chaotou

Oh yes, I know exactly which one you are talking about. He's been there a long time and I too have had a bit of a crush on him. I don't go to the soi often but last time I was there I sat at the bar and engaged him. He was very generous and had a great time for the price of a tip, a few beers and a pack of cigarettes. He made it known he was available for more too.

Which one?

When I first read about this I assumed the businesses would be open all day long like Telephone Bar had been in past Songkrans. But, reading the sign that they plan to open at 5pm makes it all even more ridiculous to me. How is the staff supposed to arrive for work at 5? Silom is closed down. Can’t really take the BTS. Forget about parking your motorbike at Foodland car park. No customers, not already playing out on Silom’ are going to try and make it to Soi 4. Maybe you’ll get some business from people who need a break from the water fight and wonder down the soi. Doubt much though. Good luck getting that Silom crowd to disperse by 9pm. Curious to know how it goes. Any boots on the ground to provide an eyewitness account? Wonder if that one owner of Balcony will be riding his bike to,work?

When I first read about this I assumed the businesses would be open all day long like Telephone Bar had been in past Songkrans. But, reading the sign that they plan to open at 5pm makes it all even more ridiculous to me. How is the staff supposed to arrive for work at 5? Silom is closed down. Can’t really take the BTS. Forget about parking your motorbike at Foodland car park. No customers, not already playing out on Silom’ are going to try and make it to Soi 4. Maybe you’ll get some business from people who need a break from the water fight and wonder down the soi. Doubt much though. Good luck getting that Silom crowd to disperse by 9pm. Curious to know how it goes. Any boots on the ground to provide an eyewitness account? Wonder if that one owner of Balcony will be riding his bike to,work?

No more paid holiday for the staff over Songkran. No more opportunity to make extra money for the staff that ran their bar in front of the Balcony. Songkran is longer this year I believe. Maybe they couldn’t afford to be closed the extra day(s). Doesn’t seem like a winning idea to me either. Silom is an elbows to assholes water fight, there is no way you’re showing on Soi 4 dry, so not to sure of the point.

Hoek - short name of "Hoek van Holland" caffee on the corner next to right from formerly Bondi on google street view https://goo.gl/maps/zoarjfrnAks "Hoek" is gone. The space has been remodeled and it has a new name. Don't remember the new name. Have never eaten there under either incarnation, so I can't comment on the food.

Agreed, Senso is the only place that i've been that has mirrors that are useful. They are bigger and mounted to enable you to watch the massage. The only reason that makes Senso worth the higher price.

The space that the chair vendors are allowed to occupy is strictly enforced. There is space available in front of the chairs and before the water line. I see people on mats on the sand in this area daily. However, why not enjoy a chair and umbrella with food and drink service direct to your chair. While the boys will certainly attempt to watch their customer's bag while in the water, I wouldn't rely on it. I have been present twice when a theft was discovered after a customer returned to their chair after a dip. "Venture Bike Hire" rents bikes by the day, week, month, longer. Prices vary by type and length of rental. They are not close to Jomtien Complex, but can be reached via baht bus along Jomtien Beach Rd, or motorbike taxi. They have a Facebook page and website. Google them.

When Delta stopped flying to BKK via NRT last October it meant there was no US carrier serving BKK. United, which also used to service BKK via NRT, ceased their flight a few years back. As mentioned all three major US Carriers have code share agreements, but would require a segment flown on a non US Carrier, JAL, ANA, KE, TG, China Eastern/Southern depending on which alliance selected. Good luck.

Special meals are intended for passengers who have specific dietary needs due to health or religious reasons. Not really meant for passengers who just want to "change things up." Don't add to the crew's duties to satisfy your own curiosity. Additionally as mentioned they are usually delivered before the meal service to the other passengers. So, if you are not hungry when the meal service is offered, you certainly won't be hungry when your special meal is delivered even sooner. In my opinion special meals are not as good as the regular meals. You ask for advice? Mine is to not order a special meal. Decline the regular meal service if you are not hungry. Bring a snack in the event you get hungry before the next meal offering.

