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I once read a fascinating book The Nature of Personal Reality. Effectively it suggests that we are all conditioned by our upbringing (pretty obvious) and that the way we lead our lives is to a large extent conditioned by what is instilled in us from birth by our parents and family. If we are going to carve out a reality for ourselves, we have to work quite hard mentally to find a way to break free from at least some of these early beliefs. From a young age I wanted to get away from home. Initially it was nothing to do with being gay, but that changed. I just wanted somehow to find a job that would take me away from my home country and give me the opportunity of seeing more of the world. It took some years but eventually I found myself in Asia in my late 20s. For most of the time it was Hong Kong, a territory I knew virtually nothing about before I landed at the old Kai Tak airport. Almost instantly I fell madly in love with the place - even though it still had the old British colonial anti-sodomy law on the statute books (this was not repealed until around 1990). That turned out to be no barrier to forming relationships with the stunning young guys I was to meet there. My second piece of luck was that there were virtually no westerners in the region working in my particular field. So within just a few years I was travelling reguarly all around Asia mostly on business trips but with a free week-end in the middle. I felt I had hit the jackpot. I stil remember so many of the guys I met in various countries decades ago. Andy from Blue Boy in Kuala Lumpur with whom I spent two blissful nights in just my second year. Armando in Manila. Yusuke and a six month affair in Tokyo. Sombat in Bangkok. Yoick in Seoul. David a model in Qingdao. Jonathan from Taiwan and a five year affair. Fai whom I saw frequently in Singapore. Before that move, I was given a multitude of advice about why moving to Hong Kong would be wrong for me and the career path I thought I wanted. I admit I was also full of doubts. But it was a 2 year contract with my Board having an option on a third. In the end that just seemed a small period earlyish in my life I might lose if I found I just did not like either the work or Asia. Rarely if ever I have I found life boring. It only took a couple of years before I'd be landing again at Kai Tak and realising I was home. And Asia has been my home since then.

Yes.... Lucky S, that's the one. As far as Soi Twilight is concerned, a couple of years later, it had Chardonnay, Blue Star and a couple of others opposite (New Man?) plus a short-time hotel. In that glorious, first trip I took to BKK, it was where I had my most interesting times. Blue Star was unique in that it had two separate troupes of gogo dancers, one very twinkish, the other more manly. They took it turns to strut their stuff, combining occasionally for a naked show. I recall that the twinks were often shy and kept their hands strategically-placed while the other guys let it all hang-out. Blue Star was where I dropped my wallet and was chased along the soi by one of the waiters who returned it to me. An unexpected and significant moment because, thereafter, I was impatient with falangs who claimed that the guys we meet aren't trustworthy.

Dog ugly? Would like to meet them.

Sadly Patpong BKK , Boyz Town & Sunee Pattaya and Paradise complex Patong are a gloomy shadow to what it used to be at the early to mid 2000's where the choices of gay venues was vast so many attractive genuine gay boys eager to please you and to know you better then just short time session, no matter how many recently trip reports saying how wonderful time they had it certainly can't match to what it used to be. Nowadays most of the boys are straight with business like approach ( 'you cum I go' ) and their heads buried at cell phones . I don't want to look like nostalgic fart but that's how I see the current things in Thailand.

Beauty is in the eye of beholder or something like that

I've had a look through my collection of ancient guides and have unearthed these maps from 1994-1997 (those are the publication dates, so they may already have been obsolete by then. Apologies for the unclear text on some - it's difficult to scan pages that won't lie flat. In that little alley the 1994 map has Khun Bar, Golden Cock, Super A, Lucky S, Super Lex Matsuda and Mama Sun (which was karaoke bar) 1994 (Thai Scene/Notcutt), 1995 (The Men of Thailand 5/Allyn) 1996 (TMOT6) 1997 (Thai Scene) 1999 (TMOT7)

I'm not sure exactly how I came across this place... But it's a male massage place that's sort of Saphan Kwai area on Intramara Soi 29. Looks like lots of hot boys. Might be a bit out of the way for most of us though. But their tweets do say on-site and off-site service available https://twitter.com/spagay31 http://lin.ee/aM4m4IS

Just like those Russian boys in Jomtien Complex?

