ichigo

Hi all. I'm going to be in Thailand for New Year's and would like to watch some really good fireworks, ideally from my hotel balcony. My first preference would be to watch the fireworks that take place at IconSiam, however all the hotels in the immediate vicinity around the river are unsurprisingly charging an insane amount for that night. Do you happen to know of any decently priced hotels in the area that have a decent view? Alternatively, other places in Bangkok or even the rest of Thailand that have good fireworks shows? I would prefer not to be out and about in the crowds, so a view from a hotel is a must! Thank you 😊

Yes, you can check the menu on google maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/n29Udt4eyfACM5ts7

This is great information @bkkmfj2648. To further add to the above, the only place in Vietnam I've been to is Phu Quoc, and similar to Da Nang, the massage boys will make themselves known on the apps (I used Grindr), whether they are from a shop or freelance (although there is not a lot of choice there, and the grid even reaches to nearby Cambodia). One guy that approached me sent me a price list, from memory I think it was 300k VND if I came to his shop, or he said he could come to me and I can pay what I like. He ended up coming to my hotel and we had quite a good time. When I converted 300k VND to my home currency, it was incredibly cheap so I just gave him double.

You win some, you lose some. Not every experience will be perfect, but don't let it put you off. Communication is key though, use Google translate or whatever if there is a language barrier in the bar to see if said boy comfortable with your expectations. Some won't be, but many will be.

Wow he looks lovely! Wouldn't mind getting to know him better!

I was also wondering about these alternative locations. I guess they have an arrangement with the hotels for short time rooms. Which would be super handy not having to travel all the way to Bearing. It's a bit of a trek!

This is good to know!! Will have to try on my next trip.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe it is illegal to rent condos for periods under 30 days? Not sure about other types of dwellings. And also not too sure how much it is enforced.

If you are after ladyboys, go on Grindr in Pattaya. I remember there were more ladyboys than boys. In Bangkok you may have to go to the straight areas (Soi Cowboy/Nana Plaza) as I think there are ladyboy bars there, but I'm not too familiar with that scene. Although in Silom, the bar that is next to Screwboys (Pink Panther maybe?), as I was walking past I had one girl approach me but I said 'I like dick' to which she replied 'I have dick' to which I really had no comeback! Otherwise, the usual boy bars are all mentioned here in this forum a lot if you peruse a little.

I do hope that Tawan reopens. Whilst it's not my most favourite of bars (as the guys there are a little too big for my taste), I did enjoy the few times that I did visit. Since it has been open for so long, it's a bit of an institution, no?

Perfect example of the modern catchphrase - "fuck around and find out"

Not at all weird, plus there will be plenty of boys there who would be delighted to keep you company!

You'll be fine! I was quite hesitant going into a gogo bar by myself for the first time, but after that first time, you'll wonder why you were so hesitant as it does get easier. Research these forums and arm yourself with the knowledge found here!

Very lovely to have met you to share stories and hopefully our paths will cross again in the future!

X-One is open on Sundays now, but only until 18:00.

Good to know for next time, thanks!

I did not know this waiter was available! He was my favourite in the one time I went to Tawan.

Thank you for posting the beginnings of your report, looking forward to hearing the rest of it!

I noticed this also in Tawan on my one visit, I think I saw 2 farang and the rest were asian customers (plus me who is half asian). And like you, I really don't mind who is in the audience as long as they keep the bars running and the boys employed!

I know this feeling all too well!

Thank you! I learn a lot from these forums and get lots of ideas for my trips, so I am happy to give back.

It baffles me further as I am only half asian (and half caucasian) so I don't have the strongest asian looks, but mamasan in screwboys said that I looked like a 'modern thai', whatever that means, perhaps one that works and lives in the city thus having lighter skin due to not working in the sun in the fields.

Would also love to know, for future reference!

Phuket Bars Didn't go to any, next time! Massage 4 Massage: Only went here this trip but quite glad this place still exists, although they have moved just around the corner from where they previously were. I went with 3 different boys here, one of which I've been seeing since 2019 who is always good fun. He massaged my legs for probably 5 minutes before the main event started, but he always gives me a good time. Another who was messaging me on Grindr on my last trip to Phuket (2022) I finally got the chance to try, and he was very good and happily bottomed for me, and another boy who was relatively new was also quite good and bottomed for me also (requested an inflated tip which I just had to laugh at). I always have a good time here. Hotel Baan Paradise: Situated in one of the streets in the paradise complex, it was decent enough and close to all the action. I had a balcony room so was able to look out onto the street and watch the people go by. It is a pretty lively area with people coming and going, plenty of restaurants, bars and massage shops (for gays and straights), and it is only a short walk to the beach. Other Didn't do much else here, and although Phuket isn't one of my favourite destinations, I still feel drawn to it every once in a while. Maybe for the massage boys, who knows. It is quite a big island so I may try staying in a different area next time. The Phuket Smart Bus runs up and down the west coast from the airport down to Rawai and it is reasonably priced for 100 THB one way. Doesn't run super often though, maybe once an hour or twice in the busy periods. Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) A boy I met in Jomtien a few years ago went back home to Korat and asks me occasionally to come visit him so I thought I would considering I didn't have much else to do. I also wanted to try out the long distance trains, which were easy enough to book online, and very affordable. The train left from the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, which is absolutely massive but probably good forward planning for the future. I took a 2nd class aircon carriage which was comfortable enough. My hotel was less than a 10 minute walk from the train station, and after meeting the boy at Terminal 21, we later had a look around some of the attractions in the city as well as going to the tower back at Terminal 21 to look at the view over Korat. Boy stayed overnight, which was my only overnight this whole trip as I don't usually like long time. He also insisted on buying me dinner which I thought was sweet. I only gave myself one night here as I wanted to give myself an out incase things went pear shaped. Would I go back? Maybe, but it wouldn't be somewhere I would go regularly. I did see some farang there though. On the way back to Bangkok, I was in a 2nd class aircon carriage and this was the type with the open windows and also the back door was wide open as we went. I really enjoyed watching the scenery go by, and really interesting and exciting to see all the new structures for the train lines going up, which are massive and seemingly a little out of place in the countryside, but I think these are for the new high speed rail that is going to Laos and other places? I had a cute guy sit next to me for some of the trip, and I offered him some of my bread (which he declined), and later on struck up a short conversation with me before he got off at Saraburi. Final thoughts: I had a nice time and just kinda tried to pace myself since I was here for a while (and also not incredibly fit). I'm slowly building up my list of regulars which is good for future trips, and ate quite a lot of nice food. And same as always, I would often get mistaken for being Thai (which I take as a compliment), even in bars, and it's amusing when they talk to me in Thai and I just kinda look confused, or say something like 'kor tord na kap, English na kap'. I'll get around to learning Thai one day. My next trip may be in June/July, or December, or both. I'm not sure yet. But I do want to visit a few more places, like more islands. Thanks for reading!

In Tawan, they have! Not so much a competition, but there was definitely chuck-wowing going on.