Bangkok Reopening Trip Report

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

After the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority announced the closing of entertainment venues and massage parlors until Jan 4th, I thought this would be a Bangkok Re-Closing report, but that was not the case.  Would have went home until after the 4th if my current booking weren't refundable, Bangkok is not much fun without GoGo bars and massage parlors. 

How about some Phuket Lobster at Savoey Seafood in Terminal 21?

 

 

El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse next door has a 50% off special on steaks Tuesday, but when I showed up the hostess said I needed a reservation to qualify for the 50% savings, so I went next door to Terminal 21 and made a reservation on my phone, then came back a half hour later.  I thought it was well worth it to save a thousand baht for the 250g Rib Eye.  I still paid 150++ for a baked potato and 380++ for a glass of wine, so the bill came to 1800 including tax and service, but the steak was excellent.

 

 

The manager said they normally require a two day notice for the 50% discount but he would allow it this time, so I left an additional 100 baht tip.

As I mentioned before, I'd shagged lots of girls upstairs in this building when it was City Lodge, managed by Amari.  Here's a sampling of some of my favorite bone-in delicacies.

 

 

Three of these girls are still working the GoGos, into their 30s now.

Here's something I haven't seen before, selling Avocados on Sukhumvit

 

 

Here's another new twist, Lock Boxes in the BTS an MRT stations.  Could prove very handy.

 

 

Went to Indulge Bar at Asoke Intersection for their buy-one, get-one-free Sunday cocktail promotion

 

 

Started with what I'd had before, the Citrus Comfort, and got a free one 

 

 

The drink I had with Strawberry liquor is called Champagne Supernova

 

 

The Porn Star Martini is made with Vanilla Absolute Vodka and passion fruit.  Shaken, not stirred, and the glass is sugared, not salted

 

 

This drink was called Mother Theresa Goes to Hollywood, with mango and peach besides vodka and passion fruit.  There's only one Mother Theresa, but I had two.  My confession is that I ate the mango garnish.

 

 

This drink served in the Tiki Glass was made with fireball cinnamon whisky.  I started to lose focus by now.

 

 

I finished with a pair of the Jimi Hendrix Xperiences, made with Hendrix Gin and cucumber juice.  I don't particularly care for cucumbers, always tell them to hold at Subway, but I really like Jimi Hendrix.  The bill for the dozen cocktails came to about 1900, and I left as a Voodoo Chile for the Electric Ladyland of Soi Cowboy.

 

 

Big Dog's outside Nana Plaza in the afternoon, Jack & Coke 95 baht

 

 

All the GoGos at Nana Plaza were closed yesterday.

 

 

I went over to Soi Cowboy and it was business as usual.  How can this be?  Enforcement is decentralized and each police district controls their own territory.  Most of the bars did close at midnight, however.

 

 

I was glad the GoGos were open because I was horny and had a Chiang Mai beauty on my ToDo list for a while.  It was time to get down to business.  Pity she was too shy to drop her mask for the camera because she is truly stunning, but shyness is something I find very sexy about Thai women.  She's a real sweetheart and we make a perfect couple, I'm only 19 years older than her father.

 

 

After my pipe was cleared, I headed over to Saxophone Pub at Victory Monument for some live jazz. 

 

 

Hard to find a seat with unobstructed views, a huge middle post holds the old building from collapsing. They serve food, not too impressed with the kitchen, but the music is usually excellent.

 

 

I'm very happy knowing Soi Cowboy will be open for the countdown tomorrow night.  Cheers!

[knortyboy 155]

Excellent report as always RT. ?

[Bullfrog 2,224]

23 minutes ago, RhinoTusk said:

I headed over to Saxophone Pub at Victory Monument for some live jazz.

When I lived in the Rangnam area I used to go to this place "Early Doors" to catch some of the younger acts trying to break into the "big time"... Not many customers in at that time so it was a great place to chill out!

[jacko 8,814]

15 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

Would have went home until after the 4th

Where do you call home these days, I have an idea you had relocated to Pattaya?

15 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

Here's another new twist, Lock Boxes in the BTS an MRT stations.  Could prove very handy

Saw some of these at Ekamai Bus terminal and was thinking how useful they could be. The BTS better still.

Thanks for the tour around Bangkok, enjoyed it immensely. 

