6 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Some do not many. I walk past steak restaurants and eat in some. Pork is more popular.

Korat has nice steak.

Pork is cheap

Beef is 3X

Good beef is minimum 5x

Thai beef is getting better but it's a poor value now. Think they can command western beef prices. Bs6

28 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

In Patong I paid 700 baht walk in 2006. In 2024 I paid 450 baht agoda same standard.

So you are claiming to remember exactly what you paid for something 20years ago!!

🤣

7 minutes ago, Nurf said:

Pork is cheap

Beef is 3X

Good beef is minimum 5x

Thai beef is getting better but it's a poor value now. Think they can command western beef prices. Bs6

I prefer pork these days.

1 hour ago, Nurf said:

I don't eat farang food although I understand all other farang can't eat Thai food. Thai food is delicious, cheap and keeps me slim

2006 would be wild years for me. Today, I'm fifteen years married. Not necessarily better, but different.

As for the scene...the women are even less attractive and even older now. I've not been to Pattaya since 09, but I'm guessing the women in the pubs are mid at best and not cheap. Online might be the better venue I've no idea. Being married I certainly can't make a profile an find out. The women on soi 4 are old and fat and those are the sluts in the pubs not the street...all the pubs really everywhere. Fatties.

The price of alcohol is now ridiculous

To wrap this up, I recall very wild nights in Nana and Pattaya 95-2005. From what I see that really cannot be replicated. Maybe with stupid amounts of money.

It was better..you weren't there so you don't know.

Soi zero

Grace

Thermae 1

Clinton Plaza

Beer garden

Soi 22

All the nonsense in Nana, Nana hotel, Walking st...

That's not even bringing up Phnom Penh

Ah, the Beer Garden, great night's to be had, the 'tunnel' short-cut between the 2 sois had a couple of good bars, was one called Country Road?

12 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

You must be getting old

Nah, 55 years old. Not so bad in my opinion.

12 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

You actually sound crazy and clueless. Google maps and agoda list thousands of hotels under 1000 baht with reviews. Far more easy to find a good room for 500 baht now than 20 years ago. Before it was mostly walk in rates 800 baht.

I don't use sex workers. You probably married one.

So, I sound crazy and clueless. Keep to what this is now. It is a thread, where you posted that Thailand is cheaper today, than 20 years ago. The fact is, that you get 22.5% smaller for your money today. That simply means, you are WRONG. Thailand is today more expensive than 20 years ago! final.

Also, you try to wiggle yourself out of you little situation, by telling like people are clueless, crazy and have serious issues. Also you post false information, by stating that I said there are no cheap restaurants in Thailand. I never posted anything about that. Besides that, you try to crawl yourself out of the situation you got tangled in with some other things as well. That´s really pathetic.

12 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

I think you have serious issues. You are one of the most negative whingers I've ever come across.

Ok, if being right, and you wrong, makes me a negative winger in your eyes. Hey dude, can´t care less.

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

Nah, 55 years old. Not so bad in my opinion.

So, I sound crazy and clueless. Keep to what this is now. It is a thread, where you posted that Thailand is cheaper today, than 20 years ago. The fact is, that you get 22.5% smaller for your money today. That simply means, you are WRONG. Thailand is today more expensive than 20 years ago! final.

Also, you try to wiggle yourself out of you little situation, by telling like people are clueless, crazy and have serious issues. Also you post false information, by stating that I said there are no cheap restaurants in Thailand. I never posted anything about that. Besides that, you try to crawl yourself out of the situation you got tangled in with some other things as well. That´s really pathetic.

Ok, if being right, and you wrong, makes me a negative winger in your eyes. Hey dude, can´t care less.

You have not posted any facts to offset anything I said.

3 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

You have not posted any facts to offset anything I said.

No, I don´t need to. You posted them yourself. You have kind of talked against yourself all this time.

On 2/14/2026 at 7:36 AM, Harrisfan said:

So apart from currency Thailand is actually cheaper now lol

You see! Everyone knows that you can´t take away a significant factor and after calling it something the factor stands against.

