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I read that Patong (where the picture above has been taken) has been among the most heavily hit areas in Phuket, I hope that the gay venues near Paradise Hotel did not suffer too much of this natural disaster ...

The thai script on the sign should have an accent ( -้ ) on the first letter, making the sound falling instead of rising : so it should write ส้มตำ Not willing to be pedantic but mastering the tones correctly is a must when learning thai language

They are currently listed on the Thai Massage Boy website at http://www.thaimassageboy.com/home/place.php?suk_id=134

From TMOT listings 7th edition (1999/2000) : Studio 982 982 Sukhumwit Prakhanong Just past Sukhumwit soi 42 on the right going east, just past the Ekamai Bus Terminal 13.00 - 01.00 - Quiet, but friendly bar with hosts From Dreaded Ned listings (2002) : Studio 982 982 Sukhumvit Rd (near Soi 42) Phone (0) 2391 - 6545 Small friendly host bar, also has karaoke and 24 hr escort service.

Threezone opened three days after I left last November (grrrrrrrrrrrr...) as U-Turn Bar and a more "modern" lay-out, but I could not see any recent feedback about the new place.

This one has changed, you will find it again at http://www.songkhlaportal.com/forums/ - click on the Winamp sign on the right. What is nice is that for each song they give the title and the singer's name - provided you can read thai.

My favourite one (more oriented towards southern luk thung) : Songkhla Portal

OK Lukthung Baanmaha Radio

The problem with independent companies is that they care for their shareholders dividends much more than for their customers needs/comfort/conveniency/security.

This topic translated from the Thai Rath is full of shit and obviously completely biased - for whatever reason. I did not use the SARL until now as I am now in Europe for still seven weeks : however what I have read here and there about it, is mostly positive despite the usual teething troubles. I don't remember having read anything about Suwanaphum having closed ? A bridge to Phayathai has just been completed. And a convenient passageway from Makkasan to MRT Ploenchit station is scheduled. Announced everywhere since a long time ... This will come, one day ... Many passengers travel on the light side and will have no problmem with this. And the SARL will provide a nice link to the airport for those who work there or who have to greet a friend, and also to the eastern suburbs of Bangkok.

I have just read in the TMM webboard that Charmming was not closed (which would have been VERY bad news for all Saphan Khwai lovers). A poster explained he went yesterday at 11 pm and all boys had already left, but was said 7/8 guys had turned up on that evening. So ... what ?

You should learn a lot from the paper mentioned at this URL : How do Thais Tell Letters Apart?

Sure it is much more comfortable to meet the staff in a bar without any pressure, than choosing a boy among a group who is standing in front of you. These are some bars I can think of : - in Bangkok : My Way (I have been proposed massage service in this bar) - in Pattaya : some bars in Jomtien Complex (Question Mark ? Two Faces ?) - in Chiang Mai : Freeguy (at least they claim to have massage service on the premises) - in Chiang Rai : The North Hotel - in Hua Hin : Guys Massage (Faq Thong had this format but is now closed) - in Hat Yai : G Men There are probably some more, feel free to add them.

There was one about two years ago - called Silver Pub - but I understand it is now closed. I know there is a boy brothel on Phrommarat Rd but farangs seem NOT to be welcomed in this place, better send your boyfriend. Some years ago, I saw cute hustlers in the building where there are games near Nevada Hotel and disco (north of town) - could not consumate as I had the boyfriend with me. I guess you could also find friends in the Thung Si Muang park in the middle of the town. And there was also a Relaxing Sauna but I did not hear of them since long.

