Phuket update, please
 

Three years sice I visited, hoping to do so for an extended week-end coming soon. Would appreciate any updates members can share regarding Phuket:

- Go go bars
- Man for Man Massage venues
- New gay friendly accommodation
- Siam Palm hotel (is it still gay friendly etc.)
- Any other gay venues (restaurants etc.)

Thanks, and regards

Siam Palm still gay friendly and still has best value for money restuarant. Rooms getting rather tired. Minotel which is nearer to Paradise is gay friendly with good rooms also close to Super Boys which is Patong's Nature Boy/ Super A equivalent (with an equivalent standard room so go round the corner and take short time at Minotel).

More massage venues seem to be opening up in the Paradise complex (not remember the names).

Generally find that offing boys from the Pool bars and smaller bars are more successful than some of the go-go places. Smoking ban seems to been lifted in the go-go venues which now claim to have sexy shows where the boys have towels or equivalent and tease you with nudity other than keeping their hand over the important part. But shows are still of the Cabaret style.

Gay part of the beach is still in the centre by the lifeguard tower with the afternoon volleyball (though my vote for the most handsome beach chair guy is in the section next to that one infront of Impiana hotel).

Paradise complex still the only gay area. No new gogo bars, but plenty of bar-beers. All the action has moved out of the bars and onto the sidewalk/street. The whole scene is a little boring these days and desperately in need of some new blood.

Boat Bar is still busy and about the only place to go. In soi next door to the main gay street, there is Aquarius sauna and a few massage shops. Blue Dolphin Man Massage is about the best, although there are friendlier managements. Siam Palm Hotel is okay, if a little tired. Newer accommodation is Le Tanjong Guest House (in third soi near pharmacy) or the new Paradise Guest House (directly opposite My Way), while Rendezvous Hotel retains a very loyal following and is nearly always fully booked.

If you find the boys in Paradise boring, head for the (Thai) Karaoke area (a street on the way to Karon Beach, ask one of the Thais). You should only go after midnight at the earliest, as they only swing after 1am. Nice boys to off there.

Another good area to cruise is the Jungceylon Shopping Centre or Bangla Road, the lady-bar area, Many gay or gay-friendly boys loiter here rather than Paradise, where the moneyboys make them unwelcome. Catch someone's eye, offer them a drink...you know the drill.

You can also get lucky with hotel staff all over the island, many of whom are gay. Pop in for a drink or a meal and have a look around...

Enjoy your stay in Phuket. It may not have the cute and willing boys it once had, but the beaches are still the best!