Tarntawan, ID inspection, etc.

[Wim888]

During my recent visit to Bangkok, I stayed at Tarntawan for the first time. I will NOT stay there again.

I do NOT understand why they need such strict ID inspection and monitoring of Asian guests. The staff not only inspected the ID of my Thai guest but wrote down the details. On my last night, I tried to bring back an attractive guy from Myanmar that I offed from one of the go-go bars. But he had no Thai ID and did not have a passport with him. [He was some type of ethnic minority from northern Myanmar; perhaps he did not even have a passport.] The hotel staff would not allow him to my room. This really angered me, but fortunately I controlled my temper.

I have lived in a half dozen countries, and can handle my own safety and security.

On the other hand, the staff did not seem to care about bringing in Caucasian guests. One night, I met a very attractive, blond Russian guy at Telephone {correct name?] restaurant, and brought him back to the hotel. He did not have an ID or a passport, and the staff did not seem to care. He stayed all night [and provided great service, but I did not see him again. He wanted a sugar daddy, and I did not want to get involved. we communicated using English and Dutch, which he had learned working in Amsterdam. ]

[christianpfc]

I vaguely remember, I visited a friend who stayed at Tarntawan and had to leave my ID at the man in front of the elvator, in addition to him writing my name and details in his book.

Was the Russian boy a moneyboy? If yes, what rate did he quote? There seem to be money boys from all countries in Bangkok.

[lukylok]

When you check in at the Tarntawan, you have to sign an agreement to allow control of your guests.
It is on the back of your check in card. And the receptionist makes sure that you sign it.

If you read what you sign, it should not be a surprise.

[cdnmatt]

Then next time, instead of staying in a hotel, rent a private house via AirBnB (or whereever). No headaches that way.

[scottish-guy]

You don't need to go to the extent of hiring a house - just find a hotel with a better attitude.

There's plenty of them.

You don't need to go to the extent of hiring a house - just find a hotel with a better attitude.

There's plenty of them.

In March I stayed at the BBB Inn in Bangkok for 3 days and they made a photocopy of the ID card of the boy I had with me. First hotel that ever did that (but I must say all my other experiences so far concern Pattaya). Normally just showing the ID card to the hotel receptionist is enough and they keep it till the boy leaves. Was surprised to see them making a photocopy. Wonder what they do with it.

[Gaybutton]

I'm in favor of those rigid ID check rules - the more rigid the better. It's not only for your own protection, but the protection of everybody else staying in the hotel. You're bringing a complete stranger to your room. Without ID checks, photocopies, the hotel refusing to give the ID back to the boy until getting an 'all clear' from you, then anything can happen - and things do happen. There have been reports ranging from theft to assault, even murder. There have been reports about such 'guests' breaking into other rooms in the hotels.

Some say they don't want to stay in a hotel that has ID check rules. I wouldn't want to stay in a hotel that doesn't have them.

There are too many people who stop thinking with their brains when they come to Thailand and do their thinking with their crotch instead as soon as they get off the plane. If you've met a boy who can't, or won't, produce ID, first question to ask is why not. If you just must have that boy, go to a short time room. Go to his room. But I'm glad you can't bring him anywhere near my room.

[TravellerDave]

I hate hassle at hotel reception desks but have avoided it in recent years by making sure boys have their ID card before I off them. Also one of the questions I ask when making arrangements on GR is about ID.
I thought I might have trouble one night during my last trip when I offed a gogo boy. He had mentioned he was 19 but I forgot about a notice banning under 20's until we approached the desk. However the clerk just took the card and placed in a filing box and wished me goodnight. I was rather pleased as I had invested time and money. You have to constantly engage brain whilst in Thailand which is sometimes hard when you are relaxing and have had a couple of drinks.

[Up2U]

All I can say is "Bravo Tarntawan!"

[Oliver]

Yes indeed; I regard the security as being for my own protection....and that of other guests in the hotel who may not appreciate visitors wandering around the corridors.
The phone call as the visitor leaves comes into this category too.

[Wim888]

Well, I for one do NOT like the gestapo atmosphere at the Tarntawan, and will never go there again.

Even the staff at five-star hotels in Bangkok can be accommodating about security regulations, as long as I am polite, smile, --and sometimes provide a tip.

And is Bangkok really so unsafe and dangerous? I have lived and worked [and played] in much more dangerous environments, including Manila, Jakarta, Cairo, and New York City [perhaps the most dangerous]. I have common sense and have survived without the help of hotel staff.

