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there are people who still like bar experience and find sitting in the room , combing through the screen boring and waste of precious vacation time i.e. me

It's a good idea to visit places out of the touristic corny track and see the real Thailand.

I think it's precise for the same reason lovers of twinks, ladyboys and indeed girls are choosing Thailand. Enough supply available in well organized system and at economic prices in safe environment. Guaranteed hot weather, good and varied food , lot of cultural attractions, well developed tourist infrastructure is a bonus. People with low self-esteem and meagre resources ( like me ) can boost their ego by lodging in great hotels for fraction of price they'd be paying somewhere else. Where you will go? North America and Europe - too pricey Latin America, discussed many times, guys cheaper and better built but food and lodging more expensive , airfares not competitively priced and safety concerns Middle East - gay paradise but you will get there only after they behead or stone you first Africa - where you want to start ? Uganda, Mali or South Africa, in short , expensive , unsafe and homophobic. Russia - cold , expensive and always danger you may bump on the street into Moses China - all dots may connect but not necessarily penetrable for foreigners. in short , Thailand is only place where you guaranteed that in 3 hours from landing you will be in embraces of some guy of your taste and survive to tell the tale, still holdin on to most of your cash.

I have been to Korat several times. Some temples in town, more temples and mountains a bit away (would need car, difficult or impractical by public transport). With car and driver, I could spend weeks in Korat province. No gay nightlife that I know of. Few western tourists. The train is a good idea, you can see construction sites of tunnels and elevated track for the high-speed train, very entertaining for me. Khao Yai, unless you go to some specific temples or rocks or cliffs, was pretty boring for me. Just mountainous forest (I have no interest in the various wildlife that you can watch there).

This is what Wise (formerly Transfer Wise) cautions about dynamic exchange conversion. Here's the simple rule you need to know when using a foreign ATM When it asks which currency to charge you in, there's only one right answer... In the Eurozone, that answer is euros. In Sweden, Swedish krona. In Britain, pounds. In Australia, AUD. In the US, dollars. Always, always, always choose to be charged in the local currency of the country you're in. If a Spanish ATM asks if you want to be charged in GBP, say no. Don't let the machine do your currency conversion. Here's why you shouldn't let an ATM do conversion for you: Foreign ATMs and card machines often say nice things like: This ATM offers conversion to your home currency. On the surface, that seems pretty generous. It looks like you'll know exactly what you're paying, and in amounts you're way more familiar with. Nice, right? But, in reality, paying in your home currency is hidden-fee-hell. It's a scam that goes by the name of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). DCC means you effectively ask a foreign ATM provider or bank to gleefully make up an exchange rate for you. And the only thing more likely to screw you over than your bank, is a foreign bank. This isn't a kind-hearted service. It's something banks use to take more of your money without you knowing. https://wise.com/us/blog/choose-local-currency-at-foreign-atm

Maybe they should rename Penthouse room to Peekaboo room.lol.

my parents' house had this problem. They tried the heat treatment but it didn't work. Ended up having to get the house tented and poison pumped in. That solved their problem. Cost about $2000 for their small house.

A bit of a contradiction to say it's too far then say its only 4 hours? My advice,....... seize the moment and don't over think it. Life's too short.

I went to Korat many years ago. Used it as a base for day trips to Phnom Rung and Phimai. It's a big-ish regional center.

While we're at it, let's make it 30 years when the Bangkok gay scene was really hot and humming.

If only there was a time machine that could transport us chasers back a quarter of a century to the days of yore, I’d be among the first to sign up. Maybe they’d call it “dynamic chaser conversion.”

You need freezing or scorching temps. to kill the critters / eggs. However, once your residence becomes infested you'll have to remove all clothing, bedding, carpet, upholstered furniture, books, etc. and have the residence treated multiple times. It's expensive. I immediately check the mattress of any hotel room or apt. when I travel. Once, in Rio, I left an apt. Immefiately when I saw evidence of them.

