Ropey

To be fair, it's been 5 years since I stayed there and one time was enough - it was filthy and well dated, with cigarette smell that seemed to emit from the ancient creaking aircon. No problem for guests, I spent the night there with Ammy a freelancer who used to work outside mcds on suk.

Ambassador Hotel - beds ingrained with the sweat of a thousand hookers. A real dive behind the facade.

This is because the BTS rabbit card is (as of this year) now able to be used as a payment card for other goods and services, therefore is treated like a bank debit card and comes under anti money laundering legislation, while the MRT doesnt have this capability so doesn't require the ID by law.

From what I understand about this, is that they are three different companies who run these services, hence why there's no unity. The reason there isn't a combined payment structure yet, is that they each want their own payment card to be the one that rules them all. Govt intervention has taken place, but afaik is still undecided on whose card will take over and when.

I think that depends on the country, I just used my regular driving license initially and that's fine with the police here unless youre not on a short stay visa then you need to move to a local license, which I have done, but it's well documented on other forums with a Google search so I'd prefer not to go into all the details on here. As usual with Thailand, ones persons experience doesn't often match another's either, so you just have to go do it yourself.

I'm sure if you went private in UK you would be equally impressed with the service and comparing apples with apples. As it is, Thais also have a version of the NHS and most private hospital Dr's actually have to work in the public hospitals too, so knowing your specialist from Bumrungrad or etc and finding what public hospital they head too for the remainder of their work week can save a lot of money if your not insured.

Travel insurance probably won't cover you, but I don't know your policy. What I do know is that the private hospitals know their way around claim forms and will arrange it all for you, so makes it very easy. Only once was I not able to use my health insurance at a hospital here, I needed an MRI scan on my ankle and the total cost including scans/Dr's fees from a private hospital (samitijev) was less than usd80 which I paid directly, but so small a cost that I didn't bother claiming back from the insurance company. Unless you speak Thai, just go to a private hospital and get it sorted, youre more likely to run into frustrations in a cheaper hospital aimed at locals because of the language barrier, no one will know what to do with you and many doctors don't speak capable English either unless they are in private hospitals where foriegners go.

You can go to public hospitals and the rates are very cheap, however, the waiting lists are very long and appointments are based on the day not the hour or a specific time. Additionally, if you can't speak Thai, you will probably need to bring a friend to translate for you. Many of the famous doctors from private hospitals also work in public ones a few days a week, so it's not a bad idea if you have lots and lots of time.

Excellent review, especially the tip on booking via the hotel website for a decent discount.

Yeah it will be annoying, though you're also supposed to have your passport on you at all times if a tourist. But we all know few people actually do, perhaps take a photo of it on your phone and keep the image handy when you need it. I rarely use the bts so my rabbit card probably won't need top up for another couple of years.

I think it's because Rabbit has moved beyond just being a metro card and recently offers payments across board from 7/11 to phone bills and Line top up too. So they will come under a legal onus similar to banks now instead of what it once was.

If you know the answer to that, Im quite keen to know.

I think you'd be surprised, Bangkok Thais are big fans of this type of music and many thai restaurants have solo acts similar to him playing over meals/drinks. Isaan/Laos country music you may be more familiar with because many ladyboys from upcountry tend to like it and blare it from their phones.

I've been to Talad Rod Fai a few times, it's a good night out if you like memorabilia and antique sort of things. It's a mix of locals and tourists, the ladyboys I've seen have been with bfs walking around or working in the stalls. The bars are tiny and not really a place to go for. I've been to rock bar a few times in coco walk, I've not seen any ladyboys in the area. The problem you'll have here and many Thai orientated places is that they go out in big groups and don't really mingle with others outside their groups. Western style bars are popular for P4P and singles looking for farang because they allow random people to meet, Thai bars are more for groups of friends to drink/sing together, there is very little interaction outside their immediate group. I haven't been to Udom Suk nightclubs but there's plenty of these sorts of locations dotted around Bangkok, for some reason they tend to have the best food too. They're all girls as far as I'm aware, you'd need to go to a gay area to find ladyboys for local guys. Places imo you would be more successful : RCA - loads of ladyboys go here for fun but it's hard to break them away from their groups they go in. Bring a card with your line ID on it to slip to them. Ratchada Rot Fai Market - just up Rama IX is the newer version of the old Rot Fai market, bigger bars and apparently there are ladyboys there according to another BM in a thread from a year or more ago. Thonglor - there are plenty of Thai nightclubs here, I've seen ladyboys in groups when I've been out and about too. But again, breaking them from the group will be challenging. Saphan Kwai - near saphan Kwai bts is a straight and gay gogo bar area aimed at Thais. Bound to be ladyboys there, but not sure where exactly. The straight area is on Suttisan Winitchai Rd around soi Inthamara 2. The gay gogos are opposite side of Phahonayothin Rd down Soi Pradiphat 20 - near Embassy Hotel. As a tourist, you will have limited success with any non P4P ladyboys, as they generally are more interested in building a relationship (whatever that relationship may be) than a one night stand with a tourist who may never be back. So I agree with Flip-flops comment above, if you're going to go to the effort to meet them in these places make sure you let them know you're not just a 'one hit wonder'.

Privacy vs Security is a fine balance and one may not realise how important Security is until one needs it.

How was your trip? Did you stay here?

Landmark Hotel would be the closest. Afaik all the 5 star hotels in Nana vicinity accept LB guests. It's much harder to find hotels that dont.

Do you use a cane or walking trolley thing? Because that may may exclude the closest one given it has a steep rise to its entrance, or several stairs to negotiate through a restaurant area is the alternative entry.

Sheraton Grande Sukhimvhit has nightly live Jazz played by inhouse musician Randy Cannon and his band of local muso's. https://www.randycannonjazz.com

I've had one friend refused entry because of too many visits in a year, he's a serial business traveler so was flying out several times a month and basing himself here, in the end he bought an elite visa. The real pros who know the ins and outs of this are at thaivisa though.

You will find all the information you need at www.thaivisa.com

LOL typical Thailand - get your injections done and check out the snake farm out back once youre done. My barber also runs a dentistry from the same chair, if I asked him to replace my cars alternater, he probably would.

Jesus, get a room you two.

You mean something innovative, that caters for the needs of the students and not just the govt set curriculum? It's called a Thai gf, a bit more expensive than the standard course but could be good for 3-6 months of study, then switch it for a new one to validate what you've learned from the first one.

If you must do it in BKK, better off learning something Thais excel at: Cooking Thai Food, Muay Thai, Massage or Thai language courses.