Alternative destinations

[riverdee]

Hi guys been going to pattaya now for past ten years next annual trip is October,i fancy a change next year and never have been anywhere else in Thailand except pattaya any members recommend anywhere else to go in LOS ,

[gaymandenmark]

Yes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, but why not try something else. Laos Cambodja eg. You are hopefully not under your moms umbrella.;-)

[arsenal]

Wherever you go, at some point you'll wish you were in Pattaya. Why not go for a combo super sized surf and turf and combine Pattaya with other destinations.

[Oliver2]

I agree with that...go south to the less-developed islands for a week or so before returning to Pattaya. If you don't like the sea, try the mountainous areas around Chiang Rai.
Good hotels, reasonably priced, easy touring by car/taxi.

[Bert]

I read Christians comments that Taipei is a nice alternative to Thailand.

[a447]

I read Christians comments that Taipei is a nice alternative to Thailand.

It depends on what you are looking for.

If it's sex, then I'd give Taipei a miss.

Lots of eye-candy, though.

[goji]

Yes, it really does depend on what you want.

Not just the sex, but also what interests you for daytime activities ?
Loads of interesting destinations. Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang, Bagan etc

[cdnmatt]

If you're just doing a sex tourist trip, may want to check out places like Cuba, Venezuala, or Argentina. Their economies have recently went totally down the toilet, so may not be too difficult to find some cute guys to take their pants off in exhcnage for a bit of money.

Good ole taking advantage of poverty and downtrodden economies. Good stuff.

[francois]

The OP stated "....Thailand except pattaya any members recommend anywhere else to go in LOS"

Thus one can assume he wants to go to somewhere in Thailand not somewhere in the rest of the world.

[paborn]

If you're just doing a sex tourist trip, may want to check out places like Cuba, Venezuala, or Argentina. Their economies have recently went totally down the toilet, so may not be too difficult to find some cute guys to take their pants off in exhcnage for a bit of money.

Good ole taking advantage of poverty and downtrodden economies. Good stuff.
MAtt - people have had great times in Cuba. But, since no Cuban National can enter a hotel you really need language skills to make arrangements. But, with google - OK maybe. Argentina, I loved it and there are clubs . BUt, VENEZUELA??? I used to go there several times a year and it was wonderful but it is imploding, very dangerous, scare food. I would most urgently caution against this.

Besides. Francois point is well taken. The man will be 10,000 miles away.

[Oliver2]

Too many CIA agents chasing around Venezuela. Come to think of it, they've been there for years in their failed attempts to protect US oil interests. Those poor Texan billionaires.

Plenty of places to discover in Thailand. Scenically, Pattaya and its surroundings must be the least interesting part of Thailand, though it has one or two compensations. One anyway. But I urge anyone who hasn't been there to explore islands in the south (not spoilt Phuket and Phi-Phi) and the far north.

[riverdee]

thanks for all the comments guys, yes sex,nightlife,eyecandy,is on the list but architecture,buildings and scenery also only been to mexico the once lot of years ago,deff not Venezuela but Argentina sounds good plenty of time to think about it Also other parts of LOS
thanks again guys

[Brad the Impala]

MAtt - people have had great times in Cuba. But, since no Cuban National can enter a hotel you really need language skills to make arrangements

Not that it is relevant to the OP's request, but there are ways around the hotel ban for locals in Cuba. For example staying in a Cast Particular that accommodates guests, which is what we did when visiting, or staying in an airbnb, which is probably what I would do when returning. And neither of us speak spanish so not too many language skills required!

[paborn]

I had no idea that AirBnB had come to Cuba, that would go a long way to solving the problem. It's been a few years for me, things have changed a lot. Good post - thanks.

[Blacktouch]

MAtt - people have had great times in Cuba. But, since no Cuban National can enter a hotel you really need language skills to make arrangements. But, with google - OK maybe. Argentina, I loved it and there are clubs . BUt, VENEZUELA??? I used to go there several times a year and it was wonderful but it is imploding, very dangerous, scare food. I would most urgently caution against this.

Besides. Francois point is well taken. The man will be 10,000 miles away.

