Patanawet

Today's announcement extends closures to the 12th of April.

“All food stores and restaurants will be allowed to serve only take-home orders while hotel restaurants can serve only hotel guests. The measure will take effect between March 22 – April 12.”

But the supermarket areas of malls can be open if they only sell takeaway goods. “For malls, only the areas that sell food and goods that are used in daily life, will be open,” Pol Gen Aswin said in a Facebook Live broadcast. “For malls, only the areas that sell food and goods that are used in daily life, will be open,” Pol Gen Aswin said in a Facebook Live broadcast.

Last night, Wednesday, the bars in Silom soi 4 and Patpong that have a restaurant service and actual restaurants were allowed by the local police to open with reduced seating arrangements. then suddenly at about 6:30 panic instructions for all businesses to close immediately. Apparently the BIB had heard that a 'big' reporter/ photographer would be touring the district to report. This included actual restaurants. A few yards away in Silom Road it was business as usual in restaurants and bars. The closed business were told that this might be for a few nights only or until the end of the month.

What is significant about 18th to the 31st of March? Will it all be cleared up by the 31st?

Prayut rejected Anutin's proposal today. But Prayut does as many u-turns as Trump.

You TOLD him? Ye gods!

Since I posted the above --- The Banana downstairs seems to have changed it's name to the same as the upstairs gogo bar 'Banana Room Club'.

I think most of us enjoyed the first few times. After that the novelty wears off and we flee to drier or more civilised parts than Bangkok or Pattaya. Yes please see it at least once. You will be soaked head to toe for three days (or more) . DO NOT carry passport , credit cards etc. Pickpockets abound. Anything you do carry, protect in plastic (pouches available everywhere).. Most bars and shops (except banks and government offices) are open EXCEPT Silom soi 4 which is a dry oasis (wrong word). Soi 4 is protected by police security to stop any water guns. It will be packed from 17:00 till closing time and absolutely no water. Party atmosphere -- but dry (of water). There is no point in getting angry as someone empties a bucket of water over your head -- and if a Thai or a child, smile back and say " Sawatdee Bee Mai" (Happy New Year). Do come and have fun and maybe I'll see you in soi 4 . As an afterthought, It is officially 3 days starting 13th April but vary slightly throughout the country. In Pattaya, it is officially 19th of April but over the years has extended itself to start on the 13th to 19th.

Really good report thank you. But are you sure about April with the dreaded Songkran?

What would you consider a proper alternative? Most offer for sale a reusable bag for as little as 1 Baht or free boxes or paper bags.

I live in central Bangkok and have always used tap water to make tea (boiling water) and for cooking. Never any problems.

NO. Poppers are NOT legal in Thailand. But like most illegal things you can find (or dangerous copies) for sale everywhere. BEWARE of any chemicals for sale on street markets.

I heard that Kika would close in the New Year.

This is now possible in Welcome Bar in soi 4.

The Banana on 4 (strangely, their illuminated sign outside hasn't been on for months) premises has, on the floor above ground, Banana Room Club a small gogo bar, formerly fresh Boys on soi Twilight. Owned by the host bar ' Welcome' also on soi 4.

Does Utopia still exist? Their office on Rama4 was cleared out when I last visited my hairdresser (up2) next door. His shop was also vacant.

As a ''.Silomester', I would recommend starting in soi 4 for and early drink and food and get a chance to chat to others who can tell you about the commercial scene. It's a long time since I was in soi2 (DJ Station etc.). Do they still check IDs and passports and stop anyone under 20?

You make it sound as if a small cock is a bad thing --- I disagree.

Thanks so much Pong. It does indeed sound a long trawl from one end to the other trying every hairdressers ón route. I'll just have to rely on the grapevine.

Thanks Anddy. My apologies - a brain freeze --- I should have written Burmese.

To answer my own question a bit, I'm told that Luk hasn't been answering his mobile for a while. He is now working in a salon (don't know if his own or another's) on Rama 2 wherever that is. His cute Cambodian co-worker started this week at Cutey Beauty. Price for a haircut in Cutey Beauty is 400 Baht, 100 more than at up2. The owner told me that he gives people with Balcony Club cards 10% discounts but didn't me (maybe because I didn't proffer my card).

All of the above advice is accurate if somewhat variable. Before you go exploring, why not go for an early drink and maybe meal in Silom Soi 4 - the gay soi - and soak up some of the gay Bangkok atmosphere and meet someone to ask their experiences.Then go exploring about 9pm. Balcony pub, Silom soi 4 opens at 5.30pm but is quiet till about 8 then very busy by 10 for their free show at 10:45 with Coyote boys and cabaret. Telephone pub, Connection Bar and Welcome Bar same soi has similar opening times and prices.

Does anyone know what has happened to Luk at up2 hair? His salon closed at the start of this month, shortly after the closure of Purple Dragon next door. I have used Luck and earlier his brother Gun since Amnuay closed his Summer Rain Salon some years ago. I'd love to know where Luk is working now.

I've said it before and probably will again "ask the boy if he'd prefer a tip or a watered down drink" (for which he will get twenty Baht commission). He may be struggling to pay his rent or food and a diluted whisky and coke won't help with that.