Patanawet

Sorry to have impinged on your important time.

Yes, a strange Thai practice that I've never understood.

Yes paul, of course we all know that to be true but I was talking about an order that went out LAST night. I promise that all bars obeyed last night and as you know, you live on the border of at least two different police districts. As I pointed out, further along Silom different rules applied. As I also said, this seems to be an annual thing when police commanders(?) change and after a few days it all settles down again with some bars flouting the overall regulations. I can foresee it becoming strict again during the forthcoming APEC conference next month.

Absolutely NOT true. All the Patpong bars under Bang Rak jurisdiction have been ordered to close at 02:00 --- and they have done! One soi 4 'bar' used to open till the early hours, has been ordered to close at 02:00 for one month. (this, considering it's ownership is surprising!). However, walk along Silom to Saladeng, another police district, and one bar close to Silom, is packed into the street! Now I have seen this ,over the years, whenever a new commander takes over a district, it all becomes very strict for a week or two. Read into that all you like. I'm only talking from 20+ years being a local.

From the inside yes, from the outside it is the most hideous amateuristic piece of architecture since London's Southbank.

Is 'Super Boy" the same as Super A, first upstairs via rusty, rickety cast iron stairs and bridge, then to move down stairs with a permanent water leak and bucket just inside the door?

Sweet Cigar was notorious for youngsters. Surprised if it wasn't closed by police.

Thanks Max. I never go to Patpong 1 since the market went.

I ask again -- is the Kings Group still in existence?

We must inhabit different locations. I see A FEW farang without masks, only those who think they are V.I.P.s of some sort.

Why would they? Are they closer than 2 metres from each other.

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.