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Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

January 12, 2018 by David Herd

The end to another great year

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect place to live for a guy like me. Good friends & great restaurants, what more could I want? Plus a reasonably short plane ride to many outstanding locations. Above is the incredible view from my Markland apartment on the 20th floor.

Birthday July 7

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectWhere else but the magic Mantra?

My brother Warren & Greg Clee on the left.

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect    Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

David Rose & Ray Ebzery on the right.

Birthday at the Atlantic bar

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectGeorge Hoult with Sharyn & Frank, all Aussies.

One of the many reasons we like the Atlantic Bar

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Many middle eastern types who don’t spend money & aggravate the girls & customers are turned away, try that in Australia. 🙂 

Two more Aussies agree with the sign.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectFred & Bill think its a great idea & so do I.

Are you ready for this?

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectBest sunsets in the world.

 Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

There something special about a silhouette.

Mark Yagala & Anne at Horizons.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectMark of course is the guy who knocked off $50,000,000 on Wall St a few years ago, apart from that he is a very nice fellow. 🙂

The sign said “boat for sale”.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThe fine print said “needs a little work”. 🙂

I’m sure Mark Yagala could sell it. 🙂

One of my breakfast haunts.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThis is the branch at Central Marina shopping mall, I’m also a regular at The Bay on Beach Rd,

Celebrating my birthday

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect The girls stuck a candle in my croissant. 🙂

Huge renovation at the Amari Hotel.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThis work will go on for a couple of years, it’s only 2 blocks from my condo.

From the Amari to the Dusit Thani

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Dim Sum is usually at the Peak restaurant but was relocated to the Bay restaurant for a few weeks.  

Probably the best dim sum in Pattaya

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Follow THIS LINK for some other good restaurants.

Shakariki 432

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

An excellent authentic Japanese restaurant in 2nd Rd opposite Mike Hotel. 

Beach Road empty???

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectA rare sight in Pattaya, traffic was stopped for a parade.

Dinner at Leckerle (again)

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectJohn Hunjadi with cousin Greg & his wife.

Of course I had the pancake. 🙂

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectLately when I have dinner here I take away six servings of their pea soup.

Sometimes we wonder why we have problems with our internet at Markland

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

These highly trained 3BB technicians are quite fastidious as you can see.

Bacco Beach Italian restaurant

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectLocated beside the Glasshouse at Na Jomtien, very good food & right on the beach.

Wood fired Pizzas

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThe pizza was excellent but I think the Holiday Inn on Beach Rd is better.

Justin & Steve Bates & Patrick Taylor

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectWe went to Chiang Mai for 4 days which was excellent then 8 days in Cambodia which was not so good. Reason being we all caught a dose of the flu which really took the shine off our holiday.

Surf & Turf at Wongamat

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectA terrific beach side restaurant with very good food.

Surf & Turf hamburger

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectGuaranteed to fix your appetite.

Geriatrics are us. 🙂

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectI think the combined ages were 272 years, from the right we have David Herd, Richard (Stingy) Blair, John Hunjadi & David Robertson who is even more Stingy than Stingy. 🙂

Bali Hai wharf.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThis was supposed to be completed by October 2017, however given the fact that this is Thailand it will more likely be Xmas 2018.

And so this is Xmas….

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectLight show at the A-One hotel.

One last Mantra dinner on December 28

Dec 28 Dinner (1) Hamish & I had a 20% discount voucher. 🙂

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect     Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

Fabulous food as usual.

Finally on the subject of food which is very dear to my hear.

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Fresh prawns & Aussie lamb chops & cutlets from Big C.

Now you can understand why I make the following claim “Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect.”

Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks
1g Duck
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Newport-peninsular-Sydney

Newport peninsular Sydney Home 1984

June 30, 2016 by David Herd

Newport peninsular Sydney is my personal photo history not part of my travel blog.

Newport peninsular Sydney

 Newport peninsular Sydney was my home for three years from 1984 to 1987. After becoming engaged to a beautiful Melbourne lady Karen Smith, I purchased a timber home perched on a hill above the Royal Motor Yacht Club. The cost was $128k, and I sold it after our engagement fizzled out 4 years later for $360K. I guess it would be worth nearly 2 million dollars today.

Absolutely gorgeous.

