Watershed

During the last months I have been wandering whether my relation with Thailand has not come to a watershed. There have been a lot of negative news since September, many of them being possibly forerunners for bad things to come.

Burmese boys accused of murder in Koh Tao

First there was this awful crime in Koh Tao, showing that lives are worthless for some people living there. And then there were these two young Burmese who look rather like scapegoats to me, the Royal Thai police having obviously botched the investigation. The boys could now face life imprisonment or death penalty for crimes they probably did not commit, either to protect some high interests, or because of the laziness and prejudices of the Thai police. I feel deeply sorry for these two migrant workers who wanted only to have a better life and to help their families. Of course, no link with the fact that these were two rather cute 21 y/o lads – at least before these gruelling months spent in Thai prisons.

Then there were the new beach regulations, aiming to wipe out the beach operators that most of us love so much when we travel to Pattaya or Phuket or elsewhere. No more chairs to laze around in the heat, no more umbrellas to provide some shade when needed, no more massage boys or sellers, would have been a nightmare, even if I do not go every day to the beach. I understand that, at least in Pattaya, things have not changed a lot and that there will be only some more free space for those who do not need these amenities – which is not bad. As for the reason behind this umpteenth crackdown, there is probably one ...

And we also had the police controls in Sukhumwit, the up and downs in immigration rules, the growing numbers of crimes against farangs in Pattaya, road accidents, higher prices and Euro plummeting, Chinese tourists as ill-behaved as ever .. no need to throw any more in. And I do not even dare to think of the forthcoming political turmoil when a certain sad event will inevitably happen.

Finally I chose to spend less time reading Thaivisa, where some contributors are Thai-bashing professionals. I also could read some really good travel reports on the web-boards. And I rather use Facebook where more and more cute boys throng into – including in certain groups where some bluntly offer their (paid) services. All in all, my glasses have lost some of their rose hue (there was not much left anyway), but I am still as eager as ever to go back very soon, in fact at the end of January.

I could manage to plan a short stay in Cambodia – just in case …

Cambodia : a soul-stirring destiny

I was in my twenties when the khmer rouge regime took power in Cambodia. I was then more concerned about completing my studies, doing my compulsory military service and finding a job. Cambodia seemed a far away place and news were not very clear about the situation. Back then we did pay less attention to what was going on in the world : no internet, no colour TV, and Cambodia was only one of 150 countries on the earth.

Young Cambodian victims, 1975

It is only when visiting the Killing Fields memorial park last June near Phnom Penh that I realized the extent of the genocide which took place : one quarter of the entire country’s population was swept away in the most atrocious conditions because of some nebulous ideology. I was also upset that most perpetrators of this crime could pass away more or less quietly ; the few that have been recently convicted were only unlucky to live longer than their accomplice.

As I wrote in an older post, visiting this place after having gone through the populous districts of Phnom Penh, among all the smiling young men or women who are the future of the country, is truly soul-stirring from the contrast it shows. In fact, I do not think I would like to go there again.

Young Cambodians, 2014

Love sick The Series

Pictures, TV series… love between boys is currently fashionable in Thailand.

"Love Sick The Series" is the latest drama that no teenager would miss every Saturday on MCOT (Modern Nine TV) at 8.50 pm. The story follows two 17 y/o high school boys who eventually fall in love after a deal brought them closer together. It also deals with various teens’ issues such as peer pressure, income inequalities, bad boys and so on.

Main actors are White, 19 (June 6, 1995) as Phun and Captain, 16, (February 2, 1998) as Noh. The action takes place in Bangkok and characters are mostly thai-chinese upper class boys so not really my style but, hey, that's a sweet and funny way to spend a rainy afternoon … To-date there are already 9 episodes out, episode 10 next Sunday.

Teaser at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVfeu7Us-wY#t=102.
You can view past episodes at http://banaze.com/love-sick-the-series-รักวุ่น-วัยรุ่นแสบ/

One month in Thailand : a financial record

It has been a long time since I wrote a financial record of my Thailand trips. Boring for some, I know, but it could bring some useful information to others, especially newcomers.

