Hardship stories

[Keithambrose]

As members may know, I was in Pattaya  last month. I used  gay guide, called Best. He spoke English,  and was a good guide, and guy. Worked in a bar in Jomtien complex.  Paid him as agreed, plus good tip. Just had message  saying he was broke, no money to eat, locked out of his room, desperate, etc. There has been discussion on this forum  about this sort of situation, and I normally do not react. First I don't know if it's true, second, I don't get involved  with a guy I have met once, on a business  level. 

 

Any views?

 

 

[bkkmfj2648]

if you had a picture and/or web page and/or social media for Khun Best - it might be helpful to understand if any of this is true.

The problem with the name BEST in a Google search is that it gives very misleading results.

[Vessey]

Very common I am afraid. I am constantly doing battle with requests for money. 

Can't pay for room and face eviction is the most common,

No money for doctor/hospital for them/parents/grandparents

No money to buy the baby milk etc.

Mostly these requests come from boys that I know and have often been with over several years. Some can be very persistent, others collapse and go away when you first say no.

Its almost like a national sport to keep milking your farang once he has gone home.

I have a boyfriend that I help modestly once a month but all the above are from other boys short-time/long-time that I meet along the way.

The trick is to be able to sort out the deserving poor from the undeserving poor. Some, a few, are indeed desperate, others are just trying it on.

[bkkmfj2648]

3 minutes ago, Vessey said:

Its almost like a national sport to keep milking your farang once he has gone home.

This is SO true.  Thailand should ask the Olympic Committee to add this as an additional sport.  Thailand would most likely win the GOLD.

4 minutes ago, Vessey said:

The trick is to be able to sort out the deserving poor from the undeserving poor. Some, a few, are indeed desperate, others are just trying it on.

and to deal with all of the mental anguish that comes with these constant requests - especially when you live here and they see you day after day in the supermarket, at the bank ATM, in the Jomtien Complex, at the beach, in restaurants, etcetra.  And during low season when almost all of the readership of this forum go back to their home countries - the intensity ratchets up - as us full-time expats here are the only ones remaining to try to survive the  Zombie apocalypse until the next high season begins when all of you - this readership - return - when the begging intensity decreases.

[Keithambrose]

15 minutes ago, Vessey said:

Very common I am afraid. I am constantly doing battle with requests for money. 

Can't pay for room and face eviction is the most common,

No money for doctor/hospital for them/parents/grandparents

No money to buy the baby milk etc.

Mostly these requests come from boys that I know and have often been with over several years. Some can be very persistent, others collapse and go away when you first say no.

Its almost like a national sport to keep milking your farang once he has gone home.

I have a boyfriend that I help modestly once a month but all the above are from other boys short-time/long-time that I meet along the way.

The trick is to be able to sort out the deserving poor from the undeserving poor. Some, a few, are indeed desperate, others are just trying it on.

Thanks. As I said, he did have a job in a bar, so was not dependent on being a guide. Mind you, bar was at gloomy end of Complex, opposite 2 closed bars, and didn't look busy at all, so may have folded. I am a generous  guy,  but I think it is going too far to shell out money for a guy I met once. I have told Siam Roads,  but no response  from Moses, he is no doubt digesting the news from Syria!

[Keithambrose]

21 minutes ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

if you had a picture and/or web page and/or social media for Khun Best - it might be helpful to understand if any of this is true.

The problem with the name BEST in a Google search is that it gives very misleading results.

Unfortunately no social media, I hired him through  Siam Roads. His picture  should be on there. All I have is WhatsApp.  As I have just said in earlier  message, I have told Moses. I appreciate  that the name Best doesn't help!

[bkkmfj2648]

https://bkktour.info/testimonial/best-is-the-best/

He seems to have received glowing reviews.

From his picture, he is not one of the many guys who constantly hound me for money.

But please do not send him my way as I am already beyond capacity.

He is cute, by the way 🤩

[Keithambrose]

2 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Unfortunately no social media, I hired him through  Siam Roads. His picture  should be on there. All I have is WhatsApp.  As I have just said in earlier  message, I have told Moses. I appreciate  that the name Best doesn't help!

His picture, and description  is still there. He has a good review. And it is high season, so I would  have thought he would have some work. 

[Keithambrose]

1 minute ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

https://bkktour.info/testimonial/best-is-the-best/

He seems to have received glowing reviews.

From his picture, he is not one of the many guys who constantly hound me for money.

But please do not send him my way as I am already beyond capacity.

