First Trip Report: Bangkok September 2023

[CallMeLee]

Day 3

Spent a good part of the early morning catching up with work and by around brunch time, I am having a dilemma which app to order my nourishment from: Grabfood or Grindr. Obviously I chose the latter. The novelty of being able to have such service delivered to your doorstep during a work break is so appealing to me.

Since it's a bit early, Grindr was relatively quiet yet the selection is decent. After 40 minutes, I am making my way down to fetch my mid morning snack - a hunky guy from Myanmar. I asked him if we could buy something to eat first before going up. He said yes but I guess it took a while for him to understand given the bewildered look on his face when I started walking towards the street.

He started to relax and became more chatty when we enter my apartment. We had the usual conversation exchanges (where you from?, first time in Bangkok?, how long you stay?) while finishing our snacks. 

He then stood up and asked if he can go shower. With Ghanaian guy using the extra towel last night, I went fiddling through the drawer looking for some fresh towels when I heard the magic words "come with me?" Of course, Who am I to decline? 

After another steamy session, he stayed for around half an hour more with us cuddled up and him showing me some memes and funny videos some of which I couldn't understand (but gave it a polite chuckle). After he left, I threw the towels in the washer and hang it out to dry for future BFs to use. Definitely a disadvantage of being in an air bnb.

Decided to do some retail therapy this time so off I went to platinum mall. Nothing has changed much since I went last year except more and more shops are doing live stream selling while looking after walk-in customers as well. Talk about multitasking! I went straight to the top floor where the food court is and was pleased to see that the lunch swell has finished. There's a couple of stalls that have Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction one of them a Hainanese Chicken stall that I always go to. One order is around 70 baht but serving size is quite small so I always order two and requests that they put it in one plate to make me look less of a glutton. I then paired it with Mango sticky rice and Thai iced tea (a.k.a my Platinum Meal). Old habits are hard to break. 

After buying a couple of stuff, I went back to the apartment to rest and prepare for the night. Got myself some decent cheese and a bottle of wine which turned out to be a letdown. Any tips where to find good wine here in Bangkok?

When the time was ripe, it was decided that freshboys will be the destination tonight. I was careful walking past Screwboys as the guy working there that I met a couple of days back is getting a tad too dramatic with his confessions of love and proposals to be together. When I stopped replying, the messages escalated to another level of drama. I am hoping that the translation app he uses causes this.

Stepping inside, the first person to greet me was Nam. He's working in there as a waiter and I did offed him last time I was there. His face brightened up gave me a hug and asked if I remember him.

Just for context, while Nam is good-looking, he's not the usual guy you would off especially if youre after a guy with good built (he's medium built with a baby paunch) and he's not as well endowed down there unlike the guys on stage. However, what sets him apart from others in my book is quite personal. He's a dead ringer/doppleganger of my first highschool crush who's also my best friend. The resemblance including the height, built, dimples, playful demeanor is just uncanny. The only and huge difference I know is that my highschool crush is next level conservative and ultra religious. So I guess Nam brings something extra to the table: the fantasy / nostalgia of a previously "forbidden fruit" now within my reach. For some reason, there's still that feeling of giddiness and warmth when Nam sits next to me and showers me with attention. 

So I stayed there for the whole night. If I have to be honest, this is my least favourite bar and would be in the bottom of my list if Nam is not in there. The only reason for this  is it seems that people working there are a tad more "in your face" when asking customers for tips and drinks. I am not being naive and acknowledges that bar workers from Mamasan, touts, waiters, bar guys are after tips and would squeeze out every opportunity to make it happen. Maybe it's just me but I prefer a bit more subtlety rather than for example one of the waiters asking me for tip the moment he puts down my first drink. Or the Mamasan asking "you buy me drink?" After asking my name and where I'm from.

But going back to the happy part. I was enjoying the show especially with my imaginary highschool sweetheart Nam, sitting by my side,  lots of cuddling, flirting and his hands wandering  around my body with his mischievous bedimpled smile convincing me that "we go home together tonight". 

And we did. 

