SAGuy

Yes I think that THB 990 for 2 courses is excellent value, as there certainly won't be any dinner on my horizon tonight! The forecast is for heavy downpours of spirits this evening. And even the leg is cooperating today, so happy days! SAG

Christmas Lunch 25-Dec-25 For the third year in a row, I decided to book Christmas lunch at the Red Lion on soi 13 again. The Red Lion is a traditional English pub that has become quite an institution in BKK over the years. I have had a lot of problems with my leg since I flew back, so I left it until the 24th to make the booking. Luckily I managed to get a slot for 1600-1800, which is a bit later than I prefer, but beggars cannot be choosers. The Red Lion offers a very flexible set of choices for Christmas lunch: The Menu I was joined by @Behan and as I had tried to drink my weight in whisky last night, I decided the best course of action was to follow him with a soft welcome drink. @Behan ordered the main course option and I went for the two courses, foregoing the desserts, as I didn't want to aggravate the leg. The portions were very generous and the food was both authentic and good quality. Starter - Prawn Cocktail Main Course - Turkey and Ham There were representatives from all the major food groups on the over-sized plate and even two items which always triggered great debate in our family household. I remember endless annual arguments between my sisters and parents about whether peas and Yorkshire Pudding were traditional for Christmas lunch. My parents had a Victorian colonial outlook and it was considered heresy to serve Yorkshire puddings with anything other than roast beef. Thankfully traditions do change with the times. The jury is out on the peas, but I am glad that Yorkshire Pudding has now become a new tradition. Coffee I ended my meal with a coffee, which at the Red Lion is Lavazza and is very good. Summary If you are in BKK next Christmas and at a loss as to where to celebrate on the 25-Dec, I would highly recommend the Red Lion. This pub also serves very good Sunday Roasts, all day breakfasts, as well as other standard British pub food. Baht Buster Breakfast - THB 150 I had the Lorne Breakfast with @Kingdomguy earlier this year and he gave it the Caledonian seal of approval! SAG

This story is the perfect segue into a story I have from the mid 90s, which also features professional-level hustling and even St. Andrews! I was on a project with a vendor to a Scottish bank that was notorious for being meanies with expenses. Their sign off process was so slow, that it didnt get finalised until the week before we were supposed to be up there onsite. The only problem was this clashed with the Open that was being played at St. Andrews that year. We had to scramble to get a hotel and ended up in the Caledonian, which is a 5-star charging big event pricing and so was bound to cause shrieks and squeals when the expenses invoice finally landed at the bank. So we all flew up there, checked-in on a Sunday night and it was packed to the rafters. Golf fans from all over the world were staying there. What I didn't realise was that golf events, which attract a well-heeled set of followers, also attract 5-star escorts. We all unpack, hit a curry house and then go back to the hotel bar for drinks. We finally get a table to sit at and I was then treated to a lesson in multi-tasking. There were quite a few ladies of questionabe repute in the bar, but there was one stunner, who worked it so well she had me entranced. At all times she had 3 drinks in 3 locations on the go and just circulated from one old bloke to another, laughing and talking in multiple languages. Every so often I would see her leave with a septugenarian and then come back about 30 minutes later and just carry on where she left off. This girl was mesmerising to watch, as she was such a pro, I don't think a lot of people twigged what she was doing. I watched her intently for the three nights we were staying there and she was impressive beyond belief. She must have also been staying there, as she changed outfits a few times each night. It was the most interesting and memorable trip I ever took to Scotland, and I will never forget the sheer professionalism of this hot escort, whom I later found out from one of the staff, was from Brazil. To watch her work a room with such ease and experience, was truly a treat. This was also great experience for what was to come later in my life - LB lounge bars. Bai Pai is very good at working a room with 2-3 different drinks on the go at all times, but she is still minor league compared to the Brazilian. I never found out how much she charged for 30 minutes, but based on her activities over those three nights, she must've made GBP 1,000s. As for the bank, the expected shrieks of agony occurred when the T&E invoice was presented and thereafter they only ever served us a single egg sandwich and tap water each for lunch, as if to try and exact revenge, for their own mistakes. St. Andrews - Sukhumvit - same-same but different. SAG

Thanks for trying it out @gainsbarre That's a real pity, as I liked the Art Box, which by the sounds of it, was much more reasonably priced. SAG

Think of the Kinnaree restaurant in the Grand Business Inn further along soi 11. I'm Aroi has similar food, but it is less cost. Maybe they pass the savings of no AC along to the customers? SAG

I must've eaten here 50+ times and so was surprised that it didn't have a review thread. I'm Aroi is an open fronted restaurant sitting in the grounds of The Ambassador Hotel, and is located where the old Au Bon Pain Coffee Shop used ot be pre-Covid. It is easy to find from the street, as it is across the hotel entrance lane from the Wine Connection. The signage is poor and for years I referred to the place as 'Always Arroi', but I double-checked the name for this report. The place is open 24 hours a day and serves mainly Thai food, all of which is cooked to order and I would put it on the same level as The Swan on Soi 4, which is another restaurant I frequent. The food is very good value, considering the prime location on soi 11 and service is always fast. Most of my visits have been after 02.00 with LBs and they always give the food a solid thumbs up, so they must be doing something right. The waiting on staff have always been efficient and pleasant and seating ranges from large couch-style set-ups at the back, to the usual tables for 2,4,6 and also counter seating all around the periphery of the restaurant. The latter seating is great for watching the zoo that Soi 11 can turn into after hours. i have never been there during the day time and it may get quite warm there, as they only have ceiling fans. At night, this is not a problem. There must be 100+ items on the extensive menu ranging from curries to the usual Thai dishes, seafood and some farang food. I certainly recommend this place, especially if you have a take-out and want to eat before going back to the hotel. There is usually a few LBs in there, either FLs or with punters. Enjoy SAG

