Current bar finest : Bangkok v Pattaya?

[Selot]

Hi folks,off to Thailand on the 11th - will be in Bangkok over Songkran then off around to Chiang Mai, probably Krabi/islands and Pattaya for at least 2 nights near the end of the month with probably 2 days in Bangkok again before flying home.

Wealth of information here, looking for very current info on bar finest/st etc for Bangkok & Pattaya from those in the know!

Is it even possible in Bangkok (or Pattaya) to do the whole few lady drinks/bar finest/ST for around 3500Bht?

Hoping to have a few experiences with some Lb's (hopefully 3/4 but depends on prices really - I've a decent enough budget for the time I'm in Thailand but at the same time don't want to overspend and take away from other experiences...)

Are prices likely a bit higher during Songkran does anyone know?
Any suggestions for reasonable hotels near to where the action is?
(Don't want to be traipsing around too much though do want to see the cultural sites daytime - the trip isn't not just about 1 thing...)

Travel partner seems to be leaving accommodation choice to me (Doesn't want to share a room with me as he knows well what i'm seeking😅Not his thing which is fair enough!) so hopefully can get some rooms near to the fun not to expensive but not a sh*thole either.

Any input from people recently or currently there would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Selot

[Rockheart]

Sounds like it's going to be a good trip.

If you go to ladyboy bars in Nana Plaza you will not be able to stay in your budget. In addition to higher drink prices and bar fines, they also demand the ladyboys get paid a minium fee and I think the minimum fee is around your maximum. I haven't experienced this new system in Nana Plaza yet but it's always been expensive there. That bars in that place have always seemed to be very good at sending me home with 2 ladyboys at once.

There is 3 ladyboy bars in Nana Plaza and Obsessions is the old favorite and probably the best right now.
Outside Nana Plaza there is 4 other main ladyboy bars that I know of in Bangkok, they are all more lounge style bars compared to Nana Plaza being all gogo bars.
Why Not Bar
Check In Bar
Check in 11 Bar
Cindy's Bar

I'm not sure which is the best but I've always liked Why Not Bar and you may be able to certainly stay in you budget there. I've found it more price conscious over the years.
Check In Bar is always good and decent priced compared to Nana. I haven't tried the other two bars as they are newer but I've always loved Cindy.
There's threads about all these bars here.

Songkran is the end of high season so it is is basically high season pricing which usually runs from Christmas to Songkran or the end of April. There may be some higher pricing specific to Songkran due to availablity perhaps.

I assume when you say hotel near the action you mean the lady action, not the Songkran action.

The be near the ladyboys in Bangkok you best bet is in the Nana area. There is many good hotels with great prices and most allow ladyboys. A few charge for bringing guests but many don't or often allow one for free. You can check the hotel review section here and even the old reviews are still valid except for pricing as most of the hotels don't change much.

In Bangkok, the Dynasty Grande Hotel is probably the most reliable, consistent and a forum favorite. It is about $80 USD and is very consistent with a 4 star rating.
It's just away from the action on Soi 6, a side street.
Citrus Suites next door to the Dynasty is also around the same price.
Many prefer the Royal Ivory Hotel which isn't as nice but is in the $40 USD range and on Soi 4 (Soi Nana). Heaven@4 is anothing good option for around $40 USD.

For Songran in Bangkok, they celebrate it on Soi Nana. Another good place for Songkran would be on Khao San road, there's always lots of ladyboys out.

In Pattaya most of the ladyboy action has moved to Soi Buakhao or north of there. Seems like all the actual ladyboy bars have moved away from beach road and walking street.
New Bar is on one end of Soi Buakhao and is a long time favorite. From there you can take a right on Soi Buakhao and there will be several blocks of bars and many have ladboys or are ladyboy bars. One is Katoey's R Us which moved from walking street and more of a gogo bar. Walk further down and Cindy's Secrets 2 bar is just off Soi Buakhao.
After that you can walk up to Soi Chaiyapoon (Soi Pothole) and on the way is Peach Lily Bar just south of Soi Buakhao and has some nice looking ladyboys.
As you hit Soi chaiyapoon you find a number of ladyboy bars. Delirious Bar and Bradley's Club seem popular and there is also New 69 Bar and many ladyboys in the area.
You can always take a baht bus to Sensations on Action street which is a classic.

I've always like staying at the View Talay 6 because it is apartments with no front desk per se and no issues bringing ladyboys. It's not too far from Soi Buakhao but there is many others further north that are a great price. Not much problem with bringing ladyboys to most hotels in Pattaya.
That P Plus Hotel looks really good for the price and very close to all the ladyboys in Pattaya.