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Sorry Bob I think it is a bit irresponsible to repeat boy gossip like this on a public forum without substantiation. This could affect the livelihood of many staff relying on the soi for their food. I didn't go out last night but I asked friends who did, whether they heard anything like this. None heard a thing. I also contacted two owners who also knew of no staff sick from Covid.

Agreed, this does seem like a gossip, I did hear the same from one of the boy last night but other said it's not like it. Visited Hotmale and Freshboys last night and was disappointed but not too surprised to see how COVID has impacted this line of business. Saturday night Hotmale only 2 customers inside, 3 outside before I joined the crew. only 5 guys in total, 2 with one of the rich customer who seems to have opened the bottle so makes sense. Rest on the stage. Drinks 400 Bhat, paid my dues and off to Fresh boys, around 10:30pm, show is about to end, here I could see at least 7-8 customers, most of them with boys (not sure if they were offed from this bar or somewhere else). only 8-10 boys available, nevertheless, like Vinapu has said, you only need one to get your night going, found a guy who caught my eye. offing hasn't changed, still 500Bhat for the bar, drink for the boy and myself. LT discussed, he seems to have just started in this industry and didn't had any customer since 4 days to I thought to be little generous and added bit extra in my offing. Yet to try some massage places, if anyone has recommendation then please feel free to suggest.

The picture above is just click bait, but the video itself is interesting in its own way. Perhaps those more familiar with the non-touristy parts of the city can tell us where it was filmed. It has English subtitles (I think machine-translated but good enough to get a sense of what it's about).

I have it on good authority - Tawan mamasan with thick glasses that Tawan will reopen at new location for New Year eve. Attached are old and new location, picture taken from exactly the same spot this afternoon as well as inside of bar from both ends at the same time .⁹

Thanks for your kind words - I didnt see any criticism. The bar at the end of the soi i was referring to is bas bar. I didn't get to silver sands at the beginning of the soi (right hand side on entering??), but it looked popular. Sorry for delay in posting, mountain of work landed on me last week. Next part coming soon...

Lenin?! Aaaaaargh! Nooooooo! “Although this saying has been made popular by several political figures such as Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, its origins lie in Hillel the Elder, a Jewish leader, who stated, ''If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And being for my own self, what am I? And if not now, when?''. This quote has been used over the years in slightly different verbiage by several different people.”

I will say that the trip reports from you guys and seeing some of the nightlife starting to come back to life has improved my hope that my trip in 3 months will still be possible and worthwhile. I think the Thais made a very good move with implementing the Thailand Pass, I just need to keep my fingers and toes crossed that things don't move backward too much with Omicron.

From The Thaiger British Airways cancels over 2,000 flights including Bangkok In the face of the spread of Covid-19 as infections surge in the UK, British Airways have suspended all their flights travelling to Bangkok until October of next year. Rumours began circulating about the possible cancellation earlier this week with popular travel sites speculating about the major airline suspending the route. Many passengers told stories of receiving cancellation notices from British Airways and the rumours were confirmed by a spokesperson for the airline who talked about refunds. Aside from refunding, the airline is offering to reaccommodate passengers on cancelled flights on Qatar Airways flights from London to Doha to Bangkok instead, though the agreement between airlines is reported to be confirmed only until the end of March. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/british-airways-cancels-over-2000-flights-including-bangkok ================================= Thailand sees tourism dropping due to Omicron worries Thailand is seeing a dip in new incoming tourists that Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn has said is the predictable side effect of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. Since December 8, the number of daily international travellers entering Thailand has fallen to less than 3,000 people per day. Many are worried about the Omicron, which seems to be more transmissible than previous variants, though data suggests infections caused by the strain tend to be less severe. Travellers are choosing to cancel or postpone their travels, waiting until 2022, when hopefully we will have a better understanding of Omicron as well as better vaccine protection against it and containment. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-sees-tourism-dropping-due-to-omicron-worries

Some posters in this forum must think that everyone who is coming to Thailand now must completely regret it. But I think so far none of us who came regret it. Au contraire! When I landed back home my first thought was I wanna take the next flight and go back to Thailand! When there was a lot of discussion about opening Thailand 2 months ago, I immediately thought Nov+Dec woudl be the best time frame to go even though many things were still closed. Jan 2022 was already to far in the future and now we have to see how Omicron affects further Thai opening plans.

