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dirtydog · 15-03-2006, 01:32 PM

Scuttlebut

They say a week in politics is a long time. But despite all the turmoil in Thai politics at the moment, not a lot has changed since our last mailing. The election is still on for April 2 nd , the protests go on and the main opposition parties are planning to boycott the election. A small bomb went off outside General Prem's (Head of the Privy Council) house that did little except injure a couple of unfortunate farangs who were walking past. It was certainly not the start of a Muslim bomb campaign against the capital.
The only thing about this election that is different is that in the past, villagers in the boondocks have got rich my accepting money to vote a certain way. Now they are receiving money NOT to vote. And for once the person paying can make certain that does happen - to get paid for not voting you have to give up your ID card for election day!
Well it has finally happened, after much too-ing and fro-ing, and 2 am closing is back in both Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. Maybe that will be only until another police force steps in and ask for money as well as the local nick. In Nana Plaza the price is 5k per unit and with most of the main bars being two units, that equates to about 10 beers in that final hour to pay the new stipend. Or a bar fine or whatever. Since full showing is not back in the Plaza we can not say it is quite back to pre-Purachai days, but it is going that way. Although it is costing the bar owners much more!!! (a collective sigh of ahhhhhhhhh!)
Long time Thai manageress of Chequers (Soi 4) Harry has left to set up her own operation. Before Chequers, Harry worked at Jools just down the road. Her own bar will be a few doors down from Jools in the shop-house now housing LT Travel. Harry has always been a larger, or should I say louder, than life character and it will be interesting to see how she gets on. She has always been popular with customers and has never baulked at trying to out drink them. The name of the new bar has not yet been named, but I am told the obvious Harry's Bar, has been ruled out.
Soi 4 is undergoing various changes with a big new Irish style bar under construction next door to the Bus Stop. It should have been open by now but there were various delays and then the foundations were laid - in the wrong place! The owners are the same people who own O'Reilly's (Silom) and the Robin Hood (Sukhumvit Soi 33/1). I was told it was due for completion in June, but looking at the site, the autumn looks more likely!
The Bus Stop has been totally rebuilt and is now on 2 levels with the upper level providing a breezy spot to watch the myriad comings and goings on Soi 4.
Further down the soi, Brunswick has been closed after a rental dispute that went on for over a year. It seems the landlords thought the rent should be paid and the operator disagreed!
The original Hilary Bar has been put back in it's box, so to speak. All the bits that encroached onto the Raja Hotel car park have now gone. But there is still a sizable bar there.
Hillary lost their bits in the Raja car park because that end of the Raja Hotel has been renovated and that bit is now called Raja Suites . The refurbished rooms and suites are available at a very reasonable rate on a monthly basis only. I believe 9K is the figure. Not a bad spot to install the Mia Noi, or as a bolthole from she who must be circumvented. Or a cheap to stay option for those staying over 9 days. I have not seen the rooms but I am told they are up to standard which is more that I can say about the main Raja hotel.
It seems a 60-day closure of the top floor Hollywood gogo in Nana Plaza is inevitable. It always was from the day they were busted back when Eric the Clock was in charge. Once a place is busted and it is in the book at the nick then closure (punishment) is inevitable. All experienced operators know that, and whatever you pay all it will do is delay the inevitable. Now it seems Hollywood is getting a monthly visit from the Old Bill and Peter, the new owner, is having to pay out a substantial sum to get the paperwork back to the bottom of the pile. But sooner, or later, it will emerge at the top. For the sums that are apparently passing hands, it might be better to take the medicine as the low season approaches than keep the expensive delays ongoing!
St Paddy's Day is on Friday.