In case someone is interested, this would be not too far (about 1,6 km) from Xen Suites Hotel (formerly Quality Suites Hotel) which is advertised on Agoda and hotels2thailand.com. Staying there you would be about 3 km from Body Entertainment Bar & Karaoke which seems to be still open near Laksi Monument (I should check it one day ... ) Bus lines running along Jeng Wattana are 52 - Pak Kret to Bangsue Railway Station via Phahonyothin and Pradiphat (so easy connection from Saphan Kwai or Morchit BTS stations) 150 - Pak Kret to Minburi 356 - Pak Kret to Rangsit

I always found transportation at night in Chiang Mai a little bit difficult so I would advise to stay close to one of the two areas, and preferably in the Chang Phuak area : finding transportation late at night is easier from the Night Bazaar than from Chang Phuak. Unfortunately there are not many options in the Chang Phuak area as most tourists do not know this place (this is another good reason to go there ...). In the cheap range you have the Chang Phuak Hotel - about 400 THB a night I think. Novotel - now called Mercure - is for me the best option although I hate spending more than 1000 THB a night in Thailand. For a little bit more than this price (without breakfeast), you will get a nice room, a pool with very few people and a generally good atmosphere - no objection to you bringing a boy for the night - more than one could be a problem however. Mercure is within walking distance to most places in the area - beware of the ubiqutous motor bikes at dusk when going to the Ratchada Cafe and New My Way area...

Did you have your breakfeast in the Soi Buakao branch ?

There is a bus to Mukdahan leaving from the same station as busses to Bangkok (Pattaya Nua) so I guess the busses from Mukdahan also arrive in this station. The company is Rung Ruang (same owner as the Bangkok line) ; line number is 815. There are two routes : one through Yasothon and another one through Roi Et. Browsing the net I could not find the schedules but I found a picture and a phone number in Pattaya : (038)371388

Riding a bike teaches modesty and perseverance (besides many other things).

I would have staid in any hotel with a waiter like the one on your second picture ... As for the dogs it is a long time I ride bikes and it is a long time I hate them too. I generally shout louder than them and it seems to scary them enough to retreat. If one day I had to be seriously wounded by one of these creatures, I would make anything to come back and kill it as a revenge and to clean the way for the next rider. Good luck for the Saturday stage to Khao Lak which should be a difficult one but also very beautiful (and the roadbook forecasts an "incredible 7 km downhill" ... )

Still one week and you will reach the finish line in Phuket (through the short but very steep road leading to Patong ... ) ; hang on it there, you are doing it ...

Good luck GT and please keep on with the great reports ... On Christmas day you will arrive in Hua Hin and if you feel homesick, head for the gay places and the boys will take care of you ... And then you will enter the most scenic part of the Tour along the Ocean ... Cheer up !

I know it is not easy after a whole day outside on the bike, to find the time and the spirit to find a place, write a report, sort the pictures and send all of this ... Thank you really for this great coverage of your trip. Reading it is really the highlight of my days here in Farangland where everything now is so gloomy and boring. I found that the event you take part in is the Tour de Thailand Charity Bicycle Ride and I think this will be at the top of my must-do list if by chance I should be lucky enough to retire one day. http://www.tourdethailand.com/

GT I love ride a bicycle too and I am very excited thinking of your trip. I had a look at the map and it seems your route avoids main roads so it should be a very nice ride especially with the climate that you have now in Thailand. Also the routes do not seem too hilly except when leaving Chiang Mai and probably between Surat Thani and Phuket. From Hua Hin to Surat Thani, I hope you will use the smaller roads along the coast, this should be paradise on earth. The main problem during such a long trip should be all the aches and pains you could have to face, so I hope there is some good doctors and masseurs following your trip and able to help you. Going from one town to another with a bike is a great experience, I made it many times in France, Switzerland and Italy but never that long. I dream to try it in Thailand, but probably will have too wait for the blessed day when I retire. Good luck to you, and I hope you will have some time left for telling us ... Some useful information at this link : http://www.vwvagabonds.com/Bike/CycleTouringRoutesThailand.html

In your example, "Pha" stands for พระ / "Phra" which prefixes the name of kings and persons and things related to royalty, and gods. Rama 4 = Phraram thii sii but the "r" is often omitted or at least very soft.