vaughn

I get the feeling about being hesitant with the pressure, I'm also not a big drinker most of the time and I'm fairly introverted so I dislike having someone hovering trying to get me to make decisions. The first time I went a few years ago I was alone and very nervous, but after that first time it's easy. Sometimes I think we give the impression it's going to be relentless and confrontational, but it really isn't 99% of the time. It's just them trying to keep you there buying (any) drinks and hopefully getting you to take someone off. The mamasans don't care what you drink as long as you're not sitting on empty forever, most of the time I'm just drinking soda and lime (Schweppes Manao Soda). If the mamasan is asking you to pick a guy from stage and you either don't want to or haven't made a decision, just say "I will watch and chose later". Most of the time they get the hint and leave you alone for a bit while you decide to pick someone or pay your bill. The MBs are usually the least pressure in the bars i've found, it's after the ST or LT they'll send messages and try to get you back. You can avoid it by just not giving them your Line or Social Media. I still get a bit uncomfortable if the gogo is empty and I have a stage full of hopeful eyes looking at me, so maybe do a lap of the bars and look for one that isn't empty for the first time. If you go just before the show or during the show times it's more likely to have a crowd to sit and observe for a while. I'm under 50 and not there atm to intro, but i wish you well.

I second that, I went back 3 nights in a row for it last trip. @vinapu yeah it's directly across from Dicks, small outdoor kitchen/bar.

Interesting to see Khon Kaen being put forward as an option, i've never been there but have met a couple of very attractive guys from there. Has anyone here spent much time in Khon Kaen? any info on the gay scene there?

depends who you ask haha, i'm still in my 30s but doing my part to continue the legacy of gay pattaya

Can you share the youtube video? I can't answer any questions though, it was all before i was born

For a very long time Australia has made it very hard for them to get visas to visit Aus, apparently there are changes in the works for relaxing the student and working holiday visas for them, but it would be hypocritical to expect them to give us visa-free when they had very little opportunities to step foot in our country regardless of what they allow for others.

not looking to be contentious, but more curious. What was the racism your friend experienced in Thailand? I was under the impression Thais were pretty friendly to foreigners regardless of skin tone. I've witnessed some of the bar girls call out to a black guy calling him chocolate man, but i got the impression it was more endearing rather than as an insult. I can understand Japan, foreigners get rejected from venues and services or just ignored entirely, because we don't speak Japanese.

My most liveable city/country list comes from Grindr's annual unwrapped recap. That said, i'm moving to Melbourne soon, so i'm ok with either list i guess. Denmark being so high on both (and after seeing those danish twinks) might mean i need to re-evaluate sometime in the future.

nice report, sounds like a great getaway! I'm a diver and have Koh Tao on my list of places to visit, but i'm too reluctant to go alone because of the frequent deaths reported there. I just need to find a LLT MB that has his diving cert haha.

I'd be interested to read a trip report if you get the time and want to

My first thought was that maybe he had opened and then re-armed it while they were in the room, perhaps to get their fee or put a watch or wallet in, and one of them was able to see him enter the code. I can't imagine them sitting there punching in codes over and over to brute force it while he's in the room, most newer hotel safes make sound on the button press, it would be a risky game to try if that was the case.

Moving was a discussion we were having, glad it didn't work out early and not after one of us moving to another country. Travel buddies is a risky business, i can imagine it would be worrying for MBs that go away with guys when they could end up stranded if things go south.

I've never booked in advance, sometimes if i know i'm going back to see someone and i've got their Line already i'll let them know i'm coming at X time, but I don't attempt to reserve through the shop directly. Some shops do have Line accounts where you can reserve, other members might have some links. Massage shops will have the guys sitting out the front on plastic seats waiting for you to walk by, just walk up and if you like someone ask for massage with him. I'll sometimes stand there looking at the menu pretending i'm not just going to get an oil massage while i look at the available staff. Just make your selection clear, i had an unfortunate experience where I ended up with someone i really didn't want because I wasn't explicit in who i wanted. I was too shy to reject him when he got to the room so it was a looooong 60 mins. Afternoon or evening is when most staff are there, some might hang around earlier in the day eating lunch or whatever but selection is usually lower.

