When it comes to meaningless achievements, the powers that rule Pattaya are on the ball (sadly they are not so hot on things like roads and water supply). Fresh from several kilometres of washed plates, we now have the longest shopping street. Not clear whether this the longest shopping street in Pattaya or the longest shopping street in the universe; but either way it has been a pain in the arse all weekend.
The idea, which was admirable, was to provide an outlet for the small traders in Bangkok who had been impacted by the riots. Sadly, the targeted traders appear to have been those who specialised in the peddling of junk. Three kilometres of stalls selling snacks, flimsy shoes and endless rubbish clothing. The fall-out from this event was hours of snarled up traffic, and bewildered prostitutes who found their usual hunting ground taken over by shops. They could still be seen trying to make a pitch: “you don’t want that T-shirt, how about a shag instead?”.
Rather valiantly (I thought), I offered to take she who must be obeyed to the “shop on the beach spectacular”. Of course she agreed and we spent a couple of hours fighting our way through the crowds. It is a measure of the crap on offer that even my shopping-obsessed wife found nothing that took her fancy. She was so disappointed that she had to cheer herself up with a trip to Theppasit market in the evening where the rubbish was more to her liking.
Sorry about your problems Bangkok traders; but please keep your crap to yourself.
