Gaybutton

Today was my first visit to the mall. All I can say is 'wow!' This is quite a place, far beyond my expectations. It takes quite a bit to impress me, also the friend I was with, and both of us kept remarking about how impressed we were. In my opinion, Pattaya's new Central Mall is second only to Bangkok's "The Paragon." The mall is high tech and very well designed. If I were to be critical about anything, it does lack in facilities and ease for the handicapped, but that would be my only real criticism. The parking areas are tremendous, with plenty of parking for even the busiest days. There are no parking fees . . . yet. Motorcycle and car parking are in separate facilities. There is plenty of security and they are quite helpful. For those of you who ride the baht buses, getting there is easy. From the Boyztown area, just get on a baht bus heading north on Second Road. Start looking for it, on the left, soon after you pass the Villa Market/Cineplex. You can't miss it. There is also an entrance from Beach Road. The mall has both escalators and elevators (moving stairs and lifts for the Brits) and plenty of restroom facilities. There are six floors, plus a raised floor that houses the movie theaters. Admission prices range from 120 baht to 600 baht, depending on the kind of seat you want. They have everything ranging from "regular" seating to very impressive VIP seating. That's a hell of way to see a movie! Every floor has restaurants. I do think the mall is overdone with Japanese restaurants. I didn't count them, but there are at least 15 different Japanese restaurants, many of which are on the top floor. There is one that definitely caught our attention. It's the Sabushi Restaurant. It's quite unique. You pay a flat fee of 239 baht. They do add a 10% service charge and a 7% VAT, which brings the price to about 280 baht by the time you're done, but the way it works is you sit at a counter. There is a conveyor belt that constantly goes by with dozens of different Japanese dishes. You simply take whatever you want and as much as you want. You get 1 hour and 15 minutes to eat. If you stay longer, the price goes up, but since there is no waiting for food, I can't imagine why anyone would need to stay there even that long. We didn't eat there, but soon we will. Also, oddly enough, Pattaya is sorely lacking in good Chinese food at reasonable prices. The Chinese restaurant in the Montien Hotel is excellent, but expensive. The Canton House restaurant on the top floor serves very good Chinese food at very reasonable prices. I love dim sum. They start serving dim sum at 11:00am and it's available up to 11:00pm. The price is all of 15 baht per selection. They give you a picture menu. The English on the menu was flawless. They also have plenty of other Chinese dishes if you prefer. The service is quick and the food is very good. If you prefer food court eating, no problem. There's one food court on the top floor and another on the basement floor. They're not limited to only Thai dishes. There are many Western selections too. We had a look at each of them. Geezer, if you are reading this you'll find one of your favorites, spinach soup, at the top floor food court. They gave us a sample. Deeeeelish! There are great looking sandwiches too at both food courts. Some of you may remember that about a year and a half ago I wanted to find a bread machine, the kind that you use at home to make your own loaves of bread. I think I searched every store in Pattaya and found nothing. Someone had posted a message that he had seen some at The Paragon in Bangkok. That's where I bought mine. One of the first things I did was to check out the kitchen electronics area on the top floor and they do carry bread machines! They have only one brand, but the price is 4000 baht less than I paid for essentially the same thing in Bangkok. There are plenty of other high quality kitchen electronics that you just don't find anywhere else in Pattaya. The mall is filled with clothing stores, shops that sell high quality merchandise, and just about anything you can think of is available in this mall. I used to have to go to Bangkok to find what I was really looking for. Maybe for occasional items I would still have to go to Bangkok, but those trips will now be quite rare. This mall probably has just about anything you would want. There are plenty of western restaurants too, everything from a Sizzler to a Pizza hut. There are computer shops, mobile phone shops, electronics shops, book shops, and even full banking facilities. I spotted a Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, and a Bank of Ayudhya, all three right next to each other. A Toys-R-Us will soon open in the mall. If you like, you can even climb a mountain while you're there. You'll just have to go and have a look to see what I mean. The basement level features Thai silk shops and home decor shops. As lvdkeyes pointed out, there is also the Tops grocery store on the basement level, but it's nothing like the other Tops in town. It is very high quality. It not only rivals the gourmet grocery store at The Paragon, but even resembles it. There is everything ranging from fresh breads to a fully stocked liquor store. The prices are on par with grocery stores such as Big-C, Lotus, and Carrefour. Everything is high quality, the kind of quality you would expect at Villa Market, but at much lower prices. You'll still have to go to Villa Market to find western items nobody else carries, but you'll probably find most of what you're looking for at the grocery store in Central Mall. Unfortunately it's not open 24/7 as Villa Market is, but it's definitely fine shopping. Also, if you have a car, elevators to the parking lots are right there at the grocery store exit. We spent over three hours looking around and still didn't see everything. Those three hours just flew by. We were amazed when we realized how long we had been there. This is quite a place, folks. It certainly impressed me, and that's not an easy thing to do! Central Mall definitely fills a need Pattaya has had for a long time. Here's a copy of the flier the Canton House hands out. It's only a small sampling of what they offer, but you'll get the idea:

