My Bangkok Blog

It just gets worse

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Right, tonight I went out. Not to a farang oriented venue but to a quiet bar in On Nut, Bangkok. About 5km's from where I live. I ended up there because On Nut is the end of the skytrain line ( at the moment ) and as it was raining where I would normally get off I stayed on the train !

I was the only farang in the place, and soon got chatting to the locals. The prices were realistic, and the music was of my type. I had about 5 beers. and the locals had about 3, but they were pissed beyond comphrehension. One guy, about 55 years old, tried to sell me his daughter who works in Tesco Lotus. He described her down to her genitals and said that his family wanted her to have a farang. This amazed me - I thought you would only find this in Sukhumvit. But no.

I politely stated that his daughter was young enough to be my daughter, but he said it did not matter !! He went on to say that she had no future with a Thai man in Tesco Lotus and needed a farang ! This is thailand.

Desperate Tourist Seen In Soi Cowboy !

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:49:00 +0000

Well this takes the biscuit ! I was in Soi Cowboy, Bangkok last night and popped into one of the older go go bars for a few cheap beers. The particular bar sells bottled beer at 75baht a bottle, and is a great place to start off a night out. Especially for me, as I am a cheap charlie at the moment due to circumstances beyond my control.

As I walked in I immediately saw a large male customer about 55 years of age. He was one of five customers but he stood out from the rest. Why do you think he stood out from the rest ?

The reason was because he was masturbating and staring with wide open eyes at the girls who were dancing on the stage. Now, I have seen girls masturbating customers many times, but have never seen a customer doing it on his own. He was also sweating and dabbing at his brow with a handkerchief. After a few minutes he stopped masturbating and reached for his drink not taking his eyes off of the girls. His hand was shaking and I do not think it was DT's. I really have not seen anything like it.

He had a drink and continued masturbating seemingly oblivious to those around him. The service girls and bar staff were laughing. He seemed totally in a world of his own.

After a few minutes he gestured at one of the girls on the stage to come and join him. She indicated that she couldn't because her dance session had just started and that he would have to wait. The man was clearly agitated. In fact I have never seen anything like it. He began to shake, sweat more and seemed unsure of what to do next. He could not sit still, and I actually started to worry for the safety of the girls.

As 'his' girl was coming to the end of her session he called over to a service girl and paid his bill demanding to pay the bar fine for 'his' girl. He fumbled so much with his wallet I thought he was not going to be able to pay. Then when the service girl returned with his change he waved it away. I think if he had accepted it he would never have been able to put it into his wallet anyway !!

'His' girl finished dancing and was told that she had been bar fined by this man. She went off laughing to get changed returning a few minutes later. The man immediately grabbed her round the waste and more or less dragged her out of the bar. I have never seen anything like it in the 8 years I have been in Bangkok !

But then again it reminds me of the time when I was upstairs in Baccara. This was many years ago when my financial situation was better than it is now.

I was sat at the bar chatting to the cashier when a group of 5 Japanese customers walked in. Nothing unusual in that as Baccara is a favourite haunt of the Japanese.

What made it unusual was when they all took a small pair of binoculars out of their bags and started peering through them at the girls who were dancing only a few feet away ! Now, if the japanese had bad eyesight I could forgive them, but they obviously had perfect eyesight. Then they started pointing at various girls and chatting amongst themselves. Whatever girl was pointed out then had 5 sets of eyes examining her body through binoculars. It was bizarre.

Anyway, this started to piss me off so I bar fined the 6 girls who were dancing ! I did it just to spite the Japanese. They were visibly shocked when the girls left the dance floor and came over to me. I took them to the nearby Love Scene restaurant for some food and then went back to the bar with them. The earlier customers had all left. Probably because there were no girls left upstairs to 'examine' LOL

I couldn't do it today as Baccara has more girls available than I could ever afford, and barfining 6 girls would not even make a dent in the bars staffing levels !

Pantip Plaza or Fortune Town, Bangkok.

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:05:00 +0000

Bangkok is well known for its Pantip Plaza computer supplies complex. It's a 5 storey building full of computer equipment and electronic devices. Software of all types is available by the wheelbarrow load at very cheap prices. It is no wonder that it is normally heaving with people fighting their way through the touts trying to get you to buy an xxx DVD !

Pantip is cheap, but for some people it is just too busy, it can have an intimidating environment at times, and is not that easy to get to. The best way to get there is by taxi, but at times of traffic congestion this journety can take too much time. You can get the BTS ( sky train ) to either Chitlom or Rachatewi and walk for 15 minutes or get a motorbike taxi but all this can be inconvenient. Tuk tuks are also available but I for one will never travel in one as they are a rip off.

You can get 'food hall' food within the complex and other fast food nearby, but because the area is very popular it can get very busy.

On the the hand Fortune Town offers similar in terms of computer equipment, software and electronic devices but is much more user friendly. Ok, it is not as cheap as Pantip but only a few baht more expensive. In my opinion Fortune Town is better than Pantip for numerous reasons.

Fortune Town is easy to get to - the Phraham 9 MRT ( subway ) station is directly outside the front doors ( just two stops from Sukhumvit ) . The whole complex is a shopping mall with the top floors housing the computer, software and mobile phone stores. You can buy more or less exactly the same as what you can buy in Pantip without the hassle.

