Patanawet

Sorry vinapu, I cut your message a bit short; I was referring to temples and palaces. But now you mention it, I always make to take my shoes off before going into a home -- many times the residents will say "don't bother" when they see me start. Go into a block of 'working family residences' and each front door will have loads of shoes outside. Sorry I've digressed from the original message.

In my experience, Thai friends have always asked me to remove shoes and sandals and place then on the racks outside the doors.

Thinking about it a little more thaiophilus you're right . Although it might be a long journey there will be lots new to see and hear.

I've always thought this to be the case, but to be honest I've rarely visited temples etc. in my 22 years living here. In fact, I think, even sandals had to have backs and no shorts (only long trousers). The palace ,at least, would lend or hire them.

GP -- general practitioner?

Have just re-read messages here and see that you are at the RAYA hotel. It looks close enough to walk to from the Sky Train (BTS) station Sala Daeng--- or subway (MRT) station Silom. Again, contact the hotel for advice on how to get to the hotel from skytrain or subway. It's really direct but involves crossing a VERY busy crossing. Safer to cross via the elevated walkways. In the quaint Thai way the two stations are in the same place except one is underground and the other is 'in the sky' - elevated. Your hotel is certainly in staggering distance from Silom Soi 4 and Patpong 2 (Patpong two connects Silom and Surawong roads). Surawong has very late night roadside stalls selling delicious and cheap food (ignore the stalls with deep fried cockroaches, locusts beetles etc.).

All the above advice is good BUT bear in mind you are arriving at the worst possible time of the week ----Friday rush hour. Probably the best to do is the train (is there still an express train?) Then, depending on your luggage, Sky Train or Subway. I promise road traffic will be horrendous at that time on Friday. Hopefully, your hotel is close to public transport. Both BTS and MRT publish maps of their services in English. IF your taxi is stuck in a traffic jam do not get angry, there's nothing he or you can do about it -- just smile, roll your eyes to heaven and say 'lot tit' (Thai for 'traffic jam'. Why not message your hotel to ask their advice BUT DO NOT take their offer of a limo if they make one (remember the traffic jams). The most popular free messaging app here (and probably in S.E.Asia is 'LINE" but few outside Asia know of it. Few Thais will have heard of 'Messaging' or 'WhatsApp'. Now a personal choice for initial bar running. Silom Soi 4 ( steps from Skytrain Sala Daeng. Friendly gay (but generally not ago go) . Again my favourites -- Balcony Pub, Connections (the friendliest Australian owner -- Ross -- I've met), Circus and Pride. Also good gay friendly restaurants in the soi although all pubs do inexpensive food. Talk to anyone in the bar, especially the farang owners for advice or guidance. Talk to any farang who look like they've been sitting on the same bar stool for years(like me). Later on, from about 21:30 go to the parallel soi -- Patpong 2 for the more guy active ago go or host bars. Drinks probably from about 450 Baht. Entry free. One final thought, this is rainy season and you can expect monsoon rain early evening but only for about half an hour -- be like the Thais and welcome the break from the 32/33 degree heat.

I said quite clearly that Cameron is the owner of Circus in soi 4. In no way did I suggest that he owns Dream Boys. Did you mistake my mis typing, leaving the 'c' off of 'etc.'? Presumably, English is not your native language, so i apologise OR are you simply a bigger pedant than me?

Is King's Group still in existence?

I most certainly DID NOT!

Who suggested that he owns what?

Cameron (owner of Circus et. has a night-time photo on his homepage. https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Cameron.McKean

I believe that the pavement works are to enable the burying underground of electricity cables.

Not really Thai logic. In Thailand prices go UP in a quiet time to cover losses.

So Thailand not so bad, however I recall when I first moved here a score or more years ago, Thailand prices were a fraction of London prices.

Can someone compare the prices of a pint of draught Lager in a gay (non ago go) bar in Silom to similar in London (Soho) please?

I've sent a P.M. to Glen to tell him about the booking problems.

The 'all' is a generalisation and completely untrue.

Really 'everywhere'? I had 2 X Astrazenica at the so called 'central' station Bang Sue and 2X Pfizer at MBK (Mah Boon Khrong)) . MBK SO handy, efficient and friendly but now closed down (the vaccinations, not MBK). I do see in an above message that there is a centre near St. Louis so I will give that a try for my fifth (4 months after latest one) rather than the journey to Bang Sue.

Mis leading headline. It is a PROPOSAL by the sports minister to revise.

I travel almost daily on short journeys on a motor bike taxi (yes, self confessed' lazy git). The only problem with the drivers for me is that they don't seem to realise that farang are wider than them when squeezing between traffic. As to tuk tuks, I don't think I could fold myself up small enough to squeeze into one these days.

Same old location?

Sorry Oz, maybe I worded it badly. I was referring to posters OTHER than you. I respect your opinion completely. AND am jealous of your 2000+ visits.

Much sense Vessey -- you obviously actually do get out to the bars unlike some other posters here spouting their high falutin ideas without practical knowledge.

Of course the tip in the folder is not relevant to the boy as this (should) go to a pot and be shared between all the staff. Any tip personally for the boy or (god forbid the mamasan) should be given to the boy personally (maybe avoiding in front of mamasan's eyes or he may be demanding a share of it from the boy). In restaurants, the same applies -- tip your waiter (if he deserves it) into his hand and any general tip into the folder. This is quite normal in Thailand and can be done openly in any bar or restaurant, gay or straight.. One big gay bar (not agogo or host) that I know well, has two pots -- one for waiters, another for bar staff-- both administered by the staff themselves with nothing going to the management. The waiter is NOT allowed to slip the folder change into his pocket. The kitchen staff have enhanced salaries to compensate for no tips. In a 'host' bar the boy will get a small percentage of the price you paid for his drink (possibly an enhanced price to yours to compensate). Finally, many host bars, not all, do not give any salary to waiters, hosts etc. and they rely on tips and share of drink prices.