There is a lot of sex to be have in Havana, Cuba.

I was there two years ago and had a great time. And we found guys who spoke English.

[latintopxxx]

everyone speaks english...or at least some passable form of it...

[frequent]

everyone speaks english...or at least some passable form of it...You disappoint me, latin. Surely your modus vivendi when they open their mouth is for you to shove your cock in?

[paborn]

everyone speaks english...or at least some passable form of it...

Latin, I think you exaggerate "passable" - I live in South Florida and a good portion of Cuban immigrants who have been here since Castro came to power are still almost illiterate in English. I'm related to one.

[latintopxxx]

relax frequent, stop hyperventilating.

[riverdee]

always fancied cuba if only for the scenery and old cars you guys any more info on accom or the gay scene in Havana

[latintopxxx]

wasnt there a thread on this some time back..or was it ceylon

[latintopxxx]

apologies sri lanka...us colonials struggle with the new place names like maputo and zimbabway..and myanmare

[arsenal]

Not to mention Alba, Scotia and Walh.

[poshglasgow]

apologies sri lanka...us colonials struggle with the new place names like maputo and zimbabway..and myanmare

Swaziland is now Eswatini!

[latintopxxx]

oh heavens forbid...sends my spell check into a frenzy...

[Captain Swing]

I hadn't heard this, but apparently it's even worse. The correct spelling is eSwatini--small e, capital S. Go figure.

[frequent]

Anyone thinking of Felchistan?

[frequent]

And the winner, gentlemen, is Kansas City

7991

[kittyboy]

I will be travelling to Odessa Ukraine this winter to visit my foster son. He just moved to Odessa and has a very favorable impression of the city. It is very affordable (200-400 usd for a very nice apartment) and there are many attractive locals. The Ukraine appears to be homophobic but there are gay bars in Odessa and quite a few guys online on grindr etc.
If anyone has experience in the Ukraine please send me a note.

[Moses]

If anyone has experience in the Ukraine please send me a note.

You don' have to visit Ukraine for "attractive locals" - there are plenty of Ukrainian escorts and MBs in Prague, Warsaw, Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Moscow, S-Petersburg and so on.

[latintopxxx]

but what about the cuisine, history, architecture, museums.

[Argosy]

but what about the cuisine, history, architecture, museums.
I’m fascinated with all this talk of cuisine, history, architecture and museums.
Who are you, and what have you done with latintopxxx?

[gerefan2]

Who are you, and what have you done with latintopxxx?

Welcome Mr Argosy. Always good to see new guys with previous knowledge of our long time members ...hehe!

[Argosy]

Welcome Mr Argosy. Always good to see new guys with previous knowledge of our long time members ...hehe!
Thanks for the welcome.
Certainly didn’t read like a typical latintopxxx post from a few years back. Maybe time can mellow a person out.

[francois]

Argosy, are you not aware that latintop said all he posted before was basically not true? Just stories that he concocted.

[francois]

I apologize for the above post! Thought I was responding to a newbie but now realize that he is an oldie.

[kittyboy]

You don' have to visit Ukraine for "attractive locals" - there are plenty of Ukrainian escorts and MBs in Prague, Warsaw, Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Moscow, S-Petersburg and so on.

I am visiting my foster son and I hope to get laid while I am in Odesa - that is the side benefit of the trip no the purpose. I have chatted up a couple of guys online who are living in Odesa and they basically said anyone with ambition or smarts left the Ukraine to work or live somewhere else. That is a depressing sentiment. I suspect there are a few MBs left in the Ukraine (anyone know why it is called THE Ukraine and not just Ukraine?).
It looks like a pleasant city or the city center looks pleasant and it has a low cost of living so a cheap vacation.
If anyone has traveled to the Ukraine in particular or Eastern Europe in general and can make some recommendations I would appreciate it.

mark

[christianpfc]

...(anyone know why it is called THE Ukraine and not just Ukraine?)...
An interesting question whose answer I did not know until:
Ukraine or the Ukraine: Why do some country names have 'the'?
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18233844

[paborn]

Fascinating Christian, thanks.

