DivineMadman

+1.

I agree with reader that there were too many specifics for what would be called a "blind item" in the gossip/tabloid press. Example of a blind item, "What Hollywood mogul gives Rollex watches to his guy-of-the-moment when he's finished with him?"

Holidays I'm sure are bad. 3 or 4 years ago my then-current guy wanted to go to Asiatique with another couple for Valentine's Day, and so did everyone else in BKK. The line went all the way up to the BTS station. Reasonable to expect the same thing for Icon Siam this year.... However nice Icon Siam may be, it's still just a mall. If waiting 20-30 minutes to get on the boat isn't worth it, then it's not worth it.... Give up and go get a nice cheap Thai massage at the very gay/trans friendly nearby shop "Le Lek." (Just off Charoen Krung, behind State Tower.) I think I 100% misspoke when I said the commuter boat stops there. I just checked and they do not. The tourist boat website does say that they stop at Icon Siam. And that's what Icon Siam is saying now too. (The tourist boats do not run a late in the evening as the mall's boat.). If I remember I'll try to check this next time I'm down there. Tourist Boat. Commuter Boat

As someone else remarked earlier, the boat that runs from that runs from Saphan Taksin is very large. It runs every 10 minutes. I think it's larger than the boat to Asiatique. As far as waiting on line it's no worse than waiting for the commuter boats. Even a very long queue will move quickly. Taking a taxi across the bridge at anything remotely approaching dinner time seems like a strategic error to me. That's a fairly notorious area for traffic problems. People can take the BTS across and then there is a free shuttle bus from the BTS station every 15 minutes. The website lists the hotels that run cross-river ferries (free) so that might be a good choice from some. I have taken those hotel boats across in the other situations and they're a breeze. People can also go by the regular commuter boat (not free). [Edit OOOPS - NOT THE COMMUTER BOAT, THE TOURIST BOAT (SUPPOSEDLY)] How To Get There

I wouldn't over think it. If they're speaking to you in English it's more likely that they are struggling to get through the basics without adding a "na" here or there.

Interesting to hear about the similar to mai pen rai in Malay. I don't think it's 100% correct to say that using "na" is something a younger person would say to an older person. It's just a general word of softening and politeness. So, getting the attention of the waiter might be "nong na khrap". Trying to get off the BTS you might say "kor toht na khrap." I don't bother putting it in Line or Facebook messages, but of course you see the guys do it all the time just to be nice and polite. Or another example: "ouch, less teeth!" might be "oi fan noy na khrap"

Kika is a Mediterranean restaurant on Soi Convent. Map There was a good amount of buzz in the Bangkok foodie world before they opened, which turned out to be pretty well-deserved. They open early at 10:00 for breakfast/brunch and go late - 1:00 am (although I wonder if occasionally they close earlier if no one is around?). I think the food is quite good. Not as expensive as some places. More expensive than the street food joints nearby. Portions are large. French fries are excellent. If you have your heart set on one of the specials, get there earlier rather than later, because I believe they do run out. Now that Vesper has gone all-cocktails, it's a nice convenient neighborhood spot to grab a bite when one of the Silom Complex spots or Hooters just won't do. Best of all it's very gay/gay-friendly. Last week I took a friend from one of the bars to dinner there for his birthday. The only looks we got were longing lusftul/jealous looks from some of the other patrons and the usual smiles from the cute male and female staff. It's not gay all-male as in Balcony or Telephone Bar, but it's very comfortable and fun. The regular customer crowd is very mixed, and, no surprise, mostly expats.. Special shoutout to "La Vida Kika", the Sunday "Tea Dance" party every Sunday afternoon/evening. It's a boisterous fun gay/mixed party crowd that spills out onto the sidewalk. Is High Tea on Fire Island? No. But it might be a nice way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends or to meet people, and kudos to Kika for having it. Kika Website La Vida Kika. Kika Facebook Pet peeve: The menu is only in English, so you will have to translate for local companions.

