Gay Romeo, Camfrog, and the bars

[Guest FanOfThailand]

I can see the problem that maybe the boys will quit working in the bars and work exclusively on the internet.

 

While this is a possibility, the boys working the internet would have to know (and be able to read/write ) enough English to chat and understand what is wanted/expected etc. This would also exclude those customers that do not read/write English. I know there are the translation sites that work ok but a lot of the conversation is " lost in translation ".

 

There are also those that can speak English but for whatever reason don

[Guest]

The gogo bar is the best format for short term tourists.

 

As long as there is a supply of relatively wealthy tourists & the authorities permit, there will be gogo bars.

 

Excessive body hair, tatoos, use of wrong photos, not turning up on time & various other problems can be eliminated by a visit to a good gogo bar.

[Gaybutton]

As long as there is a supply of relatively wealthy tourists & the authorities permit, there will be gogo bars.

That's the point. There isn't that steady supply anymore and so far I don't see any signs of a major return of that supply. While the go-go bars may be what many consider the better option, you're looking at it from the customer's point of view. From the point of view of the boys, things might be a little different.

 

The way I see it, the handwriting is already on the wall. Consider the number of gay go-go bars that exist today compared to number that existed only five or six years ago. Until recently, I've never seen so many go-go bars with "For Sale" signs on the doors. Look at the numbers of posts from people saying they've been in the bars and were virtually the only customers. There was a time when there were a lot more bars and you could expect all of them to have a good share of customers - customers spending much more money than they're spending today. Add to that the numbers of posts complaining about the rise of drink prices, the off fees, the music volume, pushy mama-sans, the lack of the number of bars that are really fun anymore, etc.

 

Between police harassment and a dwindling number of customers, the whole reason why boys choose to work in the bars is becoming problematic. They work in the bars because they make their money by being taken off. With fewer and fewer customers, the offs for many of the boys are becoming fewer and further between. Couple that with the numbers of posts you see on the various boards coming from people looking for the smallest amount they can get away with when it comes to tipping the boys.

 

Regarding English, that's not a problem for too many of them. They learn at least some English in school and the least of their problems is finding someone to help them communicate on the personals and chat sites. If there is a good potential for making money you might be surprised at how many become very quick learners.

 

Add all of the factors together and I see a rapidly developing problem for the bars. In my own case, while I realize that living here is vastly different from being here on a holiday, I go to the bars a hell of a lot less often than I used to. The way I see it, why should I spend my time and money in bars I don't enjoy, dealing with the prices, the mama-sans, the indifference of the boys, the music volume, and everything else that goes with it when I can find all the boys I want by spending a few minutes on the Internet? I'm by no means alone in that.

 

One argument is that in the bars you can see what you're getting. That is true, but you also need to consider that in the individual bars there are usually 20 to 30 or so boys to choose from. On the Internet there are hundreds. And willing boys can be found online at any hour, any day, 24/7, 365 days a year.

 

I'm not saying that I believe the Internet is going to replace the go-go bars, at least not any time soon, but I can see the competition becoming a significant problem for the bars in the foreseeable future.

 

That's why I believe the bars need to start finding ways to compete with it. Sometimes it seems as if the only people who are unaware of the complaints posted on the various boards are the bar owners. They need to pay attention to these complaints and start doing something about it. They need to realize that for many, boys and customers alike, the Internet is becoming more attractive than their bars. While I believe the majority still prefer the bars, the number of people that prefer the Internet as an alternative is steadily growing and is quickly reaching a point of true significance.

 

I can't help but wonder how many farang who do prefer the bars are also looking for potential hookups on these personals and chat sites.

 

It's about 6:30am in Thailand at the moment. I just got on Gay Romeo and counted the number of boys live, online, at this hour in the Pattaya section alone. I counted 28 and even had one chime in on me while I was counting to try to get me to hook up with him. That tells me something . . .

[Guest fountainhall]

They work in the bars because they make their money by being taken off. With fewer and fewer customers, the offs for many of the boys are becoming fewer and further between. Couple that with the numbers of posts you see on the various boards coming from people looking for the smallest amount they can get away with when it comes to tipping the boys

I have gotten to know a lovely young 20 year old who did a stint in one of Bangkok's go-go bars last year. He is cute as the proverbial button, has a great body, killer smile, speaks reasonably good English and was wonderful when you took him off. You'd expect he'd be one of the first to be offed in almost any bar - except Tawan and the ladyboy bars!

