Thailand Lounge and Chat area

[11Bravo]

Actually there is a built in translator. You have to create a group and add yourself, your friend and EN-TH translator as the 3rd friend. Any chats sent to this ID will automatically be translated.

I don't use this feature often but I have in the past for certain friends.

Thanks for the heads-up. Every now and again it seems that she will forget to change her keyboard, and here comes the message in Thai. Just a copy and paste into translator. But good to have the built-in in my back pocket.

[Houston Player]

Unfortunately, unlike WeChat, there is no built in translator function, at least what I've been able to find.

Actually there is a built in translator. You have to create a group and add yourself, your friend and EN-TH translator as the 3rd friend. Any chats sent to this ID will automatically be translated.

I don't use this feature often but I have in the past for certain friends.

[Gonz0]

Doesn't show your phone number, uses your "Display Name" in your account profile. This APPEARS to be changeable. It's been so long since I set up my account, can't remember. There is also a Line_ID that you can create, but I have never bothered. Once set, the Line_ID CAN'T be changed. If you set a permission, then others can add you as a friend by using / searching for your Line_ID. I don't use this method.

The app also creates a QR code for you. That's how I add contacts: I scan their QR code or they scan mine. ONE word of caution: IMMEDIATELY send a message or have them send you one. Nothing worse to THINK you have her contact only to find out you don't because it didn't get added for some unknown reason.

You can send friend requests and the other person has to reply. Again, I don't use, QR code is easier when you are face to face, with a message to confirm. I guess if you're moving from some board, like ThaiFriendly, then Line_ID's or phone numbers might come into play, but I don't use those boards.

Chats show up in an active list; chats can be hidden. Friends show up on a list; you can hide names from this list, then unhide. BUT, even if hidden, if they send a message, their chat will automatically display in active chats and on friends list.

What I'm trying to say, to hide chats, you have to hide in 2 places: active chat list AND friends list.

Some will have public posts that you can see: chats are private, 1 to 1. Posts are public.

Besides message chats, voice and video chats are possible, but obviously for close friends. I find message chats sufficient. Even if her English is not so good, she'll have a friend.

Unfortunately, unlike WeChat, there is no built in translator function, at least what I've been able to find.

Thanks for the detailed response and tips.

[11Bravo]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I was wondering if there would be any advantage or disadvantage, in having the Line Account linked to a Thai phone number or a foreign one.

I'm assuming that it shows your number when you contact someone.

Or would it be of no concern to anyone that I contact?

Sorry for the noob question. Especially if I am overthinking things.

Doesn't show your phone number, uses your "Display Name" in your account profile. This APPEARS to be changeable. It's been so long since I set up my account, can't remember. There is also a Line_ID that you can create, but I have never bothered. Once set, the Line_ID CAN'T be changed. If you set a permission, then others can add you as a friend by using / searching for your Line_ID. I don't use this method.

The app also creates a QR code for you. That's how I add contacts: I scan their QR code or they scan mine. ONE word of caution: IMMEDIATELY send a message or have them send you one. Nothing worse to THINK you have her contact only to find out you don't because it didn't get added for some unknown reason.

You can send friend requests and the other person has to reply. Again, I don't use, QR code is easier when you are face to face, with a message to confirm. I guess if you're moving from some board, like ThaiFriendly, then Line_ID's or phone numbers might come into play, but I don't use those boards.

Chats show up in an active list; chats can be hidden. Friends show up on a list; you can hide names from this list, then unhide. BUT, even if hidden, if they send a message, their chat will automatically display in active chats and on friends list.

What I'm trying to say, to hide chats, you have to hide in 2 places: active chat list AND friends list.

Some will have public posts that you can see: chats are private, 1 to 1. Posts are public.

Besides message chats, voice and video chats are possible, but obviously for close friends. I find message chats sufficient. Even if her English is not so good, she'll have a friend.

Unfortunately, unlike WeChat, there is no built in translator function, at least what I've been able to find.

