I was just getting to the point that I was starting to think The Tunnel could do no wrong. I met freebird, met some more member clubs girls, some employees from one of the local pubs and even last night was hearing some very cool dance tunes. I was digging it but I should have known that the good times can’t last forever. There is a curse on that place - there has to be. So I ordered my 3rd drink at around 2:45 AM and was just getting my buzz on when it happened. The music abruptly stopped, the lights came up and people started playing the after hours version of musical chairs - but with people. Yes - Tunnel got shut down early and I was not thrilled about it.
I was chatting with my favorite service guy about the situation and he was baffled as well. He said they have been going strong almost every night until 4:30 to 5 AM without any problems. He said there was something funky going on though. He said they have been getting more and more VIPs and models hanging out. Some people may think that is cool but honestly it brings unwanted attention and pain in the ass VIPs with their lame ass entourages. I noticed that the VIP area actually had a security guard blocking the entrance and there were 5-7 models hanging out with 2 photogs. In Hong Kong when u went to a club with models it was kind of a big deal since they were probably the hottest girls in there. In Bangkok though I find that I could care less about some stuck up models examining each other’s makeup knowing the club is rammed with gorgeous Thai girls who I am sure carry a tenth of the attitude the models do. You can just tell when they get escorted together to the bathroom how full they are of themselves. I just chuckle and think about the 3some I had over the weekend. What do I need models for when I have Thailand?
The one comment from the service guy that was surprising was how he explained that some Thai guy connected with the military wanted to party with the models but was somehow shunned from taking over the VIP section. Remember this is Thailand so I could imagine the said dude calling his buddies in to shut the place down. Anyway - the place got busted up and I finished my drink and walked out slowly. Partially out of protest but I was also looking for any hot stragglers. Once I got outside though I was stunned by the amount of police lights. Must have been about 7 police cars which is not normal since most Thai Police are on their own motorbikes. You can see in the picture that the cars were not standard Thai police nor were they Tourist Police. Look at the logo on the car - it says CSD. Which I assume stands for Crime Suppression Department. Anyone know? I guess trolling for girls on ladies night is now considered a crime in Bangkok? Anyway. Tunnel lost its mojo last night but I am curious as to why since it does not look like the normal coppers looking for some top of the month tea money. Bummer.
People read the latest on Ikea? Looks like they are not coming to Thailand. Frankly I am happy since I don’t really like their stuff and I hate their stores. Hong Kong is mad about Ikea but I think Ikea needs a special section for furniture sold in humid environments since all the Ikea stuff I bought in HK rotted from the inside within about 24 months. Seems the normal Ikea crap can’t handle the Asian humidity. What is disturbing is why Ikea is not coming. They seem to believe the current foreign investment climate is too vague right now. I tend to agree. I was hoping the CNS was going to clean it up but their backlash against Thaskin is creating some draconian measures.
“The foreign business ownership laws have always been complicated, but there has always been a measure of understanding,” said Alastair Henderson, managing partner of Herbert Smith, the law firm, in Bangkok.
“The latest proposals have meant great uncertainty for companies about the regulatory climate they are going to face and whether they will be able to retain control of their investments.”
I think that quote sums it up well. Things havealways have been complicated but now they are complicated and murky. Granted - Thaskin needed to go but I was hoping the current regime was focused on making things better. We shall see.
I have no doubt it was that dude that got rejected from the VIP section. What a loss of face for him and obviously wanted to get back at them. Typical. I think the VIP section there is really really lame and my friends and I always get a chuckle when we see the people in there acting like they are somehow special.
The place is way too dark for me, sometimes its hard to see the people standing right in front of you.
View all comments by bkk22
I think that the FBA is purely a legal ploy against Thaksin. A critical point of law was established last year by the Supreme Court which stated that a person cannot be charged retroactively on something that previously was not against the Law.
As such expect that once Thaksin has been done, and that will take time, then the Law will be changed.
View all comments by psi100th
Wonder if it was that Thai ‘policeman’ on drugs who got pissed off at you presence last time?
Perhaps he thought ‘this’ll show him’.
View all comments by Combover
CSD = Crime Suppression Division.
