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The only thing I find repelling in Thailand is going into a Boots or Watsons and find isles dedicated to skin whitening creams. Thais, Cambodians, Vietnamese and other southeast asians have naturally attractive skin tones. Whatever influences them to believe otherwise does a great disservice.

Pong, we've obviously had different experiences in the places I mentioned. Regarding the the shops in the more remote locations, I'm unable to agree or disagree because I've never ventured beyond the Silom/Surawong/Sukumvit areas because they're so convenient to get to by Skytrain or MRT. Having said that, my good experiences considerably outdistance the disappointing ones. There are so many options--with constantly changing faces--in the SSS area that I find it more than I can handle on any given trip. Wishing you luck in uncovering new surprises in bkk's outer reaches!

Think the best way to get the most out of your time is to take a room in a well-located hotel like Raya for the night and sample 2-3 different massage shops in the Silom/Surawong area, all in easy walking distance. There are dozens to choose from that feature twinks and some hunks so they cater to all tastes. Most are open from early afternoon to midnight. It may well be the most cost-effective way to maximize your time. Soi 6 bars can be quickly toured, also. Super A will have a lineup and Golden Ccck a smaller one. Or you take the high-end route and go to Jupiter on Soi 4 and off a guy from there. The options are limited only by your imagination. I'd avoid clubs like Scewboys where it's too easy to make a bad choice after spending time watching show.

Took a look at the website and although these appear to be upscale facilities I'm not convinced they'd be my first choice for the type of massage jason1975 has in mind and none are convenient to Silom where he intends to explore nightlife. If you're planning to visit Jupiter in Soi four, you can easily locate a few places in the Soi. Adam massage will probably have a handful of guys at the corner of Silom (blue polo shirts) looking for customers. A good way to determine if they're up for the task is to ask if they can do "body-to-body" massage. If so, the price is 500 baht for one hour oil, 700 for 90 min. Would expect to tip 1000 for satisfactory hour. If over on Twilight, there's a few established places: Bangkok and Bonny, where I believe it's 600 for one hour and boys might want 1200.

I'd be hesitant to put that to the test. The French may be liberal but the Italians may see it differently and more in the vain that that Thais view this display: self indulgent, crude and culturally insulting

Some of my best massages experiences were with "otherwise " straight guys and when I find one who checks my boxes, I tend to remain loyal. For me, this has resulted in a group of regulars who I feel comfortable with. We've learned what each other enjoy. I realize the most satisfaction when I know the guy is at ease and responds in kind. I'm regularly surprised--pleasantly so--when straights do this, suggesting just how fluid sexuality between men can truly be. I also derive satisfaction in reversing roles and massaging the guy. This is a key moment in a massage with a new guy. If I sense he's not into it, it will my first and last time with him. It's also more important to me that he cums than if I do. Know that's a bit unorthodox but it floats my boat. Guess it comes down to experiencing some intimacy rather than a purely functional massage (he rubs, you cum, you shower).

In its salad days, Babylon was a candy store to be sure. In the period I frequented the place (2003 to 2007) I considered it world class. I'd arrive for lunch in the coffee shop and wouldn't leave until they started tuning the lights up near midnight. But gradually it evolved and Thais migrated elsewhere and the farangs began to be the dominant source of customers. It began closing earlier and the place once reknown for its cleanliness began to get a bit seedy. Maybe the Chinese will provide the impet to bring back the luster--and the younger thais--but I'm not optimistic.

Sorry but no cigar.....not that that will disappoint you. On a trip (think it was in 2003) I asked taxi driver at Don Meaung if he knew Malaysia Hotel. "Know well," he shot back and off we went. As I registered, there seemed to be as many BIB as MB's in coffee shop. Ah, I thought, it's great to be home again.

What veteran traveler here hasn't spent at least one night at this landmark hotel? It turns 50 in December and this article from khaosod English does it some well-deserved justice. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/arts/2017/11/24/salute-50-years-late-nights-bangkoks-malaysia-hotel/

Judging by your questions, your interest seems to be primarily academic. NGOs particularly have an appetite for this line of inquiry.

Don't recall seeing the term "barfining" used in forums. It's a term usually only used when discusssing lady bars.

