Londoner

I'm intrigued by the relatively-recent arrival of Indian tourists; Indian men, that is....how often do we see Indian women or children in South Pattaya? I wonder if their spending-power is a good deal less than that of other nationalities and the visa change perhaps reflects this? We seldom see them in up-market malls like T21 and Central while the many Indian restaurants are invariably empty when we drive past them at night; the guys seem to eat in street-side venues. I assume that they attend the new Indian nightclubs in the Walking Street area but during the daytime there seems to be a great deal of hanging around just outside the hotels. You seldom see an Indian tourist on his own, or even with just one companion. Are they punters in the go go bars? or on the apps? are they beach-lovers? do they take the day trips to the islands and other tourist places like Nong Nooch? why do they all seem to be between the ages of about thirty and fifty? are they long-stayers or is Pattaya enjoyed for weekends and so on? It is, after all, not that far from some parts of India. Many questions, no answers.

The Agate used to attract large numbers of very short-stay Chinese visitors before Covid. They'd arrive in coaches in the evening and then depart after breakfast. You may have missed them if you a were a late riser or favoured late nights! Perhaps they were on their way to other destinations or perhaps the nearby airport? I remember staying in a hotel in Seminyak, Bali, which seemed to serve the same or similar function.

Its arrival is approximately twenty years too late for me. No; fifty.

Have Chinese visitors returned to Pattaya? they certainly haven't to Agate where, pre- Covid, they were a dominant group. The only place where we see them now in relatively large numbers is in T21.

A few years back there were three boy-bars catering for women in Pattaya. All, I believe, were in Third Road. My partner's cousin was mamasan in one of them. He showed me photos of the guys there; stunning! The bars catered for bar-girls with cash to spare, wives/ partners of non-performing falangs and of those who were working abroad. Prices much the same as we pay. From what I could ascertain, they were very much local businesses rather than for tourists . Word of mouth custom, I assume. BBB was the first bar I recall where women visitors were often to be seen. It didn't surprise me. In those days (1996-2002 , my "punter" period), most of the hundred plus guys on parade (yes, a hundred plus) seemed to be straight. Not my cup of tea, though I remember a couple of very enjoyable assignations.

But we were speaking Thinglish! In my, personalised version, mistakes are common place; such as confusing the Thai word for ice (kaeng) with that of the male genitals.

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!

At least Loy Kratong remains a family occasion. The last two we spent on Jomtien beach with mainly Thai families. The children trying (not very successfully) to launch their kratongs into a choppy sea, a few fireworks, lanterns sailing serenely out to sea in the breeze. No loud music. Beautiful.

It's not just that I loathe the rowdy, selfish behaviour of some of the participants- though I do-but that I have a rather old-fashioned view concerning ancient cultures and their struggle to survive the current disintegration of social values that we see all around us. Everywhere. Yes, you've guessed it; I'm getting old. When I first met my beloved, he regaled me with stories of his life back in Kamphaeng Phaet and the traditional values with which he was brought-up. Songkran in his village was celebrated in the traditional way and one of those traditions was that the young visited elderly relatives and sprinkled water on them. Sprinkled, not drenched with high-powered water-guns. My experience of Songkran- and it was a week before the actual event, something which I have never suffered- was a bucket of ice and water thrown at me while riding a baht-bus from Jomtien. Later that day, I was in Pattaya Second Road when I was by approached a Thai family; parents plus a boy of about eight years old. He pointed a water-pistol at my face. "No," I said, "don't you dare." Very sternly, you will understand. He did dare. But what really annoyed me was that his parents laughed. So there you have it; the old values and the new. Yes, I'm getting old.

There's only one week in the year when I'd rather be here at home than in Thailand.

Meanwhile, just a few metres from Agate, last week I saw workmen in the old Café John's. A new restaurant?