Patong - The Wake

[London Lowf]

.... but don't get too excited - this was not the return of the hotties (well, some of them) gyrating atop the bars along Bangla.

 

No, it was three waitresses that I caught sight of dancing in Hooters as I rode past last night. A pleasant but brief distraction and a sign of things to come?

 

Bangla itself is gradually getting busier, but the increase in bars and bar staff seems to be outstripping the increase in punters. Having said that, it is only early November with thunder showers pretty much every evening so still a way to go before peak season.

[sallecc]

 

30 minutes ago, London Lowf said:

The dancing girls are back!

pics/video or it didn't happen ????

Edited November 8, 2021 by sallecc

[sallecc]

Any news on shopping centers activities, now when Patong is becoming more lively? Jungceylon will probably not reopen any time soon, but how about Central across the road? Last time I was there (2+ months ago), only few shops were open, and the basement was mostly closed apart from supermarket and burger shop... Hopefully more shops and eateries will be open soon . . .

[xylophone]

On 11/8/2021 at 12:25 PM, sallecc said:

Hopefully more shops and eateries will be open soon

I haven't been in the Patong Central store for yonks, so have no idea if even the basement is still open??

 

More shops are opening up, and as regards eateries, the same goes, and one particular brand-new eatery (opened today) seems to be very lively indeed.

 

It's in the area that used to house either a Family Mart or a 7-Eleven......can't remember which one as there was one of each either side of Soi Banzaan where it meets Nanai Road, and if first impressions are anything to go by, it looks like it will be a huge success.

 

It is called, "Ned's bar and restaurant" and has a pretty extensive menu of Thai food with the occasional farang burger/steak meal on the menu, and none of it seems expensive.

 

I spied a couple of girls I know who were eating there and they beckoned me in, so I popped in to have a look around really, and it does have a bar set up although the restaurant occupies the majority of the space, so it will be interesting to see how it progresses.

 

The girls were busily tucking into their bowl of brown slop with chili and glass noodles and it and it looked appetising enough to be able to feed it to a dog or to tip it down the drain, but it seems that the girls liked it, so I gave them some money to pay the bill and left them to it.

 

There were a couple of farangs buzzing around the place, and I assumed that they had put some money into the venture, because I would suspect that the rent on a place like that would be quite high.

[LivinginKata]

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

<snip>

t's in the area that used to house either a Family Mart or a 7-Eleven......can't remember which one as there was one of each either side of Soi Banzaan where it meets Nanai Road, and if first impressions are anything to go by, it looks like it will be a huge success.

 

I remember when they were building that row and we considered buying one of the end corner units. Very expensive back then, rents now must be huge.

 

We passed way back then as we were ploughing all money into building home rental units. Oh well ... 

[xylophone]

Ventured out on Tuesday evening, with a couple of friends, to celebrate my 74th birthday and I chose to eat at the "Yorkshire Inn", and it was a good decision because the food was excellent, the place was as clean as a new pin and the owner/manager Mike, was a great host.

 

The menu had some of the old favourites like steak and ale pie, lasagna, and fish and chips, along with various steaks and a selection of Thai favourites; so a well-balanced menu and not pricey at all.

 

After that it was down to Bangla, which was surprisingly crowded, considering that up to 10 bars/restaurants have been closed on the pretext that they were too noisy, however common knowledge has it that a couple of girls had tested positive for Covid and had visited these very places, so the authorities closed them down.

 

That didn't stop the crowds mingling in and around Bangla and it was very lively, and good to see the Blue Lotus Café (formerly Smiley Bar) doing brisk business, although just along a bit at the entrance to Soi Sea Dragon, the front bar which was previously literally swarming with ex Suzie Wong girls, was closed, so I've no idea where they went.

 

The big Bar Funk was closed as was Sweeties and New York, leaving only Red Hot as the major music bar, so that's where I ended up, and it was packed.

 

Good to see it was doing a roaring trade, this especially as the band are exceptionally good, and their rendition of a couple of "Queen" songs was brilliant. I couldn't match them in that department, however got some great applause for, "It's My Life", "Don't Stop Believing and "Summer of 69" and that was most pleasing as it made my evening. However 11 PM came round all too soon and it was off home on the back of a  motorbike taxi.

 

Despite all of the problems, Bangla and Patong are fighting hard to stay alive and offer something to the tourists as well as the locals, so that's very encouraging and long may it continue.
 