 As you can see Karen was a beautiful lady, it took me anther 10 years before I realised I was just not cut out for marriage or long term relationships. There is probably a multitude of reasons why, fear of commitment, too independent etc etc.

Dinner party at Herbert Avenue

We were very happy at Newport 80% of the time, I tried hard to settle down and enjoy life as a couple, every now and then however the “call of the wild” would interrupt our utopia.

Wolf Wottke (with the beard) had been my best friend for a number of years, I left him renting my Drummoyne apartment for a year or so until I got fed up chasing the rent. Consequently I sold it which in hindsight was probably a mistake.

Lots of birds & wildlife

These beautiful Rainbow Lorikeets would visit every day for their snack on the balcony.

Life was very good

I had all the toys, a beautiful Mercedes Sports, a cabin cruiser moored at the yacht club, a liquor store in Sydenham which I was in the process of selling and a good sales job with Canon Australia.

Lion Island

This great photo (excuse the quality) was taken on Lion Island in the Hawksbury River, from left to right we have Graham La Roche aka “Biff”, his girlfriend at the time Mona, Ross Ansell from Melbourne and Karen Smith & I.

Me Tarzan

Ross doing his Tarzan impersonation on Lion Island.

31 Herbert Avenue Newport

About 25 years later around 2012 I paid a visit to Herbert Avenue to see if things had changed. Apart from the colour scheme and far less vegetation nothing much had changed.

 Another day on Pittwater

My good friend Tony Murphy and his beautiful wife Inge join Karen & I on my 26 foot cabin cruiser. After 29 years I caught up with Inge in Melbourne in 2014.

My back veranda overlooked Bayview

Here is my good friend Paul Slaughter with two gorgeous girls, on the left is Trish and on the right an old girlfriend of mine Shirley.

Big Tim Bristow, dinner at Herbert Avenue.

 Tim Bristow was a friend of mine dating back from the time we met in 1971 when he was on my tail to give me a hiding, but that’s another story just follow THIS LINK. In the 70s just the name Tim Bristow struck fear into the heart of all those who knew him, an enforcer with a reputation of being one of the most brutal street fighters in Australia. Put simply he was legend, a bouncer at the Newport Arms hotel, would be contenders for his crown would travel from all over Sydney to try their luck, many came and all of them were sent packing battered and bruised.

 Sydenham Cellars

I sold my liquor store in late 1984 which took the pressure off me. I had been working with Canon for a few months and travelling to Sydenham (a one hour drive each way) at weekends to work in the liquor store. Meanwhile I dug a wine cellar underneath my Newport home and stored a huge amount of wine that I took home from the shop.

Unwins Bridge Road

 That’s Madison my beautiful 4 year old German Shepherd who used to diligently guard the store overnight.

Brian Millard on Newport peninsular Sydney

Brian was a boat broker at Newport and a regular drinker at the Newport Arms hotel. He lived just up the road at Bungan Beach before moving to Noosa where I believe he still resides.

 Richard on the left and Rob Carnahan

Two very nice guys who were customers of mine when I was with Canon. Their office was opposites the Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay so more often than not we would meet in the pub. 🙂

A bunch of my nephews & nieces come to visit.

Amazing seeing these old photos, all of these cute kids now have children of their own.

Sue and John Heatherington

A lovely couple who lived in the next street from us, John also worked at Canon in the computer division.

Malaysia 1985

John & Sue, Karen & I went on a Canon conference to Penang, here we are driving from Penang to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore Xmas 1985

Here we are in Singapore, notice the cigarette. I smoke on and off for most of my life until 2003. Usually 2 or 3 years then I would quit for a similar time before returning to the grip of the nicotine.

 Newport peninsular Sydney with Phil Parkinson 

Phil has lived most of his life on the Newport peninsular Sydney and I believe still does in 2016. He is the brother of my ex girlfriend Di Parkinson.

Melbourne Cup 1985

Karen & I at the cup with friends including another ex girlfriend Helen Burke who is on the left of the photo. Helen has a vineyard at Dromana on the Mornington Peninsular, I spent a few day there in October 2014 drinking wine with her and her partner Jack.

Oscars Coolangatta 1985

I can’t remember the name of the beautiful dark haired princess, she was the girlfriend of my crazy chiropractor from North Sydney.

Newport peninsular Sydney

Prior to buying my cabin cruiser I had this little run-about, it was a lot of fun, do you like the name? 🙂

Another guy from my rogues gallery.

