[JupiterJake]

I have a rather odd question. I (37 year old Australian) have lived in Thailand for many years but have never ventured into a gay sauna. I have an athletic physique and am not unattractive - but am quite shy. I was wondering whether someone could give me an idea about the lighting in gay saunas in Bangkok. Is the lighting somewhat subdued throughout or are there some areas brightly lit and others darker? For my first sauna experience I would prefer a sauna with more flattering lighting options. I don't need it to be pitch black, obviously, but would feel more comfortable visiting a venue without harsh lighting. I recently visited a sex club in Melbourne on their naked night and had a great time. The lighting was such that one could see well but it was dim throughout. Something like that would be ideal.

Other than Babylon, which I fear may be too "in your face" for my first sauna experience, are there any other saunas in Bangkok where an athletic caucasian might have some fun? I had read somewhere that other than Babylon the other saunas tend to be popular with locals with enjoy the attentions of other locals.

I am sorry if this is a silly question and I hope that the responses, if any, will be kind-hearted. Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide into the lighting in some of Bangkok's saunas.

JJ

[gorcum]

If you go to Sauna Mania or Underground 39, you will find large dark areas, Also they have theme nights, like underwear night or naked night. They can be fun, but they have mostly Thai guys visiting these saunas, but if you are in good shape, you can be lucky.

[JupiterJake]

Thank you, Gorcum, for taking the time to reply. Further reading seems to indicate that Underground 39 might be a good choice for my first gay sauna experience in Thailand. Can anyone who has been there confirm the absence of bright flood-lit areas? The roof top area, especially on naked night, also sounds interesting at dusk.

Now I just need to pluck up the courage to actually go!

[wantasian]

Sauna Mania (near Silom) is very dimly lit in most areas (the walls are even painted black on the maze floor--and most windows are painted over).

[pong]

cannot rec Sa=mania at all-sticky rice Chinese,
AS others ahve said-its mainly mixed-and never really very bright. In the cabins its often possible to turn off lights-and thats a Thai favorite.
The sauna you mention is IMHo Und. 69-and quite near to Sapan kwai BTS-stop. As he name says-its mainly UNDERground-well, kind of halfway.
Fairly mixed reports for it about success for white people-and athletic forms are by many Thai and Asians also looked at differently. Personally-as these theme nights are suddenly some fashion thing-I rec taking some extra underwear-for the case its Underwear eve. The most I hate are ''small towel'' nights-when you cannot even dry off properly due to the size of towel.

[JupiterJake]

That is interesting about Sauna Mania. I think I had read somewhere else that it may not be too friendly to caucasian patrons. One person in particular, and I must admit I do not know the details, was apparently told by staff that it was a sauna "for Thai, not farang". One cannot know if this account is accurate, of course.

It does not look like there is much to choose from.

[sextile]

Originally Posted by JupiterJake

... . I, (37 year old Australian), have lived in Thailand for many years but have never ventured into a gay sauna. I have an athletic physique and am not unattractive - but am quite shy. ... . I recently visited a sex club in Melbourne on their naked night and had a great time. The lighting was such that one could see well but it was dim throughout. Something like that would be ideal.
... .

Several OUT-points in the above:

1.- You write that you've lived in BKK. for many yrs. but have never ventured into a gay sauna - OK., that's perfectly u'stood; but you being gay starts to make one wonder - even if only a little. But then maybe you have some 'sensitive' pos'n. and would not wish to be too readily recognised in a BKK. sauna?
2. - You write that you are 37YO., have an athletic physique and are not unattractive - yet many men who visit saunas could not write such favorable comments about themselves.
3.- You write that you are quite shy - as are many others; yet you recently visited a sex club in M'bourne. etc. etc.; if you can feel relaxed about visiting such a place then why not a sauna here in BKK.? Are M'bourne. sex-clubs so different to BKK. saunas and/or saunas in other places? I have my doubts.

[JupiterJake]

I am sorry that you have your doubts and I must say am very surprised by such a response. I have better things to do than to make up stories. I have recently come out of a long monogamous relationship and am interested in trying some new things. It's as simple as that.

[Carnarvon]

Been to Sauna Mania once a couple of years ago. Did not encounter at all any of the aggressive attitude mentioned here.

Was not jumped at but not rejected neither

Staff was definitely friendly and patrons diverse as in most places (except Babylon of course where most Thai there are potatoes).

Maybe things have changed.

[sextile]

Originally Posted by JupiterJake

... .
I have recently come out of a long monogamous relationship and am interested in trying some new things. It's as simple as that.

-- I am sorry if my reply, casting doubts on some of yr. statements, upset you; apologies
- In my defence I'll write is that had you mentioned only that you've come-out recently from a long & a monogamous relationship and wished to broaded yr. experiences of BKK. life then that would have been MORE credible - to me, at least.
- But I trust that others, even should I have failed, have given you enlightenment - but not too dazzling, one hopes - about some of BKK's farang-friendlier saunas etc. etc..

[JupiterJake]

Thank you, Sextile, for your kind note. I have found all of the replies to be enlightening. I have read this forum for quite a while and have always found your enthusiasm and the details of your responses to be quite extraordinary. You are a great asset to the Thailand forum, of that I have no doubt.

I am still interested in hearing from others about their experiences at Babylon and Sauna Mania. It sounds like Sauna Mania is smaller, more dimly lit, but less farang friendly. Its location is a plus but I would be a little freaked out if my presence there drew a palpable disdain from either the staff or the other patrons.

I am interested in another aspect - that being group sex sessions at these saunas. Has anyone witnessed and/or participated in such activities at these two saunas? I find group activity quite exciting - although has never participated or seen it (other than in porn).

[wantasian]

You will probably be POLITELY ignored/avoided in Sauna Mania--the problem is it will be very clear avoidance. I have connected in there a FEW times--and I will go back (because they're open until 6 a.m. on weekends, and I like the location). I just find that many Thai in there seem to put on a little drama about avoiding me--like I'll stand 5 feet away and they will immediately move away. There are dark areas where I've seen group sex (but I never participate because the dark-areas-stuff turns me off--because I want to see exactly who I'm touching).

There is a little very dark area in Babylon with constant group stuff going on (before they open the door to the walkway to the other area) (this dark area is next to that door). There might be other group stuff going on in the downstairs steam room--but I don't go in there.

Is the reason you're looking for dim lighting that you don't want to be seen by your ex, or others?

[Xfun]

Don't see any reason to doubt what the member said and especially don't see the need for your long stupid response.

Why don't you get a life!