ggobkk

Enjoyed your narrative of discovery about the availability of the boys at HM2. I've off'd one of the "waiters" there on each of my last two trips. Both times they were affectionate and accomplished between / on top of the sheets. Surprised he didn't seem pleased with 3000 bhat + taxi money. Maybe the high season is spoiling the boys. I note that the off fee has increased by 100 since November.

Very enjoyable reports...the Prime "floaters" never fit. But Prime massage is almost always a winner.

DivineMadman your blog is the Michelin guide to massage. I have filed away the spreadsheet and printed the blog and put it in my “next trip file”. Thanks and Happy 2018.

I’ve used P.T. Taxi service and Mikes Pattaya taxi. Both responsible and on time for trips to/from Bangkok/Pattaya. Prices in the 1100 to 1200 range.

Moses - Please wish the Siamroads guys a Happy New Year and let them know the help, assistance, suggestions, guiding and problem solving hey provided me on recent trips was valued and is happily remembered!

Thanks for your report...feel free to update at your convenience (or whim)

Thanks for the reports

Thanks for your report and your style in touring and treating the guys - including the Hot Male promotor.

Joy...

Since your main off is aware that you are having short times before meeting him at 11, the word will be out that you are available to others. It may mark you as generous, but that will only increase interest in you. As I've reported, I usually off the same boy for my stays in a similar way...he has put out the word and often suggests friends to me for some of the short times. He doesn't appear to look at me as either boyfriend or sugar daddy, merely as a break in routine and a larger bed fora few nights.

Tarntawan Apartments are managed by Lukas, who used to manage the Tarntawan Hotel and hosted the cocktail parties mentioned in reader's report. Rates are friendly, though I have yet to stay there.

Final 24 hours in Thailand...up, tea and shower with Van. He's planning on being back by 3pm so we can shop at Uniqlo. Decide to eat at the hotel breakfast buffet. Small accomplishment: I manage to get the toaster to toast evenly and on both sides. Add an egg and I'm content. Start sorting things for packing...decide it's better to pause and catch up on the news from home and email. Head out at 11 to pick up my clothes from Excelsior tailors, very happy with the suit which the guys then professionally fold so it will fit into my carry-on suitcase without too much wrinkling (note: a steam was still required when I unpacked), shirts looked goog and I held one back from the packaging to wear on the flight home (dark color - no stains will show). Thanked the guys and told them I'd see them on next visit. Dropped parcel off at hotel, then to Tony's Leather and picked up my shoes. Fit is excellent, shoes are comfortable. Leave them at hotel and head out for one last Thai bruising and beating at Prime massage. I get back to hotel as Van returns and we head out to the Siam BTS stop, where I look the wrong way and wind up in the mall across from the Siam Paragon mall. Takes me more than a moment to adjust as I'm now exploring all the food places. FIgure out where I went wrong and cross trough the Siam station to Paragon. Uniqlo is the same everywhere...and so easy to find the Airism V-neck section which is what Van's "lingerie" request relly was about. He picks one shirt, 290THBm I indicate it's ok to get more than one, also suggest maybe something else. After two visits to the fitting room, Van is done and I pay 1100 THB to Uniqlo. When I got home I check the price of the Airism V-neck. Just about the same, probably the same given currency fluctuations. We grab some food in the food court on the lower level and head back. Van reminds me (he didn't have to) that I wa planning to off Net tonight. I said it would be an early off as I was planning on meeting paulsf to say goodbye. We work out the logistics and both head out. I go to Hot Male Bar 2 and off Ned...he's cute, a bit more of a Twink than my standard selections but he' fun and we've been together before...I'm not into experimenting at the end of a visit. Enjoy an hour of fun, then a shower together then back to the bar, Ned introduces me to one of the new boys who is from Laos, the three of us hang out, paulsf arrive and joins us. I'd like to see more of the Laotian who is charming. I stay, having fun, until pausf had to attend one of the shows. I have al lingering good bye session with Net and Laotian boy. Then drop a couple of 100 THB tips to some of the boys upstairs at Hot Male, some other good byes to familiar faces. Back to the room, now I get serious about packing, Van returns. He wants to know how things went, I tell him, he says he will give me updates on Hack and the Laotian boy (who he doesn't know). We talk, google translate, shower, sleep for two plus hours. Up at 3am, shower together, he insists on shaving me, this is a first, decent job, and my offer to shave him is greeted with a look of horror...since he is Asian there is no need to spend time with razors, etc. Readers, who have stayed with this report since the beginning, will note that a rate for Van's time hasn't been mentioned. We never discussed one, I give him an envelope and say thanks for spending time with me as we leave the room. For those who need to know, its a short time off rate multiplied by the number of days together. Checkout is easy one the desk clerk surveys the mini-bar and makes sure the television remotes haven't been taken. One last private hug and kiss goodbye in the elevator, security guard has a taxi waiting. Negotiate 500 THB to airport. Wave goodbye to Van. Airport is a breeze as I'm still on my business class upgrade and on Thai, which has it's own security and immigration set up. I check my carry on suitcase and my extra bag. Keep with me the backpack with my iPad and noise cancelling headphones. I'm though the process in under ten minutes. Flight to Taiwan, change to Eva (involves an 8 hour layover). Then easy flight home, great service on Eva. Land in SFO mid-afternoon. Clear immigration in 5 minutes, my two bags are among the first dozen to emerge on the conveyor belt, pause at customs to hand in the card from immigration, BART train is waiting, home ninety minutes after the plan landed. Temperature is 40 degrees F colder than Thailand. That's this report. Not terribly exciting but definitely enjoyable.

