flashbarryallen

I would probably just leave...that is definitely triggering for my, what some would call, social anxiety. However, it could be the wrong terminology as it's just not a situation I want to be in because I don't like crowds in general. I wouldn't walk away though because of worrying about what others thought of me. I do this with all kinds of situations in life, especially crowded restaurants.
If my social anxiety were a result of worrying about what others thought of me, I wouldn't have done half the things I did at the jockstrap party I sponsored at Tawan.
Social anxiety manifests itself in different ways and for different reasons possibly. Your observations aren't wrong; it's just a nuanced and complex situation.

Tawan will do this as well. @jason1975and I did this plenty during the jockstrap jubilee.

I would probably just leave...that is definitely triggering for my, what some would call, social anxiety. However, it could be the wrong terminology as it's just not a situation I want to be in because I don't like crowds in general. I wouldn't walk away though because of worrying about what others thought of me. I do this with all kinds of situations in life, especially crowded restaurants.
If my social anxiety were a result of worrying about what others thought of me, I wouldn't have done half the things I did at the jockstrap party I sponsored at Tawan.
Social anxiety manifests itself in different ways and for different reasons possibly. Your observations aren't wrong; it's just a nuanced and complex situation.

@Tomm42From personal experience, I also can suggest Moonlight and Jupiter as warmup bars for just the experience of appreciating the eye candy and seeing shows if you need to dip your toe in before going straight to offing someone. I (and probably only me) find that I never feel the need to off someone at those bars. The fact that it's a place for me to just chill and build confidence is enough for me.
You're definitely not going to get someone randomly sitting with you at those places. I go to those places just to admire and enjoy the shows, though less now because I'm more comfortable just to go for what I'm looking for, which is at Tawan most of the time. 
The only thing that I miss is that there seems to be less of a parade at Jupiter where guys are on stage for a long time before the show. Moonlight still does this though. My last trip, I got the impression that there's just a few times where a parade happens at Jupiter, and it's brief. 

@vinapuSmiles at Jupiter and twinks at Tawan. Are these signs of end times?? 

I experience this, but it's more because I'm not so much of a people person anymore. I've turned my social anxiety into something that just makes me me and I'm okay with it. Many times, I'm content to just spend time by myself where I don't have to worry about participating in conversations I'm not interested in, but still feel like I have to fake interest out of good etiquette.
I'm content to sit at a bar and be on my phone because I can read content that's interesting to me rather than be in a tiresome conversation. I also think a lot of people are on their phone because they're on the apps checking out who's around them.
However, I don't mind being social if it's with someone I make a good connection with. For example, I immediately hit it off with @jason1975on my last trip and we spent much longer hanging out than either of us expected. It helped that he had been writing a trip report and I knew he lived close to me, so I knew we would have things in common. Sharing the same orientation doesn't automatically make someone into a good conversation partner, which is what I'm looking for when I'm social. 
AIl that being said, yes, I do feel uncomfortable walking into a group of unknown people, but I hate groups in general as I prefer one on one. The worst is that I also hate being the only customer in a bar where all eyes are on me. Is it social anxiety? Yes. Do I think it's an illness? For me, no. It's just how I'm built and it's worked for me. In the end, I don't care what some random farang thinks about me because I don't have some deep craving for social engagement. I have enough forced socialization at my job that I appreciate being able to just be me when I travel.
If I were an expat, that might be different, but I would rather make expat friends through connections of close friends rather than random people in a bar who only share the same orientation as I do. This is how I've made friends as an expat in multiple other countries, though lately my local friend group has become larger than my expat group.

if that's the case it will be nice, improved formula of  end times.
Yes , smiles at Jupiter are appearing more often and I found resident twink at Tawan quite attractive. Even attempted to off him but he declined , presumably being primed by other boys , saying "I can't do long time because I have  a job" 

@vinapuSmiles at Jupiter and twinks at Tawan. Are these signs of end times?? 

yes, I think boys at Jupiter are doing their walk every 1/2 hour and then disappear to the sides, sometimes trying to make an eye contact during that interval though. In December one even smiled at me and I thought I have stroke or something. Rewarded him with an off few days later

@Tomm42From personal experience, I also can suggest Moonlight and Jupiter as warmup bars for just the experience of appreciating the eye candy and seeing shows if you need to dip your toe in before going straight to offing someone. I (and probably only me) find that I never feel the need to off someone at those bars. The fact that it's a place for me to just chill and build confidence is enough for me.
You're definitely not going to get someone randomly sitting with you at those places. I go to those places just to admire and enjoy the shows, though less now because I'm more comfortable just to go for what I'm looking for, which is at Tawan most of the time. 
The only thing that I miss is that there seems to be less of a parade at Jupiter where guys are on stage for a long time before the show. Moonlight still does this though. My last trip, I got the impression that there's just a few times where a parade happens at Jupiter, and it's brief. 

