paulsf

Boys in street clothes again tonight.

The police made a return visit to Soi Twilight tonight. it appears they hit up the whole street this time. Same silliness. Thai boys onstage in their speedos and foreign boys in their regular street clothes. Foreign boys were allowed to work. Though many took the night off. Foreign waiters and Mamasans also had to wear street clothes. The two massage shops had very few boys working. Appears they sent Boys home. Maybe 5 or 6 working in each shop. Was told things will be back to normal tomorrow night. Time will tell.

Different area but....I live in Bangkok for 6 months of the year. I have stayed at the same Airbnb condo for 3 years. I have many friends here that use Airbnb. It works great for bringing people back. But when using Airbnb, Make sure the owners don't live in the same building. Owners love to keep an eye on their property and and keep checking to see if your doing ok. If their in different building or better yet, different city, you shouldn't have any problems.

I've been in Bangkok for the last 2 months and been to Soi Twilight on almost every night of those 2 months. 2000 ST is the norm. You might find an occasional 1500 at Classic or X-Size. I stay in Bangkok. I have been to Pattaya 1 weekend In the last 5 years. There is nothing there for me. You can get twice as many boys in Pattaya than Bangkok? What does that mean? What do I care. I'm not interested in what's offered in Pattaya. If I spend 2000 or 3000 or 400 for a drink, why does that matter to anybody but me. If I couldn't afford it I wouldn't be here. I worked 45 long hard years and now I'm going to enjoy myself the best I can and not worry that I can save 500 a night with someone that doesn't interest me. Makes you wonder why any short time Sex driven visitors spend time in Bangkok? I do because I love it. It has what I want, when I want and at a price I can afford. There are plenty of forum members here that love Pattaya and that is fine. I enjoy reading their stories of fun evenings. But we are all different. To say that a short time visitor interested in sex, Pattaya wins easily. I just couldn't disagree more.

Not all "OLD" people go to bed early. I'm old as many of my friends and we don't go out till 9pm

I agree with Vinapu. I have no problem where you or others post. But if your up to it you could try posting in the Beer Bar. These post don't need to be Thailand related. Willing to bet people would find it. Your stories have a following. Glad to see you posting

I've talked to many of the bar boys the last couple of weeks and they are excitedly waiting for it. I think the populace is ready to go, but it's the Government that has the last say. So I think it's still a time will tell, but I'm thinking it's going to be mostly ok. I've only been once a few years ago, but decided to extend my trip to stay this year.

It was great meeting you. I wish I had half the energy that you do. You were only here for three days and I'm surprised you found any time to sleep. T has an energy level equal to yours. Must have been quite an evening. And yes, as soon as T sees an IPad, he goes straight for it. As you found with your watch, he loves gadgets. Hope you had a good trip home with all the memories of Bangkok. Hopefully our paths cross again soon.

Ha..you just hit on one of my biggest retirement issues. All that money. You can go out and spend and have lots of fun with all that retirement money. Then you realize that there is no pay check coming on Friday. We have no experation date. What we have has to last for the next year or 40 years, we have no idea when that final day will come. My first year was full of adjustments, but as I moved into my second year it became easier. I chuckle when people ask, what do you do for work? I'm Retired. Oh I wish I was retired . You are so lucky. Well I put in my almost 50 years of going to the office everyday and now have earned some time for myself. There are days I sit infront of the tv all day and think what a waste today was and I should do something more important. Then tomorrow finds itself with 50 things to do. You have a couple of days of work to help keep you busy. Just remember that it's your time now and try not to become a slave to the clock.

Actually spiders are the one thing I have t seen here. I have a real problem with them at my condo in Florida. Here I have to admit I have been surprised by the lack of creatures crawling around. I spend 6 months in a condo and have barely ever seen anything. On occasion when I come home at 3am I might see a small rat scurry across the street. I've seen a few cockroachs, but mostly where people put out at trash. It's very hot here so bugs do happen. I think living in the city helps cut down on it. So hot and dust in the air with heavy traffic keeps little critters away. Come and have a great time. Bugs will definitely be the least of your worries.

No appolagies needed. Your here to have fun with the boys. I'm glad you were able to connect with T. He is a good boy. All smiles and very good English so good conversations. Your only here for a few days, but you have figured it out quickly. It looks like an action packed few days. See you this evening.