I meant I didnt check if they were still giving out the ones that say "Not for sale. Free only" I vaguely recall those being purple, while I think the ones last time were blue. I did ask 2 GPs if they charge for the condoms, which is hearsay. So, it's true, it would be more accurate to say that it is said that they are still charging for them

It's not difficult to bring you lube and condoms. I always have them in my purse anywhere I go.

I am sure that Anutin will change the mind of the PM!

I'm sure it is. But you mentioned your interest in being transported back 25 years when there were quite a few more bars staffed with lots more guys much more skimpily dressed than is the case today. Same with the best-known massage spas which have disappeared, many fondly remembered like Hero, Albury and Adonis each of which (if I remember correctly) usually had quite a few more masseurs. Same also with gay saunas, with Babylon being the most lamented casualty. Going back an extra few years, some months ago a member posted a list from one of the free mags that used to be available in many gay venues which listed even more bars with more bar boys, and not all in the Silom-Suriwong axis . Taking just one, Barbiery on Suriwong opposite the entrance to Soi Twilight often had 100 young guys working at the week-ends. Nudity and more adventurous, fun shows were the norm. Not sure if Twilight had as many guys in 1993 but it certainly had 60-70 a few years before then. But times change, society changes, government regulations have changed and the economics of gay venues have changed particularly in the face of competition from the apps. Also, as I have mentioned before in several posts, the customer base has changed. 30 years ago Thais virtually made up a majority of bar customers. We live in different times.

Brazil vs. Thailand, based on one trip to Brazil: knowledge of English is close to non-existent in Brazil. Whereas in SEAsia, I get around okay with English.

https://www.tatnews.org/2023/10/new-monopoly-chiang-mai-edition-board-game-now-available/ Is Adams Apple in the list of locations?

One annoying thing is that at 117, they charge for lube and condoms, even dispensing condoms that said free, not for sale (for years this went on--I did not happen to check on my latest visit if it was still the case) But they are certainly still charging for them

@xpaulo, you bring up a really good point about the evolution of cannabis laws. It's fascinating to see how perspectives and legislation can change over time. Canada's move to legalize cannabis has been watched closely by countries around the world, and it certainly dispelled many of the doomsday scenarios that some had predicted. The stigma surrounding cannabis has been slowly chipping away, and its potential therapeutic applications are becoming more widely recognized. For those looking to delve deeper into the subject, this comprehensive Guide to Cannabinoids at https://releaf.co.uk/education/pain/medical/neuropathic-pain/a-guide-to-cannabinoids-for-neuropathic-pain offers a lot of insights. It's fascinating how our understanding of cannabis and its applications is evolving, isn't it?

Could probably be attributed to privacy and legal issues. Bars operate in a discrete tea money to authorities way, it's easier to pass off massage to online customers as a legitimate legal service but if bars start posting too much online it could potentially bring unwanted attention. There are a lot of guys in bars that don't want their photos online associated with this line of work as well, I know a few that don't use the apps in case friends or someone from their hometown sees them and the rumours/gossip makes its way back to family and hometown.

Yes the Bamboo Bar is still there . I think it is in rather an inappropriate location for a gay bar. I called in a year ago and was “getting to know” one of the staff when an str older couple came in but exited rather quickly.

Actually, it still is. Patpong 2 offers five go-go’s and two beer bars with approximately 120-150 guys of all descriptions on any given evening. slip over to Soi 4, and that’s humming with more 50 or so more offable guys in varied venues. on the massage front, an equal or greater number in just the Silom-Surawong triangle.

And worse, maybe he not hard 😩

On the few occasions i visited Pattaya 15-25 years ago, there was always the possibility of finding attractive guys on the beach wearing skimpy trunks, especially in the late afternoons. In addition to the boys who came down to play a sort of volleyball, there was usually the accasional cruiser. There was also a host bar - Bamboo Bar? - located around the corner from the Police Box which was open in the afternoons. The gay area of the beach was then quite busy with cheap drinks and food available.

