Gay Bangkok vs. Gay Pattaya: A Gay Man's Adventures in Thailand

[TotallyOz]

Gay Bangkok vs. Gay Pattaya: A Gay Man's Adventures in Thailand

 

I have now stayed in Bangkok for the last 5 months. It is been a great visit and I have really enjoyed my time here. Bangkok and Pattaya are such different cities. The difference between them is the difference between night and day or a total top and total bottom.

 

First, Bangkok is a world-class city. It has everything that you would need if you were a businessman in Thailand. The transportation system in Bangkok is incredible. The choice of restaurants and food establishments is also amazing. Shopping centers are on every corner in downtown Bangkok. Siam Paragon and Central World are two of the best shopping centers I have been to anywhere. The Emporium is also pretty damn amazing. And those are only 3 of the great shopping centers in Bangkok. There are tons of others that are just as good.

 

At every corner in Bangkok you will find something to do. But if you are moving to Bangkok and need to do business, it is easy to get the things that you need to conduct business in Thailand. There are so many wonderful service apartments in Bangkok that is that it is often hard to choose which place to live. I have never seen a city with more amazing serviced apartments than I see in Bangkok.

 

The cost of a serviced apartment in Bangkok depends on what level of service you want. I have been stating at the Ascott Hotel and Serviced Apartment on soi Sathorn in Bangkok and I would consider it a 4 or a 5 star hotel or serviced apartment building. I have a large 2 bedroom unit than I'm paying slightly less than 100,000 baht per month. For that, I have room service available until late at night, nice high-speed Internet, daily room service and cleaning, and at least 3 amazing restaurants in the hotel that will deliver to my room at any time. Anytime something has needed to be changed in my apartment it was done within the hour and not the next day or the next week. I could not have asked for a better staff that would help me take care of the apartment and everything else I need. The concierge and the front desk staff have also been wonderful and helped me find things that I needed in Bangkok that I would not have been able to find on my own because of the language barrier. They have also made some reservations for me at various restaurants if I had a friend in town or a business meeting and I needed to get in to a restaurant that was booked. So all in all, I cannot be happier with my choice.

 

A few years back, I stayed before at the Marriott Executive Apartments and had a nice 3 bedroom that was also approximately 100,000 baht per month. That apartment building was also fantastic and the staff was great. In both of these, all the utilities and services are included in the rent and it is payable via debit or credit card.

 

Looking back over my records, in the 7 or 8 years that I've been coming to Thailand, I have stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel for 303 nights. That may seem like a great deal of time but on my 1st few trips to Thailand I would stay at the hotel for 30, 60 or 90 days at a time before I ever visited that wonderful Sodom by the sea.

 

Boys. There are so many boys in Bangkok that are available that I am still amazed at how easy it is to find someone. Of course the bar scene is always available and there are always hundreds of boys on Soi Twilight. But there are boys at every corner in Bangkok. If you go to see Siam Paragon during the daytime you will find tons of gay boys walking around and if you are not shy it is very easy to introduce yourself to them, strike up a conversation, get phone numbers and meet up later.

 

Also, for boys, the massage parlors kick ass! There is no other city in Thailand that has the quality or quantity of massage parlors that Bangkok currently has. So if massage is your thing, there is no other place in Thailand that could even compare. Hero Massage is my favorite and I have reviewed it many times. I have never been disappointed any time that I have been to Hero. But there are so many other choices out there for massages, and the boys are available from early afternoon all the way into the wee hours of the night. Most of the boys are also willing to come back to your apartment or hotel if you so desire. The rates for the boys vary depending on the venue that you go to.

 

Many of the boys that you will find on GayRomeo or Siam Paragon are boys that have full-time jobs and are not escorting full-time. They are looking for a quick way to make money, and some even just to hook up with no money. You do not find that in Sodom by the sea.

