I expect to go to Pattaya in a couple of weeks for the first time in maybe ten years. I would appreciate suggestions for hotel/guest house. I am basically cheap - in Bangkok I stay at the Malaysia, but might go a bit upmarket in Pattaya.

Also, what is the going tip rate in Pattaya - not stingy, not over generous. When I was last there, 500-600 baht seemed fine, but I assume it is more now (like everything else).

Thanks.

Quote |

There's a lot of possible responses to either question. Regarding accomodation, if you want inexpensive and near Sunnee, Howard's Guesthouse is reasonable: ::: Howards Pattaya :::

If you want slightly more expensive to decidely more expensive and in Boyztown, there are the traditional Ambiance: Ambiance, premier deluxe gay hotel in Pattaya, Thailand and Le Cafe Royale: Reservations - Le Café Royale Hotel Restaurant & Piano Bar Pattaya Thailand

There are many other possibilities, including staying in Jomtien.

As to tips, I would say the minimum is B1000 to B1500. Better service or overnight would be B1500 to B2000.

I'm sure the kee nieow will say that's too much.

Quote |

My last visit there (in December) I stayed at the Poseidon in Jomtien and was more than satisfied. Not cheap, but not too expensive.

Quote |

Too right mate!! I am in Pattaya a lot! I have never paid more than 1,000 for an overnight stay and never had a hint of complaint. With the lack of customers at the moment I doubt 500 would be sniffed at, (especially for short time) but I think 1,000 is fair to both parties. I always offer them a feed as well, both before and in the morning, plus the contents of my "cocktail cabinet," use of internet etc. Treat them as friend and the money is a welcome bonus.

Quote |

I'm in Pattaya more or less permanently and don't want to take advantage of the economic slow down to exploit anyone... nor do I wish to get a bad reputation in my home town.

I've been with boys who have seen some familiar farang, which prompted either some contemptuous tales about their sticky-shittedness or favorable comments about how “good” he is. I even know someone who hasn’t worked in the bars for 5 years and still, if we are together at Jomtien and he spots a couple of old time regulars, he mutters “there sticky shit!”

I don’t go into the bars that often, but when I do I’d prefer to be thought of kindly and, considering the tough economic times, I’d prefer to be a little too generous to help these guys survive. They of course get fed and can watch TV or use the Internet if they are interested.

I try to be generous with friends. Paying them as little as possible and giving them a little food & booze seems an odd approach to friendship.

Quote |

Please don't tell me that Bt 1,000 in hand is not generous ! You also ignore the fact that for many UK and Ausse clients (whether tourists or retired ) the value of their $ or GBP is now worth 30% less than last year. Add on drinks, off fees, meals and often a little "shopping trip" for essentials like new jeans, T shirts, runners etc, and I am very comfortable with my treatment and respect for these boys. ... and they are invariably very happy to cum back for seconds whenever if I repeat.

Quote |

So these impoverished tourists are getting reduced prices at the hotels & restaurants? Or is stiffing the boys just the easiest way to save money?

If I can't afford something, I either go without or do with less, I don't expect businesses to adjust their prices based on my income of the moment.

Yes and I imagine they tell you they love you and you're sexy and their sister needs an operation.

Of course they act happy in the hopes they get a better tip. Behind your back they may feel otherwise.

Quote |

The value of the USD, GBP, EUR, etc. to the THB is of absolutely no consequences to working boys, and does not enter into the equation when discussing what is a fair tip and what is not a fair tip.

Quote |

Oh dear...I guess the best thing I can do when I come to Pattaya this April is look but don't touch. If what I read on another thread is correct, I am afraid as a struggling writer, for the last few years, I have been earning even less per day than the boys here.

It takes me at least two years to save enough for a two-week trip to LOS - just transport (train or bus - can't afford to fly), hotel and food, never mind a little bit of selective shopping around for sexy underwear, let alone offing boys.

__________________
Urepentantly irrascible old fart!

Quote |

I was always under the impression, or perhaps this is some sort of gay urban myth, that Pattaya boys expected to be paid less than Bangkok boys. The quoted rates in the last few posts seem to be about average for the Bangkok scene but higher than I would have imagined for Pattaya. I tend to be generous in paying for good service (but not for bad, apathetic performances ... or lack of such), but I also would agree that in the current economic times, the boys should not expect to get as much as what they received a year ago. That said, I haven't started paying any less than I did a year ago, but I'm not going to bars and offing guys as often either. And THAT said, I don't see as much nice eye candy in the bars (in the streets it's another matter entirely; lots of juicy stuff abounds!) as I used to either!

Quote |

I think it depends on what boys you are talking about.

Show-stoppers at Boys Boys Boys will definitely expect more than one of those sewer rat boys that hang out in the dark corners of Sunee Plaza.

Just like Soi Twilight Boys expect more than Soi 6 boys, who expect more than Robinsons sidewalk boys, who expect more than Sanam Luang Boys.

Quote |

Can not agree more. Whatever the boys get paid should bear no relation to currency exchange fluctuations.

Quote |

So regardless of world economic conditions, these boys should be shielded from the down turn while every-one else suffers declining living standards? Not very logical.

Quote |

Locals suffer from the downturn due to a decrease in the number of customers.

Did you double what you were giving the bar boys when the THB went from 25 to over 50 to the dollar? No -- I didn't think so. And no one -- including the boys -- would have expected you too.

Their services are priced in Thai baht. The value of your home currency to the Thai baht is irrelevant. If it were, they'd be giving blow jobs to guys from Zimbabwe for a couple satangs.

Quote |

Yes and no.

If something is priced in bahts, the fact that a customer doesn't have enough bahts (because his home currency has declined) is no reason to change the baht price for him.

But if lots of customers lack enough bahts (or dollars, or euros), businesses have been known to choose a course other than just resigning themselves to fewer customers.

They have been known to lower their prices to a point that they hope will actually result in more income from more transactions than they'd get by keeping their prices where they were. (The same principles apply to would-be employees in the labor market as well.)

Thus, a few customers' hard times should make no difference. It's often another story when hard times are more widespread.

However, all of that's more applicable to local customers than to tourists: Tourists will have paid still-hefty travel fares and barely-reduced hotel and restaurant prices, and they'll have a limited amount of time--which argues against casting themselves as strapped, and which pressures them to pay the "asking" price or risk a bad reputation or going home unsatisfied.

Quote |