AFAIK they are tasked with investigating serious crimes and large scale frauds.
They are an investigative division and I don’t think enforcing nightlife closing times are part of their regular duties.
View all comments by Orion
yup. seemed weird for CSD to be taking down a club but this is Thailand and I am sure there is more to it than I witnessed or could deduce. Funky place this Bangkok…
View all comments by smitty
drugs maybe?
View all comments by lwg74
D R U G S in Thailand?? You must be kidding!
View all comments by farangsay
suprisningly over the past 2-3 years i have never been offered drugs once in LOS
BKK, Pattaya and Phuket, not a mention of anything which is suprising to me coz being young id of thought id be inundated with offeres for godknowswhat
if any1 has been offered whats the ’sell’ or ‘pitch’
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
“the ’sell’ or ‘pitch’ “??
= Simple… Just say ‘NO’!!!
View all comments by Day Walker
when i mean the pitch i mean how do they ask you? do they ask you flat out in the street, they have a ‘code name’ for it? slip you a piece of paper with it written on it?
never been offered so i wouldnt know if they have a scam, or a certain way of offering you it
just interesting to know
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
I haven’t seen “dealers” on the streets in bkk. I think the police would clean that up pretty quickly. I have heard that you can get pretty much anything and I mean anything from your local motorci crew BUT I would advise strongly against that unless you know them. Can be a very dangerous way to go. Other that that, Clubs (especiall After Hours) are packed with “users”, very easy to find a girl that knows where to buy. However, I agree with dw, just say No
View all comments by pmmp
the only times I’ve come across it have been taxi drivers, and they just came flat out and offered either ‘ganja’ or ‘yar bar’. In saying that, I know people that use both products and they get theirs from motorci crews - apparently they call one of the guys and he turns up in a back alley on his motorci to do the deal. I have never used any drugs or anything, but I completely agree with pmmp and dw about steering clear of them in Thailand. A mate of mine bought some supposedly pure ganja from a motorci gang, smoked it, got drug tested, and the test came back positive for weed, opium and amphetamines - not a nice cocktail.
The reason that drugs like ‘yar bar’ are so big in the after hours clubs is that the girls use it to keep going and going throughout the night - the same reason gogo dancers use it
View all comments by Jase
penfold: I can’t believe you have never been offered anything in Thailand… When in Thailand, I am offered something on an almost daily basis which I always refuse. Not that I don’t do drugs but I wouldn’t in Thailand, except for the legal ones. The penalties are just way too harsh and I don’t want to end paying 50 or 100 ‘longtimes’ to the lucky guy who’s just busted me…
For the record, weed is just about everywhere in the islands. Even bar girls smoke pot there. And not only ‘nid noi’!
jase: amphetamines of all sorts (and that’s what yaabaa is) are popular in the after hours club scene all over the world! Neither typical Thai, nor typical of bar girls…
p*mp: i wouldn’t even buy a teddy bear from the motorci crew…
View all comments by farangsay
i always assumed if ever you did want it, all you have to do is ask your friendly motoci/taxi or tuktuk driver
before my first trip to thailand i was told especially because of my age id be inundated and pissed off with the constant offering of all kinds. i was offered everything under the sun on holidays in greece *shudders*
whats the rule on steroids in LoS? i would never take them because fuck knows what its cut with etc etc, but i have heard contrasting reports about the law on it
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
Forgot to mention…. Winners don’t use drugs!
View all comments by Young Royal
Well Ben Johnson did win a few times! But I assume it was not on yaba…
View all comments by farangsay
A standard nana ploy for the cops is to have a plain clothes cop or someone they have leverage on to offer ganja to a newbie in the bar. Newbie takes the bait, they do the deal and five seconds later cops bust the newbie. Newbie screams entrapment - er - cops laugh.
Straight to Lumphini Police station and, because newbies don’t know that the pay off MUST happen before you get into the book, they get booked. Once in the book it is a criminal offense no matter how small the amount and they will be deported and declared PNG. To clear it once it is in the books takes time and somewhere between 200 - 400 K baht.