There are restaurants, a Tesco Lotus and other good quality stores within the complex so you can get everything you want easily. There are very few touts and the staff in the stores are friendly with very little in the way of the high pressure sales tactics that you will find in Pantip.

All in all the shopping experience in Fortune Town is far better than in Pantip Plaza.

Tilac Bar - Soi Cowboy - Possibly The Best Bar Of Its Type In Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Tilac bar is, in my opinion one of the best gogo bars in Bangkok. The bar is situated just inside Soi Cowboy, on the left coming from Asoke Road, next to DejaVu bar.

It is a brightly lit, table dancing type of bar and has loads of gorgeous girls working there. There is a central stage, but there are also dancing tables surrounding it. Whoever designed the bar deserves an award. The dancers wear skimpy clothes leaving not a lot to the imagination.

Tilac Bar seems to get busy inside as soon as its open ( 7pm ) and stays that way until it closes. Prior to the dancing starting you can sit outside and watch the world go by over a beer.

The girls are not too pushy and leave you alone if you so wish. The prices are cheaper than many other bars in the Soi - although I still say you will have trouble finding a better deal than 205 baht for a jug of draft Heineken in Cowboy 2. Cowboy 2 is on the other side of the soi next to Spice Girls.

Anyway, getting back to Tilac Bar - an interesting feature of the bar is its mens toilets. As you stand at the urinal you can look through a one way panel of glass and see the action in the bar. I have overheard many customers in the toilets commenting positively about the feature. No, I am not a toilet pervert, I just frequent the bar a lot and drink a lot of beer at 130 baht a bottle! :)

The bar fine is 600 baht for a dancer, and I think 1000 baht for a service girl - not all service girls are available.

Thai Farmer One Minute, Restaurant Worker The Next.

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:20:00 +0000

It was quite amazing really,the transformation was remarkable.

Fon is a long standing friend of my partner, Rat, having gone to the same school together. She normally lives and works in a small village in Isaan. Her family own a few rai of land on which they grow rice and Fon has been spending 9 hours a day, every day, tending this land and caring for their eight buffalo.

Its a poor village, they have not got running water, and no shower. The toilet is a communal one about 50 yards from her house. She washes herself in the nearby river. To her that way of life is quite normal. But money is short and she wants to improve the living standards of her family - so Bangkok's bright lights beckoned.

Yesterday, Fon travelled to BKK and came to stay with us. Dirt was ingrained in her broken finger and toe nails, her hair was dry and in need of a good wash. Her overall appearance was that of a typical peasant girl. She brought 2 shirts with her, a pair of shorts and one set of underwear. She was wearing scruffy jeans, a dirty red T shirt, and had a worn out pair of flip flops on her feet.

She soon settled in and after some 'som tam' she fell asleep. When she woke up the transformation started ! She stripped off her clothes and promptly threw them in the rubbish bin. She showed no sign of embarrassment as she went into the shower. I suppose that washing yourself in a river for all of your life makes a person lose their inhibitions....

What struck me was her pubic hair. It was like a bush. In fact I have never seen pubic hair like it. It was wiry, and must have been 5 inches long ! What went through my mind wasn't very nice really, but at least it was only a thought and I didn't actually say anything. She reminded me of a savage running wild in the jungle.

For the next 60 minutes she scrubbed her hands and feet and must have washed her hair three times. She attacked her pubes with a pair of scissors. Rat scrubbed her back - literally !

When Fon came out from the shower room she was a totally different person. She was clean, her hair was shining and her pubic hair was trimmed and shaped. She did not look like the person I had seen going into the shower about an hour before. In fact she was glowing all over. My partner was equally impressed.

My partner lent Fon some clothes and they both went out for a while. Fon had her hair cut and straightened, toe and finger nails manicured, and bought some new clothes and shoes - no doubt funded by Rat ! She had also got a job in a local restaurant.

Fon had, in hours, changed from what reminded me of a savage running wild in the jungle to a gorgeous, attractive women. All credit to her.

You might be asking yourself why I have written this. Its simple really. This scenario is played out thousands of times a year by girls who travel to Bangkok from their villages to find work. A lot of people in Thailand 'look down' on these girls - but they shouldn't. These girls are human beings, with feelings, aspirations and needs. The same as everyone.

Fon is just one of the hundreds of thousands who have so little in a country where the gap between the rich and the poor is obscene.

Fire in Sukhumvit Soi 8, Bangkok - 21st August, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:04:00 +0000

The coffee shop/ internet cafe situated more or less on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 8 went up in flames last night. The fire started on the ground floor and soon spread upwards. The Baan Dalah Spa and the Indian Today restaurant on either side were lucky not to have gone up in flames as well, but I am sure they have suffered considerable smoke, heat and water damage.

I happened to be passing just as the fire broke out. What drew my attention to it was the plate glass window of the shop blowing out. Then the ground floor became an inferno. I just hope no one was inside. These 2 images were taken just after the window blew out.

You can see the fire starting at the rear of the ground floor. The dense black smoke was not all pleasant. The fire soon took hold as seen below.

