Leaderboard

Last Word: The more change na, the more same same This trip to Bangkok has given me so much to think about, and so much more to look forward to. I was expecting a lot, since the demise of Soi Twilight, and the change of venue to "straight-land", so I was surprised on how unchanged everything seemed to be, but how seemingly changed it also is at the same time. There are things that are just gone forever, but at the same time replaced with something else. I could not put my finger on it just yet, but it is just a different Bangkok that I discovered this trip. Some musings: The Cost This is just true for the bars and boys I’ve visited this trip: I was surprised on how standardized the pricing for short time and long time is. Almost all the bars and boys and mamasans who talked about it quoted me standard pricing: 2000 baht for short time, and 3000 baht for long time. Except for the Moonlight models of course. I guess this makes things fairly simple for newcomers and experts alike, standard pricing makes it fair for everyone. I can understand the likes of Mekhin will fetch a little bit more, but I guess this takes away the element of negotiating that is inherent in Asian venues, especially the markets like Chatuchak. What would cheap charlies do now? The Money I completely forgot about this when I arrived in Bangkok for this trip, but after getting money from the ATM for the first time since June 2018, I was reminded that the current King is a relatively new one, judging from the new face staring back at me when I counted the money coming out of the ATM. I understand that these new banknotes were first introduced in April 2018, but this was first time seeing the new banknotes with Rama X on it. I’ve always thought that having different colors to signify different values in the money is smart. Compare that to the drab green and black that is present in all of the US dollar banknotes, making them indistinguishable from one another, especially for a newcomer or tourist paying up in dark venues like bars. Thai money reminds me of Brazil’s banknotes, which came in similar hues as Thailand’s. The Bars There is no denying it: I kinda miss Soi Twilight. I kind of liked how special it was, having a specific Soi devoted to the gays. It was almost like a protective enclave, where one is free to express oneself in the confines of a cul-de-sac. I guess now Soi 4 can claim this mantel, a generally gay-exclusive Soi, although obviously it has not reached Soi Twilight heights just yet. I guess it shouldn’t matter, as a lot of people escape to Bangkok to let their hair down, and trying to be oneself in Patpong shouldn’t be more challenging than it was in Twilight, but still, the sense of camaraderie one felt in Twilight is the sensation that I miss. It is gone forever. Time to move on. But the later hours, closing at 2 AM versus midnight to 1 AM, is a welcome change. I was able to do more and thrive with the extended hours. Before, I would have to lean on Screwboys for my late night follies. Now, Freshboys and Luckyboys, among the others, have given me the late night threesomes that is a marked improvement to the boy nightlife. A very big improvement. The Boys I am glad to note that the boys are still same same. They are still sweet, they are still sexy as hell, and they still remain the centerpiece of my Bangkok trips. I always say this every trip: that I need to do more massage in Bangkok, but the only one I got was mind-blowingly amazing. Unfortunately, the sex in general is still as uneven as before, as there is still danger of offing the non-performers. I have been lucky in the past but I was unlucky to have picked one this trip. It never seems to be a problem in Latin America. But this was a minor blemish in my otherwise excellent trip. And thankfully, Bangkok still remains a popular playground for young gay Asian tourists from all over the region, and I am glad I was able to sample from this lot as well. Boys don’t always have to be procured from a stage or a massage table. I’m glad that this has not changed. And now, my Trip awards: Best off: My Moonlight model. Not the best sex I had this trip. This is reserved for Sunlight. But I went into the off with very low expectations, and he exceeded them and much much more. And this is why he rose to the top to be my best off of the trip. We are still Lining each other once in a while. I will see him in the future, no doubt. Worst off: My Moonlight off. Really really bad. He might have been gorgeous, but what a dud in bed. It’s funny that both my best and worst offs are from the same bar. Goes to show you that even in the same bar, you get a wide variety of performances in bed. Best bar: Luckyboys. To me the most complete boy bar in Bangkok. Great ambience, comfortable and optimal seating, amazing and entertaining show, very helpful mamasans, and has the most boys in terms of number and variety. Highly recommended! Worst bar: Jupiter. Only because I’ve had great memories of it in the past, and it disappointed me this trip. I hope next trip will be better. Best boy onstage: Nut of Moonlight. Best body, stage presence, and performance onstage. Worst boy onstage: Mehkin of Jupiter. Went around onstage like a drunk sailor. When he found the whiskey, he was never to be seen onstage again. Best mamasan: Moonlight – failed me with dud off, but redeemed himself with fixing me up with the right Moonlight model. And after, on Line, following up with me about the off. Worst mamasan: Dreamboy mamasan. It was unnecessary to hold my hand the whole time I was there. I will hold a boy’s hand, not a mamasan. Best boyfriend experience: Cambodia of Luckyboys. He made a good impression of Burboy, cradling me from orgasm to the airport. I miss him already. Worst boyfriend experience: Hot Male off. He forgot to ask for my Line and I had to run after him to get his Line. Maybe he didn’t want to see me anymore. Oh well. Biggest regret: Two things: coffee with Old Friend on the second day, and a long time with Hot Male off on the third day. Both didn't happen because I didn’t have enough time for both boys. I just didn’t have enough time for the things I wanted, really. 3 nights in Bangkok is not enough. Brazil or Thailand? Sadly, it is still Brazil for me, if I had to choose only one. But Thailand has given me something to think about this trip. The good thing is I’ve already bought my ticket for my next trip to Bangkok. I won’t say when I’ll go just yet, only know that I’ll be leaving in less than a month. I can’t wait.

