Horizondave

Don't need to see what is next, you can look back at many topics. New ones occur every day, but you can view older topics to seek wisdom, information and a sense of what it is all about. WTTB to both of you.....

Through the 90s and even early 2000s, the majority of foreigners were Caucasians and mobile phones were only just starting to hit the scene. There were so many stunning girls in the go gos that bar fines were easy to achieve, drinks were a side show but a good earner. I remember going into go gos when they were just opening and getting the girl before the next guy. It was my turn and I was out the door, girls would go with the first guy who showed interest. With the change of demographic to far more SE Asian visitors, the business plan for some go gos started to become more 'drinks quota' oriented, rather than bar fine driven. The SE Asians like to entertain, they believe in spending money and don't look for a bargain like a lot of the old timers that were still arriving into Pattaya. For me 2002 was also a pivotal date, the World Cup was staged in South Korea and Japan, there was a mass influx of young guys coming in specifically to be in a similar time zone, they hadn't traveled this far before. That influx during the World Cup in 2002 spurred a lot more younger guys to come in to Thailand for just a holiday. It was almost cheaper for them to get flights from Europe to Thailand than it was to holiday in Europe. Those younger guys were catching the eye of many girls who would otherwise be dropping their draws for any old customer. The use of phones was becoming more relevant and girls could build up a dance card, these guys would spend money too, they would dress well and know how to make the girls become interested without needing to throw their money about. Older guys were beginning to be hit from both sides, younger guys with money and Asians willing to spend time buying drinks. The go go business model was evolving into one that was completely the opposite of the one we were used to in the glory days of the 80s, 90s and very early 2000s. Go gos started to compete for the best girls when, at one time, every go go had the best line up you could wish for. Wages went up, drinks prices went up and bar owners were able to control their product to suit their needs, rather than what the old customers wanted, it was no longer a case of the first guy who stuck a 500 baht note up in the air who got the girl. The field of play has changed for many. You either spend a king's ransom to keep in with the crowd or you pick up around the edges the available pool that is left. Many of those who could once afford to live like a King, now find they are competing with a much younger crew or the free spending Asians, while finding prices have risen. Girls now have more control over who they interact with and we are no longer the guy that they need to spend time with. Just my thoughts, it may be a basic view, but represents the sign of the times.

Better check my numbers for the Lotto lol

The weirdest thing happened to me today. Yesterday, I went into town to do a little shopping for a trip I have this weekend. As it was quite warm, and I was carrying stuff, I took the bus which drops me off at the end of the road. Used my free bus pass for the journey. Today, I decided to walk to the doctors to get a prescription. Walked down the road passed the bus stop, I then crossed the road and walked for another 200 yards before turning into a side road that offers a short cut. As I was walking on the path, I looked about 8 yards ahead of me and I saw what looked like a credit card or ID. As I neared, the item, I looked down and I was amazed to see my face staring back at me. It was my bus pass. I didn't even know that I had lost my bus pass. I was more amazed that if I had dropped it, getting off the bus, the location where I saw the pass was at least 300 yards away, and having got off the bus, I would have been walking in the opposite direction to where I found it. I can only assume that somebody must have picked it up, thought about using it, saw the old age pensioner pic and thought, this won't work, and dumped the card. I also am amazed I saw it, as I don't often take the short cut, as it only works when I am going to the doctor. A very lucky day for me.

At least a baht taxi is still 10 baht, isn't it lol

Just thinking if it was a Thai boyfriend, she wouldn't have probably got one slap in, even if she attempted to. Maybe the time frame is out of sync. Maybe he smacked his girl, the Thai guys softened him up for the girlfriend to finish the assault. Maybe he was so drunk he didn't know what was happening. I can't see that relationship continuing. Whatever, it really doesn't show a good image of Pattaya.

