April 2025 Bangkok Trip Report

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

Just to clarify, it wasn’t the barely touched drink that bothered me—it was that he walked off barely five minutes into our conversation. I mean, I’m pretty sure I showered and brushed my teeth before going to the bar. 😆

and you are right , if was outright rude and I'd say, dismissive . Hope , as you suspect , it was only because he had bad night. On another hand it looks that you gave him second chance and it worked. 

 

[CallMeLee]

Min as expected was a quiet win. Solid, low-maintenance, and unexpectedly satisfying. He turned out to be this trip’s slow-burn surprise. Not flashy, not loud, just easy to be around. His brother T is the kind who walks into a room and wants everyone to know he’s there within ten seconds. Min, on the other hand, you barely notice until you realize you’ve been enjoying his company for hours without effort. He’s perfect for when you want company without the obligation to talk. Like a warm blanket that cuddles and kisses you back.

He left the next morning, still sweet and a bit shy. I got up and started packing. The room looked like a souvenir stall exploded, but I had things mostly under control. Over the past week, I had built up a carefully curated mess of random shopping----snacks I never touched, toiletries I already owned, and a few items I convinced myself were “necessities.” By midday I had packed most of it, leaving only the usual last-minute chaos for the next day.

Then, a message pinged from Ssense. Apologies for the radio silence, they were swamped. I asked if Tongtong was available. Yes, but only late in the afternoon. I confirmed right away and sent Raposa a quick brag message. Mission accomplished.🤣

I still had a few minutes before my appointment, so I decided to swing by Nola Café for one last round of beignets. Unfortunately, they were closed. 

Next door, though, was a shiny new coffee shop I hadn’t noticed before. Minimalist signage, air-conditioning on blast, and the kind of pastries that practically beg to be photographed.

A timber croissant with pistachio knafeh filling caught my eye. One of those viral imports from Dubai that looks like a sugar bomb but promises sophistication. I ordered it with an iced Americano, expecting more style than substance. But it delivered. Buttery, crisp layers, and the knafeh center was sticky, sweet, nutty and just the right kind of rich. Felt like a dessert that understood its assignment.

Caffeinated and emotionally stabilized by sugar, I made my way to Ssense.

This time there were three of us customers behind the curtain. Never seen that before. It felt like waiting at a clinic but everyone knows what kind of treatment we were in for. A polite silence hung in the air.

Tongtong eventually came out with his usual sunny energy. He did the whole spiel about which massage oils were available. Honestly, I didn’t care. I sampled a couple to humour him and picked one just to keep things moving. He was in a great mood. Grinning, cheerful, clearly in a talkative zone. Which was cute but also mildly disarming.

We climbed the stairs and I started with the usual pre-massage shower. He ducked out to grab some items and I got myself sorted. When he came back, we got started. He was more chatty this time. Told me about missing Songkran because of work. Said he’d been too busy, always finishing late. I’d heard the same thing from a few other boys and mamasans and it seems Songkran this year was just background noise to some who have to work.

The massage itself had noticeably improved. Pressure was more consistent, strokes smoother, transitions more fluid. More importantly, he felt relaxed doing it. Not just going through the motions. He was also more comfortable speaking this time, which made the whole thing feel less like a transaction and more like reconnecting with someone who remembered you.

And the cheeky extras? Let’s just say he had a few new tricks. One of them caught me so off guard I had to pause and mentally recalibrate. In a good way. The whole thing was smooth, intense, and well-paced. No rush, no shortcuts. Unlike last time, we actually used the full time I booked. That alone deserves applause.

I left Ssense in a noticeably better mood. The kind where your shoulders feel lighter and your standards are temporarily restored. Tongtong had pulled it off. The place is staying on my list.

Later that night, the logical part of me wanted to stay in. Order something, watch something, sleep early. But I knew the future me at the airport would be full of regret. So I made the lazy but correct decision to drag myself to Surawong. I had no plan. My strategy was simple: walk until someone grabbed me.

Freshboys it was.

The vibe was different. Songkran was over and the buzz had worn off. It felt like someone hit the volume knob. Still enough customers to not feel empty, but a noticeable drop. For the first time, you could actually see a few empty seats in the crowd. Low season energy creeping in early.
I scanned the stage. There was Number 17, the guy who broke my heart and left me hanging the night before. Still smiling, still gorgeous.