I don't expect Van will have a lot of luck with his suitcase. It's the 2nd one I've financed over the past four years.

I've visited all of the places in the past. It had been a year since I was at Prince, the others were more recent. That was what prompted my choice.

Not sure how The Raya's booking decisions are made. Last year, I was staying at the Raya before going to Pattaya. Decided I'd stay at The Raya when I came back to Bangkok for a few days. Checked the rate on Agoda, noted it, then went to the desk to see if they would match it...my thought was - hotel doesn't have to pay a commission so should match. No, not the case, the reception desk held to a higher price and wouldn't match the lower price on Agoda, which I then booked.

Woke up Tuesday morning, realizing that I had less than 40 hours until I headed home. Had tea with Van as he prepared for work and reminded him that we'd be meeting up tonight with paulsf. After he left, I went back to sleep for two hours. Skipped lunch, argued with myself about the merits of Prince, Banana, Senso, and Spa Bangkok. Decided on Prince arriving shortly after 2. Maybe a dozen guys in the glass cage/enclosure and two other "guests" making up their mind. I went with a Burmese boy whose name I could never figure out. Chose 90 minute massage and did not want the jacuzzi room. We were both naked throughout, decent massage, and afters. Back to Surawong and the tailors for a final fitting. Back to hotel, realizing that I will not get away with just carryon gong home. I'd packed a collapsable bag and will add that to my backpack and carryon and just check everything but the backpack and let it follow me to San Francisco. Van returns from work. We have time to talk about what he is planning, which is to keep saving, learning a trade, and going home for the rice planting.harvest. (I am not sure of the seasonal timing and we were using google Translate). He wants to be able to rent a rice reaper for his father. I did not sense that he was asking for me to underwrite this as never came up again in conversation. I did ask him if he wanted anything...straight out answer was he'd like a suitcase for when he goes home in two months. I agree to help with that and we head out to Patpong and the various luggage stalls, shops, etc. He has become a better bargainer since we first met. I don't go in the shops with him as that will increase the price, as he tells me (and I know). He finds one he likes but the price is more than he wants to pay...he walks away. Tells me the price started at 3000 THB, Finally down to 2200, but he hd firm at 2000. Said, if o.k., he'll go back after we meet paulsf and bargain again and maybe get the suitcase for 2100. OK with me. We go to Maxi's to meet paulsf who arrived in Bankgkok earlier in the day...while he hasn't yet made it to Twilight the buzzi is about that the doyen of Twilight is about to appear. Paulsf is a key part of the glue that holds a good portion of this forum together. He has been coming for a number of years, stays for a many weeks at a time, and has met many, many of the Forum members. He keeps in touch with private messages, etc. He has a dedicated seat at Hot Male Bar, Divine Madman and I noticed that his check bin at the bar is marked #1. Paulsf is also the godfather for the Vietnamese boys who populate the bars and gogos. Enough said...Van and I were finishing dinner when paulsf arrived and was quickly taken to his seat at Hot Male Bar, some of the boys knew I was there to meet pausf and came over to tell me he was there. Van and I having finished eating, went and joined him, he came over to Maxi's with us and joined us for some more food. He talked with Van about some boys he was wondering about who seemed to have left Bangkok. The conversation was interrupted by waiters and others wanting to welcome paulsf back. Van went out to try his suitcase strategy. Pausf and I started catching up (we were now back at Hot Male Bar). We talked about politics at home, the whereabouts of this and that forum members, how his health was doing after the long flight, etc. During this Net from Hot Male Bar #2 was signaling to me. I told him that maybe tomorrow there'd be some time for us to get together. I'm not sure what the time was when I returned to The Raya. Van was there with his suitcase. He got it for 2100 as he'd hoped. I asked if he need anything else. I know/suspect he has other farangs who help with things...his iPhone is newer than mine and I didn't buy it for him. He said that he would like...and he types into the translator some text...translator says: "bra". I looked amazed, he tries again...translator "lingerie". I am laughing...he is confused, I use translator and ask "ladies underwear?". Quick negative shake of his head...he then points to the shirt he is wearing and makes it clear that is what he is talking about. It's a black v-neck form fitting shirt from Uniqlo. Still laughing, I agree and we decide he will leave work early tomorrow and we can shop in the afternoon. I mention that I want to off Net tomorrow and we come up with some timing options. We shower together and spend some private time before sleeping.