He is cute, by the way 🤩

Thanks. Yes, he is cute, but I followed the 'no sex' policy....

[bkkmfj2648]

1 minute ago, Keithambrose said:

And it is high season, so I would  have thought he would have some work. 

Only @Moses would know if these tour guides are being utilized as we hope that they are. 🙏😇🤩

[Moses]

1 hour ago, Keithambrose said:

he is no doubt digesting the news from Syria!

This may be "news" for you, but here we knew about what was coming more than a week ago: Putin "sold" Syria to Erdogan back in November.

That's why when Assad flew to Moscow last week, he sat in a hotel for two days and was not received in the Kremlin, and Putin was not even in Russia at the time.

[Keithambrose]

25 minutes ago, Moses said:

This may be "news" for you, but here we knew about what was coming more than a week ago: Putin "sold" Syria to Erdogan back in November.

That's why when Assad flew to Moscow last week, he sat in a hotel for two days and was not received in the Kremlin, and Putin was not even in Russia at the time.

It's still news. 

[Moses]

37 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

It's still news. 

That exactly I wrote: news for you. For us : expected changes.

[floridarob]

46 minutes ago, Moses said:

That exactly I wrote: news for you. For us : expected changes.

And the guide?

Even if you replied privately to kethambrose, there will be readers curious if you've addressed the questions posed, no?

[floridarob]

3 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

so I would  have thought he would have some work. 

I get requests from Bali and Colombia guys sometimes for money.... it's transactional with no free sex favors, and I tell them that it's a 2-way  street. Then I wonder how many are on that message distribution list 🤨

[Moses]

3 hours ago, floridarob said:

And the guide?

Even if you replied privately to kethambrose, there will be readers curious if you've addressed the questions posed, no?

What about guide? Keith thinks what he wrote me something, but I got zero, so have no comments.

If you are interested in learning about Best's personal life, I have no comment either - that's what the word "private" is for.

But I can comment on Pattaya - from a business point of view, it's a shithole. Even Chiang Rai and Kanchanabury are more interesting from a business point of view. Pattaya only attracts meat lovers of both genders. I keep Pattaya on the Siamroads map only to give small support to these guys who get 2-3 tours a month from this "business" even at time of high season. Such support costs me zero money and 15-20 min of my time per month, but guys have additionally 4-6 KBahts per month for to survive.

[vinapu]

8 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

As members may know, I was in Pattaya  last month. I used  gay guide, called Best. He spoke English,  and was a good guide, and guy. Worked in a bar in Jomtien complex.  Paid him as agreed, plus good tip. Just had message  saying he was broke, no money to eat, locked out of his room, desperate, etc. There has been discussion on this forum  about this sort of situation, and I normally do not react. First I don't know if it's true, second, I don't get involved  with a guy I have met once, on a business  level. 

Any views?

 

I'd say, in this or rather such case (s)  be selfish in a good sense i.e.   if you feel like giving something and it will make you to feel better without putting dent in your treasury then give him whatever you feel like  without splitting hair if story is true or racket , that you may never learn so better not too worry.

If you yield , be prepared such requests may come again , both from him and other boys he knows they know you , if any so at one point be prepared to put stop on it.

If you don't tell them what I do " I'm only giving money when we meet , in exchange for your companionship" -it seems to work.

Not sure why you had Moses involved in it, asking for support boy did not act in capacity of being his employee.

to illustrate  what may happen here are my stories, I bought phone once and gave money 6 times to 4 boys over years :

Phone boy , asked for phone costing 12000. I saw cheaper model of the same make  at 8000. because we spent few nights together and i was very happy with him we settled

on middle 10000 model and I extracted free Long Time for that following night. No fuss and no further requests.

Boy 1, veteran of many offs, went home to Myanmar when Covid struck, asked for money I sent him twice as much  , he sent me picture of money  collected and never asked for more

Boy2, also veteran , I  met his brother on street who told me he broke his leg while skating and he show even me his picture with cast. Next day I gave envelope with my usual Long Time tip +1000 to brother at his shop, he handed money over  , I got picture of guy holding envelope opened  and thank you. Few weeks later he asked for more but I answered that I did what I could , got wai emoticon and never heard from him again. But his friend in Pattaya who knows me likely heard about  my good heart and asked for money because motorbike accident. He got an answer  highlighted above and I met him at least twice since, no further requests

Boy 3, veteran now but I saw him only once and was awe struck when covid hit and I learned from other member that boy is in financial distress stuck back home. So using member  as intermediary I sent him some donation, got confirmation of boy clutching money and voice message  ' thank you for  xxx dollars'. About two years later when things went to normal boy was sitting in soi 4 with customer and to my shock recognized me  ( we met only once by then) and came to thank me for that donation.

