anddy

superb, informative reports. Sounds like you are still here at the moment....

and if you're only 22 you can of course just go to the bars in Silom Soi 4 and later Soi 2 (in Soi 2 especially DJ Station) and pick up local guys who are into foreigners without having to pay. Depending on your looks of course, but generally super easy.

massage boys at Bonny and Bangkok massage in Soi twilight also look young and cute to me, whenever walk past (which is admittedly very rarely). Has the added advantage that you don't even need to enter to see what/who you get as they sit outside waiting for customers

Tarntawan rooms have been a bit dated for some time, but were always fine IMO. That they have safes in the rooms must be a recent addition, as they didn't when I last stayed there about 2-1/2 or 3 years ago. Goes to show that they are continuosly making small improvements. A few years ago they also re-did the dining are in the lobby in that they added a collapsible breakfast buffet, meaning that after the buffet is closed the buffet counter is folded away and you don't even see there could be one. Quite neat. Also a HUGE plus for me over the years has been that you can get your a-la-carte breakfast (included in the room for 2) at any time, and that means 24 hours. Great for long sleepers who miss the buffet. Another plus are the really large rooms compared to room sizes at many more modern hotels. Was going to mention Raya Surawong as well, as it is brand new and therefore will have a more modern look and feel. Can't comment on it, though, as I haven't stayed there. Location is the closest you can get to Soi Twilight, right next door basically. As for giving directions to taxis, giving hotel names, especially of smaller ones, will always be hit-or-miss. Better to use landmarks they will know for sure, which could also be nearby well known big/older hotels. So if staying at any of the Surawong Hotels mentioned here (Tartawan, Glitz, Raya) you can tell them any of the following, for example: - Patpong night market at Surawong Road - Tawana Hotel on Surawong (very old hotel and well known among cab drivers in my experience) - Montien Hotel on Surawon From each of those drop off points it will be just a 1 minute walk to you own hotel.

"pretty easy to find" is a gross understatement. It is impossible to miss, they have a giant billboard the height of the entire 4 storey building! Happened to drive past last night and took this picture:

thanks for the attempt at explaining it, seems odd to me, but that's how it is if you say so - like I said I have no clue about the str8 world in this regard haha. by all means, go for it with J and don't be deterred by other peoples stupid prejudices, they are so irrelevant to your own life and pleasure and happiness. But I take it you will do it for sure, as you are old and mature enough to know that and not need any such encouragement ;-)

got hooked to these reports, written so well. Though I have to admit, it almost reads like a work of fiction haha! How can you get it up so often, and that every day? And sometimes even cum more than once a day? I know your daily Cialis help, but there needs to be the necessary energy, without which these pills son't do anything. Enviable! I lose interest for quite some time after cumming, which is starting to slightly annoy me lol The romance with J is truly enchanting. Don't worry about "what that means", it means nothing but having a good time with someone based on mutual affection. What could be better. In my maybe somewhat naive gay world view I don't see why is that an issue at all? First of all, there is nothing wrong with being straight or gay or bi, you already knew that. Second, this is Pattaya, where (so I understand, never having been myself) anything goes sexually. Is it some odd straight thing that is totally alien to me, that somehow makes someone like you look bad or something? I can't imagine the bar girls getting uptight about it. As long as they get business out of you as well they couldn't care less (I assume) who else you sleep with, other girls or boys. Maybe you can shed light on this conundrum for me ;-)

unfortunately haven't tried that, so can't report. But maybe that's an idea to explore hehe .... ;-) What made you do this in Tokyo? Just for the fun of it or a as a cheaper alternative to a hotel?

great report, very interesting, thank you. I like both a really firm massage AND going with the flow like you described. For the firm massage, I usually go to The Prime, where I have my own favorite masseur now, whom I have pre-booked over the phone several times already. The go-with-the-flow might just happen anywhere, which means any of the "normal" massage shops where a HE may or may not happen (more often than not it does lol, except maybe at Prime) . For a combination of the firm and super-sensual I go to my favorite masseur at The Spa Bangkok, also in Silom Plaza (first floor in far right corner), where Arena is (it is Silom Plaza, not Silom Complex). Spa Bangkok is quite upscale and technically members-only, but 5 day memberships are available for tourists. www.spabangkok.net if anyone is interested. Maybe could try Arena for a change, now...?