[Gonz0]

Can set up any time. It's independent of sim card. I set mine up using my "home" sim card. Have used with home sim, 2 different Thai sims, and an OZ sim. I like having it set to my home sim as THAT one I remember and that one is registered to my Line account, along with an email and password. All the other sims are just used for data internet access. So it's NOT tied to a sim card; you have a Line "account".

Thanks for the quick reply.

I was wondering if there would be any advantage or disadvantage, in having the Line Account linked to a Thai phone number or a foreign one.

I'm assuming that it shows your number when you contact someone.

Or would it be of no concern to anyone that I contact?

Sorry for the noob question. Especially if I am overthinking things.

[11Bravo]

Is it better to wait until I have a local Thai SIM before I set up Line?

Or is it OK to set it up before arriving in Thailand?

Gonz0.

Can set up any time. It's independent of sim card. I set mine up using my "home" sim card. Have used with home sim, 2 different Thai sims, and an OZ sim. I like having it set to my home sim as THAT one I remember and that one is registered to my Line account, along with an email and password. All the other sims are just used for data internet access. So it's NOT tied to a sim card; you have a Line "account".

[Mr Enternational]

Is it better to wait until I have a local Thai SIM before I set up Line? Or is it OK to set it up before arriving in Thailand?

Line has nothing to do with which SIM you have.

[Gonz0]

Is it better to wait until I have a local Thai SIM before I set up Line?

Or is it OK to set it up before arriving in Thailand?

Gonz0.

[Pablo]

What are your thoughts on Aloft and the W Hotel? Have you stayed at those before?

Can't comment on the W Bangkok, I don't think I've ever even passed by in a taxi. I've stayed in Ws in other cities and really like them, but the issue with this one is location. I much prefer to be in the lower Sukhumvit area between the freeway and Asok. It looks like the W is a 15 minute walk to Patpong so if that's where you plan to hang out then it may be a good call.

As I wrote before, I've stayed at the Aloft my last 3 or 4 trips. The price point is great and I really like Soi 11. The rooms are nice and comfortable and most importantly the hotel feels new (or recently refurbed) and it's very clean. There's a lot of good food options on Soi 11 too from an open air food court to Oskar Bistro right across the street and other restaurants I like too. There's also 2 clubs in Aloft but I've never been. The times I've stayed there seems to be a lot of Indian customers at the clubs and the hotel if that's a factor for you, it's not for me. It's about a 10 minute walk from Aloft to Sukhumvit down a usually crowded sidewalk. To me Soi 11 just has a good fun vibe and is more normal that say Soi Nana.

As I also wrote pre-COVID I was staying at the 4 Points on Soi 15 which has a similar price point. The Aloft has more of a trendy feel but I like the 4 Points too. It's closer to Sukhumvit and Terminal 21 and Asok BTS is around the corner. It just re-opened post COVID and I'm staying there next month. I might end up switching back to Aloft.

Neither hotel has an executive lounge but both serve decent buffet breakfasts.

Also there's a Bangkok Hotels thread with more info and where this discussion should probably be.

[StreamFlyer]

What are your thoughts on Aloft and the W Hotel? Have you stayed at those before?

I'm strictly Bonvoy (Marriott) so can give some tips on where to stay. I've pretty much always stayed on Sukhumvit in my many many stays over the last 20 years or so. You did said "Budget is not a concern" but that was girls not your hotel so I don't know your budget.

The Bonvoy properties I've used outside of actual Sukhumvit are the Renaissance which I really like, and the Courtyard which is quieter but the walk to BTS can be a bit inconvenient. Both are in the Ratchaprasong shopping area. Not quiet I guess but it's not the Nana bar scene.

I guess the best is the JW on Soi 2 where I was a regular for years when someone else was paying my hotel bill. If you have Executive Lounge access the lounge on the 16th floor is great. They rotate the free food between their various restaurants and it can easily be a full dinner, and plus the free drinks at Happy Hour. But one issue is I end up spending too much time there. Location is great, as Soi 2 is way quieter than Soi Nana just 5 minute walk away. The breakfast buffet downstairs is amazing, and free if your high enough status.

