gerry53

The obvious place for a real local Jomtien supermarket is in the new booming area of Soi 5 and Jomtien Second Road.

I hope they don't remove the new refreshment stands (beer bars) and lovely hostess's to make space on Rompho Road!!

The same soi as Dick's Cafe

What do you order there ?

If you are really hungry order the "big dick".

Not that I go there (except when I'm traveling) but another thing that surprises me is why there isn't even one Starbucks in Jomtien, when there are a number in Pattaya.

You answered in your statement. People aren't traveling in Jomtien. For the most part, they aren't hungover farang sex tourist either. If they are, they are from Denmark of some other gay country. Take away those two segments and what's left for a Starbucks?

The most important off topic news flash is that there is a Popeyes Fried Chicken in the domestic food court at BKK. I've never seen a Popeyes in Thailand prior to this one last week. It was very good but no red beans and dirty rice. It would work in Pattaya! Much better tasting chicken than KFC.

dam_n Bruce you are all over the place on this one???? Now Denmark is a gay country according to Mangosteen?? I live in Jomtien am a hetro (not Danish either I'm afraid) and other than certain small "gay areas" it is no different and probably "cleaner" than Pattaya. As far as the actual posted topic I look foreward to a new upscale Mexican Restaurant - the more competition the better, the Bangkok menu and prices looked great. An upscale coffee shop is also needed in the area also.

I was by this new place at 11 am today as I was last night because I live nearby. The problem is the Casa Hotel people put a sliding (wheeled) gate across the road and often have it manned by security leaving the impression you can't enter. And 40 metres further on they have another manned and gated security checkpoint into the housing estate. The restaurant is between these 2 security checkpoints. They had absolutely no signage out to indicate name or indeed if it is a restaurant and that is on the building itself. Maybe in hours of operation they have portable signs? Having a sign on beach road is a must.

Very conflicting views on your lifestyle? One buying 650 baht trainers, the other you have sooo much income from your dividends you do need to touch your other income streams? You then you slag comsumerism - yes now I'm confused or you aren't what you appear.

I remember sitting in an open-air bar here some 20 years ago, back when bars were still fun and cheap.

I was always known as a "cheap charlie", but the lady bar owner had my number. "You're just like me", she said. "You've got money but you don't waste it". She now owns a large number of houses in a town in northern Thailand.

Just because someone has a lot of money doesn't mean that they either want or need to spend it all. I can buy what I want without having to worry about the cost, it's just that there are very few things I want, and with a few exceptions like a great TV or good speakers for my hifi, or a nice view from my house/condo, I don't really see the point of buying something that costs x when I could get something more or less the same for much less.

Many other people seem to be the other way around: wanting more than they can afford, and that sounds like bad news to me. At the risk of sounding Yoda-esque, consumerism leads to unhappiness and dissatisfaction, and eventually to some of the lowest possible human activity as we saw in the UK riots recently. Consumerism, the mad lust for growth/profit and the resulting absurd levels of debt are also the direct cause of the current global economic crisis.

Thankfully I'm completely immune to the shopping disease, but until everyone else gets vaccinated there is little hope for mankind or, much more importantly, the planet he lives on.

Darrel you surely must be a wonderful and well respected individual if a bar lady told you "you are just like me". And you further substantiate this with the comment "she now owns a number of houses" - it is even further proof you are brilliant and share the limelight with the likes of Warren Buffet of this planet.

Thanks for the brilliant rant on commsumerism, it makes me want to give my new vehicles to a needy individual - do you want them Darrel??? Actually I should find someone else because you stated your dividend shares are paying so well you don't need to touch your other financial investments. Why do you need this if you aren't a "consumer" and are immune to consumerism? Next time you should treat yourself (just this once though) and buy a pair of 750 baht training shoes instead of the 650 baht ones.

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the dividends must be so good that you could afford to get 2 pairs of 650baht trainers then?

Of course. They also more than cover my day-to-day living expenses, including accommodation, which means I dont need to touch my other income streams at all.

Never really understood why some people feel the need to spend every penny they have, sometimes even before they have it, especially when the bulk of what people buy is ephemeral rubbish. That's consumerism, I suppose.

Very conflicting views on your lifestyle? One buying 650 baht trainers, the other you have sooo much income from your dividends you do need to touch your other income streams? You then you slag comsumerism - yes now I'm confused or you aren't what you appear.

For all the contempt of Kiss here, all the recommendations for other restaurants, Kiss continues to do great business year round.

