IBF

Now that they are out there, I don't know if allowing bars to stay open late/ all night would make them disappear. It has kind of developed it's own following. And it can be a nice change of pace to sit and watch the world go by - in addition to giving punters a place to hang when most of the other bars have closed. They have also kind of replaced the beer bar complexs that have been demolished in relatively recent times - in the soi 10 area on both sides, and down near cowboy.

I agree. Especially considering that when it first starts operation it will not connect to both the MRT, and BTS. Meaning that one will likely still need to get a taxi to get to their hotel eventually. It's not like Tokyo where a taxi to the city will cost well over $100 USD. Or where they have a board at the airport to show the traffic conditions in the city - so you can take the train (rather than the bus) to avoid getting stuck in traffic. When it eventually does connect to both the MRT, and BTS - then I can see a possible advantage as it relates to traffic. If you end up arriving at a time where you are heading into BKK during the evening rush hours, you might be able to save some time by using the train system. Also if they do something like in KL where you can buy a discounted travel pass for multiple trips on the airport train - then there might be a cost saving for the single traveler.

Not on Saturday night. I spent most of the night and Tilac, and it was busy from before 21:00 thru till closing. And they were pretty much at full staff levels - even had some new faces in the rotation. But Saturday was the first night without a curfew so everyone was itching for a night on the town.

I just checked the price on their web-site, and if you book for two nights they give a 25% discount, three or more nights they are giving a 30% discount discount. The dates I used to check the rate were in early June. http://www.on8bangkok.com/

Happy to report things were back to business as usual on Cowboy last night.

I haven't seen anything official since before the red shirt protests. At that time I saw dates ranging between July, August, and as late as Dec. I posted on another thread here, that some times they like to kick off things like this around royal events (like the Queen or Kings birthday). The Queens birthday is August 12th, and the Kings birthday is Dec 5. Based on not seeing anything reported recently, I think things are likely running behind schedule (even further behind), and I doubt they will make it in August, and my be lucky to get it together by December. There seems to be quite a bit of bickering back n' forth between contractors as to who is responsible for the delay, and this seems to have caused even further delay related to getting certifictions.

With the exception of the curfew - which should end today - everything is pretty much back to normal (but with a lot less tourists).

Some times they like to kick these things off around some kind of royal event - King or Queens b-day or the like. Keeping in line with this then I'd say the earliest they will open the line will be Aug (Queens b-day Aug 12) - but I think they will be lucky to make Dec (Kings B-day Dec 5).

There are many farangs in Thailand that have basically made Thailand their homes. Wifes, kids, jobs, pay tax, etc. They have a very vested interest in Thailand, and I don't have a problem if they also choose to get involved in politics here as well. The bloke in the artical does not fit the bill.

Things are pretty tense, and there is a real potential for things to get real nasty at any time. Every morning after I wake up, I half expect to read about a major confrontation between the riot police and/or the army and the reds. That being said even if they do get nasty I don't expect anyone except those in the actual protest areas to be in any real danger. I live here in BKK and I haven't considered any change in that status due to the red-shirt situation. I was in Malaysia earlier this week, but that was a work related trip, and had nothing to do with what the red shirts were or were not doing. As for the US travel advisory - you should be aware that from what I hear this advisory means that no travel insurance will cover your trip. Here is a map of the main problem area (Nana is just to the right of this map/photo - Ploenchit turns into Sukhumvit on the other side of the tollway):

Good price for the rooms, and the location is good - especially if you prefer NEP - as the hotel is right at the corner where Soi 6 meets Soi 4. I think this places is owned/operated by one of the local Indian Taylor shops (not sure which one). The place opened fairly recently so all the rooms should still be in good shape. The hallways are small, but the rooms are big enough. Some of the rooms have no windows (the one that I saw without any windows was a Junior Suite). And I think the only rooms with anything more than a shower is the Executive suite. If they don't keep the rooms in great shape then I'd say in the future The Darwin or Ibis will be better deals. Even with now for the web rate of 1500 baht per night I'd probably look at The Darwin, Ibis, or Dynasty Grand - but for for little more than 1100 baht per night it's a good deal.

Just returned from a night on Cowboy, and while it was business as usual there - it certainly was not in many areas of BKK.

