bangkok19

I bring just ONE BOTTLE to Bangkok and once consumed... I enjoy shopping in the many wine shops over the city for wines I can't get in my home country ...

I actually prefer the fake Rolex's, TAG's and Omega's to the real ones. My real one would obviously be left in the hotel room safe if I was planning a L O N G night in Bangkok. Common sense.

I can remember during the mid 80's work stopped on construction of Times Square on Sukhumvit Rd between Soi's 12 & 14 because the builders went broke. The site was only partially built and occupied by the odd squatter as well as Bangkok Street dogs and left that way for around 8 years. New builders wouldn't resume construction of the building because of "bad pee" that was 'looking after ' the site. In the early 90's it took a whole lot of money (donations) to the nearest Wat for many Monks to come and ward off the "bad pee" so that construction could recommence. Probably very good timing as just after the Times Square building was constructed the BTS out front was constructed with the overhead walkway including a walkway from main Skywalk to Times Square's 1st floor.

These "Gender Reveal" party's certainly attract the strangest people!

It's called "weather".... It was around when we were kids and 1,000 years before that. They compare today's temperatures to when? The start of when actual temperatures were being recorded??!! What about the world temperatures prior to then?

That place in Centralworld was an OMEGA watch specialist. Back then the shopping mall was known as the World Trade Center. He bought my old Omega "moonwatch"... I don't know if he's still there. These days I never the go past the 3rd floor.

I think it's called "weather".

Da Stefano has great AUTHENTIC Italian food and good Italian Wines. Also Chez Marco on Loi Kroa has great French food and lovely French wines. If you're a wine drinker, the aforementioned restaurants I've mentioned have several Wines that I have never seen in any of the Chiang Mai wine shops. Worth a try.

My chronic back pain lasts around 2 months after I do something (physical) to reignite it. The Paracetamol/Ibuprofen tablet works for me, however I never take more than 1 per day... and definitely not every day as I am now on blood thinners.. read the warnings. Also a back massage is good for temp. relief using an anti inflammatory gel. I find heat pads don't really help me and really smell, especially the Thai Tiger Balm ones.

It's one thing getting foreign health insurance to be able to then fill out the Foreign Insurance Certificate, but getting the Director to sign and stamp... good luck with that! I tried with the biggest health insurer in Australia (Medibank Private) as well as Bupa.. their words: "we don't sign stuff".... I eventually went with a company on the TGIA list.. easier, plus I got the director's signature and rubber stamp.. Thai officialdom love that!

I remember my first trip to Vientiane back in 1987. When I was departing Wattay Airport I didn't quite have enough Lao Kip to pay the departure tax... I reluctantly gave them a crisp green Aussie $100 note! They gave me my change in Kip, filling a cardboard shoe box. I foolishly thought I could change it for Baht back in BKK. Wrong! I returned to Vientiane Christmas of '87 and used the shoebox full of Kip to pay for my hotel. I was staying at the ANOU HOTEL at the time, with its floor to ceiling mirrors and no windows... anybody know if it's still there? In recent years I stayed at the LANXANG but never bothered finding out.

people want to ignore recommendations and use the bar in business class etc... thats their risk. Should they be 'compensated' for having a drink in business class when the risk of entering 'clear air turbulence' is something we are all aware of ? (most of us). F.Y.I. - there ARE seatbelts on the 'soft' seats in the Bar area of Business Class. You don't HAVE TO sit in the stools!

I know in Oz several companies produce a 500mg Para/200mg Ibuprofen tablet or capsule. You just take 1 at a time instead of 2. Works better than some of the stronger stuff on my recurring back pain. I BYO to Thailand so have never looked for it.

Do the crime... do the time!

Lucky you! You were actually able to speak to a real person. I was in Sydney a few months ago and decided to visit to TG ticket office in Market St. The office was closed with no people in sight. There were Thai pictures and ornamentals around the office.. and the lights were on (but nobody home). I asked someone in a neighbouring office about TG, they said they hadn't seen anyone in there for months. As for Sydney to Bangkok flights . All we have is TG and QF. I.M.O. Qantas are worse than THAI. Luckily I've never had a negative experience flying with TG Business. I wish Emirates would resume the Syd-Bkk route again that they terminated back in 2019.

