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Took a walk down Soi LK metro around 7:45 the other night. Most gogos were offering a cheap draft beer option or happy hour. Kink was a notable exception. Customers seem willing to spend since it's Pattaya's premier gogo. Billibong was empty which surprised me. Scooters was crowded and Cafe Racer was packed. Maybe as the night goes on teh crowds will move from the bars to the gogos. As for me, I just went home without stopping in anywhere.

Steady Eddie's first ever walk around Taipei (Published today)

Steady Eddie getting the Bullet

For the past 10 years I've just been travelling within Southeast Asia and have only one major issue whichI attribute to my luggage literally falling apart and breaking open. I used to use soft luggage and overpacking ripped it apart. When I checked in to the airport they had to wrap it up a bit; it looked like a real mess and was actually partially open. So when I went through customs in Samui they went through my stuff quizzing me on what stuff was such as aspirin, ibuprophen, antacids etc. I don't think they really suspected me of anything but I guess they have to show they are doing their job. My bad; now I use hard backed luggage and don't overpack. Airport security seems lax in SE Asia. In the Philippines, I had water bottles in plain sight on the side of my backpack and was able to bring it on the plane. Good to hear they say it's a one off for you John. I know of some North Americans that got checked every time when returning home but that was a awhile ago; maybe things are loosening up the further in the past 9/11 is.

The thing the expats have been bitching about recently is if you go to say Hua Hin for the weekend, and your place of lodging in HH does an online TM30, your condo owner will have to do a new TM30 when you return.

I've never been to Jomtien immigration in anything but shorts. Last time I used a agent that was a Thai lady that was a former employee of immigration. I didn't realize when I went into her office that she was going to send me almost straight to immigration with a moto taxi guy being her person at immigration. It was laundry day and I was wearing a sleeveless shirt that did at least cover my shoulders. So it wasn't a total wife beater. She gave me a jacket to put on when they took my picture but it was small and I didn't have time to get it on before the picture was taken. No one really seemed to care although the ex immigration worker agent did feel the need to give me the jacket. I wear a pair of cords on the flights. As I don't live in SE Asia I would melt if I wore those in Thailand. Outside of to/from the airport I have never worn long pants in SE Asia. Often I wear shorts on the flights to/from BKK to/from my first stop. Or I change into them on the last leg into BKK (have in carry on). It's nice to say cool until I get to Hong Kong/Japan or be ready for the Thai heat/humidity. A couple of times I have worn shorts all the way back home from BKK. All trans Pacific flights don't seem to keep the cabin as cold as a refrigerator as it seems they did in the past, especially United.

Soi Dog Angels (Part 1)