QED

Given his educational background he will struggle to find the place.

If he does then good luck - hail King Shinawatra

BTW, what is 'pay for play' or P4P as described earlier. Been here a long time but you guys have lost me on that (or are we not allowed to discuss that?)

Where were these from, I can feel a sinsot coming on (or 2)

It's a moronic "rap" song about Thailand's political leaders.

Edit: And a veiled threat against some other color-shirt-confused people called farangs.

Did we not already have a conversation about oxymorons??

Do they moan about it ??? everyone looked happy to me.

There are a lot of people who cannot afford any other means of transport other than a motorcycle.

I walked about 5 miles today - I can afford transport

Edit// I was referring to the guys on the forum. I see many happy motorcy taxi men today - I inadverdantly wore a red shirt and they were all saluting me.....lol

I don't think you have a career in rap, but it made me smile

I am not a fan of airline food generally, but I flew BKK - KL recently on Air Asia and (paid for) a roti chennai - absolutety stunning. This became my breakfast lunch and dinner in KL hence the 5 kilos I put on in 6 weeks, but sadly (or fortunately?) I can't find them here and have dropped it already.

Roti chennai in Pattaya anyone?

I have never in 5 Songkrans thrown or squirted water at a motorcyclist, but I see it all the time and think why? Why do these people insist on riding their bikes? The water chuckers will not change - so you have to.

P1ssed now so feel free to flame away

Man, today i walked down Soi 17 with my grandson who is 5 years old. Seeing a foreign child of that age brings alsorts out, but they all totally respected him and didn't want to scare him and aproached in the gentlest possible way and covered him and me in the white stuff and water. We had the loveliest time and he wanted to come and visit again because everyone was so nice to him and he loved the festivities so much. I have no idea why you had such a problem, maybe your attitude has something to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in soi 17 today - we must have met. I was doing exactly what you described and was welcomed with so many hearts it was unbelievable. Had a great day today - no problems but not in soi 8 and not being a whinging old git.

Best Songkran ever - happy new year all.

Been many times with Thai friends and never a problem. Also been many times to Thai bars (with them) and always received the most wonderful welcome anywhere in Pattaya, as they are all curious about what you are doing there and want to talk to you and buy you a drink. Never tried it on with a girl in one of those places though as that may be deemed to be treading on someone's toes

I think parking in Pattaya Nua/ Naklua will be your best bet, although you will have quite a walk to and from soi Bukaew. Naklua has their main day on the 18th so that is probably your best escape route. All roads between Pattaya Nua and Threppasit will be jammed (Including Suk), Naklua will probably still be busy but nothing like Pattaya.

When does it all end????? my first one here in Pattaya, wouldnt mind it if it only lasted one day, but 3 so far ... seems like brainless repetitiveness.

Only another 5 to go!!

It's extended in Pattaya and ends with a crazy day on the 19th. I agree too long - but BKK have now extended to the 17th apparently.

Quote "Coming back into Thailand, they give you only a 14 day visa (actually, it's not a "visa", it's a "permission to stay"). It used to be 30 days and an unlimited number of entries; now it's 14 days and a max of 3 entries."

Not quite right - you used to get 30 days restricted to 3 times in 6 months, you now get 15 days with no limit on the number of times. It's a visa exemption, not permission to stay.

It was done to discourage people staying here long term without a legitimate visa. Get yourself up to Vientienne for a double entry tourist visa which is good for nearly 6 months (you will have to do 1 border run though), they are free at the moment.

I'm not this clever really - just googled it

ดู่ ดู๊ ดู ดู เธอ ทำ . .. ทำไมถึงทำกับฉันได้

dòo dóo doo doo ter tam . .. tam-mai tĕung tam gàp chăn dâai

Look, look, look, look at what you'd done. How come you can do that to me?

เรารักกันชอบกัน ก็หลายวันอยู่ อยู่ดีดีจู่ จู่ เธอก็จากไป

rao rák gan chôp gan gôr lăai wan yòo yoo dee dee jòo jòo ter gôr jàak bpai

We loved and fancied each other for many days. We're good together, and suddenly you went away.

แต่ข้าวของเครี่องใช้ก๊ยังอยู่ดี แต่ซีดีบ็อบาร์เล่กลับหายไป

dtae kâao kŏng krêuang châi gôr yang yòo dee dtàe see-dee bób maa-ray glàp hăai bpai

But the belongings and tools are still here. Only Bob Marley's CDs have disappeared.