Unless you know the person really well (and they like you)don’t go there, too many ways to ruin your day. Stick to booze and pussy you can have a pretty ecstatic time with both of those…
View all comments by psi100th
my - never been to pattaya? look at all the muscile heads who live and train there. Steroids are readily available.
psi - great advice.
I also had to kill some of the comments folks. Way to many details about the subject. We don’t need that kind of attention.
thx
View all comments by smitty
In Pattaya they ask you flat out in the street, mostly around Walking street. Steroids are legal in Thailand. You can find them at the pharmacy.
View all comments by hanuman
I think I have only been offered drugs once in Thailand. It was in Foodland in soi 5. It was an older Thai guy trying to sell me a box of Viagra
Odd because back home I got offers all the time, and I think I look more like a druggy now than I did then. Maybe I assume they are just some arsehole who thinks I’m so thick I can’t find a brothel in Bangkok and the same instinctual fuck-off-I’m-ignoring-you technique works.
View all comments by Cabby
I was offering information only smitty, but I understand.
View all comments by Young Royal
yr - nothing personal but was just too much detail.
thanks!
View all comments by smitty
Would be interesting to know, what are the going rates for buying yourslef out of trouble, like when busted with drugs, after getting in a fight (would the price be different if you have had a fight with a Thai or a Farang?), trouble in a gogo-bar, traffic accident, etc. Would be nice to know what it would cost to pay yourself out of such offenses. I am not planning to get into them, but even if you think of yourself as innocent, maybe the cops will say you are not and want money…. and to know what the rates are would also prevent people from getting ripped off too badly by the cops.
smitty: If these questions are too sensitive… just delete my comment, I could understand.
View all comments by Phoenix
Phoenix: there were a few elements of answer in YR’s comment.
Been busted once in Pattaya on a motorcycle riding drunk, without helmet, without licence and driving a soi the wrong way and was asked to pay 1000 THB by the cop. As far as he wasn’t supposed to know that I was drunk, I found it a bit expensive and offered 600 THB which he accepted. All in all a good deal I think: a friend of mine had to officially pay a 900 THB fine for failing to use a helmet and to be able to show his licence.
View all comments by farangsay
Phoenix - the ATM limit is 20K. It’s all scaleable from there. Thinking about it that’s where the Visa overstay probably comes from.
Smitty - Opps, mai ben rai.
View all comments by Young Royal
dont get me wrong im not a ‘roid head and never tried steroids before, its just aslways interesting to hear about the whole scene
suprisingly i have never been offered anything in pattaya either. i never seen the meathead scene down there - where do they workout? i know that California WOW have just opened down there but thought this would be a bit too mainstream
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
Farangsay, RY, thanks for the hints. But what if also other people are involved,not only you and the cop, does the 20k limit still apply?
View all comments by Phoenix
When I was first in Thailand I saw a chick that was stunning and I had to have her, but my friend a resident for 5 years warned me about her type. What type? She was drapped in gold and he said she had more money that me and that’s dangerous.
Phoenix - thats my personal experince and friends personal experience but it’s the same with one or two cops. 3 cops, I’d start praying. A friend of my was busted and had no money so he was allowed to “phone a friend”. It’s in our nature to help and to want to help but with traffic accidents just get away from the seen ASAP. It’s obviously better not to get in the situation in the first place.
My tip is don’t live on 22. I got totally fed up with getting searched all the time. I’ve been with Thai friends who schooled the cops for being so aggressive. They took the cops numbers and threatened to report them for harrasment. I just moved a couple of street and never seen a cop again.
View all comments by Young Royal
YR, thanks.
I have never had trouble with cops in Thailand. Once on Phuket I was even approached by one who wandered why I was waiting with a Thai girl at a bus station and didn’t take a tuk-tuk or taxi. I could even take a picture with him. Really nice and cool guy.
I am only asking these questions to know what to do and how much to pay if I ever get in trouble without having caused the trouble but still am being accused of whatever wrong-doing.
Well, I also meant if other people, like the guy you had a fight with, or some drugged chick is still present when the cops arrive. Can you e.g. still bribe yourself out of such a situation? Maybe when talking to a cop alone or on the way to the police station?
