Bangkok Trip Report 2019: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same Part 2

[manuelmendez]

16 hours ago, numazu said:

*only few keep in shape* is indeed a shame. I will check Tawan out next trip for sure. In the past I've had uneven offs from there, but one of the super-hulks from there was one of my favorite offs, as he even was my driver and used his SUV to drive me around Pattaya three years ago, as well as staying with me the whole time. He was my best off from that bar, and does more in bed than most of the other offs I've had from that bar.

I think i knew what you mean, one of the superhunks. he once known Mr Thai right? he rarely appear, probaly he got personal life already. 

[numazu]

Last Word: The more change na, the more same same

This trip to Bangkok has given me so much to think about, and so much more to look forward to. I was expecting a lot, since the demise of Soi Twilight, and the change of venue to "straight-land", so I was surprised on how unchanged everything seemed to be, but how seemingly changed it also is at the same time. There are things that are just gone forever, but at the same time replaced with something else. I could not put my finger on it just yet, but it is just a different Bangkok that I discovered this trip.

Some musings:

The Cost

This is just true for the bars and boys I’ve visited this trip: I was surprised on how standardized the pricing for short time and long time is. Almost all the bars and boys and mamasans who talked about it quoted me standard pricing: 2000 baht for short time, and 3000 baht for long time. Except for the Moonlight models of course. 

I guess this makes things fairly simple for newcomers and experts alike, standard pricing makes it fair for everyone. I can understand the likes of Mekhin will fetch a little bit more, but I guess this takes away the element of negotiating that is inherent in Asian venues, especially the markets like Chatuchak. What would cheap charlies do now?

The Money

I completely forgot about this when I arrived in Bangkok for this trip, but after getting money from the ATM for the first time since June 2018, I was reminded that the current King is a relatively new one, judging from the new face staring back at me when I counted the money coming out of the ATM. I understand that these new banknotes were first introduced in April 2018, but this was first time seeing the new banknotes with Rama X on it.

I’ve always thought that having different colors to signify different values in the money is smart. Compare that to the drab green and black that is present in all of the US dollar banknotes, making them indistinguishable from one another, especially for a newcomer or tourist paying up in dark venues like bars. Thai money reminds me of Brazil’s banknotes, which came in similar hues as Thailand’s.

The Bars

There is no denying it: I kinda miss Soi Twilight. I kind of liked how special it was, having a specific Soi devoted to the gays. It was almost like a protective enclave, where one is free to express oneself in the confines of a cul-de-sac. I guess now Soi 4 can claim this mantel, a generally gay-exclusive Soi, although obviously it has not reached Soi Twilight heights just yet. I guess it shouldn’t matter, as a lot of people escape to Bangkok to let their hair down, and trying to be oneself in Patpong shouldn’t be more challenging than it was in Twilight, but still, the sense of camaraderie one felt in Twilight is the sensation that I miss. It is gone forever. Time to move on.

But the later hours, closing at 2 AM versus midnight to 1 AM, is a welcome change. I was able to do more and thrive with the extended hours. Before, I would have to lean on Screwboys for my late night follies. Now, Freshboys and Luckyboys, among the others, have given me the late night threesomes that is a marked improvement to the boy nightlife. A very big improvement.

The Boys

I am glad to note that the boys are still same same. They are still sweet, they are still sexy as hell, and they still remain the centerpiece of my Bangkok trips. I always say this every trip: that I need to do more massage in Bangkok, but the only one I got was mind-blowingly amazing. Unfortunately, the sex in general is still as uneven as before, as there is still danger of offing the non-performers. I have been lucky in the past but I was unlucky to have picked one this trip. It never seems to be a problem in Latin America. But this was a minor blemish in my otherwise excellent trip.

And thankfully, Bangkok still remains a popular playground for young gay Asian tourists from all over the region, and I am glad I was able to sample from this lot as well. Boys don’t always have to be procured from a stage or a massage table. I’m glad that this has not changed.

And now, my Trip awards:

Best off: My Moonlight model. Not the best sex I had this trip. This is reserved for Sunlight. But I went into the off with very low expectations, and he exceeded them and much much more. And this is why he rose to the top to be my best off of the trip. We are still Lining each other once in a while. I will see him in the future, no doubt.

Worst off: My Moonlight off. Really really bad. He might have been gorgeous, but what a dud in bed. 

It’s funny that both my best and worst offs are from the same bar. Goes to show you that even in the same bar, you get a wide variety of performances in bed.