ฉันเก็บเงินสะสมซี้อทุกชุด ทั้งแผ่นใหม่แผ่นสะดุดเธอก็เอาไป

chan gèp ngern sà-sŏm séu tóok chóot tâng pàen mài paen sà-dòot ter gôr ao bpai

I'd saved and accumulated money to buy each suit. All the new sheets, and torn sheets, you also took.

เอาข้าวของเงินทองฉันจะไม่ว่า แต่อย่าเอาเสื้อลายกัญชาของฉันไป

ao kâao kŏng ngern tong chăn jà mâi wâa dtàe yàa ao sêua laai gan-cha kŏng chăn bpai

Took my belongings, money and gold, I won't scold. But don't take my hemp shirt and go.

กลับมาเถิดคนดีฉันยังรออยู่ ใครจะสวย ใครจะหรู ช่างเค้าปะไร

glàp maa tè kon dee chăn yang ror yòo krai jà sŭay krai jà rŏo châang káo bpà rai

Come back dear, I'm still waiting. Who'll be pretty, who will know? Let them be.

จะมีใจดวงเดียวเธอก็รู้ รู้ทั้งรู้ว่ารักเธอจนหมดใจ

jà mee jai duang dieow ter gôr róo róo táng róo wâa rák ter jon mòt jai

I have only one heart and that you also knew. Knew well that I whole heartedly love you.

หินก้อนเดียวที่ฉันให้คงไม่มีค่า โปรดเธอเก็บไว้เถอะนะอย่าทำลาย

hĭn gôn dieow têe chăn hâi kong mâi mee kâa bpròht ter gèp wái tè ná yàa tam laai

The solitary stone that I gave may be of no merit. Please keep it dear and don't destroy it.

แต่เมื่อฉันมีเธอ เธอมีฉัน เส้นทางสู่ฝันคงจะไม่ไกล

dtàe mêua chăn mee ter ter mee chăn sên taang sòo făn kong jà mâi glai

Only when I have you, and you have me; the path to our dreams would probably not be far.

Out and around Pattaya today Monday 13-04, and at many localities have the hooligan brigade perched and parked on street corners etc with their bins full of dirty water whilst they are using hose pipes, water guns and other equipment spraying all and sundry on busy main roads.

Disasterous and highly dangerous.

Are these people totally retarded or what?!

I guess you are either trolling, or retarded yourself.

Have you never been here for Songkran? Enjoy the next week as it will get alot worse

Had this with CAT before - they have blocked your port 25 as they think you are spamming. Go and speak to them and they will unblock it

Yes to all your questions.

If you re-enter just before your visa expires you will get another 90 days, which means you can stay until October.

Edited by QED as he cannot add 3 months to July due to alcohol consumption

Judging from previous comments from posters on the street, there will be no impact on nightlife. Most tourists won't know what's going on anyway.

No more Songkran in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Songkran celebrations in Pattaya will not be much fun this year because Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared a state of emergency in Chon Buri province, which prohibits any gatherings of five or more people, the resort city's mayor Itthipon Khunpleum said Saturday.

The resort city, where the Asean summits are taking place, has had to cancel many events prepared for the water festival, which in Pattaya runs from April 9 to today, he said.

-- The Nation 2009-04-11

What are they on about? Since when did Songkran start on the 9th??

Surely the 'state of emergency' will be withdrawn before Sonkran does actually start on the 13th, so won't have any effect whatsoever.

Is this a lame attempt to curry public favour - 'no Songkran for you because of those naughty redshirts'

I take a few friends out now and again.

I Keep my boat down in Koh Chang.

The boat is available for private charter for up to 8 people if anybody is interested

Thanks Gaza, looks very nice, but a bit far away for a day trip.

Enjoy your wuite afternoon

So are baht busses running? I was hoping to take some friends to Jomtien fishing park (from Pattaya). If they are running are they taking an alternate route back? I stupidly lent my car to a friend to go up country, maybe I should just charter a baht bus - how much from Pattaya Thai to fishing park (soi 14 I think)

I was in Pats for 3 days in January so did not have much time to get into fishing but did have succes with the following........

Thanks, very useful post. I would like to try the Jomtien park, but have problems getting there from Pattaya over the next few days with the ASEAN conference - will probably have to settle for 3rd road.

Yeah I get the same. I was panicking a bit until I read this, obviously a wide spread problem that hopefully will be fixed soon.

Thanks mate, but there will only be 2 people so I am trying to tag them on to an existing charter

No problem - when you get your new passport go to your local immi office and they will transfer your permitted to stay stamp. They will not however transfer your visa, and on your next border run (or 2?) you will need to take both passports. I did it last year and did 3 border runs with 2 passports, the immi officers didn't bat an eyelid as they have obviously seen it many times before.