Maybe they should say “male walking street”.

Luang Prabang is such a special place...very glad you have a guide there. Siamroads guided me when I went there for Buddhist New Year...truly memorable.

Excellent report...Thai Hotmale gogo dancer...wonder if we offed the same guy.

Thanks for referencing my mention of Excelsior. I like them but always caution to spend time with the fitting and don’t hesitate to get a second fitting. Also, know what you want...there are as many types of suiting as there are food stalls on Surawong. I’ve tried a few of the tailors along Surawong, usually I start with a shirt order and a pair of pants. That said...a suit purchase in a Thailand can be at a cost that when compared to home, even at M&S, can underwrite /justify a trip to Thailand. Numazu uses a tailor n Pattaya and mentioned the shop in a report last year.

Monday morning…Van up early and out for work. Too early for the buffet, so I go out to Foodland which remains filling and a good value. Stop at Starbucks for a tea…not a good value, but… Meet Mac from Siamroads at 9:30. Short half day shopping and temple tour is the plan. I mention I’m having dinner at the Dusit Thani and confirm with him my planned routing. He tells me a way to remember a short cut that will save me some time. We head out by taxi to the Grand Hyatt hotel which has easy access to the Erawan Shrine. Pause at the shrine to think about those killed and injured in the terrorist bombing at the shrine a while back. Mac gives me the history of the shrine and what it represents. Then to Central World and on to Siam Paragon. I learn about the Crown Estate and who owns the underlying land in this area…no wonder the Thai Royals are the richest in the world. After checking out the limousine showrooms at Paragon we head for the Hotel Kempiniski so Mac can show me the palace of the Princess that is situated in the park by the hotel. (Landowners privilege, I guess). Check my watch and notice it’s almost 1pm and not sure where the time has gone. We try to get a taxi at the hotel…and after a bit of a wait, the doorman tells us we’d do better catching the BRT. Back at the hotel, I settle up with Mac and thank him, suggest that, if he doesn’t already, should upsell more – i.e. suggest other tours, make connections through Moses for drivers etc. Hope to see him on my next trip. Head out for the tailor for a fitting of my suit and shirts. Some adjustments needed, and I ask for a button hole in the lapel, in case I’m ever given a medal or need it for a flower at a wedding. Trial shirt is billowy (too much material) and gets lot of pinning to mark the changes. Head out for Indra to see if the massage boy who intrigued me is working…no, not until tonight. Decide to just go straight ahead to Prime and indulge in a 2-hour Thai massage. The luck of the draw gives me a young and incredibly fit masseur who uses the full two hours to mash me into a pulp. At the end, once I decide to stand, I feel incredible. Hotel, text Van to remind him I will be out tonight. Replies he will meet me at the hotel. Go downstairs to Tony’s Leather to consider some shoes. Tony’s not only sells shoes but will make them to measure. I’ve had a leather jacket made there in the past and need some new dressy formal shoes to go with the suit that is being made up at Excelsior. Go around and round on shape, style, and then the bargaining on price. My feet are measured, and an outline of my foot taken as the bargaining continues. Finally settle on an amount that translates into USD$ 110. Somewhat pricey but 1/10 of the price I’ve paid in the first world for handmade shoes (this is when I had some wherewithal before I retired) and about half the price of store bought shoes in California and no 10% sales tax. Change and head for the rooftop restaurant at the Dusit Thani. The hotel is one of those mid 20th century classic hotels. Lots of public spaces – which are empty tonight. The phase that suits is “you could fire a cannon here and not hit anyone”. The Dusit Thani is scheduled to be taken down and the site redeveloped as condos, hotel, shopping, etc. Rumors abound, as they always do in Thailand, about who owns it and who benefits…the goal tonight is to eat and remember. On the way to the rooftop restaurant, the elevator stops for a guest and I can see that the walls would need painting and the carpet is in dire need of cleaning…but why bother if it’s all coming down. Divine Madman is ensconced at a table surveying the city below, I join him, and we begin with a drink to salute one another and the time that’s passed since we met up last spring. Talking and dining and another round of good drinks, the time flies by… Delightful evening…afterward, we head in our separate directions with agreement to meet up again, maybe this visit, maybe the next. Head over to Hot Male…the last show is ending, and it has a very hard-core element. I’m placed in a back row as the first few rows are occupied by women and the guys naked in trench coats are swinging their erectness in the faces of the gals. Much screaming and fondling. Hack has joined me for some private fondling here in the back, tell him we will use another hotel tonight (Van is asleep at The Raya) so we adjourn to the hotel next to Screwboys that specializes in short stays. Hack is as handsome as before and as seductive. I allow myself to be seduced. I head back to the Raya around 2am.

