Go Go Boys in Thailand

[Pandaman89]

Hi Guys,

I’ve been to Thailand a few times now, and frequented a few of the go go bars but never really understood how the process works, who to tip, how much to tip and often find my self just walking out overwhelmed by it.


Looking for answers I can’t seem to find any post that are written after 2014 that talk about appropriate tips, or what the average “off” rate is to a bar or what the recommended/expected short time or long time rates are on average.

There have been a few times I’ve spoken to and see guys in these bars that I would of loved to take back to my hotel and this trip would really like to.


I would appreciate any advice, and reading updated informations on what it costs to off a go go boy these days.

I’m spending time in both Bangkok and Phuket.

[StevieWonders]

In the better bars that’s how the mamasan system works. You'll be spotted as a newbie, the mamasan will ask you what you’re after and which guy you find attractive, and you can ask about the tip. It will be exaggerated and the mamasan will later split it with the guy as a commission. That’s the Bangkok style; I can’t answer for the trashy bars in Pattaya and I haven’t been to Phuket for years and years. My recollection is that it was the same way of doing things except there are fewer bars and many fewer boys

I can’t answer for costs except you will be encouraged to spend, spend, spend, buying the mamasan and the guy a drink as well as the “off” fee which is what you pay the bar to remove the guy from the premises. You could spend, as a newbie, at least 5,000 for starters, and possibly 10,000. Being a newbie is not a cheap exercise I'm afraid

[Dodger]

Plan to pay around 500 baht for off fees...tip 1,500 THB for short times...and a little extra for overnight stays.

If a guy wants more than 1,500 THB, politely decline and find another boy.

Make sure the hotel you book doesn't charge joiner fees.

Pay for a boys services only - nothing more.


Enjoy!

[goji]

I think it actually depends on which part of Thailand you are in.

In Bangkok, any payment of 1500 for short time from a Gogo boy is likely to result in him asking for more. Even if the same lad would readily ask for 1500 or even less if you have met him on the apps.

In Pattaya, tipping somewhere mid way between 1000 and 1500 short time is likely to produce a big smile and have the guy trying to get more offs. Although certain bars, such as Toy Boys had their lads trained to say "Toy Boys tip is 1500". About 3 years ago, when Toy Boys was open, I was chatting to one of their lads on Grindr and he asked "how much do you pay?". I said "Minimum 1000" and he said "Can I come now ?"
(Naturally I tipped significantly more than that minimum figure)

2000 clearly seems to be the long time rate in Pattaya.

This is all a little bit academic at present, since there are almost no Gogo bars open.
My meet ups are mostly via phone apps. There have been cases where a lad says "you must tip me xxxx". The figure mentioned was below my normal tip, so he gets more than requested.

[I have carefully avoided mentioning how much I tip, since it will inevitably result in some saying I tip too low, others saying I tip too high and none of those critics saying how much they tip themselves.]

[pong]

There was even a nice book about it all (seems to be put on the web somewhere, as I understand) (the name was TMOT=The Men of Thailand) and on the other forum (gayguides) there are links to saved postings from what was named bangkokbois that has some hilarious explanations about it all.
What you cannot escape to pay: 1 drink and the off-fee (the latter can, if you can convince your favoured guy to wait for you-or you for him, when bar closes). You will be painted as a ´cheap charlie´ by doing that. For 1st timers it is generally recommended to make a deal about tips beforehand, but I never do that and nor do boys ask, but I speak Thai so they know I have some experience. If you want some special acts to do (=mostly if HE will bottom) then talk about that to make sure he will, ´can´ is quite another thing. In general BKK prices (and even more PHuket) are quoted as higher as in Pattaya.
IF you are all too nervous about this-start with a treatment in one of the dozens of massageshops that do ´male only´ and where more as just msg is expected. They all have listed prices for treatment and suggested-also on that menu- for the ´tip´=mostly from 1000.