[billythehat]

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

Ventured out on Tuesday evening, with a couple of friends, to celebrate my 74th birthday and I chose to eat at the "Yorkshire Inn", and it was a good decision because the food was excellent, the place was as clean as a new pin and the owner/manager Mike, was a great host.

 

The menu had some of the old favourites like steak and ale pie, lasagna, and fish and chips, along with various steaks and a selection of Thai favourites; so a well-balanced menu and not pricey at all.

 

After that it was down to Bangla, which was surprisingly crowded, considering that up to 10 bars/restaurants have been closed on the pretext that they were too noisy, however common knowledge has it that a couple of girls had tested positive for Covid and had visited these very places, so the authorities closed them down.

 

That didn't stop the crowds mingling in and around Bangla and it was very lively, and good to see the Blue Lotus Café (formerly Smiley Bar) doing brisk business, although just along a bit at the entrance to Soi Sea Dragon, the front bar which was previously literally swarming with ex Suzie Wong girls, was closed, so I've no idea where they went.

 

The big Bar Funk was closed as was Sweeties and New York, leaving only Red Hot as the major music bar, so that's where I ended up, and it was packed.

 

Good to see it was doing a roaring trade, this especially as the band are exceptionally good, and their rendition of a couple of "Queen" songs was brilliant. I couldn't match them in that department, however got some great applause for, "It's My Life", "Don't Stop Believing and "Summer of 69" and that was most pleasing as it made my evening. However 11 PM came round all too soon and it was off home on the back of a  motorbike taxi.

 

Despite all of the problems, Bangla and Patong are fighting hard to stay alive and offer something to the tourists as well as the locals, so that's very encouraging and long may it continue.
 

74? C’mon XP, fess up (again), I have it from a very reliable source, Joy from the ‘Clown’s Pocket Bar’, that you told her you were a totally believable 61 years young.

 

“their rendition of a couple of "Queen" songs was brilliant. I couldn't match them in that department,”

Indeed, prancing around the stage wearing Freddy’s trademark tight black leggings and luxuriant moustache may have bought in the BIB who would have closed the bar in such an event. I understand that after your applauded renditions, knickers were thrown onto the stage? Well done Sir.

 

Happy Birthday. 

[London Lowf]

4 hours ago, xylophone said:

Despite all of the problems, Bangla and Patong are fighting hard to stay alive and offer something to the tourists as well as the locals, so that's very encouraging and long may it continue.

Yes, but "the authorities" are doing everything in their powers to put a spanner in the works.

 

A few evenings ago a group of "officials" with clipboards and a police escort were going from bar to bar checking up on stuff but not seemingly causing much stress to the bars - except Sea Dragon bar which was completely devoid of the usual "hostesses" and consequently punters, so maybe they had things to hide? On Monday night they were back to normal.

 

The 11pm closing is bad enough when you've traveled halfway around the world and had to jump through the numerous hoops to gain entry, but what sort of impression does it give to tourists when a cavalcade of traffic cops with lights flashing cruise up Bangla at a minute after closing time every evening - are we in Thailand or the Middle East!

[HexTree]

1 hour ago, London Lowf said:

A few evenings ago a group of "officials" with clipboards and a police escort were going from bar to bar checking up on stuff but not seemingly causing much stress to the bars - except Sea Dragon bar which was completely devoid of the usual "hostesses" and consequently punters, so maybe they had things to hide? On Monday night they were back to normal.

That's the one at the front, with dragons and Chinese lanterns? Yesterday (Tuesday) it was completely closed, whilst all the neighbouring bars were open.

[London Lowf]

3 hours ago, HexTree said:

That's the one at the front, with dragons and Chinese lanterns? Yesterday (Tuesday) it was completely closed, whilst all the neighbouring bars were open.

Not noticed the lanterns, only the numerous girls, but it's the one at the end of Soi Sea Dragon.

 

I'm just back from Bangla and 20% of the bars are closed because of Covid outbreaks - including the big hitters of Kangaroo, Bar Funk, Sea Dragon and Sunset. All a bit of a joke as Sunset has a sister bar (Red Lady) and so the staff have simply moved over to there. I'm sure the same applies elsewhere, so what is the point?

 

On the plus side, only two traffic cops "enforcing" the 11pm closing!

 

 

[London Lowf]

And I have to add - Bangla was gradually getting busier from the time I arrived in early October until about a week ago, since when it seems to have died again. Even with the numerous closures last night there were still plenty of seats available at the open bars on the main drag. I did take a mid-session walk along Soi Sea Dragon at about 10pm and it was dead - even the bar at the very end which is usually busy.

