Cheer up Phil!
You raise some good points there, actually.
I think there's only a couple of properly built pubs in Thailand. One that springs to mind is the Green Man in Phuket. I was talking to a guy who owns a bar on Samui yesterday (PFC Bar). He's having a long wooden bar installed as most of his customers want to watch the sport and get drunk. None of the Thais could work out why the customers didn't want to seat around fold up tables & chairs.
The food isn't particularily cheap there, but you compare it with the Dubliner and you'll think its fairly good value.
I like the 'miserable-looking expats' bit....
...and don't get me started on the tradesman's....
