macaroni21

We probably have to accept that the idea of a muscle bar with boys who can be rented out are over. Even the non-muscle bars on Patpong 2 and the massage parlours I know, have increasing difficulty getting Thai staff. Where will new muscle boys come from? Not Thailand. But is it realistic to expect bodybuilders from neighbouring countries to come to Thailand to sell their bodies? Somehow, I think not.

Given how excessive numbers of Chinese tourists have in recent years annoyed the local Japanese, I have a feeling many locals think fewer Chinese will be a good thing; never mind the stock market.

@London Bear Sounds like you enjoyed Saigon mightily. Just one question, assuming you don't speak Vietnamese. How did you manage language-wise? If you used Google Translate, how accurate do you think the translation was? How did the Vietnamese communicate back to you?

Funfifties is probably right. Just put in the escort agency's address. I don't think anyone will check anyway.

Agreed! I could do four of the five in the front row.

I find it difficult to parse what you're saying. Could you rephrase your question? For example, what is a "Japan Web form" with those capital letters? What do you mean by "staying at a private room"? Do you mean AirBnB?

This is an excellent review and analysis of mass tourism in Thailand from its early beginnings around 1960 to the latest funk in 2025. The issues discussed here are definitely not what any Thai government would want to hear, because the two booming side industries featured (property investment via nominee companies and sex tourism) can only exist and thrive through hypocritical non-enforcement of laws, which the narrator minces no words about. I especially like his mention of how the whole sex industry has become a social safety net for large swathes of the Thai population, juxtaposing it with the relatively poor record of "formal" tourism filtering down to benefit working people (as opposed to the elites).

There's a laundry shop on Saladaeng Soi 2. Google reference: https://maps.app.goo.gl/weKZVc9kEbGPiEsi8 Easy walking distance from the Raya Hotel. Their Facebook page has not been updated for a long time though.https://www.facebook.com/s.t.laundryandalterations/ Here's what it looks like from Google Streetview.

I don't know what happened in my brain, but when I read "introducing iPads to the seats", I pictured every seat being cushioned with absorbent anti-incontinence pads. Might not be a bad idea considering the client profile in some bars.

I wonder who inherits the X-boys now. It would be a shame if the bar changes its business model under the successor.

One more: whilst Prestige Massage's rooms are on the upper floors, they have a lift. No need to climb stairs. Prestige is on the pricey side though, and I'm not certain if all the staff are willing bodies.

The Avarin shop that is not next to Tarntawan Hotel has massage rooms on the ground floor just behind the foot massage lounge. Chaichana on Patpong Soi 1 has massage rooms in the basement, just one floor below its foyer. The stairs down aren't difficult. Prime has ground floor rooms in its third building, though Prime is not known for offering a milking service to conclude a massage. There is also one shop on Silom Road under Saladaeng station that has ground floor rooms but unfortunately I can't remember which one it is. But you could easily walk that 100-metre stretch and ask the boys out front of each shop if their rooms are on the lower floor. Further afield from Silom, Prince has ground floor rooms as does Jey Spa. The above is based on memory which may be a little faulty, so please double check my information with the shops themselves.

Trump's condolence statement on Truth Social (may God forgive me for even quoting it) was terse to an extent that it seemed forced and insincere. “Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!” Whereas other leaders referenced Pope Francis' values, none of that from the orange man. BTW, anybody watched the film The Conclave? Did you like the twist at the very end?

A one-hour look at the work of the Australian embassy in Bangkok and the consulate in Bali. This may interest especially expats living in Thailand.