Post: #1076

(11-21-2015 03:18 PM)hudsonhicks Wrote:  Having stayed all over Bangkok in all manner of Hotels from Budget to Luxury.. i keep coming back to this place - SPB Paradise
http://www.agoda.com/en-gb/spb-paradise-...ok-th.html

Not in the centre but thats the only trade off.. Short walk to MRT station though

£12 a night Exceptional value for money for what you get.. If it was in Sukhumvit you'd be paying 20-30 a night.

That looks ace. Thanks for that - however I ended up booking in at the Golden Tulip Mandilson Suites, much more central and was recommended by a mate.

However I'll definitely check the SPB next time I'm in town

Post: #1077

Does anyone BKK based know if its possible to cut through on foot from Nana Tai Alley to Polo Club on the other side of the bypass or would you need to go back to Sukhumvit? Thanks.

Post: #1078

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/wor...p?id=63297


Anyone read this?

Post: #1079

(12-01-2015 07:57 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/wor...p?id=63297


Anyone read this?

I just read it and it is accurate. I know a lot of the RVF guys living here are location independent, BK based, and may not realize that Thailand's economy is in a rut. If you live in Central areas like Silom, Sathorn, Ratchaprasong, and up and down Sukhumvit you would probably not notice a slowdown. I spend most of my time in CM now and many of my Thai clients and friends who are in business are quietly (the Thai way) complaining. Overdevelopment and high vacancy in both commercial and residential property is a hot topic among expats in a local CM forum. I need to be careful commenting on the political situation because of the draconian laws preventing anyone criticizing the royal family. I am not sure what you know about who actually governs Thailand, but all Thais and many expats living here long term know that the military government and the prime minister (Prayut) is just an arm of the real power in Thailand. Many Thais love their king and are happy with the current gov't, but others cannot believe that their beloved country is stuck in the middle ages and they wish they had true democracy. It's difficult to cover this topic (lese majeste) and it deserves a more in depth analysis than I am able to give.

Post: #1080

(12-01-2015 07:57 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/wor...p?id=63297


Anyone read this?

I livve in a bubble in Sukhumvit and haven't noticed any of that, but that doesn't mean the article is incorrect. As far as I can tell, things have not changed so much for me, everything is more or less the same asides from a drop in tourists after the bombings a few months ago.

But I live in a very busy, heavily populated expat area.

Post: #1081

(12-01-2015 07:57 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/wor...p?id=63297


Anyone read this?

That article was actually redacted from the International New York Times edition published and sold in Thailand. Khaosod also reports that the Times "would cease publishing and distribution in Thailand by the end of this year due to rising production costs", which is laughable because that is precisely why so many have set up shop here; low cost.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php...section=11

Post: #1082

Kamaki I would say that the production costs have been cited as the reason to save face and conflict.

Real reason is the Thai printing house is unwilling to risk being hit by lesse majeste laws or the long arm of Prayuts attitude readjustment program.

People who really want to read it will access it online anyway.

Production costs are still relatively low in Thailand but wages are on a steady rise and the growth is outpacing general economic growth.

Post: #1083

Anybody been to Escobar? Probably the best club I've been to in Bangkok. Not sure if recommend going there solo, but if you have a table and go with a group it's pretty awesome. It's not the easiest place to get laid though, and it's very local. Worth going to if you're willing to put in some work to get hot girls.

Post: #1084

(12-05-2015 07:34 AM)CodyB Wrote:  Kamaki I would say that the production costs have been cited as the reason to save face and conflict.

Real reason is the Thai printing house is unwilling to risk being hit by lesse majeste laws or the long arm of Prayuts attitude readjustment program.

People who really want to read it will access it online anyway.

Production costs are still relatively low in Thailand but wages are on a steady rise and the growth is outpacing general economic growth.

Apparently the NYT made the decision to pull out of Thailand, not the Thai publisher. Prachatai states, "Shortly after the incident, the New York Times announced that it will no longer publish in Thailand in 2016." I am not suggesting I know the reason or reasons why they will pull out of Thailand, I doubt it's production costs, but I can speculate; what about journalistic integrity?

http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/5655

Post: #1085

(12-07-2015 06:32 AM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  

(12-05-2015 07:34 AM)CodyB Wrote:  Kamaki I would say that the production costs have been cited as the reason to save face and conflict.

Real reason is the Thai printing house is unwilling to risk being hit by lesse majeste laws or the long arm of Prayuts attitude readjustment program.

People who really want to read it will access it online anyway.

