Big Howard Says Goodbye

[Scottish Gary]

Its the end of a Pattaya institution









Howard Miller travelling to Southend-on-Sea from ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ | Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK.


5 hrs · Bangkok, Thailand ·

..
After 14 years in Thailand I am now returning to the UK to pursue new interests.
This may come as a surprise to some but I wanted to leave quietly with no fuss. I do not regret my years in Thailand and have thoroughly enjoyed my Thai experience and will miss good friends I have made, but the time is right for me to move on after successfully liquidating all my assets.
New challenges lay ahead for me and I am sure it will not be plain sailing but I am ready for the move and looking forward to it.
I wish everyone I have met over the years in Thailand the very best for the future and the new team in place at Pattaya One will definitely take the brand from strength to strength and exciting times are ahead for Pattaya's leading news service.
All the best Thailand..... It's been a blast!!!!

[wasabi]

Southend on sea is a much nicer destination.

[Scottish Gary]

I don't imagine he will be the last to bail out. The place is certainly losing its allure. Ive never owned a business here but I can imagine its a constant hassle. It must be like swimming against the tide in a sea of sharks.
Howard has been one of the more successful business owning farangs here and if he is jumping ship I don't fancy the chances of the rest.

[stroller]

Its the end of a Pattaya institution

Please enlighten us with further details...

[Scottish Gary]

Its the end of a Pattaya institution

Please enlighten us with further details...

. I spent many an afternoon laying on my settee in my pants watching Pattaya One News

[Kurgen]

Y fronts?

[DrB0b]

Who?

[Seekingasylum]

Indeed, despite whatever one might think about the ghastliness of Pattaya One it is sad to see Howard go in much the same way it was sad to see Andrew Drummond quit Thailand. Times are a-changing and the demise of the Euro/Brit and possibly American in Thailand as a resident is becoming more and more apparent everywhere.

The demographic is changing radically and British businesses in Thailand catering for the Brit/Euro markets are effectively doomed and this phenomenon is perhaps best demonstrated in Pattaya and Hua Hin.

Nevertheless, if one reads Drummond's site on the subject the story has a somewhat bigger sting in the tail in the published rumour that the NCPO are contemplating ousting the current administration in Pattaya.

That would indeed be entertaining.

[taxexile]

Howard, like many others, could see which way the wind was blowing and made his move, but far too many still refuse to remove their blinkers and cannot see the shit bubbling up beneath the superficial mirage of smiling complacency that is Thailand


Thailands version of kristallnacht may not be too far off.

[Bettyboo]

I spent many an afternoon laying on my settee in my pants watching Pattaya One News

This thread is everything without pictures!

[Seekingasylum]

I'm not sure the Thai psyche or political influences have anything to do with Brits and Euro folk disappearing from Thailand. The phenomenon of our working classes arriving on shagfest holidays, contracting relationships and then taking up residence either to pursue businesses or for early retirement is really a thing of the past - younger folk simply do not visit Thailand in any numbers and the main demographic is the gap year frolicker and the two- three week annual holidaymaker. The geriatric that prevails in Pattaya, Hua Hin and elsewhere is quite literally dying out and this applies to the Kraut as much the Brit, Swiss and whoever.

In 30 years the traditional Euro expat resident will be a vanished species.

The 2008 crash, the rapidly diminishing concept of a viable pension and changing perspectives have seen to that.

And, frankly, Europe is really a much better destination all round which many re-discovered when their currency weakened significantly against the baht and the cost of living in the region rose.

The wing man and I shall return to Europe for good next year when we get our ducks in a row. Which country remains to be seen but I think it will be a toss up between Blighty, Portugal or Spain although I have a real hankering for Scotland and the Inner Hebrides not least because the locals there could easily assume the role of chickenhead and permit me to maintain my superior attitude.