@Tomm42If you're into guys a bit older, then Tawan is definitely the best choice. I think the new smaller location does make it a bit more intimidating, but I like the fact that there are a few guys there who will just sit down with you. It's a good warmup to have someone to drink with and explore their muscles while you're building up courage (and most likely a hardon!) to go for the ones who really catch your eye. 
I haven't offed any of the guys who sat with me right away, but I did make sure to tip them for their service for making me more comfortable in the bar. These men have thick skins so don't feel obligated to off a guy who sits with you right away. If they get a small tip from you, then it's all good. 
If you feel intimidated about being seen in public with a sexy hulking man, I also suggest choosing a hotel close to Tawan (or wherever you choose.) I was a regular there on my last trip and I regret not being closer. While you can use a taxi to go to your hotel, there's something more relaxing about it just being a quick walk from the bar to your bedroom. If you really have anxiety about this, you can get their Line and maybe off them another night and have them come directly to your hotel. I found about 7 guys I wanted to off at Tawan and I got their Line contacts and arranged for some to come to my hotel directly rather than me having to make the trip from the bar with them. 
Only thing I don't love about Tawan is that people do expect tips for the smallest things such as bringing you a drink, which is something I never experienced in other bars.

Just to help clarify, I think a lot of the evidence you're using about people being on their phones and not socializing/talking could be more about signs of extroversion and introversion, even though you said it wasn't. You kind of mixed in some stuff that could be introvert/extrovert along with social anxiety.
For example, my being on my phone and not mingling is my introversion. I rarely was on my phone when hanging out with @jason1975. 
However, when I walked in to Tawan, saw that it was busy and crowded, and walked out, THAT was my social anxiety. I just immediately felt uncomfortable and didn't want to sit at a table with a stranger. If you have fear of walking through the Complex, then yes that is social anxiety as well. 
Even then, there are other factors. If someone walks into a crowded bar and walks out, that's not necessarily social anxiety. That could just be preferring a more quiet place to have a meaningful conversation. It could also be they had a quick glance at the guys and decided quickly that none were their type or that someone was already sitting with the guy they were intending to off. 

I experience this, but it's more because I'm not so much of a people person anymore. I've turned my social anxiety into something that just makes me me and I'm okay with it. Many times, I'm content to just spend time by myself where I don't have to worry about participating in conversations I'm not interested in, but still feel like I have to fake interest out of good etiquette.
I'm content to sit at a bar and be on my phone because I can read content that's interesting to me rather than be in a tiresome conversation. I also think a lot of people are on their phone because they're on the apps checking out who's around them.
However, I don't mind being social if it's with someone I make a good connection with. For example, I immediately hit it off with @jason1975on my last trip and we spent much longer hanging out than either of us expected. It helped that he had been writing a trip report and I knew he lived close to me, so I knew we would have things in common. Sharing the same orientation doesn't automatically make someone into a good conversation partner, which is what I'm looking for when I'm social. 
AIl that being said, yes, I do feel uncomfortable walking into a group of unknown people, but I hate groups in general as I prefer one on one. The worst is that I also hate being the only customer in a bar where all eyes are on me. Is it social anxiety? Yes. Do I think it's an illness? For me, no. It's just how I'm built and it's worked for me. In the end, I don't care what some random farang thinks about me because I don't have some deep craving for social engagement. I have enough forced socialization at my job that I appreciate being able to just be me when I travel.
If I were an expat, that might be different, but I would rather make expat friends through connections of close friends rather than random people in a bar who only share the same orientation as I do. This is how I've made friends as an expat in multiple other countries, though lately my local friend group has become larger than my expat group.

@MinI can tell you must be an excellent conversationalist as you always seem to get such interesting insider information. Kiwi seems like such a treasure and I'm sad to hear he has had such negative experiences.
I don't think I'm a people pleaser, but in all encounters, especially paid, I constantly feel like I'm asking "Is this okay?" just to make sure that whoever I'm with feels respected. I could never do the type of work they do, not because I disrespect it, but I just could not handle the tricky and difficult situations many of them will experience. 
From your post, I think many people will be reaching out to contact Kiwi. He certainly sounds like someone I would love to meet. If you want to meet a similar guy who is very open and talkative, I suggest Suwit at Paradise Spa in Boyztown. @vinapuhas mentioned him several times in trip reports, and I can say that my massage with him was the best part of my Pattaya trip. He has an interesting story that I won't spoil for you.

