Losing it slowly , one day at the time . Summer trip to Thailand and Cambodia in July 2026

[durian]

14 hours ago, vinapu said:

 

Day 4

"otherwise fabulous trip, Clearly money wasted , on drink, off fee , meal and tip . Oh well, shit happens thought I going to sleep"       

 

Indeed it does happen and that last sentence did make me chuckle.. thanks for the report. 

[Londoner]

Readers who aren't British may not have heard of George Best, a great footballer of the 1960s, who became a wealthy playboy and drank himself to death, more or less.

In his last weeks on earth a reporter asked him  what had happened to all the money he made. "I spent it on sex and booze," he said. " The rest I wasted."

[captainmick]

8 hours ago, jason1975 said:

How was it possible for Banana Bar to be open during religious holiday? The other bars were closed.

I was told by expat living in BKK that the Banana owner’s husband is very senior police officer so opening restrictions don’t apply.  That’s why the separate big upstairs bar is often still open well after other bars have closed.  Sometimes door is closed but party goes on and there will be someone standing by door who will let you in to the staircase.

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, captainmick said:

I was told by expat living in BKK that the Banana owner’s husband is very senior police officer so opening restrictions don’t apply.  That’s why the separate big upstairs bar is often still open well after other bars have closed.  Sometimes door is closed but party goes on and there will be someone standing by door who will let you in to the staircase.

very true as quite a few times when wandering Silom area at night i saw people coming in  to what looked like completely darkened and closed venue

[jason1975]

8 minutes ago, vinapu said:

very true as quite a few times when wandering Silom area at night i saw people coming in  to what looked like completely darkened and closed venue

Closed venue but everyone knows there's a disco there. People go there or h.i.m. disco to continue partying after DJ Station closes.

[10tazione]

"losing it slowly", what a mysterious title ... Any theories what it could be that Vinapu is losing? Stamp collection? His mind? Or even his Virginity?

[jason1975]

17 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

"losing it slowly", what a mysterious title ... Any theories what it could be that Vinapu is losing? Stamp collection? His mind? Or even his Virginity?

Losing his butterflying ways? Maybe he is now ready to settle down?

[vinapu]

27 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

"losing it slowly", what a mysterious title ... Any theories what it could be that Vinapu is losing? Stamp collection? His mind? Or even his Virginity?

add money and take your pick, lol

[10tazione]

3 hours ago, vinapu said:

add money and take your pick, lol

Money? I thought you are on automatic monthly refill aka pension ...

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, 10tazione said:

Money? I thought you are on automatic monthly refill aka pension ...

have you ever heard about  UAP (unlimited amount pension ) ? 

[Keithambrose]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

have you ever heard about  UAP (unlimited amount pension ) ? 

Only in same area as 7 star Foodland!

[floridarob]

12 hours ago, 10tazione said:

"losing it slowly", what a mysterious title ... Any theories what it could be that Vinapu is losing? Stamp collection? His mind? Or even his Virginity?

How did I miss that 😲

[vinapu]

27 minutes ago, floridarob said:

How did I miss that 😲

getting old is no fun

[vinapu]

Day 7

Somehow I found myself busy and went to bed at 2 am , only to rise at 7. Since Baan Silom does not have breakfast facilities  I went for breakfast to Foodland , 1^st time this trip breakfasting there. Of course  I got 84 baht before 9 a.m. deal, not that it makes any difference since I always give them 100 baht and tell them to keep the change.

 At noon moved back to Raya. Low season so room was available already   and I got one at end of corridor , quite oddly shaped but featuring not one but two windows. Since room was on 5^th floor where reception is I immediately went down to see if old , privacy preserving trick still works. It did.

 What it is  one may ask. At Raya your card works only for the floor your room is located at. So if your room is  on 7^th floor  you can’t  take an elevator to floor 6 or 4. Only exception is floor 5 where reception is and floor 4 where breakfast room is. That’s the privacy trick to avoid reception and possible embarrassment for our boy . Take elevator to floor 4 and take stairs to floor 5. So much for being gentleman.

Then off to Jey Spa where I had and appointment with Ball.  I was witness to some commotion. Some young guy was trying to enter lobby and was prevented from doing so by employes there. All was relatively quiet, no screaming but it looked serious. Soon after Ball showed up , he seemed to remember me or at least pretended to and he told me the story. Storming guy was ex-boyfriend of one of their boys . He confirmed it may be serious  with possible police being called   and for that reason apologized that he must stay fully dressed . Thanks God  he did not ask me to  do the same .