[taxexile]

I have a real hankering for Scotland and the Inner Hebrides not least because the locals there could easily assume the role of chickenhead and permit me to maintain my superior attitude.

southerners afflicted with the pomposity associated with assumed superiority often make the fatal mistake of regarding the down to earth simplicity and pragmatism of the northern psyche as a weakness to be derided and taken advantage of.

north of the trent, away from their comfort zones, they are regularly chewed up, spat out and sent packing to lick their wounds back down south on the next available milk train.

p.s. if salmond and the shrew have their way, it wont be long before englishmen are less than welcome in scotland and if brexit occurs it would make emigration to spain and portugal a thing of the past too. looks like budleigh salterton or bust.

[Seekingasylum]

I shouldn't worry, Tax, my quiver positively throbs with options.

[BaitongBoy]

Will you be flouncing again, thgent, my little "spunk bubble?"...

[rickschoppers]

I'm not sure the Thai psyche or political influences have anything to do with Brits and Euro folk disappearing from Thailand. The phenomenon of our working classes arriving on shagfest holidays, contracting relationships and then taking up residence either to pursue businesses or for early retirement is really a thing of the past - younger folk simply do not visit Thailand in any numbers and the main demographic is the gap year frolicker and the two- three week annual holidaymaker. The geriatric that prevails in Pattaya, Hua Hin and elsewhere is quite literally dying out and this applies to the Kraut as much the Brit, Swiss and whoever.

In 30 years the traditional Euro expat resident will be a vanished species.

The 2008 crash, the rapidly diminishing concept of a viable pension and changing perspectives have seen to that.

And, frankly, Europe is really a much better destination all round which many re-discovered when their currency weakened significantly against the baht and the cost of living in the region rose.

The wing man and I shall return to Europe for good next year when we get our ducks in a row. Which country remains to be seen but I think it will be a toss up between Blighty, Portugal or Spain although I have a real hankering for Scotland and the Inner Hebrides not least because the locals there could easily assume the role of chickenhead and permit me to maintain my superior attitude.

Seeking, what are your thoughts about Spain, and how do they compare with Portugal? I am still considering Spain as a summer getaway location.

[taxexile]

I shouldn't worry, Tax, my quiver positively throbs with options.

i am in 6 months here and 6 months there mode now, and it suits. i look forward to returning to blighty after about 4 months here, and it never disappoints, and i look forward to the sunshine and easy life in thailand when the misery of november grips the uk.

surely the inner hebrides was not a serious choice.

[Seekingasylum]

Indeed, it was. I like islands, scenery and nature in all its splendiferousnous with wild and woolly, unpredictable weather. However, I can't abide isolation and need the society of fellow human beings, preferably within the easy confines of a decent pub. Isle of Mull in or around Tobermory is a reasonable venue and one I would thrive on.
The beaches there are among the best in Britain but swimming would have to be in rubber.

And yet, one is only a couple of hours away from the city.

Perfect. Once I quit here I doubt I will return much beyond the very odd trip in winter and for perhaps a month at most.

[Scottish Gary]

I have a real hankering for Scotland and the Inner Hebrides not least because the locals there could easily assume the role of chickenhead and permit me to maintain my superior attitude.

May I suggest you try the Outer Hebrides. They are sparsely populated and therefore would have less individuals to loathe you.

[Lostandfound]

^fewer, not less

[blue]

The wing man and I shall return to Europe for good next year

The wing what ?
So you have a mate who generously beds the worlds ugliest and porkiest chicks so you can get the hottie ?...

Next you'll be telling us he carries your huge unabridged thesaurus about, so you can always be at your verbose best.



Wingman

A Wingman is a guy you bring along with you on singles
outings (like to bars) that helps you out with the women.

Typically in these ways :
• The Wingman will always be there to “occupy” least
attractive girl of the pair so that you may engage in the “hotty”
• Often, when an attractive girl is out with an ugly friend, she often feels restricted to not leave that ugly friend alone, thus making the hot girl, un-touchable.
• When the wingman technique is used, both girls are
approached by the men, and the Wingman automatically
engages in conversation with the ugly girl.
• Now that the hot friend sees that the ugly girl has finally found a man, she is now free to start scouting.
• This is where you come in “unexpectidly” and “accidentaly”, and begin catching up on “old times” with the Wingman.
• The Wingman then offers the ugly girl to dance, (which
rarley happens to her) so she wont be able to resist.