[colmx]

as a response to the OP:
I would highly recommend Phnom Penh in Cambodia... I know its outside your required location of Thailand, but with just a 50 minute flight from BKK, its pretty much the same distance as Phuket or Ko Samui
Just returned from my 3rd trip in 13 months and I can't recommend enough... as long as you have your wits about you and are not a "green" tourist!

[paborn]

"as long as you have your wits about you and are not a "green" tourist!"

This screams for elaboration. Is there danger?

[kittyboy]

as a response to the OP:
I would highly recommend Phnom Penh in Cambodia... I know its outside your required location of Thailand, but with just a 50 minute flight from BKK, its pretty much the same distance as Phuket or Ko Samui
Just returned from my 3rd trip in 13 months and I can't recommend enough... as long as you have your wits about you and are not a "green" tourist!

My last trip to PP was about 5 years ago. PP was fun but there were not many gay bars.

3 trips in 13 months ! Tell us more about why you like PP. Maybe the gay scene is more active. Detail man..details..Prices...Pictures of guys!! and yes..what is the meaning of the comment about not being a green tourist..I am guessing that means as long as you are not green as in naive?

[bobsaigon2]

This very senior tourist made many trips to Phnom Penh and was not aware of danger. Perhaps my routine assured safety? Any time I left the hotel I hired one of the reliable tuk tuks waiting at the door. Daytime trips to the malls (no sightseeing, thank you) and night time outings to one of the massage venues, with tuk tuk waiting for me while I was being 'cared for'.

Gay owned and managed Rambutan Resort is first rate, next door is the more hedonistic A&P Hotel. Recently had a good report on the Sun and Moon Hotel. Joiners welcome at all of these. And if you are an apps user, your choice of companions is substantial.

[a447]

I didn't really feel in danger during my visits to Phnom Pehn, apart from the time I decided to walk down a dark street to reach Hatha massage.

There were lots of guys sitting on either side of the street drinking. I thought I could easily be a prime target if someone decided to attack a "rich" farang.

I immediately turned around and headed back to the main road.

I met an American girl in a restaurant who told me about her unfortunate experience. She had gone to a night club "to find my fuck for the night." (!!)

She got on the back of his motorcycle to head back to her hotel but at the lights some guys came by on a scooter and grabbed her shoulder bag. She managed to keep hold of it but the motorcycle fell over and landed on her friend's knee, necessitating a trip to the hospital.

"So, no fuck, eh?" I asked.

"Oh no. He was on crutches but managed to make it to my hotel."

And here I was, thinking I was the only one not to let anything get between me and a romp in bed!

[Moses]

It looks like a pleasant city or the city center looks pleasant and it has a low cost of living so a cheap vacation.
If anyone has traveled to the Ukraine in particular or Eastern Europe in general and can make some recommendations I would appreciate it.

mark

Kiyev, Lviv, Odessa - are most interesting Ukrainian cities, they were pearls on map of Ukraine. From them Lviv is most "european". At past 10-12 years economic of Ukraine is in deep depression and Odessa lost a lot: leaving country citizens (mostly Jewish), bad maintenance of roads and buildings, overpriced at high season (July - August). City still keeps charm but it is quite dusty charm for now. From other Ukrainian cities I can suggest Uzhgorod. Security advices: since country is quite poor don't wear expensive clothes and jewelry, expensive looking watches, watch your pockets, don't walk alone by dark streets and don't walk alone far from centers even at day time. Additional warning for tourists who don't looks like white Caucasian - nationalism is quite strong now and you may have troubles outside of centers of cities. For gay tourists: homophobia is on the peak, be discrete.

From EE countries I like Prague, Budapest and Ljubljiana (pronounce: "Lyublyana")

[kittyboy]

Kiyev, Lviv, Odessa - are most interesting Ukrainian cities, they were pearls on map of Ukraine. From them Lviv is most "european". At past 10-12 years economic of Ukraine is in deep depression and Odessa lost a lot: leaving country citizens (mostly Jewish), bad maintenance of roads and buildings, overpriced at high season (July - August). City still keeps charm but it is quite dusty charm for now. From other Ukrainian cities I can suggest Uzhgorod. Security advices: since country is quite poor don't wear expensive clothes and jewelry, expensive looking watches, watch your pockets, don't walk alone by dark streets and don't walk alone far from centers even at day time. Additional warning for tourists who don't looks like white Caucasian - nationalism is quite strong now and you may have troubles outside of centers of cities. For gay tourists: homophobia is on the peak, be discrete.

