Bangkok/Chiang Mai advice

[jimmie50]

I will be visiting Thailand in October for three weeks.  For the first nine days, I will be in Bangkok solo.  After that time I am part of a small group tour that originates in Bangkok heading north and ending in Chiang Mai.  I have taken a number of small group tours over the years and really enjoy them.  However, I am looking forward to being able to explore Bangkok on my own this trip.  While I have been to Thailand several times, it has always been to visit friends.  They are not gay and not familiar with the gay scene at all.  So, I have several questions for the group as I am seeking some advice or recommendations.  

On previous trips, I have always stayed with friends in a condo or Airbnb, neither of which has been in the Silom area.  Our last trip we stayed in an Airbnb rental in the Empire Building (Sathon area), so not too far from Silom.  It was just down the street from Chong Nonsi BTS so easy to get around.  During the tour portion of my trip, hotel arrangements have been made everywhere by the tour company.  Lodging in Bangkok for the tour will be at Galleria 10 Hotel near Asok/Nana BTS.  My dilemma is this...for the first part of my trip should I plan to stay somewhere around Silom or a place closer to the Galleria 10 for convenience when it is time to transfer?  Also, would you recommend looking for an Airbnb or a hotel?  If a hotel in Silom, which one would you recommend?  I would prefer one that offers breakfast (more western, please), good internet, and no issues bringing someone to the room as a guest.  

Since the tour ends in Chiang Mai on November 4, I plan to stay a couple of extra days there to explore on my own.  Does anyone have any places for massage they would recommend that provide more of a full service experience?  I've been reading a fair amount on here about the lack of many gay venues.  Any suggestions would be appreciated...or if you know of a local gay guide I could entertain for a couple of days.  

Finally, I need to book a one way ticket from Chiang Mai to international in Bangkok for the return trip to US.  Any recommendations on airlines?  

Thanks to all!  Appreciate any advice.  

[captainmick]

Stay in the Silom area.  Taxis and Grab cars are cheap and arrive quickly so very easy to transfer with your luggage to Galleria 10 when the time comes.

Le Meridien and Crowne Plaza are both very well located and to be recommended.  At the budget end of the market, you could consider The Quarter Silom by UHG, The Raya Surawong or Ibis Styles.

Avoid Airbnb as it is banned for short stays in Thailand so you could have problems at the property if you have booked through Airbnb.

[daydreamer]

I can't speak for massages, but I sometimes do off massage boys to take to my room for other fun.  In Chiang Mai, in the very central Thapae Road area, just a short walk from Thapae Gate and the old city moat, there is Classic House Massage on Thapae Soi 4.  I have taken a very nice hilltribe boy from Classic House in the past to my room, just a short walk away.

As for a guide in Chiang Mai, if you go to the Siam Roads website, you can find Woody's profile in the Chiang Mai section.  In fact, Woody is the owner of Classic House massage.  His profile says he offers the following: companion, masseur, driver, concierge.  He has a car, so he would be a perfect guide for you, and he could take you to any location you wish in northern Thailand.  The Siam Roads website is managed by one of our fellow forum members - user name @Moses.  Moses also runs the Sawatdee Gay Thailand website.

As @captainmick said, stay away from AirBnB rooms, as you may run into trouble.  They are only legal for stays of 30 days or longer.  I have read a report on a different website forum where immigration police raided a building offering short term rentals, and confiscated the passports of farang that had rented rooms short term.  

Just because you may see short term rental rooms on booking sites does not mean it is legal.  If they do not comply with the 2004 Hotel Act, they are not legal for short term rent.  The exception for short term rentals is if the building is licensed as a serviced apartment or a condotel, those are legal for short term rentals.  AirBnB is not illegal, but they must comply with the 2004 Hotel Act, and a large percentage of them do not. 

 

[jimmie50]

Thanks for the recommendations.  In Chiang Mai I will be staying at the Empress Hotel.  It doesn't appear to be too far from Classic House, so I will definitely check it out.  

When you book a hotel in Silom, do you do so directly with the hotel or use something like hotels.com, booking.com, or some other travel site?  I have used Expedia on some of my other travels, but not in Thailand.  I have seen mentioned in the forum a site called Agoda.  Is that good...and safe to book online?  

I am somewhat familiar with Siam Roads.  Last year I had booked with them for Mac in Bangkok.  Spoke about that already in another topic on the forum.  He was a 'no show' and Siam Roads did refund my money.  I may give them another try and see if Woody is available during my stay.  

When using Airbnb in the past, my Thai friends have actually made the arrangements, so I 'assumed' they knew the risks involved and what the rules are.  Perhaps I assumed too much, but I will look for a hotel this trip instead, since I am going solo.