Butch

5 hours ago, galenkia said:

Read about the NC in bike magazines before. Does sound good. Need to do a good bike trip once it’s warmer and drier.

Although I don't think 500 Gammas were ever noted for their touring range and comfort lol.

I'm a big WW2 History buff, went to the IWM just after covid and did the holocaust Gallery which was pretty bloody sobering.

I love the place and it's on the Bakerloo line which is pretty old and kind of puts you in the mood. In fact my next trip to London will involve abandoned tube stations and the War rooms.

Where I used to live are the remains of a WW2 Airfield runway, also there are a few Anti Tank blocks on the local heath and plenty of local WW2 History.

14 hours ago, Lirchenfeld said:

Just read that the Italian restaurant  Grottini in Naklua 33 is closing 1 March.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057663150632

That's also a shame , I've eaten there regularly in the past but haven't since my last trip before covid.

They have a lovely selection of decent wine, the staff are great and the food is awesome. Not cheap but a good, honest and decent restaurant.

Seems all the places I like to eat and drink are closing down!.

37 minutes ago, Homor said:

I’m looking at title of this topic modern day barfines. Modern day ladies do their business online . Dating apps, tinder, facebook. That’s why In my opinion you don’t see the stunning ladies that you would have met in bars years ago . 

Very good point mate and one that I'd missed actually.

There's no doubt that this has had a big effect on BF's as we know them, but I'd ask to what extent that's borne out "on the street". Do girls use it as a back up or as a main source of income?. I really don;t know!

Mentioned before, we've always had Soi dogs at home in the RP. Askals make excellent guard dogs and companions if you get them from a pup, and dogs and pups are bloody everywhere.

The best thing about them is that every macho wannabe tough guy filipino is shit scared of them, because they know the damage they can do. we recently lost a family friend to rabies though, so I don't think that fear is misplaced.

When I was in town on my last trip a farang lady fed all the stray dogs on the patch of wasteland between Soi 8 and Soi 10 which runs along Beach Rd. I thought better of walking past them while they ate in case they thought my leg was part of the offering!. Props to the farang lady for her kindness and compassion.

18 hours ago, gs joe said:

Incredible piece of very simple yet effective engineering. They did a 4WD version of these (very rare indeed). Although I'd never be seen driving one, as a means of local transport with a practical use as they were designed for, they're hard to beat.

From what I can make out, that's had an upgraded interior, maybe custom added to it (seats with headrests) and it very well cared for.

47 minutes ago, Yesitisdakid said:

The old expat food store fever that is in the complex opposite the full love in short time hotel is now being converted into a bar looks to be a pretty big one taking the Old fever as well as their store room that was next door saw the woman and her I assume boyfriend this morning and they said it should be open soon interesting location hope it works for them

That is a very big venue , I went there last trip. That's also a big complex, if I recall there were a couple of units free last year. I've a feeling that may become a busy area over time. There was also some construction going on at the end of the road iirc (memory is hazy due to having consumed a fair bit of San Miguel that afternoon).

46 minutes ago, coxyhog said:

Back in the day on hols from the sandpit I'd barfine just so as not to waste a stiffy in the morning.

I still wake up with one...until I've had a piss.

21 hours ago, john luke said:

Another of those vehicles that have stood the test of time.

Nice to see an old workhorse. Reminds me of the days when the local Police would buy 2 Escorts (Or Morris minors if you're ahem...of an older generation 😝, one white and one light blue, then swap the doors over.

Right, where to start?.

Are girls getting barfined as much as they used to be nowadays?.

Let's take Walking St - I think they are, there's the customer base to pay for them and that's where the best girls are to be found. ST/ LT are all in abundance it appears, plenty of guys wandering around with a piece of candy on their arm. Soi 6 arguably the same.

But,

LK M / Diana / Treetown / Chaiyapoon ? - Maybe not so much. How many bars am I seeing on Vloggers rounds, or on my last trip where there are still plenty of girls there late at night. Chatting to a few of them, even the S/T BF's are thin on the ground and they tend to make most of their money on drinks. Same story for Soi 7 and 8.

as @Jambo mentioned elsewhere, too many bars chasing too few paying customers. I also don't think this years high season of Songkran etc is going to be a patch on the last "big" one that was post covid. Going by the Xmas period, places are going to struggle, but they still open new bars.

It just doesn't seem the same today as before, when you'd get into a beer bar, ask for a girl only to hear she's out on a Barfine for a week. I've not heard that in years.