all trouble started when Moonlight models started asking for 5000 tips and their customers obliged , thus increasing tourist spending in Thailand which in turn led to strengthening baht. Cheap charlies complaining that some, including me , are paying inflated tips can feel vindicated as it's clearly a case of us sawing off branch we are sitting on. At least this is how I see source of today's troubles with strong baht, guilty as charged.

The most eloquent and insightful rationale yet. Thank you for enlightening us!

An extraordinary report by any measure. Thank you. You may not think of yourself as a serial reporter but that's what you are. You managed to capture precise moments in time with a practiced eye. You're a natural raconteur. Particularly enjoy your writing style. You candidly describe the scene and your offs while taking care to protect their identity. You appreciate that they're young men and--as Divine Madman said in another thread--we are the adults. Many of the guys we date will go on to lead very different lives and the last thing we should want to do is create problems for them. You didn't date deities. The men you chose (or in some cases chose you) are everyday type guys who populate the Patpong/Surawong entertainment zone. You even manage to present the ML model with down-to-earth personal qualities we often don't hear about. And a particular tip of the cap for pointing out the satisfaction you got from getting to know many of your offs outside of the bedroom. Your curiosity about their lives off the clock is both insightful and rewarding. Sharing a meal is a great ice breaker and in keeping with a treasured Asian custom. Delighted you have BKK back on your itinerary. .