The Fire Service were very slow to repond. It must have been at least 20 minutes from the time the fire stated. At first a 'lay' fire service turned up but were totally useless. Their pump wouldn't work, and they could not connect a hose to a fire hydrant. The crews were running round like headless chickens. It was laughable. They didn't manage to get one drop of water onto the fire.

One guy even tried to tackle the blaze with a fire extinguisher. He is pictured below - he must have been very naive and inexperienced to think that he could make any difference with an extinguisher !

Then the real fire service turned up some 15 minutes later and rapidly got to grips with the blaze. If they had got there quicker the blaze could have been contained within the ground and first floors instead of the whole building. But such is life.

All I hope is that no one was inside because if there was they would be coming out in body bags.

Update: It would appear that the fire started in the kitchen and that everyone got out ok. Building is totally gutted. I am not an engineer but the shell doesn't look safe to me.

Beer Bars - Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 , Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:45:00 +0000

Firstly I would like to apologise for the poor pics in this post - they will come soon ! My main camera is in the pawn shop !! :) Thats my excuse anyway.

You can find Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 adjacent to Nana BTS ( skytrain ) station in Bangkok, Thailand. When you are in the station, and face towards the On Nut direction, the Soi is on your left. Its a great soi if you want a game of pool or just a few beers in the company of nice ladies and fellow farang. Most of the bars open in the early afternoon and close about 0100hrs.

At the entrance to the Soi is an outlet of Coffee World and Subway. On most evenings you can find parked opposite these places a currency exchange office situated in the back of a van. This exchange facility is 100 per cent legitimate and is provided by one of the major banks. So don't hesitate to use it.

As you walk further into the Soi you will see that the right hand side is more or less full of bars and massage places. With the left hand side made up of a few budget hotels and a few bars. Most of the bars employ a mixture of women aged from early twenties to the older women, so there is something for everyone. Actually most of these bars are not 'full on' and quite suitable for a man to take his wife or partner.

Perhaps the most well known bar / club is the 'Eden Club'. This has been in the soi for years and is very popular with customers wanting a fun time with two ladies. Another bar thats been in the soi for years is 'Boo Sa Bar', its a great meeting place for ex pats and tourists alike - with some nice girls to go round. Despite some information on the net saying the bar is closed - it is definitely not !!! Likewise the 'Down Under' just opposite Boo Sa Bar is also well established.

There is plenty of food available in the soi, both Western and Thai so for there is no need ever to leave it !! :) You have budget hotels, restaurants, and bars - what more do you want ! Most bars open early afternnon and close at 0100hrs. Mikes Bar located outside Maxims Inn at the end of the Soi, stays open much later.

As a change from Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy or Patpong, Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 is a good choice.

Bangkok Rental Apartments, Condo's and Electricity Prices

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Having spent the last few days looking for a new condo/ apartment to rent I have been surprised at the wide variation in prices you have to pay for electricity.

Where I stay at the moment I pay the Metropolitan Electricity Authority myself, at the rate of about 3.5 baht a unit. Of the 8 places I have looked at in the last few days none have allowed this. Instead you have to buy the electricty at exhorbitant rates from the buildings owner who pays the MEA the normal 3.5 baht rate.

Now, I understand that this has been going on for years and years but is it fair ? A lot of people probably do not know that the MEA charges only 3.5 baht a unit, and they are getting ripped off when they pay a rental fee, plus anything from 5 - 16 baht a unit for electricty for similar sized accomodation!!

So what seems like a competitive rent on its own is far from it.

There seems to be an argument that because you do not pay a maintenance charge for these properties that the increased electricity prices are justified. But if thats the case, why the large variation ? Think about it.

Does the maintenance needed increase because of you use 100 units of electricity or 5000 units ? I don't think so.

There is also another view that the huge 'mark up' in prices is just another way of having an increased rent without the punter realising it until after they sign the contract.

I pay about 2000 baht a month for my electricity, so at 12 baht a unit which some people demand, my electricity bill would be nearly 7000 baht a month! Thats a tidy profit in anyones book. In fact the profit on the electricity would be a quarter of my present monthly rent !

So my warning to anyone wanting to rent in Bangkok ( and probably elsewhere in Thailand )is beware of the added costs of electricity. Your good deal on rent could easily be eroded by the cost of electricity, making a good deal NO GOOD ! Unless of course you do not intend using aircon etc :)

It is far better to rent from a private landlord who agrees for you to pay the MEA yourself, even if it means leaving him a few thousand baht extra deposit in case you default. In addition, get a property where you have access to the electricity meter so you can read it yourself.

Tampons or Towels ?

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Its been troubling me for sometime. Although it might seem strange that I am thinking about this, but I am.

Why have I never seen tampons for sale in Thailand. Only sanitary towels ?

Is it that Thai women never use tampons for some reason best known to people of their culture ? Is it that tampons cost more than towels ?

To me, with my Western upbringing, the tampon seems the most hygenic option for the menstruating women. Can someone please enlighten me as to why there do not seem to be any in Thailand ?

My girlfriend does not even know what a tampon is !! So she is no help.