Welcome to the joys of retirement. When I retired I moved from San Francisco to Ft. lauderdale. When it came time to pack up for the move, I suddenly realized I had enough junk to fill an 18 wheeler. I then made a decision. If it doesn't fit in the car, it isn't going. Now I have become very much a minimalist. Kitchen table, pull out sofa, lounge chair. Barely a nik nak or picture. Now instead of spending all my time doing housework, I sit by the pool, read books, walks at the beach, go to the movies. I remember with the passing of my parents the time spent cleaning out the house. My mother was a saver. It took a month for my sisters and myself to pack everything up. I decided I didn't want that with my passing. I figure my sister can empty my place in about 2 hours. Enjoy your retirement, don't become a slave to your home in old age. If you don't need it, get rid of it. You worked hard to get to this point. I've now found time to spend 6 months of the year living in Bangkok. I won't tell you what my hobby is here

I always carry directions with the address in Thai in my wallet. I took it out the morning I left as it just took up room in my wallet till I got back. My photo was there which was used to identify me with security guard, though it has my US address on it. But I do have both my Thai and US addresses in most of my stuff. I am a very routine oriented person. I did something just as I was leaving that threw me off, and that's all it took to put wallet in wrong pocket. Lesson learned.

Great to hear. I know you've been trying to work this out. I'm actually talking to a friend right now that is checking into the Raya. I'll ask him tonight how he likes it. He said he picked it because its next to Soi Twilight. It does have best location. Getting in at midnight is something most of us deal with. If your ontime and stay at Raya, you will probably have time to run next door for quick drink before all the boys go home, twink tops won't be a problem. More tops in Bangkok than bottoms. I doubt I'll be there those dates. I'm here now for 3 months. I tend to go for the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. My sisters get angry if I miss the holidays. Lots of time till you go. You'll pick up a lot of good info. Some of the best weather in November. Low 80's day and about 70 overnight, with lower humidity. Now it's 95 days and 80 overnights with lots of humidity.

A couple of weeks ago I needed to do a visa run. Decided to go to Hanoi for a few days. All packed ready to go. Grab a taxi in front of my condo. No traffic, quick and easy ride. Friendly driver. Arrive at airport, get to check in counter, and then realize, No Wallet. I lost it in taxi. I had no idea as to which company I used. As panic sets in, I sit to try to figure out what I'm going to do. Had $200 US , debit card, one credit card and drivers license. My passport, other credit cards and a little cash in my backpack. It was my 30th day and I need to go. Nothing I could do about wallet. Had a nice weekend in Hanoi. Saved a lot of money I might have spent. Could always do credit card advance. Back to Bangkok hoping I might get lucky and maybe left wallet in Condo. No luck. Cancel cards with banks. My bank got replacement debit card to me in 5 days with UPS, Last night about 5 pm, knock on my door. Condo worker says taxi here. I said, didn't order taxi. Language issues. He pulls out his wallet and says taxi. Hit me, taxi there with my wallet. Went downstairs and sure enough, there is the driver holding my wallet. Wow. Everything still there, including cash. I gave him big reward. Now he was all smiles. Nobody standing around spoke English, so couldn't get story. Today condo worker I know speaks English talked to security guy. Driver found my wallet when he got back to Bangkok. He did know where he picked me up and I was only going for a few days, yesterday he was in my neighborhood. My drivers license with picture was in wallet, so he asked security guy if he knew me. I'm the only non-Thai living in the building. Knock on door and got it back. Taxi drivers get a lot of bad press in Thailand, so it is really great to have a really good taxi driver story. He really went above and beyond and has my deepest Thanks.