Best bar: Luckyboys. To me the most complete boy bar in Bangkok. Great ambience, comfortable and optimal seating, amazing and entertaining show, very helpful mamasans, and has the most boys in terms of number and variety. Highly recommended!

Worst bar: Jupiter. Only because I’ve had great memories of it in the past, and it disappointed me this trip. I hope next trip will be better.

Best boy onstage: Nut of Moonlight. Best body, stage presence, and performance onstage.

Worst boy onstage: Mehkin of Jupiter. Went around onstage like a drunk sailor. When he found the whiskey, he was never to be seen onstage again.

Best mamasan: Moonlight – failed me with dud off, but redeemed himself with fixing me up with the right Moonlight model. And after, on Line, following up with me about the off. 

Worst mamasan: Dreamboy mamasan. It was unnecessary to hold my hand the whole time I was there. I will hold a boy’s hand, not a mamasan.

Best boyfriend experience: Cambodia of Luckyboys. He made a good impression of Burboy, cradling me from orgasm to the airport. I miss him already.

Worst boyfriend experience: Hot Male off. He forgot to ask for my Line and I had to run after him to get his Line. Maybe he didn’t want to see me anymore. Oh well.

Biggest regret: Two things: coffee with Old Friend on the second day, and a long time with Hot Male off on the third day. Both didn't happen because I didn’t have enough time for both boys. I just didn’t have enough time for the things I wanted, really. 3 nights in Bangkok is not enough.

Brazil or Thailand?  Sadly, it is still Brazil for me, if I had to choose only one. But Thailand has given me something to think about this trip. 

The good thing is I’ve already bought my ticket for my next trip to Bangkok. I won’t say when I’ll go just yet, only know that I’ll be leaving in less than a month.

I can’t wait.

[vinapu]

10 minutes ago, numazu said:

What would cheap charlies do now?

..........................

Best off: My Moonlight model.

Best boy onstage: Nut of Moonlight.

Cheap charlies will pay up or go to Pattaya. Same , same as before

..................

Two gold medals for Nut, that's great and well deserved

[spoon]

2 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Cheap charlies will pay up or go to Pattaya. Same , same as before

..................

Two gold medals for Nut, that's great and well deserved

Haha u noticed too? My gut feeling is right all along then hehehe. I also have a gut feeling on the dud of moonlight but i dont think its wise to accuse anyone of that lol

[babybear2]

Excellent report as always.

I wish I can visit BKK more, but I have very limited holidays because of work, sigh

[anddy]

1 hour ago, numazu said:

the new banknotes with Rama X on it.

[...]

There is no denying it: I kinda miss Soi Twilight. I kind of liked how special it was, having a specific Soi devoted to the gays. It was almost like a protective enclave, where one is free to express oneself in the confines of a cul-de-sac.

[...]

Worst boyfriend experience: Hot Male off. He forgot to ask for my Line and I had to run after him to get his Line. Maybe he didn’t want to see me anymore. Oh well.

[...]

I can’t wait.

some comments:

- the new banknotes are rather impractical to use when you're using a regular men's wallet (not an issue for @vinapu obviously haha), because they don't have the value printed on the top right like the old ones as can be seen in the comparison pic you posted. That means in a dark bar or club it can be difficult to discern the bills' values by just glancing inside your wallet. Need to take them out completely to be able to see the number on the bottom right. Not a practical design, which is why I dislike the new bills.

- a minor factual correction: Soi Twilight wasn't a cul-de-sac. It felt like one because no-one really ever made it past Classic Boys, but from there you could turn right and exit the soi to Rama 4. Silom Soi 4, however, really is a cul-de-sac.

- Awww you are being harsh with the Hot Male boy. From the report is was clear you had an excellent time with him (prompting you to go back for his Line) and jsut this minor oversight of exchanging Line gives him the "worst BFE" award? It was your own oversight just as much, and to his excuse one might say he maybe didn't see any point in it coz you surely had told him that'd you'd be in town only a couple of days more....

- same here  

[spoon]

5 minutes ago, anddy said:

some comments:

- the new banknotes are rather impractical to use when you're using a regular men's wallet (not an issue for @vinapu obviously haha), because they don't have the value printed on the top right like the old ones as can be seen in the comparison pic you posted. That means in a dark bar or club it can be difficult to discern the bills' values by just glancing inside your wallet. Need to take them out completely to be able to see the number on the bottom right. Not a practical design, which is why I dislike the new bills.

Just store your notes upside down and u will see, albeit upside down, the value of each notes.

[Boy69]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

Cheap charlies will pay up or go to Pattaya. Same , same as before

..................

