Ryanqqq

Haha yeah, I did enjoy myself and not just from the bar visits (mind you I was bar hopping almost every night lol). I managed to do a lot of the non-bar stuff too (e.g. visiting Khaosan Road, Asiatique, exploring the cafes around Silom and Sukhumvit, shopping etc.).
In hindsight, this would've probably been the better way but I guess seeing the hot guys after all this time kinda throws logic out of the window for a bit lol. But I do remember him, and would hope to off him on my next visit (if he still shows the same interest).
Thanks @vinapu. The one thing I experienced quite differently perhaps from what you reported (and also my previous experience there) was the reaction of the boys in Tawan. For some reason, I felt a little unwelcomed by the guys there (or maybe I was just overthinking it). I would still visit again on my next trip to see how it'll go.

count your blessings and buy lottery ticket although I must say girls usually behave in Jupiter with very little screeching noises so typical to BBB in Pattaya
it looks Dreamboys is trying to follow their policy from soi Twilight when they were also most expensive bar (drink 650 if I recall correctly)
............
obviously you were happy with your boy but I'd generally go with boy who shows interest in me than follow mamasan's recommendations. Always try to go with the smile and avoid those who you notice are trying to avoid an eye contact with you even if you feel hots for the boy. 
Great report and I'm glad it reflects what I recall
 

almost  like certain Jason from our board

Thanks so much for writing trip report. You must have really enjoyed yourself. So many bars in a few days!

Cont...
Jupiter : I was also there twice, once on a weekday and once on a weekend. 1st drink was at THB 500. I didn't off anyone here as well. The models were all gorgeous that I don't think there's any single one that I wouldn't want to off 😅. Possibly the most number of models out of all the bars I managed to check out. On both days, there were a lot of patrons here (compared to other bars). Particularly on the weekend, it was so full that the waiters were struggling to find places to sit the incoming patrons. The shows were great, a mix of sexy shows and drag performances. I would echo the observations of other members on the general lack of smile or eye contact by models (I was seated facing the centre of the runway such that the models, when doing their rounds, would be seeing me face to face at a point but not a single one smiled). All in all, I had a good time there admiring the models and enjoying the shows. One thing I would note is that, perhaps a little different from what I've read previously, there were not that many female patrons on the weekday when I was there (I'd say less than 10, in a packed bar).
Hotmale : I was only here once on a weekday, close to midnight. It was after their show. There were probably less than 15 models there, and only a few other patrons. Drink prices were the same as others and I didn't off anyone here. The models were a mix of the generally fit/athletic type and twinks, and probably the most enthusiastic out of all the bars I went to. They would try to win your attention as much as they could while on stage.
 
Dreamboy : I also went here twice, once on a weekday and once on a weekend. Drinks were a little more expensive at THB 550 on both days. There was a variety of models available for off, ranging from twinks to jocks to muscle guys. I find the shows here to be the most interesting out of all (with the pyro act and flying angels etc.). Some of the models on stage will try to make eye contact and flash a smile, but others seemed rather disinterested. At least none were on their phone while on stage. There were quite a few I would love to off next time.
 
Moonlight : I went here twice as well. The drinks were priced at THB 500. I did off a boy from here (his drink + off fee = THB 900, if I'm not mistaken). The captain was very informative about the boys (who tops, btms etc.), told me about the minimum tip expected for an off (THB 2,500) and even went to pull out additional photos of the boys from his phone. The boys are generally of the same type as Jupiter. The guy I offed told me he remembered seeing me the previous day I was there (and he was right on when that was) so maybe the boys do take note of who sits in the audience? I noticed one particular boy who did give a lot of eye contact and smiles on and off stage, but I didn't off him this round (I went with the captain's recommendation). The shows were alright but maybe because I've seen videos of their models before that it wasn't that exciting in person. 
My ST experience with the boy was also good, and I would definitely off him again. It helped that I clarified what I was expecting to do with him at the bar, to which he confirmed to be OK with him. He is friendly and spoke fairly decent English.
 
