Ruthrieston

I remember on my early visits to Thailand in the late 90's that a top would say "I king!"

Sorry ichigo, Super Isaan shut down several months ago, a big loss.

Last night I went to Alibaba Indian Restaurant on Pattaya Central Road, just up from Beach Road, and it was the best Indian food I have had in Pattaya. (Apologies, a bit far from Jomtien!).

Sorry to tell you that Akvavit shut down many months ago and shows no sign of reopening (Jomtien beach road, yes?). My two favourites are Natan's, opposite Jomtien Complex, on the road down to the beach, and Au Bon Coin. My favourite Italian was Carpaccio, opposite Natan's, but sadly that closed a couple of months ago.

Congratulations on the return of decency, humanity, respect and democracy. The world breathes a sigh of relief and draws a deep breath of hope.

I have lived in Pattaya for nine years now, and recently spent five nights in Bangkok so will add a little to this report. The new "Pride" bar in Soi 4 was really doing well, busy every night, with live music which was not deafening. The small "Connections" bar/karaoke place opposite was also doing well. I still feel loyal to Telephone Bar which I remember from my earliest visits to Thailand 22 years ago, when they still had those ancient telephones on each table and you could call over to another table if you felt like chatting to someone. I visited Patpong too, and sat at the outside bar opposite Dream Boys, just watching the world go by, and of course watching the young gentlemen arriving to work in the bars. Went into Dream Boys for the show, with about ten other customers. A good show culminating in the big cock show, with about nine taking part and looking very proud of their significant appendages. It must be hard work to keep that up with so few customers. The next night into Jupiter 2018 on Soi 4, where the show was also great, even a little more professional in their choreography, though no big cock show, but all the young men look like models, so handsome and muscular. Customers about fourteen or so. A great show, and where I sat I had a good view of the corner where the chaps do their exercise, pulling weights and so forth. That helps too! My last night I spent in the front of Telephone Bar sipping a bottle of cheap champagne, relaxing and watching people come and go, still a great atmosphere, but I do look forward (as I am sure the business owners do!) to the return of the big crowds. I might even treat myself to a better bottle of the bubbly to celebrate that! Hopefully by the middle of next year when the vaccine has been distributed across Thailand. For now I remain grateful for how well Thailand has dealt with the pandemic.