Exercises in celibacy - trip to Thailand and Vietnam in Jan 2025

[vinapu]

About week after I retuned from Aug 2024 trip I spotted extremely good airfare to Bangkok for mid January and decided to buy it even if I had my doubts I will be able to utilize it for many  of reasons.

Main one being my Mother’s mantra I already mentioned few times before “if you don’t have money for vacation , don’t go” . One thing she did not know was line of credit though.

 Even brief , weeklong November foray , which turned very pleasant did not convince me to break that unspoken rule. I gave myself till New Year Eve to make decision.

And of course, what else , I decided to utilize that ticket.

So new Year Day I spent on my computer booking  hotels and airfares.

Then disaster struck – I learned that my friend is landing in Bangkok at the same time. He may be friend but not kind of one I would like to accompany me in my Silom affairs for simple reason – he is babbler known for saying first and thinking distant second. As travel companion he is also bit imperial and selfish when comes to programs. In short , better to be met in social setting , not on the road. Since not much I could do I left it to be solved when in Swampy.

 Ticket was cheap but there was price for it – very early departure at 6 am, three legs so involving  two connections on the way and  late arrival I Bangkok, just before midnight.

 It worked, all three fights arrived 30-60 minutes before scheduled time and only complain I have  was that cabin in United flight to Narita was cold. I had sweater but could use winter jacket which was tucked in check-in luggage as I did not expect I will need it until I return home.

 

Of course while standing in long but fast moving immigration line I was spotted by my friend so my cover was blown  right there. My luggage was already waiting for me , his came quite fast and we shared taxi to our hotels , first his in Sukhumvit and than  mine  in soi 3.

 

I was in my room just before 1 am and decided to take shower and do survey of the area. As it was past bar closing time I spotted few known faces dining here and there , with friends or alone. On Suriwong there was guy I offed last trip who immediately offered  his companionship but I declined and it was his fault. He cut our session short under some pretext which in my book is criminal and results in blacklisting.

 Hot Male beer bar still had few customers and P was free so I offered him a drink which led to his suggestion that since bar is closing soon he may walk me to my hotels. He is not a person I would reject such an offer so I agreed immediately shyly suggesting we may even have coffee together in the room. Not sure I used word ‘ coffee ‘ but whatever it was he got it and added ‘ till morning ‘. Now we are talking ! Soon  I paid 600 off fee and world saw us walking briskly to soi 3. We met before few times but this session was by mile the best.  I like straight boys who are clingy and not faking it.

 He left me at 7.30 declining breakfast invitation , no doubt wanted to catch some sleep.

  Day 1

 For breakfast I went to Foodland, where else ? in meantime message Raposa I’m heading there and soon after he joined me  for a meal and news exchange. After we parted ways I went to XOne to exchange money and around noonish I went to meet me friend thinking about excuses to create free evening. It was easier than I thought. After  taking boat along Saen Sap canal and doing some sightseeing in Khao San area  we returned by the boat to Saphan Taksin , had a meal in the area and decided to part ways even if it was still daylight for simple reason – jet lag decided to intervene. In hotel I collapsed on the bed but not before I set my alarm clock  for 9.pm. I’m not one to waste vacation time.

 

As for first bar visit this trip there was no doubt where I will go , Atlas of course . I was greeted enthusiastically by barker outside who remembered I helped him when he had period of sleeping in the rough and by cabal of boys knowing me from  Tawan and even Arena.

 

 Can’t say I was very impressed with selection but certain I’d pick up one of 4-5 guys there. There were few twinks I’d consider too. Face of one waiter was familiar  and it turned out  few years ago he was one of stars at Jupiter I had hots for but of course those days he did not even look my way.

He lost some muscles but face is still handsome. Perhaps I should give him consideration in future for old times sake.

8 red notes distributed, to that guy, one of  singers , James and Ken sitting with me ,  J/O contestant, f***k show performers   and two big c***k showmen. I liked the show as it included full set of numbers. Just before midnight I crossed the soi to climb stairs to Hot Male where S was waiting for me forewarned about my intentions earlier. Show was on and I entered exactly at big c**k show moment so another 200 went for the needy but well endowed. We went to Foodland for  a meal and then home .S never disappoints and never rushes to go home, so it looks this trip so far I’m doing well.     

[macaroni21]

I am waiting for the part about celibacy 🤣

[vinapu]

29 minutes ago, macaroni21 said:

I am waiting for the part about celibacy 🤣

in due course

[Raposa]

1 hour ago, macaroni21 said:

I am waiting for the part about celibacy 🤣

I’m more interested whether he practiced chastity and continence during the trip🤣

[Keithambrose]

4 hours ago, Raposa said:

I’m more interested whether he practiced chastity and continence during the trip🤣

How about charity to make up 3cs!

