8 hours ago, a-447 said:

But my main reason is that I'm afraid of sharks. Everyone just laughed

They don't laugh now.

Yesterday a guy was mauled and killed by a shark very close the where I live. He was only 15 metres off shore!

I went there today to lay some flowers and there were lots of people crying. It was so sad.

And just last week another guy was mauled but luckily he survived.

I've never heard of someone being attacked by a shark in the sea off Pattaya, but I'd never go swimming in the ocean!

You are absolutely justified. I followed the recent story of the horrific shark attack at Coogee beach where a young mother lost an arm fighting off a great white. When I discussed this with Australian friends, they said “but there are shark nets and lifeguards constantly watching the shoreline”. 🤷‍♂️

6 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I read that as a result of global warming, serious jellyfish, ie really nasty stings, are now in The Gulf of Thailand.

Correct. Experienced this first hand. The increasingly chaotic weather patterns in nearby countries such as Vietnam pushes marine activity inland especially on the Gulf side and causes unexpected jellyfish blooms. Sure, the warning signs go up but only after there have been multiple reports for a few days. The good news is that many of these are non-venomous species and easily treated with vinegar. There have been sightings of box jellyfish around Pattaya though, so I’d still avoid during monsoon season or at least wear a stinger suit.

7 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

have a thing I like to do with straight guys... not going to get into it here (sorry)

Role play? Oh you tease!

Good to hear your weekend has shaped up nicely and thanks for letting us live vicariously.

Just now, hank75 said:

Role play? Oh you tease!

Good to hear your weekend has shaped up nicely and thanks for letting us live vicariously.

Haha you're not far off... it's nothing too off the wall, but yeah when I find that a dancer/performer/escort etc is straight, I usually stop first and give them the option... we can move forward with messing around, a massage, or whatever they usually offer and have my kind of fun instead. I always tell them (usually via Google Translate) that I have lots of respect for doing what they do. I didn't come out until my mid 20s. Before that it was girls... and I'm not bi. So I can relate pretty well to straight guys who are in the predicament of having to be with guys... let alone wrinkly old men. lol If we ever get the chance to hang in person, and I hope that happens, I'll share more of my wacky life and stories.

This morning, I'm off to the dentist. 1000 to 1500 baht for a cleaning... gotta love that price. Place has great reviews from expats. Then I'm off to explore that digital nomad area in the northwest part of the city. So might not be too much excitement to live vicariously through today. We'll see.

I still have time to check off all the spots @musgrave mentioned. I might try to get Sharky or BRC in tonight. The Japanese teacher I was seeing in Bangkok is flying up Saturday so gotta get the bar visits in at some point this week. 😜

7 hours ago, a-447 said:

Aaron mentioned Hua Hin.

I don't know how true it is, but I've heard that the water there is clean and isn't polluted at all.

No idea on that. The attraction to Hua Him and De Nang was pretty much the same.. cost of living. Being near the ocean was a nice perk too. Watched countless videos online from expats who moved to all these places. Those 2 just didn't make my final list. But when I am based here, they'll be easy to explore and relocate to if I like 'em.

7 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

the sea in Pattaya is pretty polluted. Sewage spills frequently reported, all the time. You have to travel to get decent water, it seems.

I noticed that when I went up Jomtien Tower or whatever it's called early August , all along Jomtien beach water seemed to be yellow , far from ocean blue. My first thought was " thanks God I'm not a bitch (or is it beach ? ) person"

7 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

My Czech father in law introduced me to charcoal pills. I think they are really useful.

they are but one thing we need to be aware of , charcoal works as absorbent , taking bad stuff as well as good, so if one is on medications for something else it will absorb them before they may start working.

8 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

Finished the day off with a massage at Aqua. Not the fanciest place, but I enjoyed the hour I spent there. Staff was nice. Therapist list was about 2 dozen deep. 1700 baht all in... I still tipped the kid another 200. My review would be rather useless as we didn't do an actual massage.

