Patanawet

Much sense Vessey -- you obviously actually do get out to the bars unlike some other posters here spouting their high falutin ideas without practical knowledge.

Of course the tip in the folder is not relevant to the boy as this (should) go to a pot and be shared between all the staff. Any tip personally for the boy or (god forbid the mamasan) should be given to the boy personally (maybe avoiding in front of mamasan's eyes or he may be demanding a share of it from the boy). In restaurants, the same applies -- tip your waiter (if he deserves it) into his hand and any general tip into the folder. This is quite normal in Thailand and can be done openly in any bar or restaurant, gay or straight.. One big gay bar (not agogo or host) that I know well, has two pots -- one for waiters, another for bar staff-- both administered by the staff themselves with nothing going to the management. The waiter is NOT allowed to slip the folder change into his pocket. The kitchen staff have enhanced salaries to compensate for no tips. In a 'host' bar the boy will get a small percentage of the price you paid for his drink (possibly an enhanced price to yours to compensate). Finally, many host bars, not all, do not give any salary to waiters, hosts etc. and they rely on tips and share of drink prices.

A couple of years ago we went to the botanical gardens. On arriving at the cashier's booth and peering to see if it was double pricing, the girl in the booth looked at us and said "you two are so old, you get in free".

Have a look at Richard Barrow's site on Facebook. Always interesting trips, even steam train trips sometimes.

Officials out in force in Silom Soi 4 and Patpong - Covid, fire and safety checks to fulfil new governor's aims

I didn't say that you did say that.

During lockdown it was NOT a gogo bar. It opened upstairs as a 'restaurant' with loud singing.

It was not operating as a gogo bar during lockdown. At one stage it opened as a 'restaurant' with 'singalong". Of course not a karaoke because that would have been naughty.

My memory is a bit fogged due to Singha beer but as I recall: The ground floor premises was originally a Tapas. Welcome bar (next to Telephone and rented from Balcony) then, or later, rented the upstairs room and opened it as a small gogo bar, named Banana Room. It also had ladyboy shows but they weren't happy because the low ceiling spoiled their headdresses. At some stage Tapas became Banana Bar. The upstairs was Banana Room Club (still to this day owned by the owner of the now defunct Welcome bar). I never found out if Banana was connected to Twilight Banana. For a long time the downstairs was being renovated, then lockdown. At some time during the last two years, upstairs operated as a 'restaurant' where people could sing along . Recently, another renovation downstairs and a bright new terrace and name 'Banana Room'. I can't comment on the activities as I haven't ventured in. Tomorrow maybe. Sorry if some of my sequence of events is a bit confused. Please correct where appropriate.

Good thing it's closed. It was notorious for having young 'boxers' further into the bar.

Apparently, he was spotted at the parade waving a rainbow flag.

Fresh Boys, Dream Boys etc. in Patpong 2 not Silom soi 2. The photos are from Silom Soi 4 last night. Last night a squad of BIB came to Silom soi 4 and took photos ('look boss we're here and few customers') outside the ex Welcome bar. They strode off and soon later, the local soi policeman (not present at the photo op) rushed to every bar insisting that they close at midnight sharp.

In Bangkok, Mondays are quiet but the worst night was always Tuesdays.

Unrealistic that he had a wife or that she didn't know about his night job. BOTH completely believable.

Some relaxation BUT only till midnight because, as we all know, Covid comes out at midnight.

Ye gods, Serene? I last heard of Serene from a waiter at the bar. He told me that as the rooms were falling into dis-repair, other rooms were being cannibalised to compensate. Now, this was a few years ago and the situation may have changed since then. Maybe a recent stayer can report? It surely is handy for BoyzTown.

Silom itself is gradually getting it's stalls back in the evening -- the other weekend I spotted that the original Aussiebum (etc.) underwear stall is back as is the shirt stall on the corner of soi4 after 2 years and a stall selling items that I daren't ask as to their purpose. Also, Silom is so busy in the morning and lunchtime with food stalls for the local workers.

Of course it was a tourist trap there BUT as a local there for 20+ years, I did shop there and YES I do miss it.

I seem to remember, 20+ years ago, visiting a Blue Elephant Thai restaurant in South London. It had a stream running through it with a bridge-- or maybe my memory is embellishing that bit. At that time I worked in Soho and a section of the area was closed off by the police with a 'bomb scare' -- it turned out to be the local Thai restaurant frying chilli's or shrimp paste

Reply from ex Super A doorman: "19:09 New Twilight is open opposite Nature Boy, 19:10 All other bars in in that area are closed."

Yes, it's many years since we had to climb the rickety wrought iron stairs. It moved downstairs years ago. I've messaged the former doorman to see if it's still open downstairs. I was a little shocked upstairs when I went for a pee and discovered that the downpipe on the urinal was connected to nothing. My pee was soaking my shoes.

You've exactly sussed out all my euphemisms. Oh my misplaced bracket, it should have read "(22 years in Bangkok)". I don't think I was ever "22 years old". And well and truly farang.

Ha ha. I'm trying to imagine activities 'beyond' Nice etc but then I'm a shrinking violet, relative newbie (22 years), here in Bangkok. Do have a good time here. By 10 weeks hopefully things will have eased. Biggest problem now is early closing times (technically(!) midnight. And boys partially clothed but I read that activities like 'races' 'size' 'mutual comforting' (sorry, acute shyness has overcome me) are still happening. The other problem is the Thai concept of bumping up prices to compensate for fewer customers. Now in Patpong 2 -- average Baht 450-500 per drink Silom soi4 much cheaper but none of the aforementioned activities that I've seen -- and I've looked, believe me. Some activity in Soi 6. Again do enjoy your stay and take care.

Don't get out much these days then Londoner? -- just search the threads -- especially Pattaya.

The wonderful French restaurant, Le Bouchon which used to be hidden away on Patpong 2 for 20 years or more closed a few months ago. Rumours have it that it has re-opened on Sathorn soi 1 in an ex-Babylon building --- true or not?