advice on what to do

[Guest]

I will be arriving in Bangkok for my first time in three weeks. So, the question of the day is: Where to go? If you are just looking to go out and look a little and have a beer, where should one do that?

[Sarisin]

Ay, hey Shola, what an open-ended question you have here. I wonder how you would answer if someone asked you this about Taipei? On the other hand, perhaps, your answer would be more based on limited possibilities.

You didn't mention anything about being interested in ladies, so I would suggest you research a recent thread here on good bars for sitting and watching the world go by. Good people-watching spots on Sukhumvit, for example.

Just go back about 30 days or so, and I think you will find that thread.

Also, if you show up on Friday you might want to head to either Woodstock or Warbler's where some of the guys from this board meet to solve all the world's problems and determine which bar has the best cuties.

After reading the thread I mentioned, you might have more specific questions for the group. So, read, and post away my friend.

[Raven]

Here's a thought. Take a flight that gets you in at a decent time. China Airlines has a flight that arrives at 11:30 am or so. Get to your hotel, settle in. Hotels in the Sukumvit area are best for your planned activities - plenty of reviews in the accomodation section.

At 2:00, go get a haircut, assuming you need one. Hell, get a haircut even if you don't need one. You will find threads describing interesting activities at the barbers.

At 3:30 or 4:00, particularly on a weekend, head to the Beer Garden on Soi 7 for a beer and look see. At 5:30 or 6:00 head to the Golden Beer Bar attached to the Nana hotel on Soi 4 and watch the girls coming to work.

When you have finished there, go to Nana and watch the girls, or to Woodstock if a Friday.

Later, stroll up Sukumvit to Clinton and have a beer. Then to Soi Cowboy. Take your pick - lots of bars. At about midnight or so, head back down Sukumvit to Thermae. Stay here until closing. If its dead or the pickings are poor, head over to Nana Disco in the back of the Nana hotel. Then finish your long day / night at the Grace Hotel on Soi 3.

This is the grand tour of the Sukumvit area but by no means exhaustive - you won't touch the soapies or the Pong, Washington Square, Soi 33, Eden, etc. etc.

As you go along, make eye contact with the girls that interest you, smile, and appear friendly. Engage in friendly conversation: "What your name?" "Where you come from?" "You pay bar?"

If you make it even half way through the evening, you are a stronger man than I. Enjoy, you lucky bastard.

[Guest]

Thankyou Raven, you just wrote my itinerary. I think I will make it though... I have a girlfriend and a very very strong sense of guilt (not a good combo), but I figure I have to see the infamous side of Bangkok.... right?

[Guest]

Hi Shola,

I really hope that you enjoy your trip - it can be a great place to be if you have the right outlook.

quote:

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I am not adverse to approaches, but will can not forsee myself tempted enough to accept an offer.

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Perhaps you can post a message after / during your trip to confirm if the reality matched up with your foresight.

Enjoy.

D

[Guest]

ok, more specific.... fair enough. I want to look at the sex scene, but not necessarily participate. Basically, I would like to observe and take it from there. So, I am looking for something not too seedy or pornographic (e.g. no animal or razor blade insertion), but a little risquee women (maybe naked) dancing on a stage. I am not adverse to approaches, but will can not forsee myself tempted enough to accept an offer.

Basically, Nanaplaza seems like it would have been the ideal place six months ago. So, maybe something in that vicinity of vulgarity, but still available today.

[Guest]

I think the lady-boys who wander around the alley ways of Khao San Rd. and Patpong are vulgar!!!

Remember:

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble

Not much between despair and ecstasy

Can't be too careful with your company

I can feel the devil walking next to me

And thank God I'm only watching the game --

controlling it --

---Have fun!!

[ January 17, 2002: Message edited by: joeyjojo ]

[Guest]

A good theme is to have 1 beer in each bar and THEN Move on to the next one, you must be firm and Detrmined on this policy, OK.

Now it took me 2 years to get around Nana, and this year i will try the 2nd floor !!!

[Raven]

TEDBKK is absolutely spot on. The yearning is known by some as "the sickness" by others as the "Bangkok blues." I have it. TEDBKK has it. Probably 80% of the people on the Board have it.

If you are drawn to the scene, you will probably get it as well.

The only apparent cure is to move to Bangkok. After a year or so of immersion therapy, some will begin to talk about how the tourists pay too much and how the Thai people are corrupt. That's the few who get the cure. Others are incurable - probably for life.

Me, I have accepted it. It's probably incurable. I go to Thailand as often as I can. Like a moth to a flame. I plan to retire in Thailand - only as long as it takes to get the cure. With a bit of luck, it will never come.

[Lusty]

A good starting point is one of the beer bars on Patpong 2.My favorite is the one that sticks out a bit into the street.I think its called the Cosmos.Its great for people watching and generally getting to grips with things.And its very close to the Star of light so you can see the comings and goings and not to far to walk if you fancy a quick "blow through".Don,t worry about the touts as you enter this area, just stick your hand up and say "no thank you" and if they are very persistent use the international phrase(understood by everyone)FUCK OFF!