grumpyoldman

Been to Boracay a number of times over the years. Always have had a good time, but last year as one poster mentioned. Very busy. But that made the nightclubs and pubs quite fun. But I think I will not go back Did El Nido, Palawan last year. Some of the beaches on the outskirts are phenomenal, the day tours really fun. Great barbecue (no need to eat at expensive town restaurants) near a stage where there are nightly local happenings. Again, really fun but quite busy, but sorry to repeat myself that made the nightclubs quite hopping. In about a month it's going to be Puerto Galera via Manila, after back to Palawan for a week in Port Barton. Looking forward to it.

All the water that flows from upcountry, all the Bangkok scheit water, flows out right across from Bang Saen. Sure, dry season months the water flow into the gulf is much less, so the water there probably clear but for the rest of the year? I'll pass.

Are those basketballs a doctor tacked on there? As Robin Williams said, put the squeaky toy noise in those to keep us really entertained !

When this thread started, it was post Covid and things in Patong were down and dreary, so it fit. But a refresh, new thread IMO, is a good idea. Something along the lines of "Live from Patong" or "Whats the haps Patong". Anyway, I think you get my drift, someone else can come up with something snappy.. Xylo, is the Churrasco place in Soi Gemstone? I remember selling them cheap Argentinian reds back in the day, but am pretty sure that one went under during Covid.

Some really bad ya baa going around at that festival. Two guys dead and then this nutter.............

Been there and agree. A flat near the river, do some fishing, Kanchanaburi should be on the OP's list. Lovely place.

Also, was just reading Simon's thread on Myanmar forum and a poster named Burma Bill piped in with he is currently living in Siem Reap. I'd message him for info there.

Did some diving out of Blue Rock resort about 10 years ago. Shipwreck diving, quite fun. Beaches are marginal, hard pack dark sand, not so great. Sea water brackish, looks like Subic outflow. A few little clubs, same thing, just kind of marginal and not so great. Some cuties though, for sure. I think I prefer La Union/San Fernando. Coastline and beaches there nicer.

Sounds to me your next move would be Pattaya. Somewhere inexpensive on the outskirts, when you want to have some fun you can head into town.

If there ever comes a day where the Ruble completely tanks, and all these Russians in Thailand have no dough, there will be chaos and crime like Thai authorities have never seen. It will be mayhem.

You are going Google news whereas I have traveled there for many years, have always had a good time. www.smarttravellerhasfun.com. Celsius post I think a photoshop job as the lady's head doesn't really fit the horrendous eastern Euro pimp ink job on the ho. Building could be anywhere, so I just don't get it.

This is what my taxi driver told me when I got a lift airport-Rawai last year at 10:30pm. He said if he tries to get fares during traffic times he can only get one as he is stuck for hours. Late nights, early mornings, sleeps at peak traffic hours.

Xylo mentions a California Petite Syrah. One of my favorite wines I drink (and sell as part of my portfolio) is the Stags' Leap California Petite Syrah. Epic inky purple, bursting with berries.

I'll agree with georgegeorgia, hugely over the top dramatic hwy69. Gangs at the airport, rubbish Mr. Stayed in a very nice hotel Makati 10 months ago, some fun bars and discos around P. Burgos. The immediate go-go girl dancing places were empty, so quite boring. There is some decent food to be had. Did not see the gangs and robbers hwy69 describes. I like to party in Manila and then head somewhere cool for the week, back to Manila, another cool spot, back to Manila and then home, This year, MNL-Puerto Galera-MNL-Palawan Pt.Barton-MNL-Home, two week paid holiday done. P.S. and reason for edit:when I did go walkabout would take a pocket of some larger coins and give one to the utterly poor I came upon. The smile I got from a super ragged old beggar woman when I gave her a 20 peso coin was priceless.

OP, the 800K in the title is the money you have to have in a Thai bank account? You show them your SCB or Kasikorn bank book?

Does anyone know if Fast Eddie is still baking sourdough in the Rawai area? Thai chap from San Francisco, he used to supply many of the restaurants in the area with baguettes. We called him Fast Eddie because he was always training for triathlons when not baking bread. You'd see him all over the island on either his moto with a big sack of baguettes or training (running, bicycling).

Don't be a dumba**, of course it's good. My local food stall would serve it with a fried egg on top, red chilies from the scooper nearby mandatory. Tasty.

If you are not ready to deal with the prices of the local transportation, rent a car. Be stuck with the other 200,000 Russians who have cars, and take hours to get 30 miles. As far as talent, was at the Laguna bars Rawai 8 months ago, 5 decent looking ladys for every 30 muay ThaI heads and Russians. Not interesting, hello Tinder.

Something with a view and near some nightlife. Do not want overpriced Shangri La/Amanpuri, reasonably priced under $100US a night. Thank you in advance.

Thank you Presnock. Yes, have done some wreck diving in Subic. Got an open water cert in Phuket some years back. Did not have my Padi book on me when I went wreck diving in PI, the guy running the show asked "do you remember how to breath underwater?" Sure I say. Good2go.

Japanese businessman goes to the ophthalmologist for an exam. Dr. says " I see you have a cataract" Japanese man says "no I drive a Rincoln"

When I was working in Phuket,would see hotel customers overlooking Patong Beach and the first 10 meters into the sea during high season would be brown. Totally polluted. You would need to pay me to stay in Patong. Palm Resort Rawai gets $2200thb a night in high season, but that is a bargain, thank you for the tip. Cheers, GOM

March of last year, best value I could find Rawai way was a guesthouse on a side soi a couple blocks from Rawai Beach, $2800thb a night, 75$US. In the Philippines that same money got me a super deluxe room in a luxury hotel, view of the city in Manila, a great room with my own private deck over the beach in Boracay. But after spending 11 years in Phuket it was worth it to see good friends. Downside is that the population has tripled from when I lived there, total zoo. THB at 30 to the US dollar, probably just going to do the Philippines this year, Northern Luzon, Cebu, south of Cebu to dive with the whalesharks.

Is that why Tony Robbins doesn't spend time in Phuket, or is it the Russian invasion that's made the island too crowded?

Thats the program I'll be after. 4 months US, 4 months Khao Lak area maybe...., 4 months Philippines but not sure where. Going to check out Cebu and Northern Luzon early next year.