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Coronavirus impacts Pattaya

March 10, 2020 by David Herd

Pattaya-Beach-Coronavirus,Chinese-tourists

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya which has resulted in a 44% drop in tourists in February 2020. Many Thai people find themselves without work so they have left Pattaya to return to their villages in the country. As you can see the beach is deserted at 8am on March 3rd 2020, only a few short months ago it was teeming with Chinese tourists.

This is how it was…

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya Seven days a week thousands of Chinese tourists would storm the beach to clamber aboard the boats to para-sail & visit Koh Larn island.

Typical over powered tourist boat

Coronavirus impacts PattayaOnly about 25% of the boats remain on Pattaya Beach, the rest are in moth balls. 🙂

Patrick is feeling lonely

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya Well known restaurateur Patrick Van Den Berghe finds himself alone on the beach, time for him to go back to his steakhouse & order some French oysters & lamb shanks. 🙂

Pattaya Beach never looked so good

Coronavirus impacts PattayaOf course my opinion is purely a selfish one, however there really is nothing to like about thousands of Chinese tourists inhabiting the beach. 🙂

“There is high chance that the country will be in a technical recession — contraction of the economy for two consecutive quarters,” said Anusorn Tamajai, director of Economic and Business Research Centre at Rangsit University.

The masked man cometh

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya I actually tried a mask, I hated it & lasted 1 hour, in fact it was because of pollution not the virus. 

Pattaya pollution

Coronavirus impacts PattayaThis was January 10 2020.

This was a typical Pattaya morning

Coronavirus impacts PattayaHundreds of buses would clog up beach road from 8 am seven days a week.

Waiting to pick up the tourists around mid day.

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya It’s fantastic now without these monsters taking over Beach Road.

Nothing like a peaceful Pattaya morning

Coronavirus impacts PattayaWell folks enjoy it while you can because at some stage in the future the dreaded Chinese tourists will return. 🙂

A beautiful Pattaya morning

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya March 8 2020 & a perfect day. See for yourself on my webcam, just follow THIS LINK. 

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya

Coronavirus impacts PattayaThis man & his dog are loving the peaceful atmosphere.

Desperate times in Pattaya

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya People queue in jomtien for a free meal outside Yupins. Twice a day. The queue goes past The Venue, past The Spring Onion, down the road, round the corner and today reached Dicks Cafe. 75% of working age people have lost their jobs in Pattaya. No savings, & no chance of getting any money over the next few months. Can’t pay their rent & 3000 are homeless. They can’t sleep on the beach without getting arrested. Can’t sleep in the parks (closed) and can’t sleep on the street (strict curfew after 10pm). Desperate, desperate times here for these poor people.

Here are the numbers as of March 10 2020

Coronavirus impacts PattayaThailand doesn’t feature in the high risk area.

April 15
Lets put it in perspective

Coronavirus impacts PattayaOne hell of a difference don’t you agree?

Thailand on march 11 2020 cancelled visa on arrival for 18 countries.

On Wednesday March 11th Donald Trump announced the United States would ban all travel from Europe for 30 days.

Thai Airways suspending all Italy flights to and from Italy following the Italian government’s decision to lock down the country to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Thailand update September 11 2020

Coronavirus impacts PattayaThe figures are excellent, they may resume flights etc before Xmas.

Businesses close in Pattaya

Coronavirus impacts PattayaBurger King on 2nd Rd has closed it’s doors as well as 2 other branches, beach Rd & Central Fesival.

Coffee shop at the Bay

Coronavirus impacts PattayaAnother one bites the dust.

Closures in North Pattaya

Please follow THIS LINK.

It will take years to recover.

Covid booster jab

Coronavirus impacts Pattaya

It only took 35 minutes to get the booster at Royal Garden Plaza in Pattaya on January 6 2022.

Thanks for visiting my Coronavirus impacts Pattaya photo blog.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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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

 

 


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

First six months 2020

January 27, 2020 by David Herd

First-six-months-2020-Pattaya

First six months 2020

First six months 2020                 First six months 2020

First six months 2020 happily living in Thailand with a view to die for. For most of December & January we have had severe pollution in Pattaya (and elsewhere), the government seem to lack the skill & the will to solve this unhealthy problem. Most of it seems to come because farmers burn off their sugar cane crops, surely they would be easy to find & 6 months in jail may make them think twice next year.

