Marc308

I remember Hugh very well. And yes he was/is? a kind soul. He split from Jim/Gordon and then went to work as a maitre d at Casa Pascal, after that I lost track of him. He often could be found in the basement of the Ambiance counting purple bills from the last night's take in BBB. He once told me the only money that the BBB/Ambiance complex ever made was from the sale of the drinks in BBB. Everything else was a loss-leader. Interesting.

BBB was once like Dolly Parton's "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"... just a little thrill along with lots of fun (and booze). Yes, it was once the undisputed jewel, run impeccably by Jim and Gordon and Philip and Dtan and Lek. It was all downhill the moment Jim sold out to the Swiss (now to the Chinese). Jim and crew were trusted members of our community. To answer your question, MFJ, well now for me BBB is a total bore. I wouldn't spend a baht to go into that place. The last time I went there I chastised myself for going into that crazy place. And since BBB was the cornerstone of BT, BT also necessarily predictably began to fall apart too. Today's price is totally ridiculous given the value they offer. Once the "screaming Chinese women" get sick of the "thrill", I predict BBB, and most silly old-format boy bars, will pass from the scene. It's time for a renaissance and renewal, guys, updating to the current age of technology and social habit. We need a new, risk-taking, imaginative, fun-loving pioneer like Jim was back then to reinvent the gay adventure. It seems that the most innovative approaches of late have come to the Bangkok massage houses, with their "easy to peruse, easy to book, stated minimum tips" and more. In even this obviously more efficient and transparent concept, the Pattaya "houses of questionable repute" have not seemed to keep pace.

I've always wondered why those myriads of same-same bars don't somehow manage to merge their "talents", and thus for the area to truly become a "SUPERtown" rather than a collection of hopelessly uneconomic shops. They need economy-of-scale and they need to have variety and they need to have a decent environment. Those characteristics cost money, real money; I am really surprised that more bars have not closed in JC. The reason that Jim's BBB was successful is that he understood this concept and thus BT grew and prospered. And I totally agree about the "numbness" of the current concept -- "sit and drink and gawk" -- that only goes so far to keep people's interest. You need energy and expectation and entertainment. I agree with GIP that gay bars are an anachronism, they are a throwback to the "hush-hush" era where we were all constrained and needed a place to "be free". Japan is a good example of this. In those days of ore when I frequented bars in Shinjuku and Shibuya, the bars were small and you needed to be cleared by an all-knowing door person to even gain access to the bar. Once inside the "host" would then introduce you to each of the guys in the small (10?) crowd. It was because most of the guys in those bars were heading for the last train home to their wives, so you had to be fast!

Me too. Here are some suggested rules: 1. Be very careful to NOT accept "dynamic conversion". When taking a large amount out at "yellow bank", it cost me almost $50 on the transaction. 2. Use a debit card which does NOT have a "foreign transaction fee". It can cost you at least 3% above the usual 1% conversion fee that Visa/Mastercard take a foreign currency conversion fee. 3. Use a card which will reimburse you for the usurious fees which Thai banks charge on ATM transactions. Charles Schwab's debit card is one. There may be others. 4. If you must pay the Thai bank transaction fee, then take out as much money as you can at one time (up to B30,000 at some banks) since the transaction fee amount is fixed as doesn't depend on the amount withdrawn.

yes i am sure the mamasans are angels

What is the Line ID for this Phetboy feed? I agree he is a stunner!