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The issue of Hi-So pretensions brings to mind an incident that occurred on my last trip. I took a guy I was spending the day (and night) with to Siam Paragon, a place he rarely goes. Knowing he's interested in gyms and fitness centers, I took him to upper level where there's a high end health club just to look around. I went over to the reception desk and asked if it was possible to take a tour, as they pulled out a form to fill out I looked around and my guy was standing far back and was clearly uncomfortable. He knew how he would be treated by the hi-so staff. I quickly read the situation and told the receptionist perhaps another time. The list of things I don't like about Thailand is extremely short but the way many hi-so's treat those they consider "inferior" sits at the very top.

From Travel Gay Asia https://www.travelgayasia.com/event/white-party-bangkok/

Marriott Surawongese roof bar From Time Out Bangkok Lots of hotel openings (which means lots of opening deals). Bangkok can never have enough new hotel openings and 2018 won’t be an exception. Hyatt is leading the charge with the 273-room Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit in Nana. The hotel is now in its final stages of construction and will be opening very soon. You may have noticed there’s another structure being constructed on Surawong Road, slightly opposite Neilson Hays Library. This is the Bangkok Marriott The Surawongse, slated to open before Songkran. The five-star hotel is home to 197 guestrooms, and, on top of that, 107 one-, two- and three- bedroom apartments for long-staying guests. There will be meeting rooms, restaurants, and, of course, a rooftop bar. A few hundred meters away, Mahanakhon skyscraper will soon unveil Bangkok Edition, the latest addition to Marriott International’s boutique hotel chain, Edition, best known for its sophisticated and cutting- edge designs. Oh, and did we mention the Bangkok edition of uber-luxury hotel Waldorf Astoria? Watch this space for more details and opening deals to share with visiting friends. https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/news/four-new-hotels-are-anchored-in-central-bangkok-122617

Good luck back stage at the Houston ballet, Stevie. Stay confident and just keep telling yourself it's no different than tiptoeing though the Garden of Earthly Delights at Babs. I'm sure something will come your way.

Sorry, Vessey, but Santa's elves report that you've been much too naughty.

Stevie, have you ever done anything remotely athletic? For if you had, I think you'd appreciate the effort and the results. Catching a baseball or a football, maneuvering a soccer ball or diving from platform, all call for the athlete to use his body in graceful ways in order to achieve fluid movement. It's to be admired no less than the ballet dancer To be perfectly honest, however, I find myself in agreement with you on one count: With all good cheer intended, Merry Christmas, Stevie.

I don't believe that you have to be a sports fan to appreciate the current episode of "60 Minutes." It's about what could be the the first successor to Babe Ruth, the player who began his career as a pitcher but is better remembered for his slugging. The most followed baseball player in Japan has signed to play with the Los Angeles Angels. Many feel the personable but reserved dual threat may have an impact on the game unparalleled since the "The Bambino" (aka "The sultan of swat) played for the Yankees 82 years ago.. This 6-4, 22-year-old has graceful movements that rival anything you're likely to find on stage. It's simply a pleasure to watch him perform. For those who appreciate the best examples of the Asian male form, I give you Shohei Ohtani. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/shohei-ohtani-babe-ruth-of-japan-60-minutes-1/

I particularly enjoy reading PH trip reports because I've often been tempted to divert some time from my LOS visits but have never been able to cut the cord. Wholly agree with you about flying. The older I get the bigger toll it takes on me when I return home. Finding the Chinese guy in the lobby of your condo must have been the highlight of the trip. That he had to be back in his dorm by midnight: priceless. Thanks for posting.

I follow same rule. It's just about impossible to get the oil off your back without another pair of hands. I think it may be a cultural thing for some guys (showering with another guy) while others have no problem showering with you (which is SOP at Banana Club--before and after) and have found that most Arena guys to shower with you after.

Simply calling attention to your privileged position of being immune from the effects of rising prices.

Gotta agree with what paulsf said in another post: "Prices doubling in 20 years doesn’t seem all that bad." If you can't afford the price of croissants in Paris, don't go there. If you can't afford the price of pleasure in LOS, look for a cheaper destination. But I don't know what you're worried about. You don't drink and claim that you get ample free sex in the halls and stalls of Babylon. Enjoy the bargain.

Agree with that. I think this single sentence late in the article sums it up in the best generic terms: This doesn’t just mean targeting upscale tourists. Instead, it refers to offering good value experiences that encourage return visits, increase the length of stay and foster higher daily spending. I'm already planning my next trip so can't argue with that formula.

Don't think it makes you his sugar daddy because you're both engaged in an exchange: his service for your baht. If you were just dispensing baht without receiving service, it's clearly a gift that would fall under the SD category. In any case, what ultimately matters is that you were satisfied with the outcome. The boys are quick to compare is the amount you pay for massage, ST or LT. So it's good to be aware that you'll be judged that way but I wouldn't let that push me to overpay for inferior service (beyond, of course, the minimum if one applies). When i look back on what I paid during a trip, it's usually on LT where there's the most divergence.