At least in Bangkok, this nerdy, socially awkward and closeted highschool guy's dream came true.

[reader]

31 minutes ago, CallMeLee said:

Any tips where to find good wine here in Bangkok?

Wine Connection on lower level of Silom Complex (on your left as you enter). Quite acceptable bottle in 500-600 baht range.

[fedssocr]

that's such a sweet story

[vinapu]

8 hours ago, scott456 said:

That is not tipping, that's bribing.

don't even try to be purist, after all all tipping is bribing. After all people are getting extra money for just doing their job.

[scott456]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

don't even try to be purist, after all all tipping is bribing. After all people are getting extra money for just doing their job.

Tipping after service is tipping.  Tipping before service is bribing.

But some people may never understand my point anyway. 

[vinapu]

15 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

With Ghanaian guy using the extra towel last night, I went fiddling through the drawer looking for some fresh towels

........

 He's a dead ringer/doppleganger of my first highschool crush who's also my best friend. The resemblance including the height, built, dimples, playful demeanor is just uncanny.

good your brought valid point - towels problem which may arise if we entertain more than one guest per day. In some hotels is easy to get extra one , some  may charge for the privilege ( I think Raya does) but definitely we need to take it into consideration. Few times I resorted even to going to the market and buying one or taking extra one from home. Got my lesson few trips ago when Grindr guy visiting in day time was bit offended when I presented him with towel which was obviously used previously (by me).

......

In Senso used to me guy nicked M, we had great chemistry and on top of his good looks and excellent massage skills I liked him for exactly the same reason, he reminded me , including voice, my childhood friend ( just friend )  

[CallMeLee]

Day 4

With my pretend BF Nam leaving, I am once again single and excited to explore what this city can offer.

One thing I was so curious about is how people in this forum have talked extensively about the different massage shops in the Saphan Kwai neighbourhood. The reviews seems to be a  mixed bag but I am curious to try it myself. 

I exchanged Line message with Kman and 15M. They responded flooding my phone with photos of their lineup for the day. I can easily identify 3-4 guys from each of their offerings so I decided to risk it and go in there without reservation.

Given my general lack of sense of direction, I decided to take a grab taxi which, given that it's non peak hours, only cost 130 baht. I am running out of funds so I set the drop off to Saphan Kwai station. Halfway there, it started to rain  like crazy I started to worry ill get soaked. Luckily, the rain stopped a few minutes before we arrived. I immediately scanned the area and can't find any bank or ATM machine nearby. I tried my luck climbing up the station hoping there's a machine and there it was.

Before dispensing cash, this particular ATM machine quotes an exchange rate and asks you to confirm if you accept it. I usually press "no" and from experience, my online banking statement looks like I  saved around 25 to 30 USD from my 10k baht withdrawal. Not an expert so I can't explain why.

After placing cash in my wallet, I looked to the right and lo and behold, I saw KMan's signage! So I made my way down the station towards Kman.

I was expecting that the place will be on the rough side like Arena but I was wrong. Downstairs was decent, I was given a bottle of water and their iPad to browse through their menu. I chose a masseur named Dang and minutes later he went down to meet me, take my footwear and take me to the room.

Disappointingly, the room I was given don't have a private bathroom but luckily it's just opposite my room. Dang just smiled and used his hands to direct me to the shower.

He then took a shower and returned to our temporary love nest. He looked at me and started speaking in Thai which I responded with a confused look. We had a good laugh and he said he thought I am Thai. This kinda broke the ice.

Dang gave a more than decent massage although he lags behind Knott from S'sense who I think will be the standard for this trip. Saving grace is he's not the type that will spend so much time massaging your feet. He gave each body part generous attention.

When it's time for the more interesting part, he asked me to lie on my back and gave me a body to body massage which was actually pleasant. It progressed further from there. He's a bit shy and would constantly look at me sheepishly smiling. Kinda threw me off guard but I decided to ignore it. Tried planting as much kisses as I can and he welcomed it all. "You like to fuck please?" He asked. I chuckled in my head and nodded. How can I say no if he asked so politely!

