sabangs really Boring local thread

[sabang]

I've accumulated several phot's in the TD gallery & on my Hard drive that don't really warrant a Thread of their own, not even by my low standards. So I reckon I'll just start this generic thread, local Tamadah- where I live is about 10km east of downtown Pattaya, dubbed the Darkside. For that matter I'm heading up to live in our cottage in Ubon in a coupla months, partly out of curiosity- to check out the Isaan lifestyle; partly out of economic rationalism- my rental income will support me quite comfortably up there whilst I wait for the economic crisis to recede and assist my battered finances, Buddha willing. So this thread will serve as a bit of a retrospect too.

Well, on this day a power cut stirred me into action. No TV, no aircon or fans, no puter- so a good time to head down to the village shop for a few beers. Thought I'd walk- it's not far- and bring my camera. So time to leave the bourgeoise behind-





Nice place just over the Pond- only recently completed. Some money spent there methinks-



Lets hit the Mean Soi's. We're going down here-



One last look back-



You'll not be surprised to know that the only humanoids from our moo bahn that have ever been seen at the village shop are Mr & Mrs sabang.

We're regulars.

[sabang]

The villages around our way support a very diverse population of expats at all levels of affluence, Thai gangsta's, business people, workers, thieves and Yaba heads. All mixed in together, the affluent and the impoverished, the Locals and the expats.

This little shanty was put up against our wall, so people could have some shade whilst they farmed the vacant patch next door. I don't mind, except when they get pissed and let off firecrackers.



Ended up, they done us a favour. Clearing the overgrown Plot, a rotten tree stump was revealed- that had become a large termite mound. So the cause of our recurring termite problem was discovered, and one thousand baht later it became an ex-termite mound. Who d'ya reckon paid?

I'm informed by the estate developer, the inhabitants of this family compound are 'well connected', of the don't mess with variety. Good- they usually keep the robbers away. Some family Patriarch must've died last year, and they threw a party complete with several bands, fireworks, monks and booze that went on for days-



Falang/Thai wife place- they say she's got a fully equipped Buddhist Temple on the top floor-



Behind these forboding gates (notice the dog) another falang place-



But no foreigners here, and it's right next door-



Turn right at the corner- still a fair bit of vacant land around here-



but less and less remaining every year- always construction hapening-



Down here a few hundred metres is the Oasis. We're on the home stretch, & thats our local motosai repair shop on the right-



But I cross the road to avoid this aggressive mut- he's prolly got pups in the grass somewhere.

[sabang]

Now this place is way cool, and it's not falang. Only recently completed, I trespassed to get these couple of shots (and got some funny looks from the workers)- anyway I'm impressed.



^ a Black VW too- waay Kewwl!



This place is pretty cool too, my wifes been there for some Buddhist related pissup (I was already inebriated). House not huge, but great gardens she said-





At this point, mrs sab overtakes me on the motosai-



Quite a large shrine here, considering it only serves a small hairdressing salon-



Right across the road from a builders supply depot-



And heres the Oasis.



The family also rents out quite a few of these units-

[jandajoy]

Good to see how the other half live..

[peterpan]

Looks familiar, I do believe I have had a few beers there

[sabang]

^ Heh, I only take you to the Best PP . At 45 bht a large Leo, it's not the cheapest but it's not bad. 35 bht for Archa.

Good to see how the other half live..

What, don't you drink down the shop?

I'll take a break, might even go down the shop for a beer, and come back later with 'at the Shop'.

[jandajoy]

What, don't you drink down the shop?

Wot shop ?

[Loy Toy]

Nice pictures mate but where abouts are you.

We must be almost neighbours!

The thing I like about living here is the fact it is far enough away from the Pattaya's Riff Raff areas. Had people come over for a holiday and they had no idea about the sordid sex business that was going down just 10 Kms away.

[jandajoy]

had no idea about the sordid sex business that was going down just 10 Kms away.

Spoil sport...

[sabang]

they had no idea about the sordid sex business that was going down just 10 Kms away.

Well, I'm sure you soon showed them LT. Thats what friends are for.
The village is called Santisuk- do you know it?

[Loy Toy]

Well, I'm sure you soon showed them LT. Thats what friends are for. The village is called Santisuk- do you know it?

I had 5 couples here, mostly Welsh and a few English sprinkled through the group.

Had a few of the lads out on the town but the ladies of that particular group knew the score and kept close tabs on their men.

Satisuk Village, can't say I have heard of it mate.

As I understand, and from your past posts it is not far from Soi Koew Noi.

Maybe I might drop in and see you one of these days and try out your little beer shop.

[sabang]

not far from Soi Koew Noi.

Actually it's off Soi Siam CC, not too far from Mabprachan.
Can easily do a beer- and I'll recognise you anyway.
The last (and first) time we had a beer was at the Moon River pub.
Just PM ahead, & can firm up the directions.

[Loy Toy]

Mate, I reckon "old timers disease" has got me and with regard to the beer at the Moon River Pub.

