ChrisUK
December 16th, 2006, 21:35
This fourth part of my experiment covers a two month period from October to December to be closely followed by a three month period from January to April. This was to allow me the experience of spending 5 out of the six months which would include the UK Winter period. ItтАЩs a bit short of the ideal six months here, six months there compromise which I had settled on following my previous experimental periods, but will permit me to evaluate my final plans for my continuing retirement.
The previous reports on my experimental stages can be read either on my blog at:
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... g.php?w=25 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/weblog.php?w=25)
Or in the Resource forum at:
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=6755 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6755)
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=2197 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2197)
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... 54&start=0 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6954&start=0)
Posters replies to my reports can be read on the links to the Resource forum.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Preparations for this trip included obtaining a Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant O Visa (Valid for 12 months), costing ┬г90, from the local Thai consulate in the UK. This was to allow me to make a planned three trips during the next year from the UK and to allow me to visit neighbouring countries if I wished without it cancelling my Visa.
This trip was never going to be the exciting, new experience of excursions and adventures, rather a settling down process for a comfortable life as if I was at home, but with a warmer climate and more interesting social life.
Well, it didnтАЩt take long to settle in, thanks to the fact that I was in the same apartment as previously and, having kept in contact with several expats and frequent or long-stay visitors, was soon in the company of friends who readily encompassed me in their regular routines. I had spent the first couple of days in Bangkok, as usual, to quickly remind myself I was no longer in the grip of the UK. Visits to the Babylon, several bars and DJ Station resurrected the mind-blowing experience of the beautiful people who welcome me to Thailand. I stayed at the Plaza Hotel on Suriwong Road, for a change and found it more than satisfactory, having booked in advance via www.asiatravel.com (http://www.asiatravel.com) on the net. The price per night was 1199Bt, including breakfast buffet. I never take friends back to the hotel in Bangkok, so the joinerтАЩs fee of 500Bt didnтАЩt bother me. The location was ideal, being just a 10 minutes slow walk to the Suriwong gay areas.
I purchased a new standard SIM card for 450Bt and 300Bt worth of top-up for my Thai mobile phone from the top floor of the Silom Center so that I could get in touch with friends in Pattaya to warn them of my arrival. My transfer from Bangkok to Pattaya went smoothly by coach (тАЬbig busтАЭ), with door to door service for 450Bt booked through the travel agency in the lobby of the Rose Hotel. The start and end of the journey was by minibus, organised by the coach company.
I was soon in the company of friends who, during the next few days, explained the changes that had occurred since my last trip nine months previously and took me to bars and restaurants, some old favourites and some new ones. I have to say that the atmosphere for me had changed for the better, regarding the quality of both the bars and the restaurants. Some soon became regular stops on the nightly programme of events. The nights always started with a quality meal at one of the many restaurants giving value for money for between 200 тАУ 300Bt for a fine and adequate meal. For those with big appetites, most offered a buffet for at least part of the meal. Special mention has to be given to two, - the Clubbing Restaurant in Sunnee Plaza and Ol├й (ErnestoтАЩs) Restaurant a short walk away near Koenig Mansion. I also enjoyed several meals in the various places in the Day-Night area.
Unfortunately, I arrived in what seemed like the middle of an epidemic of colds, flue and bronchitis. Within a few days, I succumbed to the inevitable and after a week of being unwell, I went to the Banglamung Clinic on South Pattaya Road where, over the course of two visits, I received two inoculations and four different types of pills to take over the following week. The cost of the consultation and treatment was 920Bt. Thankfully, having been diagnosed with influenza, it cured the problem, but it certainly spoilt the first couple of weeks when I couldnтАЩt enjoy life to the full. I know of a couple of people who had their holidays of two or three weeks ruined by similar symptoms. A point worth mentioning is that I was not too happy that my conversations with the doctors at the Clinic were being fully understood from either side. If my symptoms had been more severe, I would have been happier spending a bit more and going to the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital where I could have seen a doctor speaking and understanding English more clearly to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The beer-bars, showbars and go-go bars that I regularly frequented all had a special atmosphere that heightened my experience differently from other trips. Either the company of those I kept or the attitude of the hosts, or the more adventurous scenarios made the experience most entertaining and enjoyable. I have to say that the more revealing nature of the shows in some of the bars made for a more interesting display than the usual sedentary foot shuffle that often goes for dancing in these bars. I know that a few people object to some developments as being demeaning to the participants, but I doubt if any took part in those sections of the show against their will. For me, seeing the sheer beauty of the human form negated any objections I heard. Those who donтАЩt like these places should, as ever, stay away and enjoy themselves elsewhere.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three тАЬspecialтАЭ events marked highlights during this trip:
1: Loy Krathong was an enjoyable experience, having booked a ticket at Mr RitтАЩs beach chair concession at Jomtien for his buffet and fireworks display, I, together with several other friends had a wonderful time feasting, lighting candle powered balloons to fly into the sky and watching the fireworks, even if they were rather dangerously operated at times. Of course, the main reason for the celebration was the floating of Krathongs. Many couples lit the incense and placed money in their elaborately decorated Krathongs and sailed them out into the sea. It was touching to see all this against the backdrop of a clear sky lit by fireworks and the candle balloons and the excited chatter of the crowds of hundreds on the beach. I have taken an active part in this event a few years ago and miss having someone special to celebrate it with, but that will have to wait for another year.
