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thank my usual modus operandi as well.... they will end up getting good fare, if they use meter. directly related ... just returned from a short escape to bali. yet again notorious for cheap meter taxis, and for organized transport cartels. down in seminyak they have signs up everywhere the local banjar does not allow use of uber/grab in area. I saw online discussions about drivers getting hassled, and advising riders to just say he was my private driver. i used Grab once to go to remote area and then negotiated wait and return fare (after grab calc the o/way thru app). More than happy with service and cost. but new for me was the mocy app GO-JEK. None of the taxi would come down the one way gang to our accom. But go-jek was there pick up at the door. Readily available, phoned direct when booked, arrived with helmet in hand. min fare 4000 max fare i paid 6000. 50% off if you preload value with app. They all got either 10,000 or 20,000 from me. loved it!

always sage advice from vinapu!

i know i know... i still laugh about it! the money wasnt the point... he flippin took us for a journey. Well maybe the money does make the point... we paid for time in taxi...... considering we were charged a 1/3rd of the far, we were probably in taxi for 20 min more than the 10 min it should have taken. rip off? inexperienced driver? dont know, but uber saved the day when he didnt go the suggested route.

All great responses guys... helpful to the question at hand, and other just adding their own commentary. i hope it was helpful to others. loved the links... thanks! didnt know the windy trips are more expensive! makes sense! Yes similar experiences to most of the above.... walk away from the taxi stands, and the price escalates. have to remember that. Have refused bikes outside of babylon, and by the time i walked up to stand, decided i will enjoy the rest of the walk home. their loss. grab app downloaded. uber already on phone. I am only using them for around sathorn and silom, or to bottom of sois, on the hottest of days. but have burled up wireless road one busy BKK morning and as hair raising as it was... it was the quickest option by far! I too have a bad taste in my mouth from transport cartels/monopolies. All started in phuket many years ago - and look at that ... have not been back in 8 years. The apps helps alot in this regard. Sure i know in many cases the amounts are minute compared to back home or the cocktail i buy, but it is the one thing irks me. Reminds me, in saignon, i complained to uber about route taken. $2.80aud fare reduced to $1.00 That remind me in instanbul, i complained to uber about solicitation for tours in car.... got that one free. long story. i could go on... we could all go on about our transport stories....

I have started using mocy drivers last few trips in BKK - ie sathorn to silom. But as with most monetary exchanges, i always wonder if i am getting ripped off. what is the rules of engagement here? Is there standard/set fares? min hire? i presume 2 level pricing for locals/farangs? Im guessing there will always be the hussler driver trying to rip off a farang, so i would like to be forearmed with a counter price if quoted high. Or does the possee of drivers at a stop all monitor each other (or share in the loot)? thanks in advance.

yes, massage table for massage. mattress for mattress dancin'. massage daily on holiday... but not necessarily for happy ending... for therapeutic massage. back home... i would love one twice a month... but cost is prohibitive. Nor have i found a decent enough masseure avail when i want for a reasonable price.

OMG.... just started reading.... love it! this forum seems to be going from strength to strength lately. i used to only drop in occasionally... now it seems it is a wealth of info, news, and enjoyable reading! keep up the good work boys! numaza .. im subscribed! im interested in all your tales, including the non-sexual. And as an aside... will be in BKK for songkran parties this year.... you around?

FYI for those travelling in town in May http://bk.asia-city.com/events/news/bangkok-host-its-first-pride-event-may

thank you vinapu. always enjoy your trip reports. And indeed this was especially enjoyable because of the cambodian adventure. thanks for sharing.

thanks for sharing! i too enjoy trip report pictorials!

Yes im a luxury hotel man.... well at least in BKK. we always pick a property because of pools. used to stay at the Metropolitan 3 visits - but prices have risen, and we have dropped in last couple years. loved that hotel. nothing too fancy but great pool, gym and sauna/spa. modern rooms/bathrooms. they have pay for 3 stay for 4 deals. moved to the sofitel so 3 visits - so many great things... so many service issues. loved the hotel. great rooms overlooking the park. great affinity pool, but does not cope during busy times. super gay friendly, including trans and cross dressing staff. i am accor member with status, not that well looked after. no reason to keep going back in the end we now park at the sukhothai - 2 visits back for 3rd in april for a week we love the property so much. probably the most expensive, but i think they delivering the most for us now. good old fashioned resort hotel (might be showing my age). grounds are an absolute escape from the megacity. pool fantastic. nice gym. distance is an issue, as is seems like a 1/2km walk into the property alone. but similar the 3 others above. babylon just over the back fence, but it is about a 2km walk around to get to it. also tack on an escape from BKK chaing mai, koh lanta, krabi, buma, cambodia vietnam. this time we doing laos. bali too far... but im from OZ, so we go to bali for the weekend!!! ;-)

i have to say my experience with 4 hands is very average. remember 1 of the criteria mentioned is quality of massage.... be very careful, with 2 separate people pulling, prodding and stroking you both at different tempos, strengths, styles, it can be a sensory overload. any difference between the 2 is magnified greatly when they are not in sync. by far the worse massage i had.

Tis true i do not visit LOS just for sex tourism. So i always say food great hotels, beachs shopping etc etc. and it is usually always on the way to somewhere else as well (laos in april). I also mention it is a great international cutting edge city now... fine dining has replace street food. Plus it is also a very gay friendly destination, as opposed to japan where we are asked about sleeping arrangements. I also mention im not inventing the wheel anymore... to go to a places you are familar, removes so much stress out of your holiday. But i know what you mean... i had some friend enquiry rather strongly why bkk all the time. I pointed out great prices i get, the hotels i get, the food (yes i chase down the dead flesh) my facebook posts are all about the food. It doesnt take much convincing. From australia,It is cheaper for me to fly and holiday in BKK than it is for bali.

Alas, after spending 3 xmas' in BKK, i will not be there this year. (but will be there for songkran!) I really enjoy the xmas week in BKK. Weather is pleasant, air seems cleaner. City empties out over NY holiday - to the point of traffic being a breeze to navigate. some of the shops close for the NY holiday. the food market in saladeang closes. There is the unique asian application of western xmas traditions applied... i find quaint... but certainly not replacing/satisfying any of my heartfelt traditions. just quaint asian.... we did one of the NYE dance parties one year... great night... but im past that these days. Hero was busy the one year. was >hour waits 2 times i went. didnt wait around. Compared to phuket, i prefer bangkok over this period. Too crazy and expensive with european tourists.

thanks ryan. enjoyed all your tales and insights. as mentioned, your message was true and touching. this is the sort of internet experience you savour when likes minds can gather in a safe space. thanks again ryain.

loving your trip reports vinapu!! heading off in a couple hours.... will be in Bangkok tonight! Going to invest in massage visits this trip. Did not have the best experience a few years back. but you have changed my opinion, and indeed approach/attitude to them. I too like the sensual lead up to any fun, especially with a nsa partner. Not to mention the therapeutic side of bending my body back into shape. OMG... PACKING!