Every time I come back to my room, I enter every expense I had and make sure that no one has been omitted by checking the money left ; it also makes it easy to be sure that I have not been cheated or stolen. Expenses are split into six or seven main categories, without being too fussy about it. Dividing every amount by the number of nights spent in Thailand (and Cambodia for this time) gives an average daily amount which allows an easy comparison for different trips. So nothing exceptional here.

For this trip, I managed to stay very low on accomodation with 865 THB/night, tips for staff and cleaning ladies included. As I doubled payed four nights being too lazy to pack and unpack for short side trips, the true expense would have been 760 THB/night. Not that I stay only in dumps : all hotels I staid in Thailand had A/C, fridge and swimming pool ; I simply do not like to pay more than I should.

Eating and drinking (outside entertainment places) amounted to an average 1 200 THB/night, including what I pay at the beach. This is a lot, but my boyfriend who often shares my meals, eats well and drinks good, like my nephew whom I treated twice to dinner.

Transportation accounted for 784 THB a day ; this an highly variable item, which reaches summits with car rentals or expensive flights. No one of them this time, flights to Cambodia were rather cheap although for two travellers : boyfriend and me.

I spent 734 THB/night in gay bars and discos, a constantly decreasing amount since many years, due to both me and my boyfriend getting older. However I gave tips to boys for chatting, massaging and “taking care” for as much as 1 021 THB/night, boyfriend not included. Most of these well-deserved rewards went to the Khorat devil and to massage boys, whose talents I often used.


Finally everyday expenses (newspapers, laundry, pharmacy, personal care, phone cards ...) reached 481 THB/day. Clothes and a new mid-range smartphone are not included in this record, as these are purchases which I will keep for use in my home country.

So I spent as much as 5 123 THB/day, of which 38 THB/day unaccounted-for. What I gave to my boyfriend adds up, as well as the flight costs. I guess I will have to adjust a little and I have a clear view on which item I need to cut back, but how to do it ?

Blog editing

Some pictures of my blog had disappeared after an unfortunate action by myself (thank you Google system and their impenetrable interactions). I could find them again and download them where they belonged. So everything is back like before, along with a rewriting of the most recent posts.

I took this opportunity to make some editing, here correcting a typo, there pruning some longish description or adding a picture, and this starting from the very first post. This took some time and I am sorry for the inconvenience. The final lay-out on your screen may be odd depending on which browser, which screen size and which operating system you use : sorry, this is something that I cannot handle.

This « work » allowed me to go again through my best times in Thailand, so it was a pleasure to live again all these past years. I could also notice some defects and there were some lessons to be learned from this thorough re-reading. I also added the much needed labels list to find past posts more easily, and developed some tools for improving the traffic (not that I want to accept any advertising).

There are probably still many mistakes remaining, please do not forget that english is not my native language.

Thank you everyone for your faithful interest in this unpretentious blog and hoping for the best in your experiences in gay Thailand and Southeast Asia.

At odds

Google screwed me over

I am really at odds with the Google system.  I wanted to delete pictures on my tablet and guess what ... this deleted them on my blog too ! Of course I never had any warning that this unfortunate action would have such an awful effect. As if anyone was supposed to know the impenetrable relations between Picasa, Google Plus, Blogger, Drive and the like ....

So for some time now many pictures will be replaced by a very nice grey road sign, and I guess I will need some days to find the former pictures and download them again.

I will try to add some new ones to make up for the inconvenience - stay tuned !

Enticing massage shops

I spent nine nights in Pattaya and what struck me first when arriving was the low numbers of cars in the streets, a clear signal of low tourist numbers. Low numbers at Jomtien Beach too with full ranks of empty chairs, and tiny attendance in most bars I went.

I visited many of them, both in Boyztown and Sunee Plaza ; no great atmosphere in most except in Eros Boys where I had hardly stepped into the bar that a young cutie from Surin pounced on me – and I was the one thinking that Eros boys were not known as the most handsome in town !

The last den of sleaze remains Good Boys bar, where I had long chats with one of the boys here ; finally we could go behind the screens, at my request, as this one was not keen on having a private encounter – and a higher tip. No jerking-off contest that night (ten contenders and reward 500 have I been said), but more than one cubicle was the scene of very intimate activities.

