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The immigration and customs officials are ready for the masses. I deplaned around 4pm on Thursday. While the airport wasn't nearly as busy as it had been in 2019 — while there weren't patterns of planes unloading passengers in the middle of the tarmac away from the terminals and then herding them onto buses — once inside, the arrivals areas were buzzing. After having seen an insane picture of the huge lines at customs earlier this month, I decided to book a Fast Track reservation through www.limousine.in.th so I could bypass any mess that might await me. As it turned out, I did not need this service as lines behind the plentiful customs desks were only three or so deep. What's more, the guide who was waiting for me as soon as I stepped foot into the airport, guided me past the first customs area to a second, which not only wasted several minutes but forced me to walk back almost the entire length of the baggage claim area once I zipped through customs. The customs and immigration procedures have been streamlined since 2019, and there is no need to even fill out customs and immigration forms during your flight. Customs only wants to see your passport. They will also record all 10 of your fingerprints and take a photo. I really hate this collecting and filing away of my biometric data for no reason other than I fly internationally. Anyway, if I saved anytime at all by going Fast Track, it was five minutes tops. So you might not need this service. And even if you do need the service to avoid long lines, its value is further diminished by the very long time it takes a plane's baggage to arrive at the designated carousel. By the time that happened, every singly passenger on my flight was already around the carousel. Not one bag made a second trip around, all being claimed on their first go-round. I regretted my purchase of this Fast Track insurance policy, especially as my suitcase was in the final batch. I didn't save anytime at all. In the future I will only book this service if I know my suitcase is going to receive a PRIORITY tag. Next up was immigration. Like I said, there is no form to fill out, you either walk through a green “nothing to declare” passage way or a red lane. In the green lane, passengers are randomly picked out and their bags given secondary scans. On this day, the randoms were all young women carrying large black bags of some kind. My second mission was to head to the basement floor to exchange some currency near the train entrance so I would have some spending money once I got to Silom. Super Rich has moved. It is now down a pretty good distance from the train's entrance, on the right side, along with Happy Rich and Kasikornbank. Super Rich also does not have the best exchange rates anymore. Today, Happy Rich and Kasikorn were offering 3,555 baht per $100 bill. Super Rich was offering B5 less, and the lines were equally short at each place. (I did check a small, unbranded forex booth on Surawong once I got into town, and it was offering B3,500 baht per $100. It was night, and the big forex shops were closed so maybe there will be better rates on Friday.) Now for my final mission at Swampy: leaving the place. I went back up a level, and the queues for the taxi were horrendous. I took a walk to the left as instructed by another poster on another thread to look for a second taxi stand with no lines, but there was none on this day. So I pulled out my phone and hailed a Grab SUV to my hotel for about B650, not bad! Grab drivers meet you on the second level (I thought the meeting place was the fourth level, so I had to hurry down two escalators, and look for my driver). The meeting place is also along the outer lanes, so you gotta cross those first lanes of traffic. They will tell you were to meet, like “Outside Exit 7.” Initially we couldn't find each other, so my driver called me and then we both started waving our hands high in the air so we could find each other. Had I been looking rather than waiting, it would have been easy to spot the SUV and license plate number. This Grab taxi option was extremely easy and receives the Biggus Diccus seal of approval. Download Grab, folks; it'll save you time. Now onto another matter I want to put out there. Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend of a friend to give him some cash as he's still in a tough spot. He was the best friend of Dave, who died during the pandemic. I don't owe anything to this guy, now into his 30s, but thought I would be doing right by Dave by helping out his best friend. The three of us did share some magical New Year's and Songkrans. I did try to transfer some money to him during the worst of the pandemic but instead TransferWise stole $500 from me. I'm still furious about that. After that experience I started saying no to requests for wiring more cash to Thailand. But now that I'm in his country I have no problem handing him what I would have given him had TransferWise not stolen it. Before I told him how much I was going to give him, he was sending me texts about how expensive it would for him be to fly down from his home in Chiang Mai and pay for a hotel. After I told him how much I was going to give him and he would be better off using a bus or train and staying with friends, he decided he'd hang around Bangkok for the weekend because he hasn't visited the city in a long while. He's gonna have hundreds of dollars so why not enjoy it? The problem is I know he's going to ask me to let him stay with me in my hotel, and to stay with me for my entire trip. He broached that subject once months ago and I brushed it off, giving him an indirect “no” that people in may Asian cultures are often adept at intuiting. Since last week, though, he has been texting me on Line, “How are you?” I reply, “I'm fine how are you?” He replies that he's fine too and I end the conversation by saying, “Well, I'll see you on Friday to give you that gift.” But that hasn't stopped him from texting me every couple days, “How are you?” I'm still fine, I say, just like two days ago when you last asked. See you sometime Friday. So tomorrow when he asks to join me for the rest of my vacation I'm ready with my answer: “This is why I've been ghosting you on Line. I knew you were going to ask that even though we both know what the answer is going to be, even though you know I will not change my mind no matter what you say, so let's pretend you didn't just ask that.” I'll pause for a couple beats, then change the topic of the conversation: “So how do you plan to spend your money?” Anyway, the thought of this possible confrontation — something that should be a happy occasion and reunion of sorts after three years — is keeping me from sleeping tonight. Good night, everyone.