<center>Jomtien Beach at Loy Krathong <center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/LoyKrathongFireworksMedium.jpg</center>
2: A day trip to the island of Koh Larn was an interesting day out as I had never visited this island before. Along with a few friends, both farang and Thai, we took the ferry from Bali Hi pier to the island, taking just under an hour to get there. Although the sea was choppy, we all felt fine on the boat. It was interesting to note that the captainтАЩs wheelhouse doubled up as the MumsтАЩ and ToddlersтАЩ padded playroom. As shown in the picture, the ferry is frequent and only costs 20Bt each way, payable either before alighting or on the boat. An interesting yellow sign appears below the timetable indicating the need to wear the lifejackets provided at all times. Needless to say, no announcement was made to this effect and nobody wore one.
<center>Koh Larn Ferry<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/KohLarnFerryMedium.jpg</center>
After getting off the ferry, which was a precarious operation having no gangplank, we took a 20Bt bus ride to тАШChina BeachтАЩ, further round the island, where a clear sea lapped onto a beautifully clean, silvery sandy beach. We chose to sit in a beach chair area near one end of the bay. It would probably have been better to sit elsewhere, as the fumes of power boats nearby took away the magic of the scene. I imagine that this beach is called China Beach because most of the visitors were Chinese.
After finding a local beach restaurant, we had a typical Thai meal for about 60Bt. We eventually returned to Pattaya using a different ferry from China Beach for the same price of 20Bt. It was a day away from the usual routine of Jomtien beach which we all enjoyed.
<center>China Beach on Koh Larn<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/KohLarnBeachMedium.jpg</center>
3: I had planned to end this trip with the final night of the Pattaya Gay Festival. As in previous years, it was a most enjoyable night, with the usual tributes to various people who had helped raise money throughout the year for charity. The local singer Toi entertained us for about half an hour. Further donations were accepted for various reasons on the night, and then we were treated to displays by dancers from some of the showbars as well as some talented farangs.
Many people view this event with cynicism and as a boring occasion and I can sympathise with their view to some extent, but for me and the few friends I was with on the night it was an enjoyable experience. It gave me just the right feeling to end a most interesting two month trip.
<center>Pattaya Gay Festival Final Night<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/PGFFinalNightMedium.jpg</center>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You might get the feeling that everything was superbly rosy for me this trip. Well, having visited Thailand for many years now, I know that can never be true; there are too many unknowns to face each time. One incident annoyed me so much that I started a thread about it on the Gay Thailand Forum. It generated a lot of responses, with arguments on both sides, but I was heartened by the feedback and reflected on the situation looking at it from all sides.
The essence of my post is reflected in the title тАЬCommon Courtesy Eludes Impatient Farang in Go-Go BarтАЭ. You can view it at the following link: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index ... c=929&st=0 (http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=929&st=0)
Again, the issue of noise raised its head about two weeks from the end of my stay. According to information received, a four story car park started to be built next to the apartment block where I stayed. Eleven hours every day, seven days a week, pile drivers were working on making the foundations for this construction. Thankfully, I was high up in the block, but had to ensure I left the apartment in the daytime to escape the incessant noise. It pays to be deaf in Thailand. On second thoughts, one person who makes up the group of friends with whom I associate has great humour and converses with us non-stop. Unfortunately, he canтАЩt hear us when we respond to his points. He should get a hearing aid; - at least he can turn it off when he wants to.
Another disappointment for me was the realisation that even now, so many Thai guys are prepared to have unsafe relations with others. I know this from discussions with friends and from Thai guys themselves. Maybe money speaks louder than common sense or the guys are seriously misinformed. Either way, all the bars owe it to their staff to educate them properly and give them the necessary equipment to ultimately preserve their lives. Hopefully, although unlikely, the freelancers need to be more aware of the risks they take when unprotected. The schools need to ensure that all young people are made fully aware and are given appropriate sex education. Of course, thatтАЩs only part of the problem. Essentially, the customers of all races need to take a more responsible approach to their passionate relationships with these guys. They may wish to take a suicidal chance for their session of lust, but eventually, the very people they are interested in will have their lives shortened dramatically with a most unpleasant ending.
