colmx

Pattaya will likely start on the 12th and finish late on the 19th, 13 & 14 will be busy, there will be a little lull around 16& 17 before things kick off again on 18th and the main day of the 19th.
If last year is anything to go by water play will not stop at 19.00 and will continue in selected pockets all night long or water/powder fights will break out spontaneously in venues as the night progresses.
I have already seen pics on FB of powder play starting in Jomtien Soi 12 late at night.
Bkk will likely start on the 12th and finish late on the 15th, Songkran lovers will move to Pattaya for a continuation of the fun

Pattaya will likely start on the 12th and finish late on the 19th, 13 & 14 will be busy, there will be a little lull around 16& 17 before things kick off again on 18th and the main day of the 19th.
If last year is anything to go by water play will not stop at 19.00 and will continue in selected pockets all night long or water/powder fights will break out spontaneously in venues as the night progresses.
I have already seen pics on FB of powder play starting in Jomtien Soi 12 late at night.
Bkk will likely start on the 12th and finish late on the 15th, Songkran lovers will move to Pattaya for a continuation of the fun

I was wrong! Tonight, April  9, in Jomtien Complex three people sitting at my table got a bucket of water dumped on them. 

Even worse is when they grab your bottle by the mouth piece and pull it out of the cooler sleeve to see what you have left! 

1000 baht ? Are you sure it was just laundry involved ?

Seems you are limiting your potential friend circle to a group of people that may be quite jaded and cynical about life in Thailand. Remember today's tourists are tomorrow's residents and potentially know more about what is going on than the expats that live sheltered lives.
Us temporary tourists are human too!

Thank You for your responses.  To be honest I’m just starting to use social websites (and Apps) and I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to Technology, or what to say or not say!
To answer some questions briefly it’s not the language or the Argentine people (wonderful and most welcoming) – but my desire to live in a totally different culture from my very traditional European heritage, combined with a sense of challenge and adventure.
I apologize for stating in my initial message about no tourists or Englis-fluent only, etc.  I realize now I had a very ‘narrow-minded’ attitude that several responses helped me see Myself, and I am so appreciative. 

Seems you are limiting your potential friend circle to a group of people that may be quite jaded and cynical about life in Thailand. Remember today's tourists are tomorrow's residents and potentially know more about what is going on than the expats that live sheltered lives.
Us temporary tourists are human too!

I echo that, Dicks Cafe was excellent, good food well presented. It is very popular and sometimes we struggled to get a seat. Think it is closed on a Monday.  My only gripe, and it is a small one, is that you can order, starters and mains, but they often bring them out almost randomly when they are ready, especially when the place is very busy. 

Depends on what you are into...
BKK will be filled with the "white party" crowd, younger white ravers that think they are gods gift to mankind and their admirers, along with Chinese/Taiwan panda types doing their conga trains.
Clubs will be mobbed and dangerously overcrowded, long queues will ensue. No taxi will want to take you anywhere when you are dripping wet.
Pattaya will be filled with the Songkran "terrorists" that some of our members seem to be so scared of. Unlike Bkk, the water play is probably going to go from April 12th straight through April 20th, based on recent years, nightfall is no longer the guaranteed ending time (especially in Soi 6/7/Buakow/Beach Road and Jomtien Complex)....It will be mayhem, but at least you can get transported on a Songtaew. 
Whichever location, as long as you are willing to go with the flow, smile and be happy, you will have a ball! Just booked my flights and cant wait for it!

Depends on what you are into...
BKK will be filled with the "white party" crowd, younger white ravers that think they are gods gift to mankind and their admirers, along with Chinese/Taiwan panda types doing their conga trains.
Clubs will be mobbed and dangerously overcrowded, long queues will ensue. No taxi will want to take you anywhere when you are dripping wet.
Pattaya will be filled with the Songkran "terrorists" that some of our members seem to be so scared of. Unlike Bkk, the water play is probably going to go from April 12th straight through April 20th, based on recent years, nightfall is no longer the guaranteed ending time (especially in Soi 6/7/Buakow/Beach Road and Jomtien Complex)....It will be mayhem, but at least you can get transported on a Songtaew. 
Whichever location, as long as you are willing to go with the flow, smile and be happy, you will have a ball! Just booked my flights and cant wait for it!