But that´s the end of this discussion with you, as you will never get it anyway.

Some things better, some things not so. That can be said about the world over

5 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

No, I don´t need to. You posted them yourself. You have kind of talked against yourself all this time.

You see! Everyone knows that you can´t take away a significant factor and after calling it something the factor stands against.

But that´s the end of this discussion with you, as you will never get it anyway.

You seem like a very strange chap. Wages have risen by 100% for some. A 22% fall in currency does not offset that.

In 2006 people used the LP guidebook for rooms. They paid 500 to 1500 baht for average rooms.

I stay in 400 baht rooms with pools now lol

11 hours ago, Nurf said:

Pork is cheap

Beef is 3X

Good beef is minimum 5x

Thai beef is getting better but it's a poor value now. Think they can command western beef prices. Bs6

Your figures are completely inaccurate and your rhetoric off base. Beef is around 200 baht per kg at the wet markets. 235 baht at Go Wholesale.

I use it for curries, casseroles and braised beef dishes.

4 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

In 2006 people used the LP guidebook for rooms. They paid 500 to 1500 baht for average rooms.

No they did not. Most travelers or expats have been here since before that. I began staying in Thai hotels in about 1978. They have always been a great value. If I liked the hotel I got to know the manager or owner and kept in touch. To this day one quick phone call and I can get a room in most any province in Thailand. The rate is always better than Booking or Agoda. These people have become friends over the years., and are welcome in our guest room if and when they come through Bangkok.

Stop trying to impose your thoughts on travel in Thailand on all others. You really are too much of a newbie to know much. Thanks.

12 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Football is the number one hobby here, along with lakorns and gossiping. Eating is done everywhere and no different here than back home, where the variety is much larger. They don't BBQ here like they do back home, besides the little ones for meatballs, squid, chicken and such to sell,but most everything else is the same.

What a strange comment...that they barbecue here like the do back home(besides the little ones for meatballs, squid, chicken and such to sell) 😊 Perhaps not where you live.

They love barbecue and cooking on open fire. It goes together. Have you not observed the sheer number of Mu Khrata type restaurants that exist? They bake in huge jars.. Barbecue with different types of wood. What is different?

7 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

What a strange comment...that they barbecue here like the do back home(besides the little ones for meatballs, squid, chicken and such to sell) 😊 Perhaps not where you live.

They love barbecue and cooking on open fire. It goes together. Have you not observed the sheer number of Mu Khrata type restaurants that exist? They bake in huge jars.. Barbecue with different types of wood. What is different?

Mu Krata isn't barbecuing. Yes, I have noticed, the lack of real barbecuing done here, besides the ones used all over for the meatballs, squid, chicken and others. The same with oven cooking here, which is rare and usually it's the foreigners who buy ovens for home use.

Like I mentioned, I have integrated with many families here, and lived in my village for 8 years, and have never seen a traditional barbecue, propane or wood, besides the small grills I mentioned earlier. Yes, if you count those cooking to sell for the most part, they're doing a lot of barbecuing, but what I was referring to was the traditional backyard barbecues done by millions of Americans, whether in homes or apartments, outside on patios, people gathered around, before sports games or just as get togethers. I'm sure with all the western influence more are copying this, but as yet I haven't seen it. Even my foreign friends don't have any.

19 minutes ago, marin said:

No they did not. Most travelers or expats have been here since before that. I began staying in Thai hotels in about 1978. They have always been a great value. If I liked the hotel I got to know the manager or owner and kept in touch. To this day one quick phone call and I can get a room in most any province in Thailand. The rate is always better than Booking or Agoda. These people have become friends over the years., and are welcome in our guest room if and when they come through Bangkok.

Stop trying to impose your thoughts on travel in Thailand on all others. You really are too much of a newbie to know much. Thanks.

The Thai LP books were best sellers. You are just 1 person.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

I have integrated with many families here, and lived in my village for 8 years, and have never seen a traditional barbecue,

That is a bit of a problem as you live in Isaan not Thailand in reality. Go to Bangkok, The North and the South and you will see barbecues in housing estates and on some condo balconies if allowed. Good barbecue restaurants to be found, even have Memphis style with pork, and Texas with beef to check out. The same with Thai food in general, you are getting what is popular in your neck of the woods which is not really in tune with the rest of the country.

