Londoner

I agree strongly. My boyfriend and I spend 3/4 days there every few months....and yes, 3/4 days are enough. We've had the occasional massage and we've spend an hour or two at House of Male but we are there to enjoy the markets, the temples (well, he does particularly), eating-out, the trips (we used to hire a car but now he prefers guided ones, usually just for the two of us) and the walks. We were in Chiang Rai in February and it has similar virtues.

Is it not the case that the less well-paid jobs in Singapore are done by foreign workers, who are "cheap" and unprotected by Trades Unions? It happens in plenty of places, not just Singapore. Many workers from the Philippines, Bangladesh and even Thailand are exploited. When Israel expels Palestinians from their own lands, they need people to do their dirtiest, least well-paid works. Their fares are paid but their wages are so low that it's worthwhile. Financially, that is.

I think I can work out what "milking" is; but "edging"? I suddenly feel very old.

Ah, Didier! sixty years a Chelsea supporter and he's still my favourite player. I never considered him this context though. There have been a few, however....

Caveat emptor. Those of us who have been visiting for years know that bar-fines have usually been around usually around 500 bht. To decide on a companion, sit with him, buy him a drink, call for the check-bin and then discover that you are required to pay 1000 more than the going-rate seems to reflect inappropriate behaviour on the part of the bar. The owners know that the customer will find it hard to send the guy back to the stage.

I fly EVA in the Premium Economy, which is about £300 more expensive than Economy. Every six flights I get a free-upgrade to Business which, inevitably , spoils me for the next five flights. EVA's Business Class does indeed include flat beds with screens that enable passengers to achieve a degree of privacy. The seats are much larger than Economy but the real plus is the space that each passenger enjoys. Food is better, naturally, but I prefer to eat in the EVA lounge in BKK and in the Canada lounge at LHR, to which my Silver Card entitles me. Accordingly I'm no expert but I am highly impressed by the wines available and regret that I don't drink on long-haul flights.

The criticism of Tarntawan cleaners is most unfair. I've stayed there more than sixty times and I've never had a problem. Once or twice the bed-side control has been faulty but never the button that demands privacy and that the room be cleaned. If there was one incident, or one error, it seems slightly over-the-top to make such a fuss on this forum. And two others, come to think of it. Hotel staff are underpaid and in all these years have I not encountered any who have been less than delightful towards me- and my Thai boyfriend. I find it remarkable that people who are so poorly paid treat us relatively prosperous visitors, so kindly.

My friend buys his medication monthly from his local hospital in the north. It is expensive but it has made a huge difference over the past five years; hitherto, the basic medication preserved life but not quality of life. The hiv clinic serves a large number of people; his impression of their physical condition (and, of course, it's only an impression) is that most of those are not benefiting from medication is the way that he is. You can imagine how depressing it is for him to be in that waiting room....average wait two hours. We must not be complacent about hiv in Thailand; yes, there is medication and top-quality products are available. But a poor person will inevitably struggle unless he/she has help. And that's before we consider the implications of prejudice and social isolation.

I knew embarrassingly little about HiV infection until my friend was infected. I was greatly assisted by the Terence Higgins Trust's help-line in determining how to support him. It was non-medical advice of course. What struck me at the time was how much emphasis is placed on social support and counselling in the UK while he had none, except by personal contact. One thing you should be aware of us that there is still a lot of prejudice in Thailand; you may find that your friend tells very few people of his condition. Including his family. How much financial support you give depends on the nature of your relationship with this guy and how much you can afford. You may find that he will find it difficult to do a day's work in the early stages. I assume he had TB? this is usual and can affect health for a long time after it is treated. Be aware of pneumonia as well. Your friend must not only take the medication assiduously, he must be checked by a doctor regularly. . .

This issue arose for me eight years ago and things may have changed since then. But my recollection is that the basic medication is free (or at a minimal charge) but it is not as effective as the medication that can be bought at the hospital. The more modern medicines can be expensive. But as I say, things may have improved. The victim of the infection whom I support is thriving by the way. You need to offer optimism as well as compassion (and financial support if required).

A disturbing prospect. The military coup was welcomed by some on the gay forums and excused by others. I pointed-out then that right-wing, military coups are invariably anti-gay. They tend also to be anti-women and anti-working class, preferring to seek support amongst the wealthier classes- the very people who brought down Yingluk's government while staying at 5* hotels. And by the way, who believes that there will be elections when the Junta knows that, yet again, the "wrong people" will win.?

biguyby.....Where did you meet the African guy?

Thanks. I shall give it a try next time.

Immigration priority? how do I claim it? and where is it?

One of the lessons I learnt on my second trip in 1996 was that many of the the guys I had met on my previous trip or had noticed before and planned to get to know this time were no longer working. "He go home, long time."

The boutique was, I believe, the project of the previous owner, an Australian guy. Oscars is undoubtedly a good place to watch the action. I stayed at Ambiance in January and it was doing quite well. There have also been some improvements in decor . My boyfriend and I have no objection to being in a gay ghetto. Next time (thanks to Travellerdave's recommendation), we are also spending a few days in the Jomtien Complex. After two decades in Boyztown, the comparison should prove interesting..

The Ambiance is taking bookings now via Agoda and Booking.com.

At what time do these bars open?

The bars open at 2100 or so.....way past my optimal-performance time. with hornet and Romeo, I can find a partner in the afternoon when Pattaya and Bangkok are too hot (and,usually uninteresting) for me.

I share other posters' pessimism but there is one example of an expanding gay presence in Thailand; the Jomtien Complex. I appreciate that the situation in Thailand's capital is entirely different in terms of costs and clientele but Is the Jomtien's Complex's success founded entirely on cheap rents? or are there business models there that could be applicable to Bangkok and Pattaya's Boyztown and Sunee ?

In the shower....where else?

Following recommendations on this site (for which I'm grateful), I had a look at Agate last week in preparation for a visit when I'm next in Pattaya in June. Any further comments on your experience there? Good luck with the infection. A long time ago I cut my foot badly in Chiang Mai and stitches were required. I found that using a condom enabled me to shower.without getting them wet.

There's only one place where I have had regular problems getting in....and even more so, getting out; Israel. Friends have been imprisoned in Tel Aviv airport's underground prison because they are involved in political and Christian organisations. Others strip-searched for the same reason. I'm questioned by Immigration as to where I plan to go in Israel- obviously I don't admit to travelling in Occupied Palestine- and as to whom I know. I don't mention Palestinians in case they are arrested. My Christian background makes me an expert on Christian and New Testament history and so I can answer all the questions I am asked about the Holy Land well. I carry a Bible so that it is the first thing that is found when my bag is searched. I stopped daring to take a camera, or a lap-top for fear of arrest. I took some videos once in about 2005 (cassettes) and felt constrained to take two different "editions"....one of tourist sites in Occupied Jerusalem, the other of life under military occupation for Palestinians. I kept the first in my camera for examination and hid the latter. I was lucky and got away with it. I was too nervous during later trips. The visits were between 2004 and 2016. I can no longer travel there due to the banning of Christian and Socialist groups. We are blacklisted.

He baited me when over a million were dying in Iraq by saying how much he loved GWB. I know I shouldn't respond but there are limits.

Focusing on the OP's mention of saunas, I wouldn't recommend Babylon Sauna- and I suspect other saunas would be much the same .The guys who frequent it tend invariably to be straight-acting. I have seen a lady-boy there- co-incidentally, only two weeks ago but she looked forlorn and unappreciated despite being good-looking, at least in my estimation.