View all comments by Phoenix
i used to live on 22 and never once got any hassle
one time 2 on a bike stopped me in middle of the day outside my apartment and told me to put my shirt on (was fcuking boiling) as i could get into trouble and went on there way
crazy
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
@YR: I have read your comments about 22 before and always find them puzzling. I have lived on 22 for over a year and no hint of an issue (and I am a person who walks a lot, day and night, so not for lack of opportunity).
@Phoenix: I think 20K is a huge number to be talking about to buy your way out of trouble. For most simple things 200 or 400 baht should do it. For big trouble (traffic accidents, fights, drugs) you might pay 4 or 5K unless you were getting squeezed really hard. But, there is one rule that is true… if you are in danger of going to jail or having an issue with your visa pay whatever it takes. Go to the ATM, phone a friend, but don’t let the cops book you.
BTW 20K is the max amount on a SINGLE withdrawal at Thai ATMs. In a move that can only be described as ‘this is Thailand’ you can make multiple consecutive 20K withdrawals, even from the same machine, up to the daily limit imposed by your bank. For example, I have an account at Bangkok Bank, and the daily limit is 50,000. I went into the branch once to take 35,000 out, but forgot my passport. The teller told me to just go to the ATM and make two withdrawals for 20K + 15K. I did and it worked. I can take 20+20+10 out of my BKK-Bank account.
I have a daily limit of $800 from my US account (about 27K baht) so I can access up to 77K baht in 5 consecutive transactions at one machine using two cards. It’s crazy, I know, but TIT.
As above, if you’re facing jail or getting your visa screwed up, pay what it takes, but it shouldn’t normally take too much.
I’ve never had serious trouble from police, but I’ve been given some bullshit shakedowns for a few hundred baht on several occasions… usually for not wearing a helmet on the back of a motorcy, or once when I’d rented a motorcycle in Hua Hin, for having no helmet, no license and driving an unregistered bike.
I have never paid anything to the cops in any of these bullshit circumstances. A few rules for dealing with minor bullshit from the cops (but not for real trouble):
1. Never speak any Thai to them, even if your fluent. Force them to deal with you in English.
2. Know whether you are right or wrong. For example, when I rented the bike, I should have had a helmet and license, but on the back of a motocy it is the driver’s responsibility.
3. Never admit that you live in Thailand. Always say you are a tourist, and that you are going back to your home country in a few days.
4. When the cop asks where you live in Thailand, pick a hotel several kilometers away, and tell him that you’re staying there.
5. Never say ‘no’ to anything the cop says.
6. When he asks for ID, tell him you don’t have any on you, but if he can go back to the hotel with you, you can show him your passport which is locked in the hotel safe.
7. When he asks for payment, tell him that you are happy to pay your ticket, but you have insufficient cash right now to cover the fine he’s quoted you. (if he asks how much you have you’ll know its a shakedown and not a genuine fine). Always quote a very low amount of cash in your pocket… 45 baht or something like that. Let him know that your ATM card and credit card are back in the hotel safe, and if he will issue you a ticket and directions to the station house you will go TO THE STATION TOMORROW and pay the ticket.
8. Anytime he asks you a tough question that might put you in an awkward situation, use the language barrier as a protection. Say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand.” If he repeats, say it again, or switch to, “I apologize officer, but I’m confused.” Never say his English is no good, but be clear that you don’t understand his words or accent. He will assume he’s saying something the wrong way and will change to a different topic.
Basically, be polite, agree with everything, ask for a document (a ticket), offer to pay at the station (but NOT here on the street or in the substation), and continually ask the officer to accompany you back to your hotel to access your documents which are locked in the hotel safe.
Remember the game. He is hoping that, to avoid any trouble, you will give him 300 or 500 baht just to be on your way. By making the whole transaction too difficult for him, he’ll just give up and send you on your way.
I once spent 20 minutes in the Lumpini sub-station on Rama 4 using every one of these tactics because the motorcy taxi driver hadn’t given me a helmet. The cop ended up red faced, with spittle flying screaming that I should go now, but he was going to call my embassy tomorrow and report me. Given that he knew neither my name nor my nationality I found this threat to be both empty and very funny.
