The Thai Pirate - Thai Blog and Travel Stories

Rugby game in Pattaya

2010-02-04T07:09:18+00:00

I got together with the Panthers again for a match vs. the 'Goosers'.

(check the backdrop - you don't get those in Ilford) All I knew was that this team were associated with the British Club, a popular expat organisation based in BKK. When they turned up there was a little confusion, mainly because they were all Thai(!) (I was expecting a bigger expat contingent, like us).

We didn't care, either way we were going to get a game. You can imagine the scenario, a side made up of about twenty 30-40 (50?)-ish expats from all walks of life, vs. a gang of about thirty young Thais, all in their late teens to early 20's, of whom had traveled down from BKK, and who weren't intending to go home without a win.

(one spectator enjoys the game) The Panthers started well; with initiative, experience, and the odd spurt of energy... Alas, these spurts rapidly diminished, and initiative and experience couldn't keep up... after a bit, the 'collective' fuel in the tank was running close to the red; as the Panthers attack wore down, the nippy Goosers gained in confidence and began to 'get their game on'...

Just goes to show, as you get older, you have to 'get them in early' ... the rest of the game was largely a defensive demonstation put on by the Panthers, with the Goosers managing to squeeze through 'a few times,' shall we say.

(a Thai panther heads for the try line) But all in all a great game, the weather wasn't too bad either, kick off at 4.30 in the afternoon is a bloody good idea, and the game was mercifully separated into 4 x 15 minute quarters... The Panthers also put three tries on the board, and had some solid team effort in defence....

Against a much fitter, younger and more drilled side, not a bad effort by any stretch.

Thai TV Commercial - Where are my bloody flip flops?

2010-02-02T14:35:15+00:00

Have you ever lost your shoes in Thailand?

Now you know.

Translation: We can assure you that this dog has not been trained at all. Everything that the dog does is of it's own volition. Mistine Foot Odour Spray.

Great place to stop in Pattaya - Aiyara Palace Hotel

2010-01-31T11:10:44+00:00

There are two main reasons we visit Pattaya these days, work, or rugby. This one was rugby (yeees). We hit the streets of Pattaya early to find somewhere half decent to stop; somewhere that wasn't too divey, nor expensive (tricky as it was a Saturday, when prices are higher). Having checked out a couple of semi-grimy, overpriced resorts, we had a stroke of luck and stumbled across a real gem, the Aiyara Palace on Nagula Road.

I admit when I got out of the car to fetch a price list I thought, probably 3000 odd baht, out of our budget... so I was a little shocked when the girl behind the jump said 1800 B (around 30 quid a night).

You find this sometimes in Pattaya. Some hotels / resorts will stick to the book price, come rain or shine. Others will do a deal on the door, and sometimes a very good one (depending on how full they are) so if you have the time, it's often well worth driving around a bit, checking the nicer looking resorts, to see if they want your business (this applies more in low season, and not on a weekend). The great thing about the Aiyara is that this seems to be the book price in low season, and on a Saturday...

This place is in North Pattaya, so a bit away from the crazy stuff (but only a short walk / bus ride if that's your poison). It's clean, well put together. The pool and jacuzzi on the top floor are smashing, with great views of the town, all finished in a clean, traditional Thai modern style.

I confess, I'm starting to like Pattaya more and more with each visit. It has everything, so much to do and see, and you can have a pleasant family break here.... When you find a good place like the Aiyara, at such good value, it really gets you off to a flying start..

(one view from the pool) The food is a bit special as well, very tasty Thai and European / American cuisine, plus, included in the 1800 B you also get good parking under the hotel, free breakfast and free internet access in your room (so take your laptop).

If you are digging around in Pattaya, looking for a nice place to stop during the low season, head for the Aiyara Palace for a great deal.

Worrying division

2010-01-27T16:33:01+00:00

The politics of Thailand.

What am I to tell my son?

1 - support a power clique, a privileged few; only interested in maintaining status quo and their own means,

or:

2 - support champagne socialism, at its most absurd; purporting to be an advocate of the majority, but in truth, only interested in power and wealth...

In a Buddhist country, where so much emphasis is given to 'finding the middle way', how ironic this philosophy doesn't exist in the political realm..

The 'Pearn Wan' Centre, Hua Hin

2010-01-24T13:55:20+00:00

Pearn Wan translates roughly as 'enjoying yesterday'. The Pearn Wan Centre in Hua Hin is a small collection of streets and stairways built to mimic the old style streets of yester-year.

At first sight, the dramatic front to the building makes it look as though you are entering a modern art gallery.... which is basically what the Pearn Wan is. The old shop fronts and streets have been well constructed, largely from reclaimed wood and other materials, with lots of colour provided by the various offerings and bright attire of the patrons.

The place pulls in the crowds too, mostly Thai's, and of all ages. There are tonnes of food stalls specialising in cakes and dishes that 'granny used to enjoy,' and you often observe the more senior Thai's getting excited and nostalgic at the varied food and desserts on offer.