Earthquakes are far from unusual in the Chiang Mai area as it sits atop a fault line. Looking at historical statistics since 1900, the area had 2 quakes of magnitude 6 or above, 9 between 5 and 6, 61 between 4 and 5. 63 between 3 and 4, and 263 between 2 and 3. The 6.1 quake near Chiang Rai on 5 May 2014 caused the most damage of all recent ones, with 15,000 buildings affected. Bangkok sits far from an earthquake zone and has not suffered more than minor damage from quakes in neighbouring countries. Many, though, felt the December 2004 9.1 Indian Ocean earthquake which had tall buildings in the city swaying. It was bad enough for the Banyan Tree Hotel on Sathorn to be evacuated.

I'll be even more boring (!) and suggest that what made Bangkok so special was not so much the quantity as the quality of the bars and their offerings. There were many I'd go into and quickly depart. But starting with Apollo in Soi 4 in the early 1980s with its nude dancing after around 9:30 pm, Barbiery from the mid-1980s with its two stages, 100 or so boys and a cornucopia of delights every visit, Volt sauna around the same time (was it the first with Obelisk opeing soon after?) and then the crown jewel of the original Babylon. Somewhere during that time I discovered the original Twilight and just loved the place - sleaze and all.

This place appears to located in vicinity of KK Massage on Sutthisan Winichai Rd. Judging by map it’s probably equidistant from either Saphan Kwai on BTS or Suthisan station on MRT Blue Line.

Why? They did not pay tattoo shop for the service?

Don't believe everything you read. 👽

I don't know about farang, but in my area along with everywhere else I've been, nearly all the Thais are still wearing masks. So am I, especially since now this new BQ.1 Omicron variant has made its way into Thailand. Only a couple cases so far, but we've all seen how that goes. Don't be surprised if a new mask mandate is imposed if it starts spreading. I don't have a problem about wearing the mask, so I'm going to wear it until the vast majority of Thais stop wearing it. Until that day comes, my mask stays on.

I was walking along the Road New Twlight bar is on when three guys stationed by the side of road approached me. “Many new boys, come see”. They gestured toward what at one time formed the lead in the trifecta of sleaze—Super A, Golden Cock and Nature Boy. Sleaze. Really hadn’t seen much signs of it since returning so as the whore monger that inhabits all of us here I felt duty bound to check it out. Stepping through the door of Super A was like time travel, returning to my last visit over a dozen years prior. It was discomforting to see how nothing had changed: sofas to the right, tiny stage to the left and bar in back. Two customers were sitting with guys. I sat down in the unoccupied sofa and order a beer (200). Soon the show, more of a lineup actually, got under way. One guy stood on the stage and moved his arms slightly from side to side. Seven boys in street clothes stood to his right doing nothing, all with the look, “what am I doing here.” The same thought crossed my mind but I cautioned myself to give it a chance. Four or five minutes passed and nothing changed. The mamasan signaled to everyone to sit down. That prompted me to pay my tab and make for the door behind an Asian customer toting his bottle of beer. If I felt anything as I walked away it was sympathy for those who made up the ragtag crew whose vacant expressions spoke volumes. It can be challenging to get a new bar up and running, and sometimes too much of a one. But never under estimate the sleaze factor to prevail in the end.

Is it just me? Time after time I read on here il you guys travelling to different places some within weeks ,some posters are one month in Brazil the week after in Germany then in Thailand! Travelling the World for sex, if only I had the time and money I must lead a boring life compared to some of you

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai was struck by an earthquake of 4.1 magnitude on the Richter scale, at 4.36am this morning (Thursday). It was the strongest quake in the province in recorded history. Tremors were felt in the two neighbouring provinces of Lamphun and Phayao, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. The epicentre of the tremor was located about two kilometres underground in Mae Khue sub-district of Doi Saket District. Thai PBS reporters conducted a random survey of temples in Doi Saket and found that none had sustained damage in the quake and no public utilities were affected. Mae Khue Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) Mayor, Nonthawat Wanna, said today that an initial survey has not found any damaged buildings or public utilities and has ordered a more thorough inspection.

