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From the Bangkok Post Thanks to the extended MRT Blue Line, one of the most fascinating parts of the capital is now within easy reach Saphan Han is one of Bangkok's oldest surviving bridges. It's not clear when it was first built, but the bridge has been reconstructed at least three times: during the reigns of King Mongkut (Rama IV), King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and King Bhumibol (Rama IX). The one shown in the black and white photo was the version built under King Rama V. Like the world-famous Rialto Bridge in Venice, it was lined with shops. The current concrete version dates from 1962. Most Bangkokians are familiar with the name Saphan Han, but not many have seen the actual bridge, since this part of the canal had been fully covered by a market for decades. The shops were removed a couple of years ago as part of an urban beautification project. The area you'll be reading about in this article is only around 1.2km². Yet, it's packed full of fascinating things to see and do, from Wang Burapha, Saphan Han and Sampheng, to Phahurat, Saphan Phut, Pak Klong Talat and Ban Mo. To help you get a better picture of this section of Bangkok's old town, let's first define its boundaries. Starting in the north, where the new Sam Yot MRT station is located on Charoen Krung Road, the area extends eastwards to Maha Chak Road, and westwards to Klong Khu Muang Doem, the old city moat, with the Chao Phraya River marking the southern boundary. All this is easily walkable from Sam Yot station, so visitors are free to roam the area however they want to. But I'd like to recommend a route that spares you from having to walk back to Sam Yot. rom the station, follow the one-way-traffic on Charoen Krung Road to SAB junction, then turn right onto Chakkrawat Road. Wat Chai Chana Songkhram, Wat Chakkrawat and Chao Krom Poe, a 123-year-old herbal medicine dispensary, are just down the street. Between the two temples, where Yaowarat Road intersects Chakkrawat Road, lies the century-old Luean Rit community, which is undergoing major restoration. Once the project is completed, the area will be a new attraction in an already interesting corner of the city. But for the time being, Luean Rit is sealed and off-limits to the public. Incidentally, at the time of writing, on Google Maps, Street View depicts Luean Rit as it now is, surrounded by tall metal walls. However, as you move through the entrance to the restoration site, Street View shows lively scenes from before the residents moved out. It's like suddenly being transported back in time. Very cool. I recommend trying it before Google updates it. Back to our actual tour, from Wat Chakkrawat, cross to the other side of the street and take Hua Met lane, part of Sampheng wholesale district, to Klong Ong Ang and Phahurat. Along the way, be adventurous and explore all the alleyways. You might find some delightful surprises, as I did. Continues with photos https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1730579/new-experiences-in-old-bangkok

So you also reported two identical muggings 5-6 months apart? It is important to track one's own stories. When calling someone out, it is sometimes customary to use a little sarcasm. And what, exactly, is the concrete advice that ihpguy provided? I glean two things: turn over your "fake watch", otherwise why wear one?; a backpack can be of interest to a pivete (which by the way in Bahia could be slang or colloquial for "buddy"). There have been ample suggestions here over the years for sensible vigilance and for mitigating the likelihood of robbery damage. Otherwise, he seems to suggest that his unique past experiences were predictive of breaking news that is repeated and imported here over the years. Methinks some hyperbole or confabulation was drawn on for effect in that regard. A single representation of a credible incident goes further than making like an amoeba en split. He is grousing about not heeding his warnings, but who exactly reported here an incident that reflected they somehow dismissed his testimonials? Generally, message board contributors have shared their own or hearsay bad experiences, put the stats in context globally, or reported being spared a mugging so far.

Possibly, but none of this explains how the exact same crime with exact same circumstances, at the same location at the same time of day, the exact same items taken, the same kind of perpetrators, same witnesses, and the same taxi called to take him to the same hospital not nearby, happened to the same poster twice —- once on September 30 and the other in February of the next year. Because in his own words, this is what ihpguy said happened in his own posts. He has even doubled down on it, in righteous indignation. Anyone can read the two posts and see that. Can you explain away such odd, exact coincidences?

T b, @ihpguy? I reviewed your previous posts from Oct 2018 on safety, they're not 3 months back, and you described an assault virtually identical to the one you just referenced from Feb 2019. After all, you mentioned your previous attempts to warn message board readers. Therefore, forgive me for being a tad incredulous. Assaults in general are believable, but did H Copa d'OR miss Dx of a concussion or something? In addition, might there be some particular aspect about you or the crimes context that make you more vulnerable to attacks?

MsGuy was one of our regular posters. He had a great sense of humor. I'd love to state those facts in the present tense, but he hasn't signed on in almost three months! MsGuy, come back! All is forgiven! Anyone hear from him lately?

