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Day 0 - Pre-trip preparation I have been too lazy to start writing my report, mainly due to being busy at work but partially due to recent trolls that have been infesting the forum lately. Nevertheless, I shall treat this trip report as me reminiscing all the good times I had during my recent post covid trips and I'm sure it will benefit many others who are genuinely interested in reading my escapade. I used to write my report almost on real time but decided to not do that this time for obvious reasons. Perhaps it is just my own paranoia but it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side. My trip this time is 18 days long, the longest trip I have had so far in thailand. In fact, it ties to my longest trip ever, and that was a road trip across the US during my university year. Why 18 days? It is exactly the amount of days I have from the last day I am needed at the office, as well as the day I needed to return home to attend a family event. I actually have been taking my leave of absence since last week of November, but there are several meetings and events I had committed to attend so I've been to the office on and off. I did manage to do a shorter trip to Medan, Indonesia in November though. If anyone is interested to read a trip report on that, do let me know as the trip is mostly tourist trip but there is a guy involved lol. This trip has been very last minute in terms of planning, but going to a place that I've been numerous times before, I felt quite confident that everything will be smooth. After my return from Indonesia I started surveying the flight ticket to Thailand and booked my ticket. It wasn't cheap but it wasn't astronomically high either, comparable to peak season price pre-covid if one booked a ticket last minute like I did. Previously, Airasia was my go to for last minute booking as they usually have a last minute promotion pre-covid, but that kind of promotion did not make a return, so I settled with another airline which is called Batik Air, previously known as Malindo. I did invite my Indonesian guy to accompany me for part of my trip, but I have left some flexibility in my trip in case he decided he wanted to join. Alas this plan did not materialize. As for hotel bookings, I am using the trusted Agoda booking site, and first booked my first 3 nights, suite room at Raya Surawong. Many posters had reviewed this hotel multiple times. Great location, great spacious room, comfortable bed and the suite comes with a full kitchen with microwave, full size fridge, electric stoves, pans, pots, dining ware etcs. Price was very reasonable even when I booked quite at the last minute. I also proceeded to book my last 3 nights as well, seeing that Raya hotel has already fully booked on those dates, and settled with a Furama Silom Deluxe room. Booking for the other nights was done much later when I was already there, offering me quite a good flexibility to change my plans if and when I wanted to. However, I did search for hotel availability on the dates in between to ensure there are ample choices for me when I need to book. I can honestly report that this has worked wonders for me for this trip. As this is my first return trip to Thailand post covid, I want to make sure I don't need to skimp on budget when it comes to hiring boys and having fun, and the best way to tackle this is to ensure I did my budget right. I have a few scenarios in mind that allow me to have a min case, a maximum case and mid case for budget and fun. Without going into too much detail on my spending, I can say this has worked great for my peace of mind and I still have leftovers which can be used for future trips hehe. Lets just say I didn't manage to hit my maximum case but I leave Thailand with no regret. As for boys, usually pre-trip, I would contact some of the boys I've taken before and see if they are still around, and let them know that I am coming to Thailand. But this trip, I already know several guys I like are still in the business thanks to the reports from fellow forum members and my friend who had been to Thailand earlier. Needless to say, I still contacted two boys, very special boys, and told them of my pending arrival to ensure that I will meet them when I'm there. One is a masseur from Arena, and another is a beach chair attendant in Pattaya. I leave the rest of my daily rosters up to what Thailand has to offer but I do have several guys that I am aiming to try this time, thanks to the abundance of sharing by fellow members, Line accounts of massage centers and social media of some gogo bars. One last smaller detail I wanted to share is on exchanging money. I did a google search as well as asking a forum member who is staying in Bangkok to check on the exchange rate to see if it is better for me to change Thai Baht in Thailand or back home, and found out that changing in Thailand is much better, especially if you compare the rate offered by Superrich or XOne, both published their live rates online. So I decided to only change partly back home so I can immediately enjoy Thailand for a few days but bring most of the cash in my own currency and change only in Thailand. Lastly, I posted a thread here to announce my arrival and asked if there are any members who are interested to meet me, either for coffee, lunch, dinner or better, bar hopping together. While I consider myself an introvert who enjoys my solitude, I also appreciate the company of like-minded members here where exchange of notes and experience is greatly enhanced with a face to face engagement lol. Next - Day 1 - The arrival

And vowels 😊

3 times pregnant ! You are my hero !!!