Last night certain prominent gay blogger and myself visited Hot Male after re-opening the day before. Touts, pretty pushy on the soi level. We came mid - show, in fact exactly when Babe was, doing his routine. Indeed face looks different and he looked bit diminutive in comparison to his Moonlight version on the stage but still has, his knack for the show. Bar was quite packed with few guys sitting with customers already. Drink price 400 and off price 500 are unchanged from Pre disaster times. That,s unfortunate and I hope it not backfires, after initial excitement to return to almost normal vanes away. Then we had not exactly completely dressed guy performing dance routine in the stage. He had shoes on and they were laced if one is looking for description of his whole attire. What he presented was quite impressive and I, m NOT talking about dance routine. Then we had Moonlight models Nicky, Tae, Bee and Babe presenting themselves more ot less decently dressed rather than undressed and to complete show 4 or 5 regular, quite acceptable to this tired eyes, guys in singlets and jeans were presenting themselves to an audience in familiar go go routine. One certainly got lucky as it turned out guy I had scheduled for a noon tomorrow. Just Line friend, you know. Why wait asked myself I and promptly called him over, confirmed identity with line picture in the phone and I had chance to learn about those unchanged prices mentioned above. Our of 4 models less known i. e. Bee was engaged but youngish looking farang, other 3 shortly after left. No idea if off fee for models is still 1000 and what tip they are expecting but have still time to investigate. Opposite to my friend above I like new Babe's look better so who knows. Currently I have sights on other Moonlight star, not present last night. So another step bringing us back to our youth was made and now we have 4 bars, at disposal, quite a feast considering that month ago were none.

I didn' t know he frequented Patpong, that's bit of surprise but I guess, one never knows.

I do think another consideration should be about the extremely low probability of potentially having to quarantine for longer than 24 hours in the hotel, based on current rules. I hadn't considered this when I booked, which in the end turned out to be fine, but will say that I wouldn't want to have been confined there for any longer than few hours I spent there. Next trip I'll be carefully considering whether I'd be happy to be confined in the hotel of choice if I struck unlucky and had to quarantine for 5/7/10/14 days or whatever the rules say.

My underline. That's exactly what I did...

I went to 117 last night. While they did have signs posted saying that you are required to show proof of vaccination, no one asked me for proof. Inside only a few clients wore masks and none of the boys did (I did not). It felt like nothing had changed since I was last here almost 2 years ago except for the GP’s who were there last night. It was crowded as it always is on Tuesdays but there were very few guys who were my type (really handsome lightly muscled to heavy muscled). I was disappointed that only one of the regulars from my last few visits before Covid was there last night. I had let him know I was coming. I only did one program with him and a friend of his (an American football player type build kind of guy who was a great kisser). There used to be so many cute regulars that I enjoyed but my friend told me he has not seen them at the clubs since Covid. I am trying to decide if I will go back to 117 tonight or give 202 a try. I have been to 202 a couple of times before years ago but had no luck. Maybe I will give it a try tonight. My hotel in Centro seems the same except due to Covid they don’t stock the mini bar in room. I don’t know how that corresponds to Covid but whatever. I usually convert my money at the airport (I know I shouldn’t but it is so convenient) but my flights were delayed so I had to race through GRU to catch my connecting flight to Rio, so I did not have time to exchange my cash. Santos Dumont (my final destination) does not have a currency exchange. Now I have to figure out how to find a currency exchange somewhere Centro within walking distance of my hotel. I will check with the front desk when I go down for breakfast.

