I Like The Friendship Store Because...

[Weho]

I decided to take a bold step, and go UPSTAIRS at the Friendship Store. It's frickin' amazin'... seems like they have just about everything up there. It reminded me of one of those old style "five and dime" stores, so popular in Amerigay, up until probably the 1960's.

I started off with the aisle just up the escalators, where they have the cleaning supplies.

They have an ENORMOUS selection of my favorite Thai brand: "Black Man" cleaning products, made in Thailand. They have mops, squeegees, toilet brushes, reemers, you name it. I have to admit, "Black Man" is probably not the most politically correct name for a brand of cleaning products, but they are of great quality. I know Foodland has a smaller selection, but Friendship seems to have the most Black Man products.

I also enjoyed the plastics aisles, as I was in need of a new sponge dish, and found the pefect one that suits my needs quite well.

They have lots of binders with plastic inserts for just about everything, all at popular prices. Stamps, coins, cd's, business cards, etc.

And they are very well staffed there, all very friendly. I'm not crazy about the pink and maroon colored uniforms. I would prefer their outfits be more of a Navajo white, or Saddle brown color.

Too bad they close the second floor early, maybe 10 PMish. I think the downstairs market is usually open til 1 or 2 AM.

I once had a call of nature, and wasn't crazy about those facilities being located outside, unairconditioned, in the rear of the parking lot... but I made it.

Well, I must go... time to give one of those Black Man products a try.

[Mobi]

I am a recent convert to 'Friendship'.

I must admit I drove past it for years and thought it was some kind of socialist co-operative doing special deals on brown rice, bags of sugar and the like.

Then one day, there was a huge traffic jam and I wanted to go to Tuk Com so I popped in the Friendship car park to leave my car. When I saw I could get free parking if I shopped there, and being the 'Cheap Charlie' that I am, I went in to buy something and fell in love with the place.

The prices are good, they have all the odd farang stuff I like to buy - like imported cereals,and Branston pickle, and a wonderful selection of pies and pastries.

As you say the staff are lovely; all in all a great place. So now every time I go to Tuk Com I park up there for free and do a bit of grocery shopping at the same time. Then there's a 7/11 opposite where I can pay my utility bills and a Kasikorn Thai bank on the corner where I can do my banking.

Who needs Carrefour?

However.. I never knew they had a second floor....

Thanks Weho, I'll take a looksie.

BTW the most popular selling toothpaste in LOS used to be called Darkie - but even Thailand were obliged to rename it "Darlie" but they still have the same picture

[EmCross]

We also really like Friendship supermarket it is great! And the 2nd floor is fantastic for art and design stuff at unbelievably cheap prices, I would highly recommend it for people with kids for drawing and painting stuff, pens, pencils and school items it is just great.

[Jingthing]

I also love the Black Man.

[Mighty Mouse]

You've solved the problem as to where to hold the next TV drinkathon.

It seems that the Friendship aisle where all the buckets, mops and other cleaning products would be ideal.

The buckets to hold the ice, the mops to soak up the spills and all those sponge dishes to be used rather than having to leave the drinking in order to find a toilet.

Weho, you're a genius. Keep up the good work.

[NanLaew]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

[Mobi]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

You mean there's a basement????

I wonder what they sell down there?

[Meg_2003]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

The basement???

[Weho]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

You mean there's a basement????

I wonder what they sell down there?

I thnk they have a whole massage and foot reflexology center down there, and part of it is a research area, (i think they are working on a cure for cancer).

[Humphrey Bear]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

The basement???

Go, find, boy!

Good boy, good boy.

[Mobi]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

You mean there's a basement????

I wonder what they sell down there?

I thnk they have a whole massage and foot reflexology center down there, and part of it is a research area, (i think they are working on a cure for cancer).

Well, I for one will go searching for it tomorrow, and woe betide anyone from 'a certain part of the world' who gets in my way

Will I need a black man spade from the second floor to dig my way through?

[Humphrey Bear]

Will I need a black man spade from the second floor to dig my way through?

You can get banned for putting those words too close

[Naam]

Weho, you're a genius. Keep up the good work.

that goes without saying!

[NanLaew]

ohmygod!!!! i just can't wait until they discover the basement!!!!

You mean there's a basement????

I wonder what they sell down there?

I thnk they have a whole massage and foot reflexology center down there, and part of it is a research area, (i think they are working on a cure for cancer).

Weho knows you know.

[R123]

In fact the entrance to the basement is now changed from the left side to the right side.

I enquired about why that was and learnt there was some concern re the creaky wooden stairs leading down to the first level.