Happened to stop in there recently (long story) around 2 pm and could hardly find a seat, it was so crowded. The TV membership seems out of touch with the tastes of the average Pattaya tourist/denizen.

I know how to deal w/ Kiss, however. Just go get your own menu. When you get your food, get the bill with it. When you're finished, take your bill to the cashier. You can get out 30 min faster that way.

Rather than get my own menu, get the check bin with food, pay my own bill and put up with rude food servers (and sellers) I would rather cook for myself! Better yet I'll find a restaurant that I am happy with.

I meant more the idiots that always talk in pigeon English even to their own kind.....guys that flap their arms around and bellow out at the top of their voice trying to explain the simplist thing to their rented girlfriend, those that wonder out in the road then act like a traffic cop putting their hands up as someone nearly runs them over...the list is endless......they just seem to be everywhere...and all look the same, bald head, beer belly, few bad tattoos, singha vest, you know the sort.

On the first point I'm as guilty as hell - even when I go home. And what's wrong with a rented 'friend'?

I had a western wife for over 30 years and gave her everything, she left with half of all the assets I worked for - now thats a rental!! (albiet a poor one!!)

I tend to agree the Pattaya area has more than it's share of "winners" visiting or living here as expats. I think because it is a low cost destination for rent, food, booze, cigs, and girls - it all helps to contribute to this issue. Where in the west are you going to get a cold beer in a bar for under $2 served by a gorgeous lady? How about a decent meal for $3-4? Rent near the beach including furniture for $300 - $600 permonth? The cheap booze tends to bring out the worst in many and you see the results daily.

I also agree that there are many decent people here also enjoying these benefits and I enjoy the area regardless. It is seldom dull here.

I think the quality issue also applies to many transcient Thais (men and women) who are down from Isaan working in the area out of necessity.

I tried the Dine for 99 in Jomtien 3 times over the last 2 weeks with my girlfriend and found the specials to be of good value. The single daily specials 145 baht (one for each day of the week) I tried were good and the 2 Thai dishes for 129 baht (10 choices) were good value. There are 3 specials for 99 everyday on a wall sign (2 being chili and spagetti) but I didn't try them.

The regular menu to be honest looked very expensive for a non air conditioned open air restaurant. Drinks in general were very expensive with water at 30 baht.

I have never been to Casa Pascal but for the price I doubt that it is very good.

With so much food on offer at such low prices the quality just can't be great.

I have no interest in this place nor do I know the operator but if you haven't tried it how can you say the food can't be great? It's like saying any bar that sells 40 baht beer is a crap bar. The food is good with Scandanavian type appetizers, custom order eggs and meats etc and unlimited custom made coffee. It sure as h_ll beats the Lek or Apex (and thats from experience not hearsay) plus it is classier inside with tableclothes and airconditioning.

You must be joking - always need to have the beans there to add a bit of colour and some moisture to a fried breakfast - the more the better I say - especially piled on top of some fried bread

sounds good

charlie

It think the UK pension fund administrators must have encouraged the english full (fried) breakfast with the fried bread! Over time it should take many years off a healthy life and ensure pension payments will continue for many more years with the increased mortality. Having beans to "add color" is a great idea but maybe red roses and a defibrilator would be more practical.

Take it you have never worked on a building site in the middle of winter, try a poncy muesli before setting foot on site and see how far you get, wouldnt make it to the first tea break.

Nothing wrong with this type of food, provided you can work it off, not suited to those who work in an office, for those who lead an active life style, rabbit food is not an option.

When was the last time you indulged yourself in a black pudding sannie? go on admit it, you know you want to, lashings of HP sauce, sure beats the heck out of one of those healthy life style choices they sell in M&S.

Why are you POMs so obsessed with your food ???? I'll pass on the black pudding "sannie" - I think they are going to have to send a bunch of american teachers over to your little island to teach you proper english .

Casa Pascal also do various waffles and omelettes etc. to order, included in the buffet. Special teas too.

But did you pay 175 or 187.50?

This place is all hype and they serve very mediocre slop IMO,

one look at the huge whales sitting around stuffing their faces is a dead giveaway.

The omelets are cooked in solid grease and the little cubicle where the nasty little bits of cold cuts are laid out

is not impressive in the least, nor is the limited thai food offered.

Tried to like this place the few times I've eaten there but seems the same old sad regulars are ever present and one guy had such bad body odor it nearly killed me , it sure knocked out my appetite , funny thing is he was being called "Rocky" by the other group of slobs he was dining with.