Bully's ( Between Soi 2 & 4 on Sukhumvit Road) is arranging a full set of Paddy's Day celebrations. There will be four bands starting at 4 pm and going on ‘till late. I am told Unicorn, the all girl band from Titanium will kick the musical proceedings off with Celtic Colours covering the cocktail hour and old favourites Dr Blues (he who has retired more times than Sinatra) at 9.30 and Cannonball is closing the party down from Midnight onwards. There will also be various drink promotions with Guinness at a special price among other things.
Lucky Luke's ( Entrance Nana Plaza )is holding a party with a barbie at about 9 pm as well with the inevitable balloons and a special cocktail. PJ has bought a green shirt for the occasion and is looking for a green top hat. The jig dancing lessons are going well!
Tokyo Joes ( Soi 24 in Sivaporn Plaza bar soi opposite Ariston Hotel) hosts the three day Bangkok Blues Festival on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is a number of bands playing including, on Thursday, the excellent Blues Machine, from the Blues Factory in Pattaya. See http://www.bangkokbluesfestival.com/
Bangkok Wine Society March tasting of Thai wine will be at The Indus Restaurant , ( Sukhumvit Soi 26) on Tuesday March 21st at 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Price per head, wine tasting and finger food, will be 400 Baht, payable at the door.
The Indus is an Indian and Thai restaurant in a delightful old house with a pleasant garden. The tasting will be in the bar area. You can see more details on their web site which includes a map. Please reserve your places via BWS website
We sent you Thailand Business Informer last week. It will not be sent to you again unless you subscribe . And we apologise that the link was missing. The place to subscribe is http://thailandbusinessinformer.com/
Sam Worthington went to Spasso to eat rather than find expensive company, and visited a gentleman's home when he tried out the newest French restaurant: Villa Bangkok
From an email I received about credit card fraud. If you use credit cards this is well worth reading
This might be helpful!
Be sure to read 'Scene 3'
SCENE 1:
A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.
After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.
A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whopping bill of $14,000!
He called the credit card company Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen.
"No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made.
An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.
Verdict: since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them
SCENE 2:
A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along.
Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.
Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet at yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something
SCENE 3:
I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account.
The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.
I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.
He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved.
Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor.
Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be careless.
Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these days.
The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them.

15-03-2006, 01:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 08:36 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 40,663	Asia Bugle 15-3-2006 Scuttlebut They say a week in politics is a long time. But despite all the turmoil in Thai politics at the moment, not a lot has changed since our last mailing. The election is still on for April 2 nd , the protests go on and the main opposition parties are planning to boycott the election. A small bomb went off outside General Prem's (Head of the Privy Council) house that did little except injure a couple of unfortunate farangs who were walking past. It was certainly not the start of a Muslim bomb campaign against the capital. The only thing about this election that is different is that in the past, villagers in the boondocks have got rich my accepting money to vote a certain way. Now they are receiving money NOT to vote. And for once the person paying can make certain that does happen - to get paid for not voting you have to give up your ID card for election day! Well it has finally happened, after much too-ing and fro-ing, and 2 am closing is back in both Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. Maybe that will be only until another police force steps in and ask for money as well as the local nick. In Nana Plaza the price is 5k per unit and with most of the main bars being two units, that equates to about 10 beers in that final hour to pay the new stipend. Or a bar fine or whatever. Since full showing is not back in the Plaza we can not say it is quite back to pre-Purachai days, but it is going that way. Although it is costing the bar owners much more!!! (a collective sigh of ahhhhhhhhh!) Long time Thai manageress of Chequers (Soi 4) Harry has left to set up her own operation. Before Chequers, Harry worked at Jools just down the road. Her own bar will be a few doors down from Jools in the shop-house now housing LT Travel. Harry has always been a larger, or should I say louder, than life character and it will be interesting