That was just last week!

Just back from 2 nights there. I haven't been there since 7 years ago....where does the time go 😳 First night when I arrived had dinner with friends and back to hotel since I made for a long stopover in Mexico city to do some business transactions and arrived pretty beat. Second night went to Jardin Wateke, always been warned of how dangerous it is in that area, but never had problems there.....so far! Is 2 bars inside one, one side has live music and other side DJ.... lots of young guys with their older friends/boyfriends and some hustlers. Cute bartenders too.....didn't do much but drink there because I knew I wanted to go to Colorina, a show with very good looking strippers and "ficheros". A fichero is a guy that will hang and talk to you as long as you buy them a beer, 100 pesos for a pony beer (cuartito). Was a Wednesday night, so kind of slow, but I prefer it like that, less customers competing for the guys. Oh, you can also do a private 5 minute show for 120 pesos too or have a stripper have a drink with you for 600 pesos, $30usd, ridiculous. I had a nice skinny guy with a good dick that ended up coming back to my hotel for 40usd....was a good, fun night. I need to plan trips that include a stop in Monterrey more often. The 1st pics is Wateke, very much a dive bar but pretty big and fun The others are from Colorina, they don't care if you take pics or videos either....I should've taken more pics of the strippers, but was occupied with my fichero, lol

Most Asian societies raise their children to respect elders. When they use expression "old man" it doesn't carry with it negative intentions and is in no sense a put down. I often refer to myself that way because that's what I am.

Coconuts Bangkok reports that the new Pathumwananurak Park is now open. The park is fashioned in the form of a Thai numeral “9,” as it was built soon after the death of King Rama IX.

I respect your wise decision to arrange your trip so carefully. A man after my own heart! In contrast, my neighbour's gay son (twenty three) and his boyfriend-and yes, they make a cute couple- have just left for BKK with only their first three nights' accommodation booked. Then they spend three months travelling, where to know they not. In a way, I envy that attitude but I'd be scared to emulate it now. I like flights and rooms booked. And on hard copies! What it is to be young!. Nevertheless, one of the great things about Thailand is that it offers something for all ages.

He is Yummy!! hmmm, after meeting you - you definitely did not come across as an introvert - I mean in a positive way of course. :>)))

Perhaps, but I stand by my statement. However, I am not one that cares about wives, other work or other commitments. Current LT BF has 3 kids and been with me over 20 years.

I confirm, few Hot Male boys tried to extract off from me saying " I go with you , I like old men", unfortunately did not work but reason was lack of their body mass , not calling me 'old'. I was called worse things by better people like Pierre Trudeau of Canada once remarked.

From The Thaiger A new public park in Bangkok is opening soon. The construction of Pathum Wananurak Park was finished five years ago but it has never been opened to the public because two squatting families refused to move off the land. Pathum Wananurak Park is located next to CentralWorld shopping mall. The park took over a residential area called Rong Poon Community where 1,000 houses were situated. According to Khaosod, the 15.8-acre area is a public space but that did not stop a number of residents from building houses on the land with a view to staying there permanently. But, the Crown Property Bureau had other ideas and revealed a plan to turn the space into a public park. Some of the residents living there opposed the project because they had lived there for a long time.After several conflicts, prosecutions, and compensation payouts, most of the Rong Poon residents moved out of the area leaving only two houses on the land. The two families insisted on staying, saying they had a difficult life and could not afford to move. The two houses remained on the land until the park construction was completed in 2018. However, the Facebook page Street Hero V 3 recently announced that the houses had been removed. The details about the removal process and compensation were not reported and neither has the official opening of the park. Many Thai netizens revealed that they were happy to have the chance to enjoy a park after such a long wait, while others were worried about the two families. Netizens demanded to know more details about the eviction, where they are headed, and what support they got from the government but there has been no official announcement.