Danny Rose one of Adelaide’s true characters, we had a day of the water, you can see “Stamped Urgent” in the background.

Beautiful Karen Smith

Certainly my life on the Newport peninsular Sydney revolved around lots of good friends and my beautiful fiancee Karen. My thanks to her for being the most important part of my life for those great years.

Thanks also to you for visiting my Newport peninsular Sydney photo blog.

Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47
6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa
d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n
Susies home Newport 1 (1)
April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116
92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917
CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.Free Cancellation. Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels

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Brazil Hotels That’s all folks

1g Duck

Pattaya live webcam

9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)
A-One hotel on Beach Road

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.Brazil Hotels

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

Soi Cowboy (5)
e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e
8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad
https://s214.photobucket.com/user/zulu928/embed/slideshow/David/84%20to%2087

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

May 22, 2017 by David Herd

Local Trattoria since 1997

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok RestaurantPirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant at Chit Lom, a little hard to find the restaurant’s entrance located on the 3rd floor of the Maneeya Centre building, which directly links to BTS Chit Lom at the Siam end.

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

Walk down the narrow stairs & through the bar into the beautiful restaurant.

Excellent decor

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

I really like the fact the tables are not too close together which certainly improves the atmosphere.

Book your Bangkok hotel through THIS LINK for a great discount, you can pay later or cancel if you wish.

 Baked seafood entree

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

This tasty dish is prepared and served in a traditional snail serving tray.

This is a superb dish beautiful served

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

  This superb entree featured morsels of French mussels, clams & prawns, flavoured & baked with herb butter, cheddar, Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

If you lean closer to the screen I’m sure you will be able to smell the garlic. 🙂

An important message 

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

This really is the best advice I can give you. 🙂

Beef Ribs

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

 Another dish cooked perfectly was the bone-in braised beef short rib in red wine sauce (750 baht),  slow-cooked until the meat became soft and fell off the bone, yet still retained a pleasant chewy texture. Notice the packet of baked garlic which was very tasty indeed.

A choice of vegetables

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

Choose the vegetables that you prefer with your ribs.

Here is my favourite main course

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

The slow cooked lamb shank is absolutely delicious. 

Anyone for cake?

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

It would not be a proper Italian restaurant without cake. 🙂

In Bangkok you must visit some of the wonderful sky bars.

Farewell from Pirate Chambre

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

Many thanks for visiting my Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant photo blog.

Book your Bangkok hotel through THIS LINK for a great discount, you can pay later or cancel if you wish.

Location

Pirate Chambre Excellent Bangkok Restaurant

Hard to find but persevere. 🙂

iCheck Inn Soi 11

Bangkok Budget Sukhumvit Hotels

 

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

     

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started February 16 2020.

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FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

April 11, 2017 by David Herd

The photos I like the best. 🙂

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

 FiveStarVagabond favourite photos taken over many years by me, David Herd. To many people they will be nothing special, however they are very special indeed to me. Sometimes it’s the image itself that appeals & other times it’s the memory of where I was at the time.

My boulevarde of broken dreams.

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

Where else but New York City, it was a cold February night on the corner of 8th & W 48th st, I was about to have dinner in a terrific French Brasserie called Pigalle.

Hoi Ann Vietnam

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

I doubt if there is any photo I have taken that I like better than this one.

 Songkran in Thailand

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

My number one Songkran photo taken in Pattaya. Each year a massive water fight is held to commemorate the new year.  The downside is the hundreds of lives that are lost on the roads during the Seven days of madness. 

Kanazawa Japan

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

This beautiful garden is at Kanazawa Castle. This great Japanese city west of Tokyo  was a real surprise packet.

A typical Sunday on Copacabana Beach

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

What more can you say about Rio De Janeiro that hasn’t already been said? A beautiful exciting city with some of the best beaches in the world.

Verona Italy

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

Coffee time in Verona. 

Sunset &  Silhouettes

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

Opposite my condo in Beach Rd Pattaya. 

Cloud over Pattaya

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

There is something special about clouds & I’m so lucky lving in Pattaya where the clouds & sunsets are spectacular.

Praia da Pipa north east Brazil

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

 Praia da Pipa may well be one of the most idealic spots on planet Earth, I really must return one day.

A quick paint job in Nha Trang Vietnam.

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

I really love these timber fishing boats.