Two gold medals for Nut, that's great and well deserved

Pattaya is better value for money in term of boys and accommodation other advantages beaches  , less traffic jam and pollution then BKK.

[reader]

An extraordinary report by any measure. Thank you.

You may not think of yourself as a serial reporter but that's what you are. You managed to capture precise moments in time with a practiced eye. You're a natural raconteur.

Particularly enjoy your writing style. You candidly describe the scene and your offs while taking care to protect their identity. You appreciate that they're young men and--as Divine Madman said in another thread--we are the adults. Many of the guys we date will go on to lead very different lives and the last thing we should want to do is create problems for them.

You didn't date deities. The men you chose (or in some cases chose you) are everyday type guys who populate the Patpong/Surawong entertainment zone. You even manage to present the ML model with down-to-earth personal qualities we often don't hear about.

And a particular tip of the cap for pointing out the satisfaction you got from getting to know many of your offs outside of the bedroom. Your curiosity about their lives off the clock is both insightful and rewarding. Sharing a meal is a great ice breaker and in keeping with a treasured Asian custom.

Delighted you have BKK back on your itinerary.

 

.

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, babybear2 said:

 

I wish I can visit BKK more, but I have very limited holidays because of work, sigh

that's perennial problem. We have work so have money but no time. Then we retire and there's lots of time but less money.

But remember as consolation , rare fruit tastes better.

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, anddy said:

Not a practical design, which is why I dislike the new bills.

 

put them aside and when I will be in BKK next time  I will pick them up from you.

But your comment makes sense, I noticed in dark bars it's hard to distinguish   specially between 100 and 500 which may be costly mistake but may help with boy's erection .

For those who may be puzzled why that is not my problem - I don't use wallet and  have habit of placing different denominations in different pockets, always the same so 100's will be in left pocket and 500's in back one. And I fold money separately thus preventing accidental pulling of 2 notes instead of one . 

6 hours ago, Boy69 said:

Pattaya is better value for money in term of boys and accommodation other advantages beaches  , less traffic jam and pollution then BKK.

agreed on all counts  but after few days  daytime becomes boring which is never a case in Bangkok which has busy river as a bonus .

Hunky guys are easier to spot in BKK as well

[jason1975]

12 hours ago, numazu said:

Best bar: Luckyboys. To me the most complete boy bar in Bangkok. Great ambience, comfortable and optimal seating, amazing and entertaining show, very helpful mamasans, and has the most boys in terms of number and variety. Highly recommended!

My favourite bar!

[anddy]

10 hours ago, spoon said:

Just store your notes upside down and u will see, albeit upside down, the value of each notes.

yes, but then the number will be on the top left, rather than the top right. I hold the wallet with the right hand and would skim through the notes (their top right corners) with the left. Thus the number on top left is not useful  

[numazu]

On 12/15/2019 at 4:14 PM, vinapu said:

as for Moonlight models I have an impression that ' nonperforming reputation ' is created by voices belonging to people who never actually offed them.

Few members who did , including myself  ( Nicky, Fluke, Tam - before he become model though ) actually seemed to be quite happy with experiences , only reservations were whether expense warranted it. But like with all ' luxury ' items ' , disappointment is always possible as those who tested expensive alcohols  can attest. Also you seem to be happy with your trial run of Smart (?). One out or members reported offing Babe twice so obviously  nothing wrong even if such 'star'.

So old advice , listen to everybody but go and try for yourself still applies.

*created by voices belonging to people who never actually offed them* is another way of saying that some people advice other people to not go to Brazil because they think it is too dangerous for them, without actually going to see for themselves or at least try.

I am not sure if the expense warranted it with all the fuss about my Moonlight star, but I think all my curiosity about how an off from the Moonlight model stead would fare, has made it worth the 7000 baht total that I paid for it. Not to mention that I still get Line messages from him once in a while. I will off him again, maybe at a long time capacity. Maybe that time I will be truly fleeced out of my hard-earned cash, or he might turn out to be a great long-time companion, who knows. One never really knows until one tries for oneself. Anything else is just useless piece of advice.

Also, I want to try another Moonlight model. Something to look forward to in my next trip.

On 12/15/2019 at 4:14 PM, vinapu said:

that guy you mention  was not in Tawan when I was there in Aug/ Sept and Oct so perhaps gone or well sponsored 

You are author of serial in this forum. You not alone re-reading reports from past endeavors to energize before  future trips. I do the same with mine about twice  a year.

