.

I would think that many of the visitors (those who have the available funds) to Thailand will act in the same manner...

Also the growing popularity of Angeles City in the Philippines, without the closing-time restrictions of Pattaya, and Subic Bay, with better seafront, and Cebu/Boracay/Palawan for family tourism - all cheaper than Patters - will not help recovery.

The only way to improve income in Pattaya is to go backwards and relax all the restrictions currently being enforced - make Fun City more fun again. I'll start a Party City Party for the nect elections.

I have been to the Philippines – Angeles City – once, back in August for one week with some friends. The first couple of days were very quiet, but after that it seemed to be buzzing for the remainder of my stay.

I have to say it was the most enjoyable week I have had in a long time.

It was such a refreshing change to get away from the petty restrictions in Pattaya, and find a place that is open for business 24/7. There are no smoking restrictions (I don't smoke but my friends do), most of the bars are run by friendly westerners who almost always buy you at least one round of drinks on the house; the bar fines are around 1,000 Baht for all night of which the girls get 50% and no need to pay any more; all the girls speak good English and you can actually have an intelligent conversation with them over breakfast; on average I would say the girls are younger, more beautiful and their bodies are in much better shape than their cousins in Pattaya – an incredibly high percentage have not had babies, and around 15% are genuine virgins. They also dress better – classier - than the Pattaya girls. Drinks are much cheaper – a beer can be as little as 30 Baht, and even ladies' drinks are quite cheap.

I found the overall atmosphere much friendlier than Pattaya, and all the mama sans and girls are absolutely charming – with each other and punters alike. The hotel staff can't do enough for you, and all speak excellent English.

Tropo may well be correct that business is down in PI too, but I have a hunch that when the disparity between Pattaya today and Angeles City today becomes more widely known, then an increasing amount of the sexpat trade will be heading out to visit the charming catholic ladies of PI rather than the bullshit Buddhist ladies of LOS.

In many ways Angeles City reminded me of Pattaya some 30 years ago, in the sense of friendliness and lack off stupid restrictions. I doubt if Pattaya is going to change much any time soon, and as a result, I suspect trade will continue to dwindle and the number of tourist related businesses will contract sharply.

Pattaya will never die, but it will probably end up as a pale shadow of its former self.

I've been wanting to go to the PI because of the good things i have heard. My only concern is my family and friends who live in Pattaya. I'm afraid I might like the PI so much that I won't come back to Pattaya. Essentially, I have two weeks holiday every four months and I work hard. When I come on holiday, I don't want to experience bar closures (for religious holidays or political elections).

just to add my bit,in the 3 years that we have lived in Pattaya i have found that on the whole thai people are more helpfull than in the west ,in the years before i was married to my thai wife ,i was always treated well by the girls i met in bars ,i was never ripped off and always treated well ,i have always found though that if you treat people with respect they will on the whole do the same to you.

I agree. I always treat them with respect (in hotels, bars, restaurants) and receive the same in return. I have never been robbed, drugged, attacked, etc...but I also stay off Beach Road at night.

I am tempted to retell my story of my desperate search for a 'western toilet' in rural Thailand (and the help received by the locals albeit not in Pattaya) but I'll keep that one to myself.

I take good care of them and they take good care of me...generally speaking.

I think you're mixing up Fatboy Diner which was located in Avenue Pattaya on the 2nd floor near the Major Cineplex box office, and Fattie's Pattaya located on 2nd Road between Soi 1 and Soi 2. Fatboy Diner was only open a short time before it closed. I never got a chance to try it. Fatties sells good burgers and is still in business.

Yes, Fatties on Second road close to Big C. I have eaten the 600g burger (a long time ago) and it was quite good. It's good to know Fatties has kept the quality and I will keep it in mind next time I am in the mood for a burger!!

I am familiar with Fatboy's Diner in the Avenue. I heard from a friend that it was pretty good. Too bad it closed already.