Landed at the Bangkok airport. Breezed through immigration and went to the baggage carousel. The carousel hadn't started moving, so I figured this was a good time to change a few bucks at the machines adjacent from the carousel. I had wanted to change my dollars in the US, but the rates that were quoted were outrageous: 37.43 from Chase where I'm a preferred customer was the best rate going - a far cry from the 42.35 I got at the airport. [Exchange note: In town, the same day, the going rate was 42.70 for 100s and 42.25 for 50s and 20s. So exchange your 20s at the airport and change your 100s in town. The rate for traveler's checks (which I never use) was higher than 100s, I think 42.90, but they take a fee of 23 baht per check]. Anyway, as I was feeding the 20s in, the carousel starts spitting out the baggage. I put my baht away and walk over to the carousel, where I think I see my red golf bag. I make my way towards the end of the belt and wait for the bag - but it never comes. I figure I was just mistaken. One minute later my black suitcase comes and I start waiting for my golf bag. And wait. And wait some more. Half an hour goes by and it looks like all the bags are out - this is not the way I want to start my vacation. I start to look around and unbelievable I see my bag - on someone else's cart! A golf tour operator had about 10 golf bags on his cart, with mine at the bottom. I went right over and told him it was my bag - I had the matching ticket. He and his associate starting apologizing profusely. Whether it was an honest mistake or not I don't know, but I was five minutes away from losing $2,000 worth of clubs and starting my vacation the wrong way. Thought about getting the cops (which I would have done in New York), but decided to let it go. Lesson learned: keep your eye on the carousel at all times. It's that easy for someone to walk away with your bag(s). Made my way out the door and made my next mistake I had emailed julietaxi.com and reserved a car to meet me and take me into town for 350 baht, including tolls. I exited the baggage area and turned right towards the exit. The driver was not there holding the sign with my name. This same thing happened in November and I wound up taking an airport cab for 600 baht, plus tolls. Well I look around and realize there's another exit - you can and should turn left when exiting the baggage area. That's where everyone waits for arriving passengers. That's probably why I didn't see the driver in November. And the driver from Julie Taxi was there to greet me and take my bags. Two minutes later, I'm in the air-conditioned car zipping towards Boss Tower. On my last trip, I stayed at the Omni and was very pleased. So why did I choose Boss Tower this trip? It had gotten a great recommendation from a couple of people and I wanted to see a different neighborhood in Bangkok. Plus, the rooms were larger and less expensive. I had to check it out. We arrive at Boss Tower 30 minutes later and I check in. I had reserved one of their penthouse suites on the 24th floor. It was 4,000 baht a night, pricey by Bangkok standards but a steal by New York standards. They open the door and the place is HUGE. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a bar, dining room, living room, kitchen and maid's room and bathroom. And the whole thing place was surrounded by a wrap-around balcony with incredible views.

Boss Tower Balcony





That's the upside. The downside was, there really were no "hotel-style" amenities like at the Omni. No alarm clock, no blow dryer, no toothbrush holder, and very problematic - no in-room safe. They also only have two elevators going from the lobby to the rooms and then to get outside, you have to switch to one very small elevator. And the lobby leaves something to be desired. Add all this up, and the fact that there is nothing within walking distance (except for one small road that had some good street food) and the Omni has this place beat hands down. On Monday I called the Omni and moved there on Tuesday - but I'm getting ahead of myself.

I briefly unpacked and called down to get a cab - my plan was to hit my tailor, hit a barbershop and get a Thai massage before heading out for the evening. I went to Louis Tailors on Sukhumvit. I ordered a summer wardrobe of 4 suits, 12 pants, 12 shirts and 4 golfing combos of shirt and pants/shorts for $950. The quality is absolutely first rate, everything I ordered in November has worn very well, and I am frequently complimented on my wardrobe. The golfing combos and enough shirts and pants for the week would be ready on Tuesday. I then went to a Thai Massage on Sukhumvit directly across the street from the Marriott, near Soi 3. Had a great two hour massage for 400 baht. Next, walked into Happy Barbershop on Soi 3 just off Sukhumvit and got a combo manicure, pedicure, shave and facial for 700 baht - it's great having three cute girls in red and white uniforms working on you at once. I took a cab back to Boss Tower, had a shower and got dressed for the evening.

Massage Parlor


First stop Soi Cowboy. I became a big fan of the Long Gun on the last trip and really hit it off with one of the girls there named Nat, a 19 year-old from Korat.

