Trip Report - BKK, Chiang Mai, Pattaya

[omega]

Hi All,

I thought I'd share with you briefly some of my experiences over the last couple of weeks in the LoS. As a spoiler to avoid disapointing, I'll say it was not a sex-filled escapade, though some spicy action did happen (which of course, I shall describe) 

I arrived in BKK feeling pretty fresh faced, all things considered. Taxi prices from airport seem to have gone up... 600baht said the Taxi Driver! After some firm negotiation, that mostly involved me saying no to his flat fee, and saying I would get another taxi, he agreed to use the meter. I pay express tolls and baggage fee. Not a problem.

(For those interested: To my hotel in Silom, Meter was at ~300 baht, tolls were 100 baht, + baggage was 50 baht I think. I left him with 500 baht.)

I checked in to the hotel, unpacked, had a nap before heading out fairly early for the evening to find something to eat. I checked out Soi 4, which seemed super busy and a little overwhelming. So I took a wander through Patpong, and soon found myself at the Foodland there. Much quieter for me to settle down in to my holiday.

I wandered back to Soi 4, and sat outside Stranger bar for a couple of drinks, checking out Grindr, and acclimatising to the hustle and bustle. I wandered up the Soi, and found myself wandering into Bipolar, above the bar on the corner. It was busy and the drag show was passable, the "hostess" being australian, so very easy for me to understand.

Following a few drinks in Bipolar, I wandered along to see what was happening in DJ station. Much has changed, and I was a little surprised and happy to see its new layout. It's much easier to wander around the club now, and sample everything each room has to offer. I stayed here for a few drinks, dances for a bit and caught a few smiles. For someone who's been living a very quiet life, it was quite the night to wake me up!

 

[Boy69]

3 hours ago, omega said:

Hi All,

I thought I'd share with you briefly some of my experiences over the last couple of weeks in the LoS. As a spoiler to avoid disapointing, I'll say it was not a sex-filled escapade, though some spicy action did happen (which of course, I shall describe) 

I arrived in BKK feeling pretty fresh faced, all things considered. Taxi prices from airport seem to have gone up... 600baht said the Taxi Driver! After some firm negotiation, that mostly involved me saying no to his flat fee, and saying I would get another taxi, he agreed to use the meter. I pay express tolls and baggage fee. Not a problem.

(For those interested: To my hotel in Silom, Meter was at ~300 baht, tolls were 100 baht, + baggage was 50 baht I think. I left him with 500 baht.)

I checked in to the hotel, unpacked, had a nap before heading out fairly early for the evening to find something to eat. I checked out Soi 4, which seemed super busy and a little overwhelming. So I took a wander through Patpong, and soon found myself at the Foodland there. Much quieter for me to settle down in to my holiday.

I wandered back to Soi 4, and sat outside Stranger bar for a couple of drinks, checking out Grindr, and acclimatising to the hustle and bustle. I wandered up the Soi, and found myself wandering into Bipolar, above the bar on the corner. It was busy and the drag show was passable, the "hostess" being australian, so very easy for me to understand.

Following a few drinks in Bipolar, I wandered along to see what was happening in DJ station. Much has changed, and I was a little surprised and happy to see its new layout. It's much easier to wander around the club now, and sample everything each room has to offer. I stayed here for a few drinks, dances for a bit and caught a few smiles. For someone who's been living a very quiet life, it was quite the night to wake me up!

 

I envy you you did a lot for the first day, In my first day after long flight I am like a zombie with heavy jetlag I collapsed like a dead rat and go to sleep. 

[thaiophilus]

3 hours ago, omega said:

I arrived in BKK feeling pretty fresh faced, all things considered. Taxi prices from airport seem to have gone up... 600baht said the Taxi Driver! After some firm negotiation, that mostly involved me saying no to his flat fee, and saying I would get another taxi, he agreed to use the meter. I pay express tolls and baggage fee. Not a problem.

(For those interested: To my hotel in Silom, Meter was at ~300 baht, tolls were 100 baht, + baggage was 50 baht I think. I left him with 500 baht.)

Assuming you used an official airport taxi,, they are supposed to be subject to certain rules... like using the meter without haggling, and I can't remember the last time I had that problem. I hope things haven't changed for the worse since I last used them in 2020. You used to  be given a form with the driver's name and vehicle registration, which you can use to report them if there are problems.  Never heard of a "baggage fee", but there is a 50B airport surcharge which is added to the meter.