In Grindr or Scruff, at least in Rio, there is an increasing number of guys who claim to like "maduros" or "coroas"or "50 +" ie older gentlemen. During my first trips to Rio, back 10 years ago, these ads were very rare. They are now common and are basically of 4 types : - the garotos de programa who are identified as such in the ad - the garotos who are in fact garotos de programa but who do not identify themselves as GP and try to find an older gentlemen who will think that he is not a guy next door and not a GP - the garotos really liking older gentlemen, who are of course a very small minority. They are not expecting anything else than finding a boyfriend or starting a relationship with someone older. They are not looking for money. Since my first travel, I met around 15 of these boys and am still in contact with a few of them, even meeting some of them, for dinner or more, when I am in Brazil - the crooks. This is a new category which seems to be growing and I know that there is a gang of these boys operating in Rio and Sao Paulo. They will meet you and then blackmail you, rob you and put pressure on you to get money. Below are some of the precautions I take to try to identify the boys who genuinely like older gentlemen : - I make it very clear that I am not looking for a GP and I am not prepared to pay for sex (normally the guys from first 2 categories above stop chatting) - I make it clear that I am not (only) looking for sex but want to have discussion on subjects such as politics, travels, languages, art, music, ... - I try to use internet sites which are specialized in bears (and therefore avoid Grindr or Scruff or be even more careful on these general sites) - I check if they know the places where older gentlemen and younger guys who like them meet together (ie La Cueva in Rio and ABC Bailao in Sao Paulo, or internet sites such as ursosderio, or sauna such as Carioca in Rio or Sauna LeRouge 80 in Sao Paulo) - Some questions raise a red flag, in particular the question "are you alone in Rio ?" or personnal questions coming too early and not naturrally during the exchange (on job, ...) - Some attachments also raise a red flag : a too good looking guy -almost a model -, nudes of open asses or huge dicks sent very early in the exchange, ... - I always meet in a public place first, never in my hotel or apartment. I normally arrive in advance in order to see who is coming, if he is alone, is he looks like the pictures which were sent, etc - I never ever go to a boy's place. It is an unknown environment and you never know whom you are going to meet. In addition, a movie or pictures of your meeting can be done ... I remember the story of this american guy who recently in Rio went with 2 guys he met in the street and with whom he had drinks. He was threatened to be thrown from the window and his head and torso were already out (his shouting made the neighbours call the cops). BTW the 2 guys were working in 117. I saw one of them in 117 a few days after the incident. The other is banned from 117, certainly for other reasons. In addition, it is impossible to know what is going to be

I have researched and updated current short-stay places. The closest to Lion's but in Lapa area is Hotel La Costa, 850 metres distance at 13 Francisco Muratori. There are others further northwest into Centro but the closest of all remains southerly, Hotel Alameda (A) directly across from Clube 117, 550 metres from Lion's, and the cheapest. The other two options remain Hotel/Suites Challon (C) a modestly steep uphill climb 350 metres west from #117 to #521, and Hotel Lovetime (L) 200 metres south of Metro Gloria, also a litle closer to Lion's than La Costa in Lapa.

Thanks. Really interesting was to look at some cities, like Hong Kong or Lisbon

Always be prepared to quickly hand something of "apparent" value over to the assailant. If possible, if you have your wits about you, place it on the ground. If alone, he is not likely going to immediately leave it there and chase you. There are probably none of his felonious peers taking notes and planfully following and targetting you for next time. Don't quibble and stand on honour. The true "highway robbery" is having overpaid, by thousands of reais, the owner of these stairs for the privilege of burying one's face in the ratty dunghill scurvy sheath-cummy mattresses.

On October 4 of last year, @ihpguy DEFINITELY said this same story with the exact same set of facts happened to him on Sunday, September 30, 2018. So the exact same crime at the same location with the very same circumstances, perpetrator and witnesses occurred to him on September 30, 2018 AND in February 2019 (as well as two other muggings in February)? I hate to agree with you, @Riobard, but that’s just an unbelievable coincidence.

Agreed, but this also applies to all of the big cities in Brazil — Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Recife, etc.

This topic comes up repeatedly. Maybe it serves as a good reminder to be observant and careful in Rio. The only way to be sure that you will not get robbed in Rio is to stay home. iphguy is an astute resident there, and if he can get robbed three times in one month, it serves to remind us to observe the precautions mentioned here repeatedly, and then still be prepared for danger. It's a risk of visiting Rio.

I don’t see anyone apologizing for crime in Rio or Brazil at large or discounting your experiences. Crime — both petty and violent — is rampant in Brazil. It is not so great in good economic times, and the economy there now is in the toilet. Poorer young men are more desperate than usual, and the police force and public hospital staffs were practically cut in half a few years ago to save money. Bolsonaro is (surprise!) proving to be a mouthy, feckless idiot (just like his idol north of the Equator), so expect whatever he does to make things even worse. Muggings have bled (no pun intended) onto the boardwalks of Ipanema and Leblon. These were the very same warnings given to me when I was last there for 3 months living off Farme this past winter / their summer. And although crime can hit anyone, clearly those who physically look like they might have something to give up more easily (whether it’s the flashy muscular garoto just leaving a productive night of the sauna in Gloria, or it’s the very gringo-ey looking middle-aged man fluent in Portuguese who’s walking along the beaches of Ipanema / Leblon) are going to be at higher risk than others. Hell, I don’t even look anything like that at all, I “blend in” very well there, and even I am not naive or foolish enough to think that I couldn’t be a victim of a crime of opportunity at any time in Brazil. Safety should ALWAYS be a major consideration in Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Recife and all points in between. Brazil is NOT Singapore! When garotos (working sauna guys) tell you that they don’t feel safe from crime, then there should be no reason to believe that you would be any safer. It’s easy to get lulled into the beauty and landscape of the city and the entire country of Brazil. So, @ihpguy, you were mugged three times in one month! Even that is highly unusual. Do you plan on leaving Brazil?

