Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=Paolo99;2778694]If you like to eat around Emquartier there's a good small Japanese restaurant named "Nagoya Champon" down the PhromPong BTS, on the right hand side if you walk towards soi 24/1.

They've got a very good soup with noodles, vegetables and sea food that I never found anywhere else.

And for the buffet near Sukhumvit, there's "Best Beef" near OnNut BTS but it's crowded.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2778796]Not sure if they're still open after COVID but there's always Shabushi and Oishi in Bangkok. Otherwise there are the usual hotel buffets but they're rather dull.

An alternative to a buffet in Bangkok is to go to Pier 21 in Terminal 21, choose 4 restaurants and order 5 items off each menu. 20 items x 40-60 baht = 800-1200 baht. That's way more food than 2 people can finish and only 400-600 baht per person. You'll also be the envy of all the cute Thai girls eating there. Invite a few to your table they'll likely join you.[/QUOTE]All added to my list!

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;2778907]A number of posters have said a huge percentage of TF girls are freelancers, I agree with you that many are not freelancers. I would say most are not, but it depends on your location and age range. I agree that a large percentage of girls age 18-32 in Pattaya are freelancers.

Line is definitely the most popular app for video chatting. WhatsApp is probably #2. I recommend video chat with everyone before you make an appointment. It's easy for a ladyboy or ugly girl to look good in a filtered still picture, but difficult to look and sound good in video. Pay attention to voice. 2 or 3 minutes of video chat will tell a lot. If she refuses to video chat, I suggest moving to the next profile.[/QUOTE]I haven't had a whole lot of success on TF. Only replies I've gotten are from IG models trying to grow their social media. Maybe I'm too picky, Idk.

[QUOTE=11Bravo;2778958]Takes me 13 + 7 with a layover in Seoul. Frequent flier benefits, even though I'm flying back of the bus, I can use the business class lounge. A real perk from Asiana. But I don't go for anything less than a month.[/QUOTE]How does Asiana compare to United or Thai Air? This is my first time using Asiana. I got a FF ticket and long layover as well.

[QUOTE=LuckyNuts;2778898]Thanks for the food recs guys and the eatigo app too. I'll definitely give that a try. There's a renowned Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, Lotus of Siam, and when I lived there a few years ago they offered an amazing lunch buffet. I was spoiled eating there weekly and unfortunately that buffet ended after a couple years. Maybe the hotel buffets are the closest to that so I'll look around.

I've been messaging lots of the Thai Friendly girls to learn which ones are "freelancers". It's been a lower percentage than I expected but I still have a good long list of potentials. I'd prefer to video chat with them before setting up the meeting. Does Line allow that or what is the most used (by Thais) app for video chat?

Hey Steve that's exactly what I'm doing. Flying to Portugal tomorrow and then on to BKK next week. That 13 hour time change is a killer so I'm breaking it in half.[/QUOTE]Couple of good restaurants in the DONKI mall on top floor as well.

Also, Niku Sho is good for Yaki Niku.

Long time lurker. I've learned quite a bit from this forum. I tend to do a lot of research before immersing myself into the mongering scene and it was quite insightful. I've been in Bangkok for 2 weeks and I have to say this is an amazing city. You can never get bored here, there's always something interest around the corner.

I'm traveling with non-mongering friends so I have to find time to disappear and attend my extra curricular activities. Hit with tourist curiosity, my friends wanted to go see Nana plaza and Soi cowboy so bad and I took the opportunity to do some scouting for myself. We went in-between Christmas and New years and I have to say the scene was bad. Barely any lookers at Soi and too many guys looking. At Nana, it was the opposite lots of girls and almost no guys which made you feel weird being the only non dancers in the bar. Like 11 Brave said, the only interesting place was Geisha. Every single bar at Nana had girls barely swaying side to side (do they even know how to dance) except for Geisha where the girls seemed to actually be enjoying themselves. They have a shower show right on the stage and girls are actually dancing to the music (I wouldn't say like a strip club but at least they were moving). All in all I know I went at the worst possible time but I don't think the gogo bar scene is my thing. I understand the appeal of talking up a girl and buying her drinks and then bringing her home but I got too much social anxiety to do all that work. My preference is calling up an escort and having them come to my room but due to hiding my mongering activities from my friends I have to resort to the next best thing: massage parlours and BJ bars.

