SAGuy

Many thanks! Yes - I have clearly felt that. 

I have been a long-time lurker and finally got the nerve to write something here. Really appreciate the writeups and comments from the regulars and am hoping to return the favor by posting more. 

I got that hence creating the thread

I have been trying to cancel a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to Sydney. I guess I am not surprised that a SEAsian company has very bad customer support!
I also had a Qantas flight from Sydney to Bangkok booked using Frequent Flyer points. That took about 1 minute and a few clicks to cancel. Just logged into my account, click click click, cancelled. The frequent flyer points were back in my account next day less 6000 points Cancel Fee as expected.
Thai Airways! I have flown them a few times and it is a nice airline when things go well. First of all, I am a Royal Orchid Plus account member but only basic status. In my ROP account, I cannot see my flight booked. So unable to cancel via my account.
When I go to Manage My Booking from the original flight email confirmation, there is no way to Cancel a flight. I can Modify Flight and choose a different flight but no Cancel Option.
I emailed service@thaiairways.com as per instructions on their website. Still waiting for a response to that email after 10 days.
I tried emailing the Sydney Thai Airways office at customer.service@thaiairways.com.au - no reponse so far.
I called the Sydney call centre. They said they cannot help as the flight leaves from Bangkok, I have to call the Bangkok call centre. They did say I could also email contact@service.thaiairways.com. I tried that email, it doesn't exist! Great work Sydney customer service!
I have tried calling the Bangkok call Centre 3 times. Supposively open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When i call I get a long message in Thai. It then says for English press 9. I press 9, then get a long message in Thai then it disconnects.
I will keep trying but the way things are going Thai Airways will be added to my No Fly List:
1. Malaysia Airlines - had same issue getting refund for a flight they cancelled - Business class ticket only a few hundred dollars, from KL to Bali. Never got a refund. Long long story, many calls, long waits in queue, many emails. Waste of time. BANNED. 
2. British Airlines - attrocious service and food (but have not flown with them for over 20 years). Got snapped at by one of the fat pasty English bitches for asking for a 2nd drink during the meal from London to Singapore.
3. United Airlines - flown them 4 times Business Class between Sydney and US. Business Class only has cranky, old American bitches and terrible food! Never again.
4. Thai Airways TBC

This review is not based on a single stay, but about 6 stays over a 3-year period (late 2020 to late 2023). 
My first stay was during a COVID travel scheme called "Phuket Sandbox" in late 2020 where I was required to stay in Phuket for 7 days before being allowed to travel to Bangkok. At the time, there were many requirements that Hotels needed to follow, including on-site COVID testing, in-room meals during quarantine, etc... Also, during this first stay, prices at the Millennium Hilton were very low, about half of the normal rate. Anyway... It is an amazing hotel. The staff is very attentive to your needs. 
The breakfast buffet at the "Flow" restaurant was incredible. The room package that I chose came with this breakfast included in the price (for two people, even though I was only a single). Incidentally, if you bring additional guests to breakfast, you can pay a small add-on fee, which was quite reasonable. There was one particular morning when I saw one lucky gent with 3 beautiful companions at breakfast
There is an Executive Lounge on the near top-floor. If your room includes this access, there is free-flow alcohol and finger food & appetizers for a 2-hour period each late afternoon, early evening. I had access to this during one of my more recent stays. One of the best parts was how the staff remembered me by name each time, and eventually would bring my preferred drink to me before I even sat down and ordered. If you can get a package with this access, it is well worth it. Especially considering that you can basically make a meal out of this lounge access each day. 
Regarding everyone's favorite question of being guest-friendly or LB-friendly, the elevators are far around the corner from the check-in desk, and as long as someone has a key card, you could bring 2, 3, 4 people up to your room without any questions being asked. Part of the reason why is because there is a rooftop bar in the evenings, and for all anyone knows, your party could simply be going up to the bar. 
The quality of the rooms themselves is impeccable. Marble in the bathrooms, big soft beds, quality materials. The rooms just feel fresh and particularly clean. 
The only negative that I can think of, the location is not ideal if you are mongering in the Sukhumvit area. There is now BTS service directly to ICONSiam, but of course only until midnight. So this would mean a taxi back home after your bar festivities. 
As I said in the beginning, some of my stays were at a discounted rate during COVID times, but even at the normal rate, there is value at this hotel. 
 