Session was very pleasant nevertheless. But since he was pretty enthusiastic I suggested he will visit me in Raya . When ? right away. So after massage  I walked to BTS , he was supposed to take Grab. I beat him to Raya by good 10 minutes. 

Great repeat , this time without dress code , ahem . as a bonus he speaks good English so we could have some meaningful talk. He did not watch the watch so we were together more than normal massage session would last. Excellent treat although not exactly the cheapest, he knows his value is seems. I promised to try to see him again this trip ( and kept my word  as we learn in due course ).

After he left I rushed to G’s in soi 4 where we had dinner planned with Jason 1975 who just arrived in Bangkok but already managed to bring his guy with him.  There was also  spoon and his friend YT . as usual with late dinner  question was raised what’s next  and we accepted YT’s proposal to go to Jupiter. Not very crowded and only 12 models doing walkabout, still more guy than patrons . closer to start of the show few more patrons arrived but it was clear that off  must be thin on the ground  with number of boys equaling if not higher than  patrons. And this was universal case in all bars I visited this trip.

 Benefit was quite good seats we were awarded, in front of the stage. At one point YT asked mamasan  if one  of their boys  sitting nearby goes with guys. Warranted question as apparently some of their guys are going with girls only , God bless them. Mamasan misunderstood likely and brought guy over to us. It was moment of embarrassment as other guys had already companions lined up for tonight but, always gentleman I came  to the rescue , inviting guy to seat beside me.

  Lets call him CJB. Immediately warmed up  upon hearing he is Cambodian as recently I have soft spot for those guys. Drink yes, going with me , yes. But after the show , again yes. I sensed it will work well in the room and indeed it did . another boy today with good English. Very pleasant and amendable  so at one point I suggested he stays till breakfast as it’s dark and dangerous outside. Accepted immediately although did not budge on the price.

I’m glad I yielded as upon extension  he seemed even more enthusiastic. Best night so far even if some money was wasted because of course I fell asleep. Day 7 and I still feel time difference , sigh.

In the morning breakfast  in the hotel and we parted ways , both smiling

 

 

[10tazione]

11 hours ago, vinapu said:

have you ever heard about  UAP (unlimited amount pension ) ? 

It is mentioned in the Australian beststeller "Golden Faucets", I think you know the author

[Londoner]

Thanks Vessey.

Netflix is presenting "The Life of Chuck". Worth a look. Its message is that our lives are finite and so we should strive to enjoy every minute. It's not profound but it is certainly apposite to those of us who are ageing but can still find joy in Thailand. And expect to do until (referencing the film's abiding image) the lights flicker -out. 

[jason1975]

7 hours ago, vinapu said:

At one point YT asked mamasan  if one  of their boys  sitting nearby goes with guys. Warranted question as apparently some of their guys are going with girls only , God bless them. Mamasan misunderstood likely and brought guy over to us. It was moment of embarrassment as other guys had already companions lined up for tonight but, always gentleman I came  to the rescue , inviting guy to seat beside me.

  Lets call him CJB. Immediately warmed up  upon hearing he is Cambodian as recently I have soft spot for those guys. Drink yes, going with me , yes. But after the show , again yes. I sensed it will work well in the room and indeed it did . another boy today with good English.

You were a true gentleman to save the guy from embarrassment! I didn't realise that was what happened. I was busy with my guy at the other end of the seat. Hehe.

But I must say that YT's eventual choice of guy - the Myanmar dancer - is really hot. Fabulous abs and body!

[jason1975]

7 hours ago, vinapu said:

At noon moved back to Raya. Low season so room was available already   and I got one at end of corridor , quite oddly shaped but featuring not one but two windows. Since room was on 5^th floor where reception is I immediately went down to see if old , privacy preserving trick still works. It did.

 What it is  one may ask. At Raya your card works only for the floor your room is located at. So if your room is  on 7^th floor  you can’t  take an elevator to floor 6 or 4. Only exception is floor 5 where reception is and floor 4 where breakfast room is. That’s the privacy trick to avoid reception and possible embarrassment for our boy . Take elevator to floor 4 and take stairs to floor 5. So much for being gentleman.

That is such a clever way of avoiding reception! Good way to save the guy from embarrassment but I do believe they are used to all sorts of reactions from reception staff in their line of work.

[ichigo]

2 hours ago, jason1975 said:

That is such a clever way of avoiding reception! Good way to save the guy from embarrassment but I do believe they are used to all sorts of reactions from reception staff in their line of work.