here is a second hand report from Senso: took a friend from the US there a week or two ago because he wanted a good massage with good extras. Although I have ever been to Senso myself, I figured that would be a good place to take him (a complete newbie to the whole thing) based not least on reviews from this board. Plus the convenience of it being within less than 2 minute walking distance lol. Beforehand I gave him the advice I also got from this board to pick the boy who smiles the most at you. That advice actually is from vinapu if I am not mistaken, so thank you very much for that! He took this boy, had a very decent massage (he took 90 minutes), though that was cut a but short in favor of beginning the afters - which was not boy's fault but my friend's as he started groping lol. Afters were reportedly fantastic, my friend got fucked long and hard in many many positions and was delighted with that (so the selection tip worked perfectly) and the experience as a whole. By dropping my friend off at Senso that gave me an opportunity to have a look inside myself for the first time, too. About 7 boys were there, all nice looking. The one my friend selected was young and quite muscular, but not hunky. There were other less muscular but cute ones who smiled at me but I politely passed and went home

I can only reiterate to advise people not to confuse Kuta-proper with other parts of the general "Kuta"-area. Again, from the airport up there are Jimbaran (presumably where vinapu's first cheap hotel was), then Kuta-proper, followed by Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan. In my opinion in Seminyak you'd be highly unlikely to experience a scene of obnoxious drunk Aussies in the morning that vinapu described. My advice is simple: stay away from Kuta-proper and limit yourself to Seminyak-Kerobokan and you will be fine. My perosnal bet is that firecat will like it there.

Kuta and Seminyak are not the same, but they are the same. Means they are distinct separate areas but the blend into each other so when you drive from one to the other you will not notice any change. Actually, there are 5 areas, stretching north from the airport in this order: Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan. Often, the area as a whole is referred to as "Kuta" which is not really correct. Personally I find Seminyak more relaxed and laid back than Kuta-proper, with less drunken Aussie kids and in general more classy. Besides, it's where the gay scene is. There is another gay area in Kerobokan (around Jl. Batu Belig), with bars, massages, gay-only accomodation. THE gay street in Seminyak is Jl. Camplung Tanduk, which is it the street's new-ish official name (also used by google maps), but nobody calls it that but refers to it by its old name Jl Dhyana Pura. "Jl." stands for Jalan which means street or road in Indonesian. For massages, I'd say just see the listings in travelgayasia.com to get an overview. I can't really comment, as I haven't had that many there. Boys without any financial interest and who are just into white guys are indeed readily available on planetromeo, which is what I exclusively used in the past as I didn't have the other apps yet. But I am absolutely certain, the other apps will work just as well. Your success rate will of course depend on your looks and their tastes. Since some members here have referred to themselves as "old, fat and ugly farangs" I can't tell you how attractive that might be to the locals. There is of course the escort section in Romeo, too. I don't know if there are many MBs using "normal" profiles as seems common in Pattaya, so try both. I don't agree with vinapu on the general rip-off perception. Yes, it is a touristy area and some prices might just be inflated for that very reason and some people may try to rip you off, but I never had the impression people in general are singlemindedly out to "fleece tourists". If you make a good target (read: being clueless and inexperienced) you'll get ripped off anywhere, if you are a savvy traveller using your wits (like many/most members here), you won't. Jimbaran by the way is famous for its seafood restaurants right on the beach.

I don't see how witty made something out of nothing. He never said or implied you, TMax, weren't aware of manufacturer's tests nor that you questioned their methods or products. But given that these tests and methods exist, he seemed just curious what your (arguably non-scientific ;-) )method was, without touching on your intentions at all. Your intention, as you say, was "personal curiosity", and so is witty's. This is how I read his post, and in fact the same question had occurred to me, as to how you did the testing, since I have never tried such testing myself. Just curious, nothing to it. On the topic of condoms: there is a Japanese brand available here in BKK called Okamoto, which makes very thin non-latex condoms too. One of their product's name is 003, which is apparently the thinness in mm and supposedly very thin relative to latex, though I don't know the thickness of latex in mm. They do feel very thin and different from latex, though.

that is one aspect. The other is age of consent. Hotels obviously have an interest in not supporting activities with people under that age. I understand that that age is somewhat vague in Thailand in that it is technically 16 or 18 (I'm not sure which), but above that age the parents can still raise objections. So there is a grey area which hotels may want to avoid. I read this somewhere, can't remember where, so cannot vouch for the accuracy of this information. Too lazy to google it now myself haha.

according to what Steve told me, he is now back home already. Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything from him during his time here, so either the party did not happen at all, which would be unfortunate, or he ended up doing it without me Steve, if you read this, would be nice to get an update and of course report, if it did happen after all. Hope all went well with your trip.

