SoiBiker

Bangkok needs a new Phantip where all those electronic vendors can be together.

It already has one - Fortune Town.

MIne does the same thing, but a reboot generally fixes it.

Officially yes, bars will all be closed. However, as always on the Buddha days if you look around you'll find places that are open and serving beer out of coffee mugs. No lights or music though, so you have to be pretty desperate to want to drink out on those days.

Wrong. Why should people who travel thousands of miles for a two or three week holiday have to put

up with the inconvenience of maybe staying in their hotels?

It is nothing to do with anyone being desperate for a drink.

Why would they have to stay in their hotels? It's not a curfew.

I am only referring to the people who you so obviously dislike, you know the people who come here for the girls, the bars etc.

What are they going to do when the bars etc are closed? They will probably go and stock up the day before then spend the night drinking in their hotel.

They don't have to of course, they came here for the girls and bars. then they find them closed. ridiculous.

Surely they could find something else to do other than just sit in their room?

Are these people really completely disinterested in anything other than booze and sex? That's rather sad.

Sex isn't banned on alcohol free days or Buddha days. All the massage places will be open as normal.

Phew.

I was worried for a moment that these guys would end up having to visit a temple or something.

I think he discovered that hookers share 4 to a room

Then please define what precisely you mean when you call a lady a hooker. And try an international definition, cross-cultural and applicable to Western standards, too. Something that is even understandable to an old hippie like me.

+ 1. I don't get the guy.

It's not really that complicated. Hooker is slang for prostitute and it's quite common for Thai prostitutes (freelance or go-go girls) to share a room with others working in the same profession or establishment.

No, guess it's not that easy, and it's a common misunderstanding. "Prostitution" is defined as "promiscuous behaviour" by law. Many women in fact are just lonely mothers looking for a permanent boyfriend to give them a little security because they have a child to feed. Imagine in your home country: would you call a short sexual affair "prostitution"? I wouldn't.

Many of these women are still considerably poor, and all they want is a better future for their child. Isn't that what any Western mother would want?

Many of these women make perfect if they're treated with some respect, and many make perfect spouses when they get older.

Like someone pointed out, Thais don't like to be alone. That's why they like companions in their room, maybe even you can feel invited. Guess you visit your neighbours in the West sometime,too, and maybe you meet a woman there. I still get invitations from friends in Thailand (male or female), and that's where I learn Thai, although the conversation might be in English (as a That's second language) That's where I learn about their problems, and they learn about mine. Sometimes there might be only women in a room.

Hang on, many Farangs wake up in beds with a severe hangover, and they're glad when someone's there to help them to get sober again. That's not what you would call prostitution in your own culture, isn't it? A woman is free to gain some sexual experience, free like you. In the West they call it "emancipation", and Thai women might not only be the most beautiful women in the world but also the most emancipated ones.

Best comment so far [emoji106]

As you said, how many western girls go home with you after you take them out for dinner or being in a club...

You wouldn't call them prostitutes.

Since they can choose I wouldn't call them like this.

I would if I paid them for sex.

Whatever you need to tell yourself to feel better about what you're doing, eh?

Why would someone's tit put you off your dinner?

The stretch of the canal down where the Indian restaurants are is actually quite pleasant now. The other section is kind of featureless for now, granted.

I'm not saying what's happened is a good thing - I liked the market. I'm just pointing out that much of the reaction is a typical knee-jerk, 'they're ruining the city' whine from people who never visited the place before, and probably never will.

And seriously, its pretty obvious you're one of them...

Praise Buddha.

Now please shut down every other illegal street stall in the country.

the stalls are the best ward against corporate slavery like in the west

They are after all living breathing human beings trying to survive. Street stalls are part of Thailand culture. Yes the canal looks nice but at what expense of human livelihood. They gave the canal some character. Those that knock these people should try walking in their shoes.

You didn't go there either did you?

It wasn't a case of street stalls giving the canal some character - it was a warren-like indoor market covering the canal entirely.

A Thai partner isn't essential for happiness here, though.

You can't run a business here without one.

Running a business isn't essential for happiness here, though.

Surely a foreigner can part own a business in any case - the only difference is whether you're married to your business partner?

Excellent, no soi dogs, rubbish or shanty town crappy market, vast improvement

You don't really know what was there before, do you?

Actually, I wonder how many people commenting had ever visited the market. It was an interesting place, but somewhat specialised.

Officially yes, bars will all be closed. However, as always on the Buddha days if you look around you'll find places that are open and serving beer out of coffee mugs. No lights or music though, so you have to be pretty desperate to want to drink out on those days.

Wrong. Why should people who travel thousands of miles for a two or three week holiday have to put

up with the inconvenience of maybe staying in their hotels?

It is nothing to do with anyone being desperate for a drink.

Why would they have to stay in their hotels? It's not a curfew.

I am only referring to the people who you so obviously dislike, you know the people who come here for the girls, the bars etc.

What are they going to do when the bars etc are closed? They will probably go and stock up the day before then spend the night drinking in their hotel.

They don't have to of course, they came here for the girls and bars. then they find them closed. ridiculous.

Surely they could find something else to do other than just sit in their room?

Are these people really completely disinterested in anything other than booze and sex? That's rather sad.

Officially yes, bars will all be closed. However, as always on the Buddha days if you look around you'll find places that are open and serving beer out of coffee mugs. No lights or music though, so you have to be pretty desperate to want to drink out on those days.

Wrong. Why should people who travel thousands of miles for a two or three week holiday have to put

up with the inconvenience of maybe staying in their hotels?

It is nothing to do with anyone being desperate for a drink.

Why would they have to stay in their hotels? It's not a curfew.

A Thai partner isn't essential for happiness here, though.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Give me strength...

Have any of you guys actually met a lesbian?

To be honest, some of you sound like you've never met a woman before, let alone a gay one.

Unless you're paying for advertising on the site, I can't really see why you would care.

Popped into bangkok beat. I felt really young, and I'm mid thirties.

Welcome to Bangkok.

I don't - like most men from the UK, I don't pay for sex.

So you didn't even buy your wife an engagement ring then?Shame,poor girl!

You had to get engaged before anyone would have sex with you?

Never been engaged personally,ducking the question are we?

If I thought it was a serious question, I might have answered it.

Thaivisa - where whatever question you ask, someone will reply telling you where to find a prostitute.

Where do you find yours then?

I don't - like most men from the UK, I don't pay for sex.

So you didn't even buy your wife an engagement ring then?Shame,poor girl!

You had to get engaged before anyone would have sex with you?

Thaivisa - where whatever question you ask, someone will reply telling you where to find a prostitute.

Where do you find yours then?

I don't - like most men from the UK, I don't pay for sex.

Thaivisa - where whatever question you ask, someone will reply telling you where to find a prostitute.

Oh, sorry, I forgot.

It's about the principle.

Jeez. One night off the piss won't kill you.

I made my own survey based on the people I know in real life.

99% of them are happy living here.

People are generally happier when they are drunk.

Try to do your survey when the people you know are sober.

If that's even possible.

Most people I know here aren't particularly big drinkers.