Duly noted. I blame myself as well lol our star just didnt aligned last year Glad that it doesnt show. Hehe

Thank you for your first report, and, especially, for the courtesy of writing with paragraphs. I look forward to sharing your trip vicariously. 😁

count me in for both , tourist and guy reason by no mean universal but it 's usually the case for most currencies and most countries. Only oddity I recall this century is Mexico , in Sept in Puerto Vallarta rates offered were bit to quite worse that I paid buying peso at home and again 2 month later in Mexico City where best rate I saw was actually in the airport , exectly the same situation I remember from previous visit about 20 years ago. I deeply regret I was not able to ruin your solitude that trip but will try to correct myself in future

I need to state though tat while I completely don't mind being called "old" or even 'papa' , specially by young Thai guys in BKK but when somebody on Grindr greets me " Hi daddy" it guaranteed that I will not even look at his profile, never mind answer that siren call

Another pic of the live music side of Wateke....

My go to winter vacation has always been Thailand. However, last year when there were still so many rules, and closures in most of Asia, I kinda looked for the easiest to go to, with warmest EU enclave accessible from the continent. I learned about Gran Canaria and the gay lifestyle here. I’m back this year as I was looking at airfares to Thailand and it was still way over the norm. it’s still a fun place here in maspalomas, and what you mentioned still holds true. Btw, kiosk 7 bar and transats were closed last year even if there are a lot of bathers in the area. it is open now, so quite back to normal now. Lots of eye candies, then and now. Also, the gay exclusive bungalows is so nice where you can hang everything out 😂 However, I love Asian lads so, definitely coming this year to Thailand again.

Day 6 Started off with a coconut water on my way to see U for the daily foot massage. Found out it was his day off, and he had come in just for me. Very thoughtful. It was, as always, delightful. Since I haven't yet had a Thai massage, I decided to walk over to Prime and make an appointment. Went over to Silom Edge for lunch then quick stop at hotel. Back to Prime for my appointment. 90 minutes of Thai massage is basically paying a guy to beat you up. They really do manage to put their hands, feet, elbows, and knees in every conceivable muscle. I was sore afterwards, so I decided to get a relaxing massage. Conveniently, a very sexy and muscular guy hit me up on Grindr. Works in a shop but also freelances, apparently. He's been mentioned on the forum previously, so I had planned to go to his shop to visit him anyway. But lucky me, he does hotel calls. He was at the hotel in 30 minutes, and gave me a very relaxing massage. After, he asked "anything else?" Well- yes actually. He also bottoms like a champ! I will definitely see him again. Decided to go to Hotmale Beer Bar for a beer and to bring the guys there some cookies- they have been great to hang out with on this trip. Then over to Circus for the show. Back to Hotmale where I had to take a call. S, from the other day, spotted me from the balcony of Hotmale and made heart gestures to me so I went up to say hello. We had a beer and I decided to off him again. So we went back to Soi 4 for a couple beers at Connections. Watched the people go by until it was time to head back to the hotel. S was just as accommodating as the last time, and we slept in each others arms. He is a very sweet guy and also works at a restaurant in the daytime. I was headed to Pattaya in the morning so we woke up, had a quickie, showered and he left to go to the restaurant. I packed and got my car to Pattaya. More later...