Yes, Lonely Planet books have been bestsellers for decades.

• Lonely Planet Japan (Travel Guide) is currently ranked #1 on Amazon UK's Best Sellers list in the Lonely Planet Series.

• The Lonely Planet Travel Book: A Complete Guide to Every Country in the World is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon with over 1,200 customer reviews and a 4.7 out of 5-star rating.

• Other top-selling titles include Lonely Planet Thailand, Lonely Planet Portugal, Lonely Planet Peru, and Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World, all consistently ranking in the top 50 on Amazon.

• With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet has become a global standard in travel guides, and its books are widely recognized as bestsellers across multiple regions and platforms.

29 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Your figures are completely inaccurate and your rhetoric off base. Beef is around 200 baht per kg at the wet markets. 235 baht at Go Wholesale.

I use it for curries, casseroles and braised beef dishes.

I think he was referring to good beef and not local Thai beef, which isn't anywhere near the quality of imported beef. Thai beef is okay for curries and soups, as my girlfriend also uses it occasionally, and her government team slaughters a local cow every few months for get togethers, but it pales in comparison and as a grilled beef, isn't really worth cooking in that manner.

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

The Thai LP books were best sellers. You are just 1 person.

1975 up till the late 1990's they were the bible of travel. As I said you are a Johny come Lately. I met Tony Wheeler in 1978 and travelled Sumatra especially Lake Toba and up into Aceh with him, Nias Island as well.

The one person thing is what everyone is trying to tell you. We all have opinions, but they are based on our own travels.

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Mu Krata isn't barbecuing. Yes, I have noticed, the lack of real barbecuing done here, besides the ones used all over for the meatballs, squid, chicken and others. The same with oven cooking here, which is rare and usually it's the foreigners who buy ovens for home use.

Like I mentioned, I have integrated with many families here, and lived in my village for 8 years, and have never seen a traditional barbecue, propane or wood, besides the small grills I mentioned earlier. Yes, if you count those cooking to sell for the most part, they're doing a lot of barbecuing, but what I was referring to was the traditional backyard barbecues done by millions of Americans, whether in homes or apartments, outside on patios, people gathered around, before sports games or just as get togethers. I'm sure with all the western influence more are copying this, but as yet I haven't seen it. Even my foreign friends don't have any.

Mu Khrata is real barbecue 😊 At local places they have a big grill for people to cook their seafood and also offer personal grills. That is barbecue. It doesn't change because different styles have evolved around the world.

There's a mobile cart in the area that bakes chicken and pork in a big vase. That's similar to the American style.

He's been going for at least twenty years.

I have barbecue parties regularly. Ribs, chickens, different marinades.

So no, that's just how it appears in your world. In reality, there is a wide range of barbecuing in Thailand.

Barbecue (often shortened to BBQ) is a versatile cooking method, a cuisine style, and a social gathering, centered on cooking food—primarily meat—using live fire, smoke, or heat

2 minutes ago, marin said:

That is a bit of a problem as you live in Isaan not Thailand in reality. Go to Bangkok, The North and the South and you will see barbecues in housing estates and on some condo balconies if allowed. Good barbecue restaurants to be found, even have Memphis style with pork, and Texas with beef to check out. The same with Thai food in general, you are getting what is popular in your neck of the woods which is not really in tune with the rest of the country.

I have been around Thailand in many provinces, with a few families of families here in Isaan. Yes, in Bangkok I'm sure more buy a barbecue grill, as it's more westernized, but speaking of the country, it's not what's done, also according to the people I talk to like my girlfriends and ex wife's family. I'm sure most of those BBQ's you'll see are bought by foreigners and their families. I have also had Thai food from all over, as my girlfriend and her family, along with my ex and hers, aren't just in Isaan and have lived and worked in Bangkok and in Bueng Kan and Khon Kaen in the NE. I do understand you may have seen more BBQ's around, but what I was referring to is a fraction of what is in the US, where the majority have them.