Thai Girls Always Wanting Money From Farang - Reversed

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:55:00 +0000

55555555 Its a good day today. I really love my Thai girlfriend ! She has passed the test, even though it wasn't planned.

I am in the UK, and will be for the next two weeks. For reasons that I will not go into here I have run into a cashflow problem. I mentioned this to her on the phone yesterday and she offered to send me some money by Western Union !!

At first I thought I wasn't hearing correctly. I thought she wanted ME to send HER some money. But then she asked me how to do it, where was a Western Union office near her, and would 10000 baht be enough !! I am still in shock.

I will post again when I recover :)

Despite All Its Faults Thailand Is The Place For Me

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:49:00 +0000

I am writing this from the UK. I have come here for three weeks and those three weeks are to long. I want to go back to Bangkok NOW. Thailand has its faults but the UK seems to have more.

I didn't realise things were as bad in the UK as they really are.

The way Gordon Brown has brought a once great nation to its knees is outrageous. For over a decade he has systematically ruined Britain's economy and many, many people are extremely angry. Ok, many people were spending beyond their means but they were allowed to, and were actually encouraged to. Why ?

I am convinced that Brown and many others in power were well aware what was going happen and did absolutely nothing to prevent it or lessen the resulting damage. They wanted the people of the UK to suffer for political reasons, and as a means of social control. They should be tried for treason.

If the recession had come on gradually things would have been a lot better, but an overnight collapse of the economy has caused mayhem and many believe the rapid collapse was preventable.

I am staying in an affluent area of England, but I still see all around me many depressed and worried people. I have met up with three friends this week. All have their own businesses.

One has a roofing company that used to employ 24 people. Since October last year he has had to reduce this number to just 4. Not because of the lack of work, although that is a concern, but because his bank reduced his working overdraft by 75% overnight. He has banked with the same bank for over 20 years and has never caused them to doubt his credit worthiness. He must have made them hundreds of thousands of pounds in profit over the years and this is what they do.

Another has an online home furnishing business - his turnover dropped by 75% more or less overnight. The two staff he employed have had to go, and he is having to sell his house. With the current state of the housing market this is proving to be near impossible, so his downward spiral continues.

The third friend has a plumbing business - his trade has fallen off dramatically. The only work he gets is repairing bodged jobs where people have tried to do some plumbing themselves but made a mess of it ! He has also reduced his staff - from 10 to 3.

Now this is just three of my friends - I hate to imagine how many are in the same position throughout the country. I don't want to think about it.

Yes, Thailand has its faults, and the Thai economy is in decline, but I would prefer to be there instead of the UK. The positive sides to Thailand outweigh the negatives. In the UK it all seems to be negatives. Bangkok is my home. But I just wish the Thai authorities would make it easier for foreigners with an income from overseas, to live there. I don't want to buy land there, I don't want to work there, and I am not going to get married there. I just want to live there without the need for border runs every 90 days, or worrying about re- entry permits.

I can understand that some undesirables are drawn to Thailand and that the authorities don't want them, but there are many more people in the same position as me. We make a significant contribution to the local economy, take nothing out of it, and are of good character. If you read this Khun Abhisit, please help :)

Bangkok Escalators, Lifts and Trains!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:27:00 +0000

Its not just in Bangkok, but it seems to be very bad in Bangkok. I am talking about people going about their daily business with little thought for other people around them.

On escalators at the BTS stations.

When its busy people quite often run from a train to the escalator but then stop when they step on it blocking it for people who really are in a hurry. Then there are the people who step off the escalator and stop dead in their tracks - and then wonder why people push into them from behind. Its the same the other way round, they get to the start of the escalator and stop for no apparent reason. Why ??

Then on the platforms at BTS Stations.

It happens on the MRT too, but in my opinion much less than on the BTS.

Despite the arrow indicators painted on the platform indicating that people should get on the train at the side of the door opening, people still block the central areas. They effectively stop people getting off. In fact these people try and get on without a care in the world for those trying to get off ! Why ??

On to lifts.

Quite often I am in the lift in my condo building traveling down to ground level and when the doors open I cannot get out. The area in front of the doors is often full of people all trying to get in the lift to go up, as I try to get out. If its not people blocking the doors its a family with kids, pushchairs and shopping all right in the middle of the door area. I cannot understand it. Why do they do it ?? They could easily stand to one side.

Is it me or is it really bad in Bangkok - I suppose its just a continuation of driving habits and skills exhibited on the roads ! But at least you don't have to pay 200 baht to use an escalator I suppose !

Bangkok Bar Girls, Restaurant Girls, and Laundry Girls - This Could Only Happen In Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:14:00 +0000

What a month this has been so far ! I really have to write about what has happened to me this month. It is a sign of the times in Thailand. Businesses are closing, tourism is way down and jobs are being lost. Many of the local businesses which remain open are losing money.

The end result is that poor families are getting poorer. With no state aid to fall back on they have to resort to other means of earning a living, and as normal it falls on their young daughters to do it.

I live in a condominum complex well away from the 'entertainment areas' of Bangkok. The people living here are hard working Thai's and Foreigners. The complex has some laundry shops, small restaurants and some other shops. Over the last 13 months I have got to know the staff of these shops quite well.

