hank75

This is completely untrue. There is a huge, thriving gay scene in Bangkok that has nothing to do with commercial sex or go go bars. Paid sex is a very small fraction of the landscape. 
The commercial sex scene is marketed and made accessible to English speaking tourists, which is why the discussion here tends to be heavily centered around boys and bars. But don’t discount the local gay scene, clubs and parties, the Songkran festivities, White Party, and the privately hosted gay events and parties just because our members rarely go to these. There is so much more to gay Bangkok than discussed here. 
But yes I agree we all wish we were there, for bars or other venues. 

I would be the last person on this forum to tell you off, being a chronic overtipper myself. If a boy brings you so much pleasure that you want to treat him well and give him some joy in return, it is completely worth it in my opinion.  
And I think while you were generous, you hardly overpaid- 5000 for 12 hours of enjoyment sounds very fair to me. I have tipped similarly flr boys I really like for “medium time” as I call it (5-6 hours, we bar hop, eat, before hitting the hotel. I prefer not to have them stay over so I can catch some quality sleep). And I know one of the models gets paid into five figures for long time. Though as you’ve just established, a regular boy may be better company!

Which model was this? Three of them drive.
 
Although I think I can guess...echoes of vinapu’s travel report, though with a different ending.

Day 5:
It has been since last trip that i was trying to reserve him, but i was told that he lives "so far away" by mamasan.
After a long wait, the day did arrive. 
He arrived in a big pick up van, wearing a cap, in tight T, jeans and a long neck booth. (as a side note, I have no idea how locals can wear anything more than T, shorts and slippers under this 87 plus weather). With very short hair, rough facial features, he looked more matured than i would have preferred. That was my first impression and i didnt realize that maturity comes with lots of experiences and skills until two hours later. While he was taking shower, i was listening to Come Undone and Santana's Smooth on my laptop. You must know they are usual background music for the models' show if you are a moonlight regular. 
After a thorough shower, he came out smelling nice and sexy with a towel wrapping around his waist. When he took off his towel, I was speechless by what i saw despite my mental preparedness by mamasan. 
The moment i was having to wait for months has arrived. His massage was one of the best that i have ever got from Sabaidee guys - better than the one I got from the twunk on my 3rd night. Experience speaks for itself. He did not leave any parts of my body untouched or uncared. My whole body including my feet, digits, fingers/toes or any other appendage were so happy towards the end of his professional massage. no wonder that he also works for a regular Thai massage shop in Chinatown. 
During massage, he kept checking in with me if i was doing ok. He was a bit too talkative to my taste. While I was getting massage, listening to his life story, I couldnt help but thought of someone who might definitely love this pleasant and talkative guy. 😉 
He said he was married until 4 years ago when his wife eloped with "a very handsome" 26 years old policeman. They have twin girls and now they are living with him. He also told me about his other jobs. When I asked him what he would do for fun, he said he would go to "girls massage" and "f-ck them for hours."
After a complete hour of professional massage, i was already in an euphoric state. It was followed by his excellent love making skills. It was when I realized that size doesnt matter. 😉😄😁If you are in a completely euphoric state (without any exogenous chemicals, but with your own endogenous endorphins and dopamine release), you can take an 8" appendage like a champ regardless of your previous experience.
The whole process was gentle yet hot, deep and intimate, leading to an explosive finish.
I am thoroughly satisfied to call it a night. 

