1. The capital of Thailand is generally known as ‘Krung Thep’ by the locals. Bangkok is only used by foreigners.
2. As with Los Angeles in the US, Krung Thep means the City of Angels and, funnily enough though, LA happens to be the biggest Thai expat community in the world with nearly 200,000 Thai citizens living and working there.
3. Bangkok has been the capital of Thailand for 226 years since 1782
4. As of today, Bangkok is home to over 9 million people.
5. Bangkok is sub-divided into 50 different districts.
6. The current Bangkok Mayor who is also widely expected to win another term later this year is Mr Apirak Kosayothin of the Democrat Party.
7. Chulalongkorn University, founded in 1917, is the oldest university in Bangkok and Thailand.
8. Siam is the most expensive area in Bangkok, closely followed by Silom, Satorn and Sukhumvit respectively.
9. Bangkok has by far the longest city name in the world: Krung Thep Maha nakhon Amon Rattana kosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomrat chaniwet Maha sathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakka thattiya Witsanu kam Prasit: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
10. The new international airport Suvarnbhumi was named by HM King Bhumipol and means ‘The Golden Land’.
It’s been a politically massive day for a awful lot of people in Bangkok and Thailand in general. Thousands of hardcore and not too hardcore protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy descended onto the streets of central Bangkok, demanding the immediate resignation of the government.
They occupied the premises of the new state broadcaster NBT, forcing it off the air, and also stormed the main government offices, effectively forcing the already lazy civil servants to stop working. And they say they will not leave until their demand is met. Nobody can quite believe we’re now back where we were almost two years ago again. And whether there’s going to be another coup is debatable and beyond anyone’s guess.
Rant over. Wait…. No it ain’t. Despite its name, the PAD is not doing democracy any favour if I must be honest. While I believe it is perfectly acceptable to stage a peaceful protest in public, any attempt to provoke a crackdown by the government in order to gain public sympathy and perhaps compel the army to intervene (again) is just wrong.
To make matters worse, I’ve heard that a government MP has planned to organise counter crowds should the government fail to disperse the PAD-led mass rally. The Interior Minister Kowit Wattana has also ordered the police to evict the protesters from the government house compound.
So in a way this is complete madness and it might not be too happy an ending for everyone. I hope there won’t be any bloodshed but can’t honestly rule it out either. Need a beer mate!
The 2008 Games drew to a close yesterday and our Beijing Olympic heroes have returned home to a warm reception. All in all, we won 2 golds and 2 silvers which was quite an achievement for a small country like Thailand. In fact, we are 31st on the medal table, doing extremely well relative to our South East Asian neighbours. So everyone’s cheerfully delighted.
Thanks to all our atheletes and particularly our medalists. You’re all diamonds and we’re so proud of you guys. The 2012 London Games will provide an even greater challenge for the Thai team but hopefully we can do better and bring much more joy to everyone back home.
Well done to Beijing for hosting quite frankly one of the best sporting events we have ever seen. And see you again in Chavland London!
Upon our arrival in the canteen at lunch today, I noticed it was absolutely jam packed with little walking space for all diners. All eyes were locked on TV screens with everyone cheering for our two Olympic boxing hopefuls. They were going literally mental. But I don’t blame them because I too was one of them.
The two boxers competing in the semi finals today were Somjit Jongjohor (Fly Weight) and Manus Boonjumnong (Light Welter) respectively. It was a highly competitive fight for both of them and thankfully they didn’t let us down. Somjit looked real sharp and totally beat the shit out of his Italian opponent while Manus also cruised his way through the final with a convincing win over the young Cuban semi-finalist. Manus is the defending champion and understandably so our biggest hope at the Beijing Games.
So far, Thailand have already won 1 Gold (Prapawadee - weightlifting) and 1 Silver (Budthree - taekwando). Nothing compared to those on the top end of the table of course but trust me it’s good enough to make the whole of the country immensely proud. I really hope the two remaining hopefuls can go all the way and win 2 more Golds for us tomorrow. It ain’t been the best year for Thailand in many respects so this is a perfect opportunity to cheer everyone up. Come on Thailand!