Last week two things happened. I popped into one of the laundry shops where a mother ( the owner ) and her two daughters work. The mother must be about 40 years old, one daughter about 14, and the other about 16 years old. The mother explained to me that business was 50 per cent down and as a result she will have to put up her prices ( typical Thai business mentality ) or her shop would have to close.

I sympathised, and tried to explain that by putting up prices might increase income in the short term but would lead to less business in the future as other local places will be cheaper.

I also told her that foreigners in Thailand had problems as well and that my income was effectively 33 percent lower than it was 18 months ago. She understood that, but she needed the money NOW. Then out of the blue she asked me to buy her 16 year olds !!!!!!! and she was not joking.

Now, first of all this would be illegal because of her daughters age, secondly I am not into younger girls, and thirdly I couldn't afford it if I wanted to. The mother wanted 20000 baht - no mention of what the daughter thought of this, but knowing Thai culture the daughter would have seen it as helping her family and gone along with the idea.

I wasn't shocked by the request as I have had similar propositions in bars ( more on this later ), I was shocked that it was happening in a laundry shop in a middle class area of Bangkok. A sure sign of desperation setting in.

But it gets worse. Last night I ordered some food to be delivered to my condo from one of the restaurants. I have done this countless times and always give the waitress who delivers it a 15 baht tip. The food was delivered as normal and I tipped the girl 15 baht. As I went to close my door the girl asked me if I could let her have more. I laughed and she responded 'I will make you happy for 500 baht' I said 'what do you mean', and she replied 'I will go with you for 500 baht - I am sorry for asking but my family really need the money'.

She is a lovely girl, she is educated and speaks good English. She has been delivering food to me for months. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In fact I thought she was joking, but she wasn't. I politely declined and promised to increase my food orders ! She looked glum and went on her way.

Now, I would never have expected this, not in the part of Bangkok I am in. I have been propositioned before by maids cleaning my room, and by the cleaners of apartment common areas in the other places I have lived, but not where I am living now. It is certainly a sign of the times.

To top it all, my friend owns a restaurant close to the complex. He had a couple of Thai girls working there. One was about 17. I went in there recently and realised the 17 year old had left. She was a very outgoing girl, and always on her mobile telephone talking to friends. I asked what had happened to her and my friend told me that her mother had sold her to a wealthy Thai man ! Apparently this is quite normal in parts of Thai society.

Thats three instances of desperation I know about in three weeks. What else is going on I hate to think. I can understand it in the 'entertainment' and tourist areas but in a decent area of the city ?? I suppose that the if the girls needing money here don't get it they will be off to the bright lights....

Anyway, talking about the entertainment areas. I must tell you of my experiences with families working in the same bars.

Two scenarios are typical and actually involve close blood relatives - not extended families.

Firstly, in one 'go go' bar I frequent I have got to know the mamasang very well. She is 50 years old now. When we first met her 16 year old daughter was working in the same bar as a waitress during school holidays. It was clear to me that the daughter was being groomed in the art of bar work. In fact the daughter explained to me, through her mother, that she could not wait until she was old enough to work properly and earn 'big money'like her mum.

Even though the legal age to work in a bar is 20, it is often ignored, and during the daughters 18th birthday party ( 18 years old is the legal age for sex ) she started dancing 'topless' on stage. The mother was really happy and cheered ! Moments later I was introduced to the mother's 2nd daughter who had just arrived to take the now vacant position of waitress ! Guess what she was 16 !!

I later found out that the 18 year olds virginity was sold to a Norwegian guy for 35000 baht ! The girl is still dancing and is now making her 'big money'. Her mother is retiring soon ( when the new house she is having built is finished ) and the younger daughter is waiting for her own 18th birthday. Apparently she has already received offers similar offers. So sad, but such things are all too common in Thailand.

The second scenario involves an offer which I did not take up. I was in a normal beer bar last year talking to a girl who worked there. I have known her for a few years. She introduced me to an older woman who she said was her mother. The 'mother' could not speak English.

This is a normal bar girl trick to make you feel obliged to buy drinks for a girl's friend who isn't doing very well. So I said I didn't believe that the older lady was her mother and that I wasn't buying her a drink. Then after a few minutes of chit chat out came the ID Cards. Sure enough they had the same last name, in fact they even had similar physical characteristics. I had to buy her a drink :)

After a while the girl asked me if I wanted her and her mother together for 3000 baht! Now three is ok, but not with a mother and daughter ! Talk about keeping it in the family. I know this form of 'family entertainment' is quite common in the tourist bar areas of Thailand, but its not for me.

Lets hope the economic conditions in Thailand do not get much worse.

No Wonder Deja Vu in Soi Cowboy Is quiet ?

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:22:00 +0000

I popped into to Deja Vu go go bar in Soi Cowboy tonight where I was one of five customers. It seemed really quiet in terms of the girl/ customer ratio and I know why. The volume of the music was way to high and I am deaf in the right ear ! I had a couple of beers and witnessed a few customers come into the bar, sit down, have 1 beer then leave quickly, holding their ears.

They weren't leaving because of the standard of the girls, the girls were excellent. They were leaving because of the noise !!