Massage
I only managed to check out one massage centre, Arena.
The boys were all muscular guys that I could've easily gone with any of them. I chose one fair skinned Thai from the north and took the 1 hour VIP room oil milk massage (around THB 900 - big room and comes with tea/coffee. But for some reason, the shower room smelled a little off that even my guy commented on it). I was told that the minimum tip was THB 1000. His massage was a little too light for my liking (had to nudge him to increase the pressure) but it wasn't really bad (since I just wanted a relaxing massage anyway). The afters were alright, with some foreplay before he finished me off. He offered to finish as well for some extra tip (as it was pretty early in the afternoon) but I declined. I did still tip him more than the minimum since I enjoyed his company and conversation (even with limitations in the language department).
Those were some of my observations on the gogo bars and massage centre that I went to. I am already looking forward to my 2024 trips there, as there were a lot of guys from the bars I would love to off.

Hi all,
 
I've been reading (and benefiting) a lot from the reports made by members here, so I thought I'd make a little contribution by sharing my own report from a recent short trip to Bangkok. I'm not much of a storyteller, so I thought I'd just share my general observation as opposed to going on a day-to-day format.
 
For some context, I'm a Southeast Asian guy and my trip to Bangkok lasted only for short few days. It's my first trip to Bangkok since the pandemic, so I was just checking out what's changed since I was last there.
 
Bars
 
I was able to check out Tawan, Moonlight, Jupiter, Hotmale and Dreamboys during this short trip. Here are some of my observations:
 
Tawan: I was here twice, once each on a weekday and a weekend. Drinks for both nights were THB500 (didn't off anyone, so I didn't ask about the off fee). The new location was just too small for my liking, especially when compared to the other bars. It didn't help when the captain tried to squeeze patrons together (I guess I can understand why) which limits the possibility of me having a boy over to chat, seeing how others could clearly here my possibly not-so-decent conversations with the boy 🤣.
 
There were just one or two bodybuilders during the weekday (with a few more on the weekends) while the others (there were possibly around 10-15 guys on the weekday and a few more on the weekend) were more bear-ish, twunk-ish or twinks. The show still had the same format as before, with the bdsm routine coupled with a few dance/drag show. I didn't stay till the end of the show though. 
 
I noticed that the guys were a little more pre-occupied with their phones than trying to get the attention of new patrons (quite different from how I recall the guys there used to be). The only times I've seen them smile or greet patrons were when they seemed to know the patrons (presumably from previous experience)...or maybe I just have a resting bitch face that pushed them away. 😅 But I would have still offed a few of the guys there, hopefully in another trip.
 
To be continued...
 

Worth a visit every time. There was a problem for a few years prior to covid but oinly because there were so many tour buses packed with Chinese from the mainland seemingly arriving almost every minute. Compared to a decade or more earlier, seeing some of the most popular exhibits - like the exquisite tiny white and green jade cabbage with the two tiny insects on it (as on the cover of the Museum's catalogue) - meant waiting or just barging to the front. Now it is far easier.

Hero and other massage places would certainly have been a major attraction for guys from other parts of Asia. Many Singaporeans and Malaysians are relatively easy to spot (in terms of conversation) because of the very particular manner of speech and the very common use of some SInglish words. I was only at Hero once because my favourite massage spa ever since the week-end it opened (when I just happened to be staying with friends on Suk 15) was Albury quite nearby. I went frequently until it moved to its location on that street just beyond Emporium and down nearer the Rama 4 end. But I almost always booked my masseur in advance and so rarely mingled with other customers. So I could not offer any conclusion about nationalities.
My guess is that of the comments in the extensive Travel Hut section of the Singapore-based Blowing Wind site, by far the majority are about massage and specific masseurs. Very few about gogo bars.

