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Good news on internet reliability. It was spotty in November.

When Twilight lost out to development, one of the collateral losses was Maxi’s. And the face of Maxi’s was that of Pao the waiter par excellence. Always remembering the guests and their orders, his departure from Bangkok was a great loss. Reports, accurate and/or inaccurate, placed him up north working the land. One of the forum members now in Bangkok reports and has photo evidence that Pao has returned and is now a trainee waiter at Telephone. Kudos to Floridarob and PaulSF for keeping us informed.

Thanks for your report and thorough detailing of the island

Thanks.

It’s Pride Week in Pattaya.

What’s the other 60%?

Your comments and observations will be a plus...stay healthy, enjoy your time, and give my best to the guys at Red Dragon - though they have undoubtedly forgotten me already. The guys at Banana are anticipating your return. Say hello to mutual friends.

Reader's last post is from the Daily Mail...repeat the Daily Mail. The paper that was Fo News before there was Fox News. It lives to sell papers and advertising and is not known for a sense of balance. Especially when it can stoke concern. London would have to be the most at risk city in Europe, not because it has more direct flights to China, but because there are Daily Mail readers in London. I glance (on line) at multiple news sources, the Mail is one of them. There was a sense of relief in its articles when the UK finally had a confirmed case of coronavirus allowing the paper to vent at immigration and public health officials for letting it happen. Sorry, I'm venting...but, it can be difficult to get accurate information without the inflated prose of some sources.

That rumor hopefully will be true...I anticipate an increase in a Vietnam to Thailand border crossings.

Amazon is showing one to two week wait for delivery of most masks. Not sure if that’s national wait or for the west coast. San Francisco just added a confirmed case to the totals. Thailand isn’t among the countries that have banned travelers from China. I’m wondering if the forum members resident and semi resident in Thailand are noticing fewer Chinese tourists.

Thanks for energetic reporting. Yours is the 2nd recent report to mention that Arena is pushing premier rooms for an extra fee saying regular/normal rooms are in use.

My 2020 prediction of a drop in Chinese tourists leading to a drop in hotel rates coupled with my later post about the number of tourists from Wuhan May have sidetracked the topic from a somewhat light hearted look into the future. Sorry. but...the sidetrack is interesting with the travel chart and Reader’s post. note to anddy - SkyNews is decently reputable and it was reporting an interview with the Thai tourism minister who noted Thailand had x number on coronavirus infections.

Sky News UK is reporting Bangkok had 22,000 visitors from Wuhan in January. Also reported that a Thailand had more cases of Coronavirus than any country other than China.

Macao reported this evening that Chinese visitors were down by 80%. This may be temporary; but, it took many months for SARS to run its course. I postponed my planned spring trip to Beijing at the suggestion of my Chinese hosts (and a stern warning from the US State Department). I guess Chinese tourism will pause both in going to and from China as China has limited and/or suspended group tours.

It should be noted (which I’m doing) that Numazu is scrupulous is comparing the costs on the ground country to country. What is not in the calculation is the cost of getting to the destination.

Vinapu neglected to mention that Madrid Tavern is closing to allow Netflix to film “the secret keepers of Patpong” based on what the Madrid ladies witness or heard whispered over the decades”.

“Lucky “ Spoon...I agree.

I spent a Chinese New Year break in Bangkok with a side trip to Pattaya - it's not as crowded as Christmas to Jan 1 peak but it's busy. Many, many of the boys, though, chose to go home for this period, especially the Vietnamese. Spoon - looking forward to your report - you bring a good time spirit with you and it rubs off on those around you.

Thanks for reporting early on in your visit. You add atmosphere to expand the reality of the experience. Fresh Boys owes much of its success to the cute boys who, like the one you mention, got you into the show.

The rise in the value of the baht is probably the most significant cause in the drop in rice sales. Not to mention, the China-USA trade agreement has a pledge that China will buy rice from the US.

Suspect this isn't only a British trend. I visit a US couple when I'm in Pattaya. One of the partners is deep into the grasp of dementia. His partner found the cost of 24/7 care in Texas to be prohibitive. He took the initiative and moved them to Thailand where carers were available and affordable.

Great reporting...helpful observation that some nights we can be tired and or eat something that requires stepping back from stepping out. Interesting in how a Banana boy becomes a Lucky Boy overnight. Being a butterfly who has failed at being a butterfly more than once, enjoy what / who you are enjoying! looking forward to the next report. Thanks

I’d call the visa section of the Embassy and ask. I think the answer will be yes as long as you have your passport, a return travel ticket, and info on where you will stay, etc. as floridarob notes they are picky about ink colors.

Moonlight is starting to use social media, i.e. Facebook, to market its New Year / Tet shows. First guy to be featured is a Mr Rome.