It's Getting Worse...More Shops Closing Down

[CorpusChristie]

2 minutes ago, AbeNormal said:

are people wearing thongs in sizzlers, a site to behold 

 

That's going to put me right off my food 

Are they tongs or thongs , I often get those two words mixed up 

[ChipButty]

We went in sizzlers last week at lunch time really busy

[petermik]

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

We went in sizzlers last week at lunch time really busy

The "masked crusader" well done.....err but I didn,t realise a chip butty is allowed in there

Edited September 11, 2020 by petermik

[dabhand]

1 hour ago, CorpusChristie said:

Are they tongs or thongs , I often get those two words mixed up 

It's 'Tongs ya bass'.

 

A common Glasgow phrase from my time there in the 70's. Not exactly a welcoming phrase.

[polpott]

2 hours ago, CorpusChristie said:

As soon as people sat down, they took their masks off and didnt put them back on until they left , they were all mingling by the salad bar without masks on .

   What is the point of putting a mask on for ten steps (to your seat)?

Not true when I visited. Mandatory to wear a mask at the salad bar. Are you sure that you have visited Sizzlers recently?

[CorpusChristie]

Just now, polpott said:

Not true when I visited. Mandatory to wear a mask at the salad bar. Are you sure that you have visited Sizzlers recently?

Yes, I am quite sure .

Maybe you and I visited different places and they had different rules ?

[BigStar]

On 9/4/2020 at 10:52 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

It's impossible to make junk food "good", no matter how one plays around with it. I have no objection to junk food and I'm lovin it, but I refuse to pretend it's "good" in any way.

An Angus burger's 100% beef. Leave off the sauce & "cheese," add a side salad, and it isn't junk as usually defined. You wouldn't know whether it's good, as you don't know anything about it. But it's not bad, actually.

 

On 9/4/2020 at 10:52 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

LOL. Maccers are psychologically designed to make people leave, with their horrid decor. Can't sell more plastic burgers if people hang around.

Lost in a time warp, you're remembering the old cartoon decor. It's pretty much gone corporate decor now. Bland, but inoffensive as well. You could sit and have a conversation in there, if you had somebody to talk to.

 

On 9/4/2020 at 10:52 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

BTW plenty of very nice and comfortable Thai restaurants that serve real food at comparable prices. In my favourite western style restaurant on Buakhao I could eat a very decent big breakfast for less than a maccers big mac meal. Comfy padded seats, AC and attractive staff. No need to rush and decor not designed to chase me away.

Thai restos can be nice and comfortable or you may be sweating on a filthy seat as you swat flies away. They may serve some so-called "real food," but that food is often unhealthy as well. The modern Thai waistline tells the story. I love Thai food, but I eat it very sparingly.

 

And, perhaps owing to the urgency of performing one's daily duty to the Commonwealth, you've illogically compared a "big breakfast" with a MD non-breakfast. If you do a nutritional comparison of your big breakfast w/ the MD breakfasts, I think you'll find the latter ahead unless you insist on pigging out. In some geographical areas you can order yogurt & fruit or fruit & maple oatmeal, which would be a lot better for you. You can also compare the wraps. 

 

If you have no need to rush, then you, well, have no need to rush. I'd only eat at MD's for the convenience and then only eat the Angus burger with a sugar-free Coke. I discard the bottom layer of the bun from it, too.

 

Now when you're luxuriating in a fan room over around Soi Buakhao, it's of course easy to waddle into one of the western restos targeted at your demographic. I seldom happen to be in that area at feeding time, however.????

 

Edited September 11, 2020 by BigStar

[jacko45k]

3 hours ago, CorpusChristie said:

As soon as people sat down, they took their masks off and didnt put them back on until they left , they were all mingling by the salad bar without masks on .

   What is the point of putting a mask on for ten steps (to your seat)?

Another person's ignorance or stupidity does not make it acceptable for all. A buffet bar would seem to be high on a list of places where people should be required to use a face mask... . Ten steps, twenty thirty, I feel if you pass within a couple of meters of other customers, seated ones, a mask should be used. Once seated and eating, well of course not practical. Haven't we got enough Covid around that people need not argue some fine points and etiquette?

[Leaver]

On 9/7/2020 at 5:40 AM, jacko45k said:

Saw a Thai family having dinner in the hungry hippo yesterday.

Probably see all Thai's eating there in the future, after it becomes a Thai BBQ restaurant.   ????

[Leaver]

On 9/7/2020 at 6:51 AM, ChipButty said:

Where I live some have, most have not

There will be a percentage of businesses that will relocate. 

 

Some will upgrade their location and/or size, whilst others will downgrade. 

 

Some will move to seek cheaper rent, whilst others will be forced to seek cheaper rent due to their greedy Thai landlord.  