You’re reporting “pre-pandemic”, even if that was just a few years ago. There are several posters here (and in other recent threads) who are reporting their current experiences with garoto pricing in real time. To put it in better perspective, today 100 Brazilian reais is worth only 22 CAD or $17.50 USD. There are probably a few at 202 (more likely) than at 117 (less likely) that you could talk down to 100 reais, but the question is: why would someone (a traveling client, not a local) want to?

On the contrary, 10tazione, my pulse has been quickened by the reports from our intrepid travellers. Thanks, everyone.

Poor Burboy, brokenhearted again. And the rest of us don’t get to read your wonderful trip reports. Also brokenhearted.

Well, my partner and I saw the new West Side Story this afternoon. Not surprisingly, our views were different. Surprisingly, though, whereas I thought I would love it, I was quite disappointed. My younger Thai partner on the other hand really enjoyed it. His only concern near the start was the question he asked, "What's Puerto Rican?" I think he still has no idea why people from a small island would be going to live in New York and want to start gang warfare in the city. That, for me, is a very definite reason for Spielberg to have had more courage and brought the time the show is set much more up to date. What disappointed me? Certainly not the two lovers Tony and Maria. They were excellent actors and singers. Indeed, most of the acting was very fine. It is much more that the movie looks and feels dated. I found the dancing, the choreography and the big production numbers more convincing in the Robert Wise version (or what I remember of that movie). Indeed, I much preferred a touring version of the musical at the Thailand Cultural Centre during one of the Dance and Music Festivals about 15 years ago. That stage production kept me emotionally involved throughout. Spielberg's movie just lacked that emotional pull. My last beef was that the balance between the singing and the orchestra was just too much in favour of the singers. Naturally they have to be heard and understood. But in a theatre, the balance engineers keep the smallish orchestra at a good level. Having employed the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to play Bernstein's gorgeous score, it was mostly kept just too much in the background. I came out of the cinema disappointed.

Having seen the menu there I expected something like this to happen!

I think this is very unlikely. I think that I would have heard. It looks like Thai boy gossiping. I will find out what I can tonight.

Midguy, another excellent report -- keep 'em coming please. And no comments from me to be mis-interoperated as criticism by pedants, just one question -- you mentioned a 'cosy' bar at the end of soi4. May I ask which end? At one end (the darker end) there are two gayish comfy bars -- 'Sports on 4" and the other 'Bas Bar'. Both popular for years and good to see Sports has recently reopened. At the start of the soi, on the corner of Silom is a brand new bar called (I think) Silver Sands. It is owned and run by two 'ladies' from one of the islands. I haven't been in yet but it looks as though it could be quite gay. The floor above ground floor is due to open as a Korean restaurant and, this time a rumour for the future, the top two floors as a Cabaret bar. Finally, I've passed your kind comments about Connections Bar onto Ross an Aek the owners.

I do, I do indeed. If that is dark era, I can use more of that I guess

What started inconclusive turned out to be quite excellent turning my 4 days in Chiang Mai into Classic House monodiet proving my own rule to always allow for a second chanceunless bad will is involved. Which in turn crystallized as 3 Long Times with the same specimen and daIly massages with different highly qualified specialists each day, crowned in turn into last evening's 4 hands massage. Even free transportation between 2 hotels was thrown in. City sights are impressive, long distance train to Bangkok was sent off with full regalia including playing national anthem ( I did not take it, just went to see railway infrastructure and happen to be in that moment). City's crisp and sunny weather has also ability to turn old fools into idiots and had them still being happy for that. Details will be provided in due course. Bangkok's air is much warmer and steamer but I was quite happy to be back, if only to see Hot Male on 2nd night after re-opening.

Take comfort in fact you are not alone. Enjoy while it lasts and remember that "free" is often costliest option.

