Cambodian mystery and Thai solution - first trip of 2023

[GWMinUS]

Vinapu, I am sure many of us have had similar experiences with Asian men!

Mine more so in the Philippines. I once invested heavily in a new friend from online with plans for him to meet me in Cebu City. He lived in Cagayan de Oro. So to make it a short story, he asked for my help with getting his Teachers Certificate, USD100. I agreed. I bought him a Ticket to fly to Cebu, USD 75. However, he said he had to change the date because of a job interview. Of course the Ticket was not refundable. So changed the Ticket, USD35. Then he sent me a sad massage, he had gone to the Airport for the flight and they would not let him board because his Photo ID was not valid. Of course I went to the Airline Office to try to resolve all this. And paid an extra fee to reissue the Ticket USD25. Finally he said his Sister would not let him fly to Cebu to meet me. At that point my plans with him were gone and so was a goodly amount of my budget. But life goes on...

CHEERS

[Boy69]

All I can say is that V saw Vinapu as walking ATM a big opportunity to squeeze as much money as he can from the situation once he realized that Vinapu is not a naive falang as he thought he  disappeared. Sometimes sheet happens in life all we can do is forget about it and move on.

Regarding that didn't V want to fly with Vinapu at the same flight I think there's simple explanation he didn’t want to be seen together with  older falang .

[12is12]

"To this day  nobody came with plausible explanation as why he wanted me to go separate and earlier at that." 

Occam's razor - "The simplest explanation is the likely the correct one": he didnt want to spend time with u, or - per Boy 69 - he didnt want to be seen with u.

[12is12]

1 hour ago, GWMinUS said:

am sure many of us have had similar experiences with Asian men!

Simple rule: NO NO NO pre payments.

[Ryanqqq]

I was really hoping for a better turnout but it is what it is. It was a calculated risk and we’ve seen a nicer result in most of Vinapu’s adventures so we’ll just wait for the better stories I’m sure will come out.

[reader]

And sometimes a more obscure reason may actually be the one in play. I discount "I don't want to be seen with him" for two reasons. First, they could have just taken seats remote from one another. Second, this guy works publicly in a popular bar in he country's largest city where he can easily be observed in the company of numerous foreigners. Despite his claims he doesn't go with customers, it's fair to assume this wouldn't be his first rodeo.

Then you have the mysterious "delivery" on he evening he was scheduled to meet Vinapu in PP. It's unlikely it was a shipment of dragon fruit from China. And then there was the request for a new suitcase that PC had been counting on Vinapu to deliver to him on arrival.

If you were planning to bring something surreptitiously into another country, wouldn't it be nice if you could somehow get another person to carry your bag--and on a separate flight--because your own baggage exceeded what was allowed (or some other excuse).

Perhaps he got cold feet at the last minute as he began to realize Vinapu wasn't about to buy such a yarn. Maybe he ended up using the ticket Vinapu had purchased for him and went about his business in Bangkok?

In hindsight, it's easy to see the red flags popping up. But in the heat of the chase, we're all subject to being thrown off the scent by the cloudy mist of lust and attraction.

And there's always the possibility that there was nothing untoward going on here, aside from a deceptive young man trying his best to extract rewards for services he had no intention on delivering.

 

[Aux1010]

On 2/15/2023 at 3:03 PM, vinapu said:

Few pictures of Okay Boutique hotel , my room and view from the restaurant on top floor

Hi Vinapu, thanks for another entertaining report!!....even if things didn't go as planned..I know how frustrating that can be!

Did you have any issues / extra charges etc for joiners / visitors at Okay Boutique?

I always use to stay at China Wind Hotel (aka Wind Holiday Hotel) when in Phnom Penh. It was pretty average, but I stayed there as it was easy walking / crawling distance to Toolbox Bar (my favourite bar in SEA / anywhere) and no issues with visitors. When I'd previously enquired with other nearby hotels in the area if they charged a joiner's fee they said they did, but whether that's actually enforced I have no idea.

I would love to visit PP again, but haven't been back since Toolbox closed and feel I may not have much fun (or at-least any where near as much fun) there as I did previously.

[fedssocr]

Sounds like a bullet dodged. I wonder if he has some sort of substance abuse issue.

[ichigo]

So sorry to hear that your plans went a bit pear-shaped! Here's hoping the rest of your trip is successful!

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, DenverDude said:

I wish you would post the pictures now so that the rest of us can steer clear of him.

btw I'm not very active here but I love reading your posts.

Thank you , YOU HAVE A GOOD HEART.

as for pictures, no. I don't have such habit plus even if tempted I wouldn't post until I hear his side if the story as there's remote but still real possibility that by dumping and ghosting me he saved me from bigger trouble, either by coincidence or even by design. 

[12is12]

It's u who has a good heart!

Ater all he has done/said and not done/said, to speculate that his intentions toward u might have been benign - attests to a saint-like heart.