As I recall, Tarntawan has security cameras and surveillance. If the staff were on the ball, they could keep any situation under control without the rudeness and intimidation. What could a very sweet and cute lad from northern Myanmar do anyway? All guests presumably keep their rooms locked. If he really wanted to do something nasty, how would the showing of his passport [perhaps fake anyway], prevent him from doing anything?

Yes, I did sign some statement when I registered, but I was too tired when I arrived, and I did not read it carefully. In any case, I did NOT give the staff permission to interrogate and intimidate my guests, or to be rude to me.

Moreover, they did NOT enforce the rules when I brought the Russian guy in. And there is NO way that they could have thought that he was my son. I have dark hair and brown eyes; he is blond and has blue eyes. I am a bit overweight; he has a perfect athletic bod.

[Wim888]

Another point:
Yes, Christianpfc, the Russian guy was a mb. He asked for 6,000 baht, but settled for 4,000 baht for the night. He was great, and very hot and handsome.
I would have spent more time with him if he had not been so desperate for a sugar daddy. He had all sorts of really sad stories about relatives in Ukraine who were trying to get to Russia, and the need for money and help.

He had probably worked in the Netherlands as a mb--and in so doing learned his Dutch. He knew all the appropriate Dutch words.....

Yes, there are great guys of many nationalities and races working in Bangkok.....But some do NOT have the proper ID for Tarntawan.....Damn I still am angry that Tarntawan would not allow the guy from Myanmar to my room. That would NOT have happened at Rose Hotel or even some five star hotels in Bangkok

[Oliver]

I have some sympathy with the racial aspect of this; we know from the Yellow Shirt mess that social and ethnic prejudices are rampant, particularly in Bangkok.

However, the "protection" of which I approve is specifically related to the age of consent of any visitor I bring back. I appreciate that an ID card is not a fully-reliable guide- copies and borrowed cards are available- but the fact remains that for anyone who prefers guys aged under thirty or so, the check is a comfort. I have on three occasions sent away (with payment) Gay Romeo guys who have passed through security (elsewhere) with acceptable cards because I was uneasy about their age and so I recognise that I'm over- cautious; nevertheless, I prefer the checks to be there and a record of my vivitors to be kept.
I wonder whether the security guard on duty when Wim888 had problems was one of the usuals? they always seem very pleasant.

[frequentfliers]

I am delighted with the way the Tarntawan operate.I would never go with a guy that did not have an i.d..

[Nirish guy]

Alas I fear ( and actually hope) that Tartawan's slightly over zealous secrity regime will never change.

After staying there for many years now and being friendly with all the reception and security staff, which included tipping them when leaving etc and my always getting a nice welcome on my return, I too have been a victim of their unwavering signing in rules, once when I met an Indian guy who was also there on holiday and who they point blank refused to allow up to my room at 2pm on Christmas day of all days (spoil sports) but thankfully he went back to his hotel and returned with a passport so problem solved there.

The next (two) times were certainly more annoying as I had returned with a Flipino teacher ( not a MB!) friend of mine who was taken unaware of need to show any ID, EVENTUALLY we got through by him being able to print a (totally illegible) copy of his (PH) driving licence which he had saved on his phone,this however meant that he had to email it to himself, log on to the business centres (useless) computer webmail and then print off same to be able to the overzealous guard the piece of paper he insisted on having for his wee box and all just so that he could return it to him again when he left, which my friend then placed in the bin at reception! All of this all took around 45 minutes and needles to say both he and I were most defintely not amused.

Worse still was about 6 months later when the same friend was again (unexpectedly) coming to see me and again had no ID ( he seems to have an aversion to carrying ID ever!), so, I rang down from my room, explained who he was and that he was "on the system", to which I got a "yes, ok no problem" and so told my friend to come on ahead, but of course on his arrival he was held at security and told "sorry, no, we don't have your name on our system" to which he simply had had enough and turned on his heel and left again.

I then spent the next hour both trying to calm him down and getting him to return to the hotel and also in pointing out how ludicous all of this was to the hotel staff, who actually remembered my friend ( after all the crap the last time) but still needed their "piece of paper" but of course all just did their wonder Thai (fuck you) smile thing and we got no wher. Eventually when my friend did return we had to go through the same printing off his licence nonsense allover again, which was a total nonsense anyway as it was so blurred and out of focus you couldn't even read his name or see his pic properly on the printed page away, but face had been saved and everyone was happy ( except me and my friend) and so eventually access was granted "with a smile".

