Adventures of a Bangkok Rookie August 2026

[aaroninatl]

The first 24 hours have gone by and this city has not disappointed. As expected, I made all of these plans and did all this research and then just ended up improvising on my first night. This experience is so overwhelming. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be living here within a year.

I arrived at midnight and hastily made my way to immigration to try not to get in the back of the line. It didn't matter much. The line was about 15 minutes at the most. After two days of trying to sleep on airplanes and getting maybe two hours combined in 10 minute increments, I got into my Airbnb at 2 AM. I was so wired and excited I still ended up taking a walk around the neighborhood. I knew I would feel safe and I did even at 4 AM in the middle of the week. There were street markets at that hour... that blew me away.

I walked around this afternoon and got introduced to the massage scene. After doing a few laps around Si Lom, I ended up at 19 massage. Kit was my choice. Excellent massage the extras were OK. I'm a pretty easy customer in that. I don't go the full way with escorts or the like. Room charge was 700. I tipped him 1000 which probably was excessive. I have an appointment tomorrow at Ssence with Kairo. 

I was so mesmerized walking around tonight that I almost didn't even go to a go-go bar. A couple weeks ago a few of you got on my case that I was over planning and singling out whatever bar would be my best bet for the first night. As I imagined I would, I ended up not even making it to the one I planned. I think fresh boy was the one I ended up at.  The stage shows were much more involved than I thought they would be. I guess I'm used to American strip clubs where they just shuffle from 1 foot to the other.  Between the choreography and playfulness on stage, I was pretty impressed.  

After reading about all these meals at Foodland, you guys have had I think my expectations I might've been a little high lol. I didn't have a meal though so I can't judge. But I popped in a couple times.  I haven't done anything touristy yet got plenty of time to do that.  If anyone's in town hit me up! 

[aaroninatl]

Pardon the weird comma placements and awkward sentence endings.  I used Siri.  She's clearly an American public education gal.

[aaroninatl]

Other random first impressions...

- Wow there really are that many 7 Elevens.
- Didn't need bug spray today.  
- Was that a rat or a cat?  Sounds like a Dr Seuss line but holy f the rats here are enormous.
- Grindr options for an old fart like me are amazing... but I'm sure many are eventual Money Boys.
- Americans don't use air conditioning. We refrigerate ourselves. It's weird how low the ACs are here to this yank.
- Was stoked to see fried apple pies at mcDonalds. Until I saw the flavors: pineapple or corn. 

[12is12]

I love ur newbie's enthusiasm and impressions, especially the one about not being sure which bar u ended up at.....   (-:

[jason1975]

Welcome to Bangkok!

[aaroninatl]

3 hours ago, 12is12 said:

I love ur newbie's enthusiasm and impressions, especially the one about not being sure which bar u ended up at.....   (-:

I was thinking about that last night. I hope I don't get jaded and bored with Thailand. That has already happened in the other cities I visit for this kind of fun like Fort Lauderdale and Montreal.  My primary reason for the trip wasn't really even for this. I'm semi retired right now and looking for countries to live for maybe two or three years at a time.  Then I got reading these boards.  My priority is still my priority, but a little fun... or a lot of fun will be had. When you visit any of those other cities, the fun is concentrated to one particular experience. Here it's just overwhelming the choices you have never end. I'm only 24 hours in.  I've seen maybe .001% of this city.  And it's already almost too much.  

By the way, I can confirm it was freshboy. I saw a flyer post in a different thread and that's definitely where I spent an hour or so last night.  I'm assuming I was talking with the mamasan.  He mentioned there will be 40 dancers tonight.  There were probably 20 or 25 last night ... at least a half dozen I would gladly spend time with.  

[aaroninatl]

I apparently just got the first massage I've ever had in my life. I didn't know I've never had a massage. But apparently until today hiring massage therapists based solely if they could've been in the Backstreet Boys in the 90s might not have been the best strategy.  Went to see Kairo at S'Sense.. Mostly because he looked like he could've been in the Backstreet Boys in the 90s. Or maybe more appropriately BTS now. The body to body part of the massage was quick and kind of sucked. But the massage itself was unreal. I feel fantastic. His skill was incredible. Almost makes me wanna get legitimate massage massages from time to time now. Almost. 

I'm going on about three hours of sleep again. Being in this city is kind of like waking up and it's Christmas morning every day being a rookie. But the downside of that is Christmas Eve. Kids don't get any sleep. Nor have I.  But definitely heading out to hit the gogo bars tonight. 

Today's random observations:

- Blown away at the speed of Grab food deliveries.  I had to scramble to find clothes.
- People are nice even on Grindr here.  So I'm trying to do the same.
- About to ride BTS for the first time.  Not the Korean boyband sadly.
- Blown away that there's so little smog and gas smell given the traffic here.
- Muy Thai live suggestions anyone? I might go to one Sunday that's big.
 

[spoon]

37 minutes ago, aaroninatl said:

Almost makes me wanna get legitimate massage massages from time to time now.

Welcome to the club. I would always get a legitimate massage once in a while, more so when in thailand. And you will never know, you might be lucky and hit the jackpot, finding a gem there, who is your type, can deliver great massage and also lite fun. 

[Keithambrose]

3 hours ago, spoon said:

Welcome to the club. I would always get a legitimate massage once in a while, more so when in thailand. And you will never know, you might be lucky and hit the jackpot, finding a gem there, who is your type, can deliver great massage and also lite fun. 