Two situations may arise:
1.) She tells her hot friend to come along, in which you
automatically MUST be invited, since you know the
Wingman, and have already been introduced to the hotty.
2.) They go dance, leaving you and the hotty in for
some solid face time.
• At the end of the night, after you have worked your
magic, the Wingman, AND ONLY THE WINGMAN, offers
the girls to comeback to his place for a little ‘after party’.
• Once everyone arrives, the Wingman “occupies” the
ugly girl IN ANOTHER ROOM, leaving yourself and the
sweet sweet little hotty alone so that you can bang her, bang her like a drum....

Important note: Keep in mind that a wingman
should never be too inexperienced or he will hold
you back…the Wingman should always be of equal
or greater knowledge then you.

Learning and practiceing the Wingman support system
is an unbelievable asset if done right. Your wingman is
an invaluable assistant for you so don't underestimate
the value of finding a Wingman that can work with you.
"Hey Buddy, are you gonna be my Wingman tonight?"

"I need a Wingman, ASAP!"

"If you need a Wingman, I'm here for you buddy"

[Henrie]

I shouldn't worry, Tax, my quiver positively throbs with options.

i am in 6 months here and 6 months there mode now, and it suits. i look forward to returning to blighty after about 4 months here, and it never disappoints, and i look forward to the sunshine and easy life in thailand when the misery of november grips the uk.

You've got it right.

This place is great for a change of scene to escape November to March in the dark cold UK, although so are plenty of other places in the world, but by this time next week the days will begin getting longer in the UK than they are here, and one can enjoy 6-7 months of citizenship, long sunny evenings, sunshine temperatures in the low to mid 20s not mid to high 30s, proper infrastructure, and a society built around the needs of falangs not chickenheads, before it's time to plan heading off somewhere else for the winter.

[taxexile]

indeed.

people grumble about the british climate, but it took me many years in thailand to realise just how lucky the uk is to enjoy real weather, exciting changeable weather, and tolerable temperate weather as opposed to a tropical climate consisting of relentless baking sunshine under cloudless skies for 6 months followed by 6 months of horrendously uncomfortable humidity and rain in a country whose roads and drainage systems can barely manage to cope.

it is much easier to keep warm than it is to keep cool and the long hours of daylight from april to september are the icing on the cake.

[Lostandfound]

I skipped out of thailand 4 years ago,after 5 years. Now spend six months of the year sailing in the Med, three months in UK and three in Asia or "on holiday".

The boat is now in Spain and very nice it is too. Excellent food, climate and overall great value for money if you avoid the tourist traps. It's also only a couple of hours' flight from the UK.

Travel light. Travel far....

[terry57]

The wing man and I shall return to Europe for good next year when we get our ducks in a row.

What a lot of bollocks Thegent,

You are going nowhere except Gullivers where you will try and smuggle those sausage
in once again.

[Henrie]

indeed.

people grumble about the british climate, but it took me many years in thailand to realise just how lucky the uk is to enjoy real weather, exciting changeable weather, and tolerable temperate weather as opposed to a tropical climate consisting of relentless baking sunshine under cloudless skies for 6 months followed by 6 months of horrendously uncomfortable humidity and rain in a country whose roads and drainage systems can barely manage to cope.

it is much easier to keep warm than it is to keep cool and the long hours of daylight from april to september are the icing on the cake.

I can see why those who have spent their entire life living there grumble about the weather.

Clear blue sunny sky days probably total less than 100 per year, with overcast being far more dominant. Lots of Brits head off to Spain for a couple of weeks every year and dream of having that climate in the UK. And they are probably right, Spain has pretty much the perfect climate for sun worshippers, usually around 5-7 celcius warmer than the UK and with 50% more sunshine. Malaga for example has more sunshine than anywhere in Thailand, but its temperatures average 7-8 degrees cooler than Thailand's scorching temperatures, horrible humidity, and tedious monsoon season.

Personally, the UK climate from mid March to mid November is perfect for me, so long as I can head somewhere hot and sunny for the other months. Spring is stunning, as is autumn, and whether the summer is hot and sunny or typically cool and British, it doesn't matter, as unlike those permanent residents, I don't need to crave the summer sun there.