Day 20
Of course we forgot about sunrise and parted ways quite a while  after that. Today I’m off to Phuket.  It’s my first time there. Few people mentioned that ‘ you will forget at times that you are in Thailand “ .
On another had my friend is there ( not gay)now and he swears by the place spending most of his time in Thailand there , often bypassing Bangkok entirely. So bottom line is I’m very curious. Since my said friend is there but leaving tomorrow morning I’m booking 1 night in hotel he is staying to keep appearances and tomorrow I will move to Paradise Complex.
To Don Muang by usual combination of BTS+ MRT + SRT red line, in airport smooth. Flight with Air Asia uneventful but not very comfortable due to cramped seats but at 50$  for 90 minutes flight  I’m not one to complain.
In the airport I followed signs for ‘public bus” , there called Smart Bus. There are  3 different lines with schedules well posted and mine, in direction of Patong was departing  quite soon. Left half empty by but time we reached Patong in about 1 hr it was filled to capacity.
I alighted somewhere central, not sure where as it was my first time there , later on I learned it was quite close to Bangla road and to get to hotel I took motorsai. He quoted me 150 , I as instructed by my friend counter offered 100, immediately accepted , still too much for 6 minutes ride , even if uphill but I was in no mood to haggle for another 20 baht.
Got room with quite a nice view with Royal Paradise Hotel well visible in a distance so knew immediately where in relation to gay area I’m. My friend was waiting impatiently being hungry so soon after we were climbing to nearby recommended restaurant with the view and one of best chicken with cashews I had this trip.
 Then we went downhill to central Patong to get grip of the place and as always when one is freshly arrived, curious of every corner  and another one already 14 days there who been everywhere dozen times it was basically waste of time for both of us  but at least we stopped by one of many booths selling tours and I booked  grandly named Tour of the Island  for tomorrow morning.
Listed price was 1400 but I got it for 900 without even bargaining – lady knew my friend from few tours he booked with her so gave proper price right away. Bottom line there it seems is don’t pay listed price but if you have time , bargain down and if necessary see another 1 or 3 places and see what their price will be.  There are tons of offers but it means there’s customer pocket friendly competition. Or at least it’s  what it seemed.
Seeing my friend is itching to return to hotel as he is leaving tomorrow morning and needs to pack I gladly suggested we do ,  if only , after refreshening to return to Patong for further exploration , this time alone. Of course first steps to Paradise Complex, I located my hotel I will be moving in tomorrow, Cruise club across it , big Zag club beside in the same soi.
Soi seemed full and busy then surveyed parallel soi with massage shops where one of the guys caught my eye so I enroll his services. 500 for the shop. Further compensation was discussed inside in the process already when my suggestion he can remove his clothes as it’s too hot was countered with 3000 request. Sorry I only look as first timer so told him , no,  just go on with massage. “ how much you give me ?” he still had hopes for business , “l000’ was my offer and we settled on 1500. To be honest , still too much for what I got but it’s OK, finally my first Phuket boy.
After that I treated myself with banana  pancake for 80 ( I just paid 30 few days ago  at Sukhotai for the same ) , went to see famous Bangla Road and was amazed how crowded it was that late. Certainly Patong visitors like their fun and after declining  proposals from 3 or 7 ladies of the night there I returned to hotel.
 

