First Time in Thailand this August!
 

This august I have two weeks to spend in Thailand. I'm hoping someone on here can suggest hotels that are reasonable, comfortable, and nice to stay at.

I would prefer to stay at a gay hotel to support the local gay community. A gay hotel that also has masseurs who offer extras would also be nice.

If someone can recommend cities that would be grand. I definitely want to see Bangkok but after that I have no clue.

Some time at the beach would be great. Also is it possible to get a guide who would travel with me to show me the sights in and out of my hotelroom?

Thanks!

If you want the beach, Pattaya would be a good choice. You could go to Phuket, but Pattaya is closer to Bangkok and transport will be less of a hassle.

You might also consider Chiang Mai in the north. No beach but a different atmosphere from both Bangkok and Pattaya.

The Tarntawan Place Hotel in Bangkok and Ambiance in Pattaya are good choices for a first-timer.

Tarntawan Place Hotel - Home Page!

Ambiance, premier deluxe gay hotel in Pattaya, Thailand

I suggest you look through the massage and gogo bar threads here (go to the last page of each thread and read back a few pages since the earlier posts will be quite dated).

Also look through Dreaded Ned, bangkok gay listings - dreaded ned's explore gay thailand

Shameless Mack, 2009 June « Shamelessmack in Thailand and around


and Nicky's Nicky's Gay Pattaya - Bars, Gogo, Saunas, Massage, Restaurants


You'll need to do a little exploring away from the hotels for massages and gogo bars, but hotel staff can help you. Both hotels are located within the main gay areas.

I would suggest you NOT look for someone claiming to be a guide. It's not that difficult to explore on your own at first and if you off a boy from one of the bars with whom you feel some chemistry, he can also fill the role of guide if you agree that he'll stay with you for a few days.

Don't commit to any long term arrangement. Just take it a few days at a time since you may want to have freedom to meet other boys too. Do remember that even if the boys enjoy your company and the chance to show you around, it's not a holiday for them, it's how they make a living and these days income is bound to be down. You would be expected to cover all expenses while someone is with you and to provide a reasonable "tip," when you part company.

Have a nice time and report back to us later.

Businesses come and go, but for a general point of reference, relative to the two hotels I suggested here are maps of the main gay areas in Bangkok and Pattaya.

http://www.dreadedned.com/images/dir...gkok/silom.gif


http://www.dreadedned.com/images/dir...ya/pattaya.gif


Not sure if the maps are showing when you open the thread. Links to maps of Silom area in Bangkok and all areas in Pattaya are here:

http://www.dreadedned.com/directory/map/1/1/

http://gayaffairspattaya.com/maps/maps.htm

Thank you for all that info! I will take the advice about the guide to heart.

Those links are great!

I can't wait to get there!

I should mention that in Pattaya the Ambiance Hotel and Boyztown are just a two minute walk from the city beach, but you'll want to visit Dong Tan Beach at Jomtien.

Once you get the lay of the land in Pattaya it's quite easy to get to by Song Taeow for only B 10, but the first time you go get someone from the hotel to give you clear directions, or better yet have someone at the hotel get a "motorcy taxi" for you and have the hotel person tell the man that you want Dong Tan beach at Jomtien.

On this map, you'll come into Jomtien on Thappraya Road heading straight for the sea. The road and the song taeow will turn left along the (horror) straight beach. You want to get off and walk along the beach road to the right.
http://www.nickysgaypattaya.com/jomtien/jomtiemmap.jpg

Pick any of the places to sit (across from Tui's Hotel is the best). You can order drinks, food whatever from the boys where you are seated. When you leave you pay for whatever you consumed and a small amount for the use of the beach chair.

In August it won't be this crowded!

http://shamelessmack.files.wordpress...pg?w=430&h=323

VERY USEFUL INFORMATION ON FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE: Where is the gay beach in Jomtien? « Shamelessmack in Thailand and around



.

-- You have been given helpful information to get you started.

