Airport very quiet..no queue at immigration.....taxi meter from rank bt50 and meter on...but had to ask to be turned on....when the driver realised i knew the score it was a straight drive to OmYim guesthouse with no detours. so they are still 'trying it on' if not aware.
Had very large room at top of OmYim 4th floor...cases taken up no probs and stairs ok for me to come and go [treat as exercise] the top floor has rear fire escape and aslo ledges outside front with window easily opened...so ok for those concerned with fire problem. Room was fine not as much deterioration as i had expected since first opened....big room, fridge, microwave, plenty dishes cutlery etc...and room safe. My thai friend enjoyed the food there.
DJ station as packed as usual and i noticed some guys who previously worked in Pattaya there looking for customers. The guys i spoke to work in Barbeers in sunee and BTown and said business was better hanging around DJ than work in Pattaya just now...and can have a fun time as well with dancing etc.. no shortage of single farang. Tip for those who visit DJ infrequently and find it a hassle getting in at first and getting a drink... when u have paid bt200 entry...enter the usual entrance door and exit the door immediatly on the left..and go up the outside stairs on the left to access the bars much easier than fighting through the crowds on the lower floors. Also keep in mind for quick exit if nec...
G.O.D. was busy as usual after 2am and many guys looking for hook-ups.
I'm not a frequent visitor to soi 4...but went a couple of times and the Telephone and Balcony bars were very very busy..difficult to get table....good mix of farang, Asians and thais with plently of eye contact.
Soi Twilight was as usual beerbars fairly busy after 8pm and agogo doormen a total pain. Buying a bottle of beer a few months ago for the older doorman at the first agogo on the soi has worked wonders with the now lack of hassle from ALL the doormen in the soi... i enjoy the atmosphere at Maxis or the beerbar next door as well as the occasional massage at Bonny and Bangkok Boys in the soi...so i dont want to avoid it altogether...especially as i was in Bkk only for 4 days.
Once again I can recommend massages at both Bangkok boys and Bonny. Both places had nice selection of guys.
I only visited Classic and Xboys agogo.......only to see old friends and friends of my thai guy. Classic usual selection of nice twinky boys and x-boys also had an excellent selection of cute and handsome guys with a very good mix of types.
I only visited Solid once to see a friend for going to DJ and the selection of guys there was fairly disappointing if i had been looking to take off.
Stayed at Tarntawan for the 2 nights before my return flight..and it was up to the usual good standards.
Just a note about the departures at airport...again very quiet...but once you have cleared immigration..now..you are staight into the handluggage security area instead of at gate...this was actually quite handy to get it out of the way and also means u can buy drinks/liquids etc within the airport for taking on to plane that previously u had to bin at the gate.
Regret if i have duplicated any reviews of other posts on SGT but have not had time to go through and read all the posts yet. The post is long enough already so i'll post another on pattaya where we stayed a week and other bits and pieces...so if anyone has any specific questions relating to the current pattaya scene.....can ask/post here and i'll reply later.