We finished and of course he got more than the minimum tip under his profile. I kinda like this system of having minimum tips as it removes the guesswork and makes the transaction more straightforward. If unsatisfied, Just give the minimum tip and add a bit more if its the other way around.

Not quite sure if ill make an effort to come back to this area. It's really out of the way and not worth the travel if you're only visiting one shop. I made a mental note of possibly book a hotel in the area for a day  to sample everything Saphan Kwai can offer. Maybe two nights to include a Chatuchak shopping trip?

I should have taken the BTS back to my apartment but I wasn't thinking properly in a post coital phase. Got stuck in the grab taxi for 1.5 hours but I entertained myself by browsing through Grindr. 

Ghanian guy seemed to have seen me online and sent me a Line message. He asked if I want to meet up and I replied ill let him know after dinner what my plans are. He responded cheekily  inviting himself to dinner and then back to my place for drinks. He quoted same price as before but told me not to be shy to tip (he's learning from previous experience!). I looked outside and the impending rain looks a bit daunting so I decided to cancel bar plans tonight in favour of my gorgeous Ghanaian mate.

[reader]

For future reference, BTS should take you less than half-hour, regardless of time of day, between Sala Daeng and Saphan Kwai.

Kudos for K-Man but can also recommend One Spa (about a 15-miute walk from station) on nearby Sutthisan Winitchai Road. Further down same road you'll find KK Massage which is associated with K-Man.

 

 

[omega]

40 minutes ago, CallMeLee said:

Given my general lack of sense of direction, I decided to take a grab taxi which, given that it's non peak hours, only cost 130 baht. I am running out of funds so I set the drop off to Saphan Kwai station. Halfway there, it started to rain  like crazy I started to worry ill get soaked. Luckily, the rain stopped a few minutes before we arrived. I immediately scanned the area and can't find any bank or ATM machine nearby. I tried my luck climbing up the station hoping there's a machine and there it was.

The choice is whether you want the transaction done in the local currency or in your home currency. If you choose your home currency, the bank that runs the ATM or Card terminal will charge their exchange fees for doing the currency conversion.

Generally its better to chose local currency, especially so if you have a debit/credit card that charges 0% fees on foriegn transactions. (Usually you are just charged the mastercard/visa transaction fee)

You might find it cheaper to have it done in your home currency if you have an exceptionally high fee % on your card for foriegn transactions.

[ichigo]

11 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

He looked at me and started speaking in Thai which I responded with a confused look.

I get this all the time too! 

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, ichigo said:

I get this all the time too! 

nothing wrong with  looking as Thai

[vinapu]

15 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

 

Before dispensing cash, this particular ATM machine quotes an exchange rate and asks you to confirm if you accept it. I usually press "no" and from experience, my online banking statement looks like I  saved around 25 to 30 USD from my 10k baht withdrawal. Not an expert so I can't explain why.

 

You did right thing. If you answer yes they will use so called  "dynamic exchange rate" which is less favorable for you . You decline , your bank will use their exchange rate and you end up paying bit less for your amount of foreign currency . The same applies when purchase is done by credit card , always decline conversion to your currency and get charged  in local one, be it baht , tala or taka

[ichigo]

9 hours ago, vinapu said:

nothing wrong with  looking as Thai

I like it actually! One day I would like to reply back in Thai!

[CallMeLee]

10 hours ago, vinapu said:

nothing wrong with  looking as Thai

100% correct! 

If there is, I won't be able to explain my yearly pilgrimage to Thailand since 2016. 

On a serious note, I guess this reinforces the fact that the massage shops in Saphan Kwai area are more targeted towards the locals?

[10tazione]

12 hours ago, vinapu said:

You did right thing. If you answer yes they will use so called  "dynamic exchange rate" which is less favorable for you . You decline , your bank will use their exchange rate and you end up paying bit less for your amount of foreign currency . The same applies when purchase is done by credit card , always decline conversion to your currency and get charged  in local one, be it baht , tala or taka

Exchanging cash in TH is still the most economic option (if you don't have a bank account in TH).

