Woody Woodpecker

Chatuchak Weekend Market, 26 sections of food, art, antiques, fashion, and more, spread across 35 acres draws 100,000 buyers per day each weekend.  Get there early when it opens, 9ish.

3 hours ago, JVHyatt said:

didnt the jodd fairs market recently move?

Supposedly it was going to relocate and be replaced by a 125-floor tower, tallest building in SE Asia, but don’t know if that’s happened yet. I last visited in December.

Chatchucak has a Friday Night Market.  Not all of the 15,000 stalls are open, as with the Weekend Market, but a way to beat the sweltering heat.

3 hours ago, turd said:

I am a Songkran warrior, so coming especially for the crazy shit which soi 7 in Pattaya definitely provides. But I like a normal night of mongering after the crazy shit.

So, would BKK be crazy enough in the day with enough going on, good vibes, events and easy to get around etc... And could I avoid getting wet at night (which I can put up with if I get laid 3-4 times).

Khaosan Road gets crazy.  There’s not supposed to be water battles after sundown but no guarantees.  I didn’t get wet at all this year, I avoided being on the streets during the daytime.  I usually hang out at the malls.

24 minutes ago, turd said:

I got a question for those who enjoy Songkran; Bangkok or Pattaya?

I will go to Pattaya 3 days in either way, but wondering if the first 2 days will be worth it in BKK. I will be staying around Nana, water fun in the afternoon and mongering at night will be the aim, will that happen in Bangkok?

From the youtube vids I seen, BKK looks a bit more family oriented and I can't see any of those powerful water pumps.

 

Definitely Bangkok.  You can book a hotel connected to the BTS and stay dry for three days, lasts a week in Pattaya.

This year I didn’t get any shots of people using water cannons.  I took this shot on Sukhumvit last year.

JODD FAIRS

Public transport doesn’t go very close to KSR.  Book somewhere else unless you’re on a tight budget.

6 minutes ago, Jim78 said:

Oh yes now that you mention it, given that i'm planning to stay for a while, i might as well do things properly. Which company did you use if you don't mind me asking? I have zero idea where to go 🙂 thank you. If this is against the rules feel free to dm me!!!

This was 1st Class visa operating out of the Queen Vic hotel in Pattaya.  They also have these businesses in Bangkok but I have no direct experience.

8 hours ago, Jim78 said:

Thanks a lot it's funny to see that they have companies for that too 🙂

It doesn't sound that complicated now that you explain it so I'll probably organize it myself the first time around and use companies afterwards. Thanks a lot!

The biggest advantage of using the visa run business was the expedited service of only having to spend 10 minutes at Lao Immigration, instead of hanging around there all afternoon without any aircon if I’d made the arrangements myself.  So I spent the afternoon in the hotel drinking Lao beer.  That adds a lot of value to the package. The companies have business relationships with the Immigration officers.

The Coffee Club, at the T on Soi 11, is open 24 hours to service the clubs in the area that stay open until dawn.

A border run can just be a day trip, a visa run is more complex.
 

My last visa run was in 2011, the last time I set foot outside Thailand.  I booked the visa run company that operates out of the Queen Vic hotel in Pattaya.  It was an overnighter to Vientiane, Laos.  We drove all night in a 9-seater van and arrived at the Friendship Bridge before it opened at dawn.  We checked into our hotel, arranged by the company, and had breakfast.  We then went, as a group, to Laos Immigration but only had to stay there 10 minutes, then back to the hotel for some sleep.  It was very organized and well worth the cost for all the convenience.  If you only need a border run you can arrange that yourself, just choose a destination and go by either ground or air.

My first visa run was 2005, in Singapore.  I made the arrangements myself, booked a hotel near the Thai Embassy and stayed a few days.

Something different today, the Beerhouse Special at the Old German Beerhouse on 13. Poached egg, cheese, cold cuts, fresh breads with butter and jam, orange juice, with a pot of either coffee or tea. 310 baht

On 3/21/2024 at 6:43 PM, Herbby said:

Try breakfast story. There are a few locations.

That's where I was this morning, off Soi 11, a converted shop house, it has a vertical orientation. The three egg omlette contained bacon, sausage, cheddar cheese, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc. with fried potato and toast. At 260 baht, it's twice the Red Lion's baht buster. Add a hot cappuccino and large orange juice and the cost exceeds 600, but with good, fresh, quality ingredients. 

Well, this is their culture so you just grin and bear it.  It’s a positive to see the joy on peoples faces while they’re having fun, but three days is enough.  I had to endure a week of this when I lived in Pattaya.

Recall waiting in a baht bus to have lunch at Fuji.  A farang came up behind me and dumped an entire bucket of ice water over me, it was so cold   I couldn’t breathe for several seconds, a bit over the top IMHO.  I think it’s the farang that are the biggest offenders of ruining it for people having fun, a little water isn’t going to hurt you.

Until next year, Happy Songkran!!!

model: Yammy Striphasuthar

photographer:  Not me (unfortunately)

Last day today, much more subdued than on Saturday.

Most expats hate this time of year.  LOL Fortunately, my condo is connected to the BTS so I can get a bird's eye view of the festivities without risking water damage to my gear.  I may spend the full three days in the stratosphere and never go down to the ground level.  These taken yesterday between Soi 7 and Asoke.

13 hours ago, JVHyatt said:

any place that puts that flag in my food is off the list.

They display my state flag (Wisconsin) on their wall. 

I like the steak burritos at La Monita, but when they had a restaurant in the basement of Siam Paragon you had to pay an extra 60 baht if you wanted guacamole in your burrito, whereas if you went over to Mahatun Plaza it was included at no extra cost.

FYI: You can get a Muay Thai visa now

https://visaguide.world/news/thailand-introduces-a-new-muay-thai-visa-allowing-90-day-stays-for-those-who-want-to-learn-the-sport/

Fatty’s Bar and Diner just named 2024 Best Dive Bar in BKK Magazine B.A.D. Awards. Congratulations 
 

https://bk.asia-city.com/restaurants/bangkok-restaurant-reviews/fattys-diner-bar

https://bk.asia-city.com/nightlife/news/bangkok-best-dive-bars#

(photo from Facebook)

1 hour ago, JVHyatt said:

new fave is Nana Seafood.  Bit of a wait for the food but great shit.

Crab omlette, 200 baht

On 2/8/2024 at 11:44 PM, schnytzal said:

haven't been since they reopened but they were pretty good...

are those flour tortillas? oh dear God no. soft corn tortillas. this is the way.

No, they're flour, but each taco contains two large shrimp, a slice of avocado, slice of Jalapeño, lettuce and salsa. Buy one for 90++ and get one free, but only Tuesdays, and margaritas are 150++.  Have 4 shrimp tacos and two margaritas, 480++.

19 minutes ago, NanAtSOL said:

Interesting,

What makes it better than Fitzgeralds?

Mushy peas? 😁

Getting back to Soi Nana, when I'm doing the Plaza and need something to soak up the alcohol, like last night, I'll head over to Fitzgeralds for Cod & Chips, 370 baht.