TotallyOz

The new Nokia is out in Thailand. It is quite nice. It has a touch screen like the IPhone with a better camera and fast processor. The BF saved up his money and bought one. It puts my Iphone to shame. The pics that were taken in the thread about going to Pattaya on a Bus were taken with his phone. They were large images and I had to edit in photo shop to get them ready for the Internet. They have a 5.0 MP camera with flash. It is quite Impressive. I have seen them at Tuk com and in MBK in Bangkok. They average about 22k baht more or less depending on which shop and dealer you are talking with. If you are looking for a high end phone that has a sim card that works in LOS and any other place where sim cards are usable, give this phone a test run. And, take some pics on it and share with us on GayThailand.com http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-n97#/main/landing

Sorry was having trouble upload pics and tried this account.

Wanting to conserve money and I needed to pick up some bags in Pattaya today, I took the local Bangkok bus from the bus terminal here. First, when you arrive, it is very easy to find the window to purchase the tickets as they all say the city you want to go to. The ones for Pattaya are supposed to leave every hour but they leave as soon as they sell the tickets and the bus is full. For us, the wait was 10 minutes. There are tons of places to get a quick bite to eat in the area and some drinks or snacks for the trip. There are no stops along the way for pee breaks or coffee breaks so be prepared. The bus did have a toilet downstairs but I was not brave enough to test it. The ride took a total of 1:32 minutes door to door. It was quite fast and efficient. The cost was 97 baht. A great price for the ride. Once in Pattaya, you are greeted by a slew of baht buses who want to overcharge to get you where you want to go. There are also motorcycle taxi's that are there. You can walk down the street and pick up a regular baht bus as well so there seems to be plenty of options. The bus did stop a few times close to Pattaya to let some of the passengers off. The bus was air conditioned and comfortable. It was a full bus but it was quiet and easy to relax. You are allowed a certain amount of free luggage and after that you have to pay a bit. All in all, I was very impressed with the cheap fare and the experience. Since I only stayed a few hours in the land by the sea, I didn't take a bus back as I had some things to pick up and needed a large vehicle to get it all for me and bring back to my place in Bangkok.

The new software is packed with new stuff and we haven't rolled out everything yet. But,if you go to edit your profile, you can add a pic to it, you can add friends to your profile, and you can choose to allow others to comment on your and leave messages on your profile. All of this is optional but may be fun. Just click on your name after log in and you'll be able to edit all of this. I plan to be testing the Gallery in the next few days.

FYI: We are working on upgrade. Forum will go down for a bit.

Well, they told me when I entered they were the BEST school in Bangkok to learn English. I was given a 2 hour lesson in their philosophy. It reminded me of the first time I went to the Church of Scientology in New York City. The place was very nice and there were at least 100 computers. They teach by computer and tutor with a lot of activities added in. This month, they have a special. Sign up and the student gets a free trip to Hong Kong for 3 days. That should tell you right there how expensive this place is. The cost for 4 levels of training (no matter how long it takes) was about 80,000 baht. The cost for a one year unlimited number of levels was about 85,000. I was told this was mostly used by the Japanese and Korean students as they were so diligent and took advantage of the facility many hours each day and often progressed 8 or so levels in a year. Has anyone had any experience with this place? They are all over the world and I have seen them in Brazil but this was my first visit to one.

Let me just say Gay Central should be the name. I was visiting an apartment last week and asked about the closest California Wow as I have a membership with them. The lady said, "The closest one is on Silom but that is where all the gays go." I told her good as I was one and still she didn't believe me. I had to check this place out. It is a very nice California Wow with lots of equipment and tons of classes. The classes are excellent and the lady was right. It is a great place to find a date or meet someone who is not a moneyboy (at least not obviously). For those of you in the area, it is on Silom right at the corner of Soi Convent. It is across from Silom Soi 4 where all the gay restaurants are.