7-heaven was my first choice to break the ice. I've read great reviews from this place and that was my first mistake. I let my guard down and I didn't plan ahead by booking someone with great reviews. I arrived and was given 4 options and the assistant wasn't of much help in making a decision so I took a chance with Patty. She wasn't bad looking just less then what the photos they give you show. I have to give props to the cleaning, they are very thorough so if that was a question mark for some of you fear not. The lacking part was the service itself. She tried really hard to make me finish in 5 min. I was confused I though I paid for like 40 minutes lets slow down a bit but she didn't. I thought that was annoying no foreplay and she was making those fake pornstar noises. I have this mini super power where I can control when I cum so I didn't relent that fast but after 15 minutes I was just done with the service and unloaded in her mouth. I'm kinda disappointed with my first experience but they can't all be winners. I plan on going back at least one more time but book ahead this time. I know Lin is highly recommended but any of you guys have more recommendations from 7-heaven?

Also TSG sideline has been mentioned here a couple of times and it peaked my interested because the girls are beautiful and the price are really cheap. The cheap price is also why I'm on the fence with the service. Anyone that used this service, what's the catch? Are the girls so heavily photoshopped that they are ugly?

Can't wait to try out new services and report back.

[QUOTE=CaliGuy33;2778843]Plenty of bars in the Nana / Asok area. I'd stay in my room and try and stream the games if I were you.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BillBuxton;2778667]Are the taxi drivers any good or limited in English? I do have google translate on my phone I hope this will help with getting where I need to go.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2779017]How does Asiana compare to United or Thai Air? This is my first time using Asiana. I got a FF ticket and long layover as well.[/QUOTE]I like Asiana, but these days its Korea going over and who knows coming back. Thai is meh.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2779017]How does Asiana compare to United or Thai Air? This is my first time using Asiana. I got a FF ticket and long layover as well.[/QUOTE]I ONLY fly Asiana, except when they don't fly a leg I need.

I stopped flying American carriers when I retired and that was 15 years ago, though I did have to fly United 3 years ago on a repatriation flight. Best thing about that flight was that it was mostly empty. My gripe with American carriers are they are staffed based on seniority, and the SENIORS bid on the long haul routes as they don't have to work that much; couple of meals, drinks service, then free to read a book, knit, etc. for the rest of the flight. Asian carriers have (or used to have) an age limit for on-board staff; the Asian mentality, younger workers are more energetic and work harder. Good service even if back of the plane. Every hour or two, cabin crew will make a pass just to see if anyone needs anything. I'll fly twice the time on Asiana rather than take a direct route on an American carrier (though I do fly back of the bus). Other reasons too, see below.

Just flew Thai. Nice, but they've fallen a long way. Still beats United. I'm lucky, I NEVER have to fly US domestic.

The great thing about Asiana are their FF plans (definitely sign up). 20,000 miles in [B]2[/B] years gets you gold, 40,000 in [B]2[/B] diamond (which is gold on other Star Alliance airlines). Lasts for 2 years, so with a couple of trans-pacific flights a year, easy to maintain. Gold should get you a complementary business lounge pass in transit. Diamond gets you your own check-in line (otherwise you can use business class line), lounge access [U]pre-departure[/U], early boarding (with business class regardless of flight class), lounge access in transit, priority baggage handling. Asiana nice enough to grandfather me a couple of years during pandemic.

If your long layover is in Incheon, you're in luck, great airport. In terminal 2, Asiana business class lounges on 2nd floor. Some decent food and drink, though the hot food can go quick (as do the massage chairs if they still have). Airport itself USED to have free showers. LIkewise, the [I]common[/I] areas have quiet rooms (reclining chairs) and sleeping areas (mattresses on floor) in a dimly lit room. The business class lounges close at 23:00?, open at 6:00?, so I have made use of the sleeping areas (even if lounge was open, go find a mat, sleep for a number of hours, then back to the lounge for [I]breakfast[/I]). If you have a long layover, but don't have lounge access, there is a pay-to-use lounge, Hub I believe. $25 USD gets you 4 hours, decent food, free drinks, less crowded than the business class lounges. Haven't needed to use it for a number of years, but before I made my [I]rank[/I], worth it to me (pay 3 USD for a coke in the terminal itself, or $25 to stuff myself). They do offer guided tours if you have a long layover, but have never availed myself of those (have seen Seoul).

Unfortunately, Asiana is being absorbed by Korean Airlines, more stringent FF levels.

But a really nice ride while it lasts. If flying an A380, sit upper deck, config is 2-4-2, while lower deck is 3-4-3.

[QUOTE=StreamFlyer;2778968]Hey all,

I was reading about Schwab card and it seems like that is the correct way to go about things now.

