Unavowed

Thought this was an ideal name for a LB coffee shop or bar! 

Indeed, and well played to you both.
I would add that the concept is actually a really good one......Toto is in the Minivan to Laos as I write this, I might suggest she
tells the driver to turn back, I could really see her running a bakery/coffee shop with a crew of Poom Pui Ladyboy waitresses!

It’s scary how good it’s getting. Still a lot of contextual clues give it away, but no doubt it will get better and better.

With that video it reminds me of a joke:

My son told me he’s dating a model. You can imagine how disappointed I was when I found out he meant AI

I actually thought it was a great idea and it would really suit a LB reaching retirement age. Maybe they could also have ST rooms upstairs?
The concept was in the making for 8+ months and whilst I wrote the script, another far more clever BM than me created the AI images.
What was interesting was how the AI models have improved over the past year. The original images weren't great and look cloned, but in the past few months, it has come along in leaps and bounds.
It is fascinating and scary at the same time.
My favourite image was the alley, if you look closely it really looks like a tip. You wouldn't want to stay in a hotel down soi 8/1.

Note I decided to create a fake soi to give the game away and as expected that's how we were busted on both forums. The jape did last longer than I thought though!
How the AI images improved over time:
The original versions of Amah









I actually got the hots for this version:


Amah and the Crew
Notice how the crew looked very 'clonish', this was a big problem with the earlier AI models.











Finally, I will share a video of my new online girlfriend with you all:
1754677950336.mp4
The creative genius behind all of this is a BM, whom I will not name, but he is more than welcome to step up and receive his accolades. He put a lot of work into all of this.
Cheers, until next year...
SAG

Always original@SAGuy - keep up the tradition!

I was only suspicious because of the AI image and the sign is not even written in Thai.

…anyone want to open a ladyboy themed cafe with me?

Background                                                      
I’ve been meaning to do a write-up about this recent discovery that I made whilst walking around the side sois of the Golden Triangle last week. 
BKK has many great coffee shops, but this is one with a difference and this is the third time that I have been back there in just under ten days. 
Read on and you will learn why… 
Bump and Grind
This caffeine oasis is located on soi 8/1 and has rapidly become my go-to place for an hour’s afternoon break from the hustle and bustle of BKK.  
The coffee shop is quite compact and has 6 tables inside and it is also busy for takeaways. Not only do they serve all of the usual variations of coffee, but they also have an inhouse bakery and provide a wide range of breads, cakes, and desserts, which change daily. 
The prices are in line with the Golden Triangle, and the cafe is kept spotlessly clean.  
So, what makes Bump and Grind so special and why do I keep going back?  
That’s extremely easy to answer – the coffee shop was founded by a certain Amah Klaowan, and it opened just two months ago.  
Amah had a successful career as a cabaret performer both in Phuket (Simon Cabaret) and BKK (Calypso). When she turned thirty, she decided to use her savings to establish a coffee shop, and this also explains why it is called ‘Bump and Grind.’ 
Did I mention that Amah is an exceedingly hot LB? 
One coffee shop – six hot LBs!
In addition to the gorgeous Amah, there are also two hot baristas, two counter servers and a sexy baker. Every friendly member of staff is a LB!
 
Specials
Bump and Grind had a soft launch in early February and by mid-March Amah realised that more than half of her customers are farangs. Luckily, her and all of the service staff have decent English. 
To cater to the farangs that have flocked to the shop, she has started running specials and this month there is a happy hour from 07.30-11.30 every day, with 25% off coffees and 10% off all food items.
 Some of the cakes and savouries on display
 
 Summary
I highly recommend this place. The coffee is really good and so are the sweet and savoury options. 
The eye candy is beyond outstanding, and Amah sends shivers down my spine, which trigger fantasies of her becoming the next ex-Mrs SAG.
 Location
Bump and Grind is quite easy to find, as it stands out due to the great signage. It is near the top of soi 8/1.
 
 Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be on Google Maps yet.
 Enjoy, but please be kind to Amah and the five lovely LB members of staff!
Cheers
SAG

I had lunch  today at Krua khun Puk, oddly it's the first time I have eaten here. It was very busy with all tables full and seating only along the side benches. I always use the pad krapow moo as a good choice to see how the cooking is, with this being such an iconic Thai dish it should be a guaranteed pleaser. So, after 20-25 minutes after ordering the food it still hadn't arrived, taking into account a busy lunchtime I felt this was still odd, sure enough the waiter had fucked up and not relayed the order to the kitchen. In fairness the food then arrived within 5 minutes so kudos for the rapid response. It was a good size portion and the flavours were everything you expect for this dish, my only gripe was that the egg wasn't runny but perhaps I should have stipulated that. When the check bin came it was 100 baht , ridiculously cheap for prime Sukhumvit territory. As a quick lunchtime meal or if you want a eat and go type place then this will more than serve your needs!

Got a flight with EVA through a Thai travel company back in UK....one way ticket is £1400!! I actually consider myself lucky as others are paying plenty more and having to stay longer! Will get refunded from Etihad but it's a pittance in comparison,  maybe there is a possibility of claiming on the travel insurance but they will most likely wriggle out of it citing act of War/conflict/Unforseen event ect ect...

I think Accor plus is now called AllAccor+Explorer...if you can get past all the confusing BS, it is worth a look like @Unavowed mentions.
You now get two free nights instead of one; some rewards points worth about $50 USD off your hotel bill; and get to Elite status quicker with AllAccor.
It was worth it for me to get, but why so convoluted!? 

If you're a regular traveller and like Accor hotels then the Accor Plus membership is a good option. It's been refreshed recently and the main benefit is if you book two nights or more, you can get one night free (the most expensive night). You get two of these, plus 15% off above your usual member rate, discounts on dining (never used) and higher status which can give you late check-out options. I've used it to book a few nights at the Sofitel for the first time to end my upcoming trip (I'm curious to see how it compares to the Hyatt). I've found that Accor Plus has more than paid for itself, but of course you need to run your own numbers to see if it benefits you. 

Should anyone be thinking of a lower Sukhumvit Hotel booking it seems as of 1st March the prices are falling. I have just booked The Mercure at £370 inclusive of tax for 5 nights, last week this same booking was pushing £600.

Unless you have history of overstaying you will be fine. I've been asked once or twice when I'm leaving Thailand and have showed them my (genuine) return flight booking in an app. They're not going to get it forensically analysed, all they want to know is if you're a genuine tourist and not going to overstay. If you're really worried then book the cheapest flight you can find to Cambodia, Malaysia or Indonesia.

Try this: https://onwardticket.com/en

Either a typo or you splurged for the ten person van, haha.
1200 for a normal car.  I take Orange all the time to Pattaya and back.  When I first started using them I'd say maybe 1 trip in 10 was substandard in some way.  Now I haven't had a bad trip for a long time.  Once they sent a subaru that looked like it was ready for street racing.  The sport suspension made it one of my most uncomfortable rides ever.  I told Orange that they cannot do that to me again and maybe that message has got through because I've been upgraded for free twice now.  

In the last year I’ve used Nam’s taxis several times and it cost 1500 between Sukhumvit to Pattaya, and 1200 between Suvarnabhumi and Pattaya. I’m pretty sure that on one occasion the cost was slightly higher because they didn’t have a small car available.

Just had confirmation back from Nam's, bargain, especially compared to the now even higher AOT prices:
The price is 1200 bath all tolls included with sedan L. Driver will waiting for you at Meeting point near the Exit 3 (level 2) Please look for her with your name on a card.
We will get back to you on the day evening with name of your driver and her picture. 
 

Waiting to hear back from them @Unavowed, the rate is v reasonable on the website. I'll report how I get on if I book with them.

In the last year I’ve used Nam’s taxis several times and it cost 1500 between Sukhumvit to Pattaya, and 1200 between Suvarnabhumi and Pattaya. I’m pretty sure that on one occasion the cost was slightly higher because they didn’t have a small car available.

