Bangkok/Pattaya in August for newbie

[timey]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and I just lurked around for a couple weeks and read many posts and different things about this...world let's say. Obviously, being Asia something I've always wanted and was always gonna try sooner or later, reading a lot of your trip reports made me really curious about my joint need for a culture shock and silky smooth smiling asian guys, and since I was in the usual time where it's needed to choose where to go on holiday in august, I might have decided to give it a go.
Now tho, there are some questions/drawbacks and I wondered if you could help me with them:
- In august I'd be on my own, unfortunately compatibiliy issues with pre-fixed paid leaves, family, money and so on will prevent any chance of going with some interested friends until like Jan-Feb, so first problem is: Should this stop me? Should I wait jan-feb, go with at least one friend and enjoy high season? Is it possibily dangerous (if you're white, tall and lanky) or boring or just not suggested for first timers? Did you go with someone else the first time there?
- August is full rainy season, but somehow i read that it's not a big deal as it might appear? Is it true? I also read that BKK and Pattaya are quite different in this regard and it might be better to choose the latter.
- Next of course is a very debated thing: BKK vs Pattaya. I read all sorts of stuff, and I have to say I'd probably be more comfortable in pattaya given a few things that i don't even know if true or not (more twink oriented, cheaper, more long off oriented), so please enlighten me. Also of course this coupled with the possibly rainier weather makes Pattaya a clear winner by miles, but still, curious to see if there might be an argument for BKK. I wanted to give BKK 4 days in the 15 days trip but not sure if worth it none, less or more.
- I am kinda fairly young, not young by gay standards but mid 30s, so I don't know how I'd be perceived hitting a gogo bar on my own, would it be normal or odd? Is it possible to make friends there?
- My preference goes to young lean twinks around 20 to 25, where would you suggest me to go?
- Is Jomtien beach a good place during the day to be chilling about and get some tan? Can you meet guys even there?
- A weird question about water: I mean i understand about food you gotta be careful obviously but do i really need to brush my teeth with bottled water and keep my mouth shut during a shower?
Well I probably dont remember everything i wanted to ask and i'm sure some more questions will come up and ill post them in future replies, but for now thanks a lot to any reply/help you guys want to give me and sorry for the long post and possibly overlapping things.

[Asia Traveler]

The answers to your questions are really based on personal preference and your personality type. For me Low season is great. The rain usually hits hard in the afternoon and then stops. Carry an umbrella. The bar-boys boys are very glad to be with anyone that has money for their fee. I would split my time between Pattaya and Bangkok so you can develop your own preference for the future. I still visit both. If going to Pattaya be sure to visit Jomtien as I think you will find more boys of your type there. Be sure you settle a price before you take them to your hotel and be sure they are willing to do the things you want. This is particularly important with Vietnamese and Cambodian boys. Also only stay in hotels that will allow you “joiners” meaning you can take a friend to your room for fun. As far as friends I can’t say about that. I am solo traveler and prefer the freedom that gives me. I am sure you will find folks to chat with in the coffee shops and bars besides the boys.
As to water I don’t trust it at all but many hotels have a filter system that would make it OK for brushing your teeth but for me I just don’t trust that they maintain these systems so I always use bottled water. I will let the experts take over from here.
Have fun������

[pong]

Do not worry too much,even when there its over-easy to change plans. You really dont have to prebook all that so long before (except flites to get a lower price).
In the past i also was tied to school-hols in august and as a general rule its fine. The usual afternoon heavy downpour around 16.00, and that its more cloudy is great for damping the heat a little. But fear not; as droves of also school/uni-bound young people flock to Th that time, its a kind of 2nd high-season in some areas.
Firstpoint: have you ever been in the tropics? If not so- consult a doctor or specialist centre for any vacinations/other measures (no, malaria is not among it)
as a mid-30 (well, so was I first time there) you will not stand out, but probably get more ready attention. it would also be really good for using all those contact-apps
Is it really only for the gay life or is there any other interest in things Thai-like most touristst would do?
I've visited by now many more countries and also all around TH and for health/food etc. Th is surely the best/safest (except Singy of course), but you know best of yourself how you react to such foreign things

[kittyboy]

Go and enjoy yourself..don't wait.

I have been spending 4-6 weeks during the summer in the LOS for the last 3-4 years.
Pattaya tends to have an older crowd..friendly in my experience..more expats per capita and I get bored in Pattaya after about 1 week so I alternate between Pattaya and BKK. 1 week pattaya 1 week bkk then back to pattaya..etc.

In BKK I go to the Silom area...Soi 4, etc.
I have been travelling to Thailand for 30+ years - I no longer go for the temples, etc...I go for the relaxed life style..and the guys.
Have fun.

[Manforallseasons]

Timely, by all means spend time in Bangkok if only for the many splendid attractions. Two mostly outdoor bars dominate Soi 4 Telephone and Balcony bar....also a not to be recommended Jupiter go go.....I looked inside and left as it was full of Chinese and no nudity but tell the doorman U want to have a look first..at that point do not pay anything only look, I have not been to BKK for a long time however, for the most current reviews on the gogo bars search Gayguides.Com. On one health note get a hepatitis B preventative injection.
Though twinks are definitely not my thing you’ll find no shortage of them in Jomtien complex and Winner GoGo in Sunee Plaza...Happy hunting!

[Moses]

Welcome to forum.

