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Had an opportunity the other night to talk with three massage guys I’ve known for 5+ years who work in Silom area. All had varying degrees of English ability. When discussion turned to tipping, I asked who were best tippers. They agreed westerners were usually good. When I asked them about Asian customers, all three said Malaysians were consistently most generous, especially compared to those from northern Asia. Another point that came up surprised me. If they see a young man and older man approaching the shop, regardless of ethnicity, they’ll try to attract the older client. Older gents are usually better tippers and more appreciative than the younger men, they agreed.

I visited Dream Boy at its' new location over the weekend. Others above have accurately described the place. The premises are impressive: Same as when it was Lucky Boy. For a boy bar its' a gigantic size with tiered seating- a bit like theatrical circle and stalls (UK style) with an enormous high ceiling and all seating in front of a grand stage. Comfortable and exciting. I had already been to a few bars and had consumed plenty of booze when I got there to Dream Boy ; quite busy maybe 50-80 customers with about 40-50 boys. Mainly masculine types with a sprinkling of other types. They could improve by getting more twinks. The show was as usual and ok but nothing special. As I had been on a bar crawl that night with a guest in tow I will not reveal how much I spent..... Most of the go go bars are charging 350-400 per drink and as I enjoy my drink, so it was a pricy night out and important at every bar to check the bins carefully and the change. Incidentally off fee is 500 baht. By chatting to the mama san can easily find out which boy does what, etc. Despite a lot I spent, I had a great night and Dream Boy is a fun place: Can recommend! 😀

3-way

good food , sometimes handsome waiters but I found it bit pricey. One of those places with poor ambiance but very good food. When there with boys (boys) watch what they order as some seafood dishes are expensive. Good hunting spot at bar closure time as many boys are passing by after end of shift, keep your eyes wide opened when alone there. Once I was dining with guy and he noticed I follow sight of another guy passing by and said condemningly "I know what you are thinking !"

https://liff.line.me/1645278921-kWRPP32q/?accountId=thecloud_official Line: @TheCloud_Official those boys certainly look good in pictures, with heavily photoshop…

Their guys are sexy.

From Channel News Asia TOKYO: As Japan throws open its doors to visitors this week after more than two years of pandemic isolation, hopes for a tourism boom face tough headwinds amid shuttered shops and a shortage of hospitality workers. From Tuesday (Oct 11), Japan will reinstate visa-free travel to dozens of countries, ending some of the world's strictest border controls to slow the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is counting on tourism to help invigorate the economy and reap some benefits from the yen's slide to a 24-year low. Arata Sawa is among those eager for the return of foreign tourists, who previously comprised up to 90 per cent of the guests at his traditional inn. "I'm hoping and anticipating that a lot of foreigners will come to Japan, just like before COVID-19," said Sawa, the third-generation owner of the Sawanoya ryokan in Tokyo. More than half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019. The government had a goal of 40 million in 2020 timed with the Summer Olympics until both were upended by the coronavirus. Kishida said last week the government is aiming to attract 5 trillion yen (US$34.5 billion) in annual tourist spending. But that goal may be too ambitious for a sector that has atrophied during the pandemic. Hotel employment slumped 22 per cent between 2019 and 2021, according to government data. Spending from overseas visitors will reach only 2.1 trillion yen by 2023 and won't exceed pre-COVID levels until 2025, wrote Nomura Research Institute economist Takahide Kiuchi in a report.

Let's observe a moment of silence in memory of Hedda.

Yes, he was. And his gay forum, Baht Stop was quite different to the others available, often straying into politics. I enjoyed contributing. He was an American Pattaya ex-pat, as I recall.

This topic was from many years back but expresses my view on this. If something is important to you, seize the day and do not hold regrets.

The photos looked photo shopped to me. Looks like makeup almost.

And all of them have very light skin tone, unlike the real Thais you see on street.

Boy, are you last picked on my debate team. It’s racist if dark-skinned inhabitants of the mixed venue declare that they hope that there won’t be a proliferation of lobster-red involuntarily sunburned crackers present, when preferably absent or low in numbers, to compromise their enjoyment and needs, stereotyping that subgroup as melanin-deficient, lacking in self-efficacy to avoid burning, and downregulating the visual aesthetic of the crowd. The typical position of normal fellows socializing about town would be characterized by tolerant inclusiveness and not reek of neurotic catastrophizing stereotyping fussiness predicated on distorted reality … FullSizeRender.MOV

Sounds favelasly favelalavorable and the Copa D’Or hospital is conveniently proximal.

I consider myself lucky I survived day time trip on motorsay taxi along Suthisan Rd to MRT station of the same name in May. Positively scariest thing I ever encountered in Thailand in my 22 trips. Up to then I was big fan of motorsai taxis but now I have my doubts

only in Thailand ?

was like my bible back in the day...I met him once at an Isaan food night at Balcony Pub Bar in Soi 4, really nice, helpful, funny guy.

