General Reports

[Banana Boi]

Due to numerous conflicts of schedule my travel plans to Thailand this year may bring me over the Songkran dates in either BKK or Pattaya. I would like to obtain an objective review of what to expect during this Thai New Year festival from those who may have experienced it. Therefore, I would really appreciate any response posted or PM on this topic. I enjoy fun like everyone else but if there are water fights "everywhere and all the time" it may put a damper on the holiday- thanks in advance.

You may want to do a search for "songkran" in the various cities for more information. The key piece of information if you are trying to avoid Songkran is that Songkran in Pattaya lasts for 7 days, not 3 days like Bangkok.

I've never been to Songkran in Bangkok but certainly have in Pattaya. If you plan to hobby on Walking Street, LK Metro, Soi Buakhao, Soi 6, Beach Road, Soi 25, etc. be prepared to get soaked day and night for 1 week. Don't even think about riding a baht bus. It's like they have a huge target on them. I don't mind it for a few hours but it wears thin on me. Last April was the first time I bought a super strong accurate squirt gun that I could keep in my shorts. If some guy shot me for no reason at all I went after him until he retreated to his hole. Consider a ziploc pouch if your phone is sensitive to buckets of water thrown on it. Pro tip. Dry wick clothing helps. Use fat Farang as your shield.

[Diglerni]

Due to numerous conflicts of schedule my travel plans to Thailand this year may bring me over the Songkran dates in either BKK or Pattaya. I would like to obtain an objective review of what to expect during this Thai New Year festival from those who may have experienced it. Therefore, I would really appreciate any response posted or PM on this topic. I enjoy fun like everyone else but if there are water fights "everywhere and all the time" it may put a damper on the holiday- thanks in advance.

Been there for it. I'll simply put it this way. If you are easily upset by water thrown at you, then you might want to consider not going to the areas where you would be getting girls. I don't like fireworks, but it's part of the 4th of July, so hard to be mad if f you are going to someone else's country and get mad at their celebration. Don't wear cloths you're not comfortable getting soaked. Put your phone in something water resistant and enjoy the celebration. It's actually pretty fun and the bar girls are actually in a good mood. Just my thoughts.

[StLouisMo2010]

Due to numerous conflicts of schedule my travel plans to Thailand this year may bring me over the Songkran dates in either BKK or Pattaya. I would like to obtain an objective review of what to expect during this Thai New Year festival from those who may have experienced it. Therefore, I would really appreciate any response posted or PM on this topic. I enjoy fun like everyone else but if there are water fights "everywhere and all the time" it may put a damper on the holiday- thanks in advance.

[MixedSalad07]

Had 8 sessions in Thailand. Most were in Bangkok. Am posting in the general thread since there are so many sub threads. The bkk thread can be more commentary than reports but do want to "give back". Didn't break new ground but will share nonetheless. Will rank my experience from worst to best. Mostly paid "market" prices stated on the forum.

Noey. Bangkok Dreams - 2 H incall $$.

Pretty lame expoerence. I wanted Bania who is reviewed on a another thread but her agency told me she had diarrhea, so was unavailable. Booked via smoochi. Had a bad attitude to start that she blamed on bkk traffic. Was sore from overtraining at the gym. Very inactive. Nice enough but a dud. YMMV.

Take out from Thermamae. $.

Nothing too exciting but went out of convince and not having the energy see what else was available. My first action in BKK this trip so just wanted to get off some steam. No BBBJ or CBJ! Didn't negotiate services but didn't expect much for the price (2 k).

BBBJ and COF at 7 Heaven $.

Tried this one out of curiosity. Pick the services off the menu and the girl off a tablet. Service was precise and pro. Almost like getting an oil change. The girls who were unattended seemed super concerned for privacy. They covered their faces when I walked by which made me think they were more local (from Bangkok) but I really don't know. Was a decent change and seemed like something I'the try more often if I lived in the area.

MP Soi 23 $.

Darker skinned Thai with some curves caught my attention. Big butt, big boobs (enhanced). English was a little too good in other words too pro but she had my attention. Agreed to come to my hotel. Nice session, but no BBBJ. Boob job was recent and weren't as appealing with the clothes off. Body was still nice and was able to work with it.

