Thanks God it's over - trip report, Thailand in Jun of 2025

[vinapu]

Don’t believe that dramatic tittle of the report. Yes, it was not one of best and memorable trips but still , when comes to boys,  it brought  plenty of fine moments. Still it did not work as planned and envisioned, partially because life intervened, partially because I made hasty decision so my sentiment reflected in the tittle about that trip is accurate.

 Original plane was 4 nights in Bangkok , followed by three in Pattaya, carefully chosen to coincide with show at The Best Bar in Jomtien as part of Maxhunt ( more about that in relevant part )  and then 6 days in Bangkok again.

Then life happened, owing to family matters  I was forced, or to be more accurate, I had chosen to be forced to cancel my original ticket. Since it was  low cost non-refundable one and I never buy trip cancellation insurance, it meant I threw 700 USD it originally cost to the dust bin. They were other related  costs amounting to roughly the same , before I stepped out of plane in Bangkok, three day later than planned,  I lost about 1400 $. No wonder I’m glad it’s over. Still , mind you I opted for that misery and I’m glad I did. Life, sigh.

Then before I even left home I noticed that one of my boys, lets call him Cambodian Boy (CB), changed his Line avatar to something teary. So out of curiosity I asked him if all is ok. It was not as he explained. Due to border dispute  between Thailand and Cambodia he was forced to leave his bar job , returned home  but told me he will come on 14 to utilize his 7 day visa, all currently available. I did not spill the beans that I  should be in Bangkok for part of his time there but I knew that first bar I visit will be Moonlight hoping for that big smile of surprise.

Anyways after all those tribulation , instead of Sunday I landed in Bangkok on Wednesday after having  extremely pleasant  last leg from Doha with all three seats in my row at my disposal.

 Day1

 

Landed early afternoon which is the best time as removes all problems with early check in in hotel and allows to change money at best places. Immigration was  a breeze this time , 5 minutes and I was out.

Speaking about changing money, in the basement by railway station I got 37.10 for euro, and assumption that it was the best rate lasted only until arrival at Phaya Thai station. Immediately after one leaves paid area there are two booths and one offered 37.28 and next one even 37.30. That rate , by the way was matched by XOne  hour or two later.

My original plan was to stay in Baan Silom but since my 4 night shrunk to one I went for Raya. Owing to low season that had very friendly rates. Settling there I went to post office as  had something to mail , then to XOne to change more money and finally to Foodland for my first chicken with cashews – sadly , this time very average. I love that first day there when I’m settling for promising trip buying necessities and checking what is new. Building rising out of soi Twilight ashes is almost completed , that was big and tall  new thing.

At 8 p.m. I parked myself in front of Banana Club , soon joined for a beer by one of their guys but since he is diminutive guy I was plain social occasion. Still gave him 2 reds for his company by way of patented ‘vinapu tuck”. Then he went inside and I strolled through both Patpongs , in Patpong 2 enthusiastically welcomed buy some guys knowing me from better times. I was tempted to enter Atlas as boys on the stage were in pure and tempting view  but one of them spotted me , went down from the stage and immediately lowered his briefs asking for a tip ”for food”. That was bit too fast so I politely explained I just arrived and did not have  a chance  to change money and declined invitation by boss himself to step inside. At that moment I was not even sure I will go inside that trip at all. I don’t mind spreading money but such antics were too fast moving for my taste.

At 10pm. I went to Moonlight and this is what I reported in “Patpong” thread on that day :

   “I was customer #6 . When show started at 10.30 grand total 12 customers. 10 models, Mean returned but Babe not present. New guy Joey with broad smile quite impressive.  About 8 floor boys but regretfully none of two I was hoping to see. At least 3 boys offed including  both Lao brothers and guy taken by one who took over Vinapu's account.” .

I was disappointed I did not see neither  CB nor Y but at least M I offed twice in winter was on the stage and just before I was about to leave bar I motioned him to dress bypassing mamasan who use to leech to me from minute on I show in.

