vinapu

Dual pricing is fact of live in Thailand and many other countries which is unfortunate but still makes sense in my opinion. For most foreigners able to afford trip to Thailand 100 baht is cost of local bus ticket where they live (90 baht where I live but as senior I pay 60 only ) while for many Thais 100 baht is princely sum buying not one but two meals on the street. Watch that smile when you tip somebody red note. Grind your teeth and pay. In Grand Palace Thais have it for free while we pay 500, again not fair but fair. Hard to imagine charging locals to enter what is one of most important religious buildings in the country.

I never had any problems with Ekkamai station or busses but simply use airport one because it's more convenient to get to and from and faster. In normal times advantage of Ekkamai buses is that they are much more frequent so one is guaranteed departure soon while airport buses sometimes are full and wait for next one is much longer. At Pattaya end there are baht busses waiting and one can be delivered to Boyztown / Walking Street / Sunee are for 50 baht but sometimes wait is involved for baht bus to file up. Using regular baht bus is cheaper but requires change of buses at Dolphin roundabout , not convenient with a lot of luggage. Not my problem as I travel lightly. When alighting at Jomtien from airport busses it's every easy to get baht bus to Pattaya for 10 baht. Before getting to Jomtien bus also stops at three stops in Pattaya along Sukhumvit where handy motorsai drivers are waiting to deliver passengers to final destination. For most of us all this is well known and repetitive but I typed it for benefit of possible new readers/ members.

Day 7 I did not sleep well for some reason and waked up as early as 5 am. Decided to utilize that time to check apps, novelty for me. This is my first trip to Thailand when I brought smartphone, installed Horner, Romeo and Grindr when I was locked on my first day waiting for test results and glanced there from time to time. Another new thing was Line which fast become my main mode of communication this trip. Actually quite fast I found somebody who looked I may like him so sent inquiry if he is interested to have breakfast together, remember it was still early . Yes, so we settled on time and soon after I parked myself in front of still closed Dicks only to find that my guy is marching right away. Turned he lives in high-rise across the street. I liked his face , conversational English acquired from YouTube university by his own admission, quite muscular, certainly notch above twink. So we settled on length of meeting and compensation and after breakfast we marched in the room . My first ever apps experience turned out very enjoyable at least when ‘in the room’ part was concerned. Now I started to understand why some member swear by apps. Boys available at any time, no drinks and bar fees, easy deal. Turned out yes and no. Soon after he left I start being bombarded with inquiry about when our next meeting will be , long time offer / request. When answer were vague , ‘what I did wrong?” question followed and shortly from interesting novelty whole thing become nuisance. Yes I know I could block him but wanted to see what will happen which was a bit unwise as he knew where I live, after all he just visited me and at one point I thought it may even lead to a scene in the hotel but fortunately things did not go that far. Pestering continued for few days even when I already left Pattaya. I must admit over all my first apps experience was VERY mixed as every minute I logged in , message from desperate nuisance was arriving. Anyways lesson learned and I allowed for it to carry for a while to learn that lesson. If not interested either block him right away or at least ignore him messages, answer only those which may lead to something promising in the future. Since he was nice, well built and behaving guy if not those tactics chances were he could land few more orders from me, by being pushy he squandered that opportunity. When I returned to Pattaya he was already blocked and removed from the view. But all that happened later. As I admitted , session was good and soon after he left , warmed up by apps guy I decided to check on masseur I surprised with tip last evening. Few steps to his shop and yes , he was there smiling broadly seeing that mysterious and generous farang i.e. me. 1 1/2 hr massage ordered for 450 and I was glad to see I’m in good hands. The same as T used oil sparingly and was warming it in his hands before applying to my carcass, way it’s supposed to be done. By the way I can say it now, during this whole trip I did not have even one massage where I would be soaked in oil like it used to happen often in the past. Either my good luck or guys improved their skills indeed. It did not take much time to be obvious that we have some chemistry and it was quite steam generating. I liked him , his massage, muscles and manly face but he also sensed it very well that I do so it did not take much time before inquiry about my room and visit in it was made. Of course I jumped with long time suggestion which was taken matter of factly and quite modest tip for it was suggested ( 2000 ). After session we both emerged visibly happy, fact which did not escape boss and other boys in the place. Promised to take him home later as I was scheduled to have a dinner with two farang friends, Gaybutton and R. , one of members of his board. First we had nice chat in friends place , then gentlemen suggested some venue which turned out very good choice with international cuisine. Name escaped me but if Gaybutton will read this post he will help me. Even in those times place was full but somehow we managed to take last available table and soon after we were treating ourselves with conversation and yummy food. I went entirely Russian with borstch ( beetroot soup) , strogonov and hot tea to have a bit break from Asian fare. Great afternoon turned to great evening as it was dark when we left. After we dropped R at his place Gaybutton wanted to survey goings in the Complex and I gladly accompanied him if only to show off N, my newly acquainted masseur friend. After last night closure , tonight Complex bars were opened and gearing for busy night. It was only 7.30 when we shook hands in front of N’s shop , agreed to have another dinner when I will be back , I paid 300 off fee and took N home to Agate. It was great encounter, one of those rare excellent imitations of boyfriend experience with not much sleep but a lot of sweat, you get the picture and if not, take my word for it. Can’t even say when day 7 finished and day 8 started because I was busy enjoying N’s company.

