More of the same relaxing we've been doing all week. The bar we were in the other night had a live band which was quite amusing. The lead singer was blessed with a strong Thai accent when he spoke / sang in English which made for some interesting cover versions, including 'Wid or Widout You'..... They sung far too many Dire Straits songs but redeemed themselves with a respectable 'Wish You Were Here' by Pink Floyd and a surprisingly impressive rendition of 'Cocaine' by Cream sung and played by the lead guitarist to rapturous applause. There seems to be many more western men with Thai girls (girls being the operative word) than we saw in Bangkok. I find it really hard to understand, on so many levels. The age difference is an obvious one, one which could make any relationship strained (many of these 'couples' must have an age gap of 25 to 30 years) Then the language barrier, which to me is incomprehensible. I suppose the age difference doesn't matter if you can't even speak to each other. And they don't. They sit in silence at bars and restaurants, not even attempting to converse. Its such a pretence. Both parties look continuously pissed of and or bored. We've also seen them double dating. Two Thai girls with two much older western men. This is even more cringe inducing as the girls just giggle with each other and blatantly ignore the men, who are doing their best to look like its all normal. If these men are going to the effort to take the girls out at night and shopping during the day, then maybe they want company as wll as the obvious. There doesn't seem to be any respect here, on either side. The other thing is the cultural gap but I suppose its all irrelevant and you could say I am being naive or ignorant. Its all about sex and the pretence goes along with it. Its just so fake. One of the guys on the double date looked like Jim Royle from The Royle Family and the other man had the look and persona of Les Dennis. You just wanted to shake them and say 'What the hell are you doing, do you know how pathetic you look?' They were both paraletic and dancing. Jim Royle was trying to get 'his girl' to dance but she was refusing. Les Dennis' girl was being obediant and slow dancing with him (to Sweet Home Alabama). Jim got frustrated and did the only thing he knew how to do - he threw money at her. In front of the whole bar (everyone was watching by this point as they were dancing in front of the band) he threw a 500 baht note in her lap, with such arrogance. And she got up and danced. It was the most humiliating and pathetic display I have ever seen. 500 baht is just under 7.50. I find it so sad that a woman has to sell her body, and not only that, but to play the part of the little wifey in public.