paborn

Please look, but the Romans and drains. They built this in the age of elevators!

Yes, I should have mentionmed that it is my favorite as well. I never get my hair cut before a trip as I plan to have it cut there. I'll run over there for a shave in the morning. When I'm on vacation I like a little pampering. I don't mean to demean it in any way. It's just that so much is changing so fast that I'm sensitive to seeing something that looks to be on the down side rather than flying high. It's still very nice.

Only in airports and only in large ones. Dubai is crazy large and IMHO organized around shopping rather than quick access to gates.

Having made it by "first-day nuisances" that attended my arrival I realized that I had forgotten a medication. For newbies, many Thai Pharmacies do not carry a lot of western brands you might know. However, while there are many that do, you can head to a Boots ( UK firm ) which carries, depending on the branch, most everything. There is one located in the gay area - take Thaniya from Suriwongse straight through to Silom, make a left and it's about a block down. Armed with my medication I headed to Maxi's to recoup with a good drink and an early dinner. I think the food at Maxi's is quite good, at least I think so, as I was so taken by one of the waiters that I could have been eating cardboard and would have smiled at Jack. Ah Jack, whoever owns the place should be staffing a go-go bar. I showed his photo to a friend who only likes Hispanics and he said, "wow, so cute." But, I digress, I settled in and enjoyed my first rum and coke of the day. By the way, for years I was frustrated in getting this drink as no one ever seemed to know what I wanted. One day, I pointed to a bottle of Bacardi rum on the shelf and I told them to put some of that in a coke, " oh, Bacardi Coke." Mystery solved - God the power of advertising - there are other brands! Still, a drink brought by Jack is a better drink than one by any other name. Forgive my butchering of Shakespeare and to avoid controversy I will not mention the tips I gave for this service - you can assume far north of 20 Bhat. Before anyone pounces, we've all been there: the pretty face has greater earning power. I took the advice of our own gregarious Paulsf and selected a seat that gave me monitoring ability of the bars and massage places across the street. Great advice as I spotted a guy at Bonney that was tall, light and handsome. Just my cup of Jasmine scented tea. Quickly deciding that dinner could wait an hour I headed to Bonney Massage. Fixing on his handsome face I made the arrangements and then blanched in shock as I saw the steep rise of stairs in front of me. Deciding my cane would have to do as an alpine staff I headed up the escarpment. Yes, wordy I know but the damn thing is tall and steep. Booney is far from a fancy place and very basic. Still, I found it clean and this guy was sweet and attentive. Like the bars, there has to be only one you'd like. It's always a search. Back to Maxi's - all kidding aside, the food is good and they have excellent fries. There is, frankly, no better place to observe the life of the soi. I will say, that there was not that much to observe. Maxi's was busy but there was a day when Maxi's and Dick's were packed and there was a crowd walking in the soi. In my experience, this is not so today. But, then I'm an early bird and usually have my off by 10 PM. After Maxi's excellent burger I was off to The bars. Both Fresh Boys and X Boys had about 12 to 15 good looking guys and the staff was not pushy. In fact, I spent most of my time with the cute and engaging Vietnamese waiters. They were loads of fun for me with no off involved. But, there comes a time to take care of business and I decided to make a Screwboys run. Screwboys is a bit dark and has not seen a decorator in many a year. But, the boys are damn good looking and that's all that matters. The coyote boys in leather briefs give a synchronized dance show that is amusing and sweet as they smile and laugh. Number 80 is a gorgeous doll and, well, did what we agreed on. Enough said. Your need and preferences may differ so don't sell the place short - lovely, handsome lads.

Yes, they take cash. My point is that when you can no longer absorb the discount rate then things are tightert than they were finacialy. Still, good service and a staff of only two rather than the former three or four.

Andy. actually I do understand this. However, I have been to airports that have a dispatcher so you wait and the next in line comes to you and that works even better. The dispatcher can hold things up if a line is forming ( people with many bags ) or speed it up.