[Moses]

================there are links to saved postings from what was named bangkokbois============

https://bangkokbois.sawatdeenetwork.com/ bangkokbois is site in our network

[latintopxxx]

....as someone who has enjoyed the services of dozens (see im toning it down...would usually say thousands) of mbs over the last 30 years.....i find the input rather sensible...none of this nonsense that you need to throw cash at them like a big fat greek wedding....no need to mplace them on a pedastal and worship them...somehow treat them like your life partner....that said in the last 10 years I could count on 1 hand the number i've offed in a gogo bar.....far cheaper off the apps...i'd pop in...enjoy the show.....but almost never go through the trauma of engaging with and compensating a mamasan...

[Mancs]

I always paid 2,000 bt short time (2 hours?) in Bangkok. Maybe 2,500 for meal, then sex, take one's time. 3,000 all night (2am to 8am). Less in Pattaya. On Silom cruising at 2am 1,000 ish is not ridiculous. Sadly I am not up to date.

[StevieWonders]

There was even a nice book about it all (seems to be put on the web somewhere, as I understand) (the name was TMOT=The Men of Thailand) My favourite piece of idiocy from that book was a suggestion that visitors from abroad should change their diet for the weeks before going to Thailand so that their "smell" would not be offensive to the money boys
I always paid 2,000 bt short time (2 hours?) in Bangkok. Maybe 2,500 for meal, then sex, take one's time. 3,000 all night (2am to 8am). Less in Pattaya. On Silom cruising at 2am 1,000 ish is not ridiculous. Sadly I am not up to date.For a local or a regular visitor that sets a reasonable expectation. However the OP set his questions in the context of not knowing how to behave in a gogo bar having spotted a likely companion. I've posted on several occasions that I never pay more than 1,500 and have a regular coterie of guys I see individually or severally to whom I pay a regular stipend. It's easy enough on the Apps to reply "Good luck" when the guy proposes a ridiculous amount, and If I say I'm looking for a group situation, telling the guy what I'm paying the other(s) almost inevitably results in a drop (known in retail, I believe, as "price matching" as opposed to the price gouging the guys might be attempting). However I've never found a mamasan in the bars when I used to go open to the suggestion of "buy one, get one free"

[latintopxxx]

...nah stevie...when they propose a high price I counter with praise...u so high society..."u must be very good...toooo expensive for me"...can catch more flies with honey than vinegar...invariably will gey a laughing emoji with a price drop...

[StevieWonders]

...nah stevie...when they propose a high price I counter with praise...u so high society..."u must be very good...toooo expensive for me"...can catch more flies with honey than vinegar...invariably will gey a laughing emoji with a price drop...I'll add that to your many fantasy posts with which you have entertained the Forum over the years

[francois]

Pandaman89, The info provided on tips for an "off" is correct. On the other hand, there are many types of tips that can be given in a go-go bar, ranging from 20 to 1000 Baht. Many guys pass out small tips of 20, 40 or 100 Baht to the dancers to show their appreciation. And if a boy sits with you he should get a minimum of 100 Baht plus a drink. And if he provides some sort of services for you touching, kissing, etc, etc the tip should increase progressively. Hope this helps.

Of course there are many farang who never tip the dancers for whatever reason.

[Armando]

My first lesson would be: enter a bar as though it's your 100th time. Never look like a newbie. Smile at the mamasan, order a drink and then see what other patrons (if there are any) are doing. My second would be check the folder when your change is returned. Many have little folds where 2x10 baht coins can easily be hidden. Third, don't hesitate to tip a boy on stage you like by going up and putting a little cash in his briefs (if boys are wearing briefs again). I'd suggest 100 is a bit much unless you really like him and want him to zoom over to chat with you once he is finished on stage. Start off with 40 or 50 and a little smile for him. Smiles can work wonders.

