Love Interest - Thailand 2026

[jimmie50]

What I thought was going to be a difficult conversation to have with Cam turned out to be quite easy using forum members as a jumping off point.  With so many traveling forum members in Bangkok at the same time, Cam was able to meet a few of the members when getting together for our evening meetings.  That allowed us to have some very serious conversations about a host of things…family, goals, dreams, relationships.  He was curious about how we knew each other.  I explained a little about the forum without going into too much detail, but said we had a shared love of travel, especially Asia in general, but specifically Thailand, and an appreciation for Asian men.  Especially grateful to @jason1975, because I was able to use his boyfriend relationship as the starting point in our conversation.  

Not to drag this on forever, and also wishing to keep some of our conversations private, let me just say we are going to work on a boyfriend situation.  I have no exact date for my return to Thailand.  As of now, I am looking at November, December and January as a three month trial.  Even though it is seven months away, which will be a bit of a struggle for me, I think we both need time away to be sure it is what we really want.  I also need to recoup physically and plan for such a lengthy stay financially.  Because my family will be doing other things this year over the holidays in November/December, it is a good time to get out of Denver...in addition to the winter weather.  I need time to explore airfares and research Airbnb options.  The free condo will not be available, and I don’t believe I will even share with my friends that I am planning a return trip.  Otherwise, they will try to organize activities and I want this trip to only be about me and Cam.  If anyone has any recommendations regarding Airbnb/3-month rental, please let me know…preferably in Silom/Sathorn/Bang Rak area.

I will share that Cam originally came to Thailand legally for work.  He was in construction.  Pay wasn’t the greatest, and he said foreign construction workers are not treated very well.  He also was a waiter in a restaurant.  He has gone back and forth a number of times without any problems and was always able to renew his visa.  That all changed with the border conflict so he is limited in what work he can do now with no visa and also unable to return home because it would risk his ability to return to Bangkok for work in the future.  Kind of a catch 22 at this point.  The objective for him and his other four siblings is to save money to build his parents a new home.  They have lived in their current home their entire lives. They are rice and sesame seed farmers.  The house is infested with termites and becoming very precarious.  He has managed to save and send home 50% of what is needed to build the new house, so he stays in Bangkok and does this work since he is the youngest, single with no children.  His other siblings are all married and have children.  Once they have enough money for the new house, he plans to return home.  That has been part of our discussions, because I certainly would not want to be living in Bangkok if he has returned to Cambodia (near Siem Reap).

Anyway, we did quite well together for seven days and both of us are interested in making this work.  Three months will put things to a real test, bring new or unexpected challenges, and either make us or break us.  We shall see what the future holds.  We would live together in the Airbnb over the three months.  He wasn’t really looking for a relationship, nor was he hoping for a sponsor.  Knowing myself, once I return to Bangkok in the fall I will probably take on most of the responsibility for our living expenses to allow most of his money to be sent home.

I am sure there are obstacles we will face that neither of us has thought of or talked about.  Appreciate hearing any words of wisdom or advice from forum members.

[mauRICE]

I can't say I didn't expect this. I'm not one to offer relationship advice as in my experience people would do what they want anyway and some lessons, whether good or bad, need to be learned by the parties themselves. So I will just wish you good luck and a safe trip home. 

Just a note of caution. If the world and Thai economies get any worse, the Thai authorities (and the Thai people) will become even more protective and inward looking, and they will step up on the crackdown and deportation of illegal economic migrants. I hear Jomtien Complex is already seeing the effects of this. Thus you may have to make some adjustments to your plans athough there should be nothing to stop you from seeing Cam in Cambodia.

Out of curiosity is Cam gay or straight? I ask because in my long experience with rural Southeast Asia as a gentleman farmer myself, when straight guys want to build or re-build their homes in the village, it's because they wish to settle down, assuming that they aren't already married or attached on some level.

 

[Travelingguy]

On a purely selfish level, I’m disappointed.  I have enjoyed your reports of your various adventures in Thailand.  If you settle down, I suspect those may be curtailed.  😢

Wishing you well nonetheless.