A message came loud and clear from the final night of the PGF festival: have a happy Christmas but make it a safe one.
<center>Pattaya Gay Festival Santa & Safe Sex Message<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/PGFSantaSafeMedium.jpg</center>
The previous reports on my experimental stages can be read either on my blog at:
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... g.php?w=25 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/weblog.php?w=25)
Or in the Resource forum at:
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=6755 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6755)
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=2197 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2197)
http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... 54&start=0 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6954&start=0)
Posters replies to my reports can be read on the links to the Resource forum.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Preparations for this trip included obtaining a Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant O Visa (Valid for 12 months), costing ┬г90, from the local Thai consulate in the UK. This was to allow me to make a planned three trips during the next year from the UK and to allow me to visit neighbouring countries if I wished without it cancelling my Visa.
This trip was never going to be the exciting, new experience of excursions and adventures, rather a settling down process for a comfortable life as if I was at home, but with a warmer climate and more interesting social life.
Well, it didnтАЩt take long to settle in, thanks to the fact that I was in the same apartment as previously and, having kept in contact with several expats and frequent or long-stay visitors, was soon in the company of friends who readily encompassed me in their regular routines. I had spent the first couple of days in Bangkok, as usual, to quickly remind myself I was no longer in the grip of the UK. Visits to the Babylon, several bars and DJ Station resurrected the mind-blowing experience of the beautiful people who welcome me to Thailand. I stayed at the Plaza Hotel on Suriwong Road, for a change and found it more than satisfactory, having booked in advance via www.asiatravel.com (http://www.asiatravel.com) on the net. The price per night was 1199Bt, including breakfast buffet. I never take friends back to the hotel in Bangkok, so the joinerтАЩs fee of 500Bt didnтАЩt bother me. The location was ideal, being just a 10 minutes slow walk to the Suriwong gay areas.
I purchased a new standard SIM card for 450Bt and 300Bt worth of top-up for my Thai mobile phone from the top floor of the Silom Center so that I could get in touch with friends in Pattaya to warn them of my arrival. My transfer from Bangkok to Pattaya went smoothly by coach (тАЬbig busтАЭ), with door to door service for 450Bt booked through the travel agency in the lobby of the Rose Hotel. The start and end of the journey was by minibus, organised by the coach company.
I was soon in the company of friends who, during the next few days, explained the changes that had occurred since my last trip nine months previously and took me to bars and restaurants, some old favourites and some new ones. I have to say that the atmosphere for me had changed for the better, regarding the quality of both the bars and the restaurants. Some soon became regular stops on the nightly programme of events. The nights always started with a quality meal at one of the many restaurants giving value for money for between 200 тАУ 300Bt for a fine and adequate meal. For those with big appetites, most offered a buffet for at least part of the meal. Special mention has to be given to two, - the Clubbing Restaurant in Sunnee Plaza and Ol├й (ErnestoтАЩs) Restaurant a short walk away near Koenig Mansion. I also enjoyed several meals in the various places in the Day-Night area.
Unfortunately, I arrived in what seemed like the middle of an epidemic of colds, flue and bronchitis. Within a few days, I succumbed to the inevitable and after a week of being unwell, I went to the Banglamung Clinic on South Pattaya Road where, over the course of two visits, I received two inoculations and four different types of pills to take over the following week. The cost of the consultation and treatment was 920Bt. Thankfully, having been diagnosed with influenza, it cured the problem, but it certainly spoilt the first couple of weeks when I couldnтАЩt enjoy life to the full. I know of a couple of people who had their holidays of two or three weeks ruined by similar symptoms. A point worth mentioning is that I was not too happy that my conversations with the doctors at the Clinic were being fully understood from either side. If my symptoms had been more severe, I would have been happier spending a bit more and going to the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital where I could have seen a doctor speaking and understanding English more clearly to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The beer-bars, showbars and go-go bars that I regularly frequented all had a special atmosphere that heightened my experience differently from other trips. Either the company of those I kept or the attitude of the hosts, or the more adventurous scenarios made the experience most entertaining and enjoyable. I have to say that the more revealing nature of the shows in some of the bars made for a more interesting display than the usual sedentary foot shuffle that often goes for dancing in these bars. I know that a few people object to some developments as being demeaning to the participants, but I doubt if any took part in those sections of the show against their will. For me, seeing the sheer beauty of the human form negated any objections I heard. Those who donтАЩt like these places should, as ever, stay away and enjoy themselves elsewhere.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three тАЬspecialтАЭ events marked highlights during this trip:
1: Loy Krathong was an enjoyable experience, having booked a ticket at Mr RitтАЩs beach chair concession at Jomtien for his buffet and fireworks display, I, together with several other friends had a wonderful time feasting, lighting candle powered balloons to fly into the sky and watching the fireworks, even if they were rather dangerously operated at times. Of course, the main reason for the celebration was the floating of Krathongs. Many couples lit the incense and placed money in their elaborately decorated Krathongs and sailed them out into the sea. It was touching to see all this against the backdrop of a clear sky lit by fireworks and the candle balloons and the excited chatter of the crowds of hundreds on the beach. I have taken an active part in this event a few years ago and miss having someone special to celebrate it with, but that will have to wait for another year.