Although I have not been to a gogo bar from some years, like pong I never negotiated a tip in advance nor what would be done for it. Short time was always 2,000 baht and it was only once queried, but that was because I then lived quite far from the bar and the boy requested a little taxi money. The only issue now I can foresee is that when i was visiting bars, almost all the boys were Thais. Now it seems that in Bangkok most are from neighbouring countries (at least that's what i read) and not all boys will do everything once disrobed in your room. Perhaps that should be checked in advance.

[a447]

Of course there are many farang who never tip the dancers for whatever reason.

And those farang tend to be treated accordingly on their next visit.

[treats9102]

Hi Guys,

I’ve been to Thailand a few times now, and frequented a few of the go go bars but never really understood how the process works, who to tip, how much to tip and often find my self just walking out overwhelmed by it.


Looking for answers I can’t seem to find any post that are written after 2014 that talk about appropriate tips, or what the average “off” rate is to a bar or what the recommended/expected short time or long time rates are on average.

There have been a few times I’ve spoken to and see guys in these bars that I would of loved to take back to my hotel and this trip would really like to.


I would appreciate any advice, and reading updated informations on what it costs to off a go go boy these days.

I’m spending time in both Bangkok and Phuket.

Since you've been into gogo bars before, you probably have a sense of what I call the "cast of characters". Basically, there is a Bar manager (you may not interact with him/her at all), one or more mamasans (often trannies, sometimes cisgendered males), gogo boys and waiters.

Armando's advice to enter the bar looking like you're been there a hundred times is good. One of the simple things I sometimes do is to decline the seat they've shown me and choose my own seat. That establishes a certain sense that I can be assertive and shouldn't be treated as a lamb led to the slaughter.. Nonetheless, because you're a face that the mamasans don't recognise as a regular visitor, they will still sit with you and cramp your style. My response is to smile at them and say, "Come on, I have only just arrived; let me watch and anyway I know what to do. I've been here many times before. You don't recognise me? Maybe I am old now, that's why you don't recognise me, hahaha." They may still remain seated next to you. I usually avoid engaging in further conversation and it won't be long they get up and focus on another customer.

In the short period they sit with you, one useful thing to do is to ask the mamasan to confirm the bar's prices. 1. First drink, how much? 2. Drink for boy, how much? 3. Off fee (also known as 'bar fine', though this is less often used) how much?

There is one question I NEVER ask the mamasan -- how much to tip the boy should I take one home. I've observed on a few occasions other customers doing that, and the mamasan tells the customer 2,500 or even 3,000 and later on, when the customer calls a boy over, the mamasan discreetly whispers to the boy that she had already mentioned a rate of 2,500 or 3,000 to the customer. The boy may then feel obliged to hold this rate (in the reasonable expectation that the customer finds the rate acceptable), and in any case, he may have to, because the mamasan may be expecting the boy to share 500 baht out of the 2,500 with her.

What I suggest you do as you watch the stage is to compile a shortlist in your mind of 3 - 4 desirable boys in some sort of ranking order. This may take you 20 minutes depending on how rapid the rotation of boys is.

Then I start calling the boys over sequentially (i.e. not together). I avoid using the mamasan's services for the simple task of calling a boy. I keep my gaze in the desired boy's direction (without coming across as a stalker, haha) and sooner or later, he will notice that I frequently turn my gaze on him. Then at some point, he will make eye contact. I smile and with a subtle wave of my hand, indicate "come over". If for some reason, the boy doesn't notice that I've been gazing at him, I just cross him off my list. It may be that he knows I am gazng at him but does not want to return eye contact. He has a right to not want a customer as I have a right to not want a boy.

When the boy sits next to you, a waiter will hurry over and you are obliged to buy the boy a drink.

The usual opening conversation with the boy follows. What's your name? Where are you from? I ask the same questions of them (they expect that) and at least for me, I find it important to establish whether they're Vietnamese. I'm often disappointed with Vietnamese (it could be just me) and this factors into my final decision.