I wonder if this might have any effect on the parliamentary attempts to legalise same sex marriage in Vietnam? Unlikely I expect, but we shall see. In 2014 parliament passed a law removing the ban on same sex marriage. SInce then, little progress has been made, although a group of citizens has set up a co-ordinating body to press for legality by winning hearts and minds. Polls held in 2012, 2013 and 2015/16 showed an increasing acceptance of the idea of gay marriage. Those voting 'for' in 2015/16 had risen to 45% and opposition dropped to 25%. During VietPride in 2020 it had this bus with "I Do" on the side touring the country.

This place was mentioned in another thread but I am intrigued so I thought I would start a dedicated thread. Prices are very premium, but the boys posted daily on Line are very handsome. If you like defined, skinny youngsters that seems to be their specialty. I will definitely check it out once I get to Bangkok. But if anyone's been there I am happy to hear about it. Close to On Nut BTS. Also would be interested to hear about the onsen aspect

I want to go to Thailand to see a giraffe!

From Pattaya News China Allows Group Tours to Resume to Thailand After three years of travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, China has dropped a restriction on group tours to Thailand and 19 other countries as of Friday, January 20th, 2023 in a sudden announcement. China had previously dropped overall individual international travel restrictions earlier this month. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in China made the announcement, which also included countries like Russia and New Zealand. ====================== The Bangkok Post reports that an average of 34 flights from China will arrive daily between Jan. 19 and 25.

The Thaiger repots that opening of Bangkok‘s new central train station Bangkok Aphiwat Central Station did not go so smoothly yesterday with the first service to Chiang Mai departing three hours later than scheduled and many more delayed services. BBC Thai and CH7 report that services were delayed to await the arrival of Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, who was rather late to an opening ceremony he presided over, according to netizens.

😇

We are here....just not as vocal as the mature commenters

Calling older people of our parent's age uncle or aunty is a cultural things here as well. But calling someone papa, or daddy is definitely not a norm here.

As somene has said its partly a cultural thing. One of my best friends in Taipei whom I have known for 7 years since he was finishing university and see on each visit to Taiwan has called me "Papa" viritually ever since. It's a term of endearment.

enjoy while it lasts, I used to be called that but when my hair got KFC color I'm 'papa' now, one generational step up

count me in exactly , I grew up far from Asia but as kids we did exactly then same , family friends of our parents age we liked we called aunt or uncle , just like real things . In fact I have one in her 90 ties I still call auntie , even if all she was , was my mother best friend in school

I think it’s a cultural thing - it’s a show of respect more than anything

You can ask their line the ones who give it to you are probably open for suggestions.

Will you please expand on this and say why? Brazil has many fit-bodied young men who, at least in my experience, enjoy meeting older men. How does Germany compare on that front?

Money: there are plenty of ATMs at the airport. Pick an ATM of BBVA or davidienda bank, they don't charge any fees. Do not accept the money exchange rate, it's always a lot worse than what your bank will charge you. I would just take some cash with you as backup, but not exchange anything in advance. Sim card: you can buy a sim card at the airport. In the arrival hall, take the escalators to the 2nd floor. There's a small shop on the corner that sells phone covers and accessories. The provider claro has the best coverage. My claro sim card with 10gb data for 2 weeks was 45k COP. Last time, a taxi driver from the airport tried to scam me and asked for 100kCOP for a short ride to Chapinero. Bogota taxis don't show you the price of the ride, just a number of 'units' and you are supposed to calculate the price yourself. You can install an app called 'Calculadora de Tarifas' to calculate the cost based on those units (or always use apps like cabilfy / indriver / didi / uber / ..)

From Thai PBS World All passport applicants must now wait for the immigration department to reopen, after the government temporarily suspended operations at the passport office. The announcement came from Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation, saying that a notice had been received of a temporary cessation of all new passport-related activities. In recent weeks, the internal affairs and labour ministry decreed that only job-related passports were to be issued through a “Green Channel”, with the issuance of all other kinds of passport stopped since the end of December, 2022. A special exception was, however, granted to agencies providing pilgrimage services to Bodh Gaya, but this was also stopped after complaints that some agencies were abusing the special rule. Many netizens believe that this was to address the rampant corruption within the passport office, with officers making massive profits off agencies and individual applicants. They also believe that the decision to block the issuance of any more new passports temporarily is to keep more people in the country for the upcoming elections, in which that the military-led government is seeking retain power. There is yet to be any announcement as to when passport processing will resume.