[a-447]

Do the guys in the j/o contest wear masks, like they did in Tawan?

That spoils it for me.

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, a-447 said:

Do the guys in the j/o contest wear masks, like they did in Tawan?

That spoils it for me.

they do.

What spoils it for them are inconsiderate customers taking photos and clips of the performances, it's why the masks. It seems that often announcements about  " not photo" falls on deaf ears. One of our members actually witnessed manager throwing Asian couple out of Tawan   exactly for that infraction. 

I don't like masks either but bask in knowledge that if I want to see their face when they shoot out I can always off them and ask for private show.

[vinapu]

Day 2

 During our time together I mentioned casually that in few days I’m going to Chiang Rai. S immediately jumped on that wagon saying he wants to go with me. It was exactly what I was planned and hoped for . As traveler companion he is second to none, interested in sightseeing and never complaining about anything.

 I enjoyed his company in Siem Reap year ago so consider him well tested as co-traveler.

I asked him to send me his passport details do I can buy him ticket and we worked out financial details – i.e , all expenses paid, I will pay off fee for 4 days and his compensation will be what I paid him for long time  less 1000. Judging from his reaction he would be happy to just go no matter what I offer to pay. Sweet taste of vacations I guess.

He declined breakfast offer so I went to UNESCO listed  Foodland alone and was surprised how full it was that morning. I claimed last and only available table.

Then I went to see  my friend , only to learn he had one of his stupid ideas opting for Chatuchak Market so I tagged along. As always it was crowded and very hot. Since we are both jet lagged after few hours of wandering we felt need to rest. Ok , I was feeling quite good but did not want to waste that opportunity to part ways so claimed to be sleepy as well   and on Siam station we went our own ways.  

 In the room I bought S a ticket using my tablet as I’m under own strict order not to use phone for any financial transaction unless absolutely necessary. Not sure that strictness served me well but more on that later.

Being so close to the bed I soon collapsed on it but not before setting alarm for 9 pm again.

For supper I went to G’Bangkok warmly welcomed by Guido the owner as well as Banana barker from across the soi who recognized me immediately and even went as far as to say he is lucky because tomorrow morning he is going to see him mother somewhere in Issan. I forced some tip on him to help with his bus fare.

 As for bar to visit I opted for The One (Tawan) curious how they are coping after Atlas sucked so many of their employees.

Two or three barkers outside were veterans, one even immediately inquired discretely if I would entertain an option to take him with me LT. Inside there were handful of customers and few boys  from old crew.

 One of them  , true veteran who I mentioned few times in my report    as guy who gave me second worst performance and then year or two later best off of them all immediately suggested I buy him a drink but I politely declined – last time I offed him he cut meeting short  claiming he parked his motorbike in wrong place and then 5 minutes later asked for taxi money !

On the stage was one new guy, quite hunky , I’d say twunk +++ sporting very handsome face and surprise, surprise , two brothers who I met first in Arena back in 2013. One of them, Dit was actually very instrumental in me visiting Tawan for first time.  We were passing by on the way to BBB Inn and he suggested  we step in to see big boys. It’s how I discovered Tawan charms.

 Now 13 years later I see him on the stage of Tawan’s new incarnation. His brother Fai is one of best masseurs I even had pleasure with .

 Since tonight I had other designs, I finished my beer, tipped both brothers and new , handsome guy and went my way.

Not sure about show at The One as I left  about 10.30. I walked around the area to finally land myself at Moonlight . It was 11 pm and show was on. Bar was quite empty with perhaps 10 spectators which was less than number of waiters and mamasans. Certainly there’s some crisis there and for the hell of me , I don’t know why as I still consider that bar the best  and feel the best visiting there eve if at least one of their mamasans has nasty habit of leeching to me as soon as I sit down.

I was hoping to see Y but was told he took few days off . show always stop mid time for boys parade and quite of them , familiar faces . mostly already rehearsed at least once tried to attract my attention and was even one who tried equally hard not to notice me even if we met in Nov and parted ways on good terms.

In absence of Y,   leechy mamasan pointed at another attractive guy , not knowing that it was the guy I tipped yesterday at Hot Male – on weekend nights 3 Moonlight dancers boys we giving guest performance at Hot Male between 11.45 and midnight. Practice discontinued week or two later with change of Hot Male’s ownership.

