Back from a recent month's Thailand trip and just to give some updates and notes/observations.
First, pleased that Moses now has an interest in the Forum, can only be a good thing, hope it can encourage many previous contributors to return and make posts, trip reports etc..
Stayed Bkk at start/end of trip, usually at D'varee(Ballys)but forgot to factor in Chinese holidays so was full February, so stayed Baan Saladaeng. When in Asia prefer smaller hotel/guesthouse with at least some gay ambiance,avoid all major western hotel chains as you could just as well be back in Euroland and the very reason I go to Asia is to get away from things Euroland. Was fine, rooms spacious, there used to be nice view of area from balcony but as per things Bkk,block of apartments built directly across so that is new 'view'. Also hasn't had much of a tart-up for a few years but 2-3 nights ok.
Chinese Hols but still surprised how busy Soi4 was,it was packed from 8pm when I went to eat till late near midnigh. But was a real mix of clientele many young western couples seem to enjoy the atmosphere there. It is a bit touristy of course but relaxing and interesting just the same, I enjoy seeing visitors enjoying Bangkok. Went to DJ Stn twice, both times it closed very early, one night before 2am, other just after 2am, both times quite suddenly. Anyway some headed to GOD, a place I hadn't been for a good while. I think Bt350 entry/2 drinks?,it took a wee while to fill up but was very enjoyable. I was with someone already each visit so wasn't looking to hook up, but there many Asian guys looking for hook-ups. Also the vibe was better than before as well as the tunes, I hate hardcore/hiphop style stuff every spin, but the DJ kept it light,a real party atmosphere both times.
Soi Twil not as busy as expected certainly compared to Silom4 and Chinese Hols, but still plenty customers going around. Wasn't looking to off guys,so stuck to beer bars, Banana, Hotmale, Maxis, Dicks, Solid? beer bar. Bar across from there next to x-something where the massage boys gather for pool used to have a long bar where the boys sat. But now just has a single table outside, for massage menu, apparently boss was getting irritated with amount of farangs who just turned up, drink in hand from 7-11, sat there without ordering drink, so he got rid of the bartop. Don't know if that's still the case, things change so quickly.
Tarntawan Hotel as usual at the end of the trip, no change there, still nice Suriwong Rooms and excellent service. Internet on second floor was fine, previous trips it was iffy.
Stayed in Jomtien start of trip after Bkk, again at East Suites, high standards still in place. John the owner very nice guy, easy/approachable if help/changes req. Jomtien was great. Thoroughly enjoyed short stay there. As usual down to beach later in day when a bit cooler,the concession I have used past few years was as usual. I was later in day sitting there and after first day lady owner didn't charge for seat hire, only food drinks, while there is less space between customers I hardly notice much difference between previous set-up there and now. Still hawkers selling,massage boys massaging,pedicurists pedicuring.
Even more bars in Jomtien Complex than previous visit. Great atmosphere, plenty of lads in bars,steady custom with very busy nights at weekend and buffet/party nights. Tried to visit every bar from Bamboo to Posieden during my short break there. Enjoyed every bar except one (not enough characters to explain).
Not huge changes in Sth Pattaya. BT busy the nights we were there. BzBzBz the busiest, we sat on terrace with bottle of Red, couple thousand baht inc mix, bit dearer than some bars but well worth it in venue charging Bt200+ for drinks inside, and we were there for quite a while. Have seen the shows so not interested, far more interesting stuff going on outside, with passing 'parade' of thai lads, Asian visitors, farangs/Russians, B-Boys,with staff-waiters/managers/owners,agogo boys dropping by at various times for drink/chat, there was never a dull moment, as well as being able to hear/converse outside. Main reason we parked here was two of my bfs close friends from 'back home' who previously worked in the Navanakorn, Bkk factories (subjects of a previous post I made few months ago about their life working in Navanakorn)have now up-sticks, decided to give bar work a try as waiters/greeters, looking for boyfriend!