BUT those three incidents aside I have to say that generally I don't mind the Tarntawan approach to security as it does keep their guests safe and as they regularly point out when I hear other guests complaining about this topic at reception, it IS Thai law that they keep records of all visitors ( as to whether this is true or not I have NO idea).

[Brad the Impala]

Well, I for one do NOT like the gestapo atmosphere at the Tarntawan, and will never go there again.



I think that they will survive. If you want unrestricted guests don't stay in a hotel stay in a serviced apartment.

There are many countries around the world where you will have a much harder job to take an unregistered guest to your room.

[Gaybutton]

I'm not sure why Tarntawan is being singled out. Most Thailand hotels I've stayed in have similar rules - No ID=No go. If the staff starts making exceptions, then it's pointless to have the rule. Some seem to have the attitude that "The rules apply to everybody - except me." It doesn't, and shouldn't, work that way. Do you really want to stay in a hotel that permits just anybody in their rooms without having any idea who it is or how to identify him in case of a problem? I don't.

It's your responsibility to ask about joiner rules prior to booking a hotel room. It's unreasonable to expect the hotel to make exceptions just because you weren't aware of the rules or it never occurred to you to ask about joiner rules. Look at the bright side - some hotels not only have similar rules, but also charge several hundred baht extra for joiners.

I'm sorry if you found out about the rules the hard way, but getting angry with the hotel staff isn't going to help you. Having a hissy fit or a tantrum right there in the hotel lobby is not going to result in the hotel making an exception to their joiner rules. That does have the potential, however, for resulting in you and your luggage being unceremoniously escorted out the door.

If you find yourself in a hotel with rules unacceptable to you, you do have the option of checking out and finding somewhere else to stay. Again, if it's a boy you've just gotta have, you also have the option of going to a short time room or instead of your room, go to his room. But as for your hotel making exceptions just for you - sorry. You don't get to do that.

I'm in complete agreement with Gaybutton and everyone else in favour of strict ID checks. If I'm staying at Tarntawan and pick a bit up I propose taking there I always ask if he has his ID as I've been caught out myself (once). If you don't want the inconvenience take him somewhere that doesn't ask for any ID such as the Suriwong Hotel short-time rooms. I'm sure they'll happily take your money while you enjoy your 15yo illegal immigrant.

[colmx]

I'm not sure why Tarntawan is being singled out. Most Thailand hotels I've stayed in have similar rules - No ID=No go.
This does not reflect my experience... Beyond the Tarntawan and Ambiance - i don't recall any hotel that enforced a no ID=no entry rule
Of course i tend to stay in hotels where you get to keep your own key/Key card, as i hate having to interact with incompetent reception staff when i get back to my room, andi like to come and go as i please, with as many partners as I please in a 24 hour period... without being judged!

Unlike the majority of posters on this thread - i agree with the Original Poster
I am a grown man and i am well capable of deciding whether the guy that is accompanying me to the hotel is of age or not
I am also well capable of hiding my valuables and securing them from opportunistic thieves

The only advantage that Tarntawan brings is for the first time sex tourist, who has possbily left their country for the first time and is bamboozled by the odyssey of culture shock and available sex that they suddenly find themselves embroiled in

[Gaybutton]

I am a grown man and i am well capable of deciding whether the guy that is accompanying me to the hotel is of age or not
I am also well capable of hiding my valuables and securing them from opportunistic thieves
That part is probably true for most, if not all of us, but it's neither the reason for nor the point of the rules. The rules are not in place as an attempt to protect you from yourself. The rules are there to protect everyone staying in the hotel, to protect the hotel itself from liability, and to prevent cheaters, such as someone paying for a room for one, but really having more than one staying in the room.

Also, the law does require hotels to account for all guests. I would think the hotel's insurance company would also require the hotel to be able to identify anyone present in the rooms.

[atri1666]

I like the controls at Tarntawan. It is good to stay safe. Happy to stay there from tuesday.

I would think the hotel's insurance company would also require the hotel to be able to identify anyone present in the rooms.I think that's a stretch. The policy would be for public liability and such policies generally don't require the policyholder to know who may or may not be injured in advance of the injury.

[Up2U]

I would think the hotel's insurance company would also require the hotel to be able to identify anyone present in the rooms.I think that's a stretch. The policy would be for public liability and such policies generally don't require the policyholder to know who may or may not be injured in advance of the injury.