[Boy69]

I never heard about baggage fee either.  Very strange that the taxi driver demand fixed fee instead of using the meter if I were you I would refuse to go with him and look for another driver. 

[omega]

The next day I woke up when the morning was already done, and decided to go shopping to pick up a few bits I'd not brought with me.

After a power nap back at the hotel, I wandered out to find something to eat, then made my way to Soi Patpong 2. Sol bar was the first that I came accross and in I wandered. My first time solo in a gogo bar like this. I picked a seat right at the back, by the door. A nervous newbie, I wanted to be able to make a quick escape from the Mamasan

I ordered my first drink, and managed to convince the Mamasan that I didn't need a boy to sit with me right away. The boys on stage were a good mix of twinky types and more muscly men. One stood out for me, and clearly my eye had been on him quite noticably, as when the boys evacuated the stage, he came over and after a brief chat I felt oblioged to invite him to sit and have a drink. He said his name was Nam, and he was from Vietnam. He was super cute, and very engaging, asking me lots of questions, tho relying on translater app quite a bit.

Since I was here on an exploratory trip, I hadn't come with the intention to off; tho I did bring 100 notes thinking that I would at least have a boy sit with me.

After my second drink, my feet were getting itchy. I could get a similar experience of chatting via phone messages in a bar that charged less for the same beer. I'm sorry to say, but solo in a GoGo bar, just doesn't seem to be a hit with me. But It might have been my nervousness and anxiety, so (spoiler) it wasn't my only forway into a GoGo bar this trip. Nam and I would continue to chat via Line, but would not meet again while I was in BKK this time.

After leaving Sol, I looked around at the other Go Go bars with the assortment of boys hanging around outside smoking, and decided that I wasn't in the mood for another GoGo bar, and took myself off to DJ station for another night. I like DJ station, and pretty much every night I was in BKK I ended up here. Once more, I left alone, but not without scoring a cheeky kiss and dance or two.

The following day, I met up with my ex, who I had not seen for 3 years. We had a late lunch, and wandered around the new EMSphere shopping mall. We agreed to meet again later for more drinks in DJ station. Again I left DJ station and went back to my hotel alone.

The following day, I was due to go to Chiang Mai in the evening, so after checking out, and leaving my bags in storage, I went for a massage at Prime. One of the best massages I've ever had, and at decent price, definely would recommend. I arrived at Chaing Mai quite late that evening. I wandered to the nearest 7/11, got some drinks and snacks, and had an "early" night.

[omega]

4 minutes ago, Boy69 said:

I never heard about baggage fee either.  Very strange that the taxi driver demand fixed fee instead of using the meter if I were you I would refuse to go with him and look for another driver. 

Baggage fee might have been the airport surcharge tbh. Big confusing sign hanging on the back of the chair, he pointed to it after I refused the flat fare.

[omega]

11 minutes ago, thaiophilus said:

Assuming you used an official airport taxi,, they are supposed to be subject to certain rules... like using the meter without haggling, and I can't remember the last time I had that problem. I hope things haven't changed for the worse since I last used them in 2020. You used to  be given a form with the driver's name and vehicle registration, which you can use to report them if there are problems.  Never heard of a "baggage fee", but there is a 50B airport surcharge which is added to the meter.

Indeed, they are. When I was last in BKK in 2020, the flat fee they would offer was 500baht. Every time I've been to BKK and got the airport taxi, I've had to refuse the offered flat fare, and they just switch on the meter and go. This guy was more resistant to that.

[Boy69]

21 minutes ago, omega said:

Indeed, they are. When I was last in BKK in 2020, the flat fee they would offer was 500baht. Every time I've been to BKK and got the airport taxi, I've had to refuse the offered flat fare, and they just switch on the meter and go. This guy was more resistant to that.

Switch on the meter isn't guarantee for fair service, one time the taxi driver took the wrong direction deliberately although I  told him it's the wrong way to my hotel in Silom that caused me paying more than 700 baht.

[scott456]

1 hour ago, Boy69 said:

Switch on the meter isn't guarantee for fair service, one time the taxi driver took the wrong direction deliberately although I  told him it's the wrong way to my hotel in Silom that caused me paying more than 700 baht.