I'm actually going for work and the hotel in Nana is much ore central to where i need to be, but in retrospect I've thought that maybe my priorities should be different. haha Thanks for the advice everyone, I think I'll just utilise the taxi's, or book a short stays. Thanks @anddy for the suggestions.

Staying in Nana/Sukhumvit and going back and forth to Silom/Sathon is no issue - I have done that numerous times when staying at high-end hotels in Ploen Chit, Asoke or even Prom Phong. BTS to Silom (or bus to Sathon - you need to change bus at Centralworld) and a short taxi ride back to Sukhumvit at night. Should be no more than 100 B (by meter) if you go to Rama IV and get a taxi from there (it is actually surprisingly quick to get to Sukhumvit via Rama IV at night). No need to regret or cancel a (non-refundable) hotel reservation in Nana. I'm quite sure that most/all hotels in Nana have a flexible quest policy - you will understand why when you get there and take a walk in the area.

Chris Cuomo Threatens Man Who Called Him ‘Fredo’ Chris Cuomo needs to grow a pair. Perhaps he should let his balls hang on an escort board for a month or two. That might toughen up his thin, sensitive skin. I suspect he took this punch for publicity. The man has a rather big ego and he wants to drive the success of his new CNN show. He certainly knows how to work the media and draw attention to himself. Considering how smart this guy really is -- he went to Yale and obtained his Juris Doctor at Fordham. He's also a licensed attorney. -- I'm surprised he wouldn't just laugh at being called Fredo. Furthermore, everyone knows that Donnie Jr. is the real Fredo, along with his dad.

Yes. He still work at Fake Club. His Instagram account is blend.pan

With all due respect @z909, you would WALK???? That's crazy (but then maybe you are that crazy when it comes to walking such distances haha ). No seriously, that is not walking distance, it is 5 km from Tawan to that hotel and a ONE HOUR WALK according to google maps, so walking is clearly not advisable, especially to a first time visitor. And especially after a bar visit with an off, who would want to walk for ONE HOUR before getting to the room???? So, @BKKtourist88, Taxi is the one and only viable option, and dirt cheap at that, even if the newbie gets ripped off with a 200 Baht fare as opposed to max 100 on the meter that's still nothing by western standards.

That hotel is really quite far, I'd advise you to cancel the booking and find a new one in the Silom/Surawong area - IF you can cancel. If not it won't be the end of the world. Being in Nana, I'm pretty sure joiners won't be a problem, though I have zero actual experience of other first or even second hand knowledge about this hotel. If you're stuck there the short time hotel option may be a good solution, too. There are indeed two very close to Tawan: The Surawong (or Suriwongse, spelling may vary) Hotel https://goo.gl/maps/cWXJoyjwjjfMaRTN9 The BBB Inn https://goo.gl/maps/YhV6NMGFPP2bi4Lh9 Both offer short time (about 4 hours I believe) rooms for about 500 baht.

It seems to me that the distinction between gay orientated and gay friendly is becoming increasingly blurred. In the Jomtien Complex hotels gays and other guests seem to co-exist without problems. In Boyztown the hotels, which 18 years ago, when I first discovered Pattaya, were 100% gay, you see more and more str couples. Whereas then, us gays would feel uneasy if str’s appeared in the corridors or lobby, with females. As I understand it the only hotels in Pattaya enforcing no joiners are those at the top end (say 4000+ per night). A couple of years ago I stayed at the Banyan Tree in Bkk which is a high end, place for 2 nights. After an hour or so in the bar I formed the impression that a young joiner would not be appropriate there, so I contented myself with a couple of massages. Maybe my impression was wrong.

This isn't news to me. I was assaulted three times in February. A tall younger Brazilian friend was visiting me in the center of São Paulo on a weekday at 11am, was assaulted and robbed. I posted a warning six months ago, and most of the members on this site made light of it. I gave up. It seemed no one wanted to take the advice of a gringo who has been living in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo permanently for the last ten years.

Does anyone know where I can see some of the guy that work Tawan before my trip to Bangkok next month? I would love to browse first.

M*nh**d

Heart? Smile? I did not get it :)

beauty of Thailand is that such a dreams can be relatively inexpensively readily materialize. 2000-2500 and you are in NIrvana

Overruled. Counsel is ambiguous, confusing, misleading, vague, and unintelligible — per usual. No further latitude will be given towards your antics in this courtroom.

I've heard readers describe his ass in detail but never as dumb. If he were to be sent to prison, guys would be queuing up to get on the conjugal visit list.

Reading the replies, I think I got screwed! I paid 1800 for 48 hours. I really enjoyed, though.