i am in Bangkok for a three month trip. It's a great place to spend American winters. While those of you on the East Coat are enjoying hopefully your last blizzard of the year, I spent most of my day pool side on a 96 degree day. Gotta love retirement. i had a situation a couple of weeks ago that shows the warm and friendly side of the Thai people. I decided to go to Hanoi for a long weekend. Another city I am falling in love with. Great people, food, a city that's starting to grow up fast. All packed and ready to go. Grab a taxi infront of my condo. Great day, no traffic, friendly driver, takes about 25 minutes. Get out of taxi, get luggage, get to airline check in counter. Opps...where's my wallet. Panic sets in as I realize I have lost my wallet. I had $200. drivers license, 1 credit card and my debit card. I live off my debit card and really messed up without it. Sat down for a minute to take stock of what's happing. Bangkok has many different taxi company's, and I had no idea which one I had used. Tourist Visas are 30 days. You have to leave the country for a day or more then come back. This was my 30th day and I had to go. I had my passport, couple other credit cards, and about $50. Cash in my backpack. Wallet is gone, nothing I can do about it now, so get on the plane to Hanoi. I had prepaid hotel and airport transfers so was covered there. Hanoi is very inexpensive City. Figured I could do credit card cash advance if needed. Learned how to have a fun weekend and be frugal, something I'm not in Bangkok. Back to Bangkok, hopping maybe I left wallet in Condo (nope) on the phone canceling cards and ordering replacement license. Lucked out, with int'l collect numbers for banks and fast and friendly service. I use Chase and I rec'd new debit card by UPS in 5 days. A special thank you to TotallyOz as he is here in Bangkok and let me use his address for delivery. Last night as I'm taking my 5pm nap before heading out to spend time with my friends, big knock on door. One of the workers from my condo building says your taxi here. I said I didn't order taxi. Language is an issue. He finally pulls out his wallet, points to it and said taxi. Then it hit me. Taxi has my wallet. Head down and sure enough there is the driver and he has my wallet. Nothing missing. All the cash there. Wow. Lots of thanks and smiles on my part. I gave him a very nice tip and he was all smiles. Language was an issue with everybody standing there, so didn't get the story. Today a worker I know that speaks English talked to security guy . Taxi driver found wallet when he got back to city. He knew I was only gone for few days. He remembered where he picked me up. Finally was in the area. My license has my picture on it. He asked security guy. Fairly easy as I'm only Caucasian living in the building. Wallet returned. Thailand is a country of amazingly friendly, caring people. There's a reason they call it, Land of Smiles. Taxi drivers do get a bad rap here for not using meters, or picking you up, falling asleep while driving I got a good guy. 10 days after I lost wallet, he still took the time to find me and return it. He was concerned for me. Asking if everything is ok, am I ok. It was one of the better happy endings I've had in Bangkok.

As with DreamBoys. A great selection of very hot boys.

I just got back from Hanoi last night. Hornet was full of guys that were bottoms.

I know we are talking Tawan here, but most of the gogo bars don't allow phones to be used indoors.

How much to you tip a boy in uniform?

Tawan, Jupiter, DreamBoys 2000-2500 short time. 2500-3000 long time. On average. Prince, Arena, Senso. Massage places. Lots of Athletic types.

There are several gay Vietnamese boys working in Bangkok and they are all accepted and friends with the straight boys. As with most SE Asians, nationalism is more important than sexual identity.

X-Boys is going to open an outdoor bar. Half completed last night. Much smaller that Hot Male or Banana Bar, but the same setup. You will be close enough to the boys sitting out front of the massage shop next door that you will be able to carry on a conversation with them.

The trip experienced by a447a, I wouldn't wish on anybody. Most of us have traveled a lot and have a story or two tell about our bad experiences. I also wonder if we use the word scam when sometimes it's just the way the local culture works. My experiences with Vietnam have been great. My bf being Vietnamese covers language, money, food. Last trip to Hanoi is a hotel referred to me by Firecat. Turned out to be the only place I'll ever need to stay. Great staff, and location. I'm with Divinemadman. I book everything thru the hotel and so far everything has been perfect. Pickup at airport us only $12. I don't like group tours so hotel has put together private tours. All less than $75 a day Never had problem with taxi as staff vets driver and makes sure he knows where he is going. We fly to Hanoi, but bf doesn't like airport immigration so takes bus to visit family for a couple of days and then bus back to Bangkok. Hotel prints out bus tickets and drives him to bus station . There isn't anything more I could ask of the staff. My interactions with the Vietnamese people , both in Vietnam and Bangkok has been nothing short of wonderful. I've found them to be very warm, friendly and affectionate. We all have different experiences, but I wouldn't trade any of mine. We had a new forum member in Bangkok last week who is from Hanoi. I spent an evening touring Twilight with him. Great guy and we had a lot of fun. I've mentioned before I am friends with many of the Vietnamese boys that work in Soi Twilight and we have great times . So maybe I'm a bit predjudice Firecat it can get down to 10c in North Vietnam and if raining, it can be Cold. Though I jokingly tell poeple that I'm headed back to Miami to cool off.

Could you let me know of some of these scams. I'll be in Hanoi next week and in my past trips I guess I'm one of those unaware people . Never knew I was being scammed. I thought I was having a good time.