Floridarob, don't be sad. In a week I will be back with better news.

Day 6 Early collapse to bed of course resulted in very early rise in middle of the night. I made my tea, admired another sky full of stars, combed apps and Line and went to bed again only to rise in broad daylight at 8 and see completely blue sky. There’s no doubt that December is very good months to come to Thailand when comes to weather. Since Raya is not providing breakfast those days , likely to mixture of renovation and low load I went to have mine at world famous , 7.5 Michelin stars etc Foodland , luckily managed to order mine just before 9 saving whooping 16 over regular 81 baht price, yahoo!! Some walks in neighborhood , Line message from T that he is unable to go with me ( I smell his girlfriend hand in that but really I did not mind being stood by such a hunk anyways ) and exactly at noon I left for an airport to take Pattaya bus from there as it’s more convenient than Ekkamai one , chiefly because it avoids Bangkok traffic and in last few trips I always take it either way regardless if I stay in Boyztown or Jomtien Complex. It’s easier to get baht bus from and to Jomtien than one from and to North Pattaya bus station. I don’t know about airport but in Pattaya you can buy tickets one day in advance i.e. today for tomorrow. And if one lives in Jomtien Complex it only short walk to and from bus station beside of each is supermarket selling a lot of western foods by the way including rye bread and cottage cheese / sort of / . As I mentioned I was planned to stay in Copa in Boyztown but since they did not reopen yet Agate was my choice and that was good one. They just re-opened and there were few guests at time of my stay, no breakfast provided at the moment. View from the window and balcony was were pleasant one with pool and wall of greenery 3 stores high behind it. I did the walk around Complex few bars were opened with few eye catching boys working already in them , few massages with boys waiting for clients outside . In one adjacent to French restaurant on the corner I spot muscular, brown skinned hunk in singlet and while passing by I just slipped casually 100 baht into his hand without a word or even glance. Going away I could hear whisper of surprise from guy and his friends. We will hear about that specimen soon. In the evening Z909 and me were supposed to do survey of bars in the Complex but as soon as we attempted to sit at @ home bar we were chased away . It was police van parked three bars away. Soon all of alley was immersed in the darkness as they ordered everything to close. Apparently new police chief whim. With Boyztown and Sunee in darkness as well we did not have much choice then visit 7/11 to buy some beers and have a talk over them on my balcony. That was end of my day 6.

I'd not say it it typical but , yes happens from time to time. But for my private use I think you are right, girl / very pretty , I saw picture on his Line/ got involved and had her say. Not my loss though as I found suitable local substitute as we learn at some point in the narrative.

I wonder what happened, as I was talking to their mamasan at last 3 times and he assured me about New Year's Eve opening, For a while I was even thinking about extending my stay to attend and obviously Guardian Angel advised me correctly not to. My guess is they had problem to get suitable number of guys but it's just my guess.

sounds like you had bad luck as I was there numerous times this trip and had no problems with sheets and pillows. Not to mention last thing crossing my mind was danger of infection. But I agree hosting in own room brings more comfort and usually longer session.