[sailingbill 1,034]

16 hours ago, Bullfrog said:

When I lived in the Rangnam area I used to go to this place "Early Doors" to catch some of the younger acts trying to break into the "big time"... Not many customers in at that time so it was a great place to chill out!

A friend Charles plays Sax around town and Acts in The Bangkok Community Theater. Small venues but the cast really gives their all. He played the Sheriff Will in Bustop last year. 

[Bullfrog 2,224]

40 minutes ago, sailingbill said:

A friend Charles plays Sax around town and Acts in The Bangkok Community Theater. Small venues but the cast really gives their all. He played the Sheriff Will in Bustop last year. 

Excellent !!

I lived on Rajaprarop and worked on soi Rangnam in 96/97 before the area was "Gentrified". There was one act that sticks in my mind in Saxaphone Bar. It was a young girl (16 to 18 ??) "Early doors" by herself, sat on a chair, guitar in hand Mary Hopkin style with no other backup. She sang and played beautifully and with a quiet confidence I will never forget. Wonder where she is now...???

[sailingbill 1,034]

9 minutes ago, Bullfrog said:

Excellent !!

I lived on Rajaprarop and worked on soi Rangnam in 96/97 before the area was "Gentrified". There was one act that sticks in my mind in Saxaphone Bar. It was a young girl (16 to 18 ??) "Early doors" by herself, sat on a chair, guitar in hand Mary Hopkin style with no other backup. She sang and played beautifully and with a quiet confidence I will never forget. Wonder where she is now...???

Aren't these the best. Attended several concerts at Impact Stadium but the Community Theater was so much better.  They have performances at unlikely venues as a hospital meeting room

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Did some shopping at Terminal 21 today.  The Beatles were performing A Hard Day's Night.  Happy New Year!!!

 

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

On 12/31/2020 at 6:26 AM, jacko said:

Where do you call home these days, I have an idea you had relocated to Pattaya?

I live in Chanthaburi, just an hour from the Koh Chang Ferry.  There have only been 3 confirmed cases of covid in the province, none since March.  I may move back to Pattaya sometime this year, just looking at the low rents on bahtsold, may even buy a condo if I can find a fire sale.

Back to Bangkok, I ate at The Game for the first time, had a hot dog.

 

Sorry to inform Bullfrog, The Mexican is a casualty. RIP.

 

 

Bully's Pub is still open

 

 

Hooters have a 50% discount on food from 3-4 PM every day, even on NYE.  I had some Shrimp Tacos with coleslaw and a 'Tropical' Long Island Iced Tea.  Bill came to 500, including tax and service, and I tipped the lovely lady for her photo.

 

 

Stopped at the Landmark Hotel for a draft beer

 

 

Chuvit Gardens adjacent Soi 10 looks almost like an autumn day in New England

 

 

The bartenders at Nana told me Soi Cowboy was shut down on the 30th, but I went to see for myself.

 

 

At least the music bars on the Asoke end were open. 

 

 

I haven't been to Country Road since 2003, listening to a few songs, I remembered why.

 

 

A few bars were having private parties outside for their staff.

 

 

I had a pepperoni pizza at Oasis, could only eat half, had the rest for breakfast this morning.

 

 

Crazy House was the only GoGo open, but without dancers.  You could go upstairs and sit with a lady, such was the state of affairs on NYE 2020.  I thought about going over to Thermae but had enough to drink and wasn't interested in taking a lady, so I called it a night early.  A fitting end to a shitty year, hopefully this year will bring better things.  I'm heading home but coming back next week after the GoGo bars reopen. Happy New Year!

[biggles 509]

Happy new year RT, loving your report. You would have had to carry me out after just 2 of those cocktails! 

[Bullfrog 2,224]

1 hour ago, RhinoTusk said:

Sorry to inform Bullfrog, The Mexican is a casualty. RIP

 

I'm going to have to break the news to my daughter gently... Since she started work this year her focus has been on saving enough money to pay for an afternoon in there together...

So sad for them.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

1 hour ago, RhinoTusk said:

I tipped the lovely lady for her photo

Unfortunately she hides her tips with the menu !!

[Bullfrog 2,224]

1 hour ago, RhinoTusk said:

looks almost like an autumn day in New England

 

Dontcha just love a bit of Jonathan Richman !!!