Sign up here then go to your appointment at one of these pharmacy branches, Droga Raia : https://www.drogaraia.com.br/agendamento/covid19/ Or this one, Drogasmil: https://www.drogasmil.com.br/servicos/teste-de-covid

Thursday night (3rd night if my trip) was much improved. I spent the evening at 117. I was pleased that I saw 4 GP’s from previous trips back at the club. It was not very busy but there were many more there than Wednesday. I spent the whole evening with 2 old favorites. I paid for a third (bottom) to join us in a suite so I could watch my 2 friends do him. It was quite hot. As for the going rate it seems to be 150 from what I can see which at $26 is quite the bargain. Hoping tonight is even busier. There was a GP there last night who kept making eye contact with me while I was with my 2 companions. He was very handsome so if he is there again tonight I might hire him. Tomorrow is the managers birthday celebration and they expect a bigger crowd. I’ll let you know. Today I have to find a place to line up a COVID test to take on Sunday so I can fly home on Monday. Wish me luck! On a side note, Google Translate is much improved since my last trip making conversation pretty easy.

Overnight rates vary wildly. It really depends on the garoto and sometimes, the nature of the relationship with the client. A little of it (but not much) has to do with negotiating skills. I’ve seen as low as 200 reais (rare), and as high as 2500 reais (also rare). You just have to decide what you’re willing to pay and if it’s not in that range, be okay with walking away. Some advertising garotos indicate on their ads (Viva Local, Garoto Com Local) what their overnight prices are. That would be a good place to start to get a general sense of overnight pricing.

$26 for a programa is still a bargain...anyone know overnight rates? Would 400-500 Reals cover it? A few years ago that was considered generous in SP.

Going rate is 150 Reals for Sao Paulo and Rio

Great to hear that things are still operating, although sorry to hear it has been disappointing--so far (and it only takes one great night to turn that disappointment around I'm curious (since I haven't been since pre-pandemic), is there any change in the going rate of around 100 reais? (I could see some factors pushing it up--high inflation--or others pushing it down--high unemployment) Also what is the word "on the street" about the security situation? Every Brazilian that I have met during pandemic times, except one (at the Sauna Thermas in Barcelona) has said that the security situation has deteriorated further in the last couple years (some blame covid, some Bolsonaro). But this is a biased sample, consisting largely of Brazilians living in or traveling to Europe. Looking forward to hearing about your third night....

2nd night I started out a 202 since I had not been there in years. The building was in slightly better shape than I remember. It was very full since it was their free room night. Many more boys than clients (from what I could see). Once again no one asked for any vaccination proof. My GP friend from 117 went with me. I did not find any one who was exactly what I was looking for so after an hour we headed over to 117. This was a mistake as the place was totally dead and near empty. At one point I counted 6 clients and 7 boys. I hope tonight has a bigger crowd.

The mini-bar extinction is mainly an artefact of concern related to microbial transmission from surfaces. The contents may have been handled by any number of room occupants. Think CoV-infected runny-nosed rugrat. Hotels assert broad-range fomite disinfection between stays but it’s impractical to swab every Toblerone and Smirnoff that the filthy guest prior to you may have mauled and placed back. Some people also use hotels for quarantine if they have been in contact with an infected person, for example to protect other family members, and it is not obligatory to report the reason for stay. Hoteliers have always hated the labour-intensity and minimal profit margins of mini-bars anyway. Surface contact transmission is less of a concern for an airborne pathogen but I doubt we’ll see a return of this amenity in establishments that have amputated them.

Travel agencies behind the Copacabana Palace area usually change money at a decent rate....

Which apps are you using? I am also finding some interest as well but not for free as I’ve passed the point of no return at 71.

