Patanawet

So much to comment on. First, NEVER talk to a tout! This may be why you paid 300 in Super A (that is the price if you go in a tuk tuk . He gets commission for bringing you.) Don't pay more than 150 at Super A. Ask price from doorman and barter if necessary (applies in every bar). Most bars are asking 350 per drink but some like Jupiter and Tawan charge 500. I stayed a few years ago at BBB. Very overpriced. Room clean enough but as stated earlier 'run down'. Cable TV terrible unless you like German or Thai channels or straight porno. Have a look at Malaysia Hotel --- not the gay paradise it was years ago but still very friendly now -- and inexpensive. Search this and other boards for advice and talk to other expats or visitors. Balcony was a good start to talk to people and free cabaret shows on Fridays and Saturdays. As an irrelevant comment --- when Super A was upstairs, I got my feet soaked because the down pipe on the urinal was not connected to anything!. Have fun.

I'm told they will be opening again tonight (Friday). They must have finished their renovations

No. That's my shower.

I don't think a fire because there were no flames to be seen. Probably an overload due to all the electrical lighting and gadgets. Closed again tonight.

I suspect something more serious.

Anyone have any idea why The Stranger Bar in Silom Soi 4 suddenly closed yesterday for 'renovations--- Coming Back Soon"? I'm told that during the afternoon, staff turned up to find it closed.

Wishful thinking.

The weather will certainly be better then. Now my soi has turned into a raging torrent (slight exaggeration) but there is a nam tuam up to the top of my shoes. Book early if you're coming at the end of the year.

Straying from the title of the thread a tad, I heard last night that Panorama is closed at present being renovated. David has gone back to England where he discovered that he had cracked a hip in his recent Pattaya motorcycle accident. I have read on another board that Panorama has been completely gutted prior to it's reopening as CASTRO ll

They were immigration police probably accompanied by the local Bangrak police.

I was chatting to a, no spring chicken, friend of mine and i mentioned D.J. Station as a 'DISCO'. He said "God how old are you? -- disco indeed".

I wonder why there has been no admin response to this thread.

I see no 'remember me' option anywhere.

This is Bangkok Bangrak district. Tonight, Friday, normal till midnight then midnight close. Tomorrow, Saturday, open but soft drinks only till midnight-- then at midnight normal service till closing. Sorry but don't know about gogo bars. DJ Station closed tonight but open again at midnight Saturday. Balcony will have it's usual cabaret show tonight that will finish before midnight. Sorry if this offends anyone in Pattaya as being irrelevant to them.

No you don't disappoint or surprise me. I hope you realise that there are many who did not have the forethought that you have had. Many others have been with companies that cancel policies after 70. Good on you for finding one that doesn't. I wonder what your premiums will rise to at 70.

I wonder what your opinion will be when you reach 70 years and cannot get or afford health insurance here. Most insurance companies refuse applicants over the age of 70.

What is a papasan? I thought it was a sort of chair.

The Stranger was only closed for two nights and was the open again looking just as busy as normal. It was closed again last night apparently because of some Drag Race Final somewhere. And for Will's question --- it is a small (one shophouse) bar - the ground floor being for customers and the upper mezzanine or minstrel's gallery as the stage for a troupe of three or more drag acts. The acts are live interactive patter with the audience and mime. There is a DJ. They quote free admission but a compulsory purchase of two drinks. The bar gets very packed (bursting to the seams) with many straight couples and gays . They have a very active presence on Facebook. Digressing a tad, Banana Boys (Freshboys -Twilight as was) started out last night with a sign outside saying 'any drink 250 Baht', later to be replaced with 300 Baht per drink.

All the bars on soi 4 are regularly (if not frequently) inspected by the fire department to ensure that there are sufficient illuminated exit signs and extinguishers installed. Perhaps there need to be stricter regulations.

soi 4 is NOT a death trap. One would hope that in the event of a serious fire that the family would open the gates to their compound giving two directions of escape.

Yes indeed, it was only closed for two nights and now seems to be as busy as ever. I wonder why you say that it is not popular with other soi 4 businesses. It brings lots of people into the soi, giving atmosphere.

Yes and soi 4 will be dry of water as last year. Last year soi 4 was packed from 17:00 till closing time. Everybody wanting a break all the madness a few metres away on Silom. For details, see The Balcony pub newsletter.

On what do you base your "may mean or etc..""? I can assure you that all bar owners that I know have heard nothing. Or are you basing it on the last election 69 years ago?

The 'mamasan' was Wirat. He went on to run his own bar next to Scorpion in Twilight. I saw him last week the day before he had to vacate his premises. His future? "I'll have to find a job".

It was so sad to see last night, the night of their anniversary, the performers and staff of Strangers sitting outside the closed bar for photos clutching anniversary bouquets. Strangers is a VERY popular drag show bar with shows every night. I fear they will have no work for a while yet. What happened? Early yesterday evening, before opening, smoke was seen billowing from the bar. Staff from other bars tried to enter with fire extinguishers but there was too much smoke. Not too long later the fire truck arrived with lots of firemen (and one fire-woman). A lot of excitement as they went in in gas masks and paraphernalia. Then after a while they took a powerful water drenching machine in. Completely doused the place and eventually left. At no time were there any flames to be seen and it looks like it might have been an electrical fault (only my guess due to the amount of lighting and audio equipment in there). Thankfully there was no sign of anyone being injured. Eventually several high hatted Bangrak policemen arrived and retired to upstairs in Telephone for what reason I know not. So last night, the bar was in darkness and cordoned off. I repeat again my sympathies to all the staff and management and hope that they are soon back in business.