Bangkok Reopening Trip Report

[crazedchef 21]

Thank you for an enjoyable read!

[Bullfrog 2,224]

1 hour ago, RhinoTusk said:

Back on topic

I needed a new laptop, so headed to the Apple store at massive IconSiam mall, the first Apple store in Thailand. There's a free shuttle boat at Sathorn Pier, BTS Saphan Taksin.

The journey takes 5 minutes, boats run every 20 minutes or so. 

Across the river from the mall is the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, rates start over 15,000/night. They have suites named after some of the famous writers that have been guests. They have the Gore Vidal suite, the Tennessee Williams suite, the Somerset Maughan suite, and best in the house is the Mark Twain suite. Others are named after Joseph Conrad, James Michener, and Norman Mailer. Hang out in the Bamboo Bar when the Rolling Stones are playing in town and you'll see Mick Jagger, because this is where they stay. 

You can see the Lebua at State Tower to the right, with the dome. They serve a special hangover 2 cocktail on the rooftop bar, inspired by the movie, since the hotel was a shooting location. 

IconSiam mall is over half million Square meters of retail space, it opened less than 2 years ago. 

Some impressive art work inside. 

Here's a statue made of hoses. 

Took a while to locate the Apple store. 

Also bought some vintage Levi's bluejeans in the Levi's store, as long as I was there. 

Finished the day with a seafood dinner with river prawns.

With your narrative and clarity of the fantastic, crisp photos I would happily vote for this if there was a "Post of the year award"

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I notice more homeless people sleeping under the BTS stairwells, walking around lower sukhumvit, and fewer street vendors, but was able to find one to buy sunglasses. Soi 11 was very quiet. Had a burger for lunch at Daniel Thaigers, with a couple bottles of Rochefort 10%, and left my mask there. Didn't realize until they wouldn't allow me into Terminal 21.  From now on, I'll carry a spare. 

 

Edited September 27, 2020 by RhinoTusk

[Bullfrog 2,224]

1 hour ago, RhinoTusk said:

Had a burger for lunch at Daniel Thaigers, with a couple bottles of Rochefort 20%

To me it was the death of Wetherspoons on Buakhao when they got rid of the manager that brought in Kastel beers amongst others...Jeez I remember the place being regularly packed out especially at Christmas ....At least I still have my Donker glass that the staff gave me for free ...I wish I was 20 years younger and I would have snaffled away Ann many years ago ... but she is still there ...

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I mentioned Poompui and I think some of you were interested too.  I don't why they named her, usually girls named Lek it makes sense, but that's her real name.

Every time I come, the Rembrandt Suites seem to be priced a few baht lower, but I wanted to stay in the Nana area this time so I booked the JW, for about the same you used to pay for the Rembrandt Suites.  Haven't stayed in this hotel since 2004.

 

 

Gone are the days when you could use the side entrance and sneak a girl past the cigar store, which is closed now.  I believe they're still guest friendly but don't want to navigate this crowd with a GoGo girl young enough to be my grand daughter, so I visited my massage girl, we took some selfies but she asked I not post them publicly.

The last time I stayed at the Landmark, it was beginning to show its age.  Not so at the JW, I thought the room was a very high standard.

 

 

And I even had a view of Nana Plaza

 

 

Their buffets were half price but I don't do buffets.  On the second floor, the Manhattan Lounge had a nice happy hour

 

 

I walked up Soi 11 for a burger, my old neighborhood

 

 

The waitress remembers my order

 

 

I went over to Fitzgeralds on Soi Nana for breakfast.

 

 

Also tried the Fish & Chips there (haddock) but was disappointed.  The crust was crispy enough but fillet was too small. Mushy peas were good, however.

 

 

The scene was quiet in lower Sukhumvit, except for the lady that fell in the hole on Soi Arab

 

 

Did some shopping at Siam.  Bought some new glass for my camera and took a break with some iced fruit tea.

 

 

On Tuesday, I went for Taco Tuesday at Slanted Taco on Soi 23.  Buy a taco for 80++, get one free.  I walked through Soi Cowboy in memorial to Bernard Trink.  They have food vendors in the afternoon.

 

 

Tacos were great, two shrimp (with a slice of avocado), and two sea bass (without the skin).  Fresh mango margarita was 240++, chips and salsa were complimentary.

 

 

At night, Nana Plaza very quiet.

 

 

Over at Soi Cowboy, same, same.  I entered Baccara around 11 and there were only two other customers.  There's a superstar that is allowed to wear underwear now, doesn't have to show her pussy anymore.  Bummer.  She was one of the ones that only went with Asians, just ignored me for seven years, wouldn't give me the time of day.  I hold no animosity and now I'm about the only game in town, so I bought her a few lady drinks to sit on me lap and grind.  She massaged my shoulders and neck, my crotch, I can see why the Japanese like her, and she's gorgeous, but I had too much drink for bar fine.  She'll be a priority on my next visit, and I won't be drinking at all that night.

 

 

This week, I came for Poompui.?

