2 minutes ago, treetops said:

Back to the topic and yes, a boat noodle place.

Thanks. Hadn't spotted that (well didn't really look either....)

4 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I was not moaning about food prices, I was exposing the high inflation, and made clear I never buy ready made food from big c or eat at food courts, unlike you.

If you want to talk about someone with little money, who even can't afford a 54 baht tin of baked beans, try this guy.

baked beans is different it's falang prices issue, glad to hear you aren't as broke as you sound

I wish I could get real black beans as are always on offer at shops in South Florida, or in Naples FLA.

The prices of black beans, dried, are outrageous here.

But why?

Beans should be super cheap, but they are not.

Publix does not overcharge, as I recall.

Where do these beans come from, anyway?

Ocean freight should be very low cost.

So, why the huge price discrepancy.

And, why are they not on offer at food courts here in Thailand.

Don't people here love them too?

So, I guess Thailand is not as cheap as we thought.

One should always be thrifty when shopping.

13 hours ago, KhunLA said:

View beats big c mall food court, or 4 wall of a coffee shop ...

Johnny no mates! 😄

7 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I wish I could get real black beans as are always on offer at shops in South Florida, or in Naples FLA.

You know what type of comments you are inviting!

Aren't we meant to be focusing on Big-CX in Pattaya?

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

You know what type of comments you are inviting!

Aren't we meant to be focusing on Big-CX in Pattaya?

Maybe Big-C will read my words and offer Black Beans/Black Bean Soup, Cuban style.

Then, everybody will be happy.

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Johnny no mates! 😄

You have a lot of mates at Big C food court. Have everything I need, want, right here at home. See the same headlands at the bay, from my house, well, tops of. 2 best friends are with me 24/7.

Don't need to listen to a bunch of depressed, miserable old people complaining about cost of everything, Trump, Thailand, Thais, Imm, hookers.

When most comfortable place is right here at home, in the AC or on the veranda with a great view, with my best friends. Everything I want or need at my doorstep, or lovely bay or rolling hills, nice lake, 5-10 minutes away.

Live with your choice.

29 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

You have a lot of mates at Big C food court. Have everything I need, want, right here at home. See the same headlands at the bay, from my house, well, tops of. 2 best friends are with me 24/7.

Don't need to listen to a bunch of depressed, miserable old people complaining about cost of everything, Trump, Thailand, Thais, Imm, hookers.

When most comfortable place is right here at home, in the AC or on the veranda with a great view, with my best friends. Everything I want or need at my doorstep, or lovely bay or rolling hills, nice lake, 5-10 minutes away.

Live with your choice.

You're forgetting these people are poor, single and living in very small condos with few life choices.

We have families, pets, houses and gardens and our own transport.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

You're forgetting these people are poor and living in very small condos.

We have houses and gardens.

Not forgetting, just wondering why they think we're unhappy, lonely, just because we chose to live a different lifestyle.

I like being alone with my own thoughts taking it all in at times, or, with other folks around. I have to walk the dog somewheres, as we get tired of the same soi at the house. We do that at sunset, and lovely they can be a times.

Not sure why they think, being alone at certain times during the day, is being lonely, sad or unhappy. I'm not a socially needy person.

I don't need to be surrounded by basically strangers. If I want to have a coffee with someone, I'll pop over to their house, or them over to mine. Certainly not Big C or a 4 walled coffee shop. Prefer the great outdoors.

When I sit surfside, with morning coffee at sunrise, I see about 100 of us lonely, sad and unhappy people, sitting, walking, jogging, cycling around. Poor bastards with nothing better to do, or some mate to be with.

That food court at Big C sounds fantastic right about now.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

You're forgetting these people are poor and living in very small condos.

We have houses and gardens.

Lots and lots of houses with gardens in Pattaya, many also with pools. And, lots and lots of Pattaya expats, who are not poor, living in all those thousands of houses. You'll also see lots of expats, with their Thai wives, coming into town from the Darkside and shopping at Big C Extra, Lotus's, etc., doing their weekly grocery shopping.

While it's fun to post that Pattaya's filled with poor retirees, living in shoeboxes, the reality is quite different. Pattaya currently has about 300 condo projects, many very nice and not filled with the destitute. With more projects--many higher-end--being built or in the planning stages. It likely has an even larger number of housing estates--Google estimates 500--also not filled with the destitute. More of those being built, too--with many also in the higher-end category.

5 minutes ago, newnative said:

Lots and lots of houses with gardens in Pattaya, many also with pools. And, lots and lots of Pattaya expats, who are not poor, living in all those thousands of houses. You'll also see lots of expats, with their Thai wives, coming into town from the Darkside and shopping at Big C Extra, Lotus's, etc., doing their weekly grocery shopping.