I'm shy introvert although not necessarily one who seats in the corner and won't look at other farangs but certainly not one who strikes conversation with strangers in bar first. How I managed to meet 29 of our members is one of life great mysteries

I'm another shy introvert here who rarely sits at bars but if and when I do, I am not necessarily the one who sits in the corner. I like watching people and for me, it is like good old-fashioned theatre: I sit comfortably and I watch - which is very different from the modern 'immersive' theatre when, while being in the audience, you may suddenly find yourself becoming a member of the cast as well (I absolutely hate that). So, I am very unlikely to approah other farangs and most certainly, I am not the one who strikes a conversation with strangers first. Those who do strike a conversation with me first often tell me afterwards that I have rather intimidating looks (I could never understand what they mean by that, by the way; ugliness does intimitade some people though, that's true). I won't classify myself and sociable. A sociopath who is well-trained in tolerance, maybe.

I am very sociable, I start friendly conversations with almost anyone who does not indicate distain. I chat with clerks bellhops, concierges, 7-11 clerks, waiters, cops... if we speak the same language. ( i even bought water for a couple of thai traffic cops in BKK because I thought they were dying dressed in black in the sun directing traffic) . when last in Pattaya (2016) I went out with Gaybutton (and ?) gay expat gang to the weekly (bi-weekly?) dinner at the german restaurant then went with a subset of the guys to several sleezy bars in sunee. I had a good time. I wont walk up to your table in Jomtien and introduce myself.... but if you are alone at the bar or sittting next to me at a gogo bar without a boy, i will probably try to start a conversation. I talk to guys at the gym (here in USA)... just wishful thinking I hope to see some of you guys in Jomtien area this christmas. would be happy to go out to dinner and chat...

I'm pretty shy and introverted, so likely won't start a conversation with anyone, however I will attempt conversation if someone talks to me, I'm just not very good at it lol. I prefer gogo bars as I feel there isn't so much of the social aspect there compared to a host bar. I can just happily watch the show by myself, have a drink and choose a guy, plus conversation is too hard anyway due to a combination of English skills and the deafening volume of the speakers.

Only because I thought it was you , never expected you will be younger, lol

I am sure it is not a mystery. From your posts on this forum you seem like a very nice person. 😃

Today I was really thrilled to be at the saunas during Brazil's debut in the World Cup. I had pictured 202 full of people, celebrating each time their team scored. Management was offering a free caipirinha with the entry, and a round of free beer every time the team scored. Initially, it was a total disappointment. When I arrived, they were still cleaning up and I was the only visible client, plus one GP I was not interested in hiring. The turned the A/C for me, and I had the wait well after the match started for them to be ready to deliver a caipirinha. As I was watching the game, I noticed that there was probably more people upstairs. A few clients and GPs would pass by. A couple of the GPs came to introduce themselves but I was not interested in a programa with any of them. When the second half was close to finish and the national team's victory was clear, my Favela Boy texted me to let me know that he was coming, and that today it was his birthday. So I ordered a second caipirinha and some fries to munch while waiting. Once the game was over, the movement started. One of the guys I had been cruising the whole week came to introduce himself. Mineiro, I think every time I come to Rio I meet more Mineiros than Cariocas. The guy is beautiful, IG model quality but with some imperfections in his face that make him masculine and very sexy to me. We chat for a while. He is versatile and, when I told him that I was waiting for a friend, he asked me who he was. I told him the name of my Favela Boy, and he suggested that we could make a threesome. When we were having that conversation, I had the pleasure to meet @Xclay. We had been missing each other the whole week, and here we finally had the chance to shake hands and chat for 5 minutes. Literally five minutes, because shortly after he sat and I introduced him to my new Mineiro friend, my Favela beauty arrived. I asked him if he knew Mineiro, and I perceived something weird between them, so I dropped the plan to have a threesome. It was about 7, and I wanted to check out of my Airbnb at 8, so I did not waste time. I abandoned the Mineiro and Xclay and ran to get a suite. By the way, I got #7 for the first time, I think it is the best cabin in 202. Favela Boy's performance was even better than yesterday. He is not as skillful in bed as my Super Lover is. But Super Lover is 28 and Favela Boy was in his 21st birthday day. His lack of experience was generously compensated by his beauty. He was so passionate! When we finished, he asked me not to tell anyone that he was bottoming, because he did it only for me. Of course, it is bull shit, but adorable bull shit. In retrospective, this disclaimer was probably related to the Mineiro. We showered and I ran downstairs to catch the Mineiro and have a quick with him. But he was not visible at the bar and, when I watched the time, it was already 7:50. I just ran out, I do not even remember how much was the bill. I am right now in the airport, waiting to board my flight back to the States. As usual, when I feel I finished warming up and I am actually having fun, I have to leave Rio. I must find the way to stay here for at least a month. This is my last report in this thread. Thank you for reading.

Did you hear about BOLT? I'm told their rates are much better than GRAB in Bangkok. Here in Pattaya, BOLT has destroyed GRAB. Everyone uses BOLT. I would be interested to know the BOLT situation in Bangkok now. I will be heading up there next week myself.

Pretty much total introvert here. I like to watch and observe. I often say I don't like people but I'm not sure that's entirely true. I am able to hold a conversation if necessary, but tend to be fairly guarded with strangers.