I assumed that reader was just making a joke. Or perhaps more accurately given the strong reactions, trying to make a joke or make light of his apparent frustration. Given the various exchanges on the topic, that really seemed to be the only reasonable explanation. So maybe not so big a deal?? As so often when it's just words on a screen we miss out on the intonation or the arched eyebrows, or tones of exasperation, or other clues. Now I need to go figure out if I'm part-year Bangkok resident who likes massages and is rumoured to have a stash of wine at Maxi's, or am I really a homebound lesbian in South Dakota who writes gay porn for a living.....

ggobkk. Thanks for the report and thanks for the chance to spend time together during your visit.

On a happier note, just wanted to share a reminder of how simple and pleasant things really can be here in the no-strings-attached world. This screen cap was all it took to arrange a perfectly wonderful afternoon experience using Line. This particular chain started with my sending the photo of who I wanted. (I added the "Wow" because I don't know for sure the original is meant for public consumption. But cute. Very cute.) Full disclosure, the shop (Sabaidee Spa) already had my phone number, otherwise they would have asked that to take my booking. Food Panda is more difficult than this...

I love this story. It's got something for everyone. The guilty pleasure of someone else's misfortune. Even better -- The ersatz victim is an American. Wonderful! The working guy had many offs a night, so, presumably, a swindler. Delicious! Even if this exact story isn't true or is partially true, who cares. Some variation on the story happens all the time all over the world. Every few weeks there's a report in the Thai press about a Thai man or women sending money to someone they met on line who promises love and all that. Hard not to be happy for the working guy involved. After all, he's just done his job better than most. For his wealthy patron, I hope he's got a good healthy attitude and sees that his glass isn't just half-full. It's still full of all the memories and the acts of kindness. And there are a lot of people out there late-in-life with no opportunities for affection and human contact, even if it's transactional in nature. It's obviously silly to be suggesting that what these guys really should be doing is building a diversified portfolio. That sort of thing is more about the individual(s) giving the useless advice than the working guy. For every 1 sex worker guy who takes the money he earns and keeps it all for himself, there are 25 or more sending money home to fix up their family home, send younger brothers or sisters to school, etc. It's easy to find guys at Dreamboys (BKK) or out at some of the massage places who are working their way through school. And if they save money to buy a nice phone, or a customer gives them a nice phone, or they like to taxis instead of the bus, I certainly wouldn't begrudge them that.

I think it's good to be aware of the issue but I wouldn't over-think it or worry too too much. The guys are are pro's and if they want to they know how to say "I have to go back up now." I know bar guys who are 100% in the friend zone with me and no hopes that I will off them and still they will come by and sit and chat. I usually buy them a drink, but that's it. (A few really nice one's I'll tip 100). And then when they want to, they will just excuse themselves. They have been working long enough to know not to worry about every minute. And your friend probably was enjoying a nice visit with a nice customer and taking a much-appreciated break from being on display. If he's still sitting with you that's his choice so accept the compliment.

+1

Oh no! Hope it's going ok FYI - this particular gent is back and doing the same, so lots of smiling faces at Bonny, Maxi's and X-Boys.

Apps (Hornet) work fine for me and are an increasingly important part of my mix. I always have a mental log of Hornet/Grindr guys on my "to-do list" and sometimes I will see them out and about in real life on the BTS, Suan Phlu, Soi 4, Soi Twilight, etc., and that will very often move someone up or down or off the list. So more often than not I've actually seen the guys before I contact them. As a longer-term resident, that works for me but alas not much help for others. I have a VN friend who I occasionally travel with who seems to know a lot of the good guys and he happily volunteers to go through Hornet or Grindr to find ones he recommends. (He even volunteered to do it for a friend once but the friend didn't want.) And then there are working guys on Hornet who I have lusted over for ages and when I finally decide they're at the top of this list and its their lucky day and I do them the great favor of contacting them -- they just ignore me entirely. Always a refreshing and humbling experience. But as I mentioned earlier, all this works for me and gives me a very high success rate, but probably it's because I play a very long game. No doubt some of the app guys are flaky and even though it's their business -- and they certainly should know better -- they may stop mid-conversation or no-show or other bad behavior. Even so, I do think what we experience is nothing compared to what they have to put up with: the time wasters, nasty people, people just trying to collect dick pics, etc.. I don't think that's anyone on this Board, but there are a lot of uncivilized types out there, so it's why I move very quickly no-nonsense to seal the deal with l a guy, if he actually responds to my "Hi."

