Grawburg

Noticed a few days ago that there are new plants and a wodden, log fence in the medium of Silom Road up near Rama 4. Any idea why?

There is a sign up that probably explains why, but after 5 minutes of trying to sound out the Thai and then remember what the words are, I gave up.

Actually, it's more like a pond...but its got klongs connecting it. Two days ago I threw an old loaf of bread in the water to feed the fish and this huge, gigantic catfish broke the surface and ate the entire loaf. It was 10' long absolutely no exageration...and it was a catfiash because it had whiskers.

Any chance it was a Mekong Catfish like Ive see on TV? Just surpised to see such a large fish in a city "pond"

Last week myself and 4 colleagues were eating lunch at street cafe on Lang Suang. A woman comes up with whisky bottles full of honey. I ask how much - B250. I offer her B200 and she accepts.

One guy said I bight B200 worth of sugar water. Others said it was real. Some said it was half and half.

Either as an attempt to prove themselves right - or to at least waste another hour after lunch - back at the office they began a series of tests.

1) If it smells/tastes like flowers it's 100% real.

2) if you put some drops on paper and you don't see the water separate out - again it's real.

3) if it doesn't have a slightly sour taste, its at least had sugar added to it.

4) if you dip a match in it and the match can still strike, its real

5) if its too runny, its fake

on and on....

So my question is...is there really any easy way to tell if this stuff is 100% real?

RE art at JJ....any idea on how flexible on the price they are? Do they typically start off crazy high or are they a little high with a little room to work down?

Ok, I've looked in every 7-11 and every tops and every Vila and I can't find diet coke...everyone says it's out...but for how long?

Or there's Coffee Society near by. It's gay-friendly if that makes any difference to you.

What exactly does "gay friendly" mean? Doi Tung and Starbucks are gay-unfriendly? They don't let gay people come in? Actually, Coffee Society is over the top with their waitresses (!). They reinforce every negative stereotype people have about homosexuals....at least the one on Silom. And the coffee sucks, too.

O'reillys on silom near saladaeng bts and silom mrt.

Baht bus is b5, right? I read that far ants get charged 10baht, but I'm happy to hand the driver the proper amount then walk away....but I want to make sure 5baht is the proper amount.

Family going for a long weekend to Centara Grand hotel...I've neve been to walking street and want to, well, walk it. Map shows a couple of miles from hotel to walking street. Best way to get down there? Taxi (meter?), tuk tuk, songthiaew?? My Thai is passable so I'm happy to try any method......how about the return trip? Thanks.

actually you are right, 5th floor food court in MBK has an indonesian counter

horrible...overpriced, farang food.

Looking for a music store or individual where I can buy, borrow, or rent a trumpet? Any suggestions? Downtown area is preferred.

You're telling me in a city the size of Bangkok there's not ONE Indonesian restaurant???? That's amazing. Good thing I go to Bali every couple of months.

Only one I know is in soi ruamrudee

Name?

Any recommendations for an Indonesian restaurant downtown?

"I will asumme they are your daughters."

HAHAHA!! I wish I could have gotten to this thread sooner. The question of what to do with 2 teen girls in Bangkok was begging for a joke...

We will be in CM for a few days in February and wanted to take a day trip to the longneck village. Private tours are B1500 per person which for 3 adults and 2 kids is too much. I'd consider renting a car and driving up there, but not exactly sure where to go. My Thai is basic, but our Thai housekeeper will be with us.

Would it be cheaper to wait till we get up there and find a local tour company? Or find a car/driver and rent them for a day to go up there? Thoughts?

(You can save the bandwidth with the claims of human zoos, etc....I'm going anyway.)

Just got a guitar a few weeks ago and the "teach myself" route isn't working for me. Wondered if anyone knows of guitar lessons in the Silom/Saladaeng area and probable costs? Criagslist came up blank, BTW.

I'd like to buy a nice antique chest of drawers or wardrobe....I'd like an antique, but just "older" is also ok too. I did see a couple of pieces of jj, but I have driven past a few antique stores over near the golden mount temple. Anyone got a recommendation for antique furniture?

Any idea how long it'll take to get up there and back to town and what a songthiaw will want for the trip? If it helps - my Thai is passable - if that'll help with the negotiations.

Thanks for all of the info....as I said - I can get it to the US for free and without any license or import problems....that's not the issue. It's a souvenir so I don't need to register it in my county of residence.

I just need to get one....a guy at my office said it would cost $5,000 if I could find a used on. I'm tempted to just walk up to one I like and hand the guy cash and drive off to the storage warehouse and lock it up until time to move in a year. He can buy a new one or report it stolen - I don't care what he does, but I'm betting this is the easiest way for me.

i can get it back to USA for free and not needing vehicle emissions checks...this is a souvenir only.

Ive got a few hours after work on a weekday and wanted to go up to Doi Sutep. What's the quickest/cheapest way to get up there and back? If I grab a songthiaw will he do it or am I better finding someone with a car to pay them to drive me up there? How long should I plan to be up there? Is there a long neck village up there?

Looking to buy a used tuk tuk to take back to USA for a fun ride around the neighborhood. I don't want a new one. I want one with charm.....one that's been around the streets of bkk. Anyone know where I can get one...are there used tuk tuk shops or should I just offer money to a driver to take his?

Looking for three bedroom serviced apartment with following requirements...1) Max rate us$150 per night2) Min 3 bedrooms3) Prefer location near night market, but if I can pick up a songthiaew to get to that area that's ok4) Rental dates Dec 6-8

Googling isn't helping me...maybe that combination of needs is too much. Thanks.

Considering driving to Chiang Mai from here instead of flying. I'm told its normally an 8 hour drive...but can I even get out of town now and how long will it take me to get up there?