Trip Report (a bit delayed) Pattaya and Bangkok

[Guest]

2 hours ago, z909 said:

   I guess even the resident big spenders on the board do not aspire to owning Gucci handbags and the like.

Pretty big statement. Maybe you should list who you consider to be the Resident Big Spenders of this Board and enlighten us?? Myself I think everyone is entitled to spend the money they worked for anyway they choose and it is nobodies business! Same as nobody should comment on the frugality of certain members.

On 2nd thought I don't really care who you think are Big Spenders.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Scooby said:

On 2nd thought I don't really care who you think are Big Spenders.

Try getting a sense of humour.     

Also, if your sole purpose in life is to have a dig at everything I write, well it will be like water off a ducks back.

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, z909 said:

I saw IconSiam from a river boat and thought this was close enough.   Looks like another mall specializing in the most expensive brands.   I guess even the resident big spenders on the board do not aspire to owning Gucci handbags and the like.

some perhaps can afford being big spenders precisely because they don't shop Gucci and the like.

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, Scooby said:

 Same as nobody should comment on the frugality of certain members.

 

I think we can comment on everything posters see fit to post including idiocy of eating breakfast in Foodland for 65 baht every day before 9 in order to save 16 baht over regular price of 81 and spending 450 for beer in the bar when the same bottle  can be had at 7/11 for 46

[Guest]

23 minutes ago, vinapu said:

I think we can comment on everything posters see fit to post including idiocy of eating breakfast in Foodland for 65 baht every day before 9 in order to save 16 baht over regular price of 81 and spending 450 for beer in the bar when the same bottle  can be had at 7/11 for 46

Actually I was not thinking of you .And in fact I was thinking of nobody in particular , either as a Big Spender or Frugal Spender, 

I have been in Siam Paragon hundreds of times. The Money I spent was in Apple Store, DTAC and food court and a great Movie Theater. Did not even window shop any other stores but certainly looked at the Eye Candy which is everywhere and as good as you get to see in any GoGo Bar. And in fact once in awhile ( seldom) you might actually get a phone number for later contact. Certainly Michael could comment on that.

Certainly a big difference between a 1 week or a 1 month and longer visit. Easy to spend a few hours in a Mall when you are not trying to cram as much as possible into a short visit.

[ggobkk]

34 minutes ago, Scooby said:

Certainly a big difference between a 1 week or a 1 month and longer visit. Easy to spend a few hours in a Mall when you are not trying to cram as much as possible into a short visit.

Very true...one criteria I use is to see if there is something unique in a mall - so at Iconsiam, the lower level village shop/food court area is a draw.

[TotallyOz]

On 1/12/2019 at 3:06 AM, Scooby said:

And in fact once in awhile ( seldom) you might actually get a phone number for later contact. Certainly Michael could comment on that.

2

I have met a few guys at the mall and had some fun.  Most were not money boys and just wanted to spend time. A nice smile, a raised eyebrow and a look of intense lust are often all that is needed to start a conversation. Sometimes it leads nowhere. But, sometimes it does.  I love gambling so I'm willing to take the risks. Heck, I had a Food Panda delivery guy before.  Gaydar is a true thing. But, it is harder for me in Thailand than in most places.

I love the malls and I love going to them to eat and watch movies.  If I were here for a short time, I'd still go but more for eating and watching the sexy guys than to shop.

[ggobkk]

Tourist Tuesday

Van and I both wake up later than usual (for me).  We shower together and order room service.  I am going with my friend from yesterday to do some more touring.  Van will hang out in the room and then he is planning to head out and get an extra long work out and will see me at Maxi's.  He has the day off tomorrow and we plan to hang out...which translates into enjoying doing nothing.

My friend arrives and we go to Wat Pho.  There is a light rain but it's the refreshing for walking kind of rain.  We do the tourist thing of trying to photograph the reclining Buddha.  We then headed to Museum Siam (200 baht entrance).  It's arranged to set Thai scenes on a cultural level - April's Songkran has its own moment!  We then take a break for a coffee and snack on the flower market.  From there we head to Lumpini, the weather is cool.  The Thai Armed Forces are having a recruitment day/event/festival.  One can target shoot with the Thai rangers, be chatted up by the Marines, the women's divisions are there encouraging signups.  The officers' wives are selling things they have made to support military charities.  I am fascinated by the internal competition among the services.  After about an hour of wandering around, we leave the park and split up.  I head back to the hotel.