Best breakfast ?

I'd say the Continental for the muesli with fresh fruit and yogurt is a healthy choice but the owner must be a royal cheapskate as the aircon is never on cool and too many smokers sitting on the outside veranda.

Best English breakfast may be The Sportsmen on Soi 13 , not a cheapie meal but always well prepared.

Your biased opinions on Casa Pascal and the negative remarks on their clientel suck. It serves decent food, good value in a nice atmosphere. Did you run out of Prozac or have you always been this sweet mouthed?

It think the UK pension fund administrators must have encouraged the english full (fried) breakfast with the fried bread! Over time it should take many years off a healthy life and ensure pension payments will continue for many more years with the increased mortality. Having beans to "add color" is a great idea but maybe red roses and a defibrilator would be more practical.

Do you want to live forever? A good big breakfast is worth dying for!

I have some other accomplishments I want to achieve before I die so I'll skip the "full english" brekkie (except 4 days a month). They are only rentals anyway and only stay with us 1 - 2 days. Actually some of my accomplishments seem to be rentals also .

Is Syd still alive, or did he make a coffin out of a cardboard box?

Yes he has been off a long time, I hope he is OK and liked his "frugalness" for the humorous aspect. Who knows - maybe he got a big inheritence and went from a cheap charlie to a high spending full time 2 week millionaire .

(beans with bacon/eggs is so wrong).

You must be joking - always need to have the beans there to add a bit of colour and some moisture to a fried breakfast - the more the better I say - especially piled on top of some fried bread

sounds good

charlie

It think the UK pension fund administrators must have encouraged the english full (fried) breakfast with the fried bread! Over time it should take many years off a healthy life and ensure pension payments will continue for many more years with the increased mortality. Having beans to "add color" is a great idea but maybe red roses and a defibrilator would be more practical.

For the price, I don't think you can beat SeaSide restaurant, which is just a few doors East of

Canterbury Tales, on Soi Chaiyapoon:

Their "Full House" breakfast includes 2-eggs, sausage, 2-3pc bacon, potatoes, 2pc toast w/jam, orange juice and coffee or tea.

The price recently increased from 80-Bt and is now 90-Bt. Still a very inexpensive and decent breakfast.

Sit outside or inside in the A/C section.

Their "Full House" breakfast is a joke, i had to order 2 of them and still only had bacon enough for 3 bites,

meaning i had to get a real breakfast an hour later.

Not very different from other so called breakfast's tho, but still beats me why anyone would ever bother with such a joke for a meal

I have eaten at the Seaside 2 at this location but never a breakfast. Their portions are always very generous and I have a hard time believing their breakfasts are not the same. I suggest you try the Lek or Apex breakfast buffets in future if you are still hungary after 2 "full house"| breakfasts.

The road has collapsed just before the Hanuman roundabout.

Indeed. It's a good 3 feet across and nearly as much deep. And it looks like underneath the asphalt there is just sand rather than hardcore.

Nice big swamp directly in front of Immigration on Soi 5 also (where the water from the market drains down to, if you can call that draining).

Apparently Soi 5 is the drain for 2nd Road Jomtien near the Rompho market - after the river flows down onto Beach Road it took out the beach walk way, a lamp standard, tree and the beach in that area.

Much as I hate buying a letter from my embassy confirming my income at 2250 Baht a pop, I think I would rather enjoy spending the 800,000 Baht on myself than worrying about what heppens to it when I die.

Is this a case of being too old to give a crap? Maybe your avatar is appropriate.

Why always saying bullsxit like this ?

Have you seen the first part of THAP PRAYA road from Pattaya? Is it already ruined by rain or anything else ? No, it is perfectly OK !

People always thinking negatively should stay in their homecountry !

The first part going up the hill from the overpass is OK, on the other side going down toards Jomtien it has been patched numerous times already. The intersection in question has also been redone several times. We shouldn't stay in our home country, the road engineering people should send some of these "engineers" to western countries to find out how to do it right the first time! (and not take 5 years to do it) I suppose you support the 2nd road resurfacing issue around Soi 5 also??? It still floods and will wash away the underbed as it did the first time. You do sound angry - sorry I should be more postive.