Visited this shop for first time today about 16:30. One boy in shop but manager showed me photos on phone of about 15 who were available on call. I chose one and was taken to room. By time I finished shower he arrived and showered. As it turned out, he was my first gay masseur of trip and performed well. The one hour oil was 420 baht and was informed full service minimum tip was 1,000 (well earned). When I left there were three in the shop, any one of whom I’d take. Rooms here on first floor with mattress on floor atop foot-high platform. Shower down the hall. I took Blue Line and walked Sutthisan Winichai Rd. from Sutthisan station. It took about 22 minutes but I prefer approaching in opposite direction from Saphan Kwai because shops along way more interesting and sidewalks better. By 16:00, that side of road mostly in shade. Two bus routes serve this road. I began walking toward Saphan Kwai and I travelled no more than 3-4 minutes when I came upon KK Spa, a shop I’ve visited in three earlier occasions this trip. If you aren’t a slut like me you would have concluded that you’ve had sufficient fun and just headed home. I of course opened the door and was presented with a bottle of water and a new photo array. Several guys made the short list but the beaming smile on one sealed it and I agreed to one hour oil for 350 baht. I took shower and when I returned my guy had arrived and was stripping down. He was bigger than he looked in photo and had great tats. Turned out to be 22 year old Cambodian. I had chosen well because after he showered he demonstrated that straight guys know what the he’ll it’s all about. I traded places with after less than 15 minutes and he was a bit surprised. He soon discovered that this was a great idea and completely relaxed. He showered with me and we took turns soaping up each other. The minimum tip was 800 and I gladly tuned that up. From what I gather, these shops are keenly aware that their main source of income is locals and have adjusted their fees down in the past week or so. The guys are all free lancers and derive their income solely from tips. In the Silom area, most guys are on staff and get a cut of the fee because they have specified work hours to be available in shop. I believe the reason so many hot guys are available in these more remote locations is geography. These are the areas Thais and other Asians can afford to live. Some work other jobs during the day and are on call later.

Easily accessible by taxi or bus 74. Off-site are usually outrageously expensive. I have been to Home Spa several times, but never found a selection of boys as good as on their twitter or line and left without doing business there. I think they share their boys with ฟ้าหลังฝน นวดเพื่อสุขภาพ Fah lang Fon Massage (old name on google maps, changed name to 27M or 15M massage), which is in walking distance to BTS Saphan Khwai. I wrote about these places on my blog, currently offline but can be accessed here https://web.archive.org/web/20220616210853/https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/

I have never found any problem with guests at other hotels - perhaps because they tend to be so much bigger and its difficult for staff to spot guests. I also use my trusted atlas mostly because I sometimes want to visit friends and Japanese addresses are notoriously difficult as they are totally different from western addresses. But I'll try google maps when I return next year. I wonder if google provides all the info on the underground many passageways. Forgot I also stayed once about 5 years ago at the Gracery Hotel in Shinjuku and enjoyed it. The important thing to remember is that there are two sides to Shinjuku station and preferably you want a hotel on the east or south side.

Oh so cute 🐱💜💚💚💚

These days google maps, rather than printed maps, is a better way to get around. Unless you are familiar with Tokyo -or any other big city - it can be a total nightmare! If I remember correctly, I was using Google maps in Osaka and it was actually showing not just the map, but a photo of the street which constantly changed as I was walking along! I'm not sure the City Hotel Lonestar is still open. In any case, as Peter says, the rooms are really small. Also, when I stayed there, you could not bring guests back.

Tried but failed to find it on first trip in 2002. It was only on second trip that I succeeded. In its heyday, it was practically addictive.

Continue please!! Great to read your recollections... And yes the Super Lex I went to was at the very end of the Soi from Super A. You could also enter from the Soi off Soi 6.