Interesting views - thanks. As for spas, younger Asians are definitely more into spas and dance clubs than they are into offing from bars. They go to bars but more just to see the shows. Not every one of course, but I suspect well over 50%.
I haven't been a gogo bar goer for a few years. I wonder what the boys themselves say.

As for participation I don't bother worrying where posters are coming from as long as they participate. Not all farangs here are geriatric, whatever it means ,  too.
Fact that board is in English naturally limits participation of Asian members to those who are not as much proficient as comfortable using that tongue. I suspect and this is based on PM I'm receiving from time to time that number of younger Asians  reading us but not contributing is higher than we suspect. But this is my guess.
As for presence in gay spots yes, I agree that younger Asians including girls are much more prevalent than younger farangs and at other end of age scale it is other way around. In some spots like Tawan it's is plainly visible. What I also see is that younger Asians of both sexes are offing. Annoyingly often guys I like and I'm not slow decision maker but still they seem to be faster. Eh, be young again! 
Also in spas younger Asians are aplenty although one never knows those are visitors or locals.  

Yes, Mr. President! (Although the meaning of "fear" in my post is not quite the same as the use of "fear" in your post 🙏) 

I think I read on Facebook that they are doing an upgrade at the moment, but should be back online at some point.

Out of curiosity I wonder how many members of the forum might be retired in Thailand as I hope to do next year.
I would imagine not many as I've found retired folk tend to haunt the FB forums more... 
I am heading for Songkhla to live, I want to be close to the Malay border and Hat Yai as I have extended family in Penang and friends in Hat Yai.
I will make the trip up north for Bangkok and the tourist traps and find me a boy bar in Pattaya for a gin and tonic or four but it doesn't appeal to me to live up there.
If any forum members reside down south where I am hoping to be, please do strike up a conversation with me, I am up for some friends.
I am planning on being there late 2024, November probably. Leaving the UK late August '24 and doing a couple of months in Penang first. 

Yes.

I had wanted to meet two guys from Moonlight and Tawan after reading positive reports about them from fellow forum members but I was kept occupied by the good company at Hotmale Beer Bar downstairs. In a first for me, on my last night, I bought a round of drinks for the staff and even included a small tip. Very friendly welcoming staff and excellent service.

My nights were spent chatting with fellow forum member at Hotmale Beer Bar downstairs. During the day, I went for massages including a visit to Arena. "I'm Jack from Chiang Mai. Nice to meet you," says the guy I picked from the lineup. His strokes were a bit rough for my taste but he was eager to earn his tip. He was naked from the start and allowed me to feel his firm abs throughout. "Massage finish. I fuck you now?" he asked. I said no fuck because I had discovered he had mooks in his dick. "I suck you?" he then asked. I said yes and he gave a really good blowjob. I asked him to cum together with me and he obliged by shooting three waves of thick creamy load onto me. After that, he helped to shower me in ensuite toilet.

I was only with my "cha nuoi" for one night. My second night was spent with a new and very charming Myanmar waiter. 22 years only. He speaks good English. In the hotel room, I noticed the counterfeit Calvin Klein briefs he wears. I offered to buy him the original CK briefs when I go to Bangkok again in December. "Size M. Only white colour please, thank you so much," he replied. We had an enjoyable night followed by round two in morning before breakfast. I enjoyed his company so much that I took him off again on my third and final night during this short visit to Bangkok.

