paborn

Ah, the baggage of my life is endless... Seriously, I traveled weekly for many years. During one two year period, I left my home in the US and went to Toronto every Monday for three days. Every week. Oh, the joys of the old "sneakers bar on Yonge St. My eyes are misting over with the memories.

Oddly I heard Adam Massage will be preserved intact in the compound Ah Vinapu, my friend. Not odd at all. As an American observer of the shiny-suited, silver-tongued ministers of the evangelical movement I assure you they need a place to unwind without their token wives...

Hank, in my experience there are two kinds of hotels where there is no problem. Gay or Gay-friendly hotels and the 5-star hotels were they would never, ever embarrass a high-end guest. It's the small middle of the road hotels that give a problem. but, I'll walk into a Ritz Carlton with not an eyebrow raised - they would never. I'm retired now but I swear to you I traveled like Santa Clause during my working years and this never failed.

Yes, and check if they would be aghast at a man taking someone off.

Hank, the hotel that allowed him in with no question might not be "public" in his mind. He might be there a couple of times a week. More his place of business than a public place. Tell me he did it in the middle of Siam Center and I will, better, see your point.

Hank, why are you sure he got it wrong? There is a lot of smoke around the fire of redevelopment of Soi Twilight and to say that, next year Dreamboys, no matter whether you like the place or not, is a well-managed money maker. Their moving to Patpong sounds reasonable and sensible.

Well, your links gave me an oddly formatted facebook. However, a google search yielded some other links. Yes, they are attractive. But, I'm not convinced they are better looking than a nice barboy. I've seen some stunners treading those boards as well. However, it does look like a good time.

Let me guess, don't walk down the street hugging kissing like teenagers and no one will even notice, let alone care that two people are traveling together.

Good questions. Many don't discuss price before. But, LT or ST? I believe in paying for time. If I like him and go to a bar or two and hang out I increase the tip proportionately, it's only proper.

I checked the US Amazon site and this is the description: "The Twilight Soi dwells on the dangers of one of the world's most beautiful and intoxicating cities, Bangkok. It is named after one of Bangkok's more infamous small streets, or sois as they are known. Soi Twilight runs off the main thoroughfare of Surawong in the centre of Bangkok's oldest entertainment district Patpong and is known to travelers around the world. It is here where touts from go-go boy bars such as Ocean boys, Bangkok Boys and Classic Boys hustle for the attention of local and international tourists." He gets some names right but, in my book, confusing Soi Twilight with Patpong is hardly the mark of a knowledgeable author.

Interesting. Do you know any bar names and locations?

No! It was not. Never heard of any such thing. Straight bars, female hookers, and the dreaded Lady Boys are another matter and always have been. But, in the bar?

Or, the beginning of a new one. I'm a glass half full sort of guy...

Thank you. I forgot about this place. It was great fun. A young guy I met there was cute, Amerasian and interesting. He was wearing a star of David - his father was an American Jewish serviceman and his mother a bar girl. He wore the necklace as a remembrance. Now, before some wit responds about "what's a nice Jewish boy doing in a place like this?" let me tell you he did just fine...

Yes! Thank you, these guides were frank but clean. Tremendous amounts of information, I devoured them and wish they had been out before my first trip. I would have made far fewer mistakes.

Hank, the books you mention are available in the US site as well for less than $5.00. I would suggest you look at the author James Eckhardt. He wrote a series, available as ebooks, on Thai life. I found his "Bangkok People" to be very good. It deals with different types and classes of Thai in a non-academic fashion. Use Amazon like a search engine try different searches like Thai bar boy, Gay Thailand, etc. You'll find a number of different offerings some bar girl things end up in the mix and they are a cheap thriller/erotic read. The Gay ones are much better. Totally nonsexual, but interesting, is Pattaya Honorary Consul by Barry Kenyon. I just finished a fantastic read called Saigon by Anthony Grey - it is a massive novel about an American family's ties to Vietnam and gives insight to pre-war French rule up to the sad American involvement.

"Once again my apologies you were offended. " Terry4 To be clear, I was not at all offended by your post and agreed, as did others, with some of your points. However, when you began to speak of gay hypocrisy I detected ( I admitted I might be wrong in my remarks ) a whiff of the attitude you displayed before your unfortunate and I hope lamented tirade. I expressed a hope that we were not going there again.

Vinapu, I refer you back to the vile remarks at the end of the discussions on "barebacking" I noted that I detected a whiff of that and, merely, hoped that this was not returning. If I'm wrong, so be it. Still, a word of caution to the wise is not uncalled for considering history. Besides, I did not mean only "old members" in their years. But established members who post helpful and unconfrontational remarks.

Good Lord. Yes, you tip them, negotiate multiple days but still be generous they are with you 24 / 7 and they are working. You're on vacation not them. You are their job and it's best we all realize that.

Hank75, I think you mean that some guys are a joy to be around, there's a twinkle in the eye and a demeanor that is irresistible, but sadly that is very hard to capture in a photograph. That's why the film industry uses screen tests, some people look vastly better in person and photograph badly. Is that it?

Wow, Abidismaili, Sadly I did not take notes. However, there was a remarkable series of books about the Thai Gay scene ( I can't recall the exact name but Allan was I think the last name of the author ) that were my bibles. The Gay areas were the same. Bars change, names change. Perhaps the best bar was Barbiery on Suriwongse road in the line of shops that are the bulk between the two alleys that lead back to Suriwongse hotel. No Moonlight/ Old Jupiter - those areas were hotel rooms. Mostly short time. Many older Barbiery boys went on to manage or serve as Mamaswan for newer bars. Saphan Kwai was a thriving area with many bars and some very famous like Charmming and Adam. It was an exciting time - God only knows what the prices were - the dollar was strong the Bhat weak and it was more than thirty years ago.

If I recall, My Way, invented the acrobatic Pol dance in Boy bars. It was quite a place.

Edit: there is no traffic crossing as far as I can see, members will know which part I am talking about, under the BTS tracks. Please don't consider this to be a correction as I haven't stayed in Bangkok for some years but where are there BTS tracks over Suriwongse? Has a new line been added? Over Silom yes, but Suriwongse? Also, Thai drivers are not out to kill you, they slow down just like Vietnam. If you're really scared, do what I did on my first trip in 1982 - wait for an old lady or a school girl and follow them closely.

And nor do i judge others or stare at them if they are different ,eg race, disability , etc but the biggest hypocrites have to be gay men i find. I do hope that the rancid, bitter attacks on the older members of this forum are not returning.

Perhaps you might want to try an appreciative twink for a change....