Londoner

My perception is that you are more likely to meet twink masseurs in Phuket than in Pattaya, Bangkok or Chiang Mai where they seem to be less in evidence There are a number of places in the Paradise Complex and the guys often sit outside making your choice easier. Sorry....I don't recall their names but a walk around the Complex will reveal all. As to the standards, the last one I had was a disaster and the previous one (at a different place) excellent. So its the same old story; you can never be sure how an individual masseur will perform.

Here in Pattaya, a guy who has been giving me excellent massages for over twelve years has now given-up and moved to Chonburi take a job in a factory. That was the only way he could maintain his standard of living. I was in Bangkk three weeks ago, Jomtien last week and now I'm in Boyztown. Boyztown is by far the most quiet. I visited Sunee yesterday and that too was dispiritingly empty, though Nice and (particularly) Winners did have some punters.

The Agate is certainly quiet at the moment....and is a very pleasant place to stay. We've been most impressed. I'd be surprised if you found it less than quiet and relaxing.

I agree with much of the above but would add that, since the closure of Krazy and Krazy Dragon, both of which had large sins outside visible from Soi VC, the entrance to Sunee has been anything but welcoming. And so yes, the poor lighting is a factor. It was also a pity that the shisha bars were closed because they added to the bustle and vibrancy of the area. I often walk from Boyztown to Sunee, cutting through the Paradise Hotel Soi and my arrival at Sunee is heralded by darkness.

The most important advice I can give is ti try out the arrangement for 6/12 months in a rented apartment before selling-up. Our experiences on holidays- mindset, interests, finance- are very different to those of an ex-pat. And if you were to make a mistake, how easy would it be to pick up the pieces back home?

None at all, unless you believe that Thaksin's humanitarian and popular reforms to support the poor encouraged more young people to stay at home rather than come to Pattaya. There were already fewer guys around due to the effectiveness of birth control programmes in the preceding decades. However, my view is that the guys follow the falangs, not the other way around. It is we gay falangs who stopped coming to Thailand in such large numbers; and the Thais found other means to live in our absence..

300 bht, including a tip.

You will be very popular at Babylon sauna. The Thai guys there are gay and payment is not allowed. I suspect that you'll also attract the interest of elderly white men...if you want! Not all of the Thais are as devoted to safe sex as they should be. Hiv is rife in Bangkok. Bring your own condoms.

Thanks traveller123....i read it in my email. For some reason, I can't access the pm facility. I shall certainly let you know how we get on.

Thanks Travellerdave....it was your recommendation that led me to Agate. And I have every confidence in your judgement! I had a look round in February and it looked fine to me. The only question for us is the location....after so many years in Boyztown , will it suit our needs? Only three days this time, just in case it doesn't.

Thanks, a useful report. I note the comments about Agate; I've booked a visit there for next month, believing it to be very gay-friendly. Any other views?

When Sansuk first opened, it offered cheap admission to under twenty-fives. I haven't been for six months but there was no such offer when my boyfriend and I were last there. I prefer an age- reduction for obvious reasons. As far as Babylon is concerned, my most productive afternoons were when the admission charge was reduced owing to the swimming pool being refurrbished. Many more attarctive guys, some of whom were very friendly. Since I don't wish to meet other falangs and prefer us to be a minority, I welcome cheap entry for Thais. No pun intended.

I agree strongly. My boyfriend and I spend 3/4 days there every few months....and yes, 3/4 days are enough. We've had the occasional massage and we've spend an hour or two at House of Male but we are there to enjoy the markets, the temples (well, he does particularly), eating-out, the trips (we used to hire a car but now he prefers guided ones, usually just for the two of us) and the walks. We were in Chiang Rai in February and it has similar virtues.

Is it not the case that the less well-paid jobs in Singapore are done by foreign workers, who are "cheap" and unprotected by Trades Unions? It happens in plenty of places, not just Singapore. Many workers from the Philippines, Bangladesh and even Thailand are exploited. When Israel expels Palestinians from their own lands, they need people to do their dirtiest, least well-paid works. Their fares are paid but their wages are so low that it's worthwhile. Financially, that is.

