Guest Patexpat Posted May 25, 2016 Posted May 25, 2016 Just back from a long weekend in Phuket, and I thought a little bit of feedback is in order. Having first visited Phuket in 1988, had a company there in the 90’s and a regular visitor ever since my first trip I was quite shocked at the current gay scene. During my past few visits I hadn’t bothered with The Paradise complex, but as I had a Malaysian friend with me we decided to go take a look. The Paradise centre is dying. The local owners may be in denial, but IMHO that is the bottom line. Only 3 Gogo bars, of which Passport only had 2 boys. My Way has changed name and owners and the big surprise is that the show is now a big cock show …. Which was unexpected and entertaining! And still a nice selection of ‘meatier’ boys. Madam Tangmo has now concentrated her ‘Newspaper ‘ restaurant amd Tangmo club in to one location, called MO2. The rest of the Paradise complex comprises of beer bars/restaurants such as the Sundowners group and James Dean Bar, or sadly many dark and closed units. Admittedly we are now in low season, but the whole area was very quiet. Bar owners, taxi drivers and the boys themselves were one in declaring how quiet it was. The gay scene as such could easily fit into Soi 3 of Boystown in Pattaya, or one soi of the Jomtien Complex with room to spare, although there are a few gay clubs and Karaokes now located on the new Third Road. I’m not a club person, but the good old Boat bar was a bit of a beacon after midnight, and ZAG club seemed to be quite popular but not my or my friends style. However, Phuket is still a great place to go and we really enjoyed our long weekend. Spectacular entertainment at places such as Phuket Fantasea and Siam Niramit as well as old favourites such as Simon Cabaret (note that extensive building work is being carried out there at the moment). Just don’t expect the same extensive gay scene as Bangkok or Pattaya. As usual I stayed at Club 1-7 with mine host Daniel See. Truly a home from home and first stayed in 2003 (at its pre Tsunami location). Highly recommended. Quote
Guest abang1961 Posted May 25, 2016 Posted May 25, 2016 Phuket is the Cindrella of Gay Venues in Thailand. The beauty and the scene at step-sisters of Bangkok and Pattaya are more enticing. Unless there is a Prince Charming (or a White Knight) to the rescue, the hustle and bustle of Paradise Complex is just a memory from 20 years ago. I would say, there is absolutely almost NO demand as there is little supply of cute Thai guys. From my last few visits to Phuket, the scene is fast deteriorating. I wonder why the GAY farangs are not coming to Phuket.. The cost of flight via budget airlines is less than THB 1000 and there is plenty of interesting food to savour. Personally, I certainly prefer Phuket to Pattaya. Old Phuket town has so much charm and a walk in the Chinese enclaves brings me back to Singapore in the late 60s (when I was in junior school).. Quote
Londoner Posted May 25, 2016 Posted May 25, 2016 The answer, for me, is in the previous posts. In 1997 I found Paradise quiet (compared to Pattaya) but tolerable. Subsequent visits, of which there have been five, confirm the fact that the place is depressing in its lack of "buzz". Now we go to Phuket to enjoy other activities, of which there are plenty. On my last visit (two years ago), the only time I in Paradise was for an afternoon massage. Quote