6 months, we lived in separate countries but travelled back and forth frequently. We had known each other for a couple of years and travelled together a lot before we got more serious in Dec/Jan. I don't want to go into too much detail, but we didn't work out and i walked away. back to my old ways

I've had my fair share of both duds and passionate encounters, but it's always a gamble. Some guys will almost throw themselves at you in the bar then turn to a pillow princess in the room and seem almost disinterested, while some are shy and coy in the bar then turn out to seem like they haven't seen a dick in years and want every moment they can get with you. My biggest initial tell is the smile and eye contact, it's much like in a sauna where you're judging in a split second by whether they look away or give you 'the look'. For overnight LT or days of LLT all about personality and motivation, if they're only there for some extra baht you'll probably have a bored and unenthusiastic guy. If you have good chemistry with a desire to enjoy their time it will feel like you're in a relationship and known each other for years. Never take a guy away to the islands if you haven't spent time outside of the bars with them already, it's too risky imo. Language barrier is definitely a factor for me, I've never spent more than a night with a guy i can't have a conversation with in english. I don't find age to be a determining factor, maybe for long term relationships it is, i'm just out of a (non-MB) relationship with 13 year age gap and we were great together. eventually it failed because we wanted different short term goals i guess. Hobbies can be a big one on trips, if you like to do outdoor activities and he doesn't, it can be like trying to drag a buffalo that complains on every step around town.

Vinapu has you well informed with his advice and you're in the right area with the hotel. We share the twink preference so i'll just give my opinion on where i put my order Gogos Freshboys - always a selection worth checking Dreamboys - very close second, some would put first Banana - hit or miss for me but usually someone there worth going for I haven't been to Good Boy and some of the others, but do provide a report if you go Massage I start my stroll from Patpong along Surawong Rd and then down Than Tawan, always works ok. The couple of shops on Surawong usually seem to have more twinks, but i haven't been back since December. Clubs DJ Station usually has some freelancers or free to play guys, especially fri and sat Bars down Soi 4 (same soi as banana), sometimes you'll find freelancers or free to play Grindr and the apps are usually just as busy as Vietnam. Tips vary from boy to boy and venue to venue, I usually just ask and then give them a bit more on top if i want to see them again.

On several occasions and particularly at the meridien, I've been at breakfast and seen another farang with a guest that has caught my attention and got my blood flowing. The temptation to visit the same breakfast section the guy was at to try to discretely ask for a Line contact has been there, but I agree with Vinapu, it's poor form. I wouldn't like it done to me, so I wouldn't do it to another. If you see him leaving the hotel alone I'd consider it fair game, but while it's someone else's turn, best to let them enjoy their time and leave it alone. You never know if they have a LLT/bf arrangement or if the farang might have an emotional attachment that could cause him to become upset by it.

I've never experienced joiners fee at any hotel, if it's a LLT guest i'll usually reserve for 2 people, otherwise it's always just for 1. I have heard the 5* Avani in Pattaya does have a joiners fee, but i cancelled my booking when i read that, so i never confirmed it. If you bring a second person to the breakfast and your reservation is for 1 person then you will usually have that added to your bill, they just let you know it's xBaht then mark it down. You don't get the ID checks/hold, which i know some people prefer for their safety. I'm sure if the concierge knew of a troublemaker or had age concerns it would be addressed though.

I'm someone that spends most of my travel in 5*, my exception is usually Pattaya where i prefer gay oriented hotels. I did go to Hilton a few times because of the suite that has a balcony spa, no issue other than location isn't near my usual bars. My usual in BKK is Le Meridien, but have stayed in others around suhkumvit, usually surrounded by the straight punters doing the same thing. The only time i experienced any problem was in HCMC Vietnam, because of the rules around allowing visitors past 11pm or whatever time it was. I am into twinks so these gay guys look 18-25 and often wearing revealing clothing when we arrive, but I have never had any hotel staff do more than raise an eyebrow, you can expect discretion. Other guests are the ones that give side eye or look in disgust, I just give them a very obvious smile if i notice stares, they usually get uncomfortable and look away. I do sometimes need to check with the guy if he's ok going to the breakfast buffet, some of the more shy types don't like the attention.