Then I saw 3X (let's call him that as I forgot his number). Another cute Vietnamese guy I met on a previous trip, the boy I had tried to off but the mamasan swooped in and blocked it who declared long-time offs are off-limits, as if I had asked for his kidneys. That moment had stuck with me ever since. This time, I wasn’t letting the chance to pass.

Then I did something that looking back, I was not very proud of.

I walked up to the stage with a pink bill. 17 saw me, smiled like he knew it was coming. I handed it to another boy. Just someone random. Then I turned and walked back to my seat. Might be silly but totally Felt like a power move. Also felt a bit petty. But sometimes petty keeps things interesting.

Eventually I gave the signal to 3X and he came over. We chatted, he leaned in, there was some casual cuddling. The vibe was comfortable. Halfway through the show, before the mamasan could ruin it again, I confirmed the off and sent him to get dressed. I told him I’d wait outside.

While waiting outside, out of nowhere, 17 approached me.

He asked if I was going home. I said yes. He asked if he could come with me. I said I had already offed someone. He nodded and said next time I should choose him. I told him I had tried to off him the night before but he left. He scratched his head, gave me a sheepish look, and asked again if we could go out when I come back. I decided it's really silly to be acting like a disgruntled ex partner so I smiled sincerely and said sure.

We ended up talking for a bit longer. He was unexpectedly pleasant. Way more relaxed than the night before. He actually seemed like someone you’d want to spend time with. Somewhere in that convo, I buried the silly melodrama I created in my head. Maybe he had a bad night. Maybe I did. Or maybe nothing brings a bar boy back down to earth faster than a half-empty club and the whiff of low season creeping in.

When 3X finally arrived, I hesitated but gave 17 a tip anyway. A gesture. A peace treaty.It felt like a good note to end on.

So, I ended my last night with 3X, no drama, no confetti or fireworks. Just the city winding down and me strolling and playing around with someone cute, like I had planned it all along. Because let’s be honest, sometimes the best way to leave Bangkok is quietly, without fanfare, and with a slight smugness knowing you just had the perfect, low-key send-off.

[bkkmfj2648]

1 hour ago, CallMeLee said:

Or maybe nothing brings a bar boy back down to earth faster than a half-empty club and the whiff of low season creeping in.

I think what happened to #17 is good for his longer term success. I have found him to be over confident and too heavy into his phone (i.e., social media). #17 is super sexy and has great potential, BUT he needs an ocassional reality check to make him be more conscious about how his behaviour has a direct impact on his potential and/or acquired customers.

 

[Raposa]

3 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

Then, a message pinged from Ssense. Apologies for the radio silence, they were swamped. I asked if Tongtong was available. Yes, but only late in the afternoon. I confirmed right away and sent Raposa a quick brag message. Mission accomplished.🤣

I’m glad you finally got to book him. I still greatly enjoy massage at Ssense but the last two times I have felt it to be somewhat rushed as the shop has a lot of demand. I would love to go back when things are a bit quieter. 

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

I think what happened to #17 is good for his longer term success. I have found him to be over confident and too heavy into his phone (i.e., social media). #17 is super sexy and has great potential, BUT he needs an ocassional reality check to make him be more conscious about how his behaviour has a direct impact on his potential and/or acquired customers.

 

indeed you are right. It's not about any particular guy but a general rule, nothing sobers over confident people like contact with reality. Sometimes we feel indispensable , forgetting that cemeteries are full of indispensable people.

I never forget unbelieving  look on Babe's face one evening in Moonlight when all models got a garland  but not him. And it was in height of his popularity. Or work story about the driver, real asset to company who gambled that resigning  will give him a rise. Next day,  when went to the office to withdraw resignation he was told by the owner he already accepted it.

Guy,   I just told story  few days ago,  who dumped me over his phone excessive  usage, now when he wants to check phone is asking me for permission and last time we met he did not even bother whole night although I suspect his reasonable request to go home  at 6.30 am had something to  do with withdrawal syndrome, he, he.

[vinapu]

4 minutes ago, Raposa said:

I’m glad you finally got to book him. I still greatly enjoy massage at Ssense but the last two times I have felt it to be somewhat rushed as the shop has a lot of demand. I would love to go back when things are a bit quieter. 

long live low season !

[floridarob]

16 hours ago, vinapu said:

Guy,   I just told story  few days ago,  who dumped me over his phone excessive  usage, now when he wants to check phone is asking me for permission

What does it matter if he uses his phone some, it shouldn't be a big deal to let him stay in touch with his friends and family... what's an extra 25 mins🙄

 

 

20 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

But sometimes petty keeps things interesting.

Exactly 😆