 

Red Lion has some good English Breakfasts too. Last time I was in town they had a Baht Buster deal 129 Baht for an English Breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrown, tomato, baked beans, mushroom, toast, coffee, juice. Not a bad feed.
 

Backstory
My work requires meticulous planning, but when it comes to social occasions, the average Thai has better planning skills than me. 
So here I was at midday on Christmas Day, nursing a hangover and thinking where can I go for Christmas Lunch?
I live on soi 13 and whilst having a lung torpedo on the balcony, I looked down to the soi for inspiration and saw two very easy options - The German Beer House or the Red Lion...
OK that was easy, Red Lion it is.
Crimbo Lunch
By the time I got myself together it was around 1700, which was fine, as by my logic, most Brits eat Christmas lunch around 1500, so there should be some tables free. I crossed over the soi and walked in and luckily the theory was right. They also served until 2000 that night.
There were 2 options: main course only for THB 595 or 3 courses for 895. I decided on the latter.
The food options harkened back to the 1970s, which was fine by me, so I chose the prawn cocktail to start, washed down with a bottle of water as I couldn't face any more booze.
For the main course they offered turkey and ham with all the trimmings. It was served on a very large plate, so what looked small,, was actually very large. You could not fault the serving size or the quality of the main course.
For dessert I had the traditional Christmas pudding and another bottle of water.
Service was excellent, it was busy and I was lucky to get a table, as it filled up with what seemed like a second sitting around 1730. 
I'd give it 8/10 for what was a last minute decision. Very good value and close(ish) to original food, as I remembered it.
They also have a happy hour every day up until 2000 with cheap beer and they serve Baht Buster breakfasts, which I will give a try over Christmas, as they are served up until midday.
The only 2 negatives I had (which were minor) were
a. The prawn cocktail had onions in it, which I've never come across before and the raw onions overpowered the taste of the rest.
b. The Christmas pudding was served as a slice. I have never seen that before either.
I'd recommend the Red Lion overall and now have a go-to Christmas place for next year!
SAG

Backstory
My work requires meticulous planning, but when it comes to social occasions, the average Thai has better planning skills than me. 
So here I was at midday on Christmas Day, nursing a hangover and thinking where can I go for Christmas Lunch?
I live on soi 13 and whilst having a lung torpedo on the balcony, I looked down to the soi for inspiration and saw two very easy options - The German Beer House or the Red Lion...
OK that was easy, Red Lion it is.
Crimbo Lunch
By the time I got myself together it was around 1700, which was fine, as by my logic, most Brits eat Christmas lunch around 1500, so there should be some tables free. I crossed over the soi and walked in and luckily the theory was right. They also served until 2000 that night.
There were 2 options: main course only for THB 595 or 3 courses for 895. I decided on the latter.
The food options harkened back to the 1970s, which was fine by me, so I chose the prawn cocktail to start, washed down with a bottle of water as I couldn't face any more booze.
For the main course they offered turkey and ham with all the trimmings. It was served on a very large plate, so what looked small,, was actually very large. You could not fault the serving size or the quality of the main course.
For dessert I had the traditional Christmas pudding and another bottle of water.
Service was excellent, it was busy and I was lucky to get a table, as it filled up with what seemed like a second sitting around 1730. 
I'd give it 8/10 for what was a last minute decision. Very good value and close(ish) to original food, as I remembered it.
They also have a happy hour every day up until 2000 with cheap beer and they serve Baht Buster breakfasts, which I will give a try over Christmas, as they are served up until midday.
The only 2 negatives I had (which were minor) were
a. The prawn cocktail had onions in it, which I've never come across before and the raw onions overpowered the taste of the rest.
b. The Christmas pudding was served as a slice. I have never seen that before either.
I'd recommend the Red Lion overall and now have a go-to Christmas place for next year!
SAG

