The Bad Old Days

[Maejo Man]

Anyone remember the Mississippi Queen in Pat Pong 1 and Loretta's in Soi Cowboy?

Lest we not forget the old "Limelight" where you could get more miles from horizontal smiles, that any other bar around.

Other icons still abound today in the likes of the Madrid in Patpong I, thirty plus years and going strong, and that bastion on farangdom "The Crown Royal" and one of the sleaziest around, which seems to have been there forever, "The Rose"

'nuff said about that one

[Ajarn]

Thaksin had nothing, zero,  zilch, sweet FA in getting the major projects off the ground.

And I wouldn't be giving too much credit to either "big jiew or the little man either"

In fact in my opinion 'big jiew' was the man responsible for the Asian financial crisis commencing 0n 02 July 1997.

This was after he hedged his bets on the baht and made a tidy little sum in the process.  

Chuan is my man.

Might have been others but he also gets my vote in terms of honesty and integrity as well.

John, I can't believe any politician would get your vote for honesty and integrity

I liked Chuan, too. Even had tea at his Mom's house in Trang some years ago (she basically had an open house to all. Super kind, and very sharp)

Chuan's big problem, I think, was his hiding his head in the sand while all those around him were eating at the buffet....His skill was his great ability to make deals and get enemies to cooperate so they could all benefit at the buffet trough. In this regard, I think he and Chatichai had a lot in common.

The only politicians I've liked so far are Anand Panyarachun and Surin Pitsuwan. Both good men, and both with great respect from everyone - except Thaksin, of course

The rest of the politicians, worldwide, are mostly just a bunch of ###### <deleted>, in my book.

Oh, and according to public records, Thaksin made nore than 1 billion baht by buying US dollars in HK a couple of days before the baht float. It was recorded in the financial disclosure of Shinawatra corp a year or so later, and reported in the local press.

Oh, and I also remember the Rose, and their unique service

[royar2002]

Ok, but thailand is a better place now than it was 3 years ago.

ptvdick I have to agree when I start think back, but I hope people who lives here don't give the credit to Thaksin.

Not agree, blame Thaksin.

I remember good old TQ on Pattaya beach, first time i went there, was in 1979.

I also remember a place in Bangkok we ofteen used to go, but I am not sure if it still exist or where it is. The name was Hotel Grace and was loaded with girls 24hour, someone who remember, is it still in buss?

[lopburi3]

Ok, but thailand is a better place now than it was 3 years ago.

ptvdick I have to agree when I start think back, but I hope people who lives here don't give the credit to Thaksin.

Not agree, blame Thaksin.

I remember good old TQ on Pattaya beach, first time i went there, was in 1979.

I also remember a place in Bangkok we ofteen used to go, but I am not sure if it still exist or where it is. The name was Hotel Grace and was loaded with girls 24hour, someone who remember, is it still in buss?

Grace Hotel

It and the Nana Hotel were about the same class years ago, with popular coffee shops full of girls.

[ASIC]

But I kind of feel Bangkok has become extremely commerciallized over the last couple of years. I liked it better before

ASIC

[mbkudu]

ASIC, my experience in Thailand only dates back to 1991, so I think your experience is a lot greater than mine. However, I will agree on your point of comercialisation as a negative. The number of 7-11s for example that have spouted up is beyond belief. On New Petchburi Road just at Makasan, there are two

directly across the street from each other. It is maddening. We might call this over

commercialisation, whereas a Thai might call it 'development' or worst of 'globalisation.'

[Johpa]

Don't know about all this change. Last night I got down into Chiang Mai for the first time since I arrived last week and went to a nice new restaurant with some pals from CMU. We tried to order some Mae Khong with no luck and then tried to get some Sang Som with no luck. Being a group of middle aged folks we were surprised that at an Isaan eatery we were only able to be offered the usual cheap Scotch popular now amongst locals although I was the only Farang in our group. The solution was for one of us to go out a purchase a bottle to bring back. Good thing there was no corkage fee.

