Londoner

A final thought. I was discussing the word with P on LINE this morning in our usual Thinglish. Is the word used in Thailand? I enquired Yes , he said. And there followed a conversation that ranged from the odd to the surreal. Eventually, it all made sense. "Kawaii" and "KY" (the lubricant) sound exactly the same.

If or when this current crisis ends, you can be pretty certain that it won't be reflected in lower oil prices and air fares.

No problem; my butler, Alfred, looks after all my guests.

I think you're right. You recall "Kawaii" go-go bar in Boyztown? It took me months to work-out what it meant.

A whole aisle in T21 is devoted to shops selling models of people and of TV/cinema/cartoon characters. And they aren't cheap; it's adults who buy them. Friendship Supermarket in Pattaya Tai has a large selection of craft accessories which my partner checks every time we go into Pattaya. This is to feed his hobby of making these models. On display at home I have monks, farmers, a fearsome -looking temple guard and even village scenes with houses. He takes enormous care when making them. The detail is impressive. Why are Thais and other Asians so attracted to the miniature? Is the Japanese love of bonsai trees another example?

One place I forgot to mention- my partner will be furious as it's his favourite- is MK. Branches in Central, Big C, T21 and Lotus ( Outlet Mall). The duck is the best I've had anywhere. I've not met a Thai who doesn't adore this chain . The waitresses (and a couple of slightly shy waiters) used to perform a dance at 20 00 to entertain diners. It was on Youtube.

One of the joys of Pattaya/Jomtien is the number of fine restaurants, serving a host of cuisines- some unexpected- and at remarkable prices. At least for a Londoner.

Thanks. Quite right...good for you. I respect your sentiment. The poor guy was probably suffering from TB (Thais call it "wanna woke"). It is often (usually?) the first infection caused by hiv+, and is when the virus is first identified in a victim..

My recommendations were Sandbar (with reservations concerning the menu) and Pon's in Terminus 21, without reservations.

Could you explain this please? Perhaps I'm missing something but I don't understand the reference to hiv.

My experience of the JC in March was similar. Oddly though, The Agate was doing well- certainly better than when we were there in November. The beachfront in the evenings was busy too, though most the people we saw seemed to be locals. Can it be that it's just "our lot" who are staying away? I watched , over a period of nearly twenty years, the massive decline in the number of visitors to Boyztown; I hope the same won't become true of Jomtien.

Any thoughts on what seems to be an imminent crisis caused by jet-fuel shortages? I've booked flights for June; and I'm becoming anxious.

"The land of smiles". I'd advise any newbie that if he wants a successful meeting, he should start with a smile. And then he will likely end with one.

Western Union is an expensive but reliable option. The receiver doesn't even need a bank account. If you want to send money do so, as long as you're not impoverishing yourself....which I assume is unlikely. You hold all the cards; if the guy is looking exploit you, don't answer communications. If he is appreciatve then good; you have, in Buddhist terms, made merit and this will affect your passage through this life into the next. Apart from my partner, I can think of three recipients of my largesse over the years. I have no regrets: none of them harassed me for extra donations.

That's sad news. I stayed there on many occasions and loved it. Does anyone recall the owner's gay dog and his relationship with a friend next door? "Boy" was his name, appropriately. I also liked Adam's Apple where, as I often say, the punters-many from CMU- were sometimes as cute as the dancers. I must admit that I had misgivings about the fire risk...remember that staircase? More twink dancers than was later the case. Fifty a night, I believe. I agree with Patanawet; the CM venues were so far apart that it made my subsequent arrival in Pattaya something of a relief. But in those days, CM had its own distinctive ambiance, long since gone. Memories!