joshhb

Because there is no visa requirement for Thais to visit ASEAN counties, plus Turkey. UAE visa is simply a case of giving an agency £75 and they sort it. He wants to go to Russia - also no visa. I have put my foot down, and it is a big NO. Going to a dodgy Sukhumvit lawyer tomorrow to try and get a Schengen visa for January. We failed to get a DIY UK visa.

I've tried this one. Very expensive, and not that special - its more about the venue than the food I think.

It is not special in the fine dining, dress up sense but my partner when we are in Bangkok (and so do I) likes Smokin' Pug. Run by a young very friendly American couple serving good beer to go with the food https://www.smokinpugbbq.com/ We'll give this one a go when we don't want Thai. I like the fact that it is the other side of Lumphini Park. A chance to explore an area that's new to me, but only a short ride / medium walk from Silom. Thanks for the tip

Exactly. Given that Thai culture does not go in for public display of affection, just carry on with the same. I am challenged by this arriving and leaving Suvarnabhumi. I always want to give him a great big kiss, and when I leave, I'm always in tears. He is not comfortable with at all.

This year, me, a 58 y.o, farang and my 25 y.o Thai fiancé have been to Malaysia, Myanmar (twice), UAE (twice), Laos and Turkey. 3 out of the 5 are Muslim counties. No problems whatsoever. Just be respectful to local culture around locals. The ex-pats have no problems.

Walked past it the day before it opened 2 weeks ago, and went back for a drink and nibbles on its second day. Nice atmosphere. The owner is the doctor who runs the clinic upstairs. Serves Hoegaarden as standard. Probably best for an early evening beer and snack, rather than dinner.

I'll try Mango Tree when back in 3 weeks. I've avoided Mango Tree as it is part of a chain, I think. Oasis now has a curry served in a pineapple - very nice. Its our 1st year anniversary of meeting on December 5th. Where would people recommend for a special meal in a great location?

I'm very lucky to have been to Bangkok 5 times so far this year. My Thai fiance and I normally stay in an Airbnb apartment on or near Silom Soi 3. These are our favourite restaurants we end up at least twice every trip. Oasis. Opposite Meridien on Surawong. Robert runs the front of house and his wife Nadawadee manages the kitchen. Great food at very reasonable prices. 88 Eatery and Bar. On Silom soi 3. Anon is an inventive chef with really innovative dishes. Thai fusion tapas. Catch his cooking before the Thai hi soc recruit him into an expensive restaurant. G's on Silom soi 4. We always go for the Thai food rather than German. Super service from the Myanmar boys Not sure what it is called, but the restaurant near the junction with Silom Rd on Silom soi 6. Good food and cheesy live music. We've treated ourselves to Table de The tasting menu a few times. Difficult to find off Sala Daeng road. Haute cuisine at reasonable prices. They will accommodate dietary challenges - he wont eat beef or duck. Any other recommendations?

Magic Touch is run by Chatree, who used to manage Magic Hands. He's brought a number of the guys across from there. Good quality massage, and the same policy about tips. The location means no passing trade, but the quality of the massage is great. 15% discount with a coupon from Travelgayasia. Highly recommended. Very chilled out environment.

Well, after 9 months I was inspired by CurtisD's report to give a quick update on how things have developed for me since December '17. I just want to talk about a different outcome from most reports. I don't have anything against butterflying, but it did not turn out like that for me. We has a tearful goodbye back in December at Suvarnabhumi (before I could pronounce the word!) and I promised to come back. Well, I have been back every 8 weeks since then. In between we have travelled to Dubai and Istanbul (no UK visa was granted). It has been an amazing journey, to use that horrible phrase. Engagement rings exchanged and a wedding in planning for 2019 in Nothanburi. I've learnt a bit of Thai, and his English has come on leaps and bounds. Done the family thing in Pathum Thani and try and take his Aunt (who brought him up) out for lunch each time. Silom soi 3 Airbnb's is our place to stay in BKK, with easy reach to everywhere from there. Normally hang out at Connections in Soi 4 in the evenings and do people watching - he works out what Asian nationality passes by, and I spot the European nationality. We've been to KL and Yangon twice, and our honeymoon plans include the beautiful Inle Lake. Next trip will involve a weekend in the amazing Luang Prabang. Lao and Thai languages are very close. Tomorrow I fly from Cairo to Dubai when we have 8 days together. Somehow despite being 6k km apart we are making it work. I don't know if this is a national Thai trait but he can be in any social situation and he is never phased and always seems to fit in. Its me that makes the faux pas, like getting mad at things in Bangkok. Anyway, sorry for something as dull as this posting, but amazing things can start from a trip to Bangkok!

