zzzzz Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 (edited) looking down at kata beach shot last week ;-( Edited February 8 by zzzzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighPriority Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 1 hour ago, zzzzz said: looking down at kata beach shot last week ;-( Looks like you're about to lose your view ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schlog Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 2 hours ago, HighPriority said: Looks like you're about to lose your view ? At Kamala? Must be a hell of a building in Kata lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post xylophone Posted February 10 Popular Post Share Posted February 10 Traffic, traffic, crowds and noise – – about sums up my venture into Patong Central last night. However the traffic situation was horrendous with the traffic backed up from the roundabout at the end of Nanai, to Soi Nanai 8, and then further backup on all of the other approach roads, and the reason was......two members of the BIB were endeavouring to direct traffic around the roundabout with absolutely no success whatsoever with cars and motorbikes whizzing by on either side of the roundabout from any direction, despite the BIB guys waving their lighted battens at the perpetrators. It was an absolute disaster and one would have thought that it was a film set for a sketch in an episode of, "Monty Pythons Flying Circus", because it was so unbelievably bad, not funny. However my young motorbike taxi driver managed to weave in and out of a lot of this chaos and got me to Blue Beach Cafe and Restaurant after a 20 minute ride from Nanai! Good man. Blue Beach was a welcome haven from all of this turmoil and I caught up with an old friend there, and much to our surprise and delight, there was only background soft music playing from a DJ, which was brilliant, and allowed us to be able to have a conversation across the table, whilst enjoying the food and a glass or two of wine. It was an enjoyable "catch up", but at about 9:30 PM my friend decided to head off home, whilst I ventured up Bangla, weaving in and out of the endless moving stream of bodies to get to a quiet little bar in Soi Sea Dragon (yes, they do exist). Bangla was jampacked and it was hard to make my way against the endless stream, most of whom seemed to be heading towards the beach area, and in amongst that melee were Chinese, a fair amount of Indian folk and many others whom I couldn't distinguish by their looks. Whilst the music bar/venue at the bottom of Bangla (the beach end) had only about half a dozen customers in it, despite there being a live band, the live music bar, "New York" was not only packed inside, but had people standing eight deep outside of it listening to the music! Bar funk was not very busy and overall the smaller bars did have some customers, but not many. I headed home on the back of a motorbike taxi at about 11 PM and getting out onto the middle road from Soi Sansabai was a bit like taking your life in your hands, or should I say placing it in the hands of the motorbike taxi driver, because it was downright dangerous, but we managed it okay. During the daytime on Friday the traffic was at times, gridlocked, and as other posters have commented on here and other threads, it is becoming a nightmare which Patong cannot really handle. Just before I sign off, there is a large "depression" in the concrete in Soi Banzaan, which has been there now for about three years or more and is slowly getting deeper, and I do believe it was made when a very large truck was waiting to get into the vacant land beside the small hotel called, "The House". Despite it being there for some time and slowly getting worse, nothing has been done about it and it won't be long before someone is thrown off their motorbike after hitting that – – beware. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lowf Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Last night I got to Bangla just as you were leaving! The later you can visit there, the better. I tend to use three bars in the centre of the main drag and all of them had front row seats available when I got there and so I started at Black Horse and saw that there was some sort of fracas at the entrance to Bar Funk - although I made no effort to rubber-neck (so undignified, particularly trying to film it as well) it was clearly the usual pattern of a dozen or so Thai "guards" appearing out of nowhere and dispensing their instant justice. No ambulance was called and so it must have been quite tame, but the bar girls get so excited when these (rare) punch-ups liven up their boring evenings and desperately try to get a good look. On the subject of Bar Funk - that place really is a free show for the typical cheap charlie tourists who just want to block Bangla and ogle the dancers without spending any money. I seem to remember that, during the Sandbox time after Covid, they put plastic drapes across the front so that it effectively became an indoor venue. I probably got home to Kamala quicker than Xylophone got to his place in Patong! A lovely relaxing ride in the warm night air. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lowf Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 And yes, New York always seems packed and last night the music that I heard was actually pretty good - unlike the assault on my eardrums from the music venue at the beach road end as I pass by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post xylophone Posted February 25 Popular Post Share Posted February 25 Maybe this thread is getting a bit "old hat" now because up until this point in time just about everything that could be said about Patong, has been said! I did venture out to catch up with a friend on Friday evening, and also ate at Blue Beach again, and it was all but packed to the gunwales, with quite a few groups of people, including some "punk-like" Russian young men, a group of investors, overseen by an American "investment specialist/venture capitalist" and quite a few Chinese in amongst the mix. Nothing much different to report about Bangla other than it was crowded, however I did notice more than the usual share of hookers lining either side of Bangla, and that included some ladyboys as well, and am not sure why that should be. The beach road was less crowded than it recently has been, which was a blessing, however the journey home on the back of a motorbike taxi was hair raising because of the volume of traffic weaving in and out of the place! I noticed an article in the Phuket News which stated that there are over 500,000 vehicles in Phuket, and there are times when it would seem that the majority of them are in Patong!! The recently opened Diva hotel (and renovated formally Chang Residence) on Nanai seems to have attracted a few punters and it has been smartened up somewhat, so I hope they succeed. However just metres around the corner the Italian restaurant/guesthouse is devoid of dining customers every time I have been past it, although it looks as if they do have a few residents? I recently visited my old favourite "Sweet Lemongrass" massage establishment in Soi Patong Whiskey after a long absence, and they have been attracting some Russian visitors, according to the manager whom I've known for many years, and not surprising because they do have some excellent massage ladies, all fully trained, and the place is very clean and tidy. I notice that the recently Russian acquired small guesthouse in Soi Banzaan is quite full of Russians, and the place also has a cannabis shop included in it, so an added attraction for them whilst trying to forget about a possible call up to the war! Finally, I wonder if Patong will ever get back to some semblance of normality, without too many Russians, not to mention visitors from other countries who appear to be able to get here "Visa free" at the moment, which makes for a very crowded Patong. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonniePeverley Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Patong area needs a congestion charge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post xylophone Posted March 4 Popular Post Share Posted March 4 (edited) Yes, Patong certainly is congested now, and it's been like it for at least a couple of months, with no end in sight by the looks of things! Along with the congestion come the idiots on motorbikes weaving in and out of the almost stationary traffic, at speed, shirtless and helmet-less, just looking for trouble, and I hope they find it without damaging another party. There are more people here at the moment, especially in Bangla, although not always sitting in the bars, although Blue Beach Café and Restaurant is almost packed on most nights, however not the case in many bars in Nanai Road, which are struggling – – a recently opened bar called "Bang Bar" has only two motorbike taxi drivers sitting in it at any one time, and then not drinking so the bar won't be making a profit that's for sure. Another large bar in Nanai called (I think) "Chang Bar" which has changed hands a few times over the past many months, is also devoid of customers on the times I have been past it. The same situation at the recently opened "Hurricane Rock Bar" doesn't bode well for the future of that place, although I did spy a table of younger Russian guys in there a while back, so perhaps they'll change the decor from black to red?? A couple of other shops in Nanai have closed and are being remodelled into who knows what, and sad to say that the restaurant in Soi Banzaan which opened a few years ago and which had a good but limited menu and a good bar area, which sported a sign of what looked like a moustachioed English gentleman with a monocle, on it (and I can't remember it's name) which has been empty now for a long time is now being worked on/demolished to make way for something else? I hope it is not another restaurant because the location is poor, with no foot traffic or parking area. A little further down Banzaan, the guesthouse "The House" is also having some alterations done to it and it would appear to be in order to accommodate a restaurant in it (a Middle East restaurant?). Jumping back to Nanai, the steakhouse/restaurant at the southern end of it called, "Le Bistrot " doesn't seem to be doing much business, but as I recall, it had a good reputation from its previous location, so as the property folk will tell you, it's all about "Location, Location, Location", so perhaps that's the case with this restaurant as well.......being tucked away off the main drag? Not much else to report, however an old friend is coming back to Patong, after visiting Nepal, so I expect we will catch up for a night out over the coming days and I will be able to get a better look at things. Edited March 4 by xylophone 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivinginKata Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Pleased to say I have not even been in Patong for almost 6 weeks. As for the Bistrot, you talking about that place just about all bike rentals. As I recall open about 5 years ago, never had any customers. Lot of dark skinned young 'French' guys hang out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jts-khorat Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 On 1/28/2024 at 2:04 AM, schlog said: Guess this is my third and last time that i move away from patong but who knows lol. Whenever I come back to Phuket, it is strictly holiday only. It is fun for a week, but then it just starts to press on my nerves. Maybe I am older, maybe it really is a lot less fun than a decade++ ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 12 hours ago, LivinginKata said: Pleased to say I have not even been in Patong for almost 6 weeks. As for the Bistrot, you talking about that place just about all bike rentals. As I recall open about 5 years ago, never had any customers. Lot of dark skinned young 'French' guys hang out there. Well LiK you have not missed much by staying away from Patong, other than traffic jams and crazy drivers! I think I know the place you mean, but it's not the one which has the "dark skinned young French guys" hanging out, I believe the place you mean is a little bit further north on the brow of the hill, almost near the spa place? If you were to go south about a hundred metres or so, past the massage place on the right and then a bar of some description, then you have the restaurant "Le Bistrot", and it is just about opposite the entrance to Patong Bay Hill resort. Before that, over the past couple of years it has been a bar, then a small restaurant/café bar and then a bar with a massage place attached, all of which folded after a short period of time – – along with some poor suspecting farangs and their dreams! Haven't heard from you in a while, so I hope you are well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LivinginKata Posted March 5 Popular Post Share Posted March 5 3 hours ago, xylophone said: <snip> If you were to go south about a hundred metres or so, past the massage place on the right and then a bar of some description, then you have the restaurant "Le Bistrot", and it is just about opposite the entrance to Patong Bay Hill resort. Before that, over the past couple of years it has been a bar, then a small restaurant/café bar and then a bar with a massage place attached, all of which folded after a short period of time – – along with some poor suspecting farangs and their dreams! Haven't heard from you in a while, so I hope you are well. Ah yes. Must be another rentor. Been so many those places in the short road open and close repeat. See try Mexican take out again ... again. Just no foot traffic there. Bad business spot. As for me. My usual quiet stay at home life. Sold our business/company 2 month ago so no need travel Patong or deal with guests. Happy in Kata but the traffic on Patak Road is hellish. Takes many minutes get out of our side road, same again to turn in. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 On 3/4/2024 at 12:57 PM, xylophone said: restaurant in Soi Banzaan which opened a few years ago and which had a good but limited menu and a good bar area, which sported a sign of what looked like a moustachioed English gentleman with a monocle, on it (and I can't remember it's name) which has been empty now for a long time is now being worked on/demolished to make way for something else? I hope it is not another restaurant because the location is poor, with no foot traffic or parking area. The restaurant name was "Le Drinkeria"...........now being converted into???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patong2 Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 (edited) On 3/5/2024 at 9:38 AM, xylophone said: If you were to go south about a hundred metres or so, past the massage place on the right and then a bar of some description, then you have the restaurant "Le Bistrot", and it is just about opposite the entrance to Patong Bay Hill resort. Before that, over the past couple of years it has been a bar, then a small restaurant/café bar and then a bar with a massage place attached, all of which folded after a short period of time – – along with some poor suspecting farangs and their dreams! On a whim after you after you mentioned it, we tried Le Bistrot last night. Impressed with the food, Very generous portions of very nicely cooked food. Will go back. Edited March 7 by Patong2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 19 minutes ago, Patong2 said: On a whim after you after you mentioned it, we tried Le Bistrot last night. Impressed with the food, Very generous portions of very nicely cooked food. Will go back. Thanks Patong2, I will have to give that a try shortly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 On 3/7/2024 at 1:35 PM, Patong2 said: On a whim after you after you mentioned it, we tried Le Bistrot last night. Impressed with the food, Very generous portions of very nicely cooked food. Will go back. After your recommendation P2, I stopped by Le Bistrot to have a look at the menu and it's not huge by any standards, but has a nice range of options on it. I then looked at the wine list and their house wine is, unfortunately, a fruit wine, which I'm not partial to, so I may ask the owner if I can pay a corkage and take my own wine along?