On 12/16/2019 at 5:46 AM, manuelmendez said:

I think i knew what you mean, one of the superhunks. he once known Mr Thai right? he rarely appear, probaly he got personal life already. 

Ah yes, Tong of Tawan, one of the few boys I've offed that I have revealed the name of. The saga is described here. An excerpt:

On 7/11/2016 at 4:36 PM, numazu said:

He asks for my phone and keys in his number, and tells me to call him if I wanted him to drive me Pattaya. I tell him that I do not want to cancel on PT Taxi, but still wanted to see him. I tell him to come the day before I leave Pattaya and we can hangout and have fun and go to a gogo bar, and the next day he can drive me back. I ask how much, he says for everything its 5000 baht plus the price of gas. I think about it: I get to spend time with him, sleep on the same bed, go out have a nice time, maybe tag team a boy, and then he drives me back to BKK. He has to drive the two hours to get to Pattaya and then again to drive me back. PT Taxi is 1100 baht one way to get me back to BKK. And I don’t get to hold their driver’s hand or give him kisses on the drive. For driving and longtime services I’d say this is a reasonable price. We discuss dates and times for Pattaya.

I give him his 2500 baht short time. We kiss and I escort him down to be able to leave the condo. I go back to my room, thinking that first impressions really aren’t reality. I thought that was going to be an expensive diva, it turns out he is a really nice guy just trying to earn a few more bucks. I need to figure out a way to have Mr. Thailand drive me around somehow to or from Pattaya and still get some new boys to play with in Pattaya. My mind explodes thinking about all the possibilities. I love Thailand.

Is he still working in Tawan? Maybe I should try to dig up his Line number from my contacts...

On 12/16/2019 at 2:09 AM, Wynter11 said:

Quite the travel writer, I’d say. Your reports have a reflective quality that is engaging because it makes the events more personal and authentic. I like the little side stops at bars or the times where you just wanted time out just as much as the hijinks in bars asking the floor boys to split into tops and everythings. 

Do you write similar reports for your S. American trips? I’d be intrigued to see the same lens applied there. I’ve had a couple of experiences with Latino guys passing through my home town so I understand what you mean when you say they’re of a different kind to Bangkok guys. 

Thanks @Wynter11. Yes I have written about my South American trips.  They are in GayGuide's sister site, BoyToy.com.  Here are three samples:

Bogota
First time in Rio
Sao Paulo and the South

On 12/16/2019 at 9:04 PM, vinapu said:

Cheap charlies will pay up or go to Pattaya. Same , same as before

21 hours ago, Boy69 said:

Pattaya is better value for money in term of boys and accommodation other advantages beaches  , less traffic jam and pollution then BKK.

@vinapu and @Boy69, and anyone else who'd like to opine, since you know me already, would you still recommend me to go visit Pattaya?  Enough of stuff there for me to get what I like?

On 12/16/2019 at 9:04 PM, vinapu said:

Two gold medals for Nut, that's great and well deserved

On 12/16/2019 at 9:06 PM, spoon said:

Haha u noticed too? My gut feeling is right all along then hehehe. I also have a gut feeling on the dud of moonlight but i dont think its wise to accuse anyone of that lol

More replies later...

[spoon]

I think if u want sort of boyfriend experience from not so hunky but still in shape twink, pattaya is better. At least my limited experience and stories ive heard directly from the horse's mouth, many there wanting to find farang or rich boyfriend to take them off the scene. Might be wrong but at least that is the impression i get. But then again, the boy might also have multiple farang boyfriends so it works both ways hehe.

[Londoner]

Thai guys wishing to develop a LTR may well be more abundant in Pattaya. Many visitors to BKK are there for three or  even fewer days   before moving on elsewhere and so the possibilities of developing a relationship are appreciably less than in Pattaya, where visitors stay longer and are more likely to  extend a one-night experience into something deeper.

[vinapu]

6 hours ago, numazu said:

One never really knows until one tries for oneself. Anything else is just useless piece of advice.

....................................

@vinapu and @Boy69, and anyone else who'd like to opine, since you know me already, would you still recommend me to go visit Pattaya?  Enough of stuff there for me to get what I like?

 

as for your question, you answered already above in the same post.

yes and yes witch an additional advantage, since Pattaya is cheaper if you will be disappointed at least it will cost you less than BKK disappointment.