To top it all it was cold as well. The girls who were dancing naked had goose pimples and were complaining, the customers were complaining, but nothing changed.... Deja Vu used to be one of my favourites, when I go the next time I will take ear defenders and a coat !

Guidance for Aircraft Pilots

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:08:00 +0000

These tips for pilots have been translated from a Thai instruction sheet given to newly qualified pilots.

1. Every takeoff is optional. Every landing is mandatory.

2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again.

3. Flying isn’t dangerous. Crashing is what’s dangerous.

4. It’s always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.

5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you’re on fire.

6. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating.

7. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.

8. A ‘good’ landing is one from which you can walk away. A ‘great’ landing is one after which they can use the plane again.

9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won’t live long enough to make all of them yourself.

10. You know you’ve landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.

11. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.

12. Never let an aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn’t get to five minutes earlier.

13. Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.

14. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take-offs you’ve made.

15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.

16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.

17. Helicopters can’t fly; they’re just so ugly the earth repels them.

18. If all you can see out of the window is ground that’s going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.

19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.

20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.

21. It’s always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.

22. Keep looking around. There’s always something you’ve missed.

23. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It’s the law. And it’s not subject to repeal.

Mercury A Go Go, Nana Plaza - A Traditional Go Go Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sat, 23 May 2009 06:13:00 +0000

Last night I realised that I still prefer traditional Bangkok Go Go bars over the newer upmarket ones you find elsewhere in town. I have always liked the small, cozy and dark bars that have plenty of girls, reasonable prices and a great atmosphere, but over the last year or so have ignored them.

But now I have found Mercury Bar in Nana Plaza. I went in there for the first time last night and it fits the bill completely. Especially the prices - 90 baht for Chang, Heineken or Singha and 120 baht for the other beers.

Its dim lighting and red decor sets the mood of the place. Couple that with good music and plenty of friendly girls ( they have about 40 )and you have a great place for a fun evening. What I especially liked was that the girls were of all shapes, sizes and ages instead of the 'Coyote' stereotype found elsewhere, AND they were not too pushy when it came to drinks.

There was one girl that caught my eye - she was about 25 years old, very small, with very small breasts. She was full of fun but her knee length boots were way to big for her. She couldn't walk properly in them, let alone dance ! She couldn't have been much taller than 4 feet. She wasn't a midget just small. The mammasan told me that they didn't make boots small enough for her !

I think I will be making Mercury one of my regular haunts.

You can find Mercury very easily. Just go into Nana Plaza, take the escalator on the right hand side then at the top of the escalator turn immediately right and Mercury is in front of you, just 3 steps away. I forgot to take my camera with me last night so there is no picture - I will rectify that in a couple of days.

Health and Safety Rules in Thailand - NOT !

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:44:00 +0000

The other day the condo management company announced that the outside of the building was going to be painted. I went upstairs and looked out of the window to see the results. This is what I saw ! I hate to think what the staff turnover rate is for the painting and decorating company contracted to do the work. Unbelievable really. Life does not seem to mean much here ! The picture speaks a thousand words.

He is 21 floors above the ground. The open space below was full of kids playing football - the chances of playing with paint pots and a set of step ladders instead of a ball was quite high I think ?? These workers do not seem to think about possible consequences of their actions.......such is Thailand. As it happens all ended happily.

Thai Girl Bites Man.....

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:28:00 +0000

Need I say more ? This happens quite a lot in Thailand. Much of it is not reported to the media. Be warned :)

The Nation Newspaper, Bangkok

Pattaya - A Belgian tourist was severely injured early Thursday when his Thai girlfriend bit his male organ and almost severed it, police said.

The tourist, Eddy Iam De Velde, 56, was rushed to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital and doctors managed to save the man's organ.

The hospital reported the event to police at 5:30 am.

The man told police from his hospital bed that his girlfriend, who he has been living with for about a month, injured him.

She said the woman became angry after learning that he had another Thai lover.

The two quarreled while having sex so she bit him and he called friends to send him to the hospital.

Police will arrest the woman whom has yet to be identified.

Elephant Riding in Thailand With a Difference !

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:49:00 +0000

I just have to post this pic which was sent to me by a friend. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it. The expression of the woman on the front elephant says it all !! The guy on the elephant at the rear seems to be enjoying the experience !!

So if you are going to go for an elephant ride in Thailand be prepared for any eventuality :)

Bangkok - Cheap Night Out For A Change

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Sun, 10 May 2009 01:46:00 +0000

I sometimes think that going out for an evening in Bangkok can be just as expensive as going out in the UK, but last night I was proved wrong. I had a really relaxing evening for less than 1000 baht (£20 or USD28).

I found this great massage shop near Sukhumvit 83 where i was pampered with a 1 hour body scrub, followed by a 1 hour oil massage. Guess what, it only cost me 500 baht - where would you get the same in the UK for a tenner ! Then I walked down Sukhumvit Road to the bar area in the market next to On Nut BTS station.