Backstory
My work requires meticulous planning, but when it comes to social occasions, the average Thai has better planning skills than me. 
So here I was at midday on Christmas Day, nursing a hangover and thinking where can I go for Christmas Lunch?
I live on soi 13 and whilst having a lung torpedo on the balcony, I looked down to the soi for inspiration and saw two very easy options - The German Beer House or the Red Lion...
OK that was easy, Red Lion it is.
Crimbo Lunch
By the time I got myself together it was around 1700, which was fine, as by my logic, most Brits eat Christmas lunch around 1500, so there should be some tables free. I crossed over the soi and walked in and luckily the theory was right. They also served until 2000 that night.
There were 2 options: main course only for THB 595 or 3 courses for 895. I decided on the latter.
The food options harkened back to the 1970s, which was fine by me, so I chose the prawn cocktail to start, washed down with a bottle of water as I couldn't face any more booze.
For the main course they offered turkey and ham with all the trimmings. It was served on a very large plate, so what looked small,, was actually very large. You could not fault the serving size or the quality of the main course.
For dessert I had the traditional Christmas pudding and another bottle of water.
Service was excellent, it was busy and I was lucky to get a table, as it filled up with what seemed like a second sitting around 1730. 
I'd give it 8/10 for what was a last minute decision. Very good value and close(ish) to original food, as I remembered it.
They also have a happy hour every day up until 2000 with cheap beer and they serve Baht Buster breakfasts, which I will give a try over Christmas, as they are served up until midday.
The only 2 negatives I had (which were minor) were
a. The prawn cocktail had onions in it, which I've never come across before and the raw onions overpowered the taste of the rest.
b. The Christmas pudding was served as a slice. I have never seen that before either.
I'd recommend the Red Lion overall and now have a go-to Christmas place for next year!
SAG

Backstory
My work requires meticulous planning, but when it comes to social occasions, the average Thai has better planning skills than me. 
So here I was at midday on Christmas Day, nursing a hangover and thinking where can I go for Christmas Lunch?
I live on soi 13 and whilst having a lung torpedo on the balcony, I looked down to the soi for inspiration and saw two very easy options - The German Beer House or the Red Lion...
OK that was easy, Red Lion it is.
Crimbo Lunch
By the time I got myself together it was around 1700, which was fine, as by my logic, most Brits eat Christmas lunch around 1500, so there should be some tables free. I crossed over the soi and walked in and luckily the theory was right. They also served until 2000 that night.
There were 2 options: main course only for THB 595 or 3 courses for 895. I decided on the latter.
The food options harkened back to the 1970s, which was fine by me, so I chose the prawn cocktail to start, washed down with a bottle of water as I couldn't face any more booze.
For the main course they offered turkey and ham with all the trimmings. It was served on a very large plate, so what looked small,, was actually very large. You could not fault the serving size or the quality of the main course.
For dessert I had the traditional Christmas pudding and another bottle of water.
Service was excellent, it was busy and I was lucky to get a table, as it filled up with what seemed like a second sitting around 1730. 
I'd give it 8/10 for what was a last minute decision. Very good value and close(ish) to original food, as I remembered it.
They also have a happy hour every day up until 2000 with cheap beer and they serve Baht Buster breakfasts, which I will give a try over Christmas, as they are served up until midday.
The only 2 negatives I had (which were minor) were
a. The prawn cocktail had onions in it, which I've never come across before and the raw onions overpowered the taste of the rest.
b. The Christmas pudding was served as a slice. I have never seen that before either.
I'd recommend the Red Lion overall and now have a go-to Christmas place for next year!
SAG