I keep my English very,very simple and speak slowly. I don't want the boy to call the mamasan over to translate. It's not that I don't appreciate the translation services mamasans can provide, but I want to be the one who makes the decision to call one over for help, and not the boy. Once the mamsan comes over, it may prove hard to get her to leave.

Others may advise differently, but I find it helpful to find a way to state my expectations while seated in the bar with the boy. I used to have a few graphics on my phone showing the different kamasutra positions with the partners coloured differently to indicate which partner is the boy and which is me. (For some reason, I just realised they are not on my current post-Covid phone... now where the hell are they, did I not transfer them over when I changed phones???) With graphics, I didn't have to rely on Google Translate which I don't think is very efficient or (perhaps) accurate when it comes to translating non-European languages. Between simple English and my graphics, it's usually clear what I expect, and I simply ask the boy "can or cannot" ("dai rook maedai?")
**apologies if my transcription/pronunciation of Thai is laughably off.**

Once again, others may advise differently, but I usually mention what I am willing to pay so that there is no misunderstanding afterwards. In my mind the figure I mention is for mediocre performance (but at least they must do what I have asked), Privately, I allow for a further 200 or 300 baht bonus if at the end of the session, I judge that he has done a good job. Naturally, I do not mention the possible bonus in the bar. It's only in my head. As others have advised, preCovid about 2,000 baht for short-time (60 - 90 minutes in the hotel) in Bangkok should be acceptable to most gogo boys. I don't see why the rate should be different this year. I don't know what the going rate might be in Phuket, probably closer to Pattaya's 1,500 baht...

You may have noticed that in the above paragraphs, I state my expectations and mention my payment offer. I don't signal negotiation. If the boy does not accept my offer, we part company amicably and I tip him 100 baht for his time (10 - 15 minutes) and some caressing of thighs. Then I repeat the gazing protocol for the next guy on my shortlist.

There may be occasions when I may call a mamasan over to help translate, but this would typically be when I am more or less close to sealing the deal with the boy and it's just that in this particular instance he seems very personable and I really want to know more about him as a person. I don't often use the mamasan's translation to negotiate a deal, because basically I don't negotiate. Any gogo boy in this business would be perfectly capable of understanding my expectations when I express them in simple English and graphics. If he pretends not to understand and suggests we call a mamasan over, then my sense is that he is playing hard to get and wanting to negotiate more.

When you have decided and agreed with a boy, just say in a simply way "OK, we go my hotel. You want to put on your shirt?" He will get the message. He will go to the control desk and surrender his plastic number tag and then go backstage to change into his street clothes. Don't worry if he leaves you for as much as 5 - 10 minutes. He may have to settle some other things with his friends (e.g. can you remember to feed my cat in case I end up doing an overnight? -- haha, I'm joking) before he can leave with you.

While waiting for the boy to return in street clothes, I typically call for the bill (unless the show is about to start and I am crazy enough to want to stay and watch the show). The bill will be a total of
(a) the drinks I ordered for myself,
(b) the boy drinks I ordered, and
(c) the off fee.

There should be no tips included.

If you're leaving without any boy, there should not be any 'off fee' in the bill.

If staying to watch the show, the boy may be happy to just sit with you in his streetclothes, but I totally understand (since he's seen the show a zillion times) if he wants to go out and seize the opportunity to get a quick bite. Be relaxed. He won't disappear. He will return or be waiting for you outside the bar when the show's over.

As you're leaving the bar, you may wish to tip the mamasan proportional to the extent of help provided. If the mamasan hardly did anything, 100 baht will suffice as a courtesy. If she did a fair bit of translation, 200 baht -- not something I often do in my personal case, simply because I seldom use their translation services.

Others on his board may have different experiences about how helpful mamasans can be in describing the endowments or bedroom skills of a shortisted boy, but I tend to be skeptical. Firstly, I don't care much about the boy's endowments, Big, small -- doesn't much matter to me. Secondly, my experiences with mamasans regarding information about a boy's bedroom skills leads me to think that what they say is as often false advertising as truth. So why bother?