Much blame heaped onto the baht for the poor tourism numbers. Reader has posted (https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/12701-not-enough-tourists-for-koh-samui/?tab=comments#comment-140091) a Bangkok Post story about Koh Samui's occupancy rate of 30% in fourth quarter 2019. Making the situation worse, another 1,000 rooms are to be added to Koh Samui in 2020, the story says. Now we have a story about effects on Phuket (https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1815729/soaring-baht-deals-blow-to-phuket-tourism) saying that "Despite a 4% rise in visitor numbers this year, revenue from tourism is falling," A further paragraph says this, conflating two distinct trends: "He blamed the stronger baht for putting a brake on tourism spending, adding that digital disruption had funnelled tourist services and income towards online platforms controlled by outsiders." An earlier story (https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1813294/tourism-ministry-to-seek-cabinet-nod-for-new-stimulus-deal) from December 11 says the Tourism Ministry is seeking cabinet approval for a "new tourism stimulus package including multiple-entry visas for Chinese tourists, reduced landing fees for airlines and increased airport slot times." The latter idea doesn't make a lot of sense. Swampy and Don Muang are already bursting at the seams -- how are they going to increase the number of slots? The tourist arrival numbers don't seem that bad to me. "This year, Mr Phiphat expects the number of tourist arrivals to reach 40.2 million, outpacing the goal of 39.8 million, but tourism revenue may fall short of the target of 2.04 trillion baht because of the global economic slowdown and solid baht." The article has some interesting numbers re Chinese tourists which, I recall, has been discussed recently with much heat. Out of 32.5 million tourist arrivals for the first ten months of 2019, Chinese tourists made up about 29%, or 9.34 million. "Chinese arrivals in the first 10 months stood at 9.34 million, up 3.6% year-on-year, generating 467 billion baht in tourism income, up 5.5%. The number of Chinese tourists this year should reach the target of 11 million, generating 730 billion baht, Mr Chattan said. The agency is confident that Thailand will receive 12 million Chinese arrivals next year, regardless of baht appreciation, which affects tourist spending." And, in contrast to the stereotype of cheap charlies being bussed around, "Mr Chattan said independent tourists contribute some 60% of Chinese visitors, while the balance are those travelling in groups." Look around Lucky Boys, Dream Boys, Jupiter or Moonlight, and you'll see plenty of these independent tourists. Without them, the bars might have closed down long ago.

I see my doctor tomorrow to declare my flu vanquished. I did have a flu shot and wonder how much worse this bout might have been without the shot. I’ll begin reporting thereafter. I anticipate a shorter than usual report but, I hope, an interesting one.

put them aside and when I will be in BKK next time I will pick them up from you. But your comment makes sense, I noticed in dark bars it's hard to distinguish specially between 100 and 500 which may be costly mistake but may help with boy's erection . For those who may be puzzled why that is not my problem - I don't use wallet and have habit of placing different denominations in different pockets, always the same so 100's will be in left pocket and 500's in back one. And I fold money separately thus preventing accidental pulling of 2 notes instead of one . agreed on all counts but after few days daytime becomes boring which is never a case in Bangkok which has busy river as a bonus . Hunky guys are easier to spot in BKK as well

that's perennial problem. We have work so have money but no time. Then we retire and there's lots of time but less money. But remember as consolation , rare fruit tastes better.

You can be excused for forgetting that both the US and the UK were allies with Russia in WWII. Trump may like to think of the Putin as a present day ally but neither house of Congress does. And Congress has the final say on that. US bases around the world are there at the request of the host nations. Perhaps you'd feel better if they hosted Russian air bases instead? We both know if the UK had nukes when bombs were falling on the island they would have used them.The US was the first to use them because they were the first (barely ahead of the nazis) to develop them. Or perhaps you would have preferred that the nazis got them first? You like to bash anything American when it's convenient. But you forget that it was America that bailed you out of two wars and will be the first nation you go to if shit hits the fan again. They had little choice in the matter. They were surrounded by a fleet of US warships. It was JFK's measured response to the crisis that saved your ass.

Or perhaps he opted to forgo sex and remain in Scotland for the snap election. he he

They're like the mamasans who know the perfect off before you can get "I'm looking for..." out of your mouth. LOL

With the Senate poised to laugh at the House's impeachment case, they will create a situation where Trump will be accountable to no one. It will be much better for him than killing someone on Fifth Avenue. Our system of government provides checks and balances with its three tiers. The Supreme Court will cast the final vote, and it is hard to believe that a majority would act to stop Trump's rise. He can snub the Congress and the Constitution. Wait until his term is up and he refuses to leave. Will Mitch McConnell grow a pair then, or will it be too late?

Point taken. I should have explained in previous post that the sanctions originally date to 1958, four years before missile crisis. The sale of arms was blocked when Batista was still in power. More sanctions followed in 1960 when Cuba nationalized American oil refineries with compensation. In 1962, following the missile crisis, everything with the exception of food and humanitarian supplies were sanctioned. Obviously Cuba doesn't pose an overt military threat but it does pose a political one. Although travel to Cuba has been liberalized and remittances from families in the US allowed, sanctions remain in place principally because of the overwhelming support they receive from the Cuban-American community in Florida that number 1.53 million. Florida is a crucial state in presidential elections with 29 electoral votes that no candidate is eager to risk losing them. The bottom line is that it's tough to win without taking Florida (just ask Al Gore).