Although I'm willing to kick in some baht if the guys but on a good show, I feel the same as steveboy when it comes to mail solicitations. When I moved into my current home several years ago, I was--and remain--bombarded with pleas from organizations across the board. Biggest mistake was filing a change of address form with post office. My age (from voter registration data at old address) and new zip code and address made me a prime candidate. Lesson learned: if I had simply just notified those that I wanted to (or needed to) get mail from I would have been better off. Even the old junk mail would have become undeliverable.

As a much--very much--younger man I used poppers occasionally and agree that they can heighten the experience somewhat. But I'd be reluctant--as a much older man--to use them now. If you have a preexisting heart condition you really want to understand how this inhalant acts--especially since they're frequently taken after consuming alcohol. Thinking about lurker's experience (and I'm not in any way suggesting he used them) we owe it to ourselves to be informed, and particularly when the source is in doubt.

Also nice jesture on your part to briefly summarize your reactions to the posts. Not only does it acknowledge contributors, it also helps keep thread on topic. Thanks, as they say, for sharing. Yes, we should take prudent precautions but one of the reasons we make the journey is to get to know these guys a little better and that invariably requires some degree of vulnerability on our part. We can't know all the issues they're facing and have to react as we see fit when something goes awry. No one got hurt here. The thief lost some face, but only in front of you and not his peers. All told, not a bad outcome considering the alternatives.

Last time I took guy back to hotel for LT, we had a good hour between 1 and 2 a.m. then he slept like rock until I had to awaken him at 11 a.m. He raced out because he was late for work, or so he said. Think vessey has settled on the best practice, assuring that he gets what he's paying for and his guest delivers what he agreeed to. Although we sometimes can't avoid romanntizing, in the end it's always about money and we shouldn't feel ackward discussing it before the deal is sealed. Otherwise they're free (in a term American football fans will recognize) to call an "audible."'

Good observation. This condition is becoming more the rule than the exception in Bangkok, also. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It is, after all, an equal opportunity profession with a long and illustrious tradition.

Enjoyed the account but a bit puzzled by the decision to reward a thief caught red handed. It was indeed a magnaminous jesture although I doubt it will influence his future behavior other than to enbolden him to try again with another farang.

Glad to hear that you're experiencing relief. Wish you the best of luck when you arrive back home.

WOW Stevie! Thought you might be more concerned with how much you harmed your wife (you remember her; she was the you married until death do you part).

Like your wife learned much too late, living with you is an option neither man or animal should consider. I'd make one exception in the case of a parrot who repeat your jibberish back to you at random moments.

Putting Stevie's trademark jibberish aside, your physical symptoms should be addressed by a dermatologist who sees this stuff every day. I say this even if it violate s Stevie's advice to avoid those with expertise.

By all means follow steveboy's advice and avoid consulting professional pest control experts if your home becomes infected. Steveboy I'm sure will drop everything and come and manage the problem for you. And if I know Stevie, he'll also provide weight control advice and encourage you to rid your home of any male jewelry you might have about. Rather than risk bringing them home with you and then trying a do it yourself project using chemicals you really don't understand after effects of, do some quick math and ask yourself how much it will take to replace the clothes if You toss them compared to the inconvenience, costs and unforeseen events that you can expect if you do bring them back. An ounce of prevention, someone smarter than most once observed, is worth a pound of cure. It's isn't going to be the drone that will cause you the problem. It's the clothing and the suitcase. And if you are still experiencing new bites, you still have live bugs with you. P.S. Stevie advises smartness and patience. If I had to choose who's smartest between Stevie and a bedbug, I know I'm going with the bugs because they've been successful for thousands of years. And patience is the last thing you want to have. These critters have been known to engage in sex and multiply when given any free time just like the breeders they are. A man has to know his limitations.

I live in a large condo complex and we had three owners who experienced bed bugs over a two year period. I cannot overstate the the issues that ensued that included involvement by local code enforcement, condo board, migration of infestation to adjacent unit. In two of the three cases, occupants had recently returned from international travel and third had a guest from India for a week. All three, following two heat treatments to their units, ended up tossing all bedding and mattresses. Know that you're faced with a dilemma but nothing will compare to the one you'll be saddled with if they infest your home. Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

Jones, I hope you're successful in ridding your belongings of bedbugs. But if you bring them home with you, it will cost you at least $1,000 to TRY to rid them front an apartment. If you have anything larger, cost balloons. Forget insecticide treatment. Best option is professional super heat treatment that may have to be repeated. If it was me I'd dump everything but you passport in los and be glad you didn't bring the critters with you.