to see how she gets on. She has always been popular with customers and has never baulked at trying to out drink them. The name of the new bar has not yet been named, but I am told the obvious Harry's Bar, has been ruled out. Soi 4 is undergoing various changes with a big new Irish style bar under construction next door to the Bus Stop. It should have been open by now but there were various delays and then the foundations were laid - in the wrong place! The owners are the same people who own O'Reilly's (Silom) and the Robin Hood (Sukhumvit Soi 33/1). I was told it was due for completion in June, but looking at the site, the autumn looks more likely! The Bus Stop has been totally rebuilt and is now on 2 levels with the upper level providing a breezy spot to watch the myriad comings and goings on Soi 4. Further down the soi, Brunswick has been closed after a rental dispute that went on for over a year. It seems the landlords thought the rent should be paid and the operator disagreed! The original Hilary Bar has been put back in it's box, so to speak. All the bits that encroached onto the Raja Hotel car park have now gone. But there is still a sizable bar there. Hillary lost their bits in the Raja car park because that end of the Raja Hotel has been renovated and that bit is now called Raja Suites . The refurbished rooms and suites are available at a very reasonable rate on a monthly basis only. I believe 9K is the figure. Not a bad spot to install the Mia Noi, or as a bolthole from she who must be circumvented. Or a cheap to stay option for those staying over 9 days. I have not seen the rooms but I am told they are up to standard which is more that I can say about the main Raja hotel. It seems a 60-day closure of the top floor Hollywood gogo in Nana Plaza is inevitable. It always was from the day they were busted back when Eric the Clock was in charge. Once a place is busted and it is in the book at the nick then closure (punishment) is inevitable. All experienced operators know that, and whatever you pay all it will do is delay the inevitable. Now it seems Hollywood is getting a monthly visit from the Old Bill and Peter, the new owner, is having to pay out a substantial sum to get the paperwork back to the bottom of the pile. But sooner, or later, it will emerge at the top. For the sums that are apparently passing hands, it might be better to take the medicine as the low season approaches than keep the expensive delays ongoing! St Paddy's Day is on Friday. Bully's ( Between Soi 2 & 4 on Sukhumvit Road) is arranging a full set of Paddy's Day celebrations. There will be four bands starting at 4 pm and going on ‘till late. I am told Unicorn, the all girl band from Titanium will kick the musical proceedings off with Celtic Colours covering the cocktail hour and old favourites Dr Blues (he who has retired more times than Sinatra) at 9.30 and Cannonball is closing the party down from Midnight onwards. There will also be various drink promotions with Guinness at a special price among other things. Lucky Luke's ( Entrance Nana Plaza )is holding a party with a barbie at about 9 pm as well with the inevitable balloons and a special cocktail. PJ has bought a green shirt for the occasion and is looking for a green top hat. The jig dancing lessons are going well! Tokyo Joes ( Soi 24 in Sivaporn Plaza bar soi opposite Ariston Hotel) hosts the three day Bangkok Blues Festival on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is a number of bands playing including, on Thursday, the excellent Blues Machine, from the Blues Factory in Pattaya. See http://www.bangkokbluesfestival.com/ Bangkok Wine Society March tasting of Thai wine will be at The Indus Restaurant , ( Sukhumvit Soi 26) on Tuesday March 21st at 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Price per head, wine tasting and finger food, will be 400 Baht, payable at the door. The Indus is an Indian and Thai restaurant in a delightful old house with a pleasant garden. The tasting will be in the bar area. You can see more details on their web site which includes a map. Please reserve your places via BWS website We sent you Thailand Business Informer last week. It will not be sent to you again unless you subscribe . And we apologise that the link was missing. The place to subscribe is http://thailandbusinessinformer.com/ Sam Worthington went to Spasso to eat rather than find expensive company, and visited a gentleman's home when he tried out the newest French restaurant: Villa Bangkok From an email I received about credit card fraud. If you use credit cards this is well worth reading This might be helpful! Be sure to read 'Scene 3' SCENE 1: A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whopping bill of $14,000! He called the credit card company Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen. "No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. Verdict: since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them SCENE 2: A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person. Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet at yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something SCENE 3: I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture. He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor. Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these days. The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.