This is the second hotel that I used as my home from home when working and playing in BKK. I stayed there approx. 12-15 times between 2010-2015.
It is located about 300 metres into Soi 15, from Sukhumvit and they do run a free tuk tuk also, but I never used it.
The hotel is really nice and relaxed and the rooms are very comfortable. 
Its guest friendly and normally after about 00.00 you don't even have to sign visitors in.
Its marketed as a boutique hotel and its USP is that there are blue lights in the rooms, which supposedly assist with sleeping.
If you decide to book here, be aware that there is the main hotel and also the annex across the street. The main hotel is the nicer building and this is where breakfast is served.
Just around the corner there is a sub soi which leads to Soi 19 (there is no Soi 17). There is a good massage place called Cha Cha Massage almost next door to the Dream Hotel on the sub soi. Cha Cha massage is a legit place, so no 'hanky panky' that I am aware of, but it is very good and reasonably priced.
The hotel pool is located on the roof of the annex building and there is also a bar up there, but its not really a 'go to' bar.
The staff were really accommodating there and I never had a complaint.
If you walk to the end of soi 15 (about 700 metres?) you get to the canal and there is a canal boat stop there which you can use to catch a ride up to the palaces and museums etc. I did that a few times and it was a lot of fun.
The reason I stopped staying there is that they raised the rates about THB 3,000, which became too pricey for a 20-25 night stay.
One final tip is that if you walk about 150 metres down soi 15 and reach 7/11 on the left, there is a cutting through the building which leads you to soi 13. Then there is another cutting which takes you to soi 11, so its a great, but not well known short cut.
Cheers
SAG
 
 

I once stayed at the Peninsula down by the river.
With the floor to ceiling windows and outstanding views of the river it is very hard to beat. 
They have a private ferry that takes you to other side of the river.
Not something i would ever pay for myself, but I was speaking at a 5 day conference, all fees paid by the organisers. 
I'd rate the Peninsula in the top 3 hotels worldwide I have ever stayed at.
 SAG

"I yam what I yam and dats what I yam!" Popeye.
The Nana Hotel has had a refurb in parts, so I heard. The sights and sounds from staying there make it priceless! The hiso boutique hotels tend to be soulless and you could be anywhere. If staying at the Nana, then you know exactly where you are!
@Eddyseybrew the Miami Hotel on soi 13 has had a total refurb, but due to its location around the corner from The Thermae and all of the streetwalkers on Sukhumvit, it is also still full of hookers!
SAG

Thanks for this!! I’m heading there tomorrow for my 4th jab.

Background
I was at Bangkok Hospital earlier this week and the doc was a very chatty fellow, with good English. He asked if I'd had the 'flu jab yet and I advised I had it in SA in March. It seems that they are expecting a much higher prevalence of 'flu this year in the LOS and have imported extra supplies. In the northern hemisphere the 'flu season is the winter, but in the LOS it coincides with the rainy season, which will start in the next few weeks. (He advised always get the 'flu jab between Jan-May each year, as it takes up to 4 weeks to become effective).
The conversation then moved on to Covid-19 and he advised there had been a spike up to 1,000 new cases a day during Songkran and so they are also expecting an increase in the rainy season. He advised if you are 60+, haven't had a jab, or haven't been infected in 6+ months, then you should also get a booster.
I did some Googling and found this article:
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40027083
The Experience
They are also running the same scheme at CentralWorld, but the times are 1500-2100. I decided that MBK would be a better option, as hopefully there would be less people during the day.
MBK is very easy to get to from the 'Combat Zone'. Take the BTS to Siam. Change trains and take the train to National Stadium. Then follow the signs to MBK and there is a direct walkway which takes you onto the 2nd Floor. Take a lift or escalator to the 6th floor, which is spookily deserted. Walk to the far end and you will see the temporary vax centre.
Present you passport. If you are a local or a resident visa holder its free. I was the only farang; but there were quite a few Asian tourists and they have to pay a nominal fee (THB 490? I'm not certain).
You fill out a form, in English (that was impressive) and then walk in. You take a seat and then called to another room and get jabbed. Then on the way out you have to hand in the form and are directed to a "recovery room" for 30 minutes. Don't skip this, as I was tempted to. This is where they print and give you the certificate.
I visited today and it was a 50 minutes process - 20 minutes for the actual execution and 30 minutes for the 'recovery'.
I deliberately chose 10.30 to avoid crowds, and it was not busy.
The vax is intended as a booster and is the Moderna version with the Omicron strain. All of my previous 3 Pfizers were for the previous strain, hence why I went.
I'd recommend doing this if you believe in the vaccination route and the process was well organised and ran smoothly. They are geared up for large volumes, so it was a pleasure today.
They are running this daily until Friday 12 May, 0900-1500 and then for the 2 weekends after the election. If you have a full time job, CentralWorld is doing the same days, but 1500-2100, so that may fit better for you.
Cheers
SAG