Armando's advice about being careful with the change you get is also important. I usually make sure I have a plentiful supply of 20-baht, 50-baht and 100-baht bills. My daytime purchases are paid with big bills so that I get lots of smaller change which become useful for the evening in one or more bars. That way, I have enough smaller bills to tip the boys and I pay the final bill in the exact amount without waiting for change.

Gosh... I fear I come across as a control freak! One thing I am not is a romantic. I take care to be respectful of the gogo boy, his wishes and his limits, but neither of us wil pretend this is anythng but a profitable transaction. So, in my opinion, the clearer the terms of the transaction, the better it will be for everyone. That said, I have often bought supper, an umbrella or a raincoat (when a monsoon came pouring down just as he was leaving the hotel) as called for in a situation. One still has to be kind and considerate even if we're just strangers passing in the night.

[Jellybean]

Since you've been into gogo bars before, you probably have a sense of what I call the "cast of characters". Basically, there is a Bar manager (you may not interact with him/her at all), one or more mamasans (often trannies, sometimes cisgendered males), gogo boys and waiters . . .

. . .Gosh... I fear I come across as a control freak! One thing I am not is a romantic. I take care to be respectful of the gogo boy, his wishes and his limits, but neither of us wil pretend this is anythng but a profitable transaction. So, in my opinion, the clearer the terms of the transaction, the better it will be for everyone. That said, I have often bought supper, an umbrella or a raincoat (when a monsoon came pouring down just as he was leaving the hotel) as called for in a situation. One still has to be kind and considerate even if we're just strangers passing in the night.

Welcome to the forum, treats9102! :)

And thanks for posting such a first-rate, informative and highly detailed first post in answer to the OP’s question.

[dab69]

One thing to consider is :
"are you searching for the hottest boy in all the bars?"

If this is the case you may want to tip better than the standard tip.
You're on vacation and want to enjoy the company of the cutest boy.
Treat him a little better than average.
Accept what he feels comfortable doing with you.
Just a suggestion to consider.

[neddy3]

Farang gossip is that the hottest boys turn out to be disappointing performers.

Probably true sometimes. Exceptions are bound to exist.

Just a suggestion to consider.

[neddy3]

Well done to 'treats9102' for his comprehensive post.
Lots of good advice here.

I'd warn to be cautious with those tranny mamasans.
They're looking out for themselves more than you.

[StevieWonders]

Farang gossip is that the hottest boys turn out to be disappointing performers.

Probably true sometimes. Exceptions are bound to exist.

Just a suggestion to consider.Reading some of a447's recent posts some of our members would definitely be disappointing performers as far as Thai boys see things

[latintopxxx]

...like hello...who the fuck cares what the gogo rent body thinks...he's getting paid...iots his job...the only reason he's around...just needs to smile and take it with a grateful smile...

[a447]

I have made treats9102's excellent post a Sticky. It is called "Gogo bar etiquette".

https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?22682-Gogo-bar-etiquette

[mr giggles]

Since you've.. (often trannies, sometimes cisgendered males), gogo boys and waiters.

.
Just one of the derogatory and offensive things you said..

[treats9102]

Welcome to the forum, treats9102! :)

And thanks for posting such a first-rate, informative and highly detailed first post in answer to the OP’s question.

Thank you Jellybean. It's my honour. But just to clarify, I'm not a newbie to SawatdeeNetwork. Some might know me as Macaroni21 on other forums. It's just that it's been a while since I was here and I have completely forgotten what my login credentials are/were at SawatdeeNetwork and so I had to re-register.

Hmm, maybe I should put "Macaroni21" in my signature line in future.

[christianpfc]

Your question are answered in similar threads, the last one I remember was titled "The perfect off" or similar, however can't find it to provide link.

It might be a good idea to meet some seasoned bar-goers to get an introduction into gogo bars, and company and advice.