On a different note, for the first time since eighteen years I was treated to a round of drinks by the owner of a Sunee Plaza bar ; this was in Sky Bar, where Tam and me spent some time – but not that much - chatting and looking the world go by. A kind attention which is for me the best incentive to go back if the place is nice, which it is.

To find more life, we had to go to Jomtien where the bars were very well attended ; however the cutest boys were already looked after by regular customers. Lack of Cambodian boys who had fled the country due to a groundless rumour, was also obvious as they are usually a nice addition to the place. And we did not forget our usual visit to see the show in The Venue, as good as ever.

Among a deserted Sunee Plaza, I indulged only once into closer encounters, and it was in Happy Boys where I chose to try their massage service – at least this is the way they call it. When I think of it, I remember having had more pleasure roaming the Day and Night area and looking at the massage boys, than visiting Soi Sunee. They have really hot guys there, and at least three shops are now boy-only places. In Relax@Me, a sturdy 20 y/o from Udon managed to get me to visit three times – good chemistry was enough.

It seems that I am now more and more enticed by the massage shops rather than the bars : everything is so more convenient with on-site activities : no need to care about
transportation, meals, hiding the money ... and telling lies to the boyfriend to have the hotel room vacant ...

Hat Yai revisited

Why did I chose to go for a two-days stay in Hat Yai rather going to Pattaya two days earlier ?. In fact I do not know myself, even if a promotion by Nok Air (2160 THB return all inclusive) was an enticing offer. I think only curiosity lead me there, as this town has not a lot to offer except good shopping opportunity.

First surprise : I was the only farang on board, both outwards and return. I knew that the town had been recently affected by some assaults by the local rebels, but I had not heard of any travel warning for the Songkhla province. In town, farangs were very free and far between, the population being clearly divided between the chinese and the locals.

The main reason for my curiosity was obviously the current situation of the local boys bars, which gets very few updates on the boards - I guess someone has to do the job, right ? Not a lot of changes since my last trip three years ago ; two bars which are still alive and well, and more and more saunas and massage places - that I did not visit. However I could not find the place advertised in the Bangkok Post Nightlife Guide as "Boys Pub Bar", with as address : Nipat Uthit Soi 3 (not very accurate, as there are three Nipat Uthit Roads, all very long and running parallel one another, and from the maps only one has a Soi 3).

Buddy Men Club, gay bar in Hat Yai

These two bars are located close one to another : Buddy Men Pub along Sriphunawat Road (along a short cut to Akarn Road to be more accurate) and Top Man Pub along Akharn Road, so in the south part of town. Buddy Men Club was surprisingly well staffed with about seven rather good-looking young men - mostly coming from the North of Thailand. And Top Man Pub had mostly local southern boys and a welcoming owner from Khorat.

I took a boy from Buddy Men, a 21 y/o from Chiang Mai which told me he was a tribe boy - rather useless in bed. Pity I had not chosen another one which proved to be much more affectionate when I chatted with him on the next day - a thai yai from Burma. Off rate 1500 THB short-time and 2000 THB for the night, including tip for the boy (who gets respectively 1000 THB and 1500 THB). An additional tip is always welcomed.

So much for Hat Yai, but I guess I will have to update myself once again in one or two years, as none seems to really bother about these remote areas ... the Buddy Men owner having told me he sees about one farang a year in his place,  ...

More to Siem Reap than the temples

Besides being the mandatory entry point to the Angkor Complex temples, Siem Reap is also fast becoming the hip capital of Cambodia, with a thriving nightlife ; surprisingly enough, gay tourism is an integral part of this development, although with a limited numbers of bars and accomodation.

Most farang-oriented nightlife is concentrated in Pub Street area which is the local Khao San Road. Truth to be said, I did not really appreciate it : very commercial, full of the same young farang you can find in Pai, Vang Vien or Kho Phangan - but to each its own. At least this produces a very lively atmosphere where people seem to really enjoy themselves - I could not help thinking of Pattaya which seems to have lost part of this kind of customer base.

The Linga Bar is the only real gay bar in the place with a high-end and trendy atmosphere and some freelancers. We ended our evenings there trying out many of their cocktails ; however we were not impressed at all by the 10.30 week-end show. Pity we could not attend the other one in the Station Wine Bar - said to be much better at least for now.

