Recent Holiday in Udon

[jingjai]

I didn't know where exactly to post this, I guess here is as good as any. I just returned from a week long holiday in Udon. I have lived in Jomtien for the past six years, but never made it to Udon, only the airport and on to Nong Khai. My recent stay was great! I stayed a few nights at The Irish Clock, Thomas and his daughter Traci, and their staff couldn't have been more accomodating, the rooms are spacious and beautiful, and the food was good. I also stayed at the Cheroen Hotel and was very happy there. Large, quiet rooms and attentive staff. The food at City Lodge and Mojo was delicious. Everywhere I went in the city and the outlying areas people were very friendly. I really felt like I was in Thailand, unfortuneatly I don't feel that here in Jomtien anymore.
One thing I don't understand about a couple of the pub/restaurants I went to. I'm a whiskey drinker. At one pub/restaurant I was charged 120 baht for a Chivas on the rocks, at another place I was charged 150 baht for a Jamesons on the rocks, and at another place I was charged 70 baht for 100 Pipers (the low end of Scotch) on the rocks. Owners can charge whatever they want, but here in Pattaya/Jomtien, I can go into a bar with entertainment, whether it be gogo or a great blues band and get the same premium drinks for between 105-130 baht and for happy hour maybe
80 baht. I just bought a bottle of Jamesons today, 600 baht, approximately 25 drinks per bottle which works out to 25 baht per drink. Now I am not denying anyone the right to make a profit, but..... What is confusing, the price of a bottle of beer is the same in the pubs in Udon as pubs everywhere else. About twice as much as it costs in the market, which is a fair profit and I have no problem with. And, I really don't have problem with the price of spirits in the bars, I'll just know better next time not to order them. I would be interested in hearing from a bar owner.
To end on a positive note. I visited Udon for two reason; one to deal with a ill family member and also to check out Udon for posssible relocation. When I took my father-in-law to AEK Udon Hospital for a second opinion/consultation with a surgeon we wern't charged for the visit. Also, I had dinner at a great Thai restaurant, I don't know the name because very little English was spoken, the telephone # is: 042-223-889. The food was excellent, some of the best I've ever had, and I have 25 years experience with Thai food. At the end of the meal I was given the wrong bill, I didn't pay much attention to it and paid it. While I was waiting outside, the waiter came out and gave me 50 baht back, saying he had given me the wrong bill and I was overcharged. This and the experience at the hospital would never happen in Jomtien.
I will be spending a few months in Udon beginning next month, to check the area out a little more thoroughly. Hopefully I will be able to meet some of the other forum members at the monthly meeting.

[lee]

It's good to hear that you had a nice time in Udon Thani. I do agree with you about the price of shorts and I have no idea why the prices are so high here. I usually stick to beer and if I go to a disco I take a bottle of spirit along. As you probably already know, a favourite amongst expat drinkers is to order a band of Sangsom Thai Rum, it's usually 120 baht and then you pay for your mixers. Sangsom and coke is actually quite a nice drink, even better with a little fresh lime squeezed in it.

Maybe I'll see you around on your return visit, when not too busy I usually head to the Aussie Pub for a couple of drinks in the evening.

[arjay]

I would agree with you about the price of shorts being unnecesarily high. I too like to drink sangsom and coke. (I don't particularly like Scotch whisky), and have found in some bars in Udon they charge as much as 70 baht for a sangsom and coke. More usually I find the price is between 40 and 60 baht. As Lee says it's only 120 baht for a half bottle.

A solution, as you suggest seems to be to bring a bottle with you, or buy one there, and then buy the coke, soda or whatever, as required.

[Dakoda]

One thing I don't understand about a couple of the pub/restaurants I went to. I'm a whiskey drinker. At one pub/restaurant I was charged 120 baht for a Chivas on the rocks, at another place I was charged 150 baht for a Jamesons on the rocks, and at another place I was charged 70 baht for 100 Pipers (the low end of Scotch) on the rocks. Owners can charge whatever they want, but here in Pattaya/Jomtien, I can go into a bar with entertainment, whether it be gogo or a great blues band and get the same premium drinks for between 105-130 baht and for happy hour maybe
80 baht.

Hmm, maybe thats why they all seem to fail here I know what you mean, what gets me is the way they measure the shots So you get this large glass, with a little liquid at the bottom, makes you wonder if it came from another table they were busing The last time I ordered a drink was at StevesUdon, as I watched him pour, changed to a double, then a triple, can't remember for sure, but I think it was 210 baht on my bill.