The first was January 10 & finally we got clean air on January 26, however within a couple of days the pollution was back. The 2nd photo is June 12th, what a fabulous clear day it was.

Beach Quarter

First six months 2020

Mid January the old Mantra site (part of the Amari Hotel) is almost completed, can’t wait for it to open. 🙂

Two new chairs

First six months 2020

I’m guessing I spend 8 to 10 hours a day in both these chairs.

Pothole & one of the Squabblers

First six months 2020

 Pothole, aka John Martin has 2 sons aged 9 & 11, this is Tyrone who has just busted open his piggy bank to find just over B110,000 or $5,300 AUD, both sons are very good savers. 

Fabulous chicken teriyaki skewers.

First six months 2020

 The food park at Central Marina is one of my favourite eating spots. Normally I have a wonton soup & 2 chicken skewers for a B100, or $4.80 AUD, this day I had 4 skewers for B60, or $2.90 AUD.

Genki Soi 4 North Pattaya

First six months 2020

 A very authentic Japanese restaurant with good quality reasonably priced food.

View from my balcony

First six months 2020

 Without a doubt I am lucky enough to see some of the best sunsets in the world from my condo, for more please follow THIS LINK.

New drains on Beach Road

First six months 2020

 For many months they have been digging up Beach Rd to improve the drainage system, only time will tell if it’s worth the effort. 🙂

Painting Markland Condo

First six months 2020

These guys seem to have no fear. 🙂

Spiderman is here wearing thongs. 🙂

First six months 2020

 I would certainly have a heart attack if I tried this. 🙂

Toast Skagen

First six months 2020

My favourite entree at the Beefeater restaurant.

Clean up Pattaya Beach

First six months 2020

The beach will be clean, the water not so much. 🙂

Holiday Inn at happy hour

First six months 2020

Drinks & dinner at Holiday Inn with Mark Yagalla, buy a bottle get one free. 🙂

Healthy lunch at home

First six months 2020

 It’s hard to find good avocados in Thailand, most of the time I use them for smoothies. The avocado bistro in Bangkok is an exception.

Soi 2 North Pattaya

First six months 2020

 Lots of construction & renovations happening in Soi 2, I’m directly above this hotel on the 20th floor in Markland Condo.

Rain at last

First six months 2020

 It’s March 15 & this is the 1st significant rain we have seen this year.

2nd Road North Pattaya

First six months 2020

Only 9 am & this tall LadyBoy is dressed to kill. 🙂

The result of the Coronavirus

Pattaya storm water solution

March 2020 and Chinese tourists are not allowed to swarm into Pattaya, many business owners are suffering but residents like myself are loving the peace & quiet.

February 2020

First six months 2020

What a fabulous smile, this is little Charli with her mum Laura, my gorgeous niece.

Two of our local lads at the Holiday Inn

First six months 2020

 Greg Clee & David Rose enjoying a drink at the Holiday Inn.

My million dollar view

First six months 2020

 From my balcony on March 26 2020.

First six months 2020

First six months 2020

Now anybody who has been to Pattaya & some parts of Bangkok knows the uneven footpaths are rather treacherous. Yesterday morning while walking I was briefly distracted which resulted in “a leap of death.” With 109 kg crashing to the ground strangely enough, (don’t laugh) it was my two big toes that came out the worst. Both toenails were damaged rather badly, but I assure you my friends I was shaken not stirred, I’m guessing no morning walks for a few days.

Takeaway only

First six months 2020

 Starbucks & the few restaurants that are open can only serve takeaway due to Covid-9 restrictions. No big deal, I’m happy to sip coffee by the beach. 🙂

Pattaya beach has never looked so beautiful.

First six months 2020

However the thing I miss most are the restaurants. 

More drinks at the Holiday Inn

First six months 2020

John Martin & David Robertson, aka Pothole & Chocolates. Chocs lives in Surfers Paradise & spends quite a bit of time in Pattaya, he rents one of Pothole’s studios in Markland, & pays far too much rent. 🙂

Beautiful clouds

First six months 2020

April 20th & a beautiful morning.

Combating the virus

First six months 2020

Who is that masked man?

Hamish has a barbecue 

First six months 2020

That’s Jonathon Sheaffe & his girlfriend Anne with Hamish Elton.

Sausages & chicken

First six months 2020

 So much food & such little time. 🙂

Proud father with baby Jasmine

First six months 2020

One month old & gorgeous.

