Gaybutton

There are a lot of variables involved in answering that. It mainly depends on the time of year. During high season traffic often can get just as bad as Bangkok. But right now we're in the middle of low season. Except for rush hour the traffic is usually rather light and flows smoothly. The later the hour, the less the traffic. For example, I live on "The Dark Side", meaning the east side of Sukhumvit - technically not in Pattaya at all. If you're not familiar, Sukhumvit is the main highway through Pattaya. Pattaya begins and ends on the west side of Sukhumvit. If you cross Sukhumvit, you've just exited Pattaya. The name of my area is Nong Prue. If I'm going to Jomtien from my place, right now the drive usually takes about 15 or 20 minutes. During high season the exact same commute will usually take a minimum of 45 minutes, and often even longer than that. But returning home is hardly ever more than 15 minutes because by that time most of the traffic has cleared and not much traffic is headed out my way in the first place. If you're bringing a boy from Boyztown to Jomtien, then you most likely will be with him during the commute. So, I would recommend going by baht bus or a Grab car. Depending on traffic and where you're staying in Jomtien, the ride should take no more than ten or 15 minutes. But when it's time for him to go back, you're probably not going with him. Give him money enough for a motorbike taxi, which is much quicker and probably no waiting. He'll appreciate that. Of course, if he turns out to be a dud who won't live up to whatever he agreed to do, let him wait for a baht bus . . .

The answer is both. It depends on how and why you would be in a rural area. After living in Thailand as long as I have, I can tell you the more Thai you learn to speak the better off you'll be. The ability to speak Thai usually is not absolutely imperative when traveling to a rural area, even if you are traveling alone, but it certainly helps. You might be surprised by how many people, even in those areas, who can speak at least a little bit of English. Think about the bar boys who speak enough English to get by. Where do you think they got it? I think I speak Thai quite well. When I travel to a rural area I don't have any problems communicating. I can speak it well enough and I can understand it well enough. But I've never even tried to learn to read it. I've never found it necessary. Almost everywhere signs and even restaurant menus are in both Thai and English. Most of the time if I travel to a rural area it is with a boy. No problem communicating with him, but if we're visiting family and/or friends, without the ability to speak a good amount of Thai you won't be able to communicate very much with them. You certainly won't be able to participate in conversations and you'll spend much of the time feeling left out. You know why? Because you'll be left out. If you're retiring in Thailand, but don't plan to live in a major city, I would definitely advise spending much of at least your first year attending Thai language classes or hiring a good tutor. You'll learn enough of the basics to be able to pick up a vast amount of the language on your own. Just as important, don't forget that Thai is a tonal language. You'll need to work on getting the tones right. A lot of farang have a quite a bit of trouble with the tones, but without getting them right many Thais won't understand what you're trying to say. I can't stress strongly enough how important it is. And remember that most of the time if the word is more than one syllable, the emphasis is usually on the last syllable. Even if you're going to live in a major city, I would still advise language lessons. The more Thai you can speak and understand the easier life will be and the more meaningful life will be. I know several farang who retired to Thailand, but eventually gave up and went back to wherever they came from mainly because of the language barrier. They never made a good effort to learn the language. If it is going to be a few years before you retire to Thailand, I would recommend starting Thai language lessons wherever you are. The more you know even before retiring the better off you'll be. The same, by the way, goes even if you only travel to Thailand for holidays. The more you know, the better.

Do you realize the entire focus of your post is about the gay scene, bars, and boys? Is that, and only that, what you will be looking for under retirement?

Don't be. Wrong reaction and wrong emotion. It can happen to anyone. That's your body telling you to give yourself a rest before you wear yourself out completely. I know most who come here for a holiday think they're missing out on something if they don't have sex every day - especially if they rarely get any back home. But that's nonsense. I think sex and boys should be thought of as a part of your holiday, but not the entire focus. There are plenty of other things to see and do when it's just not the right moment for bars and boys. Try a legitimate Thai massage. Try a genuine foot massage. Go sightseeing. Go shopping. Try an out of the way, unfamiliar restaurant. Take a seat at a good location and spend some time just people watching - and don't be surprised if a young gent approaches you - and he might not even be a money boy. We all slow down as we age. You need to accept that as reality. If you need a rest once in a while, don't get depressed about it. Merely find something else to do that day and by the next day you'll probably be ok again and raring to go.