Production costs are still relatively low in Thailand but wages are on a steady rise and the growth is outpacing general economic growth.

Apparently the NYT made the decision to pull out of Thailand, not the Thai publisher. Prachatai states, "Shortly after the incident, the New York Times announced that it will no longer publish in Thailand in 2016." I am not suggesting I know the reason or reasons why they will pull out of Thailand, I doubt it's production costs, but I can speculate; what about journalistic integrity?

http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/5655

Ask Prayuth what he thinks about Journalists.

Post: #1086

Thonglor or Phrom Phong area? Going to rent a condo for a week or so and it's down to these two areas.

Any opinions?

Post: #1087

Airbnb seems to be quite fully booked near these areas this month.

Post: #1088

(12-08-2015 06:04 AM)YardDog Wrote:  Thonglor or Phrom Phong area? Going to rent a condo for a week or so and it's down to these two areas.

Any opinions?

Phrom Phong is closer to western bars, restaurants, shopping malls and quite a few clubs, there's also a few sois that are full of sex massages and traffic can get a bit much.

Thong Lo is more of an expat area with more middle-upper class Thai bars and tons of Japanese place to eat. Close to RCA but further away from most other clubs.

As a newb, Phrom Phong will be a better base IMO. If you've been here before and know Sukhumvit, then TL is ideal.

My $0.02.

Post: #1089

(12-08-2015 06:04 AM)YardDog Wrote:  Thonglor or Phrom Phong area? Going to rent a condo for a week or so and it's down to these two areas.

Any opinions?

Knowing you and your tastes, I'd say Thonglor for sure.

Post: #1090

Friendly reminder for all people traveling in Bangkok.

Remember to have your passport with you at all times.

Post: #1091

^Original or copy?

Post: #1092

(12-08-2015 11:17 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  ^Original or copy?

Original. The police want to see passport, visa and stamp.

I was taken to Thonglor Police Station, questioned and searched for drugs.

Post: #1093

(12-09-2015 02:23 AM)Swell Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 11:17 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  ^Original or copy?

Original. The police want to see passport, visa and stamp.

I was taken to Thonglor Police Station, questioned and searched for drugs.

Thats not really true, sure its a law but its not strongly enforced. You must look sus or were just unlucky. I have been stopped and searched by Thonglor Police twice this month. Never asked to see my passport and just let me go on my way when they realised I didn't have anything on me. Who the hell is going to carry their passport everywhere.

"Sorry...you know...farang....bomb"

Loled pretty hard when they said that.

Post: #1094

(12-09-2015 02:23 AM)Swell Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 11:17 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  ^Original or copy?

Original. The police want to see passport, visa and stamp.

I was taken to Thonglor Police Station, questioned and searched for drugs.

Damn. Did you try slipping them some cash beforehand?

Post: #1095

These monkeys in uniforms are up to this shit again? For fuck sakes.

Post: #1096

(12-09-2015 08:44 AM)dreambig Wrote:  

(12-09-2015 02:23 AM)Swell Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 11:17 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  ^Original or copy?

Original. The police want to see passport, visa and stamp.

I was taken to Thonglor Police Station, questioned and searched for drugs.

Damn. Did you try slipping them some cash beforehand?

I did ask if I could pay a fine right there and not go to police station. Police did not accept any money.

I did have a couple of beers. Wednesdays I like to watch the Thai Boxing at MBK.

Post: #1097

(12-09-2015 02:23 AM)Swell Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 11:17 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  ^Original or copy?

Original. The police want to see passport, visa and stamp.

I was taken to Thonglor Police Station, questioned and searched for drugs.

I realize you already answered Brodiaga's question, but I am curious if you had copies of the photo page, departure card, visa and entry stamp, which is what I usually carry, of your passport when stopped? I decided a long time ago that if I was ever hauled into the station and or forced to pay a fine for not carrying the original, I would rather do that than have to carry it around every time I left the apartment.

Post: #1098

I agree, I really don't to want to be carrying my passport with me but being taken to the station is an unpleasant way to end a Wednesday night.

No, I didn't have my passport with me.

Maybe the police were looking for a free English lesson?

Post: #1099

How did you get out of it? How long were you at the station?

Post: #1100

I remained calm and polite when answering the police officer questions. From the time I was stopped on the street until I left the police station took about two hours.

I have found Lumpinee Stadium and Ratchadamnoen Stadium to be out of my price range.

Does anyone on the the forum attend the MBK Fight Night? Or Channel 7 Thai Boxing?