Dum-de-dum-de-dum-dum-da-dum-day
Oh, New England.
Dum-de-dum-de-dum-dum-da-dum-day
Oh, New England.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

31 minutes ago, Bullfrog said:

 

I'm going to have to break the news to my daughter gently... Since she started work this year her focus has been on saving enough money to pay for an afternoon in there together...

So sad for them.

The owner was from my home state of Wisconsin

Try La Monita

https://www.lamonita.com

They don't have a pool table though

Edited January 1, 2021 by RhinoTusk

[Bullfrog 2,224]

On 1/1/2021 at 10:53 AM, RhinoTusk said:

I live in Chanthaburi, just an hour from the Koh Chang Ferry.  There have only been 3 confirmed cases of covid in the province, none since March.

I think you may have to review that figure mate!

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2044291/cops-launch-virus-link-probe-at-2-more-casinos

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

45 minutes ago, Bullfrog said:

I think you may have to review that figure mate!

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2044291/cops-launch-virus-link-probe-at-2-more-casinos

Nai Yai Am is adjacent to Rayong but I used to ride through Tha Mai on my way to Chao Lao Beach.  REVISION: There have been no confirmed cases in Chanthaburi city, where I live, since March.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

25 minutes ago, RhinoTusk said:

Nai Yai Am is adjacent to Rayong but I used to ride through Tha Mai on my way to Chao Lao Beach.  REVISION: There have been no confirmed cases in Chanthaburi city, where I live, since March.

Excellent news .Stay safe mate..

[jacko 8,814]

3 hours ago, Bullfrog said:

I think you may have to review that figure mate!

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2044291/cops-launch-virus-link-probe-at-2-more-casinos

This resource shows 29 Chanthaburi cases for Jan 1st......15 for 31st December....

Chanthaburi
The rate on disease occurrence within 14 days = 44 (out of 47 

https://covid19.ddc.moph.go.th/en

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by jacko

[sailingbill 1,034]

Your reports are so well appreciated. When i lived in Bangkok would jog around Chuvit on my way to Soi4.   I'm awaiting reports when the bars are open. I can be there in 3 hours and the Landmark has a good weekend rate.

We had a good time in 3 closed bars here but when the girl came back with some food she said another bar noticed us there and was pissed.  Can't blame as her she was following the rules. Told the boys time to move on, you don't mess with another's rice bowl.   BIB may make a visit

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

18 hours ago, sailingbill said:

Your reports are so well appreciated. When i lived in Bangkok would jog around Chuvit on my way to Soi4.   I'm awaiting reports when the bars are open. I can be there in 3 hours and the Landmark has a good weekend rate.

We had a good time in 3 closed bars here but when the girl came back with some food she said another bar noticed us there and was pissed.  Can't blame as her she was following the rules. Told the boys time to move on, you don't mess with another's rice bowl.   BIB may make a visit

I’ve cancelled my return to Bangkok this week, looks like bars will be closed for a while, maybe all month.

[sailingbill 1,034]

7 minutes ago, RhinoTusk said:

I’ve cancelled my return to Bangkok this week, looks like bars will be closed for a while, maybe all month.

Exactly what i am hearing. The last of the boys returned to Bangkok yesterday and said even the Tavern is closed.   I am not going to risk going back to the closed bars here as this will be more closely monitored and arrests will be made.   Going to be a dismal month. See you at Belga or Le Buchon in February. 

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Live streaming seems to be the craze now.  This Japanese guy has been going it for a while, much better than the NWG.  How does he do it?  He tips everone in the bar a hundred baht. Here’s a session from King’s Castle I.  I’ve been a customer of this bar for nearly 30 years, they consistently have the best line-up of any bar in Thailand.

 

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Sadly, is a report on Bangkok without bars.  Fortunately, bars opened yesterday so I'll be back after Makha Bucha Day, but I needed some dental work so I spent a few weeks.  Since bars were closed, I stayed on the river, at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.

 

Room was pretty good, all rooms have great views of the river.

 

 

Looking the other way, from the hallway.

 

 

Since bars were closed I made a trip to the liquor store for some whisky, purely for medicinal purposes, just in case I should get a toothache or something.

 

 

There were only a few guests.  The hotel lobby and lobby bar were empty.

