Bangkok late Feb for 12 Weeks

[differenceday]

Well,

I had been told by a trusted mentor to "Never pay for it.”  
    "Why?"  
    "Because you'll fall in love with them."  

...and my last 7 month trip to BKK-Bali, ignoring said advice, I had a heart attack; finding best solace months later, finally, at the 1:45 closing of my second trip to Tawan (unusual, but the super A, et. al., crowd were unappealing that nite): had a what-the-hell beer; neon lights came on; "Unbreak My Heart" played; thought "who will unbreak my...".   And I saw a barback who was perfect: he was with me until my departure.  He’d never been off'd in 2 years at Tawan, even had to ask how to do it.  Perfect.

Thank you for all, as I was last there in early 2007.

I'm scheduled to be there for about 3 months, starting late February through May.  Probably last trip (I'm older than anyone who says their age on this site recently).   And my intention is to take my mentor's advice and not "pay for it".  (If I were, I'd probably take the "low overhead" route, and just look into the bars, if they still exist, on the Soi by Mango Tree, off Soi Than Tawan).  
So I am looking for following up any trusted 'sign' from my stay there, wherever it occurs.

Telephone used to allow one to meet locals as well as a variety of folks in a social atmosphere if one chose; what place has that kind of appeal, style now? [Balcony, e.g., is not that social kind of bar.]

As my favorite restaurant/bar was Sphinx back then, at the end of Soi 4, if any remembers its ambiance, what is a restaurant/bar that is:
1) comfortable (cushioned),  
2)  quiet enough to talk,  
3) reasonably priced, with 
4) healthy-enough food, in the 
5) Silom/Patpong/gay area Silom
...in that order?       (Foodland with cushions?)

Massage is underrated in western culture, but not by me.  Attractiveness is second to sensitive, client-focused care for full body, while foot/leg massage is fine with good work.

I'm also looking forward to meet folks from this site while I'm there.  

[mauRICE]

Welcome to the forum @differenceday. Are you by any chance related to @pong2 or studied at the same school perhaps?

 

[differenceday]

Thank you.  Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with @pong2,at least under that name.  Other details?

[Mick]

Thanks for reminding me of Unbreak My Heart! Just went back and listened to the original and the remix. (I know this does not help with your questions, but I needed to share my happiness.)

[PeterRS]

On 2/21/2026 at 10:58 AM, differenceday said:

thought "who wilhinx back then, at the end of Soi 4, if any remembers its ambiance, what is a restaurant/bar that is:
1) comfortable (cushioned),  
2)  quiet enough to talk,  
3) reasonably priced, with 
4) healthy-enough food, in the 
5) Silom/Patpong/gay area Silom
...in that order?       (Foodland with cushions?)

I remember Sphinx well and both had drinks at the bar there and also dined many times over quite a few years.

One particular memory. A month earlier I had been in Chiang Mai and visited the House of Male sauna. Had a great time with a handsome student but supidly left my varifocal spectacles in their case somewhere. No one could find them. As they are expensive, I did not replace them. My Chiang Mai student friend then arrived in Bangkok for New Year and I took him to Sphinx for dinner. Before our meal arrived, he played a trick on me. He asked me to look out of the window for a reason I cannot now recall. When I turned back to the table, there on my plate were my spectacles! He had found them near my locker as he left the sauna! I made sure he had a good time in Bangkok!!

[differenceday]

On 2/27/2026 at 3:13 AM, Mick said:

Thanks for reminding me of Unbreak My Heart! Just went back and listened to the original and the remix. (I know this does not help with your questions, but I needed to share my happiness.)

Happiness is best.  A jilted thai guy wrote the words for hour+, salving.  The song as recorded transcends the artists involved.

 

 

 

 

[differenceday]

On 2/27/2026 at 9:50 AM, PeterRS said:

I remember Sphinx well and both had drinks at the bar there and also dined many times over quite a few years.

One particular memory. A month earlier I had been in Chiang Mai and visited the House of Male sauna. Had a great time with a handsome student but supidly left my varifocal spectacles in their case somewhere. No one could find them. As they are expensive, I did not replace them. My Chiang Mai student friend then arrived in Bangkok for New Year and I took him to Sphinx for dinner. Before our meal arrived, he played a trick on me. He asked me to look out of the window for a reason I cannot now recall. When I turned back to the table, there on my plate were my spectacles! He had found them near my locker as he left the sauna! I made sure he had a good time in Bangkok!!

Well I appreciate your correcting the posted odd copy of the Sphinx name: who knew?  Very nice memory: Chiang Mai students were wonderful with me, even causing me to learn Thai.      2 from me, tho one is tragic.       1)  maybe best financial advice, over 'signature' Sphinx chicken Cordon Bleu, was, if China finds ruble more stable than dollar, bread loaf will be $50, so put $ in gold ...which I did, if meagerly, to still-profit success  (Maybe good advice still with erratic US executive).     2)  My Tawan guy was very serious, also very unusual, talking with friend in thai at Sphinx bar (no eating given his shift).   I asked why later, he said performer at Tawan mixed steroids with Viagra to disastrous, life-ending result.  Tragic.           I feel I'd prefer to end this reply one an up note: a nice, one-eyed street cat hung around Sphinx,  so I adopted him, giving the nextdoor owner #baht, who assured me he'll take care of him when I left.