vinapu

I know, just teasing you

Your is voice of reason and wisdom. Hope we will be treated with trip report from time to time.

I guess you don't off long time, right?

Like Travellerdave I always pay cash in Thailand, if booking hotels before departure usually I pay right away in home currency using credit card or in USD using paypal. This reduces a bit amount of cash I'm taking, not much though as biggest expense are boys tips, obviously cash. Never pay with credit card with exception of big department stores-never had screwed charges there. I take cash advances from account or card only if run out of cash usually at end of stay, if that's the case usually take big amounts 9900 or 19900 in order not to be stuck with big bills only. This mitigates impact of withdrawal fees. I keep cash in hotel or room safe and exchange only once daily what I need for the day. Use only 100 USD bills as they have best rate even with double conversion / I'm not an American /. I noticed Sukhumvit has marginally better rates than Silom but not worth the trouble if you do not stay there as one may save equivalent of bottle of beer in 7/11 on exchanging 200USD. In Silom area best rates are to be found in unit between Om Yim and Silom and at jewelers shops ,one in soi Thaniya on your left coming from Silom and one beside Family Mart on Suriwong exit from Soi Twilight. Always try to have small bills to minimize chance of being shortchanged while paying with big bills. Easiest way to break big baht bill is to go to change counter at BTS station. Airport rates are uniform and worse than in the city but not dramatically so if one needs to change money for the taxi and first night at hotel, exchange booth just before train platform has better rates but closes early / about 10 p.m. /

imkeev, I like your attitude, just go. It looks from feedback of members present there / Xiluzer, Tmax, Christian etc /that fun still can be had. Sure, steer away from big gatherings but don't be paranoid. Boys need our custom now more then before.

thank you for bringing up this old trick of tuk tuk drivers bkkguy, chicolby , stay away from all friendly locals claiming to guide you to any government sponsored sales, jewelery sales etc. Waste your money on boys in bars or massages not on dubious deals on 'guided ' shopping

I'd still go to Turkey and Vietnam, but not other two, reason - differeence in the general level of crime and violence

now all your posts disapperaed

Be adventurous and discover Bangkok on your own. no need for a guide IMHO. As for hotel near Silom I'd recommend Tarntawan, nice , gay friendly no problems with boy visitors, close to the action. As for tourist part Grand Palace is where you need top start, go there early to avoid crowds / opens at 8.30 / , best way to get there is by river taxi from Saphan Taksin BTS, 4 stations from Silom. Your ticket will cover Vinamek palace and nearby Throne hall, take taxi from Grand Palace / 70-80 baht / Since you are on weekend you may want to visit Chatuchak weekend market. Unique attraction near Silom is snake farm across the street from soi Twilight. Few steps from there is Wat Hualampong. Don't overload your schedule as BKK is big and sweaty city and one gets tired easily. Yes , do not miss a chance to relax in the arms of one of the go-go or massage boys at night. It looks that TMax responded at the same time with similar recommendations so you get a picture

She had her moments, God let her rest in peace

not sure that's the case in all states

In Canada they have national tax called HST and still is not included in price but added at the register. I don't think there's any obstacle to include and advertise full , all inclusive price in prices posted and reason is not done in those 2 countries is not known to me other than prices look lower than actually paid by client.

Christian, you would be driven nuts in both USA and Canada where most prices in restaurants and stores are given before tax is calculated so really you never know how much you pay for say, pack of condoms with price tag 12.99 as tax will be added at cash register. In most of the world you pay what you see but not there.

you are good tipper and have a good heart. While 100 baht a day is sensible for cleaner as lots of hard work is involved, 500 just to carry a bag to and from elevator is clearly excessive. You are right , 100 baht will make cleaner happy after all I was told that 100 is what bottom gets in soi Twilight sex shows so amount its no life changing but will feed family for the evening I guess. I leave 50 baht for cleaner every morning excluding day of departure, surprisingly often money is left untouched so this habit must be unknown in cheaper hotels / I'm one who considers BBB Inn luxurious so you get an idea / but try to hunt cleaner later and force money down their pockets. In BBB often this results in bonus of stolen kiss , now you know why I like the place.

My boy case was in Niagara Hotel, soi 9 back at end of 2002, ever since I learned about it I'm escorting boys to the hotel door if not further. As I usually take long time offs further means breakfast together somewhere.

he will love you till end of his days, 20-30 would be enough but you helped with world wealth distribution

For money Senso is charging they should do better. It's well known fact that condition of facility has now much to do with quality of massage - this depends on the boy and some dose of chemistry. If communication is important to you have a sit with boy in the lobby, buy him a drink perhaps and try his language abilities. Keep investigating and posting your findings

Sofitel So is one on Sathorn, you can walk to Sala Daeng BTS / overhead rail / in few minutes and then follow baobao direction. An alternative is to take MRT / underground / from Lumpini station , steps from your hotel, to Sukhumvit station, from there you can walk along Sukhumvit to mouth of soi 11 / 5 minutes if you don't stop at market stalls / or if you feel lazy it's one stop from Asok BTS to Nana / hardly worth climbing stairs to the station/ . Asok BTS is practically on top of Sukhumvit MRT, you need separate ticket though

I don't think this is lack of respect. Those are mostly poor boys and even those small trinkets are of great value for them. Since they know you get them for free and consider you very rich if you stay in such a hotel probably don't even think twice about taking them although I may theorize here as raiding toiletries by my boy never happened to me . On occasion I myself take shampoo or soap with me if not sure my next hotel will provide them. Speaking tooth brushes since I like kissing I always have stock of brand news from 7/11 and invite my boys to use them and after the meeting if they want I ask them to take one they used. And carry small bottle of Listerine with me all the time as it's extremely difficult to walk along Silom without going astray to one of massage places along.

Hopefully bodybuilders will return to gym and lizards find their way back to the ponds. But somebody mentioned that protesters may move to Saranrom Park and will start chasing boys from there. Hope you will be able to update us at some point as for goings there.

Is not that bad as I don't speak a word in Thai and somehow manage to conduct my daily / and nightly / affairs using English only. Granted, I don't go into discussing sophisticated stuff but when I ask ' what side of bed you want sleep on' invariably boys understand what I'm asking them. People in service industry in BKK have some grasp of English and as wasanti said ' can tell farangs information they need'. bottom line advice for first time comers : don't be afraid of language barrier somehow you will be able to go around with English and wad of bahts

I like General's frankness and lack of political correctness by pointing trouble making nations. Imagine some official in the West listing troublesome nations, hell would brak loose and he would be demoted to rank of sergeant in no time

Tip is tip, you money , your decision. I'd not worry about overtipping and spoiling market for others, it's better if company likes you than looks for excuse to part ways ASAP after the deed.

I'm happy I was right responding for you earlier, great posts on you blog recently by the way, reading them with pleasure

I usually stoke fridge with my own beer and whisky and I'm not shy to tell guests what they are welcome to drink and what they are not. I rather spend 380 for whisky at 7/11 than pay hotel 700, and boy or hotel's maid will be happy to pocket difference. Less I spent on incidentals more generous with tips am I.