Beer Chang

I was at one about five years ago, we came over from Samui on a speedboat for the night. But my friend didn't like crowds so was not at the party for too long. I would say about 10,000 people on the little beach Unlike the Black Moon Party, the Full Moon Party is free. I might check it out on the 30th if I'm still on KPG but I'll have to take a special songthew as I'm not comfortable taking my motobike on the mountainess road from Ban Tai to Had Rin. Lots of farangs come back in bodybags from that road. Bottom line it's a can't miss event for backpackers and ravers.

Last night I went to the Black Moon Party on the beach at Mac's in Ban Tai on Ko PhanGan. It's an all night rave held on the darkest night of the year. Techno music, 500 baht admission includes one drink, decorated to be a very trippy scene. Much smaller than the Full Moon Party over in Had Rin. I was alone and quite a bit older than everyone so it wasn't the best party for me. But I would have had a great time with a group of friends. Went at 1AM and was quite crowded. Left to go elsewhere at 2AM but went back at 5AM and there was plenty of people still there. Well behaved crowd except for the guys urinating in the Gulf of Thailand. It's pretty easy to get there if you're staying northwest by motobike but if staying in Had Rin better to take a songtaew as the roads are too hilly for a motobike at night if drinking.

My internet connection is poor but that's a blessing, makes it seem more like a vacation.

The Russians will come. The Chinese tour groups will come. The sex tourists will come. The backpackers will come. The political situation may pause investors to think twice though. Right now, I'm taking a vacation form my permanent vacation on a tropical island. I would prefer if development stopped and that there is no increase in tourism. I like the fresh air and uncrowded roads where I feel safe riding a motobike.

BKK would be my guess based on population.

That'd be great!

Sounds like some of the ESL schools in Pattaya which gives some an alternative to border runs.

High end travelers going from Pattaya to Samui will find U-Tapao most convenient. Bangkok Air controls the Samui airport so the demand curve intersects a distorted supply curve at an artifically high equilibriam point. Samui airport is perhaps the nicest I've ever seen. Pleasant little airport at U-Tapao unless you're leaving the same time as a terminal full of Russians.

On boats in Thailand I think one is safest outside not inside a cabin. If a boat capsizes you want to get to the surface ASAP.

Looks like they put lots of work into that snowoman.

That's a great rate for March 2nd!

I feel safest in trains.

Noticed the baht had a big move today, at least vs the dollar. Think it's do to the Thaksin verdict and lack of civil unrest.

I suppose the powers that be are grateful that it's Muslim extremists in the South and that the redhirts are not responsible.

Cha cha good for taxi drivers too.

Some pay a premium for that!

At a few upscale Bangkok malls there's a promo where women can donate their used bras to prisoners and in return get a 20% off coupon.

I was talking a Bell; missed the discussion in the middle of thread.

Yes they do. The bus stops at the main bus station and you quickly get into vans based on where you're headed as well as a quick chance at the hong nam. I suppose there are certain geographic limits though and you have to be able todescribe how to get to your home. A friend was staying at a guesthouse east of 3rd Road not on the drop down menu and they found him. For door to door service I don't want to fool around with cheaper alternatives and I'm willing to wait around the airport for an hour to save 900 baht. The cheapest car service I've found from the airport is 1000 which includes tolls but not tip. From Pattaya to the airport 800 is doable. But I prefer the safety of the bus and also like to arrive early at the airport in case something goes wrong. I've heard of guys that have to pay exhorbitant rebooking fees if they miss a flight.

Pattaya Beer Garden has a new promotion on Friday nights between 4 and 9. Single unescorted ladies (not dates)drink free at the bar. There is also a "reverse barfine". If you want to go with one of the ladies, you norify the manager and they take 200 off your food/drink bill.

Not a recipe but just curious. Are shrimp and prawns same same or slightly different?

You got bro! Number One on the list is bottled water.

Was going to go to the redshirt staging area on the outskirts (for me) of Pattaya, and give a report. But none of my friends wanted to join me and many said it was a stupid idea. But wouldn't a redshirt be a more authentic souvenier than a t-Shirt that says Thailand in the western alphabet? Or more authentic than a Che T-shirt?

One could argue that the poverty of Africa contributes to the illegal ivory trade. But I doubt that the money that teh profiteers are making trickles down the food chain.

Quite a career for Paris despite hardly any talent beyond self promotion.