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?

[a-447]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

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?

Japan is incredibly cheap compared to what I pay in Australia.

[floridarob]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

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?

For me, “fraction” really isn’t an exaggeration. Pattaya is easily around 50% cheaper for the things that make up a large part of my Thailand spending: off fees, boy drinks, ST fees and hotels.

My ATM withdrawals are all the proof I need I simply spend dramatically less money in Pattaya than I do in Bangkok.

Food may be the one category where the difference isn't nearly as dramatic, I'll give you that. And yes, Pattaya doesn't have Foodland.  But as much as you guys LOVE Foodland, it's fine for what it is: convenient location, 24 hours, basic food and generally pretty small portions. I don't quite understand the near-religious devotion to it?

Although, to be fair, @vinapu was the original Foodland influencer around here long before “influencer” was even a thing. 

Massage is  one area where I'll give Bangkok the clear advantage. The selection and options are much better. But when it comes to the boys themselves, some of the Bangkok prices are simply out of whack with what you're actually getting for the money, plus the mamasans are so much more in your face, BKK the phrase "tip for me" or some variation  is without a doubt used 759%  more

And there's another big difference for me. If you end up with a dud in Pattaya, it's a relatively painless hit. In Bangkok, that same disappointing experience can cost you twice as much, sometimes more. Pattaya is EASILY half the cost for me in that department, and often considerably less.

So when I say Pattaya costs me a fraction of Bangkok, I'm talking about what  comes out of my wallet on a trip, not claiming that every plate of food, bottle of water or hotel room in Pattaya is literally half the Bangkok price, but in the end, yes it is.

How am I doing without the emojis, harder to tell when I'm serious/ joking or doesn't matter.....

[Keithambrose]

10 hours ago, a-447 said:

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.

I must have eaten at the wrong restaurants  in Tokyo, I was paying 60 or 70 US.

London is quite pricey for boys, between £200  and 300. Was was quoted 500 last week, but just laughed, and there was a rapid reduction. But some high  end guys do get that I believe.  You also need to like Brazilians! Perhaps half the escorts on the apps are Brazilian.  Some very good looking, but just too many!

 

Eating out, I would say, is expensive, though not up to NY standards, in  a gastro pub, ie good food, but not Michelin  type standard, £50 to 60 a head, if you have a reasonable  wine. There are some nice, cheaper but good places, but they have to be sought out, and they come and go! I will report after my meal in Gerrards Cross on Saturday,  with another forum member!

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, a-447 said:

Japan is incredibly cheap compared to what I pay in Australia.

Cheaper, but not that much, compared to what I paid in Sydney  in July.

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, floridarob said:

 But as much as you guys LOVE Foodland, it's fine for what it is: convenient location, 24 hours, basic food and generally pretty small portions. I don't quite understand the near-religious devotion to it?

 

location , location , location. Very conductive to both chance and planned meetings and easy on the pocket to invite   buys for a meal. Basic food is a blessing where more people  are concerned , more sophisticated food  inevitably invites  dietary complaints and invoking restriction ( I don't eat seafood  for example - fear of allergy reaction  , not to mention awful taste).

Small portion are even bigger blessing - look at our ever expanding waist lines

[Keithambrose]

39 minutes ago, vinapu said:

location , location , location. Very conductive to both chance and planned meetings and easy on the pocket to invite   buys for a meal. Basic food is a blessing where more people  are concerned , more sophisticated food  inevitably invites  dietary complaints and invoking restriction ( I don't eat seafood  for example - fear of allergy reaction  , not to mention awful taste).

Small portion are even bigger blessing - look at our ever expanding waist lines

Awful taste, fish?

[jimmie50]

13 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

Just met up with the local legend and we had a great dinner and walked around the complex.  Gonna be a fun night. 

You are in excellent hands.  I know your local legend...have met in Pattaya before.  He is wise and all-knowing of the scene there.  

[aaroninatl]

Friday September 4 Update...

Good morning from Jomtien.  Thanks to the local legend @bkkmfj2648 I got the whirlwind all in one night tour of both Pattaya City and Jomtien. I took the BTS from Silom to the airport and he virtually navigated me to the $5 busses to Pattaya. Sat next to a cute (but straight) chatty twink from Hong Kong who was going to Pattaya to visit friends. Was lucky to hit no traffic and arrived in Pattaya about 3 hours after leaving Silom. I wasn't the only American in town... 5,000 sailors made me #5,001.  We saw a small sample of the military boys in town, but seems like they stayed far to the north near their ship.