Never in Thailand have I met a guy that is not off-able for longtime given the right incentive.

Nothing is written. 😉

Yes 5,226 is very poor exchange rate. I just came back from Colombia. The best rates are withdraw money from ATM's which located inside bank branches ,shopping malls or dedicate stores and have opening time limits, there is a max limit 300 to 600k but at the airport up to 1500K. Cash isn't good idea because mony exchangers are not so common there and their rates usually very poor, if you are bringing cash US Dollars are most preferable.

Amazing beautiful twinks certainly certainly justified the premium prices.

It's not only in Asia also in South America. I developed serious relationship with 20 y.o. beutiful Colombian guy , I am always teasing him that he can find young beautiful local boy and will dump me eventually, he doesn't find it funny at all he thinks young guys are unfaithful, unpredictable and irresponsible. They can be good in bed but useless for serious long term relationship thus he prefer older person like me who can give him security and peace.

@spokedark is far from alone. I don't quite know why it is but there is quite a number of guys in Thailand - and some other parts of Asia - who seek much older guys as partners. The obvious response from cynics will be - cash! But that is very often not the case. It seems to me that many of these young guys come from broken homes and had sad home upbringings. There is a very definite and strong desire for love from a father figure. I have certainly seen this in Thailand, in Japan, in Hong Kong and in Singapore. While those of us from the west might have found it highly disagreeable to have sex with a much older man, many Asians look on sex in a very different light.

since when calling somebody old man is offensive ?

Not really convenient to a good bus/subway line......when I went, there were always a few looking to hitch a ride back downtown. The bus lets off down a steep hill that you need to walk up..... I don't recall any of their suites having a shower inside either, maybe 1 does 🤔 Lagoa got a decent location, I like the location better than their old pace. Most of the guys visiting, rent or share a room nearby or in Republica....Fragata's old place was a block from good bus lines.

Very simple, really. You need to pay for imports with foreign currency. Therefore the demand for foreign currency goes up, and you have to pay more local currency to get the foreign currency you need to buy those imports. So all the goods you just bought with more local currency now must necessarily cost more local currency when you sell them. Inflation. I'm not an economist, but it does seem to me that such regulations are likely to have unintended consequences.

I was there last Saturday. Arrived after 4pm, stayed for a few hours. Great facilities, clean, but very few GPs, mostly older and/or mildly out of shape. Maybe not the best day.

No. He is on PrEP, so HIV risk is under control. But there is nothing against Hep C.

Thanks to the contributors here for providing info on SD. Here now so paying it forward. City is pumping with sexual energy. Eye contact with policemen and Apps pinging 24/7 Contacted Manny and he picked me up from airport. He’s not gay. Married with kids but did say ‘money talks, bullshit walks’. He has a lot of guys on his books. Met one earlier. Really fit black guy who had no trouble getting rock hard and was well worth the 5000 DOP plus 1500 finders fee for Manny. Know I paid over because had a second guy for 2500 DOP from Grindr. And it goes on. Offers coming in all the time Marlowes: we’re not in Kansas anymore. Manny black SF dude drew me aside and asked if I knew it was a hustler bar. Which I did. Hustlers were annoying. One wanted me to buy him anew phone for $200. Funny thing is the non hustlers were all sound and made good connections there. Including a Dominican guy who was naked except for socks. Kind of wacky and unexpected but he was well built and a lovely well formed ass. the apps: unfriggingbeleivable. Lots of great guys not just looking for money but heavily towards the prepago side of life. One guy asked for $250 Cine Lido hot and atmosphere thick with sexual energy stopped into a colmado for a Cuba libre en route. The action was at the sides half way down where the walls kink in. Entry 150 DOP