I found that they (reception staff) didn't even look up from what they were doing when boy and myself got off the elevator and headed to my room (when I stayed on the 5th floor).

[vinapu]

6 hours ago, 10tazione said:

It is mentioned in the Australian beststeller "Golden Faucets", I think you know the author

in few days you and  rest of world will learn that we actually met in person

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, jason1975 said:

You were a true gentleman to save the guy from embarrassment! I didn't realise that was what happened. I was busy with my guy at the other end of the seat. Hehe.

But I must say that YT's eventual choice of guy - the Myanmar dancer - is really hot. Fabulous abs and body!

agree about Myanmar guy.  Both him  and my boy CJB are one of those who look much better from up close than from distance. That was reason that engaging CJB was kind of easy.

Overzealous mamasans  are actually causing an embarrassment when they call buy kind out of blue  and forcing him on undecided yet customer. That trip I witnessed such cases trice. It's why really i prefer dealing with boys myself. Eye contact , smile , wave to come in and we are done

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, jason1975 said:

That is such a clever way of avoiding reception! Good way to save the guy from embarrassment but I do believe they are used to all sorts of reactions from reception staff in their line of work.

at Raya I don't recall reception causing ever any problem, not surprise considering location  but as they say , better safe than sorry  so I try to make my guys comfortable as much as I can , even if they may be used  to receptional scrutiny and no doubt they are

[vinapu]

Day 8  

 At one point of time after breakfast I decided to visit Train market in Mae Klong , where train is actually squeezing trough the market stalls on last 500 m of line. I was there few years ago with our former member z909 and liked an experience.

Unfortunate fast is that  to get there one needs to take  two trains  which are not really smoothly communicated.  I decided to take 1^st train at 12.15 pm , risky option as there is only 20-25 minutes to get between train stations and that includes river crossing by ferry . But worst which may happen  if I don’t catch 2^nd train is to return to Bangkok as trains on 1st line are hourly trough ought the day  while second link had only 4 trains  a day in each direction.

In short cheap thrill as all it costs is 40 baht in train fares and 6 baht in ferry tickets.

Trains  on first link to Maha Chai are departing from non descript , easily to miss unless train is already in the station , Wongwian Yai station , about 1 km walk from BTS station of the same name.

 Train was already in the station but there was some commotion as on platform  .  paramedics were energetically trying to revive guy laying on the ground. Looked as heart attack and it did not look good unfortunately.

It take 55 minutes and 10 baht to get to Maha Chai . From there I walked energetically  to the ferry   (3 baht), luckily it departed almost immediately . On other side of the river another 800 meters or  so to Ban Laem station . Only because somebody showed me shortcut I made it at literally last seconds.

 I made it only because I know the way , otherwise I’d suggest to take earlier , 10.40 am train and kill time  at Maha Chai.

From there is another 1 hr. and 10 baht to get to end of line. It’s actually big fun to be on the train and watching all those tourists excited they can actually touch moving train. Right after market train crosses the street and terminal station is right there. I had an hour to explore the are and market itself and at 3.30 whole fun starts again.

Actually as train was moving toward Ban Laem my fun diminished by the minute. Lunch I treated myself to at one of market restaurants did not do much good to me . Somehow I made it to station at Maha Chai where public conveniences provided me with an access to the sea and disaster was terminated before it got worse.

It was certainly nice to get back to my room at Raya.

 Few hours of rest and at 9p.m. I marched (floridarob , pay attention)    to Central Park Mall where spoon , his friend YT, Jason and his boy were munching supper already so I joined them. Then we decided on next stop being Dreamboys  - my 3^rd visit there this trip , rare occurrence.

 Selection on the stage today was  better than previous 2 visits. What I noticed there was quite tall twink , never seen before who clearly was paying attention to my presence with smiles and gestures.

 I’m not in skinny twink hunting territory  but when show started and he positioned himself in audience in place  where he could continue his adoration  having clear sight of me I said to myself that my heart is not made from stone and called him over for drink.  It did not take long to seal LT deal for tonight and soon after. Soon whole pack  with their respective companion moved to Foodland  for a supper together and then we dispersed to our hotels. In the room boy, lets call him DM did good job proving he was right choice . so right that in the morning I upped his agreed tip and even suggested he can come at 6 pm for more  but he had some other  arrangements and declined.

[vinapu]

few pictures from train market trip , first is the train in Wongwian Yai station, last is market before/ after  train rolls in

 

[Keithambrose]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

From there I walked energetically  to the ferry   

You didn't march?