Issan

[bruce_nyc]

What's the latest info on where to go for decadent fun in Issan...?

Udon Thani?

Go go bars?

[Dodger]

Bruce,

I don't think you'll find any gogo bars in Isaan, including Udon Thani, and the type of decadence you're referring to usually requires a bit more searching.

The best bet (IMO) is to visit one of the university towns in Isaan during one of the many holidays or local festivels, e.g., Backa Rhuka, Songkran, Loy Krathong, Water Buffalo Races, etc., and find the local karaoke's or small discos in town which is where the action is. Having a gay guide in any Isaan town or village is of course a real advantage, but if you're traveling alone (my preference by far) just ask one of the local ladyboys (you can't miss em) as they know exactly where to go.

A technique I've used many times involves just walking around the crowded sois during a local festival or holiday celebration wearing a back pack and holding a camera. Hell, the camera doesn't evan have to have film in it. Just walk around presenting yourself as a lone alien outsider and let the rest just happen. I visited the small town of Phrae in central Isaan once during Songkran using this same technique and I wasn't on the sois for an hour before meeting a doll who was quite proud of his command of the English language who was eager to show me the highlights of his hometown - including my hotel room.

Uttaradit, another town in central Isaan is a fun and productive watering hole, but again, you're much better off during a holiday or festival period. They have a large university...many gays...and a disco where the gays hang out located in the lower level of the one-and-only farang style hotel in town called Siraja Hotel (sp?). Like all other discos, the gays usually gather together so spotting them won't be hard. Just sit near them (alone is best)...exchange smiles...and let nature do the rest. If you've never attended the Annual Elephant Roundup in Surin you should place this on your bucket list, as this is a magnet for the boys from Korat, Buri Ram and SiSaket to hang out and party for a few days (and nights). The gay boys seem to hate the smell of the elephants and tend to hang around the numerous rows of food stalls surrounding the main event sipping their fruit juices and always happy to pose for a camera shot before the cordials.

Happy Hunting!

[llz]

Not a lot of gay-only places in isaan ...

In Udon, you should find two bars with boys (including Boyzone in its new location) and three or four massage places. Links :
https://www.facebook.com/boyzoneudon?fref=ts - see also Nikys pages at http://www.nickysgaythailand.com/gay-th ... land/#udon (http://www.nickysgaythailand.com/gay-thailand/rest-of-thailand/#udon)
http://lavendermassage.webiz.co.th/
https://www.facebook.com/yesclub.udonthani
https://www.facebook.com/NineUdonSpa
http://udon-gentle.orgfree.com/
Most information in thai, feel free to ask for more information

In Ubon Ratchathani some message places too :
https://www.facebook.com/USpaMassage
http://www.relaxingubon.com/

as well as an interesting karaoke with boys in downtown Ubon : Black Beans near Krung Thong hotel, but I do not know if it is still open (perhaps someone in Ubon could tell us more about it).

Beware : all the above is absolute bullsh%it if your interest in Thailand is limited to Sunee plaza and Soi Twilight

[bruce_nyc]

@Dodger, great suggestions. I'd go with one of my boyfriends.... but he's as open and wild as I am. :-) Probably the boyzone and massage shops would work well for us.... But ya never know.... We can try as you suggest too.

@llz, Thanks for all the info and links...

Could you please explain exactly what you mean by....


Beware : all the above is absolute bullsh%it if your interest in Thailand is limited to Sunee plaza and Soi Twilight

What do you mean by "absolute bullsh%t"...?

Do you mean it's not even worth going to Udon Thani for a quick weekend trip...?

[llz]

For some on this webboard, it is not worth going elsewhere in Thailand other than Sunee Plaza and Soi twilight (see another thread on this board about Hua Hin, where someone dared to write : "All this bulls-it about gay scenes in Hua Hin, Udon, Nong Khai and other such far flung locations is simply that-"bulls-it". Obviously not my idea of knowing and loving a country which has so much to offer ...

My last comment was only an awkward reference to this irrelevant statement ... so please try to go to Udon, Ubon or Khorat and even if it is more difficult to "score", you will be awarded with good air, other ways of life, quiet evenings and fresh lads.

[bruce_nyc]

I guess I'm in the middle....

I do love Thailand and I do love Thai people.

Something tells me I won't have any problems 'scoring' there either... ( I get offered sex even at Heathland about 20% of the time! My Thai friends didn't believe it, but it's true. They know when they have a falang customer, they can bump the tip up from 100 or 200..... up to 500 or 1000 with a quick hand job... so they offer. )

Honestly, the "fresh lads" is the main attraction calling out to me. The bar boys in Bangkok, although they're great, they can seem kinda jaded at times. I'm hoping to meet some young men who aren't such experienced professionals.

[Thai Dyed]

Hell, the camera doesn't evan have to have film in it.

I had to go back and check the date on this post after reading this.

[attachment=0:2pu3l8k2]camera-film-working-out.jpg[/attachment:2pu3l8k2]

[christianpfc]

From a few trips (Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi) I can say it's very easy for a single Farang walking around at day or night to get into contact with locals (of course speaking Thai helps a lot), how it will be if you go with a friend, I don't now. While I have talked with may, I haven't scored once.

If there is a public park that is open at night, go there. River shores are a good spot as well. Discotheques can be found by following sound and light or asking locals. I did not see people hang out at bus or train stations, everyone there seems to have some business.

The locals usually ride mocys, whereas I walk. Sometimes cute boys drive past on a mocy and one of them waves back, but there is no way extend the encounter!

Where and what is "Heathland"?

[lego]

I guess he meant Health Land (http://www.healthlandspa.com/).

From my experience, christianpfc, while it's easy to get in contact with locals when walking around alone somewhere as a farang, in many cases those who readily approach you are the "undesirables". How many times have I visited a temple fair and the village drunks were the ones most eager to shake hands with me? You do that, next they'll ask you for beer or whisky. I don't have a problem with buying them some booze to promote World Peace and to get rid of them, but they aren't exactly the company I'm interested in.

I think it's much better to make prior arrangements on GayRomeo, for example.

[bruce_nyc]

Yes, I go to the Health Land - Sathorn location. It's most definitely about good massage, not sex.

Now planning the details for a trip to Udon Thani. We just talked with Tee, the owner of Boyzone. He says they closed down one month ago. I asked if there are any gay go go boys in Udon Thani. He said I can call him when we get there and he will tell us where to go to find them.

Now.... Where to stay...? The sites seem to only list one place.... Gecko something.... but it appears to be 20km away from Udon Thani. I think we'd be better off staying right in Udon Thani.

Any hotel recommendations?

[llz]

I would advise without any hesitation the Charoen Hotel for its location (downtown Udon, near bus station, railway station, departement stores and night market), its fair prices and general cleanliness. The hotel is featured on Agooda and Booking lists.
Bad news about Boyzone closure ; I would be interested knowing where the boys could be found now ... the parks ? the rip-off host bar ? or some other hidden place ?

[bruce_nyc]

Tee, the owner of the now-closed Boyzone go go, told me to stay at @Home Udon Thani.

As for Charoen Hotel.... Are they cool about bringing boys in and out of your room?

[llz]

Never had any problem about boys of the night