Back during the restrictions in January 2021, there were several massage shops with boys open in Jomtien and near Tuk Com. Sometimes discretely open, sometimes blatantly, even when the police walk past.
Back then, the number of cases per day in the whole of Chonburi was often less than one per day, so I think the risk was minimal, for me as an unvaccinated farang in his 50s.
Perhaps with the increased number of covid cases now, a little more care is needed for a few weeks ?
The massage is certainly hit & miss. I had some very good massages and some bad, one lasting 20 minutes. Obviously I only return to the good shops and after the 20 minute experience, started clarifying how long the 60 minute massage lasts in advance.
It must be me...but I swear I haven't seen a single policeman (BIB) in Pattaya for close to 10 months now...not anywhere. Jai said it's probably because they've all been bused up to Bangkok to help with the protests.
I was talking to Gi (owner Relax Me Massage) by Tukcom several months ago and he said they would stay open as long as there were customers. The lights inside have been turned off now during the lockdown, but there are approx. 6 massage boys still living on the upper level who would be delighted to service you. .
catawampuscat (August 5th, 2021), mr giggles (August 5th, 2021)
Nicky???
Gi (pronounced ki) is the owner of Relax Me, as well as several other small business ventures in Pattaya. I've known him for around 15 years, He is Jay the monks cousin.
Whatever you want to call him, you're right, he has a few nice guys on staff,,,but stay away from those monks.
Do you mean Relax At Me, behind Tuk Com, or is there a "Relax Me" massage place that I have missed ? (very possible)
About 10~14 years ago, Relax At Me used to be a thriving massage shop with a large number of male and female staff, probably more male. Before mobile phones caught on, many of the staff used to sit outside, so when I spotted an irresistibly cute lad, I'd walk up to him and ask for a massage. The standard of service was good, so I tended to go here for my massages.
Then they put the price of a 1 hour massage up to 400 baht, well over 5 years ago. Bear in mind, even in 2021, most of the other massage venues in South Pattaya still charge 300 baht, so they now need to offer a superior service to justify the higher cost. Then I went in there and got a really poor massage, from a lad who had no clue how to massage. This was so bad, I called a halt before the end. Since there are plenty of other massage shops, I don't recall returning there since that experience.
In recent years, they appear to have hardly any staff and none really catch my eye. The price list is all blank, which is most unusual. Until I see a hot lad outside, there is no reason to find out what the actual charge is.
As for police activity, I presume the tea money business has gone quiet. Fewer people and businesses to fleece for money, so less incentive to get off their fat arses to do something.
Moggy (August 4th, 2021)
Yes, we're all talking about the same place behind Tukcom..."Relax" is what most call it".
Right or wrong, the owners thinking at the time was that he offered a superior service than his competition in the Soi Day/Night area and thought the market would bear the increase - and he was right For several years he continued to draw more customers continuously by offering a broader selection of boys and nicer rooms with more privacy. Relax was always my favorite place by far and the extra 100 baht was well worth it.
I also liked the massage parlor on Second Road across from Mikes Shopping Mall. They used to have some great looking boys as well and a very comfortable up-scale interior. I hope to see their lights back on soon.
As I'm sure you already know, many of massage boys working the Complex are Cambodian or Laotian. Just as a personal opinion, I don't think they provide the same level of service as the Thai boys. Again, that's just my opinion which others may totally disagree with.