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

[vinapu]

I'd not say it it typical but , yes happens from time to time. But for my private use I think you are right, girl / very pretty , I saw picture on  his Line/  got involved and had her say.  Not my loss though as I found suitable local  substitute as we learn  at some point  in the narrative.

[vinapu]

Day 6

Early collapse to bed of course resulted in very early rise in middle of the night. I made my tea, admired another sky full of stars, combed apps and Line and went to bed again only to rise in broad daylight at 8 and see completely blue sky. There’s no doubt that December is very good months to come to Thailand when comes to weather.

Since Raya  is not providing breakfast those days , likely to mixture of renovation and low load I went to have mine  at world famous , 7.5 Michelin stars etc Foodland , luckily managed to order mine just before 9 saving whooping 16 over regular 81 baht price, yahoo!!

Some walks in neighborhood , Line message from T that he is unable to go with me ( I smell his girlfriend hand in that but really I did not mind being stood by such a hunk anyways ) and exactly at noon I left   for an airport to take Pattaya bus from there as it’s more convenient  than Ekkamai one , chiefly because it avoids Bangkok traffic  and in last few trips I always take it  either way regardless if I stay in Boyztown or Jomtien Complex.

It’s easier to get  baht bus from and to Jomtien  than one from and to North Pattaya bus station. I don’t know about airport but in Pattaya you can buy tickets one day in advance i.e. today for tomorrow. And if one lives in Jomtien Complex it only short walk to and from bus station beside of each is supermarket selling a lot of western foods by the way including rye bread and cottage cheese / sort of / .

As I mentioned I was planned to stay in Copa in Boyztown  but since they did not reopen yet Agate was my choice and that was good one. They just re-opened  and there  were few guests at time of my stay, no breakfast provided at the moment.  View from the window and balcony was were pleasant one with pool and wall of greenery 3 stores high  behind it.

I did the walk  around Complex few bars were opened with few eye catching boys working already in them , few massages with boys waiting for clients outside . In one  adjacent to French restaurant on the corner I spot muscular, brown skinned hunk in singlet and while passing  by I just slipped casually 100 baht into his hand without a word or even glance. Going away I could hear whisper of surprise from guy and his friends. We will hear about that specimen soon.

In the evening Z909  and me were supposed to do survey of bars in the Complex  but as soon as we attempted to sit at @ home bar we were chased away . It was police van parked three bars away. Soon  all of alley was immersed in the darkness as they ordered everything to close. Apparently new police chief whim. 

With Boyztown and Sunee in darkness as well  we did not have much choice then visit 7/11 to buy some beers and have a talk over them on my balcony. That was end of my day 6.

[vinapu]

Floridarob, don't be sad. In a week I will be back with better news.  

[Boy69]

5 hours ago, vinapu said:

Some walks in neighborhood , Line message from T that he is unable to go with me ( I smell his girlfriend hand in that but really I did not mind being stood by such a hunk anyways )

Unfortunately very similar incident happened to me last year lovely Vietnamese boy I met via Grindr in Bangkok agreed to be with me about ten days visit in Pattaya after 4 nights he claimed that his Vietnamese roommate in Silom left with no money and he have to leave me but I suspect he was his boyfriend who made big jeulosy scene so he had no choice but to go back to him. These things happen in life and we can do anything about it. The good news is that after a week we met again in my week travel at Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi and he stayed with me the whole period I suspect lack of money convinced his boyfriend that there is no choice but to let him to do long term with a client.

[Guest]

6 hours ago, vinapu said:

 I left   for an airport to take Pattaya bus from there as it’s more convenient  than Ekkamai one , chiefly because it avoids Bangkok traffic  and in last few trips I always take it  either way regardless if I stay in Boyztown or Jomtien Complex.

It’s easier to get  baht bus from and to Jomtien  than one from and to North Pattaya bus station.

The last time I took the bus to Pattaya Northern Bus station, I was quoted 200 Baht for the Baht bus, whilst the nearby Thais were quoted 30 Baht.  Which they also didn't like.

I obviously didn't take up that offer, on principle !  I haven't used that bus station for years.

The superior airport bus usually departs on time and goes direct to Pattaya with no extra stops before Sukhumvit, Pattaya.