-- Checking the 127 postings for the last year I see the following -
1.- About 11 mention PATTAYA in their titles.
2.- The REGENT*, THE ROSE and THE TARNTAWAN** HOTELS,(all in BKK.), are mentioned specifically by name;
*- à´ÍÐÃÕਹ·ì ÊÕÅÁ ::: The Regent Silom
**- Tarntawan Place Hotel - Home Page!
3.- There is also a more general thread entitled: 'Hotel query.'.
-- In PATTAYA the AMBIANCE HOTEL has been mentioned -
Ambiance, premier deluxe gay hotel in Pattaya, Thailand
- So quite a lot of useful & before-bedtime reading for you! ;)

-- About 6 months ago I looked-in at the TARNTAWAN HOTEL, and was told that the prices for their rooms would be about THB.2,200.oo. daily to include breakfast, (but am not sure if the price included service & taxes?), (approx. GBP.40.oo. & USD.64.oo.),.
- No difficulties in bringing-back a companion with you, should you wish. But, in fairness to all, do make certain that all of your valuables are locked-away safely: 'The hotel is not responsible etc, etc. ... .'.

-- From memory the ROSE HOTEL'S prices are of the same order; it is reported as being gay friendly.

-- In PATTAYA I have no first hand knowledge of the AMBIANCE HOTEL - but I am sure that others' recommendations are to be noticed favorably.

-- "Sanookie dee!" ;) -- Bibi. --

With all the good advice you've been getting, I hate to add a note of caution. The eye candy at the beach in Pattaya is excellent, but the water itself is pretty murky and some would think twice about swimming in it. If it's swimming you are after, you might think about venturing a little further along the coast to Koh Samed. I have not been there, but am told the beaches are nice and there is plenty of cheap accommodation. Not nearly as cruisy as Phuket, but there are usually some gay guys around. Very quiet during the week, but busy at week-ends and public holidays.

He asked about time at the beach not swimming. Who comes to Thailand to swim?:eek:

Anyway there are always some people in the water. I suppose most of them are peeing, but none of them appear to have developed suppurating sores and some of them are there every day over periods of time.


Unless you have a compromised immune system, I don't think there's that much of a problem off Jomtien ... although I wouldn't encourage brushing your teeth in the sea there.

As you get closer to your arrival and after arrival you'll likely have lots of further questions.

You'll get lots of on-going good advice on this board, if you want.

All the current information is available on their website that I gave in my original response.

The B2,200 rate would be for the broom closets that they keep for ancient British visitors and other ne'er'-do-wells whose main concern is whether or not they get a free breakfast. Go for the Deluxe Surawong Room. It's not all that deluxe , but you'll have a view of the courtyard. Don't go for a suite. They're a waste.

I also gave a link in my original post for the Ambiance, but Mother Inferior decided to include it in his post since his memory is failing and he forgot he had seen it a minute earlier.

Thanks for all the advice and tips, guys. I'm getting excited. I have a month of waiting, but im already trying to plan what sights to see and advetures to have.

How many adventures per day?
 

For first trip, perhaps you should set a goal of three adventures a day.

Quite easy to achieve in a town like Pattaya, but dependant on the size of your wallet and your stamina.

My guess is that most of the regular contibutors on this board have been through the same 'first trip' experiences (for me that's over thirty years ago), a bit like a bull in china shop, or a kid in a candy store.

Go for it, and don't forget, please, to share your experiences with us.

If it's beautiful swimming you want (taking a break from cruising and f**king ) take the 30 minute, 30bht ferry ride from Pattaya Bali Hai Peir to Koh Lahn. The water is crystal clear, the beach clean and a huge range of food and other stalls to choose from . Make sure you take the 30 bht boat not the more expensive (I think about 100bt one) as the cheap one goes to a nicer beach and you have a walk off pier at Koh Lahn not a boat transfer.

Three weeks until I arrive. I have yet to plan past Bangkok, but there's still time for that.

Right now I'm deciding between the malaysia hotel and pinnacle hotel. Which do you think is the better bet?

I understand they are both close to the gay area with discos, bars, and such places, right?

Fairly close -- a quick motorcycle taxi ride or a medium long walk (10-15 mins?) to Silom. Babylon is a very easy walk.

The Malaysia is definitely grungier, with a sixties seedy vibe. Definitely a period piece, which I kind of like.

Pinnacle is non-descript 80's concrete block; more modern/boring.

Nearby alternative hotel
 

Hi, Phoenix storm. IF you are considering between the Malaysia and Pinnacle hotel, you should also look at the Ibis Sathorn hotel that just opened less than a year ago, and going for between 950 (breakfast 150-200THB per pax) to 1400THB (breakfast included).

