Adventures of a Bangkok Rookie August 2026

[vinapu]

19 minutes ago, a-447 said:

Tokyo fits the bill perfectly!

Compared to the ridiculous cost of living in Australia, it is incredibly cheap. Cheaper than Bangkok.

 

you are almost native in Japan and  your look may be different from somebody's who arrived there first time for 2 weeks stay

[a-447]

10 minutes ago, vinapu said:

you are almost native in Japan and  your look may be different from somebody's who arrived there first time for 2 weeks stay

True.

You need to do your research beforehand, like every other place.

But it's not difficult to compare prices.

[aaroninatl]

24 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Tokyo is 7 hours flight from Bangkok, I'd not say 500$ is expensive for such a long flight

 

Irrelevant when it comes to my budget lol... I paid less than that to fly here from the US (one way).

Japan is a passive curiosity.  If it was in the $100-200 range, maybe I'd jump.  But I'll stick with Thailand. I left the last 2 weeks open in case some US friends fly over.  Or it gives me time to back if another place I visited gives me the feeling that I just didn't spend enough time.  I doubt Chiang Mai or Ko Samui will deter me from spending my last 2 weeks in October here in Bangkok.

If Japan was cheap, it might've been an option.  But it's really on the periphery of my interest in Asia.  Maybe I'll make it a separate trip before the move or just do a visit when I live here.

[jimmie50]

13 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

It is atypical that the family / Cam hasn't asked for a contribution yet due to some emergency or other. When the farang goes back home, the family buffalo always passes away or an aunt or sister is in the hospital...

To be honest, I was sort of expecting something like that once I got back in Denver.  I had prepared myself for it mentally.  Been pleasantly surprised...and grateful that it hasn't happened.  I do know that Cam was fairly frugal in Bangkok and most of his money was sent home to his mother.  He has said on numerous occasions to me that she is quite the saver, which is how they have accumulated a substantial portion for the new house.  I also know that all of the siblings have full time jobs, as do the in-laws.  I imagine all of these things have something to do with it.  

[aaroninatl]

Just now, jimmie50 said:

To be honest, I was sort of expecting something like that once I got back in Denver.  I had prepared myself for it mentally.  Been pleasantly surprised...and grateful that it hasn't happened.  I do know that Cam was fairly frugal in Bangkok and most of his money was sent home to his mother.  He has said on numerous occasions to me that she is quite the saver, which is how they have accumulated a substantial portion for the new house.  I also know that all of the siblings have full time jobs, as do the in-laws.  I imagine all of these things have something to do with it.  

The whole sick relative, need money for classes or I'll be kicked out, dying pet routine is certainly not unique to Thailand.  My buddies and I always joke about Colombian guys and their stories.  It's why I never give a real phone number or social media account.  Always use a traveling WhatsApp or Line account in the Thailand case.

[floridarob]

3 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

But that'd be one less Friday night in Bangkok

If you're into twinks, Pattaya is not only better for that, it's also a fraction of the cost, not just in mb's, hotel and food too.

[floridarob]

2 hours ago, a-447 said:

But it's not difficult to compare prices.

Japanese Yen is near a 40-year low against major currencies.... if that were to change, could upset the apple cart.

I think it was some years after the global financial crisis of 2008... I couldn't believe how expensive things there were, when Thailand was a much smarter/cheaper (and less weird) place to visit, lol


 

 

2 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

I doubt Chiang Mai or Ko Samui will deter me from spending my last 2 weeks in October here in Bangkok.

Many people like CM, it's one of the very few places I remember visiting that I changed plans, cut my stay short and went back to BKK.... 

 

[Keithambrose]

4 hours ago, a-447 said:

True.

You need to do your research beforehand, like every other place.

But it's not difficult to compare prices.

I agree re Tokyo. Many shops with twinks, reasonable prices, and you can specify what you want, and the boys almost always perform as booked. They can be a bit cautious about farang "big dicks"! However eating out is not cheap!

[a-447]

41 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

 However eating out is not cheap!

I don't know about London prices, as I haven't been there for a while.

However, at 114 yen for 1 Aussie dollar, everything in Japan is a bargain for Aussies at the moment.

Some bars earlier this year we're advertising all you can drink in 2 hours for 500 yen (100 baht!!!). It's enough to drive someone to drink!

My main meal is at night and I usually eat at 'izakaya' pubs. If I were to eat the same in Perth, it would be at least 4 times as expensive. A large beer in Perth costs $12 at a pub but $3 in Japan. Sushi is $1 per plate in Japan, $7 in Perth.

[aaroninatl]

4 hours ago, floridarob said:

If you're into twinks, Pattaya is not only better for that, it's also a fraction of the cost, not just in mb's, hotel and food too.

I like it a lot so far.  Just met up with the local legend and we had a great dinner and walked around the complex.  Gonna be a fun night. 

[mauRICE]

20 minutes ago, aaroninatl said:

I like it a lot so far.  Just met up with the local legend and we had a great dinner and walked around the complex.  Gonna be a fun night. 

Gaybutton?

[thaiophilus]

On 9/2/2026 at 11:45 AM, aaroninatl said:

... really bad air pollution ... Chiang Mai ...

[cough] You might not want to live in CM year-round, particularly March to April.

[thaiophilus]

[duplicated post]

[jason1975]

11 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

Glad to have him as my tour guide tonight.  Going to try to get in as much as I can as I am pretty sure I'll be coming back tomorrow afternoon or if I get really adventurous I'll do a latenight grab ride if I have to do one more night.  But that'd be one less Friday night in Bangkok.  I need to clone myself lol.

It's ok to have one more night in Pattaya.

Bangkok can wait for you!

[vinapu]

9 hours ago, floridarob said:

 Pattaya is not only better for that, it's also a fraction of the cost, not just in mb's, hotel and food too.

lets not exaggerate and build legends, it's cheaper  when comes to bars , boys and hotels. About food I'd not be so sure.

But fraction sounds like 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4, that is definitely not true . The same category like recent claim that Japan is incredibly cheap. Uzbekistan perhaps, yes but Japan?