Besides fellow forum member, I also got reacquainted with a Vietnamese guy that I knew from the days of Soi Twilight. He decided to go back to Ha Tinh in Vietnam about one year before Covid and I had been sending him money and supporting him. I call him "cha nuoi" (godson) while he calls me "kon nuoi" (godpa). He was doing ok for a while with the money I sent him but Covid hit and things really went bad in Ha Tinh. He struggled to find full time job after Covid and had to take on odd jobs to survive. Finally, he decided to come to Bangkok to work. He didn't want to work at gogo bar so he is working in packing and delivery in day. But it only pays 600 baht per day so at night, he turns up at Dreamboys and gets 200 baht for going on stage. He says he rarely gets customers because there are so many guys on stage and he is older than the rest (he's only 27!) I told him that there's guys older than him at Dreamboys! He also theorises that it's because he's so dark due to working in the sun. He meets me at Hotmale Beer Bar downstairs. He had texted me in advance: "You no go my bar. Today I no go work so you no need buy drink and pay bar money take me hotel". Once in hotel, I had a shock. There were elaborate tattoos on his back. He didn't have them before. "Why you no tell me?" I asked. He admitted sheepishly that he thought I might not like them. But I think he's indirectly admitting that he felt guilty for spending the money I sent to him in Vietnam on such tattoos. "It's ok. You are my cha nuoi." And with that, we spent the night 5 years after we last saw each other.

Being your usual ray of sunshine on a thread, I see, scott456. 
I should have added to my suggested itinerary that one should do start it sundown or later, to escape the worst of the heat.
But to be a "flaneur" means that you are, of necessity, in a big vibrant city, so noise and air pollution, and facing chaos and crowds,are pretty unavoidable.
However, I dont think you will get another tropical or subtropical city anywhere in the world that combines Bangkok for the variety of street and bar life combined with the relative safety of your person. Singapore felt very pleasant and safe to stroll around in the evenings,but it was of less fascination.
I haven't been to Jakarta or Manila (or indeed Rio or Bogota) but I suspect the feeling of safety there would be quite a bit lower.

@scott456 should try Jakarta, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong for starters. All have either more or most of the same problems but without the gorgeous temples, the variety of street food, the river life (Hong Kong's harbour is nothing similar) and the beguiling Thai smiles.

Thanks for the kind words Flaneur, I think Bangkok is one of the best cities in the World for just wandering around.

certainly count me in.
Thank you for great report.
Glad to learn you gave Tawan and Sol another chance. Screwboys mamasan may seem to be quite persistent but as mamasan goes she  is most informative and up to a point.
Happy to hear about successful venturing into Arena, that may be bit in need to upkeep but in exchange they never disappoint.
About Dreamboys that summarily execution seems rash indeed and it's not only non-Thais who were let go. I got information about it from Thais who worked there and shared that sad fate. 
I agree with reader that maintaining non-Thai policy may result with staffing problem   in future. Good to hear that crew on the stage was good looking as it was not my experience when I visited last in May. I'm not ageist being ancient myself but there were way too many veterans of soi Twilight including one whom I even then and there in the soi considered too mature to put it charitably.  On another hand quite possibly they had their takers. I  at times find myself happy in company of guy some members run away screaming from for reason of  look, age or weight , just to name a few.
Sol guy who claimed  not to be offed for 2 weeks could be telling you a truth. Sometimes even most attractive guys are going days without an off.
Once I tipped guy just for a look and boy sitting with me told me ' good you tipped him , he did not have off for 3 months !" . No reason to doubt.
Waiting for a next installment. Speaking  about Vientiane, did they finish that fountain renovation ? 
if you have time visit Buddha park, easy to get by bus from Central Bus station , great name to half ruined but still very efficient transportation hub. 
That Luang golden stupa is not a tourist trap and it should not to be missed if only because  is symbol of Laos. If you are planning Luang Prabang, take a train.
 

I have left Bangkok and write from Vientiane.  I am enjoying a down-time trip here, with not good opportunities for a forum post involving adventures, observations and dilemmas about Laos.  I think I will post from Vietnam, my next stop with more time.    
 
Thank you for the replies.  Forrestreid your post is brilliant.  I think I am back in Bangkok in a fortnight and I will follow much of your itinerary, for sure! You correctly make reference to Paris but it is also important to recognise London (in the past, Camden, and now East London) and Dublin. The reason an English language word to flaneur is difficult is because it is all of the things you say leading to nuance. I especially appreciate your attention to detail in providing practical information which saves me much time. 
 