I arrived in Pattaya Saturday...off from Nice boys, then someone from Jomtien complex after he finished work. Since they had to close at midnight Sunday, went with the same guy to the beach to drink after he finished work, stayed there until almost 5am..... I'd like to write a trip report, but my brain races like squirrels running around and it will end up , probably 😏

Another couple of good but not fancy Thai restaurants in south Pattaya: ฟ้าพัทยา: Fra Pattaya, on Pattaya Tai between Second Road and Walking St. The speciality is duck but if you ask for any Thai dish they can probably provide it. The menu used to be written on the walls in Thai only, but nowadays they have a huge picture menu. ผักบุ้งลอยฟ้า: Pak Bung Loy Fah on the corner of soi 13/3 and Second Road has a good menu of seafood and other dishes. They don't throw flaming morning glory across the road any more but that's the origin of the name. Both do excellent กุ้งแช่น้ำปลา

I agree 100%

With all respect to @reader I think the comment about drugs does a great disservice to taxi drivers in general. Over the last two decades I have probably taken more taxis from first DMK and then BKK to the city centre than any other poster - over 250 trips. As a very regular commuter to my business in Hong Kong, the Emirates flight I have taken dozens of times usually sees me in a taxi around 12:30 am. I have never once had cause to complain about getting back home in around 30 minutes at that time nor about excessive speed. The great thing about arriving around that hour is that there are absolutely no traffic jams. If arriving at 8:00 in the morning, I would not even consider a taxi given the horrendous jam to get into the city. I fully undersand there is likely to be the odd bad apple, but the only problem I have encountered on the airport run is a doctored taxi meter. That was easy to spot because I know how much the trip should cost making allowances for stops at traffic lights etc. On that occasion I took photos with my camera of the driver, the meter and the taxi licence number. The driver then refused to accept any payment!

Agreed, and I make a point of getting myself lost and randomly exploring any new city I visit. But not before breakfast. Not so... My first experience of BKK culture shock was in a taxi. After traversing what looked like a modern city with multi-lane elevated roads and high-rise buildings, and a litany of strange place names on the signs - Chatuchak, Din Daeng, Rama IX, Ngam Wong Wan, Chaeng Watthana, Sukhumvit, - the taxi turned off the expressway and dived into the bowels of the Khlong Toei intersection, which appeared to have trains mixing with the cars, and suddenly I was in what felt like an impossibly narrow canyon of decomposing concrete with festoons of wires draped everywhere... Of course, that was before the ARL, MRT and BTS existed, and meter taxis were still a rare novelty, so the challenge of negotiating a taxi or tuktuk for every journey was part of that first impression.

Garoto de Programa= Moneyboy in Brasil

GP -- general practitioner?

Thais are still wearing masks inside buildings and some also outside. Foreigners outside rarely wear masks.. Hardly see anyone wearing them in entertainment venues or restaurants. On public transit and taxis, it is expected that everyone will wear them. I try to copy what Thais do inside buildings and on transit, but not outside.

I want to mention two massage shops I’ve sampled in the past week. I’ve had it on my mind since my last trip to get out to KK Massage in the Saphan Kwai area (not to be confused with K-Man Spa even if they they share same owner). Finally made it this time with the help of a good map provided in a post by Totally Oz (see link below). For those going by public transportation, take exit 2 at Saphan Kwai BTS stop. It’s about a 25-minute walk or short bike or taxi ride). This is a small, basic shop of the type you find in the areas outside of main business district. Mattress on the floor and shower down the hall. But it may very well have one of the best stables in town. Upon arrival I chose from an array of guys the manager said were available The manager showed me a phone array of guys on call at the moment. After a quick scan I could have chosen any one of them and quickly pointed out one who made best impression. Manager called the boy and then took me to a room on second floor, pointing out shower location along way. I’d just finished undressing and was wrapping towel around me when there was a knock and my guy arrived. He smiled and immediately stripped down and led me to shower. I knew from this point I was in good hands. As usual, I spent 10 or so minutes massaging him (how could I not?). He turned out to be from Myanmar, 22, and has been in Bkk for a few years. He had almost no English but everything else I wanted. Already generously equipped, a tad more and you could easily imagine him among the Spa Boys of Myanmar. After a very satisfactory session, he took me back to shower. I’d been informed the minimum expected tip was 800 for the one hour oil I’d selected (I paid him 1200). One hour is 400 and 90 minutes 600). This was worth going out of my way for and plan repeat visit. https://www.gayguides.com/listing/kk-massage-gay-bangkok/ =============== The other shop I stumbled upon while touring the massage opportunities on upper Silom was Paradis (no e). There were a few guys sitting outside Soi 2 and both smiled broadly. One started chatting and showed me menu. I had a good feeling about this and agreed on one hour oil (500). He led into Soi 2 and soon turned right and took elevator to second floor. Doors opened to a spacious area with foot massage chairs. After removing shoes he led me to a good size room with massage table and shower. After showering alone, he returned and pointed to his pants and I said, Yes, please. Another satisfactory journey had taken the first step. He had sufficient English to carry on conversation and I soon learned he had once worked at the since closed Nakarat shop on Soi 4. We reminisced about guys I had known and he filled me in on where some had landed. He was a 28–year-old Lao guy who I vaguely remembered and most likely had used his services at Nakarat—among a handful of others there over the years. He seemed to know what I liked before I told him.He showered with me after and we chatted some more. Overall, I was pleased to get reunited with an old hand in nice accommodations.