About 10 years ago, there were also reports of the local mafia in brown doing shakedowns of farang at Ekkamai.  Searching their luggage and collecting tea money for any drugs that theoretically need a prescription in Thailand.

[starbum]

11 minutes ago, z909 said:

The last time I took the bus to Pattaya Northern Bus station, I was quoted 200 Baht for the Baht bus, whilst the nearby Thais were quoted 30 Baht.  Which they also didn't like.

I obviously didn't take up that offer, on principle !  I haven't used that bus station for years.

The superior airport bus usually departs on time and goes direct to Pattaya with no extra stops before Sukhumvit, Pattaya.

About 10 years ago, there were also reports of the local mafia in brown doing shakedowns of farang at Ekkamai.  Searching their luggage and collecting tea money for any drugs that theoretically need a prescription in Thailand.

Yesterday I watched a youtube video on a trip (recent) to Kanchanburi and part of the trip consists of a slow train where the locals were charged for 3 baht while 100 baht for foreigners.

[vinapu]

Day 7

I did not sleep well for some reason and waked up as early as 5 am. Decided to utilize that time to check apps, novelty for me. This is my first trip to Thailand when I brought smartphone,  installed Horner, Romeo and Grindr when I was locked on my first day  waiting for test results and glanced there from time to time. Another new thing was Line which fast become my main  mode of communication this trip.

Actually quite fast I found somebody who looked I may like him so sent inquiry if he is interested to have breakfast together, remember it was still early . Yes,   so we settled on time and soon after  I parked myself in front of still closed Dicks only to find that my guy is marching right away. Turned he lives in high-rise across the street.

 I liked his face , conversational English acquired from YouTube university by his own admission, quite muscular, certainly notch above twink. So we settled on length of meeting and compensation and after breakfast we  marched in the room . My first ever apps experience turned out very enjoyable at least when ‘in the room’ part was concerned. Now I started to understand why some member swear by apps. Boys available at any time, no drinks and bar fees, easy deal.

Turned out yes and no. Soon after  he left I start being bombarded with inquiry about when our next meeting will be , long time   offer / request. When answer were vague , ‘what I did wrong?” question followed   and shortly from interesting novelty whole thing become nuisance. Yes I know I could block him but wanted to see what will happen which was a bit unwise as he knew where I live, after all he just visited me and at one  point I thought it may even lead to a scene in the hotel but fortunately things did not go that far. Pestering continued for few days even when I already left Pattaya.

 I must admit over all my first apps experience was VERY mixed as every minute I logged in , message from desperate nuisance was arriving. Anyways lesson learned and I allowed  for it to carry for a while to learn that lesson. If not interested either block him right away or at least ignore him messages, answer only those which may lead to something promising in the future. Since he was nice, well built and behaving guy if not those tactics chances were he could land few more orders from me, by being pushy he squandered that opportunity. When I returned to Pattaya he was already blocked and removed from the view.

But all that happened later. As I admitted  , session was good and soon after he left , warmed up by apps guy I decided to check on masseur I surprised with tip last evening.

Few steps to his shop and yes , he was there smiling broadly seeing that mysterious and generous farang i.e. me. 1 1/2 hr massage ordered for  450 and I was glad to see I’m in good hands. The same as T used oil sparingly and was warming it in his hands before applying to my carcass, way it’s supposed to be done.

By the way I can say it now, during this whole trip I did not have even one massage where  I would be soaked in oil like it used to happen often in the past. Either my good luck or guys improved their skills indeed.

It did not take much time to be obvious that we have some chemistry and it was quite steam generating. I liked him , his massage,  muscles and manly face  but he also sensed it very well that I do so it did not take much time before inquiry about my room and visit  in it was made. Of course I jumped with long time suggestion which was taken matter of factly and quite modest tip for it was suggested ( 2000 ). After session we both emerged visibly happy, fact which did not escape boss and other boys in the place. Promised to take him home later as I was scheduled to have  a dinner with two farang friends,  Gaybutton and R. ,  one of members of his board.

First we had nice chat in friends place , then gentlemen suggested some venue which turned out very good choice with international cuisine. Name escaped me but if Gaybutton will read this post he will help me. Even in those times place was full but somehow we managed to take last available  table and soon after  we were treating ourselves with conversation and yummy food. I went entirely Russian with borstch ( beetroot soup) ,  strogonov    and hot tea to have a bit break from Asian fare. Great afternoon turned to great evening as it was dark when we left. After we dropped R at his place Gaybutton wanted to survey goings in the Complex and I gladly accompanied him if only to show off N, my newly  acquainted masseur friend.