<center>Jomtien Beach at Loy Krathong <center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/LoyKrathongFireworksMedium.jpg</center>
2: A day trip to the island of Koh Larn was an interesting day out as I had never visited this island before. Along with a few friends, both farang and Thai, we took the ferry from Bali Hi pier to the island, taking just under an hour to get there. Although the sea was choppy, we all felt fine on the boat. It was interesting to note that the captainтАЩs wheelhouse doubled up as the MumsтАЩ and ToddlersтАЩ padded playroom. As shown in the picture, the ferry is frequent and only costs 20Bt each way, payable either before alighting or on the boat. An interesting yellow sign appears below the timetable indicating the need to wear the lifejackets provided at all times. Needless to say, no announcement was made to this effect and nobody wore one.
<center>Koh Larn Ferry<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/KohLarnFerryMedium.jpg</center>
After getting off the ferry, which was a precarious operation having no gangplank, we took a 20Bt bus ride to тАШChina BeachтАЩ, further round the island, where a clear sea lapped onto a beautifully clean, silvery sandy beach. We chose to sit in a beach chair area near one end of the bay. It would probably have been better to sit elsewhere, as the fumes of power boats nearby took away the magic of the scene. I imagine that this beach is called China Beach because most of the visitors were Chinese.
After finding a local beach restaurant, we had a typical Thai meal for about 60Bt. We eventually returned to Pattaya using a different ferry from China Beach for the same price of 20Bt. It was a day away from the usual routine of Jomtien beach which we all enjoyed.
<center>China Beach on Koh Larn<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/KohLarnBeachMedium.jpg</center>
3: I had planned to end this trip with the final night of the Pattaya Gay Festival. As in previous years, it was a most enjoyable night, with the usual tributes to various people who had helped raise money throughout the year for charity. The local singer Toi entertained us for about half an hour. Further donations were accepted for various reasons on the night, and then we were treated to displays by dancers from some of the showbars as well as some talented farangs.
Many people view this event with cynicism and as a boring occasion and I can sympathise with their view to some extent, but for me and the few friends I was with on the night it was an enjoyable experience. It gave me just the right feeling to end a most interesting two month trip.
<center>Pattaya Gay Festival Final Night<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/PGFFinalNightMedium.jpg</center>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You might get the feeling that everything was superbly rosy for me this trip. Well, having visited Thailand for many years now, I know that can never be true; there are too many unknowns to face each time. One incident annoyed me so much that I started a thread about it on the Gay Thailand Forum. It generated a lot of responses, with arguments on both sides, but I was heartened by the feedback and reflected on the situation looking at it from all sides.
The essence of my post is reflected in the title тАЬCommon Courtesy Eludes Impatient Farang in Go-Go BarтАЭ. You can view it at the following link: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index ... c=929&st=0 (http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=929&st=0)
Again, the issue of noise raised its head about two weeks from the end of my stay. According to information received, a four story car park started to be built next to the apartment block where I stayed. Eleven hours every day, seven days a week, pile drivers were working on making the foundations for this construction. Thankfully, I was high up in the block, but had to ensure I left the apartment in the daytime to escape the incessant noise. It pays to be deaf in Thailand. On second thoughts, one person who makes up the group of friends with whom I associate has great humour and converses with us non-stop. Unfortunately, he canтАЩt hear us when we respond to his points. He should get a hearing aid; - at least he can turn it off when he wants to.
Another disappointment for me was the realisation that even now, so many Thai guys are prepared to have unsafe relations with others. I know this from discussions with friends and from Thai guys themselves. Maybe money speaks louder than common sense or the guys are seriously misinformed. Either way, all the bars owe it to their staff to educate them properly and give them the necessary equipment to ultimately preserve their lives. Hopefully, although unlikely, the freelancers need to be more aware of the risks they take when unprotected. The schools need to ensure that all young people are made fully aware and are given appropriate sex education. Of course, thatтАЩs only part of the problem. Essentially, the customers of all races need to take a more responsible approach to their passionate relationships with these guys. They may wish to take a suicidal chance for their session of lust, but eventually, the very people they are interested in will have their lives shortened dramatically with a most unpleasant ending.
A message came loud and clear from the final night of the PGF festival: have a happy Christmas but make it a safe one.
<center>Pattaya Gay Festival Santa & Safe Sex Message<center>
<center>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ChrisUK/PGFSantaSafeMedium.jpg</center>