You would think that playing in a city that is infamous for it's bad ladyboys running wild that the Scorps would opt to play 'He's A Woman(She's A Man) in dedication to the much observed and loved 'katoey', but the Scorps don't do crass anymore, these days the band have much more class.

In fact they are the ambassadors of the heavy rock community.  Earlier the band paid a visit to Government House to have an audience with Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva where they presented him with a fully signed Flying V guitar.  (Cool,now if only I was a prime minister somewhere.)

The Impact Arena is a little smaller than Wembley Arena. Outside the atmosphere is reaching fever pitch with many lining up to have their picture taken with a giant Scorpions poster. There's food stalls aplenty selling spicy food and Chang have specially made Scorpions cans of beer for sale which go down a treat. All this whilst a live band outside keeps us entertained with some rock classics.

Inside the arena I was amazed how easy it was to get near the front. The Thai's are a polite society and don't seem too happy later on once the gig starts when some other 'farangs' push their way to the front barging everyone out of the way, especially when Johnny come lately is considerably taller than the lovely Thai ladies standing next to me (Well to be precise, I was standing next to them.) but 'mai pen rai' as they say in this relaxed carefree country.

The Scorpions explode onto the stage with the title track of their latest album 'Sting In The Tail' . No expense is spared as the band have brought their full stage show to the appreciative crowd. Despite a forty year career , the furthest the band dip into their catalogue are tracks from the hard hitting classic 'Lovedrive' including the instrumental 'Coast To Coast' and the riff-tastic 'Loving You Sunday Morning'.

The band are as energetic as ever, making full use of the stage and running up the ramp into the crowd to a ecstatic reaction to those near the front. Rudolf Schenker with his deadly six string sting throws all the shapes that puts men half his age to shame.

The electronic backdrop illuminates with the words 'THE ZOO' in big capital letters which gets all hands in the air. Singer Klaus Meine does his usual trick throwing out many drum sticks for fans to clamour over, trying their best to grab hold of one of this prized souvenir gems.

Before the show I did wonder if the band would play all those ballads which are so well known in this country, and if they did, would they dilute the set?

I needn't have worried because the Scorpions are true professionals at the top of their game. I was surprised how many here knew the words to new song 'The Best Is Yet To Come' which ensured the first sing-along.

'Holiday' is a song that you'll find in any popular karaoke bar here is warmly greeted. 'Wind Of Change' finds more voices joining in, and although the Thai's have trouble twisting their tongue's to the Western language, they sing with compassion.

The band rock out with a explosive 'Dynamite' followed by James Kottak's drum solo which impresses everyone, he even splits the arena in two to see who is the loudest. Kottak was on fire tonight.

Schenker emerges with his head bandaged with forks covering his eyes recreating the iconic image of 'Blackout' ,another headbanging delight before ending a pulsating set with 'Big City Nights' with Bangkok emblazoned on the neon screen.

Time for a breather for the encore and boy did we need it. 'Still Loving You' is a power ballad classic. I was singing every word to this number and was I rewarded by having my ugly mug broadcast on the big screen behind the band.  Classic stuff.

Our Man in Bangkok, we had him screened first...

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