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 Now back onto Patong activities in general, or should I say, nightlife activities........ Went out to have dinner with friends on Friday night, and unfortunately made a pig of myself and ate too much, which left me very bloated for the walk up Bangla to the Blue Lotus bar, in which we had one drink and moved on. Bangla, as has been the case in the past few visits, was still very crowded and I wondered if this was trickling through to the Thai folk working here, and that "question" was answered when we walked past a Tuk Tuk driver stationed at the beach end of Bangla, who was being asked by a couple and their young daughter, "how much to go to Jungceylon?" Of course he obviously didn't know that Jungceylon was just a very short walk up Bangla, however that being the case, the Tuk Tuk driver quoted 500 baht!!!!! Which of course astounded us – – so rip-offs still abound in Patong and I found the same experience with my motorbike taxi driver this time, because my main one was not available, and whereas I used to pay 140/160 baht for a trip from Soi Nanai six, the new motorbike taxi driver whom I hailed, charged me 200 baht. I wasn't about to argue with him because he was an old bugger who probably needed the money, but in future I will ensure that I book my regular motorbike taxi driver. Back to Bangla – – the bar on the corner of Bangla and Soi Sea Dragon was very crowded, and I'm not surprised because there were quite a few attractive young women in the place, obviously attracting the punters, so that ploy is working, as it always has done here! Jumping around a bit and on the subject of attractive young women, an attractive woman I know who manages a massage shop here, and who I've known for years, has got her boyfriend over Europe, and when I asked after her, one of the other women in the shop said that she and her boyfriend had gone home to the north of Thailand to get married!! I was astounded at this because whenever I had spoken to this particular woman, she had said that she and her boyfriend often had rows and I know she had a couple of other boyfriends in tow, so the thought of her getting married to this particular one was one hell of a surprise. This other woman in the shop who knows me and who speaks pretty good English, gave me a lesson in Thai logic......she said that it might be difficult for me as a farang to understand, but a Thai woman does not confuse love on the one hand with money on the other, saying they are not the same, basically telling me that her friend (the manager) was getting married for money, whereas the boyfriend thought it was love, but based on that "misunderstanding" they could both be happy! We had a little discussion on this and I told her how surprised I was when I first arrived here to see how many really old farangs were walking around with much younger women/wives, and her response was, well that really goes to prove what she had just said: – for "love" and care from the Thai person, the older farang gives financial support to the Thai woman and her family, and thinking about it it's probably been that way forever here. As an addendum to that, I am sure that there are farangs and Thai women who are in love with one another, but IMO a Thai woman's "love" can be a movable feast! Unfortunately the shop/building in which this massage parlour sits has been repossessed by the bank and so the shop and the one next to it will have to close this coming month, which is a shame because it gets a lot of foot traffic and there is parking outside of it. It made me wonder why the bank wouldn't keep the occupants of the shops in place, and sell it as a going concern, and if the buyer doesn't like that, then ask them to move out? Just to end on a positive note; a couple of weeks ago I and a couple of friends had ventured down Soi Freedom to have a drink with a birthday bar owner, and something I'd forgotten all about was happening in that Soi, because the ladyboys were putting on a stage show, and I have to say they were professional not only in their stage gear, but in the routines and the lip syncing of course, only this time it was a little different to the one I remember a few years back, because the "female" singers were often accompanied by a couple of gay boys prancing around either side of them. Either way a whole lot of them seemed pleased with their performance and there were a few onlookers, so perhaps things really are back on track here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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