Will spare the life story version - and as experienced in a brutal way back in late 2019 in Chengdu; hotel air conditioning units. A hotbed for bacteria, mold and viruses if poorly maintained. The hotel staff in Chengdu -just before this COVID thing became a thing- shared that’s how bird-flu spread at the time in 2013. Room to room through aircon units. God I was ill at the time. Pain in the arse was that I was stopping via Bangkok on the way back to London and was seeing Lizzy regularly at the time. She was in a playful “take vids of me in the bathtub mood’ that night ….and was just lying there sweating myself through a fever. 
Stayed in a shittty Holiday Inn in Delhi last weekend courtesy of Putin block booking the whole ITC Maurya. 3 days later I find myself medicine shopping at Delhi’s domestic terminal before heading off to Chennai. That aircon unit would only work on full blast, and on a freezing setting. Clearly poorly maintained. 
Also, be wary of fruit in certain places, especially oranges etc. I have had some my crew in the past falling ill as the fruit was injected with (dirty) water to make it look more fresh/juicy (Accra, Banjul etc)
 
30 years in aviation and 200+ nights in hotels a year makes me go for a pizza these days (in certain places) without feeling any cultural shame. 
 

I found a little hidden gem right at the end of Soi 1 Suk - Thanaka Myanmar Restaurant. A very basic restaurant quite busy with local Burmese.

This was my first time trying Burmese food and I was blown away with the flavours. And this place is a 'cheap eats'. I just had the Chicken Curry (110B), 20B for rice, comes with a nice chicken soup. Wow. I think it was so different from Thai food. Not close to anything I've eaten before.

The evil looking curry sauce is spicy but not overpowering, so you still get a hit from all the different flavours - garlic, ginger, lemongrass and whatever they put in it.

Best thing about this place is it's only 90 Baht for a large Singha. I'm going back for more!

I have used antibiotics both times previously as 2 days and imodium were just not doing the job, what I hope to be able to do is avoid the symptoms from day 1

I had a Thai doctor prescribe Norfloxacin 400 some years ago and when I asked a pharmacist for this time ago he recommended Ciprofloxacin as this was a more potent antibiotic for more persistent cases.

With the changes in time zone, more boozing, different food etc stomach issues are not uncommon but avoid antibiotics unless it really is persistent.

Another good option are charcoal tablets you can pick up from 7/11 which is helpful to settle your stomach after a rough night!

If anyone is currently visiting Bangkok and would like to take advantage of the refreshing cooler weather to go exploring BKK in the daytime this might be a good option.
The Song Wat festival is running over the next 3 days from 11.00-21.00 but the bars will be busy after that of course. This is a perfect opportunity to explore what has to be the coolest part of Bangkok right now.
To get to Song Wat you just need to either catch the MRT to Wat Mangkon and walk 5 mins through Yaowarat or get off a boat at Ratchawong pier and that drops you just a few steps from Song Wat Road.
Here's the location of one of the good bars in the middle of this neighborhood just in case you want to find your way there. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9nPenexAGgyBQHx47
The Song Wat neighbourhood is a small area between Chinatown/Yaowarat and the river. It has an interesting blend of attractive buildings mixed with street art and funky galleries spilling out onto the streets. Exploring this neighborhood on foot can be very rewarding with hidden surprises down nearly all the back alleys so it can easily take an afternoon. It's one of the most beautiful and interesting parts of the city, definitely somewhere that would appeal to any photographers out there too as there's a lot to see.
There are so many excellent food options and some very funky bars in Song Wat but rather than give an extensive list right now I'd just suggest going to the festival and eating or drinking wherever appeals as it's all likely to be good and you might just prefer to enjoy what's happening on the streets for the festival at the time you're there. However I would recommend sitting at one of the riverside bars such as Barbon at sunset to enjoy the beautiful views if you're visiting for a first time.
If any of you do decide to pay a visit to Song Wat over the next few days for the festival please feel free to message me for any specific recommendations as I know the area very well, it's one of my favourite parts of Bangkok.
Edit:
One more thing, this would make an excellent place to go with a LB date and make her happy, even if she doesn't know the place herself she'll recognise bits from her social media. Unfortunately that means she'll also inevitably want a lot of pictures taken in the same places but that would keep any LB happy as would all the excellent food in the area and it's an easy way to have a day out together. It's not an expensive option either.

