I have noticd a few closures in my neighborhood - Office Boy has ben closed since I arrived about 10 days ago. There is a new name painted on the window but no activity - dark and closed. I also noticed that Allen's BF Ken's "The Little Mango" restaurant has been closed the past 4 nights - there are no signs posted - so I am not sure if it closed as a business decision or if the closure is related to Allen's latest illness. Also Chili Pepper Restaurant - on South Pattaya Rd near Center Condo has a large sign posted that they are closed until November - it is way quiet around Pattaya - more so than past low seasons.

These low season closures are something new. This is the first year I have noticed any of these businesses closing for the entire season. Closing while the boss is on a holiday somewhere is not so unusual, but closing for several months at a time is new to me.

 

Sometimes it's difficult to tell if the closings are temporary or if the venue has simply gone out of business.

Ken from Little Mango is in Bangkok Bumrungrad helping take care of Allen as you thought.

 

Also in Jomtien, Stone Grill and ZasZas (spell??) is closed with no sign saying when or if they will reopen. ZasZas (famous for their Monday chicken special) has been operating for over 7 years.

 

Do you think that Thailand has learned yet that by putting more visa restrictions in place, closing roads and airports, and threatening to take back property from married couples (Thai-farang) unless they prove the Thai had money without the farang), has an unsettling effect? And continuing to support a strong baht, makes Thailand less attractive for investment, trade and tourism.

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the show?"

 

I'm convinced that the real reason they do these things is because somebody's brother-in-law is lining his pockets at the expense of everybody else.