While it's fun to post that Pattaya's filled with poor retirees, living in shoeboxes, the reality is quite different. Pattaya currently has about 300 condo projects, many very nice and not filled with the destitute. With more projects--many higher-end--being built or in the planning stages. It likely has an even larger number of housing estates--Google estimates 500--also not filled with the destitute. More of those being built, too--with many also in the higher-end category.

And people enjoying living in those, aren't going to Big C food court to socialize with mates, of all places, Holy Buddha, shoot me now, especially when living surfside or a short stroll, scooter ride away.

Or criticizing other's lifestyle, social structure, they know nothing about.

Just dealing with the AN trolls, while finishing my morning coffee, and catching up, well, scrolling by the MSM chuckle pages. Trump Trump Trump, Gaza, Epstein, the oppressed folks, pick one.

Hold on, an intelligent post by a like mind person slipped in, damn, how'd that happen. Small wonders that bring smiles to strangers faces ... go figure ☕

45 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Not forgetting, just wondering why they think we're unhappy, lonely, just because we chose to live a different lifestyle.

I like being alone with my own thoughts taking it all in at times, or, with other folks around. I have to walk the dog somewheres, as we get tired of the same soi at the house. We do that at sunset, and lovely they can be a times.

Not sure why they think, being alone at certain times during the day, is being lonely, sad or unhappy. I'm not a socially needy person.

I don't need to be surrounded by basically strangers. If I want to have a coffee with someone, I'll pop over to their house, or them over to mine. Certainly not Big C or a 4 walled coffee shop. Prefer the great outdoors.

When I sit surfside, with morning coffee at sunrise, I see about 100 of us lonely, sad and unhappy people, sitting, walking, jogging, cycling around. Poor bastards with nothing better to do, or some mate to be with.

That food court at Big C sounds fantastic right about now.

Cycled 25Km with a pal this morning, met another cyclist we know at the Mountain View Farm cafe. Rest of the day will be spent with wife, son and pets.

Life doesn't get any better than this ............ no need for a food court!

20 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Cycled 25Km with a pal this morning, met another cyclist we know at the Mountain View Farm cafe. Rest of the day will be spent with wife, son and pets.

Life doesn't get any better than this ............ no need for a food court!

Self praise is no honour, myself in

22 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Cycled 25Km with a pal this morning, met another cyclist we know at the Mountain View Farm cafe. Rest of the day will be spent with wife, son and pets.

Life doesn't get any better than this ............ no need for a food court!

Not everyone is in a position to get out and about on a bicycle or maybe hasn’t the confidence to do so with regards to number of accidents involving cyclists and through ailments etc, companionship is a necessity in old age and some people find it in a shopping mall, cafe, bar etc, don’t be so judgmental

22 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Self praise is no honour, myself in

Not everyone is in a position to get out and about on a bicycle or maybe hasn’t the confidence to do so with regards to number of accidents involving cyclists and through ailments etc, companionship is a necessity in old age and some people find it in a shopping mall, cafe, bar etc, don’t be so judgmental

Maybe if they cycled a bit more, they'd have less ailments.

Obviously this won't solve their poverty, which is why they eat in food courts.

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Cycled 25Km with a pal this morning, met another cyclist we know at the Mountain View Farm cafe. Rest of the day will be spent with wife, son and pets.

Life doesn't get any better than this ............ no need for a food court!

You guys should go to a health spa for a group enema after the ride. It's kind of like sharing a hooka, but without the negative health ramifications.

Big C food court has completed the puzzle I began to ponder 20 years ago: where do the balloon chasers go in the daytime? They're a gregarious bunch on limited budgets. There's no way they're running AC all day whilst waiting for the pig to roast and the balloon flag to be raised.

Thread motivated me to have brekkie out of the house. No mate, he's working, I think. Just lovely wife & dog. Sprung for 2 plates, (food court pricing) a nice SomTum w/pork neck & Green Curry Chicken stir fry, and mine set us back 110 baht (60/50), and not sure what the wife's & dog's cost.

If in the hood: https://www.google.co.th/maps/place/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AE%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%88%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%9A/@11.8238269,99.8017986,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgIDxuMO7cg!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAHVAweppDEZ5V14YLaEfKtj5RIb6_C5drWbnuyFJJJHloZGu1Egz-xlToEsfbGY9bC3KmxKMrT3ZKDztZ6f3bCbNV5cL6xnmQ8nPZ-AP2hVCWdSyawRK9AKAnH-CG76T6SFML2zDfok%3Dw203-h203-k-no!7i2048!8i2048!4m9!3m8!1s0x30fe83d90099b93f:0x2c344a6e016eac81!8m2!3d11.8238269!4d99.8017986!10e5!14m1!1BCgIYIA!16s%2Fg%2F11thgnps_r?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

1 hour ago, flaming dragon said:

You guys should go to a health spa for a group enema after the ride. It's kind of like sharing a hooka, but without the negative health ramifications.