Van arrives within a few minutes from his workout.  He makes tea for us - this is his way of wanting to take care of me...there is a forum topic on this natural tendency among the guys.  It's taken some time for me to get used to it.  Van tells me he wants to be with me the night I leave for the whole night, so we agree that he'll be off tomorrow (his day off) and I'll off him on Friday.  Thursday, he'll work.  

A Forum member PM'd me as to whether or not Van and I talk about his work, his offs, his "patrons".  Answer is "not this trip".  When I first knew him, I'd ask but he is very discreet.  This isn't a barrier to the guys talking amongst themselves.  He tells me about some of the other guys, warning me about guys who are reluctant to perform for clients, who sow off their gifts (suspect he's is one of these).  

We take a bed bread and then a shower  We walk together to Twilight.  He has a drink with me at Maxi's and he and Pau share some information.  Van goes to work, Reader arrives with a young friend (I think I met him on an earlier visit), Reader guides me to understanding this is not the case and I'm thinking of someone else.  His friend doesn't catch on to my  mistake.  DivineMadman arrives and we firm up the plans to meet up at the KingPower tower on Thursday around sunset.  Not sure how it happened, but at some point this trip a lower front tooth has loosened.  On the walk to Twilight from the hotel, I've been passing a multiplicity of clinics for implants and cosmetic dentistry.  I mention this duirng our conversation, DivineMadman is a wealth of knowledge as he has a local dentist and if familiar with what's involved with implants.  If that's what I need, the cost in Thailand would be much less than at home...with the caveat that I'd need to be in Thailand for six weeks of follow up care.  So it's a wash financially.  I've put this into my report - which I doubt anyone is interested in as one of the reasons that this report is so slow in being finished, like having a tooth pulled, is that's exactly what's been going on.  I had a tooth extracted two days ago, now waiting on a temporary, then more work.

Back to Tuesday night at Maxi's...I mentioned earlier, that I'd observed a Japanese gentleman have a massage at Bangkok Massage, then I observed him with the boy at Maxi's.  Tonight, he is there with two of the Bangkok Massage boys treating them to food and drink, he has also begun entertaining the youngest o Maxi's waiters.  

Out three some breaks up in time for me to head over to Jupiter.  I arrived only a few minutes before show time and am seated near the wall to the right of the stage.  Show is pretty much the same as in August.  Given the number of women in the audience (20%) and how the performers tend to keep their privates covered, it sort of a big tease show...that's fine as it's not trying to be anything else.  It's actually a candy store as the level of attractive on stage is high.  I'm asked if I want to off anyone, I'm tempted, but just stay to the end of the show, then back to Bandara.  

 

[DivineMadman]

10 minutes ago, ggobkk said:

  I had a tooth extracted two days ago, now waiting on a temporary, then more work.

Oh no!  Hope it's going ok

11 minutes ago, ggobkk said:

Back to Tuesday night at Maxi's...I mentioned earlier, that I'd observed a Japanese gentleman have a massage at Bangkok Massage, then I observed him with the boy at Maxi's.  Tonight, he is there with two of the Bangkok Massage boys treating them to food and drink, he has also begun entertaining the youngest o Maxi's waiters.  

FYI - this particular gent is back and doing the same, so lots of smiling faces at Bonny, Maxi's and X-Boys.  

[reader]

8 hours ago, Michael said:

I have met a few guys at the mall and had some fun.  Most were not money boys and just wanted to spend time. A nice smile, a raised eyebrow and a look of intense lust are often all that is needed to start a conversation. Sometimes it leads nowhere. But, sometimes it does.  I love gambling so I'm willing to take the risks. Heck, I had a Food Panda delivery guy before.  Gaydar is a true thing. But, it is harder for me in Thailand than in most places.

I love the malls and I love going to them to eat and watch movies.  If I were here for a short time, I'd still go but more for eating and watching the sexy guys than to shop.

I have fantasies about pizza delivery guys, room service waiters, and some of those 7-11 workers. Or guys on the train, bus, boat. Or those who set up and tear down the Patpong night market. Or some of guys who work in sidewalk stalls. Or..........