And that then becomes the bank's fault?

some insurance info that might be useful

Ok, what was shady? The ATM message / instruction was clear, not deceptive from what I'm reading ... and the machine user didn't carefully read or understand the questions - didn't pay attention. Embarrassing? Yes. As I interpret the transaction/ complaint I see it as a mistake on the part of the card user. Let's accept our own actions without pointing the finger elsewhere. All of us fuck-up from time to time. It was an inexpensive lesson learned, IMO. Is US$40 a make / break expense? If so, maybe the trip should not have been taken in the first place. A harsh commentary? Yes. But let's keep it real. 🫢

Consider GeoBlue https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/mobile/index-2.cfm

one behind the Tukcom? If yes , yes it's still in business under new name . One needs to go in as their boys are not soliciting business at front.

I actually look for smiles. A guy not able to muster smiles before the sale is unlikely to suddenly turn nice in the room. (Of course, if you are just looking to get pounded, this may not be so important; in that case, I would ask/insist on seeing the dick hard and I would note how quick the erection fades) Also if they are willing to give a couple "sample" kisses, this can be very revealing. I say (through the translator) that kissing is the most important thing for me, are they into kissing? Normally that is there chance to give you an amazing kiss. If they just say yes, or kiss you like granny...they are unlikely to get better behind closed doors. But true, there are no guarantees, and the most auspicious can be a dud in the room. Also on a few occasions, I have thought a guy was just so handsome that I've gone through with it despite inauspicious signs, but that is vanishingly rare.

@Mavica I think I found the moral-less whore you were speaking of. See quote by @floridarob. Lol! For some crazy reason knowing that these guys have a wife, girlfriend had children at home turns me on immensely. Don't forget, I'm that gay man who prefers straight porn and also pay to watch the barber ph-uck women I meet in the colonial zone. I think we're all kinda fukced up in this group. Lol.

After conducting a multi-year survey consisting of numerous “experiments” primarily focused on Rio de Janeiro but including to a lessor extent São Paulo and other cities in Brazil I have come to the completely unscientific conclusion that sex with guys that are genuinely interested in penis is better - at least for me - than guys that are doing something that doesn’t come naturally to them. Aside from my stated goal of avoiding mechanical sex, much of it also has to do with the fact that I like staying in touch at least to some degree with the people I exchange bodily fluids with and a guy that is reluctant to share his WhatsApp because he is concerned that his esposa will inquire about strange messages isn’t what I’m after. My experience has also been that garotos sem esposas or filhos result in fewer pleas for ajuda after I return home. On an odd but related note, has anybody out there read Sex at Dawn? To answer the question you actually asked though, I look for a garoto that is lindo and doing something - anything - with his life other than having meaningless (usually mechanical) sex with tourists day in and day out at the sauna. Bonus points are also awarded should the garoto be able to show interest in some part of my life other than how many reais are in my wallet.

I'm sure we've all read the news about Paris and how bedbugs seem to have taken over the city. Now sightings are reported on the London underground. Unlike Bangkok, Hong Kong and many other cities, London's Tube cars have upholstered seating. Ideal for bedbugs to lurk and then climb on to whatever you are wearing. Before you know it, they have crept on to your bed, found a nice little niche and start to breed. They bite but to most people the bites are painless. They just leave red marks on the skin. The problem is essentially twofold: they breed like crazy and they are very difficult and usually expensive to eliminate. Bangkok is not immune to their infestation. Anyone who travels has a high chance of having bedbugs in their hotel/B&B beds. Put your clothes or suicases on to the bed and they will hitch a lift. Next thing you know you have brought some of these highly resilient buggers back to your home. Never put your suitcase and clothes on the bed and always keep the case firmly closed. As the following article from The Guardian points out, bedbugs "are incredibly good hitchkikers." The fact is that bedbugs have been around in most countries for centuries. The present rise in numbers seems to be associated with climate change and an increasing resistance to insectocides like DDT which was used to eliminate them decades ago. If you think you have found one or more, strip the bed and immediately get the bedclothes to a professional cleaner. Also get a pest control company in fast. It may not get rid of it/them at the first cleaning. That's why it can become quite expensive. Leave it too late and they will find their way into your furniture. As the article points out, we live in "a bug's world." We'll never get rid of them all. But we can take precautions to make sure this lot do not take up residence in our homes. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/11/french-bedbugs-britain-insects

