llz

I agree it's selective, doesn't make it false. OP message would get better reception if he refrained from at that name calling.
He should realize that we are well suited to make our own opinion based on facts presented , no need to push us into desired direction.Lets Thais and Israelis to sort it out.
I'd save " antisemitic " label for more serious issues. Using it liberally dilutes its seriousness. When somebody complains about behavior of , say , Chinese tourists , we are not rushing to call him Sinophobe. ( or may be we do, let's see when I post more about Togayther hotel )

what about massage reviews as per original tittle?

We have only gone to the Pub Street area a couple of times...I needed my caffeine fix and zoned in on Starbucks almost immediately. lol. Walked around the market area, which as you said, everything is geared towards tourists. I prefer exploring areas outside of the normal touristy stuff, so appreciate the recommendations. Cam has been to Siem Reap around five times before...beginning when he was a young boy, so he doesn't know much about the area at all. The comment about the foreign chains was not a complaint. Just an observation. Even if they were readily available, I would not visit them. I prefer local establishments.

That's completely opposite to my experience, albeit that it was just one visit and a few years ago. Hope it hasn't gone downhill.
The thing about reports and reviews is that to make sense, we really need multiple reports over time. For what I think is a less-frequented place like Fafa, this may be lacking.
Same with the Saphan Khwai places. Ever since reader left this board, we haven't had many reports. He was a regular patron of those places. Yet, by all impressions from their social media, they're going strong.

Their marketing is good, but they are in effect only offering a service which the Saphan Khwai shops are already offering at a cheaper price. I would say it is better to follow FaFa and only seek it out if they have someone special in their selection, which occasionally happens.

It surprises me that this still isn't possible. It’s no problem at all on the metro, of course; I always quickly tap in and out with my credit card there. But with the Skytrain, you have to buy a ticket every time. Many machines only accept coins, and there are often long lines for them. It would be so much better if you could just check in with your credit card there, too.

Thank you for your critique of my post, but you are wrong. The bar in the photo is not a previous version in a different location, it is the exact bar my Lao friend and I visited several times this year, during our two visits to Chiang Mai. I have no idea what you're talking about.
I didn't just browse the internet to look up information to make posts about Chiang Mai on this thread, I was a customer several times at this bar recently. I am competent enough to identify the exact location.
While your story about a previous location of the bar before the pandemic may be correct, the bar is not currently located on a floor in a dark tiny alley, and easy to miss, as you assert. It is at streetside level, facing the soi, exactly as shown in the photo, right next to the southern edge of the large Night Bazaar building. In order for it to be 20 meters north, that would place it north of the Night Bazaar building. The large building in the photo is the Night Bazaar building, and the bar is located as shown, not as you described.
Below are two screenshots from Google Maps. As you can see at the bottom edge of the photos, the images were captured in June, 2024. Obviously the bar was closed when the Google car drove by, hence the fabric draped across the front of the bar, understandable, as the bar does not open until evening.
The second photo below from Google, also dated June 2024 confirms the exact location across the soi from the new parking garage.
Since the bar does not have a toilet, the owner told us we could either pay 10 baht to use the pay toilets a few feet away in the Night Bazaar building, or we could piss on the wall across the soi, just beyond the concrete electric pole in the second photo below, to save the 10 baht toilet fee.
As far as the pandemic timing you mentioned, Thailand dropped all remaining COVID-19 entry requirements, and fully re-opened to tourism on October 1, 2022, well before the Google Maps photos were taken in 2024.
Additionally, my friend and I spent parts of a few nights at this bar, some well beyond midnight. While we were there, the only customers were males, no bar girls, and nobody was smoking weed.

Not in Thailand now (and for many months) but some days ago I have been aware of a new bar in Chiang Mai through their Facebook page (thanks to Meta algorithm). Its name : Doi Khaeng Bar - คอยแข็งบาร์ :- probably no pun intended with the word แข็ง - khaeng (obviously rising tone) which means hard 😉
This is a bar and restaurant located in the north part of town close to Adams Apple Bar (about 350 m far) in the middle of a small entertainment area named Wiang Bua Plaza ; GPS 18.805465658, 98.981301741. Their Facebook (thai language only) informs that an all-male staff serves drinks and meals. The place warns that the shop does not provides any sex service (but I guess private arrangements could be made). This is a thai place but farangs will probably not be rejected provided they keep a low-key attitude and give good tips. 
Facebook