Anyhow I will miss the red lights on the way down!

A few nights ago at level B2 I spoke to the new night manager in the reception area who is 50/50(Japanese/Thai) who told me that daytime opening is now half an hour later but they have extended at night by two hours more, and when I left the other early morning it was after 3:30am and it was still going strong.

Reckon its' one of the best places in town now....

And I asked the night manager how they can get licences for these activities and I was told "no need.....its' underground".

Well, I can't wait for B3 to open on 1st August,eh?!

[Mobi]

Found the 2nd floor.

Walked up, panting like mad, and then saw the escalator at the other end!!!

Weho, you didn't mention what a veritable gem of a stationery section they have there. It's bloody wonderful.

I couldn't stop buying

Then I had a Weho moment.

I've been looking for packs of elastic bands for ages. I asked one of the staff, but I didn't know the word in Thai for elastic bands. Then I saw an Indian gentleman in a turban and asked him if he knew the word. He spoke to the girl in Thai and said :"Elasteek"

She Said "Mai mee" But then she led me to a shelf, continuing to say "Mai mee elasteek" but then pointed to a large stock of rubber bands in plastic bags!!

The mind boggles. I thanked the be-turbaned gentleman for his expert translation and checked out.

Found the basement, but decided to explore it on my next visit.

Better not go on too much or the thread might get closed

[EmCross]

The stationary department is fantastic indeed Mobi and so cheap compared to home.

[Meg_2003]

I never knew about the basement at friendship.. What do they sell down there??

[mark henry]

You people are so strange, a post about an over-sized hard ware store!! Is it the hot weather that gets you all steamed up about eelasteek and the like?

Out of curiosity where is this store, BKK?

[vickersvc10]

I like Friendship (aka Fiendship!) and it is very close to my home. But I am pissed off with them at the moment as they have decided not to stock Cheers beer due (to quote one of the owners) to slow sales.

[Tammi]

I've been shopping at Friendship for many years but never knew there is a basement - can't be well advertised. Can't say I've found the cashiers on the top floor very nice. I like the booze section.

[Mobi]

You people are so strange, a post about an over-sized hard ware store!! Is it the hot weather that gets you all steamed up about eelasteek and the like?

Out of curiosity where is this store, BKK?

Yes, we are a bit strange down here - a bit like the "League of Gentlemen" so beware.

But not 'arf as weird as you asking in the Pattaya forum if the store we're discussing is in Bangkok.

And not 'arf as weird as the thread once started in the Bangkok Forum about 'processed chicken meat' which went on for weeks, had thousands of posts, started a flame war, and nearly caused the Yanks to break off diplomatic relations with the Brits over who made the best sandwiches.

TITV

[Mobi]

I've been shopping at Friendship for many years but never knew there is a basement - can't be well advertised. Can't say I've found the cashiers on the top floor very nice. I like the booze section.

If you don't mention EElasteek, they're not too bad.

Tammi, next time your'e there, ask for directions to the basement. They don't let all and sundry down there, and may need to check you out before granting you admittance.

[NanLaew]

I like Friendship (aka Fiendship!) and it is very close to my home. But I am pissed off with them at the moment as they have decided not to stock Cheers beer due (to quote one of the owners) to slow sales.

I heard that Chang is for 'cheap charlies'.

What's does cheap charlie mean?

[Mobi]

I like Friendship (aka Fiendship!) and it is very close to my home. But I am pissed off with them at the moment as they have decided not to stock Cheers beer due (to quote one of the owners) to slow sales.

I heard that Chang is for 'cheap charlies'.

What's does cheap charlie mean?

Now now then - don't start that again - I nearly got roasted alive on another thread for using those words.

But I think I won out in the end

[chuckd]

I don't like Friendship but I love the basement.

Always take your passport if you want to gain entry, though.

[Meg_2003]

Well I decided to check out the basement this afternoon.. Wow, I can't believe I never knew about it.. Its really good.. Definately recommend checking it out... I wasnt asked for my passport, though..

[english_farang_lady]

Friendship is brilliant for big hunks of cheeses, some great gouda (but sadly not the black skinned one) plus hunks of Anchor cheddar. Their bakery is also brilliant, better than anywhere else in my opinion.

Amazed they have a basement! Read this thread several times, but no mention from anyone about what they actually sell down there????

[fosco]

OK  I'm hooked.  Just one little question............ where is it??  

[Tammi]

OK  I'm hooked.  Just one little question............ where is it??  

South Pattaya Road on the left side coming from Sukhumvit and immediately after Decorum Furniture Shop. Decorum and Friendship basements are connected.