 

The area of Bangkok that I have been staying in is prone to the worst traffic I have ever seen. It is a nightmare from 8 o'clock in the morning until 10 AM or from 4 PM until 8 PM. And when I say a nightmare I mean a horrible nightmare. The cars are jammed bumper-to-bumper and sometimes it will take you 45 min. to go one block. That being said, there is a Skytrain stop about a 7 to 10 min. walk from my apartment. If you do not mind taking public transportation it is always easy to jump on the sky train and go to most of the places that you would want to go in Bangkok. There are also taxis available everywhere. All you have to do is hold up your hand and you will get a taxi. It is always best to open the door and ask the driver if they are willing to take you to a certain location because some of them will not want to go to the area you desire to go to. Even though the law states that they have to take you many of them will not and in order to avoid a scene I would suggest simply asking if they will take you there and if they nod their head no you close the door and get the next taxi. It's never too long of a wait.

 

When I stay in Pattaya, I have spent anywhere from 55,000 baht to 110,000 baht for a place to live. Those rates do not include electricity, utilities, water, Internet, and all the other things that a luxury apartment building or serviced apartment building will provide. My last apartment in the city costs 55,000 baht per month and was a one-bedroom unit with a great view of the ocean. It was a wonderful unit and I enjoyed it a great deal. All in all, I've also stayed in Pattaya over 3 years or even 4 years out of the last 7 or 8 years. So I think I have a pretty good perspective to on what each city has to offer.

 

Boys. Plain and simple Pattaya wins out when it comes to the availability of hookers. It does not have the variety or the quantity of boys that Bangkok has, but you know you can always find the boy day or night in the city willing to go with you at a moments notice. You know in Pattaya that every boy is a working boy. You will not find exceptions. Regardless of what your fantasy is, or how much you think the boy loves you, the fact is that if they are in the city they are there to work and they are there to make money and you are a customer. You may luck up and find great boys like I have and my two boys from Pattaya travel with me to Bangkok or wherever I stay. But, in the end, I am smart enough to realize they adore me and love me but are NOT in love with me and that I am the customer. Many forget this as time goes by but I don't. When money starts out as the center of a relationship, it will also be a factor in the relationship continuing. ALWAYS.

 

The transportation in Pattaya it is not bad at all if you are willing to drive a motorcycle. I have always bought a motorcycle on my trips to Pattaya and was able to get everywhere in the city that I wanted to go very fast. I have no problem renting, buying our riding a motorcycle to get around the city. That makes transportation for me very easy. There are also many baht buses that travel the roads of Pattaya and for 10, 15 or 20 baht you can get pretty much anywhere you want to go. The taxis in Pattaya are not metered taxis and will try to Fuck you up the ass when it comes to going anywhere. That is not true for the taxis in Bangkok. The metered taxis in Bangkok are metered taxis and you pay the price that is on the meter. If you stand outside of the gay bar area you will often find that they will ask you for 100 baht or 200 baht to get to a destination but all you have to do is walk down the street a little bit and there will be a metered taxi that will take you anywhere you want to go for the price on the meter. And the cost of that ride is relatively inexpensive compared to taxis I have taken in any other city in the world.

 

Party. Party. Party. That is what Pattaya is made for. It is a party city. 24 hours a day 7 days a week there is always a party going on and you can always find people to part with. If you are an ex-pat that lives in Pattaya, you get into a routine and you find a way to make the party happened at the time you want the party to happen.

 

Meeting ex-pats and other foreigners from your country is so much easier in Pattaya than it is in Bangkok. Partly to do with the size of the city, and partly to do with just the ease of meeting people in the 2 cities. If you are a social butterfly and you want to meet other men who were engaged in the purchase of boy for the night routine Pattaya is the city for you.

 

The price of everything in Bangkok is more expensive than it is in other cities in Thailand. If you're on a budget, it is harder to stick to that budget in Bangkok then it would be in many other cities in Thailand. The rate for the boys, the cost of drinks in a bar, and the cost of massages are all going to be more expensive in Bangkok and they will be in other cities. If you are a drinker, you will notice this difference very quick. However there are places that you can go where you can find reasonable reasonably priced drinks and a good atmosphere. It's not the tourist traps, but long time ex-pats that live here often go.