A Very Bumpy Start
This trip was booked back in June based solely on vague optimism that ‘things will improve’. The January timing was a matter of habit. When test-and-go was announced I lacked Vinapu’s prescience and instead of going immediately kept to the original schedule.
Traveling in the Time of Covid it should come as no surprise that this trip has been the most difficult trip to keep on the rails that I have ever experienced.
The airline canceled all flights to Thailand and I had to re-book. I went through the hoops of completing all the ThaiPass paperwork. To be sure of passing the first of four PCR tests I withdrew from Christmas celebrations. Double-guessing the Thai Government’s announcement that it was considering suspending Test-and-Go, I re-booked all the accommodation and internal flights, at some cost.
The day I am due to leave I lie in bed, dawn light coming around the edges of the curtains, and Bangkok Guy pings me on Line. He has developed the habit of pinging me in the morning if he wants to talk as he knows I am up early, but this is a little early. “There is a Big Problem”.
On the bright side, his English is coming along. He used the indefinite article.
When he answers my call he looks serious and without talking faces his phone toward his wrist. There is an intravenous drip attachment. Back to his face and, while he is looking good, I see he is in bed and the pillow has a blue hospital paper cover. He has Covid.
It seems to be a moderate case. He looks good, a cough but no problems breathing, and once we talk his smile is as bright as ever. His personality is also unaffected. His main concern is not his health but the cost of cancelations as he will not be out of quarantine in time to join me on Koh Samui.
A leading indicator that I have crossed the line from under-the-weather to truly ill is the loss of my vanity. For Bangkok Guy it would be the loss of frugality. With his frugality intact he is on the right side of the health line.
However, the third time I tell him he is looking good – a mechanical reassurance to myself as much as to him – he corrects me. “Outside look good, inside not good”. He is sick enough to be feeling it.
He is happy that I am still coming and that we will eventually meet in Bangkok. He will get out of the ten-day quarantine the day before I arrive in Bangkok from Koh Samui and I offer to extend our hotel booking so he can go there, be comfortable and have room service. He is not sure.
In case Omicron gathered speed, in Bangkok I re-booked into a hotel with a lot of outdoor space by the river which, if necessary, we can use as a resort and use the river to get around rather than the Sky Train or Metro. I have four PCR tests to pass during the trip and failing any of the three in Thailand will land me in hospital for ten days, which I have no intention of letting happen, so crowded spaces are verboten. The hotel is very high end (I got an attractive deal) and I suspect Bangkok Guy is not comfortable with the idea of being there alone.
I will play this by ear and possibly leave Koh Samui early (and expensively as it is too late to alter the reservation).

Prologue
During Covid I have been consistently too optimistic about the probability of international travel. I repeatedly book trips only to eventually cancel them. I carry on regardless and book the next trip, but my expectations have slowly diminished, to the point that I was not really expecting to make this trip to Thailand.
It was only after the e-tickets arrived that I truly believed that this trip was a Go.
I should have been elated, but after the initial euphoric rush I was strangely flat. I organized the mechanics of travel down to the last detail and took steps to eliminate anything within my power that could cause problems. I imposed a self-quarantine for the seven days prior to my PCR test, excusing myself from pre-Christmas events and Christmas dinner itself. I booked a limo service to the airport as Uber have become a little less reliable.
But I did not get into the usual personal preparation or have a plan of what to do other than seeing Bangkok Guy. I continued to drink and eat a little too much and not exercise enough. My mood should have been up, but pre-Christmas socializing was leaving me flat. One evening, returning home after a fabulous dinner party, the flat feeling really struck me – what was going on?
I know myself well enough that if I take the time to stop and reflect I find the patterns that point to the problem. When I am flat something is weighing on my subconscious, and the trick is to identify what it is so that I can deal with it. I realized I was very concerned. Very concerned that something would prevent the trip. Very concerned that after two years of Line-only contact the chemistry between Bangkok Guy and I will not be the same.    
Behind the concern is the fact that Bangkok Guy is deeply under my skin. Possibly too deeply. Many things have kept me bouncing along and sane during the disruption of the last two years and my connection with Bangkok Guy is one of them. Forced separation has intensified the importance of the connection.
There is no point in letting an anticipated problem which may or may not eventuate weigh you down. You need to do what you can to ensure the outcome you want and then hope for the best, but be mentally prepared for the worst and have an attractive Plan B.
So I took charge of my drinking, eating and exercising. I can stroll the beach confident that I look presentable in swim shorts. I went through the Koh Samui guide and found things to see and do. For the days in Bangkok I have a list of restaurants to try and possible overnight trips. The trip is now in shape to be an excellent holiday and a great first encounter with the World after the last two years. And if the chemistry with Bangkok Guy is still good, that will be the icing on the cake.
But if I am honest with myself, the icing is of more interest than the cake.

