Mae Pim beach boats sunsets a beautiful onshore wind & peace and quiet. Only 90 minutes from Pattaya and 2 hours from Bangkok airport. The peace & quiet only applies between February and October, the 3 months over Xmas is a different story when the crowds converge on this delightful beach side resort.
Fishing traps
Here are the traps being loaded onto the boat.
Setting off for a nights fishing
The traps are on board and there is a long night ahead, Mae Pim beach boats sunsets it’s all here.:)
Roadside stalls
The fresh produce is sold at roadside stalls beside the beach.
Beautiful Mae Pim beach boats sunsets
Plenty of deck chairs through the high season however they don’t seem to waste their time offering them in the low season.
Looking west the beach goes on forever
This is the perfect place for long beach walks with the onshore wind blowing in your face.
Mae Pim beach resort Thailand
Sunset at Mae Pim
A beautiful time of the day to enjoy a stroll along the beach.
The sun setting in the west
Mae Pim is on the gulf of Thailand only ninety minutes by car east of Pattaya, and 2 hours south of Bangkok. Beautiful white sand and clean water, it’s so quiet and peaceful after the noise & Madness of Pattaya.
However it’s not all a wilderness
There are many restaurants offering live seafood, the photo above is my brother Warren & I at Tequila Sunrise.
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
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
I’m also guessing they didn’t get permission to use the Johnny Walker logo. 🙂
Back view
Six exhausts and speakers for sound.
This beast is one of my favourites
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
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
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.
There are so many amazing styles, this one looks like a huge yellow monster. 🙂
The Eagle has landed.
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
Or so the song goes, I really want to ask a question, do you think this guy is trying just a little too hard?
36000 buses idle
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.
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.
Koh Samui sports bars have increased quite a bit since I was there in 2007. Most of the beer bars etc have numerous screens showing sport from all over the world. The header for this post show my friend John Martinaka Pothole& I on our first night in Chaweng at Henry’s Africa which seems to be the best bar in town.
Koh Samui sports bars
Henry’s Africa is a huge bar with lot’s of girls, some pool tables and TV screens. As you can see Potholeis enjoying himself. 🙂
Henry’s Africa
Early in the evening they offer Chang beer at B79.
Best racks in town
Or so they claim.
Opposite Henry’s
There are a couple of small bars struggling to attract customers because of the low number of tourists in June 2016.
Green Mango
This iconic bar nightclub is a little further along the street, it is arguably Chaweng’s most popular nightspot. It boasts of one of the largest dance floors on the island, Green Mango is large, loud, & very busy from around 11 pm.
Green Mango
A great effect with the green and orange decorations.
Happy Bar
A little further around the corner from the Green Mango there are quite a few smaller bars.
It was a little early and there were no customers, most of the young tourists in Samui don’t go out until around 11 pm. Geriatrics like us are living in a different time zone. 🙂
Keep walking back to the main street and you will find the Hard Rock.
Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill
Another sports bar where the Aussies gather for obvious reasons. I was rather put off by the B210 price for a Jack Daniels. So I went to the bar next door to watch the State of Origin played on June 22nd, which QLD won.
The bar next door.
A glass or red here was only B80.
The Islander
200 meters down the road from the Aussie bar is the Islander where I watched the AFL, next door is Legends, another well known sports bar.
Tropical Murphy’s Irish Pub
Quite a way up the road past Central Festival is Tropical Murphy’s another popular sports bar.
Tropical Murphy’s
A fairly normal layout, however a funny thing happened as I took this photo, initially the Thai barman was standing towards the front of the bar, but as soon as I raised my camera he ran like a rabbit to get out of the shot. I’m guessing he is hiding from somebody. 🙂
VW sidewalk bar
There are lots of these great mobile bars where I live in Pattaya.
Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand have improved out of sight since I was last there in 2007. There are so many great choices now, here are a few I have no hesitation in recommending. We hit the jackpot on our first evening when we dined at Il Duomo which is rated 3 out of 154 by TripAdvisor.
A very interesting guy who enjoyed having a chat. There was one very nice touch, we ordered a main course each and asked for extra plates as we wanted to share the meals. We were pleasantly surprised when they actually served us both half portions separately, we didn’t need to do it ourselves, very classy indeed. Apart from that the food was exceptional.