From EE countries I like Prague, Budapest and Ljubljiana (pronounce: "Lyublyana")

I was in Ljubljiana 2 summers ago with my foster son. Only spent 2 days there but it is a lovely city. We looked around the city. I really liked it. It was affordable, up in the foot hills of the mountains so it was very temperate (Cold and snowy in the winter).

I did not find any gay life there but the foster son was a big hit on Grindr (He is much better looking than me). He got laid a 2 times from Grindr hookups. I was not so lucky.

We drove from Bologna to Ljubljiana then down to Pula Croatia and back to Italy.
Croatia was also nice..but gay life seems much more closeted in those countries.
Nothing beats Thailand for its gay go go and host bars - or if anything does beat it then please share as I want to visit that locale.

[colmx]

This very senior tourist made many trips to Phnom Penh and was not aware of danger. Perhaps my routine assured safety?
Yes that's what I meant about being a green tourist, use common sense:
-Take the hotel tuktuks (and possibly pay the extra $1 for the pleasure, but they are usually trustworthy)
-Always have loads of $1 USD notes available for Tuktuks so they don't play the old "no change" game if you hand them $5 for a $4 ride
-Get a fixed price airport voucher and take the official taxis from the rank in airport
-Don't accept any change in USD that has even the slightest bit of damage or looks slightly worn
-Check your change, especially when they hand you mixed USD and a shitload of Riels
-Don't listen to the touts offering you all kinds of illegal activities and narcotics etc.

There is also a new style of TukTuk after arriving into the city, they are similar in style to the Phuket Tuktuks and much more comfortable than the old style carriages
A new local app called Pass App can be used for ordering TukTuks or Uber style cars



Recently had a good report on the Sun and Moon Hotel. Joiners welcome at all of these.
We stayed at the Sun & Moon and it was really fantastic, brand new, funky modern design, friendly staff etc.
They warn on the Keycard envelope that joiners must pay $10USD, but when we got back to the hotel (usually after 4am) there was never anybody there to enforce a joiner fee. My understanding is that the manager there is one of "us"

The hotel is flanked by Space Bar on one side and POC Bar around the corner (and also the 2 POC massage shops), however for us Toolbox is definitely the best bar for cute gay boys. Spoke to the boss briefly and he only hires guys that do not screech!

Blue Chilli is the other main gay pub, but we never made it there this time (we were too enamoured with the Toolbox boys!)

Heart of Darkness Club now has a LB show at midnight Thurs-Saturday, so that where we usually ended up till late and it still draws large crowds, although a few too many free loading backpacker types

One night some Khmer friends brought us to Blue Line, which is a huge Khmer club, I ended up bumping into an ex-Pattaya shag there... small world!

[christianpfc]

-Don't accept any change in USD that has even the slightest bit of damage or looks slightly worn
That depends on the denomination. 100 USD bill have to be in good condition to be accepted. 1 USD notes have been in circulation in Cambodia for years and show it.

Begin of Sep 2018 in Siem Reap. When I wanted to pay 20 USD for a hotel room (normally I don't spend that much for a room, but here were circumstanced that required finding a place quickly) with a 100 USD note, the cashier didn't have change, went away with my 100 USD note to ask for change elsewhere, and then came back with the 100 USD note. So I paid with 20 USD. (I have to get small change for the 100 USD notes I get from money exchange somewhere.) Later I had an idea that there might be a scam, walking away with a genuine 100 USD note and returning a good fake. But in this case I was lucky, I used the 100 USD to pay elsewhere. But in future I should take a picture so I have the serial number.

[colmx]

the cashier didn't have change, went away with my 100 USD note to ask for change elsewhere.... But in future I should take a picture so I have the serial number.
Actually that's another scam that a Khmer friend warned us of in disco and said when you hand over a 100USD note you always quote the last 4 digits of the serial number to the waiter. That way they can't come back a few mins later with a different note and claim it's a fake.