Depends on what you are into...
BKK will be filled with the "white party" crowd, younger white ravers that think they are gods gift to mankind and their admirers, along with Chinese/Taiwan panda types doing their conga trains.
Clubs will be mobbed and dangerously overcrowded, long queues will ensue. No taxi will want to take you anywhere when you are dripping wet.
Pattaya will be filled with the Songkran "terrorists" that some of our members seem to be so scared of. Unlike Bkk, the water play is probably going to go from April 12th straight through April 20th, based on recent years, nightfall is no longer the guaranteed ending time (especially in Soi 6/7/Buakow/Beach Road and Jomtien Complex)....It will be mayhem, but at least you can get transported on a Songtaew. 
Whichever location, as long as you are willing to go with the flow, smile and be happy, you will have a ball! Just booked my flights and cant wait for it!

Depends on what you are into...
BKK will be filled with the "white party" crowd, younger white ravers that think they are gods gift to mankind and their admirers, along with Chinese/Taiwan panda types doing their conga trains.
Clubs will be mobbed and dangerously overcrowded, long queues will ensue. No taxi will want to take you anywhere when you are dripping wet.
Pattaya will be filled with the Songkran "terrorists" that some of our members seem to be so scared of. Unlike Bkk, the water play is probably going to go from April 12th straight through April 20th, based on recent years, nightfall is no longer the guaranteed ending time (especially in Soi 6/7/Buakow/Beach Road and Jomtien Complex)....It will be mayhem, but at least you can get transported on a Songtaew. 
Whichever location, as long as you are willing to go with the flow, smile and be happy, you will have a ball! Just booked my flights and cant wait for it!

Depends on what you are into...
BKK will be filled with the "white party" crowd, younger white ravers that think they are gods gift to mankind and their admirers, along with Chinese/Taiwan panda types doing their conga trains.
Clubs will be mobbed and dangerously overcrowded, long queues will ensue. No taxi will want to take you anywhere when you are dripping wet.
Pattaya will be filled with the Songkran "terrorists" that some of our members seem to be so scared of. Unlike Bkk, the water play is probably going to go from April 12th straight through April 20th, based on recent years, nightfall is no longer the guaranteed ending time (especially in Soi 6/7/Buakow/Beach Road and Jomtien Complex)....It will be mayhem, but at least you can get transported on a Songtaew. 
Whichever location, as long as you are willing to go with the flow, smile and be happy, you will have a ball! Just booked my flights and cant wait for it!

Trip Report – Koh Chang – 15 Jan 2024 – 18 Jan 2024
 
I am behind on my trip reports.  I present this one from Koh Chang (which was easier to prepare) and then I will have a bigger one from Christmas/New Years - 17 day trip report for Songkhla.  Sorry for the delays.
 
Up to now, my favorite island in proximity of Pattaya has been Koh Samet.
Hanging out with my volleyball friends at the Dongtan beach (Sea Rescue area), we were chatting about a new island place to go to and we decided to make a 4 day / 3 night visit to Koh Chang.

Aerial shot of the Trat island archipelago
One of them has a car, so that made the transportation modality easy. Note that a quick search in Google - notes that there are many busses that also go there – primarily from Bangkok but I believe that I saw one from Pattaya as well.
    -> Please note that their facial photos are included in this trip report with their permission given as well as their contact details in case any of you would like to use their services. <-
We departed Jomtien around 9:45am and we arrived at the Ao Thammachat pier in Trat at around 14:30pm, almost 5 hours – leisurely driving with breaks for the bathroom, iced coffee, and gas.
We were able to get onto the 15:30pm car ferry at a cost of 120 baht for the car and then 80 baht for the each of us for a total of 360 baht. The ferry crossing is about 30 minutes.  Ferry info can be found here at:  Koh Chang Ferries price list 2023 / 2024 


Map of Koh Chang and surrounding islands.  As you can see there are many ferry options to arrive onto the island from the mainland.

Above places highlighted with a red circle are the places that we visited
We booked our 3 night stay at the Klong Prao Resort    Klong Prao Beach Resort webpage 
We booked 2 rooms and paid 1,840 baht per night for a total of 11,040 baht for 3 nights.