Someone in another thread mentioned there is a airport meet and greet transportation service that is not expensive.  I guess I will be searching for that thread and use the service in February. I want to hire an airport transportation service that is managed by a company and pay its driver on a salary basis, hence no need for the driver to scam customers and no need to speed or risk any hazardous driving.  The last time I took a taxi from the city to BKK airport in a heavy rain, the taxi drive was speeding and almost lost control, the car swung left and right across several lanes on the slippery freeway.  That was very close to a deadly accident.

[reader]

17 minutes ago, scott456 said:

Someone in another thread mentioned there is a airport meet and greet transportation service that is not expensive.  I guess I will be searching for that thread and use the service in February. I want to hire an airport transportation service that is managed by a company and pay its driver on a salary basis, hence no need for the driver to scam customers and no need to speed or risk any hazardous driving.  The last time I took a taxi from the city to BKK airport in a heavy rain, the taxi drive was speeding and almost lost control, the car swung left and right across several lanes on the slippery freeway.  That was very close to a deadly accident.

You might inquire what your hotel would charge to arrange it. I'd expect it would be at least twice the taxi fare but might be worth it for your peace of mind.

Personally I take the train if it's running on my arrival. Excellent safety record and great people watching.

[omega]

Beyond what seems to be the normal negotiation for turning on the meter, I had no issues. They asked me to put my hotel into their satnav, and away they went. I wasn't staying in a well known hotel though, so they probably needed the sat nav to guide them.

[scott456]

14 minutes ago, reader said:

Personally I take the train if it's running on my arrival. Excellent safety record and great people watching.

We all know the train is good if you only have a light carryon luggage, and even that you need to walk a lot (may involve climbing stairs) and change to BTS.  Train and BTS may be crowded too depending on the time of your travel, but if you insist and enjoy "people watching "

[omega]

5 minutes ago, scott456 said:

We all know the train is good if you only have a light carryon luggage, and even that you need to walk a lot (may involve climbing stairs) and change to BTS.  Train and BTS may be crowded too depending on the time of your travel, but if you insist and enjoy "people watching "

I seriously think that next time I go to BKK, I will travel much lighter. I took way too much clothes, most of which went unworn.

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, omega said:

 Again I left DJ station and went back to my hotel alone.

 

are you monk or something ?

[vinapu]

34 minutes ago, reader said:

Personally I take the train if it's running on my arrival. Excellent safety record and great people watching.

+1

[omega]

2 minutes ago, vinapu said:

are you monk or something ?

Perhaps I should become one

In honesty, my sex drive hasn't been firing on all cylinders lately... so while I was flirting with the boys in the club, I had no urge to take them back. and do nasty things with them 😈

[reader]

35 minutes ago, omega said:

I had no urge to take them back. and do nasty things with them 😈

You don't necessarily have to do nasty things. This thread may give you some ideas.

 

[omega]

My first full day in Chiang Mai, I spent exploring the old city, visiting lots of temples and drinking a lot of coffee. It was pretty enjoyable and very chilled.

That evening I went to the night bazaar, and had some food from the very many vendors there. I wandered around looking at the usual trash sold to tourists, then decided to check out the local bars. I was staying very close to RAM Show bar, and there were a couple other bars on that street that looked pretty dead and empty. So I went to Ram. And glad I did.

The show was pretty damn good, the dancer boys looked very sexy and I got chatting to a lot of people.

The next day I went shopping at the local mall, and did some more temple exploring. That evening I went to Adam's Apple club. The Mamasan was very chatty, but managed to say all the wrong things to me; explaning at legnth about how all the boys are from poor families. I think he wanted to guilt me into parting with all my money to help them, but in the end it kind of reinforced my internal biases on how exploitative the industry can be. Yet, despite this Mamasan did manage to find me one of the boys who spoke good english, so at least I could have a good conversation. I will say that the boys at Adam's Apple did seem like they were having a bit more fun that the bored looking souls I saw in Sol in BKK. They were very much up for a laugh during the cock show. A good mix of twinky boys and hunky guys, but honestly not one as good looking as Nam, and none that I would have offed. This would be the last GoGo bar I visit this trip, and maybe, ever. I just don't think they're fun. I would however, very much recommend Adam's Apple if GoGo's are your thing. After paying my checkbin, and tipping the concerned parties, I headed back to Ram bar, catching the very end of the show and the slow exodus of customers after.