TH is safe enough, don't worry.

Vaccination against hepatitis B is good advice, take it now (because it takes 3 visits to doctor: 1 - 4 weeks - 1 - 4 weeks - 1). Also is good idea to bring Immodium (against diarrhea) with you (almost every first timer will have it). If you are top then bring condoms with you - Asian condoms (even brand names) have smaller sizes.

About "adventures": if you are in twinks install 3 apps to your phone then: Blued (number 1!), Hornet and Romeo. In your 30+ yo you will have as many sex as you want for free if you are top and aren't fat (at my 50+ years after 10+ years of visits I never paid for sex). If you are bottom then you still will have some free offers but "market" isn't that big as for tops.

Rains. Just have umbrella. Rains don't lasts days, Usually 30 min - 1 hour.

Pattaya - Bangkok: visit both. If your flight back is at morning then visit Pattaya first and use last days in Bangkok: way BKK - airport takes only 30-40 min, Pattaya - airport may take up to 2 hours (usually 1.5).

[christianpfc]

- August is full rainy season, but somehow i read that it's not a big deal as it might appear? Is it true? I also read that BKK and Pattaya are quite different in this regard and it might be better to choose the latter.

- A weird question about water: I mean i understand about food you gotta be careful obviously but do i really need to brush my teeth with bottled water and keep my mouth shut during a shower?
Usually, about five minutes before rain starts, it gets windy, so you are warned and can seek shelter. Usually, the rain is heavy and short, it's better to stand in shelter than walk with an umbrella.

I have been drinking tap water everywhere in South-East Asia for five years without problems.

[Faranglaw]

I would check out Babylon. I had tons of good sex there every year for 20+ years, with friendly twinks, until about age 64. (I’m 69 now.) Every year I went back, wondering if this is the year I won’t have any luck. Every year I came away smiling: “Not this year.” My best time there was during my one trip during rainy season, when cute young men who wouldn’t have looked my way during high season were all smiles and winks.

At your age you might not need to pay for sex. I agree with the other posters who said to try the dating apps. There are loads of nice normal middle class guys who aren’t in the commercial scene. Many of them are looking for a long term relationship, so if you are open to that, you could be a star! You can also check out the apps from your home country using the map option. At least, on Hornet you can. I don’t know about the others.

Good luck, have fun, and do spend a bit of time at the temples, Grand Palace, What Pho, etc. They really are worth your time.

[Nirish guy]

I have been drinking tap water everywhere in South-East Asia for five years without problems.

? Did you not once tell us that you'd had a dose of the shits ( or two) once you first arrived and that you believed ( as many do) that that then allowed your body to become used / immune to the various possible bugs in the water that cause a lot of new comers to Thailand to get the shits in the first place, so it wasn't a case of you weren't affected but more just got it out of your system early and it hasn't bothered you much since ?

Just for clarity and in case some newcomer readers your posts and thinks it's then might be fine to guzzle down litres of tap water on their first few days in Country. Personally I think for various reasons of what may or may not be in the water that might not be a "great" idea and so bottled water for a newbie on a short trip might well be the safer option - no ?

[Smiles]

" .... at my 50+ years after 10+ years of visits I never paid for sex .... " Oh come on Ivan, you know very well it's really because you carry a gun, and show it not discreetly. (The gun that is).

[joe552]

I was just recently remembering my first trip in 2002. I loved it, as I'm sure you will. I prefer Pattaya, but that's a personal choice.

I have no great advice to give that hasn't already been said. I use tap water for brushing my teeth, but bottled water for drinking and making coffee. I never really had any bowel problems, although Immodium is not a bad idea.

Have a blast, and keep us informed.

I was with a friend on my first trip, but went alone every other time. I prefer it.

[christianpfc]

? Did you not once tell us that you'd had a dose of the shits ( or two) once you first arrived and that you believed ( as many do) that that then allowed your body to become used / immune to the various possible bugs in the water that cause a lot of new comers to Thailand to get the shits in the first place, so it wasn't a case of you weren't affected but more just got it out of your system early and it hasn't bothered you much since ?

Just for clarity and in case some newcomer readers your posts and thinks it's then might be fine to guzzle down litres of tap water on their first few days in Country. Personally I think for various reasons of what may or may not be in the water that might not be a "great" idea and so bottled water for a newbie on a short trip might well be the safer option - no ?
Yes indeed. The first years, I had some digestion problems, but at that time I did not drink tap water.

For a new arrival, I would recommend drinking bottled water.

I have no proof (water analysis) in favor of bottled or tap water, and I have never read about a water analysis.

For settling in Thailand, I would recommend switching from bottled water to tap water gradually over some weeks.

[petr55]

Yes indeed. The first years, I had some digestion problems, but at that time I did not drink tap water.

For a new arrival, I would recommend drinking bottled water.

I have no proof (water analysis) in favor of bottled or tap water, and I have never read about a water analysis.

For settling in Thailand, I would recommend switching from bottled water to tap water gradually over some weeks.


But if you take your drinks with ICE, it is all tap water.

[AsDaRa]

But if you take your drinks with ICE, it is all tap water.

I doubt that. I have seen deliveries of plastic bags full of ice cubes to restaurants. So I think it is good water. Maybe the cheapest ones freeze tab water.

[francois]

I often walk by an ice making shop and I doubt they are using anything but tap water. That is an opinion but nothing to back it up.