"good massage, special massage Sir ...."

I was more interested by the massage places which are located on the edge of Pub Street area and along the sois leading to Siem Reap Night Market. No boy-only place but these shops advertise cheap service ; rather young boys and girls try agressively to lure you into, strongly hinting at happy endings. No private room or private bathroom however, so I wonder what happens when there are more than one customer at the same time - not mentioning risks of theft.

I went twice with a sweet 19 y/o local guy with a face to die for, and not shy at all when it came to kissing, hugging and more. Massage was really too light but he was eager to please, very loving and careful. I bought a shirt for him only to have change enough for paying the massage fee (he had a good tip too), which made him very fond of me. Sorry for him, but there are so many other gorgeous boys in this area that I would have liked to try them all.

There are gay-only massage places too, including nearby Hatha Blue Khmer, which I did not try although the boys standing in front were very inviting. Moreover, boys on the street and some tuk-tuk drivers seem readily available for everything, and there is probably a more discreet scene to be explored  : sure I have to go back one day - preferably alone and without any commitment...

Wonder of the world

The trip from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap was long indeed but at least everything went smooth unlike a previous and unforgettable one we had in Laos many years ago. There were roadworks for the whole first 150 km making driving very slow and bumpy. However the nearer we were approaching the town,  the more the road was improving and suddenly the roadway became large and smooth : we were in Temple Town.

We spent our four days in Siem Reap in the very nice River Queen Guesthouse managed by Richard and his friend, in a fantastic location near the river : close enough to nightlife and far enough to feel a more khmer atmosphere. Richard is the author of the blog I mentioned before (link on the right). We were offered a room (deluxe room) with a large balcony overlooking the river, and I immediately felt that I would come back once again. Although being generally fussy about accommodation, my boyfriend liked it too and he quickly became friend with the two house dogs.

Our three full days there were rather exhausting with two days and a half visiting the main Angkor temples and the last afternoon visiting the Thonlesap lake. The guesthouse gave us a nice tuk-tuk driver who spoke good english and his son who replaced him on day 2 was pretty cute too ; visiting more far-away temples as well as the lake gave us a good insight into khmer country life.

Angkor Wat boys

Your tourist guidebook will tell you about the Angkor temples much better than me. Although not being too much into old stones, I can only confirm that everyone of them is worthwhile, each one having its own caracter and charm. Marvelous, huge, fine, are some of the worlds which come to mind and I can understand why some people can stay many days or weeks exploring them. The weather was not very fine but I think that hordes of tourists which visit the temples at high season would be a bigger annoyance han lack of sun. I came here for visiting the temples and possibly meditating among these mighty and magnificent monuments, not for shooting professionnal pictures.

As for the lake, the trip to Khomphong Pluk is worth the long and bumpy ride ; it allows to feel the might of nature which elevates the level of the lake in the rainy season about 10 meters higher than in the dry season, thanks to the water coming from the Mae Khong River, and to appreciate how finely the locals have adapted to this exceptional natural phenomenon.

Phnom Penh gay nights

Enticed by all the sweet faces I had seen in the streets, I was fancying numbers of bars with gorgeous boys ready to know me better ... Phnom Penh nights are not really like that, but there is enough to keep you busy for some time.

We visited only the places located close to the hotel, as both of us had been quite impressed by the traffic conditions. There were two bars within walking distance : Two Colours Bar just around the corner, and Blue Chilli Bar within five minutes. Both would compare with the host bars in Sunee Plaza with outdoor sitting and reasonable prices. I found there were not a lot of available boys, but we were on a weeknight. As I was not alone, eye contact was probably more difficult too.

Pub in Phnom Penh

I had a blast at the Heart of Darkness disco, about 15 minutes on foot from the hotel. We treated ourselves to a Mouton-Cadet red wine bottle (quickly followed by a second one) for only 30 USD each. I really loved the music there : only good international disco music without the local songs that too often spoil the atmosphere in thai pubs.For that exact reason, my boyfriend did not like the evening as much as me - despite the red wine he is very fond of too.