Will I get the same amount of Bhat out if I withdrew $500 of Bhat out in the ATM versus if I exchanged $500 Bhat at SuperRich? If the amounts are going to be similar after I get my ATM refund, I feel that there is no need to carry big wads of cash around, and also have to worry about trying to find the nearest Money Exchange shop near by.[/QUOTE]I'd say a better rate via Schwab, certainly not worse. MUCH easier to use an ATM and you don't have to worry about unaccepted currency bills. Even though Schwab does refund the fees, I still take a maximum amount from an ATM as the ATM fee is a set fee, NOT based on the withdrawal amount. Call me naive, but I don't want to nickle and dime Schwab to death (though to test a new card, I do take $20 from a local ATM just to ensure all is well). Even if it was a lesser rate, and we're talking fractions of a baht, the convenience is worth it to me.

[QUOTE=11Bravo;2779155]I'd say a better rate via Schwab, certainly not worse. MUCH easier to use an ATM and you don't have to worry about unaccepted currency bills. Even though Schwab does refund the fees, I still take a maximum amount from an ATM as the ATM fee is a set fee, NOT based on the withdrawal amount. Call me naive, but I don't want to nickle and dime Schwab to death (though to test a new card, I do take $20 from a local ATM just to ensure all is well). Even if it was a lesser rate, and we're talking fractions of a baht, the convenience is worth it to me.[/QUOTE]You're not naive but just doing the right thing. Do unto others as they do unto you. Schwab does us right.

[QUOTE=Steve9696;2778864]Key to this is don't do it as one continuous journey. If headed East bound stay overnight in London or Frankfurt. This has many benefits:

Considerably less exhausting.

Check out the scene both London and Frankfurt have awesome girl options.

It's LESS expensive. Book separate round trip to London from home and separate RT from London to Bangkok. Guaranteed to be less expensive than the complete round trip. Even with hotels. Seriously. I do it all the time.[/QUOTE]I use airline points so for me it's less points booking it as one itinerary.

I have done Frankfurt on the way back from Thailand as I like to stop over somewhere in Europe. Post Covid hotels in Europe are too expensive for my taste so I avoid Europe for now, just so much more value in South East Asia.

[QUOTE=11Bravo;2779155]I'd say a better rate via Schwab, certainly not worse. MUCH easier to use an ATM and you don't have to worry about unaccepted currency bills. Even though Schwab does refund the fees, I still take a maximum amount from an ATM as the ATM fee is a set fee, NOT based on the withdrawal amount. Call me naive, but I don't want to nickle and dime Schwab to death (though to test a new card, I do take $20 from a local ATM just to ensure all is well). Even if it was a lesser rate, and we're talking fractions of a baht, the convenience is worth it to me.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the intel Bravo! That's good to know. Are any ATM's okay? Or do you go specifically to the ATM's right next to the the Banks?

[QUOTE=11Bravo;2779152]I ONLY fly Asiana, except when they don't fly a leg I need.

I stopped flying American carriers when I retired and that was 15 years ago, though I did have to fly United 3 years ago on a repatriation flight. Best thing about that flight was that it was mostly empty. My gripe with American carriers are they are staffed based on seniority, and the SENIORS bid on the long haul routes as they don't have to work that much; couple of meals, drinks service, then free to read a book, knit, etc. for the rest of the flight. Asian carriers have (or used to have) an age limit for on-board staff; the Asian mentality, younger workers are more energetic and work harder. Good service even if back of the plane. Every hour or two, cabin crew will make a pass just to see if anyone needs anything. I'll fly twice the time on Asiana rather than take a direct route on an American carrier (though I do fly back of the bus). Other reasons too, see below.

Just flew Thai. Nice, but they've fallen a long way. Still beats United. I'm lucky, I NEVER have to fly US domestic.

The great thing about Asiana are their FF plans (definitely sign up). 20,000 miles in [B]2[/B] years gets you gold, 40,000 in [B]2[/B] diamond (which is gold on other Star Alliance airlines). Lasts for 2 years, so with a couple of trans-pacific flights a year, easy to maintain. Gold should get you a complementary business lounge pass in transit. Diamond gets you your own check-in line (otherwise you can use business class line), lounge access [U]pre-departure[/U], early boarding (with business class regardless of flight class), lounge access in transit, priority baggage handling. Asiana nice enough to grandfather me a couple of years during pandemic.