1700 baht all in is not cheap. I did not expect prices in Chiang Mai to be the same as in Bangkok. Generous of you to tip additional 200 baht. The guy would already receive some of the 1700 baht charged by the shop (half the amount?)

8 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

Alright fellas... long day. Just looked at my app... 12K steps. I'm averaging about 10K a day... my normal is 2K lol. This is one of things I'm excited about with this move. All my clothes are feeling looser.

It's good that you are walking more than usual. When you back in Bangkok, you might want to join the mass aerobics session at Lumpini Park. Exercise plus enjoy eye candies!

1 minute ago, jason1975 said:

1700 baht all in is not cheap. I did not expect prices in Chiang Mai to be the same as in Bangkok. Generous of you to tip additional 200 baht. The guy would already receive some of the 1700 baht charged by the shop (half the amount?)

I was wondering that. That was what I paid back in Silom. I guess I'm still thinking in comparison to US prices. $50 in the US would pretty much get you a handshake. One little moment I really loved. And this says so much about the people here... even in "the industry." We both took a shower after our fun. While he was taking his, I put the 200 baht on his clothes. When I got out of my shower, all of his stuff was on. The 200 was still on the table. Had to let him know that was for him.

1 minute ago, jason1975 said:

It's good that you are walking more than usual. When you back in Bangkok, you might want to join the mass aerobics session at Lumpini Park. Exercise plus enjoy eye candies!

Sounds like a plan! I'm telling you the eye candy I see at my rooftop pool and gym is almost enough motivation for me to make my first gym visit in 10 years lol. But yeah, this is one of the reasons I think Bangkok might win out. I have never lived in a walking city. I love the idea of having a BTS/MRT life with no car. I wish there was a public transport system here in CM, but Grabs are cheap.

8 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

You do you, I do me. If someone annoys me and one click can make them go away, I'm all about it. Wish it worked that way in real life. 😜

I find nothing more irritating on boards like this when 2 keyboard warriors hijack a discussion so they can play tough. Mute/ignore is way easier. Lets them think they won.

Now I understand why you used the word dipshit a few days ago. Common occurence for trip reports to digress. Happened to my own trip reports but I just ignore the intruders.

8 hours ago, aaroninatl said:

Tonight I started off at Connections. Last night I got there way too early so tonight I dropped by shortly before 10. Still not a single customer in the place... about a dozen guys outside on their phones. If I had my buddies with me I normally travel with, I'd hang for a bit. I hate the awkwardness of being the only customer.

It's ok to be the first and only customer in a bar. Just have to get used to it.

2 minutes ago, jason1975 said:

Now I understand why you used the word dipshit a few days ago. Common occurence for trip reports to digress. Happened to my own trip reports but I just ignore the intruders.

Every message board like this has its Debbie Downer. Some don't get attention in the real world anymore so they seek it in places like this. It's sad but yeah, instead of feeding them the attention they want, just ignore 'em however you like... scrolling past or tapping the mute/ignore feature. Have only had to do it to 2. The rest of you have been fun to learn from.

Just now, jason1975 said:

It's ok to be the first and only customer in a bar. Just have to get used to it.

In a normal gay bar, sure. I'd have no problem. But when they're staring you down and most aren't your type, you're getting hovered over by a mamasan, drink prices are 5x that of a normal bar... yeah, I'll come back later. :)

7 minutes ago, aaroninatl said:

I was wondering that. That was what I paid back in Silom. I guess I'm still thinking in comparison to US prices. $50 in the US would pretty much get you a handshake. One little moment I really loved. And this says so much about the people here... even in "the industry." We both took a shower after our fun. While he was taking his, I put the 200 baht on his clothes. When I got out of my shower, all of his stuff was on. The 200 was still on the table. Had to let him know that was for him.

about way tipping works there in restaurants / bars in general - if you leave change / tip in folder , it will go to common till . If you want that particular server to get it, place tip money in his/ her palm

Just now, vinapu said:

about way tipping works there in restaurants / bars in general - if you leave change / tip in folder , it will go to common till . If you want that particular server to get it, place tip money in his/ her palm

Ahhh good to know. 👍

Just now, vinapu said:

about way tipping works there in restaurants / bars in general - if you leave change / tip in folder , it will go to common till . If you want that particular server to get it, place tip money in his/ her palm

Or put the tip inside his underwear!