After  last night closure , tonight Complex bars were opened and gearing for busy night.

It was only 7.30 when we shook hands in front of N’s shop , agreed to have another dinner when I will be back , I paid 300 off fee and took N  home to Agate. It was great encounter, one of those rare excellent imitations of boyfriend experience with not much sleep but  a lot of sweat,  you get the picture and if not, take my word for it. Can’t even say when day 7 finished and day 8 started because I was busy enjoying  N’s company.

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, z909 said:

 

The superior airport bus usually departs on time and goes direct to Pattaya with no extra stops before Sukhumvit, Pattaya.

About 10 years ago, there were also reports of the local mafia in brown doing shakedowns of farang at Ekkamai.  Searching their luggage and collecting tea money for any drugs that theoretically need a prescription in Thailand.

I never had any problems with Ekkamai station or busses but simply use airport one because it's more convenient to get to and from and faster. In normal times advantage of Ekkamai buses is that they are much more frequent so one is guaranteed departure soon while airport buses sometimes are full and wait for next one is much longer.

At Pattaya end  there are baht busses waiting and one can be delivered to Boyztown / Walking Street / Sunee are for 50 baht but sometimes wait is involved for baht bus to file up. Using regular baht bus is cheaper but requires change of buses at Dolphin roundabout , not convenient with a lot of luggage. Not my problem as I travel lightly.

When alighting at Jomtien from airport busses it's every easy to get baht bus to Pattaya for 10 baht. Before getting to Jomtien bus also stops at three stops in Pattaya along Sukhumvit where handy motorsai drivers are waiting to deliver passengers to final destination.

For most of us all this is well known and repetitive but  I typed it for benefit of possible new readers/ members.

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, starbum said:

Yesterday I watched a youtube video on a trip (recent) to Kanchanburi and part of the trip consists of a slow train where the locals were charged for 3 baht while 100 baht for foreigners.

Dual pricing is fact of live in Thailand and many other countries which is unfortunate but still makes sense  in my opinion.

For most foreigners able to afford  trip to Thailand 100 baht is cost of local bus ticket where they live (90 baht where I live but as senior I pay  60 only ) while for many Thais 100 baht is princely sum buying not one but two meals on the street. Watch that smile when you tip somebody red note. 

Grind your teeth and pay.

In Grand Palace Thais have it for free while we pay 500, again not fair but fair. Hard to imagine charging locals to enter what is one of most important religious buildings in the country. 

[thaiophilus]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

I never had any problems with Ekkamai station or busses but simply use airport one because it's more convenient to get to and from and faster. In normal times advantage of Ekkamai buses is that they are much more frequent so one is guaranteed departure soon while airport buses sometimes are full and wait for next one is much longer.

At Pattaya end  there are baht busses waiting and one can be delivered to Boyztown / Walking Street / Sunee are for 50 baht but sometimes wait is involved for baht bus to file up. Using regular baht bus is cheaper but requires change of buses at Dolphin roundabout , not convenient with a lot of luggage. Not my problem as I travel lightly.

When alighting at Jomtien from airport busses it's every easy to get baht bus to Pattaya for 10 baht. Before getting to Jomtien bus also stops at three stops in Pattaya along Sukhumvit where handy motorsai drivers are waiting to deliver passengers to final destination.

For most of us all this is well known and repetitive but  I typed it for benefit of possible new readers/ members.

to which I'd add my recommendation of the Bell Travel Service buses. Online booking only; Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya North nonstop, and the 300B fare includes minibus transfer to/from your hotel anywhere in Pattaya or Jomtien. Or for 400B you can get a bus BangNa-Pattaya with hotel transfers at both ends. For first-time visitors it avoids baht bus mafia, being dropped in the dark on unknown Sukhumvit urban jungle, and the hazards of motosai.