You can look at the hotel info at Book a hotel online with Accor Hotels

Good luck!

Om Yim Lodge in Bangkok
 

I think Om Yim Lodge is far more convenient for getting around than either Malaysia or Pinnacle. Chong Nonsi skytrain station is literally a stone's throw from Om Yim, whereas it's half a hike from Malaysia or Pinnacle to Lumpini subway station, and then the subway system does not take you to places that interest tourists.

Also, Phoenixstorm said at the start that he's keen on supporting gay businesses. In that case, Om Yim should win hands down. Pinnacle is definitely not gay and Malaysia may be full of gay clients but I doubt if the owners are.

See my blogpost about Om Yim which gives you links to Om Yim's website and to maps.

I see from Om Yim's website that the current rate for rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors (i.e. 3rd and 4th levels) is 1090 baht, inclusive of breakfast. I believe this is quite competitive.

Arena Massage is just round the corner from Om Yim - no more than a 3 minute walk without even having to cross a road.

One word of caution - if you're elderly or very overweight and cannot manage stairs then Om Yim isn't for you. It has no elevator.

Tarntawan Place is quite well appointed, not overpriced by U.S. standards, and very convenient to Patpong and Soi Twilight if you and your guests don't mind the guests' having to deposit their ID cards with the elevator attendant. Some people think that's a fine security precaution. Some guests, especially prouder or middle-class ones, have been known to resist on the ground of privacy. Free wi-fi. Apparently gay-owned. Tarntawan Place Hotel - Home Page!

Another very convenient and fairly affordable place is Saladang Place, which rents spacious though sometimes slightly run-down serviced apartments with great views right behind the Dusit Thani Hotel, near the corner of Saladang Road and Silom Road--convenient not only to Patpong but also to the skytrain station. However, it may be a problem to bring in guests. Wi-fi at a moderate charge. Apparently not gay-owned. SalaDang Place

Both places definitely charge more than Malaysia, Pinnacle, or Om Yim--maybe two or three times as much--but depending on your budget and your priorities, they may make up for it in convenience and amenities. On the other hand, plenty of people find the cheaper places adequate.

I agree with the above: any of the other places mentioned would be better than either the Pinnacle or Malaysia.

Never stayed at Pinnacle, but have been past it several times. It's only a 3 minute walk to Lumphini station.

Thanks for the tips guys! I am going to shoot for the ohm with pinnacle being a backup in case its booked.

Now that I have bangkok covered. What part of thailand do you suggest I explore?

I would definitely like a contrast to bangkok but I still would like a gay scene to explore along with the sightseeing.

any suggestions?

I have two weeks in total I was thinking of staying in bangkok 6 nights. Do you think I could experience the major sights in the city in less time?

If these proud middle-class guests are popping in for a couple of hours in the sack, their objections would seem somewhat hollow. If they're actual friends staying the night, then they should register as is required of anyone spending a night in a hotel room.

My friend has never had to leave an ID with security since he is always a registered guest. Simple really.

If you spend much of the night experiencing the bars and shows and BOYS, you'll probably be in no condition to spend much of the day traipsing about.

There are some well organized bus tours that will get you to Wat Arun, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, etc. Probably not the most leisurely way to see them, but you'll hit the more popular places and will manage them in just a few days.

That's only skimming the surface, but usually during one's first visit to Bangkok the gogo bars, massage venues and the BOYS will be the main attraction and what lives on in your memory after you've left (and count the days until you get back).

I see. If you want to have short-time sex, you should be willing to make a written and potentially nonconfidential record of it.

In other words, popping in for a couple of hours in the sack is just as disgusting as being a Nature Boy client ("I've never been to Nature Boy and just realized how blessed I've been"--Kaojai, 17th July), so such a person has a lot of nerve to think he has any claim to privacy. Not to mention that if he's Thai he couldn't be middle-class or proud in the first place.

I get your point.

