A quick side note...

Mother and Grandma do not worry: even though this place is "mind boggling" (to say the least) is is safe (day and night). There are still a decent spattering of normal tourists wandering around (probably wondering how the heck they ended up here...I heard Patong was a party beach but wow, way off) and even families with children. Why you'd bring your children to a place where the bracelets say "f**k you" and "big d*** " and so on is beyond me. There are neon signs with boobs and ass everywhere. If I had kids I'd be on the first bus outta here. Anyhow don't worry, i'm safe, full and heading down to the beach :)

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