Siem Reap

[arsenal]

Here is a report on a recent trip to Siem Reap. Often touted as a genuine gay alternative to Pattaya I have to say that in my opinion is is certainly not. While a nice town and with plenty to do and enjoy the gay action is very limited.
For a start there isn't a genuine gay bar. Linga Bar has closed and neither Miss Wong's or Station bar are particularly interesting and both were pretty much empty every time I went past.
Massage places are the only real way to find some action. Hertha Khmer and Blue Hertha are owned by the same person, both have a selection of about ten masseurs but they were not especially attractive to my eyes. Also their facilities are poor to say the least so often the masseur and yourself will go unshowered. They all quote $40 dollars for an hour of 'special massage' but will all come down to $30. So with the fee paid to the host establishment you're looking at prices similar to Pattaya but with no where near the quality. IMO.
There is a road close to Pub Street that has about 5/6 massage places. These are basically for non-sexual body massages carried out in a chair at the front but most have some boys working there and all offer 'special massage' upstairs. But the boys come and go so you might need to walk up and down a few times before you see someone you like or a boy you noticed before.
I also visited MENs resort and spa. It's very nice and I went there for a massage but none of the staff seemed very interested so I didn't bother. It struck me as rather steeply priced to stay there compared to my hotel which was cheaper and considerably more luxurious. Also be aware that it is located down a rather potholed alley so at night walking might be difficult for some and I had to get out of the tuktuk and walk such was the discomfort of the ride.
So, to sum up. I found Siem Reap a lovely town to visit but I wouldn't go again and it is definitely not an alternative to Pattaya.

[christianpfc]

That road (opposite Pub street, towards one of the night markets) has the most aggressive (and youngest, but the young ones are not the aggressive one) massage ladies and boys I ever encountered. I had ladies step into my way, and when I stepped right she stepped left (i.e. where I stepped), to block my way again. Most of the massage is foot massage in plain view, but they always mentioned "have private room upstairs". But in one case I had a look, it lacked basic amenities (details some time in my blog).

[paperboy]

i cant believe you did not enjoy sean reap , ive been several times now. love it.
The bars are a little boring but if you go on any gay app, within minutes you will have a dozen or more sexy young boys, wanting to meet you,
Also met a few in temple disco too. I never paid for sex there, agreed to buy them dinner and drinks and party and fuck all night.
For sure i will be going back again next year.
Have to say i wont be staying in the river queens hotel (gay) again, over priced and a poor hotel, better choices with pools and cheeper other places.
Over all sean reap is a nice place to go for a weekend or a few days, no longer than 1 week, in my opion.
if anybody wants a contact for a nice sexy gay tuk-tuk driver PM me ok

[arsenal]

Paperboy: I did like Siem Reap, as I said it's a lovely town and I had a lovely trip. It was just the naughty fun that I found disappointing. I've PMd you about a possible non-queenie hotel.

[extronaut]

Hey I went to Siem Reap for a week, early last year. I just saw an effeminate looking guy I quite liked, walked up and asked him if he did massage. That simple. He came to my hotel room that night and gave me the best sex I've had in decades.

Will try the same pickup method next time I go to SR. If it works great. If not ah well, I'll just have to be content with the culture, ancient history, great food and wonderful peopleof Siem Reap. That's not so bad.

[RonanTheBarbarian]

By the way, I see from their Facebook page that Linga Bar have not actualy closed, as Arsenal reported, they have just relocated to a new location on the far side of the alley.

[goji]

Siem Reap is a great place to visit.
Of course they gay scene isn't as large as Pattaya, however the temples are amazing and the town has a nice atmosphere.
My fist ever trip to Thailand included a side trip to Siem Reap and I've been back to that town 3 times since.

You wouldn't go there specifically for the gay scene, however visiting all the temples makes a great way to spend 3 or 4 days. Then in the evening, there are plenty of good dining options in close proximity to each other and some gay options for afters.

I'd have to say I've never heard the assertion made in the OP's first paragraph, that Siem Reap is touted as an alternative to Pattaya. I enjoyed it from the very first time I went because it wasn't Pattaya. I plan to go ago when my next trip to SE Asia comes along

[arsenal]

Ronan: Linga bar has relocated across the alley, you are right. But it hardly qualifies as a bar because it's about the size of a phone box and it's highly unlikely anyone would want to sit inside so that leaves two tables outside. It s name has changed to Linga Spa too. Apparently the owner is hoping to open a new, bigger shinier bar when he can find the right premises.

[goji]

There is also the Station Wine Bar.

Of course a few years back, the Linga Bar would have many handsome locals wanting to spend the night with a solvent tourist visitor. I didn't see that in either bar on the last visit.

[paperboy]

if you go to Cambodia, your better off using an app on your fone to pick up the boys, there are 1000s on line every day

[goji]

if you go to Cambodia, your better off using an app on your fone to pick up the boys, there are 1000s on line every day
Which app is that? I tried Gay Romeo and Grindr on the last visit. Didn't discover Jack D until a few weeks later.
If they're all using another app, please advise us.

Currently, Gay Romeo lists a total of 838 USERS in all of Cambodia, of which 49 are on line right now (21:30 there).
In Siem Reap, there are 6 on line. Five westerners and a 30 year old Asian.

These are in the USERS section, so that includes gays looking to meet other gay Asians etc. Only a proportion of those would be interested in meeting Tourists.
(Escorts section has 2 members for the entire country, both off line)

That's often how it is when visiting there. Bars seem like a better bet. What you see is what you get. There's no risk of endless chatting followed by a no show.
If there's no action in the bars, go for a massage.

[paulosussex]

Hi,
I agree with goji, there aren't a lot of guys using the apps these days and you are often better off in Hip Hop or Temple Bar... I noticed a real tailing off of guys using planet romeo over the last few years although Grindr has become a bit more popular. Certainly not 1000's available or even 100's.
Cheers

[goji]

In the UK, I notice Jack D already seems to have more people on it than Planet Romeo. That has a better user interface for users of smartphones & that's where the market is going.

So I am genuinely interested to know if Jack D or some other app does have all the Cambodian guys on it. Because Planet Romeo and Grindr are very quiet.

[paulosussex]

There are currently 38 guys on Jack'd on a Siem Reap search, however that search range is pretty broad and I've ended up chatting to guys in Nathon on occasion, but it is quite popular as it works well and has few restrictions.
cheers

[colmx]

Thanks for te report Arsenal
You have convinced me to scratch SR off my list of places to visit on my New Year Trip
Like you i had heard SR being touted as the new "gay mecca" - however based on this and another report from a farang friends recent visit.... SR remains on our "shitlist"