[CG1 Blue]

1 hour ago, London Lowf said:

Not noticed the lanterns, only the numerous girls, but it's the one at the end of Soi Sea Dragon.

 

I'm just back from Bangla and 20% of the bars are closed because of Covid outbreaks - including the big hitters of Kangaroo, Bar Funk, Sea Dragon and Sunset. All a bit of a joke as Sunset has a sister bar (Red Lady) and so the staff have simply moved over to there. I'm sure the same applies elsewhere, so what is the point?

 

On the plus side, only two traffic cops "enforcing" the 11pm closing!

 

 

How sad. Reading through the last couple of pages my optimism was growing (many thanks to you and Xylo btw for your 'on the ground' reports).

 

I started to picture myself sitting at my favourite live music bar on Bangla, which stupidly I don't know the name of after all these years. It's on the left if you walk up from the beach end, the first live music bar you come to. Is it New York? I should probably cut down on the beers/long islands in there...

 

But then the hammer blow about bars closing down for covid outbreaks. One of the many reasons I don't want to risk going back to LOS at the moment, with things potentially changing for the worse at the drop of a hat, and the officials being even more officious than usual. Mind you, as the English winter sets in I might just have to bite the bullet...

 

 

[xylophone]

7 hours ago, CG1 Blue said:

How sad. Reading through the last couple of pages my optimism was growing (many thanks to you and Xylo btw for your 'on the ground' reports).

 

I started to picture myself sitting at my favourite live music bar on Bangla, which stupidly I don't know the name of after all these years. It's on the left if you walk up from the beach end, the first live music bar you come to. Is it New York? I should probably cut down on the beers/long islands in there...

 

But then the hammer blow about bars closing down for covid outbreaks. One of the many reasons I don't want to risk going back to LOS at the moment, with things potentially changing for the worse at the drop of a hat, and the officials being even more officious than usual. Mind you, as the English winter sets in I might just have to bite the bullet...

 

 

The music bar you are thinking about was called, "Lion Bar" or similar, but that has been shut now for at least the length of the Covid, and is now another music bar, which was quite lively on Tuesday evening, as was the whole of Bangla, so I am very surprised that it seems to have died off again!

 

The sad thing about all of this is that although the authorities shut down the "Covid bars", it really does nothing to improve the situation, because the punters that were in the bars at the time could could possibly now be infected (hopefully not) and may well have visited many other bars in the course of the evening, and of course as others have mentioned, the staff could move on to work at other bars, so the point of shutting the bars is a bit Draconian, when they could have just tested any of the staff and quarantined the infected ones.

 

Still, one has to remember that TIT and logic, confusion and stupidity are easily interchangeable here, especially by the authorities.

 

A few more bars have opened up in Nanai Road, although in some of them, the bums on seats are scarce.

 

One of the highlights of my evening was the fact that "The Yorkshire Inn" was open and still serving good food!

 

PS. Just a thought, it's also possible that where your music bar was previously, there is now an Irish Pub, which also has a live band as well as a few seats outside, so it appears you have a choice now, but I would highly recommend visiting the music bar, Red Hot, next time you are here.

[CG1 Blue]

5 hours ago, xylophone said:

The music bar you are thinking about was called, "Lion Bar" or similar, but that has been shut now for at least the length of the Covid, and is now another music bar, which was quite lively on Tuesday evening, as was the whole of Bangla, so I am very surprised that it seems to have died off again!

 

The sad thing about all of this is that although the authorities shut down the "Covid bars", it really does nothing to improve the situation, because the punters that were in the bars at the time could could possibly now be infected (hopefully not) and may well have visited many other bars in the course of the evening, and of course as others have mentioned, the staff could move on to work at other bars, so the point of shutting the bars is a bit Draconian, when they could have just tested any of the staff and quarantined the infected ones.

 

Still, one has to remember that TIT and logic, confusion and stupidity are easily interchangeable here, especially by the authorities.

 

A few more bars have opened up in Nanai Road, although in some of them, the bums on seats are scarce.

 

One of the highlights of my evening was the fact that "The Yorkshire Inn" was open and still serving good food!

 

PS. Just a thought, it's also possible that where your music bar was previously, there is now an Irish Pub, which also has a live band as well as a few seats outside, so it appears you have a choice now, but I would highly recommend visiting the music bar, Red Hot, next time you are here.