Background
I was at Bangkok Hospital earlier this week and the doc was a very chatty fellow, with good English. He asked if I'd had the 'flu jab yet and I advised I had it in SA in March. It seems that they are expecting a much higher prevalence of 'flu this year in the LOS and have imported extra supplies. In the northern hemisphere the 'flu season is the winter, but in the LOS it coincides with the rainy season, which will start in the next few weeks. (He advised always get the 'flu jab between Jan-May each year, as it takes up to 4 weeks to become effective).
The conversation then moved on to Covid-19 and he advised there had been a spike up to 1,000 new cases a day during Songkran and so they are also expecting an increase in the rainy season. He advised if you are 60+, haven't had a jab, or haven't been infected in 6+ months, then you should also get a booster.
I did some Googling and found this article:
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40027083
The Experience
They are also running the same scheme at CentralWorld, but the times are 1500-2100. I decided that MBK would be a better option, as hopefully there would be less people during the day.
MBK is very easy to get to from the 'Combat Zone'. Take the BTS to Siam. Change trains and take the train to National Stadium. Then follow the signs to MBK and there is a direct walkway which takes you onto the 2nd Floor. Take a lift or escalator to the 6th floor, which is spookily deserted. Walk to the far end and you will see the temporary vax centre.
Present you passport. If you are a local or a resident visa holder its free. I was the only farang; but there were quite a few Asian tourists and they have to pay a nominal fee (THB 490? I'm not certain).
You fill out a form, in English (that was impressive) and then walk in. You take a seat and then called to another room and get jabbed. Then on the way out you have to hand in the form and are directed to a "recovery room" for 30 minutes. Don't skip this, as I was tempted to. This is where they print and give you the certificate.
I visited today and it was a 50 minutes process - 20 minutes for the actual execution and 30 minutes for the 'recovery'.
I deliberately chose 10.30 to avoid crowds, and it was not busy.
The vax is intended as a booster and is the Moderna version with the Omicron strain. All of my previous 3 Pfizers were for the previous strain, hence why I went.
I'd recommend doing this if you believe in the vaccination route and the process was well organised and ran smoothly. They are geared up for large volumes, so it was a pleasure today.
They are running this daily until Friday 12 May, 0900-1500 and then for the 2 weekends after the election. If you have a full time job, CentralWorld is doing the same days, but 1500-2100, so that may fit better for you.
Cheers
SAG

"I yam what I yam and dats what I yam!" Popeye.
The Nana Hotel has had a refurb in parts, so I heard. The sights and sounds from staying there make it priceless! The hiso boutique hotels tend to be soulless and you could be anywhere. If staying at the Nana, then you know exactly where you are!
@Eddyseybrew the Miami Hotel on soi 13 has had a total refurb, but due to its location around the corner from The Thermae and all of the streetwalkers on Sukhumvit, it is also still full of hookers!
SAG