 

He gave up after 6 months and now works overnight in a chicken factory. He makes about Bt. 6,000 a month and saves about Bt.2000 by staying with his mother and not having to rent his share of a room in Bangkok. He says he is happier now, has less stress - and makes more money than before!! I know he freelances - but only once a week on his free day. But his story tells it all for me.

[Guest]

That's the point. There isn't that steady supply anymore and so far I don't see any signs of a major return of that supply. While the go-go bars may be what many consider the better option, you're looking at it from the customer's point of view. From the point of view of the boys, things might be a little different.

 

 

I haven't seen the numbers, but if tourist visitors to Thailand are down by say 25%, then that's 75% of the market remaining. Gogo bars may lose a few more who still travel, but have to economise due to less favourable exchange rates.

Then a few people might be sad enough to get off the plane and spend the first evening on Gay Romeo, rather than going to the gogo bars & having fun.

 

This should still leave over half the gogo bars surviving though.

[Gaybutton]

Then a few people might be sad enough to get off the plane and spend the first evening on Gay Romeo, rather than going to the gogo bars & having fun.

 

This should still leave over half the gogo bars surviving though.

Sad enough? Ohhhhh, now I get it. Unless people do as you would do, then they're sad and not having fun. I'm sure most people here on holiday would do just as you say If it were me, so would I. But if they walk into one of the bars that has already has virtually no customers, where does the 'fun' part come in?

 

Of course, that has nothing to do with the point I'm making.

 

Even you are saying over half the go-go bars would survive. Half? That doesn't sound very promising to me.

 

Are you saying that the Internet does not and will not have significance and the bars have no need to bother to try to compete with it?

 

"You can afford to be optimistic. I can't." - Field Marshal Rommel, 'Patton'

[Guest]

Going to Rome & not visiting the Collosseum is a waste of an opportunity.

 

In the same way, travelling half way around the world & passing up the unique Thai gogo bar offering for an evening sat in front of the PC is a missed opportunity too.

 

On the plane, I look forward to walking into Classic Boys. It's difficult to get excited about the prospect of spending the evening hunched over a laptop.

 

Those who live in Thailand & can walk into gogo bars any day of the year, might reach different conclusions.

[Guest]

In the same way, travelling half way around the world & passing up the unique Thai gogo bar offering for an evening sat in front of the PC is a missed opportunity too.

 

LOL I agree with that statement. But, there are those that live here that don't get the exhilaration you and I do from the gogo bars.

[Gaybutton]

I agree with that statement.

Doesn't anyone get the point? I agree too, but that's an entirely different issue from the one I'm talking about.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I don't understand why several people here keep referring to sitting in front of the PC here when they come for holiday. When I was single and traveling to a new place I would get on the net and make my contacts and get phone numbers before I left home. No need to waste time on PC while on holiday. This certainly would have nothing to do that would preclude visiting the go go bars if that's what is wanted.

[Guest RichLB]

Ok, I'll wade in. For me, I've drastically cut down on my bar hopping in Pattaya - for a simple reason. They just aren't much fun anymore. Face it, for those of us who live here, watching waving willies night after night surprisingly gets old. If you're merely after some quick sex, Gay Romeo, Camfrog, or even Sansuk Sauna is far more direct and far less expensive.

 

If the bars wish to survive, they have to offer something different from just sex - note, I'm not suggesting they eliminate sex, just add to the usual offering. For those of you who have visited any of the girlie bars, you'll discover it's not so hard to do that. While I'm not interested in offing any women, those bars are generally fun and provide a high level of energy. I'd suggest some owners of boy bars venture over to the other side of the fence and see what's going on there.

 

In short, make the bars fun!

 

*I won't drag out the ping pong ball idea again (no one seemed to like that), the "buy the bar a drink" bell, or dancing contests amongst the boys.

 

*Creating an environment where customers can actually talk and joke with a guy on stage (ala the old Charlie Bar and the old Starboys) would make it fun for me.

 

*I'd suggest some bars actually hire someone to teach the guys how to flirt (smiling, eye contact, focused dancing, etc.) while on stage would keep some of in the bar longer and ordering drinks.