Ever since met him many times , meetings were from very good  to very bad but I have soft spot for him. Sensing it , he asked for a loan, promising to repay it within month, not knowing that in one month I will be there to collect money in person. Offed him and no word of repayment,   when I finally  asked  about it , he turned red and said 'no money' . To his credit he seemed surprised when I gave him full LT tip  but on another hand did not suggest he repays it in services. Loan still outstanding , I see him every trip always reminding him we have this not solved but good news is , no further requests.

BOY 4 , great illustration of my idiocy , story told in my Jan 2023 report. Met him  Phnom Penh in Oct 2022, in Jan 2023 he contacted me about going together to Bangkok as we discussed previously. Asked for some money to prepare for the trip , got it as prepayment for his services on his suggestion. Week later asked for more, I sent him half of what he wanted. He picked me up at the airport , was supposed to see me in hotel  at night but never showed up , fell silent and never heard from him again.

so bottom line of all that is : if you send money  don't expect anything  in exchange  other than possible following requests. Send money because you want to help , not because you feel pity for boy's real or fabricated plight . If you feel really sorry think that there are many more deserving people you never heard about and thus you will never help them anyways.

In a sense I'm still grateful to boy4 for teaching me that lesson and ever since   I'm only giving money when we meet , in exchange for your companionship

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, Moses said:

 

But I can comment on Pattaya - from a business point of view, it's a shithole.

sure , as all cathedrals , galleries , museums and monuments are so close to each other  ,  no need for guides really .

[Moses]

59 minutes ago, vinapu said:

sure , as all cathedrals , galleries , museums and monuments are so close to each other  ,  no need for guides really

Hahaha  This is joke of the day :)))))

And most of them are located just in 2 areas: BoyzTown and Jomtien complex.

[Keithambrose]

3 hours ago, Moses said:

What about guide? Keith thinks what he wrote me something, but I got zero, so have no comments.

If you are interested in learning about Best's personal life, I have no comment either - that's what the word "private" is for.

But I can comment on Pattaya - from a business point of view, it's a shithole. Even Chiang Rai and Kanchanabury are more interesting from a business point of view. Pattaya only attracts meat lovers of both genders. I keep Pattaya on the Siamroads map only to give small support to these guys who get 2-3 tours a month from this "business" even at time of high season. Such support costs me zero money and 15-20 min of my time per month, but guys have additionally 4-6 KBahts per month for to survive.

This is the message I sent yesterday.  It went to one of your email addresses,  though I know you have several.  It was headed 'Best Pattaya,'

 

Quote

 

Just to say I had a message from him today, asking for money. He says he has no money  to eat, and has been locked out of his accommodation.  Sent a pic of a locked door. If true, I am very sorry, but I don't send money in these ccircumstances

 

unquote

 

 

 

Sent from Outlook for Android

[Keithambrose]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

I'd say, in this or rather such case (s)  be selfish in a good sense i.e.   if you feel like giving something and it will make you to feel better without putting dent in your treasury then give him whatever you feel like  without splitting hair if story is true or racket , that you may never learn so better not too worry.

If you yield , be prepared such requests may come again , both from him and other boys he knows they know you , if any so at one point be prepared to put stop on it.

If you don't tell them what I do " I'm only giving money when we meet , in exchange for your companionship" -it seems to work.

Not sure why you had Moses involved in it, asking for support boy did not act in capacity of being his employee.

to illustrate  what may happen here are my stories, I bought phone once and gave money 6 times to 4 boys over years :

Phone boy , asked for phone costing 12000. I saw cheaper model of the same make  at 8000. because we spent few nights together and i was very happy with him we settled

on middle 10000 model and I extracted free Long Time for that following night. No fuss and no further requests.

Boy 1, veteran of many offs, went home to Myanmar when Covid struck, asked for money I sent him twice as much  , he sent me picture of money  collected and never asked for more

Boy2, also veteran , I  met his brother on street who told me he broke his leg while skating and he show even me his picture with cast. Next day I gave envelope with my usual Long Time tip +1000 to brother at his shop, he handed money over  , I got picture of guy holding envelope opened  and thank you. Few weeks later he asked for more but I answered that I did what I could , got wai emoticon and never heard from him again. But his friend in Pattaya who knows me likely heard about  my good heart and asked for money because motorbike accident. He got an answer  highlighted above and I met him at least twice since, no further requests

Boy 3, veteran now but I saw him only once and was awe struck when covid hit and I learned from other member that boy is in financial distress stuck back home. So using member  as intermediary I sent him some donation, got confirmation of boy clutching money and voice message  ' thank you for  xxx dollars'. About two years later when things went to normal boy was sitting in soi 4 with customer and to my shock recognized me  ( we met only once by then) and came to thank me for that donation.

