Bangkok Nov 2023 Observations

[Shax]

Hi all,

 

I've been reading (and benefiting) a lot from the reports made by members here, so I thought I'd make a little contribution by sharing my own report from a recent short trip to Bangkok. I'm not much of a storyteller, so I thought I'd just share my general observation as opposed to going on a day-to-day format.

 

For some context, I'm a Southeast Asian guy and my trip to Bangkok lasted only for short few days. It's my first trip to Bangkok since the pandemic, so I was just checking out what's changed since I was last there.

 

Bars

 

I was able to check out Tawan, Moonlight, Jupiter, Hotmale and Dreamboys during this short trip. Here are some of my observations:

 

Tawan: I was here twice, once each on a weekday and a weekend. Drinks for both nights were THB500 (didn't off anyone, so I didn't ask about the off fee). The new location was just too small for my liking, especially when compared to the other bars. It didn't help when the captain tried to squeeze patrons together (I guess I can understand why) which limits the possibility of me having a boy over to chat, seeing how others could clearly here my possibly not-so-decent conversations with the boy 🤣.

 

There were just one or two bodybuilders during the weekday (with a few more on the weekends) while the others (there were possibly around 10-15 guys on the weekday and a few more on the weekend) were more bear-ish, twunk-ish or twinks. The show still had the same format as before, with the bdsm routine coupled with a few dance/drag show. I didn't stay till the end of the show though. 

 

I noticed that the guys were a little more pre-occupied with their phones than trying to get the attention of new patrons (quite different from how I recall the guys there used to be). The only times I've seen them smile or greet patrons were when they seemed to know the patrons (presumably from previous experience)...or maybe I just have a resting bitch face that pushed them away. 😅 But I would have still offed a few of the guys there, hopefully in another trip.

 

To be continued...

 

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, Shax said:

 

 

Tawan: I was here twice, once each on a weekday and a weekend. Drinks for both nights were THB500 (didn't off anyone, so I didn't ask about the off fee).

 

off fee also 500

[Shax]

Cont...

Jupiter : I was also there twice, once on a weekday and once on a weekend. 1st drink was at THB 500. I didn't off anyone here as well. The models were all gorgeous that I don't think there's any single one that I wouldn't want to off 😅. Possibly the most number of models out of all the bars I managed to check out. On both days, there were a lot of patrons here (compared to other bars). Particularly on the weekend, it was so full that the waiters were struggling to find places to sit the incoming patrons. The shows were great, a mix of sexy shows and drag performances. I would echo the observations of other members on the general lack of smile or eye contact by models (I was seated facing the centre of the runway such that the models, when doing their rounds, would be seeing me face to face at a point but not a single one smiled). All in all, I had a good time there admiring the models and enjoying the shows. One thing I would note is that, perhaps a little different from what I've read previously, there were not that many female patrons on the weekday when I was there (I'd say less than 10, in a packed bar).

Hotmale : I was only here once on a weekday, close to midnight. It was after their show. There were probably less than 15 models there, and only a few other patrons. Drink prices were the same as others and I didn't off anyone here. The models were a mix of the generally fit/athletic type and twinks, and probably the most enthusiastic out of all the bars I went to. They would try to win your attention as much as they could while on stage.

 

Dreamboy : I also went here twice, once on a weekday and once on a weekend. Drinks were a little more expensive at THB 550 on both days. There was a variety of models available for off, ranging from twinks to jocks to muscle guys. I find the shows here to be the most interesting out of all (with the pyro act and flying angels etc.). Some of the models on stage will try to make eye contact and flash a smile, but others seemed rather disinterested. At least none were on their phone while on stage. There were quite a few I would love to off next time.

 

Moonlight : I went here twice as well. The drinks were priced at THB 500. I did off a boy from here (his drink + off fee = THB 900, if I'm not mistaken). The captain was very informative about the boys (who tops, btms etc.), told me about the minimum tip expected for an off (THB 2,500) and even went to pull out additional photos of the boys from his phone. The boys are generally of the same type as Jupiter. The guy I offed told me he remembered seeing me the previous day I was there (and he was right on when that was) so maybe the boys do take note of who sits in the audience? I noticed one particular boy who did give a lot of eye contact and smiles on and off stage, but I didn't off him this round (I went with the captain's recommendation). The shows were alright but maybe because I've seen videos of their models before that it wasn't that exciting in person. 

My ST experience with the boy was also good, and I would definitely off him again. It helped that I clarified what I was expecting to do with him at the bar, to which he confirmed to be OK with him. He is friendly and spoke fairly decent English.

 

Massage

I only managed to check out one massage centre, Arena.

The boys were all muscular guys that I could've easily gone with any of them. I chose one fair skinned Thai from the north and took the 1 hour VIP room oil milk massage (around THB 900 - big room and comes with tea/coffee. But for some reason, the shower room smelled a little off that even my guy commented on it). I was told that the minimum tip was THB 1000. His massage was a little too light for my liking (had to nudge him to increase the pressure) but it wasn't really bad (since I just wanted a relaxing massage anyway). The afters were alright, with some foreplay before he finished me off. He offered to finish as well for some extra tip (as it was pretty early in the afternoon) but I declined. I did still tip him more than the minimum since I enjoyed his company and conversation (even with limitations in the language department).