Some interesting facts to confirm after just returning from this venue:
- Bar off fee does exist, but it's set at 2000THB to offset lost earnings of drinks. No, this off fee does not include tip. I did not have any tip negotiation conversations tonight. 
- On the other hand, it does seem like they are given a script to follow. If a customer asks about taking back to hotel, they're supposed to say, "I take good care of you here," as a polite deflection. I think off fee only is discussed by rather persistent customers.
- It's completely acceptable to get the Line ID of a guy you buy a drink for. 
- Lots of guys on offer to drink with, some cute guys in shirts and some twunky shirtless guys.
- Sexy boy part of show was indeed sexy with way more peeks under the towel than I'd ever seen at other towel dance venues. However, it was abysmally short as it was limited to towel show and soda water show.
- Soda water show is definitely sexy and I had no hesitation to buy two bottles for a total of 100THB in order to see the guy of my night gyrate and have his appendage become more visible with each bottle of water that traveled down his chiseled chest and sexy abdomen. He sold the fantasy completely. Money well spent for me, though I know others might disagree. 
- I was hesitant to believe that they could actually stay open until 4am. However, once you exit the main venue and go into the reception area, all the lights are off and you would be hard pressed to know any business activity was happening inside. Great design choice on their part. 
- There are at least two guys there currently who can speak good English...one Thai and one Cambodian. There are pictures of the Cambodian on Facebook...chiseled defined abs and curly hair. Still hot but less intimidating than in pictures. Sweet guy.
- To have a drink with a guy for about an hour, you will have to pay 250THB. There is no begging for tips to be found from any of the staff.
- Music volume levels become deafening as night passes on. Abominably hard to carry on conversation. 
- They try to bleed you dry by not including the cost of mixers and ice into bottle service. You need to be insistent that they stop bringing mixers because they do it without you asking to get as many baht out of you as possible. This soiled the experience a bit. 
- Show was quoted as starting at midnight, but in reality was 12:30. Sexy boy show quoted as being at 1, but it was also delayed. Their logic is that the other boy bars close at midnight, so they wait for those customers to leave other bars and come to Dragon.
Overall, I'm torn. A few stunning guys there made the experience worth it, but a lot of the other faults make it a near complete skip. The three reasons I'll go back are:
1. I didn't finish my bottle of Black Label, and I didn't feel like bringing it back to my hotel. No corkage fee if bottle is kept on site.
2. One guy who I invited to drink and who performed in both segments of the sexy show was charming, though not nearly as much so as guys from Tawan. Those guys are pros who know how to pull at the heartstrings. Despite that, he's sweet enough and easy enough on the eyes that I will suffer the negatives just to see him again. Note: I'm still waiting on a response to my Line message to him on whether it's possible to meet him when he's not working.
3. Soda water show is perfect for a guy like me who likes interactive shows and a little left to the imagination. 

Based off your description, I'm fairly certain I was also with 1 on my recent trip. I went into the encounter not expecting much as I agree about the general vibe of Tawan, but he ended up surprising me. 
As I am completely unsympathetic to my neighbors, I can get really loud if I'm enjoying myself, and he was definitely into that. What surprised me is that especially toward the end, it felt like a genuine hookup because I could tell he was enjoying himself. I don't think it was anything special about me, though. I think he loves getting applause and cheers, and moaning in bed is the equivalent I guess. Since he felt like was doing a good job and his work was being appreciated, he totally let loose. We both couldn't stop smiling and laughing after. Definitely my best bottoming experience on my trip.
Your point about "having a little gay in them" is so true and I have the feeling he certainly does. 
Thanks for sharing.

Based off your description, I'm fairly certain I was also with 1 on my recent trip. I went into the encounter not expecting much as I agree about the general vibe of Tawan, but he ended up surprising me. 
As I am completely unsympathetic to my neighbors, I can get really loud if I'm enjoying myself, and he was definitely into that. What surprised me is that especially toward the end, it felt like a genuine hookup because I could tell he was enjoying himself. I don't think it was anything special about me, though. I think he loves getting applause and cheers, and moaning in bed is the equivalent I guess. Since he felt like was doing a good job and his work was being appreciated, he totally let loose. We both couldn't stop smiling and laughing after. Definitely my best bottoming experience on my trip.
Your point about "having a little gay in them" is so true and I have the feeling he certainly does. 
Thanks for sharing.

