Tunes from the Sixteenth Floor
” The art of journalism is to intrigue the readers in the truth that Woman Jones is dead, when they had actually not formerly understood that she lived.” GK Chesterton.
Bikes V. the Bolts …
Erratic break outs of violence, threatened and real, have of late surprised serene Pattaya. Internecine warfare raves in between Pattaya’s conventional motor bike pillion taxis and the fairly newcomer– Bolt, the ‘clever’ phone hailing app.
Although just a periodic taxi bike user, the baht bus songtheaw takes me most locations I require to go, I recommend the orange jacketed bike kids and ladies! They have actually been a function of Pattaya life for as long as I can keep in mind and, on the whole, offer a terrific and in some cases awesome experience. It’s a terrific mode of transportation, low-cost and much, much faster than the four-wheeled range.
A little a delight trip too if you like the excitement of weaving through through the narrow areas in the lines of jammed cars and trucks and trucks, at speed and with simply inches to extra It’s a terrific sensation thrilling and electrifying to the senses. You feel a rise of freedom and a sense of proficiency over the metropolitan jungle, an adrenaline-fuelled excitement that encapsulates the essence of Pattaya’s dynamic energy.
Although most likely a lot much safer a Bolt trip is the reverse of that adrenaline-fuelled excitement!
Anyhow in the meantime I’ll be sticking to the excellent old Baht bus. However, with the intensifying cost of fuel and whatever else, I question the length of time they can continue providing that repaired 10 Baht fare?
A street scene in Chom Thian, or a scene in the street …
One Sunday night some months ago the scribbler had an elegant to attempt the “conventional Sunday roast supper” promoted by a bar situated in down-town Pattaya restoring fading memories of a meal that was when, going on for half-a-century approximately earlier, an essential part of any weekend in a UK house. It appeared a reasonable thing to do.
Understanding that at such a time in the early night the 2.5 km to Pattaya would be strong with buses bearing crowds of Chinese holidaymakers I got the concierge at our condo to call a two-wheel taxi.
The scribbler aboard and away we go. Developing into the primary roadway there is an unexpected noise of intensified horn honking. Among those high-powered ruthless looking ‘Moto Guzzi’ type bikes draws together with, its helmeted rider gesticulating and shrieking foul-mouthed abuse. Both celebrations stop their devices.
At first my (middle-aged) motorist provides the conventional Thai non-confrontational action. This appears to exasperate the other, non-Thai celebration; at a guess mid-20s and I believe most likely from among those middle ages middle east oil sheikdoms. It is not clear why he is so upset. I discuss, maybe unwisely on reflection, that I have actually worked with the taxi and wishes to continue my brief journey without more hold-up. Response to this by the road-raged celebration is immediate. He gets a fistful of the scribbler’s tee-shirt and begins a furious tirade mainly including the ‘F’ word.
My motorist now deserts conventional Thai restraint, leaps off his device and provides fisticuffs. Both are now on their feet. My motorist intensifies matters by kicking over the brutal-looking bike. It strikes the curb hard, customizing its paintwork with a satisfyingly loud crash. In what appeared a flash both are exchanging blows. First casualty, the visor on the furious type’s helmet which flies through the air like a Frisbee! All is confusion, the halted traffic now supporting as far as the eye can see. Intensifying the confusion the furious villain’s flimsily dressed female Thai guest is shrieking hysterically.
Oh dear, simply another another peaceful street scene on a Chom Thian Sunday … All of a sudden out of no place a person with a ‘walkie-talkie’ appears. A police, I’m later informed, however not in uniform.
At this moment the scribbler choosing discretion is the lion’s share of valour inconspicuously withdraws into the event sunset. Leaving the scene undiscovered he hops aboard a neighboring ‘baht bus’ getting to the location dining establishment some 10 minutes later on.
Later on at night I face my American pal Sam. He obviously saw the entire event and informs me that ultimately a number of cops pick-ups appeared. Both celebrations were handcuffed and together with their bikes bundled into the back and repelled.
Of the ultimate result the scribbler might find absolutely nothing. Pitying the taxi person I endeavoured next day to track him down. Possibly I might a minimum of provide him the fare he had actually been due. However the other motorists at the makeshift taxi ‘depot’ at the end of our driveway clammed up in a normal Thai way. They happily understood absolutely nothing about anything.
Oh, by-the-bye, the roast, pork with apple sauce and crackling however no stuffing, was not bad, although the accompanying veg was of a completely conventional and soaked sort. The effort at ‘Yorkshire Pud’ is finest not discussed at all!
A delayed paradise restored …
Big presences at occasions, celebrations, parades and processions in the last couple of weeks have actually supplied sufficient proof that Pattaya’s practically 3 years of ‘pandemic posts ponement’ is lastly behind us. It began with the abundant return of Songkran and is plainly collecting momentum.
Possibly the most incredible, and definitely the noisiest, that integrated all 4 was undoubtedly ‘Pattaya Pride’. The procession extended to 3.5 km with an intensely unique selection of vibrant outfits along with some similarly unique ‘non-costumes’– oh the bare-faced cheek!
