Beer Bars

Beer Bars or Bar Beer as the locals often say - do exactly what they say on the tin.

Although they can be large airconditioned bars the phrase usually refers (in Pattaya) to small open air bars often in clusters or complexes.

Cherry Bar - Popular open air Beer Bar in Soi 8 between Beach Road and 2nd road

The Lookout Inn - CenterCondo South Pattaya Road

Pattaya Soi 6 Bars forced to close

Over the last few nights (commencing 3rd May 2007) there have been several police raids in Soi 6, also known as Soi Yodsak.

According to Pattaya City News:-

A team of officers from the Banglamung District Licensing Unit who were backed up by “Opo po lor” Civil Volunteers conducted a check on bars along Soi 6 also known as Soi Yodsak. The group made checks on liquor licenses and also checked for the presence of CCTV Cameras which is a new requirement for entertainment venues in Pattaya.

10 Bar Managers were detained for further questioning due to problems with their licenses.

The group will continue their checks during the next 3 days so if you do own a bar, especially in the Central Pattaya area, you can expect a visit from this group of officials.

Apparently the boys in brown on Soi 6 were specifically looking for a “license to open a bar”. This is apparently a ‘new’ tactic as opposed to “license to sell” (booze, cigarettes, whatever) that they have checked in the past.

Bars that have operated for some time, and are perhaps on their thirty-fifth owner are so far removed from the “license to open” that many had no idea WHAT they were talking about.

50,000 fine on the spot, payable that night to stay open was the GUARANTEE that you’d go get such paper ASAP. Refundable like bail money SURE!

Source: Thaianxiety

Underwater World pattaya - when is a child not a child in Pattaya

When you visit Underwater World Pattaya it seems.

I went with my family at the weekend and at the ticket desk is a height board similar to those you often see on fairground rides i.e..

My 3 year old son easily passed as a child but my 11 year old daughter was a good 5 centimetres into the “Adult” section. She is actually very small for her age measuring around 145cm tall.

As a consequence we had to pay three “adult” fares (not cheap at around 400 baht each).

What annoyed me is that we had called them and asked the entrance price. The answer was that Adults were 400 baht, children 200 and toddlers free.

I told the ticket office my daughter is eleven years old and CLEARLY a “child” but they were having none of it. An email to the management has (so far) gone unanswered.

It’s just another example of many “rip-off” descriptions you always see here. Their literature should state “children under 140cm” or whatever it happens to be.

Fatties Restaurant Pattaya

Having been told many times that Fatties restaurant is a Pattaya “institution” I finally got round to a visit recently.

The menu is extensive and a mixture of American, Mexican , English and Thai food.

The restaurant revolves around Khun A, the manager. She’s tri-lingual (English, French and Thai), a University graduate and has twenty years of Bangkok restaurant/hotel experience. She oversees every aspect of Fatties. She is the “queen of off-menu” so if nothing catches your fancy she will get you something that does.

Pah, the chef has worked in some of Bangkok’s best restaurants and has no problem with the New York Times cookbook.

On my visit I was very tempted to try some good old home food i.e. egg and chips or fish and chips but decided in the end to choose something more American in an American owned eatery.

Settled for the Rancho Burger, a Fatties burger topped with spicy Mexican chilli, cheddar cheese, tomato, cucumber, and lettuce. Trust me these things are NOT small. In fact I struggkled to eat it all. The cost - 190 baht.

Fatties motto is “Good and Plenty” and that was certainly true in my case - a great tasty burger and a huge portion to boot.

The restaurant itself has two seating areas. A large outdoor area and a smaller indoor (air-con of course) section. The indoor area reminds of classic American diners with its pop-art style decor and posters.

The menu includes over 160 dishes and an extensive drinks list with Thai and American beers.

Fatties is located on Second Road opposite the Big C centre. If you are in the area you can’t miss the large yellow signs both outside, and over, the restaurant. Even if you are not in the area its a simple baht bus ride along second road.

If you do get the chance to talk with the owner, Donald, you will get some excellent conversation thrown in to boot. A New Yorker with a New Yorkers wit and slightly acerbic tongue, he has many a (good) story to tell and opinions to make the “PC” amongst you cringe.

In my opinion, well worth the visit, even if you do have to take a trip. My own criticism, and one I am sure will not worry the average Pattaya diner, was that it was TOO “plenty”; I could hardly move when I finally got away.

For more info’ including the whole menu and location/directions (including printable Thai versions for the taxi) visit www.fatties-pattaya.com