Ambiance was closed both times I was in Pattaya although in my 2nd stint there closer to Christmas Copa seemed opened already. With idiots in charge of Pattaya - see restaurant thread , situation may change from day to day. We saw that rollercoaster with Jomtien Complex and Boyztown bars, one day opened , next closed and so on. No breakfast at Agate as there were too few customers to bother but there are good option nearby for breakfast - Dicks, French restaurant in the corner or Zing where breakfast is available, actually pretty sumptuous one for 160-200 baht depending on selection. As you will learn in next installment ( be patient , I post next day only after following day is written i.e. day 6 will be posted after I have day 7 ready, this allows for possible day of being too busy to write ) that T bailed on me and did not go with me to Pattaya. In previous cases when i took boy with me I paid them LT rate2000-3000. Usually i give them 200-300 daily stipend for incidental drinks or snacks so they don't need to ask me for money every time they want to have a can of coke . It's my secret that had T decided to go , his tip would be much higher due to my hots for him. His loss I guess

it's why I call it lunacy

Day 5 While yesterday was social day, today is an infrastructure day. I decided to do the survey of new Bang Sue Grand Station as well as new electric rail line branching out there. Went there by MRT / subway /. Grand Station is labelled as biggest railway station in Asia which I can’t confirm due to lack of experience with other stations but is very big indeed. Certainly planned with foresight with signs and platforms labelled ‘ High Speed Trains”. Some my see it as wishful thinking but I actually like it. One day it may prove useful and handy. With Hualampong scheduled to close sooner or later ( it was supposed to close on Dec 23 but is still working station it will be terminus of all Bangkok trains. For now , until it will happen there are two electrical lines starting there ; Dark Red SRT to Rangsit via Don Muang and Light Red SRT to Tailing Chan via Bank Bamru. I tried both. In meantime I was also busy on Line trying to convert T to LT material and when it did not work at least to invite him to my room for an extended session at 3 pm, idea he was receptive to. Rangsit trains are running every 20 minutes and are travelling at quite a speed, certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Carriages are very modern although at the moment line don’t seem to be overused. Main advantage is that it stops at Don Muang. I did survey that option after travelling all the way to Rangsit , 20 odd minutes and we are there. On return I alighted at Don Muang. Red Line station is bit less convenient than old SRT station located just across terminal, it’s station is at terminal’s end , quite a walk but with food court on the way so I had lunch there. As in Swampy they use coupon system there. You need to check how much your selection cost , buy the proper value of coupons and return to get your meal. Old trains from Hualampong usually take about 1 hr. to get to Don Muang while using new MRT / SRT RED Line connection one can be there in only 60 minutes from Hualampong since walk from MRT station to SRT platform is quite a long one. Of course if one is boarding somewhere in Suhkumvit area or further north new option is much faster and certainly more convenient. So in short we have finally proper public transport connection to and from Don Muang with trains running fast and frequently while old Hualampong option while much cheaper had limited us due to gaps between trains, sometimes 2 hours or more not to mention fact that city bound trains were often late coming from all those Ubons and Udons. Next , shorter but more scenic because is crossing Chao Praya is Light red which I took toward Bang Bamru station , handy if one wants to visit boat shaped Wat Chelo temple, about 1.5 km from the station. (see picture below) All it took good part of day and when I arrived at Raya bit late for our 3 p.m. appointment T was already waiting for me on the street. He was curious how I liked party yesterday / yes , very very much / and how was my walk / easy and singing / and we went to eat something to restaurant across hotel then returned to the room to have good time oiled by his hunky built with Issan type assets and promised / negotiated tip ( I’d say overtip but I was happy and still am ) . Nothing came out of long time but he suggested he will go with me for a day to Pattaya when I revealed I’m heading there. Out talk was mostly through Google translate and I need to warn users to be careful as at one point it lead to an embarrassing moment when I asked my usual question whether he likes girls or boys better and he become kind of upset , then his answer came “what do you mean sex with chil….n” ? Google translate for you I guess . I hastily explained that by ‘boy ‘ I meant ‘poochai’ (man ) but that moment of suspension was bit unpleasant one. Ensured me he is going with me to Pattaya tomorrow, after 4 entertaining hours he left and I was forced to start looking for hotel. My intention was to sleep in Copa but Agoda sent me e-mail that they can’t accommodate me at my dates , translation is because of closures they did not bother to open. But fortunately those days vacancies abound and it turned out Agate in jomtien complex will be opened so I booked 3 night there for 3800 payable at hotel on check in. Great deal for such good hotel. Jet lag is on it’s last legs but still lingering so I collapsed at 8 pm and it’s how my day 5 finished. Below is Wat Chelo mentioned above, picture Christian PFC made when we visited temple back in Sept -2017