Located at the Amari hotelTripAdvisor only rate it 13 out of 154 restaurants in Chaweng. Al I can say if there are 12 better restaurants then Samui dining is in great shape. Lovely decor, great food and excellent service. Once again the price was reasonable and they also had a red wine from Chile on special.
Put Prego on you list of must do restaurants in Samui. The Amari has been totally renovated and rates very highly among Samui hotels, for a very good room rate just book throughTHIS LINK.
My favourite, they also have several in Bangkok although the Silom branch is the only one I have been to. The best garlic prawns I have had in 20 years, I have had them both at Samui & Bangkok & they are perfect.
Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui
We only spent 4 nights in Samui and chose to eat here twice.
The food choices are extensive, lots of terrines a a big range of pasta.
Coffee club
I saw two Coffee club restaurants, one in Central Festival and one in the main street opposite the Ark Bar. Very good eggs Benedict and coffee.
Eggs Benedict
Absolutely delicious.
Bar Baguette
Located at Bophut beach this was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.
For more good restaurants in Bophut just follow THIS LINK.
Lots of choices on the main street.
There are many restaurants offering fresh seafood and lots of sports bars offering good pub food. Sadly we only had four days to sample the Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand, however I guarantee I shall return.
Lots of fresh seafood
In the nine years since I was in Samui I can’t believe the incredible improvement in the restaurant scene, the choices are endless.
Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand photo blog. Book through THIS LINK for a discount on your hotel room.
Taxi around Koh Samui starting at the Big Buddha then circling clockwise around the island. It took about 4 hours and the taxi cost was B2000 or $57 usd. Our hotel was on Chaweng beach about 15 minutes drive from the big Buddha. Our very nice lady drivers name is Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.
Beautiful bougainvillea
This beautiful flower reminds me of my home in Newport Beach Australia where I lived in the 80s, I had many beautiful bougainvilleas on the property.
Big Buddha & slightly smaller Buddha
My 115 kilos certainly puts me in the Buddha category. 🙂
One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha
Located as you enter the square below Big Buddha.
Here is a short video
Big Buddha Koh Samui
Looking back towards Chaweng
We stopped at a popular lookouts to take in the wonderful view.
The rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), look, just like male and female genitalia.
A very popular tourist stop
Located two kilometres south of central Lamai Beach and about 11 kilometres away from Chaweng Beach.
Lamai Beach
The next beach around the coast from Chaweng.
Lamai beach bar & restaurant
Lamai is like a mini version of Chaweng, nice beach and lots of bars and restaurants.
Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.
It quite a shock when you first see this fantastic huge statue, there are about 12 or more Chinese restaurants in the square. The Guan Yu shrine is the centre of the Chinese community on Samui island.
He looks rather fierce
He does not look like a happy camper at all. 🙂
Elephants on Koh Samui
What magnificent beasts they are.
Here is a little guy with Mum.
I must admit I have mixed feelings about these beautiful animals being held captive, however that’s an argument for another day.
Here is a video of a dancing elephant
Thailand's dancing elephant.
He certainly was a happy little jumbo.
Some banana for the little dancing jumbo
They really enjoy bananas, this is my friend John Martin aka Pothole feeding the little guy.
The popular waterfall was just a trickle.
Many people visit this location but sadly there was not much water flowing.
Please be careful
In 2019 2 people have died here. Check out THIS LINK for details.
Time for a cool drink
A pleasant place to sit under the shade from the tall trees before continuing our journey.
Nathon pier
Here is where you catch a ferry to the mainland, take your car if you wish.
Bophut beach
Bophut beach was the last stop in our Taxi around Koh Samui road trip. Very close to a large new shopping mall called Fisherman’s village.
Beach bar
Bophut is is near the Big Buddha & less than 10 minutes from the airport. The Ibis is a nice hotel opposite the beach, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.
More peaceful and quieter than Chaweng yet only 15 minutes away from the action.
Bar Baguette
This was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.
Taxi ride around Koh Samui
Our taxi around Koh Samui was a great way to explore the delights of this wonderful tropical island, we had a very nice lady driver, her name in Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.
Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island is the busiest part of the island. However we were lucky in June 2016 the weather was beautiful and there were very few tourists so it was very peaceful indeed.
I have stayed at this hotel 3 times before, the location is ideal, the rooms are good and the staff is friendly. I have noticed however the prices have certainly risen in the last 10 years. For an excellent rate just use THIS LINK to book.
Hotel pool
The hotel grounds are a little like a rain forest.
Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui
In front of the hotel are four massage ladies, B300 for an hour.
Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.
A bright green bikini is always going to brighten up my day. 🙂
The Ark Bar is a huge hotel that’s very popular with the younger crowd, there is a big pool party every Wednesday and Friday. Older dinosaurs like myself are better off 100 meters further on at the quieter Baan Chaweng.
For an excellent room rate at the Ark Bar just book through THIS LINK.
Hillside homes being built
What great views they will have overlooking Chaweng beach.
So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach
The hotel choices are endless, everything from ultra modern to traditional bungalows.
Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island
White sand blue sky what more do you need?
Maybe you need a tattoo?
I have to admit I am not a fan of heavily tattooed females, but to each his own I guess.
She looks better here
Much better because I can’t see her tattoos. 🙂
Breakfast with a view.
What a way to start the day, cornflakes and an omelette.
An unusual building on Chaweng Peppina has a reputation for making great pizzas.
A typical Samui scene
Chaweng beach is rather special to me, so many memories over the years. My first visit was 1998 followed by many over the following years including New Years Eve 1999.
Here is the beach massage price list
Price list, what price list? I don’t see a price list. 🙂
Flashback to December 1999
Had a short fling with this beautiful Italian girl from Florence. Her name was Barbara Manelli, I called her “The Gypsy:. 🙂
Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach are one of the many advantages of living on Beach Road Pattaya overlooking the bay. I regularly see some of the most incredible cloud formation my 17th floor apartment in Markland condo. The photo above on November 20th 2021 shows some beautiful cumulus clouds hovering above Koh Larn island.
Blue sky, white clouds on a sunny day, life does not get better than this. I spend a few hours each day on my computer producing my photo blogs, not sure if it’s a hobby or an obsession, however it gives me great satisfaction to glance over the top of my monitor which I do one hundred times a day, and see the clouds rolling across the bay.
Looking north to Wongamat
Wongamat is the next beach north of Pattaya, there are many beach side condos and hotels overlooking a nice sandy beach. The yellow building in the foreground is the Dusit Thani five star hotel.
Koh Larn is a B30 40 minute ferry ride from Bali Hi wharf, the crystal clear water is a huge improvement over Pattaya.
Pattaya bay
Looking west at the Fascinating Pattaya clouds.
I’m sure you will all be pleased to hear I have just created a new profession, I am now a Cloudologist, who constantly participates in the art of Cloudology. Be impressed, be very impressed. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Looking south
The building under construction on the right is Centric Sea, it consists of two high rise and one low rise building containing 1000 condominiums. It in located in 2nd road and was completed early 2016.
Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach
The “Ripleys Believe it or not” hot air balloon is actually anchored by a cable so customers won’t go flying of in the wild blue yonder.
June 29 2017
Nearly every day there is another interesting cloud to photograph.
Work stopped on the high rise about 8 years ago because of questions about building approvals and specifications. Hundreds of people would have paid deposits & by now be wondering if they have lost their money.
UPDATE, the owners declared bankruptcy in January 2017, so who knows what will happen now.
Angry clouds
Up to now I have featured the pretty clouds, now it’s time for some angry clouds. 🙂
John Fogerty has a question….
Looking south from my apartment
The building in the foreground is the A1 hotel which is shaped like a ship, the tall building is North Shore, the most upmarket condo block in central Pattaya.
Another awesome cloud formation
So many clouds to photograph and such little time. 🙂
Rain over Koh Larn
This was July 29 2016 at 6.15 pm.
Clouds & shadows August 30 2016
Every day something new.
Absolutely breathtaking
This is the view I have every day from my apartment.
Same same but different
Always a different beautiful shape.
Clouds on fire
One of the best Thai sunsets I have ever seen.
June 28 2017
And the beat goes on. 🙂
Storm on the way
I love watching the tropical storms in Pattaya.
