Breakfast yesterday with genuinej where the talk was apparently of golf, although I had no idea what he was on about. His previous outing had featured seven triple bogeys, which sounds like the result of a nasty head cold, but instead is some sort of scoring triumph which the man himself seemed less than pleased about.
Never mind, it was good to see the old chap, and most pleasing to see that he had brought the usual offering of Flakes, Crunchies and Twiglets. There were also some chocolate eggs which Cadbury’s had released for Halloween in a shameless act of commercialism by sticking an ‘S’ in the title and calling them “Screme Eggs”. Personally, I was disgusted by this. We all know that the chocolate egg is a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and should, like the holy Easter bunny, be held sacred. Still, they taste damn good so I will put aside my deeply held spiritual convictions just this once.
Word on the street is that Spanky is in town and indeed the man has been dropping digital postcards onto the wide world of web every couple of days with messages that can be summarised as: “In Pattaya. Pissed”. So that’s nice.
And finally, our representative in the colonies, Sir Grant, has announced his intention to travel down to Pattaya next week from his current winter residence outside Bangkok. Being the man that he is, he will be arriving by ceremonial train and I am tasked with arranging his reception at Pattaya station. Not a problem, except I have no idea as to the location of Pattaya station; but I am sure I will work it out.
Some form of Pattaya Days Commenters gala dinner may be in the offing, where we can find out how little we have in common, genuinej will tell me that there should have been an apostrophe somewhere near the start of this sentence, and we can all drown our sorrows in something suitable. Can’t wait.
Comments 🔗
2012-11-28| Pete saysStrangely for Pattaya, the authorities managed to get both railway stations fairly close to the railway lines. The main one is to be found a short way down the local pot-hole collection known as Soi Siam Country Club, whereas the southern one is a raised bit of concrete down Soi Khao Talo. That one is probably worth pointing a lens at, as it’s the only raised bit of ground I’ve ever seen with a sign proclaiming it to be a station.
They have also recently made a new, 3rd station to cope with the masses of tourists that want to visit the floating market. Quite surprisingly this one is called Pattaya Floating Market, and is located right behind said tourist trap.
Hold off on the PDC gala dinner for a while - I’ll be there in 3 weeks …. (and I won’t mention any missing apostrophes)
2012-11-29| Grant saysThanks for that Pete, spending your spotty youth shivering in short trousers on snowy station platforms trainspotting has at last paid off and you may just have averted the great “getting off at wrong station” disaster of 2012. Certainly you will have averted the great “waiting at wrong station” disaster of the same year…
2012-11-29| Spike saysThanks Pete. I have no idea which one the Bangkok train stops at; but I will probably wait at the Floating Market station as it is the least likely to disgorge a Grant.
2012-11-30| Wally saysThere’s a 99% chance that Grant will disembark at the main Pattaya station (unless he has read Pete’s comments) - Directions - Head North on Sukhumvit Rd. 300m past the ‘T’ junction (lights) with Central Rd (Pattaya Klang) is another set of lights, turn right - you are now on Soi Country Club. Travel down 400m and you will reach the railway line. Do not cross the lines. Turn left onto the North bound bypass road. Drive for 500m and you are at the staion. When you depart the station, c/w Grant, continue heading North for about 3-400m until you reach the Motorway Flyover - turn left onto the Motorway and continue until you reach Sukhumvit Rd Southbound.
2012-11-30| Grant saysStunning directions Wally, you’re a pal! I’ll let you know the results of the comprehension test in due course…
2012-11-30| Spike saysWell done Wally. Grant, you can follow these directions to walk into town in case I am delayed by an extra cup of coffee or a surprisingly lengthy poo.
2012-12-01| Grant saysThank you so very much old chap, you’re too kind. I’ll give you a bell if I get to Rayong…
2012-12-06| Grant saysWally you’ll be pleased to hear that not only did he score out at 100% in the comprehension test but he managed to wheel his own bath-chair up the “handicapped lamp” at the station without external assistance of any kind what-so-ever…