Trip Report - BKK, Chiang Mai, Pattaya

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, ichigo said:

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).

we must be long lost twin brothers

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, floridarob said:

....does that mean I'm catching up to you in age or wisdom 😝

both

[floridarob]

3 hours ago, reader said:

One Spa in Saphan Kwai at last check has 28 pages (9 guys to a page)

what spa?

[Londoner]

Anyone remember the glossy tourist freebies that were available in hotels a couple of decades ago? The adverts for escorts- female ones- included not only alluring photos but lists of the names of models available. They included famous Hollywood actresses and singers, Madonna, for example. I wonder if any punters were disappointed when they opened their doors?

Perhaps a similar, if less outrageous element of exaggeration (or wishful thinking) is at work here?

[10tazione]

2 hours ago, floridarob said:

what spa?

One spa called One Spa

[gerefan]

11 hours ago, omega said:

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.

I guess you haven’t heard the expression about going on holiday?

” I should have taken half as many clothes and twice as much money!”

[omega]

You guys are funny

So my hotel booked me a taxi to Jomtien. 1200baht, seemed like a good deal to me, especially since the trip back to BKK was 1600.

So on arrival at Jomtien, I check into hotel, and go for a little wander to find the beach and see the area. On walking past one of the massage shops in the complex, I'm grabbed at by multiple boys... clearly the boys are far more forward here! I carry on walking trying to smile and shake my head and say no.

On my return, I spy out Sophia's thai, and a couple cafe/resturants opposite, and make note for food later. My favourite thai food is 'pad gra pow'... and if you ask for not spicy, they simply leave out all of the chillis, If you ask for a little spice, you get all of the spice.

So my first night, I go around the Complex, checking out all the bars. It's busy because its christmas eve, seems like everyone is out. As I'm wandering through several of the bar boys try to grab me to pull me into their bars. One even gives me a bear hug and wont let me past. I was cold sober at this point, and I'm a pretty shy reserved guy. Stangers grabbing and hugging me uninvited is not what I call fun.

I eventually find a bar that looks a bit quiter with a good seat to people watch. After some time, I get a message from the boys I saw it BBK, they're sitting at the bar nearby and invite me over. I sit for drinks and get to know them all better. At the end of the night, I go back with one, I'll call him M, and M certainly wasn't just a beautiful face. He was defintely worth every baht of his tip. He leaves after, and I go to sleep satisfied.

The next morning I take a little trip over to Terminal 21 to wander the mall and see if there is any good sales on. I find a couple of nice things, and head back to the complex. After a swim and a rest, I'm ready for night 2. I run the massage shop gauntlet again to get some food, then I decide to go to the Venue for the show. After enjoying the awesome show, I end up back drinking with M and his friends. I go back to hotel alone though.

The following day I spend relaxing by at the beach and by the pool, and of the evening, I eat then join M and friends for drinks. We end up playing drinking games, and M asks me to take him back to the hotel, and thats where we go. After some good times were had, we both head back to join the others for more drinking and games. M wants to stay with me the night, and I say yes. I leave to your imaginations what we got up to.

At this point, M is starting to refer to me as his bf... which would suprise none of the more experienced members here I'm sure.

It's my last full day in Thailand, and I spend most of it with M, relaxing at the beach and having lunch. Of the evening, we part company for a while, before meeting up again. I want to see the Venue show again, and M comes along. He's really not into the show at all, but I'm enjoying it... technical issues and all

My last night I spend alone as I needed to be up early for the flight home.

 

I had thought this would be my last ever trip to LoS... but I think I've been convinced that there is still much more for me to enjoy there.

 

Thanks for reading

[omega]

2 hours ago, gerefan said:

I guess you haven’t heard the expression about going on holiday?

” I should have taken half as many clothes and twice as much money!”

So very true!

[reader]

6 hours ago, floridarob said:

what spa?

"One Spa". Before this evolves into a "Who's on First?" routine, that's the name of the shop: One Spa.

Located on Sutthisan Winitchai Rd. opposite Esso Station at Soi Inthmara 3, it's about a 15 minute walk from Saphan Kwai BTS.

When I checked today, the layout was 12 guys to a page, filling 21 pages. If you go to link below, you can click on individual pics for additional photos.

Here's a screenshot of a random page.

https://onespa.love/

5 hours ago, Londoner said:

Perhaps a similar, if less outrageous element of exaggeration (or wishful thinking) is at work here?

Spoken like someone who's never been there. As you can see from website, they're all the real deal. If you can pull yourself away from Pattaya, check it out. 🙂 Having sampled many of the offerings, I can recommend it.👍

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, 10tazione said:

One spa called One Spa

Oh, that's the one !