Gold Hill Shaftesbury

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

This town in Dorset where the view looking down from the top of the street has been described as “one of the most romantic sights in England.

 Poolside in Koh Samui

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

A beautiful beachside pool on the island of Koh Samui.

The most beautiful skin colour in the world.

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

Copababana beach, where else 🙂

The saddest face I have ever seen.

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

I was in HCMC aka Saigon when approached by this little girl begging for money. I knew she would give it to her mother waiting nearby, & possibly the mother would have to hand it over to local gangsters. Consequently I filled a plate of food which she devoured rather quickly.

There is nothing quite like a Siam sunset in Pattaya.

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

This amazing view is from my Markland Condo in Beach Rd Pattaya.

Last but not least.

FiveStarVagabond favourite photos

Am I having fun in Paraty, you bet I am. Three hours from Rio & one of my favourite towns in Brazil.

Thanks for visiting my FiveStarVagabond favourite photos blog. Without a doubt there will be a volume two. 🙂

Here is THE LINK I use for hotel discounts.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.   

A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

April 5, 2017 by David Herd

New Pattaya Shopping Mall

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

 Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya started in November 2015 when they started demolishing the shopping complex. That seemed to take the best part of a year before actual building commenced. Now they are really making progress as you will see from this photo blog.

It’s a huge site adjacent to the Dolphin roundabout  as you can see from the above photo.

A popular cafe

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

I used to often have breakfast at this popular little Thai restaurant beside the Dolphin roundabout.

Above you see it, below you don’t. 🙂

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

November 2015 and they start demolishing.

The wrecking ball at work.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

It’s a huge job pulling down this large building, it is taking months & months.

Slowly everything is coming apart

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Escalators & elevators have already gone.

Here comes the heavy machinery

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Now they are getting serious. 🙂

Workplace health & safety

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Does not really exist in Thailand. 🙂 

Looking like a bomb site December 24 2015

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

You could be mistaken thinking this is a war zone.

Bye bye Hong Club

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Not sure what went on here but it’s all over now folks.

All this has to be removed

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Knocking it down seems like the easy part, now somebody has to remove the rubble.

 OK, we are getting somewhere May 21st 2016

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

In the top left hand corner you can see the Dolphin roundabout.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

You may recognise 2nd Rd North Pattaya.

Pile drivers are here.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

 June 28th 2016 8 months after the start.

 

Phoenix rising

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

February 6th 2017 and we see the start of the building.

March 27 2017

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

They are working at a frantic pace, 7 or 8 cranes are in operation.

April 2nd 2017

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

At this rate I think they will finish by mid 2018.

This shows the progress

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Taken from the 26th flor of Markland Condo.

An exciting project.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

This is only the shopping mall section, the 25 story hotel is going up at the back of the shops.

July 18 2017

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

The work never stops.

October 21 2017

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

The mall is really taking shape.

November 6 2017

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

These guys work 24/7.

Sky Bar  perhaps

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

 Looks like there will be a sky bat at Terminal 21. 

Waiting for take off. 🙂

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

No, it’s not Pattaya’s new airport. 🙂

We have lift off.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

 July 29 and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Almost finished on the outside.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

August 25th & the end is in sight.

Centrepoint Hotel

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

The entrance to the 400 room hotel.

Outside area almost finished.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

 Normally you would see 100 workers here. 🙂

September 22nd 2018

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Due to open October 19.

An impression of the final product

 photo Terminal-21-Pattaya-Shopping-.jpg

Thanks for visiting my Building Terminal 21 Pattaya photo blog.

The big opening day has arrived October 19 2018.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

 People are lining up 3 hours before opening hoping to receive some prizes.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.     

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

  • Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

January 14, 2017 by David Herd

Pattaya sunset 

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

 Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar is the perfect place to watch the sunset. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 pm offering a range of cocktails for only B330 for two or around $9 usd.

Big crowd

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Three reasons I guess, it’s happy hour, it’h high season in January & i’ts an amazing view of Pattaya.

Hole in the roof to watch the stars.

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Once again I’m guessing that’s why they put the hole in the roof. 🙂

From a different aspect

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

All through the Hilton the design & architecture is fabulous.

Electric blue mini bar

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

What a magnificent colour.

 Looking north

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

The buildings at the top left are at Wongamat Beach.

Beautiful sunset

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

We are so lucky living in Pattaya, we really get the best sunsets, storms as well as magnificent clouds that float across Pattaya Bay.