Yes sorry to have missed you. I hope next time.

enjoying reading your trip report a lot and glad to get a report on S'Sense. I tried to book a massage there awhile ago - a day or possibly two days ahead of time -- and the owner said that you can't book ahead, only on the day of. !!! So bye bye S'Sense. Good you guys went.

Personally, I liked Iconsiam. I'm not a shopper, but it's big and new and interesting in its own way, and I enjoy an excuse to get over to that side of the river (and one can only go to Jam Factory so often). The very large food court that ggobkk mentioned is getting positive reviews, which I think is 40% a mix of the quality of the food and 60% the quaint little old ladies in the faux floating markets. Seems to be a bit of a hit with the locals. Perhaps they, like myself, are just easily distracted by shiny objects. A big fancy new cineplex has opened up on top. Iconsiam seems to be turning into a favorite place for "date nights" or "date afternoons" with guys du jour. I do recommend it if you're looking for something to with your guy between bouts of recreational activities. I even know one guy from a bar who went on an actual date-date in real life (not with a customer) there. But it clearly should be avoided by people who don't like the Bangkok mall culture or people who fear that visiting a mall with a working guy might turn into an unintended shopping spree

I think they only distributed a limited number of the "Spider" cards. Don't know if any are still available even if you wanted one. I also think the Airport Rail Link and bus implementation has been delayed. For longer-term residents I've found linking my Rabbit Card with Line Pay has been great. Never have to wait in line at the BTS again - just top-off the Rabbit Card using Line Pay. (Getting the money into Line Pay is an easy no-fee transfer for those with local bank accounts, and I am pretty sure it can be done by credit/debit card for those who don't). When you link Line Pay and Rabbit you also get three free BTS rides. (!).

Personally I would be careful to apply the thinking just 'cause they're on another public forum they're ok to post, unless you know that he consented, one way or another, to them being on that forum. That's the problem with revenge porn - once it's out there it's hard to get back. Not that this is revenge porn, or any kind of porn, in any way. BUT ANYWAY, these are photo's that he has posted on his Facebook page (and "public") so presumably they are 100% ok to post here. He has also publicly identified himself as working at Moonlight, so that's ok also.

Hi - a couple of quick further thoughts No one says "king" any more for "top". You can just say top. In my experience the bigger hotels, which would include Shangri-la, don't care about short-term visitors. The places are just too big to police that. But they respect a certain discretion. As far as the "guys like the ones at Moonlight." Just remember that there are two classes of guys at Moonlight. The ones featured in the videos/advertising, who are available at a premium price, and the other normal non-show guys, who are all fine and dandy but not quite built like the "models," and more like other bars. I don't know if the "models" would be up for a threesome. God bless you and your bank account if they are. Beyond Moonlight a lot of the bars will have better looking built tops. Lots of cabs/tuk tuks in the area, but they will not want to use the meter. You may find them only taking you if agree to pay something outrageous like 300 baht when you know it should be 60 on the meter. How you deal with that is up to you, but I recommend trying to keep the perspective that in the scheme of things it's not a ton of money so don't let it become a negative. What I do is take the normal meter/reasonable number to get to where I'm going, double or triple it and just say I'll pay that. I don't have the patience for back and forth bargaining with taxi drivers. More often than not they take me up on that.

