Before I arrived in Thailand, I had spent hours researching Bangkok, and compiled a list of interesting things to see and do. The most prominent entry on that list has a big fat question mark next to where I normally write the address. I need to find it.
I first hear of the bar whilst browsing through a forum for expats in Thailand. It's a huge bar in Khaosan that plays metal over the weekends. I spent hours patrolling Khaosan, asking around. Noone seems to have heard of it. I find an address for the venue on another forum, but it leads me to an empty road in Lad Prao.
Eventually I come across a map. Now the bar is in Victory Monument. Girlfriend is going out on another clubbing spree, and I have no inclination to join. I go alone.
I spent about an hour walking up and down the road leading to Victory, trying to find soi leading to this elusive house of metal. Soi Boon Chus Ri yu-nai khrap? An old Thai lady lights up - she knows where it is. Thong pai, thong pai. I walk straight ahead, and find the soi. In the distance, I hear faint traces of Black Metal.
I FOUND IT!
Friday, 20 January 2012
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
It begins...
I'm getting tired of the noise of Sukhumvit and RCA.
Insomnia, Glow, Titanium, LED, Route 66...
These are the places I am being dragged to. It started off innocently enough.
When Girlfriend arrived in Bangkok she was introduced to a group of fun loving expats who would go clubbing every Friday.
It's an outrageous group of people from America, England, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Finland, Japan, China, India, Australia and now South Africa.
Every Friday the group will create a schedule and meet up for a bar crawl.
First stop, a casual venue to imbibe in the first few drinks of the evening in a social way.
Second stop, the first club of the night. Dance the night away.
The third stop is normally the highlight of their evening, as they go to the most outrageous party happening in Bangkok on the night.
Fourth stop is normally Insomnia, to refuel at the diner and dance a little more before 3am.
Then it's onto Wong's or Spicy till you crawl into bed anytime between 6 and 11 am.
While we've certainly met some interesting people and made some new friends, I need my people, I need my scene - and it's about damn time I find it.
Insomnia, Glow, Titanium, LED, Route 66...
These are the places I am being dragged to. It started off innocently enough.
When Girlfriend arrived in Bangkok she was introduced to a group of fun loving expats who would go clubbing every Friday.
It's an outrageous group of people from America, England, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Finland, Japan, China, India, Australia and now South Africa.
Every Friday the group will create a schedule and meet up for a bar crawl.
First stop, a casual venue to imbibe in the first few drinks of the evening in a social way.
Second stop, the first club of the night. Dance the night away.
The third stop is normally the highlight of their evening, as they go to the most outrageous party happening in Bangkok on the night.
Fourth stop is normally Insomnia, to refuel at the diner and dance a little more before 3am.
Then it's onto Wong's or Spicy till you crawl into bed anytime between 6 and 11 am.
While we've certainly met some interesting people and made some new friends, I need my people, I need my scene - and it's about damn time I find it.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Thaigrish? Thaigrit?
Okay, I've always seen English as a playful language, so bear with me here...
I've realized that like most of my "falang" friends here in Thailand, some Thai words have started bleeding into my everyday English. Some are useful, others are inside jokes, and some are just funny.
I'm not sure what to call this bastardized hybrid pidgin of English and Thai - I'm still undecided between Thaigrish (Thai/Engrish) and Thaikrit ("Phasa Angkrit" - Thai for English language)?
I will from time to time incorporate this into my writing, and if you're having trouble following, you can use this page for reference. Those living in Thailand or those who have spent some time here will likely not require this guide. I will keep updating this post as I add new Thaikrit words.
Sawatdee - Hello, Good morning, Good evening, Goodbye. use: Sawatdee Khrap/Kah
Khrap/Kah - Male/Female article for politeness, can also mean "Yes", or "I'm paying attention." This word is so useful, and if you master it's use you can easily bullshit someone into believing you can understand Thai.
Chai/Mai Chai - Yes, Not Yes
Farang/Falang - Foreigner
Lek/Yai - Small/Large, used for ordering beer, pointing out sizeable breasts, or talking about your penis.
Si daeng - Red
Si tohng - Gold
Si dam - Black
Si kao - White
Jur gen mai - Informal goodbye between friends i.e. Jur gen mai na khrap/kah
Hoppa! - Slang for shut up.
Arai/Alai khrap? - Formal, Sorry what was that?
Arai/Alai nah? - Informal, What did you say?
Arai/Alai wah? - Crude, What the fuck did you say?