PART 1, common stuff This trip came even as surprise to myself. I was planning to go somewhere lese but things did not work so I was left with both free time and untouched travel fund allotted for that trip not to even mention desire to travel. So I decided to look for some last minute options and one of my friends who actually spent December there suggested Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Him not being gay did not even realize how illustrious that advise sounded to me in view of supposed vast gay scene there and 273 clicks later my package consisting flight , hotel, breakfast and airport transfer in PV both ways was purchased. All I had to do was to pack, get some information both tourist and about the scene and wait few days for an actual flight to take that week long vacation. This was my third visit to Mexico but last being 20 years ago almost to the day and then free from any boy hunting made me feeling I’m discovering uncharted territory specially that previously I was in different parts of country. Puerto Vallarta is on Pacific coast in the bottom od quite vast Banderas bay and is quite big city of about 200 000 which was good new meaning there’s something to do if weather interferes. September is not a best time to go there according to my information as it is rainy season but it turned much better than expected. City was still full of vacationers , mainly Mexicans, but not crowded, flight both ways was about 2/3 full and rainy season turned quite pleasant with sunny mornings and afternoons, it was raining daily early evening but with exception of one day rain lasted 1-2 hrs max. One day deluge lasting from 6 pm to at least 3 am, perhaps longer but I fall asleep so don’t know did not stop me from having fun, all I need was to wring my shirt before entering strip bar . More about that later. City is neatly divided into 4 parts , from airport going south Marina section , then Hotel Zone changing into Centre and than after crossing the river , Zona Romantica, main entertainment and above everything else, gay entertainment part. Small island between that Zona and Centre has best art crafts market in whole city in my opinion and no souvenir shopping should be done without visiting there. Speaking about crafts , after my previous visit to Mexico out of all countries I visited and I visited more than one I rated that country along with Peru , Morocco , Iran , India and Myanmar as best place to shop but not any more as , like almost everywhere cheap, Chinese produced stuff , uniformly looking takes most of space of shelves although still a lot of interesting stuff can be found. It’s quite possible that situation in other parts of country like Mexico city is much better but PV did not impress me that much when comes to that stuff. Communication is easy, taxis are everywhere and bus system easy to master with fares of 10 peso = 50 US cents. What to do there other than shopping , strolling along Malecon and of course enjoying the ocean’s warm waters ? ( gay part will come in a while ). Out of 6 full days there I stay in the city for first and last , middle part of stay devoting to day time trips visiting attractions listed below. Vallarta Botanical Gardens, 45 minutes bus trip, fare 1.50 USD one way, cut out of jungle with trekking and river bathing options with good restaurant on the site. Take bathing suit and towel. Jungle trek along the shore from Boca de Tomatlan ( 30 minutes by bus , 50 cents ) taking about 3 hours with possible sunbathing and swimming on few secluded small beaches , including one I had just to myself for good hour. It end in Las Animas where you can have a lunch and return by boat ( 200 peso = 10 USD ) to Boca and back to PV by bus for another 50 cents. Sayulita , small but very popular city with good beach and plenty of attractive boutiques for shoppers and known for good surf. Buses from Wal Mart in Marina part of PV going there every ½ hr , trip takes 1.5 hr one way and cost heart stopping 1.5 $ USD = 30 peso. Yelapa, secluded beach village accessible only by boat, 400 peso = 20 USD round trip from PV. There’s beach , restaurants and 2 waterfalls, smaller close to the village , bigger one requiring 1-1.5 hr trek one way. I opted for big one and it was not a right decision in rainy season as getting there requires crossing the river which after last night rain was quite swollen and I backed up afraid that if something would happen to me , nobody knew as I was there alone. So wait for dry season to get there. My package included stay in Tropicana hotel very conveniently located on the beach , just south of Zona Romantica, 15 minutes walk to Anthropology ( soon you will learn why it’s important ), steps from Blue Chairs gay hotel and beach. In short location was excellent. When combing gay sites I learned they hotel is very gay friendly so it made me even more excited. I was assigned room on the last floor with view almost to die for. Room was spacious , had balcony, hotel had not one but two pools. What for with ocean just outside the gate I don’t know but both were occupied heavily during day. Disappointing part for hotel of this class and first quarter of 21 century was no internet in the room , only in common areas on ground level. I solved it by buying SIM card with data for 150 peso = 7.5 USD but still was disappointed. There was no kettle in the room to make tea or coffee , again I solved it by bringing my own immense water heater and metal cup. Drinking water was provided but only 2 bottles for the whole stay, not daily. And final, gay friendly doesn’t mean guest friendly. Guest was required to register, obtain bracelet removed subsequently on departure and host was supposed to pay 300 peso -= 15 USD joiner fee. All this in place charging 80-130 $ per night !!! When compared to Thailand we can see that hotel value there is much , much , much better. Still I would stay there again, mainly because of location and view – almost all rooms have unobstructed ocean view but only as part of package. Having flight and hotel cost me only 260 $ more than just flight only for the same dates so daily rate was slightly above 30 $, it’s why I’m not complaining. Finally before we move to more interesting subject , since this is Mexico we need to mention crime situation and here I have very good news for you. In Puerto Vallarta it is not your concern. I was walking nightly through in parts very deserted streets very late , sometimes at 1-2 pm and never ever had reason for concern. On the first day I arrived in hotel at 7 pm , by time I settled it was dark and went about the completely unknown to me city and it was all peaceful and quiet , of course with exception of being close to raucous gay and straight bars ( gay ones were noisier ). I had one more attraction included in the package , unknown to me. When we landed we were greeted with news that 3 hours earlier there was earthquake. Then when about the city on my fist night I went to restaurant I was told that they may close soon as they expect tsunami warning which did not materialize fortunately. Finally , deep into night when I arrived from Anthropology ( soon , soon , relax ) around 3 am and went to bed before I fell asleep I felt hotel dancing and it lasted good 40 seconds if not more. It was pretty strong but not strong enough to create damage. Not a first earthquake in my life but still memorable experience. Gay part coming most likely tomorrow

very few, but I don't intrude on people. Most people who want to be left alone give off a vibe that is pretty easy to see. and I dont walk up to a table and "hey, how are you, I'm an american, can I sit with you, look at the abs on that twink, would love to eat his ass! how about you?" I'll chat with the bartender, then make a comment in your direction.. if I can get a smile out of you, then I will chat some with you.

