vinapu

Not necessary weaker position, as Rogie noticed in following post, one inside you are trapped. As for customer /servant part -it's just too much of capitalistic propaganda you are subjected to. Free market-he offers service at stated cost and condition and you are free to take it or look somewhere else. I usually open door, state destination and wait for nod or quotation. If there's no quotation as soon as taxi starts running I indicate need for meter, usually like you I sit at front so just a tap on meter does the trick. Sometimes I doesn't work and we need to stop in order for me to get out, sometimes I just swallow my pride and pay what is asked for or try to haggle. But this is general - in Bangkok really never problem with taxis with exception of really bad weather when I understand driver is taking advantage of. In such a case I'm grateful he was there

Free market at work. Some enterprising guys if they sniff client is new to Thailand and bar scene are trying to extract as much as they can get away with. I personally don't see anything wrong with that. We take for granted that everybody is well informed but not always is a case. Truth is , some people coming for first time is doing proper research of what to expect, bar tips included. So some people don't have a clue and it goes both ways. Some are overpaying because smarties are asking them to , some are surprised that bar fee did not cover everything and they are supposed to pay tip to girl or boy. It's why card with tip indicated as in Vassa bar is a good idea. Not everybody underpaying is a cheap Charlie, some simply don't know. On personal note, when first time there , in 2001 I arrived well researched with on exception- somehow did not picked up that is short time and long time tip. So tipped my first guy long time rate after short time meeting. Good bye kiss I received was by far longest in my life so I smell something went wrong but it was 1000 baht too late.

My apologies for resurrecting old thread but couldn't resist. For years on all boards there's doom and gloom predicting demise of go-go bars but somehow they endure. If there's decline reason for this may be attributed to technology like GR, some cause is industry internal as I have impression that it looks that number of massage places and beer/host bars increased, some may be attributed to worsening economic conditions in the West and to improving ones in Thailand. Also demographic may be culprit with lower number of young people looking for opportunities in the sex industry as other jobs may become available. While Gay Romeo and similar websites are certainly more and more popular for reasons explained in posts above I believe go-go industry will stay here for good while. There's allure in visiting bar and feeding eyes with candy available not to mention more hand-on activities. Thrill of climbing stairs to Hotmale or Dreamboys or sneaking through half-dark alley to Jupiter beats surfing GR 8 days a week, 25 hours a day IMHO. It was Devint week or two ago describing in his post about HERO on this board that on approach he felt like unsupervised child in candy store. Certainly he is not new to the scene so imagine thrill newbie feels. Even fact that bar boys are available only for 5 hours instead of 24 like their GR competitors /?/ adds to the excitement as lots of us deep in our heads have still this residual love of hunt and waiting for prey instead of having it on the plate anytime. Another problem we have with technology is that is ubiquitous and possessive, demanding more of our time and energy. What kind of holidays we have if we can't unglue ourselves from our laptops, cellphones, tablets etc.? Do people really spent 22 hours in the air to get there to sit in the hotel room and surf internet for hook ups and check their phone every 3 minutes? From what one sees around and reads in posts is certainly case with many, I'd say their vacation , their lifestyle, their choice but it will be always those who are crowding Silom's sidewalks and Grand Palace temples and in the evening nervously approaching either side of Suriwong hoping for thrill and rarely disappointed / with thrill arrival , not necessary night's companion /. Is somebody getting this kind of heat under the collar it while logging to his laptop? So I say GR is good for those who like availability and convenience and probably lower costs of company and need to feel connected. And bars are good for those who are looking for thrill and instant gratification plus those like myself who are taking vacation of everthing- home , work, daily worries and rituals and of those handy but pesky electronic devices. As for boys I think internet gave them more choice, broadened their client base for those who couldn't bring themselves to bars or are looking for thrill at 7 a.m. and found their bed empty at that time. (Now you know why I'm in long time camp). And if boys are happy so are we, either nervously squeezing tablet or biting nails before we wade into bar.

When salesperson job slowly converted from lifetime carrier to part time job, knowledge of product evaporated from people's minds. Nowadays salesperson job is not to advise and help clients but to watch they don't steal and to escort them to the cash register. It's nobody's fault, it's just we consumers became less demanding and better informed at the same time. At least this is what I think.

I like the place and always stay there at least 2-3 nights on every trip. Not luxurious but comfortable enough. Location can't be beat for Soi Twilight boy bars / literally behind the hotel / and Patpong 'sighteeing'. Rooms spacious and clean, walk distance to MRT / underground / and BTS / elevated rail /. Two condoms always provided and replenished if used. Usually packet of lube too. A/C powerful yet whisper quiet On busy Rama IV street yet quiet inside. Some may complain about absence of elevator but if one is strong enough to entertain his boy should not have problem climbing one or two flights of stairs. They help you with luggage, good way to get acquainted with a boy and ask for massage if you like him. There are massage boys on site , available almost 7/24. Did not see any at 5 a.m but picked one at 2 a.m . They don't approach you uninvited so don't feel intimidated. Very handy if you did not see anybody interesting in bars and still don't fancy lonely night. Or you don't feel like taking siesta mid-day nap alone. Residents have 20% off the cost of massage, regular is 600 for 1 hr. and 1000 for 2 hrs. Word of warning- boys will talk among themselves about you and tip you left so try to be evenhanded if using their services. Snake farm exactly across the street. You may land there for short time as they have ST rooms for 550 up to 3 hrs. Reception will be holding boy's ID during convention, not sure will call you when boy will be leaving to check if all OK as I have habit of walking them down anyways. Two computers in the lobby available if you forgot your laptop.