1 minute ago, IsmeUno said:

Mu Khrata is real barbecue 😊 At local places they have a big grill for people to cook their seafood and also offer personal grills. That is barbecue. It doesn't change because different styles have evolved around the world.

There's a mobile cart in the area that bakes chicken and pork in a big vase. That's similar to the American style.

He's been going for at least twenty years.

I have barbecue parties regularly. Ribs, chickens, different marinades.

So no, that's just how it appears in your world. In reality, there is a wide range of barbecuing in Thailand.

Barbecue (often shortened to BBQ) is a versatile cooking method, a cuisine style, and a social gathering, centered on cooking food—primarily meat—using live fire, smoke, or heat

Okay, I agree Mu Krata is a Thai style BBQ, but again I was referring to the traditional BBQ grill, either gas or wood (coals). And most are again for selling and not personal use.

5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I think he was referring to good beef and not local Thai beef, which isn't anywhere near the quality of imported beef. Thai beef is okay for curries and soups, as my girlfriend also uses it occasionally, and her government team slaughters a local cow every few months for get togethers, but it pales in comparison and as a grilled beef, isn't really worth cooking in that manner.

Perhaps your girlfriend doesn't know what to choose nor how to prepare it. For me, it's good for my needs. You would have no idea as to whether it was cheap or not for when it comes to eating. Obviously the experience with your girlfriend may be quite different. I haven't tried her food.

I agree for when it comes to grilling. I use slow cooking methods for the inexpensive beef. Usually beef is hung in so the fibres begin to break down, making it more tender for the eating. You can achieve good results by selecting the right pieces and treating them properly.

Not to say that there is no place for more expensive cuts. If you want to have a lightly cooked dish, you'll need to start with tender beef.

4 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Okay, I agree Mu Krata is a Thai style BBQ, but again I was referring to the traditional BBQ grill, either gas or wood (coals). And most are again for selling and not personal use.

Again, that IS to what I am referring. Traditional barbecue grills. At my local Mu Khrata, they all have wood/charcoal grills, in addition to the hotplate/soup utensils. All for personal use. Those who don't wish to pay for a personal BBQ grill, can get up to use the larger traditional communal BBQ grill.

2 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Perhaps your girlfriend doesn't know what to choose nor how to prepare it. For me, it's good for my needs. You would have no idea as to whether it was cheap or not for when it comes to eating. Obviously the experience with your girlfriend may be quite different. I haven't tried her food.

I agree for when it comes to grilling. I use slow cooking methods for the inexpensive beef. Usually beef is hung in so the fibres begin to break down, making it more tender for the eating. You can achieve good results by selecting the right pieces and treating them properly.

Not to say that there is no place for more expensive cuts. If you want to have a lightly cooked dish, you'll need to start with tender beef.

My girlfriend, again, has relatives from all over Isaan and in other provinces, and is influenced by Thai, Laos and Cambodian dishes, and is an excellent cook of many dishes from all over Thailand. Stir fries, soups, curries, grilled and steamed meat, shellfish and fish, veggie soups, salads both cold and hot, spicy to not, and fruit dishes. . I've had Thai food for decades, the best and the worst, and know full well what is good or nasty.

I've been cooking all my life, the main cook in my households, and learned how to cook meat, especially game, being a hunter. I've turned my girlfriend onto western food, and she likes a lot of it but still prefers Thai, as it's hard to change some around.

I came to Thailand from Texas, home of some of the best beef worldwide, where I also had beef from Japan, South America and Australia. There is no comparison as you've said, the cheaper cuts go into soups and curries. You can get good beef here, but it does cost 3-5X as much or more. One reason we'll be returning back to Texas is the availability of all world dishes, especially the meat and fresh fish.

19 minutes ago, marin said:

1975 up till the late 1990's they were the bible of travel. As I said you are a Johny come Lately. I met Tony Wheeler in 1978 and travelled Sumatra especially Lake Toba and up into Aceh with him, Nias Island as well.