This resort is lovely and very big with a beautiful sandy beach and lush tropical plants everywhere.  As we booked kind of at the last minute we were assigned to 2 older rooms.  There are 3 distinct zones around a large pond, where the zone we stayed in is the oldest and the other 2 zones are more modern.  My only complaint about our rooms were there were hardly any electrical outlets for all of our devices (electric razor, tooth brush, boom box, mobile phones, etc.).  Other than this inconvenience the rooms were perfect – air con worked very well, shower had hot water, and unlike my stay in Koh Samet and also in Songkhla (I still need to write this trip report) there were NO noisy geckos

to wake us up in the early morning with their annoying chirping sounds.  However, they are very handy for eating any annoying mosquitos, bugs and spiders.
Note that the 2 newer zones have many electrical outlets as they were probably built after the advent of the popularity of mobile phones and all of our electrical gadgets.
The highlights of this resort for us were:
The pool and their pool bar with early evening 2 for 1 sunset happy hours – as evidenced in the below photos, The white sandy beaches and blue turquoise water.  Note that the Koh Chang municipality has strict rules that keep the noisy speed boats and jet skis away – thus rendering the beaches to be more in their wonderful natural state.
Day 1 (15 Jan 2024) itinerary
Arrive onto the island, check in unpack, enjoy the resort grounds, pool, beach, happy hour, fantastic sunset and eat at the resort dining facility = RimHad Restaurant.  Watched a great fire show performed by some hunky macho guys (similar to the familiar B-Boys, who perform all over Pattaya, Boyztown, Jomtien) on the beach in front of our resort restaurant.  Like when I visited Koh Samet, these fire show guys can be found traveling up and down the beach performing in front of the many resorts and beach restaurants.  It lasted about 10 minutes and was very entertaining.

I realized that I did not take any still photos so the above photo is from a movie clip that I made.
 
Then before going to sleep I received my customary massage – as both of these volleyball friends are also masseurs.
Day 2 (16 Jan 2024) itinerary
After the great resort buffet breakfast (an enormous selection of Western and Thai foods were available) we headed off to the Khlong Phlu Waterfall in the National Park.  It was nearby, and perhaps after 30 minutes by car we were already at the trailhead for our hike.  The hike took about 30 minutes and was rather easy. 
Explore Koh Chang - description of Koh Chang waterfalls  

As it was not rainy season, the waterfall was a little bit subdued, but it was still cool and refreshing to take a dip and to swim with the millions of fish that were in the water.  You need to resist their lite nibbles at your skin – kind of like those tourist places that you see all over Thailand where the tourists put their feet into a fish tank to get their dead skin nibbled off.

There were about 20 to 25 people there when we visited with about half of them brave enough to enter the chilly refreshing water.  There is a lifeguard off to the left up on the rocks to prevent that tourists climb up onto the waterfall, as it can be quite dangerous as it is very slippery.

And there I am trying to acclimate myself to the lite nibbles by the fish before I dove in and swam
over to where the water was cascading down – as that end is very deep.
 
Entrance fee to the waterfall (which is part of the national park system) was 40 baht for each of my 2 Thai friends and 200 baht for me for a total cost of 280 baht.
Afterwards, back to our resort to relax, swim in the pool, take advantage of the 2-for-1 drink specials at the pool bar, and to watch the sunset.
For that night’s dinner we drove over to the popular White Sands Beach area – full of restaurants, hotels, resorts, markets, etc. to eat at the Beach Tango restaurant 
     Beach Tango restaurant Facebook page  
which became our favorite go-to place to eat.
Why?
The food and drinks were good.  There was interesting eye candy – one of the wait staff had our constant attention.  Plus, there were many interesting people walking up and down the beach – as there are many, many, bars and restaurants in this area.  Beach Tango is smack in the middle of all of the fun and is an entertaining place to be situated.

Then after dinner back to the room to relax for my nightly massage.  Life is good.
 
