Originally a Celtic/pagan festival it has evolved into the popular ‘trick or treat’ occasion, particularly in the U.S. and the theme of countless horror films. The Thais have adopted this day as it appeals to their innate sense of fun and you will see many Thais in horror fancy dress gear at the various parties around town.

Thais refer to ghosts as pi (pronounced pee) and they are both fascinated and terrified of them at the same time. Movies about ghosts are enormously popular and many of the Thai horror films are genuinely creepy. Many Thais hate to sleep alone, especially in a large house, due to fear of ghosts. The brother of my ex-missus is a prime example. he once crawled over 100 metres in the early hours (his leg was in a cast) from the temple where his Mother’s body lay for the funeral rites because he saw her ghost. Why he would be scared of his dead Mother is beyond me, but there you go.

Another time he was driving a motorbike with my ex as the passenger and the bike conked out beneath an ‘archway’ of trees, a famous haunted spot in Koh samui, where road accidents have claimed several victims. Unable to re-start the motorbike, he gallantly ran off, terrified, into the night leaving his sister to deal with the tormented ghosts of Koh Samui.
Many Thais also believe that if a person dies in bad circumstances and the body is not recovered and given the proper rites, their spirit/ghost will remain in that place forever. When

Ii went to England with my (then) wife and her younger brother, they were alarmed to hear that we would be spending the first night in a 500 year old house in Lewes, Ssussex, complete with a 4 poster bed. When told them that in the Uu.K. there are actual Hhaunted house tours where you can stay in haunted stately homes and Iinns, it confirmed to them that farang (foreigners) are basically mad, actually paying good money in the HOhoPE of seeing a real ghost. met a vampire in Pattaya several years ago. Sshe was so convinced of this that she had dental work to give her actual (and very impressive) fangs. was very attractive, despite electric blue spiky hair and dressed very provocatively, micro mini skirts with no underwear for example. sank her fangs into my friends arm on one occasion and drew blood. scared the hell out of guys that took her home, with one chap so disturbed that he shinned down the outside of his building to escape. Sso, if you meet a beautiful Thai vampire at a party this Hhalloween, make sure you check that her fangs are removable, otherwise she may turn out to be a real pain in the neck! Be careful out there… and Hhappy Hhalloween

Click here to view

This month ……….Things that go bump in the night, Pattaya aquatics, Pattaya gay festival, The Emerald golf course, Purchasing condos and lots lots more

shops in Pattaya. “Yyou will find that our fresh approach, dedicated network of highly skilled tradesmen, designers & suppliers enable us to deliver the most beautiful systems currently available. To us it’s about beautiful interior design & combining natural biology with technology & experience to give the best available”.Ii also asked Rob about the maintenance service that Ii had heard great reports about from the owners of Manhattans Restaurant, rob replied.“We completely stripped down & upgraded the mechanical system of both tanks at Manhattans, redesigned the landscaping & restocked with some spectacular marine life. Ddave, the owner, was so impressed with the work that we had done he had no hesitation in asking me to continue with the service of the tanks. We offer a full maintenance service, not only for new tanks, but also for existing Aquariums & ponds. To insure you get the best from your existing aquarium, or pond, we will make a site visit & give a full report showing our findings & recommendations & of course we will gladly carry out the work needed so you can rest assured you will receive the best service & experience available”Although a relative new comer to the Thai market, staff members of the Pattaya Aquatics team have over 18 years experience in the Aquatic field, including designing, manufacturing & installing major aquatic installations both privately & within major businesses. All in all had a most enjoyable afternoon meeting with Rob & other members of his team & finding out so much information about his new venture.if you would like to get more information on installing an aquarium, aquarium maintenance or moving an aquarium, contact Rob on 087 189 4680 visit their web site at www.pattayaaquatics.com or my suggestion would be to visit the show room on Thepasit road opposite Euro Ddesign & the night market.

Click Here

1/ There is something irresistible about a tropical seaside resort and the lifestyle that goes with it. It is an exciting environment. I have noticed in my travels that there is a unique relationship between the sea and those who choose to live next to it.

2/ Pattaya is a bizarre mixture of chilled and frantic and you can switch between either with extreme ease is also a totally different place at night, more of a transformation than anywhere else have been.

