Londoner

Phuket certainly has a gay scene in Patong, though I've never seen it busy.I have just returned from a trip there; hotels are reasonably priced in the low -season but I agree that travel around Patong is a nightmare. Some areas are very noisy- huge sound systems continue until 0600. The Paradise area is OK in this respect. We like Krabi but no sign at all of any gay scene, including massage joints. Have stayed four times over the past few years; usually, we never even see another gay couple. Our beach hotel is, nonetheless, very friendly towards us. May I put in a word for Chiang Rai? that's "Rai", not Mai. The best scenery I've experienced. Quiet town with a superb night market. Competitively-priced hotels but no gay scene. It's my favourite Thai town.

The advantage of hornet (which I've only used this year after many years on GR/PR) is that communication is more or less instantaneous. Planet Romeo's message system I've found to be slow and unreliable. Is the new format better in this respect?

I'm pleased to see that I'm not the only one who finds the new format confusing. It seems modelled on hornet...and one of hornet's disadvantages is the lack of info on the guys. However, my impression is that the change has increased the numbers using it: there were times when I thought that its Pattaya "group" was becoming too small. I'll be sticking to the old Romeo; I find that having it on lap-top and hornet on my tablet works well in combination.

My first experience of commercial sex was in Amsterdam in the mid-nineties. The basic fee ( before drinks, which included beer at £6) was £100 for one hour....as Ryanasia will confirm. My first visit to Pattaya was in 1996 and I paid about 800 bht. Today, that has gone up to 1000 bht plus....a small increase in twenty years. I wonder how much Blue Boy in Amsterdam would be charging now if it was still running?

I ask this every time I go to Bangkok but only because I know that bars change by the month. So, here's the question. I have one night of freedom before my boyfriend arrives. Which are currently the best bars (host and go-go) for twinks?

An hour's flight to Luang Prabang in Laos (cheap on Air Asia) and you'll be in the Thailand of the 70s. Minus the sex.

One thing that I have noticed is that reports on Tripadvisor about Thai hotels that I've stayed in and found friendly often include comments from Asian, non-Thai guests who claim to have been treated badly by the staff.

The food is good and well-priced. And I enjoy the location. There are times when I wish to observe the soi rather than particpate

You did the right thing. The falang's behaviour reflects badly on all of us. It is often remarked that the guys we were meeting twenty, even thirty years ago were more anxious to please; "unspoiled" if you like. Maybe what happened in more recent years is that more falangs have arrived who have less respect for them. And their reactions to falangs generally have become more cynical. That small minority have affected us all.

I have similar impressions of Paradise. Not much of a venue in terms of decor but I have found suitable (that is, twink) masseurs who have delivered good service.

My boyfriend refers to a straight top who is a MB as a "man-man".

I've hired a car on a few occasions when I've been in CM, not so much for the city as for Doi Intanon and other scenic trips. I find driving in the city a nightmare; the one-way system around the Old City invariably defeats me. The last time I was driving, I had to hire a tuk-tuk to lead me back to my hotel. Never again. On the other hand, if you're staying at the Lotus (the gay one) or Mercure, travel at night is not easy if you are dependent on tuk-tuks.

I was guilty of panic after both my father and my older brother were diagnosed with prostate cancer. My PSA rose at every test I had (at one stage six-monthly) but, now, after a full body scan cleared me, my perceptions have changed. The specialist told me he didn't want to hear from me unless my PSA reached 8.0; hitherto, a reading of 3.0 gave me concern. I now have yearly tests and my reading continues to rise but I no longer worry. By the way, I was interested to note that tests in my GP's surgery which sent to the local hospital for analysis were always significantly higher than those in two different hospitals where I saw specialists..

I'd be interested to know whether other falangs have experienced the transition (evolution?) from a sexual to a platonic relationship with a Thai that Steveboy reports. I've made that journey too, and it has worked out well for both of us. I've always thought my experience unusual.

It is quite clear that successive US administrations have indulged big business far too long. They have too much political power and so they can manifest their contempt for the public in any they wish...until public opinion causse them economic pain.

It may be partly due to one incident but I fell less comfortable with my boyfriend in Patong- Paradise notwithstanding- than in any other pace we've visited in Thailand.

My advice is not to assume that a guy you meet in a bar and take off is dishonest. Take reasonable precautions (with valuables for example) , treat your new friend with respect and kindness, pay him the going-rate - or more if you wish- and relax. Most of the guys are trying to make an an honest living in difficult circumstances; a newcomer to Thailand will soon learn how important parents are to them and how much of the money they make is immediately sent home.

Which hotel did you use? And was Paradise busy?

In answer to Michael's post, my answer would be yes.. I spent an hour in one of the bars with a mature-seeming guy with excellent English . When I wished to off him, he told me he was eighteen. I checked his ID and it showed that he wouldn't reach that age for another three months. The bar was well aware of this. No one, and particularly newbies, should take any chances, as ryanasia correctly says.

Am i right in concluding that Arena no longer has slim, gay guys available? That was my impression when I went there in February....previously, there'd always been a few.

But who's calling the shots? police or junta?

Dear abidismali, Offing a guy from a bar, or even via hornet, is not the same as picking-up a stranger on the street; his identity will be known. Don't worry! just take normal precautions with money and valuables. If you are nervous, stay in a hotel where the ID card is held. Tarntawan in Bangkok and Ambiance in Pattaya for example. In twenty years and seventy plus stays, I've never lost a baht. And even if some of the guys I've offed have performed poorly, I've never met a nasty one...except a cheeky little bugger who wasn't satisfied with 1500 for ST and went off in a huff. He wasn't menacing though, just annoying. You are safer with a MB in Thailand, particularly from a bar, than anywhere else I can think of.

I saw a hi-so Thai take a group of guys from the stage in Toy Boys a couple of years back...they sat in a row playing with their mobiles. Five of them; it meant that there were only six left on the podium for the rest of the customers to enjoy. Ostentatious and selfish behavioiur. I've also seen similar behaviour in Xboys and, worst of all , many years ago in Solid, when five of the eight present were sitting down with a falang and were "out of circulation".

I have a small keyboard to use with my tablet....but after one trip depending on it, I bought a Chromebook....not that much bigger and much better.

Perhaps he could try being the bottom....though I don't like to think how .