I'd not call any piece of advise useless, informed or not  as only after trial we can assess usefulness. Somebody who never went to Thailand may still advice us to go and off model from Moonlight about who he read somewhere in gay forum , we may follow such advice and be happy as you were with Nut 

 

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, Londoner said:

........ in Pattaya, where visitors stay longer and are more likely to  extend a one-night experience into something deeper.

at at least into something draining pockets deeper

[manuelmendez]

7 hours ago, numazu said:

Is he still working in Tawan? Maybe I should try to dig up his Line number from my contacts...

my last visit. never seen him. probaly he just stay at his home place. 

 

[Boy69]

15 hours ago, numazu said:

vinapu and @Boy69, and anyone else who'd like to opine, since you know me already, would you still recommend me to go visit Pattaya?  Enough of stuff there for me to get what I like?

You already had been in the past at Pattaya so you should know how it is there sadly Pattaya gay scene shrink dramatically over the years but it is still fun and cheaper than BKK.the best solution is to split your vacation between the 2 cities and find by yourself which place suits you better.

[numazu]

On 12/16/2019 at 10:39 PM, anddy said:

the new banknotes are rather impractical to use when you're using a regular men's wallet (not an issue for @vinapu obviously haha), because they don't have the value printed on the top right like the old ones as can be seen in the comparison pic you posted. That means in a dark bar or club it can be difficult to discern the bills' values by just glancing inside your wallet. Need to take them out completely to be able to see the number on the bottom right. Not a practical design, which is why I dislike the new bills.

 

On 12/16/2019 at 10:46 PM, spoon said:

Just store your notes upside down and u will see, albeit upside down, the value of each notes.

This is amazing. I use a wallet in Bangkok but never store my money there. I usually store my 100s and lower in one pocket, and the 1000 and 500 in another. The Luckyboys mamasans are very smart and usually have a flashlight to shine on your money when paying up. Hotmale I think had this too. But the new bills are prettier than the old ones I think,

On 12/16/2019 at 10:39 PM, anddy said:

a minor factual correction: Soi Twilight wasn't a cul-de-sac. It felt like one because no-one really ever made it past Classic Boys, but from there you could turn right and exit the soi to Rama 4. Silom Soi 4, however, really is a cul-de-sac.

- Awww you are being harsh with the Hot Male boy. From the report is was clear you had an excellent time with him (prompting you to go back for his Line) and jsut this minor oversight of exchanging Line gives him the "worst BFE" award? It was your own oversight just as much, and to his excuse one might say he maybe didn't see any point in it coz you surely had told him that'd you'd be in town only a couple of days more....

Hehe. I know it is not a cul de sac, but I never use Rama 4 to enter (or exit), and just make a U-turn, like in a cul de sac, when I hit Classic Boys/Scorpion bar.

Which shows you how good my offs were, except for Moonligh off, if Hot Male boy was the worst BFE.  I really thought he didn't like me, and like the Pepe le Pew cat, wanted to get out of my room as soon as possible. The sex was amazing though. 

On 12/17/2019 at 8:58 AM, jason1975 said:

My favourite bar!

Isn't it amazing? I love that the Lucky Boys thread is gaining some steam too.

On 12/17/2019 at 11:43 PM, Londoner said:

Thai guys wishing to develop a LTR may well be more abundant in Pattaya. Many visitors to BKK are there for three or  even fewer days   before moving on elsewhere and so the possibilities of developing a relationship are appreciably less than in Pattaya, where visitors stay longer and are more likely to  extend a one-night experience into something deeper.

This is a great distillation of Pattaya vs Bangkok. Bangkok, the big city, is more fast paced and temporal. Pattaya, the town by the sea, is slower, and more conducive to introspection. Its good to have a choice.

 

[Creditisdue]

Joining with the rest of the posters, I’d like to thank you for this amazing report. I hope you visit again soon so you can start one again. I do wonder, where do you get the energy to do all these things in your short trip??

[vinapu]

58 minutes ago, Creditisdue said:

Joining with the rest of the posters, I’d like to thank you for this amazing report. I hope you visit again soon so you can start one again. I do wonder, where do you get the energy to do all these things in your short trip??

I let numazu answer but what I noticed on short trips we tend to be focused on tasks at hand better while somebody on 1 month vacation can always postpone that off till day after tomorrow

[floridarob]

1 minute ago, vinapu said:

while somebody on 1 month vacation can always postpone that off till day after tomorrow

Yeah, he'd still be the Energizer bunny. I remember an episode of Family Guy where there was a comment about Asian's small penis'....however very efficient.
 

 

[vinapu]

21 minutes ago, floridarob said:

.......... episode of Family Guy where there was a comment about Asian's small penis'....however very efficient.

 

I have an impression screenwriter never get acquainted with Issan specimens