It seems that the YES vote is winning out over the NO votes (at least 80% of the locals were voting no). They should have put this up on one of the prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket - as the YES vote camp would have won a lot of money.
I was away in Bangkok for 5 days and prior to me leaving for Bangkok they were completing the sand renourishment dredging works at the Dongtan police box. Yesterday, I took a walk along the Dongtan beach and I was surprised to see that they have now moved 300 meters north and are continuing the project into the Dongtan beach area. Currently they walled the area from the Dongtan police box all the way up to the Avalon Beach Resort and View Talay 5 condos and they are now currently bulldozing the new sand that has been dredged up from the bottom of the sea onto Dongtan beach.
It seems that they have funding for this Phase 2 of the project through 13 July 2027 and they are able to complete 300 meter sections in about 6 to 8 weeks each. The distance from the Dongtan police box to where the beach ends at YinYom beach is 1.4 kilometers - so in theory they would need 5 more cycles of 300 meters each to complete the work - where each cycle takes about 7 weeks on average - they would need 8 to 9 more months to complete the work and they have funding for 10 more months - so, perhaps the project can truly be completed as planned and funded for.
@spoon The beach concession where sexy Htoo worked is now closed (I believe that it was concession station #37) for 6 to 8 weeks due to the above mentioned beach renourishment dredging project. Perhaps he went back to Myanmar? He was around last week as I would see him often.
So, for those coming to Jomtien over the next 8 to 9 months you may need to adjust where you go to enjoy the gay beach. Just remember that the official gay beaches are more further north in the area of concession stations from #25 through #10. Rainbow Beach #20 / #25
Here are some photos that I took yesterday so that you can see that the project has now officially entered into the Dongtan Beach area:

Dongtan Beach pavilion where they do the daily aerobic dancing (a mini Lumphini) around 6pm

Bulldozers working behind the construction wall
Dongtan_Beach_sand_nourishment.mp4
Short clip of the sand dredging works taking place at Dongtan Beach
I wish that they could urgently move this beach sand renourishment project over to in front of the Heritage Beachfront Resort / View Talay 3 area - as almost ALL of the protective beach sand has already eroded away with the current nasty monsoons that have invaded Pattaya - because now the sea waves are crashing onto the foundation that holds up the Dongtan Beach road. At the rate that they are moving, it might not be until another 4 to 5 more months before they arrive into this area - and perhaps by then the Dongtan Beach road will have already collapsed into the sea - which would create a big inconvenience in this area.

Edge of Dongtan Beach road near View Talay 3

Edge of Dongtan Beach road looking at the Heritage Beach Resort

I walked around last week in Manila even went to a nightclub on Friday night in a "dangerous" area according to the grab driver who took me there but I had no problem
Can it be dangerous?
Some parts of Australia are MORE dangerous, try walking Alice Springs at night , or those outback Australian country towns such as Moree in Australia 🦘, it would be a good introduction to the *locals"
I would rather walk Manila at night 
I didn't find it dangerous and I travelled on the public transport 
Of course I showed precaution as well ...and danger can happen anywhere...
I was in a 711 last night in Jomtien, I was at the fridge area getting water when I overheard a farang probably in his 60's tattoed drunk Australian accent with a bargirl I presume by his side 
He was loud and I overheard him say to another farang " stop looking at my fucking  girl !!!!
So situation like that ...I have self awareness 
I avoided him at the counter where he was paying still swearing fuck that...fuck this etc the bargirl laughing with him ...or at him 
I thought he he left so went to the counter to pay only to see him come back ..he then shoulder hit another elderly farang on the way to the counter . Just clashed his left shoulder with the guy...
..i was ready though just in case he did it to me 
Turns out he had left his stuff on the counter and hadn't paid yet ...he stood behind me and was mouthing "fucking dumb cunts all of yas 
I thought better I was behind him then he behind me so I said .."you can step in front of me bro " 
Talking to him like a teenager calling him bro made him happy 
" Oh you are an Aussie cunt  too ? He said 
I let him in front of me 
He then paid for his beer 🍺 and walked out get fucked ...fuck off .. fuck you etc etc to everyone I guess 
No doubt he was drunk and looking for a fight so using your senses when in a situation like that ... and danger can happen anywhere 
 
 
 

go for repeat and make up for a shortage

I believe someone on the forum has written about the host bars. The rich customers who go to host bars are not there to off the guys but to flaunt their wealth. Their happy ending comes when they succeed in showing off to the other customers that they can buy the most drinks.

Orion Bar in the night market area and Connections Bar in the Chang Klan area.are the main gay bars - generally frequented by tai yai lads some of whom are offable. Friday and Saturday are a little busier but it is low season. Both bars have Facebook pages. An alternative to AA is New Circle Club also on Facebook and located in the same area as AA. A short walk from AA is a small venue frequented by lads which was discussed in the CM forum - always found it lively.
RAM bar cabaret and Sixcret Cabaret both in night bazaar
Woody( and his partner Non) of Classic House massage do tours - a day trip to include Mon Chaem and Mae Komphong are well worth doing - trips into surrounding country side. If going to Mae Khompong a side trip to The Giant is recommended. if Woody and Non are not available they can usually arrange a friend to help.out.
CM coffee and restaurant scene is vibrant - some really outstanding places . My favourite - a little out of town is Cafe Eley
Host bars are popular here generaly coming alive around 11pm.onwards. Multiple lads catering to mixed customers - Sharky Host Bar and Club, BRC karaoke and Bar, Maya Club
Phoenix night club not too far from the night market - popular
Hornet and Grinder Apps work well here

Yes; I reported last year that he helped me with an adjustment, refusing to accept payment for twenty minutes plus work. My experience led my partner, who was due to buy a new pair of  spectacles in Pattaya Tai, to use his services instead.  He was very pleased with the service he received; and the price.
A guy like that , working alone, deserves customers.