The sky was angry today my friends.
Well that’s how George Castanza would describe it. 🙂
A cloud with the “WOW” factor.
That’s Koh Larn on the left.
May 17 2018
A perfect Pattaya morning.
A very angry sky
Black clouds in October 2018.
Amazing colour
Tweaked by Google from a shot taken on June 1st 2020.
Beach Road
Road works & a beautiful cloud from June 1st 2020.
Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $30 usd per night as of 2017. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.
For something a little more upmarket overlooking the beach book through THIS LINK.
If you like clouds you may like this Joni Mitchell song.
Thanks for visiting my Fascinating Pattaya clouds photo blog.
For a discounted hotel rate in Pattaya just book through THIS LINK
Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok opened about 15 years ago in 2006, I remember how impressed I was with this amazing new shopping mall with it’s wide aisles and fabulous food court and supermarket.
Now of course there are many new super malls in Bangkok to compete with including Central Embassy and EmQuartier.
Shops on the 1st floor
Here is a guide to some of the shops.
Siam Paragon, Hanging fences
Another photo taken way back in 2006 of the Siam Paragon, Hanging fences, I’m not sure if they are still there or not.
The Main floor
Strangely the level that is linked to the skywalk is called the Main Floor, despite it being one above the ground, and the floors above that are then the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, up to the 5th, which is taken up by the Cineplex and its 15 large size theatres. There is direct access to the centre from Siam BTS Skytrain station.
Siam Paragon is opposite MBK
Only 5 minutes walk on an elevated path from the well know MBK centre.
Busy Bangkok corner
BTS Skytrain
As I mentioned for Siam Paragon get of at Siam station, MBK is actually one stop further at National Stadium station.
One thing is for certain the Thai people love their food and there are plenty of options at Siam Paragon to keep them happy.
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.
Decisions decisions
The hard part is trying to decide where to eat, they all look so inviting.
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.
Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping, Petchaburi Rd is surrounded by some of the best shopping in this great city. Everybody knows about Pratunam markets where you can buy clothes and accessories at rock bottom prices, now however there is much more competition at places like Palladium World and Platinum Fashion Mall which offer air conditioned comfort which you certainly don’t get at Pratunam markets.
For an excellent room rate at the Novotel Bangkok Platinum book through THIS LINK.
Right opposite Pantip Plaza the well known Bangkok I.T. centre. Book throughTHIS LINKfor a discounted room rate.
Pantip Plaza
Several floors of hardware and software, I have been shopping here for 20 years.
Pantip Plaza
Computer and camera shops are located on the 3rd floor, as well as hardware, RAM etc for sale. Some shops specialize in building computers to your specifications. The fourth floor has more computer and repair shops.
Platinum Fashion Mall
Platinum is a 5 billion Baht shopping mall in Petchaburi Rd Pratunam, almost next door to Pantip Plaza, which specializes in fashion clothes and accessories both retail and wholesale.
The Amari Watergate hotel is a reasonably priced hotel in the middle of this shopping district, book through THIS LINKand you will get a discounted room for around $88 + tax.
Palladium World Shopping mall.
Located on the corner of Phetchaburi Road and Ratchaprarop with the 3 gold domes, I believe it’s bigger and cheaper than Platinum Fashion Mall and has a bazaar type layout featuring long alleyways of tightly packed stalls.
Palladium World from street level
It certainly does not look as spectacular as it does from the Red Sky Bar.
Foot massage at Palladium World
After a couple of hours walking there is nothing like a foot massage. 🙂
Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping a 25 minute walk to MBK.
Or 5 mimutes in a taxi for around B40.
Thanks for visiting my Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping photo blog.
Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.
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.
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
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
Is another huge building site which will add another sky scraper to the Ploenchit skyline.
One of my favourite buildings on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit
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.
Great design the Park Hyatt Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit
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 Embassywill 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
Linking hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and offices these modern walkways are quite fantastic. You can walk from Ploenchit to Chidlom and Central Embassyand Central world.
Busy Bangkok corner
Deutsche Bank Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit
Prestige companies, condos, hotels etc really love the Ploenchit Chidlom area of Bangkok.
Now if it’s good food you want…..
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.
Breakfast at the JW Marriott bakeryon 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
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.