Although not strictly gay, the place was mostly patronized by boys but not much flirtation as most seemed to be there for pleasure and not for finding customers. Some farangs were to be seen alone, including elder ones - like me. 

I will leave for a next trip the massage places and the other local boys bars, which anyway do not seem to be numerous for the time being. The scene could however expand very quickly ...

Sweet and wild Cambodia

Arriving in Phnom Penh through the airport is not exactly a breeze, but it could be worse. Not having opted for the e-visa, I had to make my visa at the airport but as I was one of the first passengers and everything was ready, I managed to get out quite quickly. Thank Goodness my boyfriend never misses what is REALLY important, so he immediately saw the booths where khmer SIM cards were on sale for a very cheap price.

Out of the airport, finding a taxi was easy but I did not wanted to haggle over the ridiculous price he was asking, so here we go into the awful traffic … complete disrespect of the most basic rules of traffic rules, undersized road network, billions of two-wheels appearing out of the blue … compared to Pnom Penh, Bangkok looks like Zurich ! However we finally arrived safe and sound to our hotel : the Silver River Hotel stands close to the Royal Palace, the Tonlesap Quai and some boys bars : our deluxe room with a nice balcony over the street was booked through Agoda.

Sitting in the taxi for 25 minutes to the hotel just when Universities and schools were out was more than enough to be striken by the cuteness of cambodian lads : no fat boy or girl in sight, only smiling and good-looking faces all over the street … promising sight.

Sweet khmer boy

We spent our two days in Pnom Penh shopping, visiting the most touristy places and strolling along the Sisawat Quai - despite having to confront the unendless and lawless traffic. Other trips included a visit to the Soraya commercial center, interrupted by frequent power cuts (never use a lift in Cambodia !), and to the Psar Tuol Tom Pong market - also known as Russian Market - where you can buy bargain clothes and souvenirs.

A tuk-tuk driver brought us to the Killing Fields, after a long trip among populous areas in the suburbs. Despite having read a lot about the Khmer Rouge exactions, we felt really moved when confronted with the reality of the awful crimes that were commited by Pol Pot and his henchmen. In fact no visitor can leave unaffected after visiting the exact location where the genocide took place. How a nation which has so nice-looking and smiling boys (and girls) can produce such awful crimes stands beyond reason.

But I had come in Phnom Penh not only for the tourist attractions and place of memories …

On my own in Bangkok

After this highly cultural tour to Hua Hin, I have been staying on my own in Bangkok enjoying freedom as well as the quiet way of life of those who have time on their hands. I visited some apartments on behalf of one of my nephews who will have a six months on-the-job training here. As far as I know he is not gay but I warned him this country can be bewitching and he should always stay cool-hearted in every circumstance.

Scorpion Bar in Soi Twilight (courtesy Nickysgaypattaya)

Silom is very quiet at the moment, and I went there only for looking at the world going by from the Dick's Café terrasse. I entered Classic Boys just to see only girlish twinkies and being charged an outrageous 350 THB for a Coke. Change came with a 100THB and 50 THB note, as if we should leave a 50 THB tip for such a rip-off ! The 50 THB went to the mamasan and I limited my tip to the usual 20 THB (I usually give more in the standard priced restaurants or bars). Super A bar and Scorpion open air bar were more reasonably priced with much more pleasure for the eye.

My boyfriend will join me this evening and to-morrow afternoon will be the flight to Pnom Penh where we should arrive in the evening for a three days stay. And my nephew should arrive to-morrow early in the morning for doing a five-months internship in Bangkok (lucky young man !). Of course I will go to welcome him at the airport and help for his first steps in the Land of Smiles, so this should be a rather harassing day ….

Hot trip to Hua Hin

I did not feel as excited as before when reaching Thailand this time. The reason is obvious : a trip to Thailand, which previously doubled as the huge relief of being released from all work commitments and hassles, is now just this : a trip to Thailand. The excitement came back quickly as soon as I saw all these wonderful boys along the streets.

After a first day for recovering, I was soon joined by my young Khorat friend - the one who on our first meeting twenty months ago was not interested in anything other than playing on the bed. No change of mind on his side : the trip we had planned to Hua Hin was mostly devoted to hugging and some other basic needs, the rain being a good excuse for staying in bed longer than appropriate.