Day 23 continued
Newscene and I had interesting discussion about technology and smart phones usage, I confessed to skipping whole cell phone revolution and jumping straight from handset to smartphone attracting big question mark look from my friend but when I said that upon return home probability I will carry smartphone with me when   going about the city is very low I noticed face expression “ is he freak or liar “ , sorry my friend but it’s how I saw it , LOL.
 Ayuthaya trip took us longer than expected , mainly due to train snafus but it was very enjoyable, I like ruins almost as much as muscly hunks and I looked that my companions had good time  surveying ruins and taking multi pictures too.
If I can make any advice it will be to start earlier , to take one of two trains departing between 8 and 9 to avoid  afternoon heat.
I was in my hotel at 8 p.m only , there was some problem with reservation in the morning (money was not transferred to hotel’s account by Agoda)  but it looked that during day it solved  by itself, hotel was paid and my room ready, good I did not panic.
Freshened, shaved , freshly dressed I went to world famous to eat some proper supper and straight from there to Hot Male to find what happened to T2 but first and foremost to fulfill a mission to off  X the Moonlight model 18past19 was so impressed with. It started with long face actually as one of  mamasans sitting nearby told me X is not there today. Soon enough 18past19 showed up, ensured me he got a Line from X he will be there and soon after  X walked in so I told mamasan  I want to talk to him if only he wants to talk to me.
100 baht oiled mamasan’s  zeal to facilitate an off  just in case  although I was more assured by my friend 18’s  guarantees than mamasan’s as he mentioned to X his farang friend want to see him and apparently he was kind of receptive, LOL   
In meantime T2 showed up on the stage , when noticed me wai me quite high, smiled broadly  and rushed only to tell me that on his was he stopped at home to change shirt and then went to station. Liking his performance last night I pretended to buy the story, sighted that in my age I must be getting blind and chalked of whole story , who knows he could be there just not where I was looking for him ? As I said , his loss although it would be nice to do trip accompanied by such a hunk with quite good English to boost. Next time !
M took day off today and was nowhere to be seen but as I said  I was on the mission supported by my friend.
Funny thing , I offed so many guys so many times including three Monlight models but I felt excited a bit like teenager an a first date. This is what happened when you trust your friend’s  judgement boosted by what you see yourself .
We watched a show, got a word from mamasan that X will see me after show which actually happened thrilling me to high heaven to have such a hunk squeezed between 18 and me. Soon my friend left , I paid  800 for drink mine and X’s , 1000 off fee (model !! remember ) and be both trekked to soi 3. X’s English is quite good and he is quite a talker so by time we get to the room I knew thing or two about him and it was assuring as he seemed down to earth  and business oriented, knowing on which tree money growth.
No drama and no problem in the room, he had few limits announced with simple ‘ no’ but otherwise as far as I’m concerned I was one floor up from 7th heaven with  such a hunk, patient and understanding well  without a word what thrills me. He even had soothing music on his phone and played it saying ‘that’s  music for you”. Of course I asked about long time but again answer was straightforward no ( girlfriend ) but as a substitute he suggested     to see me during day tomorrow if I want. I only look stupid , why I wouldn’t want ?
 Very interesting part of encounter was actually what he told me about himself  and his work as it personalized our get together  quite a bit. I always say that ultimate off for me would be just hand holding session, we did not came to such debauchery yet  but definitely he become candidate number 1. Perhaps next trip? Tomorrow  too early , even if we agreed on time. Thrilled and at the same time satisfied the way people feel when they achieve something    they always considered out of reach. When we were done  I even walked him to his vehicle parked on Suriwong only to enjoy more time with him.
Credit goes to 18past19 since he was first and recommended X to me. Without him I’d be bit apprehensive as once  , few years ago I tipped him in the bar  and  did not like his reaction, it was like too matter of factly that he got it and only my friend's  word moved him to top of the list. Good job done  18past19, good job done vinapu,  thought I at very end of my day 23.
Will he show up tomorrow as promised ?

