vaughn

It usually comes down to budget, I haven't been to any hotels that aren't gay-friendly anywhere near the gay areas. My favorite in Bangkok is Le Meridien My favorite in the Jomtien complex (so far) is Agate or Poseidon I also haven't experienced any of the hotels in gay areas charging a joiner fee, but if you look through some trip reports you can see where other members stay and it might give some ideas.

I work full time and need to time my holidays around quieter periods at work, so I time my trips to use as many public holidays and as few vacation days as possible. That's all it is for me, I don't mind if its a quieter or busier time of year because I'm fairly certain I can make it a fun trip either way.

I have never been to Japan but this is in my todo list, https://www.gloryholebar.com/en/

Soi cowboy would be my pick to take a straight friend, you can sit at open front bars on the street and watch the world go by while he is eyeing up potential (hopefully) ladies. Of course, Patpong has some straight Gogos, so you could mix and match where you go if he isn't too worried about going into gay bars with you. Nana plaza would be my last option, lady gogos there were too pushy and didn't feel as welcoming.

I plan to go to some islands like Samui and Koh Tao on my next trip but I will be taking a guy with me rather than hunting on the ground. Finding the right guy to go with will be my biggest problem, an island holiday could quickly become a nightmare with the wrong guy.

My biggest tip to prevent jealousy is don't make any promises, go with a guy and have a good time but don't promise to see them tomorrow. Tomorrow if you decide to see them again just show up, don't leave them waiting for you expecting the off. I still get some looks from certain boys if I pick someone else from their bar the next night, but it's not that common, i suspect it's usually an act.

A good move by the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Thailand has become a bit of a hub for laundering over the last decade, cash deposit ATMs without any identity verification were likely a useful tool in that. A major Australian bank in recent years was fined by our regulator for facilitating money laundering by allowing cash deposit ATMs to run transactions to accounts over the AML limits without any flagging or checks by the bank. These ATMs are a bit special where you can put cash in a chute, key in the account you want it deposited to, then just walk away and the money is added to that account.

good luck! I've met a few guys from Insta and it has turned out pretty well for me so far.

The Sky Gallery - The view really makes this place, the food is pretty good as well Cafe des Amis - I haven't been here but it is apparently pretty good Pupen - This is my favorite Thai seafood restaurant, very good selection of dishes and a nice atmosphere

Most of my friends (20-30 yo) and I read, so I don't think books are lost on the younger generations, although most of them use Kindles, other e-book readers, or audiobooks. I prefer physical books, but I order from Booktopia and rarely go into bookstores like Dymocks. I have banned myself from buying any new books atm though, I have too many in the backlog to get through and not enough time with work really putting pressure on my free time.

Could I ask a favor for someone to repost the facebook pic, I don't have a facebook account

I'm in my mid-30s and into twinks so usually it's not easy to get the guys on Grindr where I am in Australia. The hot Australian bottom twinks are difficult to get because there is an overabundance of attractive tops in their 20s that I'm competing with. The top to bottom ratio makes it a bottoms-market where I am, the apps are filled with guys wasting time for attention, catfishing, or have the kind of personalities you want nothing to do with no matter how hot they are. This year has been pretty remarkable though, I have been with the two hottest guys I've ever been with in my home city. One of them I dated for a month before it all fell apart and the other was just a horny onlyfans twink I messaged on Grindr that wanted to be used for a night. I've had a few paid regulars over the years, but they are usually pretty disappointing compared to the guys I meet overseas. The international students doing freelance massage here have been the best options, but there are not many of them. There is a gay sauna or two but I've never been to a sauna, I would probably be more willing to try a sauna overseas than at home because I don't want to run into anyone I know.

I've not been yet, but most of the info I have read is that HCMC and the southern cities are the best for finding boys. We've got the same travel list for 2023, well unless things kick off in Taiwan before I can make it there. I've met a lot of guys in Aus from Taiwan and they say around Pride is the best time to go, lots of visitors from around Asia.

there's none in Pattaya, it's dead. you should definitely stay away.

I spent a bunch of nights at Sunee in April and August this year and I never once had an issue with motorbikes. There are some groups of Arab guys playing pool at their bars and some at the Arab restaurants behind Tukom. Who cares what they do with their holidays, they don't start fights or cause issues with us, so why should we care? If you're so worried about these "hundreds of crazy Muslims high on drugs" with motorbikes that you seem to believe exist, take a bolt taxi, or better yet stay in Bangkok where there are no issues with road safety 😅 Incidentally, the only time I've ever been close to being hit by a scooter in Pattaya was a white guy that sped around a blind corner. It's the same with discrimination, never had an issue with a Muslim or Hindu, can't say the same with my fellow westerners. I'd take a bet on what this is really about, but I'll just avoid the drama and ignore it.

🙄

Australia, but I'm in my 30s so retirement is just a distant dream, I do plan to work in Asia when the timing is right and if I find a good fit for me. My working abroad plan was Hong Kong a few years ago, but that's not a good option anymore so possibly Singapore or Bangkok. I am in a very specialised field of work and I have the option to work anywhere in the world, but I haven't got the courage to pull the pin and risk my very comfortable life for whatever might be on the other side yet.

my 2023 bucket list now just reads "Go to Taiwan"

Somewhat, Phuket has the Paradise complex in Patong with some guys. I posted a summary at the end of this thread of what I found in April Keep in mind April was when Thailand Pass was still a requirement and things were only just starting to open up, it might be busier now.

Fair point, from our perspective. I was thinking that some particularly enterprising boys from Pattaya might see that tourists in Samui pay a lot for their hotels and they might be able to make some quick money with less competition from big spenders by going back and forth. That might be my business brain thinking, and it depends on what the ferry ticket costs are going to be I guess.

With the addition of a new ferry cruise between Pattaya and Samui maybe the sex scene will pick up in Samui in the future? https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/11/the-blue-dolphin-ferry-successfully-launches-its-first-route-of-pattaya-samui-on-saturday/

It's up to the guy, some will ask for 1500, 2000, 3000+ (plus off fee to the bar).. It's luck of the draw and what they are happy with. One thing to remember is that it can be good to avoid paying multiple days in advance or agreeing to multiple days in advance, just pay him LT daily. Ask if he will stay with you for the day tomorrow, then ask again the following afternoon. If you decide it's not working out on day 2, you will have fewer issues saying not tomorrow rather than trying to change the arrangement.

I used to speak to a cute guy that worked in a hotel at Samui, he occasionally posted photos from some bar with his gay friends. Unfortunately, I don't know the names of the bars they frequented so I'm not really much help, but gay guys do exist on the island working at hotels so you might be able to find a gay local and ask where he goes drinking.

The Agate walkway to Thappraya and the walkway opposite Thai Blind Massage that takes you into the bar soi really are helpful shortcuts. I use them a lot to avoid unwanted attention and grabby hands haha.

I generally think you shouldn't smoke indoors anywhere (cigarettes or weed) and I say this as a smoker. I think those 5* hotels are right to not want people smoking at their properties, especially where they don't have rooms with private balconies. Weed smoke can be pretty strong and it lingers a lot, even common areas that allow smoking and outdoor seating at bars aren't a good place for it. As Gaybuttom mentions, the fines can be pretty steep for smoking it in public if someone gets offended and calls the boys in brown. If I plan to partake, I would just book a hotel with a private balcony and do it there, avoid any issues.