Sorry folks, but on this issue I'll take the old days.

[lopburi3]

ASIC, my experience in Thailand only dates back to 1991, so I think your experience is a lot greater than mine. However, I will agree on your point of comercialisation as a negative. The number of 7-11s for example that have spouted up is beyond belief. On New Petchburi Road just at Makasan, there are two

directly across the street from each other. It is maddening. We might call this over

commercialisation, whereas a Thai might call it 'development' or worst of 'globalisation.'

The old rat infested, hot, unlit shops with out dated products at high markups and the owner setting price by his opinion of you and as often as not turning his back if you are not of the class he wants to do business with is better?

I believe the fact there are so many modern shops appearing is an obvious indication that most Thai don't.

Sorry. I understand what you are saying but don't believe it is for us to say change is wrong.

Of course if we get started on cosmetics and skin whiting products I might fall off my bandwagon and agree.

[stroll]

Grace Hotel

It and the Nana Hotel were about the same class years ago, with popular coffee shops full of girls.

The Grace Hotel, its coffee shop and the disco have been a favorite with middle eastern visitors for years. The basement used to be one of the very few places in the area which were serving until early morning while others closed at 2 am. Haven't been for a few months, don't know when they close these days.

Now, could somebody enlighten me as of the nature of services in 'the Rose'?

[mbkudu]

I'm not sure what to think on this. One thing I really, really like are the old shops

Warachak (China Town) where there are old car parts from the the fifties for sale

or old hardware stores jam packed with odds and ends that you'd never see in the States. I bought an old British Hercules bicycle that was sitting in a rice merchant's

shop there. She thought I was crazy to want it. I got it for 1,500 Baht. The bike is at least 50 years old and is in good condition. The greatest thing about Thailand is that the old and the new coexist side by side in harmony, most of the time.

[Ajarn]

Grace Hotel

It and the Nana Hotel were about the same class years ago, with popular coffee shops full of girls.

The Grace Hotel, its coffee shop and the disco have been a favorite with middle eastern visitors for years. The basement used to be one of the very few places in the area which were serving until early morning while others closed at 2 am. Haven't been for a few months, don't know when they close these days.

Now, could somebody enlighten me as of the nature of services in 'the Rose'?

Rose....Surreal BJ's, sir. Public, or private, your choice.

As for hotels, I always liked the Malaysia hotel. Sometimes hard to find a seat in the restaurant, though, since most were filled by ageing whores, some of whom I'm pretty sure are still there from the Vietnam war heyday...

Anyway, good room prices, good TV, pool. It was immortalized in 'Good Morning Vietnam' pictured as the building that housed the radio station in the movie.

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand

[Maejo Man]

Now, could somebody enlighten me as of the nature of services in 'the Rose'?

They offer the same services as the "Kangeroo" "Star of Love" and all the other rather sleazy "hands free" bars. With the exception that the Rose has been there forever, and so have the "performers", but they just do it better with their dentures removed.

[Boon Mee]

Grace Hotel

It and the Nana Hotel were about the same class years ago, with popular coffee shops full of girls.

The Grace Hotel, its coffee shop and the disco have been a favorite with middle eastern visitors for years. The basement used to be one of the very few places in the area which were serving until early morning while others closed at 2 am. Haven't been for a few months, don't know when they close these days.

Now, could somebody enlighten me as of the nature of services in 'the Rose'?

Rose....Surreal BJ's, sir. Public, or private, your choice.

As for hotels, I always liked the Malaysia hotel. Sometimes hard to find a seat in the restaurant, though, since most were filled by ageing whores, some of whom I'm pretty sure are still there from the Vietnam war heyday...

Anyway, good room prices, good TV, pool. It was immortalized in 'Good Morning Vietnam' pictured as the building that housed the radio station in the movie.