I managed to down about 3 litres of Chang beer - for 240 baht or about £5. So all in all a great evening for about £15. Oh, the girls I ended up drinking with didn't cost me a single baht. They had already bought a tower of 5 litres of beer before I got there, so I just paid for my own :P

There is no way I could have had the same in the UK for that. Lovely weather, great company, friendly atmosphere, what more do you need. The evening reinforced my desire to stay in Thailand for as long as my body allows me too :)

Ok, there were not the attractions that you find in Soi Cowboy but it made a pleasant change - and my wallet still has money in it.

Used Sanitary Towels

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:18:00 +0000

Just down the road from my condominium complex there is a footbridge over the road. I use it regularly on my jaunts down to the skytrain station. About two months ago I noticed a used sanitary towel lying on the lowest step of the stairway to the bridge. I thought nothing of it and continued over the bridge.

On the otherside I noticed another used towel lying on the lowest step of the exit stairway. Again, I didn't think much about it as stray dogs regularly rip open bags of rubbish and spread the contents over a wide area.

However, yesterday I noticed another two used sanitary towels in exactly the same positions as before. Not believing in coincidences I did a bit of research. It would appear that they were placed at each end of the bridge to ensure that the evil spirits that lurk in the middle of the bridge do not move off it ! How the evil spirits got to be on the bridge in the first place is unknown.

This sort ritual involving menstrual blood is bizarre by western standards but apparently it is quite common in Thailand. In fact during the recent political strife black magic was said to have been used by one side to 'nail' closed a Buddhist shrine. This was to stop its 'goodness' going to the other side.

These 'nails' were removed by magicians of the opposing force, and their ladies placed used sanitary towels on the spots where the nails had been to prevent them being replaced. Apparently menstrual blood has a very powerful effect on all things evil.

I would have thought that in this day and age there could be something more hygenic than a used sanitary towel. Maybe a small bottle of the blood - at least it would be sealed. But then again the blood probably needs to be exposed to the open air to make it more powerful.... this is getting too much for me.

Map of Soi Cowboy

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:08:00 +0000

Over the last few weeks I have been analyzing the visitor traffic to this blog and it looks like a lot of people arrive here searching for a map of Soi Cowboy. Up until now there wasn't one on here - but now there is ! The map is not to scale.

A few of the bars have letters next to the name. I have personally witnessed extra services performed on customers sat in these bars :) H = Hand, B = Blow.

In my opinion the Soi offers the best 'A Go Go' bars in Bangkok. My personal favourites are Tilac, Spice Girls, Cowboy 2, and Dollhouse - and I know the Asian visitors love Baccara. Don't forget Soi Cowboy is within spitting distance of the Asoke BTS station / Sukhumvit MRT station. So its very easy to get to.

Now is an even better time to visit as most of the bars have really good 'Happy Hour' deals. I was in Cowboy 2 last night and all drinks ( except lady drinks ) were only 70 baht until 2030hrs. Update: 7th August 2009 - now 90 baht.

Boys in Brown - Go Plastic

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:17:00 +0000

When I was in the UK some time ago, the placing of cardboard police officers in public places gave everyone a laugh. The experts said these lifesize cardboard figures would give the same feelings of guilt to bad people who saw them, as they would get if they saw a 'real' officer. As a result crime would be prevented.

The whole population was in hysterics as more and more cardboard coppers were placed in strategic locations.

Well it looks like the police in Bangkok have been going down the same route. More and more plastic policeman are appearing at various places.

One improvement that could be made to these plastic policeman though, is the incorporation of a 'proximity detector'. Then, when it senses that a human being is within 3 metres it would activate. A 'cash deposit' draw would open, accompanied by a voice demanding the person places 200 baht in the drawer before going on their way ! Whether they will make this modifition is unknown.

I took the above picture at Victory Monument in Bangkok the other day. I really must say that these are a vast improvement on the UK ones.

Rainy Season in Bangkok Already ??

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:53:00 +0000

The weather in Bangkok seems to be as messed up as the politics ! First yellowshirts, then redshirts. Now we have hot and sunny days, followed by wet and stormy days - and its not the rainy season yet. It should be weeks of sun, not this !

One thing though, the wet days certainly brings down the temperature and therefore my use of electricity. For the last 30 days the electricity consumption in my condo has gone up by 50 per cent, all because of the heat. The air conditoning units have been going 24 hrs a day. So in a way I am thankful for the stormy weather.

So you can see what I mean I have posted below two views from my mates room. The first is what it should be like and the second is from this afternoon. I feel sorry for the tourists !

For more information on the seasons in Bangkok got to bangkoknlimited.com

Tips and Advice for the Tourist in Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Bangkok Blogger) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Tourists in Bangkok are frequently subjected to scams of one sort or another. Many tourists don't realise it; others do realise it and arguments ensue. For the person visiting the city it is very useful to know what to look out for.

For general do's and don'ts go to my main Bangkok Unlimited website.

There is one tip which is very important and applies to any foreigner in Thailand......If you see any Thai's arguing or fighting amongst themselves steer very clear. Do not get involved. Even if it is a Thai man and woman. If you try and help you are likely to end up as the target for all the Thais in the vicinity. Thais sort out differences their way and if a foreigner intervenes the Thais lose face and that can have deadly consequences for the foreigner.

