But the weather is only one of many startling contrasting features, that continue to amaze one every visit.
How about the price of hotels and amenities. Spacious room with King size bed and sitting area with sofa, bar, 24hr concierge slap bang in the middle of one of the 3 gay areas in the city of Pattaya for £20.00 night. Similar room in London would be ten times that.
How about night time activity. I remember a few years ago searching all over the city of Leicester at 3.00 a.m. trying without success to buy a cup of coffee. At 3.00 a.m. in Pattaya the city is buzzing. Try working your way through the crowds all along walking street, or finding an empty seat at one of the wall to wall bars.
Almost every corner has a 7/11 convenience store open 24 hrs. Every other corner has a group of motor cycle taxis waiting to wisk you off to your next location. At 80 years of age I get a kick out of hanging on the back of motor cycle as it weaves thru the bumper to bumper trafic still prevalent at 3.00 a.m.
How about the friendly Thai people. It is called the "Land of smiles" for good reason. Greet a total stranger anywhere and you can be sure of a big smile in response, compared to a scowl in the Western World.
How about the entertainment options. Depending on your preferences, but it works for me. Several Go Go bars within 5 min walk of the hotel, all hopping with cute young men on stage, flashing that endearing smile and enticing glance, with an ocasional shrug of the shoulders simultaneous with the raising of the eyebrows asking "what do you think" You know what I think! ! And this is just one of three gay villages in the city.
How about on line dating sites. Since I first discovered this utopia of Thailand 11 years ago, many go go bars have closed. This I believe is due to the increase in on line dating. Even in this area, the disparity between Thailand and the Western countries is unbelievable. I have sometimes played with "Planet Romeo".a World Wide gay on line dating site. I have rarely had much luck with it as is probably the case with all such sites, truth is a scarcity. Almost everyone lies about their age (even me) Profile pics showing a beautifull young man,often were taken years ago before his youthfull charms succumbed to the ravages of a carefree lifestyle. Sometimes several pics are shown in various poses of the user in his prime, with one shot in there of a much less desirable, somewhat older man. This is the one that will show up at your door. With planet Romeo you can select your location and one option is to click "users on line now within 25 K." In Pattaya this will bring up 4 or 5 pages of users at any given time, each page listing about 40. In my hometown a similar click will bring up only a handfull of users, most of whom are way over the hill, just like me.
How about tolerance. The Thai are the most tolerant people of anywhere in the World I have traveled. A dog sprawled out in front of a doorway would of course be shood away or a push with the foot to clear access. But the Thaii will walk around the dog. Their tolerance to gay and especially old gay people is refreshing and uplifting. The very first Thai young man I invited to my hotel years ago, wrapped both his arms around mine on the walk back. Even on this last trip, on the walk back I felt someone take my hand. Nobody takes a bit of notice. Can you imagine an old man walking down the street holding hands with a young man in U.K.
It doea not occur to them this icould be a casual relationship, as their imaginations run wild.
A few years ago in the U.K i I bought a camera and was looking around to see something moving to try out the video. Seeing a few guys working around a car in a car wash I started shooting. This guy come running out waving his arms screaming "you can,t take pictures." In Pattaya on this trip, walking along the prom, I saw a few people of interest, so started shooting. In contrast they grinned and would strike a pose.
Helpers manning a water station for the Pattaya Marathon. Temp.34 need lots water.....
washroom facilities for the marathon.
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When you see these contrasts,, no wonder I am in shock when I return home.
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