Thanks

Has anyone been to ladyboy Club Dang 2 recently? Seems they have reopened at a new location two months ago already... What's the deal there these days? New location in Thonglor: 27 Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor) Thanks :-)

As an alternative to the Bangkok Hilton one could book a room at the Sook Station hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 102. Each guest receives a pin-striped pyjama and mugshots will also be taken during check-in... Price for a night in a jail cell: 1000 - 1500 B. https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0783dwl/the-prison-where-you-can-freely-come-and-go http://www.sookstation.com/?set_lang=en https://m.facebook.com/sookstation The hotel is within walking distance of the Udom Suk BTS station and can therefore be a good location for exploring Udom Suk and Bang Na. I'm not sure if it's guest friendly though...

No problem then: https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/changes-visa-exempt.php "Holders of normal passports of the following countries are granted visa-free travel to Thailand for a period of up to 30 days. The exemption is granted at most twice in a calendar year when entering over land or via a sea border but there is no limitation when entering by air."

Are you entering by air, that means do you arrive at an airport such as BKK?

On the terrace at least they have normal barstools out there. Not the most comfortable ones, but okay. I like the view from the terrace of the comings and goings of the relatively quiet Sukhumvit Soi 8 alley. Its location just minutes from Nana BTS is good. They have a little homepage and of course a Facebook presence. Here's their menu: MON_MENU_160129.pdf

Even smoking at home will soon be punishable if a family member's health is affected: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2019/06/21/dads-beware-smoking-at-home-banned-from-august/

The #1 spirit in Bangkok is SangSom I was told recently. In most farang bars in Bangkok the only local spirit you get is SangSom. But I've bought a small bottle (350ml) of Mekhong (and one Hong Thong) recently at a 7-Eleven in Bangkok as a souvenir (less than 300 B for both). I think Mekhong is more popular in Isaan? Nevertheless I'm drinking a shot of SangSom right now as I am writing this to your health Taas - and after that another one to the other BMs as well... I've tried Thai cigarettes once but though the price was ridiculously low, the awful cigarette packs keep me as a light smoker away from buying more... At the airport or other places where I could annoy non-smoking people I don't smoke at all...

Why would you think that Mekhong whisk(e)y was outlawed in Thailand, Taas?

Thanks for the additional insight, SAG! If I may add my own two cents: I think the gradual approach the Thais apparently take here is not sooo bad... Perhaps they don't have a retina scanner (yet) but at least it looks better than the old webcam thingy... In Dubai the retina scanners can be a real pain in the a.. . Last time it took I think three attempts before my retina could be scanned at DXB. The immigration inspector became impatient and shouted at me: Open your eyes! More! More!! More!!! And I must have looked already like Kermit the frog watching Miss Piggy doing a striptease in front of Waldorf and Statler... At Suvarnabhumi I used the regular track on arrival and fast track on departure and in both cases the process didn't take much longer than in the past. I cannot confirm initial reports on Thai Visa for example that it takes now more time to go through immigration. As usual I arrived at the baggage carousel before my bag came out...

Has anyone experience with Bangkok Safe Clinic on Sukhumvit near Asok BTS: https://www.bangkoksafeclinic.com/pricings/ How do they compare to Pulse clinic in Silom? :-) Thanks

I thought you were in New City already? Yep!

Good news for you: Drinking beer is good for your heart in general and your cholesterol levels in particular (at least if you drink in moderation...): https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/drinking-beer-alcohol-good-cholesterol-health-science-a7416891.html

Thanks for letting us know how you are! I'm relieved that it's not a heart attack! Also that you went to see a doc to see what's going on in your chest! Better safe than sorry! Wishing you ALL the best for your stress test on Sunday!!! Thanks :-)