Thanks for the kind words all, but do note that my site is always a work in progress, or more often than not, lack of progress, and the scene changes so much day to day it's hard to keep it updated or keep track of new spots. And my favorite spots others my detest. de gustibus and all that.

Perhaps one one of the most enjoyable adventures to be had in Bangkok! I am probably wrong in this -- as I am in so many things -- but I think there are far many more hunkier well-built guys working in massage than bars (in Bangkok) and, by extension, more well-built gym-fit bottoms to be found there. A full service massage might not be what you're interested in, but it's something you might consider. Each shop has some guys who will happily and professionally bottom/top/both whatever you want. Of course, just as with bar guys, it's still an intensely personal activity so it's best not to expect a fulfillment of fantasies, but I think you can usually expect professional rambunctious sex. And a massage. Arena - tries to fill the muscle-guy marketing niche (almost Tawan size). For me, I wish they would focus more on looks, but they are committed to their niche. Last year I went and I asked for a guy who would bottom and there was one guy. But the good news is he was very handsome late 20s maybe 30, and he was great, so it worked out very well. [As in so many things, all you need is one.....]. There might be someone there for you. VCK or Prince. Find their websites and you can get a sense of the guys who work there. Then either go and pick from the line up or, what I recommend if you are comfortable picking from photos, the day before or day of your visit contact the shop on Line. Be polite. They will send pics of who bottoms and then make a booking. Prince seems to run about 75-80% straight top only, so if you're picking from the line-up there you ask the manager and usually he will point out who will bottom. VCK has more guys (usually) and has a lot of gay/do everything guys as well as straight guys, and the helpful managers will give you guidance. But the bottom line (he he he) at the big brothel massage shops is that it's understood that part of your selection process is getting a guy who does what you want. Prince is convenient to Silom but I think VCK is quite a bit better right now so worth the visit to Ari. Sabaidee Spa rotation seems to change but there are usually quite a few older more muscular guys, if you're looking for that. Contact by Line and ask and they will let you know who's available and who (if any) might bottom. You also can try Ganymede, Leo or Nine. Reach out by Line and they'll send pics. They're smaller shops so the odds of finding a guy you like who does what you want are correspondingly lower. But again, all you need is one.... Because you're only in town a few days I'll spare you the suburban shops. As far as bars, there's always a big selection of guys at Fresh Boys. I think there seems to be an emerging consensus that right now Fresh Boys is better for twinks than Classic. And Dreamboys has ramped up again for high season. But bounce around. For whatever reason(s) I'm one of the lucky ones who has never gotten bad advice from a mamasan or had a guy refuse anything agreed. I have also never had any problems with people of any particularly nationality and I pay the same standard BKK short-time regardless of country. I think some people bring self-fulfilling negative prophesies to their interactions with some guys. So personally I recommend keeping an open mind. Whatever particular combination of attitude, Rubens-esque body type or pheromones I have, I just don't worry about where a guy is from and so far success.

Did the forum guidelines get a complete re-write? I recall the old ones being rather difficult to read. My suggestion (if it has been rewritten) is a round of applause for the author(s). Well done. Very grown up. At times brilliant. Especially the Code of Conduct. Guidelines

According to the Thai Red Cross clinic description of services they provide "STI testing and treatment". So looks like they do provide testing and treatment. For HIV they provide testing and counseling and help locals get with the right government hospital. But -- god forbid -- if that situation arose, how to get proper treatment for OP's friend would be an entirely different set of discussions. As far as treatment is concerned, Red Cross will refer people to Pulse who have the money because the government only pays for certain drug treatments once T cells hit a very low level (and not based on viral load). (The downside of being friends with so many (too many?) working guys over the years is that you learn these things.) As long as the OP is paying, personally I think you can't go wrong with either one so the only real issue is where the guy would actually be comfortable (and more likely to re-visit). Not my decision but I would just ask the guy. Give him ownership of the issue.