I recently replaced my aging bread machine. It was about 15 years old. It still worked, but it was time for it to retire. I ended up giving it to my dog's trainer. I spent time researching the various machines. I decided on the Biolomix bread maker, one of the best ones out there. The price variations for it are hard to believe. I found the best deal for it on Shopee. I've seen it advertised for between 15000 to 34000 baht - for the exact same machine. Here is the one I bought from Shopee: https://shopee.co.th/product/445990429/17937240833 2680 baht for the very same machine! Incredible. I've been using it now for about two months and it works perfectly. And the instruction booklet that comes with it is entirely in English. I received it 2 days after placing my order. If you're looking for a bread machine in Thailand, this is my recommendation for the one to get. If you click on the link and scroll down you will find a comment posted on the Product Rating. Guess who wrote it - and I meant every word of it. Ever since buying it, the only time I ever buy bread anymore is if I want baguettes. I've tried several times to make baguettes myself, but they never come out right. Oh well, I can't compete with Julia Child. If you don't live in Thailand, shop around for it. There is no reason to pay tens of thousands of baht when you can find it at the same price I did. Believe me, it is the exact same machine.

My opinion: If the boy initiated it -500 baht If you initiated it, I agree with TotallyOz - minimum of 1000 baht, emphasis on minimum, especially if he reciprocated. That's my recommendation for Pattaya. Bangkok, you would probably be expected to pay at least 500 baht more. Also, I forget where I read it - I think it was a z909 post - saying there is nothing wrong with negotiating the price, even sitting right there. I agree. Some might feel awkward about it, but I think one would end up feeling a whole lot more awkward if you are planning to tip 500 and the boy is expecting 2000. So, this is where "business before pleasure" comes in.

I've never received that sticker. I'm glad - because I still have no idea what it is supposed to mean. That old saying, "One picture is worth 1000 words" - yes, if you can at least figure out what the picture is supposed to represent. With these stickers, all too often I'd rather have the 1000 words . . .

Do they? Often I have no idea what the sticker is supposed to mean - and there are many more than the ones z909 posted. Bottom right, just above the rabbit holding a baseball bat - a bear with something hanging out of his ear. I don't have a clue. And there are many more like that.

LINE is so popular because it is free. The app is free and it is free to use. You can use it for voice calls, video calls, sending photos, sending videos, text messaging, sending clickable links, showing your current precise location, and several other options that I have never used because I don't know what the hell they do. And with the text messages you can see if the recipient saw the message yet. There are many other options, such as adding friends, requesting to be someone's friend, and more. It also works internationally. I have friends in Laos and we use LINE regularly to communicate with each other. I even have a friend in Bangladesh and LINE works just fine there too. I'm guessing it works in plenty of other countries - maybe the whole world for all I know. Most of the time when I am on a voice call, the call quality is as good or even better than I get using a regular telephone connection. It does have ads, but they are always at the very bottom of the screen and most of the time you probably wouldn't even notice their presence. They also sell smilies and avatars if you want them. You can use your LINE ID on two devices. I use it on my smartphone and my desktop computer. No third devices, though. If you put your LINE ID on a third device, the app will cancel out your ID on one of the other two devices. If you want LINE on a third device, you need a second LINE ID. And the whole thing is absolutely free - my favorite price. All you need is an internet connection. I use it all the time. It's one of those things that once you have it, you don't know how you ever lived without it.

Thank you very much. I certainly appreciate that. You don't happen to have Brad Pitt's, do you . . . ?

Whether he has zero posts or 1000 posts, I would not give out any information about anyone without permission from the person he's asking about. If you have the massage guy's LINE ID, you could contact him, tell him the new poster's LINE ID, or whatever contact information you have for him, and leave it up to the massage guy whether to contact him or not. I'd say either that or just forget the whole thing. What makes this person think you have the massage guy's LINE ID in the first place?

For me, for a foot massage I tip 100 baht. If it is especially good and significantly better than usual, I'll tip more, but I think 100 baht for a standard foot massage is adequate, appropriate, and expected. Most foot massage venues offer a choice of a 30 minute massage or a full hour massage. For me, it doesn't matter. Either way I tip 100 baht. The masseurs always seem quite pleased with that. Of course, those of you who wish to be more generous with your tips than I am, the masseurs will be very pleased.