don't know how many. It seems there is no clear policy about assigning masseurs. I've been randomly assigned on a few visits, then on another I was asked if I wanted to choose. So you should be able to request choosing.

you both have valid points, but I feel you are not exactly on the same page. I didn't get the impression that steveboy got upset. He just wanted to high light the difference between a need and a like, which is indeed different. The need FG implies is a result of guilt that the person want (needs) to compensate for by attaching an altruistic charity value to the payment. That is surely true for some people. However, I thing steve does feel no such guilt and just likes the fact that a payment that is made anyway for a "normal" business transaction also goes to a good cause as a side-effect. That is surely true for some (other) people (including myself). This concept applies to ANY payment for ANY service (or goods). If the payment helps some poor person as a side-effect of the transaction, great and appreciated, if not, so be it.

should be open, but you are right, apparently they have changed their facebook page. Bit strange, as a business why would you change your page? Or maybe they had to for some naming conflict? Doesn't matter, here you go: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.BearBrand

in November they will introduce a new tourist visa, valid for 6 months with multiple entry.and allowing to stay 60 days each time. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/702720/new-6-month-visas-begin-nov-13-but-limit-stays

I do, and I totally agree with you. Someone here (ay709394) doesn't understand the concept of "taking advantage of people" or "exploiting" them. While it is true that in the actual situation being offered too low a tip he has the choice to refuse. But that's beside the point. He is in this business because he and his family are in a precarious economic situation and need to get by somehow, with "normal" jobs hard to get as firecat correctly pointed out. That "choice" is a mirage. Taking advantage means taking advantage of the dire economic situation of the boy who may feel compelled to accept a very low tip because otherwise he risks getting nothing (in slow season). By that same "choice" token you could say poor people in sweat shops in Bangladesh under hideous conditions do not have to work there but have a choice not to accept a job there. Well, they don't.

answering the original post's question: I realized I have been registered for quite a long time (since 8/2011), guess I did that because I thought it might be something like an Asian version of Romeo or something like that. Or an information website like travelgayasia.com. For sure it was not because this it "the best forum on gay life in Thailand", as this is not really about "gay life in Thailand" at all, but about commercial gay life, which is not the focus of my interest. I have participated (and still do) in non-commercial gay life in Thailand for 15 years, but still have some interest in the commercial side, too (out of horniness or convenience or whatever), so after I moved here I somehow started to read more often, sometimes post and then that became more regular. I have seen those bars ad shows on my first visits to BKK, but never been back, and in fact have never offed a boy form a bar or massage parlor (which is not to say I have never paid for sex hehe). But it is interesting to read reports and get updates on this scene, which is sometimes useful if I show curious friends around who are first-timers here.

so if you want to have fun with a boy, just go to Surawong Hotel opposite Montien or BBB-Inn around the corner on Rama 4 for a short time room (something like 4 hours for 500 or 600 Baht) edit: oh, didn't read before posting, vinapu posted the same already haha

well if you need a local tour guide, let me know, I'm here ;-)

Kind of wondering how you and others do that anyway. Can't do everyday, and don't even really want to for lack of, well, drive... Maybe my hormones are lacking haha ;-) Yes you are right, and that is because last Thursday the Fed decided not to raise interest rates and that caused the USD to fall about a percent or two against all currencies

Ah glad this topic comes up, been meaning to give you some comments on this for quite some time. Here is what I have to tell you: I happened to be in the Chong Nonsi area about a couple of months ago, was hungry and as I walked past Om Yim I thought why not eat here. With your Chicken and Cashew nut obsession and the 2nd place ranking for Om Yim in mind, I tried it. To be honest, was totally underwhelmed. Taste was not great, and then there was one detail which I am aware cannot be generalized, but they had pieces of bell peppers of various colors (can't remember if it was all three green, yellow and red or just a couple), which is a vegetable I absolutely abhor. But even if you leave that second point aside, the taste and texture wasn't anything I would ever go back for. In another cashew related coincidence, a week or two later I was out eating with a friend at the streetfood restaurant (recommended!) on Silom Soi 9 (the first one on the left hand side just as you enter the soi).and upon the lady's recommendation we ordered the (in)famous dish (she said farangs like it, that's why she resommended it, me being the farang of the two of us haha). Well, that was of another league compared to Om Yim. Much much better IMHO, irrespective of the bell pepper issue, which is presumable irrelevant to most eaters. Anyway, wanted to tell you this, so in your next trip you can sample that one, too.