Big C food court has completed the puzzle I began to ponder 20 years ago: where do the balloon chasers go in the daytime? They're a gregarious bunch on limited budgets. There's no way they're running AC all day whilst waiting for the pig to roast and the balloon flag to be raised.

Can you please repost the above in understandable English as it seems to be somewhat incoherent to me in it's present format!

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Maybe if they cycled a bit more, they'd have less ailments.

Obviously this won't solve their poverty, which is why they eat in food courts.

What indicates they are poor, they might not have cooking facilities or can’t cook, not unusual for a single male of course you will have a head cook and bottle washer paying them a pittance as a salary.

2 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

You guys should go to a health spa for a group enema after the ride. It's kind of like sharing a hooka, but without the negative health ramifications.

Big C food court has completed the puzzle I began to ponder 20 years ago: where do the balloon chasers go in the daytime? They're a gregarious bunch on limited budgets. There's no way they're running AC all day whilst waiting for the pig to roast and the balloon flag to be raised.

People live on limited budgets all over the world not just in Thailand.

4 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

What indicates they are poor ?

Hanging out in food courts!

Just now, BritManToo said:

Hanging out in food courts!

What evidence to have to support your claim, i hang about in food courts, cafes etc and I am not poor,

47 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

What evidence to have to support your claim, i hang about in food courts, cafes etc and I am not poor,

Totally agree. He seems to be fond of makng sweeping generalities. Spouse and I are far from poor but we occasionally eat at a food court, especially if we are pressed for time and just want something easy and quick. The one at T21 can be fun and it's great for people watching, usually with a wide variety of people.

1 hour ago, newnative said:

Totally agree. He seems to be fond of makng sweeping generalities. Spouse and I are far from poor but we occasionally eat at a food court, especially if we are pressed for time and just want something easy and quick. The one at T21 can be fun and it's great for people watching, usually with a wide variety of people.

Hanging out and occasionally are not the same.

On 2/26/2026 at 11:15 AM, newnative said:

The whole shopping center is being given a much-needed make-over, inside and out. Several new restaurants and most of the others, such as Fuji, have remodeled. Big C has been completely re-done and the last time we were there it was doing a very good business--I think many shoppers are returning and welcoming all the changes. We were amazed the first time we went in and saw what had been done in a relatively short time period.

Bahhh, can't find anything anymore and must go aroud to find where to pay

Where's the ice cream .. Even the staff didn't know where they moved it today,they move it every week

19 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You have a lot of mates at Big C food court. Have everything I need, want, right here at home. See the same headlands at the bay, from my house, well, tops of. 2 best friends are with me 24/7.

Don't need to listen to a bunch of depressed, miserable old people complaining about cost of everything, Trump, Thailand, Thais, Imm, hookers.

When most comfortable place is right here at home, in the AC or on the veranda with a great view, with my best friends. Everything I want or need at my doorstep, or lovely bay or rolling hills, nice lake, 5-10 minutes away.

Live with your choice.

We were more focused on eating in your car I believe. That would be out of paper bags and plastic, and I see as rather sad. I would at least take my food back to this wonderful veranda you talk of. Always amused by the concept of Chinese food in the USA, eaten out of cardboard containers, but of course we have to use chopsticks for that original ethnic feel!

My Mrs cooks for me and we eat out of the veranda, my view is only of the garden. There is a place nearby set practically on the beach we eat at some times. I get a kick out of meeting a few western guys at Big-CX now and again, keeps the mind ticking over. Some of them do it every day which isn't my thing. One has to beware of becoming too insular.

12 hours ago, Jumbo1968 said:

People live on limited budgets all over the world not just in Thailand.

Whilst I agree with what you said it's a strawman that doesn't address the post.

Balloon chasers are a specific demographic who engage in specific behaviours. I thought they died out with the middle aged Brits who sold timeshares but it appears that they changed their hours and location.

12 hours ago, Jumbo1968 said:

What evidence to have to support your claim, i hang about in food courts, cafes etc and I am not poor,

Hanging out in food courts may be indicative of a different kind of poverty. They're soulless places where one must overcome the natural instinct to depart after finishing their last mouthful of food. Food courts are designed this way so that the next batch of paying customers don't have to sit on the floor. Many Westerners miss or ignore the not so subtle social cues, which causes friction with the locals.

11 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

Many Westerners miss or ignore the not so subtle social cues, which causes friction with the locals.

Many who sit and enjoy the AC are not Westerners and are not eating. Thais avoid the season's heat too.

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Many who sit and enjoy the AC are not Westerners and are not eating. Thais avoid the season's heat too.

in that food court majority loitering seem to be farang, probably Italian although someone said French. No loitering signs need to go up where they sit

On 2/27/2026 at 2:45 PM, CallumWK said:

I was not moaning about food prices, I was exposing the high inflation, and made clear I never buy ready made food from big c or eat at food courts, unlike you.

If you want to talk about someone with little money, who even can't afford a 54 baht tin of baked beans, try this guy.

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