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, omega said:

You guys are funny

 

tell us something we don't know

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, reader said:

..... they're all the real deal. If you can pull yourself away from Pattaya, check it out. 🙂 Having sampled many of the offerings, I can recommend it.👍

they are ,I even see familiar face on sample page you posted.

On another hand it's always good to have plan B when salivating over such samples.  This year I got hots for no less than 3 guys posted on Apollo's spa at Bearing . So Lined them only to learn that on that day one is sick , another one went to Cambodia and did not return yet and third no longer works there.   

[reader]

Definitely want to go there with a list. I'd advise against choosing anyone in the shop at time of visit. My experience has been that they are likely to have already serviced other customer(s) before you. Would also avoid accepting mamasan's suggestions. Otherwise, a good, reliable shop.

You can reserve your choice on day of visit in advance by phone or on line without request for deposit. However, have 3-5 guys in in mind. Shop has been good getting back to me with availability.

 

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, omega said:

One even gives me a bear hug and wont let me past. I was cold sober at this point, and I'm a pretty shy reserved guy. Stangers grabbing and hugging me uninvited is not what I call fun.

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

My last night I spend alone as I needed to be up early for the flight home.

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

 

I had thought this would be my last ever trip to LoS... but I think I've been convinced that there is still much more for me to enjoy there.

 

count your blessings your were in Thailand, I know somebody who was given hug and Felix Navidad wishes by the stranger on the street in Barcelona and was relieved of change from his pocket , about 100 euros in the process

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

I don't know how long your flights back are but mine are long , long and I found that if flying early it's actually good to keep myself busy night before as it helps to get some sleep on the plane and mitigates jet lag at home. On one of my recent trip my companion seeing that I set an alarm  just in case we fell asleep , did the same just for additional security

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

I'm glad to hear that M and Pattaya fresh breeze brought you to such conclusion. Tones about feeling  a bit of shortage of desire are familiar , I observed the same from time to time , specially on longer trips  but it's like bad weather, eventually goes away. There's plenty of fun in Thailand , not all carnal.

[omega]

14 minutes ago, vinapu said:

count your blessings your were in Thailand, I know somebody who was given hug and Felix Navidad wishes by the stranger on the street in Barcelona and was relieved of change from his pocket , about 100 euros in the process

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

I don't know how long your flights back are but mine are long , long and I found that if flying early it's actually good to keep myself busy night before as it helps to get some sleep on the plane and mitigates jet lag at home. On one of my recent trip my companion seeing that I set an alarm  just in case we fell asleep , did the same just for additional security

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

I'm glad to hear that M and Pattaya fresh breeze brought you to such conclusion. Tones about feeling  a bit of shortage of desire are familiar , I observed the same from time to time , specially on longer trips  but it's like bad weather, eventually goes away. There's plenty of fun in Thailand , not all carnal.

Indeed. One of my friends chided me to "be safe" when I was talking to them soon after arriving in BKK the first day. I replied: "I feel very safe in Thailand, don't worry".

I have been pickpocketed before in Gran Canaria, the thief lifting my phone. Luckily I had insurance.

The feeling of lack of desire has been something plaguing me for months now... I think M and Pattaya might have done something to fix it, thankfully

[floridarob]

4 hours ago, reader said:

Before this evolves into a "Who's on First?" routine

That was my point and hoped it did go there, but can't fool a fool, that's the right expression, no 😉

[floridarob]

4 hours ago, reader said:

When I checked today, the layout was 12 guys to a page, filling 21 pages.

This creates "Choice overload bias"

 

What it is

Choice overload describes how, when given more options to choose from, people tend to have a harder time deciding, are less satisfied with their choice, and are more likely to experience regret.

Why it happens

We have limited cognitive resources, so having more options to consider drains our mental energy more quickly, overwhelming us. Trying to maximize (i.e. finding the best option) also makes us prone to choice overload, as does preference uncertainty.

Example 1 - Smartphones and choice overload

By giving us so many choices about how we can spend our time, smartphones and other mobile technologies might contribute to a persistent sense of choice overload.

Example 2 - Cultural differences

While Americans prize individual choice, other cultures are more comfortable with handing off decisions to community members or experts. Research shows this might reduce the negative feelings we experience after making a difficult choice.

How to avoid it

While the number of choices presented to us isn’t controllable, we can use techniques to mitigate the overwhelming effects of too many options: set aside some dedicated browsing time, treat your choices as nonreversible, and try keeping a gratitude journal.

[reader]

53 minutes ago, floridarob said:

That was my point and hoped it did go there, but can't fool a fool, that's the right expression, no 😉

You just did 🙂

[jason1975]

Thank you for your trip report! @omega

[Marc in Calif]

9 hours ago, floridarob said:

This creates "Choice overload bias"

What it is

Choice overload describes how, when given more options to choose from, people tend to have a harder time deciding, are less satisfied with their choice, and are more likely to experience regret.