Lion, that's the one! Well it's a shame it closed, but these days we're lucky if any our favourite haunts have survived. Glad to hear a few of yours have. 

I don't think I've been to Red Hot, but I did sometimes go to another music bar on the same side as Lion but right at the other end of Bangla, Taipan end. Could that be Red Hot? 

 

And yes, no logic being applied by the authorities. No surprises there...

[xylophone]

26 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

I don't think I've been to Red Hot, but I did sometimes go to another music bar on the same side as Lion but right at the other end of Bangla, Taipan end. Could that be Red Hot? 

Red Hot is on the very end of Bangla (on the corner), on the opposite side to that which you mentioned, and partly fronts Bangla and Rat-U-Thid road, so maybe it wasn't that one, however there was a music bar just past the entrance to Soi Sea Dragon, on the same side as Lion, but I can't remember the name of it!

 

I don't know the current situation as regards bars, as "London Lowf" seems to think that more have closed after the Tuesday when I was there, however there's a good chance I could be out tomorrow night, weather permitting, so I'll know more then.

[CG1 Blue]

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

Red Hot is on the very end of Bangla (on the corner), on the opposite side to that which you mentioned, and partly fronts Bangla and Rat-U-Thid road, so maybe it wasn't that one, however there was a music bar just past the entrance to Soi Sea Dragon, on the same side as Lion, but I can't remember the name of it!

 

I don't know the current situation as regards bars, as "London Lowf" seems to think that more have closed after the Tuesday when I was there, however there's a good chance I could be out tomorrow night, weather permitting, so I'll know more then.

Ah now I know Red Hot. Never sat in there before. Will have to check it out. 

The one I was referring to had some pool tables at the back. I've played pool with staff at the end of the night a couple of times. The place was always more or less full at peak times, very popular. 

Have a good night tomorrow! 

[RedArmy]

Sweeties Bar ??

[spidermike007]

Of course everything has changed over the years, but from my point of view, Patong, and especially Bangla, just priced itself out of the market. Drinks, bar fines, short time rates, etc. Somewhat silly. One would hope for a correction of sorts, but that would require common sense, reason, and business acumen. 

[xylophone]

15 hours ago, CG1 Blue said:

Ah now I know Red Hot. Never sat in there before. Will have to check it out. 

The one I was referring to had some pool tables at the back. I've played pool with staff at the end of the night a couple of times. The place was always more or less full at peak times, very popular. 

Have a good night tomorrow! 

Hmmm.....depends how long ago we're talking about now, because Soi Freedom (formerly Soi Eric) had a great band at the end of it, and also a bar which had a pool table or two in it.

 

Then even further back in time was the original Lion Soi which was quite narrow, always packed and did have a couple of pool tables at the end of it, but no band.

 

Sweeties Bar, as mentioned by @RedArmy is on the opposite side of the road to those bars and the one you originally mentioned.

 

And thanks for your good wishes regarding my night out, should it eventuate, and have a good day yourself.

[CG1 Blue]

15 hours ago, RedArmy said:

Sweeties Bar ??

Could be. Sorry, I'm useless with bar names

[Agusts]

18 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Of course everything has changed over the years, but from my point of view, Patong, and especially Bangla, just priced itself out of the market. Drinks, bar fines, short time rates, etc. Somewhat silly. One would hope for a correction of sorts, but that would require common sense, reason, and business acumen. 

Not sure about other rates, but as of 3 months ago that I was there, local beer in most Bagla bars were 70/80b..., even in illuzion when it was open, it was 120b (previously 200b), comparing to before Covid that is a huge correction...

 

[billythehat]

On 11/25/2021 at 2:48 AM, xylophone said:

One of the highlights of my evening was the fact that "The Yorkshire Inn" was open and still serving good food!

A few notes on Soi Sansabai.

 

When I used to stay in Patong, I would always stay in the Alexander Hotel in Soi Sai Kor, run by American Dave and his missus, Pim. When leaving the hotel in the evening heading and for Bangla (as in more recent years, other options for the party trail had either disappeared or had gone forever), I would wobble down Sansabai on-route to the local Circus Maximus known as Bangla Road.

 

During its halcyon days, Sansabai had quite a life of its own with cheap digs for the cheap Charlies, massage shops, lots of eateries, 7/11’s and wot not. There were side soi’s lined with bars full of lasses too old for Bangla and mainly built for comfort, leading to the car park which had a few open bars and was the location for a very friendly live music bar (XP, remind us of the name please). I spent many a night here when I got bored of Bangla and it was only a short stagger back to the hotel, often at 3 or 4 in the morning. Lovely non-hassling staff, no lady boys and very popular with bikers too.

