musgrave

After Songkran, my man and I travelled to Roi et by bus - we departed on an evening bus from Mo Chit Bus Station Bangkok. This place is massive but lots of people on hand to direct you to the right ticket counter and find the right bus - not so sure how easy it would have been without my man!!! An 8 hour bus ride and we arrived in Roi et around 5.00am. The ever-present tuk tuks were waiting and we were taken to the Petcharat Hotel - on advice it was the biggest and best in the town. Roi et was hot - very hot!!! 40 degrees during the day but we managed to eat,shop,sleep and sight see. I thought Roi et was a nice town but the heat was overwhelming. The hotel had a pool but it looked like it was open to the public because it was very crowded. When we booked in the receptionist advised that there were no one-bed rooms left - we solved this problem by hastily re-arranging the furniture My man likes eating a dish that consists of uncooked shrimp on a bed of salad - served with lime and a green spicy dipping sauce ( maybe someone can help with the name). I soon established chicken larp as my staple. After 2days in Roi et we hired a car to takes us to Suwannaphum - a smaller town to the south. Accommodation was scarce and we settled on a small cottage at the Red Resort - it was great and the nearby restaurant provided good food. About 20 minutes from Suwannaphum was my man's home village. The purpose of the trip was to see his Father who he hadn't seen for 3 years - his Mum works in Bangkok. It was strange to see the connection between Father and son after this period of time - as others have mentioned there was no great outward sign of affection - more a polite greeting. However my man did tell me that in private his Father told him how happy he was to see him again. The days at the village saw a constant stream of friends and family members coming to see my man. I was treated in a friendly manner - still not sure how our relationship was perceived - although my man told me that people only worried about the kindness and care shown to each other and that they liked me Some impressions about village life - the local whisky could power the next moon mission, the large number of young men, the number of women who leave children behind in the village with the husband and grandma and go to work in Bangkok, the way in which my man was seen as being successful, the way time of the day doesn't seem to matter, curiosity didn't lead to inquisitiveness and nosiness, the strong family bond One day after a meal my man told me we were going to visit a wat in his uncle's car - 3 in the front and 6 in the back tray. I thought it would be nearby but after 2.5 hours driving we arrived at the wat at 8.30pm. After visiting 3-4 altars within the wat grounds and walking crouch-style 9 times under a stand housing the body of a mummified monk, we all piled into the vehicle and set off an the return trip. We returned to Bangkok by bus from Suwannaphum (VIP bus departed around 8.30pm) Looking back I wouldn't have missed the trip for the world - gave me a chance to be close to my man, talk to him about the future, understand him, and for him to understand me. Now sitting at home, going through all my photos, remembering and thinking about the next move.

I arrived in Bangkok a couple of days before the start of Songkran - stayed at Tarntawan Place. On arrival at my room I was met by my man as we had pre-arranged. It was great to see him again and he kept me company for the next 3 weeks. He had bought my Songkran clothes which consisted of a rusty coloured tie dyed T shirt as well as a pair of black and yellow shorts with Mickey Mouse print. I am no spring chicken but I felt duty bound to wear them and brought them back to Australia. On the days of Songkran, Silom Road was chaotic as was the front of Tarntawan Massage in Surawong Road and Tawan Soi. The Tawan boys plus those at nearby Sun Massage and Indra Massage never let the opportunity pass to soak everyone who walked through that Soi. Silom Soi 4 was bedlam - never been in a crush of so many people - never been fondled or kissed so much !!! My man who is very handsome had to endure much more attention than me. Silom Road was pure fun and I enjoyed it as a once off - lots of fun - and necessary to approach it in a light hearted mood. Fabulous eye candy everywhere. I guess I like the cultural significance of such festivals so I think maybe moving further afield to a smaller town or village would have brought me that experience. Seemed to me that Silom was mainly Chinese tourists intent on getting wet and saturating others Ventured to Hot Male on Songkran Wednesday - was absolutely crowded - plenty of good looking boys on stage but the show was very similar to that I had seen last year. My man and I were joined by 2 boys - Lao and Vietnamese - both handsome but no off for us - happy to be in each others company. It is amazing to see how the Chinese girls get so excited in the big cock show. Returned a couple of nights later and the crowd was very sparse. It seemed that following Songkran many tourists headed out of Bangkok. Reflections Tarntawan Place - not perfect but friendly staff and location is wonderful. There were some nice touches in place for Songkran (dish to pour water over Buddha on Reception desk) Road toll - read in the Bangkok Post that road deaths over Songkran between 400-500 My man - absolute gem and it was a joy to sit and talk with him and further our relationship - we showered together, slept together, sat on the hotel room floor and ate together, walked together, shopped together ( I looked, he bought!!!). had massages together More to come - side trips to Roi et, Suwannaphum and Chiang Mai - Bangkok visits to Arena Massage, Dream Boys, Fresh Boys and Jupiter

