Patanawet

Thanks Peter looks easy on the way to Balcony.

Thanks Peter. It's just, in my innocence, I don't know what Senso is. Could it be a sour bread bakery? --- something else I'm looking for. I will go wandering.

Yes sorry Peter and others. In my initial message I should have specified that I was only talking about Thailand. I repeat -- do not carry your original passport. It is worth a fortune to pickpockets. We are always told that it is the law that you must carry your passport as Thais must carry their ID cards. At a time of some troubles (forget which) one of the more notorious police area chiefs produced a poster in English aimed at farang stating what to do if stopped by police. It included tips like -- insist, if being searched, or urine checked that it is done in in a well lighted area. You CAN take photos of the officer etc. About ten tips as I remember. And one that said that it is only necessary to carry a good copy of your passport and visa(?). I have lived and worked here in the centre of Bangkok, involving many night taxi trips etc, for 25 years plus and holidaymaking more than that, and although stopped and searched many times have NEVER been asked for my original passport, the copy sufficed. Well, those are MY experiences. I wonder if anyone else can recall the original police poster (as in 'poster' stuck on a wall). It could have been Thong Lor or Asoke police that issued it. And Peter, any idea of a print shop that laminates near to Silom or Phrom Pong? My big local one claimed not to do it.

If you carry your passport with you-- and you shouldn't-- it is your most precious thing when abroad, a nice plastic cover for it which kept my last one pristine for ten years is the bankbook cover. Just ask for them in your bank. At least it worked for my UK passport with SCB cover. You only need to carry a COPY of your documents whatever the money grabbing B.I.B. may tell you.

You probably don't !

I prefer reasonably modest sized frontal toilet parts that don't humiliate me.

As I said 'it was to get a mortgage'. I asked my doctor "what if it is positive?". His reply, "We'll try another mortgage company then!".

It is a couple of years since I was last there and the owner was talking of expanding into the floor above. God knows what the reaction of waitresses would be to being told what used to go on up there.

Peter, I think that should read 'quite far from Patpong" rather than 'quite far into the original Babylon sauna'. It is prominently on the corner of soi 1 with an outside dining area. Last time I was there they were doing reasonably priced set lunches. There were no veggie options on the set menu but the waiter came with lots of suggestions (NO, not 'go elsewhere'🤣).

O.K., I give in. What is an 'H Type Spa'?

Thanks Peter. Another old trick is to increase prices prior to the sales then can show a reduction at the sales time.

How about writers to this board who can write whole words?

Will there be genuine bargains to be had on Friday 28th in Bangkok? I'm thinking personally of a printer/scanner/copier. I'm not referring to boy prices but maybe something for enterprising boys.

Then you should know better.

As said before, soi 4 is not a soi for host bars (with a couple of exceptions). And i cannot recognise Balcony or Circus at all from your descriptions.

I've never been to White Rabbit but often see it from a taxi on the way from Soi 4. Usually late at night and looks VERY busy. I really must go there as my two favourite singers in Thailand (ex and current Balcony) perform there. Golf and Oama (Ao Om). Only been put off because people tell me they really like it there (very close to soi D.J. BUT that it is expensive (yes I'm that stingy) but I don't know if that is true or not

You've taken the words right out of my keyboard. But I wonder if F.F. is asking about Patong or Patpong. Nearly (with 2 exceptions) Soi 4 establishments are drinking and eating bar/restaurants which get very busy . Most with outside terraces. Not really offable staff but many would be willing to see you after closing time 12:00-02:00. Generally all the same prices for food and drinks. All are good for just sitting and soi watching and meeting other tourists or locals. Just go, relax and enjoy.

Let's hope for a different outcome.

Every unit on soi 4 is on an annual lease (renewed every New Year). The existing leaseholders have been assured that they will be renewed again this year and hopefully some years to come. For many, many years developers have been interested in the soi and could be seen 'measuring it up'. One very busy bar has this year moved from the middle of the soi to the end and have extensively renovated their new premises. Also a new wine bar in the soi. This all doesn't look to me as if big changes are coming. Another question in this thread -- the family --yes the family that owns the soi lives in the compound at the gated end of the soi. and yes, they have a ladyboy son.

My friend has just discovered he's HIV+ and his doctor insisted that I went to the Red Cross just along from Chula Hospital to have a test myself. It is under the water tower halfway between Sala Daeng and Ratchadamri skytrain stations. What nice ,helpful and considerate people there. Fill in a computer form, upstairs to pay 210 Baht, then the prick(!). Result in one hour or by email. Result negative. Only had the test once before, scores of years ago,(to get a mortgage) and wait ten days for the result (think of the torment in the past waiting TEN DAYS). The red Cross centre is part of the Chulalongkorn hospital but considerably cheaper. Almost a pleasant experience.

Yes, sorry Peter -- complete TOSH.

Le Bouchon hasn't been in Patpong for a year or two. Now it has moved to the original(?) Babylon building on the corner and with an outside terrace.. Same excellent food and open lunchtimes for reasonably priced set meals.

Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, announced that the Vijit Chao Phraya 2025 festival has been postponed to November 9-December 23 to allow adjustments to the event’s format in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.

I would think if you're consulting a paid for 'therapist' (love that term) your looks would be irrelevant if he is straight.