Daisy Dreams $ Nuru session.

Was curious about the nuru massage. My 1st time. Wasn't that exciting for me but maybe was do to the SP. Was my 2nd trip to DD. Originally chose one girl from the line up but changed last minute. She was literally a clock watcher, but I gave her a pop on the bum when she looked up at the time. She did seem tired so maybe had to do with me coming later in the day. Still had a decent enough session.

MP near Marriot Marquis $.

Picked the best body / face / attitude combo out the line up. Didn't disappoint. Lady seemed a bit on the older side (relatively) but had a tight strong body. Excellent session.

Daisy Dream $ oil session.

This was my first visit. One with a great smile was on my short lists. Some other Asian patrons were choosing before me. They were deliberating and the mamasan asked me while they were still thinking. I was quick to make my selection. Did not disappoint. Great attitude and skills. Cute, decent body. Maybe wish I had repeated when I went back.

Suzy Wong's (Phuket) $$.

The night started slow but lasted a while. Had a mix of civilian and borderline FKK action in addition to the dancers. Eventually took 1 of the 2 girls who entertained for the eventing to the room upstairs for a session. It was pricey but after all the build up there was no way I wasn't going to get a release. Legit had a great experience and it was a lot of fun. No regrets. I think I would easily session with 95% of the girls there, while I've walked out of other places because the selection wasn't up to par.

Crazy House $$.

Had went earlier in my trip but wasn't sure of how things worked. Returned with the intention of bar fining. Saw a girl with a great natural figure on stage when I waked in. Small natural breasts with wide hips and a phenomenal backside. Her dancing on stage wasn't great but her looks made up for it, she said she was fairly new to that place, who knows but seemed legit. She was very eager to please once back at the hotel. Great experience.

YMMV but just wanted to contribute back to the forum. Stay safe.

[EihTooms]

Thank you our most esteemed senior members for you wise and sage advice. I am a history buff, of sorts, and would like to spend as much time at the museums as possible. Your suggestions are very helpful and I have a couple of months to check things out.

These are some of the tours I found online and want to know if you two had any comments or opinions on them:

https://www.asia-discovery.com/trave...-pass-tour.htm

https://www.getyourguide.com/bangkok...-tour-t193535/

https://www.takemetour.com/trip/join...i-one-day-tour

Again, thank you for your advice.

You're welcome. Go for it. I hiked through all those sites featured in the photos, walked down a portion of the Hellfire Pass, walked along the train tracks, stopped by the cemetery and so on, but did not take an official tour. However, I was with a Thai girlfriend, her brother, sister and a couple of other Thai friends in their SUV so they already knew the area, how to get there, mostly where to go. The train ride looks fun. We didn't do that.

Again, maybe I am in a small minority but going through that WWII museum that is not even featured in those pics was the highlight of the visit for me. It was the one thing I think I could have spent 2 hours exploring but might not have been able to spend that much time in an official tour. It is almost as though they'd just as soon not many people know about it and go to that museum or spend much time there. They want you to walk around outside instead. LOL. I mean, they can't throw the stuff away, but there seemed to be little effort at keeping it up. Some of those helmets and weaponry (hundreds of items) were in a cage as though they were tossed in there right off the battlefield 75 years ago. For me it was a surprisingly powerful historical experience.

[Rodwint2]

Imo, if you are a WWII history buff the museum is very much worth exploring. I might even say it us a Must See if you are in the area. Go deep into the various rooms on all levels. Japanese generals' limos, uniforms, weapons, a hunk of the original bridge, amazing photos, etc.

While there were crowds of tourists around the corner gawking and photo opping at the latest incarnation of the bridge that might not have even been there at the time, there were maybe 5 people in the museum. Many people walked into the courtyard area, looked at the train engine and left, as though that was all there was to it. They missed a lot.

To me it was strange that they did not really highlight or tout that museum very much. With signage and arrows I mean. We had to ask 2-3 shop owners a block away from it where it was. And they weren't even that sure. Lol. I had to call out to summon someone to sell us a ticket (50 baht or something like that.)

It is a very short, easy walk around the corner from the current bridge location, btw.

Thank you our most esteemed senior members for you wise and sage advice. I am a history buff, of sorts, and would like to spend as much time at the museums as possible. Your suggestions are very helpful and I have a couple of months to check things out.