 

I really enjoyed living in both cities. There are things I like and things that I dislike in both cities. The thing I like most about Bangkok is the ease of finding a great service apartment where all your needs are taken care of. The thing I like the best about Pattaya is the ability to find expatriates that share common interests and good times. I have met some great friends in both cities but it is much easier in Pattaya. It is also much easier to Pattaya to meet nuts that gossip about your every move. Bangkok has less drama and less dramatic people who want to stick their nose in your business. That is always a plus for me!

 

I will most likely go back to Pattaya on my next trip or spend it in Chiang Mai. Only because I come to Thailand to relax and enjoy life and see new things. I don't like staying in the same city and doing the same thing every day. I find in Pattaya every day is the same. In Bangkok, there is always a variety of things to do.

 

I love both cities and I think they both have fantastic things to offer. That being said, I have always stated that Chaing Mai is the place I feel most comfortable. It is easy go lucky and seems like a nice middle ground between the two cities. I would stay there more if the apartment buildings were as nice as either city.

 

Now that I have given my opinion, please feel free to ask questions or make comments.

[Moses]

have no idea why you settle in 2- or 3-bedrooms apt...

[Guest]

Thanks for the post. An interesting perspective on life in the big city.

 

Your monthly budget for accommodation is quite generous & I don't know how good living in Bangkok would be if the accommodation budget was cut by 50 or 75%.

 

Where will you live for the next few months?

[TotallyOz]

I have a friend who is staying in Bangkok near Babylon for 10k baht per month and loves the place and the location. There are places out there for every budget. However, I like a place with room service and am willing to pay a premium to keep my lazy ass from leaving the building in order to get what I need.

 

I have no doubt that one can find a beautiful place in Bangkok for 25,000 baht a month.

 

I am off to the USA for the next 5 months at least. Not sure what my plans are after that.

[Guest thaiworthy]

Gay Bangkok vs. Gay Pattaya: A Gay Man's Adventures in Thailand

I have now stayed in Bangkok for the last 5 months. It is been a great visit and I have really enjoyed my time here. Bangkok and Pattaya are such different cities. The difference between them is the difference between night and day or a total top and total bottom.

So which is the top and which is the bottom?

 

I agree with Moses. Why do you need 3 bedrooms? The amount you spend for accommodation alone (100K) is around what many expats spend as their entire monthly budget! Much of this to me, just sounds like excess, or envy (from me)-- I'm not sure which!

 

Next, are your two boys. This is definitely envy! Do you sleep with both of them every night? I would. When you do one, you can turn around and do the other! Not sure if my bf would like that, though, so I'll probably never share your experience, as fun as it may seem. Can't say I've ever had two in bed, ever-- I'd probably be up all night and never get any sleep! Where do you get your stamina?! Oh wait, you're nearly 20 years younger than I am. Nevermind.

 

I totally agree with your assessment of Bangkok and Pattaya. To each his own, we all have our preferences for living in one place or another, since each offers its own unique male menus from which to pick. Some will want 24/7 fast food, others will like a complete 7-course dinner with a romantic view. But Michael, you do like-- and get it all. Sometimes you are like a kid in a candy store, if I may say so; you want it all and never seem to get a tummy ache.

 

Great parting report. Are we going to hear from you less now that you are leaving town? I hope not. I want to hear about your exploits wherever that may be. Don't let us down. I want to hear more about future candy store escapades. Are you going to maintain 2 boyfriends in the USA as well? (Boy, am I nosy!) In fact, if you need someone to carry your bags, I'm available!

[TotallyOz]

So which is the top and which is the bottom?

 

I have always said Pattaya is a city of pimps, whores, johns and druggies. I feel very at home in that world.

 

Bangkok is an awesome city with every modern convenience and full of great shopping and restaurants. I feel very at home in that world.

 

I think Firecat said it best when he said that it is great to spend time in both places!