If your long layover is in Incheon, you're in luck, great airport. In terminal 2, Asiana business class lounges on 2nd floor. Some decent food and drink, though the hot food can go quick (as do the massage chairs if they still have). Airport itself USED to have free showers. LIkewise, the [I]common[/I] areas have quiet rooms (reclining chairs) and sleeping areas (mattresses on floor) in a dimly lit room. The business class lounges close at 23:00?, open at 6:00?, so I have made use of the sleeping areas (even if lounge was open, go find a mat, sleep for a number of hours, then back to the lounge for [I]breakfast[/I]). If you have a long layover, but don't have lounge access, there is a pay-to-use lounge, Hub I believe. $25 USD gets you 4 hours, decent food, free drinks, less crowded than the business class lounges. Haven't needed to use it for a number of years, but before I made my [I]rank[/I], worth it to me (pay 3 USD for a coke in the terminal itself, or $25 to stuff myself). They do offer guided tours if you have a long layover, but have never availed myself of those (have seen Seoul).

Unfortunately, Asiana is being absorbed by Korean Airlines, more stringent FF levels.

But a really nice ride while it lasts. If flying an A380, sit upper deck, config is 2-4-2, while lower deck is 3-4-3.[/QUOTE]I really appreciate the detailed info on the airline and lounge. I got a million mile status on United and a lifetime Red Carpet membership, so I am stuck with United until I die. I don't travel much now days so I just look forward to my leisure travel in my retirement. I had some reservations about Asiana, but your review relieves my concerns and I can look forward to a nice flight. I do have a tight connection of 85 minutes going over, so I hope there isn't any problems with that.

Again, thanks for the information!

[QUOTE=11Bravo;2779155]I'd say a better rate via Schwab, certainly not worse. MUCH easier to use an ATM and you don't have to worry about unaccepted currency bills. Even though Schwab does refund the fees, I still take a maximum amount from an ATM as the ATM fee is a set fee, NOT based on the withdrawal amount. Call me naive, but I don't want to nickle and dime Schwab to death (though to test a new card, I do take $20 from a local ATM just to ensure all is well). Even if it was a lesser rate, and we're talking fractions of a baht, the convenience is worth it to me.[/QUOTE]This is easy enough to check. Just withdraw 10 k baht from Schwab. See how many USD are withdrawn from your account. Compare the rate you're getting to the posted one at Superrich.

I know if the ATM ate my card in Thailand, I wouldn't be in a very good place without cash on hand. It'd be different if credit cards were widely accepted, but cash is still king in Thailand, especially for your day to day purchases. The more you pull out your card, the more risk you take on for theft, skimmers, etc. . .

[QUOTE=L00PY;2779224]This is easy enough to check. Just withdraw 10 k baht from Schwab. See how many USD are withdrawn from your account. Compare the rate you're getting to the posted one at Superrich.

I know if the ATM ate my card in Thailand, I wouldn't be in a very good place without cash on hand. It'd be different if credit cards were widely accepted, but cash is still king in Thailand, especially for your day to day purchases. The more you pull out your card, the more risk you take on for theft, skimmers, etc. . .[/QUOTE]MYSELF, I can't be bothered with comparing rates. I'm happy with the Schwab card and the convenience it provides. The only thing I check is the reimbursement at the end of the month, and I don't bother comparing rates there (ATM fee on day n) with end-of-month reimbursement rate. Yes, in a month it can certainly change (as currently), but for me, close enough for government work. MY time is valuable too.

Good point about the more you use, the greater risk of problems. I do try and use ATM's inside of banks, though in writing, I just realized that some that seem to be [I]inside[/I] are actually outside the actual bank office itself, but given I use mostly in the early afternoon, hopefully any problems have been found. I do check for skimmers and shield my entry. Soothes my heart at least. I do carry my bank's ATM card as backup, along with a secondary bank's ATM card just because redundancy is king. Due to THEIR fees, hopefully never have to use, but they are there. As someone else recently posted, actually not a simple matter of getting a card replaced, jumping through all the hoops.

[QUOTE=ElFlaco172;2779054]I know Lin is highly recommended but any of you guys have more recommendations from 7-heaven?[/QUOTE]I went in once and Pui was pretty good. She seemed like she'd had one too many espressos, but the overall experience was enjoyable. It was definitely less than 40 minutes, but I figured speed keeps girls and rooms available, so their approach makes sense business wise. Not sure about other BJ bars because I'm yet to go.

[QUOTE=ElFlaco172;2779054]Also TSG sideline has been mentioned here a couple of times and it peaked my interested because the girls are beautiful and the price are really cheap. The cheap price is also why I'm on the fence with the service. Anyone that used this service, what's the catch? Are the girls so heavily photoshopped that they are ugly?[/QUOTE]I'm in love with Sideline. In my limited experience, I've found that almost none of the photos to be indicative of the final product. How old or edited the photos are is difficult to know until you show up or try video chatting. Video chatting is too much work for me and I'm not sure if they have apps that can apply a filter, so I've been gambling. I've gone to 3 girls so far.