 

Further down the soi, were the eateries, mainly Pizza or curry houses of varying ambience and quality, some soi facing bars where ancient gentlemen that had forgotten to go home, sat nailed to bar stools, sipping from a bottle of cheap brew. These stools were always fully occupied as they would have offered the perfect seat for people watching and letching at the painted bar lasses going to work in Bangla.

 

Then, motosai parking was a free-for-all, park wherever you can affair, and with vehicles going up or down plus the evening foot traffic, there was always a bottle neck at the bottom end. The buzz was hustle and never pushy, indeed a good place to fuel up, steady the tiller and head over the road to a totally different type of temple.

 

So, apart from The Yorkshire Hotel, what is left there now? XP may have some updates on the subject.

 

I can only go back to circa 2001 and know nowt of what that area was like before that time. We need somebody little more, ahem sage, to embroider the story of Sansabai. I believe LIK (as he is mentioned in the Domesday Book) may have some notes to impart on the subject. Others, feel free to chime in with your memories.

 

 

[xylophone]

14 hours ago, Agusts said:

Not sure about other rates, but as of 3 months ago that I was there, local beer in most Bagla bars were 70/80b..., even in illuzion when it was open, it was 120b (previously 200b), comparing to before Covid that is a huge correction...

 

I'm not a big beer drinker but as I recall from a recent trip to Bangla, beers were between 80 to 100 baht, and there were variations on that, so not excessive IMO.

 

The "rip-offs" are in the music bars where a Capt Morgan rum (or as often as not, a poor substitute) and a thimble full of coke will cost around 160 baht!! But at the end of the evening I've usually given up caring!!!!!!

[KarenBravo]

15 hours ago, billythehat said:

 

So, apart from The Yorkshire Hotel, what is left there now? XP may have some updates on the subject.

 

I can only go back to circa 2001 and know nowt of what that area was like before that time. We need somebody little more, ahem sage, to embroider the story of Sansabai. I believe LIK (as he is mentioned in the Domesday Book) may have some notes to impart on the subject. Others, feel free to chime in with your memories.

 

 

Soi Sansabai, before the third road was built was a small, dead-end Soi. At the end of it, was a housing project call Baan Benjamus. I think eventually, these were all bought out a few years after they were built as the land-price started to rocket.

 

The south side units were small bars, some with pool-tables. The North side units were mainly small restaurants. Pizzeria moved there away from their original place that was in front of what is now Jungceylon. Later on, they stayed in Soi Sansabai, but switched sides.

The Yorkshire in was there as was a small bar that served great fish'n'chips. The bar was named after the rather down and out looking owner. His name escapes me.

 

The Soi really wasn't big enough to have a night out in. It was used for a quick bite and a beer before hitting Bangla.

[xylophone]

15 hours ago, billythehat said:

During its halcyon days, Sansabai had quite a life of its own with cheap digs for the cheap Charlies, massage shops, lots of eateries, 7/11’s and wot not. There were side soi’s lined with bars full of lasses too old for Bangla and mainly built for comfort, leading to the car park which had a few open bars and was the location for a very friendly live music bar (XP, remind us of the name please).

Well BTH, little side Sois are no longer there, and when you ventured through them and onto the car park, indeed there were a few bars which had set up shop on the perimeter of it, including a few in the middle, and the large music bar on the far side was called, "Hippie Road Bar" and occasionally had a good band playing there.

 

However that's all disappeared now, along with the other bars around it because they've all been knocked down, waiting for a hotel development by the looks of things.

 

Earlier on, there was one Indian restaurant in the Soi, called the, Indian Curry Club (ICC) however in recent times another one opened up, quite a bit larger and painted inside and out in vivid white which gave one the impression of being in a mortuary, so it's no wonder it had hardly any customers!

 

As KarenBravo has said, the Italian/pizza place on the right-hand side heading towards Bangla moved across the road some while ago and IMO also improved its food.

 

There were bars down there although I only frequented one called, "Wicked Bar" which was bought by three Kiwi guys, and it was quite a lively place at one time, although before that it was run by an Aussie and was called "Billabong Bar" and I occasionally watched sport in it.

 

Later on when the Yorkshire Inn was taken over and cleaned up, by a guy called Paul, I think his name was, the food was very good and I enjoyed a few good meals there with visiting friends who wanted some traditional English fayre.