No, no and....no. Never have been sociable. But there was an occasion in Pattaya when I was exactly that. It was my during first trip in 1995 . I used to have a pre bar-opening drink in Panorama, and often found myself in fascinating conversation with other falangs. I'd only been "out" for a couple of years and being able to talk with other gay men was delightful after all those years of silence and repression..

Not living in the Silom area affords me different people to be close to on the apps. Most are office workers and college students. Most will never respond to me. I'm patient and and also don't mind repeating a "you are sexy" many times. I saw a lad 2 years back that I thought was adorable. He was cute and sexy. I messaged him. No response. 5 other times over the last 2 years, the same. Never even responding. Today! Today was different. It was rainy and he was stuck in my area (just feet away) and did not want to go out in the rain so he responded. We chatted and I asked him what he was looking for an he said 1000 baht. I said OK. I know he was not a regular money boy as that rate was not regular. But, when he got to me he was very nervous. He chilled a bit with my BF and relaxed. Great sex. Afterwards many thank you's for a good time and he was off. Now, he has me on his friend list in multiple places and this cute junior accounting major has a new benefactor. He asked me to take him to a movie next week and I agreed. He said, "I'll buy your ticket if you buy dinner." Agreed. 2 fucking years later. Damn!

Just wondering how many of you are "sociable" when you travel esp to places like Pattaya where there are many like minded farang. Xmas is coming along and some of you I know live alone and this travel to the wonders of Thailand for company . Are you a extrovert or introvert? Can you walk into say the home bar and start a conversation up or do you take a sit in the corner and don't look at any other farangs ? Now leave the money boys out of this ,I just want to know if your sociable with other farangs

I’m an extrovert, easily meet and engage in conversation with anyone … but I’m not intrusive. I do oftentimes initiate a conversation with strangers. However, I respect other gay men when they’re occupied with a MB (or in Rio with a GP) or are obviously actively cruising. It’s been the rare instance when I’ve encountered someone who isn’t interested in some conversation. The first gay bar I visited in BKK was Harry’s (Silom 2) in the early 1990s which I’m recalling wasn’t so much a formalized MB bar but, rather, it was recommended to me as a place the uninitiated (in BKK) English-speakers could find gay men from elsewhere who visited BKK frequently helpfully answered questions about the scene and pointed you in the right direction. The owner/manager was very patient/helpful with questions/answers. I learned so much in those early visits from the Dreaded Ned’s website, it’s excellent directory of gay bars and businesses, and the rough-and-tumble (frequently combative) message board.

Thanks for the report, only a few more weeks until I will be following your footsteps and the excitement is building. Suggestion to get out of the confrontation, just tell him you're meeting someone who you already agreed will stay with you.

This whole thread is essentially, "How do differentiate expats from tourists". Group of 8 farang around a table? expats Guy sat alone looking at boys? Tourist. Sure, there are always exceptions. Just most expats go to bars to chat to friends. We don't need bar fines to get our boys.

I doubt anyone who ever met me would classify me as an introvert, but when I go out to the bars (which is very rare these days) sorry, but I ain't there to socialize with farang - unless I went with friends. I've had had nice conversations with farang in the bars when the moment was right, but it just happened. I wasn't looking for that. I'll let you gents guess for yourselves what I was looking for . . .

I would class myself as a shy introvert (like vinapu), whilst I most likely won't start a conversation with a farang in a bar I would join in and I certainly don't sit in the corner. I will also say my eyes aren't on the farangs but are fixed on the talent in the bar🤗