Creme brulee

First six months 2020

 Perfect end to lunch at the Longhorn Steakhouse.

Amazing cloud

First six months 2020

May 5th at sunset.

Robin Hood Tavern

First six months 2020

Sunday roast is very good value at around $16 AUD.

First six months 2020

First six months 2020

Another of the many business closures due to Covid-19, this was a massage parlour in Soi 1 opposite my condo.

Pattaya Bay looking fabulous

First six months 2020

 I never grow tired of the view from my balcony.

Ancient timber ferries

First six months 2020

Lots of character but I( would not like to be onboard in a storm. 🙂

Beach re-opens June 1st.

First six months 2020

 After many weeks you can now go to the beach.

First six months 2020, at last a foot massage

First six months 2020

I can now enjoy a massage after the salons have been closed because of Covid-19.

Lunch at Miyazaki

First six months 2020

Teriyaki chicken was delicious. 

Best pancake I have ever tasted.

First six months 2020

Holly’s cafe at Terminal 21.

Magnificent clouds June 1st 2020

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

 The view from my balcony.

Safe at last

First six months 2020

Building lifeguard towers on Pattaya Beach. 🙂

And here it is.

First six months 2020

I really wonder if it will ever get used. 🙂

Soi 2 hotel construction

First six months 2020

 View from my balcony June 29th.

Holiday Inn opens again June 25

First six months 2020

 So happy to be able to relax here after 2 months of shutdown due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Delicious food

First six months 2020

 Fettuccine with smoke salmon & asparagus, washed down with 2 glasses of Wolf Blass shiraz.

Thanks for visiting my First six months 2020 photo blog, life in Thailand has been very good even with the virus restrictions.

For what it’s worth in my humble opinion the danger from Covid-19 has been greatly exaggerated. 

  Here are some more posts to check out 

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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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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.               

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein

December 26, 2019 by David Herd

Harlan-Goldstein-Xmas-day-2019

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein

Xmas Feast, Harlan Goldstein really knows how to look after his customers. We had the best table in the restaurant located in the VIP area, thanks to my great friend Hamish Elton who is a regular customer there. That’s Hamish above with his lovely lady May, he is drinking Mexican Heatwaves & May is enjoying mango juice.

We arrived very early

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein 4pm Xmas day, no wonder the place was empty. 🙂

I’ll start with an ice cold Peroni

Xmas Feast Harlan GoldsteinBefore we arrived at the restaurant Hamish & I had knocked off a bottle of Verve Clicquot French Champagne.

A perfect start to Xmas dinner

Xmas Feast Harlan GoldsteinSucculent oysters from France. 

Large, tasty & salty, Tsarskaya oysters from Cancale

Xmas Feast, Harlan Goldstein

The Tsarkaya Oysters have been the food of royalty since the dawn of time, including for Roman emperors, French Kings and even Russian Tsars. This fully fleshed oyster is exclusively ripened and produced in the bay of Mont Saint Michel. 

Recently I bought 4 dozen mixed French & Irish oysters to Pattaya from El Mercado in Bangkok. Hamish expertly shucked them on my balcony & we washed them down with a cold white wine from New Zealand.

Next course smoked salmon

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein Quite delicious, sitting on a small potato pancake with sour cream & caviar.

Cinnamon spiced sweet potato soup

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein I’m a soup lover & this one did not disappoint, it was fabulous. In case you were wondering they are Maple croutons. 🙂

Charcoal grilled rib eye of beef.

Xmas Feast Harlan GoldsteinSo tender & cooked to perfection., served with red wine onion sauce.

Xmas turkey with sausage

Xmas Feast, Harlan Goldstein There were 3 choices for main course, Hamish went for the turkey.

Desert to finish

Xmas Feast, Harlan Goldstein I’m a sucker for desert, I have to maintain my 112 kilo of weight. 🙂

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein

Xmas Feast Harlan Goldstein The busy chef joined us for a quick break & a cold beer then back to work. 🙂

The heavy artillery.

Xmas Feast Harlan GoldsteinCan you believe they named this tequila “Religion”? It was very smooth indeed.

The menu

Xmas Feast, Harlan Goldstein One thing is for certain, when you dine at Harlan’s you never leave hungry. 🙂 

Thanks for visiting my Xmas Feast, Harlan Goldstein photo blog, & thanks to Harlan for making it a Merry Xmas. 🙂

https://youtu.be/XyxifyO1hr0 Here is Harlan showing you how to cook the perfect steak. 