 

 

There were two outdoor pools, the garden pool was best, with a Jacuzzi.

 

 

There were these peacocks hanging out in the garden

 

 

I hadn't stayed on the river since 2004, then at the Shangri-La Hotel, had some fun times there with these hotties.  These scanned from old film, a farm fresh stunner from Angel-Witch.

 

My friend Tak, who I spent several days with and took on a dinner cruise.

 

 

Here's Tak in the Shangri-La hotel lobby

 

This girl came from Exocita

 

 

I remember this girl treated me to a long blow job

 

 

This girl came from Soi Cowboy and just wanted to fuck

 

 

The Sheraton boat was out of commission but the Siphraya Pier was next door which had free shuttle boats to SiamIcon mall across the river every 20 minutes, so I hung out there most of the time.

 

 

It only took a few minutes to get to SiamIcon mall

 

 

The mall was decorated for Chinese New Year

 

 

Some nice artwork inside

 

 

This mall is so massive it has 61 restaurants, not counting the mom and pop's that sell street food.  It has 61 sit-down restaurants, nearly all Asian.  I checked many menus looking for a burger and couldn't find one, just some surf and turn, not much beef at all.  I fancied some fresh crab, Jumbo Seafood is noted for chili crab, probably too spicy for me.  I thought I'd just have some steamed but they wanted 3000 per kg for mud crab, that's five times what I pay when I go to Koh Kood, so I just had some French Mussels at D'Ark, since I like Hoy.  They had a fountain show like at Bellagio but it finished by the time my meal arrived.

 

 

Another time I went up to the 6th level for Canadian Lobster baked in cheese at Sushi Den.  Unfortunately, the cheese was local but the meal was reasonably priced.

 

 

And back to the hotel in the evening

 

 

Night view from my room

 

 

There was a Coffee Club next door at the River City Mall for an Eggs Benedict breakfast while enjoying the river view, also a Starbucks and a Subway in the River City Mall.

 

 

After this I moved over to the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit to be closer to my dentist.  I also hadn't stayed at this hotel since 2004.  Room was a little nicer than the Royal Orchid and price was 500 baht more, but the view wasn't too spectacular.

 

 

I would have preferred facing north, towards Terminal 21, like this

 

 

Like the Sofitel and Hyatt Regency, the hotel has direct BTS access, which is really nice.

 

 

Breakfast was 300+ extra but well worth it.  Eggs to order, crispy bacon, dim sum, imported cheeses, and fresh orange juice.

 

 

I went over to El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse near by for a 350g Rib Eye.  There were plenty of attractive women walking down Soi 19 in the late afternoon and I couldn't help but think about all the great girls I shagged upstairs when the building was City Lodge Hotel.

 

 

Nearby, Soi Cowboy does a great lunchtime business for thais with plenty of food vendors, even when the bars are closed.

 

 

I visited one of my masseuses, her name is Golf.  My ball didn't find the hole during the Golf session but my putter did.

 

 

Over at Nana, all was quiet.  Hooters had their signage lit but they were closed.

 

 

Had a Reuben sandwich at Landmark on the Terrace.

 

 

Construction is making fast progress on the new office building between Q House and the Landmark

 

 

Across the street, on the north side of Sukhumvit, another office building is being constructed.  I used to frequent the Mom & Pop seafood stalls on that site near the Soi 7 Beer Garden.

 

The new Wine Connection on Soi 11 has a nice special before 5 PM.  Any pasta with salad and drink for only 199.  I had the lamb and pasta which is usually 310 just by itself.

 

 

Add dessert and coffee for just 149++ more

 

 

For more cheap eats, I had some fried oysters at the MBK food service area, now on the 6th floor.

 

 

There's a new Apple Store at Central

 

 

Went over to Siam Square to meet up with another forum member, Dominic Toretto

 

 

And I also scheduled a couple photo shoots while I was in town.

 

 

 

[jacko 8,814]

Thanks, much appreciation for the effort. An all round post, updating us on Bangkok, some examples of great dining, and a lovely lady to round it off!

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

4 hours ago, jacko said:

Thanks, much appreciation for the effort. An all round post, updating us on Bangkok, some examples of great dining, and a lovely lady to round it off!

It was a bummer not being able to have a nice glass of red with my steak.  Hopefully that won’t happen again.