I know that no matter where you go, whether for a massage, a restaurant, a taxi, or whatever, once in a while you're going to get miserable service. I accept that as part of being here. Based on your experience, that lady-boy didn't deserve a tip at all. If life was always fair, it should have been her tipping you for putting up with it. If I had any 50 baht notes, that would have been the tip. Then again, 100 baht isn't going to break the bank or ruin anyone's holiday. I would just give the fucking 100 baht, mainly to avoid any problems, but I would never go back to that particular massage shop. A lousy experience, yes, but I would just move on and forget about it. "Oh, well these things happen." - Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Christie), 'The Hospital'

It has been my experience "short time" means you give him his money and he leaves when you are done with your "activities". Usually that means about 1 to 3 hours. I've never had a boy click a stopwatch and tell me time's up. Don't forget, "short time" does not necessarily mean you take him off and go immediately to your hotel room. It could mean first taking him out to dinner, taking him for a legitimate body or foot massage, taking him to a karaoke or concert if one is in town - then going to your hotel. What I usually do is the longer I have him with me, the greater his tip - especially if you're both really enjoying whatever you're doing and each other's company - and if you can tell the boy isn't faking it. "Long time" to me means he sleeps with you overnight. One thing I've seen farang do, and I don't recommend it at all, is take a boy off and then take him to another gay bar. Unless the boy suggests it himself (which he might do if he has a friend working at another bar), don't do that. I can't think of a way to bore him more. He works in a bar. Does anyone really think his idea of a fun evening is to go to another bar? The only reason I would ever do that would be if there is a bar show he wants to see. Otherwise, do something else.

Right now, along with Au Bon Coin, my two favorites are: L'Auberge on Third Road: https://www.facebook.com/LAuberge-916302738496459/ Sands Cafe - of Pratumnak Road at the beach: https://www.facebook.com/SandsCafePattaya

I can only tell you I have been using the apps for years and have communicated with a lot of boys. Whenever I am not sure whether he is or is not a money boy I ask. I have never had a boy offended by it. They simply answer - and they answer honestly. I am actually more wary of boys who say they are not money boys. The following kinda-sorta explains why: Many years ago on a Sunday morning my family was eating breakfast when the telephone rang. My father answered. He listened patiently to whoever was talking to him. Finally my father said, "Sorry, I can't afford a free vacation" and that ended the phone call.

Not yet. It is very unlikely to happen in May. There is a chance for it in June, but at the moment it is only in the talking about it stage.

I would be very careful about that if I were you. If a venue is still open after the official closing time, I would advise leaving. The police do raid those venues. If that happens and you are in there, you'll be arrested right along with the bar employees and other customers. I don't know about anyone else, but the last thing I would want in Thailand is an arrest on my record, especially the next time I need to go to immigration. And the thought of spending even a few hours in a Thai jail is not an experience I would want. I would not want to have to try to explain to a higher raking police officer or a Thai judge why I did not obey the rules. I don't know what the consequences would be. To me, it is not worth the risk. I believe the bottom line is go and have a fabulous time, but whether you like them or not, obey the rules.

I added to my post above while you submitted your latest post. You might want to have a look. There are plenty of varying opinions about which apps are the best. I can tell you the most popular apps are Planet Romeo, Hornet, Grindr, BlueD, and Jack'd. Don't forget about Facebook and LINE, and several other chats such as Instagram and Wechat. And there are plenty of boys on all of them. Which is the best? In my opinion there is no valid answer to that question. My advice is to try them all - often. Whichever of them has the boy who most interests you, then now you have found the best app - for that day . . .

That is an excellent point. I think it is a good idea to start the browsing two weeks to a month before arriving in Thailand. That way, whether the boy is online or not he will receive your message and probably start responding. I would also advise - no matter how cute and charming he may seem - do not make any commitments in advance of meeting him personally - and be very wary even then. Some of these boys excel at getting farang to think they've found the lifelong boy of their dreams. WRONG! Don't limit yourself. I would get his contact information and tell him you'll contact him when you're in town. Here is just one example of what I mean - and there are many, many more. Some of you may remember Crabby and Thomas's Corner Bar in Sunee Plaza. You might also remember their ladyboy manager. She actually had two farang boyfriends who thought she was the only one for them and they were the only one for her. Neither farang knew about the other, but financially supported her. Then her worst nightmare happened. They both unexpectedly showed up in Pattaya at the same time and were here for two weeks. I don't know how in the world she did it, but she somehow managed to juggle things and the two weeks passed without either of them knowing anything about the other or even becoming suspicious. After they left they both continued supporting her. She disappeared even before Corner Bar closed and I have not seen or heard anything about her since. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if those two farang are still supporting her, knowing nothing about the other. Another example. It's been at least 20 years by now, but I remember a boy who used to walk around with not one - not two - not three - but 5 mobile phones. Why? Because he had 5 different farang supporting him and none of them had any idea about the others. And when it's time to leave Thailand make no promises, especially no promises about money. I would thank him for a wonderful time, give him a generous tip, and tell him you hope to see him next time you come. That's it. Nothing more than that. In most cases I've seen over the years, the average is about two weeks after you return home before the pleas for money start coming. Be very careful. Believe me, no matter how much you give them, it's never enough.