[vinapu]

just for fun,  green wall  as seen from my room at Agate, cant add sound of chirping birds

 

[vinapu]

mid -day traffic nowadays on Beach Rd

 

[Radek48]

22 minutes ago, vinapu said:

tak dla zabawy, zielona ściana widziana z mojego pokoju w Agate, nie mogę dodać odgłosu ćwierkających ptaków

 

Nice 

[Boy69]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

liked his face , conversational English acquired from YouTube university by his own admission, quite muscular, certainly notch above twink. So we settled on length of meeting and compensation and after breakfast we  marched in the room . My first ever apps experience turned out very enjoyable at least when ‘in the room’ part was concerned. Now I started to understand why some member swear by apps. Boys available at any time, no drinks and bar fees, easy deal.

I like the word "compensation" give  your session with him more charity impression then commercial one 🤗

Yes the app are very convenient and easy but there's always a risk that the boy who turned up is not what he claimed to be but it never happened to me my experience is very good with app's boys.

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

Turned out yes and no. Soon after  he left I start being bombarded with inquiry about when our next meeting will be , long time   offer / request.

I suspect that you gave him generous "compensation" so he become greedy and wanted repit sessions or because there is almost no tourists at the moment lack of money made him to become pushy. It happened to me before and if I didn't want a repit with the boy I just ignored his messages eventually they got the hint and stopped.

[vinapu]

25 minutes ago, Boy69 said:

I didn't want a reply to a  boy I just ignored his messages eventually they got the hint and stopped.

it worked to me the same way but only after few days

[Radek48]

1 hour ago, Radek48 said:

 

 

[spoon]

If its clear that there will be no repeat, its easy to block. But if its not so clear, or if your really like the guy but the pestering turn u off, then its a tough call indeed. If i really want a repeat but dont like the constant messaging, id probably ignore until i want to try again, or told him when is the next meet, but also make it clear i do not like him constantly messaging me. Sometimes, the second meet might proof to be better as the guy appreciate the repeat. Then, if the pestering still happen, time to block.

[Radek48]

1 hour ago, Radek48 said:

 

 

[Boy69]

4 hours ago, spoon said:

If its clear that there will be no repeat, its easy to block. But if its not so clear, or if your really like the guy but the pestering turn u off, then its a tough call indeed. If i really want a repeat but dont like the constant messaging, id probably ignore until i want to try again, or told him when is the next meet, but also make it clear i do not like him constantly messaging me. Sometimes, the second meet might proof to be better as the guy appreciate the repeat. Then, if the pestering still happen, time to block.

I never blocked a boy I met because I am afraid he will be offended if I don't want a repeat with him I just ignore his messages eventually he will stop . I do block pushy boys that are not my taste and there is no chance I will agree to meet them.

[vinapu]

 

Day 8 .  

It went without saying that we will have repeat  of the day  and night today. I don’t even remember who said it first but it was obvious. Tip was increased substantially as good work should be rewarded properly . Breakfast in French restaurant  on the corner, very cheerful waitress who seemed to like N very much thank you and I was pretending I don’t  notice it. Quite sumptuous with signature crispy fresh baguettes , I liked it very much, tasty , classy and filling. He went to his room and then to gym, I chose internet exercises in the room. As mentioned before I was subject of massive attack from that Grindr  guy  and tried to fend his messages off until around noon got tired and decided finally to go to Pattaya proper.

Rest of daylight was spent walking about and it was quite depressing sight with all those shops and restaurants boarded or at least closed. Walking street completely dead bar one survivor – 7/11. On another hand signs of clinging to life were encouragingly numerous, I had a dinner in newly opened kebab restaurant on 2^nd street.  Few massages were opened with guys anxiously waiting for customers, a lot of walker along Beach Rd and girls ubiquitous, forced to take their trade to the streets with bars closed but generally Pattaya was bit depressing sight with devastation much more pronounced that in Bangkok.

Alt Heidelberg closed but Berliner café and Salt and Pepper still operating. Few quite big hotels closed, in others only few windows were lit. Surprisingly exchange rates in few still opened places were at least as good as in Swampy’s basement by train station. Sunee – dead, those complaining in the past about Arabs racing motorbikes now have their day, sois quiet like pre-pandemic funeral home.  Boyztown, dead zone with only Scandic opened with 3 guys on duty , one of them veteran of many years there. But baht busses still 10 baht. Internet café in soi post office still opened and tailor in Pattayaland also did not give up. Not as cheerful like before but still standing.

So Pattaya girls and boys are not giving up, no matter what trade they are in.