Obviously this very much depends on your budget. The first thing to remember is that Tokyo is a huge city, mostly low rise and so location is important. The public transport system is fantastic, extensive and cheap. You can get almost anywhere with the Japan Railways (JR) overground system or the various subway lines. The problem is it all closes down just before midnight and the last thing you want even to consider is a taxi home. Taxis are horribly expensive. Since you will no doubt want to be near the main gay area, Shinjuku is the obvious location for your hotel. This is the main high rise district but underneath street level there is a rabbit warren of passageways, all with shops, which means if it is raining you can easily walk to get around. Shinjuku station is one of the busiest in the world and takes a little getting used to. But here again the location is great. From Narita airport there is the fast Narita Express train which has just one stop before Shinjuku. As you would arive at Haneda there is no train service but a handy regular limousine bus service that also goes direct to Shinjuku station. If you are adventurous, there is a monorail that takes you to one of the main JR and subway stations. But I think not ideal for a first time visitor. The next thing you need is a good bilingual map. Actually atlas is more appropriate because you need lots of pages if you want to explore other parts of the city (and they are well worth exploring). I like this one because it is smaller than a paperback whereas most of the others seem to be a bit larger than a paperback. As for hotels in Shinjuku, there is one right in the middle of gay district, the City Hotel Lonestar, but the rooms are tiny - and you do not know the meaning of tiny until you see them! Basically hotel price is often dependent on room size. Business hotels are near the cheaper end but the rooms are small often without a proper wardrobe or much room for a large suitcase - but the bathrooms will be spick and span! The other point to note is that if you are visiting around the time the sakura is in bloom, rates will be higher. This is generally anywhere from mid-March to early April. The Shinjuku Prince Hotel is an older property but within walking distance of the gay area. . I have stayed at what is now named the Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo Hotel which used to be a Best Western. I liked it, although it is on the edge of the red light district and you may have to put up with the odd tout approaching you to go to a straight club - oddly many are African! Always book a double room if you plan to have company for the night as the single rooms will have just a small single bed. Rooms with breakfast should come in at around US$120. I have also stayed many times at the excellent Century Southern Tower which is only a three minute walk from the station and located on the top floors of a skyscraper building. Bed and breakfast is nearer $160 but well worth it. I have seen recommended elsewhere a hotel just across from Shinjuku Gyoen Park (a bit closer to the gay district) but I cannot recall its name. Nearer the time I can give you lots more information about what to see and where to go - gay and otherwise!

But most of them dog ugly.

Actually I discovered that if I do a multi-city itinerary BKK-HND-IAD it's way cheaper airfare wise. Any suggestions on good locations to stay for a first-timer?

It's because my life is boring here that I strive to get away from it....to Thailand!

Not great advice when the Monkeypox vaccine is not currenty available in Thailand!

Yes, me too. It occurs to me that our younger posters will look at the map and turn green with envy when they see what was available. long ago. What the map doesn't show of course is that the hosts in the bars were more eager and welcoming and that the go go dancers actually danced. I agree with floridabob that we are fortunate to have better technology now- not that I am able to use it- but, bluntly, it doesn't compensate for what has gone for ever.

I visited all three bars in that soi. I am pretty certain now that Super Lex was the much bigger bar at the end of that soi with curtians around three sides of the stage that looked like they had been taken from 1950s cinemas! Lex was a Japanese named Lex Matsuda. I have an inkling that the bar opposite Super A was named Lucky something - Lucky S or Lucky 5. I have tried to find information from on line copies of the old free magazines that used to be given out in many of the venues. The ones I can find only have Super A in that location. Something tells me that Out In Thailand which was run from Chiang Mai had maps with at least two bars in that location but it died many years ago. I did find this from Janary 1999 which might be of interest to some (quite a number of typos in it!).

At almost ¥150 to US$1, the Japanese ¥ has not been lower since 1990. With the country now open more or less, there is no better time to visit. May bargains to be had.

To me $100 for an hour session with a cute boy doesn't seem so expensive. But I am in the US where escort prices are fairly high and the sorts of guys I like are difficult to find (here it's mostly older muscle guys). I think this thread has encouraged me to make a stop in Tokyo instead of Seoul next Spring

Those hideous tattoos. A tragedy.

Some cute masseurs. Almost all seem to be top.