I think I need to point out at this juncture: my thoughts, opinions are about what I think is right for me. Not whats right for anyone else. Just because I don't find something fun doesn't mean I think no-one else should find enjoyment in it. 

The following day I planned to go for a hike up to the temples on the hill, but I was just lazy. Instead I lazed most of the day in bed, before hunger took me out for lunch. After which, I decided I would try a massage with extras. I chose Classic House because it was fairly close to the hotel, and operated on a walk in basis. I opted for a Thai Massage, and that apparently reduced my options of massuese to just two boys. I picked the more handsome, and we went up to the room where I shed my clothes and showered. The massage itself was fairly good, and when it came time to do happy ending, I just wasn't turned on, so declined his ministrations.  He finished up the massage, I tipped generously, and left.

Needless to say, the evening found me back at Ram's enjoying the show once again. Different show each night... amazing. I also had big crushes on a couple of the dancers; so that might have been the main reason

The following day, I went on a group tour around Doi Inthanon National Park, visiting a Hill tribe that grows some superb coffee, the two Pagodas for the King and Queen and visited a waterfall. A very nice day, highly recommend. Again I ended up in Ram's and for the last night managed to chat with the dancer boys I had a crush on. Alas my sex drive just wasnt there to help me seal the deal, and take them back to the hotel.

My last day I ventured back into the old city for a bit, and took a massage in one of the temples, before collecting my bags and flying off back to BKK, where things start to get spicier for those of you hoping for more sordid tales.

[omega]

5 minutes ago, reader said:

You don't necessarily have to do nasty things. This thread may give you some ideas.

 

To be fair, I was more thinking of guys that I don't think were money boys, who I was flirting with in DJ station. I very much would have wanted to do naughty things with them had the natural urges been there.

[omega]

I arrived back in BKK quite late. My plane had been delayed, and I'd missed out on plans for drinks with ex and friends. I still dragged my carcass off to DJ station for another night of fun flirting with boys in the club. One particular group caught my attention, and they looked like they were having a great time.

The following day, I got a message on grindr from one of the boys in the group I'd seen the night before, and we started chatting. I met up with ex and friend for the day, going up the river towards the Royal Palace area, they wanted to do a little jewelry shopping, and there was a big temple nearby to visit, that I'd never been to before.

That evening we went for drinks in Soi 4, before they departed for home and I went to DJ station one last time. After some time, dancing and flirting, Nam messaged me on Line asking if I wanted to meet. It was my last night in Bangkok, and Nam is super cute, so I went for it. After a little negotiation,we agreed a price, and I took him back to the hotel.

He showered first, and then I showered. We got into bed, and he's on his phone watching straight porn to get hard. This threw me a bit, and killed whatever sexual desires I had for him at that point. I guess I found out that straight boys defintely don't do it for me. I declined to continue with him, gave him 1500baht for his time, and showed him out.

I was horny at this point though, and so I turned to Grindr. They boyI'd seen in the club was online, and we started chatting. They were visiting from Pattaya for the weekend, and were going back the next day. Co-incidently, that's exactly where I was heading!

[ichigo]

50 minutes ago, omega said:

I think I need to point out at this juncture: my thoughts, opinions are about what I think is right for me. Not whats right for anyone else. Just because I don't find something fun doesn't mean I think no-one else should find enjoyment in it.

Agree with this, different strokes for different folks as they say. For me, I quite enjoy go-go bars, however I have very little interest in going to places like DJ station (although I may try it one day).

[reader]

[floridarob]

@reader could be low Testosterone too, or he  likes to have the illusion that the go-go or mb is into him, doesn't everyone , can't blame him. 

I've been with guys that once you off them, all the touchy feely of the salesman is gone, now that they closed "the deal"....  🤒

I'll be in Thailand next month, I'm planning on trying more massage places than go-go's.....does that mean I'm catching up to you in age or wisdom 😝

[scott456]

I love going to DJ and GOD, I am guilty of being beautiful. 

[reader]

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

I'll be in Thailand next month, I'm planning on trying more massage places than go-go's.....does that mean I'm catching up to you in age or wisdom 😝

Age anyway 🙂

Here’s a tip that may help you conserve time.: One Spa in Saphan Kwai at last check has 28 pages (9 guys to a page) of masseurs posted on line. Has to be biggest in town.