My experience with hotels and booking is to keep trying and to use multiple booking sites. Rooms are released at various times and some only to a favored site. I've been told no one was available at The Raya, only to find it available on Agoda two days later. That said, you are look at a high point in high season, good luck and have a great time wherever you settle.

Not sure how I managed to post the same report twice in the same posting. I write up my notes in MS Word then copy and paste to the Forum. Apologies for the double boredom.

Sunday morning, 6am. Whoa! It’s early. Van disengages from his embrace and gets out of bed. He has to be at his day job in an hour. He works making garments at a factory in Bangkok. I get up and make some tea for us as he showers. He finishes around 7pm and will head back to the hotel then. He leaves, and I attempt to go back to sleep to dream about Hack…but, once awake, I’m awake. I go down to The Raya’s breakfast buffet – it’s a bit more elaborate than in May with better organization and some new hot dishes. Nothing appeals to me, so I settle for tea, juice, toast, and yogurt. Go for a walk along Surawong, notice there is now a Burger King that is open 24 hours. New Starbucks with outdoor seating…the building remodel housing BK and Starbucks looks like a decent job with spaces still to be rented. The sidewalk has also been improved and one doesn’t have to make a mini-jump to get to the level where the evening food stalls set up. I get a sweet roll at Starbucks…usual high level of service to match the high prices. The Asia marketing plan positions Starbucks as a luxury that is affordable. Still seems expensive…but I’m in there spending. Back at the hotel, I check on email, etc. News from home is Trump-centric, so I skim as much as possible. I have booked a Siamroads tour for this morning (and tomorrow) with Mac. Mac has been my guide on two prior visits and is easy to work with. But, if you book Mac, know that he will go out of the way to find a way to show you what you want to see or mention that you are interested in…. what am I saying? I’m saying don’t speculate in front of Mac as he will immediately try to figure out how wo get you there or what’s the best time…even if you are only musing about things. I tend to confuse him, because I am open to what is to be seen. I’ve done the tourist top ten list, I mention I’m wondering about this temple or that…and Mac comes back with a plan to see both and the history. Today, is straight forward, I want to get a close as possible to the Rama IX Crematorium. It’s 9:45, Mac is supposed to meet me at 10. He is usually early but won’t ring the room before 10 as that is my time (as he sees it). I go to the lobby and he’s there and full of ideas about the logistics. He went to the crematorium site yesterday to scope it out. He goes over the waiting times – impossible for me but impressive in the devotion a 12 hour wait indicates about the late king’s impact. Mac has found an entry that is for those who would only like to take photographs and shows me some he took. I thank him for the effort and agree on his plan. This involves a taxi, then a goodly amount of walking from where the taxi can drop us off to the entry. The boulevards along the place and the cremation site are closed to almost all traffic (exceptions: first responders, security), saw at least two ambulances responding to people being overcome by heat (It’s 36 Celsius). We get to the entry point Mac discovered and join up with a dozen others, the mamasan in charge is a tour guide herself who is volunteering to shepherd those wanting photographs. She does this, she says without pay, to honor the king. As we approach out entry point – I can see the rows and tows of tents shielding those waiting to enter the whole complex. And beyond that there is a long line of those waiting to sit in the shade of the tents. My group can only go in a few hundred yards, but that is sufficient for picture taking. When out fifteen minutes is up we are led back to a rest area, given water, a booklet, and asked to fill out a satisfaction survey. Our mamsan gives me her tour guide card for my next visit. Mac and I head out and see even more people heading to the line to the line to be in the tents to wait for to be taken into the grounds! Note, when my visit was happening the crematorium site was to be closed on November 30th…so there were only a few days left. Later in the week, the government postponed the closing to the end of December. The next few hours are spent surfing the crowds. As visitors finish their time at the crematorium site they exit in the direction of the Grand Palace, so we follow the crowd. Deciding a cook drink would be in order, we enter the grounds