Bangkok a year later
Yesterday I arrived in Bangkok. The flight with KLM went smoothly. The flight attendants were very friendly and helpful, so I don't understand the sour messages on Thailandblog about the KLM crew. Completely unfair in my opinion.
After a warm meeting with my love, we finally settled in Lohas suites at Sukhumvit Soi 2. That is the street near the imposing Marriot Hotel. For the people who complain about the nightlife noise, I have a tip. Go down a side street for about a kilometer and you will discover an oasis of peace. It was even quieter than at home and that in the heart of Bangkok.
Last night we went to Soi Nana. A great disappointment came over me. The bar on the street side of the Nana hotel has disappeared. Instead, a hideous and screaming 'Hooters' bar where they charge 140 baht for a small bottle of Singha and 400 baht for a diluted cocktail that is gone in three sips. Talking to each other is not possible there either, the speakers with very loud music almost blow the guests out of the bar.
Too bad… I had fond memories of that place. Not every change is an improvement to put a cliché at it.
The street scene in the Nana area is also subject to change. We walked to Foodland and I saw more headscarves and veiled women in five minutes than in the past three years in the whole of the Netherlands. I had to think about the expats who have fled the Netherlands because they experience the influence of Muslims and Islam in our little country as unpleasant. Well now, then you should definitely not live in some places in Bangkok.
It doesn't bother me myself, although you have to conclude that this part of Bangkok is increasingly becoming a multicultural melting pot. Nice if you like people watching.
I do wonder how long it will take before Nana is completely taken over by shoarma restaurants and halal eateries and the tourists will soon be watching completely veiled pole dancers. If it continues like this, you will have to search for a restaurant where you can eat Thai food.
In a few nights I will go to Pattaya and then to Hua Hin. I hope I still recognize my cuttings there…
I will let you know in advance that there is now also a hooters club located in Pattaya beach road.
Regarding your comment about the street scene in the Nana area: on the other side of Sukhumvit there is of course a clearly Arab-oriented neighborhood, between Sois 3 and 5. I often stayed in Amari Boulevard in Soi 5, and there was also a large part of the guests from the Gulf States.
In other parts of Bangkok, the apparitions you described were much less noticeable.
Have fun in Thailand with your sweetheart, and good luck with starting the TEV procedure. I am currently in the departure hall of Schiphol ready for departure to Thailand.
And as far as the crew of KLM or another company is concerned: how your cap looks determines a large part, do you get in with a smile or a sour face? See everything positively if possible, don't ruin your day by worrying about trifles, let alone the fit of staff or who are very slim, normal or a bit stocky.
Rob V., share your opinion, it depends on which foot you get out of bed in the morning, are you going to have a good day or a bad day, it is a very important choice so early in the morning, but defines your day. Those who act positively meet pleasure.
Very nice to hear that you are coming to Thailand, welcome and wish you Van Harte a very nice time there!
Regards, Nico B
A swallow does not make summer at KLM and one penguin does not make winter. I hope your exception proves the rule.
I also liked going there for a beer and having nice conversations with other guests. And looking at nice women of course.
Welcome to Thailand!
Changes are also tumbling over each other in Pattaya/Jomtien.
The final result is still pending.
Sincerely,
Lodewijk
It is a sign that Muslim influence is spreading like a stain all over the world. You can no longer escape. The EU is full of them and those people really won't leave. There is apparently a great need to become or be a Muslim member. I lack any logic for this. The number of Muslim people in Pattaya is also growing rapidly and if this continues, Thailand will become a second Malaysia in 30 years. Everything is impermanent. So enjoy it while you can.
Muslims make up 21% of the world's population. Christians 31%. In the EU, 6% are Muslim. The statement “The EU is full of it” escapes me from any logic.
Every flight is a snapshot. There is always more grumbling than believed. It was the same with the company I worked for as a Steward for years. As far as Nana is concerned, I always stay there a bit further in Soi 4. Great cheap and quiet hotel for 800 baht. The other side is indeed in Arab hands.
Regarding KLM: It has now been 3 years since we flew with KLM. The last time.
This is not without reason. It started at Schiphol where our reserved seats were not available.
It was said that even if you reserve seats it is not certain that you will get that place?????
On the plane, a member of staff literally threw food at us. There was no choice then and apparently she had had to tell this too often.
Next to me sat a Ned. young man who worked as a purser at Qatar Airways. He saw this happening and said he would be fired for this behavior.
It wasn't my hat that was tilted, but unprofessional behavior of cabin crew.