I don't have a bar by bar breakdown because honestly it's all a blur and they run together in my mind.  But my overall thought... I'm glad I made the trip and when I come back from Chiang Mai in October, I think I'll spend a couple more nights here in Jomtien. Pattaya was kind of run down as I anticipated.  But I didn't realize Jomtien would be so different.  The 2 were one and the same in my head before this visit.  Supertown in Jomtien was a much nicer vibe, cleaner and fun.  Now I will have to say we went through Pattaya's Boyz Town at a very early hour before the bars got jumpin'.  I'm just going off the neighborhood walk.

We first grabbed a bite to eat at Tinnie's in Jomtien.  I hesitantly ordered chicken parm.  When a restaurant features several types of cuisine in the US, that's usually not a good sign.  While it wasn't the best chicken parm I've had, I didn't regret the choice.  @bkkmfj2648 gave me the rundown for the night. Next we did something I'd been wanting to do but had no idea how they work... we jumped in the back of one of those pickup trucks where you just hop on and off for 15 baht.  Fortunately he knew the routes and process because I'd have been too chickenshit to try it myself.

When we arrived in Pattaya City I startled him because I was having an orgasm and heart attack at the same time at the sight of what might have been the most beautiful guy I'd seen on this trip so far. He wasn't Asian. Probably American. He had a chiseled face of art, was wearing a loose white shirt and pants... I was just stunned. As for the rest of PC, it was less beautiful.  But I'm glad we checked it out.  Had I not been up at 6am, we might have gone back.  But I was dozing off at the of the bars by 11pm.

When we got back to Jomtien, we caught the boys on the street bars doing their dance routines.  The thing that struck me right away was they actually appeared to be enjoying themselves. They smiled.  They laughed.  They pranked each other on stage.  So many of the guys on stage in Bangkok just evoke pity and sorrow as they stand there motionless waiting to get off'd.  These boys were not sending off the "my life is miserable, save me" vibe.

Now I like younger guys... generally college up to about 28.  Think Ryan Phillippe in Cruel Intentions. That's my sweet spot.  A little muscle is ok. But twink status is my thing.  The boys in Jomtien looked too young for even me lol... I didn't think that was even possible.  Most were about 100 pounds and 5'2.  (Yours truly is well over 6 feet tall.). I was assured these guys were all in their 20s, but man I'd have to have 4 forms of ID if I were to off many of them.

We bounced around from bar to bar all night... from "pillow bars" to cabarets to the street bars.  All had a unique appeal.  I really can't pick a favorite.  There were some really cute massage boys sitting outside their parlors too. I liked the vibe of Supertown.  It's more unified than Silom where I"m staying in Bangkok.  I like that it's one continuous stretch without having to wander a few blocks.  

Besides the guys appearing to be happy, the other most striking thing was the detail in all the shows. The choreography and costumes... it's not usually a big draw for me. I'm visiting places like this to stimulate other senses.  But the effort these guys in all the bars in Supertown put in is really impressive.

I tipped many of the talent... but not as much as @bkkmfj2648.  I think the dude funded a few college educations last night.  I didn't do an off since honestly I wasn't horned up... my Grindr guy back in Bangkok has kept me satiated.  Plus after waking up at 6am (unnecessarily ugh) and the trip from Silom to the airport to Pattaya on the bus, I was going to bed solo.  I snagged a few Line numbers in case any want to have a session this morning, but most gave the impression nothing happens for them before noon. I get it.  I was that age.  But I'm a morning wood kinda guy lol

Heading back to Bangkok today but the Pattaya excursion was definitely worth it.  Pretty sure I'll do a 2-3 day visit when I come back in October. 

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Awful taste, fish?

no , all those octopuses , shrimps etc ,. Fish is not sea food for me , it's just fish 

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, aaroninatl said:

Heading back to Bangkok today but the Pattaya excursion was definitely worth it.  Pretty sure I'll do a 2-3 day visit when I come back in October. 

 

you should visit  few bars in Boyztown and see the show at X-Boys when you return