ciobha

Excellent work Herbert, I hope the locals appreciate what you are doing. On another note, I had a nice singe malt given to me last week, which although not the most expensive, is one of the best I have tasted for some time. "Dura 12" was the name, not sure if you have tried it? Anyway I hope to share a nip of it or similiar this year at some point, provided we are allowed back in the country by then!!!

I'm with Tomcat and seven on this, I don't believe there will be a second wave. Obviously opinion and not based on science. There will be a spike in infections as things start to return to normality, that is a given, but it will be a spike, not a massive second surge, as the doom and gloom mongers would have us believe. That spike will happen whether normality returns this week, next week, next month or next year, it is inevitable. What is also inevitable is that the longer we live under severely restricted freedoms, the harder it will be for people to overcome fear and accept normal life again.

I checked last week, and business class from Dublin to BKK over the Xmas period with Emirates was €4,500. That is almost twice what it would normally be. I reckon a lot more people are now looking at Business Class, people who previously would have never considered paying the extra just for a seat on a plane, now perhaps consider this to be worth it as it could be safer, given the natural distancing.

I think the one thing we all know about this, is that we know nothing about this. There are opinions ranging from the extremely optimistic, i.e everything will be fine in 3 to 4 months, to the doom merchants, i.e we ain't going back to normal for 3 to 4 years. Even the scientists and medical experts have conflicting opinions, because right now they are just opinions as it is new even to them. This thing could come back in a second wave even harder than the current situation, or it could disappear out of the blue, never to return. I like to live my life with my glass half full, so am going with the brighter predictions, for now.

Interesting you mention that mate, we talk about the long term negative impact this whole pandemic will have on Pattay, and what it may look like 6 months or 1 year from now. Benidorm, along with the likes of Ibiza, Majorca et al, are in the same boat. How many bars, restaurants and even hotels will never open their doors again in those places? I would say these places will also be very different for a few years to come.

Just looking at him in the photo's. i think DC and I had a few beers with with him a few years ago in the bar at the corner of buakow and soi 15. Shankill Road man if it is the same guy. He seemed ok, but you don't know people until you know them.

I should have arrived in Pattaya yesterday for 3 weeks of fun and relaxation. But, c'est la vie. I knew from an early stage, as most people did, that it was unlikely I would be on this trip, so that slightly dulls the disappointment. Hopefully Xmas will be a go, so as I have carried over these hols (no point taking leave and siting in the house) I may do a 5 week stint, all things being equal.

Yup, a whole lot of people looked at the 80% and thought "I can live on that for a couple of months, sit at home doing fuck all and still have liveable income". Problem was I think the Govt. believed that there would be more of a backlash than actually happened, and they would roll down some restrictions on the back of it. But too many companies/individuals were scared by the hysteria created by the MSM, hence where we are now.

I enjoyed his vlogs, generally very informative. Thanks for letting us know Dukey. R.I.P

I haven't booked yet obviously, but am optimistic about Christmas this year. I think the I would be more in fear of not being able to get a flight due to high demand, than everything still being in lockdown.

Afraid not BB. Just gaggles from them as they run up and down the corridors and into each others rooms, at silly o'clock in the morning.

Reside above a ladyboy bar for a few weeks. You soon realise that the fantasy is nothing like the reality.

Be fair BB, those photos have nothing to do with CV. Five minutes before they were taken there was a public announcement that PDogg was about to ring the bell in a bar near Soi Buakaow.

I'd still smash it!!!!

Fuck this self isolation, really getting me down so bad I am hitting the drink. Last night I got so drunk I can't remember how I got home from the kitchen.

Sindy just told me that from tomorrow night there will be a total curfew for 1 week, no going out at all. So pretty much mixed messages going out.

Much as I hate to say TC, I think you could be correct. This thing is going nowhere anytime soon, and as it stands people are struggling to toe the line with the restrictions set out. A lot of others, a large number, will be happy to comply for a few weeks, maybe even two months, but then will start to rebel and insist on getting back to normal, socialising etc. That is the hard truth of the world we live in. This will make an even tougher decision for the UK Govt. and others, as lawlessness sweeps the land, will they be forced to revert to plan A, a you say Herd Immunity, and allow deaths to happen?

Yeah that pretty much sums up what I read. The truth is that if Trump does go ahead and reopen everything or most things well ahead of when it is safe to do so, other countries, including the UK will probably follow for fear of falling further behind in terms of their economy. Much as this lockdown/restrictions are pain in the ass, I am willing to go along for as long as it takes to make sure as many people as is possible can survive. There are going to be deaths, absolutely no doubt, but if they can be limited then that is good. Sadly some governments will view the old and sick as collateral damage and get back to business.

Still a tad vague what qualifies as essential, in terms of work? I supply packaging for the pharma and food industries therefore would class this as essential, as these items can't be sold without appropriate packaging, however is it still classed as essential. I would have said yes, but no clarity. What about plumbers, electrician and boiler repair engineers, are these essential. If your boiler breaks down and no heat for the house, then also yes, but no clarity. And then on the more trial things, will supermarkets still be selling things like alcohol and cigarettes? I can get by without, especially the beer as don't really drink that much, but others, especially as bars are closed, may believe that having a beer or glass of wine at the weekend is an essential part of life. Especially our NHS workers, who will most certainly deserve a wind down glass of wine a tough shift. Again no real clarity on this. As for review in 3 weeks - my arse, this will be 3 months minimum. On another note, I think I read somewhere the Mr.Trump is already considering returning to normal after 15 days, as one of his advisory "experts" reckons that the overall cost would be more damaging than the death toll if current measures prevailed. Can any of our American friends confirm this, or is it just whispers.

Keep safe and well Duncan

Yep can't blame you Dukey. Quite obviously my May trip isn't going to happen either, so looking at November, but i may need to make it October for various reasons. Emirates sent me an email giving me the option to reschedule my ticket any time within the next year, obviously paying any difference in fair, which I can guarantee there bloody well will be. I love the way they never give the option of a refund. On another point, I was talking to Sindy yesterday, sitting in her room bored senseless. The Thai attitude to this astounds me, they honestly think that after the 2 week lock down everything will return to normal, carry on as you were. I reckon Pattaya is fucked for the forseable and a good possibility if and when we do return there, it will be a very different city.

I have just rang an imaginery bell for all you fine chaps.

Yeah, I guess this let's reality hit home. For all the cursing I sometimes do of my job, I am lucky, at the minute anyway, to be in an industry that isn't directly hit by this virus. In fact, due to all the panic buying, we can't keep up with demand, never seen it so busy. It will fall off eventually, but as I make packaging for the Pharma and food industries, people still have to eat, and will get sick no matter. No consolation to the poor people in the hospitality industry, my thoughts are with them and I hope they can get some government relief then come out the other side of this with a job to return to.

I am booked for May also - currently not planning to change, but as this develops daily then obviously that may change. Give it a few weeks and see what happens!

I don't go out much while at home, in fact other than going to work, and doing my shopping, the only other time I cross the door is for my Saturday round of golf. I do like a few beers in the house of a Friday and Saturday night - went to Tesco on the way home from work on Friday to grab a case of beer, as usual. SOLD FUCKING OUT OF EVERYTHING. Local off-licence same, all they had left was some trendy micro brewery beer at £3 per bottle. You can work that up yer jacksie. I guess most people are now avoiding pubs for the next few weeks and going to drink at home. I see a lot of pubs, clubs and restaurants going out of business over the next few months if this continues. The ones who survive will likely be the large chains who have surplus reserves of cash and can ride it out. Of course then when things start normalising they will have little competition and overcharge to the max.