emiel1981 Posted August 9 Share Posted August 9 Since 2012 I've been coming to South-East Asia almost every year. And when lucky, sometimes even twice a year. I always start and end my journey in Bangkok. But every time I try to explore a new area/country also. I usually stay around one month in Asia. For this year, I have planned to first fly to Bangkok for some nights of barhopping and meeting boys. Then off to Pattaya for a week beach- and relax-time. After that I will go to China for the first time, visiting some highlights and sight-seeing. Just before returning to Europe I will conclude with some more nights in Bangkok... Any other forum members around on these dates? Bangkok: October 14 - October 18 Pattaya: October 18 - October 24 Bangkok: November 13 - November 17 Of course I will keep you posted via this topic/thread about my adventures when I arrive in the Land of Smiles... Catching up with this forum now, reading about what has changed and what's the current situation in the (gogo)bars, massage parlours, etc. Olddaddy, Raposa, TMax and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post emiel1981 Posted August 9 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 9 Bangkok: Where to stay When I decided to return to Bangkok and Pattaya and my flight ticket was booked, it was time to think about hotel choices. The best hotel experience I had in Bangkok was Le Méridien. Lovely rooftop pool area to chill out and also the nice bath in the spacious hotelroom was great. But it was just after covid when hotel rates were much lower than normal. The rates of Le Méridien are now too high for me. I've stayed in The Raya before. One of the favourites of this forum I think. But being located next to the building site where Soi Twilight used to be (oh; so many good memories in this street...) I read about some noise disturbances when staying in The Raya. Not sure about the situation at this moment, as these comments about noise were from some time ago. But didn;t want to risk it. Plus I wanted a pool so I can relax during the daytime to save energy for nighttime activities... One time I stayed in another favourite hotel of many forum members: The Tarntawan. But I didn't like it that much. Rooms are a bit older and the room I got allocated was very dark (even with the curtains opened), the bathroom shower was so low I couldn't stand under it. Also see one of my old trip reports: Two hotels still on my list to choose from, and I stayed in both hotels before: The Quarter Silom and Ibis Styles Bangkok Silom. Location of The Quarter is perfect. In the same soi as The One / former Tawan bar. While from the Ibis Styles you always have to cross the busy Silom Road to get to the gay areas. But: I liked the pool at Ibis so much more. As the pool at The Quarter is tucked between two buildings. It feels claustrophobic, while Ibis has a nice rooftop pool area much better for chilling out. Also I like the modern, colourful rooms at Ibis. That's how I decided to book the Ibis Styles again this time. Picture of room in Ibis Styles Bangkok Silom when I stayed there last time While browsing hotels in the Silom area, I found the brand new Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Bangkok Silom, located on Silon Road just next to soi 4. Opening Q4 2024. Rooms are not bookable yet. But this place might be interesting to check when you like brand new shiny hotels. Plus the location is perfect of course! Found out @vinapu also mentioned this new hotel on this forum before: BL8gPt, TMax, Olddaddy and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted August 9 Share Posted August 9 I will be in Thailand on October 7 to 24 th garygx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithambrose Posted August 9 Share Posted August 9 3 hours ago, emiel1981 said: Since 2012 I've been coming to South-East Asia almost every year. And when lucky, sometimes even twice a year. I always start and end my journey in Bangkok. But every time I try to explore a new area/country also. I usually stay around one month in Asia. For this year, I have planned to first fly to Bangkok for some nights of barhopping and meeting boys. Then off to Pattaya for a week beach- and relax-time. After that I will go to China for the first time, visiting some highlights and sight-seeing. Just before returning to Europe I will conclude with some more nights in Bangkok... Any other forum members around on these dates? Bangkok: October 14 - October 18 Pattaya: October 18 - October 24 Bangkok: November 13 - November 17 Of course I will keep you posted via this topic/thread about my adventures when I arrive in the Land of Smiles... Catching up with this forum now, reading about what has changed and what's the current situation in the (gogo)bars, massage parlours, etc. I should be there from 14th to 17th November Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emiel1981 Posted September 1 Author Share Posted September 1 Preparing my trip to Thailand... But I will never be able to speak or understand the Thai language... Even when trying to follow these Instagram lessons... Haha. 🗣️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaroni21 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 Google Translate works reasonably well if you keep your sentences simple and short. Before your trip, practice with some common English sentences. Then copy the Thai translation and paste and translate it back into English. You'll soon discover what kinds of phrasing work and what do not. bkkmfj2648, floridarob and emiel1981 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 4 more weeks I will be there with my Australian Filipino boyfriend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFifties Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 When I was in BKK October and November last year I stayed at two of the Furamas. Furama exclusive and Furama Silom. Both had spacious rooms, no issues with bringing guests, and pools. Furama Silom was my favourite - the pool is on the roof top. If you stay in Furama Exclusive, avoid the top floor as it gets incredibly noisy when heavy rains hit the roof. I don't eat breakfast so based on only visual inspection, I would think someone appreciating the breakfast buffets of standard international 4 or 5 star hotels would be dissapointed with what Furama offers. reader 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 On 9/3/2024 at 11:56 AM, FunFifties said: I don't eat breakfast so based on only visual inspection, I would think someone appreciating the breakfast buffets of standard international 4 or 5 star hotels would be dissapointed with what Furama offers. But won't be disappointed by price difference between Furama and those 4 and 5 Stars. So as always, choice is ours. FunFifties, Rent Boy and splinter1949 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFifties Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 1 hour ago, vinapu said: But won't be disappointed by price difference between Furama and those 4 and 5 Stars. So as always, choice is ours. Exactly! To me Furama offered very good value for money. Will be going again in January and will probably book with Furama unless the forums point my in the direction of something else I might want