Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=Western787;1502426]As of 5:30 pm London time, reports coming in from Bangkok. Do not sound promising. Very very troubling.[/QUOTE]Really? The last reports I read said there were significant drops in the number of protesters who continued to be peaceful. The US State Department was sending me daily updates which summarized the events and said there was no problem traveling to Thailand. As of a few days ago they stopped sending the updates. Apparently they don't think the situation is very serious.

[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1502368]Woops. I'm in Bangkok and my bank cards (both maestro) don't seem to work in any of the machines (even those that say that they accept maestro).

I'm not trying to draw above daily amounts either.

No panic at the moment. My hotel is pre paid for a few days and I had some cash to convert. But I was rather hoping to party a bit tonight and tomorrow.

Instead I am catching up on my work and sleep until I know I can replenish my cash reserves. Not the best way to spend one's first night in the LOS![/QUOTE]Sorry, what is the purpose of your posting? Recently I had blocked cards, broken or lost important items, etc but did not report, check again the purpose of the forum.

[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1502368]Woops. I'm in Bangkok and my bank cards (both maestro) don't seem to work in any of the machines (even those that say that they accept maestro).

I'm not trying to draw above daily amounts either.

No panic at the moment. My hotel is pre paid for a few days and I had some cash to convert. But I was rather hoping to party a bit tonight and tomorrow.

Instead I am catching up on my work and sleep until I know I can replenish my cash reserves. Not the best way to spend one's first night in the LOS![/QUOTE]It is only very obliquely related to the theme of this forum, but of course ready access to money is one of the elements in our hobby. After all the subtitle of this forum is "Money is the greatest aphrodisiac".

I don't know where you hail from, but since about a year European Banks have blocked debit cards for extra-European transactions. In other words: outside of Europe they will not work anymore. One is advised to use credit cards. Nevertheless if you ask it nicely, they can undo this blockage, so perhaps you can speak to your friendly banker or send them a secure email through the internet banking app.

Hi Wolvenvacht. Appreciated it was a bit tangential. But then there are lots of tangential posts on this forum!

Indeed my cards are European and I suspected that that might have been the case and will have to get on the case tomorrow or Monday.

So back to the main topic:

In the meantime I went Window shopping in Nana Plaza. Elegant Angels had the best floor shows (a bit Parisian 1930s Chic). Though Cascade on the top floor had some hot. But very pushy. Women (although some. Actually the hottest ones.were almost certainly not women). I realised I couldn't afford bar fines let alone those girls asking prices this weekend so cruised up and down the street outside and picked up this fine young girl (Tike) for an hour of intimate fun back at my place. Damage 1k Baht plus a tip. She was one of the shy ones on the block. (relatively) demurely dressed, sitting on water barrel, not really making lots of eye contact. Until I asked if she was looking for business. But she was a very good provider. Alternating between a (very) good blow job and a hand job with deep kissing. Every time I said go slower she did. So no clock watcher.

So much for the experiences of people who say the girls outside Nana Plaza won't go anywhere for less than 2-3K. Photos to follow.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht; 1502456]It is only very obliquely related to the theme of this forum, but of course ready access to money is one of the elements in our hobby. After all the subtitle of this forum is "Money is the greatest aphrodisiac".

I don't know where you hail from, but since about a year European Banks have blocked debit cards for extra-European transactions. In other words: outside of Europe they will not work anymore. One is advised to use credit cards. Nevertheless if you ask it nicely, they can undo this blockage, so perhaps you can speak to your friendly banker or send them a secure email through the internet banking app.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1502456]I don't know where you hail from, but since about a year European Banks have blocked debit cards for extra-European transactions. In other words: outside of Europe they will not work anymore.[/QUOTE]Reference? I have european debit cards and they work perfectly all over the world, expecially for atm withdrawal s. Nobody is obliged yet to use a credit card for withdrawals and take the related extra fees.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1502456]I don't know where you hail from, but since about a year European Banks have blocked debit cards for extra-European transactions. In other words: outside of Europe they will not work anymore. One is advised to use credit cards. Nevertheless if you ask it nicely, they can undo this blockage, so perhaps you can speak to your friendly banker or send them a secure email through the internet banking app.[/QUOTE]Maybe you hail from an obscure part of Europe but as far as UK banks are concerned one word. Nonsense. I have been using my debit card regularly over the last month to draw up to my daily limit.