Day 3 (17 Jan 2024) itinerary
Enjoy the buffet breakfast and then head down to the extreme southern part of Koh Chang (on the opposite side of the island) to visit the very famous Koh Ngam beach.  It was a very long drive as we needed to cross the island to the other side (mainland facing), and this part of the island is not built up like the other side, so consequently, the main road became narrower and narrower up into the mountains to the point where there was only room for 1 car to pass one way with very steep curvy roads.  Scary, but well worth the reward to arrive at the tiny boat station to take the 10 minute boat to cross over to the breath taking Koh Ngam.

You can choose your mode of transportation – by kayak or by motorboat.  We chose by motorboat as we were too excited to already be on Koh Ngam.  I believe that we paid 80 baht for each Thai person, and I as a farang had to pay 200 baht, which included the boat ride over to the island.  Fee is paid to a ranger on Koh Ngam – as it is now part of the Thailand National Park system.

Here is a good short video with some drone footage of Koh Ngam:  Youtube video with drone footage of Koh Ngam 
And here is what awaits you on Koh Ngam – truly amazing.

After enjoying Koh Ngam (swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the view and the nature) – back on the boat to Koh Chang and then back in the car for the 1 hour trip back to our resort for those 2-for-1 pool bar cocktails and amazing sunsets.

Rinse and repeat the previous night at Beach Tango for dinner and drinks and then back to the resort for my nightly good-night massage.
Day 4 (18 Jan 2024) itinerary
Enjoy the last breakfast buffet and check-out of the resort for the long 5 hour drive back to Pattaya (Jomtien).
Phong says to me – do you want to see one more exciting place before we head back?  I say, sure, why not.  So, we drive over to the Kai Bae Viewpoint, which is famous for its spectacular view of 4 of the Koh Chang archipelago islands, Koh Yuak, Koh Man Noi, Koh Pli and Koh Man Nok.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kai+Bae+Viewpoint/@12.0205768,102.2919516,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x3104105179b452c7:0x2b4a04572dce185b!8m2!3d12.0205768!4d102.2919516!16s%2Fg%2F11b6tz721w?hl=en&entry=ttu
Note that there is excellent coffee available at this Kai Bae viewpoint.

Before almost reaching Pattaya, my 2 tour guides noticed that we were all sad that our 4 day trip was coming to a quick end, so they said do you want to eat at a fun place that is near Pattaya (about 1 hour away) before we call it a day?  I said sure – as I really like to see and experience new places.
So, we stopped off at the Tamnanpar Resort & Restaurant – one of these many nearby Pattaya / Rayong restaurants that are tucked away in a jungle theme – various Thai friends have taken me to different ones as each Thai person swears that his/her’s is the best.
Tamnanpar resort and restaurant Facebook page 


This place is famous for their unique game cuisine where you can eat ostrich, crocodile, snake, and deer. All was good and our random waiter was someone that my 2 tour guides already knew and were teasing him about his in-the-bed attributes – he was quite shy but willing to tease back my 2 Thai friends.  I truly enjoy when the Thais do this to each other as it is very entertaining.
Then they dropped me off at my condo room in Jomtien and our trip concluded.
 
 
Trip summary:
Would I go back to Koh Chang?  Most certainly – it is a large island and there is still more to see. Especially to visit many of the many off-shore islands in the archipelago. Maybe stay for one more additional day to take some time to do kayaking.
Any regrets?  Yes, we did not have time to see the famous abandoned boat “ghost” hotel.   Nation Thailand article on the famous "ghost" ship on Koh Chang
 
Contact details (HORNET and Line) for my 2 Thai tour guides from the Dongtan volleyball field in Jomtien.  They can be available to be a tour guide, companion, or masseur. 
 permission was granted to me by the both of them to publish their details for all of you Also, come and visit them at volleyball (nightly from about 5:30 pm until 8pm to 9pm daily) – right next to the Sea Rescue in front of the Pattaya Park Tower on the beach road of our Dongtan beach. 
Phong Hornet ID is:  @m-thailand
Boat Hornet ID is:  @13hq91


 

As well as Traveler Jim, he is alive and well.

Kokopelli passed?  I never knew that; sorry to read of his passing, he was like a twin brother to me.

