What has Delayed or Stopped your return to Thailand?

[bucknaway]

What has prevented or delayed my return to Thailand? Well, I initially had every intention of going back. I absolutely adored the food, the aromas, the culture, the shopping, and the diverse people. However, one factor that started to put me off was the rapidly increasing cost of enjoying a show at a bar. When I first arrived, I had no problem treating a group of two or three guys at a gogo bar, even handing out 100 baht notes for them to tip their preferred performers. But soon enough, the prices began to rise, along with the demands for tips from the waitstaff. A 300 baht drink often came with a demand for a 100 baht tip to the waiter. That 300 baht beer quickly turned into a 400 baht beer, and the same 100 baht tip was expected. Consequently, I stopped taking groups with me to the bars, rarely buying guys drinks. If I found someone I liked enough, I would tip him 100 baht two or three times during my time at the bar. It never failed that the guy would approach me just as I was leaving.

Then I had an encounter with Brazil... The drink prices at the show bars were a little over $1 USD, and the tips for the bar staff were under $1 USD. The guys were like catalog underwear models, filling the bar. There was no shortage of guys with plump asses and impressive endowments. The food left much to be desired, but the beaches and nightlife made up for it. Uber and the subway were incredibly affordable, and the gogo bars, dance clubs with dark rooms, and places like Black Cat and Taurus, not to mention all the sex spots in Sao Paulo, were mind-blowing. Hanging out with a local who took me to numerous parks, saunas, and private houses, I was ready to surrender and put up an "out of order" sign on my body just to get some rest. When my three-week trip came to an end, I was astounded by how little I had spent, not holding back on anything. I started to view Thailand as a place that tried to drain as much money from you as possible for a night out, while Brazil enticed you to return frequently and enjoy yourself with its economical prices and attractive, sexy guys.

The guys in Thailand, as I remember, possessed beautiful legs, sculpted asses, interesting anatomy, and were sexually adventurous. Their Asian looks and features were truly something to treasure. On the other hand, the guys in Brazil seemed like they were plucked straight from the hottest magazines or featured in the most tantalizing pornography. When I closed my eyes, I could fantasize about them. Due to these and other reasons, I haven't rushed back to Thailand. However, as I plan my return, I intend to reduce my visits to the bars and focus more on the food and culture in Thailand before I rush back to Brazil.

[fedssocr]

It's a great big world out there with lots to offer in so many places. No need for any explanation really.

Thailand certainly has a lot to offer beyond the bars as well. Enjoy your visit 

[TMax]

Quote

What has Delayed or Stopped your return to Thailand?

For me it has been a combination of things, a couple of operations, deaths in family and also of friends (far too many), a lack of direct flights and lately the Australian dollar has turned to shit. All that added up to knock the interest to travel out of me but hoping to get that interest back soon but just when is anyone's guess. 

[zombie]

OP: Interesting about the wonders of Brazil etc.

However, for those of us living in Asia the time and cost of a return trip from say for eg Bangkok to Rio is sky high. Plus, each leg of the journey involves a couple of days travelling.

So, whatever the better prices in Brazil the cost and travel time getting there is a deterrent.

 

 

[PeterRS]

I made 2 trips to South America from Asia - one to Brazil and the second to Argentina, Chile and Peru. Both were wonderful although neither would have been possible financially had I not had a ton of air miles for business class. Both required 2 overnight flights there and back. I believe it can now be done with much better connections. Rather than fly through Europe I would probably go via Sydney or Auckland.

I wish I could return as I loved almost everything on those trips. But with my now having few air miles to use, like @zombie it would be impossible, no matter how much I would love to do so.

Getting back to the topic, though, I have also found air fares to Europe from Bangkok have risen quite dramatically. Inevitably, when combined with high inflation rates and massive losses from years of covid, this has to have an effect on numbers travelling long distances to Thailand. On the other hand, during my regular travels in Asia I come across so many younger guys who have first or return trips to Thailand planned. But in general these guys do not replace the slowly disappearing expats and visitors from Australia and the west as their nightlife interests are mostly different. Massages with HEs, saunas with their friends to meet other Asian guys and dancing at clubs like DJ station seem much higher on their wish lists.  

[floridarob]

I feel the same about Brasil, as I have written here many times.....but have a Sept trip to Thailand and Bali planned. I know it's a rainy month in BKK, but also return more for the food and massage. Not so interested in the go-go bars as I once was, usually end up with some sort of disappointment.... some of which I blame on customers paying guys even though they don't do as "advertised" or agreed to. This has created a business model of promise everything, do as little as possible and still get paid. I's been a trend for a long while, didn't happen overnight.

[KhorTose]

My partner really likes living in Seattle.  He has not been the least bit homesick.  Nevertheless, we will return for a month in November just to get back in personal touch with friends and family.  Seven plus years since we left Thailand.  Will we be shocked?

[Boy69]

On 5/31/2023 at 12:22 AM, bucknaway said:

What has prevented or delayed my return to Thailand?

1. Substantial increase prices of drinks, off fees and fees to the boys.

2. Declined of the gay zones. 

3. Government restrictions like limiting the opening hours, dress codes of the working boys banding fuck shows attc. 

4. Better opportunities at other countries especially South America. 

[Olddaddy]

2 hours ago, KhorTose said:

My partner really likes living in Seattle.  He has not been the least bit homesick.  Nevertheless, we will return for a month in November just to get back in personal touch with friends and family.  Seven plus years since we left Thailand.  Will we be shocked?

Wow 😳

7 years ! It's gone fast 

[azdr0710]

the humidity - even in "high season"......

yes, I live in the desert