O-Bay Design Hotel, Prachuap Khiri Khan

For one of my running events, this time around a half marathon, we went to Prachuap Khiri Khan, after a 6 year gap. Like all around Thailand, in most cities, plenty of brand new hotels are being build with affordable accommodation, especially in the 'provinces'. The O-Bay design Hotel is a perfect sample.

We got the superior suite at a great deal, which may have been part of their opening special offers.

The hotel with it's 11 rooms is centrally and conveniently located on the main road downtown Prachuap, just two blocks away from the ocean boulevard. It's easy to access all attractions that the city has to offer, especially if you brought your own wheels.

The hotel does not have a pool or an elevator but offers fast wifi, a small parking lot and a small restaurant and next door is an excellent place for Thai breakfast.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is nice and relaxed city and the O-Bay Design Hotel comes highly recommended.

Booking by AGODA

Superior suite

Superior suite

Bathroom

Exterior

Is safe to visit Bangkok's go go bars and massage parlors the coming months?

Angel Massage - Lobby room where Mamasan shows you pictures of available massage girls

This is just a follow up to a post I wrote last week now that I'm back in Bangkok for a short while. From what I've seen so for the bars and massage parlors are still quiet.

Just a few days ago I went over to Angels Oil Massage which is right on Sukhumvit Soi 24/1. Plenty of oil massage parlors on Suk 24/1 and still a rather quite area.

Anti-government protestors have successfully scared off many tourists, though not the seasoned whore mongers. Bangkok still draws a lot of go go bar and massage patrons. It's just not as much as before November 2013, when the protestors started taking to the streets and occupying key intersections and scaring off foreign visitors.

I've been staying clear of Soi Cowboy because that's just one key location where protestors are camped out.

So I've been going to Nana Plaza's go go bars where it's protestor free. Maybe the scary looking ladyboys are scaring them off.

And even though Nana is not as crowded with sex tourisits a lot of ladies are still working in the bars. Which means you won't have a whole lot of competition.

Patpong's go go bars is not a bad option either and I've been spending a little bit more time there because to me, Patpong's go go bars are getting better. I'll have a report on that later.

What does this mean? Is it still safe to mess around in Bangkok?. Me think so. Protestors don't harass tourists. They even encourage them to join in. I'm not kidding.

So, if you're reading this post, and you're a newbie first time visitor and still want to take a chance on whoring around Bangkok, my advice is to stay at hotels near Nana, the oil massage parlors of Phrom Phong or even near the soapy massage parlors up in Huay Kwang.

Those areas are problem free (as of writing) and I don't think protestors will camp out in those areas because it is not of any significant importance.

Just keep in mind, if it's freelancers and go go bars you're looking for head to Nana Entertainment Plaza. For oil massage and soapy massage make way to Phrom Phong and Huay Kwang respectively.

The BTS (Sky Trains) and MRT (subway trains) are running normally with protest leaders saying they won't disrupt those services. So both train systems are still your go to options for visiting those naughty boy points of interest.

Bangkok's Nightlife, is it safe to visit?

You can still visit Soi Cowboy... though many bars may be closed

Okay, so you've realized I've been off the blog grid for a long while. Well I've been away in Vietnam on a new business venture. And yeah, a lot of shit has been happening in Bangkok.

But of course I still drop by my beloved Bangkok ever so often. And I've been getting tons of emails as well as commentors from perverts wondering if the coast is clear for a visit to the naughty nightlife of Thailand.

And the most questions I've been getting of course is if Bangkok or Pattaya is safe to visit for messing around with Thai hookers.

The easy answer so far is yes. There are no tanks on the streets and snipers on the roofs. As far as I know. Plus hotel rates in Bangkok and Pattaya are feeling the pain as tourists are steering clear so now's a pretty good time to book hotel rooms.

Only thing you have to deal with so far are anti-government protestors who are no threat to tourists. They just camp out in major intersections blocking traffic. If you take a look at the Asoke Sukhumvit junction where Soi Cowboy is located where protestors have made camp (see pic above).

There are more protestors on the weekends though. So maybe you might want to avoid Soi Cowboy.