0 soon
1 neung
2 sowng
3 saam
4 see
5 ha - Sidenote: 555 is pronounced ha ha ha, and is used as a replacement for lol.
6 hok
7 jet
8 paed
9 kao
10 sip
I'll keep updating this list as more words filter into my writing.
I've realized that like most of my "falang" friends here in Thailand, some Thai words have started bleeding into my everyday English. Some are useful, others are inside jokes, and some are just funny.
I'm not sure what to call this bastardized hybrid pidgin of English and Thai - I'm still undecided between Thaigrish (Thai/Engrish) and Thaikrit ("Phasa Angkrit" - Thai for English language)?
I will from time to time incorporate this into my writing, and if you're having trouble following, you can use this page for reference. Those living in Thailand or those who have spent some time here will likely not require this guide. I will keep updating this post as I add new Thaikrit words.
Sawatdee - Hello, Good morning, Good evening, Goodbye. use: Sawatdee Khrap/Kah
Khrap/Kah - Male/Female article for politeness, can also mean "Yes", or "I'm paying attention." This word is so useful, and if you master it's use you can easily bullshit someone into believing you can understand Thai.
Chai/Mai Chai - Yes, Not Yes
Farang/Falang - Foreigner
Lek/Yai - Small/Large, used for ordering beer, pointing out sizeable breasts, or talking about your penis.
Si daeng - Red
Si tohng - Gold
Si dam - Black
Si kao - White
Jur gen mai - Informal goodbye between friends i.e. Jur gen mai na khrap/kah
Hoppa! - Slang for shut up.
Arai/Alai khrap? - Formal, Sorry what was that?
Arai/Alai nah? - Informal, What did you say?
Arai/Alai wah? - Crude, What the fuck did you say?
0 soon
1 neung
2 sowng
3 saam
4 see
5 ha - Sidenote: 555 is pronounced ha ha ha, and is used as a replacement for lol.
6 hok
7 jet
8 paed
9 kao
10 sip
I'll keep updating this list as more words filter into my writing.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Prelude to Full Moon Party
This has been a good week. Found employment in the area, but due to the floods I will only be starting in a few weeks. I thought I'd take this time to head down south, check out the islands.
Girlfriend and I head down to the central train station in Bangkok, Hua Lamphong Railway Station. We arrived late as per usual, and ended up missing the last train to Surat Thani. Luckily we are guided to a travel agent on the second floor, and managed to secure bus tickets.
We take a Tuk-tuk to Khaosan, and after an hour or so of waiting, we get on the bus headed south.
We travel overnight, but it's a long trip. I'm not the only one nipping down into the bathroom for a sneaky cigarette.
It's almost 6am as we arrive on the coast, at a small little pier close to Chumporn. The sun will be rising soon...
I crack open a Singha and light up a marlboro as we wait for the ferry to the island...
Girlfriend and I head down to the central train station in Bangkok, Hua Lamphong Railway Station. We arrived late as per usual, and ended up missing the last train to Surat Thani. Luckily we are guided to a travel agent on the second floor, and managed to secure bus tickets.
We take a Tuk-tuk to Khaosan, and after an hour or so of waiting, we get on the bus headed south.
We travel overnight, but it's a long trip. I'm not the only one nipping down into the bathroom for a sneaky cigarette.
It's almost 6am as we arrive on the coast, at a small little pier close to Chumporn. The sun will be rising soon...
 |
| Chumporn Thungmakhamnoi Pier |
Monday, 3 October 2011
Time to head home...
After a few hours at Aloha, it's almost time to head home.
I head back to the House of Rock for a few hours, and watched the bands get their gig on.
Back to the Merlin lodge to retrieve the luggage, and then a late night taxi to Rangsit via the expressway.
Rangsit is in the Pathum Thani province, just outside Bangkok proper. It's greener, quieter, and has a lot less pollution. Arrive at my humble little apartment in Khlong Song (that's Khlong 2 remember?) just in time to pass out on the hard coconut mattress. Hmmm... I need to get a new bed.
Good night.
I head back to the House of Rock for a few hours, and watched the bands get their gig on.
Back to the Merlin lodge to retrieve the luggage, and then a late night taxi to Rangsit via the expressway.
Rangsit is in the Pathum Thani province, just outside Bangkok proper. It's greener, quieter, and has a lot less pollution. Arrive at my humble little apartment in Khlong Song (that's Khlong 2 remember?) just in time to pass out on the hard coconut mattress. Hmmm... I need to get a new bed.