 

It must be disappointing for those who have put money and effort into a business here, only to receive no consideration from a Thai landlord in these challenging times and be forced to move.   

[Leaver]

On 9/7/2020 at 8:17 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Thai immigration policy isn't set with the benefit to farangs in mind. Perhaps they treat us badly because western countries make it so hard for Thai women to holiday there with their boyfriends.

Not about benefiting farangs, it's about kick starting their tourism industry.  If some farangs benefit, so be it.  Are they really that racist here that they will allow no farang to benefit from anything?

 

The reason Thai's, particularly Thai women, find it difficult to get a visa to western countries is because many go to work illegally, particularly in the sex trade.    

[Leaver]

On 9/7/2020 at 8:20 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

It's not up to the Thai restaurant to help the Italian restaurant. Either the Italian restaurant changes to attract the customers there are around, or it goes broke. If anyone doesn't like that, move to a socialist country.

I never suggested the Thai restaurant should help the Italian restaurant.  Some members believe domestic tourism will help businesses in Pattaya, and it will, to a small degree, but it will not help businesses that cater for westerners.

 

Some expats may ask, "Why should I care?"  Well, unless you like eating rice for the rest of your time here, I suggest you help your local, because they need every western customer they can get at the moment.     

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Leaver said:

Some expats may ask, "Why should I care?"  Well, unless you like eating rice for the rest of your time here, I suggest you help your local, because they need every western customer they can get at the moment.     

It's very easy to cook, chips or spaghetti.

No need to cater to western tourists when there aren't any.

[Leaver]

On 9/7/2020 at 4:24 PM, morrobay said:

The Thais Ive seen in Northern Pattaya these few days have been an affluent crowd . The parking lots from Siam Siam to Dusit Thani have been very full. May be a new day coming for domestic tourism. For sure not the pick up trucks / som tam  folks.    Line 2  above : This cultural/financial divide between domestic tourism and expats is emerging too. Unlike the past majority of Thais in Pattaya both local and visitors who either benefited or indifferent to foreigners ,These more affluent Thais have no use for expats whatsoever and some cases dislike them.  *These middle/upper class Thais are not happy with the foreigners and their up country women. These same Thais are internet  and English savvy and , I nave been told, are fed up with the ongoing  criticism / condescending comments online year in year out by foreigners . * Just my opinion  from observing  the looks.

Once again, how does domestic Thai tourism help businesses that cater for westerners?

 

Using my Italian restaurant analogy, if Thai's in general, even affluent Thai's, don't eat pasta, how does this help the Italian restaurant?  It simply doesn't.

 

This is why I suggested culture divide, in this case, food preference.  The affluent Thai's could easily afford to eat in an Italian restaurant here, but do not. 

 

On the other hand, the pick up truck / som tam crowd could not afford to eat in the Italian restaurant, hence, my comment on a financial divide.  

 

 

[Leaver]

41 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It's very easy to cook, chips or spaghetti.

Are you talking about restaurants, or expats cooking at home?  

 

41 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

No need to cater to western tourists when there aren't any.

Western expats are basically just 1 year tourists.     

[scubascuba3]

17 minutes ago, Leaver said:

  

 

Western expats are basically just 1 year tourists.     

If you look at it negatively yes

[Leaver]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

If you look at it negatively yes

I eat out most nights of the week.  Breakfast out occasionally, same with lunch.  

 

Maybe other expats don't eat out too much.  

 

Given no tourists coming here for the foreseeable future, if you don't use it, you'll lose it.   

[BritManToo]

20 minutes ago, Leaver said:

Western expats are basically just 1 year tourists.     

Being here for a year makes it worthwhile buying an air fryer and a saucepan.

If I were only here for a week or two, I wouldn't bother.

[Leaver]

23 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Being here for a year makes it worthwhile buying an air fryer and a saucepan.

If I were only here for a week or two, I wouldn't bother.

Sure.  I have cooking appliances and always have something on hand to cook, but tend to eat out most nights of the week.   

 

Perhaps the majority of expats tend to eat in most nights of the week.   Maybe it's due to cost.

 

Edited September 11, 2020 by Leaver

[BritManToo]

5 minutes ago, Leaver said:

Sure.  I have cooking appliances and always have something on hand to cook, but tend to eat out most nights of the week.   

 

Perhaps the majority of expats tend to eat in most nights of the week.   Maybe it's due to cost.

 

I eat in most nights of the week due to cost, quantity, and quality.

Can't say I've eaten in many restaurants where I left feeling 'that was really good'.

Usually the portion is too small, the food isn't hot enough, or it took too long to serve.

I never encounter any of those problems when I cook it myself.

 

Just had fried chicken breast and chips cooked in my air fryer ..... about 25bht for the food, and another 56bht for 2 wine coolers. Can hardly move now, and that was with my 8 year son old eating off my plate as well.