 So if mamasan and me are synchronized it left me no option than to call guy over. Well built , from up close even more impressive than from distance, nice smile , good English. LT declined but with me being freshly arrived is not crucial so we settled on not so short short time. While walking M told me why he is so well built – he is runner and plays volleyball so sporty type and it shows.  We weren’t hungry so did not stop anywhere.

 Great meeting and I was happy even if he left before promise time – I need some sleep and likely he noticed it so clumsily claimed he needs to go to bar because he forgot something . OK, ok no harm done. He left me happy with the choice tonight.

[vinapu]

Day 3

 

Today I’m free of social obligations with my friend owing to little lie – I told him I’m going to Chiang Rai today. I will meet him again at end of trip but he will not know it until it actually materializes.

 

Time from arrival was pretty intensive and I feel lazy today wasting precious vacation time in the room or wandering on the market behind the hotel. At 3 pm I mobilized myself to go to Foodland for a soup #4  on the menu – chicken rice soup. Nothing special but since I discovered thanks to one of boys it’s my daily staple whenever I feel hungry but not very hungry.

 

S is very excited with tomorrow’s trip, packed already and sent me picture proudly reporting it’s only 7 kg – I warned him about carry-on limit. From Foodland I went to soi Pluk Chit but not to have massage at Sabaidee Spa or Sanctuary by A but to get a haircut for 100 baht – that is heavily local area with prices to match , on my way back I went to check new mall  on corner of Rama 4 and Witthayu roads, Parade or whatever is called. I’m not mall person so only mildly impressed.

Returning to hotel I checked new shiny Squrrel House hotel in former BBB Inn location. Looks really very new, if only prices would be more user friendly.

 

Tired with doing nothing whole day and hungry after dark I returned to Foodland for a meal and then parked myself over Chang in front of Banana Club where I was supposed to meet ichigo who showed up on the dot as we agreed. We exchanged latest gossips as he is at end of his very long trip and after gulping beer and gin/ tonic we discussed next steps which turned out to be Dreamboys.

 

I was hoping  either Handsome Cambodian  ( HC )or Vu Thy, another Cambodian will be there and indeed HC spied me right after he showed up on the scene. I saw him many times but honestly his smile was broadest of them all ( we had unsmiling meetings too ).

 

Using excuse of siting with ichigo I kept him in suspense for  a while before inviting him to seat and have a drink. Something good happened in his life or he was on Prozac because I never saw him so happy before. Seeing me, the trusted ATM,  was only tiny part of this happiness . Of course we agreed  on LT tonight , went to Foodland to get a bite and then to the room.  

 

I always liked HC and tonight I was genuinely happy to see such great change of his  mood to a super upbeat. He told me bit about his plans for future  as well as troubles of the past and was unusually clingy – he usually maintained cool macho appearance but tonight was extract of sweetness. That was transformation I was happy to see. Happy reunion indeed.

 

[vinapu]

Day 4

HC left at 6 and I got some sleep. Past 8 I went for a breakfast to Ibis Styles, they have a deal , buffet breakfast for 250 and it’s extremely good value. After that short survey of Patpong market and back to hotel to  pack up. Most of my stuff I’m leaving there as I will be returning to the same place .

 That part is usually easy for me as I’m used and well trained to travelling light. S showed at hotel on the dot, whole in smiles and we went to Don Muang by usual BTS+Mrt+ SRT red line way. All very smooth although they removed from his luggage some big bottle of body lotion but he kind of expected it.

In order not to lead into temptation we were seating separately as one never knows where his hand may land in the plane full of people.

Taxi for 180 to our hotel, The Space  but south of city center but still walking distance there. We both are in Chiang Rai for the first time.

 After shower we went to the city , on our way had some local meal 200- for both and secured an adventure for tomorrow – for 1000 per person I  bought trip to the Golden Triangle, whole day , visiting 7 places.

Soon after dark we retired to hotel  as I claimed I’m tired while in fact all I wanted was some intimacy with such  a hunk. That turned out easy to have. I guess he felt bit indebted. Second very sweet night in row , I’m afraid to  become diabetic. Alarm set for 6.45 am.

 

Few pictures from evening walk in Chiang Rai

 

[vinapu]

 

Day 5 part 1  

 Alarm rung but it was only me who woke up to it, S decided to linger in bed  bit longer but it turned Ok as we were still waiting for our van after hotel’s breakfast.

First stop  was famous White Temple. They gave us 1 hr. which is by far not enough. Never mind  impressive temple, admiring almost as impressive toilet complex could take half of time.

and then impressive toilets:

 

 

But that is nature of organized trips, logistics is taken care of but often at expense of spending not enough time in some places and way too much in others. So we need to take good with bad.

Certainly whole complex is worth a trouble of getting to Chiang Rai, even if just to visit that temple IMNSHO.