Two clinics that cater to foreign visitors and that do health check-ups are: 1. https://www.medconsultasia.com The owner, Dr. Donna Robinson, is a GP from the UK. The clinic is located next to Samitivej Hospital on Sukhumvit 49/9 in the Thonglor area. Call them for an appointment at: Phone: 66 (0) 20 187 855 info@medconsultasia.com 2. http://www.globaldoctorclinic.com/# They cooperate with major health insurance companies so that your medical expenses may be reimbursed directly or indirectly. They are located in Silom across from the Novotel Silom: Global Doctor - TMVC Clinic Bangkok Ground Floor, Holiday Inn Hotel, Silom 981 Silom Road Bangkok 10500 Tel: (66) 2236 8442; (66) 2236 8443; (66) 2236 8444 Fax: (66) 236 8445 gdbkk@globaldoctorclinic.com The heat and humidity in Bangkok this time of year can be overwhelming and causes your blood pressure to drop and your heart to beat faster... I don't want to worry you but if you had chest pain or a pain that spread out to your arms or if you had any other signs of a heart attack, even 'only' an NSTEMI, you should see a doctor ASAP! As pointed out by Ropey, a check-up at a private clinic or hospital in Thailand probably won't break the bank and you don't lose too much precious time...

I think it depends on whether you need a hospital for yourself or for a Thai national. Thai nationals are covered under a universal healthcare scheme. Tourists until now don't have to have health insurance when visiting Thailand. However that will change later this year (I think in November 2019) when tourists will have to pay 100 Baht for a mandatory health insurance policy when entering the country. According to the Phuket News: "For now, all tourists with no travel insurance can receive medical treatment at a public hospital in Thailand, regardless whether or not they can afford to pay. ... Hospital staff will do their best to make sure that free medical services are provided free, but that any other services are charged." See also: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2019/05/24/govt-to-charge-tourists-100-baht-for-insurance/ Public / government hospitals are the most affordable. According to an expat site: "For common sicknesses, you might not need to go to a hospital. Clinics can also be found all around Thailand and provide you with a decent level of medical treatment, including basic health checkups and blood tests. There are even specialized clinics for skin disease, maternity needs, physical therapy, and so on. In addition to clinics, in Thailand you are able to buy most medications without prescriptions. Go to any pharmacy and tell them what bothers you" Hope that helps you.

Happened to me too a couple of weeks ago... I had been using mine for about a year without any problem. Then suddenly I was asked to show my passport. I didn't have my pp with me (just a photocopy) and instead gave the girl my passport card / ID card. She entered the number in her computer and that was it. Next time I topped up I wasn't asked again to present any form of ID. I think if you want to get a Mangmoom card (for the MRT) you also have to show your ID first...

Yes, but she was disinherited when she started partying at the Hillary and King's group bars.. Still interested? (Just kidding of course...)

Eclipse Group is now called the Panthera Group. They are headquartered in Phrom Phong. In addition to the Kiwi on Soi 8 they own for example: - Nana Plaza (the entire NEP complex, as landlord): "In 2012 Nana Partners Co Ltd a Thai JVC company co-owned by The Panthera Group and Fico Corporation purchased Nana Plaza The largest nightlife Entertainment complex in the world from The Nana family, one of Thailand wealthiest families." The new roof alone has cost them 500.000 (USD, not THB)... FICO BTW is an Indian-Thai company. - EQ Late Night Club Soi 4 (former Nana disco) - Insanity nightclub Sukhumvit Soi 11 - Levels Club Sukhumvit Soi 11 - Sugar Club Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok - Sugar Club Phuket - Seduction nightclub Phuket - Rossano's Italian Cuisine restaurant Soi 21 Bangkok - Novotel Silom hotel - The Australian sports pub Suk Soi 11 - Scruffy Murphy's Irish pub Soi 23 near SC - Whisgar whisky bar Sukhumvit Soi 23 - Craft Beer bars Soi 23 & Silom - Slanted Taco Soi 23 - BIRDS rotisserie restaurant chain - Boozia alcohol distributor - Sunbelt Asia Thailand's largest business services network. - Spice restaurant and bar - V8 Diner Sukhumvit Soi 11 and much more... Below: PR video of Panthera

