Bangkok Reports

[b]List of 36 places in Bangkok hit by arsons (The Nation, CRES):[/b]

1. Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)
2. A commercial building in Bon Kai community
3. Kasikorn Bank, soi Ngam Doo Plee branch
4. Siam Paragon Shopping Complex
5. CentralWorld Shopping Complex
6. Maleenont Tower
7. Government Savings Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch
8. Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Klong Toei branch
9. Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Klong Toei branch
10. Stock Exchange of Thailand
11. Sogo Department Store in Rajaprasong area
12. Siam and Scala Cinemas in Siam Square
13. Post Publishing PCL
14. Bangkok Bank, Asok branch
15. Bangkok Bank, Victory Monument branch
16. Bangkok Bank, Chan Road branch
17. Center One Shopping Mall
18. Siam Square
19. Siam City Bank, Siam Square branch
20. Bangkok Bank, Siam Square branch
21. shops in Siam Square soi 5 and 6
22. Mahatun Plaza Building on Ploen Chit Road
23. Bangkok Bank, Rama IV branch
24. 7-Eleven convenient store, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch
25. Krungthai Bank next to Mater Dei School
26. Krungthai Bank, Asok branch
27. Bangkok Bank, Bangjak branch
28. Tesco Lotus Express convenient store, Rama IV branch
29. Bangkok Bank, Sathupradit branch
30. Bangkok Bank, Saphanluang branch
31. Siam City Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch
32. Siam City Bank, Sunthornkosa branch in Klong Toei district
33. 7-Eleven convenient store near Victory Monument
34. Bangkok Bank, Hua Lam Phong branch
35. Siam Commercial Bank, Prachachuen branch
36. Big C Superstore, Rajdamri branch

Three Provincial Halls upcountry were hit by fires in Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.


Giotto

Assuming that the curfew applies to farangs as well as Thais, how are you guys caught up in this coping?
What tactics are you employing?
Engage a lady LT before 5pm and hole up in the hotel for the night?

[QUOTE=Sonic Bam]Assuming that the curfew applies to farangs as well as Thais, how are you guys caught up in this coping?
What tactics are you employing?
Engage a lady LT before 5pm and hole up in the hotel for the night?[/QUOTE]

Thats what I did yesterday from 2pm till 8 am - it felt much much longer. As I get older my patience for Thai girls is about 1 hour with very few exceptions. I was so happy when she left! I think I'll watch dvds on my own tonight.

[QUOTE=Giotto]The day after. Pictures:

BTS Chidlom: [URL]http://twitpic.com/1pb1nd[/URL]
Empty Stage: [URL]http://twitpic.com/1pb4f5[/URL]
Centralworld: [URL]http://twitpic.com/1pb739[/URL]
Centralworld: [URL]http://twitpic.com/1pb8dj[/URL]
Centralworld: [URL]http://twitpic.com/1pb89k[/URL]

[b]Curfew for the next 3 days, 9 pm to 5 am[/b]


Giotto[/QUOTE]

Damn!! It will be months (at best) before the district gets up and running (If at all)!!! I'm scheduled to in Bangkok at the end of July for a doctor's appointment. I usually stay at the Intercontinental but it looks i may have to change that if I show up at all.

Dear all,
While many of you who live in Thailand may sympathise with the red or yellow shirts there are no winners in this mess: everyone has lost something: business, family, peace of mind, jobs. I don't need to tell you...ask the hotel owners, ask Giotto, ask the people who worked at CentralWorld, ask yourselves!
I am no expert in thai politics, language or culture. I've only visited the place three times. Violence is however counterproductive to economic stability, tourism and social cohesion.
In an earlier post I stated my suspicion that the army would use armoured vehicles. I was unfortunately correct. I just hope that this nightmare will end.
For all its inherent inconsistencies I love Thailand, its culture, music, food and last but not least women.
Take care and keep safe
Taka

[QUOTE=M P Lurker]I have tried a number of Sushi places in Bangkok and not many really live up to really top quality at a good price.

My favourite is not a Buffet, but I will guarantee the quality of the sushi and other dishes. I have even had the very spcial "toro" sushi there. Its hard to go anywhere else once you have found the one with the best food, and no rip-off prices.

From Sukhumwit road, enter the first very small Soi after Soi 33 (with Villa Markt at the front). Very soon you will be forced to turn right. The restaurant is then on the right side with bamboo like decoration inside.
It has a menu outside that will show the sushi.
I think its opposite to Fuji supermarket but maybe I miss remember slightly.
Alternatively enter the next Soi (Soi 33/1) and turn to the left. These little Sois are very Japanese oriented.

P.S. I tried a Sushi place in main Soi 33 but it wasn't worth repeating. But the good place is still very close.[/QUOTE]
I did mis-remember slightly. "Toaya" my favourite little Japanese restaurant with fabulous sushi is NOT opposite Fuji Supermarket, but is in the little side soi from Sukhumwit soi 33/1, opposite the Bull's Head pub.

I tried many sushi places recommended by others including several in soi 33 proper, but none had a food quality and price to match Toaya, even including those with Japanese customers. Probably the Japanese guys were looking for cute waitresses :), in places where the food was really not quite right.