Photos: Nat 1 Nat 2 Nat 3

Since then I read with dismay that the quality of the girls had gone downhill. Wasn't sure what to expect when I walked through the doors at 9:00pm on a Sunday night. The place was almost empty customer-wise and it took all of 20 seconds for Nat to recognize me and come over. She was looking as hot as the last time and we started making small talk. I let her know I had an "appointment" at 10:00pm that night, but would like to get together with her during the week. She hesitated a little, saying her mother was in town, so she wasn't sure. I said no problem, had another drink and watched the girls. There was still a lot of talent on stage, the first shift came on topless and the next topless and bottomless. There was a great variety of girls including several with C-D cups, not the easiest thing to find in Thailand. I would definitely be back. It was almost 10:00pm so I said goodbye to Nat and headed over to the Eden Club. Marc was not there, but the stunning bartender said "you must be Mr. Wallstreet" in perfect English as soon as I walked through the door. I had reserved and confirmed and reconfirmed Kook and Wi based on recommendations on this board. But they pulled the old bait-and-switch by giving me Ohm and Kung. I was told Kook was on holiday so they substituted Kung and she picked Ohm. They weren't the best looking girls, but I'm a go-with-the-flow type of guy when on vacation so I paid the 5,000 baht for both girls to the bartender and took off hand-in-hand with both girls. They were both really fun and playful - I offered them dinner, but they declined wanting to go back to the hotel. Who am I to argue? Upon entering the suite at Boss Tower, they were both amazed at the size of the place and opened every door - they couldn't believe I was there alone. We all took a shower together and got right down to business: DFK, DATY, BBBJ, cowgirl, some nice girl-on-girl action and I finished up in Ohm's mouth. Watched a little tv and went at it for round 2. Finished around 2:00am and by this time I was getting tired. I had them until 6:00am, so I set my watch alarm for 5:00am. I was still tired at 5:00am so I let them do all the work. They got up to leave promptly at 6:00am and I tipped each one 1,000 baht. They provided excellent service and were fun. Just not the greatest in the looks department, but overall a great way to get the ball rolling. Went back to sleep and set my alarm for 10:00am.

Did you reserve the girls at Eden on the website?? Likely you did. I prefer to use the phone as that way Marc will tell you if the girls you want are available. No need to book ahead of the day you want them. If you book ahead of time Marc has no way of knowing for sure they will be there. Sounds like things turned out all right though . I agree the bartender - Mind - is a gorgeous young woman- I hit on her every trip- so far no luck !! I'm leaving for BKK in AM- will try to keep up with your ongoing report. Good work !

Wallstreet,

It is clear you had a grand budget for this trip. I would never spend 4,000 Baht per night on a Hotel room....

You have an incredible level of detail in your report. This is a good thing since I love details! I look forward to reading the rest of your reports.

Question: When you visited the Happy Barber shop in Sukhumvit, did you try to hit on or flirt with the girls? How do you think they would have responded to you? Some Hombres recently have found success in dating girls in the Barber shop.

Thanks!

~BKKguru

I budgeted $4,000 for this trip, including airfare, and wound up spending closer to $5,000. I make a decent living and when I go on vacation, I tend to be a little reckless, but as long as I have a good time, I'm happy. Those girls in the Happy Barber Shop were really cute, but it would have been difficult to hit on them because the facial kept my eyes closed for just about the entire time in the chair. It seems to me though, as I listened to other customers, that there was definate opportunity there - especially if you were a regular. To be honest though, I was thinking of the two Eden girls that I was picking up later that evening and never really thought of those girls as "dateable"

Wow, I spent a little over $7000 for my entire 64 day trip through SE Asia. I cracked up when I saw you spending 4000 Baht a night on your room. That was what I would spend on an average day in Bangkok, including food, transportation, hotel, one go-go girl with BF, and a freelancer out of Angels for a nightcap! LOL

Look forward to the rest of the story...

Wallstreet,

You're experience at the baggage claim is the very reason I make sure that I can see the bags come out of the back onto the carousel. It is FAR too easy for things to get 'snatched' up before they work their way around. This is not unique to BKK. It's a world wide issue.

Glad it worked out for you, and you had a good time.


Chok Dee,

StrikeEagle

Wallstreet, great start to what I imagine will be a very comprehensive report. I appreciate the details. I'm glad you were able to change your FF miles before it was too late, that's the type of interaction we need in this board. You're gonna absolutely love NW Biz class -- awesome seats, great food, and tons of entertainment. But I must warn you, the tewardesses are not as good looking as EVA, the Asian airlines have no regard for senority, but NW apparently has a big union pushing the gradma's into Biz section. Just save some upgrade seats for me though