Looking west

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

A few minutes after sunset the view is breathtaking looking towards Koh Larn island.

Full house

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

It’s certainly a good idea to book a table in the high season.

 Aussies in paradise

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Wayne Croker with the rabbit ears is from Brisbane enjoying a short golfing holiday in Pattaya, & Hamish Elton lives & works from his home office on Pratumnak Hill. Here is the view Hamish has when laying by his pool. 🙂

All the city lights come on

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

It’s really worthwhile watching the city change from daylight to dark.

Same shot different tone

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Different camera setting for a warmer shot. 🙂

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Check out THIS LINK for other places in Pattaya to enjoy dinner or a cocktail, none however have a more spectacular view than the Hilton Sky Bar.

 Looking northwest

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Pattaya has become a big city as you can clearly see.

 Back to where we started.

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

This was 30 minutes before sunset.

Farewell from the Hilton

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Thanks for visiting my Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar photo blog.

Wait a minute, we’re back

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

March 28 celebration 10 years in Thailand for Hamish. 🙂

Bad moon rising

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Here we are again on the December 21 Solstice, Hamish, Wayne & DH.

Hamish & his lovely lady May. Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Great photo at the Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar.
Here is May the calendar girl. 🙂

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Posing for the Bikini Mafia 2019 calendar.

While we are here lets throw in some sunsets.

Hilton Pattaya spectacular Sky Bar

Another spectacular sunset on March 28 2017.

It doesn’t get any better than this.

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Fabulous sunset from Horizons.

September 27 2017 (2)

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For an excellent room rate at the Hilton just book through THIS LINK.

 Please check out these fabulous posts     
Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Counter only started February 16 2020.

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Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

December 16, 2016 by David Herd

Wine Connection Silom

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

 Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro chain of restaurants has quickly become one of my favourite places to eat in Thailand. Excellent food and a great selection of wine at reasonable prices.

Beside Sala Daeng Sky Train station

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Located in the basement of the Silom Complex right below Starbucks.

Spanish Style Gambas

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

My favourite dish at Wine Connection only B210.

Very reasonable prices

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Not just the food, the wine prices are also very affordable.

THE GRILL @ CentralWorld

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

 Located on the ground floor at CentralWorld, Wine Connection claim The Grill is their most upmarket outlet.

Pasta & Salmon

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

 

Absolutely delicious Serrano Ham & Truffle Oil Fettuccine only B230 or $6.50 USD. 

Lots of fresh pasta

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

By now you probably understand why Wine Connection is such a favourite of mine. 🙂

South African Red wine 

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

 

On special at B499 a bottle or $14 USD.

Wine Connection @ Rainhill

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

 

This is my favourite location, just a short walk from Phrom Phong BTS station.

 Large cheese selection

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

A selection of cheese and a nice bottle of red, what more could you want?

Wine cellar

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Wines from all over the world at very reasonable prices.

Great value food & wine

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Every Wednesday from 7 pm to 9 pm there is free flow wine & beer for B499.

Location

 photo Snap 2016-12-17 at 18.09.52.png

Take the Sky Train or a taxi along Sukhumvit. 

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

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 We only spent 4 nights in Koh Samui and chose to eat here twice.

Low cost wine

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

They offer a wonderful selection of wine from all over the world at liquor store prices. Our red wine from Chile was a bargain B650.

The chain I’m told is owned by a French group, I only wish they would open a branch in Pattaya. Hallelujah on November 28 2018 they opened at Royal Gardens in Beach Rd Pattaya. See for yourself on THIS LINK.

Lamb shank at the Wine Connection.

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

The food choices are extensive, lots of terrines a a big range of pasta.

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

Thanks for visiting my Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro photo blog, there are also branches in Phuket & Chiang Mai.

Check out the fabulous new Pattaya branch on THIS LINK.

In Koh Samui I like to stay on Chaweng Beach at the Baan Chaweng,  for an excellent room rate just use THIS LINK to book.

iCheck Inn Soi 11

Bangkok Koh Samui Wine Bistro

 

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD  around B1100 pn.

                         Here are some more posts to check out 

           

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Amazing Bangkok buses

July 14, 2016 by David Herd

Amazing Bangkok buses

Amazing Bangkok busses

 Amazing Bangkok buses transporting tourists all over Thailand, many are decorated in bizarre colours often featuring Japanese cartoon & Disney characters. Eagles, serpents you name it they have got it. I have never seen anything like it anywhere in the world, take a bow Thailand for giving us so many great photo opportunities.

