Third time lucky - December 2021 trip to Thailand in covid time

[Guest]

10 hours ago, vinapu said:

You build it and they will come. 

Thailand is good at building large railway stations, with the size of the building far exceeding what is required.   Obvious earlier examples include Makkasan and the elevated monstrosity in Khon Kaen.

If the investment in stations were matched by a punctual high speed rail service, they might just start to get some passengers through these facilities. 

The main objective seems to be the construction, rather than providing efficient transport.  

 

[Patanawet]

1 hour ago, z909 said:

 

If the investment in stations were matched by a punctual high speed rail service, they might just start to get some passengers through these facilities. 

Maybe high speed rail service, but then up to an hour to get to central Bangkok from Bang Sue.

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, z909 said:

Thailand is good at building large railway stations, with the size of the building far exceeding what is required.   Obvious earlier examples include Makkasan and the elevated monstrosity in Khon Kaen.

If the investment in stations were matched by a punctual high speed rail service, they might just start to get some passengers through these facilities. 

The main objective seems to be the construction, rather than providing efficient transport.  

 

More backhanders in construction, I assume?

[thaiophilus]

Construction uses concrete...

[daydreamer]

And the concrete is produced by a company whose top shareholder we are not allowed to mention by name.

[vinapu]

20 hours ago, z909 said:

Thailand is good at building large railway stations, with the size of the building far exceeding what is required.   Obvious earlier examples include Makkasan and the elevated monstrosity in Khon Kaen.

 

I'd add Bang Bamru suburban station with 17 urinals, more then in United Nations building, 2 urinals for each passing long distance train. Now bit better used with new SRT line so perhaps that was original idea. 

[vinapu]

Continuing my updates, yesterday's 14. 00 pm airport bus to Pattaya was full so if you are planning to use it, perhaps don't count on last minute seat. Instead of always we'll represented graying and balding, at times bit shaky, single white men, good portion of passengers were girls returning to work I suppose. So that could be good sign. 

Other forum member z909 gentlemanly mentioned in his post was me. I will see how Complex situation will look tonight, but as he said bars were chasing customers away due to police presence. 

But massages were opened and there were some lookers there, I couldn' t stop myself from forcing 100 on one of them just for look, but also in view of the future. 

As for apps I must say it was a bit shocking when after installing Grindr messages and pictures started coming immediately to a degree that at one point I just stop even looking at them. Whether what was, presented was of any interest is another question but certainly traffic is there. 

Nice weather too with another crispy morning. 

[Boy69]

On 12/11/2021 at 6:33 AM, vinapu said:

apps I must say it was a bit shocking when after installing Grindr messages and pictures started coming immediately to a degree that at one point I just stop even looking at them. Whether what was, presented was of any interest is another question but certainly traffic is ther

No wonder when bars are closed and almost no tourists are coming bar boys and freelancers have no choice but trying desperately to find customers at the apps.

[pong2]

Oh lucky you-krap khun much and hope it will all be even more pleasant along the balmy sea overthere.

You were apparently just too late to take profit of the free introductory time for the 2 red lines by SRT. There are also many more wats with a boat-shaped building in-even 1 south along New Road coming from Silom. I guess there might even be another red line stop along or just above the old train stop-it certainly was under construction.

Re bus-stations (satanee); Ekamai is due to be demolished soon by now-a new one is to go up much further along the BTS close to motorway-or maybe it goes to somewhere near Swampy airport. SaiTai-new is in fact as such quite a pleasant and well-organised bulding, more a shopping centre, but its way out in the sticks. The new red line nr 2 also does not come near.

Agree with your impression of Swiss-have also used it quite a few times untill coming back the day covid struck last year. They used to have 2 flites/day, the other operated and code-share with THAI.

Keep us informed (well, you will) and hope you can stay a long time!

[vinapu]

 

Pattaya, turned out to be great for me. Just paying an attention to close environment was fruitful as, I landed really good guy from one of massage shops just by Agate, my hotel. 2 massages and 2 LT's in 3 days says a bit ! 

Generosity seems to pay off as I upped his requested 1st night tip and second one was almost bordering on exhausting and it was not only me  who noted it. 

Professional behavior too, no stupid tears  on departure just kiss, embrace and hand shake. 

Agate was almost empty like most hotels those days but at lease, was opened and I landed nice room for relatively peanuts. Great French bakery on the corner opposite Soda massage. 

Sunee was dead zone but even in the afternoon arrond 5 there was some life and if pressed even I would find 1 or 2  to take with me for a stroll or something. Skinny for my taste and more mid than low 20 ties but this is what I look for anyways so hope is there. 

Boyztwn is disaster zone with only Scandic opened if only to carry the torch, one or 3 hunks there but I skipped this part. ALT Heidelberg closed but not boarded, Berliner Cafe opened and few money exhnagers opened had actually better rate for euros 37.70 and more than world famous booths by train station in the basement of Swampy 37.30.