Those were some of my observations on the gogo bars and massage centre that I went to. I am already looking forward to my 2024 trips there, as there were a lot of guys from the bars I would love to off.

[jason1975]

Thanks so much for writing trip report. You must have really enjoyed yourself. So many bars in a few days!

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, jason1975 said:

You must have really enjoyed yourself. So many bars in a few days!

almost  like certain Jason from our board

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, Shax said:

 

Jupiter : One thing I would note is that, perhaps a little different from what I've read previously, there were not that many female patrons on the weekday when I was there (I'd say less than 10, in a packed bar).

count your blessings and buy lottery ticket although I must say girls usually behave in Jupiter with very little screeching noises so typical to BBB in Pattaya

4 hours ago, Shax said:

Dreamboy : I also went here twice, once on a weekday and once on a weekend. Drinks were a little more expensive at THB 550 on both days. 

...............................

 

Moonlight :  I noticed one particular boy who did give a lot of eye contact and smiles on and off stage, but I didn't off him this round (I went with the captain's recommendation). 

it looks Dreamboys is trying to follow their policy from soi Twilight when they were also most expensive bar (drink 650 if I recall correctly)

............

obviously you were happy with your boy but I'd generally go with boy who shows interest in me than follow mamasan's recommendations. Always try to go with the smile and avoid those who you notice are trying to avoid an eye contact with you even if you feel hots for the boy. 

Great report and I'm glad it reflects what I recall

 

[Shax]

2 hours ago, jason1975 said:

Thanks so much for writing trip report. You must have really enjoyed yourself. So many bars in a few days!

Haha yeah, I did enjoy myself and not just from the bar visits (mind you I was bar hopping almost every night lol). I managed to do a lot of the non-bar stuff too (e.g. visiting Khaosan Road, Asiatique, exploring the cafes around Silom and Sukhumvit, shopping etc.).

18 minutes ago, vinapu said:

obviously you were happy with your boy but I'd generally go with boy who shows interest in me than follow mamasan's recommendations. Always try to go with the smile and avoid those who you notice are trying to avoid an eye contact with you even if you feel hots for the boy. 

In hindsight, this would've probably been the better way but I guess seeing the hot guys after all this time kinda throws logic out of the window for a bit lol. But I do remember him, and would hope to off him on my next visit (if he still shows the same interest).

19 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Great report and I'm glad it reflects what I recall

 

Thanks @vinapu. The one thing I experienced quite differently perhaps from what you reported (and also my previous experience there) was the reaction of the boys in Tawan. For some reason, I felt a little unwelcomed by the guys there (or maybe I was just overthinking it). I would still visit again on my next trip to see how it'll go.

[Department_Of_Agriculture]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

it looks Dreamboys is trying to follow their policy from soi Twilight when they were also most expensive bar (drink 650 if I recall correctly)

Yes, thankfully. They have gone back to their Soi Twilight policy of "Only Thai Boys" and of having the most expensive drinks of any bar. First drink at Dream Boy was 550 baht on Soi Twilight in 2019, not 650 baht. In real terms however, their drink price today is actually lower than it was in 2019. Even if we take inflation at just 4% per year since 2019, the price of a drink at Dream Boy toady is 470 baht in 2019 terms. In real terms, prices have gone down, not up. Real inflation - especially urban inflation - has actually been higher than that since the pandemic, though.

Similarly, the average asking price for a short time at Dream Boy was 2,000 baht on Soi Twilight and that is still what many - or most - of them ask for. At 4% inflation, that now comes to about 1,700 baht in 2019 terms. Even the boys who ask for 2,500 baht today are only asking for fractionally more than the average Dream Boy price on Soi Twilight in real terms.

I. therefore, find it hard to agree when some people complain that Bangkok is now overpriced.

 

[10tazione]

7 hours ago, Shax said:

I didn't off 

I think you can still improve your ratio offs/bar visits lol, leading members here have a ratio near 2

 

[10tazione]

8 hours ago, Shax said:

Moonlight : I went here twice as well. The drinks were priced at THB 500. I did off a boy from here (his drink + off fee = THB 900,

Yes, 500 off fee, 400 boy drink, if my memory serves me right ...

[Keithambrose]

8 hours ago, Department_Of_Agriculture said:

Yes, thankfully. They have gone back to their Soi Twilight policy of "Only Thai Boys" and of having the most expensive drinks of any bar. First drink at Dream Boy was 550 baht on Soi Twilight in 2019, not 650 baht. In real terms however, their drink price today is actually lower than it was in 2019. Even if we take inflation at just 4% per year since 2019, the price of a drink at Dream Boy toady is 470 baht in 2019 terms. In real terms, prices have gone down, not up. Real inflation - especially urban inflation - has actually been higher than that since the pandemic, though.