[vinapu]

14 minutes ago, 12is12 said:

It's u who has a good heart!

Ater all he has done/said and not done/said, to speculate that his intentions toward u might have been benign - attests to a saint-like heart.

remember what I said here 2 158 964 times, my second worst and THE BEST off ever were with the same guy two  years apart.

Later on we will  return to that story and it will be another uplifting one about reunion with guy who dumped me in Nov over my complains about his excessive phone use  and turned sweeter than honey only 3 months later. 

[caeron]

 

Sorry it didn't work out. 

Lots of us buy lottery tickets knowing we're unlikely to win, but it's fun to dream and who knows? As long as you don't spend more than you can afford, where's the harm?

[vinapu]

16 hours ago, Boy69 said:

All I can say is that V saw Vinapu as walking ATM a big opportunity to squeeze as much money as he can from the situation once he realized that Vinapu is not a naive falang as he thought he  disappeared. 

 

 I guess you must be right. It's still puzzling me that he forfeited whole deal as from financial point of view he was bound to make quite a buck based on our agreement. Clearly not enough for him I guess though

 

16 hours ago, Boy69 said:

Regarding that didn't V want to fly with Vinapu at the same flight I think there's simple explanation he didn’t want to be seen together with  older falang .

15 hours ago, 12is12 said:

 

Occam's razor - "The simplest explanation is the likely the correct one": he didnt want to spend time with u, or - per Boy 69 - he didnt want to be seen with u.

You guys may be right but something tells me it was not a reason. He could simply suggest the I should pretend I don't know him and it's what I suggested but answer was very clear ' you should go first".

 

15 hours ago, 12is12 said:

Simple rule: NO NO NO pre payments.

lesson learned. I doubt I ever will forward money before slipping my hand into boy's jeans first. It was bit costly tuition but tuition it was. 

When one looks at whole financial side of the affair it was not him who benefited the most but various airlines. All he got was  200 $ for shopping and 15 $ for bringing me to the hotel from airport. Total 215 ?

his ticket to BKK -175 $ my second ticket when he requested separate flight 80$, my third ticket when I decided to cut my time in PP short 75 $, bottle of wine 17$, money lost on cancelling original hotel reservation 10$. Total 357 $

15 hours ago, Ryanqqq said:

I was really hoping for a better turnout but it is what it is. It was a calculated risk and we’ve seen a nicer result in most of Vinapu’s adventures so we’ll just wait for the better stories I’m sure will come out.

And so did I.

Risk was calculated indeed  and I understood that it's on his side as well since we never spent really time together. It's why we ironed  almost everything before I even set off. 

When I recall those first few days after we connected and how thrilled  I was then I tend to think it was still worth expense and being burdened  with subsequent disappointment. Call me stupid  but I still smile. Yes , overall trip was very enjoyable and that affair while disappointed me , did not spoil my fun even close to degree one could expect. 

As I reported above , even my last night in PP was VERY pleasant and pleasing affair.

[vinapu]

10 hours ago, reader said:

..... I discount "I don't want to be seen with him" for two reasons. First, they could have just taken seats remote from one another. Second, this guy works publicly in a popular bar in he country's largest city where he can easily be observed in the company of numerous foreigners..........

........ And then there was the request for a new suitcase that PC had been counting on Vinapu to deliver to him on arrival.

If you were planning to bring something surreptitiously into another country, wouldn't it be nice if you could somehow get another person to carry your bag--and on a separate flight--because your own baggage exceeded what was allowed (or some other excuse).

Perhaps he got cold feet at the last minute as he began to realize Vinapu wasn't about to buy such a yarn. Maybe he ended up using the ticket Vinapu had purchased for him and went about his business in Bangkok?

In hindsight, it's easy to see the red flags popping up. But in the heat of the chase, we're all subject to being thrown off the scent by the cloudy mist of lust and attraction.

And there's always the possibility that there was nothing untoward going on here, aside from a deceptive young man trying his best to extract rewards for services he had no intention on delivering.

 

I like your analysis. It goes along my lines of thinking then and now. When I entered car he was clearly disappointed that I don't have that new shiny suitcase with me to a degree I was even surprised. Dark cloud going through his face was visible even if it was just second or two.

Red flags were notice but I chose to take a chance and go ahead. In hindsight I should stop right there when request to change flights was made but I was not in mood to blow a deal I was dreaming about over such trivial matter.

Now , after all dust settled I tend to think underscored part was his real motive.  But if it was a case another question needs to be asked - why he told his former bar friend about that trip  if he was not even planning to go ? 

[vinapu]

10 hours ago, Aux1010 said:

Did you have any issues / extra charges etc for joiners / visitors at Okay Boutique?

 

I only brought one guy , on my second night but no, not a problem at all. I met him on the street in front of hotel and we entered together. Guy on reception saw us waiting for an elevator for quite a while but did not care.

No problem with guest at Saravoan in Oct 2022 either , night guard just opened gate and smiled oiled with some banknote.