The Cabaret bars had mixed fortunes compared to other bars, Le Café was busy for one show while Copa was very quiet. Oscars was as busy as I have seen for some time,as was Serene, Panorama busy early on but very quiet later. Toyboys packed, I struggled to find seat there, papasan said very busy with Chinese New Year. On Pattayaland 1, Dreamboys had it's now usual 90% man-boy staff, with some very cute/handsome lads, Cupidol also plenty staff and busier than I had seen previous visits. Didn't go to Xboys/Vassa. Kawaii also looked quiet.
First couple nights in sunee had me fearing the worst as both Sky Bar (French boss back home for a few days) and Double Shot were closed. Soi looks quiet enough when only one of them is closed never mind both! thankfully couple days later with help of party mode at Duks and both open again it was business as usual. There were a few party nights around sunee on many of the nights which gave a great atmosphere to the place. AllofMe,Diamond,Eden,Euro,Rainbow and around area all busy. Party nights with Karaoke style entertainment out front were at Eden, Diamond, Duks, these are great fun and ups the sanook factor in the bar and surrounding bars. Also TingTongRed had couple 'Pool' nights where they 'hire' the pool bar opposite,put on spit roasted pig at least once a week, didn't sit at poolside as was content sitting outside bar, place full each night and great vibe, mostly Euro customers German,Norway etc and waiters kept busy all night.
Ouds bar had usual over-the-top entertainment from owner himself and great coffee/food here too. Colonial was busy early evening every night and packed on food nights. I managed to be there for their fare just once when Lamb Shank happened to be on the menu and excellent it was too! great atmosphere when full, glad to see Warwick has success with his venture. Double Shot had couple party nights, and owner as usual very generous couple nights I was there (non party) ringing bell and not taking no for an answer when I told the waiter I had just ordered and was ok, Boss man even came over to insist, so it was triple drinks there as well as buffet food if you were able.
Managed two NAB visits, packed both nights. Bfs friends from BzBzBz arranged for free nights for visits, even had chits for bottles behind bar left from previous customers nights out to add to our bottle of Red, so all fairly pissed both times and great fun. Also couple nights at TamNanIssan one night beer tower with food, another whisky night, maximum fun here too, its incredible that TNIssan is full from midnight to 5am, met many lads from BT, Sunne, even Jomtien bars here, many looking to hook-up with Thai man/farang customer, that's what some bluntly told me, they were there to look for a fuck buddy! Also had a mixed night (4 males/2 females) at Pluang Mai next to Tam Nan Chon. Food here is excellent,had beer towers with shared bill, friends insisted to share. Bands here excellent too, will play any request, I just enjoyed watching Thai customers enjoying themselves, even though only half full many were blissfully dancing away up in front of stage which helped give fun atmosphere.
Took Song-Taews to/from late night venues (as taxis).Just flagged down Baht-bus in Sth Pattaya/outside Tuk Com,stated destination with suggestion of Bt120..ok? accepted without question by drivers whether 2/6 folk in our company.
Stayed at Mosaik as usual, our Prestige Studio apartment upgraded to Prestige 1 bed in F block as they were almost sold out. (Chinese New Year?). Still high standards at Mosaik so still able to highly recommend. Our 1 bed apt was beautifully decorated and huge, with new matress which was comfortable, bathroom had Grohe rain shower as well as power shower, kitchen was well equipped, so bf was able to offer up daily huge menu of tasty Thai food, also he was able to entertain friends while I was out on the 'randan' (evening of drink/entertainment).
Hmmmm...that's about it really. Composed in one go, as I cant see how to save and return to a half composed new post as the last system was able to do, there maybe is a feature to do so but I couldn't see it or take the chance of losing what had already been written looking for it, so apologies for rambling style and any spelling/grammar errors, it is just written down as remembered when I get back home. Missed out stuff because it would only allow 10,000 characters and seemly I had written 13,000 so had to axe some. Might update later if I can still remember 'stuff'.
Just for note, got 51.5 Baht to £ at T T Currency all over Pattaya, for £50 pound Sterling notes.
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Originally Posted by colmx
