TTD

1 hour ago, fforest said:

Well from the latest reports it looks like they will be cutting down every last shade tree on the beach and they will be planting a crap load more palm trees.......

For you guys who dont give a flip about the beach.......

The beach DID HAVE a very good vibe that spread throughout Pattaya.....They just about killed the vibe in 2013....The beach was still marginally ok at night these last 7 years.....But it looks like now they want to make sure, the beach is good and dead.....

So if you wonder one day what the reasons are that Pattaya can't seem to recover.....You will need to look no further than Pattaya beach.....

The beach effects all businesses, bars, GoGos, restaurants, in a indirect but very direct way.....

 

 

I'm a big time walker 2+ hours a day while in Pattaya.  Personally, I never counted on the sidewalk trees for shade.  

I noticed the ladies enjoyed standing under the trees... that's probably the reasonI bothered walking there! For shade... the tall buildings up/down the Sois and 2nd Road did the trick.  

Funny thing about those trees... the rats love"em too.  Seen many a nasty bugger shooting up/down those trees countless times.  

As for Pattaya Beach... I wouldn't put a toe into that water!  Not in 2008, 2013 or now.  The smell and filth coming from the beach is/was a detriment for swimmers.  My experience with beaches... people are drawn to the water more than the sidewalk trimmings.  

No reason you can't have both, but sidewalks are more for... walking, selling stuff and meeting people.  I'm all for a good vibe, but I appreciate the wider spaces and improvements on the smoothness of the walkway.  It was a mess tripping and turning ankles walking that sidewalk.   

If they wanted to improve the beach (and they should) they might consider starting with the water and working back.  

There weren't many beaches in Angeles City and the go-go clubs... well... they were unaffected.  

7 minutes ago, boydeste said:

Disney land for adults may be closed, but Mini mouse is still available methinks. 

A copy paste... 

Seek and you shall find... in the Biblical sense, 'come to God and your prayers will be answered. In a wider literal sense it just means 'effort will be rewarded'.

 Or alternatively, assume everything sucks it will never be the same... and pour another round staying home.    

5 hours ago, Glasseye said:

Respectfully.... The discussion isn't really about "doom and gloom", it's more geared toward economic reality. As many have accurately pointed out the overall conditions had been in  real decline for many years (enough on the ground observation on this has been documented in depth, for years). The pandemic has just been another massive sledge hammer coming down.

Sure.... there will always be fun to be had by the few fortunate blokes who happen get there for a few days, or even weeks/months. But long term "big money" investment and large numbers as we have seen in the distant past..... highly unlikely. Is this doom and gloom ? I think not.... more like a reasonable "reality check".

Really, when you think about it. Who here really wants the place to become a giant Chinese fish market ? I'd reckon very few.

As a non-big money investor... I guess I don't care.  If the place is fun I come and spend time.  When it's not I don't.  

6 hours ago, Jambo said:

Does your GF know about all these "tons of ladies" online who are "meeting and greeting" you? 🤣

Keep us posted on your trip.

If you can have fun right now in Pattaya members will love to know what you are up to with all the bars shut and it is the rainy season.

So far it's rained 5 minutes in 13 day's I've been here.  I'm here for (8) months and don't expect or require perfect weather round the clock.  

Yes my lady friend is aware there are other females in Pattaya... she typically has 30+ on staff working for her.  

My point was it's possible to make a trip to Pattaya work to your advantage if you have an open mind.  It's probably best to stay home if you can't adapt.  

I tire of all the doom and gloom... my GF (with no pull from any big-wigs) applied for her covid shot and got shot number 1 a few days ago.  The second shot was scheduled.  Normal people are getting shots! 

Shot's are being distributed... slowly and poorly done, but getting done.  Once the population has shots the rate of growth slows and levels off.  This just happened in the States... masks came off and people in my area resumed normalcy (a new version of normal) 

I know there are new variants and bla bla bla... but once the shots get in arms things IMPROVE and improve quickly.  

People LOVE Thailand.  Thailand LOVES tourism... the LOVE is there.  

Just allow some time for the shots to find arms.  It's been a LONG road.  I was here when it started... I arrived on February 2, 2020 and stayed for (6) months.  