What a lovely polite friendly man the optometrist at Jomtien complex 
Went to him and made me a few pairs of glasses 🤓 
He has been to Australia 🦘 several times too and that was great conversation 
If you need glasses 🤓 his customer service is good 
 
 

thing that some cheap people, like myself  use to carry them from Bangkok to Pattaya or other way around

I was looking at this yesterday, It's still possible to enter for 60 days by buying a 60 day visa online before you travel. 40 dollars.
A 90 day visa for Vietnam is only 25 dollars.
Thailand seem to be shooting themselves in the foot.
Then people on the socials harp on about most people don't need 60 days.  
I like to have 60 days, I'm retired, I'm not a criminal, I behave myself, always. 
90 days in Vietnam is over in two days time, it's been fabulous, I will almost certainly be back here in December and January and cancel my 2 month booking in chiang mai. 
If as often mentioned they are doing this to stop the bad behaviour and criminal activity, they are going about it the wrong way imo.
It's not like criminal and bad behaviour starts on day 31 of your 60 day visa..... 

I think you're alluding to something which I have long noticed, but rarely say out loud because it comes with a high risk of causing offence. But let me voice my observation now, with an IMPORTANT CAVEAT: PRESENT COMPANY EXCEPTED. I am not referring to either Olddaddy or Pong.
My observation is this: the worst examples of English writing is often seen from native English speakers, not from those who speak it as a second language. Partly, it's a self-sorting result. Non-native English speakers are conscious that they are using a foreign language and think they will not be able to write as well as native speakers, so they take extra trouble to check and proof-read what they write; or if they have no confidence, they don't write in English at all. 
Native English speakers tend to "let loose". If their English is good, all well and fine. But if their English is bad, they may not even realise it, and they write as they speak (slang, highly localised usage, confusing syntax, etc) largely unaware how they come across to others. They are used to people in their own circles understanding them, and since those in the same circles also supposedly speak "English" (note the quotation marks), they all think that the language they use (and write) must be, well, English.
It may also have to do with the fact that those who have to learn English as a second language are taught the language in a structured way -- the nuts and bolts of grammar and so on -- and I have often been shocked how schools in Australia and the US (places I am familiar with) do not teach English that way. They assume the language need only be learned though use. The trouble with such an attitude is that students imbibe the language from their family's social circles and their own peers. If those circles don't speak or know how to write properly, then one cannot, logically speaking, imbibe proper English. And yet they hold the belief that what they are speaking is English.
An old friend of mine, now a retired schoolteacher, once explained to me that something happened in the 1970s and 1980s to pedgagogy. There was a change to valorising self-expression rather than teaching rules of grammar. Coupled with something to do with multiculturalism -- one is not supposed to criticise accent or idiosyncratic usage, instead, we must "celebrate difference" -- much language quality has gone down the chutey.
OK, I've said it. Let the arrows fly!

That was different. @rd2077's "style" is a " breathless no punctuation" style. Might have been transcribed from a voice-based, stream-of-consciousness dictation.
Or it might have been machine translated from another language. Sometimes we forget that many members here don't use English as their first language. That said, most machine translation I have come across do put punctuation in, although often at the wrong places.
I'm old-fashioned. I've been taught to ensure clarity in what I write. A former boss once told me: if you want to communicate, make sure the other party understands you correctly. It's not the responsibility of the other party to guess what you may intend to mean.
Since then, a whole new generation has come and flooded our media with their styles and I feel so out of date. Sigh!

This was exactly my first reaction. Panic set in. Until I read the rest of your post. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I am now convinced that there will still be enough beach to spend the days.

I agree 100%.  I don't bother to read or look at anything that is created by AI.  Not interested in that at all.  It is one thing to edit a photograph that you have taken or had taken...but to digitally create something out of nothing...it just doesn't look real to me.  And the text written by AI...so over the top.  Nobody talks that way.  

it is what is is but I wouldn't compare company reports few people, other than perhaps investors ,  read  to debaucherous  Thai trip reports

Time to update the Jomtien Complex, aka Supertown map:
Added Peter Bar #2 (soon to be opening in the former vacated Sun Bar space), Added Sudjai Jomtien Massage - new massage shop that opened near the Fun Bar, Added The Best Massage - new massage shop that opened near the Agate Hotel, Deleted the 7 Days Cafe - which unfortunately recently closed.

Learning to speak paasaa Thai is a real privilege. It means that Thailand is willing to share a bit of its culture with us. Of course, it is not absolutely necessary you learn to speak Thai. One could theoretically live in the UK or Canada without speaking English, but you would be strongly disadvantaged. You'd necessarily be ghettoized to live in a community which speaks your language instead of being able to roam freely. I suppose, thanks to AI, in the not too distant future we will have devices which go far beyond what Google Translate can do. I would find that eventuality somewhat sad, because so much of culture is wrapped up into language. I hope Thailand doesn't become Anglicized one day after all the centuries which Thailand has mostly successfully resisted colonization.

if AI will start writing our trip reports , I suspect it  may be eventually only AI left as reader of them