These are some of the tours I found online and want to know if you two had any comments or opinions on them:

https://www.asia-discovery.com/trave...-pass-tour.htm

https://www.getyourguide.com/bangkok...-tour-t193535/

https://www.takemetour.com/trip/join...i-one-day-tour

Again, thank you for your advice.

[EihTooms]

IMHO these are one of the most boring tours going, for the cemetery, train line, etc. The original bridge location may not be visited. The museum is more worthwhile if the tour goes there. There is actually more than one museum. Tours may do just one.

https://www.riverkwairesotel.net/bes...tural-history/

National Park bit would interest me too but tours don't do that I think. I liked Erawan falls park walking but tours don't do that normally.

If was me, I might travel there and organise my own private tour to do my priorities, rather than be with a bus load on a boring tour. I have done many private tours in Thailand over the years. Sometimes difficult to persuade the mini van operators to go to where I want to go rather than the commercial easy places. One example is in Mae Hong Son you want to do the calcite cave Tham Kaeo Komol (amazing best cave in Thailand by the length of the strait) in Mae La Noi district but it is a long trip, and tours normally do boring limestone bat-shit filled caves.

Depends on personal preference what people like. I like more nature oriented trips usually.

Hotels can help you find a driver/guide who will go to the places you desire.

Imo, if you are a WWII history buff the museum is very much worth exploring. I might even say it us a Must See if you are in the area. Go deep into the various rooms on all levels. Japanese generals' limos, uniforms, weapons, a hunk of the original bridge, amazing photos, etc.

While there were crowds of tourists around the corner gawking and photo opping at the latest incarnation of the bridge that might not have even been there at the time, there were maybe 5 people in the museum. Many people walked into the courtyard area, looked at the train engine and left, as though that was all there was to it. They missed a lot.

To me it was strange that they did not really highlight or tout that museum very much. With signage and arrows I mean. We had to ask 2-3 shop owners a block away from it where it was. And they weren't even that sure. Lol. I had to call out to summon someone to sell us a ticket (50 baht or something like that.)

It is a very short, easy walk around the corner from the current bridge location, btw.

[Syzygies]

I have always wanted to go on the River Kwai Tour that goes to the cemetery, museum, memorial, Hellfire Pass, the train ride and the National Park. Has anyone had any experience with a good tour company? I prefer a small group of less than 5, so the vehicle used will not be a Toyota van stuffed with 15 tourists, that was hell for one day. The pricing I have seen is all over the place from $40 to nearly $300, but the average is around $150. Thanks for any suggestions, comments, or recommendations!

IMHO these are one of the most boring tours going, for the cemetery, train line, etc. The original bridge location may not be visited. The museum is more worthwhile if the tour goes there. There is actually more than one museum. Tours may do just one.

https://www.riverkwairesotel.net/bes...tural-history/

National Park bit would interest me too but tours don't do that I think. I liked Erawan falls park walking but tours don't do that normally.

If was me, I might travel there and organise my own private tour to do my priorities, rather than be with a bus load on a boring tour. I have done many private tours in Thailand over the years. Sometimes difficult to persuade the mini van operators to go to where I want to go rather than the commercial easy places. One example is in Mae Hong Son you want to do the calcite cave Tham Kaeo Komol (amazing best cave in Thailand by the length of the strait) in Mae La Noi district but it is a long trip, and tours normally do boring limestone bat-shit filled caves.

Depends on personal preference what people like. I like more nature oriented trips usually.

Hotels can help you find a driver/guide who will go to the places you desire.

[Mr Enternational]

I have always wanted to go on the River Kwai Tour that goes to the cemetery, museum, memorial, Hellfire Pass, the train ride and the National Park. Has anyone had any experience with a good tour company? I prefer a small group of less than 5, so the vehicle used will not be a Toyota van stuffed with 15 tourists, that was hell for one day. The pricing I have seen is all over the place from $40 to nearly $300, but the average is around $150. Thanks for any suggestions, comments, or recommendations!

Where did you get these prices? The best prices for tours will be when you go to the tour desk at the hotel. As far as if they are taking you on donkeyback or helicoptor, you are on your own with that. Rent a taxi and make your own tour if you have a problem with the transportation mode.

