Lots of building going on
Plenty of construction sites ... big block of soi 8 is excavated to foundation level ... I doubt if it will be improved by whatever arises.
I see a lot of bars for sale or for rent, but also a good many springing up.
Free Market Capitalism At Work On Pattaya Beach
At last we might be rid of the obnoxious tent market festivals along Beach Road if this group of free market Thai capitalists has anything to say about it.
They say its ruining the beach atmosphere for foreign tourists.
I'll second that.
[url]http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/27119/protest-on-pattaya-beach-against-regular-weekend-markets/[/url]
Time Shares in Pattaya - Jontien
While walking about Pattaya, met a guy with an AC shirt, and we began talking (I was wearing my Angeles' Hash shirt). Long story short, he bought a timeshare in Jontien. Those slime buckets are always bothering me during my walks to get a timeshare. Asked him of it.
He said initial cost is $17,000. For this, you then pay a maintenance fee of $50/day you are allowed to stay in the timeshare. He "owns" 14 days a year, so he pays $50 times 14 days per year is $700. Asked him what he thought. He mentioned that they raised the "maintenance fees" recently, and few years ago maintenance was far cheaper. He now does not like Jontien because it too far from the action, but likes the physical timeshare place itself (and it has a nice pool). However, he wants to get rid of the thing. [b]yea like gooooooood luck[/b].
Popper thoughts: Timeshares are a complete scam. My hotel which I am staying at in South Pattaya is at an outstanding location, has AC, cable TV, hot water, clean, large bed, wi-fi, and cost only 500 baht/day. If I dislike it for whatever reason I go to the hotel next door.
To pay $17,000 for a place which then forces you to spend $50/day (about 1650 baht) for each day you actually stay there is to me [b]INSANE[/b]. Also, those "maintenance fees" (whatever the f*ck that means) can increase in few years to $70/day, $100/day, or to who knows what. Furthermore, and I no expert on timeshares, as I've read you cannot get rid of the thing ever. Unless you declare bankruptcy. If you give your estate to someone (say your kids), they must accept the timeshare and continue payments on it whether they want it or not.
Popper
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“All you touch and all you see, Is all your life will ever be.”
-- Pink Floyd
Touristy farang garbage for sale
[QUOTE=Bumholes1]They obviously make money and most of the customers are Thais. The foreigners are in the bars and go-gos. So who is going to care what the foreign tourist thinks? They never do anyway![/QUOTE]If you've even been to Koh Samui of Phuket, the Thais have completely destroyed the place, with so so so much touristy farang garbage to purchase. Compare 1999 Lamai Beach to now, it is nearly disgusting how much crap there is for sale. I remember a few years ago walking Chewang Beach (and I suspect even now) there not an inch where you could just sit and relax. Main street also, people just selling touristy crap to ding-dong farangs. Not an inch of rest. Now since there are not as many tourists has before, and with less cash to spend, it slightly more bearable.
--Popper
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“All you touch and all you see, Is all your life will ever be.”
-- Pink Floyd