Day 19
 This time breakfast in Zing, last embrace and good bye N, you were great guy. Nothing sentimental , all professional , I had money,  he had time , body and skills   and all that was good enough to have great time together. The same like with  S in Chiang Mai. Job well done , guys move to next client and I did the same to next guys. I like that way and
 it’s  what for I’m coming to Thailand. 
Bus to Swampy was only half full like suspension of Test and Go had immediate effect. I know it was perhaps just coincidence.
 Taking advantage of depressed hotel prices and Christams season  I decided for  next 4 nights to treat myself with digs in Crowne Plaza. Normally I don’t crave multi stars hotels  as  difference in price is much higher than difference in comfort but why not to boost ones ego for Christams by staying in 4500 room / I saw tariff on reception / for 60% of that price breakfast included if only to know where  rich sleep when they travel. Location is very convenient , around the corner from Silom and Suriwong and view is guaranteed as rooms are starting on 25th floor.
Trick is in order to get to the room one must use 2 sets of elevators, one available to all from ground to 23 rd floor where restaurant serving our breakfast as well as traditional afternoon tea with scones , 850 treat  which I skipped trying to keep my waist lean and wallet full. From there is another set of smart , card operated elevators taking us to our rooms.   Why smart ? if your room is on 25 floor you can press only ‘25’ button.
 With all that hoopla room was quite compact although  comfortable and well furnished with expected utensils plus pack of 3 strawberry flavoured condoms in one of drawers. Whether it was left by previous occupant or was hotel provided I don’t know but I suspect the second. All those stars under the name oblige. It also signalized that hotel must be guest friendly and indeed it was as we learn soon.
Washroom had those high tech Japanese toilets but it’s just too much , making complex relatively simple and well rehearsed thing  so I did not test it but one of my guests did.
here are some pictures for curious, inside dining area from above, room and call-of-nature computer, er. toilet 
Almost blinded by all that marbles and polished chrome I settled in and soon was marching to soi 4 where I was supposed to meet newscene, forum member present who took an advantage of Test and Go provisions , the same like me . We never met  but now it’s easy to sent selfie to somebody’s Line so we recognized each other instantly.
Since we were in soi 4 already we went to Jupiter. It was quite empty with few customers only, handsome but unsmiling guys made their parade, 2 best looking  and 1 smiling got my customary 100 baht tip but we did not stay  too long and moved to Dreamboys in patpong 2 just in time for the show including big you know what show.
Mamasan was quite friendly , our mood was good so I spotted some  well built performer and decided to invite him to try all those Crowne Plaza luxuries including breakfast with me, off fee 500 paid , LT tip 3000 agreed and off we went to world famous, 7 Michelin stars sporting  for some dinner before we went to a room, undisturbed by reception but collecting few looks from other guest waiting for an elevator but this did not move us at all. Tob or Top , not sure of his nick,  helped me with gusto to finish day 19 and welcome day 20.
With my room being on 25th floor  we did not even feel the need to bother with covering windows , debauchery with a view one can say.
and here's the view
 

 

I am still learning from the guys and how they are doing their business. Tonight I learned something new. 
I used to be a complete social butterfly on my previous trips to BKK - preferred no repeat policy. But two guys have changed me on this trip. I would usually wake up in the mornings with Line messages from both of them "What are you doing today?" or "Will you see me today?" Of course, I am aware that what they really want to see is my wallet rather than myself. Since they both have been very nice, with great physical features and no rushing attitude, I have been meeting them 2-3 times each already. I was supposed to meet one of them tonight, but at the last minute, he asked me if i could wait until 1 am (instead of our original appointment at 11 pm). As much as I was frustrated, I understood that his goal is to maximize his nightly income. I was indeed planning to bring him and one mamasan to Pullman King Power seafood buffet tomorrow night for a "farewell" dinner. he knows that i have already made a reservation. when i said no i wouldnt be able to wait until 1 am, he stumbled. 
Then I texted immediately to Jupiter mamasan. Luckily, mamasan was able to send me a boy of my choice from Jupiter promptly. the boy was already in my room within next 15 minutes. He has a handsome face and muscular body, but I was not prepared to see an appendage with a few foreign bodies embedded underneath the skin. he turned out to have a cheerful personality. he was able to make me forget the other guy who did not keep his promise...  sometimes things happened for a reason.

Vinapu, buying drinks for the guys and partying with them is exactly what I used to do at Golden Cock. 
It would be an open bar and the guys could drink whatever they wanted. To their credit they never went overboard and got completely shit-faced, and always asked me if it was ok to have another drink. 
Whenever they were "take care" of me, they would lock the door and someone would stand outside to warn if a customer was approaching. There was no orgy but there was cock on display everywhere and I spent the entire time with a hand or a mouth on my appendage.
As you say, it can be expensive but I've had some of the best times of my life in Golden Cock. Over the years I've gotten to know the guys and have had some very interesting discussions with them. It was like a private club - and a fraction of the cost of the clubs I belonged to in Japan. 
It has now closed and they have amalgamated with Natureboys. But I think they will reopen after the pandemic. 
Vinapu, have you dropped into Natureboys to see what's happening? For those of us who like hunky masculine guys, both GC and NB were the places to be.