As I promised, I provide an unstructured update but with less time to edit and refine.  On future trips I will try to commit to a diary as is the custom but I hope this is interesting even to just one person!   
 
I was quick to comment on Tawan unfairly. On my second visit the atmosphere was brighter.  Twinks make up no more than 20% of the gathering of men working in the bar.  I heard more about the loss of our beret-wearing friend.  I was told he was 60 and died suddenly of a heart attack.  An off from Tawan was not in the cards for me this time. 
 
To Sol. I was more comfortable on my second visit (a theme?).  I was first quick to compare Sol with the old Dream Boys.  I think this is because they have done little with the inside so the comparison is hard not to begin with.  They have taken away all branding of Dream Boys, replacing it with usually nothing or with their own logo which is not easy to my eyes (a past failed career in marketing does not help me here).  
 
But the men they have are friendly and plentiful in number with variety, aged early 20s to early 30s towards the toned rather than thin.  One older western guy was enjoying the company of four or five men during my visit (I think the youth would call this ‘living your best life’) with French-kissing, 1000 bhat tips dispensed every few minutes to the delight of the workforce.  I met a man in his late 20s who accompanied me to my room for detailed contemplations on the success or otherwise of the Asian Development Bank vis a vis other international comparisons.  Following Vinapu’s super advice on first trying ‘non-steamy’ small-chat, I learnt about his broken mobile phone leading to the need to start working in the bar as being a Grab delivery driver without a phone is impossible. A 600 bhat per day wage to a 200 bhat per day wage in the bar was the outcome (unless there is an off, which he claimed I was his first in two weeks of working). I suspected this would lead to a request for a mobile phone, but it did not.  The story seemed true when, in a moment of forgetfulness, I asked for his LINE ID later and was told he did not have one because he did not have a phone! 
 
Dream Boys had change during my visit.  As was reported on the forum by another, there was an incident involving the theft of several 1000s of bhat and a mobile phone from a hotel, by a worker from a customer.  I learnt from a talkative (thank you Vinapu for your advice about asking for English language ability from mamasan) man who works there that the owner immediate let go of all staff that were not Thai, as the man could not be traced.  This came from just one worker who erred on the side of gossip and perhaps exaggeration in tone.  Some men are now in Banana Bar, according to this report.  The Dream Boys ensemble are now fewer but the quality is high (to my eye).  The vision of the owner is apparently for an all-Thai group from this time forth.  
 
Banana Bar show is lots of fun and laughs, marketed to those out with friends and groups as well as the tourist looking for company.  Men appear not often on stage.  
 
I did not, on two visits, enjoy more than one quick beverage in Screw Boys.  The atmosphere was difficult as the only customer or one of three, being so close to the stage with all eyes looking, I was self-conscious.  Men are early 20s to early 30s.  The mamasan who refused to not sit alongside me was funny with her sales-approach towards the huddle of men as they march which went something like ‘This boy, very big, does everything, no English.  This boy, less big, only man but good English.  This boy, very big, does everything, good English’.  
 
I was sad that an excursion to Arena was not available in the Le Meridian list of tours (feedback will be provided to Marriott) but I was able to visit anyway.  Once I had found the place (ignore Google Maps which takes you down some side road to a car park with an angry looking guard, go the front of the building, walk past the restaurants and to the lift at the back, third floor) I was very happy at what was inside.  Five men looked not quite ready for Tawan but like they had recently left the gym and were ‘normal looking’ and handsome were in attendance and I spent time with a man in his early 30s from Chang Mai.  
 
Again thank you for all replies.  I hope to post something from other countries as I visit in the weeks upcoming.  

I must go to english class. It was 6 am on  April 15/Songkran.

Last evening I achieved 55 minutes so you would be proud of me I hope. 
 
 
I scan it and as travel continues forth to other cities I may rely on it more but for now this affliction has not seized me. I am going to try massages more than bars though! Thanks for the tips.