I had the chance to see the sauna again last week. I had a good time there and got a wonderful massage. Babylon caters to the free trade and I have never met someone in there asking for money. It is mostly gay farangs looking for gay Thais. There are plenty of each of these groups. The foreigners I have met there are always nice and full of good information if you sit and chat with them. Some may think you are hitting them up for a sneak in the dark room but most are just regular guys looking for a hot guy for 10 minutes in the sauna. Babylon has a full service restaurant and a few bar areas. They have a nice fitness room with lots of equipment and an attached hotel. I have friends that stayed at the hotel and enjoyed it there. When you walk in you pay an entrance fee. On weekends, the fee is 260 baht. They give you a slip of paper which is taken a few feet back and you are given a bracelet with a locker key. Don't loose the key or there is a 200 baht fee for that. The lockers are upstairs and have 2 towels, some condoms and lube in them. The area is clean and the showers are clean as well. If you want a massage book as soon as you get there or you may have to wait a while. The Thai massage cost 300 baht. The oil massage costs 500 baht. These are no sex professional type massages. The massage I chose was the Thai massage. It was very well done and I felt really refreshed afterwards. When the massage started, I asked for a strong massage but after 5 minutes of pain, I asked him to go for medium which was perfect for me. I was told they have a "special" massage for 1200 and 1500. I have never done that there and did not think it was allowed but it was an extra printed out sheet they showed to me. Others may have more information that I do on that. I didn't want that and only wanted a professional massage. I got it. This place offers perhaps the best massage of any place that caters to gays in Bangkok. Babylon has a swimming pool and lots of guys lounge by the pool. This is my favorite place to watch the boys go by. I was with a friend who hooked up with 3-4 people there in a short time frame. I am very loyal to my boyfriend (and was tied for our morning play) and didn't go in there for sex and even though I was offered a few times, it was not to my liking. I did find both of my waiters adorable and one had a nice "latino" ass and I would have easily disrobed if he showed any interest in getting down in the dark room. I have been to Babylon many times over the years and find it a very nice place to spend an afternoon. Weekends seem especially fun. They have a foam party this Friday night for those interested in seeing something different. Check their website for exact dates for this party. http://www.babylonbangkok.com Babylon Sauna 34 Soi Nandha, South Sathon Road Soi 1, Bangkok 10120 Tel: + 66-(0)-2679-7984 Fax: + 66-(0)-2679-7986 Located right around the corner from the Australian Embassy and right off Lumpini Park and Sathorn Road.

The massage guys at Babylon are paid by the sauna. However, most tip. Since it is not a "special" massage, what is the appropriate amount to tip?

Anyone tested this in Thailand yet? http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/07/1...hone_world.html http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

Those of you that live in Bangkok, what are some of the places that are often not on the major tourist attractions but that you should see if you want to see a different part of Bangkok?

I went to Adonis massage and was greeted at the entrance by a very sexy man who said, "I have big cock and I will fuck you good." Well, it was the thought that was nice. Adonis is located directly in front of Bangkok Nursing Hospital off of Sathorn in the business district and not far from Silom 4. It is a gay massage place in a house on a quiet street. Once inside, I was greeted by the manager and about 30 guys lined up. It was a great variety of guys with everything from muscle to fem to twink. I choose a tall handsome 25 year old. The manager told me he was gay and could do everything. To my disappointment, he could not do everything. He was a top only. I still would have gone with him as I really only wanted a good massage and a BJ. But, I hate being lied to. I have been to B and N so many times that the manager knows not to lie to me and I'll still go with a boy I like. I guess some guys walk out. I didn't. But, it would have been nice to have an honest manager. I will go again and they had a great selection of guys but I will not rely on the manager again and I will ask the guy I want directly what he is able to do and not do. The room was OK and fairly clean. I didn't like the sheet on the massage table as it was not clean and I had them remove it. The shower was fine. I am not sure if I just got a dud or not but he didn't shower with me and I showed myself. I guess I am just so use to other places doing this for me. I didn't mind it was just not what I expected and not sure if it is the norm there or just the guy I picked. Saturdays and Sundays are apparently popular and there was a slew of guys working. I will choose wisely next time. http://www.thaiadonismassage.com/ Hours of Operation Daily 2:00 pm - 11:30 pm 44/11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangkok +66 (0)2236-7789 +66 (0)9010-3399

A friend asked me about medical coverage if they live in LOS. I gave them the information that I have used which is Traveler Jim's Insurance. He was looking for more comprehensive insurance. Any suggestions? One friend suggested Bupa. Any information on it? Costs? Reliability? Other options?

A friend of mine and I ate at a local well know gay restaurant and he got food poisoning which landed him in the hospital. Be careful when you eat out to make sure if you order American food that it is cooked the right way. I ordered the Chicken and it did not taste right to me and I only ate the fries. I have had sea food poisoning 5 times in LOS so I am always careful not to eat seafood at any place that I don't trust. My stomach is weaker than a Thai stomach and I have to be much more careful than most.