But generally one in need to change currency needs to look  for one opened as 2/3  of booths in both Pattaya and Bangkok are closed. What is, interesting thought, ones survived are those which offered better rates which if you think about this, makes sense. More traffic more chance to survive. 

Walking Street is 93.5 disaster zone but 6.5 is enough for few tourists wandering Pattaya streets right now. Bars not opened but winks and whispers are. 

Disaster time, like in Bangkok was not wasted by some. Some premises are not boarded but spruced, renovated and spiffied, sometimes for other than original purpose. So old saying : "never waster good crisis" was, taken by some seriously. 

From Dec 15 on frequency of Jomtien airport bus is increased by 1 to 7 a day if I recall so again that is good sign. Bus full both ways. As mentioned Swampy  exchange counters are operating but only 3 or 4 of previous  8 or 10.

Airport mid day yesterday was quite empty but not completely empty, another good sign considering size of arrival hall. Stores are opened as before and ever good hearted I  upported 7/11 by buying coffee and purchasing soap spending money as it is no tomorrow. 

Flight to Chiang Mai was I think completely full, nice view of country from above. 

In the airport I did not bother with economizing on busses or tuk tuks and went with flat rate taxis. There are 2 companies with booths beside each other offering 150 rate but this seem to be to Old city. Since I,m staying bit further I was, quoted 200.

Since I, m close to Adam's Apple I passed by but that is, another piece of history as bar is closed and place up for sale. But view from room, I think bigger then my apartment is excellent, air is crisp, banana pancake can be had for 30, street food abounds and city walkable. Being here for 1st time I ventured out  actually after dark as I arrived late and easily found my way there and back. First impression is 7/11 are less ubiquitous than in Bangkok and Pattaya but adds on apps are deceitful and photos hopped all the same.

Temple sightseeing started with Classic House massage. Will return to report more as first sample may be inconclusive, all the same like room visit from Romeo. I try not to jump into conclusions after just 1 statistic sample. 

Sleeping alone but with wide opened both windows was very pleasant though, will repeat tonight unless something happens, one ever knows. 

 

 

 

[faranglaw]

I will miss “Humpalong.”

 

[vinapu]

What started inconclusive turned out to be quite excellent turning my 4 days in Chiang Mai into Classic House monodiet proving my own rule to always allow for a second chanceunless bad will is involved.

Which in turn crystallized as 3 Long Times with the same specimen and daIly massages with different highly qualified specialists each day, crowned in turn into last evening's 4 hands massage.

Even free transportation between 2 hotels was thrown in. City sights are impressive, long distance train to Bangkok was sent off with full regalia including playing national anthem ( I did not take it, just went to see railway infrastructure and happen to be in that moment). 

City's crisp and sunny weather has also ability to turn old fools into idiots and had them still being happy for that. Details will be provided in due course. 

Bangkok's air is much warmer and steamer but I was quite happy to be back, if only to see Hot Male on 2nd night after re-opening. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[10tazione]

5 hours ago, vinapu said:

... turning my 4 days in Chiang Mai into Classic House monodiet

Having seen the menu there I expected something like this to happen!

[faranglaw]

On 12/8/2021 at 2:27 AM, numazu said:

I have completely written off Thailand for at least this holiday season.

Poor Burboy, brokenhearted again.  And the rest of us don’t get to read your wonderful trip reports. Also brokenhearted.

[faranglaw]

On 12/5/2021 at 1:18 PM, vinapu said:

 

As for your question,, why now,,? It was mainly to act on old Lenin's question: "if not us, then who?, if not now then when"? 

 

 

Lenin?!  Aaaaaargh!  Nooooooo!

“Although this saying has been made popular by several political figures such as Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, its origins lie in Hillel the Elder, a Jewish leader, who stated, ''If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And being for my own self, what am I? And if not now, when?''. This quote has been used over the years in slightly different verbiage by several different people.”   

 

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, faranglaw said:

Lenin?!  Aaaaaargh!  Nooooooo!

......its origins lie in Hillel the Elder, a Jewish leader, who stated, ''If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And being for my own self, what am I? And if not now, when?''.

 

I didn' t know he frequented Patpong, that's bit of surprise but I guess, one never knows. 

[vinapu]

As reported elsewhere week after my first stay there Pattaya seems to be picking up slowly but surely.

Both Boyztown and Walking Street were immensed in darkness 10 days ago but not they are lit. Just walked aptly named Walking Street, at least overhead lights are there and few bars pretending to be restaurants are open. No loud , in fact no music at all, few wanderers but at least it's something.

About Boyztown I reported already , will check again tonight.

Booking an emergency room through Agoda I noticed interesting fact. In quite a few cases in Pattaya hotels not available on the website we're still available on the Agoda's app. Also in case if few properties along Beach Road and possibly elsewhere as well prices were slightly different ( 100 - 300 ) baht. I did not detect particular pattern, some were cheaper on website, some on app.