Day 3
Raya has breakfast again at 250 per person if not included in the rate. Buffet style and all dishes very tasty. Pleased to see that guy I remember from my first stay there good 10 years ago is still working there although I have an impression he looks like 10 years older but what do I know? 
Today I’m moving to Baan Silom so after breakfast when Y left I packed what I have and rolled me suitcase there. Since it was bit early I was told to return at 2, left suitcase on reception and via Tourist boat went to Grand Palace are to browse stores there. It was good move as I required some old Thai banknote for my collection , one I was looking for  for quite a while.
This of course created an opportunity to invite somebody to admire and assess new acquisition. Upon return to hotel I was bit jet lagged- day 3 is usually my worst and collapsed on the bed for about 2 hours.
Woke up quite hungry as I did not eat anything substantial since breakfast and decided to go to Unseco designated world famous Foodland Patpong for a dish picture of which is attached below.

No prize for guessing it’s name though.
Then wandered for about 1 hour through the area and decided to go to HotMale upstairs to see if S would be there as I kind of believe he will be best suited to see my new old Thai banknote. He was mentioned in my reports before as only boy taken for  a tour ( of Grand Palace  back in 2022 ) who genuinely was interested in sightseeing , even trying to explain us some paintings in the area around Emarald Buddha temple.   
 
At 21.15 bar was still very quiet. Few farangs were holding court and soon after they took 4 or 5 boys with them. S was  there so I grabbed him right away even if there was no competition in the audience. Remembered from last trip when two girls were looking at him lustily when he was sitting with me already. Of course he accepted idea of seeing my new purchase not only right away but also in the morning where light will be more natural.
By time we finished our drinks and took off two farangs showed up  ( separately), gulped their drinks and left empty handed. Nobody was in the  audience when we  were leaving at 10 pm so it looked as quiet night and still quite a few offs from the bar.
Via 7/11 across the hotel we went to my room and of course in  a heat of the moment we forgot about my new trophy. No harm done.
It turned out that next week he is going to see his folks in Cambodia and by sheer coincidence I will be in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap at the same time as well. He asked to join me for the whole week but since I had some designs on Phnom Penh I suggested he will join me for 4  nights I will be in Siem Reap.   We left discussed particulars of that trip for Line and spent rest of  time together how it was supposed to be spend. Third night in row and third fabulous. I started to count my blessings already !