Lumphini Park is a 140-acre park in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a beautiful open space area with trails, benches and places to hand out and chill. It has an artificial lake that is very lovely. It has a running loop that is 2.5km in total length. Cycling is only allowed from 10-3. The park is a lovely get-a-way from the city! Any other similar parks that you have been to and recommend?

This week is the premiere of the new Harry Potter. I tried a few weeks back to get tickets to see Transformers at the Imax in Bangkok and drove to the city from Pattaya to see the feature. We got there early and the show was sold out. Harry Potter is also selling out days in advance. It seems if you want to see the movie on any larger screen, you will need to get advance tickets. Odd thing at Siam Paragon is that you go to the Imax booth and they have no good seats left. If you ask them about 2 good rows that have x's in them they will tell you another company has them and they are not allowed to sell them. I asked where this company was and they pointed across the room to another booth. I walked over and got the same tickets for less money. I don't get it? Why would there were 2 different booths that are selling tickets to the same theatre but different rows? If you are going to see Harry Potter for the first few days, get tickets as early as you can!

One of the best shopping centers in Thailand has one of the best grocery stores in the area as well. They have a wide variety of everything you need. I had a pre-made Lasagna a few days back and it was delicious. I also had a rack of lamb that was precooked and only needed warming up. Again divine. They have a large selection of fruits, cheeses, deli meats, bakery goods, etc. They seem to have just about everything you need!

The BF told me his son, 6 years old, had his school closed and his family is taking care of him in the day time. He said many schools in Thailand are now closed. The government has ordered other closures. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world...i.swine.flu.cnn It seems to me this may do little if the closures are only for a couple of weeks. The end of the report said that Thailand may have as many as 150,000 plus cases of the swine flu.

Duh! http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/11...ref=mpstoryview

Well, as Honest Abe said, "I cannot tell a lie." That said, I'll try not to be too harsh. Three nights in the gogo bars in Bangkok and I have yet to take anyone back to my hotel. Last night I went to EVERY gogo bar in Patpong and then ended up at Tawan. There was not one boy that peaked my interest. XBoys has a few sexy boys but I was there early and the mamasan was a bit pushy and I declined the invitation. The other bars were pretty sad. Dream Boy had only about 20 boys. My favorite bar in 7 years is Future Boys and to say it was sad is an understatement. Sorry, I could go on for a bit but no need to say anything other than all the boys in Bangkok must have gone home to help with family during low season. The stages are almost like a ghost town.

I love Italian food. I grew up with some amazing women who came from Italy who taught me how to cook some of their specialities and at all my parties in NYC, I cooked some great Italian meals. It is hard to find good places in Thailand but I do love Zanotti's! I was recently there and had the Pizza for appetizer and it was yummy. For main course I had the Ravioli with Whit Truffles. I also had desert. All 3 courses were excellent. They tasted good and the atmosphere was wonderful. The waiter even brought a straw that the paper was turned into a rose. The service was excellent and the place was mid range price. A great overall experience. Zanotti's 21/2 1st Floor, Saladaeng Colonnade Condominium,Silom Rd., Silom Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel. : +66 2 636-0002 ,+66 2 636-0266 Fax : +66 2 636-0221 email: info@zanottigroup.com

Based on what your have experienced in LOS or that you have seen others experience, what would you say are the best lessons to be learned by someone coming here for the first time?

We ended our bicycle ride in Udon Ratchatani. It was the annual candle festival. It is a world famous Thai festival where the locals parade wax candles carved wood and covered in wax around the city and to wat. The city was alive with hustle and activity. Tons of vendors and artists take part. The night before the festival you can walk around the floats to take photos and see them in the dark lit with light from the street lamps. The next day the actual parade occurs. I had a fantastic time with this and was very happy I got to spend some time at this local festival!

I am looking for the best steak in Bangkok. Any recommendations?

I went to B and N on Sukumvit Soi 12 today and it was pretty empty of boys. There were 5 or 6 guys there max. I picked the same guy who has massaged me in past and he was excellent. The manager told me to please come back as they have been having no customers and were very very slow. B and N is great and the boys I get are excellent. My 25 year old Thai man is excellent and the others I have gotten from there are always good. If in Bangkok, give them some business. Like most other places, they need it and have been consistent for a long time.