Based off your description, I'm fairly certain I was also with 1 on my recent trip. I went into the encounter not expecting much as I agree about the general vibe of Tawan, but he ended up surprising me. 
As I am completely unsympathetic to my neighbors, I can get really loud if I'm enjoying myself, and he was definitely into that. What surprised me is that especially toward the end, it felt like a genuine hookup because I could tell he was enjoying himself. I don't think it was anything special about me, though. I think he loves getting applause and cheers, and moaning in bed is the equivalent I guess. Since he felt like was doing a good job and his work was being appreciated, he totally let loose. We both couldn't stop smiling and laughing after. Definitely my best bottoming experience on my trip.
Your point about "having a little gay in them" is so true and I have the feeling he certainly does. 
Thanks for sharing.

Those are just the dancers. The actual boys available for offing are more next door mid-twink types. 

Just popped in around 11:30 tonight and can verify that location change hasn't impacted bar much. It was so full that I couldn't even get a seat. Overjoyed to report a few guys still sporting jockstraps which I believe leads to clientele staying long after show has finished.

@sydneyboy1I think my most sensual and fun experience was at Sabaidee Spa. As far as the building, there had recently been a fire in the area that did have some impact on Sabaidee, but they tried their best to explain and were very apologetic. It wasn't too bad, but because of the room they put me in, I had to shower in a different room. 
When I first got there, they offered me a seat and a manager had all the guys line up and gave a brief spiel about each. That was perfect for a shy guy like me who is sometimes afraid to ask those questions.
The masseur I chose was fun. First of all, he is one of those guys who is a bit older, but when you see his face in good lighting, you can see he's still a very manly handsome. He was talkative and flirtatious, but in the way where you can tell he's done it hundreds of times. If you prefer a quiet massage, I wouldn't suggest him.
He was fair game for anything when it came to extras and everything was done with a smile and a laugh. The only downside is that despite giving a generous tip at the end, he did make one comment to try and extract more, but when I defected, he handled it like a pro.
The only other experience I had was in Pattaya at Paradise Spa. I'm torn between my experience at Sabaidee vs Paradise as to which was the best. I went to Arena often because I liked the guy I chose and his HE was creative and fun without the stress of actual penetration.

From a couple of weeks ago, I think the maximum amount of guys I ever saw there in early and mid afternoon was 7. 
I ended up liking the technique of one guy and chose him 3/4 times that I went. On the other occasion, I chose a guy who had a handsome face and wonderful technique, but he was only willing to do the bare minimum for extras, so I wouldn't choose him again.
Best is to not be too shy (which I am) and ask Art, the manager, about what each guy is willing to do etc so that you get the level of service you want. I wouldn't have had my "bad" experience if I had asked Art (but it wasn't a total waste as the guy's technique was great. He should just be working in a more 'legitimate' massage place.) 
The place as a whole is showing its age. Good thing is that the rooms have showers inside. It's all bare bones, but I actually like that. 
One other thing to mention is that if you're looking for bigger muscular guys, this isn't really what Arena is anymore. 
Let me know if you have more specific questions. 
 

It's on the same Soi as Classroom Bar/Hotel and A Bomb. It's right before the entrance to Boyztown on that Soi. 
My experience was that I was taken upstairs by the first person who greeted me, though I didn't actually choose that person. Before I went upstairs, I saw a guy inside relaxing on the massage chairs downstairs and I wanted him instead. I was surprised no one asked me who I wanted and how long/what type of massage I wanted. Thankfully, I was able to go downstairs to choose the guy I liked. 
Actual massage experience and extras were enjoyable. More than anything, my masseur was talkative, but not too much, had good technique, and was just an overall charming and handsome guy. 

It's on the same Soi as Classroom Bar/Hotel and A Bomb. It's right before the entrance to Boyztown on that Soi. 
My experience was that I was taken upstairs by the first person who greeted me, though I didn't actually choose that person. Before I went upstairs, I saw a guy inside relaxing on the massage chairs downstairs and I wanted him instead. I was surprised no one asked me who I wanted and how long/what type of massage I wanted. Thankfully, I was able to go downstairs to choose the guy I liked. 
Actual massage experience and extras were enjoyable. More than anything, my masseur was talkative, but not too much, had good technique, and was just an overall charming and handsome guy. 

It's on the same Soi as Classroom Bar/Hotel and A Bomb. It's right before the entrance to Boyztown on that Soi. 
My experience was that I was taken upstairs by the first person who greeted me, though I didn't actually choose that person. Before I went upstairs, I saw a guy inside relaxing on the massage chairs downstairs and I wanted him instead. I was surprised no one asked me who I wanted and how long/what type of massage I wanted. Thankfully, I was able to go downstairs to choose the guy I liked. 
Actual massage experience and extras were enjoyable. More than anything, my masseur was talkative, but not too much, had good technique, and was just an overall charming and handsome guy.