- the first was a good 10 kg heavier than her photo, but she was kinda cute and the view of the CIM finish was enough to keep me satisfied.

- the second looked very close to her photo. Fit body and excellent riding and BJ skills! She was very assertive and it's probably the first time I was comfortable not taking the lead at all during the encounter.

- the third had had a lot of work done since her photo or just edited the photo so you couldn't tell. Lips, boobs and enough Botox for 2 lifetimes. She was very nice though and didn't charge extra for CIM after some exceptional service, so it was easy to overlook. She kept the lighting dim and had blue fairy lights around the headboard. The blue light reflecting off of her makeup made it feel like a stylized music video and was a neat visual experience IMO.

As a fellow longtime lurker, I like Sideline Massage Parlors Outcall Escorts (smooci has the best photos and reviews, I've tried 2 others but the price is not worth the gamble IMO) Soapies (pretty but the acting is worse than WWE not to mention the bedroom skills).

I still haven't been to Nana or Cowboy yet. The task has seemed a little daunting for a solo traveller and I'm usually running low on energy later into the night. I think being high energy and sociable is the most conducive state for that scene, so maybe this weekend.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2779218]I really appreciate the detailed info on the airline and lounge. I got a million mile status on United and a lifetime Red Carpet membership, so I am stuck with United until I die. I don't travel much now days so I just look forward to my leisure travel in my retirement. I had some reservations about Asiana, but your review relieves my concerns and I can look forward to a nice flight. I do have a tight connection of 85 minutes going over, so I hope there isn't any problems with that.

Again, thanks for the information![/QUOTE]Million mile status? Lifetime Red Carpet? Just call me [I]Junior[/I][S]...[/S].

Not to alarm you, but, that is a tight connection and I speak from experience, my own 85 minute connection. Just my last trip, last November, incoming flight late by 30 minutes, and even as the A380 was still taxiing to the gate, the onward flight was boarding (boarding starts about 50 minutes before departure time), AND I was sitting in the last section on the incoming flight. Long time to taxi, LONG time to deplane. I'd given up hope, next flight was 19 hours later, and as I emerged from the jetway, looked at the crowd of other missed connection passengers. BUT to my relief, there was a handwritten sign saying the onward flight was being held for 30 minutes. ALL RIGHT.

Be aware at Incheon, you have to pass through security x-ray in transit (assumed dirty in). It can get backed up, but does move quickly, most of the time. Once you deplane, just follow the signs for transfer, and as you round a corner, there is security. Before I get there, I empty my pockets into my carry-on, and pull out my laptop, keeping only passport and next boarding pass in pocket. Can't remember if I had to remove shoes (no TSA pre-check here).

Note: assuming your INCOMING flight is Asiana, all of Asiana uses terminal 1. If another carrier, it can be terminal 2; there is a train between the two, but it does take time. I've never had to use.

BUT, being familiar with the airport, checked my departing boarding gate on a tote board. I also knew, and was lucky enough, to be right below an Asiana business class lounge. Quick like a bunny, up to the lounge. You can just scan the boarding pass's QR code to open the automatic gate, but of course it'd been so long, I was trying to check-in at the desk, so the NICE girl showed me that it really was automated (duh). Quick to the food line to grab some finger sandwiches and to get a soft drink (no COKE, Pepsi). Enough time to scarf a couple of sandwiches and a couple of Pepsi's before heading to the onward gate. The flight was already boarding, no chance to use my preferred boarding status, but used the FEW minutes to connect to the free wi-fi (very easy) and send a LINE message to Thai friends that my arrival would be delayed.

So, I'd grab a copy of the airport map, listen for my arrival and departure gates (I can never understand, but my ears are shot). Lounges are upstairs, I don't wait for the elevator but take the escalator. It does pay to glance at the airport's own map to see where you are and the lounges are, there are several. Both sets are where the gate [I]arms[/I] join the concourse. Quick Google search for the maps, they LOOK accurate, but won't swear to it. Hell, you're a million mile flyer, they probably hold planes for you; you'll figure it out.

And I've always managed to make a trip to a lounge on every connection, even when 90 minutes (or less). Tight, but doable when you're a Cheap Charlie. I think you really will enjoy the service on Asiana. My one gripe - all the stews look like came from the same cookie-cutter; there are some cute ones.