Part 2 continued Strip Clubs After combing internet I was expecting to visit all four listed, three of them on Cardenas , practically one beside another. But it did not work that way – Pervert seemed to disappear or relocate but I did not find where. Wet Dreams looked closed for low season I checked almost daily well past midnight but no , it was not opened. Hope in future. 69 is opened but I had bad luck as it was in process of renovation for 2 weeks, I even saw work in process and scheduled to re-open 2 days after my departure. There’s prominent sign in the window “men only admitted”. Obviously no trace of political correctness there. This left me with only choice - Anthropology. That bar is located actually outside of Zona Romantica , immediately across the river, just past bridge. During day it can be overlooked but at night is lighted with psychedelic neon and just to make sure there ‘s bare chested , well built but also well past his prime guy on duty at the entrance making sure all visitors are making donation in absence of entry ticket. Each time I was placing 100 peso = 5 USD in the jar but had impression that 50 or even 20 would do. I visited it 4 times, including one during deluge when in order to enter I needed to wring at the entrance my soaked and dripping shirt. Every time it was busy , at times very busy with standing room only. Ladies are admitted but behaved well. But not too many old gringos in audience , Every time I felt like a dean of customers with my white hair. So how it works there ? You climb the stairs to find yourself in very spacious bar , take a seat and order drink. Corona beer cost only 50 for customer but 150 for a boy if you invite one for drink. Each time it was at least 20-30 guys on duty. There are more lavishly priced drinks , at times boys even ordered 2 which cost 400 but there’s advantage to it – boy is sitting with you until his drink is finished. They are quite reasonable , not gulping it all in one go , so you can count on 15-20 minutes of conversation, some caressing , hugging, kissing , depending how brave you are and how inclined guy is. I noticed some are reserved and others extremely easily forthcoming. They are dressed in their underwear , sometimes also t-shirt but will remove it on request immediately. Yes , you can feel their privates, cock usually was erect and erection enforced by rubber ring and those are Latin cocks, cocks of size ! Most boys asked for a tip or another drink, but few just finished their glass and left to the next customer or to perform. My system was 500 i.e. if boy ordered 2 drinks and it cost 400 , 100 was his tip, if ordered cheaper one for say 250, 250 was his tip. They were asking for private dance promising 20 minutes for 500. I took bait 2 times but found it poor value. They have rooms for that upstairs, you pay 500 to the cashier and you both climb the stairs close door and you have naked adonis to play with. In both cases they asked for 500 tip on top of fee paid already so total was 1000= 50 USD and in both cases 20 minutes lasted 10 and 15. So definitely not worth it unless you really like guy which was my second case. I had him sitting with me every night. I’m not sure they took an advantage of my newness with that extra tip or that is the system. If I stay longer I’d find out. I spoke to one of boys and he admitted they prefer tip to drinks on which they get some commission but boss is watching and is expecting them to have certain number of drinks. He also said that boys can be take out for a familiar fee of 500 but I did not get to it, may be next time. Some boys spoke very good English , some almost none and everything in between. As for shows there’s always at least one at any given time, always solo , on one of three venues : main stage, pole dancing and shower . Sometimes one guy is performing on the stage and at the same time other is showering. Shower show by the way is only one with full nudity and boys there are not shy. Main stage performers usually sport rigid member , rather surely enforced by cock ring. After their part boys circulate among audience asking for tips so better be prepared with change although it’s easy to get one from waiter , I paid for my 50 peso beer with 500 note , asked for change for tips and I got fistful of 20 and 50 peso notes as a change, easy. Of course waiter got 20 peso for his efforts. You may have situation that at the same time 3 guys are circulating , main stager , shower guy and pole dancer , each with his hat you should place your tip in but also with his poking cock you can get a feel of for few precious seconds. All at time when you have another guy sitting with you already and not exactly saying rosary either . Fun there never stops but also money is flowing like the river. But there’s little pressure, you get his smile and feel of whatever part of his body you fancy ( some assess are just God sent) whether you tip 20 or 100 and if you don’t they are moving to next client. Boys are not shy and quite happy to share their attributes with you for a moment or three as long as you grease their palms. I had fun there every time but Guardian Angel instructed me to take only so much money so when it was gone , shortly was I, happy but empty pocketed ( 3000 each night, 2-3 hrs of non stop fun including 3-4 boys sitting with me for a time ) In comparison with Thai bars refreshing is absence of mamasans, boys are doing their soliciting by themselves but as I said , with very little pressure , I can recall only one so called face when I tipped guy just 20 peso. Those who frequent Tawan will find an atmosphere similar.

few pictures, including my private secluded beach before we start whoring

Members of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) call for a truce at the summit in Yerevan, while the prime minister of the host country refuses to sign the joint document: https://www.txtreport.com/news/2022-11-24-putin-explodes-and-throws-pen-video!-csto-member-states-call-for-a-truce--and-some-people-refuse-to-sign-documents-international.H1jixWpUj.html

A discussion of “sociability” in the context of a message board brings up some interesting implications. Generally I would see myself as being quite an introverted person. For instance, I would a bit stressed out by the thoughts of sitting beside someone I hardly knew at a staff Christmas party, for example. And I would probably behave in that situation in a way that would be seen as “shy”. But if I have a specific reason to talk, somebody, I can be quite forward. I think that meeting people in real life that you have only interacted with online can be something of scrambling of normal parameters. Although generally I’m quite introverted, I have in the past made an effort to meet some people who I have known from Thai message boards, such as Smiles, or Christian PFC, that I thought would be interesting to talk to, based on their message board persona. I remember about 15 years ago, when I used to post on an Irish gay message board, and there was discussion of a real life meet-up in a pub. I was happy to go, but a friend of mine, who I knew in real life and also posted on the board, and who is generally far more extroverted than me (especially if he was out in a pub, and had a drink on him) was much more uncertain about the idea. He was not quite sure why, he said he thought the other posters might turn out to be weirdos, but I think he was just a bit uneasy with the idea of meeting some people in real life, and perhaps not feeling he knew them really as as they were previously a name on a screen. Whereas I, who would usually see myself as having a more stand-off or cooler manner, was more comfortable with the idea of meeting such people. I think, it is partly due to the fact that I, like a lot of introverted people, have a rather more instrumental attitude to meeting people. I was looking forward to having the chance to tease out some of the topics I had been discussing in message threads with people face-to-face, where is he was more like “will I like these people?” (in a backslapping sort of way). When I say "instrumental attitude" I don't mean I just want to meet people to get what I can out of them, I mean I am thinking "it would be cool to meet x, we are both interested going to Ko Samet, we can share knowledge", rather than my friend, who would be wondering whether prospective companions might be good fun or not (or "any crack?" as we say in Ireland).