The tips on my main site are great for the general visitor to Bangkok but below you will find tips specifically aimed at those readers who frequent the entertainment areas and bars in the city ( and other places ). You can have great fun in these areas but try and take heed of some of the advice shown below so that a great night or holiday does not turn into a nightmare.

These tips are 'tried and tested'. I have lived in Bangkok many years, as have others who will say the same. Ignore the advice at your peril.

1. Beware of the some of the 'a go go bars' on the second floor of buildings in Patpong. Most do not display prices and hit you with a large service charge when you leave.

2. Beware of bill padding. Quite often you will buy a few drinks, for yourself and the girls, only to find that when you 'check bin' (pay) that there are more drinks on your bill than you ordered. Some unscrupulous girls add drinks to your bill for their friends - especially if you are drunk, or go off to the toilet !

To avoid this, pay off your bill every couple of drinks.

3. A lot of middle aged men come to Bangkok and fall in love with an 18 to 25 year old woman they meet in a bar. The girl showers them with 'love', affection' and 'undying love' - and the man is overwhelmed. Get real - these women have no feelings whatsoever for the man, just for his wallet. They know that a lot of Western men get emotionally involved very easily, especially if the mans love life in the past has been rocky; and they play on it to extract money from him. Simple as that.

Many of these girls have Thai ( and sometimes Foreign ) boyfriend's in Bangkok, and/or husbands and family living hundreds of miles away. They are working to support them.

4. A lot of men do get emotionally involved with bar girls during their brief stay in Thailand. When they go back home, they end up sending the girl money so that she does not have to 'work bar' and can live well until their man returns. 99 times out of 100 this is a crazy thing to do. I know some girls who not only get money every month but they have condos rented for them as well. These girls are 'working', and part of their business is extracting money from as many men as possible - both when the man is inside, and outside of, Thailand. So my advice is - don't do it.

I can assure the reader that even if the customer 'buys' the girl out of the bar and then the man leaves Thailand, the girl carrys on 'working' as before. Perhaps not in the same bar, but they still work - no matter what they say. There is a saying in Thailand that 'You can take the girl out of the bar, but you cannot take the bar out of the girl'. So very true.

I know one girl who has been 'bought' out of the same bar 3 times in a year. The bar owner is happy ! He gets a 10000 baht fee from the customer every time !

So the man 'buys' the girl of his dreams out of the bar, goes home for a few months and eventually returns to Thailand. His girl acts as though she has not been working and has 'missed the man too much'. Her story is always backed up by her 'bar girl' friends. The man is happy and parts with even more money for a gold bracelet or chain for his darling. As soon as he leaves again this is either sold or pawned....and the cycle continues.

It is not unusual for a girl to always take their 'customer' to the same jewellery shop where they always choose the same item. Then they can sell all but one of them, and always have the one their 'boyfriend' bought for them ! They can also get commissions from the shop.

Some girls have 5 or more foreign men on the go at the same time. I personally know one girl who gets money every month from six foreign men. All of them think she loves them and is waiting for their return to the land of smiles. So naive.

This particular girl has a Thai boyfriend who has a brand new BMW car and has not worked in years. This is not unusual.

5. How can you tell if things are wrong ? One tell tale sign is when the man is in a bar with his 'girlfriend' and her mobile phone rings. She checks to see what number is calling - then runs out of the bar, or to the toilet, to answer it.

This is not because she can't hear a caller because of the background noise in the bar, its because she does not want the man she is with to hear her speak English to the caller, and she does not want the caller to hear the background noises from the bar or other people speaking English.

If the caller is Thai she will stay and talk where she is.

Then there is the bar girl who tells her foreign 'boyfriend' that she will work as the bars cashier instead of a normal bar girl. It's the same job. If they do not go with customers when the bar is open, they frequently do when the bar is closed, or go to one of the many 'freelancer' discos that are open most of the night....

Another tell tale sign of a potential girlfriend/wife being a professional bar girl is the girl who left school at 13 years old and states that she has just come from the farm to work in the bar. The thing is they forget that their command of the English language gives them away.....think about it.

Another scam, but I haven't heard of it much these days, is the girl who tells her foreign 'boyfriend' that she 'got the money he sent yesterday but her bag with the cash in it was stolen'. Again, she plays on the foreigners good heart to try and get more cash from him, then laughs all the way to the bank. There are many similar scams bar girls are skilled at !

I could go on, but one thing I will say, which I am not ashamed of, is that I have had drinks and nights away paid for by girls who have just received cash from their 'boyfriend' overseas. I am not ashamed because these men know what happens but think the 'bar girl' they have known for 4 weeks is different..... Of course there are exceptions but they are rare.

The men that fall in the trap eventually find out the truth and the resulting emotional and financial trauma is usually severe Suicide and severe depression is a distinct possibility.

6. Always pay your bill. Dispute it if you want to, but do not lose your temper or fight with staff. What happens to those that do not pay depends on which bar you are in. Most call the police, but some use other methods of enforcement. If you want to fight with the staff make sure your medical insurance is current first!

All this sounds bad, and there is the odd exception to the rules, but take the advice and you will have the time of your lives. As the Thais would say, 'Its up to you'.

This advice is for men frequenting areas in which bar girls operate, this advice does not necessarily apply to girls met in areas outside of the tourist areas.