Goooo Gompaphan!!

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-- Today, (27th.), a'noon. I passed-by GSM. SAUNA., in ChinaTown.
- On both sides visible from the streets the plastic sheeting and the CGI. are in place still.
- Peering-in at the goods' ent'ce. I saw some signs of progress since my previous visit - but progress looks to be s-l--o---w; possibly it's a good thing that TH. celebrates three different New Years per annum! I did see a couple of men moving about lethargically inside, possibly interior decorators?

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-- Y'day., (25th.),as I happened to be passing through CHINATOWN I went to observe what progress - if any - had been made with GSM. SAUNA?
- I was both surprised and pleased with what I saw had happened since my previous visit approx. 3 mos. earlier:
1.- All CGI. & plastic sheeting has been removed;
2.- Most, if not all, of the gd. fl. windows that face the streets have been glazed and metal grilles are affixed;
3.- Indoors the Electricians, Interior Decorators & suchlike seem to be hard at work;
4.- After dark all of the GF. windows were covered by what looked like stainless steel & roller shutters;
5.- I spoke with a couple of O'seers. who gave me to u'stand. that possibly the Plaza should be ready for re-opening after some three months' time; but as for the GSM. SAUNA itself answer was there none.

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Many thanks for the update.

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-- Today, (19th.), a'noon., and being in ChinaTown, I walked-around to have a look-at the GSM. SAUNA's bldg. on Yaowarat rd., (one way tfc. going towards HUA LAMPHONG.),.
- On the ground floor, (st. level.), some owners were in and starting to set-up their outlets; in other shoplets interior decorators, painters and other workmen were applying finishing touches; a smell of fresh paint everywhere.

-- I took the new elevator UP to the 7th. floor and stepped-out into the Recept'n. space of the olde and familiar GSM. SAUNA. - at first glance it was as though nothing had changed.
- So I took a walk-around: a strange feeling indeed; the fire-main & assoc. piping & fittings all looked new; plenty of newly applied white paint in the hawng nahms; in other places wiring tails hanging-out of conduits and not yet connected-up.
- I confined my walk-about to the 7th. fl..
- Just before I left I met another man, carring a flashlight; so I enquired of him about an opening date? He fluttered his hands eloquently and implied that possibly another few MORE months.
- But at least things are looking-up considerably in that bldg. as a whole - so that is good news, indeed!

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-- Y'day., (O9th.], while passing through ChinaTown I looked-in at GSM. SAUNA.; arr'd. about mid-a'noon..
- Three working types were leaning-on a counter while the fourth was watching TV..
- I was given to u'stand. that november 2553. might look like a possible OPENING time?
-- E&OE.. --

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-- Y'day., (16th.), I de-bused. by the GRAND CHINA PRINCESS HOTEL - Yaowarat rd., and walked around to look-in at the GSM. SAUNA - Charoen Krung;
- A small army of women cleaners hard at work on the sauna's floors;
- As far as I could see from a brief walk-around its Recept'n.-level floor all of the electrical wiring and plumbing have been completed; still a strong smell of fresh paint;
- I was stopped from walking-around any farther by some sort of sec. gd. who shooed me back to the elelvator;
- Thus I'd judge that it seems to be well on its way to a scheduled RE-OPENING in nov. 2010..

-- On SUAPA PLAZA's GF. I saw that GSM. GH. has OPENED an office at stall #A23., not far from the e'vator.. Both before & after looking-in at the sauna I waited at the counter, but in vain;
- Rooms, (on 5 & 6fl.), are advertised at 400.Bh. still;
- Facilities offered: Air-cond., Cable TV., HW. Htr., ;fridge., single or dble. bed;
- tel.: (081)-422 5727,(Golf.); (081)-573 5672,(Wat.), (083)-236 1408,(Ann.),.

-- E&OE.. - Usual disclaimer.

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-- Today, (09th.), a'noon. I went-to GSM. SAUNA.;
- I took the elevator UP to the 7fl. and wandered-around inside, but just at the Recept'n. Desk level, without seeing or hearing anyone else therein. Judging by that level the place seemed to be all ready for OPENING;
- On SUAPA PLAZA's GF. I enquired further at a little office just by the elevator, but despite pointing-at a calendar, uttering the Thai word for OPEN, (bput.), and making an opening gesture with my two hands, I achieved nothing - there seemed to be no interest shewn by the man at the desk.

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-- "Oyez! Oyez!! OYEZ!!!" -

-- Y'day., (28th. - Advent Sunday.), my elderly, frequently visiting & American friend - having arr'd. in CHINATOWN before the movie-house had opened - had time to go and to check-out GSM. SAUNA. . He was info'd. of its projected OPENING -

>>> 10 january 2554BE./2011AD. <<<

-- E&OE. as reported speech.

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maybe a hint for those seeking the most likely current replacement: that appears to be the GG=Grey Gymnastics Sauna near the SamSen train station (bus 9 ends there, routes 12,14,50,44,67 pass by very closely)
(see small report on utopia-asia updates)

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I'll be there Jan 11th!!

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-- Being mindful of others and my own visits to GSM. SAUNA in attempts to find-out the expected opening date I took the precaution of having the following sentence: 'When will the sauna reopen?' translated into thai before setting out today, 12th.

-- I ascended to the bldg's. 7fl. and, as expected, saw little if any change: I walked around Reception's entire floor and saw nobody, a few electric lights were on, the CCTV. cameras had their red & power on lts. lit and the clocks were running reasonably to time.
- Downstairs I waited at the GSM. acc'n. desk until some man or other arrived. I shewd him the a/m. translation. After several moments he pointed to the calendar - 30 jan 2554.BE..
- Well - we shall see.

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So much anticipation. Are there really that many panda lovers out there?

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Ha!

That is more for those that has nothing better to do?

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The opening will hopefully attract a broader (not in the physical sense) cross section of Thai customers. Bangkok would benefit from the addition of another sauna that attracts farang admirers.

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