little_me

I haven't noticed any changes in the taxi system since my first trip through swampy when it was new, except maybe a machine giving tickets instead of a person. Skytrain shuts down at midnight. And depending on how far down Soi 24 you are, I'm not sure you're going to want to be walking it with luggage. Traffic will be light'ish at midnight. It might even be light enough to save the few Baht on expressway tolls depending on day of the week.

The leading cause of death in Thailand is traffic accidents. Google's shortest route could direct you to cross a somewhat major thoroughfare that's always busy with traffic in an uncontrolled spot. And if you do decide to risk it, remember they are coming from the wrong way (i.e. driving on the left side of the road). This might all seem silly to point out to grown men, but a few couple of drinks and in a hurry to get busy with your newest love of your night and stop paying attention to such basic issues, all the habbits from the rest of your life are backwards.

At $30 a night you'll want to make sure they have AC, if that's important for you.

Well, I was curious about what kinda place would call itself "night hotel"... So, looks like it used to be Dream Hotel, quick peak on google's street view.... And if you've never been to Bangkok, or similar Asian city, make sure YOU KNOW HOW TO FIND IT, the taxi won't (the will know Sukhumvit Soi 15, but nothing more specific), and it looks like that name might not be on the outside of the building.... (street view images can be dated...) Be prepared for some minor confusion... It's near Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, more or less, again, google is your friend, and I'd suggest checking WALKING directions and make sure you're comfortable with the distances. You might find taxis from there might be a bit of a challenge and want to either screw you or not bother such a short trip, especially in traffic. With the odd combinations of one way streets and lack of places to pull a Uturn on Sukhumvit, I would really not be surprised if it legit took a taxi 5 miles in gridlock to make a 1/2 mile walk in that area (2 hour lesson I learned the hard way). Motorcycle taxis would be an option if your brave enough. That area has a bunch of smaller less well known (but still can be very nice) messages shops sprinkled around really close, similar to https://asok-massage.com/, but most won't have websites. I've heard Soi 13 is full of much smaller places but I've never bothered visiting. And it looks like Thermae is right down the street also...

One thing to be aware of on the 5 star end is you never know when some dignitary is going to show up for whatever and the hotel go to high security. I stayed way out at the Shangrila years ago (along the river), I went down to the lobby and found metal detectors installed one morning that weren't there at 2:00 am, which a small group of security manning them. Wandering through the hallways between that hotel lobby and the more "mall" kinda area nearer to the skytrain I noticed the door to one of the ballrooms open and it was full of uniformed police. No idea who showed up with that kinda security to stay at Shangrila, and I was checking out that day so I never got to find out what kinda checks they were doing on guest's coming and going. But I do know that Clinton and Bush have both shown up and stayed at the Marriott (after they term in office), at least once, Clinton likely multiple times. And am sure the lobby was probably full of local security on top of the secret service detail. I'm sure these stays are rare, and the hotel probably tries to operate as normally as possible... But it happens. (I'm sure none of them are staying at the Nana hotel!!! or really even the double tree or the landmark...)

I usually bang my head on shit, and they all kinda look at me wondering how the hell I hit anything with my head that's so far up there...

It was "yesteryear" I guess, maybe 20 years ago, that they did try and stop me from bringing a Thai girl to my room... And if I remember, it was the Rembrandt. The doorman started giving us grief, even though she was registered as a guest when I checked in. The older tower, not the suites, the straight hotel part. Slightly more recently, but still maybe 15 years ago, summer something on Sukhumvit Soi 16, not sure that place is still there.

Never heard of it, and previously having a high status in IHG rewards flush with points, staying the Intercontinental and Crown Plaza for free before, I'm a bit surprised to see it's there, guessing it wasn't there last time I was (little over a year ago). It's an upscale area, near a bunch of Western Embassies and several other high end hotels. But depending on how you get about, it's still probably one kilometer walking to skytrain or a street jammed with gridlock traffic most of the day.... If you do stay there, and like to explore a bit on foot, there's a "sky walk" starting on the NE corner of Lumpini park... I'm curious if it goes all the way to Benjakitti park and if you can get to the end of Sukhumvit Soi 4 from there? I was staying at the Crown Plaza at the far corner of Lumpini several nights and walked back, giving up on taxis at closing time at Nana, only seeing this from the wrong end and never sure if it went through.