Thanks to federal intervention, the feeling of Cariocas on safety in Rio improves ... But 69 % of Cariocas are still thinking of leaving the city due to violence.

I think you’re exactly right @Gotti Years ago, I knew and played with several Brazilian muscleboys and fitness-models. Some have become actors on TV. One fitness-model was very keen for me to be his sugar-daddy; he wanted a steady income and to take less risk with his sexual health. Although there are several handsome young models starting out professionally, I certainly don’t encounter any seeking a sugar-daddy or regular support in Europe. Maybe the scarcity is partly due to model agencies not wanting to recruit superbly muscled and athletic men; maybe the preference has shifted to a very lean physique. Maybe the models themselves are learning to monetize their assets differently. For instance, OnlyFans offers one way for them to generate a very steady $ income.

Pattaya is better value for money in term of boys and accommodation other advantages beaches , less traffic jam and pollution then BKK.

Just store your notes upside down and u will see, albeit upside down, the value of each notes.

some comments: - the new banknotes are rather impractical to use when you're using a regular men's wallet (not an issue for @vinapu obviously haha), because they don't have the value printed on the top right like the old ones as can be seen in the comparison pic you posted. That means in a dark bar or club it can be difficult to discern the bills' values by just glancing inside your wallet. Need to take them out completely to be able to see the number on the bottom right. Not a practical design, which is why I dislike the new bills. - a minor factual correction: Soi Twilight wasn't a cul-de-sac. It felt like one because no-one really ever made it past Classic Boys, but from there you could turn right and exit the soi to Rama 4. Silom Soi 4, however, really is a cul-de-sac. - Awww you are being harsh with the Hot Male boy. From the report is was clear you had an excellent time with him (prompting you to go back for his Line) and jsut this minor oversight of exchanging Line gives him the "worst BFE" award? It was your own oversight just as much, and to his excuse one might say he maybe didn't see any point in it coz you surely had told him that'd you'd be in town only a couple of days more.... - same here

Haha u noticed too? My gut feeling is right all along then hehehe. I also have a gut feeling on the dud of moonlight but i dont think its wise to accuse anyone of that lol

Cheap charlies will pay up or go to Pattaya. Same , same as before .................. Two gold medals for Nut, that's great and well deserved

All this discussion about body types in a Lagoa topic and not a word on the type that made Lagoa a legend: the model!. Yes, they've been scarce of late (pos 2016?), If existent at all, possibly migrated to a different scene, the spa scene, only vaguely hinted in this space. Can somebody in the know please dissect it. We all need new thrills.