[Rodwint2]

I have always wanted to go on the River Kwai Tour that goes to the cemetery, museum, memorial, Hellfire Pass, the train ride and the National Park. Has anyone had any experience with a good tour company? I prefer a small group of less than 5, so the vehicle used will not be a Toyota van stuffed with 15 tourists, that was hell for one day. The pricing I have seen is all over the place from $40 to nearly $300, but the average is around $150. Thanks for any suggestions, comments, or recommendations!

[Kerrstar]

I got a good recommendation from the Hua Hin thread for a taxi from the airport which l think I will use.

I've been there 3 times, always with my family. It's a nice place if you just want to laze by the pool / beach. I was there in Sept for the first time in 5 years and I was really surprised at how many new bars and restaurants there were.

[Goatscrot]

So what beach place would you recommend that is better than so so?

Go one more hour south to Prachuap Kiri Khan. Great town. And Ao Manao beach is wonderful. It's not a tourist town either. I'm not a beach guy, but I love Prachuap.

[Ralph Kramden]

Wow. No criteria. Mini Van is quite reasonable, as is bus from Southern Bus terminal, train would be a lot smoother (in my experience of general Thai travel), but will take longer. Traffic can be heavy, so think about time of day to go if by road. I recall a rather tortuous return to Bangkok by bus from Chumpon (although that is a lot further away like double the duration) in afternoon / evening.

I have also been to Cha Am and Hua Hin by bus from Southern Bus terminal and was quite okay Since maybe a 3 hour trip, can't remember exactly.

Taxi is also feasible if you are happy to pay a fair bit more, for your extra comfort.

Train travel normally needs to be booked in advance of day of travel, probably because those that know find it much nicer than road travel, assuming not in 3rd class. In a train there is a far lower chance of being in an accident. Ha ha.

Not sure I understand the popularity of Hua Hin. As a beech destination there are a lot of Rocky areas and a lot of monkeys. Cha Am better but still so so for me. Yes its much quieter than Pattaya. Mongering is probably weak but at least there is some. There is a cave in Phetburi and a cable car but its not that special. Maybe Hua Hin is for golfers. Not a priority destination for me on any criteria. O.K. for those who want to get away from Bangkok but not go very far.

Thank you Syzygies I knew I could count on you for a detailed reply. I got a good recommendation from the Hua Hin thread for a taxi from the airport which l think I will use. I have no specific purpose there except for are & are for three days. I chose a beach front hotel north of the city with a lower rate and may venture into the city once or twice. I will be in BKK for the front and back half of my trip and will monger there. Cheers.

[Mr Enternational]

Not sure I understand the popularity of Hua Hin. As a beech destination there are a lot of Rocky areas and a lot of monkeys. Cha Am better but still so so for me.

So what beach place would you recommend that is better than so so?

[Syzygies]

Hi Gents.

I posted this in the Hua Hin thread too just in case anyone with a recommendation missed it here. Would someone please recommend the best way to go from BKK to Hua Hin.

Wow. No criteria. Mini Van is quite reasonable, as is bus from Southern Bus terminal, train would be a lot smoother (in my experience of general Thai travel), but will take longer. Traffic can be heavy, so think about time of day to go if by road. I recall a rather tortuous return to Bangkok by bus from Chumpon (although that is a lot further away like double the duration) in afternoon / evening.

I have also been to Cha Am and Hua Hin by bus from Southern Bus terminal and was quite okay Since maybe a 3 hour trip, can't remember exactly.

Taxi is also feasible if you are happy to pay a fair bit more, for your extra comfort.

Train travel normally needs to be booked in advance of day of travel, probably because those that know find it much nicer than road travel, assuming not in 3rd class. In a train there is a far lower chance of being in an accident. Ha ha.

Not sure I understand the popularity of Hua Hin. As a beech destination there are a lot of Rocky areas and a lot of monkeys. Cha Am better but still so so for me. Yes its much quieter than Pattaya. Mongering is probably weak but at least there is some. There is a cave in Phetburi and a cable car but its not that special. Maybe Hua Hin is for golfers. Not a priority destination for me on any criteria. O.K. for those who want to get away from Bangkok but not go very far.