Tawan Bar: Why Can't They Just Be Honest?

[Lucky]

The Tawan Bar in Bangkok is known for its muscle boys. These guys are not necessarily good looking, but when a guy is good-looking and a hunk, well, he should have a rosy future as a bar boy. These guys usually expect a higher compensation for their efforts. It does take work to maintain that body.

But the higher pay often doesn't seem enough, and you can find threads elsewhere discussing various complaints that people have with Tawan. When I was there earlier this month, the bf took a shine to a guy. He didn't speak English except to say that he "did everything."

So, the mamasan, an English-speaking employee, worked hard to get the bf to off the guy. Given that I had more experience, he did most of his speaking to me. And boy did he lie. I finally got him to commit the final cost to writing, but mistakenly let him keep the paper.

The two went off to a local love hotel, the bf's wallet containing the agreed amount. I went back to our hotel, which I was sure would not allow a boy to the room. A while later the bf started knocking on the door, so I opened it to see him and the bar boy. Turned out that the bar boy wanted more money and wasn't leaving until he got it. He put me on the phone to the bar, and it turned out that they took a taxi to the love hotel, which I had been led to believe was across the street. So taxi fare was due, and it was 500 baht. Very high for taxi fare, which was more likely 100 baht. But, I paid the 500 just to end the matter. (500 baht is about $17.)

Turned out that the guy did very little, instead of "everything." And it was quite a surprise to see him at the hotel room door. I thought he wasn't allowed that far. Had I known he could come to the room, the cost would have been less. No love hotel, no taxi,. no money problem.

But, there was a problem, and I suspect that is natural practice to ask for more when the deed is done. This is what others have complained about, and was the reason I worked so hard to nail the cost down before they left. It spoils the experience for the customer, and really is unnecessary. Just say what you want in the first place, and then be happy with it.

[TotallyOz]

Sorry about this experience. I have never had anything like that happen in my time in Thailand. Although if I did, I would think it would happen at Tawan or Jupiter2002.

I hope you both are over this and OK!

[Lucky]

Oh yes, we are over it. These boys would make so much more in a different market.