Today I had no energy to write a proper post but got this very casual post idea off Chris who also got it from Alitta, both of whom I enjoy spending time with at work. I slightly changed the title but the questions are all the same:
1. My uncle once: was everything I wanted to be
2. Never in my life: have I met a proper soulmate
3. When I was five: my parents went separate ways
4. High school was: adventurous
5. Once I met: the Man Utd goalie Edvin van der Sar in a London park while he was still at Fulham
6. I will never forget: all the fun I had in my younger years
7. Once I met: a stupid twat who thought all the girls in the world should worship him
8. There’s this girl I know: who I really fancy but she lives miles away
9. Once, at a bar: I got chatting to a fit girl who I later found out was an A-lister!
10. By noon, I’m usually: starving to death
11. Last night: was the first time in months I didn’t go online but just went to bed early
12. If only I had: loads of dosh so I could travel the world!
13. Next time I go to church: will not be in the near future
14. What worries me most: is lack of love (and sex!)
15. When I turn my head left I see: my wardrobe
16. When I turn my head right I see: my nicely lit balcony
17. You know I’m lying when: I try to get laid!
18. What I miss most about the Eighties is: Was too bloody young innit!
19. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: who gives a toss!
20. By this time next year: bkkguru.com will get so big I can’t handle all my fans haha
21. A better name for me would be: Thai-ger!
22. I have a hard time understanding: religious people
23. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: fuck off home in no time
24. You know I like you if: I buy you a drink
25. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: whoever gave it to me
26. Take my advice, never: have unprotected sex with strangers
27. My ideal breakfast is: anything in bed!
28. A song I love but do not have is: I Predict A Riot
29. If you visit my hometown,I suggest you: move and live here for good
30. Why won’t people: stop being so bloody greedy?
31. If you spend a night at my house: make sure you bring your tooth brush
32. I’d stop my wedding for: a trip to the moon
33. The world could do without: selfish people
34. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: stop having fun
35. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: Fearne Cotton
36. Paper clips are more useful than: the many paedos fucking about here
37. If I do anything well it’s: binge drinking without getting drunk!
38. And by the way: do this on your blog and let me know, if you aint got one just do it here
Yesterday morning there was a massive demonstration outside the UK embassy near Central Chidlom in Ploenchit Road, Bangkok. The huge crowd of over 10,000 people with too much time to spare were protesting angrily blocking the whole road and effectively grinding the already awful Bangkok traffic to a complete halt.
They demanded the British government not grant political asylum to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin and his family but instead extradite them back to face the many pending corruption charges in Thailand. The protest thankfully came to an end when the leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who led the huge protest, handed a petition to the UK ambassador to Thailand.
I am not the most qualified expert on Thai politics. In fact I stopped following it properly a long, long time ago because it’s pure money politics and I thought the more I tried to understand it, the more irrelevant it appeared to me. But as a former Politics student, I sometimes can’t ignore major political events/issues if and when they ever resurface on newspaper headlines. And this one was quite something if I must say.
Anyway, I thought the demonstration of yesterday was somewhat breathtaking and worth mentioning here. These people were pissed off to their nuts and to understand the degree of their fury and frustration, you just have to check this out:
What are your thoughts on this? Whose side are you on and do you think this long drama will end in peace, tears or bloodshed? Or you just couldn’t give a flying monkey’s!
Last week when I wrote a review on Snop bar in Ratchada soi 4, I did mention that I might add a couple more on those in Esplanade Zone the opposite side of the road so today I want to begin with my favourite club in this particular area: Inch bar that is!
The club: Lovely modern wooden house that is divided into two rooms for the obvious reason. Stunning light works that might be just perfect for those of you pillheads. Outside there’s a huge car park enough for virtually every driving visitor. In the more busy live band hall, there’s apparently a VIP only area on the balcony with access denied to ordinary punters. Not sure how much it costs to become a VIP but the designated area is much more comfortable, less crowded and with a nicer view too, so if you’ve got a few quid to spare, it might be worth checking it out (and including me on the guest list!)