From The Nation Bangkok became colder early on Wednesday with the Thawee Vadhana district registering the lowest temperature of 14.8 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department reported that the average coldest temperature in Bangkok early on Wednesday was 16C. On Tuesday, Don Muang district became the coldest with a recorded low temperature of 15.5 C, while other parts of Bangkok had an average lowest temperature of 17C. It was the second morning this week that many Bangkokians left home wearing jackets. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30334361

From Forbes Thailand has been a personal favorite of mine since my wife and I first visited in 1970 while I was on a one-week Rest & Recreation respite from the war in Vietnam. Back then, Bangkok was a smaller city and lacked much of the vibe of the metropolis it’s become over the nearly 5 decades since then. For one thing, few buildings stood more than 6 stories high; but what Bangkok did have in abundance then, as it does today, were its wonderful, warm, welcoming people—full of smiles and respectful hospitality. We felt like visiting dignitaries. In those days, Thailand attracted roughly 350,000 foreign visitors annually and about 55,000 of this number were folks like me, a GI on R&R. Little did we envision at the time that we were the forerunners of the record 32.6mn folks who would visit Thailand annually by 2016. Supported by an airport that serves as a major international transport hub and the 1970 opening of the 510-room, 21-story Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok stood on the brink of ushering in its future as a tourism mecca during my first visit. When the Dusit opened, it was Bangkok’s tallest building and its first luxury hotel. Long a Bangkok landmark, the hotel will be demolished next April to make way for an entirely new Dusit Thani property—taller than the original, but with just 300 rooms. Over the rest of the 70s, global mass tourism took off due to the world’s rising standard of living, more people enjoying more free time to travel for pleasure and technological improvements that made it possible to travel further and in greater numbers—a development embodied by the introduction of the Boeing 747 which flew commercially for the first time in 1970 and which United Airlines just retired from its fleet a few weeks ago. In Asia, Thailand, one of the first countries to promote itself to international tourists as an economic generator for its GDP, has ridden the world’s tourism wave as no other—with amazingly positive results. (Continues at) https://www.forbes.com/sites/edfuller/2017/12/18/thailand-the-land-of-smiles-is-still-smiling-after-all-these-years/#7b845bc34137

I stayed at Tarntawan Apartments on previous trip. Found it to be a good value, very clean with full kitchen and microwave. Only downside was the ancient mattress.

I think this a part of the problem contributing to general lack of traffic in in the soi. Once punters have met their objective--seen the show--they're not going to hang around and drink at those prices when they can walk over to Soi Four and get a beer or mixed drink for baht 100 or so. There's constant foot traffic on 4 and a range of places to eat. It's simply a more exciting and engaging place to hang out. That, at least, is how I experienced it in November.

Tarntawan was my home base since my very first trip in '02 and continued to be up until about four years ago. Japanese businessmen were always frequent guests and regularly brought their lady friends back in the evening. Although the weekly manager's cocktail parties were dominated by gay clientele, others were always represented and welcome. While I thought of it as a place where gays could feel quite comfortable and appreciated, I never considered it a "gay" hotel of the type that you might find in Pattaya or Puerto Vallarta. Whenever I return to Bangkok, I always stop by to say hello to two of the staff most familiar to regulars: Mac (one of the three original bell staff) and the ever-smiling elevator guard. Mac, who has taken on some front-office duties, brings me up tp date on what's happening. Gays no longer dominate but still have a presence. In other words, Tarntawan is like every other hotel in the Silom area. Btw, Mac can frequently be found evenings in the lobby of the Tarntawan Apartments (corner Surawong and Soi Tarntawan) where he maintains an amulet display counter.

Have visited BKK in June three times, the latest was this year. Seems as you get closer to July, greater chance of evening showers. Echo what others have said about the advantages. At the moment, the weather in Bangkok has turned cool. Got email from a guy there reporting daytime high yesterday in mid 20's and windy. That's cold to locals but ideal for me.

Thanks for clearing that up, Drew. Here are some additional details: The Dusit Thani Bangkok, flagship hotel of Thailand-based Dusit International, will cease operations on April 16, 2018, ending a 48-year run as a landmark of pioneering design in the capital, it was announced on Friday. The site on Rama IV Road will host a mixed-use development slated for completion in 2022. Founded by Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui and opened on February 27, 1970, the Dusit Thani was once the city’s tallest edifice and largest hotel. General manager Sukanya Janchoo called it “an icon made everlasting through all those who share its history”. “The Dusit Thani legend will continue,” she promised. The development to rise on the site will be built in partnership with Central Pattana and incorporate a new Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel. Many of the trees on the property will be conserved, as will the original hotel’s distinctive, handcrafted teakwood décor, historical ornaments and instantly recognisable spire. Construction of the new hotel will start on adjacent land currently occupied by derelict buildings. The new hotel is expected to be completed in 2022 and the rest of the project by 2024. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30319543

You probably will not have any problem bringing guest back but it is wise to follow vinapu's advice and register for 2 guests (it usually doesn't cost any more). The Issan guy at Art Massage is not tall but has a solid body that is no stranger to manual labor. Enjoys being massaged and his smile--to me--makes the session more than just a transaction. When I find a guy like this, he immediately joins my list of regulars. Hotel prices vary by season but the trend is definitely up. On Jan 1, the huge Dusit Thani hotel is closing, making a big dent in room availability in Silom in the 4-5 star category. This will put pressure on rates in the high-end places like Crowne Plaza and Le Meridien and on the next lower tier that many of us use. You'll still be able to find some good value rates, but booking earlier will become more important. Although Soi 4 has only one show bar, Jupiter 2018 is worth a visit for no other reason to see what's on offer. Who knows? You may find your dream. Four a great location to watch the comings and goings from many of the beer bars and restaurants where you may also find a friend for the night.