Your right ,today I will do some research on World AIDS Day to see the meaning.👍

I've met over one hundred posters on the Daddy site. But I am introverted at things like the Palm Springs Weekend.

It's the third and final season. I started to watch the first episode and stopped, it's a complete disaster the crew and the plot are very weak.

The thing is he knows this!

Never heard of a PRIORITY tag on baggage?????!! Did you walk with the fast track ? I always order the golf buggy Yes not much good if U get through quick then have to stand there 30 minutes waiting for a bag

I find Chaturbate very useful I found there wonderful boy 20 y.o. from Colombia gad been in contact with him over a year and now we finally met in Bogota we will be together for a month traveling in Colombia.such a charming guy.

I contacted several IG guys for my current visit to Rio. In other trips, I also came in with some online research and escorts ads bookmarked. However, the sauna boys never leave me time for online experimentation. The dinosaur in me (she is a big one) really enjoys the cruising out of the network.

I beg to differ....there is a nice older gentleman that was sitting at Hot Male that you went right to , hugged and started a great conversation with that I witnessed 😝

I forgot. Usually that is my first stop. I meant after that . . .

Where washroom is?

I believe strangers will approach you to strike conversation!

I see that Fake Club are celebrating the World Cup by putting their guys in the various country strips. Video here (you have to be logged in to FB to see it) : https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1482269022353736 I know we should a be boycotting the World Cup and all, but they look cute all the same...

You're kind of confirming what I thought you meant. The trouble is that both your "outright gay" and "normal" definitions contain two conditions each. What if one condition applies and the other does not apply? Let me describe the scenarios and you try to work them out: Senso and Arena might be your first ("oh, please God, no!") type. The boys line up in front of you and you choose one of them. I think they will have a minimum tip though I haven't been to either since Covid. However the outside of the shop is quite discrete, and no boys are hanging out front (though in Arena's case, they might be one or two outside on the balcony taking a smoke). But in Senso's case - as I recall, though other posters may update us - there s a rainbow flag out front. So, are these two "outright gay" places, by your definition? KK Massage and Sawatdee Massage do not have boys sitting out front. Nor do they even have boys lining up in front of you, or behind one-way mirrors, inside the shop. Nonetheless, you're expected to choose your masseur (from photos) and there is a minimum tip. Does this make them "outright gay"? Green Massage on Surawong and Paradis on Silom both have boys (and almost always boys) sitting out front. They may hail you as you walk past ("You want massage, sir?"). They kind of self-select rather than you choose the masseur and the price board does not indicate any minimum tip. However, both are on busy streets with lots of passers-by, and anyone seeing a male customer go into a shop with a male service provider will easily draw the conclusion that the customer is gay. (heterosexual customers generally choose shops with women masseuses out front).Not just passers-by, they usually would have other customers getting a foot massage in the downstairs lounge who have nothing better to do than to eye and judge every other customer walking in. In other words, the sexual orientation of the customer is actually much more visible to the public in such a shop as opposed to, say, Arena or Senso. The masseur may or may not do anything erotic inside the massage room. If they do choose to provide extra services, they may enter into a price negotiation with you inside the room halfway through the massage since no minimum tip was indicated by management. Some of us dislike such interruption. In any case, because of the constraints of three-quarter height partitions in some establishments, leading to loss of auditory privacy, they may not want to do insertive sex. Would Green and Pradis be "outright gay" places or "normal" places by your reckoning? (also, they almost never have in-room showers). Olivia Massage on both Surawong and Silom have a mix of men and women sitting out front. They therefore do not look like exclusively gay male establishments. However, it becomes even more starkly obvious that even when women are available out front, the customer is still walking in with a male service provider. "Aha, that's a gay bloke". Both are on busy streets with foot massage lounges on the ground floor. All the other issues I mentioned above (negotiation in situ, lack of auditory privacy, no in-room showers) also apply here. So - "outright gay" or "normal"? In short, why not use an app, and make sure the hotel does not have a joiner fee policy. But wait, the people in the lobby will see you having a male visitor....

I got both boys from Hot Male. I picked a boy I liked and between him and the waiter, they got the message I wanted another and pointed to a couple that would be willing and I selected between them. It was fun!

I,d purchase USD in my country of residence. Bring a lot of small denominations and make sure they are not torn nor have writings on it.

My 2nd or 3rd time staying there... @vinapu was the one that turned me onto the place. I could've stayed a few bucks cheaper at Ambiance, which was my 1st hotel stay in Pattaya many years ago when Madame Jim was running it or Venue in Jomtien, which I also like alot. Their restaurant has pretty decent food, not expensive and room service. There is a straight girlie bar downstairs and they never bothered me or anyone I was bringing back and is in the middle of BT without being in BT.....most of the guys seem to like not going to a "gay" hotel, the side hotel entrance is pretty discreet and you can go right in with your key card. I use to be in the hotel business...I look for a couple of things that a hotel should have, decent bed and sheets, good a/c, good wifi, black out curtains, some sort of fridge, a good price point. These rooms also have a microwave and a balcony, although nothing to really look at, but sex on the balcony is always fun.....it's not the Hilton though, nor Hilton prices, lol