 

I agree with Moses. Why do you need 3 bedrooms? The amount you spend for accommodation alone (100K) is around what many expats spend as their entire monthly budget! Much of this to me, just sounds like excess, or envy (from me)-- I'm not sure which!

 

I don't need 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms but when I have them, I seem to easily fill them up. The rooms have not been empty on this trip.

 

Everyone has a different budget. As long my living expenses don't exceed 200 USD per day, I am content. If it goes over that amount, I move. There are few places in Thailand that I can't find what I want. I use to say the same about Brazil but that is now getting much harder. I like nice hotels. I don't spend money on nice clothes or things many would spend money on.

 

 

Do you sleep with both of them every night?

 

No, I only sleep with the BF every night. And, for sex, only a few times a week maximum. I enjoy his company and I enjoy the company of the other guy as well but not as often as the main squeeze.

 

Sometimes you are like a kid in a candy store, if I may say so; you want it all and never seem to get a tummy ache.

 

I do want it all and I also feel like a kid in a candy store. I thought the same thing today at lunch. We went to Siam Paragon and there were so many cute boys and I talked to one that I liked and got his number and he came over later. But, the truth is, I would have easily taken 200 home with me. It is hard to choose and I love candy in all shapes and varieties.

 

Great parting report. Are we going to hear from you less now that you are leaving town?

 

Thank you very much. I am glad someone enjoyed the read! You may hear from me a bit less as I don't think others want to know what I am doing in when I am in USA. I go to Veterinarian Restaurants with my fag hags and boring shit like that. I do have tickets to see Bill Clinton's 10th anniversary concert in LA mid October with Lady Gaga, Bono and U2. It should be a great concert and event.

[Guest ronnie4you]

This is an interesting report, and looks like it took some time and thought. So thanks for sharing, I enjoyed it.

[Guest]

I agree with Moses. Why do you need 3 bedrooms?

 

The question is not exactly relevant. This is not an issue of need, rather he just has to want them and to be able to comfortably afford them. Then why not?

 

No one asks why Bill Gates needs 10 bedrooms, or whatever his place has. He doesn't need them, it's just that having such luxury accommodation doesn't even make a dent in his budget. He deserves it.

 

At the other extreme, for someone who basically cannot afford to sustain their lifestyle or put a little away for a rainy day, then when doing the debt counselling the "Why do you need 3 bedrooms?" question would be quite relevant.

 

Incidentally getting by on $200 a day in Bangkok is quite an achievement after subtracting 100,000 baht for the apartment.

 

As for me, if I get my act together and move to Thailand in the next few years, the total monthly budget will probably be not that far over the 100,000 baht mark, which people seem to survive on.

[Guest fountainhall]

I only sleep with the BF every night. And, for sex, only a few times a week maximum. I enjoy his company and I enjoy the company of the other guy as well but not as often as the main squeeze.

Having recently had the distinct pleasure of meeting the "boys", I have to say Michael is unquestionably one of the luckiest guys around. I was envious, of course, but then my idea of relationships is slightly different. What I took from the meeting is that if Michael can go out and find success in his domestic arrangements, then so can I., no matter that my budget is far smaller. And I now plan to work on that!

 

I do want it all and I also feel like a kid in a candy store.

Good on ya, Michael. Throughout my considerably longer life, I have lived largely by that principle. Life is short. We may find ourselves under a bus tomorrow - so live for the day and enjoy each one. We frequently moan and groan about one or other aspect of life in Thailand (and i have done my fair share), but Thailand is a great country to live in. Just walk down the street - any street - smile at those passing you by (especially the eye candy) and your heart will melt at the smiles you receive back. Living here is a matter of give-and-take. But make sure you give - for I feel quite a number - of visitors, especially - are here to take more than to give.

 

Have fun on your trip, Michael, as I know you will. But do post from time to time, and come back to us refreshed and ready for another few months of living life to the full. The boys will be waiting - I am sure, Lucky man!