Hope the hot water is back on by the 11th

Fly out Monday - packed my quick dry clothes and water proofed my duffle bag - some gifts for my man - loaded up with info from the site - eye drops, ear drops - all good

Thanks bicincin for the report - was interested in your use of the kamagra gel and the no headaches - I suffer badly from headaches after taking sedegra or cialis - are the gels available at pharmacies? cheers

Looks like I'll be eating burgers from the 13-15th then xiluzer

Cold, fever and cough - what a nuisance !!! suffered from them myself on my last 2 trips - blame it on the sweaty outdoors and the temp varying aircon. I attacked my doses with the common Tiffy , Vitamin C and lots of water and sleep. Sadly when you have limited vacation time, it can put a dampener on the fun activities - I don't like to kiss and cuddle when I am feeling "blah". Prior to my return in 4 weeks I intend dosing up on high strength Echinacea - mind you not sure how effective anything would be against expected Songkran water dousings. Getting back to your report - "He was just sitting there, holding my hand, and was staring into space." Such a vivid image and I initially laughed reading it - but then thought a bit more about it - the simplicity of the circumstance, the inevitability, the hope. (OMG sounds very mellow and deep - must be my age and the glass of wine!!!)

Whilst I appreciate the issues arising out of making generalisations, I wonder if anyone has a view on whether Thai guys are into either rimming or being rimmed? cheers

Thanks Travellerdave - was timely for me to read this. Never been to any of the beach places on my 6 trips to Thailand - but was thinking next time I might venture for a few days to Pattaya - trying to decide whether to stay in Jomtien or Pattaya - will have a friend with me and only make an occasional visit to the gogo bars - cheers

I like the Colin Cotterill books - crime with humour - and insights into Laos and Thailand culture - the Dr Siri series is set in Laos whilst the Jim Juree books are set in Thailand

Looking for any recommendations for Dinner cruises in Bangkok - I have come across White Orchid and noted Traveller's recommendation for Loy Nova - searching for something romantic to take someone special

Thank you for the feedback - anonone and Christian - thanks for the referrals back to your reports - enjoyed them

A bit in advance but thinking of returning for Songkran in 2016 - understand it is from 13 -15 April. Been in Thailand for Loy Krathong but never Songkran. Will probably stay in Silom. Wanted to hear of any ones's impressions, advice,warnings, experiences - with thanks

not sure it's classed as a mall but whilst wandering around MBK I came across a stall selling mens shorts - the young Burmese man tending it was very helpful in making sure I bought the right pair!! A big fan of the malls.

Really enjoyed reading your report Aux1010 - very honest personal touches - noted that you are a Kiwi !!! just get ready to hand over that Bledisloe Cup next year!!! and the best walks in the world are in NZ - great memories of the Routeburn Greenstone and Kepler tracks

Thanks for your reports vinapu - brings back some great memories of my recent trip. One of my preferences was to tip any of the dancing boys at the bars who put their heart and soul into the dance. Many made a slight effort to move in time with the music but I recall one at Dream Boys who really danced his heart out - bless him. So I thought a reward for effort placed in his red underwear was most appropriate - the return smile was well worth it. Continue to enjoy vinapu. PS - I thought surely you would have posted a self pic in your Bike for Dad shirt!!!