I’ll stress that these practices are only for bullshit stops when you’ve done nothing wrong, or nothing serious wrong (such as a fine for spitting on the sidewald).
If you have a traffic accident, get in a fight (especially with a Thai man), get caught with drugs, or other serious offence, tell the cop quickly that you don’t want any trouble, and ask him if you can pay a fine right away and then go back to your hotel without further trouble; then pay what you need to pay to get away as fast as you can.
@Smitty: as with others, if this comment is an issue, just delete it with my apologies.
View all comments by werewolf
Werewolf, thank you for your detailed and very informative post. For the bullshit trouble with the cops I feel I am much better prepared now. To be honest: As a guy coming to Thailand at present mainly for vacation but planning to move there permanently in the future, I would even pay 500 Baht even for bullshit matters. But it’s good to know how I don’t make it too easy for the cops and might even get away without paying.
Werewolf, my questions also regared serious offenses like the ones you described above. It seems to me that I just have to pay whatever the cop(s) ask me to stay out of the books or even prison. Ok, I got it. That doesn’t make my bank account feel safer. But when I should ever (hopefully never) get into a very troublesome situation, I hope your advice will help… Thanks again for your detailed comment.. any others are also welcome
This is a truly great blog…
View all comments by Phoenix
I’d pay anything to see a Thai guy trying to buy himself out of trouble with a german cop! “Officer, me hab no license but lets settle on 5 euros!”
View all comments by farangsay
@farangsay:
View all comments by werewolf
@werewolf: Off topic, but the 20k ATM limit is simply a result of the design of the most common ATMs found around the world and not an ‘only in Thailand’ thing. They can only dish out 20 banknotes in a batch. There are other models around that can dish our 25 banknotes in a batch (so if you know where they are, you can get 25k baht in 1 transaction).
Geez… scary to think I’m discussing how the ATMs here only allow you to withdraw the equivalent of, say, three months of a policeman’s salary in one batch but if you make two transactions you can get half a years worth! No wonder they will try stinging you for 2000 baht if you drop that ATM receipt on the ground.
I want someone to offer to pay the fine by blowjob, but only I’m a safe distance away.
View all comments by Cabby
Werewolf - good info. I was only suggesting 20K as a max. I have never actually myself ever had to pay cops. I’ve seen it happen to my friends and even for bigger crimes it was only 10K. Me I would pay whatever to get anyway from them but I wouldn’t bargin too much. I think the bit about knowing the laws is good.
View all comments by Young Royal
Pheonix - I think BKK is a very safe place and you really don’t have to worry that much about it.
View all comments by Young Royal
What is this world coming to?
All this talk of corruption? It’s an outrage!
View all comments by Day walker
YR, thanks, I have been in BKK also four times before and never got into trouble. Will come back in December, hehe. I just heard some stories of people who got in trouble and let my own imagination set up some other stories what might happen… So I wondered how and at what costs I could get out of serious trouble if I should ever get into it.
But you are right, if you somehow know the nightlife game and act nice and calm than BKK is a wonderful place to party. Because most Farang are in Thailand and also act that way… well.. maybe Pattaya being an exception in some aspects…
View all comments by Phoenix
@Myspace, the real bodybuilders used to work out at Universal Gym on Beach Road. The owner was Dennis James, at one moment he got caught by the Thai Police selling some drugs (not anabolics).Now the building has been knocked down.I don’t know where they exercise now.
View all comments by hanuman
“whats the rule on steroids in LoS?”
“Bangkok is a city of contrasts and Thailand a country of contradictions. Here anabolic steroids are sold over the counter just as in Mexico, but protein powders are illegal and not approved by the Thai version of the FDA. (Bangkok GNCs have creatine, fish oil capsules, and amino acid tablets, but that’s about it for bodybuilders.)” http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=460840
Typical T.I.T that steroids are illegal and the sort of supplements legal in the west are illegal.
I am led to believe a lot of the Australian bodybuilders go to Thailand as part of their training cycle to take advantage of this.
View all comments by Cookoo
Er.. should have said “Typical T.I.T that steroids are legal”, I guess I should read what I’ve written before pressing submit.