Are the GC's supplying the release for a lot of guys so all they do in the evenings is have a few beers and head back home?.

What do you guys feel?.

6 hours ago, thunder367 said:

lass who owns its is a ex soi6 girl who worked in angels bar just as on right as u walk down soi6slim as hell long blonde hair did have swedish bf at one point and went over for a while.not sure if she still with him or loved up with someone else now.they did alot of live youtube over covid to get girls some money.she has a mate called lilly monster if i recall right who also worked in angels to before they changed it all.

Great info mate.

It must have had a fair rent to pay on it, as it's fairly sizeable and not just a 1 or 2 unit job. Damn shame it's closed now.

55 minutes ago, maipenrai said:

Yeah, I guess the car itself doesn't garner enough attention so you have to gild it as well...

Not only has it been wrapped, it's got horrid black wheels which don't match the colour either. Yuk.

If I was given the keys to that for a week, I'd hand them back.

13 hours ago, Jambo said:

 

 I wonder how many bars in Tree Town are making a profit?

I would hazard a guess, very few.

Same old, same old.

Too many bars all chasing the same diminished number of potential customers. Yet new "beer gardens" continue to open hoping they will be different.

Give me a comfortable air conditioned bar with a good sound system, nice eye candy and reasonable prices any day.  

Part of the reason I like Dive Bar on Pothole, music isn't loud, some half decent eye candy (couple of former Airport a GoGo girls in there on my last visit) decent A/C and comfortable.

There are plenty of others around town that also fit the bill, but as to how many are making a profit in Treetown, well that's anyone's guess. I see there's a bar there selling 39 baht draft, can't be much profit in that and they'd have to sell an awful lot of draft beer to make such a thing work I imagine.

13 hours ago, john luke said:

Rare beast indeed and very happy to se it still going strong. Probably had an engine transplant at some stage though.

that's exactly the type of pickup I'd buy, ship to UK, keep the patina on the body by going over it with a laquer and refit the inside and drivetrain, then use as a daily.

18 minutes ago, Mrmango said:

Pattaya Pete tried to get me t buy bitcoin when it was under $50

You're not alone on that one mate. Don't beat yourself up, I missed that party boat as well, but brought in at $800 after LDK told me I was an idiot.

On 2/19/2024 at 5:09 AM, john luke said:

Another that has stood the test of time.

On 2/22/2024 at 2:18 PM, Painter said:

 

I love to see old pickups / utility vehicles that have survived probably years of abuse, little or no servicing and yet still keep going on.

I'm struggling to idenfity the make and model in @john luke first pic. Judging by the recessed grille I'm going to totally guess at an Isuzu / Diahatsu but may well be wrong. It's a neat looking thing with a short wheelbase and is just right for restoration though.

5 minutes ago, Siam Addict said:

I read somewhere that Hilary once told a reporter that Bill Clinton was "A difficult dog to keep on the porch"

OK, Nautical Inn Beach RD?.

7 minutes ago, john luke said:

Clue 2

Can be seen from Beach Road when facing away from the sea.

Beach road is not exactly a small area John. It's not that Seafood place just up from Soi 8 is it?.

A double pronged question in this topic.

First, how important is / was a Pool as part of the facilities of a Hotel to you when you book or used to book for a Solo trip to Pattaya?.

(Reason I say solo is that some of us have kids who will stay in the pool all day if we let them).

Secondly, I know zero about Swimming pools or how they work, so are they relatively Hygienic?.

(given that a lot of people won't get out for a piss).

For me, a pool is essential and I won't book without one. A big part of my holiday is sitting poolside reading a book or listening to music while getting a bit of sun, or even sitting in the shade with a beer or cup of tea. As for swimming, I use it as a means to cool off rather than for swimming, or maybe just resting on the side in the water and using the time for clearing my head.

2 hours ago, boydeste said:

Pork loin on a bed of mash in Monsoon soi 8. This never disappoints. 

I bloody love grilled asparagus, and that looks great. Monsoon Soi 8 Bkk you say?. Might be worth popping in there next time I'm in BKK.

On 2/23/2024 at 3:11 PM, Lemondropkid said:

Amazing character actor.

Clockwork orange, Yes Minister and Blake's Seven. Then Blackadder, Gandi and the Bill.

Wow

I liked him in Corrie, he was bloody funny at times.

Don't ticks potentially carry Lyme disease?.

horrid little fuckers.