The music: As I say, two separate rooms to cater for two different musical appetites, one being live Thai tunes played by local bands and the other hip-hop hits showcased by regular and sometimes guest DJs. The live band room is predictably more appealing to the locals but I reckon the hiphop section is also worth having a couple of beers in too. And great sound system in both rooms.
The crowd: Vary but mostly a mix of young uni students and office workers in their 20s and early 30s. Girls are rather hot, friendly and even inviting too and there’s even a sexy show held on stage in the live music room every now and then. All in all, Inch draws in quite a good crowd and it’s one of those clubs I don’t mind going back every weekend if time and budget permit!
And of course, we must not forget the highlights!:
If you’re sick of the usual bollocks in Ekamai/Thonglor, RCA, or even neighbouring Ratchada soi 4, there’s every reason why you should give Inch bar a go and don’t come back and blame me if you become addicted and can’t stop going back there every weekend!
The other day my mate sent me this shareworthy video of a Thai plumber who’s also a hardcore pervert in disguise. His technique of perving over his victims is so 21st century and can make your time in the loo highly uncomfortable indeed. Find out how:
Thankfully, he was caught and got banged up in the end but who knows how many unscrupulous, perverse plumbers like him are still out there. So watch out when you next need someone to mend that burst pipe!
OK this is another recently opened bar in the Ekamai/Thonglor area. It’s run by the same guy who owned Booze bar that has gone out of business due to stiff competition from Nunglen, Jet and Curve. But now he’s back with a couple of other investors on a revenge mission hoping to raise the bar
The club: Located in Thonglor soi 10 which also cuts through to soi Ekamai, Muse is thought to enjoy quite a location easily accessible from both Thonglor and Ekamai roads. Outside it looks great enough and you have to walk up a couple of steps to enter the bar. At the back, there’s a private parking lot for driving visitors too. Inside it looks relatively grand but a bit too dark for my own liking especially on the way to the toilet so be particularly careful while you walk.
The music: Nothing earth-shattering. Just normal live Thai bands with the DJ spinning the disc in between.
The crowd: It’s called Muse but unfortunately with not too many milfs. Only a good mix of uni students and young office workers which is still good enough. Some seriously hot looking girls in there but not as prevalent as in Jet according to my mates.
They say one picture says a thousand words and I’ve got a couple here so do check them out and let me know!
All in all it’s a decent club though I won’t say it’s one of my favourites in Bangkok but if you enjoy going out in this area and have a bit of time to spare, I’d recommend you check it out when you’re next out in town. Cya!
You know how fun it is to go clubbing in Bangkok. We all enjoy the unrivalled benefits of free entry, cheap booze and lovely fellow party goers. So everyone thinks it is absolutely pain-free to go on a night out in Bangkok. Well, not entirely right because after a few beers you probably need a pee and an immediate visit to the loo where an army of attendants wait to gang up on you!
It is perfectly understandable to see why bar and club owners in Bangkok would want to maximise their customer satisfaction by having many members of waiting staff in the club ready to serve punters if and when needed. However, I don’t believe such a policy should apply in toilets, specifically the gents.
If you visit the loo and try to have a peaceful, quiet piss on the urinal, the chances are you won’t. There’s bound to be some bloke coming right behind and offer to give you a massage you never asked for. He will then escort you to the washbasin before you can leave. Very nice. Well, not quite when they demand you to tip them, usually 20 baht. And no, it ain’t a one off either so you can simply time that by the number of visits you make to the loo to work out how much money you’ve spent in there!
I don’t know about you but as far as I’m concerned, these guys are more of a hindrance than a help and there is no good enough excuse to justify hiring them. Most of my mates even say they find toilet attendants harassing and part of the reason why they won’t go to the toilet unless they’re really bursting.
And for your information, toilet attendants are much much more rife in less privileged bars where alcohol is priced relatively low. If you’ve been to bars and clubs in many different areas of Bangkok, you should know precisely what I’m talking about and how and where to avoid them.
That said, I sometimes can’t help playing this prank on my mates by coming right from behind and starting to massage them while they try and have a wee. And it always makes me laugh like a paedo when they unwittingly turn around and say ‘Mai Pen Rai’
What’s your experience of bar toilets in Bangkok like? Please share any funny story. Cheers!
