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Christmas Lunch 25-Dec-24 In what seems to have become a Christmas tradition, I decided to book lunch at the Red Lion on soi 13 again. The Red Lion is a traditional English pub that has become quite an institution in BKK over the years. They were running 3 sittings: 1300, 1500, 1700 and so I opted for the 1500 slot. (I fully understand why businesses have a sittings system for busy event days, but I always have a sense of trepidation, as on occasion this has been problematic. Luckily the people who were at our table had finished and left, so all was well). Just like last year, there were 3 courses and also a welcome drink. The 3 course option was priced at THB 950, which was very good value and considering that the Red Lion is just minutes away from where I live, the choice of venue was a no-brainer. For the welcome drink they offered Cava, Bucks Fizz, and Beer. After 3 heavy nights in a row, I couldn't face drinking again, so opted to give 2 glasses of Cava to my Christmas companion. The starters were similar to last year: pea and ham soup, prawn cocktail and a vegetarian option of Camembert spring rolls. There were 4 main courses: traditional turkey and ham, steak, salmon and a vegetarian cauliflower cheese. Desserts were limited to traditional Christmas pudding and trifle. The portions were very generous and the food was both authentic* and good quality. I really enjoyed the lunch and even my Thai LB companion, who was fearing the worst, seemed to enjoy it, although she struggled with the sheer volume on the plates. I placed an asterisk next to authentic as some of the ingredients on my plate brought a smile to my lips. I remember endless annual arguments between my sisters and parents about whether peas and Yorkshire pudding were traditional for Christmas lunch. My parents had a Victorian colonial outlook and it was considered heresy to serve Yorkshire puddings with anything other than roast beef. Thankfully traditions do change with the times. If you are in BKK next Christmas and at a loss as to where to celebrate on the 25-Dec I would highly recommend the Red Lion. This pub also serves very good all day breakfasts as well as other standard British pub food. I was last in there for a Scottish Breakfast about 2 months ago with @Kingdomguy and he gave the Lorne sausages two thumbs up. Photo 1 - Starters Photo 2 Main Courses

Another alternative is to directly ask for your credit card company for the refund instead of hoping booking sites or the hotel will do the right thing. American Express in particular is very good about protecting their cardholders. Over the years I have cancelled 5 or 6 "non-cancellable" hotel reservations with Amex and gotten my money back every time with no questions asked. 

I use Agoda as I have never had a problem with them and I have used them in the UK, Europe and SE Asia, they also give different price options for the cancelation or date change options as well as pay in advance or on arrival.
Of course the less options the cheaper the price but I believe that is the same everywhere.
I always look for a Bangkok or Pattaya hotel with a gym and a Pool as I cannot spend 24/7 in a bar no matter how hot the girls and or LB's are
I have been using either the Four Points by Sheraton or the Night Hotel Bangkok both of which are in Sukhumvit 15 and so it is more or less over the road from the Check-in bar and a short walk down to soi 11 for Cindy's secrets although I have never been there as I always go to the Why Not Bar and Nana but it is on my list to do when I come back in April
If anyone has any good recommendations for other hotels or LB bars I am all ears

Yes, there are safety lockers .

Lots of lube and a pkt of depends .