Why it happens

We have limited cognitive resources....

https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/choice-overload-bias

[macaroni21]

I'm usually happy enough to have 12 to choose from. In any case, as I have said a few times, looks are no predictor of performance.

A brothel whose business model is built on offering >25 guys, especially if they are freelancers also listed by other, nearby businesses, takes on a number of risks: 

- there's a higher chance a boy may not be available when clients pick him, because when a sexworker is only one out of so many on your listing, the chance of being picked is lower, and after a while, he prioritises other means of getting work, and then "not available" leads to customer dissatisfaction;

- it's impossible to maintain any kind of service quality;

Brothels that list freelancers listed by many other businesses, also need to rethink why a client would choose them over the other businesses. What is their competitive edge when the same boy is available elsewhere? It can't be quality of the boys or their performance, it can't even be the expected tips, since the brothel can hardly control that.  It has to be the quality of the premises (and its value proposition) and the ease of access - the elements the businesses can control. Yet, these brothels do not strive to go beyond the basics in terms of premises, and do not communicate why clients should prefer their facility over others. Nor do they even go beyond the most rudimentary instructions as to their location.

[reader]

You list a ton of reasons why the Saphan Kwai shops are a lousy business model, Mac. I can only offer one in their defense.

I go there 2-3 times a week when I’m in town so they must be doing something right.

 

[macaroni21]

Oh no, you've got me wrong. I think their business model is fine, and I totally understand the obviously regular stream of clients they get (mostly local, I would think). As a group, the Saphan Khwai cluster is doing better than the massage/brothels of other districts. All business models comes with risks. The important thing to do is to identify them and take mitigative action.

What I am saying it that individually, no shop has optimised its marketing communications to get ahead over its competitors in the same area, or improved its facilities enough to gain an edge. Yeah, I'm a perfectionist when it comes to getting bsuiness right.

That said, marcomms-wise, the massage businesses are way ahead of the gogo bars who have either absent social media presence or poorly-aimed ones highlghting ladyboys dressed in excessive finery. Pricing-wise, the massage parlours/brothels are also a lot smarter. Facilities-wise, look at some of the gogo bars' toilets - how do they even compare with the massage parlour facilities?

[spoon]

Thanks for your lovely report. It is unfortunate that your first ever gogo bar experience is with a new bar that are struggling to get things right. They didnt have enough young and attractive boys to begin with, and falls flat with their unimaginative and repetitive shows. Only good thing about sol bar is their waiters, which i believe are previously gogo boys and most of them are offable at a higher off fee. 

Your second gogo bar is in chiang mai, where the offerings falls flat too in my opinion. Judging by your reports, i gather you prefer gay/effemenate/nonbinary type twinks? If so, pattaya jomtien is defiinitely where most of them are. If i may add, sunee winner bar, classic bar (reincarnate of cupidol) and toy boy might be more up your alley for gogo bar with your type. 

In bangkok, freshboy and screwboy would be your best bet, with banana trailing a bit behind. U might find some in dreamboy too as they have all kind of guys there. Hotmale beer bar waiters, and waiters at other gogo bars are usually offable too. 

Anyway, hope you will find more guys that interest you more especially those hot boys and dj and god. Ive never been there as its not my scene. U could also try sauna as well, not my scene but ive been there once or twice hehe.

[reader]

8 hours ago, macaroni21 said:

That said, marcomms-wise, the massage businesses are way ahead of the gogo bars who have either absent social media presence or poorly-aimed ones highlghting ladyboys dressed in excessive finery. Pricing-wise, the massage parlours/brothels are also a lot smarter. Facilities-wise, look at some of the gogo bars' toilets - how do they even compare with the massage parlour facilities?

Some shops update their on-line presence daily albeit with slightly different twists. All understandably use photos of their guys as their main draw. KK Massage is perhaps the more inventive, using stills pics and videos to entice customers.

As for the shop amenities, the SK shops are pretty basic. Most I've encountered I found acceptably clean but basic  Some offer those mini containers of mouthwash  (BT House, KK and K-Man come to mind) that I appreciate and nearly all offer bottled water or tea.

The Silom Soi 6 shops have en suite showers and most have massage tables except for those opting for Thai massage. The Silom-Surawong shops differ from SK in that their staffs are always on site. Most on display outside the shop or just inside the entrance.

You're right about the go-go bars. They may employee a handful of barkers out on the soi to corral passers by but do next to nothing on line. In this day and age, it's puzzling at best. Moonlight is probably better than most with periodic Facebook postings. I often wonder if owners really understand their client base. It seems if they did they'd offer user choice of language.

In any case, I think we agree that there's no substitute for the in-person visit.