Some of those rooms have even mirrors on the walls and ceiling, fond memories ! S/T rooms are slightly cheaper than at BBB Inn.

Did not stay but lunched there and food was excellent. Will return.

Was in Fan Club in May enticed by folder distributed on Silom, great selection of boys, probably more than on the picture above. Not sure it was draw of the luck or their standard but massage part was one of the best I ever had in Bangkok and I was taken excellent care of with afters as well. Nice appointed rooms with private shower and even Listerine provided.

Probably you are right with effect on economy and hotel prices although Bangkok is well endowed with hotels so effect on rates may be minimal. Certainly I do not see how it effects me personally as for me BBB Inn, Take a Nap and the likes is what I call better hotels. Not sure ' most ' in "bad for most of us" in you tittle applies as I don't know hotel spending habits of posters but quite a few mentioned that their preference is spending money on entertainment and boys rather than lodging we really do not spent much time in. Not that I consider spending money on luxurious accommodation on vacation waste as some may consider a little bit of indulgence on holidays well earned and deserved treat for themselves and their companions and for others it may be their preferred lifestyle. Lowering tax on luxury items will certainly help as I'm under impression those goods are already priced competitively compare to Europe and North America. I may be wrong on this one though as I travel light and do not shop that much.

Unfortunately along with gem this is pretty common scam and can be easily avoided if somebody bother to do minimal research of destination is going to. Keeping 4000 pound in the hotel room is pretty stupid but I guess they were not experienced travelers or just got carried over by sight of angelic ladies. What is shocking to me is a first sentence " two elderly visitors " , one is 61 another 63, I'd sue for defamation, oops I forgot they don't have money at the moment

While not as luxurious as , say SENSO, boys are never disappointing. In fact this is first gay place I always visit after arrival in Bangkok, on last trip went there 2 times which is rare for me as I butterfly. Both boys were sweet / James and Dit /

I was there in May, got massage guy assigned for me from rotation and nevertheless left very happy with boy , massage and afters, in fact I offed that guy long time later the same day. No showers in rooms but boy made sure room door were locked when we went to shower. I like inside decorations too. Clear tip system there- minimum tip=cost of massage. Hope to be back there in Nov.

Christian, you finished your post with 'to be continued ' so can we count on you posting second part?

On SGT board somebody reported that plane logo was almost immediately painted over in attempt to hide plane owner. Saving face measure or effect of some policies / insurance perhaps? /, I'm just curious

Not cheats but avid free marketers testing market capacity. Cheats would be those who are fiddling meters, taking much longer than ordinary route just to rack higher fare or giving you wrong change. But it seems from discussion so far we all agree that BKK taxis are great value for money even with few wrinkles described.

still nothing beats sign over restaurant in Gorakpur, India I saw back in 1986 : "Fried Children"

Idea is good as it provides fast avenue to clear inevitable problems. In order for new system to work both sides need to take it seriously. Thais need to show that that are even handed , not biased toward their own only and foreigners with all that free time in their hands need to avoid clogging system with trivial complaints as one can imagine some Johnny Tourist logging complain about non-performing bar girl or boy in Pattaya or coffee too tepid at local restaurant. Rogie is right, oftentimes foreigners behave like utter idiots behaving like they owe the place.

I agree with fedssocr that Bangkok taxis are probably too cheap / not that I mind but drivers probably are / and can't complain about the service . Who knows but quite possibly low prices are kind of contributor to constant traffic gridlock on Bangkok's streets. In reality I use BTS / MRT ( this is elevated rail and underground for you newcomers ) plus Airport CityLink almost exclusively and taxis only to places when I can't go by those plus for late arrivals and early departures of planes. Very rarely problems with not turning meter and if that is a case I either go away and take next taxi , they are always around or just bite the bullet and pay higher rate depending of circumstances . On my last trip I was actually very happy to pay extortionate 600 baht from Rama IV to airport instead of meter rate of 380 as I was leaving hotel at 4 a. m. in a heavy downpour and taxi miraculously just passed by before I got soaked completely. All in all I consider Bangkok's taxi service one of best in the world due to blend of easy availability and affordable prices. About traffic and refusal to go to our destination as much as we don't like that at least we can understand why. And as Nirish noticed if we are stuck in traffic at least we have A/C included in fare. London's taxis may be superb but for prices charged I'd rather suffer in BKK at local rates.

Thank you und danke schoen for very interesting travel post. As for night confession in the park I don't think revealing that you a gay prevents you from getting laid but fact that is cone in front of quite of crowd. Even if somebody is interested in you may be hesitant to make further step in company of his likely straight friends. Waiting impatiently for more pictures and travel prose.

At slightly over 3000 Bt per night it's still looks as good deal compare to say , Tarnatwan for the same high season period as it looks quite shiny. With 1 min to HERO danger is that one may miss whole Bangkok experience by not leaving soi11 area at all during stay

you should disinfect yourself immediately with shot of Mekhong whisky or gin and you would avoid whole adventure

For tasty Donut please review GayRomeo section of this forum, post # 10 gives you kind of recipe http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/9033-gayromeo-review-of-maxkyza-13655129-pattaya/

you just follow old wisdom - what is better than one slice of pizza ? ans : two slices of pizza

Great job Devint, waiting for your series impatiently My 2 cents: as part of Silom street food experience I'm fun of Convent street food stalls additional advantage of street food is that one's boy will feel more comfortable eating there then in restaurant of your choice where he will be stared at by half of farangs dining there. At least this is my observation. Usually if I ask them where they want to eat answer is as one expects 'up to you ' but I always tell them bluntly -this time is up to you,you tell me , I just pay.

I'm either thick skinned or stupid but do not see anything offensive there.