sydneyboy1

What’s this “grand opening” in April 2019? Is the place being renovated, under new management or what?

They weren’t there on my visit in the Christmas/New Year period. All I saw were mediocre tattooed boys and the place was an extension of the Soi Twilight bars that are a tragic shadow of their former self.

My point is don’t be deluded your safe because an area is “busy”. I have told my story here, on the old Gay Travel Brazil site and TripAdvisor forums. I offer no apology. My motivation has been to prevent my experience happening to others. The reaction of people has been mixed. Some have appreciated the gesture and expressed empathy and appreciated the advice, some have shared their own unfortunate experience, some have trotted out the tired line that it can happen anywhere and I’ve had a few clowns who accuse me of being on out and out liar. The Internet and in particular forums such as this are in valuable medium for intelligent thoughtful people to share experiences. It is also unfortunately a vehicle for trolls, the negative, the cynical and obsessive pedants who wish to deconstruct a story to suit their own bitter twisted view of the world. Let’s leave it at that.

The attack took place between cars parked at right angles to the kurb. I am tall about 186cm. From a distance an American gent saw me between the cars and ran to my aid. By that time the attackers had wandered off. He told me that when he saw me between the cars he realised what was happening. I pointed to the group who continued to stand like stuffed dummies staring at me. His exact words were”sir they won’t help, they won’t help”. He told me he lived in Rio and in proceeding months he had been robbed 3 times the last occasion by an assailant carrying a gun. I can understand people not wishing to be involved while an armed attack is taking place but failure to assist after the attackers have fled shows a certain weakness. It would not happen in my country or yours. I wish you could see the looks on their faces. I was literally screaming at the top of my lungs for help and even after the event did not move a centimetre. There was from memory about 8 to 10 of them in this group totally uncaring. I hope this narrative adds some perspective.

I was mugged in Rio in 2005 which I reported on another thread. There is a wealth of wisdom here. I never go on public transport and am very wary of walking alone. The lesson to be learnt from my experience is that you are not safe because an area is “busy”. My mugging occurred almost in front of the Copacabana Palace at about 6:45pm and barely dark, in front of a group who just stood and watched not to mention numerous passers by who ignored my screams for help.

I went to Moonlight once on my recent trip but I thought it was terrible. A small number of heavily tattooed boys, unattractive and seemed to be lacking interest. In the circumstances who can blame them? Jupiter was better (which is damning with faint praise) and Soi 4 seems to be where the action is. Soi Twilight I’m afraid is a thing of the past.

Any experiences of the massage venues?

Was it the hot weather you reported on another thread?

Please report back on your Brazil trip.

I’m not exactly young. I enjoyed my trip but I have nostalgic memory of my first visit to Bangkok in 2000 and have been back many times since but there is no denying the bar scene is a tragic shadow of its former self. The massage venues have deteriorated to the same extent and I had a few nice visits to My Hero but it is not on a par with the variety of guys at the old Hero in past years.

I have to agree.

I have been to Brazil 9 times so your preaching to the converted. I was mugged on my first visit but returned older and wiser. The crime rate has escalated and they have a maniac running the place. I hope to return later in the year if things settle down.

I tried all the usual bars and I’m afraid the scene in Bangkok is only a shadow of its former self. I love Bangkok, the Thai people and will return with reduced expectations.

I was in Bangkok for 3 weeks in late December early January. Now I have been going Bangkok and the Tawan for nearly 20 years although this is my first visit in nearly 4 years. I have fond memories of the Tawan over the years but on this occasion it can only be described as tragic. There were only a fraction of the number of boys from compared to previous visits and they were older, fat, tattooed. Bitterly disappointing.

What makes us risk takers in returning to Brazil is memories of our last visit to Lagoa, Fragata, 117, Point 202 etc.

Comments anyone?

Wouldn’t local law enforcement eg responsibility for the police be an entirely state matter? Assuming for a moment that the president had a negative view of say rent boy saunas wouldn’t his capacity to act be constrained by the fact that this would be a state or even local government responsibility or do I have my facts wrong?

How long do work in the saunas? There are a few guys still working at Lagoa who I met on my first visit to São Paulo in 2005.

I forgot to mention one of the joys of Bangkok, Le Normandie restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental. My favourite restaurant in the whole world and a reason in itself for returning to Bangkok. Very expensive but you only live once!

I’m sorry but Screw Boys has very, very little to offer.

Happy New Year from Bangkok! This is about my twelfth visit to Bangkok since 2000 and the first in about five years. I love the city, the culture and its people and will return again. However there is no denying the gay scene has changed. Last night I paid my third visit on this trip to Tawan Bar, the famous muscle bar. This used to be my favourite bar however on each visit this time it can only be described as tragic. A fraction of the boys compared to past years and those on offer were older, fat, heavily tattooed. Anyone walking in not knowing what to expect would have assumed it was a chubby chasers bar. There were plenty of customers but seriously lacking boys. How I remember this place on my visit in 2000 and subsequent years. Other famous bars such as Dream Boys are also in serious decline. All in all a pity and remember this is peak season. However I am staying in s beautiful hotel with a lagoon like pool everyone is nice and Bangkok and it’s people will always make it worth returning.

Wonderful news. I have fond memories of Fragata over the years. I am in São Paulo in March and look forward to a return visit to Fragata.

I have never been to Singapore but it has always been on my wish list. Can anyone give candid advice on massage venues where a happy ending is expected? The Singapore based websites I find useless for candid information because of censorship restrictions. Information based on actual experience appreciated.

I have stayed at the Tarntawan a number of times in the early 2000’s but these days I believe it is dreadful. I have read appalling recent reviews.

One reason I like the Brazilian saunas is that you have naughtiness on the premises with the minimum possibility of drama. I have had a couple of “misunderstandings “ over money in the saunas and only one nasty experience. People who take these boys back home are braver than me.