Old? That would be me. My first trip to Bangkok came in January 1996. I well remember arriving at my hotel, La Residence on Surawong ... by taxi ... because there was no train option. I am not so old, however, to have forgotten how excited I was to be in Bangkok. It was close to midnight, and I was wide awake after my journey, anxious to get out on the town. I couldn't wait to experience Silom Soi 4, especially the legendary Rome nightclub, which I had heard so much about. So I showered as fast as I could and started making my way in what I figured was the direction of Soi 4. Culture shock? I guess. I couldn't help but make a couple pit stops along the way. All that street food! And I missed the entrance to Soi 4 on my first pass. And on my second pass. Then when I found it I was redirected by a tout to a far-away go-go bar that was populated by the kind of bronze-skinned late teenage Adonises that "old hands" like me always reminisce about, wishing those days never ended. Inside was a very dark bar. It was difficult to see, but one area had a beam of light. I was seated so I had a vantage point to that beam of light, which the go-go "boys" would walk through, big smiles on their faces and pulling their hard-ons out of their shorts. Culture shock? Hell yeh! I had to be talked into inviting one over to have a drink with me. He had a perfect body. Tight, youthful muscles, the kind of definition some guys are born with and don't have to keep up with visits to the gym. He took my right hand and placed it on the inside of his left thigh, then squeezed his legs together. I could tell this was a practiced move, but he need not have worried. I had no intention of putting my hand back on my own lap. There was of course a language gap. And there was pressure for me to take the Isaan beauty back to my hotel, for a fee. There were other incentives. Some French kissing. Him guiding my hand to various other parts of his fine body. So there were indeed culture shocks that night, but nothing monolingual oafish me couldn't navigate. I was in Bangkok. Train or taxi? Don't sweat it. You're gonna be in Bangkok!