Well not really business as usual anymore - they have basically closed down the BTS and the government/ military/ police are on the move in many areas: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255304100019 http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255304100018

While they are not causeing any major probems they are becoming a right pain in the ass. Traffic worse than ever, and many times you never know where traffic will be the worst - because they keep moiving around. Siam and Central World were closed for a few days - Siam has since opened (at least it was yesterday), but not Central World. I'd say the chances of things turning violent have increased over the past week or so - both because they have become much more of a pain in the ass for folks that live in the city and also because of some of the stupid shit they have been doing (like storming the TV station yesterday). http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0410/1224268052337.html All this being said if you use the MRT/BTS to get around and stay away from the protest areas one can get along pretty much business as usual. I picked a bird up from Rainbow 3 the other night, and she said the reds will hang around as long as their leaders keep the food and booze flowing. She also said anyone could raise a similar mob in Thailand by doing the same thing - supply food and booze. Also as there is a bit of a party atmosphere at times and Thai's love a party. So it is hard to tell how many of them really care for the cause, and how many are there mainly for the food, booze, and party. Should be interesting to see how things unfold next week - last Songkran there was some violance, might be a repeat this year?

Hollywood Inn Hotel: http://www.hollywoodinn-hotel.com/home.html

Both Bourbon Street and Lary's Dive (suk soi 22) have decent American breakfast. I would have to disagree with the early post as it relates to bacon. Too many of the places serve rashers which are much more European style bacon than American style. Bully's Pub used to have breakfast gravy on the menu but I never had it (or breakfast for that matter there).

You should have any problem with the wi-fi, but I doubt you'll find anything decent with a pool in that area for 1000 baht. Some places that you might consider that you can probably get for in 1500 baht price range: Ambassador - Soi 11 Manhattan - Soi 15 Swiss Park - Soi 11 Others a bit further away: Euro Inn - Soi 31 Park Hotel - Soi 7 Regency Park - Soi 22 Royal Parkview - Soi 20 Unico Leela - Soi 3 Windsor Suites - Soi 20 A pool has never been important to me, so I'm not very familiar with these hotels.

Good lists - I would also consider SILQ or S15: http://www.silqbkk.com/ http://www.s15hotel.com/ I have included the website for your reference only - most of the time you can get much better deals thru one of the discount hotel web-sites (agoda, wotif, latestay, discount thailand hotels, etc.).

About the only one I can think of is Hepatitis. The risk is not that great, but certainly higher than in the west.

As earlier posters have inticated there is pleanty of "dress-up' going on all over BKK for halloween, this includes not only the naught night spots, but to the dance clubs as well. Places like Bed, Q, and Glow - to name a few, have plenty of folks in costume and many actually have some kind of costume competition.

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=11659

Probably Via Vai - not a bad italian type pie. I must say I was disapointed the first time I ordered from them. I had a flier that showed pizza without the really thin crust typical of an Italian style pizza. This is not to say the pizza was bad - just not what I had expected based upon the flier.

I got into the program thru a friend. But anyone can sign up thru the internet - for both the advantage program as well as the awards program. Advantage program (valid in Asia and Australia only) - cost around 5,000 baht to join: http://www.accorhotels-asia.com/advplus/default.aspx Accor A|Club rewards program (Valid wordlwide) - free to join: http://www.a-club.com/en/

I don't really have a favorite - none that really stand out for me. For Italian style Limoncello (Suk Soi 11), or Basilico (Suk Soi 33) are good. I have yet to come across a really good American type pizza, and I've tried the lot of them: The Big Pizza Bangkok Pizza Co (I think has closed) Allo Pizza (more Italian style) New York Style Pizza Scoozi (Italian) Canadian Pizza Pizza Mania Spicchio Ronny's Pizza Aroy to name a few.... They all fall short either in the sauce, crust, and/or the pepperoni.

Some of my mates stay at the FuramaXclusive out by Asoke, and they say it's hard to beat for the price. But the ones that have tried the one on Soi 1 have not been impressed, and when compared to the one near Asoke it seems to be a let down. Seems the one on Soi 1 has seen it's fair share of wear and tear already - and is a bit run-down. About the only plus side for this one (as compared to the one on Asoke) is that it is right by Bumrungrad hospital - if one is looking to take advantage of some of the rather low cost medical avalible there.