Bright & exciting colours

Amazing Bangkok busses

I have no idea how they produce these amazing creations, I’m guessing it’s all created on computer then automatically painted on the production line, then again how would I know? 🙂

There was a comment on Facebook that explained to process, it is a vinyl wrap, using the same machines that produce outdoor posters, then they just wrap them round the bus.

For a discounted hotel rate in Bangkok just book through THIS LINK

I see Johnny Walker at the front

Amazing Bangkok busses

I’m also guessing they didn’t get permission to use the Johnny Walker logo. 🙂

Back view

Amazing Bangkok buses

Six exhausts and speakers for sound.

This beast is one of my favourites

Amazing Bangkok buses

It was parked a few meters from where I live in Soi 1 Pattaya so I was able to have a close look.

Eight lethal exhaust pipes

Amazing Bangkok buses    Amazing Bangkok busses

Imagine if a motorbike crashed into the back of this bus, the exhaust pipes were on a 45 degree angle with sharp edges pointing upwards. Perfectly positioned to impale a human being. You gotta love Thailand.

 Beach Road Pattaya

Amazing Bangkok buses

Every morning hundreds of buses converge on Beach Road Pattaya bringing thousands Chinese tourists who board the boats to go para-sailing and visit Koh Larn island.

For a discounted hotel rate in Bangkok just book through THIS LINK.

This yellow one will get noticed.

Amazing Bangkok buses

There are so many amazing styles, this one looks like a huge yellow monster. 🙂

The Eagle has landed.

Amazing Bangkok buses

And the beat goes on, it must be a prestige thing the way some of these guys push it to the limit.

 You light up my life

Amazing Bangkok buses

Or so the song goes, I really want to ask a question, do you think this guy is trying just a little too hard?

Amazing Bangkok busses

36000 buses idle

Amazing Bangkok buses

Tour bus operators are in dire need of measures to cushion the impact of the coronavirus crisis, as an idle fleet of 36,000 buses countrywide has already missed out on 7 billion baht in income during the sluggish tourism period.

President of the Thai Transportation Operators Association, said that while tourism was at its peak, each bus could generate 50,000 baht a day from tour services.

The current lack of income has led operators to carry a cost burden of roughly 2 million baht from each bus leased, and they don’t have enough cash for installment payments.

Many thanks for visiting my Amazing Bangkok buses photo blog.

    Great hotel rates here, just book on THIS LINK.

                Please check out these fabulous posts
 

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

May 20, 2016 by David Herd

Bangkok building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom is in full swing. Chock-a-block full of high rise office buildings, up-market condos, lots of embassies, luxury hotels & very expensive shopping malls. I love the area which is close to where I stay in Soi 11 Nana.

Weird & wonderful

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Most of these modern buildings can be seen from the sky train which is by far the best way to move around Bangkok.

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Is another huge building site which will add another sky scraper to the Ploenchit skyline.

One of my favourite buildings on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Park Ventures recently achieved the highest office rental in Bangkok of B900 per M2 per month. The building is 35 stories high and has an elevated walkway leading to the station and various shopping malls including Central World which is directly opposite. The section jutting out is the infinity at the Okura Hotel.

The Okura Prestige Bangkok is a super luxurious hotel in the building, for a discounted rate USE THIS LINK.

Rated 9.1 by Agoda

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

As you can see it is rather special and in a great location. Using THIS LINK will get you a room for under $200.

For other hotels use this link.

 Great design the Park Hyatt Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Park Hyatt Bangkok, opening on May 12th 2017, has its sights set on being the capital’s leading icon of luxury and hotels in Bangkok. Presenting internationally inspired architecture and interior design; exceptional accommodation. Central Embassy will be hoping they will bring potential customers as their traffic since opening has been disappointing.

For an excellent room rate t the Park Hyatt just book through THIS LINK.

These great walkways take you off the street

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Linking hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and offices these modern walkways are quite fantastic. You can walk from Ploenchit to Chidlom and Central Embassy and Central world.

Busy Bangkok corner

Deutsche Bank Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Prestige companies, condos, hotels etc really love the Ploenchit Chidlom area of Bangkok.

Now if it’s good food you want…..