Good night.
Aloha Blues
After the fine dining experience, it's time to chill out, so after consulting my little book of Bangkok, I head down to Soi 22. You might want to grab a motorcycle taxi, as we're going quite far down the road. Keep an eye out to the left, and you will see the Aloha cafe.
It's a cozy little bar in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. What makes this bar unique, is that it can be whatever you want it to be.
As you walk inside you will notice, to your left, a rather large collection of music dvd's.
If you're in the mood for some Stevie Ray Vaughan, put on some Double Trouble. In the mood for Deftones, how about White Pony? Iron Maiden? Rock in Rio.
There is also a dartboard if you feel like challenging the seasoned pro's that hang out here.
It's definitely a great way to spend a Sunday.
It's a cozy little bar in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. What makes this bar unique, is that it can be whatever you want it to be.
As you walk inside you will notice, to your left, a rather large collection of music dvd's.
If you're in the mood for some Stevie Ray Vaughan, put on some Double Trouble. In the mood for Deftones, how about White Pony? Iron Maiden? Rock in Rio.
There is also a dartboard if you feel like challenging the seasoned pro's that hang out here.
It's definitely a great way to spend a Sunday.
Fine sunday dining... Crepes & Co.
I eventually emerged from my room at the Merlin about 15 minutes before check out time.
After a quick cup of coffee, I asked Ken to store my bags and went out in search of some brunch.
I could've eaten at the Merlin, but I felt like experiencing some of Bangkok's haute cuisine.
As usual, I consulted my pre-arrival research and my stomach concluded that I should head down to Soi Sip-Song (Soi 12). So onto the BTS we go, for a quick trip down to the Asoke station, leave via Exit 2. Head down Soi 12 for about 10 minutes (or even better, grab a motorcycle), and you'll find yourself at the entrance of Crepes & Co.
As I arrived I was greeted by the manager, a french ex-pat who is fluent in an array of languages, not limited to English, French, Dutch and Thai. Not having made a reservation, I was steered towards a waiting area as my table was being prepared. The hostess brought over an amazingly comprehensive wine menu, with wines hailing from France, Italy, California, Chile, Australia and South Africa.
Having quite the penchant for wine from Stellenbosch, I was elated to find a 2008 Simonsig Chenin Blanc on the menu, and promptly indulged.
I declined to pick up a newspaper, and choose instead to lie back with a lovely wine, listening to the soft atmospheric music, sampling the buffet of sublime aromas. It was magical, and it certainly whet the appetite.
So I am directed to a table in the dining room (the restaurant consists of the lounge, dining room, and terrace), and bombarded with an array of menu's. Completely overwhelmed with choice, I delve through the French, Greek, Spanish and Thai menu's with gusto. I decide that this is all too much to bear, and abandon those menu's in favour of the crepes menu, a giant on it's own. What followed was amazing crepe with egg, ham, mushrooms, cheese, béchamel sauce, chives...
My rating: 9/10
The restaurant simply has an amazing atmosphere, a diverse menu, an exquisite wine list, located in a beautifully tranquil location. The staff have a good level of English, and the manager might surprise you by conversing with you in your native tongue. If you decide to go, call ahead and make a reservation, I managed to get lucky but the place is normally very busy.
After a quick cup of coffee, I asked Ken to store my bags and went out in search of some brunch.
I could've eaten at the Merlin, but I felt like experiencing some of Bangkok's haute cuisine.
As usual, I consulted my pre-arrival research and my stomach concluded that I should head down to Soi Sip-Song (Soi 12). So onto the BTS we go, for a quick trip down to the Asoke station, leave via Exit 2. Head down Soi 12 for about 10 minutes (or even better, grab a motorcycle), and you'll find yourself at the entrance of Crepes & Co.
 |
| Crepes & Co entrance |
Having quite the penchant for wine from Stellenbosch, I was elated to find a 2008 Simonsig Chenin Blanc on the menu, and promptly indulged.
 |
| Pick up a newspaper and enjoy a glass of wine whilst waiting for a table. |
 |
| The dining area |
 |
| The terrace |
The restaurant simply has an amazing atmosphere, a diverse menu, an exquisite wine list, located in a beautifully tranquil location. The staff have a good level of English, and the manager might surprise you by conversing with you in your native tongue. If you decide to go, call ahead and make a reservation, I managed to get lucky but the place is normally very busy.
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