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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Chiang Mai with Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

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That’s all folks

1g Duck

  • Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Central Festival food hall Pattaya

December 18, 2019 by David Herd

Central-Festival-food-hall-Pattaya

Central Festival food hall

Central Festival food hall

Central Festival food hall Pattaya has recently expanded with the entire basement offering an incredible range of delicious food. The section above is near the Beach Road entrance.

Thai seafood

Central Festival food hall Squid corner has many seafood options beside squid. 🙂

If you like your food on a stick

Central Festival food hall Then this is the place for you. 🙂

A nice looking bar for a beer or two.

Central Festival food hallThere are so many great beers on offer in Pattaya.

The hanging ducks of Babylon

Central Festival food hall Or should I say the hanging ducks of Central Festival food hall Pattaya?

A bottle of wine perhaps?

Central Festival food hallOne of the very few things I dislike about Thailand is the horrendous tax on wine. For a price comparison check out THIS LINK.

Good prices here…

Central Festival food hallSix for B100, or $4.80 AUD, great value.

Fabulous seafood range

Central Festival food hall You name it, they have it. 

Mouth watering oysters from France

Central Festival food hall Enjoying fresh oysters is one of the great passions in my life, for confirmation just follow THIS LINK.

Now I wait for these to come on special

Central Festival food hall On special the price drops to B120 for 3. Today March 8th 2020 I ordered 9 for B360 & they gave me 2 extra for free. 🙂

Sydney Rock & Coffin Bay oysters from Australia.

Central Festival food hallThe thought of these makes me homesick. 

Shucker at work

Central Festival food hall My friend Hamish Elton was quicker than this guy, take a look HERE.

You gotta love oysters

Central Festival food hallA great way to start a meal, however my friend Mark Yagalla paid B640 fir 6 oysters & at a counter nearby I only paid B420, so the tip is to make sure you shop around. 🙂

Central Festival food hall

Central Festival food hall The perfect lunch, fresh prawns & salmon sashimi.

To finish off a perfect lunch

Central Festival food hall A truly iconic Thai classic, mango & sticky rice.

Grill Bar adjacent to or part of Tops supermarket.

Central Festival food hall

Central Festival food hall Excellent coffee, + the custard tarts were very good also. 🙂

Low cost sandwiches

Central Festival food hall At B45 & B60 they are terrific value.

Aussie lamb chops

Central Festival food hall My friend Mark Yagala said these were the best chops he has ever eaten in Thailand, only B620 or $20 USD.

Back another day for oysters, prawns & sashimi

Central Festival food hallThese are the same my friend paid B620 on another counter, my cost was B420.

Absolutely delicious

Central Festival food hall Fine de Claire from France.

A repeat of what I had a few days ago.

Central Festival food hallWhen you are on a good thing stick to it. 🙂

Mr Donuts

Central Festival food hallStarbucks change B115 for a latte, here at Mr Donuts I paid B93 for what you see.

Baked Ham & vegetables

Central Festival food hall Absolutely delirious & only B200 or $10 AUD.

Thanks for visiting my Central Festival food hall photo blog, I intend to have lunch here at least once a week in the future.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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    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

 

 

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet

December 14, 2019 by David Herd

Holiday-Inn-Seafood-Buffet-Pattaya

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet at the East Coast kitchen in the executive tower on the 6th floor. Available from Thursday night until Sunday night. Priced at B1100, very reasonable for what they offer.

Lots of seafood choices

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet Apart from seafood there are are a variety of Thai dishes, salads & deserts to choose from.

Oysters from Korea

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet I always enjoy a buffet that offers fresh oysters.

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet

Holiday Inn Seafood BuffetKorean oysters don’t particularly impress me, I prefer French or Australian, check out THIS LINK for lots of variety.

Barbecue prawns were delicious

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet Oysters to start followed by these prawns.

Delicious crab

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet Very fiddly to eat of course, you just need to persevere. 🙂

The busy chefs

Holiday Inn Seafood BuffetThey do a great job on the barbecue making sure everybody has plenty to eat.

There is also an indoor kitchen

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet When you count all the waiters & waitresses there is a huge number of polite staff looking after you.

Thai food is also available

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet A very good variety of food to please all pallets. 

Desert to finish off an excellent dinner.