[spoon]

I wouldnt have the courage to approach guys like that lol. I guess my gaydar doesnt work as good as michael, especially when i like manly or straight acting guys lol there is one time where a delivery guy comes to my place and i thought damn this guy is cute, he even initiate conversation and told me where he live lol. But my instinct is the guy is just being friendly.

[TotallyOz]

1 hour ago, reader said:

I have fantasies about pizza delivery guys, room service waiters, and some of those 7-11 workers. Or guys on the train, bus, boat. Or those who set up and tear down the Patpong night market. Or some of guys who work in sidewalk stalls. Or..........

I like those guys as well. 

1 hour ago, spoon said:

I wouldnt have the courage to approach guys like that lol. I guess my gaydar doesnt work as good as michael, especially when i like manly or straight acting guys lol there is one time where a delivery guy comes to my place and i thought damn this guy is cute, he even initiate conversation and told me where he live lol. But my instinct is the guy is just being friendly.

I am not shy and have actually had many guys from Siam Paragon and Central World. I like regular guys a lot. But, I am not shy and my eyes are very revealing.  Plus, I have lots of friends who say that I don't pay close attention to them when talking as my eyes are always wondering to the eye candy available. They call it rude but I call it multitasking.

ggobkk, I am enjoying your reports! I love seeing other guys treat the boys to fun times.  I had one guy from the massage place across from Maxi's I liked a lot. Tons of great eye candy from Maxi's!

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, spoon said:

I wouldnt have the courage to approach guys like that lol. I guess my gaydar doesnt work as good as michael, especially when i like manly or straight acting guys lol there is one time where a delivery guy comes to my place and i thought damn this guy is cute, he even initiate conversation and told me where he live lol. But my instinct is the guy is just being friendly.

quite possible he did not have courage either, sometimes pays to be brave.

In Dec 2016 in Siem Reap I had tuk-tuk driver ,  very sexy with  his knees poking out of his  tatty jeans. I assumed  it just a fashion but when I witnessed him meeting by chance another farang, much younger then me mind you , way they embraced and touched each other during brief conversation made me thinking I wasted great opportunity.

Opposite to situation I had in travel office in HoiAn, Vietnam hiring car to go to MyLai. Without blinking eye guy behind the counter told me "when you return I will come to your hotel "

[vinapu]

14 hours ago, ggobkk said:

If that's what I need, the cost in Thailand would be much less than at home...with the caveat that I'd need to be in Thailand for six weeks of follow up care.  So it's a wash financially.  

 

if wash financially , still if possible from workwise point of view I rather had those 6 weeks in Thailand than at home

[ggobkk]

3 hours ago, vinapu said:

if wash financially , still if possible from workwise point of view I rather had those 6 weeks in Thailand than at home

I couldn’t make it work around other commitments. 

[vinapu]

34 minutes ago, ggobkk said:

I couldn’t make it work around other commitments. 

that is my problem as well but I need to say that over years I utilized my time in Thailand to do some dental and optical works and I'm happy with those jobs

[ggobkk]

Wednesday - Hanging Out

When Van returned, I woke up and we sat and talked and looked out of the windows at the light in the Bangkok night.  He talked more about his family and how he had been cheated in his attempt to set up a business back in Vietnam.  I didn't consider this, as some might, as a way to ask me for money to help get him out of his trouble.  We had talked about compensation for his time this visit in advance of out meeting up a week ago.  I believe he needed to talk and my ears were in working order.

When we finally went to bed, he held me close for a long time.  We woke around noon - unheard of time for me.  After our shower, I was scrapping the plantar calluses that seem to haunt me especially when I am doing a lot of walking which is the case this past week, five to six miles a day.  Van showed me that he had a callus on one of his feet.  As nothing was planned for the day, I suggested lunch and a trip to MBK.

Lunch was at the Vietnamese restaurant in the Silom Complex.  At MBK, I introduced Van to the Red Nails shop where each visit I get a pedicure that scrape my feet.  Van said he wait, I said he should have one.  After some discussion, he agreed.  When the process began he had a "deer in the headlights look".  By the end - he was happy with the experience.  From there we went bowling upstairs - neither of us is any good at this sport but are good at making fun of our lack of skill.

On our way out, we headed for the BTS through Tokyu, the Japanese department store.  Several times this trip, I'd offered to buy Van some clothes, but he either declined or didn't see anything he wanted.  In the Tokyu men's department he asked me to look at a gray track suit and could he try it on which he did.  Looks great on him.  Price was reasonable (a little less than 2000 baht).