There hasn’t been much on the boards about this place in Walking Street since it opened, so I thought contribute a review, after having visited on my trip to Pattaya in January.
To briefly explain, it is a male strip show on Walking Street, with western guys as dancers. They seem to be mainly Russians or Brazilians. It’s a bit different than the other offerings in that it’s more like a western style strip-show, based on tease. Despite the title, you won’t see any big tools. It’s basically muscular western guys dancing around a pole and stripping down their trousers. Then they walked down among the crowd and pull down their jeans a bit for you to stick in 100 baht note in their underwear . Even then you didn’t get to see much. Probably wouldn't be the cup of tea for most people on these boards. However, the guys are well-built and good looking, and they really know how to dance on that gogo pole, with some showing really athletic moves on it.  I was accompanied by a Thai guy that I had taken off from X Boys bar, and although he was a bit shocked at first, he began to enjoy it.
When enter, you go up the stairs to, you have a choice of two rooms, one where there are guys dancing, and another room with women dancing. I had a brief look in the room with a women while I was going to the toilet, the dancers there were western looking also.
When we went into the room with the men,  we ushered to a seat in the front near the stage. We were given a menu, I looked, and it had alcoholic drinks going from 400 baht up to mad prices for cocktails, champagne, etc. I didnt see any soft drinks on the menu, and when i asked about that, they gave me a  second menu with some soft drinks for about 260. So we ordered those and sat down and watched the dancing.
They brought the bill for the drinks straight away, and I paid straight away as well. This actually reassured me a bit, as I was a little worried about it being a pure clip joint. After our first drink, although they came around two or three times asking us if we wanted a second, there was no huge pressure to buy, and we turned down the offer and sipped our drinks slowly.
There was a constant stream of dancers - there was one on stage at time,and  as soon as he was finished, another started. They used to do one dance which was about four or five minutes long. Then they came down and they gyrated in front of the audience, looking for tips in return for a feel of their chest. Most of the audience were western (Russian?) females. But the guys came up to me and my Thai guy as well. When they were with the women, they had put the women’s hands on their chests and chiseled torsos. They were not that pro-active for us, but when I put my hand on the dancer chests, they didn’t object.
In return, you were expected to give a tip of 100 baht. They had a sign at the table saying that the minimum tip was 100 baht.
The Thai guy I had with me was a bit shy, so when the first guy came round I took the initiative and grabbed his hand his hand and put it on the dancers chest. This made my Thai companion squeal, much to the dancers amusement. Then I gave him 100 baht to give to the dancer.
The staff serving the drinks were Thai, but after while a blonde Russian woman came over to us.. She gave us a menu of various add-ons you could pay to do and tried to entice us to buy. These ranged from having a photograph taken with a dancer for 500 baht ( like a fool I actually paid for this with the cutest dancer)  to having a private dance for 1000 baht, to getting up in stage yourself (presumably with the dancers) for 800 baht, to renting the whole room for 45 minutes for something like 10,000 baht. I don’t know if they got any takers for these options, the mostly female audience seem to stay for a few dances and disappear.
There was no mention of a fee for taking a guy off, I suspect that you would to make your own arrangements for that in a private dance
I asked all the guys came to our table where they were from. I think three of them were Russian, one was a Brazilian, and one was Australian (but he said his parents were Russian). If you like Caucasian guys I think you would find them quite good looking. They had a sort of bodies that a member of western stripper troupe would have.
Once he got over his initially amazement, the Thai guy I brought seemed to quite enjoy it. When one Russian guy came out with long blond locks, he said "Oh, he looks like an angel!"
I know this establishment won’t be everybody’s cup of tea, particularly the Asian guy fans, which naturally enough are predominant on this board. However, considering that the dancers are good looking westerners, you could consider that you could have a similar experience to a western strip club for an hour for the equivalent of 30-40 euros (assuming you spend roughly 1300 baht, broken down into 260 for a soft drink on entry and 1000 bat for 10 dance tips).
If you have a Thai guy who has a thing for good looking farangs, it might be a bit of fun for him.

Yes but you lost an off with a guy for only 36 baht ...
I learnt in Thailand not to be stubborn on my principles because I always lose so no point to confront the Thai system better to be flexible and flow.
Great report!

I often wonder when I hear boys, touts, taxi drivers talk about stories like this, who the fuck does this stuff....🙄
 
Ummmm, yeah. And you've been reading this message board and have to hear it from a massage boy in BKK too?

 
 
in the meantime, you've raised the bar to a point that is deceptional to many workers,  giving them hope that there are more of us willing to pay those prices...