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand

The Hotel Malaysia was the hotel all the Hippie backpackers used to stay. And get their rooms ripped off if they went outside!

[PvtDick]

The Malaysia is still an old dump, but these days it caters almost exclusively to gays.

[mbkudu]

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand

So, how many are on your street? I think one is enough per block, but some have 5 or 6.

[Ajarn]

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand 

So, how many are on your street? I think one is enough per block, but some have 5 or 6.

5 or 6 7-11's per block? Don't be ridiculous

And the overall average is clearly fewer than 1 per block, and you're still unhappy?

[mbkudu]

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand 

So, how many are on your street? I think one is enough per block, but some have 5 or 6.

5 or 6 7-11's per block? Don't be ridiculous

And the overall average is clearly fewer than 1 per block, and you're still unhappy?

Oh, I'm happy mate don't worry. Travel down Pahonyotin Rd. and count how many Sevvies you see. Come back and tell me what you've got. I like 7-11, I'm

American; we are the God Fathers of 7-11, but enough is enough.

[Ajarn]

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand 

So, how many are on your street? I think one is enough per block, but some have 5 or 6.

5 or 6 7-11's per block? Don't be ridiculous

And the overall average is clearly fewer than 1 per block, and you're still unhappy?

Oh, I'm happy mate don't worry. Travel down Pahonyotin Rd. and count how many Sevvies you see. Come back and tell me what you've got. I like 7-11, I'm

American; we are the God Fathers of 7-11, but enough is enough.

For a guy who likes Thaksin so much, I assure you he would not be happy with your attitude!

[john b good]

Chuan is my man.

Might have been others but he also gets my vote in terms of honesty and integrity as well.

John, I can't believe any politician would get your vote for honesty and integrity

I liked Chuan, too. Even had tea at his Mom's house in Trang some years ago (she basically had an open house to all. Super kind, and very sharp)

Chuan's big problem, I think, was his hiding his head in the sand while all those around him were eating at the buffet....His skill was his great ability to make deals and get enemies to cooperate so they could all benefit at the buffet trough. In this regard, I think he and Chatichai had a lot in common.

John, I can't believe any politician would get your vote for honesty and integrity

Maybe you're right but lets say that Chuan comes closest by a country mile.

[mbkudu]

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand 

So, how many are on your street? I think one is enough per block, but some have 5 or 6.

5 or 6 7-11's per block? Don't be ridiculous

And the overall average is clearly fewer than 1 per block, and you're still unhappy?

Oh, I'm happy mate don't worry. Travel down Pahonyotin Rd. and count how many Sevvies you see. Come back and tell me what you've got. I like 7-11, I'm

American; we are the God Fathers of 7-11, but enough is enough.

For a guy who likes Thaksin so much, I assure you he would not be happy with your attitude!

Yes sir, I'll give you the last word.

[Ajarn]

And one of the happiest days for me was when 7-11 came to Thailand 

So, how many are on your street? I think one is enough per block, but some have 5 or 6.

5 or 6 7-11's per block? Don't be ridiculous

And the overall average is clearly fewer than 1 per block, and you're still unhappy?

Oh, I'm happy mate don't worry. Travel down Pahonyotin Rd. and count how many Sevvies you see. Come back and tell me what you've got. I like 7-11, I'm

American; we are the God Fathers of 7-11, but enough is enough.

For a guy who likes Thaksin so much, I assure you he would not be happy with your attitude!

Yes sir, I'll give you the last word.

Cheers

[astral]

Come to think of it, we haven't had a good Coup D'Etat lately!!

Remember those, folks?

[Ajarn]

Come to think of it, we haven't had a good Coup D'Etat lately!!

Remember those, folks?

Doesn't every crooked election already seem like a Coup D'Etat?

[Boon Mee]

Come to think of it, we haven't had a good Coup D'Etat lately!!

Remember those, folks?

Yep, Kraingsak was one of my favorites.