 

There are still a couple of other small restaurants down there, one of them being in the front of the Summer Breeze small hotel, and I have attended a couple of Christmas dinners there, and they were good.

 

As KB has said, it wasn't really big enough to have raging night out, but was worth a visit for the food at the Yorkshire and/or the sport there or at the Billabong bar.

 

PS. Also sad to note that the entrance to Soi Sansabai, off what is known as "middle road" has had the top section of it completely demolished; that would be the section opposite the restaurant/hotel/pool place called Chang??

[London Lowf]

On 11/25/2021 at 12:46 AM, London Lowf said:

I'm just back from Bangla and 20% of the bars are closed because of Covid outbreaks - including the big hitters of Kangaroo, Bar Funk, Sea Dragon and Sunset. All a bit of a joke as Sunset has a sister bar (Red Lady) and so the staff have simply moved over to there. I'm sure the same applies elsewhere, so what is the point?

I am pleased to be able to report that the authorities have quashed the recent outbreak of Covid in these bars - last night they were all open!

[London Lowf]

To confirm the above, I walked along Sansabai two weeks ago from Rat-U-Tit to Banzaan market and, apart from a few places at the Bangla end, it is a very grim sight. The car park area with the Hippy Road Bar is not only flattened, but there are concrete blocks so that you can not even walk through as a shortcut.

 

The big Chang pool bar is still there but all mothballed, as are the Tiger restaurants and the boxing stadium - in fact the whole of what I thought was called Third Road (but Mr Xylo calls Middle Road) is not showing any signs of life.

 

However, that was two weeks ago and things are changing fast in Patong.....

[KarenBravo]

PS. Before Soi Sansabai got it's name, it was called Soi Ice-factory.

[billythehat]

23 hours ago, xylophone said:

Well BTH, little side Sois are no longer there, and when you ventured through them and onto the car park, indeed there were a few bars which had set up shop on the perimeter of it, including a few in the middle, and the large music bar on the far side was called, "Hippie Road Bar" and occasionally had a good band playing there.

 

However that's all disappeared now, along with the other bars around it because they've all been knocked down, waiting for a hotel development by the looks of things.

 

Earlier on, there was one Indian restaurant in the Soi, called the, Indian Curry Club (ICC) however in recent times another one opened up, quite a bit larger and painted inside and out in vivid white which gave one the impression of being in a mortuary, so it's no wonder it had hardly any customers!

 

As KarenBravo has said, the Italian/pizza place on the right-hand side heading towards Bangla moved across the road some while ago and IMO also improved its food.

 

There were bars down there although I only frequented one called, "Wicked Bar" which was bought by three Kiwi guys, and it was quite a lively place at one time, although before that it was run by an Aussie and was called "Billabong Bar" and I occasionally watched sport in it.

 

Later on when the Yorkshire Inn was taken over and cleaned up, by a guy called Paul, I think his name was, the food was very good and I enjoyed a few good meals there with visiting friends who wanted some traditional English fayre.

 

There are still a couple of other small restaurants down there, one of them being in the front of the Summer Breeze small hotel, and I have attended a couple of Christmas dinners there, and they were good.

 

As KB has said, it wasn't really big enough to have raging night out, but was worth a visit for the food at the Yorkshire and/or the sport there or at the Billabong bar.

 

PS. Also sad to note that the entrance to Soi Sansabai, off what is known as "middle road" has had the top section of it completely demolished; that would be the section opposite the restaurant/hotel/pool place called Chang??

Posted a couple of days ago on YouTube; Sansabai from about 8 minutes on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVjMYW_oZfE

 

Yes, I remember the ICC (Indian Curry Club) in Sansabai. I would often fuel up in there before heading off for the night. Not a bad curry either.

 

The soi looks very different at the top end now as the usual cash-cows/investors are absent.

 

Wonder where they’re storing all those unused tuk-tuks?

[xylophone]

On 11/26/2021 at 12:41 AM, spidermike007 said:

Of course everything has changed over the years, but from my point of view, Patong, and especially Bangla, just priced itself out of the market

I believe that some of what you have said is true, however there is another little moneymaking scheme going on.......a couple of nights ago, a Russian guy and his girlfriend, both wearing crash helmets were stopped and fined 1000 baht for not wearing a mask on the motorbike!!!!

 

I thought I'd heard it all, unless this is some sort of new ruling, and if it is, I had better start wearing one in my car!