From there we went to Siam Paragon.  I checked out Uniqlo for some socks.  From there we went to the Paragon men's store area when I had the opportunity to supply him with his work clothing...i.e. white briefs for his Freshboys on stage time.

We went back to Bandara, he tried on his new clothes and gave me a version of his work in stage attire.  We decided to go to the hot tub and relax as the sun was setting.  The pool view isn't much- just the next building, but it was refreshing.

The we hung out in the room as he played video games and I caught up on my accounts, email, and the news.

We then went out to dinner (MK) and on to Moonlight.  Every visit, I can see small improvements that enhance this top of the line venue.  I let the mamasan know that we are not looking for anything but the show.  This is a night where Van isn't going to recommend anyone - though he introduces me to two boys from the rotation he's work with in other clubs.  The show has been discussed in the Forum and I won't add anything other than to note Babe looked fantastic tonight.

After the show finished we walked back to Bandara and entertained ourselves.

 

Thursday - playing the tourist

Back at home, folks know that I visit Thailand on a regular basis.  I talk up Thailand and encourage people to visit.  My enthusiasm came back at me as a husband and wife I volunteer with are in Thailand.  Before I left California, I'd sat down with them as made suggestions on the plans they'd made for their trip to Cambodia and Thailand.  I'd promised to meet them today at the Everest Tailor and then go on to the Grand Palace where I'd hand them off to a guide who used to work in the palace.  This guide is one tough cookie - she corrects the Chinese tourists using her voice that is a raspy foghorn.  She's direct about where to stand for the best photo, she guards shoes while in temple spaces, and knows who from the ground crew will see entrance tickets so there's no waiting in line.

The tailor goes well, my shirts are ready, and the shop will send them to the hotel.  The couple meets me there, the wife wants the husband to get a suit or jacket and slcacks, he doesn't want anything.  They settle on ordering some shirts.  They tell me about their trip and how much they liked Chiang Mai.  We have lunch at Mango Tree and head to the Palace.  The guide is waiting, I say good bye, and they enter...I'll see them this weekend and learn how it went.

I head back to Silom and walk to the Pilot Pen store.  I like one of Pilot's brand of pens which I can't get at home.  Alas, the building, which is across SIlom from the hospital,  is being renovated and I don't see that the store is closed until I go into the building.  In August, the store was functioning during the renovation.  One of the women who worked in the shop in working upstairs at the Pilot office was getting out of the elevator and, to my surprise, recognized me, and apologized that the shop was closed but would be open for my next visit.  Lesson:  shoppers are recognized and frequency of shopping is noted.

I walked back to Bandara and change and walk to the King Power Tower to meet Reader and Divine Madman for our sunset  visit.  I've written this up in my August report and others have also reported on the view, the building, the elevator, and the three level duty free shop so I'll only note than when we left we were ushered out via the restaurant on the courtyard as the main entrance was closed in anticipation of one of the Royal Family (one of the Princesses) arriving.

Divine Madman, Reader, and I walked to Surawong considering places to have dinner.  We eventually got to Maxi's and settled in and talked part of the night away.  I said my goodbyes to these two very great guys.  We toasted PaulSF who initially brought us together.  Van saw us and waved from the stage.

At some point out group broke up and I went back to the hotel and had a moonlight swim in the pool.  I then went to bed until Van came in and work me up with an offer that I didn't refuse.  

 

[vinapu]

9 minutes ago, ggobkk said:

 

When we finally went to bed, he held me close for a long time.  We woke around noon - unheard of time for me. 

both are sure sign of emotional comfort. You found your gem in Van , that's for sure

[ggobkk]

It's time...

When I wake up it's mid-morning (10am-ish) and it's my last day.  I make some tea and start sorting through my receipts, then checking email.  Van wakes shortly afterwards and from the comfort of the bed watches me pack.  This is a fairly easy pack as my only purchases were some shirts in Pattaya and some more in Bangkok.  I leave room for some workout shirts from a vendor on Silom near Nakarat.  I've been bargaining for two nights now as I walk by.  The price last night was acceptable but I didn't wanl to carry anything.

I talk with Van about today.  He is off - actually, I'm offing him.  He tells me how much to give him, which is less than if I went into the club and paid the fee.  I ask if there's anything he'd like to do and get the programmed "it's up to you".  I suggest we go out in a couple of hours and ask him to trust me.

