Did some forum members pass?

[jimmie50]

16 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

Never heard of this forum Company of men 🤼‍♂️👬,been around long?

COM is not a Thailand forum.  It is more of a general gay forum.  It hasn't always been called COM...that was the name created when new ownership took over.  It has been around in various forms for a very long time.  I first joined that forum in the late 90's or early 2000's.  Originally there were two sites...one was general gay community stuff and the other was a masseur/escort review site.  It has been so long ago that I don't remember the original name of the forum.  The previous owner from Las Vegas who passed away during COVID was called 'Daddy' and I believe the review site was actually called DaddiesReviews or something similar.  The review portion of the site no longer exists as a separate site.  They seemed to have been merged into one site.   It was Hooboy who originally created the forum many, many years ago, not Daddy.  Daddy took up the cause/forum when Hooboy passed away.  His passing was unexpected and sudden, so no planning or thought had been given to continuation of the forum...who might take it over, what that might look like, etc.   

That would relate directly to @PeterRS question about the continuation of gayguides in the future.  Do forums and chatrooms have a future?  If so, what might that look like in 10 or 20 years.  

[floridarob]

7 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

There was "Dreaded Ned"

That was the Original Gay Thailand source of info.... I met him once at a party in Balcony, I went especially to see him and thank him for all the work he put into the site and keeping maps up to date.

He seemed shocked that he was having that much influence over people traveling to Thailand..... the internet was still in its infancy.

[thaiophilus]

10 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

There was "Dreaded Ned"

That was more of a (regularly updated,  accurate) listings site than a chat forum. As was Nicky's Gay Pattaya.

[unicorn]

4 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

...I thought there was only 3 gay Thailand forums been GB ,Sawatdee and this one 😲

This is not a "Thailand forum," although a significant number do come from there. I seem to remember seeing the data at one time, although I don't remember where. If my recollection is right, I vaguely remember about 1/4 being from Thailand. Many, such as myself, are simply fleeing the toxic environment of COM. Anyone is free to correct me if my recall is poor. 

[jimmie50]

4 hours ago, unicorn said:

This is not a "Thailand forum,"

Initially I started visiting this forum after it was recommended to me by someone at COM when I posted questions there about Thailand travel.  While I still come here for Thailand travel info, I really enjoy many of the various topics discussed.  Everyone here is friendly and welcoming...and, of course, as @vinapu pointed out...handsome!  I feel a real sense of belonging and camaraderie here that I have never felt at COM.  It is an extremely toxic environment at COM.  

[TMax]

The first gay "forum" I found and joined was cruisingforsex which had some good bits about Bangkok (mostly cruising spots), the owner of that one (Keith) passed away and his friend Bob took over but unfortunately it became too much as other sites became popular (like Squirt). I'm not sure where I got pointed in the direction of this forum / website but I am very happy I did get here, I have picked up so much good advice and tips from the members here and have enjoyed reading other members trip reports and adventures. I also enjoyed Dreaded Ned's and Dragoncastle as they had plenty of good things on their sites. 

[PeterRS]

7 hours ago, unicorn said:

This is not a "Thailand forum," although a significant number do come from there. I seem to remember seeing the data at one time, although I don't remember where. If my recollection is right, I vaguely remember about 1/4 being from Thailand. Many, such as myself, are simply fleeing the toxic environment of COM. Anyone is free to correct me if my recall is poor. 

Very true. Originally it was Gay Thailand which then got merged into the larger more western-based Gay Guides (I assume that was its name - and it surely really doesn't matter which merged into which. It is as it is, although perhaps longer-term posters like me tend to regard it still as more of a Thai site). 

I think some will not know or remember that there was a three-week period some 12-15 years or so ago when it was announced that Gay Thailand would close. @Gaybutton had been a moderator since the early days and he decided he would then start up his own Board. All we knew was that Gay Thailand was to be purchased by an American couple who would be moving to retire to Chiang Mai. In the fullness of time we realised this was a posting member @firecat69. However, he and his partner finally decided not to retire to Chiang Mai. I believe it was then that @TotallyOz reversed his decision and decided to keep Gay Thailand running. 

Some will recall another site based in Thailand which tended to cover more general international political subjects - BahtStop which eventually merged into BahtStop 2. No idea why it folded.

We should remember, too, that before the chat rooms in Asia came internet dating sites - or at least sites where you provided your personal details and hoped to find someone who would respond. I read one site a lot for my visits to Thailand and did meet quite a few very willing partners. If I again recall correctly, that site was purely for individuals who were looking for sex and not cash. Eventually I discovered gaydar. While not good at providing information for companions in Thailand, it was really great for hook ups in Taipei and Tokyo.

[Keithambrose]

On 12/30/2025 at 2:17 PM, Olddaddy said:

I know many of you do message each other privately 

It just dawned on me today I haven't seen "Reader" for sometime and "kokapelli 2" 

Is there others who have passed?

I was thinking that it is quite difficult  for forum members to post the news of their passing?

[Olddaddy]

5 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

Initially I started visiting this forum after it was recommended to me by someone at COM when I posted questions there about Thailand travel.  While I still come here for Thailand travel info, I really enjoy many of the various topics discussed.  Everyone here is friendly and welcoming...and, of course, as @vinapu pointed out...handsome!  I feel a real sense of belonging and camaraderie here that I have never felt at COM.  It is an extremely toxic environment at COM.  

Oh there is a few toxic ones here too although they are not regular posters 

I have about 3 private messages of abuse by them ,

one telling me not to post anymore ,I think he died so he won't be sending anymore 😲😉Karma got him