Could probably be attributed to privacy and legal issues. Bars operate in a discrete tea money to authorities way, it's easier to pass off massage to online customers as a legitimate legal service but if bars start posting too much online it could potentially bring unwanted attention. There are a lot of guys in bars that don't want their photos online associated with this line of work as well, I know a few that don't use the apps in case friends or someone from their hometown sees them and the rumours/gossip makes its way back to family and hometown.

Thank you kindly, I just needed to look up from my peasant floors it seems haha. I did see that area at the top of Ambiance from my room at Copa, I assumed it was a restaurant because of no dividers between the rooms, today I learned.

I decided to try Copa Hotel for a change in Boyztown, overall i was happy with the experience. I'm wondering if any of the Boyztown hotels have rooms with a balcony where I don't need to go downstairs to have a cigarette, suggestions welcome if anyone has a tip on that? Second road outside the Boyztown entrance is a mess with construction (still), I swear that last time i was in Pattaya the road works were just 100m up the road, they must be paid by the hour. I spent some nights in Castro for the shows, one of the backup dancers i previously fawned over at the Venue is in the show at Castros now. I didn't try to pursue him with tips this time, he seemed uninterested and I had other interests that needed my attention. I ventured into Toyboys on a few occasions, most nights 10-20 guys on stage, mix of twink and twunk. On the last night i spent there I had been ushered in and sat down with a drink while the stage stands there staring at me, waiters/papasans? constantly asking me who i want and me repeating every minute or two that i'm not sure yet. I eventually called down a guy and ordered him a drink, not 1 minute later a guy I would consider a solid 9/10 struts into the bar putting on his number, he doesn't even get one leg on the stage before I point at the empty side of me. Now i need to break it to the first guy that he no longer is required, i sheepishly deliver the decision with the red note runner-up prize in hand and make my leave with a new shiny regular added to my growing list of repeats. Finally, I spent a few nights with the Winner crew in Sunee. Still no sign of the much rumoured new Sunee venues, but we can live in hope as I see the 7/11 that was closed during covid is back at least. a 7/11 nearby can only mean one thing, there is still life and baht in the area, or hope. Anyway, Winner is still somewhere I have a good time anytime I go. I went there one night telling myself I'm just going for a drink and to chat with the owner and guys for a bit, no offs tonight. Hours later i stumble out drunk after all kinds of rambunctious actions under cushions arm in arm with someone new. That's about it for this instalment of Pattaya, I will be back there sometime soon. I took the Jomtien bus back to Bangkok where I'm currently planning my next steps and chasing down some guys on that hitlist of mine. To be continued..

Maybe we should just change our line display names to 'not looking for bf, no money', maybe that could help haha. It is a pain though, i'll be back in pattaya again very soon and i like Soda massage... i'm sure this story hasn't concluded yet

It will depend on a lot on what environment (bar or gogo) and types of guys you like, but the good news is that everything is close enough to get from one area to the other any night you want to. Just wave down and hop on a baht bus facing the direction you want and pay the 10 baht to the driver when it stops going the direction you want, it's only about 10 mins from central pattaya to jomtien in low traffic. Jomtien are host bars and massage, so guys will all be sitting in the open and you walk past while they try to pry you into their bar or shop. It can be a little less intimidating than a gogo for newcomers where 10s of guys on stage are staring at you until you bring someone down for a drink. Boyztown is a mix of gogos like dream boys, toyboys and boysboysboys (among others) and some host bars of a similar style to Jomtien but less hosts usually. A benefit i find with Boyztown is it's a lot more central and you have more at your doorstep. Sunee is really down to one gogo (for me) Winner Boys which sits down the mostly dark sunee plaza and can vary night to night but usually 5-10 guys, don't expect the big show stage of boys like in regular gogos. it's a more, umm, intimate environment and usually takes a few drinks flowing to get things interesting. If it's your first time and you have over 2 weeks, i'd split my hotel stays 50/50 between jomtien and boyztown then just take a mototaxi to sunee if you want to go. Not all guys are on the apps, it can be a good way to fill an hour to see whos around, but if you really want to see whats on offer you need to put foot to pavement anytime after about 9pm for most bars and gogos, after 1pm-ish for massage places. The bar that's best is the bar that has the guy who enticed you in for a drink, no one has the same taste as anyone else on here. Drink prices, off fees and tip expectations, just ask the guy. if the price works then go enjoy your time with them.