....Magic Hands..... I’m surprised to see you lump Magic Hands and Zy together. MH may look dowdy from the outside but inside it is 5 levels featuring a lot of wood. Thai massages are in a large curtained off room, but oil massages are in rooms with decent showers. The massage quality from the two I have enjoyed is very high - to Baan Tewa standards. The extras are superb as well. There is no minimum tip but I gave the standard non-Silom rate. What sets MH apart is the professional manager Chatree who is highly responsive on Line. The guys there may not be classic hunks or twinks, but they all seem to get on well, and there is a great friendly vibe.

No more reviews from me, because I’ve met this lovely guy off Gboysiam. I’ve never seen him post before, and the interaction on Line was not the usual “1500 for short time” and a cock picture. He is the most lovely guy, and will accept a present, but no more. This is a much more difficult situation to handle emotionally as it is definitely not the massage deal of “I want your body, you want my money”. We Lined for 2 days before meeting. Physically he is a 22 year old otter – beautiful slim but fit body and chest hair leading to a luxurious treasure trail. Off to Pattaya with him today and I fear it will end up in tears (mine!)

I have Leo’s Line as ‘leo-spa Don’t ignore the ‘ at the beginning. Stunning newcomer in their line-up. Another advantage of all these shops is that they are in discreet locations, barely signed, and the discovery is part of the fun. All 3 seemed clean and fit for purpose. Thanks for the positive comments. I wish everyone who gets ideas from here gave something back to this site.

After reading the reviews here, and some helpful PM tips from DevineMadman, I selected a few less-frequented shops. Here is my contribution back to this forum, for the less expert visitors Firstly a few words about me – I’m a 50s Brit, vers/bottom, and a thing about body hair, as you’ll read later! I did visit Bonny after a few drinks. Wham, bam, thank you mam. 30 minutes later and 1600 Baht lighter I was back in the Soi. All these 3 are easy to find. They are all detailed on Google Maps. Get to the nearest MRT / BTS and follow Dr Google’s instructions. You must use the Line app to communicate with them. All the smaller shops, apart from Baan Tewa manage their Line timeline so you can see who is available. You must not be shy when Lining the manager – if you say exactly what you want, there is a fair chance you’ll get it. I’m not going to name the guys as I want to respect their privacy. Baan Tewa Very easy to find – a few minutes stroll from Silom. I arrived at 19:15 to be told the rooms were busy until 20:00, however I could choose the boy and the treatment. I chose the guy on the desk – a cute shy guy, and 100% gay. I went away and grabbed a beer at the nearby 7/11 and returned. I went for the 2 hour scrub and oil. The scrub was somewhat boring, but clothes came off quickly for a medium firm oil massage. He had a beautiful hairless body, which slip-slided against my skin for a sensual B2B element. He was not classically cute or a hunk, but when I looked into his eyes and smiled, he was very happy to kiss. He had the cutest arse, and my tongue got very busy. He finished before me, which was nice. We hugged and kissed for a while on the table to recover and then showered before I headed out into the little soi. 1500 tip for 2 hrs Nine Spa A 10 minute walk from the Sukumvit / Asok interchange. I had been lusting after a smooth gym fit cutie on the Line timeline. Beautiful body and kissable lips. The manager described him as gay bottom, so I thought I’d try exercise my vers side. The oil massage was surprisingly good – medium firm with long strokes and kneeding. He did eventually take off his clothes, and I could admire his super-cute body, but that was it. No B2B, and very reluctant even to be touched let alone kissed. However a very skilled hand finish. Initially I was pissed off about his attitude, but on reflection I respect his decision. He is definitely a gay gym bunny with attitude, but what right do we have to expect we can do what we want just because we are paying some money? 1000 tip for 90 minutes Leo Spa A short taxi from the nearest BTS Ari. I had spotted a twunk on the Line timeline. Described in one word by the manager – Top. Good enough for me! Selected a 90 minute oil, which of course starts 15 minutes after entering the room to allow for a shower and his prep. He quickly took off his shirt to start to reveal a very nice hairy chest. His oil massage immediately reached my erogenous zone, and with my encouragement we moved on after just 15 minutes. Beautiful eyes and passionate kisser. His shorts came down to reveal a nice thick one. Hairy legs and bum. After a gentle start, he really went for it over a good 30 minutes alternating a pounding with gentle stuff. Finished with mutual soaping in the shower. A full 60 minutes of fun from actual start to end of the shower. Absolute fantastic experience if you are looking for this type of thing. 1600 tip for 90 minutes. Hope these reviews help people to explore slightly off the beaten track and escape the hectic mainstream.