The Pearn Wan Centre isn't exactly a 'must see', after all, many of these old style markets still exist for real (where we live in SB, markets at Sri Prachan or Samchuk immediately spring to mind) but it is well worth a stop, if only to experience the friendly, fun atmosphere, with lots of smiling Thai's taking lots of pictures of each other, and the opportunity to have a nice sit down lunch in the restaurants inside.

(Noon with Aiden) But if you're in a rush, maybe heading home after a weekend in Hua Hin, the Pearn Wan is still worth a brief stop, if only to pick up an iced coffee for the journey, and some vintage sweet treats for the family.

Adopt a Thai (clay) bear....

2010-01-17T13:10:50+00:00

The Burmese haven't bombed the place. This is a Thai style demolition..

Bertie looks devastated.

Birthday Ceremony

2010-01-11T06:16:00+00:00

Every year, on my youngest sisters birthday, the family invite monks to the house to make merit. Work is off the agenda, but everyone mucks in to cook, clean, organise and be happy and social. This being little sister's 20th birthday means that this is probably the last occasion this type of ceremony will take place.

So I took the chance to take some footage of the day.

In the foreground, you can see one of the head monks melting candle wax into a pot of water; this is to bless the water so it can be used to bless the congregation.

After the chanting is finished, the food that has been prepared is given to the monks, who all tuck in and have a good lunch. There will be plenty leftover for everyone else after they have finished.

Finally, everyone has a little sing song to celebrate Noon's birthday, and she cuts the cake (warning: singing is included in this video)

New TEE Coffee Shop

2010-01-08T04:50:37+00:00

Some time ago, we had a bit of a bombshell. The owners of the land the TEE Coffee Shop is situated on informed us that they wanted the land back....

We recently discovered that the land is going to be a warehouse of some description....

My mother in law took about 2 months to get over it (see wasn't happy!) But, where there is a will, there is a way..... and after lots of searching, we have now found this new plot, only a very short distance from the original coffee shop..

So, the new shop is currently 'under construction'. Taking what we have learned from the first outing, I believe this new shop will be more successful than the last.

Watch this (currently derelict) space..

Crash in Thailand - update

2010-01-05T13:36:45+00:00

My car crash in Thailand looks to be far from over. I had to attend the cop shop today to go and try to strike some kind of 'deal' with the other party. He's all better now, and turned up to the meet.

Obviously these occasions are fairly awkward, but knowing myself that I did everything within my power to not kill the man is something of a comfort to me.

Anyway, after talking to the police individually, myself and our law guy sat inside a room at the police station with 5 or 6 others from their party. It was apparent immediately that they, especially the old fella, were not very happy.

The old boy began by berating the cops for not 'taking me to jail,' and then proceeded to call me the Thai equivalant of a 'cocksucker,' several times over...

In Thai society, this is considered something of bad manners.

Laughably, although I was aware there was a bit of emotion flying about, I had no idea of the content, and so just sat there nodding...

Bottom line ... the guy wants me to pay for 1. hospital bills 2. all his families travel and food expenses 2. his relatives travel and food expenses (many coming down from the furthest, most northern regions of the kingdom, funnily enough 4. 'special' medicine? whatever that is, no-one can explain plus 5. money for, er, general compensation.

Total - they want 80,000 baht

I have learned (and accepted) that it is customary for those involved in a road accidents in Thailand, where the other party has been injured (regardless of blame) to pay a portion of the bill .... It is not Thai law, more of a good will gesture.

I am more than happy to take part in this process, but, I refuse to take responsibility for this figure because 1. he was not wearing a helmet 2. had he been insured, this would have negated much of the medical costs 3. the fact that he managed to drive his motorcycle in front of my car was the cause of the accident and 4. the police have confirmed that it was completely not my fault....

So, my offer of 20,000 baht, which I believed to be more than generous, would suffice.. Right?

Wrong!

They refused???!!!!

Looks like the Thai Pirate may well being going to Thai court.

endnote: I am still glad the miserable, money grabbing old fool made it out alive... A point I feel they have completely overlooked.

Samchuk Market

2009-12-27T14:47:52+00:00

Samchuk Market is a great little destination for Thai's and visitors alike.... During the weekend, lots of Thai's travel to the market from Bangkok and further afield, to browse the many stalls and eat traditional Thai fare at the large outdoor food section (they do an excellent Khow Moo Daeng, one of my faves).

It's an excellent place to buy authentic Thai trickets for the relatives back home. I've always heard / read that the Aranyapathet market at the Cambodian border is the best for quality clothing and the cheapest prices, but, the market at Samchuk is definitely just as good value in my opinion..

Samchuk Market gets busy... Very busy. On occasion, when you get caught in the foot traffic, you have no choice but to follow the hundreds of bodies and effectively go with the tide. To give an impression of how busy Samchuk Market can get, a relative of Sutiya told us that one of the little egg noodle stalls can easily turn over 100,000 baht... in ONE DAY.....!!

That's a hulluva lot of noodles!