3 minutes ago, jason1975 said:

Or put the tip inside his underwear!

this is what I universally do , both in bars and in the room or even to occasional barker outside of bar if I like / know them

I've seen two comments in this thread about proximity to the American Embassy in Bangkok, one in reference to Chiang Mai, the other about the distance from Pattaya to the US embassy.

Actually, Chiang Mai does have an American Consulate General, with an American Citizen Services section. It is the only branch of the US embassy in Thailand. The Chiang Mai consulate serves US citizens living in the 16 northernmost provinces of the country.

The consulate is located just off the Superhighway, close to the Index Mall and Big C Extra.

1 hour ago, aaroninatl said:

The Japanese teacher I was seeing in Bangkok is flying up Saturday so gotta get the bar visits in at some point this week. 😜

Living proof that not all encounters need to be transactional. I have to say I’m pretty impressed he’s flying all that way on his own dime. You must be a king in the sack.

1 hour ago, aaroninatl said:

Then I'm off to explore that digital nomad area in the northwest part of the city. So might not be too much excitement to live vicariously through today. We'll see.

If you mean Nimmanhaemin save a meal slot as there are excellent restaurants and local food around there. Also Grindr is always popping off, at least that was my experience in high season. Like going fishing in a tuna farm.

1 hour ago, aaroninatl said:

If we ever get the chance to hang in person, and I hope that happens, I'll share more of my wacky life and stories.

I will be looking forward to that!

Thx @daydreamer good 2 know!

1 minute ago, hank75 said:

You must be a king in the sack.

If any of my exes are reading, they're howling in laughter.

1 minute ago, hank75 said:

If you mean Nimmanhaemin save a meal slot as there are excellent restaurants and local food around there. Also Grindr is always popping off, at least that was my experience in high season. Like going fishing in a tuna farm.

I will be looking forward to that!

Yes... I knew I'd slaughter the spelling. But that's the one.

1 hour ago, aaroninatl said:

Yesterday was the first time popping one. I think I only knew of them through those cheeseball YouTube clips for Thailand tourists. But within an hour, I felt great. Better than I have the whole trip. Slept better tonight too. Fortunately these ones don't stink. 😜 One thing to note is they say don't take one within 2 hours of taking medication.

The other useful items in my kit are Gaviscon for indigestion, acidity and other mild upsets (the individual sachets are very convenient) and Air-X which is also for indigestion, trapped gas, bloating. Given my liking for spicy food and drinking black coffee on an empty stomach, I always keep them to hand. They’re easily obtained at our Old Faithful, 7-11.

I go to these before charcoal pills which I keep for more extreme cases such as suspected food poisoning or having eaten something truly bad. As you’ve noted they block medication absorption and have other unwanted gastro-intestinal side effects such as bowel irritation or even blockages if taken too often. Would steer away from getting too comfortable in reaching for them.

1 hour ago, aaroninatl said:

I was wondering that. That was what I paid back in Silom. I guess I'm still thinking in comparison to US prices. $50 in the US would pretty much get you a handshake. One little moment I really loved. And this says so much about the people here... even in "the industry." We both took a shower after our fun. While he was taking his, I put the 200 baht on his clothes. When I got out of my shower, all of his stuff was on. The 200 was still on the table. Had to let him know that was for him.

That's very nice

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

they are but one thing we need to be aware of , charcoal works as absorbent , taking bad stuff as well as good, so if one is on medications for something else it will absorb them before they may start working.

Fair point, I was told it can affect one of my blood pressure pills!