Return to Thailand

[Novarunner]

I made numerous trips to Thailand over a ten year period prior to COVID but never went to Brazil.  Post-COVID, I made my first trip to Rio and basically fell in love with place (or more accurately the guys there and their general passionate attitude toward sex) and haven’t returned to Bangkok since with the exception of a long layover last year that gave me a chance to visit the city briefly and caused me to plan the trip I am about to take.

I’ve been reading this forum diligently so as to make the best use of my upcoming time in Bangkok since I am no longer in touch with any of the guys I used to know in Thailand.  I think I have a solid plan but what I’d really be curious to know is:

1. I’m definitely not a Thai massage shop or go go bar virgin, in fact, leading up to the long layover I mentioned I spent a significant amount of time planning the one massage that I had time for in Bangkok and, well, I did a good job.  It was kind of amazing.  So, if I’m not a newbie but I haven’t spent any real time in Thailand over the past 5 or 6 years, what am I?  Has anybody made a return visit to Thailand under similar circumstances?  How was it?

2. One of the many things I like about Brazil is using Instagram to meet gorgeous guys.  For reasons that will always mystify me, a message from a moderately fit American in his early-40’s to a drop dead gorgeous garoto has a more than decent chance of receiving a response in Brazil.  Is there a parallel in Thailand by any chance these day?

[vinapu]

8 hours ago, Novarunner said:

 So, if I’m not a newbie but I haven’t spent any real time in Thailand over the past 5 or 6 years, what am I?  Has anybody made a return visit to Thailand under similar circumstances?  How was it?

 

I did similar back in 2013 , all I can say you will be thrilled to be back. You will find better public transport and higher prices in bars. Arena is still there.

If you have old Rabbit card , bring it as they are valid 7 years so it should still work

[Raposa]

Whether or not you will be thrilled to be back depends on your own attitude and not necessarily what Bangkok has developed into.

You will find that, as Vinapu rightly points out, public transportation is better and that there’s a lot of new offerings. Since you say you're in reasonable shape and in early 40s, go explore the new onsens like Zen and Ryuu onsens, they have different and young, local crowds.

However, be aware that Bangkok has a higher cost of living than Rio or SP. I assert this based on objective criteria, that is the calculations made by international organizations and firms when computing salaries for expats. Brazil is the cheaper alternative. If you find yourself constantly making comparisons to Brazil, the price level,  the culture of communication (which is often indirect in Thailand), the perceived skill of the boys etc. If you are prone to making comparisons like this and are highly price sensitive, then this is likely to sour your experience of coming back. If that is the case, then perhaps reconsider the trip. 

Your experience will be mediated by whether you choose to approach it with an open mind or through jaded eyes. If you choose the former the experience can be sweet: «the meditation of old times resumed» as Walt Whitman would put it. 

Good luck with your decision! 

[Novarunner]

I am very interested in zen and Ryuu onsens.  Thank you.  I think these two fine establishments will need to be incorporated into my trip.  Are certain days/times best?  Both seem to be quiet active on instagram.

[Raposa]

2 hours ago, Novarunner said:

I am very interested in zen and Ryuu onsens.  Thank you.  I think these two fine establishments will need to be incorporated into my trip.  Are certain days/times best?  Both seem to be quiet active on instagram.

Activity ramps up after 6pm. Don’t use IG to follow these onsens, you will find that X is where they can be more explicit and also provide links to the X accounts of the models they occasionally host.

[floridarob]

6 hours ago, Raposa said:

However, be aware that Bangkok has a higher cost of living than Rio or SP. I assert this based on objective criteria, that is the calculations made by international organizations and firms when computing salaries for expats.

This would be true For expats/visitors with foreign earnings, the BRL is at record lows..... from the locals standpoint, earning local currency, Brasil can be more expensive, depending on where and with whom they're living.

 

 

6 hours ago, Raposa said:

If you find yourself constantly making comparisons to Brazil, the price level,  the culture of communication (which is often indirect in Thailand), the perceived skill of the boys etc.

🙋‍♂️

Yet I continue go for the reasons I've listed below.....plus good shopping, if you're into that.
 

 

6 hours ago, Raposa said:

Good luck with your decision! 

I met him in SP briefly....he'll do fine and have fun.....restaurants, massage, decent/luxury hotels, massage, nice flights, overall safety perception Thailand wins.

If you speak Portuguese, which he does, Brasil is AMAZING sex and tons of fun for an average of 1200 thb at today's exchange.... about the same in touristy Medellin, too.