to find the usual spot closed…told, the new king has directed some changes…not sure of how specific he might have been, but refreshments are not at hand. We purchase tickets for the Queen’s Textile Museum but exit the grounds to get something to drink. Once having had some shade and sweet tea, we head back only to find that entry to the Grand Palace is blocked by the folks exiting…there are so many they overwhelm the entry side of the gate as well as the exit side. Most seem to be Chinese and there is quite a bit of muttering about the Chinese… We get in and head to the Museum, the museum staff guides us to an exhibit of Thai classical theatre costuming suggesting we visit that and avoid the Chinese tourists who are massed in the main exhibit hall viewing the 1960s traveling wardrobe of the Queen. They come and get us once the coast is clear. I’m not sure if it’s because the staff knows Mac (he’s says that’s not it, but he is Thai and they favor their own). We go upstairs to the view the queen’s wardrobe and my impression is the French designer she chose really worked on showing off Thai fabrics. Not overwhelmed but a pleasant way to avoid the heat. We head out…the morning plan was to end at the open air market. Difficulty is getting way. Traffic is banned so taxis are a distance away if available once there. First idea is to take the ferry to Taksin. Get there, the line is maybe 800 people long to just buy a ticket. 2nd idea is to cross the river and get a taxi there to the BRT. Also, a wait, but not too bad. When we do disembark on the opposite bank, I notice a line that keeps extending as we walk along it. These are folk waiting to go to the crematorium site and folks going across to attend a graduation. Takes us about 30 minutes to find a taxi. Mac gives the destination – the BRT station and I suggest a change and that since the taxi is air conditioned why not just have the driver take us to Silom complex. It’s now about 4pm and still in the 30 Celsius temperature range. We get to Silom complex and I invite Mac to have lunch and after lots of walking around about choices, I just lead him into the wine and bistro on the lower level. Food is good, not unreasonable in price. He had a seafood pasta and I go with a carbonara (still being somewhat careful about my diet). We head back to The Raya and I pay Mac for the day tour. With the decline in the dollar and the Siamroads website showing pricing in USD$, I know I’m paying Mac fewer THB than I did for a prior tour. I add a tip which leads to a discussion, which is where I learned that he makes more in a day as a guide that he did in a week with whatever work he had prior to this. Mac leaves and I head out for a massage at Arena. Usual reporting, dozens of fine looking therapists, choose best smile attached to good body. 90 minutes of bliss with regulation after. Pricing the same as noted by Vinapu in his report (this is to encourage readers to find his reports on massage…he is better at that than I am). Walk back to The Raya and am somewhat amazed at the number of massage shops that are now along Surawong and in the adjoining sois. Pass Indra but the boy who caught my attention isn’t there. Back at the hotel, I take a nap, enjoying the air conditioning. I text Van and suggest he eat or buy food on his way, I’m full from my pasta a few hours ago. I wake around 9pm and Van is back, finished eating, and waiting for me to wake up. We shower together and head out to Jupiter. 300 THB is now the first drink feet. Following someone’s Forum suggestion, we get there by 9:45 and out seated three rows back from the end of the stage. When we arrive, the downstairs is about half full and most of the customers are female. Over the next hour, the crowd will grow but it will be only males I now see entering. A large group of Chinese men arrive and are taken upstairs and seated there. Van knows two of the guys in the show and they join us for drinks. One is Vietnamese and the other is an ex-Hot Male guy. I’m not sure where he said he was from, but I think it was Thailand. Noise level was high, and he was sitting three seats away. Show is the same as in recent reports, though there seemed to be more use of the upper level portion of the stage…related to the Chinese seating area(?). A bit more exposed cock at the end of the first half than I remember. Mekhin was offed before the end of the first half by three Asian guys. It’s a well-staged show and the guys are sleek and attractive, but their fashion model poses and avoidance of interaction with the audience isn’t for me. I’d told Van that my plan was to do another short time with Hack if he was still available at Hot Male and asked what he wanted to do…he didn’t know but would find something to do…went