Even with my shitty comments, was a well written post 😆

Oh dear, your trip report has made me, as an old-timer, feel somewhat guilty. Why? I'll come to that later.
But thank you for an honest and insightful report. All of us make mistakes or have bad days, even old-timers who have even more reason to slap ourselves when we foul up. We should have known better! we say to ourselves.
What you've unknowingly pointed out - and it is of value - is that whereas most of us write about our experiences in Thailand with regular forum members in mind as the readership, we may be forgetting that there are newcomers such as yourself, who are drawing information from our posts in planning for their first trip. Thus the guilt. I can totally understand that lurking will be the preferred method pre-visit since a newcomer has little to add to the discussions. But lurking means invisibility, and so the regulars in this forum don't realise the effect our posts may have on newbies making their plans.
So, for the benefit of potential newbies, allow me  to make a few observations that may help:
1. If you're going to travel all the way to Thailand, and money isn't a serious impediment, plan for a longer visit rather than overpay for services because you're short of time. Hotel, food and local transport costs are relatively cheap in Thailand. Giving yourself the luxury of extra time takes away the pressure of getting things right at first try. It allows a longer learning curve, and therefore a better chance of getting a number of good sessions even if you hit a few duds along the way.
2. Be self-aware and extremely careful when you are the "visual" type. (see the thread https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/40355-the-different-erotic-things-we-look-for/#comment-368148 for explanation), i.e. you're the type that chooses your partners based almost exclusively on looks. Looks do not correlate with service quality. If anything, boys who are aware that they are above-average in looks may be below average in service quality; it is the not-so-nice-looking guys who know they have to work harder for their keep. See also point #6 below.
3. The rise of Line-based advertising, where the massage places send out pictures of their boys by the bundles may have increased the vulnerability of buyers who are visual, because then you're relying (exclusively) on looks (photos). When I use Line with the massage places, I tend to do it in a slightly different way. I first tell them what time I want my appointment and what I prefer of the boy service-wise. Then I ask them for a shortlist of boys who fit my criteria. Most places with decent customer service will send back about 4 - 6 pictures to choose from. Those places which do not reply with a shortlist I quickly ignore - it indicates they have no idea what their boys can or cannot do or they are not interested in ensuring a fit between customer and client.
4. As you noticed very quickly, paying triple or quadruple the going rate does not get you triple or quadruple the satisfaction. In fact, it only makes you a target for the unscrupulous. My advice to newbies is: Steel yourself to resist overcharging. Walk away. Of course this is easier if you have time on your side which is why my point #1 above is important.
5. Old-timers like me write about places pretty distant from the city centre. Newbies should stick to the Silom-Surawong area, at least for the first 4 - 5 days. There are plenty of attractions within that area alone to keep you busy. And plenty of hotel options, so you don't have to travel by taxi or Grab and get stuck in traffic. Save the more distant places for your second visit. See map of gay ghetto: https://shamelessmacktwo.travel.blog/2023/12/07/map-of-silom-surawong-area-december-2023/. Tip for those wanting muscly masseurs: Go (walk) to Arena Massage. You don't have to go all the way to Sabaidee or Jey Spa.
6. Especially if you're a very visual person, the gogo bars may serve you better than the massage parlours. Firstly, you see the boys in the flesh (though in some bars they are more covered up with sweatpants and T-shirts nowadays compared to 10 years ago) and you can take your time in making a choice. Secondly, for the price of a boydrink (and perhaps a thank-you-but-not-tonight tip of 100 baht) you get a chance to engage in a bit of conversation with a shortlisted boy. You can assess his language skills and personality, and very often too, get a sense of whether he really wants to go with you. Boys are not as desperate for customers as we may imagine (I know of boys who say they will not go with a certain type of customer.) Do not be put off by oldtimers like us moaning about ever-increasing costs at the gogo bars 😂 The bars still give reasonable value. However, never admit to the mamasans that it's your first time in Thailand; once they get their claws into you, they won't let go!
 

To cut a long story short I'm thinking of packing it all in and retiring to Pattaya but I want to be able to do something all day 
I get bored & depressed otherwise.
Im thinking of a boy go go bar ,one currently for sale actually I see for 1.5 million baht Dream boys
,or a boy massage maybe easier , 
I'm thinking a massage place in Jomtien complex open at about midday close at 10pm 
I have my retirement and rental income coming in from my home country, so it's not the money if I can "break even " it's ok ( as the owner of the former Corner Bar used to say to me ..."as long you can break even" 
I don't want something too time consuming 
Maybe a gym would be better , I really don't like old farangs and I don't like talking to people.
What about those massage places in Jomtien complex,are they too time consuming for the owner & stressful?
I need something to do though, I don't want to retire there sitting in my condo all day , Im very fit with gym and Muay Thai at my age so I need something to do 
 
 

56 Suriwong, Rose, Red Planet, Baan Silon soi 3, Furama Silom and Furama Sathorn Xclusive and Raya, just to name a few