I am in Bangkok. I do not personally see the need for masks. However, it is the law and it is the norm and I wear them everywhere. This is not my country and I owe respect to those that are Thai. My feelings are irrelevant. I have seen many eye rolls at foreigners who take off the masks. For those that wish to follow the norms in the USA, feel free and go to USA and do that. But, when in Thailand, respect their rules and norms.

Bogotá has incredible history and many sites to see. To get acquainted with the city, I would suggest 4-5 days including a Saturday night so you can attend Theatron, the largest gay club in South America. Know that traveling north-south in Bogotá takes time as the roads are congested so plan you time by neighbourhood-section of the city so you do not spend all your time in traffic. Day trips to the Salt Cathedral in Zipiquira or the sacred Laguito de Guatavita (the origin of the El Dorado legend) are exceptional. Medellín has a rich history (beyond what you see on Netflix) and is the centre of entertainment and film production, as well as being a rising tech centre (four universities) and tourism destination. I would suggest 3-5 days to get acquainted with the city and see some highlights. An overnight in Guatapé - El Peñol is also a great experience. Climb the rock to the summit and then explore the water on a boat tour before finishing up in Guatapé. There are tour buses continually between Medellin and El Peñol so you could make it a day trip. I would also suggest a day trip to coffee country (eje cafetero) to see traditional farming villages, but it requires a flight to Manizales or Pereira. Salento is the most famous coffee town and you can see the wax palms that are native to Colombia. For a day trip to the coffee region from Medellín, you can travel to Amagá where there are a dozen local coffee fincas you can tour. Cartagena is the gem of the Caribbean coast and is worth 2-3 days. Most find that they get bored of the tiny streets and plazas of Getsemani and El Centro (old city) so I would consider either a day trip to the beach clubs of Barú or Tierra Bomba. If you want to get completely away, take a few days in the Islas de San Bernardo where you have crystal clear warm water to swim in all day while you soak up the sun. Other cities to consider. Calí is on the pacific coast and is the home of Salsa music. Caleños love to enjoy life and have a good time. Go salsa dancing in Parque de los perros (free lessons each night) or hang out in Versalles neighbourhood. Santa Marta is another beach town at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain and the start of the trail to the Forgotten City. Barranquilla is a shipping port and home the second largest Carnival in Latin America and to Shaquira, for whom they erected the worst possible statue of her image. And I would also consider visiting Santa Crux de Mompox if you are a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (hire a driver - the roads are brutal), or La Macarena to see the Amazon from the Colombian side and visit the famous Caño Cristales river and waterfalls. Hope that helps get you started.

The line response today was that none of the guys offer sex as part of the service and it is not allowed.

I have never been able to confirm this, so it is nothing more than rumor, but I heard he died several years ago. Again, I have no way to confirm that. I can only hope what I heard is not true,

The following quote is from the Wall Street Journal (Oct. 10): In their efforts to understand the killings, many here cite drugs, which they describe as a blight on their community that ensnares teenagers and workers alike. Police said the killer had a history of drug abuse and was fired as a police officer after being arrested for methamphetamine possession. An autopsy showed he hadn’t taken any narcotics before the attack. He was scheduled to appear for a court hearing on Friday in connection with the drug-possession charge. Mayor Taweesak Chantasri, a former journalist and political activist who oversees a larger region that encompasses the district of Uthai Sawan, said methamphetamine abuse is common. Some workers on the plantations and in the factories have been known to get hooked after taking it to help finish grueling shifts or meet production quotas, he said. “It’s a very difficult problem,” he said. Cheap and abundant, “the drugs are everywhere in society,” he added.

Did I not say “The driver was worst speed demon I’ve yet encountered, passing every vehicle in sight during moderate rain.” That implies I’ve encountered others before that speed excessively and are likely on meth. I believe it occurs more often than the rare bad apple category suggests.