3/ The Thais are generally the most laid-back people on the planet. Great if you are on vacation, not quite so great if they are your staff! For me though, the Thai people are what make this country such a joy to visit.

4/ The climate, I even enjoy the rainy season with its dramatic storms. I went back to the UK (Norfolk) last year for my first winter in many years. It was -7! Froze my lungs!…don’t miss that. What’s not to love about feeling warm every day?

5/ Company. There really is ‘someone for everyone’ in this town, with all 3 genders well represented. Be sure to check that you have the right one, it can be confusing.

6/ Iif you like bars or pubs, this is kind of a pre-heaven experience. Around 1,200 of them in a relatively small area! My personal favourite is The Sportsman in Soi 13. A great little pub with nice staff, superb pub grub, friendly regulars, wide selection of drinks, pool table and all the sport you can watch. What more could you ask?

7/ Food. If you like your food, there can be few places on earth that offer such a range of fantastic restaurants. Stick a pin into a map of the world and chances are you will find that country’s cuisine here. Everything from 5 star Western restaurants to great Indian and Mexican food, some of the best Thai cuisine and of course the Seafood is sumptuous.

8/ Activities. Where to begin? Apart from all the great bars and restaurants and the world famous nightlife and cabaret shows there are top quality golf courses, watersports, shooting, horse riding and so much more. Some examples can be found in this booklet.

9/ Fabulous beaches can be found not far from town if you really want to chill for the day. Cozy beach on Pratamnak hill is the closest and the Navy beach before you get to Sattahip is a beauty.

10/ Because Pattaya is always evolving (it can now really claim to cater for families particularly with the developments around Jomtien and beyond) there will always be that great mixture when you return of familiar faces and places and new and exciting things to see and do.That’s it for now. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Pattaya. If there is something I don’t know, can find someone who does!

Massage first came to my attention at school when somebody asked if wanted to see a book of swedish massage…in fact massage is called classic massage in stockholm, the name was invented by some French guy , anyway the book was full of hard core and not a masseur in sight, so when first came to Thailand 25 years ago it took me 3 visits to pluck up the courage to go …and this is the tale …had purposely picked a massage shop of high repute as many others offered extras …at first wandered what it meant? Was it back walking whilst being fed grapes and copious goblets of asses milk, the lady at the desk told me it was 50 baht for 1 hour (1985). After 10 mins khun Mai removed the tea towel covering my bottom and began needing a 

large loaf well that’s what it felt like but after 5 mins Istarted to relax ..in fact too much! Suddenly out of the blue a loud rasp interrupted the flow of the music ….had the tape snagged no unfortunately my stomach had kicked out an unwanted guest ..after what seemed like 10 years of silence apologized and told her it was a complement from where came from… she giggled into her hands and said ‘no problem farang man do many time”..said oh that’s ok then and let out the last post in Dflat minor…after my derriere she moved onto my legs, must admit grimaced a bit as she dug her boney fingers into the back of my calf’s but being British just clenched my teeth and my cheeks and stood the torture…’turn over please khun Simon” ..turned trying to position the tea towel over my middle, said “sorry this is my first massage so I’m a bit shy.. she smiled and pulled a bath sized towel over my waist…she then began to pull my toes off one by one…did the Thais learn this from the jap’s in the war… coz it bloody hurt…then up my shins and then my thighs skillfully reaching the tops and turning like a slalom skier at the critical moment. After 3 mins the obvious happened. kept thinking NONOquick think of Hattie Jakes naked…too late the flag pole was already raised…seeing this she swiftly moved onto my upper body and put so much oil on my chest felt like a jar of mackerel …..then onto my arms and again pulling my fingers off she moved onto my head which was most relaxing.. in fact nearly fell asleep until the music changed to the ACDC followed by 3 German customers being herded into the room …the smell of alcohol and tobacco filled the room and reminded me needed a cool Singha. khun Mai finished off by chopping me up karate style..

Ithanked her and hobbled off to the shower with no toes ….after the shower walked down stairs to the other stares of waiting masseurs felt myself going red not sure why as was as innocent as OJ Simpson, never the less paid my baht over and bowed like a clock work Japanese businessman instead of offering the Thai Wi and then stealthy flung myself into a Tuk Tuk feeling worn out but strangely relaxed.

Rgds sg