I think I can work out what "milking" is; but "edging"? I suddenly feel very old.

Ah, Didier! sixty years a Chelsea supporter and he's still my favourite player. I never considered him this context though. There have been a few, however....

Caveat emptor. Those of us who have been visiting for years know that bar-fines have usually been around usually around 500 bht. To decide on a companion, sit with him, buy him a drink, call for the check-bin and then discover that you are required to pay 1000 more than the going-rate seems to reflect inappropriate behaviour on the part of the bar. The owners know that the customer will find it hard to send the guy back to the stage.

I fly EVA in the Premium Economy, which is about £300 more expensive than Economy. Every six flights I get a free-upgrade to Business which, inevitably , spoils me for the next five flights. EVA's Business Class does indeed include flat beds with screens that enable passengers to achieve a degree of privacy. The seats are much larger than Economy but the real plus is the space that each passenger enjoys. Food is better, naturally, but I prefer to eat in the EVA lounge in BKK and in the Canada lounge at LHR, to which my Silver Card entitles me. Accordingly I'm no expert but I am highly impressed by the wines available and regret that I don't drink on long-haul flights.

The criticism of Tarntawan cleaners is most unfair. I've stayed there more than sixty times and I've never had a problem. Once or twice the bed-side control has been faulty but never the button that demands privacy and that the room be cleaned. If there was one incident, or one error, it seems slightly over-the-top to make such a fuss on this forum. And two others, come to think of it. Hotel staff are underpaid and in all these years have I not encountered any who have been less than delightful towards me- and my Thai boyfriend. I find it remarkable that people who are so poorly paid treat us relatively prosperous visitors, so kindly.

My friend buys his medication monthly from his local hospital in the north. It is expensive but it has made a huge difference over the past five years; hitherto, the basic medication preserved life but not quality of life. The hiv clinic serves a large number of people; his impression of their physical condition (and, of course, it's only an impression) is that most of those are not benefiting from medication is the way that he is. You can imagine how depressing it is for him to be in that waiting room....average wait two hours. We must not be complacent about hiv in Thailand; yes, there is medication and top-quality products are available. But a poor person will inevitably struggle unless he/she has help. And that's before we consider the implications of prejudice and social isolation.

I knew embarrassingly little about HiV infection until my friend was infected. I was greatly assisted by the Terence Higgins Trust's help-line in determining how to support him. It was non-medical advice of course. What struck me at the time was how much emphasis is placed on social support and counselling in the UK while he had none, except by personal contact. One thing you should be aware of us that there is still a lot of prejudice in Thailand; you may find that your friend tells very few people of his condition. Including his family. How much financial support you give depends on the nature of your relationship with this guy and how much you can afford. You may find that he will find it difficult to do a day's work in the early stages. I assume he had TB? this is usual and can affect health for a long time after it is treated. Be aware of pneumonia as well. Your friend must not only take the medication assiduously, he must be checked by a doctor regularly. . .

This issue arose for me eight years ago and things may have changed since then. But my recollection is that the basic medication is free (or at a minimal charge) but it is not as effective as the medication that can be bought at the hospital. The more modern medicines can be expensive. But as I say, things may have improved. The victim of the infection whom I support is thriving by the way. You need to offer optimism as well as compassion (and financial support if required).

A disturbing prospect. The military coup was welcomed by some on the gay forums and excused by others. I pointed-out then that right-wing, military coups are invariably anti-gay. They tend also to be anti-women and anti-working class, preferring to seek support amongst the wealthier classes- the very people who brought down Yingluk's government while staying at 5* hotels. And by the way, who believes that there will be elections when the Junta knows that, yet again, the "wrong people" will win.?

biguyby.....Where did you meet the African guy?

Thanks. I shall give it a try next time.