Many places have Thai staff who just do not understand how to do Japanese food right. It requires special training.

[url]http://gnarlykitty.org/2009/02/toaya/[/url]

Toaya is not open on Tuesday (I found out the hard way).

[QUOTE=Big Daddy 1906]Damn!! It will be months (at best) before the district gets up and running (If at all)!!! I'm scheduled to in Bangkok at the end of July for a doctor's appointment. I usually stay at the Intercontinental but it looks i may have to change that if I show up at all.[/QUOTE]Yep, agreed. If it's serious go home and see your doctor. The capital will not be taking into consideration your condition when the sides plan their next activities. Unless I am wrong and, you are the real big daddy? The big Daddy that has been silent during the last few months watching as his children have been fighting each other? Watching for the last few nights and saying nothing? I am a falang but, so sad about what is happening.

[QUOTE=Suller Joe]Is that politics and power reform did stall in Thailand. Had they reformed as success came, none of this would have happened and the rich would have been even richer.

Now a huge price will be paid.[/QUOTE]
Wise words, Joe. But the major players here can't see beyond the end of their noses. It seems to be an ongoing issue in this country.

[QUOTE=Alex336]Additionally you have to consider that the curfew was extended to 3 more nights (until sunday)[/QUOTE]Does the above mean that the curfew is still in force Sunday evening, or that it ends on Sunday so people can move freely again? I had evil plans for Sunday evening as I arrive in BKK, but if there's a curfew I might as well bring some DVDs and chill in the hotel.

[QUOTE=Traveller China]Does the above mean that the curfew is still in force Sunday evening, or that it ends on Sunday so people can move freely again? I had evil plans for Sunday evening as I arrive in BKK, but if there's a curfew I might as well bring some DVDs and chill in the hotel.[/QUOTE]Traveller China,

not clear right now - I heard about the Curfew being extended to Sunday - but I am not sure yet. Officially it ends on Sunday morning, 5 am.


Giotto

[QUOTE=Traveller China]Does the above mean that the curfew is still in force Sunday evening, or that it ends on Sunday so people can move freely again? I had evil plans for Sunday evening as I arrive in BKK, but if there's a curfew I might as well bring some DVDs and chill in the hotel.[/QUOTE]Just get a girl to come over early and stay.

Anyway, the curfew is lifted for Patts. I would be surprised if they extended it for Bangkok beyond Sunday morning.

At 6pm most bars were closed. some smaller ones were open. Dollhouse was open as well and packed. Don't know at what time they close.

[QUOTE=Spider916]At 6pm most bars were closed. some smaller ones were open. Dollhouse was open as well and packed. Don't know at what time they close.[/QUOTE]This brings up another interesting aspect. During times of curfew, I reckon the old "Sure, I go LT baby" that turns into "My sister have no key" with ST money is more difficult to pull off. After all, they may get shot, and not by the punter. Any experiences or are y'all just loading up the DVDs on the computer and sleeping alone?

I am scheduled to reach Bangkok on 30 May. Is it safe. I mean arriving from airport to Sukhumvit. Staying there and returning after a week of mongering.

Are there a lot of checkpoints? I would be grateful if anyone who has arrived recently would let me know.

[QUOTE=Chrisde99]I am scheduled to reach Bangkok on 30 May. Is it safe. I mean arriving from airport to Sukhumvit. Staying there and returning after a week of mongering. Are there a lot of checkpoints? I would be grateful if anyone who has arrived recently would let me know.[/QUOTE]Safe. The feeling on the street is a lot different today.

Still a big military and police presence, but they are starting to pack up and go home. I know as some police brass were staying in my building, and I passed them checking out (with smiles) this afternoon!

Interestingly, even in the times of curfew you can have a very good time here. Yesterday, my "mrs." went home to see her kid, so I booked a last minute room at a hotel on Suk Soi 23. I went there about 4 pm, checked in, then walked across the street to a massage shop for a Thai massage (MM Massage). The pretty lady offered me a [i]special[/i] but I told her was saving my power for later; however, I did arrange for her to come to my room the next morning.

A little before 8, my [i]#1 gik[/i] came to my hotel to spend the night after her shift at the flower shop. She left early, and a little later the pretty massage lady came by for a couple of hours. Man, she is a sweetie...

Checked out about 1 pm, walked through Soi Cowboy (lots of smiles and "welcomes" from the beer bars), picked up some shirts I had made at Milan Suit, then walked from Asoke to Soi 5 for a haircut.

After that, caught a taxi over to Silom and had a drink at Cleo Bar on Patpong 2 next to SOL. I then had a great lunch at Madrid Bar. Walked home.

SOL is open, btw.

Only problems today: The roads in Ratchaprasong are still closed. Silom & Sathorn Rd. still partially closed. Taxis are more expensive due to the necessary detours. Motosi taxis charging twice normal for short trips.

One interesting tidbit. While at the bar this afternoon, the old gal giving me a back massage said, "there are now many ghost in Bangkok as 700 to 800 people die," and "they put body in truck and took them to crocodile farm in Samut Prakan."

[i]Hmmm...[/i]