This was the last time KLM, unless the prices become very competitive.
I have already flown with KLM at least 5 times and I have to disappoint many here, there is absolutely nothing to criticize!
Always had good flights and the staff is always friendly and helpful!
Even when the flight was delayed for 1 day, very well accommodated in a 5 star hotel! And received clear information!
As they say in Belgium, vinegar pissers are everywhere!
KOS (Keep On Smiling) 🙂
As for klm, are not worth large letters, even if they admit 500 euros, then I'd rather go by bike, I've had bad luck with klm 3 times in a row, they can't yet be in the shadow of Thai Airways, what arrogant stewardesses they are at klm, the last time it was the straw that broke the camel's back, a stewardess threw a filled cake at her colleague in the other aisle, but got off course against my wife's head, when I asked for another glass of wine, she went to get it with a long face, another 2nd cup of coffee, the sugar is yet to come!
Then the hairstyles of those blondes that really don't look good compared to the neat heads of Thai Airways!
I'm always very positive and friendly to everyone, so it's not my mood!
But maby I've had bad luck 8 times, 8 times flown with klm but NEVER again !!!!!!!!
It is true what was said here before, in the vicinity of Soi nana you will find just about the Arab part of BKK. That was 3 years ago, a friend of mine who was with me already warned me that I would not like the part outside the famous red light district because of the many Arabs and Muslims and she was right and I think it will only get worse every year.
There is now also a terrible hooters tent in Pattaya, but I can't imagine that it runs in Pattaya. All of Pattaya is full of bars that could really be called hooters and not that prudish commercial American nonsense.
As far as KLM is concerned, the stuardesses are very helpful, but for example the comfort class that you pay extra for is very poor, narrow seats where you cannot move your ass, then EVA AIR is a top airline where the comfort class is great. For me Unfortunately, never KLM again.
Perhaps Peter's flying experience will help to give KLM a better image. It's good that he shares his experience here. A few years ago I had to fly with an airline company that received a lot of comments and in the end it all turned out better than expected. Still, image is something that can make or break you. A while ago my boss asked my colleagues if KLM could fly for them again. The result was hopeless despite their renewed business class on a number of aircraft. I'm afraid it will be a while before we all choose this society again. I also wish Peter a lot of fun in soi 2. Soi 2 is known for its beautiful temples and museums, right? Soon you will go to the Chinese/Russian enclave of Pattaya and you will end in the Scandinavian/Swiss Hua Hin. Thailand is like the world in miniature. Don't forget to film everything with your selfie stick or your own drone for your vlog and blog. We want to see beautiful YouTube videos here when we are shivering from the cold. And no, I'm not going to deposit money to support the cause. I also wish Rob V a good time in Thailand.
The neighborhood between Nana and Soi5 has been called little Arabia for many years, so there is nothing new under the sun as far as the Muslims are concerned. I always find it a relief to see how everything is mixed up there and apparently that can be done without any problems.
When I first came to Bangkok 38 years ago, little Arabia already existed. It is indeed true that the area of Sukhumvit between Nana and Asok is rapidly changing. Recently, the passage parallel to Sukhumvit between Soi 5 and 7 was also closed. Little remains from the old days. CheckInn 99 is still there. Busch Garden and Thermea also still exist, but that's about it. The new isn't always so much fun. Restaurant prices skyrocket by up to 30% in a year. The only positive thing is that traditional prostitution has been greatly reduced. If you have been to this area for the first time in recent years, you will not notice it, but believe me, what you see now is only a fraction of what it used to be and that is what I call progress.
Never understood those soured reactions to KLM either, but oh well, they are probably those who have had a failed relationship with a Dutch person and were under the stick, well then a KLM flight attendant is soon arrogant or a bitch ...
Dear Peter,
How neatly do you express that:
“I had to think about the expats who have fled the Netherlands because they experience the influence of Muslims and Islam in our little country as unpleasant”.
Immediately add Flanders to the list, especially in a big city like Antwerp!
It is indeed true that the Nana district has been a very Muslim area for several years, but fortunately the stain is not going away because elsewhere in Bangkok you will not find a similar Islamic atmosphere.
As for KLM: that is good news, because in March I will try this company for the first time!
Peter is absolutely right about the often sour messages about KLM.
Very often I flew with KLM and it was always very good. Always on time, friendly and professional staff and excellent food and drinks and neat clean aircraft. Unfortunately, people sometimes write here who try to blacken KLM at all costs and sometimes with outright untruths.