Yes, it could be a stretch, but let's remember the owners/managers of the Tarntawan are westerners /foreigners and they understand the importance of creating a safe environment for "all" hotel guests, especially when the red light district is at their front door. If people like the Rose or Surawongse guest policy they are welcome to it.

[Gaybutton]

I think that's a stretch.
It might be a stretch, but I doubt either of us knows what insurance companies would require. In any case, all the other reasons why hotels have that rule in place are, in my opinion, valid and I'm glad those rules exist. If the person in the room next to mine has a boy in there, I want the hotel to know who it is and how to identify him if a problem does occur. And I also want the boy to know he can easily be identified.

[scottish-guy]

May I disrespecfully suggest that there is more than a little irony involved in having "rules" and "norms" quoted at us by members of a section of society which routinely disregards them when it comes to matters of the cock, where to put it, and how much to pay for doing so.

My own thoughts on this is that its quite permissable for any Hotel to require your guest to have ID (I don't think anybody is arguing against that) - but when it gets to "Gestapo" proportions (and sorry NIrish, but I have to say that - for me - the experiences you have recounted fall firmly into that territory) then (again, for me) it would be time to go elsewhere.

[Nirish guy]

Whilst normally I'd agreed I look at it from another point of view, firstly I was told clearly of their policy and signed up to it so I shouldn't be surprised ( after all these years) when they do enforce it, if this all happened in a Western hotel then you're right and my bags would be packed and I'd be gone in a heart beat - BUT - I look at it another way, firstly the original guard was just doing his job in that he was no doubt told "all visitors must leave ID at reception and once he got a piece of paper ( with nothing even legible on it hardly) face was saved and away up we went. Yes it was annoy that we had to even to go through that the whole charade, but it wasn't really the guards fault.

The second was even more annoying as the hotel did say " no problem, he'll be on our system", however I was fully aware there was NO WAY the guard the first time had been able to enter ANY name on their system as the paper we gave him was almost blank and for me to then tell them that would have landed him in the shit for letting us go up at all, so we had to then go through the same rigmarole all over again just to protect his back job wise. What did annoy me then though was that very same guard standing denying all knowledge of our first encounter when asked by the manager as if he'd simply of said " oh yes he's been before, maybe there was a mistake" we would have been allowed up and they could have sorted the "mistake" later (or never), so for that he's certainly on me "fuck you" list forever as we both fully understood what he was doing by looking blankly at my guest and pretending he didn't remember the first encounter (as he SO did).

So the hotels policy wasn't at fault so much as us the first time not having ID at all and expecting them to make an exception, although I DO think there's room for a little relaxation there perhaps as my teacher friend "obviously" wasn't a MB, nor Thai" and as a guest who's stayed there for many years and one who does play by the rules I would have thought some leeway might have been given, obviously not and my mistake for expecting same perhaps just. The second time was just an annoyance based on us (mistakenly) trying to help the guard cover for his first actions in letting us up but him then dropping US in it as even then the hotel staff were as embarrassed and annoyed as we were at the whole situation, but as 4 staff members were now involved by this stage, including the two receptionists, again face had to be saved and so we had to "play the game" in printing off and handing over yet another piece of (illegible) paper.

But as I said originally all that aside generally I've no complaint about their ID system as it does work and it does give you some sort of security, both from possible injury and theft too perhaps as the opportunist thief knows his details have been taken. Also it's worth noting that the boys DO also recognise that there's a working system in place there too and that shows the system does WORK as it's not the first time I've gone to take a boy back and he's said "oh tarntawan, cannot, I not allowed there". This is usually either as they've previously maybe been barred for some reason i.e one guy trashed my room on drugs one night and has been barred for life and they DO have him on their system as he's told me since ( he's clean now) that he's tried to go back with other customers and been turned away or perhaps they just don't have suitable ID at all, whether that be because of age or criminal issues. So all in all for the many many many times I've sailed through there without a problem I think the one of two times ( which were ultimately caused my my guest not having ID) are an acceptable pay off.

My only annoyance (and I mean this in a light hearted way) is that when it's one of the Soi Twilight guys going upstairs with me and they know the security staff well of course, they end up getting a sneaky look in the book and or quick run down from them if they ask how "busy" I may or may not have been that day as we go into the lift. Thankfully for me as I'm very open about this that never causes me a problem, but I can imagine if you WERE trying to pretend to some guy that he was your one and only true love you'd be totally fucked ( or NOT in the end actually more likely in this case ! :-)

I think that's a stretch.
It might be a stretch, but I doubt either of us knows what insurance companies would require.Do try not to invest others with your own extensive ignorance.