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Right beside Chidlom station is terrific Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre. A little hard to find but worth the effort, there is a walkway from the station. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

JW Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Breakfast at the JW Marriott bakery on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit is always a pleasure & the coffee is excellent. Just a short walk to Ploenchit station, for an excellent room rate at the fine hotel USE THIS LINK TO BOOK. 

Thanks for visiting my Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom photo blog.

Great location

Nana Sukhumvit area Bangkok

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

                       Here are some more posts to check out           

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Weekend Bangkok May 2016

May 18, 2016 by David Herd

Via Vai Soi 8 Sukhumvit

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

 Weekend Bangkok May 2016 included visiting new restaurants, sky bars & shopping malls. It’s nice to have a break from Pattaya which is where I live 2 hours south of Bangkok.

Dinner at Via Vai

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

My friend Hamish Elton and I in Soi 8 eating Italian food which was ok without making you want to rush back.

Via Vai is opposite Monsoon which is one of my favourite Bangkok restaurants.

The Game sports bar

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

On Sukhumvit beside Nana station this bar has lots of screens showing all the sports. A separate smoking area overlooks the footpath which spares the drinkers inside the bar. The header to this post is a favourite shot of mine that was taken at “The Game”, I call it Minnesota Fats racking them up. 🙂

Beef stew at THE GAME.

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

At best it was barely average, next time I’ll try something different.

Now if it’s good food you want…..

Bangkok restaurant reviews

A terrific new Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre at Chidlom. Hard to find but worth the effort. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

Enjoying a red wine at Pirate Chambre

Bangkok restaurant reviews

Put this excellent restaurant on your bucket list.

 Signing the waiver

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Sign before you ride, the guy didn’t last to long in the saddle, they just pump up the speed and it’s all over rover.

Hooters Bangkok Soi 4 Sukhumvit

When the Hooter’s girls saddle up it’s a much gentler ride.

Here is my hotel in Soi 11 Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Next door to the tailor is i-check inn, great value if you use this link to book.

Ribs at Tony Romas during Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Terminal 21 is where you will find Tony Roma and his ribs.

 The Sheraton on Sukhumvit and Terminal 21.

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

From Asoke station a walkways takes you straight into Terminal 21.

Bangkok at night

Asoke Bangkok at night

Asoke intersection

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

A very busy intersection, you can see the building where the Long Table sky bar Bangkok is located on the 25th floor of the Colomn serviced apartments in Soi 16 Asoke.

JW Marriott

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

A very good breakfast and the coffee is excellent. Plus I have a 20% discount card.

A guy I know gets preferential treatment

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

I showing the staff this photo next time I’m there and asking for the same serving of avocado. 🙂

I started with this shot and I’m going to finish with it.

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Every now and then I take a photo I really like, this is one of those. It was taken at “The Game”, sports bar in Nana and I call it “Minnesota Fats racking them up.” 🙂

Late night street food

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Quintessential late night Bangkok.

Thanks for checking out my Weekend Bangkok May 2016 photo blog.

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

Bangkok Budget Sukhumvit Hotels

More photo blogs here;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil 

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

            Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.         

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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1g Duck

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Seven deadly Songkran days

April 16, 2016 by David Herd

Songkran 2016

Seven deadly Songkran days

Seven deadly Songkran days

 Seven deadly Songkran days photo blog focuses on two things, first the tragic loss of life and the thousands of people who are seriously injured. Sadly Thailand has the 2nd worst road toll in the world after war torn Libya, mainly due to poor driving skills and alcohol fueled accidents. Songkran however is the black spot of this terrible statistic.  My sadness and sympathy does not lie with the several hundred who lose their life, they are gone and know nothing any more, my sympathy is for the parents who have lost children and the thousands of Thai people seriously injured during these Seven deadly Songkran days.

Secondly, lots of photos showing the joy and happiness thousands of people get from this famous celebration.

I would like to give credit to the Bangkok Post for borrowing many of their photos for this blog, many thanks to this great newspaper.

The first four days

Seven deadly Songkran days

The fourth day of the Songkran festival’s “seven dangerous days’’ saw 259 people lose their lives in road accidents across the country, up almost 36% from 2015.