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet There is also lots of ice cream flavors on offer.

A choice of 2 place in the hotel for a pre dinner cocktail.

Holiday Inn Seafood BuffetBefore dinner we went to the sky bar for happy hour, two for one drinks between 5 & 7 pm are terrific value.

Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet

Holiday Inn Seafood BuffetThis is also a wonderful venue for cocktails at sunset. I’m so lucky to live only 200 meters from this fabulous hotel, I guess you could say it’s my local drinking hole. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet photo blog.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

 Istanbul                   Budapest                     London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe Hungarian Parliament Building (2)   The Walkie Talkie (5)   

Mostar                Dubrobnik              Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837  IMG_7425 Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city   

         Saigon                      Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam   Main Square (3)    Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

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.

Check out these great food photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

 

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Fresh seafood Naklua market

December 7, 2019 by David Herd

Fresh-seafood-Naklua-market-Pattaya

Fresh seafood Naklua market

Fresh seafood Naklua market

Fresh seafood Naklua market, it’s been 4 years since I published my blog on this lively venue, so I thought it was time to re-visit & see what changes have taken place.

The variety is amazing.

Fresh seafood Naklua market So is the crowd, better to visit mid week if you can.

Price is per kilo

Fresh seafood Naklua marketI’m guessing you would get around 3 for a kilo.

Many varieties of fish

Fresh seafood Naklua marketIncluding live fish that they will clean for you on the spot.

Fresh seafood Naklua market

Fresh seafood Naklua marketLots of fresh vegetables also on sale.

Scallops look very good.

Fresh seafood Naklua marketThere are so many choices, how do you make a decision on what to have for lunch? 🙂

First I’m going to try an oyster.

Fresh seafood Naklua marketThese are B50 each or $1.60 USD, there are also some for B40, or $1.30 USD. I can buy imported oysters from France at El Mercado in Bangkok for the same price.

Quite large as you can see

Fresh seafood Naklua marketI was pleasantly surprised, very tasty even without lemon, lime or sauce.

OK, now for some fresh prawns

Fresh seafood Naklua marketB270 or $9 USD a kilo, what a bargain.

Now here is the clincher…

Fresh seafood Naklua market This guy will cook your prawns or other seafood for B30 a kilo, how easy is that?

He will even supply a chair. 🙂

Fresh seafood Naklua marketSo you can eat the freshly cooked seafood right here. We had our prawns boiled rather than barbecued, so we decided to eat them at home after they cooled down.

Here is the result

Fresh seafood Naklua marketDelicious on a fresh bread roll from Central Marina.

Fresh seafood Naklua market

Fresh seafood Naklua marketThey will cook fish for you as well.

So many varieties of shellfish

Fresh seafood Naklua marketI’m not sure what some of these are.

I guessing this is an unusual type of prawn or shrimp.

Fresh seafood Naklua market They are quite a strange looking creature selling at B1500 a kilo, or a whopping $72 AUD.

More crab 

Fresh seafood Naklua market As they say in the classics, too much crab is never enough. 🙂

Mussels

Fresh seafood Naklua market Not one of my favourites for some reason. 

This is a super prawn. 🙂

Fresh seafood Naklua marketGreat shot, this & the next one were taken by Mike McNamee from the group Pattaya 24/7. Fairly expensive at B1300 a kilo, or $62 AUD.

Only B280 a kilo

Fresh seafood Naklua market That’s more in my price range. 🙂

That’s all for now folks.

Fresh seafood Naklua marketI hope you enjoyed my Fresh seafood Naklua market photo blog.

Follow THIS LINK for my 2015 fish market blog.

 Istanbul                   Budapest                     London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe Hungarian Parliament Building (2)   The Walkie Talkie (5)   

Mostar                Dubrobnik              Split

             43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837  IMG_7425 Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                                       Saigon                      Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam   Main Square (3)    Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

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

Check out these great food photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

 

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Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok

December 4, 2019 by David Herd

Oysters-France-Mercado-seafood-Bangkok

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok, where else but El Mercado’s seafood room in their wonderful market restaurant. After I enjoyed another memorable lunch I purchased 2.5 dozen fresh oysters to take home to Pattaya.

Prawns look terrific.

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok In fact everything looks so fresh and appetizing. 

The question is……

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok Where do you start? 🙂

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok, here is where I start.