Even if it was relatively early – we came to the temple at 9 am there were tons of visitors.

 

Next step was Blue Temple, almost equally impressive and equally crowded but toilet complex not even close to one at White Temple

 

 

 

Then on to Black House , temple like collection of different oddities including at least 20 crocodile skins  and live buffalo . As for toilet – sign leaves nothing to imagination.

 

 

All those places are close to the city but not really walking distance.

 

Then off to Karen’s village. It’s bit of tourist trap but curiosity took over but at least it looks like village with  people living there , animals wandering freely and only main street is more like market than village street. I was most impressed with long neck lady with all those rings talking over smartphone, XV century met XXI.

 

Village guardians :

 

part 2 of the day - Golden Triangle to follow

[bkkmfj2648]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

Village guardians :

Wow - their cocks are soo long.  Is it because the practice neck stretching like the women but instead to their cocks? 🍆😜

[vinapu]

15 minutes ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

Wow - their cocks are soo long.  Is it because the practice neck stretching like the women but instead to their cocks? 🍆😜

you dirty mind !

[reader]

Found photos of the Blue Temple extraordinary, especially compared to the more frequent white. 

[vinapu]

Day 5 part 2

 Next stop of our tour was tea plantation, high in the hills. That was one of those obligatory commercial stops but at least  they served us light lunch and views were nice.

Then off to Sop Ruak, place where Myanmar , Loas and Thailand meet in confluence of Mekong and Ruak rivers. That the once infamous  Golden triangle , it used to be lawless opium growing area , hence notoriety but now is serene place with good views and only Opium Museum reminds us about that past.

Museum is quite interesting and manageable  and we got some time to stroll along the river to marvel at other two countries. While Myanmar side looks serene  , on Laos side  there’s new Chinese built city and while I’m not against development , it looks bad in such beautiful spot.

 monument on tops of the hill above the triangle

Buddha guards border from Thai side

sharp end of Myanmar, Laos across the Mekong

 

 

Main accent of that city  is not the temple , mind you , but casino.

Since in my opinion we did not had enough time to back in Golden Triangle I made decision to return there after tomorrow.

 stop by rice fields  on way back

 

By time we returned to Chiang Rai , about 1 hr. drive away it was dark already . S decided to spend 1 hr in the hotel’s gym then we went to Night Market , about 30 minutes walk from hotel to eat something and check offerings but I can’t say stuff on the stalls was very unique , mostly the same one can buy in another tourist markets all over Thailand.

 

Back in hotel  for well deserved rest after such busy day if one can call ‘rest’ sharing bed with handsome hunk who is quite grateful for his vacations here. Alarm clock set for 7 am just in case

[bkkmfj2648]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

sharp end of Myanmar, Laos across the Mekong

That photo (below) reminds me of a trip that I did years ago when we (Woody, Non, and myself) did this similar trip - when we were sold by the boat tour agents on the river a tourist trip of 3 countries.....

FALSE sneaky Advertising - we departed on the Mekong river from Thailand, floated by as close as was legally possible to Myanmar (boat guide told us - sorry due to the situation we cannot disembark on the Myanmar territory - I was very disappointed), then we moored on a Laos island (Don Sao) that was in the middle of the Mekong river that was in Laos territory and we were allowed to disembark - with no stamping of passports, as this Laos island was tiny, where its sole purpose was to give some local merchants a chance to sell us stupid tourists some trinkets and souvenirs and to earn some hard currencies.

So, my desire to enter into Myanmar was temporarily thwarted.

However, my 2 lovely tour guides, Woody and his partner Non, took me to the 3 Pagoda Pass Market - which sits on a mountain pass at the border with Myanmar.  While roaming around this market (unattended as Woody and Non did not think that I would do anything stupid) when between the market stalls some sexy guys waved at me to come over to behind the stalls - which I stupidly did - and then Woody and Non realized that I had inadvertently crossed over into Myanmar - they both rushed to the edge of the invisible border and called me back into Thailand - it was quite a commotion, as I was the stupid American not knowing / understanding what I had just done.

So, technically, I was in Myanmar for 10 seconds -  but no passport stamps to prove it.

[jason1975]

12 minutes ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

some sexy guys waved at me to come over to behind the stalls - which I stupidly did - and then Woody and Non realized that I had inadvertently crossed over into Myanmar - they both rushed to the edge of the invisible border and called me back into Thailand - it was quite a commotion, as I was the stupid American not knowing / understanding what I had just done.

So, technically, I was in Myanmar for 10 seconds -  but no passport stamps to prove it.

So you broke the law!

