Weekends in Bangkok 2026

[jason1975]

This will be my forum topic thread where I write about all trips to Bangkok (and maybe other parts of Thailand) this year in 2026. I am making at least four weekend trips and probably one long trip. I don't want to write them separately.

The first trip of 2026 is a January weekend trip to be with my guy before he goes back to Vietnam for an extended period of time. His visa expires Tuesday 13th so I planned a trip the weekend before.

I arrived on Friday late because there was a one hour delay due to engineers having to check engine of aircraft. Singapore Airlines 5.15pm flight from Singapore usually arrives by 6:30pm in Bangkok but due to delay plus long immigration queue, I only got onto airport train at about 8.30pm.

I had planned to check into Voco hotel then meet my guy and his friends for karaoke at 9pm but everything got pushed back. "No problem. I wait for you," my guy replied me when I updated him on my delay. "I am happy you come to see me." 🥰🥰🥰

[vinapu]

10 minutes ago, jason1975 said:

 

The first trip of 2026 is a January weekend trip to be with my guy before he goes back to Vietnam for an extended period of time. His visa expires Tuesday 13th so I planned a trip the weekend before.

 

sounds romantic

[jason1975]

Since I was late, I didn't go to hotel to check in. I went to the pool table bar below Freshboys where we had agreed to meet. Everyone had gathered already and was ready for karaoke. I hugged my guy tightly and happily. Our group then crossed Surawong Road to go to Voco hotel. I went to hotel reception with my guy to check in. The other guys waited outside the hotel and chatted and smoked.

Voco hotel holds special memory for me and my guy. 10 years ago in 2016, I had been with him here in the same building when it was known as Tawana Hotel. My guy was working at Soi Twilight then and we spent a few happy nights together. The reopening of the hotel is a serendipitous moment for me and my guy and I definitely had to book it.

[jason1975]

It was nice that Voco management remembers the history of the building. It named its ballroom after Tawana Hotel.

[mauRICE]

3 hours ago, jason1975 said:

The first trip of 2026 is a January weekend trip to be with my guy before he goes back to Vietnam for an extended period of time. His visa expires Tuesday 13th so I planned a trip the weekend before.

 

Sweet. 🥰 Is he leaving because of the new visa rules? The latest I've heard is that there's no "reset" or fresh start of one's travel history to Thailand on January 1; the immigration officer will look at one's recent travel history and it's entirely at their discretion whether the visa exemption grace has been abused. We're going to have general elections in February and the rules may change yet again. 🤷 l hope everything works out for your guy.

[Keithambrose]

4 hours ago, jason1975 said:

It was nice that Voco management remembers the history of the building. It named its ballroom after Tawana Hotel.

Apart from the spelling!

[jason1975]

2 hours ago, mauRICE said:

Sweet. 🥰 Is he leaving because of the new visa rules? The latest I've heard is that there's no "reset" or fresh start of one's travel history to Thailand on January 1; the immigration officer will look at one's recent travel history and it's entirely at their discretion whether the visa exemption grace has been abused. We're going to have general elections in February and the rules may change yet again. 🤷 l hope everything works out for your guy.

No, he is building house for his parents in Vietnam. Away at least half a year. He aims to complete construction before storm season starts.

[jason1975]

I dumped my luggage in hotel room and my guy and I soon joined the other guys outside hotel entrance. There were 6 of us including myself and I also invited a forum member to karaoke.

So 7 of us in total walked noisily to H.i.M. bar which used to be known as Sky Bar. The two biggest karaoke rooms had been pre-booked by other customers so we were ushered to a normal size room. Smaller but the sofa was stil long enough to seat 8 people  and there were two long tables for food and drinks. Every room also had an en suite toilet so all our needs were met.

In December, I had karaoke with  Myanmar guys. Tonight it was with Vietnam guys so all Vietnamese songs. 3 hours of singing and drinking. Bill was close to 8k baht. We started at about 10.45pm and ended at 1.30am. Forum member came and watched for a while. First time at karaoke for him. When karaoke was over, one of the guys went off to meet his girlfriend, three guys went to another bar to continue drinking while I went back to Voco Hotel with my guy and we would stay together for the next two nights until Sunday morning. 

[Olddaddy]

28 minutes ago, jason1975 said:

I dumped my luggage in hotel room and my guy and I soon joined the other guys outside hotel entrance. There were 6 of us including myself and I also invited a forum member to karaoke.

So 7 of us in total walked noisily to H.i.M. bar which used to be known as Sky Bar. The two biggest karaoke rooms had been pre-booked by other customers so we were ushered to a normal size room. Smaller but the sofa was stil long enough to seat 8 people  and there were two long tables for food and drinks. Every room also had an en suite toilet so all our needs were met.

In December, I had karaoke with  Myanmar guys. Tonight it was with Vietnam guys so all Vietnamese songs. 3 hours of singing and drinking. Bill was close to 8k baht. We started at about 10.45pm and ended at 1.30am. Forum member came and watched for a while. First time at karaoke for him. When karaoke was over, one of the guys went off to meet his girlfriend, three guys went to another bar to continue drinking while I went back to Voco Hotel with my guy and we would stay together for the next two nights until Sunday morning. 

Beautiful and enjoyable post 💜

[mauRICE]

8 hours ago, jason1975 said:

No, he is building house for his parents in Vietnam. Away at least half a year. He aims to complete construction before storm season starts.

That's great! Hopefully by then the dust from the immigration sandstorm would have settled too.