Major sights - Different strokes for Different folks
 

Hi, it really depends on what you are into... :cool:

Here's one possible day's Bangkok itinerary:

1. Wake up and have breakfast. If you are going to stay 6 days in the Omyim, I suggest you skip their breakfast one day and skit over to the Little Home Bakery restaurant on the opposite side of the road. They have a lovely breakfast set which I think is fantastic value for money, and you can have fluffy pancakes with your butter scrambled eggs if you are so inclined. ;) Just use the pedestrian or BTS bridge immediately in front of the OmYim to cross to the other side, and shoot for the McDonald's sign. The Little Home Bakery is just next door on the ground floor of a skyscraper.

2. After a lovely breakfast...Head over to MBK (take skytrain to BTS station National Stadium) and browse the 3rd to 5th floors of small stalls selling a dizzy array of cheap clothes, mobile phone/accessories, and computer games. If you like, go into Tokyu department store and see what's on sale.

3. Time flies, and its time for late lunch. Head on to the 6th floor food court, and exchange a 100THB (150THB if you really big eater or hungry) worth of paper vouchers. Again, if you are first-timer, a dizzing array of delectable local food. Try the sinfully good "Pork Leg Rice", "Braised Beef Soup (or yeah, there's also penis and testicles), chicken rice, fried noodles, oyster omelete, blah blah blah. Endless choice! You should have money left over (yes! believe it!) and you can get refund at a separate booth at the back of the food court.

4. Oh, before eating lunch go to the 7th floor cineplex and check out the latest hollywood movies, and buy the next show that suits your time. Why? You get to experience a world-class movie theatre at a great price. Also, there is a Thai culture thing new to you: the movie-goers will pay respect to the King just prior to the movie starting. Remember to stand up too as it is considered very rude not to pay respects to the king. Shows typically start after 15-20 mins worth of commercials and movie trailers from the official start time stated on your ticket, so you can factor this before going for your lunch.

5. After the show, its probably 5PM now... Take the skytrain back to Sala Daeng station (one before Chong Nonsi which is where the OmYim is at). Along both sides, you have foot massage places. Just pick one that you like or have a good vibe and give it a try. In the mood for a sensual massage? Well, instead of foot massage you can check out the other gay massage parlors mentioned in this forum. But, I suggest try a one hour foot massage or a two hour thai massage first, since you can go to one of the gogo bars along Surawong next, after dinner.

6. After the massage (7-8PM?), head on to Surawong Road and have dinner at Mango Tree. Its a good restaurant to try with Thai food, slightly tweaked for tourists but still good enough to be authentic thai. In the mood for seafood? Try the Somboon Seafood restaurant along Surawong road. But, if you are alone you'd probably want to bring a friend or two to company you for dinner and share the food. Want some simpler fare? Walk along Silom road to the side street in front of the California Wow Fitness centre. Very good and very cheap wanton noodles, pork leg rice and fish maw soup..

7. If you are alone and want to eat in the restaurant, you can always pick up a boy from one of the gogo bars to join you for dinner. If you are shy, you can visit the gogobar afterwards. As they say, "its up to you". Since you are first timer in Bangkok, I think you are likely to go to a bar after dinner. Since you are in Surawong, Tawan bar (well known for their bodybuilders) is the nearest bar. If you want a bigger variety, just walk further down to Soi Twilight opposite the famous Patpong.

8. Shows at Tawan start from 10:30PM, or you can refer to the other posts in this forum by Sextile for the rest of the bars.

9. After the first show, its likely 11:30PM or near midnight. Fancy the bodybuilder who sat down next to you in Tawan? Or the cute boy in the other bar? Choice is all yours to bring them back to your room for further cultural exchange. Hee Hee... Remember, please practice safe s-ex-change.

10. Hey, its probably 1AM now. Catch a well deserved rest. Tomorrow, you can start again!

11. Oh.. wait. Peckish? Want supper? Take a taxi from the front of Omyim to Chinatown. Again, excellent street food or seafood restaurant awaits you.

Six nights should be enough to give you an introduction to Bangkok's chief sights - the temples, palaces, river and the main downtown districts, yet leave 4 - 5 evenings free for entertainment of the erotic variety.

You may want to add 1 or 2 nights at the tail end of the trip so you don't have to rush from another city directly to Bangkok airport.

It depends on what balance of real Thailand versus gay scene you want. Options with easy transportation from Bangkok:

Chiang Mai - temples, mountains, more "real" small-city Thailand compared to options 2 and 3 below. Small gay scene, not quite geared to tourists.

