Alexx

I recently read an interview with "Mom Noi" - a Thai movie director and member of the aristocratic elite - in the weekly BK Magazine. Here's a link to the online version, so that you know what I'm talking about in case you're interested: http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/news/ml-pantevanop-tevakul-the-scar?page=12 Reading that, I wasn't really surprised but still a bit baffled that he's so frank expressing his views on democracy and the Thai people's (lack of) suitability for it. This goes far beyond the NCPO's goal of reform to make Thailand fit for democracy again, which they claim they can and want to accomplish in a year or so. Now comes the surprising part: After reading this interview, I discussed it with a number of Thai friends. Anyone who'd listen, basically. Even those from a very humble background didn't oppose his view. Nobody did. Most weren't really interested in this discussion at all, quickly diverting to more important subjects like whether to eat ice cream next. But those who were interested agreed with what he had to say, at least to a high degree. That's not the first time I've had this kind of response either. So you've got the strange situation that "almost all Thais don't really give a damn", as Bob has put it - very correctly, in my opinion. For this very reason, there is no hope for democracy in Thailand. Therefor, all I personally hope for is stability and leaders who are as benevolent as humanly possible. Anything that goes beyond that would require earth-shattering changes in Thai society.

Great news that Thailand has a PM again. Well, almost, pending the Royal Command.

Until recently, I had never lost any money myself and I had always kind of assumed that people losing (as in: dropping) money are just extremely careless or confused. Well! About three weeks ago, I got some change at a restaurant (about 400 baht) and put it in my back pocket instead of where it belongs (in my wallet). I walked to another shopping mall, and suddenly a Thai lady walking behind me started yelling in my direction, "Khun! Khun! ...". I tend to ignore people in the street and just kept walking, but she caught up and - handed me the cash that, sure enough, mysteriously had somehow freed itself from my back pocket. I was genuinely baffled and thanked her, realizing that I had just joined the ranks of these careless fools I had been wondering about.

I've mentioned that for the benefit of the OP, who's looking for a place "not full of boys looking to get money". Hence I'm not sure why people have brought Saranrom and Saphan Khwai into the picture. The places I had in mind were venues where local gays hang out with their friends, not places where local gays go to hire a prostitute.

I think Babylon is definitely a must-see in Gay Bangkok. The best time of the day is when people finish work. You can arrive a bit earlier than that (let's say between 4pm and 5pm) if you want to spend more time there.

Saphan Khwai and Saranrom are both for meeting prostitutes, albeit mostly for locals. I got the impression that's not what the OP was after.

There's the following problem, bkktourist: Those Thais who are into foreigners, for one reason or another (could be money, but doesn't have to), know where to find them: at the touristy places! So at the predominantly local clubs, as opposed to the tourist hot spots, most of the guys aren't all that interested in you as a foreigner. You're difficult to talk to (how's your Thai?), have strange manners and all that... That's not necessarily a bad thing if you go there with friends, just want to have a fun night out (fun as in drinking) and keep your eyes open for anything that might arise. Chances usually do arise, but unlike at the touristy places, there's no hook-up guarantee and you could feel bored and out of the loop if going alone. If you'd like to see such a local venue, go for it by all means, but it pays off to befriend some Thais first and go with them as a group. I go to local clubs with Thai friends from time to time and it's fun for me. Others might see it mostly as a waste of time.

Well, even her elder brother came back once. At the very least, the cases against her will provide us with something to talk about for years. Whether she will remain in Thailand remains to be seen.

Just like in the West, then. A travesty, indeed.

For the record, I had some encounters with male escorts (= prostitutes) before moving to Thailand, and they did cum when I met them without exception. I didn't have to talk them into it or make any extra effort, it's simply a natural result of having sex with another guy. I would expect no less in Thailand, and I agree with LoveThailand that it's part of the job.

I've never had sex with anyone who didn't cum, and I hope I'll never see that day. I'll probably quit having sex once that happens; if it's all about me anyway, I can take care of my needs myself altogether.