 

 

Went to Monsoon on Soi 8 afterward, they've moved half a block, to the corner where you turn to go to Lolitas, second subsoi.  Here's the soft shell crab salad.  Hope you enjoyed my report.  Cheers

 

[knortyboy 155]

Excellent as always. ?

 

[BigusDicus 9,878]

RT, you always impress.  Thank you.

[VPI78 11,498]

6 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

I mentioned Poompui 

 

Nice, as usual. Thanks for the effort. I know that takes a lot of time.

If the B girl is a match for Pompui, then she must be a looker.

Did you happen to notice while you were at Slanted Taco whether "Birds' the french rotisserie chicken place is still in that cluster of shops?

[4wheels 119]

Wait,let me get this straight. You passed both a Taco Bell AND adjacent BK for those tacos and burger? Where is your head,man?????  Kidding!!! Looks like you made the right choice as usual. Great TR and thanks for sharing.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

3 hours ago, VPI78 said:

Nice, as usual. Thanks for the effort. I know that takes a lot of time.

If the B girl is a match for Pompui, then she must be a looker.

Did you happen to notice while you were at Slanted Taco whether "Birds' the french rotisserie chicken place is still in that cluster of shops?

Sorry, never noticed it before.  Any good?  This photo from July

 

[VPI78 11,498]

2 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

Sorry, never noticed it before.  Any good?  This photo from July

 

Gracias ... my opinion is Birds does really good rotisserie chicken for a reasonable price ... and you can often find them on Eatigo; so if you time it well, 50% off list prices. As you know being in the Craft Brew patio there is plenty of good beer with which to pair your bird.

[jacko 8,814]

13 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

Hope you enjoyed my report.

Very much so, thank you.

 

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Here are a few more

[BigusDicus 9,878]

Not sure how she would say it in Thai....but clearly in the first pic, she is thinking "Daddy, I've been bad..."

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

4 hours ago, BigusDicus said:

Not sure how she would say it in Thai....but clearly in the first pic, she is thinking "Daddy, I've been bad..."

Yeah, I'm thinking I'd like to give that big, juicy butt a good spanking

 

 

[knortyboy 155]

4 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

Yeah, I'm thinking I'd like to give that big, juicy butt a good spanking

 

You are not alone. ?

[sailingbill 1,031]

Rhino your girls are lovely. The one you posted on the Pattaya forum was outstanding. I was in Bangkok last night for a 1 night tear. Spent way to much money.  Hotel Majestic Suites is open again 800baht.  Lunch was the lamb burger from Le Buchon.    Not typical of me but took 2 wonderful girls from Butterflies in Nana. They came out of the shower with hotel robes on smiling and laying side by side.   Cost: transport 4,000 baht, Girls were 3k each but could probably could less. Barfines 800 baht. A Beer Garden favorite was 1k.  Yes silly money and Pattaya is a bargain.  Im going to try posting pictures since that is the life of the forum as we see from Rhino and before Teelack. Please be gentle. My photos will suck at first.

 

[BigusDicus 9,878]

Am curious, what is "transport 4,000 baht"?  

[sailingbill 1,031]

3 hours ago, BigusDicus said:

Am curious, what is "transport 4,000 baht"?  

BD, good to point that out as to not mislead the new fellows coming thinking that is normal pricing. It is not. I have used the same driver from Nams for more than a year. The SUV price to Bangkok City is 1700thb. , i just hand her 2k. .She knows me and my destinations well . Knows im going to be a bit rough on the ride home and puts a pillow for me to sleep.   I used Bells bus for years. Little money but with the wait and transfer times it was close to 4 hours. Miss Taen gets me to The American Tavern in 2 hours and return is less than 2 hours. Since my trips are more frequent but shorter. ,I want to arrive tanned, rested and ready.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

A heads-up that El Goucho Argentinian Steakhouse on Soi 19 next to Terminal 21 has a weekday afternoon special 600 baht off on their fine steaks 1 pm until 5 pm. Here the 400g Striploin, add a baked potato with sour cream and bacon and a glass of Chilean red and the meal still comes to 2000 even with the discount. 

The building has a special place in my heart as I sagged a lot of girls there when it was City Lodge, there was an Italian restaurant on the ground floor back then, before Terminal 21 was constructed. 

https://th.elgaucho.asia/menus/

[Kev 178]

Feck $100 AUD for an excellent steak, sounds kinda rich or have I got my maths wrong

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

1 hour ago, Kev said:

Feck $100 AUD for an excellent steak, sounds kinda rich or have I got my maths wrong

It's not as expensive as the steakhouse in the JW Marriott. 

[VPI78 11,498]

12 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

 

The building has a special place in my heart as I sagged a lot of girls there when it was City Lodge, there was an Italian restaurant on the ground floor back then, before Terminal 21 was constructed. 

 

 

Loved the old Country Roads bar in that area back in the day. There's one on Soi 4 now but it just doesn't have the same j'en sais quoi pas.

[Robertj 7]

I just joined the forum, I am a member of other forums, your trip report is one of the best I have read with great photos and food reviews.

[firth1974 2,659]

1 hour ago, Robertj said:

I just joined the forum, I am a member of other forums, your trip report is one of the best I have read with great photos and food reviews.

WTTB Robertj.