 

*One bar (I think it was Crazy Pub) once gave entering customers a chit which could be exchanged for a bar drink for a dancer. This kept the guys enthusiastic as they knew there was a real possibility to sit with a farang and the customer involved since it provided an opportunity to get to know a guy without investing $5 to $7 to find out)

 

*Have bar designers actually sit where the customers will be. Are the stage lights blinding the customers or does one have to practice yoga to be comfortably seated?

 

*Do a price/quality analysis. Sometimes lower prices result in greater value and higher profits. Frankly, I'm not eager to spend 550 baht (150 baht first drink, 150 baht for a boy drink, 150 baht second drink while the guy drinks his, and 100 baht "sit with me tip") And that expenditure does not take into consideration any off fee or tip for the guy if we leave together. These prices don't make bar hopping all that inexpensive.

 

*And so on.

 

There are a hundred ways to make visiting a bar fun. If all a bar attempts to do is provide boys for an evening, I fear they will find themselves sinking to the competition of better options over the internet.

[Gaybutton]

When I was single and traveling to a new place I would get on the net and make my contacts and get phone numbers before I left home.

Exactly! I also don't understand why people seem to think I am saying it's best to come to Thailand and then get on the Internet. It's very simple to make arrangements long before coming. And for those already in Thailand for a holiday, if it's a rainy day or you're looking for a daytime hookup, the personals sites can be a good way to spend some time before the bars open for the evening.

 

Another thing to think about - not everyone who comes to Thailand even goes to the cities where the gay bars exist. The personals sites can come in very handy when in other areas.

[Guest Hereforme2]

Someone should create an online virtual go go, Guys on stage close up shots and the viewer can ask the questions he wishes to ask. If all goes well there is a meeting of minds and whatever else. The only thing that is not virtual is the payment!

[Guest]

When I have tried to make arrangements by Gay Romeo in advance, it's usually gone wrong.

 

I've actually put quite a bit of effort into Gay Romeo. Particularly for towns with no gogo bars. Something always goes wrong. Guess if I spend longer in one town, it might just prove to be worthwhile.

[Gaybutton]

When I have tried to make arrangements by Gay Romeo in advance, it's usually gone wrong.

Sounds like we're missing some good stories. What happened?

[Gaybutton]

Someone should create an online virtual go go

Now that's an idea. I'd love that! GT, get those wheels spinning on this idea.

[Guest fountainhall]

In short, make the bars fun!

Bingo! Bullseye! Short and simple - you've hit the nail on the head!

 

When I have tried to make arrangements by Gay Romeo in advance, it's usually gone wrong.

I've had a guy arrange to meet, then not turn up. When the same thing happened a second time, I blocked him on my phone. Apart from that, the only 'complication' has been the usual flexible attitude to time. 3:00 pm invariably becomes anything from 3:30 onwards, but as long as the guy updates me, I'm OK with that.

[Gaybutton]

I blocked him on my phone.

I'm interested in that part. What phone service do you use and how do you go about blocking unwanted callers?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Call the Call Center for your mobile service. It is not a free service, but you can block calls, but not SMS's.

[Gaybutton]

Call the Call Center for your mobile service. It is not a free service, but you can block calls, but not SMS's.

That's better than nothing. If someone I block persists with SMS's, he really would have no way of knowing whether I received them or not.

 

When someone is blocked, if he tries to dial my number, what happens on his end? Does he get a message telling him he's been blocked? Does he simply get a busy signal? Do you, or anyone else, know what happens on the "blockee's" end?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I don't know what message they get. All I know is when I was having problems with you know who I finally blocked his calls, but his SMS's persisted until I got a new number.

[Guest fountainhall]

What phone service do you use and how do you go about blocking unwanted callers?

Apologies! I should have been more accurate. I keep the number on the phone but add 'BAN' to the end of the name. When I see that on the screen, I just do not answer.

[Gaybutton]

add 'BAN' to the end of the name. When I see that on the screen, I just do not answer.

"Ach sooooooooo." - Sefton, 'Stalag 17'

[Guest fountainhall]

"Ach sooooooooo."

Ja vol! Ist sehr effective, mein herr!

[Guest lvdkeyes]

When I blocked my ex with my mobile server it kept him from calling me at all hours of the day and night. Merely banning a number doesn't stop that person from calling and disturbing you even if you don't answer it.