The Soi Watboon - 2nd road intersection issue is a joke which is made worse by the fact the Watboon road is at a slight angle not a 90 degree intersection. The section of unpaved road near Jomtien beach condos was 2 contractors who didn't know where their area finished and where the new contract started - just consider it a 20 plus metre speed bump to test your suspension at 100 KPH! The Chaiyapruek 2nd Rd I can't even suggest what was going thru their minds other than to say drugs must have been involved!!!

Second road Jomtien photo near Soi 5 - an engineering marvel after being resurfaced a second time It doesn't matter how big your truck is a jet boat would be more appropriate!

I would also look at the resale value. Honda and Toyota hold theirs, other do not

A myth

When you keep cars for a long time, resale value is not an issue.

When we sold our Accord it was 15 years old. They gave us 190,000 baht. You can pick up a 15 year old Accord right now for anywhere between 180,000 to 280,000, depending on the model, etc. That's about as much as you'll get for any other car.

Wrong. Thais will pay more for a used Honda or Toyota as they are more in demand. Have a look at any used car website or Thanachart Blue Book

I also find it interesting in Pattaya at least a new Honda City rents for 40% more than it's Toyota competitor (Vios) and that if from the same rental company. I agree Honda and Toyota will maintain their value better than others.

I can understand why he wanted to extend his stay in a Canadian prison as long as possible. Just the fact that he was released from the Canadian justice system to be extradited to Thailand tells me he is guilty as hell and the Thai authorities must have taken the death penalty off the table. Either way he will pay for the crime and in a Thai prison which he will detest after 15 years in a Canadian "hotel". (by comparison)

If it took the Thai government 15 years to extradite him I don't think they will be so eager to send him back to Canada to serve his Thai sentence. He is on Thai soil now and they will call the shots.

When my dad died here in Thailand I just took the death certificate into his bank along with my passport and withdrew the money.

I don't know all the circumstances in your case but it sounds like the bank was irresponsible unless a court order released the funds. Suppose your dad had left thay money to a trusted friend, Thai wife, thai charity or anyone else in the form of a legal will? Does this mean anyone with your death certificate and is a family member can show up and empty your bank account?? My bank told me (and it may be incorrect) my embassy would be involved and it would get sorted out. This encouraged me to make a legal Thai will to ensure my money went to people I wanted to recieve it not family members in another country who are already looked after.

Why always saying bullsxit like this ?

Have you seen the first part of THAP PRAYA road from Pattaya? Is it already ruined by rain or anything else ? No, it is perfectly OK !

People always thinking negatively should stay in their homecountry !

The first part going up the hill from the overpass is OK, on the other side going down toards Jomtien it has been patched numerous times already. The intersection in question has also been redone several times. We shouldn't stay in our home country, the road engineering people should send some of these "engineers" to western countries to find out how to do it right the first time! (and not take 5 years to do it) I suppose you support the 2nd road resurfacing issue around Soi 5 also??? It still floods and will wash away the underbed as it did the first time. You do sound angry - sorry I should be more postive.

The Soi Watboon - 2nd road intersection issue is a joke which is made worse by the fact the Watboon road is at a slight angle not a 90 degree intersection. The section of unpaved road near Jomtien beach condos was 2 contractors who didn't know where their area finished and where the new contract started - just consider it a 20 plus metre speed bump to test your suspension at 100 KPH! The Chaiyapruek 2nd Rd I can't even suggest what was going thru their minds other than to say drugs must have been involved!!!

Corruption is the fuel that keeps this country running.

I don't think there is any more or less of it, just that the police are getting hip to new ways to collect. 4am helmet stops on small sois for example. Claiming a non-modified bike is modified. Urine testing on the side of the road. All unheard of just a couple of years ago, but they are finding new ways to collect their beer money.

What brasses me off about the whole "helmet" thing, is that it's so irrational. Stopping and fining ( mainly farangs ) for no helmets along Beach and Second, while up at the Sukhumvit end of Central Rd there are Thais driving around with no helmets all the time. I have even seen them drive past policemen, that ignore them.

IMO, that's why the whole thing invites criticism from farangs, as it's seen as basically a revenue producing exercise, and not for safety.

It's certainly not fair, which law enforcement needs to be if it is to have credibility.

I agree completely if their intent is road safety and reduction of injuries - deaths. I find it even more "difficult" when a BIB in uniform is riding his motorbike without one on either. I usually find the organized road block checkpoints honest and fair but those freelance cops operating by themselves vwithout supervision can be brutal with fines for imaginary offenses. The fact that they don't issue you a ticket and want you to slip the money under your license is a pretty good tipoff!