Airasia X are in huge trouble financially. They cant pay their debtor and now malaysia authority are chasing them to refund malaysian customers their money back, instead of just giving credit for future trips. My sympathy to the workers. Locally, airasia is doing ok here, and domestic flights taking off as usual. Though people here do complaint of very limited counter opened for check-in probably due to lack of staff too.

don't exaggerate. Bring a book, few sandwiches, buy a tea of coffee aboard , even if for 5 euros it will not break the bank. As for luggage learn to travel light and problem solved. Charge your device at the airport while waiting for boarding. I'd be more concerned about leg room than those small inconveniences you mentioned. But that's me perhaps

I’ve been regularly going to Salvador and the Bahia state for over a decade and it’s absolutely one of my favorite places in the world. I love the people, the history, the food, the culture, the music, the dialect, and yes, the men — and I’m a bit protective of it all. I’ve seen good and bad visitors come and go. I’ve seen people have wondrous experiences and I’ve watched tourists “get got”. From my perspective, I will address your concerns: Safety: No, it’s NOT “safe”, and also, yes it IS “safe”, depending on where you go, who you are, and who you’re with. The touristy area of Barra around the beaches (Porto da Barra and Farol da Barra) and the streets which face it are the safest in the day and relatively safe at night along the beach boardwalk. If you like to put your life on the line, you can try cruising at night around the lighthouse or the small Christ statue, where rough trade and malandros are just waiting with knives for horny gringo turistas. Also, the world-famous UNESCO site the Pelourinho district is nice to visit, but not adviseable to do at night alone if you’re new and stick out like a sore thumb (in recent years, it was being heavily patrolled by police to make it safer for tourists but lately, due to the economy, that’s backed off and the crime and drugs seemed to have taken over once more). So again, use caution — even someone who “fits in” shouldn’t be dumb enough to walk around those dark alleys at night. Areas like Rio Vermelho and Pituba are considered more upscale but may be out of the way for other areas of interest. Remember, there are lots of pockets of favelas all over Salvador, including on the outskirts of Barra, Ondina, Rio Vermelho and Pituba, and while most people are good and honest and frankly, unconcerned about you, there are plenty of poor, desperate people (especially young men) looking to prey on an out-of-place, non-Portuguese-speaking gringo tourist — especially one who is alone and without the benefit of locals. Crime and violence is higher in the Northeast of Brazil, where Salvador is. You can keep your chances of being a statistic down by staying in well-lit, well-traveled tourist areas in the daytime (where you’re a lot more likely to find English speakers), having a local guide for everything else, and sticking to Uber or cabs. If you look Caucasian or Asian, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb in Salvador. Of course, if you open your mouth, it’ll remove all doubt. This won’t matter much in well-traveled touristy areas, but can be a cause for concern elsewhere, which is why traipsing around Salvador alone under these circumstances is not such a good idea. Saunas: They’re not 117 in Rio or Lagoa in São Paulo. Perhaps they are more comparable to 202, but not on its busiest nights. Salvador is of a slower pace. The atmosphere is more laid-back, and the garotos de programa there are fewer and in most cases, more average to slimmer builds (with some exceptions). As mentioned many times before, 90% of the inhabitants of the city are black or mixed with black, so you’ll find a multitude of shades, but not much “white” (branco) there — if that’s what you seek, you should go to Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul. The prices ARE already cheaper in Salvador and in the entire Northeast, so don’t be a dickcheese asshole and try to talk them down too much. The exchange rate would currently make 100 reais around only $17 USD. If you’re haggling over that at a sauna for a sexual encounter with a living, breathing human being, then you are seriously psychologically damaged and ethically compromised. Be prepared to take cabs or Ubers to and from the saunas.

Got this today from a long time Dreamboys employee: Last night i go to meeting at Dreamboys. Wait and see how is the Business. Very very bad. Only Staff, no customers. Last night in Dreamboys have only 3 Customers. Open from 8-11 pm. And, at Silom Soi 4 right now they have a lot of staff have Covid-19. I go to work at Dreamboys in January. I go for booster shot next Wednesday ( Pfizer ). My hospital called me to come for booster because Omicron very bad for people who have HiV.