Day 4
Early collapse resulted in waking up in the middle of the night and look through the window provided me with nice surprise. Sky lit with stars, rare treat in every big city , not to mention as big as Bangkok. I took a picture ,made a tea and returned to the bed waking up only at 9.30 lazy bum me. Breakfast in world famous etc. Foodland , of course at that time it costs whole 81 baht as 65 baht reduction applies only between 5.30 and 9.
Then change money and visit at Chong Nonsi  BTS station to purchase Rabbit card. Used to be two varieties but one with preloaded number of trip at flat rate of 25 is no more so I purchased regular one, for 100 baht and preloaded her with 500 hoping it will last me till end of trip. Advantage is avoidance of lineups at peak limes to purchase a ticket, unused funds stay on card up to 7 years I was told and it can be easily re-loaded. Unfortunately   is still good only on BTS ( overhead rail ) but  not on  MRT / subway/ nor ARL  ( airport link ) and not even on new SRT lines out of Bang Sue Grand Station. More on those tomorrow.
At 1 pm I had dentist appointment  in Thai Smile on Silom for some minor jobs as Thai prices are less than half of what I would pay at home.
Yesterday I promised T I will see him again  so at 5 pm I was already at Sabaidee Spa for our 1.5 hr session , even better than yesterday. I’m trying to extract long time from him but managed to secure only vague promise  for tomorrow. Instead he asked me if I will have a beer with him downstairs after massage so I agreed and it was best thing this trip perhaps.
What was supposed to be a beer turned into party with all boys present , even boss joined later on. Farang i.e. me forked out some money for couple cases of beer and food and we had good time  till perhaps 11 p.m. or so. Boys openly talked about themselves and their job, few spoke quite good English, as more were showing for work they all joined in, only from time to time when client appeared some went to the lobby to get a chance to make some money. It was nice to get a close peek into their lives and nobody mind me and T holding hands in the open even if T is straight and has a girlfriend. 
Truly I felt most welcomed and even if it cost me few thousands it was money well spent. Since it was outside , few remained in jeans only so I could  see their quite sculpted torsos as Sabaidee is not a place infested with  twinks . Even few girls joined and food was purchased in the stalls in the soi. Thais drinking system with all those ‘ chon!” toasts is conductive for getting drunk  , not extremely but when we finally headed home  I was quite jolly. Guy tried to organize somebody to escort me but I resisted and joyfully walked all the way from soi Pluk Chit  past soi Ngam Duplee to Raya on Suriwong singing louder and louder as I was closer and closer , in several languages , most of them unknown to me  but I sing in them anyways. “Lili Marlen”  in German ( I don’t speak German but that is not an obstacle, at least not for me  ) in Raya’s elevator was my masterpiece followed by ‘Vstavay strana ogromanya”  ( “Rise immense country” , Russian military song, I speak language for a change ). It  did not take much time for me to get asleep.
Perhaps  best day not only of that trip but entire year 2021  and it was day 4 of my trip.