don't worry. For me flying to Brazil would be cheaper than Thailand and still is Brazil 0: Thailand 30. Why ? I think Boy69 summarized it very neatly in his post : for me advantages listed above offsets disadvantage of boys being more expensive and also flight time being twice as much. I gnash my teeth , suffer badly and still prefer Bangkok and vicinity. I'm not particularly chickeny and vast travel experience taught me that places supposedly dangerous aren't as bad as word says but still I'm not big fun of having my vacation time spoiled by worries ' other side of railway station is considered unsafe" , " area between park and river bank is said to be off limits for tourists " , " when in taxi make sure windows are closed" and most important ' bringing unknown boy to your hotel may not be safe" . All quotations from various trip reports on this site. So up to now I'm content to pay 3000 baht ( 100 $) rather than 200 reais (40$) secured in knowing that if I need to walk from bar to hotel at say 2 am I don't need to call taxi nor constantly look over my shoulder.

Onward to Pattaya, I opted for a new mode of transport (for me), the bus from BKK to Jomtien for 165 baht. It was on time, no issues and I got some free entertainment. I boarded the bus and made my way up the aisle to find someone sitting in my selected window seat, not to worry, it’s a short trip I’ll survive. Then he begins playing football youtube videos on his phone with the sound up, ok I’ve got my airpods back I’ll play some music. After 10 minutes of his videos he opens up the line contacts and starts messaging the girls to meet while facing his phone directly at me, ok I’m locked in now, pour me some tea. First Reply: “I cannot I visit my mom until 30th” Damn, I’m sure that’s who she’s with. After about 10 minutes and multiple chats going nowhere, he’s got one replying, I try not to smirk as he is trying to negotiate bareback with this girl with his phone centimetres from my face on full brightness. Long story short, she basically made him jump through hoops for 30 minutes while he tries to convince her, then she drops “2000 baht you pay in advance now”. I’m screaming internally DO NOT FUCKING DO IT, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF BUDDHA! Thankfully, he seems to have given up at that, he rests his head on his clenched fist and leans against MY window looking out in sorrow. cheer up lad, you're on your way to a buyers market. Overall, the bus trip was fine, it took about the same amount of time as my usual Nam’s trip at a tenth of the cost. I jumped on a mototaxi with my backpack and headed into Jomtien complex where I had booked my stay, I could have walked it from the bus station, but it was hot and I hadn’t eaten all day so I’ll overpay for the 1 minute ride. In the mornings/afternoons when i rise I usually find my perch at O’Delicies or Dicks with breakfast and some coffee while I watch the Soda massage arrivals. There were anywhere from 10-20 on any given day, two of which i promptly added to my mental note 'hitlist'. I've got another massage story... same rules, i know mistakes etc etc. My first massage at Soda I'd call my redemption massage, the massage itself was lacking but finding a twink to give a strong thorough massage is not an easy task. He was ok though, and we made our way around the room in a flurry of suspicious noise-invoking moves before I tipped him for his performative dance. As i'm getting dressed he drops a "i love you" and i chose to ignore it (this will be red flag #1 for later reference). The next day as i saunter up looking for the other name on my mental hitlist i see the second guy but he's sporting a bloody nose, tissues rammed up there and head tilted back. I'm not going to risk that coming undone for my massage, so i request day 1 guy again and off we go. The massage itself was fine, the turn and dance was good, but then he asks to exchange line and i reluctantly add him knowing it's just going to be money requests later. The moment after i leave the shop my phone is blowing up with i love you, what you do later, all kinds of love bombing emojis. I don't have love on the mind so i decide to ignore the messages, well that just makes it worse apparently, now its turned to 'why dont you reply, why dont you love me, am i bitch', it goes on. All very dramatic for a guy i've known for 2 hours, half of that time having face planted in a table. I block him knowing that I have to walk past this shop multiple times a day, and oh boy, the dirty looks every time i step foot out of my hotel. I decided i might give Soda a cooldown period so i don't get stabbed. The usual suspects were at the host bars in the evenings in Jomtien, some were good looking, some were too pushy, but plenty of opportunities. I did find myself bored in Jomtien complex for the first time though and I was having issues at Agate with my Russian straight couple neighbours on the other side of the paper-thin walls. I'm not sure if it's a low-season phenomenon or if straights don't look at where they're staying, but the demographics of Agate were a lot different than my previous trips, I felt like the only gay in the village and the hotel looked to be fully booked. The neighbour couple certainly were not fans of what i was doing with one of my regulars right as they sat down to eat dinner in their room one evening, I don't speak Russian but i got a good sense of what they were saying. Of course my regular who loves a bit of playful banter took it upon himself to turn it up a notch both with his vocals and the slapping sounds. I couldn't stop him if i tried, but he is the reason i can no longer look them in the eyes when i step out onto my balcony. Time to leave, I've done enough to Jomtien for the time being. I hop on the baht bus and venture off to stay in Boyztown and spend some time at my favourite little gogo in Sunee.