Phuket - good beaches, enjoyable boat excursions to islands; Patong town itself is not "real" Thailand - it's a tourist trap. Small gay scene entirely geared to tourists.

Pattaya - a farang bubble and cheap charlie tourist trap, a passable beach at Jomtien, but the entire place is really just a whore den. Most self-respecting Thais wouldn't want to be caught dead in Pattaya.

You could cram in two of these three options within your remaining time, with 3 or 4 nights each. Depending on how energetic a traveller you are, you may consider this do-able or not.

speaking of erotic exploits I have a few quick questions about ettiquette:

in bars off rates will be posted or told to me by the mamasan?

If a guy sits with me what is the amount for an expected tip?

if i take a guy home i'm assuming the expected tip is 1000 baht?

massage places

massage prices should be posted. expected min tip posted. if not i should just assume its 1000 baht?

thanks guys!

[/i]

-- Based on my experiences & views -
1.1.- Expect that the 'Off fee.' will be told to you; expect to pay between 300-400.Bh. for an ordinary a go-go dancer. You would be asked to pay more were you to take-out a waiter or a bar-captain. You would be unlikely to be able to take-out one of the major performers - at least not until after the final performance.
1.2.- Generally buy him a drink, (for which he gets a commission -although some boyz have been known to decline a drink and to accept the cash equivalent instead.), and a further 100.Bh. for just his company. Some bars - SOLID BAR - have, shall we say, 'An half-way house.' where you can be more intimate - but not full intimacy - with the boi but without taking him out, for which a larger TIP. would be expected. Of course you can gracefully wave-away a boi.
1.3.- Depends upon 'How long.' and 'What he's prepared to do.'.
1.3.1.- Short time & just an hand-job: 500.Bh.;
1.3.2.- Short time & fuller intimacy: 1,000.Bh.;
1.3.3.- All night: at least 1,500.Bh..
- NB.: A prewarned person would check either with the boi or with the M'san. as to how long and what the boi is prepared to do before taking him out! Do not be shy when talking about these matters withy the M'san.. Better to resolve these matters first of all in the bar rather than in your bed-room!
- Some boyz have been known to prefer a short time - and hopefully to remain fresh - so as to secure a 2nd., (or even a 3rd.), trick that very evening.
- Were you to take him to your accomodation for some distance from his bar then you might be asked for taxi-fare also! Some overnighters are offered a b'fast., too..

2.1.- Most massage parlors have a printed 'Menu.' of services, times and prices.
- Some parlors - like SENSO - have a printed MINIMUM TIPs' policy; other parlors leave it to the customer. There are also the location of the parlor, its general condition, the chemistry and inter-action between the masseur and you to bear in mind and so on and so forth - so many, and often sub-conscious and/or contradictory, influences at work on you, dear customer!
- But let's say for a good and 60 mins'. massage and an hand-job I'd be prepared to pay not more than 1K.Bh..

-- NB.: There have been many previous postings about TIPs. to boyz, about which nearly everyone has his own thoughts, and sometimes at odds with other respondents!
- The above are merely a tentative guide and are not graven in stone. Bottom line is that you should remember that while you're dealing with a fellow human-being yet the TIP. etc. 'Are up to you.'.
-- E&OE.. --

On a recent visit to Solid, the 'half-way house' was no more. They have taken out all the furniture and there was nothing there.

Also depends on the venue somewhat. A superstar at Jupiter would expect more than a waif at Solid, or a streetwalker.

In my experience the Superstar at Jupiter will be worth 1/2 of the waif at Solid unless of course you like to pay for admiration of his body.

Agreed, but we were talking about expectations not value.

Ok, I've narrowed down my itenirary somewhat:

Aug 8th to aug 11th four nights in Bangkok

Aug 12th night on the train from Bangkok to chaing mai (thanks to shameless mack's website)


Aug 13th to aug 16th four nights chaing mai
(hopefully lotus hotel)

Aug 17th flight to Koh Samui or phukett not sure which any ideas?