Beauty of party we threw at Sabaidee was that it was of social, not sexual nature, there were few naked torsos but that's about it. And probably more about food than drinks, it's why I was able to walk (singing, singing ) all that distance to Raya. I doubt I'd be interested in kind of party you described, nothing wrong with hand or mouth on appendage but I kind of like it behind the closed door with boy or two and me, not whole congregation. But it's just me. Yes I learned a lot about their lives and that's why I liked it so much. Golden Cock site looks like abandoned , I passed by several times by Nature Boys but it was day time and never visited it this trip so can't help with information whether they were opened and what was going on there . Super A looks closed for good too. Somehow from few visits there in the past I rather see boys from those three bars as next door types rather than hunky masculine but I admit my statistic sample in their respect is limited, probably 6 visits between those 3 bars over 21 trips.

if that logic would apply, first to be shut should be public transport like trains and long distance busses , not to mention planes. I probably can finish my dinner in less time it takes to get from Sanam Chai /Wat Po / to Sukhumvit MRT stations. Restaurants can request proof of vaccination but require recent test or making customers to take test on the site and wait for results 15 minutes -it's probably first such lunacy in the world.

I will be not, from what I saw when I was there in comparison with Bangkok and Chiang Mai, other cities I visited it looked like somebody is determined to kill the city. Rollercoaster closures of Boyztowen and Jomtien Complex night in , night out. I suspect there's some method in that lunacy , somebody hopes to improve Pattaya's image using opportunity covid brought but it will lead to killing goose bringing golden eggs.

sometimes I wonder why they simply evacuate Pataya like Pol Pot did to Phnom Penh, close whole place down and not bother with it anymore. That's most idiotic on many idiotic decisions made over covid in Thailand. I wonder what's next? requirement to take PCR test and wait 24 hrs. for result to get a dinner?

I need to catch with those too, it looks that taking Thai trip actually reduces zest for watchin BL series at least for a while after return.

+1 they should let us easily in and we will find out way to places we like and trust. No dancing elephant helps if admission process is complicated and prone to sudden changes - see premature and unnecessary death of " test and go scheme" which hopefully will be resurrected before Easter.

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.

What do you mean bad? I'm breakfasting , lunching and / or dinnering there almost daily when in BKK at various times, sometimes even hosting there celebrities like Moonlight / HotMale models so how it can be bad ? I like it there, truly do , although their chicken with cashew nuts is a bit too salty for my taste. I even met some forum members there as everybody knows where it is.

Perhaps in some jurisdictions. Probate is not an universal concept but quarrels over uncle 's estate are

I'm not so sure. From my work experience and I was and still am part time close to those matters surprisingly many people think they will live forever not leaving any will nor even simple instruction what to do or list of assets and potential liabilities they may have. That leaves families squabbling and quarrelling , at times even over trivial amounts of money or minuscule assets as ego comes into play as who should be in charge. In my opinion wills should be mandatory for everybody over , say 40, otherwise estate should go to the state. Only exception I'd make in case of children under 18. That should sober people up and have their testaments done well before their time.

you are kidding ! Whenever I need an adrenaline boost I cross Suriwong diagonally at any place. And after 2am on Sunday until 8am is pretty quiet so you can do your warm-up training then