[CHAOTOU]

Don't fool yourselves, Tarntawan's policy is in place to protect them, not you and other guests from your visitors.

[Nirish guy]

Of course you're right but if the net effect achieves both goals then all a the better I say.

[latintopxxx]

guess when people get old they just gotta moan, groan and complain over nothing....like the whole world is plotting against them...

[a447]

http://www.traveller.com.au/is-handing-over-passports-in-hotels-safe-1mxg07?eid=cpc:nnn-14omn2221-optim-nnn:outbrain-05/01/2015-outbrain_paid-dom-displayad-nnn-traveller-nnn&campaign_code=15caf007&promote_channel=sem&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=paid%20outbrain

[Wim888]

I am surprised that many seem to like the tight security and gestapo tactics at Tarntawan.
At least Colmx seems to agree with me.

I have traveled the world, and at almost 70, I am certainly old enough to decide for myself who can accompany me to my room and join me in bed.
Even five-star hotels in Thailand, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.S. and other places have allowed me to bring guests to my room, without ID checks or other procedures.

Ha! And Tarntawan thinks that it is "gay friendly" to oldsters like me.

For the record: The guy from Myanmar who was not allowed to go to my room was about 25 years. He was refused NOT because he looked too young, but because he had no passport or ID card with him. Other the other hand, the hotel did NOT make any fuss when I brought the Russian guy back to the room. [He also was about 25] I just smiled at the security staff, and the Russian and I quickly went to my room before security could do anything. At least security, did not break down the door and pull the Russian off.

End of my tirade. I thank members of this forum for sharing their views.

Also for the record: The food and the coffee at Tarntawan are mediocre at best.

[Nirish guy]

"At least security, did not break down the door and pull the Russian off."

The reason they didn't is that that has to prearranged with them, tip agreed and extra tissues delivered to the room in advance - oh, no, wait, that's not the sort of pulling off you meant perhaps - oops, ok, just ignore that, I wouldn't know anything about the other sort of arrangement there and how it costs only 500 baht - no, ice absolutely no knowledge about that !!! Lol

" The food and the coffee at Tarntawan are mediocre at best".

Now THAT I totally agree with you about and can never understand people who claim that it's otherwise ?

[atri1666]

He should book some nights in the "Tawana" opposite. I am curious how he would call it there? May be "Guantanamo Freedom"?

[corky]

During my recent visit to Bangkok, I stayed at Tarntawan for the first time. I will NOT stay there again.

I've just looked at a website that says there are 1176 hotels in Bangkok. If you did not like your experience at Tarntawan you have plenty of choice in finding somewhere else. And those of us who do like the security arrangements can stay there in peace without having to listen to the constant whining from the likes of you who signed up on arrival for their security provisions.

[colmx]

He should book some nights in the "Tawana" opposite. I am curious how he would call it there? May be "Guantanamo Freedom"?
I am trying to dedipher the above comment...Are you saying the Tawanna is gay/joiner friendly or not?
I have a farang friend that always stays there and brings boys back everytime with no issues
Also have a Thai friend that stayed there last week - and he much preferred it over the Tarntawan (and he had no problem taking farang guests back!!)

[frequentfliers]

I've just looked at a website that says there are 1176 hotels in Bangkok. If you did not like your experience at Tarntawan you have plenty of choice in finding somewhere else. And those of us who do like the security arrangements can stay there in peace without having to listen to the constant whining from the likes of you who signed up on arrival for their security provisions.[/quote]
Totally agree.

[atri1666]

He should book some nights in the "Tawana" opposite. I am curious how he would call it there? May be "Guantanamo Freedom"?
I am trying to dedipher the above comment...Are you saying the Tawanna is gay/joiner friendly or not?
I have a farang friend that always stays there and brings boys back everytime with no issues
Also have a Thai friend that stayed there last week - and he much preferred it over the Tarntawan (and he had no problem taking farang guests back!!)
I was staying there in the past many years. They have been very homophobe with their men in black from the security. May be they changed their mind. In this times i had boyfriend and we have been checked in together and every night we came back we had a gala show with the security. After i was once speaking so noisy all the lobby was looking they never pestered us again.
A hotel i never will stay again.

[Gaybutton]

It all seems very simple to me. Some hotels have strong ID security and some don't. You certainly have plenty of choices. To avoid unpleasant surprises, all you have to do is first check with the hotel before committing to a booking. I don't see what the big problem is.