Oh and we had a slightly worn 20 USD (change from a bar) that nobody would accept. So our only option was to convert it into riel (at 10% loss) to use as tip money for show and waiter tips etc

[werner]

A couple questions about alternative destinations to Thailand:

Has anyone been to the Philippines lately? It used to --and I have not been there for 25 years-- have some fun clubs with a lot of attractive guys. Does anyone remember Club 690 at its peak?

Have many members visited the Toolbox bar in Phnom Penh, Cambodia? what were your experiences there? Are the cute guys offable?

I have heard from some Forum members that the cutest and hottest Cambodia guys are actually in Pattaya.

[colmx]

Have many members visited the Toolbox bar in Phnom Penh, Cambodia? what were your experiences there? Are the cute guys offable?

I have heard from some Forum members that the cutest and hottest Cambodia guys are actually in Pattaya.

The cutest and hottest Cambodian guys are definately in Phnom Penh from my perspective!

We offed one of the staff from Toolbox to take him to the disco 2 hours before the end of his shift
Cost to buy him out was $10

It wasn't called an "off" and there was no sex spoken about (or expected/delivered) but I'm sure if that's what you were after it could also be arranged... as long as the chemistry was right on both sides i.e. The boys are not directly for sale afaik, but arrangements could definitely be made.

[Dalewood]

And the winner, gentlemen, is Kansas City

7991

Wow....all these years I have thought Kansas City put the "B" in Boredom, while apparently it put the "P" in er, uhmm, well...….

[aussie_]

Have many members visited the Toolbox bar in Phnom Penh, Cambodia? what were your experiences there? Are the cute guys offable?

I have attended Toolbox bar the last four nights and will return again tonight. Some of the Thailand bars should check out Toolbox and see how to make a bar more fun and more entertaining.

There are energetic dance routines every 15 minutes from 10pm by three or four hot guys who obviously really enjoy performing. The very friendly dancers and attractive staff mingle with the customers and do not ask for drinks but are very appreciative if you buy them a drink. I have not seen any staff playing with their phones which i really dislike in some bars.

colmx answered the question about offing. Not everyone is available but you can discuss with the guys or with Doug the owner of the bar. Some of the Cambodian customers are looking for cash and i met one at my hotel who messaged me on grindr, a very hot guy who likes playing pool with his shirt off.

I walked past the Blue Chilli bar a few times but the staff were not my type, more average build and i am over the ladyboy shows. I might have a look in Heart of Darkness club tonight but i heard it has been very quiet there lately. It is my last night so i will take some of the Toolbox staff to Blueline club, they are very keen to go so it should be a good night there.

[riverdee]

Thanks again guys for all the posts,looks like Phnom penh next year,always wanted to visit and some of the posts help ,thank you + the bloody brexit negotiations depends how the pound and exchange rates are

[greenman]

This is a bit late for the OP, but for anyone else reading though the thread, Cebu (Phillipines) is a place where contacts via apps are easily possible. Unfortunately it is not really a tourist destination so unless your business trips take you there, there is not much to recommend it. However it's a transport hub so you might be stopping over on the way to another island. Mango Square is the area where many mid-range hotels are situated. There are several clubs with male dancers but that is not my scene so I cannot suggest one over another.

[goji]

Cebu does have an interesting range of cute boys on the phone apps. Some are just after sex not money and the ones who are working are well happy with tips of 50~66% of Pattaya levels.
There is not much else going for it, other than it being somewhere new.

Phnom Penh is more agreeable than Cebu, but finding working boys is more trouble. Although some take $20 or $30, others won't go for less than $50. However, sauna visits are highly recommended, as the locals tend to see white skin as desirable, so even people like me can pick up cute lads just for the fun of it, with no money expected.

[Nirish guy]

Mango Square is the area where many mid-range hotels are situated.

Just for clarity for those thinking of visiting - I was told that the main Mango square area is now a mere shadow of what it was bar wise and that the bar area has shifted down towards the docks area. It was a farang who'd told me that and personally I found it hard to believe and I have tried to check with a few PH friends from there but never got a clear answer, so perhaps someone could confirm ??

