Mae Pim Excellent Hotel is across the road from the beach on the gulf of Thailand, two hours from Bangkok airport. Only 90 minutes east of Pattaya, B1200 by taxi and B1800 in a mini bus. For an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.
Adjacent to the pool you will find a fully equipped gym and a Thai massage service. The gym is free and it’s B300 for an hour for a Thai massage or foot massage.
Naturally 301 on the next floor would have an even better view. 🙂
The hotel from the beach
You can clearly see the great location of Mae Pim Excellent Hotel Thailand.
Main St Mae Pim near Rayong
There are many good restaurants close by overlooking the beach
This vermicelli & prawn dish was at Xing Xing restaurant. For more information on food in Mae Pim just follow THIS LINK.
Tequila Sunrise
Only 150 meters down the road is our favourite bar restaurant Tequila Sunrise. There is an international team there, a Swiss owner, Peter the German chef, Gary an Australian manager & some very nice Thai staff who run this popular establishment. On our recent trip we had lunch there 3 times, dinner once and cocktails every evening.
Location
As I said earlier Mae Pim is two hours from Bangkok airport & only 90 minutes east of Pattaya. Thanks for visiting my Mae Pim nice Hotel photo blog. Use this link for a discounted rate at THE MAE PIM RESORT.
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.
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
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.
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
My friend Hamish Elton and I in Soi 8 eating Italian food which was ok without making you want to rush back.
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.
At best it was barely average, next time I’ll try something different.
Now if it’s good food you want…..
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
Put this excellent restaurant on your bucket list.
Signing the waiver
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
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.
A very good breakfast and the coffee is excellent. Plus I have a 20% discount card.
A guy I know gets preferential treatment
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.
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
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.
Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand is a city two hours south of Bangkok. My first visit was 37 years ago in 1980and after many trips over the years since then I decided to move here from Australia in October 2011. Without a doubt it was the right decision given how expensive the cost of living in Australia has become. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Australia with a passion, however at my age Thailand offers a better lifestyle at an affordable price.
The following photos and video were taken from the naval base on Pratumnak Hill beside the communication tower you can see in the centre of the above photo.
Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand
A perfect view of Pattaya Bay stretching all the way toWongamat which is the next beach to the north.
Waterfront condo
Construction was halted in 2014 due to alleged anomalies in the building specifications and planning permits. Nobody seems to have any idea if and when work will re-commence.
In late 2016 it was reported they have to now remove the top 8 floors of the building.
Bali Hai pier
Just below the view point is Bali Hai pier where for B30 you can take a ferry to Koh Larn where there are some excellent beaches and clean water.
A closer look at the pier.
The ferries to Koh Larn run about every 39 minutes from 10 am.
The sunsets in Pattaya Bay Beach Resort are as spectacular as anything I have seen in this world, as are the tropical storms.
Tropical storm
During the wet season which is May to November these fierce storms roll in over the bay often causing severe damage to the beach. Follow this link to see the aftermath of Vamcoin 2015.
This was June 12th 2017 & at first I thought itr was sand stirred up by the speedboats. Then a suggestion was made it could be the result of some sort of plankton bloom.
Thanks for stopping by.
I hope you enjoyed my Pattaya Bay Beach Resort photo blog.
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.
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.
Marina Bay Singapore is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is the world’s most expensive building, at US$ 5.7 billion, including the cost of the prime land.
View from the Ritz Carlton
Marina Bay Sands dominates much of the Singaporeskyline, this view is from the front door of the Ritz Carlton.
Towards the end of construction
One of the world’s most amazing developments in Singapore Asia’s Lion City.
Wonderful photo of Marina Bay
My friend Hamish Elton took this from the 70th floor at Equinox restaurant in April 2016. Equinox is rated 48th out of 7,819 by TripAdvisor.
Spectacular at night
It’s difficult to decide what is more spectacular, night or day. The Equinox is on the 70th floor of the Swissotell The Stamford. Use this link to book a room and get a huge discount, you will probably pay around $215 usd.
Marina Bay Singapore Resort
The magnificent building is absolutely breathtaking.