I would like to add my endorsement of Ya - I used him earlier this year for a day tour of Bangkok - contacted him via email - Ya provided a tour that met my needs - lot of local places not overrun by other tourists - liked the historical element and the markets we visited. Ya is friendly and informative. In the north I cannot speak too highly of Woody and Non - they will tailor a trip to suit your needs. Punctual, polite, handsome and friendly and a lovely new vehicle. I enjoyed bbkmfj's road trip report with W and N and understand he was impressed as well. I like to wander around by myself as well and discover but occasionally I enjoy using the services of local guide to visit the out of the way places, gain an understanding of local culture and meet handsome and interesting men.

His command of English and my command of Thai language were comparably dismal - but his name (I think) was something like Kim, Kheem or Kun???? doesn't help I know but his name was fartherest from my mind at the time!!! Yes that's it the Black Bean - one of the young men told me that they had only had 20 customers in the last month - another mixed club "Meeting" was closing down the weekend I was there. The Eco Inn has been really well renovated - modern look about the rooms, big comfortable beds. Just across from the Black Bean there was a husband and wife Issan food stall - great food, Issan spicy!!!

Firstly a thank you to the other "posters" to the forum - I found some of their information invaluable. I travelled to Thailand in late November and December spending a week in Bangkok, a week in Chiang Mai and several days in Ubon. Was in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong which is always a great time. Visited Adams Apple, Orion Bar, new Secrets Bar and my favourite Classic House. Adams Apple was reasonably quiet for customers but the boys always put on a good show - lots of boys, friendly - with the Spiderman in the show being super !! boys mostly tops. I like Orion Bar although once again not so many customers whilst I was there. Several Lisu boys playing pool and always someone to sit and talk with you. The new Secrets Bar is really nice and friendly - small and compact and always boys wandering in and out. Ram Bar is next door. My favourite massage venue is House of Classic - well managed, nice surrounds, shared bathroom, massage on floor mats - minimum tip 1000THB. Whilst in Chiang Mai I used the guide services of Woody and Non for day trips to Mon Cham and Chomthong. Highly recommend. Polite, punctual, friendly - lovely new Mazda Sedan. I had a great time with them. Returning to Bangkok I visited Golden Cock and Super A - quite close to each other. Once again reasonably quiet venues but always someone there to spark your attention. They have spotters outside who will alert the bar of your arrival. Both venues have a room for hire upstairs - Golden Cock was 600 THB for the room with 1000THB for the boy - Nop the boy from Pitsanulok was worth it at GC. Super A is quite dark inside and it takes a while to adjust your eyesight to see the boys who are all in underwear - memories of Andrew Christian briefs - off fees at Super A were 500THB - I would have paid triple for the boy I offed!!! probably even more!! I went to Arena Massage - very fit men there - strong body builder types - 700-800THB for 90 min oil massage - minimum tip 1000THB - massage on table with shower facilities in the room if you visit there ask for Teep - one of the nicest young men you will ever meet - not to mention his spectacular physique - so attentive and the after shower !!!!! Visited Hot Male, Dream Boys and Screw Boys - Dream Boys has great shows with a large Asian audience - some very handsome men. Off fee 600THB. Hot Male was ok - show not as polished and men not quite so handsome as DB.. Screw Boys fell into 3rd place - quiet, smaller venue but some friendly boys - Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam - love the black and white check underwear. Don't bother with X size not worth the effort. My boy from Super A was keen to see a girl bar - he is Bi - I think our visit to 2 of the girl bars may have cured him - they certainly did nothing for me!!!! but it was an experience. Although I have visited Thailand several times my previous indulgences have been restricted to gay massage venues but having read other trip reports I was encouraged to expand my horizons this time - I had a ball. Sorry I forgot Ubon - travelled there on the DRC - trip took 8 hours but returned to Bangkok by plane - 1 hour - plane ticket around 1000THB. Ubon very quiet - couldnt find a appropriate bar anywhere - closest thing was a Karaoke bar near Eco Inn Hotel - me the only customer and I dont do karaoke!! Hornet was useful though.