Has any BM stayed at the Key Premier hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 7 or at the Sure Stay Plus on Sukhumvit Soi 2? Joiner fees are hopefully no issue in either place. And both hotels are relatively new afaik. The Sure Stay is a bit more expensive. Location of both hotels is fine IMO. But what about the general look and feel, the ladyboy friendliness in particular, pool areas etc.? Are they primarily family hotels or more party hotels? Any known issues with either hotel? Which one would you prefer? Thanks :-)

Thanks guys! Thanks a lot for your excellent feedback - much appreciated! I didn't expect to get any sound feedback when I was writing the OP... All the better that your posts were thoughtful, elaborate, wise, and also of actual practical help! Your guidance will help me making the best of my future stays in Bangkok! Flipflop's advice to build relationships with the girls you meet in Thailand is particularly important I think ! I've been to Bangkok about seven or eight times in the last 10 months - or about every six to seven weeks on average... I particularly regret not having stayed in contact with some very nice girls I met last summer... With one exception they were all basically just one-off encounters... The problem I see is that unless one can permanently live in LOS it's difficult to maintaining long-term relationships. I do have in mind applying for a retirement visa sometime, but for various reasons it's unlikely that this will work out within the next three, four years already... But we'll see... sometimes miracles happen... I also appreciate the suggestion by SAGuy to check out the scene in Udon Thani. I've never been there and I haven't even thought of it before... But it sounds intriguing. As I dislike Pattaya, that will be a real good alternative for a change of scenery from Sukhumvit and Silom... Thanks to Ropey for the great overview of the three nightlife areas! Very helpful! I understand now that going to the venues in the local areas will probably be a lot more fun if you ask a girl back in "tourist town" to come along with you instead of just going there on your own and trying your luck alone... Rock bar in Coco Walk however sounds like a place I might check out on my own... Udom Suk is perhaps a little bit too far out of the way... But I will keep it on my 'list' anyway... Srinakarin still looks interesting to me. Some bars there have an internet presence, such as the Drunk, 1Down4up, Drive, the Bronx, Begin, or Ru 69 bar. RCA is definitely on my radar screen. The idea with the card and the Line ID is excellent! Will try... Ratchada Rot Fai is also a good idea that I didn't come up with on my own so far. I can see that the train market there is better accessible than the one in Srinakarin because of its proximity to MRT Thailand Cultural Center station... I've read mixed reviews of the nightlife scene further 'down' Ratchada, in alleys 4 & 6. But I guess I'm much too old for Snop, Fake and Hollywood anyhow... Didn't really have Thong Lor and Saphan Kway on my radar so far... But since both are easily accessible from both, Sukhumvit as well as Surawong, I think I shall explore these areas as well sometime... Good to know that there are so many great options in Bangkok! It never gets boring! That's one reason why I like it so much... Thanks :-)

Yes I understand. But that's not the point. I find the majority of Thais treat farang with courtesy and respect as long as they get the same treatment in return... If I have luck, I will post it. If not... No... Not always Thanks !!!

I think ( @taaseesanuk probably knows more) that where the Hooters Nana is located (there are other Hooters bars & restaurants in Bangkok, e.g., Patpong), there used to be the leeeeeegendary coffee shop of the Nana hotel at one point in time.... the current location of the Nana hotel coffee shop is not the original location afaik.... The Nana hotel most certainly has rooms that have seen it all (+more I guess)...

A very basic, 10 minutes long overview of 10 hotels around Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP)... It includes Boss Suites, Ibis, Dynasty Grande, Phachara Suites, Majestic Suites, Dawin and some other hotels. Not covered are some relevant LB friendly hotels such as the Citrus Suites 6, the Ibis Styles, the Icon, the Sure Stay Plus by Best Western, the Majestic Grande (DoubleTree Ploenchit), the Novotel on Soi 4, the Landmark, the Marriott, and some other relevant places to sleep with or without a lb or two... Nevertheless it gives someone who's never been in this area before an overview of some accommodation options. Thanks :-)

I think the forum's issues have been successfully resolved. Thanks @AlexP & @KendoUK & whoever else was involved!