Similarly, the average asking price for a short time at Dream Boy was 2,000 baht on Soi Twilight and that is still what many - or most - of them ask for. At 4% inflation, that now comes to about 1,700 baht in 2019 terms. Even the boys who ask for 2,500 baht today are only asking for fractionally more than the average Dream Boy price on Soi Twilight in real terms.

I. therefore, find it hard to agree when some people complain that Bangkok is now overpriced.

 

I agree. 

[vinapu]

15 hours ago, Shax said:

 

Thanks @vinapu. The one thing I experienced quite differently perhaps from what you reported (and also my previous experience there) was the reaction of the boys in Tawan. For some reason, I felt a little unwelcomed by the guys there (or maybe I was just overthinking it). 

To tell you the truth I could use a bit of not being welcomed there as attention and outstretched palms with tip requests are bit overwhelming at times so I wouldn't mind to be left alone for an hour or so.

[vinapu]

13 hours ago, Department_Of_Agriculture said:

I. therefore, find it hard to agree when some people complain that Bangkok is now overpriced.

 

Even if it will be I still like there  and Bangkok boys

[scott456]

Wether something is overpriced is highly subjective.  It depends on how much money you have, how much you like Thai boys, and how horny you are.

[PeterRS]

15 hours ago, Department_Of_Agriculture said:

Similarly, the average asking price for a short time at Dream Boy was 2,000 baht on Soi Twilight and that is still what many - or most - of them ask for. At 4% inflation, that now comes to about 1,700 baht in 2019 terms. Even the boys who ask for 2,500 baht today are only asking for fractionally more than the average Dream Boy price on Soi Twilight in real terms.

I. therefore, find it hard to agree when some people complain that Bangkok is now overpriced.

I agree completely and cannot understand why some complain about over pricing. When I first came to Bangkok and started regularly taking boys off in 1981, the expected short-time tips were 500 baht - at least that's what I paid. In those days of the baht being fixed against the US$, that was the equivalent of $20.

I find charts of annual inflation rather difficult to read. but I found one which calculates what 500 baht would be worth now after inflation. The rise in prices over that period was 251.02%. By my calculation (and I am no mathematician!) that means the equivalent now would be around 1,750 baht. That today is close to US$50.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, during the same period the inflation calculator shows a rise of 222% in the US$ buying power.

 

What the baht figure does not include, I believe, is the general rise in economic activity in the country and the substantial increase in the number of better paid jobs. As has been suggested in other threads, I assume this must have had some effect resulting in the reduced availability of Thai boys for the gogo bars in particular and consequently off prices and tips.

My view therefore is that all factors considered and over the much longer term, the figures illustrate that prices charged by bars for offs and the requested tips by the boys have actually gone down. 

[Department_Of_Agriculture]

On 11/19/2023 at 12:56 PM, Shax said:

I managed to do a lot of the non-bar stuff too (e.g. visiting Khaosan Road, Asiatique, exploring the cafes around Silom and Sukhumvit, shopping etc.).

Those are often the most interesting part a trip report and I am sure that most readers would be happy to hear about that part of your trip as well. At least I would.

[forrestreid]

16 hours ago, PeterRS said:

I agree completely and cannot understand why some complain about over pricing. When I first came to Bangkok and started regularly taking boys off in 1981, the expected short-time tips were 500 baht - at least that's what I paid. In those days of the baht being fixed against the US$, that was the equivalent of $20.

I find charts of annual inflation rather difficult to read. but I found one which calculates what 500 baht would be worth now after inflation. The rise in prices over that period was 251.02%. By my calculation (and I am no mathematician!) that means the equivalent now would be around 1,750 baht. That today is close to US$50.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, during the same period the inflation calculator shows a rise of 222% in the US$ buying power.

 

What the baht figure does not include, I believe, is the general rise in economic activity in the country and the substantial increase in the number of better paid jobs. As has been suggested in other threads, I assume this must have had some effect resulting in the reduced availability of Thai boys for the gogo bars in particular and consequently off prices and tips.

My view therefore is that all factors considered and over the much longer term, the figures illustrate that prices charged by bars for offs and the requested tips by the boys have actually gone down. 

 

That tip may have increased slightly less than inflation, but I think drink prices and off fees have.

For example, when i went to Tawan bar in 2013, the price of one drink was 300 baht. Now it appears you purchase a ticket at the door costing 500 baht, which entitles you to one drink

In inflationary terms, 300 baht in 2013 is about equivalent to 360-380 baht nowadays, but the cost of one drink to get in the door is 500 baht now.

[macaroni21]

On 11/21/2023 at 7:03 AM, forrestreid said:

 

That tip may have increased slightly less than inflation, but I think drink prices and off fees have.

 

I have data to prove you right, at least with respect to first drink prices. Last year I wrote about this on my blog. There is a graph too. See Bangkok gogo bars: 15 years of price rises

[Lucky]

My first trip to Bangkok was in 1987. The boys went for 300-400 baht and were happy to receive it. But I am glad that they are better paid now.

[lelele]

thanks for this report 🙏