Londoner

I liked Solid, too. I suspect that I was more relaxed in a smaller environment, particularly one that was not dominated by loud music. It must be the smallest enclosed bar I ever visited, anywhere, and it never seemed to have more than about ten guys. They were definitely my type and being so close to Tarntawan, it was convenient; I was rather shy about walking back to a hotel with a go go boy. I'd probably be even more so now! I remember the mamasan; his jacket seemed two sizes too big for him. I never spent more than three or four days in Bangkok before moving on to Pattaya and so the number of my visits to Solid must be small. After it closed, I recall walking through Soi Twilight and being hailed by this ex-mamasan, now installed in an even smaller host bar. Astonishingly, he remembered me.

Sadly, that is the my experience as far as my family is concerned. And it is truly distressing to observe, I too would not wish my partner to have to devote his life to looking after me. What , very approximately of course, is the cost of being cared-for in those Chiang Mai homes?

I like visiting Thailand. I like living in London. I like P being happy working his farm in the north. I like him fulfilling his responsibilities towards his ageing parents. I don't like the idea of his life being centred entirely around me and my needs. Nor him living what would be a lonely urban life in London. I think I have mentioned before that, when our marriage ceremony was stymied by Thai bureaucracy and we sat in the taxi on our way back to the hotel from the Registry Office, stunned, he said to me, "What we have, we have." A predictably Buddhist response to disappointment. He was right.

A year ago I was close enough to look at houses in Jomtien. And how much money I'd "make" by selling my house in London, one of the most expensive places in the world. I even had the valuation done. But there are other issues, many other issues. But yes, I can assure you that I see the advantages. For both of us.

Three times a year in my case and worth every penny. None of the pleasures are routine, even the seemingly humdrum, such as having breakfast with my partner instead of on my own. I wonder if they would continue to be so were I a resident.

Welcome.

Plenty of Russian families stay at The Agate. As far as younger guys are concerned, an old friend, now in his forties, told me a few years back that Serene in BT was a popular meeting place for young Russians. But now? things change quickly there. Apps?

Relocation for most of us is a one-way ticket.

Sometimes. Today it has been fine.

One of the reasons I decided against relocation (one of many) is that I wouldn't have Thailand to look forward to.

A number of YouTube videos have appeared recently which can only be described as warnings against relocation. The issues appear to relate to visas and banking, as well as a rise in costs. The issues raised by bkkm2648 and Mavica have also been mentioned. Is there general dissatisfaction in the expat community?

I'm intrigued by the relatively-recent arrival of Indian tourists; Indian men, that is....how often do we see Indian women or children in South Pattaya? I wonder if their spending-power is a good deal less than that of other nationalities and the visa change perhaps reflects this? We seldom see them in up-market malls like T21 and Central while the many Indian restaurants are invariably empty when we drive past them at night; the guys seem to eat in street-side venues. I assume that they attend the new Indian nightclubs in the Walking Street area but during the daytime there seems to be a great deal of hanging around just outside the hotels. You seldom see an Indian tourist on his own, or even with just one companion. Are they punters in the go go bars? or on the apps? are they beach-lovers? do they take the day trips to the islands and other tourist places like Nong Nooch? why do they all seem to be between the ages of about thirty and fifty? are they long-stayers or is Pattaya enjoyed for weekends and so on? It is, after all, not that far from some parts of India. Many questions, no answers.

The Agate used to attract large numbers of very short-stay Chinese visitors before Covid. They'd arrive in coaches in the evening and then depart after breakfast. You may have missed them if you a were a late riser or favoured late nights! Perhaps they were on their way to other destinations or perhaps the nearby airport? I remember staying in a hotel in Seminyak, Bali, which seemed to serve the same or similar function.

Its arrival is approximately twenty years too late for me. No; fifty.

Have Chinese visitors returned to Pattaya? they certainly haven't to Agate where, pre- Covid, they were a dominant group. The only place where we see them now in relatively large numbers is in T21.

A few years back there were three boy-bars catering for women in Pattaya. All, I believe, were in Third Road. My partner's cousin was mamasan in one of them. He showed me photos of the guys there; stunning! The bars catered for bar-girls with cash to spare, wives/ partners of non-performing falangs and of those who were working abroad. Prices much the same as we pay. From what I could ascertain, they were very much local businesses rather than for tourists . Word of mouth custom, I assume. BBB was the first bar I recall where women visitors were often to be seen. It didn't surprise me. In those days (1996-2002 , my "punter" period), most of the hundred plus guys on parade (yes, a hundred plus) seemed to be straight. Not my cup of tea, though I remember a couple of very enjoyable assignations.

But we were speaking Thinglish! In my, personalised version, mistakes are common place; such as confusing the Thai word for ice (kaeng) with that of the male genitals.

A final thought. I was discussing the word with P on LINE this morning in our usual Thinglish. Is the word used in Thailand? I enquired Yes , he said. And there followed a conversation that ranged from the odd to the surreal. Eventually, it all made sense. "Kawaii" and "KY" (the lubricant) sound exactly the same.

If or when this current crisis ends, you can be pretty certain that it won't be reflected in lower oil prices and air fares.

No problem; my butler, Alfred, looks after all my guests.

I think you're right. You recall "Kawaii" go-go bar in Boyztown? It took me months to work-out what it meant.

A whole aisle in T21 is devoted to shops selling models of people and of TV/cinema/cartoon characters. And they aren't cheap; it's adults who buy them. Friendship Supermarket in Pattaya Tai has a large selection of craft accessories which my partner checks every time we go into Pattaya. This is to feed his hobby of making these models. On display at home I have monks, farmers, a fearsome -looking temple guard and even village scenes with houses. He takes enormous care when making them. The detail is impressive. Why are Thais and other Asians so attracted to the miniature? Is the Japanese love of bonsai trees another example?

One place I forgot to mention- my partner will be furious as it's his favourite- is MK. Branches in Central, Big C, T21 and Lotus ( Outlet Mall). The duck is the best I've had anywhere. I've not met a Thai who doesn't adore this chain . The waitresses (and a couple of slightly shy waiters) used to perform a dance at 20 00 to entertain diners. It was on Youtube.

One of the joys of Pattaya/Jomtien is the number of fine restaurants, serving a host of cuisines- some unexpected- and at remarkable prices. At least for a Londoner.

Thanks. Quite right...good for you. I respect your sentiment. The poor guy was probably suffering from TB (Thais call it "wanna woke"). It is often (usually?) the first infection caused by hiv+, and is when the virus is first identified in a victim..