Ever since met him many times , meetings were from very good  to very bad but I have soft spot for him. Sensing it , he asked for a loan, promising to repay it within month, not knowing that in one month I will be there to collect money in person. Offed him and no word of repayment,   when I finally  asked  about it , he turned red and said 'no money' . To his credit he seemed surprised when I gave him full LT tip  but on another hand did not suggest he repays it in services. Loan still outstanding , I see him every trip always reminding him we have this not solved but good news is , no further requests.

BOY 4 , great illustration of my idiocy , story told in my Jan 2023 report. Met him  Phnom Penh in Oct 2022, in Jan 2023 he contacted me about going together to Bangkok as we discussed previously. Asked for some money to prepare for the trip , got it as prepayment for his services on his suggestion. Week later asked for more, I sent him half of what he wanted. He picked me up at the airport , was supposed to see me in hotel  at night but never showed up , fell silent and never heard from him again.

so bottom line of all that is : if you send money  don't expect anything  in exchange  other than possible following requests. Send money because you want to help , not because you feel pity for boy's real or fabricated plight . If you feel really sorry think that there are many more deserving people you never heard about and thus you will never help them anyways.

In a sense I'm still grateful to boy4 for teaching me that lesson and ever since   I'm only giving money when we meet , in exchange for your companionship

Thanks for all that, very helpful. I only involved Moses so he was aware of the position. After all, he runs the business. Mind you, from his comments, it doesn't seem as if he cares much for Pattaya.

[Olddaddy]

13 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

As members may know, I was in Pattaya  last month. I used  gay guide, called Best. He spoke English,  and was a good guide, and guy. Worked in a bar in Jomtien complex.  Paid him as agreed, plus good tip. Just had message  saying he was broke, no money to eat, locked out of his room, desperate, etc. There has been discussion on this forum  about this sort of situation, and I normally do not react. First I don't know if it's true, second, I don't get involved  with a guy I have met once, on a business  level. 

 

Any views?

 

 

I would help him.💚💙💛

You know why ?

Because in all probability you will see him again if you enjoyed his company and what's the difference you giving him money now or when you arrive next time ?

If he desperately needs the money I would WhatsApp him on video and talk to him .🙏

On the other hand if you have absolutely no intention of ever seeing him again on your trips to Pattaya then there is no need to reply to him.😩

But whether he is being true or not even sending 1000 baht will put you in front with him next trip you see him eg he owes you🍌🍌😅

I have a soft heart 💚myself having been through life like we all have

personally I  would help him but that's me 🙏

 

 

[Olddaddy]

13 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

As members may know, I was in Pattaya  last month. I used  gay guide, called Best. He spoke English,  and was a good guide, and guy. Worked in a bar in Jomtien complex.  Paid him as agreed, plus good tip. Just had message  saying he was broke, no money to eat, locked out of his room, desperate, etc. There has been discussion on this forum  about this sort of situation, and I normally do not react. First I don't know if it's true, second, I don't get involved  with a guy I have met once, on a business  level. 

 

Any views?

 

 

Keith did you write a report on your tour experience in Pattaya?

I may have missed it if you did.

I don't want to get off topic but where did Best take you to ?

I never really thought about a Tour guide in Pattaya but now I'm thinking I would like to go to Pattaya dance clubs 🕺💃👯‍♂️maybe with one who could take me 

I know Moses have some fantastic guys in Bangkok .

Just wish he would get more in the Philippines🇵🇭 in 2025

 

 

[bkkmfj2648]

47 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

Keith did you write a report on your tour experience in Pattaya?

Me too.

I am still waiting to read Keith's Pattaya trip report.

It will be even more interesting because he used a Siam Roads tour  guide.  It would be helpful to understand if when I have visitors to Pattaya that I could send on a good tour.

Thanks

[a-447]

7 hours ago, vinapu said:

I'm only giving money when we meet , in exchange for your companionship

I have a similar line  - not that I've been hit on for money all that often over the years.

I say : "I want to spend money on things we can do together so I am also happy."