let me tell you , not a bad idea

So just because i begun to go to saunas in 2016 I am not entitled to compare saunas? ...I might not have a huge knowledge of how the of saunas looked like before 2016, but factoring my nearly 300/350 entrances in GP saunas in Brazil during the last 4 years, the most unpredictable and (just after the most) complicated ones, I believe that I am enough experienced now to make comparisons. To me, and to many locals I use to hang out with, comparing nowadays saunas to 2005 saunas, is like comparing apples with pears. That's just impossible, not because I'm not used to analyze something I've never investigated by myself...but because there are too many variables on this business, right now even to compare 2019 scenario with the early 2018 one. So why would one person try to compare the present with an even more far past? It's a fact, saunas are changing, internet is becoming a stronger and stronger competitor and tastes and habits are also changing. There's nothing new here. I have never said that the definition of a slow day depends on the quantity of customers for god's sake...even if some people seem to adore to treat me like a retarded, I am not that stupid. EDIT: When i'm talking about ratios on this post, i'm always talking about the best days of the week, unless otherwise stated. It's not right to talk about ratios during slow days because the sample would be too small. Even a world without poverty and wars would be ideal, but it won't happen..a 3:1 ratio? That won't happen as well. And it never happened to any of the major brazilian saunas during the last 4 years, except for days when there were like 10 boys and 5 customers...that would still suck in terms of absolute numbers. I remember Junior talking about one of the best days of 202...there were something like 60 boys and 80 customers during peak hours, and a 90 min queue. Now even thinking that those numbers are not inflated, that's still a ratio far below 1:1. Same ratios were reported from 117s staff. So I think that there's some misunderstanding about your definition of ratio which must be investigated, and more specifically when that ratio is measured...on your arrival? At the time you leave? There are only 2 ratios worth measuring inside this kind of business...peak time, and overall. Peak time (the time with the highest number of boys) is usually higher than the overall one...and it's never been by far close to 3:1 in any sauna. Unless you're measuring the ratio inside 117 at like 4.30 PM of a tuesday when there'are already 10/15 boys and 4/5 customers, which would still be dismal, for a facility as big as 117. There's also another thing which makes a recurring 3:1 (or even a 2:1) ratio, not realistic...for the boys it just would be an enormous waste of time and energy. The risk of going home without having worked with a single customer would be not acceptable. While it might be true that before 2016 I could have not enjoyed the typical sauna boy, it is also true that if the saunas are shifting towards the disco bodies, it is because again, that's were the demand has gone and is going even more nowadays. Not because they could not retain those type of boys. They've also nearly disappeared from the internet GP websited. In a city with a population well over the 12 million mark, there's only been Lagoa (not counting Fragata for obvious reasons). If there was a so high demand for muscle gods, how is it possible that no one has ever had the guts to open a sauna focused on what was the old days Lagoa's standard? Because that would be the recipee for bankruptcy. Btw it was not the nice architecture of the old Lagoa which i didn't like (and i could not care less about it, until it's functional), it was the general attitude that people from SP (most, not all) have. Beside the boys thing...I agree with the critics, the new one's architecture is not functional at all for this purpose of business. EDIT: some minor corrections, changed a clouple of digits to make calculations easier and to fix a miscalculation.

Forget the guy in the poster ... here is why everybody should drop their holiday plans and be among the first to bear witness to Lions’ resurgence: IMG_2163.MOV

No question about it, boys are what we are in it for, I just mentioned the stage because there is lots of attention towards it (including boys) and how excrutiating will be a drag revue on a 12 inch high platform cramped in a corner of 2 walls.

