Asking non-registered guests to surrender an ID card and charging joiners fees are two completely different matters. I can't see anyone having a problem with the first.

Quite right.

Plus, in a place like the Conrad, I doubt they would ask for ID during the day. If they do at night, then it should not be a big deal, should it?… Can not expect business visitors at midnight, can you?

Regarding charging a fee, my last experience there is that they could not care less about visitors, so charging a fee…

Actually, a 5* place that asks for ID for night time visitors (provided it is done with tact, same as Banyan Tree a few years back) is quite good for everyone safety, isn’t it?

Icon, the only ones I see having a problem with that are those who want to go ith under 18’s…

Am I particularly thin skinned? I don't like being asked to leave my 'friend's' ID. I know that it's sensible and for safety but it says to me "You are taking a prostitute to your room and these people are dangerous" not only to me but to others in the lobby. And that's when it is discreetly done which is far from often in my experience.

If I am staying in a place where ID is required then I ask my 'friend' for his ID and go and leave it at reception to save all embarassment.

Yes I Know I'm kidding myself and anyone who sees a fat old fart like me with a devastatingly handsome muscleman know the situation. But I prefer to stay on Planet TP in my comfortable fantasy

My visitor arrived at 7pm not after hours.I take it from the replies that surrendering an ID at this time is ok and I also made no issue of it.Let's forget the businessman hypothetical and say it is an international or local friend,purpose of visit private.What is the etiquette,and, what happens if it occurs mid-afternoon?Are we now in an era of voluntarily submitting to control.

My 30y.o old guest who on another occasion arrived at 3pm, alone,surrendered his ID before taking the lift.Yes it was to have fun with me.

It is not a big deal for me.I know Tarntawan have a guard at the lift processing visitors at all times and I suppose it gives me and other guests some security.But it is not universally done this way before 11pm and I have a nagging sense of some liberty being surrendered as well as the ID.

I think you are too thin-skinned.

For security reasons, hotels should know who is staying on their premises overnight apart from registered guests. It may even be a legal requirement.

There is no reason to be embarassed. People hook up in Bangkok all the time, whether with prostitutes or non-commercial guys/girls. I'm sure your boy is accustomed to it and not embarassed. If he's not embarassed, there's no reason you should be.

Hey Icon,our posts were processed same time so it appears you are replying to me and not TP.So fellow CFS members read the previous three.

The Tarntawn is the only hotel I know behaving this way (guard + log book), furthemore, all day. All other hotels I know, if and when they take visitor's ID would do so only in the evening/at night and it would be in a less "formal" manner, no log book at the lift. The ID would be left at reception.

Security
 

We are comfortable with differing levels of security.

While some are affronted at the measures taken by the Tarntawan, many appreciate them. Would that such safeguards were available at all hotels. Perhaps they could be made optional, according to the wishes of the guests.

At the Pinnicle (not that it matters anymore) a farang can place the boy’s ID in a safe deposit box at reception, and retreve it when the boy departs.

I don't think it would be a good idea to allow the guest to choose the level of security they are comfortable with. It is not just your security at stake when you bring someone in from outside, but that of all the other guests of the hotel -- and the hotel owners for that matter -- as well. It makes good sense for a hotel to have the ID of anyone who goes beyond their public areas.

it would be completely okay for me to have the man guest i am bringing to my room leave his id when the lobby size is lets say that of suriwongse hotel. But if its gonna be sprawling like that of conrad's thats a different matter. :eek:

the only way to be discreet is what khun TP has mentioned. i.e. have the registered guest leave the unregistered guest's id at the reception. and hopefully everyone in of the hotel employee are discreet enough and not have that knowing smile in the morning when they greet you "good morning mr xxx".:p

Security is certainly desirable but anyone intent on subverting it,especally at Pinnacle,would have little trouble.Not all guests hand keys to reception for later pick-up.On a couple of occasions I have been harassed in the lobby TV area by young guys on the make.Wonder what Malaysia Hotel's level of scrutiny is.Tarntawan backs up their procedure with security patrols of the corridors.

This debate is another under the heading T.I.T. - This is Thailand.For better or worse very little of it applies elsewhere.apart from the after 11pm aspect.

Somewhat Surprisingly, I've never been asked to pay a "joiners fee" or had admission of a late night guest questioned or refused - even walking right past security guards and front desk staff -- when staying at 4 or 5 star properties in BKK, including the Conrad, Westin, Sheraton Grande and JW Marriott. These hotels are relatively far from the action, so maybe the number of joiners isn't that high and policing it is just not worth the hassle.

That may be true. Also, I think most sex tourists do not stay at these very expensive high-end hotels. The hotels don't have Thai joiners walking in and out all the time, so they are not too serious about ID check if the joiners dress decently.

In the past i have usauly stayed at the Pinnacle, but on my latest visit in April i stayed at Sofitel Silom wish i would recommend. No problem with guests any time of day or night.

On the debate of handing in ID cards, i would agree that it is for your own safety that your guest hand in their card, but i would also go far as to say that you should ensure that the hotel keeps a copy of the ID. On a recent visit to Peru, i had a mobile phone that i was charging and a pair of trainers stolen, my guest left while i was sleeping. Although the hotel had kept the guests ID they only kept a copy of female guests IDs.

I will not cry over the Pinnacle. I will simply have to get out of my rut when I am in Bangkok and try something different :)