Also whilst as mentioned Cebu isn't exactly a tourist mecca there are a few decent(fish) malls etc and the apps will have you busy from morning to night if that's your preference ( almost TOO much actually !). Also there are many beautiful beaches and mountain areas not very far from Cebu and if you pick up a knowledgeable local I'm sure they can show you a good time.

One note of caution though in the Cebu is located in area area considered to be a possible risk to foreigners due to Muslim kidnap gangs etc ( and general robbery and the likes too) so it's defintely a place to check out about before you go and to be aware of what's going on there. Saying that when I last went for a 5 day trip I a ball, but that was more down to the guys I met and how busy the Apps were ! :)

[goji]

Just for clarity for those thinking of visiting - I was told that the main Mango square area is now a mere shadow of what it was bar wise and that the bar area has shifted down towards the docks area. It was a farang who'd told me that and personally I found it hard to believe and I have tried to check with a few PH friends from there but never got a clear answer, so perhaps someone could confirm ??

I'm not sure what the Mango square area WAS like, but a couple of years ago, I didn't see any gay bars there. The gay bars on google maps were quite some distance away & had poor reviews. As the phone apps were getting good results, that's what I used. Now if I figured the bars might be something like the picture below, particularly the second from the left, then I might have made more of an effort.
I stayed about 5 minutes walk from the Ayala shopping mall & would probably do so on any future visit.

At the time, there were only UK travel warnings for the south of the island, not Cebu city.

[Nirish guy]

You're right, the bars in Mango Square weren't "gay bars" in any respect as we'd expect to find in Pattaya (or elsewhere), BUT the key point was that outside the bars was where all the ladyboys / hookers hung out and THAT attracted a fairly mixed edgy crowd, including plently of gay guys, who were there for a night out and to enjoy the more relaxed tolerant atompshere it seems ( although being the PH's sometimes they preferred to be a little more discrete and weren't "gay" until maybe later as I found out :). But the (few) bars that where there were lively enough and several had a good mix of both gay and straight customers in them - whether they be out or otherwise.

Re safety you are correct that it is more the Southern part of the PH's that tends to be the big no no area ( and even more so of late !) and Cebu City itself is usually said to be reasonably safe, after reading plently of various news articles from there I think that that reasonably should be taken as being with a small "r" perhaps - especially around Mango Square where a lot of the homeless hang out etc. I was also told locally there by said hookers mentioned above NOT to walk to my hotel from the bar ( which was only 5 minutes away) and to be sure to take a taxi ( note I did end up walking it most nights with no issue but I think their advice was sound).

I did note however that the local Cebu Police Chief had issued a statement back in Janurary of this year reassuring tourists of their safety and that he had now beefed up security to absolutely ensure their safety over Singulog etc - so, THAT to me would be enough usually to confirm just how safe ( or otherwise) THEY think the place REALLY is when they feel the need to even issue such statement.

I'm guessing that most dangers in Cebu City are more just from the usual everyday mugging type crimes, but there have also been instances of kidnappings either happening or being planned after people have started off from the City on trips etc so like everywhere in the PH's it's probably advisable just to be aware of your surroundings in general so as not to stray too far in the wrong direction.

Saying that I would happily go back as I enjoyed myself ( althogh that was more down to the Company I found rather than the sightseeing), but I did go for several longish walks without incident ( although as it got darker looking back I'm not just sure just how wise that may have been to be honest) but, I would go back.

I think thats the trouble with the PH's, it can all feel so hit and miss safety wise. For instance when I was in Davao last year (which is deep in the South) I was STRONGLY advised by PH friends to absolutely not to cross onto the islands there, but I witnessed a few other white guys doing exactly that without any apparent issue. However then just last week I read of a farang and his PH wife being kidnapped not that far from that location after only arriving there that very same day .......so I guess like everything, you travel ATYR, but always better at least knowing what you're letting yourself in for I guess.......hmmmm, or actually even sometimes NOT maybe, depends on your outlook on life I guess.