Pattaya and Thailand's electricity provider, EGAT, sends out monthly electricity bills which are typically paid at the local 7/11.

The bills come with a dire warning of rapid disconnection should they not be paid on time. But EGAT have made a major cock-up in the Jomtien area as the barcodes on the bills could not be read by the 7/11 barcode readers.

This has resulted in major inconvenience, and 200m long payment queues at the power company's local office.

But at least DavidT can see the lighter side and writes:

Turnin on da light make da weel go rown

Gettin a bill make you feel big down

Hey! EGAT lightn up da load

711 caint read da barcode

Award winning Bangkok based writer Christopher G Moore will soon launch his latest novel here at Pattaya Expats Club (PEC).

The famous Canadian expat novelist has handed the PEC a World Exclusive for his 10th literary talk to the Club - this will be his first lecture worldwide to introduce his latest crime caper The Wisdom of Beer. Moore joked, I can't think of better group or city to unleash the full set of characters inhabiting that book. Some of whom may be in the audience. They know who they are. There is no place to hide. It is only his 2nd Pattaya based novel and its hilarious.

It unflinchingly pokes fun at different characteristics of - the Russians from escort girl to arms dealer, geriatric police volunteers, Thai male hair and mobile phone fashions, the fixing and tribulations of a katoey beauty contest, the US cast - bar owner, Marines and Obama's US Navy son (from the same Kenyan village) and the Tweeting generation within the mix of ingredients.

Hear the full recipe from Christopher Moore on 29th January at Mercure Hotel Soi 15 (behind the Avenue Mall) - all are welcome. 180 B buffet from 10am, or reduced 80 B entry from 1130am when the meeting programme starts.

Pattaya's largest Muay Thai boxing stadium has just opened to the public, targeting Russian, Indian and Asian package tourists to fill its 700 seats.

Pattaya Boxing World opened on Sukhumvit Road near Mini Siam on 23rd of December.

Pattaya Boxing World Group Executive Director Oros Chutimant said more than 20 million baht was spent on the facility to make it one of the city's premier tourist attractions. Initially, the stadium will be taking only tourists on package tours, but plans call for opening up the venue to everyone.

It will host three 80 minute shows each night starting at 6, 7:30 and 9pm.

It is perhaps somewhat unsurprising to see that the venue is relying on the captive tour bus visitors. Passing trade may be a little difficult to snare with tickets being an eye watering 900 Baht each.