Withdrawing cash from ATM, adding Thai ATM fee, conversion rate of my local bank (3% less than bank interchange rate) plus fees of my local bank, means about 5% loss to bank interchange rate. Exchanging cash in TH gives you below 1% loss (was even better before Covid, I think?).

[Keithambrose]

On 9/21/2023 at 11:30 PM, vinapu said:

good your brought valid point - towels problem which may arise if we entertain more than one guest per day. In some hotels is easy to get extra one , some  may charge for the privilege ( I think Raya does) but definitely we need to take it into consideration. Few times I resorted even to going to the market and buying one or taking extra one from home. Got my lesson few trips ago when Grindr guy visiting in day time was bit offended when I presented him with towel which was obviously used previously (by me).

......

In Senso used to me guy nicked M, we had great chemistry and on top of his good looks and excellent massage skills I liked him for exactly the same reason, he reminded me , including voice, my childhood friend ( just friend )  

One advantage of Le Meredien is plenty of towels. 4 bath towels in room!

[scott456]

On 9/21/2023 at 5:30 AM, CallMeLee said:

Day 3

I asked him if we could buy something to eat first before going up. He said yes but I guess it took a while for him to understand given the bewildered look on his face when I started walking towards the street.

1.  I don't enjoy sex right after a meal.

2. You could have brought him to your room and ordered room service in the comfort and convenience of your hotel room.

[scott456]

16 hours ago, vinapu said:

nothing wrong with  looking as Thai

You will be treated better in Thailand if you have light/white skin.

[10tazione]

1 hour ago, Keithambrose said:

One advantage of Le Meredien is plenty of towels. 4 bath towels in room!

that explains the room rate!

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, CallMeLee said:

....this reinforces the fact that the massage shops in Saphan Kwai area are more targeted towards the locals?

definitely correct and minimum tips as well as massage fees are reflecting that.  But everybody is welcomed and usually there's somebody who speaks bit of English so no reason to skip  visiting those shops

4 hours ago, 10tazione said:

Exchanging cash in TH is still the most economic option

Withdrawing cash from ATM, adding Thai ATM fee, conversion rate of my local bank (3% less than bank interchange rate) plus fees of my local bank, means about 5% loss to bank interchange rate. Exchanging cash in TH gives you below 1% loss

fully agree, I only use ATM when my cash inevitably runs out toward end of trip . Even then I try to withdrew 20000 or 25 000 if machine allows  to reduce impact of those fees ( 220 in Thailand and 125 here per withdrawal ).

I can also buy baht here locally and rate works to about the same I'd be exchanging money in the airport before customs ( better rates at train station but those booths are closing at night and often most pressing need after arrival is money for taxi.

 

[vinapu]

29 minutes ago, scott456 said:

You will be treated better in Thailand if you have light/white skin.

you right but I haste to add I don't need to be treated better than I was so far. Smile and reputation for being handy ATM certainly helps

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, Keithambrose said:

One advantage of Le Meredien is plenty of towels. 4 bath towels in room!

22 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

that explains the room rate!

good to know although for me staying in say, Baan Silom probably will be still more economical to buy 1-2 towels a day and threw them out.

On another hand I'm tempted to try Meridien after so many good feedbacks, Most trip I like to treat myself with 1-2 night in multistar shack or big room in cheaper one. My soft spot are spacious rooms. 

[Tomtravel]

29 minutes ago, vinapu said:

buy 1-2 towels a day and threw them out.

We should think about sustainable consumption, Thai waste management system has long way to go and waste reduction helps a lot.🏊🏽‍♂️

[vinapu]

15 minutes ago, Tomtravel said:

We should think about sustainable consumption, Thai waste management system has long way to go and waste reduction helps a lot.🏊🏽‍♂️

while you are right, throwing towels out doesn't mean rubbish bean. Leave them on the rack and after we vacate  room I'm sure room service finds home for them.

[scott456]

2 hours ago, Tomtravel said:

We should think about sustainable consumption, Thai waste management system has long way to go and waste reduction helps a lot.🏊🏽‍♂️

Please recycle/reuse your boys as much as you can.