Day 3 Today I need to trade lightly as historically speaking day 3 is for me worst day of jet lag. I mentioned it before, older I’m I seem to take long flights better and better abut jet lags seem to ruin my days worse and worse. One I almost feel asleep standing on the BTS train and it was scary. After 130 baht buffet breakfast at Quarter Silom I went to exchange money at XOne in Suriwong, usually they have one of best rates and are very accommodating to request for smaller denomination. Having enough of small notes eliminates need to wait for change , never problem in stores but sometimes in bars when it is not unknown that one hands over 1000 to be given change from 500 etc. So I like to stock on those 20, 50, and 100’s . In fact I came will prepared carrying in my luggage stack of 4900 baht in 20 ties. Went to buy 2000 in my local exchange , they had only those denominations and I told them I will clear all they have. So out of 10000 or so I asked to get 4000 in 100’s , cheap way to feel rich. Next step is MahaNakhon as it was 10 am , opening hour. This was when dearth of tourists was in plain unobstructed view . Senior ticket 250 , regular weekdays 530, weekends 880. On top at that hour was grand total of 3 of us only me braving to the glass. View was bit hazy but still splendid, good introduction to Bangkok charms and sights. What I notices traffic on the river was much reduced with very few boats plying the waters. Up alone , down alone, back on the street after hour there with obligatory visit to the washroom, truly toilet with the view in the best sense of the word. It’s a must before one boards down elevator as it’s on the same floor. Back to the room, quick packing and off to Raya. Some of you know I like to change hotels every 2-3 days , I just wanted to see how Quarter Silom is and I liked it although at the moment they seem to cash on novelty and in fact I paid more for the room there than for much bigger and better appointed one in Raya. Location is great , particularly for Tawan lovers as its 50 steps from there. And no, nobody blinked an eye when I was marching in with my guest last night. While Quarter seemed busy , Raya did not but still asked me to wait until 2 before I could check in , I was mentally prepared for it so left luggage and went to have a bite or two in world famous, Michelin start awarded etc , Foodland Patpong. Back in the room combed apps a bit for fun of it , noticed one guy I liked had a profile with Line Id so contacted him that way. I liked his Line response ‘ I’m boy services” , sounds much more classy and upscale than ‘ money boy ‘. Anyways it turned he is in Pattaya now but we agreed we will meet later on. At 5 p.m. I went to soi Pluk Chit, place where Sabaidee and Sancturary Spa are on the ground floors of neighboring buildings. Is not that far, just 1 MRT / subway/ stop from Silom, you alight at Lumpini station and when on the street you will see overpass crossing main street 4 minutes away. When you cross it go in the same direction and after 100 meter you will see busy soi. That’s Pluk Chit. Lots of food stalls , some selling other items (on another occasion I bought some socks and underwear there ), no farang in sight , very Thai even if it’s literally steps from main thoroughfare. Sabaidee is in parking garage under first high-rise, beside it is small Thai restaurant , great chicken with cashew nuts I learned on another occasion. Sanctuary in on ground level of second high-rise , entrance will hidden behind greenery. My mission was to find hunk I saw picture of on Sabaidee’s Line feed. Mamasan called guys available , all handsome , muscular and smiling friendly. Second from the left looked as mine goal but since I’m notoriously bad reading people from pictures I pulled my phone to confirm it’s him. It’s how I found T, one of heroes of my trip it turned out. 1 hr 700, 1.5 hr 1000 for the shop, minimum tip respectively 1000 and 1500.ine 1 hr is always rushed I almost universally settle on 1.5 hr course , with such a hunk it would be unthinkable to do otherwise anyways. Massage was professional and strong. I knew I’m in good hands because he did not pour oil over me but on his hands first as it supposed to be done. Towel did not last long either. Tipped extra, promised to return tomorrow, not much English but Google translate helped. Issan native as confirmed by the size of a part Issan guys are famous for , in short great find. Evening trip to newly re-opened Fresh Boys, few boys in jeans on the stage . I understand staff in restaurants must be dressed properly. All twinks so not exactly my field but distributed some red notes including friendly mamasan I recall from soi Twilight. No , not Lucy , I did not see Lucy this trip at all. Asked her about Lucky Boys but she said she doubts it will be opened any time soon , on another hand confirmed that Hot Male re-opening is matter of few days which turned correct and also mentioned Tawan will be re-opening in new location across the soi from old one soon. From there to Jupiter, more boys than customers. Boys handsome like hell but I don’t like that bar’s modus operandi. Guys sitting on the phones in the shadows, every 1/2 hour making parade, fully dressed as restaurant stuff should be but one or two removed their tops and paraded bare chested. I can live with that part but somber unsmiling face expression is put off for me, I know that is what management wants but how one can assess whether boys is interested or no if it’s so hard to get an eye contact. Of course red note produces short smile, specially those days of sparse customer base. It was shock for me to see that one guy across is actually of smiling broadly at me. We will met him later on but tonight I went to Raya empty handed. Few word about Raya, renovation should be completed soon with new façade. Works did not bother me at all as I spent days outside. Only inconvenience is need to use elevator in the back , usually acting as service elevator. They organized it well , there’s always somebody on duty to steer you there. It was few years since I was staying there last but rooms are still well maintained , spacious and spotless, same, same before. Staying on 6th floor I had privacy by being able to by-pass 5th floor reception entirely. Jet lag ravaged but well massaged I collapsed on the bed ending my day 3.

I know but at least they counted me

I'm glad I see myself counted in ARL and BTS passengers count on 29th !