Wednesday 28th November

(Cont. from Page 3)........ The stationmaster seems to be a man of many hats, signalman, guard, ticket office clerk et all. The lack of investment in state railways puts an enormous strain on the road network but visitors don’t want to spend hours looking out of train windows; they’re more excited by what Pattaya has to offer. The railway simply does not compete in its present form. Congested……..The train having departed I am ready for lunch. As I make my way around the city streets it seems that I am determined to administer self inflicted retribution for some misdemeanor that would otherwise escape punishment. The congestion is just farcical. I know its Loi Krathong and this is also a recce for where I may spend the evening observing the festivities but I begin to question the wisdom of my celebrating it here but if only for the sake of this website I will persevere. I still have time before that so after a simple lunch I continue my rest period.
Loi Krathong festival……..I take dinner at a seafood restaurant on Sukhumvit Road. Like many things in Pattaya food is both abundant and cheap. It’s clear why so many tourists come here allowing excursions into areas unaffordable or non-existent in most European countries. Well now it’s time to meet the expected chaos in Pattaya but trying to avoid the worst of the expected crowds there is a last minute chance of plan. I head for Jomtien Beach only to find it equally busy. But the festivities are well under way with fireworks, launching of krathong and sky lanterns all mixed in with the usual catering for expectant visitors. It appears that the going rate for the lanterns is 100 baht but showing some light-hearted disrespect for a man wearing a Man U. T-shirt I eventually get one for 50 baht. These lanterns rely on hot air from ignition of combustible material suspended below top-hat shaped fabric. When sufficiently warmed these lantern head skywards creating a fascinating array of lights heading out over the bay. However the sky lanterns are an adaptation of the more traditional floating krathong on water. Loi means floating so I guess floating in air is also acceptable, while krathong refers to a usually lotus-shaped floating container or raft. The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong's floating symbolizes letting go of all one's hatred, anger, and defilements. However commercialism shows is hand here in much the same way as it does for Christmas. It is sufficient that I record the events for this website as it is not often I get the opportunity to witness the occasion. As a finale I head for the weather station near Buddha Hill to the south of the city which affords a spectacular view of Pattaya beach at the best of times. (Cont. on Page 5)