In next to last paragraph of above post, last sentence should read: 'I'm not a show guy but ggobkk's trip report fills in some good details on that front."

If you're considering Arena and Tawan, you're certain to find guys to your satisfaction. I'm not a fan of fan of Prince, but others here have posted some positive comments that are easy enough to find. In a fairly recent seven-night stay in BKK, I looked particularly for any changes to the massage scene and can report one on Silom and several on Surawong. At the mouth of Soi 4, Nakarat Massage opened earlier this year on the third floor above the restaurant directly opposite Sunrise Tacos. The guys wear black T shirts and hang out at the corner of soi. Most appear to be Thai but there a few from Vietnam and probably Cambodia. They're all guy-next-door type and most define themselves as straight (which seems to mean not ladyboy). Used them twice and the Vietnam guy (short, compact and outgoing) was fun. You walk through the first and second floors of the restaurant to get to the floor where you can expect tight quarters. All of the rooms are small but the cubicles intended for Thai massage (padded mat on floor) are way too small for an oil massage. If I was taken to one of these I would not accept it again and would tell them them I'd return when a proper room was available. The showers stalls are also small so there's no chance your guy could shower with you even if he wanted to. Having said all that, there is a variety of good-looking guys here so sacrifices might be called for. Baht 450 for one hour oil. Also at the mouth of Soi 4 you'll find guys from Adam Massage that has been around for about seven years. It's located further down shortly before Stranger Bar. The oil massage rooms are fair size and located on the third floor. Showers down the hall. Used it several times and found it clean and always received full-time on the clock. Talk to boys here about your expectations before agreeing. All were friendly and most seemed to have some English. Small bottle of water and tea after. Baht 500 for 1 hour. The guys from Adam wear white or blue polo shirts. Over on Surawong, three shops are displaying the Art Massage shingle (all wear maroon T shirts). One is just outside the entrance to Raya Hotel while the other two are in that ever expanding strip of massage shops on Surawong between Soi Tarntawan and Patpong. The smallest shop, at the driveway to Tarntawan Hotel, has a guy from Issan with hunky body, great smile and very pleasant to spend time with. Met him on earlier trip when he was working at another place of the strip. Name begins with R. On Soi Twlight, Bangkok Massage and Bonny Massage had full compliments of guys but seemed to be hurting for customers. Spent three nights on Twilight, two of which were eating and drinking at Maxis which was doing a fairly brisk (possibly the best bar) business on Twilight. In those two nights I saw two potential customers go upstairs in Bangkok massage (a guy and a woman) but the guy quickly came down alone and left. I think he was escorting the female there from Dream Boy or some other venue. On a Saturday night I had drinks at Dick's Cafe to observe the traffic entering Dream Boy. It was as quiet as I have ever seen the soi. When I got to Dick there were two other customers but when I left I was the only one. At 10:45, Twilight should be jumping but it was barely limping. The place needs a makeover of some sort. I'm not a show guy but bkkguy's trip report fills in some good details on that front. The Raya was fine but they're doing some interior construction that signs say will continue through late 2018. They seem to be adding rooms. I was on the fifth floor and work was going on in the room directly below (most noise between 10 and 4).

Excerpts from The Financial news site The FINANCIAL -- Qatar Airways celebrated the launch of its fourth gateway into Thailand with its inaugural service to Chiang Mai, as Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, hosted a press conference today at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai. Following the arrival of QR822 on 13 December, the airline’s first flight to Chiang Mai, H.E. Mr. Al Baker discussed Qatar Airways’ ambitious expansion of its global route network. He also highlighted the airline’s commitment to generating tourist traffic to Chiang Mai. Qatar Airways will operate four times-weekly service to Chiang Mai with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which features 24 seats in Business Class and 236 seats in Economy Class. His Excellency Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, the Thai Ambassador to Qatar, who joined the press conference, said: "We look forward to deepening those links with the opening of Qatar Airways’ fifth Thai gateway when flights to U-Tapao near Pattaya commence in January next year. https://finchannel.com/tourism-and-travel/70414-qatar-airways-opens-fourth-new-gateway-into-thailand-with-new-service-to-chiang-mai

GC and Nature Boy are throwbacks--and delightful ones--from an earlier era. They function as much as predictable and frills-free refuges for the discerning customer as they do as social clubs for the mostly veteran guys you'll recognize from previous visits. In a time of rising prices and sometimes uncertain service, these bars are little gems often overlooked.