Fabulous fresh seafood BangkokOysters natural from France, 6 No 4 Cancale  B35 each or $1.70 AUD, & 6 No 3 Claire B55 each, or $2.66 AUD. 

Price rise at el Mercado

https://fivestarvagabond.com/shuck-more-oysters-please/

It’s now June 2022 & the price for Fin de Clare hase jumped to B99 each.

 

   

Cultured on the French Atlantic coast, Fine de Claire is the favorite oyster of people who love less fleshy and more juicy oysters with a balanced taste. This oyster must be refined in the shallow water of the claires basins, according to a strictly stipulated number of months and a maximum limit on the number of oysters per square meter. The result is a less meaty but juicy oyster rich in water, with translucent or white mantle, an earthy flavor, smooth with an incredible lingering aftertaste.
How about this beauty?

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok I’m guessing it’s from Alaska.

Many types of oysters available

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok Most are from France but there are some Irish varieties as well.

OK, lets take some home to Pattaya.

Fabulous fresh seafood BangkokThe guys are packing up my “to go” box of 2.5 dozen.

Two nights later the feast begins on my balcony

Fabulous fresh seafood BangkokOf course they need to be shucked, luckily my friend Hanish Elton, who I call the oyster man, has a glove & a knife we purchased in Coffin Bay South Australia a few months ago.

Here is the master shucker

Fabulous fresh seafood BangkokI’m surprised how efficient he was, lucky he had those lessons in Coffin Bay. 🙂

My job was to pour the wine & eat the oysters.

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok We washed them down wit a cold New Zealand sauvignon blanc.

More than just seafood

Fabulous fresh seafood BangkokThere is a huge choice of cold cuts & cheese from all over the world. The Salami truffle was sensational. 

Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok

Fabulous fresh seafood BangkokHere is the view from my balcony, what better place could you pick to enjoy 2.5 dozen oysters? I have eaten oysters all over the world, check THIS LINK, however this is by far the best view.

Australia has wonderful seafood, check out THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok photo blog. I am planning a trip to the east coast of France to indulge in an oyster feeding frenzy. 🙂

Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

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

Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

 

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Bangkok river buildings

December 3, 2019 by David Herd

Bangkok-river-buildings

Bangkok river buildings

Bangkok river buildings

Bangkok river buildings photographed from the Iconsiam free ferry shuttle on the Chao Phraya River. Everything from tall modern skyscrapers to ancient waterfront homes. The photo above is the State Tower which was built in 2001, it is the largest building in Southeast Asia, with 300,000 m² floor area. The building on the right is the Shangri-La hotel.

Shangri-La hotel

Bangkok river buildingsOne of the best locations in Bangkok, 5 minutes walk to the sky train. On the right is Centre Point hotel. For a discount at the Shangri-la just use THIS LINK. The rooms in Center Point are excellent, for a discounted room rate just use THIS LINK. 

Long-tail boat looking for customers.

Bangkok river buildings

These boats are very good for exploring the Bangkok canals. See more on THIS LINK. 

The old & the new.

Bangkok river buildings

 What a contrast we see along the Chao Phraya river, modern skyscrapers & wonderful old buildings.

The ghost building.

Bangkok river buildings

Often referred to as the Ghost Tower, the Sathorn Unique is an abandoned Bangkok skyscraper. Not only is it illegal to enter but it’s also in a state of dangerous disrepair. Where there’s a will there’s often a way, however, and many daring souls have slipped a “tip” to the security guards and made their way through the debris to experience an exhilarating adventure with glorious views over Sathorn’s towering buildings. 

CAT Telecom Tower

Bangkok river buildings

 This impressive office building is owned and operated by the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT). Consisting of 30 floors.

View from Iconsiam shopping mall

Bangkok river buildings

 Great view of the CAT building with the State Tower featuring Sirocco restaurant on the far right with the gold dome.

Bangkok River Park condominium

Bangkok river buildings

 Bangkok River Park is  located at Trok Saphan Yao, Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100. Construction was completed in 1994. The condominium comprises of a single building, having 36 floors and includes 97 units.

Old waterfront homes 

Bangkok river buildings

 Such a contrast compared to the the modern high-rise buildings along this great river.

River City Bangkok shopping complex

Bangkok river buildings

River City opened in l984 and was the first riverside shopping complex of its kind in Bangkok. With over 47,000 sqm of space and a couple hundred retail spaces, the mall offers a wide selection of shopping choices. Its main focus is on Thai cultural articles and antiques. It does offer standard retail shopping as well. The mall also hosts a number of exhibitions, events, festivals and auctions throughout the year.