I shave and get into the shower, he joins me.  It's a gentle way to begin to say goodbye.   

Around two we head out and walk to Sathorn...Van is surprised as we haven't walked this way before.  He asks if we are going to the BTS and I answer "yes, but, no".  

I'm using he station walkways to cross over the traffic.  Once across, we are at the MahaNakhon plaza...the King Power Tower plaza.  Last night, Reader and I speculated on what it would be like to bring some of the guys we like up to the rooftop...speculation inspired by DivineMadman's  doing just that.

The answer to the speculation - surprise, joy, excitement, amazement...we did go out on the glass floor once the blue booties had been attached to out feet.  It was no where near as crowded as the night before.  Yes, it was hot under the mid day sun but it had it's own charms.  We stayed somewhat more than an hour and then did the trip through the multi-level duty free shopping.

We walked back via Silom to the hotel where we hung out.  Around 6:30 we headed over to Twilight so that Van could pay his off fee.  This gave me an opportunity to say good bye to Pau and the other waiters at Maxi's.  The Asian gentleman with a fondness for the massage staff across from Maxi's was already in place , tonight with 4 of the guys.  Good for him, good for them, and great business for Maxi's.  Everyone wins!

Van and I have a drink (he has lemon tea) at Maxi's.  I leave goodly tips for the waiters and the bartender, give a 100 baht to the Hot Male grabbers - and we head out.  I pick up the workout shirts from the street vendor, I mentioned.  Back at the hotel, I finish packing, giving all the remaining toiletries to Van, I give him some baht for his time.  The baht are in an envelope.  He doesn't open it, just puts it in his wallet and that goes into his backpack.  It's now about midnight and time to go to the airport.  When I booked my ticket, I was most interested in when I'd arrive so I could get to Pattaya in time for some interpersonal interaction (!) and as to a return, I need to be back on Saturday, December 1st.

My return isn't through Tokyo - my usual routing, but via Hong Kong and Hong Kong Airlines from BKK to HK.  It's always a mess at the Hong Kong Kong Airlines checkin...so in addition to the flight being earlier than ANA, I do need extra time...sort of a long explanation for why I'm heading out from the city as the clock strikes 12. 

Saying goodbye..we've done this a dozen times, but, this time is a bit more difficult...

Van waves goodbye as the taxi pulls out and passes him.

I make the airport, long wait to check in...Hong Kong Airlines is not a Star Alliance partner so no priority line.  Bags checked through to San Francisco.  Security and Immigrations go quickly, I board the plane, and fall asleep before boarding is complete, and wake up when the plane touches down in Hong Kong.  Good thing I slept then as my United flight to California was 100% full and I slept very little.  While in Hong Kong, I "Lined" to Max, Sophy, and Nuguyen and chatted with each.  Van and I use We Chat and he had messaged me while was asleep on the plane.  Clearly, I'm struggling with saying goodbye to so many good guys. (that may also be why this report has taken so long to publish).

Home...and six weeks later I'm still thinking about the trip, the highs, the lows, the guys stay in touch, Max changing his screen name every week (Max, Maximum, Maxx...!),  Van still working to pay off his debts, etc. etc.

Me...I'm reading Spoon's report which is incredibly good and reminding me that I should be beginning to plan another visit to the Land of Smiles

Thanks for reading, commenting, pm-ing, and all that sort of thing.

[vinapu]

24 minutes ago, ggobkk said:

 

Me...I'm reading Spoon's report which is incredibly good and reminding me that I should be beginning to plan another visit to the Land of Smiles

 

sooner the better, 

 

thank you for allowing us to travel with you

[DivineMadman]

ggobkk.  Thanks for the report and thanks for the chance to spend time together during your visit.

[spoon]

I enjoy reading your trip reports as well. Some of the information will definitely helped me on my own next visit. Im really bad at planning my trips ahead of time unless i travel with friends and most of the time, they decided on the dates. Thinking to do quick trips (3 days at a time) but more frequent. 

[paulsf]

Thanks for the fun report.  I missed seeing you this trip and as you know I’m good friends with many of the cast of characters in your report.  Made me feel as if I was there .  I’m sure we’ll meet up on your next trip.   Soon.  

[JackR]

great report!