Background
I was at Bangkok Hospital earlier this week and the doc was a very chatty fellow, with good English. He asked if I'd had the 'flu jab yet and I advised I had it in SA in March. It seems that they are expecting a much higher prevalence of 'flu this year in the LOS and have imported extra supplies. In the northern hemisphere the 'flu season is the winter, but in the LOS it coincides with the rainy season, which will start in the next few weeks. (He advised always get the 'flu jab between Jan-May each year, as it takes up to 4 weeks to become effective).
The conversation then moved on to Covid-19 and he advised there had been a spike up to 1,000 new cases a day during Songkran and so they are also expecting an increase in the rainy season. He advised if you are 60+, haven't had a jab, or haven't been infected in 6+ months, then you should also get a booster.
I did some Googling and found this article:
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40027083
The Experience
They are also running the same scheme at CentralWorld, but the times are 1500-2100. I decided that MBK would be a better option, as hopefully there would be less people during the day.
MBK is very easy to get to from the 'Combat Zone'. Take the BTS to Siam. Change trains and take the train to National Stadium. Then follow the signs to MBK and there is a direct walkway which takes you onto the 2nd Floor. Take a lift or escalator to the 6th floor, which is spookily deserted. Walk to the far end and you will see the temporary vax centre.
Present you passport. If you are a local or a resident visa holder its free. I was the only farang; but there were quite a few Asian tourists and they have to pay a nominal fee (THB 490? I'm not certain).
You fill out a form, in English (that was impressive) and then walk in. You take a seat and then called to another room and get jabbed. Then on the way out you have to hand in the form and are directed to a "recovery room" for 30 minutes. Don't skip this, as I was tempted to. This is where they print and give you the certificate.
I visited today and it was a 50 minutes process - 20 minutes for the actual execution and 30 minutes for the 'recovery'.
I deliberately chose 10.30 to avoid crowds, and it was not busy.
The vax is intended as a booster and is the Moderna version with the Omicron strain. All of my previous 3 Pfizers were for the previous strain, hence why I went.
I'd recommend doing this if you believe in the vaccination route and the process was well organised and ran smoothly. They are geared up for large volumes, so it was a pleasure today.
They are running this daily until Friday 12 May, 0900-1500 and then for the 2 weekends after the election. If you have a full time job, CentralWorld is doing the same days, but 1500-2100, so that may fit better for you.
Cheers
SAG

"I yam what I yam and dats what I yam!" Popeye.
The Nana Hotel has had a refurb in parts, so I heard. The sights and sounds from staying there make it priceless! The hiso boutique hotels tend to be soulless and you could be anywhere. If staying at the Nana, then you know exactly where you are!
@Eddyseybrew the Miami Hotel on soi 13 has had a total refurb, but due to its location around the corner from The Thermae and all of the streetwalkers on Sukhumvit, it is also still full of hookers!
SAG

Yep, rather be there than some Hi-So over priced boutique hotel.....Nana is a Mongers mainstay for years because it knows what it is.

After all the years i have stayed at the Nana Hotel I think I may have bagged their best room. It's basically a suite and is pretty much the size of two rooms, but that aside it is posistioned above Hooters and I have three large windows looking down onto the NEP entrance and also where the freelancers gather.....maybe they secretly log your visits and thought his time has come for a bit of VIP hospitality!!...highly unlikely but for just under 1,800B a night it is excellent value! 

Hahahahaha
There's a few I recognised and a few that had all of the telltale signs of a LB FL on a mission...
SAG

Hahahahaha
There's a few I recognised and a few that had all of the telltale signs of a LB FL on a mission...
SAG

The restaurant downstairs is called Kinnaree and has a wide range of Thai and farang grub, which is always consistent.
Plus if you sit at the back, you can watch the guests come and go, I've spotted quite a few LBs getting into the lifts, so the hotel is used to this.
Kinnaree also has an outside section which is also great for people watching, as that section of soi 11 always has a lot of foot traffic.
Enjoy your stay!
 SAG

Yes I know. It is where I picked up a little stick of dynamite in November. Sitting on a stool people watching when she took the bait.