My US Debit card works equally well.

I do inform both banks that I am travelling and not to block the access.

I have never been told to use a credit card as a generalisation. But some cards do not add as much transaction cards as others.

So if you are Brit. Don't worry.

[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1502477]Hi Wolvenvacht. Appreciated it was a bit tangential. Though Cascade on the top floor had some hot. But very pushy. Women (although some. Actually the hottest ones. Were almost certainly not women).

So much for the experiences of people who say the girls outside Nana Plaza won't go anywhere for less than 2-3K. Photos to follow.[/QUOTE]Cascade has only LB's at work, not some.

[QUOTE=Paul Kausch;1502442]Really? The last reports I read said there were significant drops in the number of protesters who continued to be peaceful. The US State Department was sending me daily updates which summarized the events and said there was no problem traveling to Thailand. As of a few days ago they stopped sending the updates. Apparently they don't think the situation is very serious.[/QUOTE]Paul,

I live in east Bangkok near where the shooting occurred yesterday & it is a heavy atmosphere, ambulances & sirens through the night. As well as the US travel info keep an eye on the UK and Australian travel advice. The latter often seem to be the fastest off the mark. I have been here through three coups & all the trouble since 2006 & it is now getting bad with both competing groups assembling en masse. The reality is this is now 2 countries not one and neither side can tolerate being governed by the other.

[QUOTE=Coconut8888; 1502394]So, to answer the question, is it safe to visit Bangkok at this time? Absolutely!

Don't cancel or postpone your trip!

Come to Bangkok and you'll have a great time![/QUOTE]Fewer tourist means more fun!

[QUOTE=Georgek;1502522]Paul I live in east Bangkok near where the shooting occurred yesterday & it is a heavy atmosphere, ambulances & sirens through the night. As well as the US travel info keep an eye on the UK and Australian travel advice. The latter often seem to be the fastest off the mark. I have been here through three coups & all the trouble since 2006 & it is now getting bad with both competing groups assembling en masse. The reality is this is now 2 countries not one and neither side can tolerate being governed by the other.[/QUOTE]The shooting is terrible.

The last news reports I read prior to my post did not mention a shooting, just dwindling numbers of protesters. Since my post I have read reports about the shooting. It will be interesting to see what the State Dept recommends in their next email; however, I take their emails with a grain of salt. Thank you for the advice to follow the UK and Australian travel alerts. Regardless, I'm not changing my travel plans; and of course I won't be heartbroken if the airport shuts down and I have to extend my stay for reasons beyond my control. It would be interesting to find myself in the middle of a story that Graham Greene could have written. Notice I write interesting, not fun. While I certainly don't want to get caught in the middle of a violent protest Bangkok is a big city and it should be possible to stay out of harms way.

I think you are correct about there being two countries. It's a problem when you have an elite old guard trying to hang on to power, a rising middle class that wants a stable country and healthy economy, and a majority of poor, uneducated people who support a populist party that gains their support by gives them a share of the spoils. No matter how many elections are held the current government, perhaps in a slightly different form will get re-elected. The opposition knows this, and the alternative is a military junta or a government appointed by the military. What a mess.

[QUOTE=Paul Kausch; 1502532]The shooting is terrible.