Aug 17th to Aug 20th in samui or phukett
flying back go bangkok friday for early sat flight home

Aug 22nd sat 7am flight Bangkok to seoul

how much are the flights from chaing mai to koh samui or phukett and then from there to bangkok? any recommendations on reputable airlines?

www.nokair.com

Thai Airways - Online Ticket Reservation

Welcome to AirAsia.com, The World's Best Low-Cost Airline

Bangkokairways.com

I'm in Phuket right now but am far from enjoying myself, place is very quiet and the paradise complex at night is a veritable ghost town. I arrived on Sunday, was due to go fly home via Singapore on Saturday but have changed my flights and am returning to BKK tomorrow, 3 nights back there before flying out on Saturday.

I've used Air Asia for BKK-HKT-BKK sectors and they have been good and cheap. Around B2800 each way (this despite that one fare was a last minute one)

wow that isnt good news. at least the plane tickets are cheap.

does anyone have a report for chaing mai? is it pretty dead there too?

But the culture is always alive :)

Oh, you mean the gay scene? I'm not in Chiangmai, so I can only speak generally. Chiangmai is not as dependent on tourism as Patong in Phuket. Its bars (see exception below) and massage places rely more on local custom than Phuket which relies almost exclusively on visitors. I would therefore expect there to be at least a steady trickle (or more) of customers in all Chiangmai places, but what the economic downturn has recently done to local purchasing power, I don't know.

The other side of the coin is that Chiangmai's boys are less capable of handling English than the more touristy places like Phuket and Pattaya. Nearly all the boys I've taken from bars and massage shops in Chiangmai have not been able to manage any English at all. Most times, I've had to use my very limited Thai.

The exception I referred to above is the area close by the night market. There are a few open-air bars known for street urchins hanging around and available for rent. I've never sat at any of these places because (a) urchins are not my taste (b) I've seen 10 year-old boys being fondled by 70-year-old farangs in open view of others, at these places, and I do not wish to be associated with them. This area has NO local custom, it depends on tourists. It's been a dying scene for some years now, and it may well be no more by now. To which I'd say, good riddance.

But really,few people go to Chiangmai for the gay scene. By itself it's too small to be worth the trouble. You're going there for the culture and the sights, right?

I am going to Chiangmai next week, so I'll let you know what I find :o

Im going for more than the gay scene, but where ever I am I try to at least check out the local scene.

I guess now I am deciding on whether to spend more time in phukett or samui and bangkok and skip chaing mai.

I'll wait for trentaus report!

Samuii
 

Some feedback on Samuii if you decide to take that route. I have been there three times. The air fares are expensive because Bangkok Air have a monopoly on the airport which they own (last i heard anyway).

I stayed at Akwa Guesthouse at North Chaweng which is gay friendly/owned and across the road from a great swimming beach, rooms from 750 to 1200 baht approx. Akwa is also a short walk to the main gay soi. There are also many other great places that you can stay.

In the gay soi you will find the Malebox disco which has a great midnite show, no fuck shows like Bangkok, but much classier and and I find more erotic shows with some really hot guys doing some more traditional type numbers. It is a great atmosphere but don't bother getting there till just before midnite.

Across the soi is BoyZone which is owned by a nice farang and they again have some very hot dancers and hosts you can off. I liked the shows there as well, all in good taste and still very sexi. I did have a good massage with one of their boys in the adjacent massage part of the business, well the sex was probably better.

There never seems to be many customers so i don't know how these places keep going but they certainly have some excellent talent working for them and you can choose the best. There were no huge off fees or tips expected, just the usual.

I took two boys home from one of the nearby clubs and they were a lot of fun, we went to a disco and then back to my room.

If you want any tours just contact Adam at Rainbow Scuba and he will look after you, his round island tours are excellent and he can organise snorkelling, scuba diving and many other leisure activities.

Most of the above have websites if you want to google you will find them. There is plenty of info about Samuii on the net. Spice magazine has maps and advertisements for the main gay places on the island. You can get a copy at the bars in Bangkok or at their online site.

Chaweng Beach is a pain with all the tailors and others trying to sell but I like the beaches and the rest of the island is very beautiful. Samuii is worth a visit on this trip or your next. I am sure you will be back. I also went to Krabi which is also a great scenic place with some gay action available at a couple of bars and then flew to Samuii on my way to Bangkok. All the best for your adventure in Thailand.

It's not just their English, their Thai isn't very good either. Try speaking Burmese or, better still, Shan. :D