Post 2 - Bangkok report
  My trip was broken into 5/6 days staying in each of Bangkok - Phuket - Pattaya - Phuket - Bangkok.   As explained in the previous post I'll give a report of each location rather than a chronological order of the trip, so this post will be about my Bangkok experiences.   Daytime activities   During the day I like to do a lot of walking.  General plan is there is no plan. Went exploring and got lost, have a coffee, move on see where the wind takes me.  I couldn't access lumphini park, the entrances I found were all closed but I saw people in there so there must have an entrance I couldn't find.  Visited the Ari area, the riverside area and took 2 boat trips. To enter the malls had to scan temperature each time. Generally each day ended up with a massage from one of the establishments on either the surawong or silom roads.  I didnt get to any of the more upmarket gay massage places this time, mainly through being otherwise occupied rather than choice.   Bars/Nightlife   I should point out that food was available in all the establishments I visited.   The place to be was Silom Soi 4.  The place was buzzing, even on week nights.  When I visited at the weekend I couldn't get a seat either at the new Circus bar or Balcony bar so ventured on those nights to a quieter cozy bar at the end of the soi where I got a seat (and happily chatted to some handsome waiters).  The Circus bar seemed to be in the in place to be and when meeting up with some local guys this was the bar of choice where they would like to meet for a drink.  I frequented the Pride bar (seemed to be more local Thai oriented - maybe because of the live singer - but just my impression) and visited Connections bar where I was warmly welcomed by the Australian owner and his boyfriend. In my first Bangkok stint I mainly frequented Balcony, Circus and Connections but I'd have no hesitation in supporting any of the bars on this soi and would be happy drinking in them all.  Closing time most nights was either 11pm or 12 pm and earlier in the trip on some days alcohol could not be purchased after 9pm or 10pm.  I don't know what rules are/were, and would simply follow the flow and directions of the staff.   Soi 2 - I visited the DJ station complex a couple of times and the bar opposite as it had opened up during my visit.  There were times where I was the only foreigner there and I didn't get to chat to anyone.  I still enjoyed visiting though.  I think they closed at midnight.   Patpong area - This was very quiet and dark.  There was one gogo bar open and this changed to three on my return.  I did visit one of the gogo bars open (full street clothes only) which I won't name because I didn't enjoy the experience.  The tout told me a drink was 250 bht only to be given a bill for 450 bht.  I'm not tight, but that left a sour taste so I finished my drink, payed my bill and didn't return. Maybe it was just some confusion.  I hope that post covid this area can get back in full swing again.   Jupiter 2018 - This turned out to be the highlight of my trip.  It had opened up on my second visit.  Unfortunately for the bar there were very few customers but fortunately for me it meant much more interaction with the staff.  About 8-10 models each night with a rotating live singer and catwalk format for the evening.  About 15 minutes each rotation.  Drink price was 170 thb for a beer and no entry fee - expect this to change when the shows return.  Because they were very welcoming and had reasonable drink prices I was happy to open up and spend.  The mamasans/captains here are not pushy and I found them very friendly.  I got acquainted with a few of the guys there strutting the catwalk where some of them were happy to come back to the hotel after the bar had closed on various evenings to discuss the climate crisis.   Hotels   I stayed in Trinity Silom (one night only), Crowne Plaza and Quarter Silom.  Crowne Plaza without a doubt turned out to be the best value for money for me and I enjoyed staying here.  It was very cheap at average price of about 1400 thb through the Agoda app.  For my stay at Quarter Silom Soi 6 and paid an average of 750thb.  In normal times I would stay at the quarter again, but, for a brand new hotel I was surprised at a couple of things.  Firstly the bathroom and part of the room flooded when taking a shower (could be avoided if holding the shower head and carefully angling away), only two bath towels provided (not hand towels) and a lack of storage space.  For a city centre hotel I would stay here again but in my opinion there are much better value options during the present time with many good quality hotels heavily discounted (purely my opinion of course and we are all different and I guess my view was tainted as i had been spoiled with high end hotels in other parts of the trip).   Restaurants   Many options in Silom Soi 4 but don't expect anything fancy.  I had good meals in Gs, Pride and Balcony.  I also visited some more upmarket restaurants and was taken to a fancy Italian restaurant on Witthaya Road (can't remember all the names sorry...) Two restaurants visited on Sukhumvit soi 11 - Hemingway's for Sunday lunch (nice roast) and Oskar for dinner.   Guys   Ive already mentioned my acquaintances at Jupiter.  Everything else was via the apps.  When I first arrived was bombarded with many offers from mostly Cambodian guys looking for some tips and got to know a few of them.  What did surprise me was how many local and other expat asian guys there were interested in meeting up for free.  It just needed a little patience and spectrum ranged from 21 year old twinky students to 35 year old very handsome muscle guys which wouldn't look out of place at some of the model bars and a few older gents too.  Would you believe I even had one very attractive 25  hiso guy take me out to dinner picking me up in his BMW!!  I couldn't believe my luck - he was just sexually attracted to older white guys.  Back to our friends looking for some support I noticed more isaan boys on the apps for the second Bangkok stint where I became acquainted with a few of them - hopefully a sign many are starting to return back to the cities.   Transport   Mainly walking.  I used the BTS and when needing to take a taxi I used the bolt app.  The bolt app ended up being the best and cheapest  taxi app.   Overall, with the exception of Patpong being closed, and with some adjustment elsewhere there was much on offer in Bangkok.

Seems like Babe is working the VIP zone of Fake Club on 4 September. No idea if this is a one off or he’s joining the club permanently. 

I visited soi 4 last night and what a pleasant surprise. Busy just like the old days.
Every bar (except  Welcome Bar) was open and busy.
Jupiter open again.
Banana open again
Hugs open again.
Strangers Bar open again.

Balcony Pub had Aomam the lady singer.
Pride had a singer guitarist.
Stranger was packed into the soi like the old weekend nights.
Balcony and Telephone terraces were full to capacity as was Connection.