For example, there are people who claim that KLM flies with old junk. What nonsense! They fly with the same 777s as, for example, Singapore Airlines and with a renewed interior (also in the 747s). A large part of the fleet for European destinations has just been replaced by new Embraer 190 and people are busy replacing part of the long-haul fleet with the Dreamliners!
A fuss was made when it was announced here that 20 Euro must be paid for a seat reservation. However, this is free of charge up to 48 hours before departure, just like with many other airlines. Only above that does the 20 Euro regulation come into effect. I myself will soon be flying with Cathay Pacific and you can't even book more than 48 hours in advance there, just like with many other companies.
And I could go on and on about the (deliberate?) nonsense that is sometimes proclaimed about KLM.
Anyone can have a bad flying experience. I've had those with the Emirates and with Malaysian Airlines, but that doesn't make them bad companies.
So, that just had to get off my chest. 🙂
It always amazes me what an intolerant people the Dutch are. Somewhere in Pattaya a Catholic Church and a Mosque stand next to each other and help each other during large crowds, eg a fair. Do you have to die in NL. In my village there is also a Catholic Church and somewhere further on a Mosque. Occasionally I am helped in a shop by a saleswoman wearing a headscarf. No one cares if she wears a headscarf. As for KLM? Never again with those rude jerks.
I have never had a bad experience with the service at any airline.
The only unpleasant experience was a fight between a drunk passenger and the crew at Thai Airlines.
Apparently already drunk when boarding, because the plane had just been on the road for an hour.
There was also a very bad atmosphere with other passengers throughout the flight.
My problem with the KLM is the furniture.
Low cramped seats very close together.
Also, because the seats are so low, you can't stretch your legs out under the seat in front of you, as your shinbone will get stuck against the aluminum rim at the bottom of the seat.
Your knees are jammed when you sit.
Before my last trip I looked at the comfort class.
Then the seats are a few centimeters further apart, but the back of the seat in front of you can go further back.
I didn't have the impression that that would be an improvement and also for a lot of money, so I got on a plane with China airlines.
Fly an hour longer.
Hi Peter,
Have had good experiences with China Airlines myself, never had a bad experience.
I don't know Bangkok, but I do know Pattaya, it is getting very full, the Pattaya of its 7/8 years ago, you can no longer find it there at the beginning of Jan. Still and I think it is very dirty and very busy on the street. handing out fines for every change, you were constantly stuck in traffic jams with the police on every corner, before that we came from Hua Hinn idd it was more pricey but after a bit more established you get to know the way and it is not too bad, is more relaxed and cleaner than Pattaya, it's just what you are looking for, we are now in Koh Chang for the third year and that is more our place in Thailand.
If I understand the reactions correctly, the experiences with KLM are at least quite variable.
Of course they can't tell the cabin crew before every flight that Khun Peter from Thalandblog.nl is on the plane.
.
The Hooters concept should logically have no chance in Bangkok and Pattaya, but as we know, consumers do not always act rationally.
In the distant past I flew with Thai International, among others, until the service from Amsterdam was discontinued.
After that I flew many times with China Airlines and Eva Air, but now only fly with KLM because I also want to be able to visit other countries (such as Cuba).
KLM is certainly no less than the aforementioned airline companies from Asia.
And the Arab quarter opposite Nana Hotel has indeed been an Arab oasis in Bangkok for much longer than 30 years. I always found that area quite interesting.
I am on the plane between Amsterdam and BKK 16 times a year. Can only say that it matters to me whether you fly with China Airlines or KLM. In my case, I usually choose KLM because of the connection and flight times.
If I had something to criticize KLM, it would be that they should stop serving that dirty pasta at the end of the flight to AMS.
Op http://www.airframes.org can you see how old the plane you are flying. Dan number can be found via the Schiphol site/app or on your personal screen in the device. Then you see that KLM's 747 is around 25 years old. He doesn't often fly the Bangkok route anymore.
KLM is nothing to criticize, good company, helpful, good service .. All in all, had good experiences every time.
Dear Khan Peter,
I just want to respond to your nicely written piece about our National pride, the flying white swan called KLM. I am 1.93 m tall and was forced to fly with KLM from Bangkok to Amsterdam when my mother died in the Netherlands because I was staying in Thailand with my wife at the time. It was some time ago ( December 2004 ) but the aircraft of that time, a Boeing 747-400, was outdated and the seat distance was minimal. I think the pitch wasn't even 30 inches. This while the NL man or the average European are among the tallest in the world. It makes you think.