From what I was told, or understand from a former massage employee of Hero, SuperHero is a shop opened by one of his fellow former massage guys. I believe it is just his way of finding a job for himself with the closing of Hero. You may find a few former Hero guys out there, but probably not many. He kind of stole the name, but otherwise this new shop named SuperHero is in no way related to former owners, aka "big boss" of the original Hero. My source seems to believe that the "big boss" from Hero will indeed try to reopen Hero in a new location. However, he isn't certain and doesn't have any more information regarding when, or where. We'll just have to keep our ears to the ground and eyes open for some news. It seems some of the guys are currently doing out-calls with regular customers, and some are keeping in contact other ways. So, I think we will get some news on the board if/when a new Hero, is opened. My friend thinks that the new SuperHero is too far out and probably won't be too successful, at least in the way Hero was. Maybe it will find an audience with a different, local following of customers. I wish him luck with his experiment And look forward to logging one day to read a big headline announcing the new HERO!

He does have a very large flying Superman on his chest, left pec, now. I believe he has had some cosmetic surgery as well changing his looks a bit.

Google images for "Songkran and Silom". It will give you and idea of what you will be facing. It's wall-to-wall people, water, powder. You don't just walk to the BTS to go the the movies during the three days of Songkran. The only reason to be in, or stay in this area during Songkran is to participate in the water fight.

Will you share you experience as to why you feel this way? I am considering a routing that includes this flight segment on ANA.

Sounds like you are describing the location of "Sizzler."

I was referring to period during Songkran only. The BTS platform and the steps leading down to Silom are wall-to-wall people. It is nearly impossible to move because there are so many people on Silom and no where for anyone to go. I have described the process of "walking" down Silom as the laws of physics. You don't walk, you just join the crowd and are moved along by the movement of the other bodies. Anyway, I was suggesting not to book a hotel that would require travel to the Silom Songkran activities via the BTS/MRT.

I would avoid anything that requires the BTS or MRT. Even if you get on the BTS, getting off at Sala Daeng and/or getting down to Silom from the platform is practically impossible. I have stayed at Swiss Lodge before for Songkran the location is perfect. I actually just checked in there two days ago and they handed me a flyer advertising special Songkran package deals. I tossed it without paying much attention to it, but if already sold out, I wonder why they are still advertising. Maybe check with them directly if you haven't. There are other hotels in the area of Silom Serene. There is a new Holiday Inn Express. The Furama Xculsive, iResidence, Hertiage,Baan Silom Soi 3. Not interested in these? As someone else pointed out, it is difficult to get to and from Soi 3 during Songkran because it is so crowded on Silom. It's so crowded, it's dangerous IMHO. I would probably consider hotels over on Suriwong. Easier to get from the hotel to Silom Soi 4 area via Patpong, Thaniya, etc from Suirwong, than going all the way to Soi 3 on Silom. Tawana, Montien, Le Meridian, DeArni are the ones I know in that area.

Like Michael I was looking at the Marriott's website and was surprised to see the Courtyard Pattaya pop up as a choice for Pattaya in December. The photo on Marriott's website looks like a file photo of some suburban U.S. property. Anyway, I called the phone number listed for the Marriott Courtyard Pattaya to get more info as there was none otherwise available. The phone was answered "Signature Hotel." Upon questioning, the employee informed me that next month, December, their property was becoming a Marriott Courtyard. I don't know what if any changes Marriott has in store for the property short of sign and uniform changes. Apparently the phone number will stay the same. I was informed reservations were being accepted and was offered to be transferred to reservations for a booking. Armed with this new information i Googled the Signature property. It gave me an idea of what the actual property looks like unlike the file photo from Marriott's website. It looks quite nice, and as the Signature gets good reviews, although somewhat varied. In the end I decided to book the regular Marriott, however, I am interested in taking a look at the property when I am in town for future reference, as well as, seeing some reviews once Marriott takes over.