So…I just checked out of Hope Land Soi 8 having stayed there 5 nights and am on my way down to Pattaya in one of Nam’s Taxis.
My hot take on the Hope Land:
* I really liked it. Location for me was perfect - just a short stroll down the Soi on to the Sukhumvit Rd. From there you are only a few mins walk from any of the Bars we often visit  (there is also that useful cut through to Soi 4).
* Soi 8 is a really pleasant, friendly street. Fairly busy at the Suk Rd end it gets progressively quieter and greener as you make your way along. Nice mix of commercial, hotels and private residences. It’s a dead end so no through traffic and it’s easy and comfortable to walk along day and night. Hope Land located approx half way along.
* Decent sprinkling of bars and restaurants along the Soi from cheap and cheerful to interesting, high end Thai eating. 
* Hotel: It’s definitely a little bit worn and shabby to be honest but nothing that some TLC, a few coats of paint and new room Ifurniture would’nt fix. On the plus side my One Bedroom Suite was huge and great value (booked on Agoda about 4 months ago and came in at approx 1900THB per night).

Loads of space in the rooms, AC very effective, shower hot with good power, everything was clean, really comfortable bed, small balcony (important for me) was useful and my regular companion insisted that we utilise it for some evening errr… activities. Wi-Fi great in living area, lousy in the bedroom (I ended using my hotspot there). Not a very smart TV was poor but I watched it for only about 5 mins so kinda irrelevant to me. As discussed above, in-room lighting is a bit crap with low wattage bulbs not helping. Lots of sockets everywhere though.
Good rooftop pool with all day sun, a few sunbeds and grassy area. Nothing fancy but OK for a 3 star in heart of the City. No idea about the Gym or Sauna. 
Front Desk Team continue to seem disinterested but that’s ok, unless I am a frequent visitor I’m not really there to make friends with Reception. They were though helpful and swift the two times I interacted with them - check-in and check-out.
Housekeeping, by contrast,  were cheerful and friendly. Room seemed to be cleaned within 20 mins of ‘please make up room’ tag going up. Tips help. 
No idea about breakfast there’s too many great options in Bangkok to be trapped into a Hotel breakfast package. 
Didn’t see anyone sleeping in / hanging around, the lobby area. Perhaps management have stopped that?
It’s not a scientific survey but most guests seemed to be Europeans and Americans (mainly singles, but also couples and families) and a few Thais, Koreans, Singaporeans etc. It seems unlikely that there are going to be big tour groups of Chinese or Indians staying (not saying this is a good or bad thing).
Entirely Guest friendly and no signing in or checking in of guests ever occurred (might be a risk-consideration if bringing back a Freelancer from Soi 4 at 5.00am….)
Complimentary golf buggy transfers down to end of Soi is back on.
So, all good. Downside? There is a freakin huge construction going up directly adjacent to the Hotel on its north side (Sukhumvit Rd side).  This could be going on for some time and it’s VERY noisy Mon-Sat if your room is on that side of the building. There are 7 floors of accommodation and best as I could see you need to avoid room numbers ending 19,18,11,10, 09, 08, 07, 06, 05 (ie 519, 518, 511, 510 etc etc)
I’d stay again next visit. 

I'm in town for the weekend and decided to check this place out, as I needed a feed prior to the CIB11 Naughty Nurses evening. It was a quick stroll from Radisson Suites Soi 13, made all the more simple as there seems to be more walk-through options in the Ambassador Hotel, now with the renovation work they are doing, or perhaps they've always been there and I've just never noticed. After being shouted a greeting, about an inch from my face, by the over-enthusiastic young lad playing door tout, I took a seat at the counter to watch the world walk by. Upon receiving the menu, I thought this place must be pretty much the same as Krua Khun Puk (Soi 11/1), but flipping through the pages, the selection looked quite different. Anyway, I settled on some spring rolls and a chicken kee mao. 

While waiting for the food to arrive, an English gent stopped to peruse the menu at the front door. Immediately, young lad fired up and started shouting........."Welcome! What you wan? What you wan? You like prawn? This very good!!" and started flipping pages pointing out dishes, while continuing his unnecessarily loud delivery at this poor bloke. Through all this the bloke just stood there, stoic, unmoved. You could see the steam rising and eventually, to his credit, he just put up his hand, turned to the kid and just quietly said, "Stop!"
Message received, kid backed off and in the end no harm done as 30 seconds later he was walking up the steps and further into the venue.

Shortly after, the food arrived. The spring rolls clearly freshly made, very tasty, thought a little oily for me. The Kee Mao was great, just a little spicy, but not so much that I couldn't finish it. Two dishes and a Leo, B540 which I thought was pretty reasonable. For sure another option for future visits, though will say I think I prefer Krua Khun Puk, as that joint just seems much busier and vibrant.......and cheaper too.