On the other hand Nana Plaza which is not far at all from Soi Cowboy remains protestor free as of of writing. But I don't think they'll make camp at Nana any time at all.

About Pattaya? Well that famous sin city by the beach is seeing an influx of sex tourists so you might be better off spending most of your time there while staying less in Bangkok. Pattaya is still not as busy though as many travelers are staying clear of Thailand.

The go go bars and massage parlors in Bangkok are less crowded. But girls are still working. So you might have a better chance of scoring better looking girls since competition is scarce. Plus the soapies of Huay Kwang and oil massage parlors of Phrom Phong are unaffected by all the political nonsense.

A couple of last notes there are changes on the go go bar scene so I will be updating my maps. Also apologies for not answering your emails and comments. I try my best to get through all of them but it's hard. But I will pick up on this blog as quick as I can.

Cheers,
Jim

Blue Carina Inn Hotel, Wichit, Phuket

During one of the running races I attend around Thailand, one of them was in November 2013 in Phuket. The hotel was nearby the race route and convenient for me. It turns out that the hotel has a very good location in general, not anywhere near a beach, but near a big hospital, the Phuket International hospital and also opposite the SSS Recompression or Hyperbaric Chamber of Phuket.

In the same street as the hotel are a 7-11 and a Family Mart and within 100 meters is a very big 'Big C' and to top this; about 500 meters further away is the big 'Central Festival' shopping mall. In many ways, a very strategic location, as long as you're not looking for a beach location. 

The rooms are nice, clean and affordable and I can recommend it.

Booking by AGODA

Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

Business Room

Standard room

Exterior

Swimming pool

Front and reception

Centara Seaview Resort, Khao Lak

During November 2013 I had friends stay at this resort in Khao Lak and went to see them on various days. Centara has a good reputation and with it's 197 luxury rooms, including one Royal Executive Pool Villa, seven Royal Pool Villas, two Royal Villas, 27 Deluxe Pool Villas and three disabled rooms, this resort delivers as well.

The rooms are big and nice with all you need and expect in resort in this class and you have immediate beach access on a lovely white sand beach.

Just keep in mind that there's a lot of water around the resort so there might be mosquito's and as in all Centara resors, the wifi doesn't come free and is actually way overpriced.

On the other hand, the recreational sport facilities and children activities are fantastic, with plenty of options and choices. The swimming pool has a slide which the children will enjoy.

The resort is also just a 5 minute walk away from the main road where you can find plenty of different restaurants and shops to your liking.

A good hotel in a nice location with plenty of options to enjoy your holiday.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined

Deluxe Ocean room

Guest room

Royal Pool Villa

Swimming pool

Overview

Samkong Place, Phuket

This modest place is located in Talat Yai, Phuket Town and is within walking distance of two big hospitals; Bangkok Hospital and the Vachira (government) hospital

There's fast wifi in the room with the hotel offering plenty of parking space and around the hotel there are plenty of local eateries. Samkong is a lively place and besides the restaurants, there's plenty of other conveniences around near the hotel, like small mini markets etc.
Very good is that the hotel is located away from the busy main road and there's no traffic noise in the rooms. 

The rooms seem safe, are clean and big and come at a very affordable price.

Booking at Agoda

Booking at Hotels Combined

Guest room

Twin room

Double room

Guest room

Hotel exterior

Green Tree Village, Phuket

Last month we stayed at this lovely bungalow village, which is located near the roundabout of the two heroines in Phuket, the Thao Thep Kasattri (ท้าวเทพกระษัตรี) and Thao Sri Sunthon (ท้าวศรีสุนทร) placing it in a very central location, near to shopping areas, the Laguna, the airport and some beautiful quiet beaches as well.

The bungalows are located at a small lake and far enough away from the busy highway to make for an idyllic and lovely setting you can easily fall in love with. The setting will make up for the lack of a swimming pool but good and fast internet in the room as an up again. Breakfast is served at your balcony which makes for a great start of the day.

If you're looking for a quiet and affordable hide away on Phuket, you just found it here!

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined

Living room

Kitchenette

Bed room

View on the bungalow

The lake in front of the bungalows