To the right is the Royal Orchard Sheraton, for an excellent room discount just book through THIS LINK.

Bangkok river buildings

Bangkok river buildings

 Icon Siam Mall is called the “Mother of All Malls”, with 500 shops and 100 restaurants from more than 30 different countries. Developed by the same tycoons behind Siam Paragon and EmQuartier, Icon Siam offers high-end brands, an indoor floating market, an art gallery, exhibition space, and a beautiful riverside location with views of downtown Bangkok.

Thanks for visiting my Bangkok river buildings photo blog, this great city is forever changing, put it on your bucket list.

 Please check out these fabulous posts
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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

 

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Iconsiam Bangkok great food

December 1, 2019 by David Herd

Iconsiam-welcomes-hungry-people

Iconsiam Bangkok great food

Iconsiam Bangkok great food

Iconsiam Bangkok great food, however there is a problem, there are so many great places to eat it is difficult to make a decision. There is a selection of over a hundred famous restaurants from all over the world in seven different zones, each of them catering to diverse culinary tastes. The incredible choice of dishes available come from venues ranging from Michelin starred restaurants to famous Thai street food stalls.

Excellent Japanese food

Iconsiam Bangkok great foodVery authentic, it’s as good as you get in Tokyo. 🙂

California role, Unagi & Miso soup

Iconsiam Bangkok great foodOnly B420 or $14 USD. Siam Takashimaya offers three zones of Japanese food venues, the ground floor features a food court and more Japanese restaurants, while cafés and bakeries from across Japan on UG floor are divided into three smaller zones named after the Japanese prefectures of Kyoto, Hokkaido and Nara.

This restaurant specializes in seafood from Hokkaido.

Iconsiam Bangkok great food In fact I travelled to Sapporo in July 2018.

You gotta love food on a stick.

Iconsiam Bangkok great food Lots of varieties here to choose from.

Are you taking my photo?

Iconsiam Bangkok great food Yes, I certainly am, everything looks so good. 🙂

Casual dining

Iconsiam Bangkok great food Another interesting casual venue.

Check out the seven dining zones.

Iconsiam Bangkok great food

Iconsiam Bangkok great food So many restaurants & such little time.

Not sure what they are cooking here.

Iconsiam Bangkok great food Lots of heat under that big bowel.

Something a little more formal here

Iconsiam Bangkok great foodAs you can clearly see there are so many choices at Iconsiam, please put it one your bucket list, you will not be disappointed. 

The view from the ferry

Iconsiam Bangkok great foodJust catch the free shuttle ferry from Sathon pier, they run every 10 minutes or so.

Thanks for visiting my Iconsiam Bangkok great food photo blog. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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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
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

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Food Park Central Marina

November 17, 2019 by David Herd

Pattaya-Food-Park-Central-Marina

Food Park Central Marina

Food Park Central Marina

Food Park Central Marina is a great example of eating cheap in Thailand. Only 5 minutes walk from my condo & offers a huge variety of very good fresh food.

There are so many choices here

Food Park Central MarinaLike most food courts you put money on a card & get your refund when you finish.

Duck is always popular

Food Park Central MarinaThe hanging ducks are a common sight in Thailand.

Fresh seafood is available

Food Park Central MarinaSo many choices & such little time. 🙂

Food Park Central Marina

Food Park Central MarinaCooked food examples on display to tempt you.

Wonton soup

Food Park Central MarinaA favourite of mine & only B70 or $3.40 AUD.

Lots of skewers

Food Park Central MarinaThe staff here are deaf, but you would never really know.

 Bbq skewers

Food Park Central Marina They also specialize in sausages however the skewers are world class.

Teriyaki chicken

Food Park Central Marina Absolutely delicious, as good as I have ever eaten, and only B15 each or $0.70 AUD. These great skewers just melt in your mouth.

Food Park Central Marina & finish off with a Thai classic

Food Park Central MarinaMagnificent Mango & Sticky Rice. Certainly one of Thailand’s iconic dishes.

Sadly now in October 2020 we are in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis & 80% of the outlets here at the Food Park have closed. I really can’t see them re-opening until mid 2021.

If you have the time please check out some of my favourite restaurants, just follow THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my photo blog. For a selection of cheap places to eat just follow THIS LINK.

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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