But who can resist sexy Myanmar guys!

[reader]

27 minutes ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

  While roaming around this market (unattended as Woody and Non did not think that I would do anything stupid) when between the market stalls some sexy guys waved at me to come over to behind the stalls - which I stupidly did - and then Woody and Non realized that I had inadvertently crossed over into Myanmar - they both rushed to the edge of the invisible border and called me back into Thailand - it was quite a commotion, as I was the stupid American not knowing / understanding what I had just done.

But just what did you manage to do behind those stalls?

[bkkmfj2648]

12 minutes ago, reader said:

But just what did you manage to do behind those stalls?

hahaha - unfortunately, it was only 10 for seconds - and at my ripe old age - I am still trying to get an erection in 10 seconds....hahahaha

But, back when I was a young sexy whippersnapper - I perhaps could of exploded in only 10 seconds - as those Myanmar guys with their huge appendages are truly enticing.

[Department_Of_Agriculture]

On 3/6/2025 at 11:19 PM, vinapu said:

Atlas sucked so many of their employees.

So have I.

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, Department_Of_Agriculture said:

So have I.

really or you just saying?

I thought you not fan of big boys

[Marc308]

On 3/6/2025 at 3:05 PM, vinapu said:

Returning to hotel I checked new shiny Squirrel House hotel in former BBB Inn location. Looks really very new, if only prices would be more user friendly.

Hi Vinapu, Squirrel House is listed at US $39 today. Doesn't look too bad. But yes BBB Inn was definitely cheaper.

[daydreamer]

I visited that same tea plantation in 2023.  It is the Choui Fong Tea Plantation, in the Mae Chan district of Chiang Rai province.

There is a small tea house amongst the tea bushes, seen below.  There is also a very large snack bar on the grounds, serving all kinds of tea inspired desserts and drinks.  This place is very busy on weekends, with mostly Thai tourists.

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, Marc308 said:

Hi Vinapu, Squirrel House is listed at US $39 today. Doesn't look too bad. But yes BBB Inn was definitely cheaper.

that would be a price I 'm looking for for that place.

[vinapu]

 

Day 6

 After breakfast we are heading to Mae Sai on border with Myanmar , Thailand’s northernmost point.

 Recently there’s Sky Walk built there which I must to see and  S is gladly tagging along.  There’s also talk about possibility of crossing for a day into Tachileik  - on other side of border without visa but on day pass and 10$. I got conflicting information about whether it’s still possible , no better way than just go and see.

We took van there from bus station and in about 1 hr., we were on bus station in Mae Sai from where we took 2 motorsais to the sky walk. Better option than climbing the hill as sky walk is quite high up the hill on the border.  It was fairly early and far from crowded. Admission is something like 50 baht . We were  given protectors to put over the shoes but I created sensation hiding my sandals in the back pack and putting those on bare feet.

 Two ladies were so taken by my extravagance that requested their photo with ,me to be taken by the guy they were with. They also made sure to point to everybody present that this farang put protector on bare feet, how brave  guy he is !

Weather was ideal and view over to Myanmar nice,  although one would be hard pressed to say that Tachileik is memorable sight.

beyond the river there's already Myanmar

 

Then we descended to local market and went toward border crossing about 1 km away. Thai official was speaking English and politely explained that owing to situation in Myanmar not only locals can cross on day pass and foreigners must fly over border So we took pictures of Thailand’s northernmost piece of land by the river and resigned to returning to Chiang Rai sooner than expected as apart from that sky walk and market  there’s not  much to do in Mae Sai.

 

But certainly  sky walk is warranting getting there. As a bonus we learned that there’s another sky walk in Chaing Rai area – and exactly where we are heading tomorrow i.e. in Golden Triangle. How it’s possible we did not see it yesterday I wondered but that’s mystery to solve tomorrow.

 

So we took songtaew to bus station and bus back to Chaing Rai . On our way we discussed what to do with newly found free time and we decided to go to Goddess of Mercy on outskirts of the city.

 

In Chiang Rai close to bus station  we found restaurant with excellent chicken with cashew nuts , the we went to refresh in the hotel and then took 150 tuk-tuk to the Goddess. Closer to it is , better impression it makes. Statue is enormous and  I was glad to see that it’s possible to take elevator to the head and admire view from there.

view from the Goddess eyes :

 

Beauty of the place was enhanced by the fast that sunset was approaching .

By time our 200 baht tuk-tuk took us to the center it was dark already. S went to the gym and I went to buy banana pancakes to both of us for a supper. Soon after we finished it lights went off but not necessarily we went to sleep right away. Sometimes watching stamp collection in the dark is a lot of fun.