It must be dearth of clients because  even one of their models I had pleasure with before come to shake hands and exclaim ‘ long time no see you “.

 

Light dinner in Happy Beer Garden and soon M and I were in my room . M is not long time material and I did not expect him to stay past normal short time but low season kicked in and it was already  5 am when he suggested he will go home. Nice surprise for start of trip earning him extra 1000 in the process.

[jason1975]

I missed you by 2 days! I went back on Tuesday morning and you arrived on Wednesday!

[vinapu]

Just now, jason1975 said:

I missed you by 2 days! I went back on Tuesday morning and you arrived on Wednesday!

all my fault for coming 3 days later than originally planned. But as I said , life intervened.

[jason1975]

If you had informed CB that you were arriving in Bangkok, he would have made sure he was working at bar on the night you visited!

[vinapu]

9 minutes ago, jason1975 said:

If you had informed CB that you were arriving in Bangkok, he would have made sure he was working at bar on the night you visited!

its not how I operate

[floridarob]

7 minutes ago, vinapu said:

its not how I operate

You like to surprise people.... then you end up being the one surprised/disappointed 🥺

[vinapu]

12 hours ago, floridarob said:

You like to surprise people.... then you end up being the one surprised/disappointed 🥺

really ? I fail to see relation

[floridarob]

8 minutes ago, vinapu said:

really ? I fail to see relation

 

12 hours ago, jason1975 said:

If you had informed CB that you were arriving in Bangkok, he would have made sure he was working at bar on the night you visited!

 

[vinapu]

since HE told me he will be working in the bar for a week from 14th on I took it for face value  

[12is12]

With ur permission Vinapu, side question:

Why is it better to exchange cash rather than withdraw from ATM ?

[zoomomancs]

41 minutes ago, 12is12 said:

With ur permission Vinapu, side question:

Why is it better to exchange cash rather than withdraw from ATM ?

The difference is small but exists. I was there a week ago. 12000 baht cost me £280.58, with no conversion, using Starling bank card at atm in Bangkok. So 42.77 per pound GBP. At X1 on Surawong I would get 43.90. The difference is 2.66%. So an extra £2.66 per £100 changed. The atm charges 220 baht fee so that makes changing cash at the best place in BKK (X1 on Surawong) a slightly better option. Not worth walking far in the rain though. 

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, zoomomancs said:

The difference is small but exists. I was there a week ago. 12000 baht cost me £280.58, with no conversion, using Starling bank card at atm in Bangkok. So 42.77 per pound GBP. At X1 on Surawong I would get 43.90. The difference is 2.66%. So an extra £2.66 per £100 changed. The atm charges 220 baht fee so that makes changing cash at the best place in BKK (X1 on Surawong) a slightly better option. Not worth walking far in the rain though. 

I think all ATM machines charge a fee, ie the Bt220, is that right?

[vinapu]

Day 2

From today I’m on my original schedule and It was day of move to Pattaya. Hope was to catch a glimpse of half legendary dancer Max of The Best Bar who is supposed to perform there tomorrow and after tomorrow hence this part of trip I call Maxhunt.

 In the morning I messaged CB asking  about absence last night. It turned out he was still at home but offered to come to Bangkok as soon as today if I let him to stay  with me because he no longer has his room. I agreed but told him that I’m heading to Pattaya and advised him to come in 3 days. I had enough sense to secure some freedom and told him if I will bring another boy he must stay out of room for a period.

He agreed and it looked we both are happy with that arrangement. I secured  guy for Bangkok nights and was hoping that he utilize free accommodation to work at bar and get some more money during his 7 day visa validity.

 Breakfast at Foodland with reader from forum , we exchanged recent news and gossips , then I sorted my stuff in the room and left some goodies in deposit as I will be returning to the Raya. Then off to the airport to catch the bus. I had reservation made at home but low season showed, at 11.45 there were still tickets available for 12.00 noon. But bus departed full so I guess somebody got lucky at the last minute.