Not a stupid question at all. I used a Charles Schwab investor ATM card. Found out about this a few years ago and it's my go-to when I travel. I deposit money into that account (if the card gets stolen, there's a limited fund available) and use it exclusively for ATMs. I get the daily rate and they reimburse all foreign transaction fees. Some things to be careful about: Always use an ATM inside a shopping center (and don't go straight out to the street), or inside a bank (I think a shopping center is safer). I used the one in the supermarket and then did my grocery shopping. If you see a message on the ATM asking you to accept the conversion rate, always say no. The bank wants you to accept their rate, not the going rate. It's their way of making some extra money off the deal. I learned about this too late, and probably lost a few dollars. I'm on a few FB groups for expats living in Medellin and there have been several straight guys sharing horror stories of women going to their homes (one was for "language exchange" and then drugging and robbing them. I never felt unsafe there, but I probably took chances I shouldn't have. Be careful, but have fun. It's a beautiful country and the people are beautiful as well.

I’m not sure where you are headed but I found and had printed in Medellín Centro this map that I deemed easier to use than referring to my phone or bookstore guide texts for landmarks. I could not find a tourist kiosk that might have issued the same or similar. With an early start you can get through it in a day, breaking for lunch. Note that #12 is the dodgy park mentioned often but I found it “colourful”, not ominous, of a very warm afternoon, many manner of folks cooling near the fountain and under foliage canopy. I had accidentally stumbled across it unknowingly days before while walking to Bliss Hotel for canvassing their waste-of-time in-house services (not Fercho that situates there too; that is not in contrast as also a waste of time assessing inventory). That was a rainy day and in the park as I was walking east to get to Bliss, a guy uttered “gringo” … shocking. On the DIY solo walking tour day I sat to rest, the languid crowd minding its own business, and a guy beside me slowly scraping tarry sludge out of a vial and trying to insert it into a syringe barrel as the trans hookers across the street gathered to socialize. Note that it’s unusual for church sites to be open other than at specified religious service times, so I missed the innards of these historic venues. Disappointed. The highlight to me is the marvellous Antioquia Art Museum. I have no desire to return to Medellín but it’s on many top destination lists and I’m glad I experienced the major attractions referenced in travel guides. World class dining options at a fraction of Canadian city prices. In case I didn’t mention elsewhere, the carbon emissions settling into the vast urban valley are daunting particularly when one walks adjacent to major congested traffic arteries. I’m talking gag-grade, so I’m glad I have no underlying respiratory issues. I broke up my lodgings between Poblado and Estadio/Laureles. The latter area air pollution seemed less prominent. Extreme round the clock traffic noise if you overlook a major thoroughfare, should that be an annoyance factor for light sleepers. Airbnbs are more difficult to assess for that because location is given following booking. These are not faults, just more amplified that many other urban environments where I visit. The Metro is very fine, though crammed at peak periods, and I used it consistently.

I usually carry a small amount with me from home -- 500K COP is plenty to get you through a few days while getting set up. Most of the major banks (Bancolombia, Banco de Bogota, Colpatria/Scotiabank, Davidivienda, BBVA) will work just fine with your US banking card. Do let your bank know that you are traveling in Colombia (including credit cards) as there remain many financial restrictions on Colombian transactions. I have had issues with Scotiabank transactions being rejected multiple times before I can withdraw cash so be aware. Most will offer to do the transaction in COP or USD. Always choose COP as the currency - the exchange is designed to not favor the recipient and the US dollar exchange rate is noticeably higher. Most machines limit you to a maximum withdrawal of 700K COP. Another local tip -- if you can find an ATM machine with Banco Agrario de Colombia (bright green machines) they always offer the best exchange rates and the highest limit on withdraw (up to 2MM COP).