Decline of Dongtan Beach / Alternate Daytime Options

[Guest anonone]

As I mentioned in my random thoughts posting (ok, more like a novel, but I guess I tend to ramble )

 

On my recent trip I was rather disappointed in the gay beach area. Seemed to be VERY few Thai boys around, a large number of Russian Families all over, pretty high prices for massage, etc. and just not much fun.

 

I have also read a recent post by Gaybutton in the Gay Romeo thread which I found quite accurate....

 

If Gay Romeo has actually hurt anything, maybe it has hurt the beach scene. For years, the beach was fabulous for finding willing boys. But over the past year, whenever I go to the beach there are hardly any boys at all anymore, with the exception of the regulars. And even their numbers seem to have diminished. I have no idea whether Gay Romeo has anything to do with it, but I'll bet most people who have spent time at the beach lately, and have been coming to Pattaya for a number of years, have also noticed the decline in numbers of "farang hunter" boys at the beach.

 

Is everyone else having this experience as well? Is there a section at the beach where there is a better time to be had & Thai boys around?

 

My main question....are there other options for a single gay during the day?

 

I detest shopping, so that is out. I have done all the regular tourist things that I am interested in, including some day trips.

 

Are there any gay bars that are open during the day (and that actually have someone in them)? Any fun places to just hang out and meet guys? Doesn't have to be just for a hook up, but just a good place to spend some time.

 

I notice there are plenty of straight beer bars open and actually busy during all parts of the day. Any gay version out there?

 

Thanks for any ideas.

[Guest]

The beach does seem to have declined in the last year. Fewer cute guy and more fat women.

However, there is still sufficient talent around to make it worthwhile for the tourist to visit for a few hours.

I would not be comfortable spending the daytime AND the evening in the bars.

By the time I get up, a take a leisurely breakfast, then a coffee, read the Bangkok post & move to the beach that's most of the morning gone. Squeezing in a morning massage adds some nice variation too.

 

One could always wonder around Jomtien, where some of the places like Two Faces do seem to be open in the afternoon. Last time I stopped there just for a coffee & it turned into a massage session (admittedly this was 2 years ago).

 

The beach is a good place for chatting with a few Farang friend. Some of them bring their new friends along from the previous nights gogo bar visit, which is something we could try.

[Gaybutton]

Despite the decline in numbers of boys frequenting the beach, the beach is still where I would start out. If boys are going to show up, the best time to be there is between about 1:30 to 3:00pm. When the boys go to the beach, most usually go to the concessions starting in front of Tui's and then the next three or four concessions to the right. After that, there usually aren't so many, but still definitely worth a look. Stroll along the beach or walkway from Tui's up as far as Rabbit Resort. If you make it as far as Rabbit Resort and still haven't spotted anyone interesting, make a U-turn and stroll back. Quite often more boys have shown up by then.

 

While the beach is definitely not what it used to be, regarding numbers of boys, it's still hit or miss. Some days there are plenty of boys and some days there are none at all. You never know, which is why if it were me, I'd start at the beach.

 

The Bamboo bar is a host bar. They're open during the day and boys will be there.

 

In Jomtien Complex, you might try your luck at Question Mark and Two Faces. Ganymede is a likely spot. They're open during the day and they also have a nice sauna.

 

You might also try the spots next to Dick's Cafe. Boys are there during the day.

 

A little further up the road, toward town, there's the Sansuk Sauna.

[mahjongguy]

Notes -

 

Ganymede's sauna opens at 3pm. The bar opens at 4pm.

 

Sansuk opens at 3pm (but who wants to be the 1st to arrive?).

 

Dick's Cafe is open all day.

 

Bondi on the beach is open all day.

[Guest travelerjim]

Dongtan beach is definitely a MISS...

Not what is used to be...

Nowadays, rare to see Thai boys frolicking in the surf...

or even sitting in the chairs with their friends.

 

Occasional Farang with boy in tow...

But the beach scene has changed.

 

Why? Do not know...

but I do miss the "eye candy"

as have enjoyed for many past years at the beach

 

tj

[Guest anonone]

The beach does seem to have declined in the last year. Fewer cute guy and more fat women.

However, there is still sufficient talent around to make it worthwhile for the tourist to visit for a few hours.

I would not be comfortable spending the daytime AND the evening in the bars.

By the time I get up, a take a leisurely breakfast, then a coffee, read the Bangkok post & move to the beach that's most of the morning gone. Squeezing in a morning massage adds some nice variation too.

 

One could always wonder around Jomtien, where some of the places like Two Faces do seem to be open in the afternoon. Last time I stopped there just for a coffee & it turned into a massage session (admittedly this was 2 years ago).

 

The beach is a good place for chatting with a few Farang friend. Some of them bring their new friends along from the previous nights gogo bar visit, which is something we could try.

 

Thanks z909.

I would not mind bar visits both day and night. I usually have some beer on the beach anyway, so same same for me. And before you get the wrong image of me, I am not an all day drunk guy, nor am I overweight. Just a guy on vacation, looking to have fun.