Let's hope that was a sign of things to come.
The only downside was the thousands of tiny moths gathered around any bright lights. I'm told that this is a regular annual occurrence and usually is only one night -- then disappear the next night as if by magic.
Let's see tonight.
Closing time, midnight (except Pride 23:00)

Also very true for the rentboy market

Also very true for the rentboy market

Telephone Bar in dire straits
Chayanggurn Ardam, 54, the owner of Telephone Bar in Silom Soi 4, said he has now reached breaking point. His bar was heavily affected by the "service venue" ban in the first round during which he estimates he lost 90% of his customers, nearly all of whom were foreigners.
"When the border closed, everything started to collapse," he said. A shareholder of this 34-year-old bar decided not to carry on, which left him in a vulnerable position.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2064135/round-2-hits-just-as-hard

Telephone Bar in dire straits
Chayanggurn Ardam, 54, the owner of Telephone Bar in Silom Soi 4, said he has now reached breaking point. His bar was heavily affected by the "service venue" ban in the first round during which he estimates he lost 90% of his customers, nearly all of whom were foreigners.
"When the border closed, everything started to collapse," he said. A shareholder of this 34-year-old bar decided not to carry on, which left him in a vulnerable position.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2064135/round-2-hits-just-as-hard

Telephone Bar in dire straits
Chayanggurn Ardam, 54, the owner of Telephone Bar in Silom Soi 4, said he has now reached breaking point. His bar was heavily affected by the "service venue" ban in the first round during which he estimates he lost 90% of his customers, nearly all of whom were foreigners.
"When the border closed, everything started to collapse," he said. A shareholder of this 34-year-old bar decided not to carry on, which left him in a vulnerable position.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2064135/round-2-hits-just-as-hard

Telephone Bar in dire straits
Chayanggurn Ardam, 54, the owner of Telephone Bar in Silom Soi 4, said he has now reached breaking point. His bar was heavily affected by the "service venue" ban in the first round during which he estimates he lost 90% of his customers, nearly all of whom were foreigners.
"When the border closed, everything started to collapse," he said. A shareholder of this 34-year-old bar decided not to carry on, which left him in a vulnerable position.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2064135/round-2-hits-just-as-hard

A very good friend of mine and a long time poster on this board passed away in the USA. Firecat traveled with me to several continents and I have never met someone kinder to the boys he met. He is going to be greatly missed!

The GayGuides.com community will soon be welcoming members from boytoy.com to our site. The two forums will merge to become gayguides.com only. The members at boytoy have an amazing amount of knowledge about South America, North America and Europe. Members of this site have more knowledge of gay Asia. The goal for this site has always been to be as inclusive of the gay world as possible and this next step will move us one step closer to that goal. Many here are members of both sites. There is no need to register on both sites as they will be merged soon. The one difference in the sites is that boytoy has always encouraged porn and xxx images. That will not come over with the site and we will remain a site without porn. We have one forum area here that I'll be cleaning up to ensure no xxx images are there. The site may go down for a day while the merge takes place as the forum company Invision, will be doing that for us to make sure all runs smoothly.

I saw this too. How to obtain COVID insurance, have it clearly documented and acceptable to the Thai customs is a mystery to me. 

LOL Well, the next one is on a bus as I write this to spend some time with me in Bangkok. I met him last week in Pattaya.   So, I didn't stay heartbroken for too long. Actually, as Jupiter Boy was here, the boy called and they both chatted. Jupiter Boy told him he better take good care of me as I am a good man. At least that is what I think he said as they were speaking Thai. It could have been, this man is a fool, take him for every thing you can get. In either case, I'm in for a fun weekend.

The rub is that go go bars are actually designed for foreign not Thai audiences. The entry fees are priced to deter Thai customers who have other local options that foreigners will not know about. Only the well-off Thais will be willing to pay this entry fee and drink prices which is exorbitant by local standards. And for the truly wealthy gay Thais, well there are on-call options aplenty if you know what I mean. The premium go go boys go go to them. So if they started discounting prices for Thais then it would be warning bells that they no longer considered us foreigners their  best source of revenue.
 
And as you know, Thais go to drink with a million friends so pretty soon we would be squeezed out by loud ladyboys en masse. This happened once at Moonlight. It was not pretty. They were fondling some of the boys who hurled themselves at me and my friends in desperation.