It was darkening when I returned to Complex , straight to N’s shop for massage and right after I extracted him from there by way of paying 300 off fee and we went to Agate greeted by knowing smile of lady at reception. If last night was steamy , this one , my last in Pattaya for now ,   was nothing short of volcano , geyser,  earthquake e.t.c. I think people of certain age should conduct themselves with  more dignity and modesty   but since nobody was watching us    I took  an option to be young again with quite a success ending day 8 well stretched and exercised.

[a-447]

Another great report, Vinapu. You're making me feel as though I'm actually there!

After such a "volcanic" night with N, are you sure you want to leave him? Afterall, hot guys who make us lose our dignity and modesty are like diamonds. I'd never let him go!

And I'm sure you would have enjoyed your meal with gaybutton. As a local, he knows all the good restaurants around town and is very knowledgeable about all things Pattaya. He's very generous with his time, too.

[vinapu]

such is a nature of our vacations in Thailand that sooner or later we need to leave our boys and return home.

But we will hear  more about N in this report as I'm not even half way

[PeterRS]

17 hours ago, vinapu said:

Dual pricing is fact of live in Thailand and many other countries which is unfortunate but still makes sense  in my opinion.

For most foreigners able to afford  trip to Thailand 100 baht is cost of local bus ticket where they live (90 baht where I live but as senior I pay  60 only ) while for many Thais 100 baht is princely sum buying not one but two meals on the street. Watch that smile when you tip somebody red note. 

Grind your teeth and pay.

In Grand Palace Thais have it for free while we pay 500, again not fair but fair. Hard to imagine charging locals to enter what is one of most important religious buildings in the country. 

I agree 100% with @vinapu. I alsolutely fail to understand where those who feel that there should be one price for all are coming from. That's perfectly fair if everyone has basically the same standard of living and average income. Of course there are mega-rich Thais and it could be argued that they should pay more than even visiting foreigners. But this is their country and however they have made their cash, legal or otherwise, they will be paying some taxes. Visitors spend a considerable amount of cash to get here and stay here. The vast majority will earn far more than the average Thai. Why anyone feels they should be entitled to the same low entry fees always beats me. I just do not understand it. Besides, this practice also happens in other countries. It may not be a fee to enter a specific monument but you will have paid it in the form of a tourist tax - as anyone who has visited Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, The Netherlands and dozens of other countries will be aware!

To clarify, the Grand Palace entry fee is actually a fee to enter Wat Phra Kaew. This is perfectly fair as it is, as @vinapupoints out, the most impportant religious shrine in the country. You cannot enter the Grand Palace on its own.

[Guest]

I don't have a problem with taxation funded palaces charging only foreigners.

However, I dislike the principle of baht buses at the Northern Bus station trying to charge me 6x the price, when their costs are the same.  However, this is also not a problem, since I can choose to avoid that bus station and use the far superior Airport bus service.  Then pay the same as the Thais on one of the regulated Baht bus routes.

I'm also unimpressed by malpractice that affects both locals and Farang.  Such as the 30 Baht fares in Chiang Mai, when it is between 8 and 12 Baht in most cities.   The 30 Baht doesn't bother me, as I can afford it and actually walk almost everywhere anyway.  60 Baht to and from work would be painful for someone on a low wage.

Or in places like Laos, towns like Paakse have closed their central bus station.  Everyone now has to get off about 5 miles out of town and takes a songthaew that costs almost as much as the long distance bus.  Everyone was paying the same, but it's still a scam. 

 

[Gaybutton]

6 hours ago, PeterRS said:

I agree 100% with @vinapu. enter the Grand Palace on its own.

I agree about 90%.  Dual pricing is not a "one size fits all."  There some things where I would agree dual pricing is fair.  Others where I think it is unfair and unacceptable.

Also, I know of no standard amount or percentage more that foreigners should pay as opposed to Thais.  Some of the actual amounts are fair enough.  Others are my idea of price gouging and sheer greed.  And sometimes I wonder just who it was who decided that dual pricing at this venue or that venue should even exist, along with how much more foreigners should be charged.  Sometimes it is reasonable and sometimes it is outrageous.

In short, when it is truly fair I have no problem with it.  But sometimes I see it as nothing more than a scam and rip-off.  When that happens I usually won't go to that venue.  I'll just have to try to survive somehow without going wherever that was.