to the club but Hack had been offed. So, Van and I went to the room at The Raya and did our best to entertain one another. Sunday morning, 6am. Whoa! It’s early. Van disengages from his embrace and gets out of bed. He has to be at his day job in an hour. He works making garments at a factory in Bangkok. I get up and make some tea for us as he showers. He finishes around 7pm and will head back to the hotel then. He leaves, and I attempt to go back to sleep to dream about Hack…but, once awake, I’m awake. I go down to The Raya’s breakfast buffet – it’s a bit more elaborate than in May with better organization and some new hot dishes. Nothing appeals to me, so I settle for tea, juice, toast, and yogurt. Go for a walk along Surawong, notice there is now a Burger King that is open 24 hours. New Starbucks with outdoor seating…the building remodel housing BK and Starbucks looks like a decent job with spaces still to be rented. The sidewalk has also been improved and one doesn’t have to make a mini-jump to get to the level where the evening food stalls set up. I get a sweet roll at Starbucks…usual high level of service to match the high prices. The Asia marketing plan positions Starbucks as a luxury that is affordable. Still seems expensive…but I’m in there spending. Back at the hotel, I check on email, etc. News from home is Trump-centric, so I skim as much as possible. I have booked a Siamroads tour for this morning (and tomorrow) with Mac. Mac has been my guide on two prior visits and is easy to work with. But, if you book Mac, know that he will go out of the way to find a way to show you what you want to see or mention that you are interested in…. what am I saying? I’m saying don’t speculate in front of Mac as he will immediately try to figure out how wo get you there or what’s the best time…even if you are only musing about things. I tend to confuse him, because I am open to what is to be seen. I’ve done the tourist top ten list, I mention I’m wondering about this temple or that…and Mac comes back with a plan to see both and the history. Today, is straight forward, I want to get a close as possible to the Rama IX Crematorium. It’s 9:45, Mac is supposed to meet me at 10. He is usually early but won’t ring the room before 10 as that is my time (as he sees it). I go to the lobby and he’s there and full of ideas about the logistics. He went to the crematorium site yesterday to scope it out. He goes over the waiting times – impossible for me but impressive in the devotion a 12 hour wait indicates about the late king’s impact. Mac has found an entry that is for those who would only like to take photographs and shows me some he took. I thank him for the effort and agree on his plan. This involves a taxi, then a goodly amount of walking from where the taxi can drop us off to the entry. The boulevards along the place and the cremation site are closed to almost all traffic (exceptions: first responders, security), saw at least two ambulances responding to people being overcome by heat (It’s 36 Celsius). We get to the entry point Mac discovered and join up with a dozen others, the mamasan in charge is a tour guide herself who is volunteering to shepherd those wanting photographs. She does this, she says without pay, to honor the king. As we approach out entry point – I can see the rows and tows of tents shielding those waiting to enter the whole complex. And beyond that there is a long line of those waiting to sit in the shade of the tents. My group can only go in a few hundred yards, but that is sufficient for picture taking. When out fifteen minutes is up we are led back to a rest area, given water, a booklet, and asked to fill out a satisfaction survey. Our mamsan gives me her tour guide card for my next visit. Mac and I head out and see even more people heading to the line to the line to be in the tents to wait for to be taken into the grounds! Note, when my visit was happening the crematorium site was to be closed on November 30th…so there were only a few days left. Later in the week, the government postponed the closing to the end of December. The next few hours are spent surfing the crowds. As visitors finish their time at the crematorium site they exit in the direction of the Grand Palace, so we follow the crowd. Deciding a cook drink would be in order, we enter the grounds to find the usual spot closed…told, the new king has directed some changes…not sure of how specific he might have been, but refreshments are not at hand. We purchase tickets for the Queen’s Textile Museum but exit the grounds to get something to drink. Once having had some shade and sweet tea, we head back only to find that entry to the Grand Palace is blocked by the folks exiting…there are so many they overwhelm the