I don't recognize your screen name, so in case you don't know who I am, I have been living full time in Pattaya for many years. I think your decision depends on what you're looking for. At the moment, most everything is open except the go-go bars. But there are plenty of gay beer bars open, especially in Jomtien Complex, and plenty of boys, not to mention plenty of boys on the gay hook-up apps. The beaches are open. The restaurants are open. The hours have been relaxed and as of May 1 they are expected to be further relaxed. So, unless the go-go bars are essential to your visit, I'd say to go back. You didn't say when you are thinking about going, but if you're lucky maybe the go-go bars will have reopened by then too. I think we all want to see the go-go bars reopen, including those of us who hardly ever even go to the go-go bars. In any case, those who have been visiting Pattaya have been posting that they have really enjoyed it and I have not seen a single post from anybody saying they regretted their trip. I hope you will choose to go to Pattaya and then later be posting about how much you enjoyed your stay and are glad you went.

Ah hah! And here I was, thinking it was something much more dramatic. And all this time I thought we were both on the same server. I'm very glad all will be ok and back to normal soon. As always, thank you Moses. Without your help, my board would have disappeared long ago.

Thank you very much. I very much appreciate your entire post. I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does I will likely take you up on your offer if I decide to continue doing this. One thing is for sure - I will never use a commercial web host server again. I've been around for a very long time, even before this board or the Sawatdee board ever existed. Some may remember the days of the Gay Pattaya and Dreaded Ned boards. That's when I came into the picture. I've been doing this ever since 300 baud was considered high speed, when a 20 meg hard drive was the top of high end hardware, and when the precursors of modern boards were run by what we used to refer to as sysops. So, if it turns out I really have come to the end of the road, I hope it won't be because of something as useless as a war. Here we are in 2022 and we still have wars? Anyone care to guess where that appears on my "I Don't Get It" list? If the problem is something that can be fixed, Moses will get it fixed. Just have to wait and see.

I will explain what I believe is going on. I was afraid of this - that due to the sanctions imposed on Russia there might be problems for both the Sawatdee board and my Gaybuttonthai board and that, at least for now, appears to be exactly what has happened. I think most of you know Moses is Russian and lives in Russia. He has his own server. Some of you may remember that not very long ago my board was having all kinds of technical problems that even Moses was not able to repair because it was all being caused by the server side. Moses was kind enough to offer to let my board be hosted on his own server. We moved my board to his server. It has been there ever since and has worked perfectly ever since. That is why both boards are currently down. Both boards on the same server. If the sanctions have blocked access to his server and if he can't find a way around it, I don't know what will happen, but it doesn't look very good at the moment. As for my board, I can't even move it to another server because I have no more access to it than any of you have right now. I do make periodic backups, but that doesn't do any good if I can't access the software on the server itself. Right now it is wait and see. I have no present intention of setting up a board on another server. I would have to start the whole thing all over again and I'm not inclined to do that. If Moses can figure out a way to get our boards working again, that would be great. If he cannot, then I made no decisions just yet. After all, I could be totally wrong about why our boards are down and Moses might be able to quickly get the problem fixed. For all I know, the problem may have nothing to do with the sanctions and it just as easily could be that something blew out on his server. So, for now I am in a wait-and-see mode. All I can do is just hope my board is not another casualty of this war. In the meantime, if I wish to post, as long as Michael permits me to post here, this is where I'll do my posting for the time being. I plan to continue trying to keep everyone up to date and well informed as best as I can.

Yes - ME. I don't know what the problem is, but I have an idea what it might be. I'm hoping the problem will clear up within a day or two.