Welcome on board @Ligma After 5 posts you will be able to view all of the sections of the forum. Maybe make posts about your epxeriences in the UK? A lot of the BMs are based there, so I am sure your experiences would be of interest to them. Cheers SAG

If you miss the old Art Box that was located in Chuvit Gardens next to soi 10, then the SW1 Market may be of interest. I only noticed it tonight and it is located in between soi 10 and the Times Square building on Sukhumvit. It is smaller than the old Art Box and more cramped, but a good idea nevertheless. These photos were taken on a very rainy evening from the overhead pedestrian walkway. It was quite empty, but there appeared to be lots of beer and food outlets. It will probably be less fun in high season, when it gets crowded, as the space between the stalls looks very narrow and maybe enough for just 3 people across? If the weather ever clears up, I'll go and have a look-see. SAG

Thanks @Genghis I can feel a great series coming up.... @Genghis Top 10 Cheap Eats With a run down on what you scoffed, menus, photos and of course points out of 10 given by you and Mrs @Genghis. Maybe a few varied cuisines and dishes? I think BMs would love it and if I can cure my phobia of travelling beyond soi 22, I'd also go and have a butchers at them. Just a suggestion. SAG

I always liked the Citrus Suites, as it was very good value. I used to alternate between Citrus and the 2 Citadines locations on sois 8 and 11. Of the 3 Citrus Suites, the only one I would not recommend is the one on soi 11, as its a long way down the dog leg at the end of soi 11 and the guests there are definitely very different to the ones in sois 6 and 11. Without getting into specifics, there were howls of outrage from Mohammed and Abdullah et al when I rocked up there for breakfast with 2 LBs. In the other 2 Citrus Suites, thats par for the course! SAG

If you are a monger, planning to take a LB back to your hotel, then it is best to avoid booking into this one: From Trip Advisor ***The historic Atlanta Hotel in Bangkok has strict policies: sex-tourists, drug users, trouble-makers, and undomesticated people are not welcome. Any of these found on the premises are dealt with summarily. Because of these strict policies, The Atlanta Hotel has many detractors or even enemies. The Atlanta Hotel upholds its principles and policies without compromise. As of 1st September 2013, smoking will no longer be permitted anywhere on the premises. *** - this place sounds like a barrel of laughs! Even if you're not planning on taking a lady back there, but are "undomesticated" its best to give it a swerve! SAG

Its close convenient and cheap - so all 3 Cs LOL. Its a decent menu with a wide range of farang and Thai food, which the ladies also rate. Its weird how it only has a 3.9 rating, as I have enjoyed every meal there. As for recommednations, I normally go for the Thai food and they can make it as spicy as however you want. It is open fronted, but does have fans. My favourites are the curries there. Cheers S

Seasonal flights schedule for the high season. This happens for flights to SA and the Caribbean also. SAG

For Brits living 'up norf', this could be a useful travel option for the LOS high season. I have never flown on Norse, but as a low cost carrier (LCC), it could be a great budget option. https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2025/07/03/norse-atlantic-airways-launches-direct-flights-from-manchester-to-bangkok/ Norse Atlantic Airways to launch direct flights from Manchester to Bangkok 3 Jul 2025 by Alice Henderson Norse Atlantic Airways is launching flights from Manchester Airport to Bangkok, which will make Manchester the only UK city outside of London to fly to the Thai capital. Tickets are already on sale, though the service doesn’t begin until 26 November this year, running until March 2026. Flights will be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft, departing Manchester at 2330 every Wednesday, with arrival into Bangkok scheduled for 1800 the following day. Meanwhile, return flights leave Bangkok on Thursdays at 2000, landing in the UK at 0215 on Friday. Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe, said: “Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world. Bangkok is one of the most exciting destinations on the planet – and is rightly one of the most popular. “Many people from the region travel there every year but until now they have had to book connecting flights. This new route will make a huge difference by meaning people can get there directly from the UK’s global gateway in the North. “It will also be a great opportunity for the region to welcome people coming here from Thailand to experience our vibrant cities, enjoy our spectacular scenery, study in our elite universities and even watch our football clubs – which are almost as popular in Thailand as they are here.” Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, added: “We don’t just follow demand – we unlock it. This route has been waiting to happen, and we’re proud to be the ones making it a reality. “Manchester is a key gateway to the North of England, and Bangkok is a magnet for adventure, business, and culture. Connecting the two cities is a natural next step for Norse as we continue to disrupt and expand in the long-haul space.”

The Dawin verandah must have the best free LB show in BKK, especially if Dew and Suzie are working! Quite a few mongers just order in, as I have seen many girls take the walk across the street after receiving a text message. It adds a new spin to Uber Eats and Deliveroo! SAG