Like mavica said, nothing new but thank you for OP for reminding us about that dreadful 'dynamic conversion rate" as it is called. Banks are getting more sophisticated to catch us off guard. It happened to me once even if I was aware of what's going on. I took it as a lesson. Few times when paying for purchases with card I was not even asked if I want charge in local currency or get it converted right away, the same big No, No

+1

the clock is ticking....stop putting limitations on yourself.

Everyone's experiences and limits are different. Here in numerical order for short time: 500 is still accepted for street trade (Saran Rom Park) and I do some of my business there. 800 is the minimum tip for 1 hour for most boys in Saphan Khwai and Inthamara massage places, and I do some of my business there. Fee for massage shop separately. 1000 is what I pay for boys from apps in Bangkok or in gogo bars in Pattaya (Winner Boys, Nice Boys). This is my upper limit but many here pay much more regularly. 1500 is the minimum boys in gogo bars in Bangkok ask for and some bars in Pattaya (Toy Boys, Classic Boy Bar former Cupidol). I don't pay that and I don't go there. 2000 seems the average gogo boys in Bangkok ask for. I have been asked for 2500 online once, no sorry. I have been asked for 5000 online once, no sorry. Cute and popular on Twitter, but I have my limits.

It's not just an "article." It's an advertisement that was paid for by the manufacturer: Spruce Natural Labs (North Carolina).

Stayed there when it had a good opening offer and liked the hotel. But have to say I have a weak spot for new modern hotels. I loved that shower window a lot when I took home a nice muscleboy and let him do a private erotic shower show for me... Getting in the shower in his underwear, getting wet, stripping... 😈🚿

Personally, I’m fascinated by how we are all cracked and broken in slightly different ways. Case in point, I wrote some drivel about desiring something slightly more than meaningless often mechanical sex with a garoto in a Brazilian sauna earlier today which really does represent how I feel about sex and I guess life in general to an extent but should we find ourselves in Bangkok getting a massage from a 22 year old that clearly spends a good amount of time swimming laps and he is naked and I am naked and the massage goes well and I’m feeling relaxed and he says in broken English that I have a nice ass and that he wants to fuck me, well, that’s an experience I’ll probably just try and book at least once more before heading home. Do I have a point? No, not really other than that we are all different, caipirinhas are delicious, staring at the ocean on Thursday is better than working, I’m a cracked and broken hypocrite myself at least to some extent and may Prince’s overpriced soul RIP.

It's what's referred to as "being woke" these days.....I'm from the Don Rickles sense of humor days, say it.....without really meaning it..... If you want to filter, a gay sex for pay site might not be the best place for you..... think about that you self claimed psychopath 😉