Edited September 11, 2020 by BritManToo

[Leaver]

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I eat in most nights of the week due to cost, quantity, and quality.

Can't say I've eaten in may restaurants where I left feeling that was really good.

Usually the portion is too small, the food isn't hot enough, or it took too long to serve.

I never encounter any of those problems when I cook it myself.

 

Just had fried chicken breast and chips cooked in my air fryer ..... about 25bht for the food, and another 56bht for 2 wine coolers. Can hardly move now, and that was with my 8 year son old eating off my plate as well.

Fair play.  

 

I tend to eat out most nights of the week, catching up with different friends, in difference restaurants. 

 

The variety and choice of restaurants, and different cuisines, is one of the things I like about Pattaya.   

[polpott]

2 hours ago, Leaver said:

Sure.  I have cooking appliances and always have something on hand to cook, but tend to eat out most nights of the week.   

 

Perhaps the majority of expats tend to eat in most nights of the week.   Maybe it's due to cost.

 

I rarely eat out at night, maybe grab a kebab if I'm on a night out. Nothing to do with cost, I'm a Northerner so have my main meal at dinner time (lunch) which I eat in restaurants several times a week. Tea (dinner) is usually something light. I have a fully equipped Western kitchen which I like to cook in but unfortunately the wife has dibs on it. Today had a takeaway of pasta, and king prawns in Bombay sauce for dinner and a cheese, ham and Branston wedgie sandwich for tea. The big advantage of eating in that order is its much more effective if you're on a diet. Nothing worse than going to sleep on a big meal.

[Leaver]

13 minutes ago, polpott said:

I rarely eat out at night, maybe grab a kebab if I'm on a night out. Nothing to do with cost, I'm a Northerner so have my main meal at dinner time (lunch) which I eat in restaurants several times a week. Tea (dinner) is usually something light. I have a fully equipped Western kitchen which I like to cook in but unfortunately the wife has dibs on it. Today had a takeaway of pasta, and king prawns in Bombay sauce for dinner and a cheese, ham and Branston wedgie sandwich for tea. The big advantage of eating in that order is its much more effective if you're on a diet. Nothing worse than going to sleep on a big meal.

Maybe restaurants catering for expats should direct some focus on lunch, rather than dinner, during Covid time.  

[Wongkitlo]

At Pattaya Klang Big C. Lots of empty spaces in the car park. Last year had to drive around looking for a park.

[easyride]

On 9/2/2020 at 3:40 AM, Peterw42 said:

Things are really bad if starbucks is shut twice, lol

Those 2 McDonalds were awful places anyway. The one by Soi Post Office was always hotter (temperature wise) than the street and the staff at both must have been specially trained to treat farangs with distain and rudeness.

[Leaver]

On 9/12/2020 at 1:06 PM, Wongkitlo said:

At Pattaya Klang Big C. Lots of empty spaces in the car park. Last year had to drive around looking for a park.

There would be some data that may never become public that would indicate what the loss of tourism is to Pattaya. 

 

Things like water usage, electricity usage, internet bandwidth usage, ATM usage etc.  The percentage drop would be huge. 

 

We can only comment on our observations, but government and big business would have some interesting data.    

[thaibeachlovers]

On 9/10/2020 at 11:43 PM, polpott said:

Shopworkers handling food always put a glove on. Customers should do the same when handling food at the salad bar. Basic hygiene principles. And yes, fresh glove every time you go to the salad bar.

If indeed a new glove that's OK. I have no problem with that, though I suspect the used ones may be reused to save money. Customers should tear them when disposing of them.

 

Shopworkers handling food always put a glove on.

Of course they do, and pick their nose while wearing them, blow their nose in them, handle money with them, etc.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 9/12/2020 at 2:08 AM, Leaver said:

Maybe restaurants catering for expats should direct some focus on lunch, rather than dinner, during Covid time.  

Dinner is at lunch time in some countries.

[thaibeachlovers]

13 hours ago, Leaver said:

There would be some data that may never become public that would indicate what the loss of tourism is to Pattaya. 

 

Things like water usage, electricity usage, internet bandwidth usage, ATM usage etc.  The percentage drop would be huge. 

 

We can only comment on our observations, but government and big business would have some interesting data.    

If a water shortage has not happened, thank the lockdown for that.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 9/11/2020 at 11:12 PM, BritManToo said:

Can't say I've eaten in many restaurants where I left feeling 'that was really good'.

Usually the portion is too small, the food isn't hot enough, or it took too long to serve.

Never had that problem in Lamphun. You should drive down sometime.

The posh place on the superhighway ( on the right looking north ) a bit south of the flyover was a favourite of my wife and myself.