The Thai Pirate - Thai Blog and Travel Stories

Great place to stop in Pattaya - Aiyara Palace Hotel

There are two main reasons we visit Pattaya these days, work, or rugby. This one was rugby (yeees). We hit the streets of Pattaya early to find somewhere half decent to stop; somewhere that wasn't too divey, nor expensive (tricky as it was a Saturday, when prices are higher). Having checked out a couple of semi-grimy, overpriced resorts, we had a stroke of luck and stumbled across a real gem, the Aiyara Palace on Nagula Road.

I admit when I got out of the car to fetch a price list I thought, probably 3000 odd baht, out of our budget... so I was a little shocked when the girl behind the jump said 1800 B (around 30 quid a night).

You find this sometimes in Pattaya. Some hotels / resorts will stick to the book price, come rain or shine. Others will do a deal on the door, and sometimes a very good one (depending on how full they are) so if you have the time, it's often well worth driving around a bit, checking the nicer looking resorts, to see if they want your business (this applies more in low season, and not on a weekend). The great thing about the Aiyara is that this seems to be the book price in low season, and on a Saturday...

This place is in North Pattaya, so a bit away from the crazy stuff (but only a short walk / bus ride if that's your poison). It's clean, well put together. The pool and jacuzzi on the top floor are smashing, with great views of the town, all finished in a clean, traditional Thai modern style.

I confess, I'm starting to like Pattaya more and more with each visit. It has everything, so much to do and see, and you can have a pleasant family break here.... When you find a good place like the Aiyara, at such good value, it really gets you off to a flying start..

(one view from the pool) The food is a bit special as well, very tasty Thai and European / American cuisine, plus, included in the 1800 B you also get good parking under the hotel, free breakfast and free internet access in your room (so take your laptop).

If you are digging around in Pattaya, looking for a nice place to stop during the low season, head for the Aiyara Palace for a great deal.

Worrying division

The politics of Thailand.

What am I to tell my son?

1 - support a power clique, a privileged few; only interested in maintaining status quo and their own means,

or:

2 - support champagne socialism, at its most absurd; purporting to be an advocate of the majority, but in truth, only interested in power and wealth...

In a Buddhist country, where so much emphasis is given to 'finding the middle way', how ironic this philosophy doesn't exist in the political realm..

The 'Pearn Wan' Centre, Hua Hin

Pearn Wan translates roughly as 'enjoying yesterday'. The Pearn Wan Centre in Hua Hin is a small collection of streets and stairways built to mimic the old style streets of yester-year.

At first sight, the dramatic front to the building makes it look as though you are entering a modern art gallery.... which is basically what the Pearn Wan is. The old shop fronts and streets have been well constructed, largely from reclaimed wood and other materials, with lots of colour provided by the various offerings and bright attire of the patrons.

The place pulls in the crowds too, mostly Thai's, and of all ages. There are tonnes of food stalls specialising in cakes and dishes that 'granny used to enjoy,' and you often observe the more senior Thai's getting excited and nostalgic at the varied food and desserts on offer.

The Pearn Wan Centre isn't exactly a 'must see', after all, many of these old style markets still exist for real (where we live in SB, markets at Sri Prachan or Samchuk immediately spring to mind) but it is well worth a stop, if only to experience the friendly, fun atmosphere, with lots of smiling Thai's taking lots of pictures of each other, and the opportunity to have a nice sit down lunch in the restaurants inside.

(Noon with Aiden) But if you're in a rush, maybe heading home after a weekend in Hua Hin, the Pearn Wan is still worth a brief stop, if only to pick up an iced coffee for the journey, and some vintage sweet treats for the family.

Adopt a Thai (clay) bear....

The Burmese haven't bombed the place. This is a Thai style demolition..

Bertie looks devastated.

Birthday Ceremony

Every year, on my youngest sisters birthday, the family invite monks to the house to make merit. Work is off the agenda, but everyone mucks in to cook, clean, organise and be happy and social. This being little sister's 20th birthday means that this is probably the last occasion this type of ceremony will take place.

So I took the chance to take some footage of the day.

In the foreground, you can see one of the head monks melting candle wax into a pot of water; this is to bless the water so it can be used to bless the congregation.

After the chanting is finished, the food that has been prepared is given to the monks, who all tuck in and have a good lunch. There will be plenty leftover for everyone else after they have finished.

Finally, everyone has a little sing song to celebrate Noon's birthday, and she cuts the cake (warning: singing is included in this video)