Londoner

On my first visit to Thailand, I used Lonely Planet as my non-gay guide book. i recall the description of BKK's Dusit as a "great hotel in a lousy location." "Lousy"? Silom/Rama 4? It transpired when the next edition appeared that "lousy" was a printing error (perhaps a malicious one) and the correct word was "busy." I think we can all agree on that. I wonder if Dusit sued? Thai hoteliers are quick with recourse to lawyers, as I recall. And perhaps a proof -reader lost his/her job!

There have been discussions elsewhere about an alleged "decline" of the JC. Some bars seem to have closed since last year, but the number of places operating, as well as new places opening suggest that this is not the case. Indeed, if you compare this map with ones from a decade ago of Boyztown and Sunee, it looks as if there are more gay venues available now than there were then. Particularly welcome are massage joints providing services in the afternoons. With good restaurants, both Thai and European as well as popular hotels, the lack of go go bars shouldn't discourage anyone from staying here.

I love walking....but on Thai pavements? no thanks. However, my 0630 walk on Jomtien beach in the morning cool, when the monks are doing their rounds and the workers are getting their businesses ready, is one of the many joys of my times there.

Nearly two hundred assassinated while reporting, and families killed too. Remember Shireen Abu Alkeh in Jenin. Even so, the pen is mightier than the sword.

This sounds outlandish, but I once had a drink in a short-lived bar called Four Seasons in Boyztown. And I didn't off anyone. Twelve, yes twelve, years later, I was in Chiang Mai when I was approached by a stranger who said he recognised me from his time as mamasan at Four Seasons.

Nor mine. But I'd be amazed if there are many hotels in tourist area of 3* or "better" that don't have a dozen or so English Language channels. BBC, Sky, the French/ English one, Al Jazeera/English (the only news to trust these days!) and sometimes CNN. Even Fox, heaven help us, if you want homophobia and racism in your diet. Plus movie channels with subtitles at least.

Tomtravel's comment certainly accords with my experience. P's life as a farmer and mine as a retired man whose interests in London are cultural and political have plenty enough in common to make our three annual meetings more than successful. I would not wish him to lose his farm , not to mention his contacts with family, his four dogs and his Buddhist life-style; nor would I welcome living in such an isolated environment. A third of the year together works fine for us.

It looks beautiful; probably less so if you are a Burmese fisherman.

This subject attracted some interest in a more general discussion of Bangkok. So here goes. What are posters' preferences for breakfast? Room only plus 7 11? or , ahem, a certain place in Patpong? or a lavish spread? I only have daily company when i'm in Thailand and so I particularly enjoy a relaxed breakfast with P. And quickie reviews? Tarntawan's breakfast is always enjoyed, particularly since it changed to a buffet plus cooked options. Agate is fine for P, who always chooses Thai options, and we like eating opposite the waterfall. The most disappointing? Aonang Villas in Krabi, the most expensive hotel we've ever stayed in. Limited and over-priced. Very over-priced. The best setting? Golden Beach, also in Krabi. Almost on the beach. I only eat what used to be called a continental-style breakfast- that is, no cooked dishes- but I still want the use of a decent toaster and a variety of jams and fruit juices. The best ? Chiang Mai's Amora, a 4* place near Thapae. Larger than any other places we stay in and so with a lot of customers and consequently an enormous choice. And well-priced, too. A final question; is there anywhere in Thailand where you can get decent bacon? and, more importantly for me, top-quality coffee? The best I 've had was in a gay guesthouse in Patong, the Rendezvous. French ownership , predictably. And, surprisingly, Zing in JC where we ate on a few occasions when Agate wasn't offering breakfast. Charming service, too.

Any comments from recent visitors as to how busy it is nowadays? and the Thai/falang ratio? What has happened to Punya? a nice guy.

Too true. It won't. For my US friends, here's what your greatest (gay) poet had to say, possibly recalling the boy he met in New Orleans.... "How sweet the silent backward tracings! The wanderings as in dreams- the meditation of old times renewed...." Walt Whitman

Were your friends charged joiners' fees?

Maybe it's because it was named after the River Gambia? In fact, human settlement is concentrated around it. The country is a very odd shape, surrounded by the francophone Senegal where the population is of the same two tribes. Wolof and Mandinka, I think.The vagaries of colonialism! The Gambia was Kunte Kinte's home (alleged) as we older gentleman may recall.