This is something that should be added to any comparisons with bar fining in Angeles. I haven't bar fined for a while but, in Angeles, you could probably just walk in and walk out with a girl, just pay the bar fine. I used to buy one LD or two, before deciding on a girl, but that is because I just like sitting my arse down for 20 mins or so before changing bar. Just looking at some of these prices quoted in WS bars, with the added need to buy LDs, seems to make Angeles a good option. I am not necessarily saying Pattaya and Angeles should be compared for infrastructure, quality of go gos, even the quality of girls, but if in Angeles, it seems the ability to get a girl for less is an advantage if on a budget. I certainly don't think I would pay these prices, even if I was bar fining. These rates bandied about on various forums appear to have no real structure to them, they appear to just rise as per the bar owners whim. Thing is, guys are paying them. I would also think with the guys paying them, are they a minority, because otherwise there are a lot of well off guys out there. I ham happy to remember the days where basically all the go gos, were a 500 baht bar fine and girls were happy with 1500 baht all night. That was the accepted deal. bars were 300 and the girl was happy for Haaloy (500) I don't bar fine anymore, and I can have a great day in Hua Hin for about 2000 baht a day (hotel separate).

Is this a trick question lol

I just finished it as well; really interesting and well played parts by the team. There was meant to be a series 3, but that was talked about back in 2021, so presumably that won't be happening.

It is an old series but Manhunt, staring Martin Clunes, had me riveted last night. Series 1 is about Levi Bellfield, a really obnoxious killer. It is only 3 episodes of about 1 hour each. The second series is 4 episodes and is about the Night Stalker. Both series are based on true events. I binge watched series 1 last night, I will watch series 2 tonight. I was particularly interested in series 1, as the murders and attacks took place around the Hounslow, Twickenham, Walton area, which I know well. In fact one of the girls who survived, when she was run over, took place at the end of the road I lived in. The attack took place outside of my local pub (The County Arms), ironically the pub was run by my niece and her husband. The CCTV from the pub, was instrumental in the conviction of Levi Bellfield. Also the girl who was run over was the daughter of the head of Isleworth Blue school, the same school where my sister in law was a teacher. Really close to home stuff. Found the series really interesting and filmed in some of the same locations, such as Twickenham Green. As my brother told me the surname of the girl who was run over was changed for the series.

If I do make it to Thailand in just over 3 weeks, I will be using that far right booth, I will be 70 on the 9th.

Buddhism has a part in this acceptance of different genders, Thailand has a far more tolerant attitude towards the LGBT community. It is also an economic benefit to Thailand, to accept the many genders that make up the LGBT community. Pattaya is obviously more of a melting pot for those who wish to be themselves, and it does attract a larger percentage of the LGBT community, as well as gaining individual financial benefit to those who come to town to work in entertainment. It is probably that some believe that pushing this different gender, by way of rainbow streets etc., will somehow make Pattaya lose it's identity for why they fly there. That has already been lost in some way with the arrival of many non western establishments in WS, similar to the way that Koreans have taken over most of Angeles Red Light district. I think though, that the LGBT community is still small, in terms of the infrastructure around Pattaya, and still plenty of areas for the normal monger to go to get their monies worth. I suppose it isn't an issue to the Thai authorities unless it was shown to damage tourist arrivals. It might actually increase them across the board if it stops some of the 'bad farangs' from holidaying there. I have always felt comfortable in gay bars and gay areas, despite being a heterosexual; I just happen to have a lot of gay and transexual friends, that happens when you used to work for an airline. I won't go out there painting rainbows on the road myself, but I presume it is done by City Hall for it's economic value during a certain event period and isn't a permanent feature? .

With all the Chinese giving Pattaya a miss, maybe the next big influx of tourists being targeted will be the LBGT fraternity. They will be competing with the Indians for the go go bars. If WS has already changed immeasurably, then maybe in the near future, it will become a no go zone for many traditionalists

Never seen that episode before. Visited the Big Pit, that he went to. Actually that is an interesting place to visit, you actually go down in the cage to the coal face. He is funny and I assume the people he interacts with know what he is like. I always thought the interview with the Beckhams was one of his funniest.