Updated Executive summary on Salvador If you spend a week end in Salvador, spend the sunday night in Salvador : in Salvador (as in Manaus, Belo Horizonte or Porto Alegre), the sunday is a very good day at saunas and for other events (ie Mass at Igreja Nossa Senhoa do Rosario dos Pretos in Pelourinho at 10 am or Ensaio dos blocos at 3 pm, ...) Check the Salvadordabahia.com site to see all events in the agenda. Check the Portuguese section which is comprehensive (the English part only gives part of activities). SAUNAS Clube 11 is the most popular rentboy sauna in Salvador, followed closely by Fox. The boys in Clube 11 are mostly Black, while the boys in Fox are mostly Latin. Better to go rather early to saunas but maybe not as early as 4 pm. Clube 11 (formerly Planetario 11) clean and open facility. No Wifi. Boys rather agressive. Wednesday, Friday and possibly Saturday are the days to go to Clube 11 Walking distance to Lapa and Pelourinho so when you finish, you still have options on things to do... The street numbers are fucked for Clube P11 ... the address is 11 Jose Duarte but logically it should be about #91. Better to indicate 86 or 87 rua Jose Duarte for Uber since it is building next door or building in front of sauna. Fox Sunday is best, then followed by Saturday and Friday. Fox is out of the way compared to Clube 11 location A bit more upscale than Clube 11 Boys in Fox are less aggressive and better looking in average than in Clube 11 (many twinks) Thermas Club 13 Not worth the time (1 hour) and money (R$ 70) to get there Olympus Another sauna with boys. PRICES Asked : R$ 80 to 100 / R$ 100 - 120 with tip if service is good Entrance : 35 R$ Suite : 30 R$ Since boys tend to systematically ask for more while in the room, make it clear before you go to the room of the program, of the price and that the price is not to be discussed again in the room. Check your bill at Fox sauna FOOD - CLUBS Moqueca de peixe or de camarao. Another typical dish is the Bobo de Camarao. It looks similar to Moqueca but a lot of manioc is added. Therefore, the sauce is thick and sticky. Acaraje are absolutely to be tried. It is a mix of beans, dried shrimps, peanuts and caju plus herbs, deep fried in palmtree nut oil. You cut in 2 and stuff it with pasta and shrimp. Rio Vermelho : late night parties and clubs, particularly San Sebastian disco which is best on Fridays and Saturdays VISITS Visit Pelhourinho, particularly the square where the slave auctions occurred and the slaves were whipped publicly. Attend one performance of Bale Folclorico in Pelourinho (everyday except Tuesdays at 8 pm) BEACHES There are two beaches and two beach-side neighborhoods in the Barra section of Salvador. Praia do Porto da Barra is the name of the beach on the port (“porto”) side of Barra, that runs north and south, parallel to Av. Sete de Setembro. It is marked by the two prominent historic forts that the beach area sits between. The area in Barra around this beachside and along this street may often be referred to Porto da Barra. Praia do Farol da Barra is the name of the beach on the lighthouse (“farol”) side, that runs east and west, runs parallel to Av. Oceânica. It is marked by the lighthouse on the east end / corner and keeps running west of it until the hill with the small Christ statue. The area in Barra around this beachside and along this street may often be referred to Farol da Barra. When thinking of a capital L, Porto da Barra is the vertical part, the lighthouse is the converging point, and Farol da Barra is the horizontal part. For the purposes of this group, the Praia do Porto da Barra beach is the most dense, is the most crowded, and towards its most northern end, is more “gay”. Trip to Praia da Forte, and sea turtle sanctuary Night of Samba on the beach (monday or tuesday).

Sunny sunday in Rio. Eyecandy at packed Ipanema beach. Lots of hot bodies. Particularly sexy are the lifeguards. I watched a dark blond lifeguard during some time. Perfect everything from toes to hair. Due to strong currents in Ipanema, lifeguards are nervous and blow their whistle as soon as someone is having water at waist level, asking him to come to the beach. Some action with the helicopter which rescued someone : the red helicopter came, the 2 lifeguards dived in the sea, put the swimmer in a net and the helicopter landed the net on the beach to have the guy taken to hospital. Ipanema is a nice but really dangerous beach

I've used a few private hospitals in Bangkok as the need arose over the years and have received what I consider very good service and--in most cases--equal or superior to what I might expect to find at home. And at costs significantly less. I've also taken young men to these hospitals for out-patient care they couldn't otherwise afford. The only area of health care that concerns me is a tendency to over prescribe medications. All of the hospitals I've used have in-house pharmacies that are important profit centers so there is an incentive to to write script for those pharmacies. Thai doctors seem more accustomed to write prescriptions without explaining much about the medications to the patient. But since they all speak English will--if questioned--have a dialogue with you. A law passed last year requires hospitals to provide patients with a script that can be used at the pharmacy of their choice outside of the hospital where more competitive pricing can be found. You just have to ask. I've been very satisfied with the service and pricing at the pharmacies on Rama IV. They're clustered in the block between Silom and Surawong. They're located across the road from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (and medical school), considered one of the best in the Kingdom. The Chula Pharmacy is the only name I can recall at the moment. It's particularly busy around lunch time but handles the crowds efficiently.

I could do without the club music and diva torch songs. As talented as she was, I think I have heard enough of Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits at Point 202 to last me three lifetimes. I prefer the ambience and different vibes that I can get in various rooms and corners at 117 — where the drag and diva music doesn’t follow you everywhere. And if the garotos are the hottest, the sauna always wins.