I just arrived back on August 2nd and finish quarantine in (2) day's!  It's dead and that's sad for many... but I'm going to have a great trip!  

When I was here in "20 they closed things down... to the point of no booze sales (even from grocery stores)!  I still had a good time!  Fun is here to be had, just not in the same fashion as before.

As long as you have people who want to visit a place (Thailand) and that place wants to host guests... the match will be a swipe right... supply and demand.  

For those making the trip... you will LOVE the room rates.  Tons of ladies online willing and able to meet and greet you.  I miss the banging bars, but find a lot of upside to this quieter environment.  

Startup

Every trip to Thailand I've replaced my SIM card and kept it filed with 7-11 credits to TRUE phone service.  This trip I've been using (with occasional success) my internet to make calls.  These calls have not been associated with FaceTime WhatsApp or Line.  

Other than being able to use my phone while not online and not having a "number" to share with new lady "friends"... what's the advantage of buying and refilling a local Thai SIM card?

What do you guys use while in Thailand.  I'm here for (9) months and even considered looking into opening a more traditional account.  Not even sure if that's an option?

Just arrived into Pattaya... I'm beat!

4 hours ago, KWA said:

Sandbox or ASQ?  Maybe you could do a write up on the experience/process?

ASQ in Pattaya J Hotel.  I'll have plenty of time to write during the first (14) day's!  Thanks

Finalizing my packing for August 1st departure... in Thailand for (9) months! 

... sorry of topic from The Open.  I'm arriving Pattaya in two weeks.  What are the top (3) courses by price point in the area (average, nice, great)?  Looking to play once a week 

Thanks! 

I'm into (can't believe I'm admitting this) Seltzer drinks.  Truly is the brand at the moment.  Does anyone know if they sell Truly's in Thailand?  Thankfully, I can easy transition back to beer with ease, but I'm getting trimmer with the swap (and more buzzed)!  

Larry is a great guy... from Michigan like me.  Never met anyone with a memory for names as Larry.  

Still rocking the classics... Stones, Clapton and more!

Things are getting back to normal in the States... still see people wearing masks while driving their car alone.  Up to you spirt for them! 

Get on Up... the James Brown flick is worth a look.  Noticed it's now available on Netflix 

Love to play golf... any recommendations for group outings in the Pattaya area? 

Watched an Aussy series called Rake and loved it!  

I've been ripping thru audio-books from Amazon lately.  Several good ones... Ozzy's book was amazing and worth a listen/read.  

Putting the finishing touches on my OA VISA.  I'll be glad to have this in the rear view mirror!  

Into Truly's these days... losing some weight on can at a time!

9 hours ago, Glasseye said:

Shocking.....in many ways. Devastating. Difficult to watch.

 

An even more shocking image will be looking at it when the area recovers. Somehow I think it will, and this is why I hold on to that view.

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As many of us here watched in horror that fateful day after Christmas, Dec. 26, 2004. Phuket Island getting decimated by the giant Tsunami. It was shocking and horrific, many of the images and videos difficult to view. The vast devastation, loss of life and livelihoods was huge. The impact on those that lost family members and friends difficult to measure, but tremendous no less.

 

I visited Phuket for the first time less than two years later. The place was vibrant, appeared to not have a scratch, full of life and vibrancy. After the first couple of days the thought of the tsunami did not even cross my mind. 

On the third or forth day I was walking deep within a shopping area off the beach (Patong), not far from Bangla Rd. It was kind of a small alley with little shops and tables. I looked up and on the wall was a large long stain that ran along the length of it, it was several feet above my head. I thought to myself, WTF is that ? Then it dawned on me..... It was the water line from the Tsunami. 

It is difficult to describe the feelings that I had at the moment, but it is something that sure left an impression. 

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Pattaya can bounce back. The question is how long it may take, and how will that recovery look and feel.

 

In order for a beach town to thrive it needs energy and lots of it. Without, it will wither and die. I sure hope they can pull it together. Somehow I believe they will.

 

I was in Phuket on the 10th anniversary.  I share your observations... the Thai's bounce back strong!

Hi to all!  I'm coming to Thailand August 2nd and plan to stay for (9) months.  Hope to meet people from the board while in country.  Thanks!