I try not to swallow!

Vaping is illegal in Thailand but it's happening at places (indoors and outdoors) around Bangkok, you need to get away from your keyboard more and venture out the front door and OPEN YOUR EYES. It's more widespread than you think. I suppose the next thing you're going to ask me is for names, dates and venues for proof! Lots of things are illegal in Thailand but are still happening.

Fact! I went upstairs and replaced my worn ATM BKK Bank Debit card, at that time (August last year) I was in town for just a few weeks (didn't even HAVE a visa). Lots of signatures required and plenty of general chit chat. I was asked by the lovely lady in conversation (not in an official capacity) where I'm living etc and after replying she just gave a big smile and gave me my new card and said "happy holiday". Re your request... Yes, I opened accounts on 3 occasions over the years with just a Tourist Visa in that very same spot. First time was in the 80's when there was actually a small Post Office up there within the bank. I've also had accounts with the TFB and later Kasikorn Bank. All opened with just a Tourist Visa! The one thing they did stipulate was to "keep the account active" which I do. You, Dr Jack are the typical keyboard warrior that spends your whole day on this site trying to disprove other contributors' personal experiences..... "please post fact"... Really????

Correct... just go upstairs, there are a couple of girls working there that are most helpful. Remember to dress correctly for the occasion.

Stickman wrote on a few occasions that he'd see him at the La Scala cinema quite often, and he'd always undo the top button of his trousers before sitting down!

I only ventured upstairs a few times and from memory it was to eat at the Derby King (?) .. they also did take away orders and delivered them to the nearby bars. Can't remember accessing there from the Foodland carpark though. The stairs were near Vinai's.

I once met a young Thai lady in Macca's (Robinson cnr Suk Soi 19) It was just after the opening of the Grande Sheraton opposite. I happened to mention to her that the hotel seemed to be constructed in a very short time. She then went on to tell me that the facade and much of the building was pre fabricated and all trucked in during nights. She was studying structures/architecture at Uni. A lengthy conversation that led to an inexpensive relationship for the next 3 week before I departed BKK. Our liasons were always at HER apartment and I always walked past her hotel's reception (well dressed)and said 'Hi' with a book in my hand. It sort've created the perception that my frequent visits were for business rather than pleasure. Maybe "face saving " for her

Patpong 2 was quite a buzz in the 80's... next to the Crown Royale was the RIFIFI BAR run by Mickey. It often was quite popular just before sunset onwards. Down the other direction was the CLEO BAR BEER ( later known as Vinai's). Anyone remember the old cashier? she was 110° in the shade. I actually saw her pay a visit to the bar last year. You can take an old girl outta the bar but you can't take the bar..... Also the EXECUTIVE BAR was quite posh in its day. I always remember the La Cherie (goldfish bowl) on Suriwong Rd at the end of PP2 near the Suriwong Hotel. It had a grand old escalator to get you down there, but you had steps to get back up. I'd sit at the big glass window with Kloster in hand with my nose pressed up against it watching all the girls applying make-up to each other.

Back in the early 80's as a young sex tourist the Night Owl column was my only source of bar news back in Oz in between trips. I had the pleasure of meeting Bernard in the Crown Royale (PP2) one afternoon. I was introduced to him by an old long gone Kiwi mate who appeared in a movie made at the time (in Thailand) called "COMEBACK" also starring Michael Landon. Back then a lot of the regulars used to rotate between the Madrid and the Crown Royale between lunchtime and sunset. When I was in town I'd mingle with them, hearing all the old stories of Patpong.... also met Neil Davis, an Aussie journo who was shot and killed in a coup in Bangkok mid 80's. His photo used to be on the wall in the GRAND PRIX BAR back in the day. In the small Soi linking PP1 and PP2 opposite the Crowne Royale used to be the SUPERSTAR BEER GARDEN, we'd often stop by there during afternoon happy hour (Amarit Draft 30 baht glass) and watch a video movie as well as the passing parade. Trink would occasionally stroll past some afternoons with friends enroute to either Madrid or Crowne Royale. Great memories.

Chez Marco and Da Stefano are my favorites for good food. Red Lion for the ambience and conversation.