Onward to Pattaya, I opted for a new mode of transport (for me), the bus from BKK to Jomtien for 165 baht. It was on time, no issues and I got some free entertainment. I boarded the bus and made my way up the aisle to find someone sitting in my selected window seat, not to worry, it’s a short trip I’ll survive. Then he begins playing football youtube videos on his phone with the sound up, ok I’ve got my airpods back I’ll play some music. After 10 minutes of his videos he opens up the line contacts and starts messaging the girls to meet while facing his phone directly at me, ok I’m locked in now, pour me some tea. First Reply: “I cannot I visit my mom until 30th” Damn, I’m sure that’s who she’s with. After about 10 minutes and multiple chats going nowhere, he’s got one replying, I try not to smirk as he is trying to negotiate bareback with this girl with his phone centimetres from my face on full brightness. Long story short, she basically made him jump through hoops for 30 minutes while he tries to convince her, then she drops “2000 baht you pay in advance now”. I’m screaming internally DO NOT FUCKING DO IT, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF BUDDHA! Thankfully, he seems to have given up at that, he rests his head on his clenched fist and leans against MY window looking out in sorrow. cheer up lad, you're on your way to a buyers market. Overall, the bus trip was fine, it took about the same amount of time as my usual Nam’s trip at a tenth of the cost. I jumped on a mototaxi with my backpack and headed into Jomtien complex where I had booked my stay, I could have walked it from the bus station, but it was hot and I hadn’t eaten all day so I’ll overpay for the 1 minute ride. In the mornings/afternoons when i rise I usually find my perch at O’Delicies or Dicks with breakfast and some coffee while I watch the Soda massage arrivals. There were anywhere from 10-20 on any given day, two of which i promptly added to my mental note 'hitlist'. I've got another massage story... same rules, i know mistakes etc etc. My first massage at Soda I'd call my redemption massage, the massage itself was lacking but finding a twink to give a strong thorough massage is not an easy task. He was ok though, and we made our way around the room in a flurry of suspicious noise-invoking moves before I tipped him for his performative dance. As i'm getting dressed he drops a "i love you" and i chose to ignore it (this will be red flag #1 for later reference). The next day as i saunter up looking for the other name on my mental hitlist i see the second guy but he's sporting a bloody nose, tissues rammed up there and head tilted back. I'm not going to risk that coming undone for my massage, so i request day 1 guy again and off we go. The massage itself was fine, the turn and dance was good, but then he asks to exchange line and i reluctantly add him knowing it's just going to be money requests later. The moment after i leave the shop my phone is blowing up with i love you, what you do later, all kinds of love bombing emojis. I don't have love on the mind so i decide to ignore the messages, well that just makes it worse apparently, now its turned to 'why dont you reply, why dont you love me, am i bitch', it goes on. All very dramatic for a guy i've known for 2 hours, half of that time having face planted in a table. I block him knowing that I have to walk past this shop multiple times a day, and oh boy, the dirty looks every time i step foot out of my hotel. I decided i might give Soda a cooldown period so i don't get stabbed. The usual suspects were at the host bars in the evenings in Jomtien, some were good looking, some were too pushy, but plenty of opportunities. I did find myself bored in Jomtien complex for the first time though and I was having issues at Agate with my Russian straight couple neighbours on the other side of the paper-thin walls. I'm not sure if it's a low-season phenomenon or if straights don't look at where they're staying, but the demographics of Agate were a lot different than my previous trips, I felt like the only gay in the village and the hotel looked to be fully booked. The neighbour couple certainly were not fans of what i was doing with one of my regulars right as they sat down to eat dinner in their room one evening, I don't speak Russian but i got a good sense of what they were saying. Of course my regular who loves a bit of playful banter took it upon himself to turn it up a notch both with his vocals and the slapping sounds. I couldn't stop him if i tried, but he is the reason i can no longer look them in the eyes when i step out onto my balcony. Time to leave, I've done enough to Jomtien for the time being. I hop on the baht bus and venture off to stay in Boyztown and spend some time at my favourite little gogo in Sunee.