A purchased card is a totally different thing. That definitely would entitle you to those discounts and I have no objection to those. You paid to get them. But that's not what I'm talking about at all. I'm talking about the garbage cards I referred to in my post. Those, in my opinion, are nothing but nonsense and regarding those I stand by what I posted above.

That's nice, but it isn't a "flying farang" story. "Flying farang" are farang who jump from tall buildings.

I agree. I have always felt that having to present a card in order to benefit from some sort of promotion is ridiculous and actually ends up causing ill feelings when the guy right next to you gets some sort of discount because he presents a card, but you are essentially told, "Uh-uh. You don't have a card so you don't get squat even though you had exactly what the other gentleman had." As far as I'm concerned, the venue can take their card and put it you-know-where. I won't mention any names, but well known bar in Pattayaland offers a 50% discount on one drink if you happen to have their discount card. I've seen web sites that have something to the effect of "print this out and bring it with you to get our promotion." Bar owners, guess what: I don't want to have to print out anything. What do you expect people to do if they're here on a holiday, have to go to an Internet shop and print out your nonsense to save 20 baht on a drink? What fun for the holiday maker! I don't want to have to remember to carry the flier with me that one of your boys handed to me at the beach. I don't want to have to bring a card with me to get a better price at your bar. The way I see it, just offer your discount to anyone who walks in. Find another way to promote your bar. I'd rather just go to a different bar than have to play games to get your discount. One other thing: You damned well better make sure your staff honors the promotion or discount you advertise. Do you really think I'm going to be a repeat customer if you've offered some sort of promotion, and then I have to end up having a confrontation about it with your waiter? Do you really think you're going to get more customers to visit your bar if they're treated that way? Don't you realize that a customer who is given a bunch of bullshit as to why they're not going to get the discount will not only refuse to return, but will also tell his story to as many people as he can? Don't you realize that the end result will be a loss of customers? And if you have waiters who pad the bills or short change your customers, you better get rid of those waiters, right now. I don't know very many people who want to patronize a bar where they have to worry about losing their money to dishonest staff. Also, if you own a bar, then be there and be readily available to handle customer complaints, and handle them amicably, not belligerently as some venue owners do. I would think, if you have any sense, you would want your customers leaving satisfied and looking forward to their next visit to your bar, rather than leaving upset, angry, and feeling cheated. Yes, you might have to lose a few baht here and there, but which makes more sense to you, losing a few baht every once in a while or losing a customer, along with others when he talks to anyone who will listen about his upsetting experience in your place of business? Believe me, when someone has been poorly treated or cheated in a bar, he's going to be talking to plenty of people about it. While we're at it, if you have pushy mama-sans or overly aggressive touts outside, get rid of 'em!

I didn't realize you wanted to renew 6 months in advance. I thought you were talking about two or three months. I'm not really surprised they refused you at six months, although I'm wondering why the information desk would say you can, but the involved officers said you couldn't. Did you check into why you were being told two opposite things at the very same immigration office? That part is a little strange. Your trip to Bangkok was really not wasted. Hold on to that notarized statement. Yes, it definitely will be honored and you would need it in any case. You still don't really have a problem. You will have to pay the additional 1900 baht or the 'O' visa, but now you won't have to pay for a re-entry permit, so it all comes out in the wash.

