The point people on this forum make about 5000 baht being a monthly salary for unskilled workers is one often overlooked - these gogo boys are HUGELY overpaid by local standards. If 1000~1500 baht is considered standard for 2 hours short time, that equates to around $20~$30 an hour. How much does a policeman or nurse earn per hour in LOS?? These guys are among the highest paid in Thailand, especially for their age and they would have to be classed as "unskilled" I would think. Imagine being able to earn someone's MONTHLY salary in around 5 HOURS or even less!!! And then some of these guys have the cheek to say they have no money or to demand extra money for food or the taxi ride home. And I doubt they would go by taxi anyway - tuk-tuk, more likely.
Sure, their job is unpleasant a lot of the time - I certainly would not like to do it. But compare that with some poor guy working on the roads in 40 degree heat. I would prefer to work in air-conditioned comfort and would even take it up the arse for that amount of money! Beats manual labour any time. Of course, most boys would not be offed every night, but at that pay rate you would not need to be - I'm sure you could survive very well, considering a meal on the street can be had for 30 or 40 baht. One guy told me he earned 170 baht per night, plus tips. When he came to my room he showed me the night's takings - 520 baht from tips alone. That's at least 17 meals for one night's work in a bar BEFORE even being offed.
BTW, I'm not complaining about the fee; if I were, I would not visit Thailand. I'm simply making an observation.