 Second time in row I opted to mid-way and stay in Zing hotel on main street , half way between Jomtien and Pattaya proper. What was even better , it was free as I had some miles expiring at end of month  and decided to utilize them that way. Breakfast at 189 per person was to be paid separately.

I dumped my stuff and went to Jomtien Complex to meet friend who used to post here as z909 few years ago, It was his last day so we talked about 1 hr and then parted ways.

In the evening I went to Boyztown, first dinner in Bay View restaurant on Beach Rd then parked myself at Pikky over beer and watched goings in the soi. Sadly not much was going on. Only two freelance masseurs on duty, one of them I noticed gained some weight since I saw him last year. I saw boys from BBB going in but must say, only few impressed me to a degree.

 Mamasan Lek   spotted me and beamed smile but this time I decided to continue boycott of that bar I once considered best in whole Thailand as 1050 off fee and stage filled with boys fully dressed coupled with smoking inside and deafening music is bot exactly what I like.

At 10 p.m.  I moved to Dreamboys , hoping at least one of two boys I met there last year will be there.

And yes, sun shined on me, #37 was in the back of the stage . He was kind of confused at first why that old troll is smiling at him but after 5 seconds he beamed smile my way and I made gesture inviting him to sit beside.

Not only he recalled me and hotel where we met 3 times but immediately asked ‘ where is  your Asian friend in glasses “ ? clearly remembering I was with 18past19 then . Deal was sealed with disclaimer that I pick him up but after I see show in XBoys. Not sure who was first suggesting he may go with me to which I agreed and we crossed the soi and entered XBoys exactly in the moment  of insertion in progressive part of 10 pm show. Speaking about timing !

We got seats in the first row in front on the scene and enjoyed what we saw. He told me he never saw that show and judging by his reactions   he did not make it up.   After main show finished with another progressive part included with the same bottom but different top, at midnight we took two motorsais and went to hotel to do our part of progressive life. Looking back , it was one of best moments of that trip. We agreed for repeat tomorrow after he finished his daytime job and before he will go to the bar.

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, 12is12 said:

With ur permission Vinapu, side question:

Why is it better to exchange cash rather than withdraw from ATM ?

Others responded already but yes , I always carry cash and resort to ATM only if I'm running out of it. Cash gives slightly better rate and in can be exchanges as I need it in small 100-300 $ chunks while cash withdrawal from ATM makes only sense  if 20000-25000 is taken out at one due to mentioned 220baht fee, not to mention my bank charges me 5$ foreign exchange fee as well and rate of exchange is bit worse. In short , as long as I'm concerned, cash is the king 

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, zoomomancs said:

So an extra £2.66 per £100 changed. 

nothing to spit on, it will buy you breakfast at Foodland

[Travelingguy]

If you have a card that refunds the ATM charges, then the ATM is good and convenient. 

[PeterRS]

I rarely change foreign currency but quite recently I brought in £1,000 cash in £50 notes. I changed it at X One down Suriwong as I had heard the rate was better than many. Today its rate is exactly the same as SuperRich which has a branch by the Saladaeng BTS station which I expect is more convenient for most.

[Londoner]

Briefly, mainly for reasons I relate on another topic, this has not been our most successful stay. Or, at least the first two weeks of it haven't. Neither of us are party animals, and neither of us enjoy  the crowds and the general merriment of a Songkran-type of stay.

However, my goodness, Jomtien has been quiet. I walked through the bar sois a couple of days ago; the usual cheerful, hopeful guys doing their best (God bless them) but few visitors.... though admittedly it was early in the evening. My morning walks along the beach approach the solitary. Most telling of all, we never have to queue in 711!

And the hotel? according to our charming cleaner from Laos, only 20% occupancy. We sometimes have the breakfast room to ourselves.

T21 had more life last night (a quick "call-out" for Poon Thai restaurant on Level 3) but overall, the atmosphere has "got to me" this holiday. And I've had many Low Season stays over the years.