The one person thing is what everyone is trying to tell you. We all have opinions, but they are based on our own travels.

LP books were huge until 2010 when smart phones took over. Tourism in Thailand did not boom until after 2000.

1975 means nothing. The topic is about 20 years ago. Flights in 1975 were high compared to income.

Your posts are actually light on facts and relate to you only.

7 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Again, that IS to what I am referring. Traditional barbecue grills. At my local Mu Khrata, they all have wood/charcoal grills, in addition to the hotplate/soup utensils. All for personal use. Those who don't wish to pay for a personal BBQ grill, can get up to use the larger traditional communal BBQ grill.

Going back to what I originally said, was that the west has far more BBQ grills, traditional kind, than here in Thailand. The Mu Krata places are restaurants for selling food, and the ones I've been to have the traditional bowls on top of coals, Thai style if you wish, and not grilling meat like we do in the west. Some restaurants of course have grills here, western style, to cater to westerners, who are used to using a BBQ grill. Most Thais don't have them. Many do have the tiny ones for meatballs and chicken, but you won't see hamburgers or steak grilled on them.

On 2/14/2026 at 7:03 AM, Harrisfan said:

You are 20 years older. You are slower. Less fit. Less atttractive.

Guys in 2006 said it was better in 1986!

If anything its better now cause there's more farang food!

It is the Farang food that is the biggest problem here.

Thais have become addicted to ROTTEN ROINNIE and wesern food and their waist lines are proof.

Personally, I think the 1995- 2000 period was the best years. The country was strong the Baht wa not high and there was a great deal of employment.

1997 bank brought the baht down but business was still good

2004 Tsunami hurt islands

In 2011 flood hurt businesses

2020 covid

2023 thaksin returned to being the head of government

2025=26 war

If you look at things you can see that every 7 years there is an issue that affects the country that is not necessarily Thais fault but has hurt the economy.

BUT the biggest issue by far is the lackof education that schools provide.

It is almost impossible to grow an economy based solely on tourism.

Want Proof

Look at Vegas, Philipines and other spots that live off of tourism

On 2/14/2026 at 7:30 AM, marin said:

Just stop it. That premise is just so far off its not to be believed. What is it with you it seems your whole point in posting is to sew discontent? You are not by any means a Thai expert, stop pretending. Google is not life experience.

Are we sure BOB has not changed his style of trolling or is this BOB2

In 2006 I went to Pai. Every 2nd tourist had a LP guide under their arm lol

The recommended hotels and restaurants were busy!

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

My girlfriend, again, has relatives from all over Isaan and in other provinces, and is influenced by Thai, Laos and Cambodian dishes, and is an excellent cook of many dishes from all over Thailand. Stir fries, soups, curries, grilled and steamed meat, shellfish and fish, veggie soups, salads both cold and hot, spicy to not, and fruit dishes. . I've had Thai food for decades, the best and the worst, and know full well what is good or nasty.

I've been cooking all my life, the main cook in my households, and learned how to cook meat, especially game, being a hunter. I've turned my girlfriend onto western food, and she likes a lot of it but still prefers Thai, as it's hard to change some around.

I came to Thailand from Texas, home of some of the best beef worldwide, where I also had beef from Japan, South America and Australia. There is no comparison as you've said, the cheaper cuts go into soups and curries. You can get good beef here, but it does cost 3-5X as much or more. One reason we'll be returning back to Texas is the availability of all world dishes, especially the meat and fresh fish.

The cheaper cuts go into similar(and different) foods around the world too. People somehow cope without "having the best beef worldwide". Not everyone wants to eat like someone from the USA. In western countries, chicken breast is treated like a delicacy. But in Thailand, it's one of the cheapest cuts. The most expensive parts are usually attached to a bone. Far tastier. So expensive beef for steak is not often a requirement. Personally have little interest in eating steak, expensive or otherwise. So much to enjoy without having to think about what I'm missing. Though on the other hand, I have an ample supply of imported products that won't likely be available to someone who lives upcountry. So your outlook may be different.