There may be differences in the situation or changes in policy since, but I visited Lao for a day, August 12, 2014. Arriving in BKK at Swampy I was stamped into Thailand on 8/7/2014, good until 9/5/2014 (on the stamp). Stamped out of Thailand on 8/12/2014 and back in on 8/12/2015, good until 9/10/2014. Had to pay Lao for a visa, stand around and wait for them, fill out a form, etc., then go to another window for the entrance... (why two window, it's Lao, I guess?). You do need a visa to enter Lao. It's not free (I forget, but it might have been $100). The do issue them at the land border next to the peace bridge. Reentering Thailand, quick stamp. This was on a minibus tour from Udon Thani to Vientiane, which was a nice place for a quick side trip, pretty quiet and clean, have considered going back for longer but never got around to it. It looks Air Asia will fly you there and back for under $200, but I have no idea what you'd need to enter Lao like that these days.

Most countries are getting passenger lists from the airlines before they arrive and Thailand is probably in on this. And they probably include information if you have a round trip ticket. I don't think I've shown them any flight information for leaving in a long time now. That used to be part of the arrival / departure cards you'd fill out, along with where you are staying, but on my last trip late 2022 those weren't being used (good riddance I hope). And, whether visa or waiver or whatever they are granting permission with, at the airport, with US passport, good for 30 days.

I've gotten a bug at least twice that I clearly remember in Thailand. Both times from under cooked meat (I'm pretty sure, once beef, once chicken) that I was too dumb to stop eating. If it's fully cooked it's fine, especially fully cooked right in front of you, even if on a cart in the street... Fresh food, fruits and vegetables, stick to things that can be pealed. Any kinda leafy green that needs to be washed, i.e. no lettuce, no raw cauliflower or broccoli, etc. Doesn't really matter where, street cart or fancy western'ish restaurant, if you're not going to drink the tap water don't eat shit that relies on being washed in it. I've had sushi numerous times at different Fuji and Shabu Shabu locations, never had a problem. But my experience eating packaged sushi (never tried in Thailand...) has been that the rice gets all gunked up and it end up just tasting poor enough it's just not worth bothering. Never understood how the rice can get funky before the fish, but, remember what they say "Eating sushi is a lot like eating pussy, it's all about the texture, if it taste like fish, it's gone bad, stay away from it!!!".

Every time you leave they will check the date on your entrance stamp. So, you really can't not get caught, just a matter of whether they hold and deport you or if you're already at the airport ready to leave. There are trains to Malaysia, if travel costs are the issue, they are cheap. Not terribly comfortable, and about 2 days to Kuala Lumpur one way. Just to the border is about a solid day, if I remember (and things didn't change) we switch from Thai to Malaysian trains at the border, so the Thai train probably loaded up and headed back to Bangkok... But also not sure if stepping across the train station and stepping back would renew a tourist VISA...

I'm not understanding the "can't find it" either, from the link, looking at google maps: Not sure how you could walk by this and not see it?

My understanding is they fine you leaving, when they see the entry date too far in the past. Not having the entry stamp can't be a good thing, at least for a normal person that's getting an escort like that...

5 Star? JW Marriot. That's where George Bush and Bill Clinton were staying when they were in town together, way back on their Tsunami relief trip (wonder how quick they renamed that ground floor restaurant).... On Soi 2, about 100 meters from Nana Plaza. I would expect any 5 star hotel to be DISCREET and not be concerned about anyone joining you unless there's property damage or interference with other guests. Further down Sukhumvit are the Sheraton and Westin, near Asoke, on opposite sides of Sukhumvit. Both probably 200 or so meters from Soi Cowboy. And there might be a few other 5 star hotels in that area. I think a Radison Blu maybe, the Landmark might be 5 star, and there's probably some other French / European brands I'm less familiar with. There are a huge number of great 4 star hotels (i.e. Double Tree). Which all have rooms that are just as nice, mostly just don't have as upscale restaurants or spa inside.