to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 on my trip just finished I discovered new ( for me ) hotel Silom Convent Garden in soi Phipat, right next door to Sauna Mania . Super good deal with 35$ for small apartment with washing machine inside and no problem with visitors . Only handicap was no safety box in the room. Will post pictures when put myself together after returning home floridarob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaroni21 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 Did you use the washing machine? Twice I have stayed in apartments with washing machines (not in Thailand, though) only to find that (in one case) the instructions were in a foreign language and were hopelessly complex. This was before Google translate. In the other case, no detergent provided and the nearby shops only sold family size. And then when I relented and bought family size, I discovered the machine didn't work and the host did not even know it was out of order! I was left with a mass of dripping wet clothes with checkout due the next day! Fortunately the host said he would take lot back to his home, wash and dry it for me overnight. floridarob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason1975 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 7 hours ago, vinapu said: on my trip just finished I discovered new ( for me ) hotel Silom Convent Garden in soi Phipat, right next door to Sauna Mania . Super good deal with 35$ for small apartment with washing machine inside and no problem with visitors . Only handicap was no safety box in the room. Will post pictures when put myself together after returning home Next to Sauna Mania!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 some pics from Silom Convent Harden hotel as promised 9 hours ago, vinapu said: khaolakguy, emiel1981 and FunFifties 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 5 hours ago, macaroni21 said: Did you use the washing machine? no, I travel very light and have habit of doing my laundry by hand as soon as I enter room., Even better recently I discovered super fast drying shirt, week later bought even second, with the same design unfortunately so next trip I may make an impression I'm wearing the same shirt for 3 weeks on, lol floridarob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 2 hours ago, jason1975 said: Next to Sauna Mania!!!!! yes, literally next building. Hotel is in small alley right behind it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason1975 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 10 hours ago, vinapu said: yes, literally next building. Hotel is in small alley right behind it I can imagine going to Sauna Mania and inviting guys back to hotel room! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason1975 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 20 hours ago, vinapu said: on my trip just finished I discovered new ( for me ) hotel Silom Convent Garden in soi Phipat, right next door to Sauna Mania . Super good deal with 35$ for small apartment with washing machine inside and no problem with visitors . Only handicap was no safety box in the room. Will post pictures when put myself together after returning home Which website did you book this apartment? Looks cosy. I would take it (location next to Sauna Mania helps) but there is no pool which I very much want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 1 hour ago, jason1975 said: I can imagine going to Sauna Mania and inviting guys back to hotel room! 1 hour ago, jason1975 said: Which website did you book this apartment? Looks cosy. I would take it (location next to Sauna Mania helps) but there is no pool which I very much want. no problem with visitors at Silom Convent garden, tested during day and night booked through Agoda Don't be too demanding, pool and 30$ per night ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc308 Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 On 9/1/2024 at 2:04 PM, emiel1981 said: Preparing my trip to Thailand... But I will never be able to speak or understand the Thai language... Even when trying to follow these Instagram lessons... Haha. 🗣️ Sure you will! Keep trying! Even cursory conversation skills will add immeasurably to your experiences in the LOS! I remember one of my earliest trips to Thailand I met a western guy who (working here?) was so fluent in Thai. I said to myself that I could never master the mysterious language either. Well after some years of work (yes it is work) and many language books, conversational tapes, trying to read and pronounce, understanding tones and high-low vowels, etc. I've made reasonably good progress. But yes it does take WORK. If you are older than 3 years old (ahem), language is learned by WORKING. (Oh how I am jealous of those 3 year olds who speak so much more fluently than me!) emiel1981 and vinapu 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emiel1981 Posted September 21 Author Share Posted September 21 As I am preparing for my trip to Thailand in just 3 weeks now, I am looking to find new places to visit in Bangkok. Was thinking about going to Wat Paknam, famous for its big Buddha statue. I found some recent pictures of the statue being renovated and completely covered in nets. Anybody knows if that is actually the situation right now? Would safe me going all the way there, finding out there nothing to see... Plus: anybody has good advise about how to get there? Many people seem to go there on a boat, so you can see the big statue from the water. Any other advise about nice places to see in Bangkok, besides the main widely known tourist places, let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reader Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 Don't overlook an early evening walk through Lumpinee Park when sun is no longer beating down. Although it's nearby for most visitors, it's frequently ignored. FunFifties, 10tazione and TMax 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raposa Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 On 8/9/2024 at 7:30 PM, emiel1981 said: Any other forum members around on these dates? Bangkok: October 14 - October 18 Pattaya: October 18 - October 24 Bangkok: November 13 - November 17 I will be in Bangkok on November 16-17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raposa Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 4 hours ago, emiel1981 said: Any other advise about nice places to see in Bangkok, besides the main widely known tourist places, let me know! You can visit Wat Ratchabophit, and adjacent royal cemetery. Unlike some of the other famous temples, you avoid the crowd of tourists here and can explore in peace. Back streets of Chinatown are fun too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiophilus Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 1 hour ago, reader said: Don't overlook an early evening walk through Lumpinee Park when sun is no longer beating down. Although it's nearby for most visitors, it's frequently ignored. and don't forget to stand to attention 🙏at 6 pm 😁. @emiel1981: These threads might be of interest: If you want a good view, there are some sights that might interest you here. reader 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