 

I have brought along new Thai friends to the beach during the day, and that was OK in the past. Chatting with (gay) Farang neighbors and watching the Thai guys was a nice way to pass the day. Last visit, just didn't seem like anyone was there, with the exception of the Russian families. Based on other replies, I will try a different area of the beach. The gay area might just be shrinking....

 

I do like Jomtien Complex during the late afternoon / early evening. I have had great fun at Two Faces (and others), and thank you for the reminder that they do massage there. That will be on my list to try out. As far as I know, none of these places open until 3 or 4 though.

 

Despite the decline in numbers of boys frequenting the beach, the beach is still where I would start out. If boys are going to show up, the best time to be there is between about 1:30 to 3:00pm. When the boys go to the beach, most usually go to the concessions starting in front of Tui's and then the next three or four concessions to the right. After that, there usually aren't so many, but still definitely worth a look. Stroll along the beach or walkway from Tui's up as far as Rabbit Resort. If you make it as far as Rabbit Resort and still haven't spotted anyone interesting, make a U-turn and stroll back. Quite often more boys have shown up by then.

 

While the beach is definitely not what it used to be, regarding numbers of boys, it's still hit or miss. Some days there are plenty of boys and some days there are none at all. You never know, which is why if it were me, I'd start at the beach.

 

The Bamboo bar is a host bar. They're open during the day and boys will be there.

 

In Jomtien Complex, you might try your luck at Question Mark and Two Faces. Ganymede is a likely spot. They're open during the day and they also have a nice sauna.

 

You might also try the spots next to Dick's Cafe. Boys are there during the day.

 

A little further up the road, toward town, there's the Sansuk Sauna.

 

Thanks Gaybutton. Some good info here.

 

I might try a different concession area, probably closer to Tuis place. It seems the Russians are encroaching from the Rabbit resort side, so maybe it will be better down the way a bit.

 

Anyone care to suggest a good concession area / number near Tuis?

 

Thanks also for the reminder about Bamboo Bar. I had totally forgotten about it. I don't know what time it opens, but worth a try next time. Same with Jomtien Complex area. I have visited most of the bars there, fairly often, and have had a good time. I just don't think any of them are open during the day.

 

I have been to Sansuk sauna a couple of times. It was fun, but doesn't really get going until 5 or 6. I would imagine Ganymede's sauna would be the same.

 

 

Notes -

 

Ganymede's sauna opens at 3pm. The bar opens at 4pm.

 

Sansuk opens at 3pm (but who wants to be the 1st to arrive?).

 

Dick's Cafe is open all day.

 

Bondi on the beach is open all day.

 

Thanks for the notes. It is what I suspected, most venues don't open up until 3 or 4. Sounds like Bondi might be an exception...is that a host bar place, or just a regular restaurant / guesthouse place? I have walked by many times, but have not ventured in as of yet...

 

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I appreciate the info. Any more ideas would be gratefully received.

 

It sounds like mornings and early afternoons are meant for the beach. Hopefully I can try some different sections and find some refuge from the large, loud Russian women.

[Guest Steve1903]

Just a thought, but has nobody asked the Thai boys who ARE on the beach why there are fewer nowadays?

[Gaybutton]

Anyone care to suggest a good concession area / number near Tuis?

The one directly in front of Tui's and the two next ones to the right, as you face the beach, are in my opinion the best ones. Most boys who go to the beach seem to pick any of those three. The concession at Rit's Beach seems to be the most popular among English speaking farang, but if you're looking for boys, any of those three will do.

 

If boys show up, but the ones you like are sitting at a different concession, you can always move or just go over and start chatting with the boy you like. If you invite him to come and sit with you, chances are very good he will be quite willing.

[Guest paulg]

I used to go to the concessions mentioned but gave it away as there was a loudmouth yank who used to stand not sit, and you could hear his opinions on EVERYTHING from almost 50 yards away.

He used to go on and on and on.

I used to feel really sorry for the guys whose ears he was hammering.

[KhorTose]

I also choose Rits place over the others, as I feel much safer leaving my cameras, phone and other stuff siting out if I decide to go for a walk or, when it was possible, to swim there. I've tried the others, but nobody watches your stuff like they do at Rits. The only drawback is that he had a fight with Tui and when I was last there the food came from elsewhere.

[Travellerdave]

I certainly concur that the gay Dongtan beach has changed for the worse over the last few years. The encroachment of women and families, particularly Russians, and the shortage of attractive boys are both negatives.

Most days I turn up at Dongtan about 2 pm, having spent the late morning in the gym. I buy a cooling drink and do a bit of reading, but inevitably I start looking around for eye candy, but in March It seemed in short supply, although there was usually a group of boys playing handball at the edge of the sea.

I occasionaly invite a boy to accompany me to the beach, but unless there is money involved I think they like to meet up with their friends. Also they are often shy and dont like wearing brief swimwear.

Maybe Gayromeo has had an effect - there seems to be more and more boys and farangs using it, but surely lying by the warm blue sea is better than crouched in front of a screen in an internet cafe or your room.

The bars in the Jomtien Complex dont really get going until about 6.00 pm and I found the Bamboo Bar to be the same. The policy of the Samsuk Sauna is not to admit money boys, so I found a load of older guys wandering about wanting sex but not finding it.

So really I think the best option is to chill out relax and wait for the evening fun.