 Bottom line - if you can, check both.

 

 

 

 

 

[vinapu]

Last night show at Boyztown well attended. From few interlocutor, both Mamasans and boys, I heard that now bars in the soi are co-operating to bring soi back to life.

For now shows are in the open in the soi. Prices of drinks went down. Last night charges at BBB:

Beer 90, non alcoholic 70, boy drink 200( quite a hunk from southern Thailand), off fee 500 from previous night, did not off the hunk due to other plans. 

Sunee last night almost dead, Winners padlocked, 2 lesser bars, open but almost no clients. Nice Boys - enticed by a word from member who had fun a night before, other member and me visited full of hope but IT WAS NOT A, SUCCESSFUL visit.

Basically both staff and boys decided to have fun themselves and it was, almost impossible to get an eye contact with any of boys, not to mention that out of 8 or 10 present at best 3 presented themselves on the stage, usually only to watch goings on their smartphones. Even exrtrecting a bill required loud scream ,, can we get a bill please,, Drink 200, not we'll spent money let me tell you. Hope they improve, if not Sunee will be of the books quite soon with pandemic and  that level of service. 

Jomtien Complex dead  for the night due to new police chief visit but expected to be opened tonight. 

Massages, were, allowed to open but only Thai employees were allowed to work so my guy, Cambodian and hs friends had day off forced on them. Rollercoaster indeed. 

[Gaybutton]

5 hours ago, vinapu said:

almost impossible to get an eye contact with any of boys

I am surprised by the behavior of the boys.  With so few farang currently present I would have thought they would be trying their best to entice an off or at least a drink and a tip.  Apparently not. 

Here we are, concerned about the bars reopening.  It never would have occurred to me that the boys would show such little interest.  If the bars reopen and customers find that kind of attitude from the boys, then why bother to reopen at all?  If I had gone to a bar and was treated like that, it would be a hell of a long time before I'd be a customer there again. 

If I were the owner of a bar with boys behaving like that, I would be furious.  Entertaining and attracting customers - that's their job.  They're not supposed to be there to goof around by themselves and virtually ignore customers.

The bar owners better wake up and figure out that it is going to take much more than simply reopening to attract a profitable customer base.  They better have a little chat with the boys and make sure of an attitude change - like right now.

[Guest]

27 minutes ago, Gaybutton said:

If I had gone to a bar and was treated like that, it would be a hell of a long time before I'd be a customer there again. 

That's exactly how I intend to respond.   For the first time in several years, they had one boy who might even have been of interest to me, but he was more interested in sitting down and playing with his phone. 

The only positive thing I can report is the bar has a portrait of "Charlie" above the stage.  If I'm not mistaken, that's "Jomtien", a former moderator of Gay Thailand, who passed away a few years ago.

[Gaybutton]

1 hour ago, z909 said:

If I'm not mistaken, that's "Jomtien", a former moderator of Gay Thailand, who passed away a few years ago.

You are not mistaken.  Charlie was a nice guy, but unfortunately a very heavy drinker, which eventually had the unsurprising effect.  Most nights he could be found at the Yaya bar after the Kaos bar went out of business.  Charlie did have a Thai boyfriend, I believe a Chiang Mai native if I remember correctly.  I have no idea what became of him after Charlie's death.  He disappeared from Pattaya.  He most likely ended up back on the rice farm.

[Guest]

Boyztown was totally closed on Thursday, other than Scandic Massage.

Thankfully I was merely out for a stroll and have other plans for the night.

[macaroni21]

20 minutes ago, z909 said:

Boyztown was totally closed on Thursday, other than Scandic Massage.

 

11 hours ago, vinapu said:

Rollercoaster indeed. 

Vinapu was prescient!

Why, I wonder, was Boyztown alive on Wednesday and dead on Thursday? Tea money still pending? Or was Wednesday's street show not actually within the rules?

[aussie_]

Jomtien Complex was open last night and Boyztown closed. A Boyztown staff member was at Jomtien Complex and said Boyztown would be open tonight, Christmas eve. The reasons for the closures vary from the new police boss visiting to someone calling and warning the bar owners that the police were on there way so the bars all closed. The Complex restaurants all remained open.

The straight bars near the Jomtien Complex have all been open with no recent closures and not much in the way of Covid precautions being observed. It would be good to know the real reason for the closures of the Complex and Boyztown on alternate nights but it usually has something to do with the tea fund needing a top up.

[Gaybutton]

8 minutes ago, aussie_ said:

It would be good to know the real reason for the closures of the Complex and Boyztown

I think most of us already know the real reason - and you got it right . . .

In case nobody noticed, as far as I know not a single case of Covid, including the Omicron variant, has occurred due to any of the restaurants, bars, or even bars pretending to be restaurants being open.  So, if the current governmental policies remain in place and the police are busy closing down venues, what exactly are they protecting us from?