I live in Bangkok as well, and Thais still strike me as friendly and upbeat people - at least compared with all the other nationalities I'm familiar with, including my own. I'm not talking about them walking around constantly smiling, but in my daily interactions with them they certainly make me smile a lot. Many Thais from the countryside say that Bangkokians are rude and sour-faced folks. That's probably true, compared with Thais from the countryside. Compared with the inhabitants of other capital cities of the world, I'd say not at all.

I chatted with an African guy, who was then staying in Pattaya, on GayRomeo a couple of months ago. He also said he's from Madagascar. My impression was that he was neither a tourist nor a scammer, but someone who wants to make a living just as the Thai moneyboys - and those from neighboring countries - do.

I'm not so sure, I'd say that most Poppers users in Thailand are probably Thai. At least here in Bangkok, Poppers is very popular among local gays. Some clubs and saunas sell it, and pretty openly so. The last sauna I visited had a box of Poppers bottles on display, but the box was empty, sold out.

Nine years ago, I did something like that. I chatted with a Thai guy who was selling Poppers on GayRomeo. We met at a BTS station, I handed over the cash and he handed over a bottle of Poppers. Pretty much in broad daylight and with many people around. No problems at all, but that doesn't mean much obviously. Poppers certainly cannot legally be sold in Thailand, but if it's worth setting someone up, I don't know. There are probably better options for those inclined. I've also yet to hear any first- or even second-hand report about someone getting in trouble with the law for using Poppers in Thailand, while I know many who got in deep shit for using other stuff.

I'll agree with both of you. I laughed my ass off watching "One million ways to die in the West" a couple of weeks ago (and so did the Thais who went with me), although or maybe because it's incredibly crude. And Hercules came as a nice surprise to me, too.

Good point, within 10-20 years there's room for several more interventions. Unless the reforms they put in place now are so terrific that it will be smooth sailing from then on. I live in hope.

He seems to be a good guy, after all, as all he has asked for is a mobile phone topup.

I noticed the profiles you're talking about when signing up here, but haven't made any use of them. So assuming that "nobody is there", you could use GayRomeo as an alternative for getting in touch with Thai boys before your trip. That works very well.

Of course they/we did. I have an opinion, too, I just know it's premature to come to a final conclusion with so many cards still to be plaid. Or, in other words, this could still go either way.

All I know is that most Thais I know are both more impatient and much more patient than myself, at the same time. That sounds illogical, yes, but that's how it is.

I think it's much too early to pass judgment on the latest military takeover. We'll probably know in 10-20 years.

That would require another change that we're not really at liberty to discuss. You cannot file criminal charges with regard to any offenses that the offenders have been pardoned for, it's as easy as that since a pardon is final and absolute. Hence the provisions in this latest incarnation of a provisional charter to that effect.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people sharing how much they've tipped as part of a travel report. It's interesting and relevant information. Especially when tipping more than the "going rate" was well justified because of the extraordinary effort or attitude of the recipient in question. In my opinion, it's nonsense that tipping over the top in such a case and manner is bad for the market. If anything, the boy in question might tell his colleagues something like, "this guy really liked me and gave me a gift at the end of his stay because he was so happy with me". Who knows, they might get the message - make your customer extra happy and it might well pay off with an extra payment. People complaining that overtipping is bad for the market would sound more credible if they limited their criticism to those who overspend indiscriminately, i.e. no matter how good or bad the service they've received has been. I think that's a significant distinction.

It seems unclear if these 15 bags (assuming that this number makes any sense at all) belong to ( a ) only Khun Yingluck herself, ( b ) herself and her son or ( c ) their entire entourage of reportedly about 10 people. But I also think it's not very relevant, she probably doesn't have the habit to travel light anyway and - if she should choose not to return to Thailand anytime soon - she could have some of her stuff sent or brought over by others later. In any case, I'm sure her big brother has a few spare credit cards she could borrow, if need be. She'll be fine.