We haven't had a flying farang story in a while, and this one has some mystery to go with it. The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: for photos and a video see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008316 _____ UNIDENTIFIED FOREIGN MAN FOUND DEAD OUTSIDE PATTAYA CONDO An unidentified foreign man has been found dead with multiple injuries on the ground behind the Rimhat Jomtien Condo. The cause of death is so far unknown. At 6.40 am on 27th January 2009, Pattaya police investigator, Pol.Capt Pradipat Poomlee of the Dongtan branch, was notified that a foreign man had been found dead at the condo located at 350/64 Moo. 12 , Jomtien Beach Road. He then rushed to the scene with his team, a rescue team and doctors from Banglamung Hospital. At the scene they found the body of a foreign man lying face down on the ground near some bushes. He was about 40-45, of European appearance and wearing a short sleeved grey t-shirt and blue shorts. When his body was turned over, police found many of his bones were broken and his stomach was split wide open. It was estimated he had been dead for about 7 hours. There was no identification or evidence of who he was. Police carried out an examination of the 16-floor building including the roof-deck. On the 14th floor they found a Marlboro cigarette-end on the balcony of the fire exit which coincided with the point where the body was found. Police presumed he had fallen from this point. Pattaya Superintendent Pol.Col. Sarayut Sa-ngoun Pohkai, said that after questioning the condo staff and security guards, nobody could identify the dead person, whether he was a resident or a visitor. Police speculated that he may have been on the balcony having a cigarette and accidentally fell or committed suicide. His body has been transferred to the forensic lab at the police Hospital for examination and the police would be carrying out further investigations. ____________________ And this, from PATTAYA ONE: for photos, see : http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2009/januar...7_01_52_2.shtml _____ Unknown Foreign Man falls to his death from Condominium in Jomtien. Just before 9am on Tuesday, Police Captain Patipat from Pattaya Police Station was called to an area of wasteland next to a Condominium in Jomtien to investigate reports of a suspected suicide involving a foreigner. At the scene, Police and a Forensic Doctor inspected the body of a foreign man thought to be aged between 45 and 50. He was fully clothed and trauma on the body indicated that he had fallen from a high floor. He had also suffered major trauma to his stomach which was thought to be caused by a barbed-wire fence which he is thought to have clipped before he hit the ground. Nothing is known about the foreign man at this time as he was carrying no forms of identification and no one from the Condominium recognized him. For now Police are even unsure if this was indeed a suicide or if a third party was involved in his death. Police are investigating further at this time.

I can't imagine why. After all, do you think you could survive very long on only $3,000,000,000 (103,800,000,000 baht)? No wonder he jumped in front of a train!

Unfortunately, that's almost always the way it works.

When I read your post, I wonder why FOX News suddenly came to mind . . .

BAR LA CAGE SOI V.C. PATTAYA Diary for February. Every Day. Happy hour until 9pm. BOGOF! Buy One Get one Free! (Leo Beer = 32.5 baht!) Every Sunday. Chill out with Classical Music until 9pm. Monday 9th. Boys Birthday Party. Come and wish “Happy Birthday” to the boy called Boy. One of the nicest boys in Pattaya. Street food from 9pm and the Birthday Cake at 11pm. All welcome. Valentines Party. Saturday 14th. From 9pm until late. Special show featuring the wonderful singing voice of ROSE , Pattaya’s First Lady of Melody, singing a selection of favourite romantic ballads. Free “Love Cup” Punch. Free red roses. Free light buffet! Saturday 14th. Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Mahidol University. Program includes Weber’s Bassoon Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony. Ticket only 300 baht Minibus departs 12.30pm. Concert starts 4pm. Cost of the minibus seat +/- 400. Sunday 22nd. CHICAGO the musical plays Bangkok. Minibus departs 14.30. Show starts 19.30. Late snack and a pint on the way home. Arrive back in Pattaya around 02.00. Show ticket 2,500 baht. Minibus seat +/- 400. Saturday 28th. Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra concert. Program includes Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and Manual de Falla’s Three Cornered Hat. Only 300 Baht! Cost of minibus +/- 400. Call in and see Mike for more details of our concert trips. Mikes Bar La Cage. That popular little bar next to the White Night. Soi V.C. 273/98. 0894028741 http://www.lacage-pattaya.com

That's odd. They didn't give me my old passport back. I really didn't need it for anything, but I guess in my case someone at the embassy made a little boo boo.

Which sauna is it? I don't see the name of the sauna. Where did you get this summary?

That won't work, at least with a USA passport. When the embassy issues you a new passport, they take and keep the old one. That's what they did with mine.