[vinapu]

10 hours ago, fedssocr said:

Sounds like a bullet dodged. I wonder if he has some sort of substance abuse issue.

no idea , I don't know those things but noticed unusually yellow eyes.

10 hours ago, ichigo said:

Here's hoping the rest of your trip is successful!

It was , at end of day whole thing was covered by half full part of glass

7 hours ago, caeron said:

 it's fun to dream and who knows? As long as you don't spend more than you can afford, where's the harm?

It's why I'm not bitter, as said above on recollection of first few days after he contacted me I still smile. Broadly.

Sure I spend some money and it was mostly wasted as per specification above  but may be it was just price for that dream.

I suspect he may be losing more sleep then me over it as money he forfeited by those antics was , at least for Cambodia, substantial

[vinapu]

Day 5

 I did not mention I will be leaving soon and there was no need as in the morning he rushed to his day time job , just giving me enough time to have breakfast and pack up .  I had that bottle of red wine I forgot to give CCP and  presented her to my tuk-tuk driver who took me to airport.  He was quite surprised that his quoted fare of 8 $ included getting bottle, lol. Hope he did not try it on his way back to the city.

Sitting on the plane all emotions  related to this affair left me , all of then sudden I realized I have 5 days free to roam fortified with 30000 baht CCP decided to leave in my pocket by pissing on our deal. At noon I was in Swampy already. Immigration was breeze. Hour later I  was checking into Rose. It was my first time there and I liked what I saw. Super location in quiet corner steps from Suriwong, room with the view. Only thing I did not like was washbasin in the  toilet, way too low. Clearly aimed at people much shorter than I’m. 

 I went for  a stroll and crossing Silom I spotted one of  boys known to me with handsome farang. Because we exchanged few PMs on the subject of said guy I suspected I  knew who farang is but they were in rush and I had blackout forgetting farang’s nick so did not stop them either. Later on fired PM to him to confirm it was him and it was a case indeed. So to 31 forum members I met I add one whom I just passed by chance, lol.

G’bangkok in soi 4 was busy so I went for dinner to Happy Beer Garden greeted warmly by one of waitresses who by coincidence had birthday today as whispered by other waiter. So treated her with big bottle of Chang.

Then to Hot Male beer bar, had few drinks with P , my first night stand and then decided to check Jupiter’s show.

Bar was packed. As always boys were  first class look but smiles lacking, nothing new here .After show and it was midnight I decided to leave passing by few their guys standing by the door including one quite muscular and handsome like hell. I was already outside when Guardian Angel pushed me back inside so I asked that guy about drink. We sat down and made deal very fast. Boy drink and off fee 950, gave mamasan 1000 baht note and couldn’t get a change so after few minutes decided   to leave. If somebody will wonder why on my next visit or two at Jupiter I will not tip , there’s answer, that self service.

Boy, J,  was hungry and suggested modestly Foodland but inside was less modest ordering their most expensive dish, some steak. No harm done and Bon Appetit.  

In the room  was very active and pleasant. World is coming to an end, another Jupiter off I’m so happy with. I never thought I will live that long! Too bad he did not want to stay till morning. Tipped him generously though as it was well deserved but as always  I denied request for  taxi money. What was supposed to be my last night in PP turned to be my first in Rose. Nice to be back in Bangkok, it took less than a day for me to get over and forget whole CCP debacle like it never happened.

[alvnv]

4 minutes ago, vinapu said:

no idea , I don't know those things but noticed unusually yellow eyes.

Yellow as in jaundice?

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, alvnv said:

Yellow as in jaundice?

something like that

[vinapu]

few pics from Rose hotel as it's rarely mentioned in the forum

 

 

 

[bkkmfj2648]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

Sitting on the plane all emotions  related to this affair left me , all of then sudden I realized I have 5 days free to roam fortified with 30000 baht CCP decided to leave in my pocket by pissing on our deal.

and this, Vinapu, is what made the 2nd part of your trip a blast - CCP's substantial monetary loss became the gain for the guys in Thailand - and I am sure that you brought many happy smiles with that sum....

[vinapu]

18 minutes ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

 and I am sure that you brought many happy smiles with that sum....

rest assured I did

[GWMinUS]

16 hours ago, reader said:

Then you have the mysterious "delivery" on he evening he was scheduled to meet Vinapu in PP. It's unlikely it was a shipment of dragon fruit from China. And then there was the request for a new suitcase that PC had been counting on Vinapu to deliver to him on arrival.

If you were planning to bring something surreptitiously into another country, wouldn't it be nice if you could somehow get another person to carry your bag--and on a separate flight--because your own baggage exceeded what was allowed (or some other excuse).

WOW now we have an Inspector Clouseau mystery...

[alvnv]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

something like that

He could be seriously sick. Could that be one of the clues for his disappearance? In some countries there’s mandatory isolation for active hepatitis A 🤔

Of course that does not explain all other stunts he performed