At the far other end is the other really nice spot, Bangkok Marriott on Soi 57 just a block for Thong Lor, one of my favorite streets in Bangkok. This area way more upscale and not working girl oriented like the lower Suk area. The issue is it's not walking distance to Nana, Cowboy, etc, you have to use BTS from Thong Lor or a taxi if the traffic isn't bad, which it almost always seems to be. But the hotel is newer and I like it a lot.

I don't know your budget, but if you want walking distance to Nana / Cowboy and want to save a bit the 2 I've been using lately are 4 Points on Soi 15 before COVID and Aloft which is a ways down Soi 11. Four Points just re-opened and I'll be staying there again for the first time since COVID when I return next month. I used Aloft the last few trips, as the rates are great, the room is nice and clean, and I like Soi 11. Four Pts is just off Sukhumvit and Terminal 21 and Asok / Cowboy are very close, and Nana is just like a 15 minute walk. Both have OK breakfasts but neither has a lounge.

Unless there's been recent renovations and improvements I'd avoid the Sheraton Grande and Westin at Asok, both got sort of run down and I don't like the old vibe, not worth the price IMHO.

The one thing I don't know are the pools, I don't hang out at pools ever. The JW's looks nice as it's right outside their fitness center which is really nice, non guests residents pay to train there too.

This is all just my opinion but based on many nights in this area. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[Banana Boi]

What restrictions? I never heard of any new restrictions other than you need to be vaccinated again. Are there more new restrictions other than this?

Seems to have been a huge "misunderstanding". There are no restrictions whatsoever again. Only restriction is that if you are from India or China you need to show you have COVID insurance for the duration of your stay in Thailand. The reason it applies to only these 2 countries is because India and China require theirs nationals to get a negative RTPCR test before returning home.

COVID insurance is dirt cheap through AXA Thailand if you don't have any. Yes I get commission from AXA if you quote you read it here on ISG.

My source is that broken English Sawasdee Thailand girl so I could have easily misunderstood all of the above.

[Kabukicho Dojo]

With all the restrictions hitting every oncoming travelers to Thailand for (at least) all of January,

What restrictions? I never heard of any new restrictions other than you need to be vaccinated again. Are there more new restrictions other than this?

[Just Incognito]

Koh Tao / Koh Phangan have plenty of spots that openly sold weed and pills, plus many people would be selling it. As long as you weren't buying from a scammer on the beach it was fine and normal. There were "arrangements" that allowed certain places to sell the stuff easy and normal. There were plenty of stores and bars where you could walk in and buy whatever

Now, its totally legal and you can't walk down the street in Bangkok without see a weed store every block (or more) and quite high rates (its mostly imported from the US).

Great to know! I want to move there and open a dispensary / delivery service for tourists LOL.

Seriously considering 2-3 months there to see if I would live. I prefer a quieter island with weed, girls, diving and cheap cost of living. If I find that spot--its soon time to relocate!

[HorseTrader]

FYI, loud bars, crowds, and drinking is basically what Nana and Soi Cowboy and any other girlie areas or beer bars are. Like literally that's what they are.

Yes, that is true, but some are much louder or crowded than others. For example, 3 weeks ago I was blasted out at Butterflies and many other go go bars, but it wasn't nearly as bad bad at Random (2nd floor, top of stairs) or Mandarin (3rd floor with entrance on 2nd floor at top of escalator).

I find it best to walk in and out of several bars until I find one that suits my fancy at that moment. I might leave for a wide variety of reasons (too crowded, too noisy, lack of attractive girls, poor seating available).

[Cha Chumplin]

FYI, loud bars, crowds, and drinking is basically what Nana and Soi Cowboy and any other girlie areas or beer bars are. Like literally that's what they are.

Lots of Bars have no more than 3 customers at a Time. NanaPlaza up escalators there is a Random Bar. Not bad quality at all. Do I partake. No, hahaha.

Noise- it is an issue. Wear plugs of ears, helps out.

Drinks. Water is acceptable. I'm sure big profit maker for Bars.