Part 3 Encounters Slvkguy did excellent analysis of the scene in PV in his post above and as you will see below my experiences are confirming it to a great degree. I had 5 massages, all 1 hr long and met 3 escorts, I describe massages first as one of massage guys become escort later. 1st encounter , in the shop on my hotel’s street I passed by , noticed few boys sitting outside , all on hunky side as all masseurs in PV it seems but one drew my particular attention so I motioned him to go inside. I was instructed to lay on the bed and wait for the guy who arrived after 2-3 minutes. He was fully dressed , I asked how much is massage – 700 pesos=35 USD for 1 hr. Massage was good but he studiously avoided being too close to my bit outstretched hands. Only after turnover he asked me how I want to finish. I asked him to remove shirt , yes for 500 extra. What about shorts? Another 500. Approved and only then , in complete silence I had a chance to put my hands on him. Bit expensive at 1700 total thought I but at least body was great. I did not ask for contact neither him offered. In fact I never saw him at that shop again which was too bad (that body, sigh!) 2nd encounter I mentoned I saw outstanding hunk in front of shop in the center of Zona Romantica but being sweaty went to hotel to take shower , returned , he was gone but I grabbed another hunk, probably closer to 40 than 30. Again , procedure the same, cost 700 , if I want him to remove shirt 200 more so I went for that 900 package. Massage very thorough and he was not shy being close to the table so I could feel this and that through his shorts and package was sizable , even if only half erected. But that was it when comes to steamy part. Gave him 1000, he gave me strong hug and asked to see him again. 3rd encounter Guy messaged me on Grindr and asked it I want massage, picture looked good so I took an offer. By the way 3 out of 4 guys I saw in flesh and on Grindr looked much better in flesh thank on their picture. He said he can come to my room or I can come to his shop. Keeping in mind 300 fee I opted for shop which turned out to be the same when I had my 1st . Massage 700 and if I wanted him naked 500 extra. Either he was less greedy or 1st guy took me for ride. So I had my naked masseur although he only lowered his shorts to the ankles but that was good enough. Nice time for 1200 but still not that cheap at equivalent of 2000 baht. Massage itself was weakest out of all I had. Since we communicated through Grindr he expressed wish to see me again and asked me to contact him there. 4th encounter I took a stroll toward gay section of the beach and adjacent Blue Chairs hotel and noticed 2 massage shops there. In front on one was a HUNK who in fact ignored me but I’m not that easily discouraged when comes to hunks so when coming back few minutes later I motioned him to go inside. Relaxing massage 750, deep tissue 1000. I went for deep tissue. Clothing removing question came pretty fast , 500 extra, agreed. Great body , big everywhere so I had a bit of fun exploring it although it was still on modest side , mindful of conspiracy. His face looked familiar so I asked if he is on Grindr. Yes. He gave me him phone number inviting to call him when need arises. I did the same day in the evening – see Guy 3 below. 5th encounter On my last day after I checked out of room I had 3 hours waiting time before arrival of airport van. Most logic was to have a massage g followed by some lunch and I decided to check those shops on Blue Char street again. There was nobody in one I went to day before but across the street there were 4 sizable guys sitting in front of other shop. One raised his had from smartphone screen and asked ‘ massage ? ‘ Deal. Price the same 750 or 1000. Again I went for deep tissue for 1000 and it was best massage out of those 5. No mention of shirt , even less shorts removal so just massage it is. It was only one when we actually talked during session. Nothing steamy but he let me to feel his private through the shorts and his ass was of particularly pleasant firm and bubbly quality. So I gave him 1200. He wanted to give me his number and was very disappointed to learn I’m leaving in hour and half. Had I stay longer , for sure we would have another meeting ,if only to see what his shorts were hiding. In fact I saw him again, when van was picking me up he was just passing by on his way home and our smiley eyes crossed again. So as you can see , while massages per se were on rather professional side , not really much happened to terms of steam and all that at expense much higher than would be in Bangkok ( 1000 peso is about 1800 baht ) Guys There were three. First On my first night upon return from Anthropology I noticed than quite pleasant looking guy contacted me on Grindr, not only saying ‘Hi’ but also posting his enticing nude pictures. Nevr mind it was past 1 am , I responded. Upon learning when I satay it was “ ouch , you hotels doesn’t allow guests but if you want you can ask them. “ So I went down, was informed it will be 300 and visitor must resent ID and will received bracelet upon entry. Sent message again and few minutes later guy was there. Wanted whopping 2000 and since it was my first night I agreed. As it turned later he lived block and half away only. I liked what I saw , man looking much better than on his pics. Athletic rather than muscular with impressive certain important muscle so to speak. Very professional , perhaps too professional as exactly after one hour his phone buzzed indicating time is over. But I liked him and my time with him so I suggested I can meet him every night whole week for 1500 a pop. Immediately accepted, he even suggested that I can see him in his place and instead paying hotel 300 each time I can pay that to him. Despite time being 2.30 am my mind was not that clouded so I countered that we split that 300 half / half. So for next few nights I went to his place for our hour of fun. And then after 5th time all of the sudden he went silent , not responding to my messages. Not a tragedy since I had consolation in Anthropology but I was curious what’s going on. Then on my last day he contacted me again , asked if we can meet and suggested my place for a change. It was funny as he came few minutes after my previous guest, Boy Third left , generating knowing smile by night shift manager. I did not get any explanation about that silence from yesterday, I did not ask either. All went very well as every night whole week but it must be spoiler, since it was our last night he asked for 500 extra. I paid but since I don’t like such antics I blocked my sweetie on Grindr and What’s Up as soon as left for the airport. Sorry man but deal is a deal, it was supposed to be 1500. Second When I fired Grindr on evening of arrival I noticed immediately shockingly attractive hunk . Coming to PV I decided that I will engage only guys who will be contacting me first. So I was extremely excited next day when he , noticing I checked his profile contacted me and offered his services. My judgement was clouded by his attractiveness so I even agreed to his 2000 fee. He preferred meeting at his place but it was short walk so I did not mind and went there. Yes it was him, profile was not fake but still somewhat manipulated. Face was as handsome , body was great but six pack somehow disappeared, butt shrunk and he , sensing perhaps my excitement, turned bit sandbagy. So while I liked our time together I knew coming down that it was it , specially for that kind of money. Third As I mentioned my 4th masseur’s face was familiar , he admitted to being on Grindr so upon returning to hotel I checked and found him, asked if he wants to see me in my room . We agreed on late evening the same day. Of course whole 300 fee and bracelet procedure but it was worth it. As I said , he was HUNK and turned not to be time watcher , no alarm clock at passing 1 hr. and seemed genuinely pleased that I like him or rather his body so much. Quite a catch with one of most beautiful cocks ever invented but foremost very service oriented personality. I upped his fee of 1500 to 2000 , well deserved , specially in view of granting us more time that that standard hour. So to summarize my PV flesh experience, strip club was fun, expensive but lively fun. One can economize a bit by reducing size of tips and have one , not three boys sitting with him on the evening but it was worth. Massages per se were good value as massages but really who needs massage in massage shop, that’s novelty for me. I’d say expensive way of getting boy’s contact information. Big plus was that almost all guys working in all places were well built and handsome, even if they had rotation system , one can’t go wrong. As for my guest’s and host’s, while compared to Bangkok more expensive , special per unit of time , two out three were very hot , pleasant , well endowed and free of antics. I liked them but at night I think I rather dream about my Bangkok guys than Vallarta ones. Will I go there again ? Quite possibly. I had good time there , boy encounters were more addition than goal itself. I did not feel pressured by myself to chase them , it just happened they appeared on horizon and I grabbed them. Will PV become competition to Thailand in my heart ? No way as on every account , hotels , boys , massages , tips , time watching Thailand represents better, really much better value but Vallarta has one advantage - it takes half price and 1/5 time to get there as opposite to BKK and no jet lag so at one point I may become fan of the place.

What makes you thinking I hosted them in my room ? Did you ever hear about tent in the park?

no idea but my guess will be no because of that bracelet issuance. I could sneak both my guests to the room but neither was keen of breaking the rules and they told me that a outright. 300 peso joiner fee was not disaster and hotel did not make any fuss with guests otherwise , even when I brought next one half an hour after first left on my last night as we learn in due course. Booking double wouldn't make any sense as cost of flight was included in the whole package costing 1075 $ while flight only would be 810 $ so it would be cheaper just to rent another cheaper hotel just for guests I guess. There advantages and disadvantages of package tours I guess.

no worries , I saw advertisements when there but no, I wouldn't participate. I'm not a beach person and beach for me is just strip of sand I need to cross going to or from water. I did nude bathing in the river in Botanical Gardens though as a substitute I guess.

At least I knew about deficiencies ( no internet in room , coffee making facilities , drinking water ) in my hotel from comments others left on booking sites so I came prepared and was not surprised. Only surprise was guest charge as I took gay friendly for guest friendly

I forgot to tell you about this company.....would you have done it? https://www.facebook.com/jetsNakedBeachTours

Great report @vinapu. It’s very useful to have such a detailed report, especially for people like me that have not visited PV. I look forward to reading your report on the gay scene.