With about 6 weeks to go in the contest, I thought you might like to see where you stand as of January 25. The following people have exceeded the 150 post minimum and have their names in "the hat:" GaySacGuy - 163 posts Astrrro - 169 posts Steve1903 - 176 posts Slackersam - 219 posts Laurence - 256 posts Pattayamale - 270 posts fountainhall - 318 posts lvdkeyes - 365 posts MonkeySee - 638 posts A couple more of you are getting close to the 150 post minimum to be eligible to get your name in "the hat" too, and you'll probably reach the minimum and exceed it by the time the contest is over: Shebavon - 108 posts KhorTose - 140 posts That's where things stand at the moment, folks. It looks like 11 people are going to be eligible to win. One of you is close to becoming quite a lucky gentleman.

Facts are facts if you have the facts - all the facts. I'm sorry, but I don't sympathize with people who dislike the idea that there exists an "enormous Israel/Jewish lobby." So what? What do you expect a large group of people with a common interest to do, sit around and keep silent? If people dislike the idea that a Jewish lobby is out there supporting Israel, then form another 'enormous' lobby that doesn't. I see people complain all the time: an enormous Jewish lobby. The Jews own the newspapers. The Jews own the banks. The Jews own the TV stations. Some must think the entire population of Jewish people in the USA gets together somewhere and plans ways to acquire more and gain further influence. And if the Jews really do own all these things and really do have anywhere near as much influence as people keep saying they do, so what? What's the problem about that? If they had the money to buy and invest in these things, and also had brains enough to form a powerful lobby, what's the bad part? That they're Jewish? I never see the same people who complain about the Jews doing much complaining about the influence the Catholic church has. I never see them make the same kinds of complaints about the televangelists. I never see them complain about people like Billy Graham having direct access to many presidents. I never see them complain about giant corporations or lobbies that are Christian owned. But let a Jew own something or have a powerful lobby, that's invariably viewed as something negative. Good luck getting me to hop onto that bandwagon.

A friend sent this one to me in an Email: _____ Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn't control himself during a lineup. When detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat the words: 'Give me all your money or I'll shoot'. The man shouted back, 'that's not what I said!'.

What is? Don't you think it might be a little helpful if you tell us whether it's The Pattaya Market or Somprasong Plaza, or whatever?

I'm no fan of Roberts, but it had to be a deeply embarrassing moment for his first public flub to end up happening during one of the USA's most historic moments. I suppose it's a good thing that former presidents don't swear in the next one. Bush would probably still be standing there trying to get it right. I'm surprised, however, when it was decided on the very same day that Obama signed an executive order for more transparency that television was not invited in to witness the second swearing in ceremony. Is it just me or does that seem a little bit ironic to anyone else? If they wanted to do a second swearing in, which legal experts are saying wasn't necessary, then why wasn't television invited in so the world could witness? They televise just about everything else short of the president taking a dump, so why not televise the second swearing in? I don't get it.

How dare you! It just so happens that it was vodka!

I called a suicide prevention line too. They put me on hold . . .

This may help: http://www.aisawan.com/location.html

Neither have I. I know a grand total of two of the places listed. I don't have a clue what "Central Pattaya Road Intersection-Central Pattaya T-Intersection" is supposed to mean. "The Pattaya Market" - What's that? Never heard of it. "Somprasong Plaza" - Never heard of that one either. And I live here! If someone told me to go out and find Somprasong Plaza, I wouldn't have any idea where to look and I probably wouldn't know the name of it even if I found it. Why they can't just come up with a standard fare that everyone pays goes beyond me. The best suggestion I can make is what Astrrro said. Hand the driver 10 baht and be on your way.

I wish I could agree. I convinced myself and truly believed I would wake up this morning and be thin and handsome again. I'm not sure why, but somehow it didn't quite work . . . Maybe that's because I was never thin and never handsome in the first place.

Only last night I was having a discussion with my friend who occasionally posts under the handle Tperhs. He mentioned that every so often he encounters a Thai boy who is into light bondage. I nearly fell off my chair when he pointed out, rather profoundly, "These are the Thais that bind."

How on earth can you make that assumption? You can't possibly know the circumstances behind their relationship, their ages, or anything else at all about either of them other than the fact that they wish to get married. That supports your proposition? There could be all kinds of different reasons why they are getting married. For all you know, getting laid had nothing to do with why this man came to Thailand. For all you know he could be someone who was here on business, met the girl, fell in love, and now wants to get married. I don't see how this supports your position in any way. It seems to me that you're merely making an assumption that this man came to Thailand just to get laid, and that's based solely on opinion without having any idea whatsoever of what the true story is.