[floridarob]

Here is the quote I live by:

 

Time is like a river, you cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.. Enjoy every moment of life

 

However, I am much more frugal than Mike is, always have been

 

 

I've noticed that being frugal, guys that are out for the money realize this real quick and don't bother coming around anymore, I prefer that... and the ones that do stick around are the keepers anyways.

 

I have an AMAZING kid in Brasil that really loves me...quite a few back in the USA, 1 in Cambodia and 1 in Cuba and here I am messing around in Thailand, why do we do things like that?

[TotallyOz]

Here is the quote I live by:

 

Time is like a river, you cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.. Enjoy every moment of life

 

I like that a great deal! Very nice.

 

Here is the signature on my personal e-mails that go to all my friends.

 

---Life is here, life is now. Life is soooo short... and sex is just to delicious! Life should NOT be a journey to the grave wit the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Champagne and Strawberries in one hand, Diet Coke and Godiva Chocolate in the other, a personal bottle of Eros, A BOX OF TROJAN MAGNUMS, and a good Cuban cigar in the your pockets (ALL partially used), a wallet ALMOST empty of currency but noticeably used from the rainbow colors of THE SEVERAL bills THAT REMAIN from a multitude of countries and cards charged to the max from the joys of life, body thoroughly used up, OLD AS TIME ITSELF, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO - what a ride!--- Michael

 

And from Queer as Folk my favorite quote: "I don't believe in love. I believe in fucking. It's honest, it's efficient. You get in and out with the maximum of pleasure, and minimum of bullshit. LOVE is something straight people tell themselves they're in, so they can get laid and they end up hurting each other, because it was all based on lies to begin with." -Brian Kinney

[Moses]

So which is the top and which is the bottom?

 

I agree with Moses. Why do you need 3 bedrooms? The amount you spend for accommodation alone (100K) is around what many expats spend as their entire monthly budget! Much of this to me, just sounds like excess, or envy (from me)-- I'm not sure which!

 

 

actually my question is about quantity of rooms, not about spending money... I'm curious how Michael uses them

[TotallyOz]

actually my question is about quantity of rooms, not about spending money... I'm curious how Michael uses them

 

So sorry Moses.

 

Room 1: Bedroom

Room 2: Dungeon - Leather and slings, etc. for the boys to entertain their ladies

Room 3: Party Room for my Wicca group in Thailand. Virgins needed!

 

 

 

Sorry, just kidding. I once had 10 boys live with me for a year and we have 5 bedrooms and 2 boys per bedroom. I thought that each boy would want to sleep with me all the time, but they seem to prefer their own space and sleep with me as little as possible. Go figure!

[Moses]

Sorry, just kidding. I once had 10 boys live with me for a year and we have 5 bedrooms and 2 boys per bedroom. I thought that each boy would want to sleep with me all the time, but they seem to prefer their own space and sleep with me as little as possible. Go figure!

 

Then best choice for you is have only one room in whole apt. and very big bed

[TotallyOz]

Gay Bangkok vs. Gay Pattaya: A Gay Man's Adventures in Thailand[/font]

But there are boys at every corner in Bangkok. If you go to see Siam Paragon during the daytime you will find tons of gay boys walking around and if you are not shy it is very easy to introduce yourself to them, strike up a conversation, get phone numbers and meet up later.

Having spent some time yesterday in Siam Paragon, I can tell you that this statement is still true. I don't know of any place on earth (except the beach in Rio) where I find more hot guys walking and cruising. It is lovely to go there and spend time to see the cute guys. Eye Candy is everywhere and I just love it there.

[Guest fountainhall]

The problem with Siam Paragon is the near ear-shattering ambient NOISE! I know of no mall anywhere on the planet that is so noisy, even when there are not so many people around. For that reason I dislike it intensely!

[TotallyOz]

The problem with Siam Paragon is the near ear-shattering ambient NOISE! I know of no mall anywhere on the planet that is so noisy, even when there are not so many people around. For that reason I dislike it intensely!

There is noise there? So sorry, I have never noticed as my vision is usually in overload.

[firecat69]

I always thought the noise was just the GayBoys saying meet me meet me!!