Good, I look forward to it and maybe we can get BBoy out for a splash as well.

[sabang]

Mrs has got the first Leo.



These have become the two unofficial falang tables. It's too early in the day to sit at the bigger one, because of the direct sun- we'll gravitate there later.



The beer is iced. That board next to the beer chest are the prizes you can win if you play the local shop lottery- at 3 bht a ticket it won't break the bank.






This chap always comes up and says hello-



This one soon comes over when he smells food.



So we sip a few beers, and watch the daily parade.



Mrs buys some food from a local- this lady is a pretty good cook, and every now and again she cooks up a batch of a couple of nice things and sells it locally, I suppose to make some pocket money. She has no problem selling her wares.



Always vendors coming and going- this chap is mixing up some som tam, which is said to be good but too fiery hot for me.

[peterpan]

not far from Soi Koew Noi.

Actually it's off Soi Siam CC, not too far from Mabprachan.
Can easily do a beer- and I'll recognise you anyway.
The last (and first) time we had a beer was at the Moon River pub.
Just PM ahead, & can firm up the directions.

I'm coming down tomorrow so will gave you a ring and maybe LT would join us for a beer at the shop, Tues or Wed evening.

[sabang]

Babies always attract a fuss.








Pleasant surprise- a friend pops by. She's seen us here driving by before, but decides to stop for a coke today.





Cute little chappie-

[sabang]

A lovely old lady- I doubt she's got two sticks to rub together, but she's here every morning giving tambon to the monks. She grows a few organic fruits and veggies, which Mrs sabang eagerly snaps up whenever she can. We both like supporting local enterprise anyway, but her veges are the real deal also.



The broom guy sells no brooms today-



A local Cutie.



We buy this little chappie an iced lolly.



This dog is the local Alpha male- he actually belongs to the building materials shop next door, but it's owned by the same family. He killed a kitten that strayed too close to the shop recently- I'm glad I wasn't around then.



The old alpha male was a favorite of mine- "MahMum", but he did have this habit of sleeping in the road, which caused his messy demise a couple of months ago. Vale MM (an old shot)-

[sabang]

I'm coming down tomorrow so will gave you a ring and maybe LT would join us for a beer at the shop, Tues or Wed evening.

Great mate- I'll wait to hear from you. LT- are you around? Maybe see if you can get the BB out for an ale too.

[JoGeAr]

Looks like a nice little spot you've got there, mate. Can picture a few wasted hours at one (or both) of those tables. Will certainly try to find it next time we're up that way.

[sabang]

The shop is a fairly typical local shop, if perhaps bigger than most. Apart from being a general store and impromptu pub, it also sells bottles of petrol, has some washing machines, and does a thriving trade in gas bottles- which they deliver, and pick up the empties. Their delivery vehicle.



Chook feeding time, out the back. Mrs buys a 'local icecream'. I end up with some kind of bean flavour- quite nice actually. We've had several vendors pop by, but not as many as usual I note. Dunno why, but it's quite a hot day- maybe they just can't be bothered until it cools down.





Riding shotgun on a Garbo truck.



The kids are coming home from school now.



This one takes the orphans, or 'street kids' back to the Redemptorist home, which is not far away.

[davearn]

Looks great, Sabang. Beats the shit out of suburban Brisbane let me tell you.

Enjoy the day and have a few at the ol' shop for me, mate.

[sabang]

It's getting towards dusk now, and Mrs disappears for a while to chat to a local friend of hers- leaving me in the company of another local who's turned up. Talk about a regular- this chap even has his own cushion and beer mat which he keeps at the shop! And of course, his own unofficially reserved seat. It's been a while- but heres Mrs sabang again, and it looks promising.





An impromptu feast- today we have goulash & boiled spuds, yummie. And the whiskey starts flowing- our friends are not really beer drinkers.



The shop people and the tenants of their small flats jointly maintain this little arboreum, which is nice. My photo does not do it much justice.



Well, with the food, company, beer and whiskey the camera is somewhat forgotten. I've had my fill, and the time comes to get the Bill- which is totalled the traditional way, by counting the empties.



Another pleasant, albeit boozy, afternoon at the shop. I reckon it beats hanging around in a beer bar, maybe watching the soccer or talking about the Premier League, and paying over twice as much for beer thats not as cold. Theres plenty to keep you entertained here.

[sabang]

Looks like a nice little spot you've got there, mate. Can picture a few wasted hours at one (or both) of those tables. Will certainly try to find it next time we're up that way.

Enjoy the day and have a few at the ol' shop for me, mate.

Cheers fella's- anytime you're in Patt's, always welcome. Bit of a countdown though- I'll prolly be moving up to darkest Ubon before Xmas.

[kingwilly]

Great thread mate, I recokons a mod outta edit out the boring bit in the title, cos it aint at all. I liked the commentary. cheers.

[peterpan]

Agree 100% Willy, its nice that Tders share the details of their surroundings, each of us have our own story and I'm interested in them all.