Proper Thai  massage is very good, if you can stand the pain! I used to indulge, in the old days, when they wrapped your legs round your neck etc! It was sort of relaxing. However, in my declining years, I'm just too stiff!

[spoon]

4 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Proper Thai  massage is very good, if you can stand the pain! I used to indulge, in the old days, when they wrapped your legs round your neck etc! It was sort of relaxing. However, in my declining years, I'm just too stiff!

I prefer the more relaxing thai aroma oil massage. In the more upscale place, I always choose coconut oil instead. Thai massage is done dressed, oil on the other hand, naked. Definitely make it easier to transition to the fun part if it happens hehe.

[floridarob]

4 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I'm just too stiff!

Still no little bue pill?

[NIrishGuy]

4 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Proper Thai  massage is very good, if you can stand the pain! I used to indulge, in the old days, when they wrapped your legs round your neck etc! It was sort of relaxing. However, in my declining years, I'm just too stiff!

🙂 Which of course is EXACTLY the reason you need a good Thai massage in the first place ! 

 

[Keithambrose]

47 minutes ago, NIrishGuy said:

🙂 Which of course is EXACTLY the reason you need a good Thai massage in the first place ! 

 

Too late for me, I'm afraid!

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

Still no little bue pill?

One track mind?

[Keithambrose]

5 hours ago, spoon said:

I prefer the more relaxing thai aroma oil massage. In the more upscale place, I always choose coconut oil instead. Thai massage is done dressed, oil on the other hand, naked. Definitely make it easier to transition to the fun part if it happens hehe.

Ok, fine. Last few times I had 'proper' Thai massage, masseurs were middle aged ladies, so no fun part!

[floridarob]

16 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

One track mind?

Quite

 

 

11 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Ok, fine. Last few times I had 'proper' Thai massage, masseurs were middle aged ladies, so no fun part!

Try with an old Asian guy....maybe @Olddaddy has been on to something all along, just be sure to report back 😁

[aaroninatl]

So my lack of sleep and funky sleep pattern teamed up to mess up my Friday night. I took a nap at 9 and couldn't snap to when my phone alarm went off after 45 mins.  slept til 2am. Grrrr.  So I just wandered through the leaving-the-club crowd at 2:30am... omg the eye candy.  It was oddly kind of refreshing to be ignored... felt like I was back in the U.S. 

Love night time weather and vibe here. So peaceful. It's rainy season but I've yet to purchase an umbrella.  I'm sure the moment will come.

 

[zazzu]

No need for an umbrella. When it starts raining, that's when you get a massage. By the time you're done, the rain is too. lol (usually)

[Travelingguy]

Sometimes you can pick up one of the bar guys after their shift, avoiding the cost of all the drinks and tips.

[aaroninatl]

3 minutes ago, zazzu said:

No need for an umbrella. When it starts raining, that's when you get a massage. By the time you're done, the rain is too. lol (usually)

Fantastic life hack!

[aaroninatl]

4 minutes ago, Travelingguy said:

Sometimes you can pick up one of the bar guys after their shift, avoiding the cost of all the drinks and tips.

That was low key the gameplan. After reading so many of the posts, I dropped by Foodland haha... but only 1 diner. It's OK I've gotta pace myself... I'm here for almost 2 months.  But it's definitely a kid in the candy store life rn.  

[12is12]

22 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

was thinking about that last night. I hope I don't get jaded and bored with Thailand. That has already happened in the other cities I visit for this kind of fun

Hate to b a party pooper, but it's best not to expect ur initial justified excitement to maintain its level.

It has nothing to do, either with Thailand or with this kind of fun.

When we stay at the same place doing the same things, we get jaded by the routine...

[ichigo]

8 hours ago, spoon said:

Thai massage is done dressed, oil on the other hand, naked. Definitely make it easier to transition to the fun part if it happens hehe.

This is true however never say never! Depending on the guy, chemistry etc etc fun can still be had during a Thai massage 😅

[MichaelJay70]

3 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

So my lack of sleep and funky sleep pattern teamed up to mess up my Friday night. I took a nap at 9 and couldn't snap to when my phone alarm went off after 45 mins.  slept til 2am. Grrrr.  So I just wandered through the leaving-the-club crowd at 2:30am... omg the eye candy.  It was oddly kind of refreshing to be ignored... felt like I was back in the U.S. 

Love night time weather and vibe here. So peaceful. It's rainy season but I've yet to purchase an umbrella.  I'm sure the moment will come.

 

For sleep disruption and jet lag… I highly recommend the iPhone app called Time Shifter. This app lets you put in your flights, and then it gives you a very specific plan of pre and post trip sleep schedules, looking a bright light or keeping it dark, and using caffeine. It also has an option to use melatonin at specific intervals. I travel all around the world every month for my work and for pleasure… and this app works. You have to follow the plan (it sends you reminders on when to look at bright light, when to wear sunglasses, when to rest, sleep, take caffeine, etc. you typically start the day before and a few days after long intercontinental trips. But it works.

 

look on the App Store for Time Shifter. You get one free trip plan, and then you have to pay. Look for the app pictured.

 

you can use it for your journey home.

 

 

[aaroninatl]

Very cool I'll grab that when I go.  I'm waking up at 8am now so hopefully I'm close to a reset.  Feeling really good walking a lot.  Not eating processed US food.  Well some... have hit up McDs already on this trip.  I haven't been adventurous when it comes to Thailand street food yet.  In time.