That said I always wonder whether some of these things that seem to be so readily sold over the counter are in fact ‘under-the-counter’ type deals.
View all comments by Cookoo
cheers for the advice my man
i used to be bang into my weights, going from 71Kg for 82kg in 6-9months with no roids or creatine (although eating 6meals a day is a pain in the arse) and have fallen off the wagon compltely and am back to 71kg
i wanna throw the weight back on fairly quick but dont wanna get ‘juiced’ or look like a roid head, so was thinking some mild roids would be just the tonic
any idea what the safest ones are coz im green when it comes to roids
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
Bangkok Bank ATMs give 25 notes at a time.
View all comments by Orion
penfold - scared of pins?
View all comments by Orion
@ orion - come aqgain cos that went right over my head
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
penfold, you asked for safe juice advise, my counter question: are you scared of needles?
It makes a big difference to what your options are.
View all comments by Orion
I have no experience with Roids whatsoever and you wouldn’t have asked if you’d met me, 5ft8 and look like i’ve never done a proper days work in my life.
However some of my friends did while they were in thailand to avoid losing muscle mass during vacation. They picked a brand of steroids that they recognise to use for injections, I remember they did have to shop around for a while to get the particular brand as opposed to a locally produced one although I hear many of those are good.
View all comments by Cookoo
oh i get you now
not got a prob with needles at all, but i heard horror stories about the injected roids
will only hit them for 2-3 months or so to get back in tiptop nick quickly as i been offered trials with some of the thai football teams so need to get some size back on quick then trim naturally
i could do it the hard way i guess
whats the deal you mentioned with protein? i got some great protein from a friend of mine who is an MMA fighter and was gonna bring some into thailand, so would it be confiscated or worse?
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
Protein poweder used to be illegal years ago but no more, you can buy it at GNC and lot’s of other places now. Bringing it into the country is hard though. A small amount for personal use is OK but for commercial amounts it requires FDA approval. If you hand carry a couple of jugs you’ll have no problems in the airport. Back when it was illegal I’d buy it in Singapore and carry it back and never had any problems.
The oral roids are really toxic on the liver so you can take them only for short amounts of time (4 weeks tops), can’t drink alcohol at all while doing them and should get regular bloodwork done to check your liver enzyme levels. The milder ones are also hard to get and expensive in Thailand. Injecting is really the healthier and safer way to go. The horror stories of abscesses come from athletes using bootlegged unsterile black market juice, but in Thailand you get pharmaceutical grade over the counter so that’s a non issue if you use proper hygiene.
If you want some specific recommendations maybe we should chat in private?
View all comments by Orion
yes mate without a shadow, all help is much appreciated - i always read such varying reports online
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
my - I will forward your email to orion - u really don’t want your email on here for all to see. thx
View all comments by smitty
cheers smitt your a ledge
View all comments by myspace.com/penfold_xxx
i’ve been there for the 1st time, around 3am (new year’s eve) and woow finally a “Europe corner” : 90% expat farangs ( rude and/or drunk), smoke( anykind), music ( hmm good but at degrees alcool you don’t even notice they chanced song), “models” ( ..luxury horse), and VIP section ( ..looks like a fold) .Great!! Seems the only choise you have in Bkk is: local bordels or farang bordels ..better Narcisus ( at least full of locals and ..nice Chinese/Japanese man
..hey! when will you open something dedicated for Ladies , i still have to work and enjoy this city ???
cheers,
Nikita
View all comments by faranglady
I tought that everything in Bangkok was dedicated to the ladies. We wine and dine them and afterwards we offer money for sex.
@Myspace; are you back in shape yet?
View all comments by hanuman
flday - I think any of the places on new year’s eve are a total mess. tunnel is good but go on m-thurs for the best options. what kin of places are u looking for?
View all comments by smitty
Yes! very agree with you paying for all…i want to do same, but with man (not mickey mouse or other cartoons)..so, I prefer Narcisus …at least we enjoy the Chinese expats
until they open something luxury dedicated expat ladies with money in the pocket
Nikita
View all comments by faranglady