The last news reports I read prior to my post did not mention a shooting, just dwindling numbers of protesters. Since my post I have read reports about the shooting. It will be interesting to see what the State Dept recommends in their next email; however, I take their emails with a grain of salt. Thank you for the advice to follow the UK and Australian travel alerts. Regardless, I'm not changing my travel plans; and of course I won't be heartbroken if the airport shuts down and I have to extend my stay for reasons beyond my control. It would be interesting to find myself in the middle of a story that Graham Greene could have written. Notice I write interesting, not fun. While I certainly don't want to get caught in the middle of a violent protest Bangkok is a big city and it should be possible to stay out of harms way.

I think you are correct about there being two countries. It's a problem when you have an elite old guard trying to hang on to power, a rising middle class that wants a stable country and healthy economy, and a majority of poor, uneducated people who support a populist party that gains their support by gives them a share of the spoils. No matter how many elections are held the current government, perhaps in a slightly different form will get re-elected. The opposition knows this, and the alternative is a military junta or a government appointed by the military. What a mess.[/QUOTE]Well I think the best strategy not to become a Dead American is indeed to be a Quiet American.

The WSJ intimated that the timing of the protests may be linked to an imminent eminent death. That actually explains a lot & of course could be the catalyst for a real no holds confrontation.

Whilst the chances of a farang getting killed are statistically low I found the intimidating atmosphere across a lot of the city v unpleasant last time. My part of town contains the main entrée point for reds from the east & lower N East to enter the city and sometimes this vast surge of people literally clogs up all the roads around where I live for hours. I exited to Chiang Mai for several months last time to get away from it. That of course is the best alternative. Go to a solidly red or yellow area and life proceeds as per usual except there are less tourists. I have done some long recent trips around the North East and found it delightful, just like the Thailand I remembered from 28 years ago. Trouble in Bangkok can be a great incentive to get out and about.

Sukhumvit is quieter than usual and there is no evidence of any protestors.

Do stay away. We don't want the scaremongers frightening off the ladies.

The demonstrations & deaths are currently focussed in specific areas where the protesters are concentrated.

My area of east Sukhumvit is normal but 2 miles away last night they were shooting & killing each other as news reports show.

While certainly nobody wants scaremongers, also some of us don't want dead mongers either.

Anybody who pretends they know how this will end and when it will end is not smart but dumb.

[QUOTE=DRRonin;1502058]Was at CH last night. Maybe 40 girls of which I would say 10 were fairly nice. But have had 2 friends tell me that they were asked for 3, 000 baht st to which they said, are you crazy but the girls did not budge. This place has become very popular very quickly but I hope they don't think they can raise the standard fee to 3, 000 because if they do and get away with it other gg's will follow eventually.[/QUOTE]I paid less than 3K for ST with Min. The mamasan was a bit irritating and possibly trying to tell me the girl rates but I was not paying attention. She also wanted to mention how much was on my drink bill. Again, I am ignoring her. It doesn't seem to be her business. She did not want to add the 700 Baht BF to the bill. Appears that they are not trusting the customers in this bar at all.

Min is not a typical bargirl. Seems to be 100% honest and trustworthy, despite the myth that all bargirls are liars and cheats. Min warned me that some girls in the bar are indeed trying to cheat the customer. So if the girl tries to get you to pay up front, it could mean she has been ripped off by customers refusing to pay for the sex, or could mean she is a cheat and will run away at the first possible opportunity. Certain nationalities of customers have bad reputations for disputing the bill (bad memories or a culture thing?) , and others for ripping off the girl. Guys from the USA enjoy the very best reputation (I am not from there) for fairness, honesty and avoiding foul language. I could practise my American accent. I can even speak Thai with a funny American like accent LOL. Not sure if Americans can be picked by the way they dress, but its wise not to dress too sloppy and make sure you are clean. Sweaty singlets is not a good look. Typically Singaporeans, Koreans, and Japanese can be picked by dress style I am told.

Today peaceful protest in Siam by the BTS Siam Paragon Closed and some stores around.

But all MP open but quite from reports.