entry side of the gate as well as the exit side. Most seem to be Chinese and there is quite a bit of muttering about the Chinese… We get in and head to the Museum, the museum staff guides us to an exhibit of Thai classical theatre costuming suggesting we visit that and avoid the Chinese tourists who are massed in the main exhibit hall viewing the 1960s traveling wardrobe of the Queen. They come and get us once the coast is clear. I’m not sure if it’s because the staff knows Mac (he’s says that’s not it, but he is Thai and they favor their own). We go upstairs to the view the queen’s wardrobe and my impression is the French designer she chose really worked on showing off Thai fabrics. Not overwhelmed but a pleasant way to avoid the heat. We head out…the morning plan was to end at the open air market. Difficulty is getting way. Traffic is banned so taxis are a distance away if available once there. First idea is to take the ferry to Taksin. Get there, the line is maybe 800 people long to just buy a ticket. 2nd idea is to cross the river and get a taxi there to the BRT. Also, a wait, but not too bad. When we do disembark on the opposite bank, I notice a line that keeps extending as we walk along it. These are folk waiting to go to the crematorium site and folks going across to attend a graduation. Takes us about 30 minutes to find a taxi. Mac gives the destination – the BRT station and I suggest a change and that since the taxi is air conditioned why not just have the driver take us to Silom complex. It’s now about 4pm and still in the 30 Celsius temperature range. We get to Silom complex and I invite Mac to have lunch and after lots of walking around about choices, I just lead him into the wine and bistro on the lower level. Food is good, not unreasonable in price. He had a seafood pasta and I go with a carbonara (still being somewhat careful about my diet). We head back to The Raya and I pay Mac for the day tour. With the decline in the dollar and the Siamroads website showing pricing in USD$, I know I’m paying Mac fewer THB than I did for a prior tour. I add a tip which leads to a discussion, which is where I learned that he makes more in a day as a guide that he did in a week with whatever work he had prior to this. Mac leaves and I head out for a massage at Arena. Usual reporting, dozens of fine looking therapists, choose best smile attached to good body. 90 minutes of bliss with regulation after. Pricing the same as noted by Vinapu in his report (this is to encourage readers to find his reports on massage…he is better at that than I am). Walk back to The Raya and am somewhat amazed at the number of massage shops that are now along Surawong and in the adjoining sois. Pass Indra but the boy who caught my attention isn’t there. Back at the hotel, I take a nap, enjoying the air conditioning. I text Van and suggest he eat or buy food on his way, I’m full from my pasta a few hours ago. I wake around 9pm and Van is back, finished eating, and waiting for me to wake up. We shower together and head out to Jupiter. 300 THB is now the first drink feet. Following someone’s Forum suggestion, we get there by 9:45 and out seated three rows back from the end of the stage. When we arrive, the downstairs is about half full and most of the customers are female. Over the next hour, the crowd will grow but it will be only males I now see entering. A large group of Chinese men arrive and are taken upstairs and seated there. Van knows two of the guys in the show and they join us for drinks. One is Vietnamese and the other is an ex-Hot Male guy. I’m not sure where he said he was from, but I think it was Thailand. Noise level was high, and he was sitting three seats away. Show is the same as in recent reports, though there seemed to be more use of the upper level portion of the stage…related to the Chinese seating area(?). A bit more exposed cock at the end of the first half than I remember. Mekhin was offed before the end of the first half by three Asian guys. It’s a well-staged show and the guys are sleek and attractive, but their fashion model poses and avoidance of interaction with the audience isn’t for me. I’d told Van that my plan was to do another short time with Hack if he was still available at Hot Male and asked what he wanted to do…he didn’t know but would find something to do…went to the club but Hack had been offed. So, Van and I went to the room at The Raya and did our best to entertain one another.

Having booked guides from Siamroads several times in several locations, I can attest to what Moses says about average wage. On my last trip, I booked Mac...in response to a question from me, he told me that he'd have to work more than a week to make what he does in a day as a Siamroads guide.