Having no claim to the skills of a Barbara Cartland there will be no novella here; just an attempt to overview what I found to be true or, at least, my personal impressions of my recent trip. I flew over on Emirates and now recall while I hate the airport at Dubai. Doha is smaller, easier to navigate and run more efficiently. I use a wheelchair these days and the system works very well on the US end and perfectly fine at Bangkok. Dubai is a nightmare. Arriving, outbound, on my connection there was no chair for any of the passengers. A confused but kindly attendant organized the chairs but this took some 40 minutes in my case. The same thing happened on the return putting Dubai on my no-fly list. Perhaps because of the wheelchair situation, I was upgraded on the segment to Bangkok. I had almost forgotten what business class is like from my corporate days and I was impressed. While enjoying the comfort and good food I heard some noise behind me and explored. I found a nice, comfortable bar with a bartended and seating around the sides. Assuming there is an even more lavish show in First I had to wonder what this volume of space, distributed over the coach area, would add to the comfort of lesser mortals forced to fly in a medieval torture device. On arrival, the wheelchair whisked me through immigration and customs. Having exited customs I found, to no great surprise that the hotel car service I had arranged and reconfirmed was not there. Why do I bother as there are plenty of cabs? Well, it's almost a game now - I have NEVER had a car show up. Ever. I'm told, "it happens" - damn right. Each and every time. A word about the cabs. Now, I may be doing something wrong and please correct me. But I trudge along to the little post and press the button and I'm assigned number 53 - all the way down the line. Now, why can't we just take the next car in line. This system seems to work to please the drivers, not the customers. Please tell me where I err. I booked the Tarntawan with some trepidation as we have all read the mixed reviews of service and hard beds. Well, my room, at least, was very nice no stains, cigarette burns or the like. The hotel is still perfectly gay-friendly and positive. My only question is: are all the doorknobs set so close to the door frame that you bruise your knuckles unless you remember to use two extended fingers? It's just so damn odd. The bed was, actually, very comfortable. Breakfasts were OK, nothing spectacular. However, one day I felt very tired and decided to have a quick lunch in the hotel and ordered a club sandwich which was just nasty. One of the layers had meat I could not identify and don't care to know what it was but it was left uneaten. I would stay there again but never eat there - other than breakfast, again. I took off, the first day, to Cutey and Beauty for my jetlag treatment of Shampoo, haircut, shave, facial, pedicure and manicure. Very nice. However, the place just does not appear as prosperous as it once did. There was a day when they even took American Express - no more. On leaving, I went to the restroom on that floor of Plaza Thaniya. I mention this only to highlight one other absurd feature of Thai buildings. There always seems to be steps up or down, odd placement of levels, etc. In this case, I walked in the door and promptly nearly fell on my face. As I caught myself memories flooded back of all the other times I did exactly the same thing. Why is there a sudden two-inch drop to the floor as you enter the door? More tomorrow. I'm still jetlagged and sleepy.

Tomcal, You say Mexico and mention a new bar. Giving your location as 90 minutes from Cancun, is this Merida? When you get a chance give us the lay of the land, I remember it as a charming colonial city.

High time. Some people aren't posting because of people like that.

The amount of recall I see in these posts has me afraid to report on my trip - lucky if I remember, well - anything.

I read in another post that 5PM is rush hour for local Thai out of work and stopping before going home.

Honestly, they don't look like the same guy to me. Both stunning. But, the upper has some light moles/freckles that the bottom does not. It's a tough call - the top photo may still be fake I just don't think it's the same person.

Thanks, Lucky. As to why they rush - well, personally I think that the guys who work in massage places and bars have one thing in common: making the most money they can for the least output - not all - but as a general principle. Once a guy learns what he can make in a few offs compared to what they earn at 7-11 in a month it amazes them. So, "you come I go" becomes the mantra and they rush back to their phones and lounging in the gym. It's not really a service-oriented economy -it's driven by sloth.

Thank you. I, for one, hate Starbucks - over roasted and bitter. It's damn hard to find a good cup when traveling. I'll read through these. But, if you know of a place close to or in Silom-Suriwongse please let us know.

These forums are NOT presented for abusive arguing and name calling, score-settling, thread stalking, or general cyberspace blood sport for the chronically bored. As in any Pub or Tavern, an egregiously abusive or chronically problematic customer (member) shall be banned from further post participation. In all instances, Gay Thailand management shall be the final arbiter of what constitutes egregiously abusive conduct or when a member has crossed the line of "chronically problematic". Thank God! Because this is, quite literally, a discription of what the forum" Sawatdee" has become. A tiny biligerent group that battles over stupidities every day.

Honestly Spoon, I have no idea how you manage this detail. I'm in awe.

Well, I'll be in TB in one week, I pray that the holiday rush is over.

Lucky, I've been informed that young Chinese party animals have taken over Prince. However, in my own defence, let me say that I'm an early bird when I get there at 2 or 3 PM I'm usually alone.

When we were in Toy Boys, at one point the customers were waiting by the door due to a lack of seats. I've seen this happen when a Chinese tour bus pulls tp the curb. It hasn't lasted long, merely an inconvience.

A totally straight guy is one whose rent is not due. True indeed.

Vinapu, I'm not sure you understand that I was apologizing to Z and calling him, by reputation, a great guy.

The Prince is a massage place, not a sauna. I have been there many times over the years and will be there, again, next Thursday. There are many such massage places in Bangkok and The Prince is one of the best. Yes, massage technique can vary, these handsome young men are there, after all, to provide an ending. That's why we choose from a lineup. I have never experienced any hint of a racial preference. Nor has anyone mentioned such a thing on the carious Thai oriented forums. Now, in an actual sauna that can happen. We call it "sticky rice" Asians who prefer Asians - but, that is at a sauna no ta massage place where you are paying. You are also likely to encounter Asians who are gaga for Caucasians - it takes all types.

Yes, you're right. Getting old! On the right is what I meant. %00 pesos - lovely. Any other tidbits i would love to know.

I have this feeling ( Lord only knows I'm no expert ) that there are very few of these people and they might be clones as some post rarely and a few only seem to come out of the closet when one of them is refuted and then they appear in strong suppoft. I personally want to thank Michael for saving the board, and solviong m,y log in issues over the New Year's holiday. I, for one, am very grateful

I hate that I can't remember the name as I was stranded there for a week when 9/11 hit. I just checked google maps and I think it is now the Hotel Galeria Plaza Reforma on Hamburgo about two blocks in on the left coming from Florencia and the Palm trees. The Hustler block I think was vesovia??? running up towards Reforma. Just wanting to know the current status.