Starbucks is more of a milk shake stand than coffee shop anymore... It's pretty rare to see anyone get just a cup of drip coffee, hugely outnumbered by people getting all these other things with no coffee at all in them. And being middle aged living in America almost all my life, I don't think I've ever actually eaten corned beef and hash. I can't remember ever being with someone else who's ordered it. I'm sure I've seen it on a menu somewhere but generally considered corned beef to be some Irish cliche to have on St. Patrick's day with green beer... Eggs Benedict, I've been told, is pretty horrible if not done very well. And the only place I remember having it was at a place up the street from an office I worked that was the kinda hole in the wall with a reputation for doing it very well. It was in the basement of some 100 year old hotel in downtown Seattle, kinda hole in the wall dive bar kinda place with 3" thick wood doors that wouldn't close all the way in winter, but with white tablecloths and waiters in pressed shirts. But it was a German restaurant, with sauerkraut, knackwurst, etc., so I'm not sure how "American" that is if you're looking for it in Bangkok... (and the fattest girl I remember ever seeing in Thailand, real flabby like twice as big as she should be kinda fat, was the cashier at a krispy kreme in Silom. Those donuts are WAY too popular, watching people carry around boxes of them at Don Muang couple years ago waiting for a flight to Khon Kaen...)

I am American. And I currently live in America. If you think Americans don't eat that shit, it's obviously been a while since you drove past and saw how long the lines at the drive through's are (peak covo it was common for them to be out into the streets blocking traffic). Or how fat most of us are (You'd think a doctor would tell me I'm overweight and at least suggest thinking about it, but they just don't bother, and being just over the NHS obesity cutoff, probably just figure I'm already better than most, including any of the doctor's I've seen). As far as the "cliche", I think there's very little about breakfast "style" standardized across America. Anything from omelettes, bacon / sausage and eggs, pancakes, toast, cereal, yogurt and fruit, donuts etc. are pretty common. And being pretty bad is also VERY common in America (i.e. IHOP, Perkins, Denny's). Eggs Benedict on the other hand, I've seen maybe one restaurant ever have that on it's menu (in America).

For a TRUE AMERICAN style breakfast, there is a McDonald's by the Robinson's between Soi 17 and 19 and another by Soi 5, and Starbucks all over the place.

I just can't get over those caddy outfits. I dunno if I could manage to play golf next to them, never mind imagine what they'd look like without them. The things some Thai girls will do for light skin.

For ladies, Bangkok and Pattaya. For culture, Bangkok and Ayuthaya. And in Bangkok, the area around the Grand Palace to the Golden Mount, not the area around Sukhumvit. Bangkok is a huge, ancient city that's also thoroughly modern. There's a lot of culture, whether ancient or modern, just all over Thailand. A lot of ancient sites still very much in regular use. They're on year 2565 of being Buddhist, as far as I know, and a monarchy that's been going for centuries.

Online. Check at least Agoda and probably Expedia. Some large Western brands might give you something for frequent customers if you book directly. But you have to have racked up a few (dozen) stays with their rewards to bother. It's usually the same price anywhere. And Agoda and Expedia are generally very reliable, and have agents available. There can be some limits on what you can change if you do a pay now deal (usually cheaper than paying when you check out), which kinda puts it on you to not fuck up, but hotels are usually a little forgiving if you talk to them directly. I'm sure the vast majority of hotel reservations are done electronically in most of the world. Every company that has employees traveling is using a corporate travel agent who does all this through the same systems Expedia and Agoda are using. (or are using Expedia or Agoda directly as the corporate travel, cause I know at least Expedia does that). Do remember to get a very exact hotel name and address printed out to bring with you. Makes sure the Taxi knows where you going. There are several places with very similar names and several chains with multiple hotels that aren't far apart. But, really, I've been in 100's of hotels and showed up at the wrong one once or twice, it's no big deal, they'll usually sort you out once they realize it wasn't their mistake to try and cover up.

Gullivers or any of the higher class hotel restaurants.

While I would recommend getting your SIM setup at the airport... And I love the convenience of Grab, google maps, line., etc. On that small stretch of sukhumvit between Cowboy and Nana, from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am (and sometimes later). You really shouldn't need help finding it. And, just show up in real life and enjoy. I realize there's a lot to be offered on Thai friendly, fiwfans, smooci, booking massage girls via line... But there's so much that just isn't online at all. Just out there, just show up. First 6 hours, especially if you've got one of these US flights arriving late night, just get out there and hit it. Leave your phone behind... (ok, maybe bring it for picture, to share!!!)

Make sure it's unlocked. Not sure if they do that in Canada, most phones you buy from phone companies in the US are. The phone in locked to only allow that network's SIM cards. And instead of a "basic" phone, I'm bringing whatever has the best camera available.

As a younger man I did so. Now after being cramped on an an airplane that long, I still feel like a decent walk and a couple beers are needed before bed. And I usually just can't help myself from having a quick shag too. Don't really need a SIM for that.