We were welcomed by the Gambian beach boys-or "bumsters" as they were known. They offered their services as tour guides, sold woodcarvings....and often themselves. There were no gay bars and so the beach was the only cruising area available. Any single man out walking was a target. I'm talking about the 90s.... it was risky enough then, but the scene is long dead. I was a regular until Thailand opened my eyes as to what could be appreciated without fear of the police. Only once did I go to a guy's room for pleasure and, my goodness, he was cute, but the experience persuaded me that it was not worth the danger.

BBB was never a favourite of mine- I was always more interested in twinks and, anyway, I found the rotation of guys much too slow. There were sometimes sixty or more and it took hours to view the whole stable. And more drinks! However, there's one thing that seems to have been forgotten; it was the first Pattaya bar I can remember where women were much in evidence.... not just for looking but for offing. Not many, but enough to draw comment in those conservative days. I remember one seasoned US guy who'd "seen it all" since the early days of Boyztown complaining that these women were responsible for a recent rise in the number of STDs! Has any other poster been to The Gambia? There (as well as in Haiti, apparently) sex-tourism is primarily for women seeking young male companionship....and young males seeking marriage and emigration in return for favours. There were also opportunities for such as I in the 90s. Pretty dangerous behavior which makes me shudder in retrospect.

I'd be interested in the experiences of our posters who use 5* hotels....how do the duty-staff react? I assume with total neutrality, or they should at that price. And the other customers? But most of all the guys themselves. Excited? overwhelmed? expectant of a huge tip? Or merely "cool". I recall that I was often asked about my hotel when I offed a guy. Tarntawan and Ambiance seemed to receive expressions of satisfaction, perhaps because they were only a short walk away! But I wonder how the prospect of an assignation in The Oriental or Royal Cliff would be received?

Good news. You will live longer and be able to walk. Even I, merely a visitor, know two people who were killed on motor-cys, one in Pattaya, the other in a rural area outside Nakon Sawan. Which reminds me; increasing age means that I can no longer swing my leg over a motor-cy seat (avoid the UK joke about leg-overs, please)....and so I too will live longer. At a cost of 200 bht per taxi trip as opposed to 40bht on a motor-cy. And worth every baht.

It depends on the health and resilience of the traveller. I was just under fifty on my first trip and so dazzled was I at what I experienced that I booked up another two flights on my return. However, I was still working then and the best I could do was one week, of which two days were devoted to the flight. From London, door to door, including waiting at the airport, the journey was about seventeen hours each way. And at that I age I coped. Now? no chance! I find the journey absolutely worthwhile and regret nothing.....but, the truth is, I struggle even now when I use Business Class. So, if you are young (under sixty, or whatever!) and are full of beans ((as we Britons say), go for a long weekend if you like! And good luck to you

Yes; try London. For example, a Tantawan or similar here would cost at least 8000 pn.

TB is often the first indication of Hiv+. I don't know whether this is the case now but I recall reading about strains of TB that are resistant to the usual medications across the world. I remember a Thai guy some years back who made zero progress while under the common (perhaps cheap?) medication at his hospital but was able to find the money to buy a more effective one which worked quickly.

I note that my Jomtien hotel is putting-up prices for my November visit, but only by 200 baht pn. Bearing in mind that I've been paying the same price there for five years, I'm not complaining. I also see that baht-buses are charging the same 10 bht that they were in 2000. Beer prices in bars are higher than in 2000, but the increase is less than it is in the uK. Restaurant prices have risen a little but they remain excellent, so much so that I find London prices fearsome when I come home. Air fares have certainly increased but there are many good deals for long-haul flights available, at least from the UK. As for travel within Asia, the budget airlines still provide good value. When I arrived in 1995, an off was in the region of 500 bht+ but it had increased to 1000 bht by 2005. If it is now 1500 in Pattaya, then the increase is by no means surprising. I understand BKK prices are higher. When I was (idly!) Googling London prices, the usual sum required was (in Thai terms) at least 6000 an hour. Conclusion; we get a good deal. Or at least, I do. Anyway, for me, my trips to Thailand are such an essential part of my life that any sacrifice at home is worth it.

I read that book a few years ago. Some a fascinating insights though I suspected that the events portrayed may have been a composite of the experiences of more than one guy! Perhaps slightly OTT for one life-time? Still, I recommend it.

Ah yes, the Colonial Way. It used to work decades ago in some parts of the world but Thailand was never colonised and many falang visitors have found out to their cost that Thais don't like being patronised or bullied. On the contrary, they feel that their ancient civilisation and their spiritual beliefs are of far more intrinsic worth than ours.

"No Sir. For when a man is tired of Pattaya, he is tired of life. For there is all in Pattaya that life can afford......" as Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) almost wrote.

We like Balcony (Soi 4) for traditional Thai food. Well-priced and good for people watching.