Most accidents involved motorcycles, with 78.8%, followed by pick-up trucks, 10.8%. (BKK Post)

The madness that is Songkran

Seven deadly Songkran days

 The Songkran celebration has many symbolic traditions. The mornings begin with merit-making, visiting local temples and offering food to the Buddhist monks. On this specific occasion, pouring water on Buddha statues is considered an iconic ritual for this holiday. It represents purification and the washing away one’s sins and bad luck. Originally water was splashed gently on friends family & neighbours, today it has evolved into an all out water fight which certainly does not reassemble the original tradition.

Lets focus on happiness

Seven deadly Songkran days

The tragedy & sadness of the road carnage needs to be balanced by the joy and happiness most people in Thailand, consequently here is the sort of thing that makes me happy this time of the year. 🙂

A beautiful lady in traditional dress.

Seven deadly Songkran days

This is one of my favourite Songkran images, not sure who to credit.

Traditional Songkran

Seven deadly Songkran days

Gently pouring water on Buddha statues is considered to be an iconic ritual for this holiday. It represents purification and the washing away one’s sins and bad luck.

The other side of the coin

Seven deadly Songkran days

The two photos above demonstrate the both ends of the spectrum.

Have you ever seen a happier child?

Seven deadly Songkran days

Riding on his father’s shoulders he is having the time of his life.


More happy faces

Seven deadly Songkran days

Thanks once again to the Bangkok Post for another great photo.

Gunfight at the Bangkok Corral

Seven deadly Songkran days

Thousands of tourists flock to Thailand to participate in the greatest water fight in the world. Pamplona in Spain has the running of the bulls, Thailand has the running of the water cannons. 🙂

What did I do?

Seven deadly Songkran days

This guy seems to be denying any wrongdoing, could it be because he is not wearing a helmet? No, they rarely enforce that in Thailand, unless of course they see a Farang without one. 🙂

Here is one of my favourite Bangkok hotels in Sukhumvit Soi 11, use this link for a great rate.

Fabulous foam at Centralworld

Seven deadly Songkran days

A sea of white foam and everybody is having fun.

The very best of Songkran

Seven deadly Songkran days

I intended to focus on the danger on the roads during Songkran however images like the one above totally distract me.

Total determination

Seven deadly Songkran days

Concentrating totally on eliminating the enemy. 🙂 (Photo Bkk Post)

Beach Road Pattaya April 19.

Songkran Beach Rd Pattaya 2016

Long range weapon

Seven deadly Songkran days

Many of these water cannons have a very long range.

Fifth day the terrible toll continues.

Seven deadly Songkran days

The number of people arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol over the past seven is 81,541, including 50,271 motorcycle drivers and 31,270 drivers of cars and public vehicles.

How sweet she is.

Songkran Madness Thailand

After any bad news like the shocking road toll we need some good news, and here she is. 🙂

My name is Rambo

Seven deadly Songkran days

I have a licence to spill.

Songkran is “so in your face”

Seven deadly Songkran days

There is absolutely no escape from this “in your face” experience. 🙂

Day six and the news is still bad

Seven deadly Songkran days

The first six days of the “seven dangerous days” of Songkran saw 397 people lose their lives in road crashes across Thailand, a 29.74% jump from last year, with drink-driving remaining the major cause. (BKK Post)

Songkran madness in 2nd road Pattaya

Songkran celebration Pattaya 2016

What could possibly go wrong?

Seven deadly Songkran days

You are on a bike, you get hit by a stream of water, what could possibly go wrong?

The battle rages

Seven deadly Songkran days

I feel overall we have to properly balance the whole situation, fun versus death & suffering, in my book fun loses. I’m not advocating doing away with Songkran, however somehow the authorities have to do more to stop the road carnage.

Seven deadly Songkran days

Seven deadly Songkran days

Drink-driving remained the biggest single cause of road crashes, blamed for 34.09%, followed by speeding at 32.93%. Most crashes involved motorcycles (80.67%), followed by pick-up trucks (8.85%). (From Bangkok Post.)

Compare the last six years.

Seven deadly Songkran days

Four out of every five accidents involved motorcycles. So far a total of 442 people have been killed. It should also be noted that statistics taken inside Thailand only includes victims who died at the scene. Can you imagine how much worse the statistics would be if they also included people who died within 30 days?

80 lives lost every day

This link may answer some of the questions.

Thanks for visiting my Seven deadly Songkran days photo blog.

A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.

                 
                           Please check out these fabulous posts   
Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Bangkok Bars                         TokyoCape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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