The "fat lady" has been ill and one of the former waiters from Rit's Chairs has been tending to the toilet. The public toilet on your left and Tui's Place will be on your right - this is the start of the "gay beach." Green chairs, yellow chairs, red chairs are the popular spots. They start setting up the chairs very early and things are usually 100% ready to go at 8am. I like to get there early and usually arrive by 8:30am. I like to go early because it is calm and quiet. All the regulars show up later and it gets loud and less pleasant to me. They usually start breaking things down around 4-5pm, and it is all usually shut down by 6pm or so. However, they normally stay open as long as they have customers. Full drink and food service is available at the chairs. Many vendors walk by also selling food and other items. Regular sized chair is 30 baht to rent all day. Most chairs now offer free WiFi.

The karaoke place that williewillie is describing is called "Kung Ten" I am not sure that is how it would be spelled, but the pronunciation is close enough that my Thai friends know what I am talking about. I have been there many times. We always bring our own bottle, get mixers, ice and food from the house. It's a good time. Open late. Some of the huts have tables and benches to sit on. Most have just a table and you sit on the floor. If the heat or mosquitos get to you, they even have a few air con rooms. Although I have never used the rooms. No need to stop for change. They will gladly change your 100 THB for 10 baht coins. Two songs for 10 baht. The boys seem to really like this place. I have always have a good time too! The have a large selection of songs, 3 or 4 notebooks full. However, they are almost all Thai. Maybe two pages of random English, but I guarantee they will be songs you've never heard of!

I have been going to Senso since it first opened, around 2007. The price has steadily increased over the years. However, the current price is a reduction from previous higher prices. Currently it is 999 THB/Hour. I always tease about getting 1 baht change, but it is never offered. Once I called to make an appointment with one of the guys on the website listed as "by appointment only." They made the appointment, but when I arrived the guy wasn't there. They said they misunderstood, and thought I was only calling to reserve a room. I have written some negative reviews of this place in the past. They were management driven. Never had a problem or issue with the boys. I visit at least once a trip. Similar guys can be found at other places, but the rooms are what make it worth it to me. I like that every room has a nice big shower and toilet. I always like to shower with the guy before and after. Having a big shower makes it more comfortable for the guy versus squeezing into a tiny shower. Many times they will tell you to shower and that will be right back. I tell them, i'd like to wait for them to return. They always happily comply. Two the mirrors. While most all of the man-to-man massage places have mirrors most are of a size or height to make them worthless. At Senso the mirrors are large and fill up much of the entire wall. I love laying on the massage table and being able to watch the entire massage. One full hour or so, of looking at every inch of a beautiful nude Thai body as the guy massages you. One of the best parts of the experience to me. Hero is still my Hero, but I enjoy Senso too!

As Devin points out, regular rooms are now 700THB for one hour at Hero. The rate was raised from 600 earlier this year!

Gold members can enjoy free breakfast in the Executive Lounge, or the hotel will comp the buffet in the restaurant downstairs. Much more selection in the restaurant, but I prefer to use the Executive Lounge - much quieter environment! Very nice to be offered the choice!

Hero raised the price for a 1 hour massage, standard room, from 600 THB to 700 THB sometime earlier this year.

There is also a new Marriott Hotel at the same Thonglor location. I stayed there in April for three days. It's a beautiful hotel and would recommend it. When I was there the Executive Lounge wasn't open yet. It was planned for the 40th floor. I am sure it is open now and worth waiting for. For Elite members they were using a different lounge on the 3rd floor for the nightly appetizers and drinks. Also, they gave Elite members the breakfast buffet in the main restaurant free since the Executive Lounge breakfast wasn't available. I would stay there again. As far as the executive apartments go, you may in fact earn points, but as anonone indicated "they are not earned in the same manner." Also the apartment properties don't participate in other reward promotions. Two stays earn one free stay was a spring promotion. No credit for stays at the apartments. And, the apartments don't offer the same amenities to elite members. In addition to the New Marriott Hotel at Thonglor, I always stayed at both Bangkok Marriott Executive apartment properties in April. In my opinion if you are a solo traveler and don't need an apartment for a long stay, don't book an apartment. Also, if the rewards given to elite members (Executive Lounge cocktail hour to name one) is important to you, don't stay at an apartment.