This guy is only 20, with the boy-around-the-corner look that I like (see picture below), something in his eyes which says « come », and skillful enough for endless entertaining . I still wonder why he is always willing to stay with this older farang. Sure he did not turn down the money I offered him, but I also think that these upcountry boys have a rather boring life : so some seize every opportunity just to leave their place and discover new people, provided that the farang understands and respects them, and can speak some thai.

We just found some time to visit the new Water Market, far enough from town and not really worth the trip. When going to the beach, we were both repelled by the awful stench of horses, who are said to be the main attraction of the place … I also visited – alone - the two remaining bars in town, both very quiet with only two three boys in each.

Two nights in Hua Hin and one in Bangkok with this devil were enough to tear me out, and I am now happy to stay on my own for at least three nights in the thai capital.

Non-essential

If I were an american or malaysian citizen, I would be supposed to consider cancelling any non-essential travel to Thailand. Anyway I obviously do not feel concerned : like the former 26 trips since 1996, this one cannot be postponed by any means.

Flights and hotels in Cambodia are booked, with three nights in Pnom Penh and four in Siem Reap with my boyfriend. Nice to know that the most famous tourist place in Cambodia is also home to a vibrant gay nightlife, at least by local standards. I am really looking forward at staying in Siem Reap after reading the excellent blog of an Australian expat living there (link updated on the right column) : a lot of information, nice pictures and clearly an invitation to know the place better.

I started to learn cambodian, just in case I love the country but I did not perform well ; this language has a really difficult alphabet and very few in common with thai language except for the figures and some rare words. It stroke me to see on Facebook that many local youngsters write their own language in phonetic English rather than using khmer spelling … very sad if you ask me.

However the faces and attitudes of khmer boys look 100 % asian which I will not lament … What do you think of the nice young thing on this picture from Facebook ?


Besides this one week-trip with my boyfriend, and the mandatory stay in Pattaya, I will allow a rather long time in Bangkok – demonstrations allowing. Thanks to Nok Air nice promotions, I jumped at the chance of doing a sidetrip to Hat Yai as no one seems to be able to update on the scene down there … And there will be another one to Hua Hin with the increasingly naughty Khorat boy, with whom many chats on Facebook thave turned rather lewd recently…

And they would like me to cancel such a nice program ?

Oh and by the way this is post #200 on this blog ... thank you for your reading and your support and good luck to all of you

Escaping to Tunisia

On the sound advise of one of the blog readers, I have decided to give Tunisia a try, be it only for a change of scenery and atmosphere. So I staid one week in Sousse, a coastal resort which besides having a good infrastructure is also known for its available boys.

Tunisian boys

You should know that same-sex relations are not allowed in Tunisia, just like prostitution is not permitted in Thailand ; nothing there which looks like gogo bars : however there are some meeting places in town where it is quite easy to find willing boys – or to be found by them. Most of these places are public bars or streets, so not as dangerous as you could imagine.

And yes the boys were there, despite still being low season, and some were gorgeous at least if you like manly well-built twinks or younger.

Do not think of bringing your boy to your hotel, nor topping him, or even having long kissing and cuddling sessions, but I had a good time with the ones I met. Some prices are lower than in Thailand (meals, hotel rooms, boys tips), some more expensive such as short-time rooms. All in all a good experience and I will probably go back but closer to summertime to enjoy a hotter weather, as it was chilly and windy for most of my stay.

Where the boys are : coastal road in Sousse

Freedom at last

Finally I've  got it ... I stopped working some weeks ago, being lucky to qualify for an early retirement due to the fact that I had begun working when I was only 14. And you know what ? I do not miss work at all ! In fact for the first time in my life I feel what freedom looks like and I simply could not go backwards any more.

I have yet to go to Thailand, and I would of course have reported here if I had gone. But I could have all the time I needed to prepare my next trip which is scheduled for next June. For the first time I could book my flights according to my own will without having to juggle all kinds of work commitments and deadlines, leave entitlements, weather conditions and airline promotions ... and that makes all the difference. This is what I call freedom, this what I call life.

These first months were devoted to many exciting tasks, such as resting, cycling, keeping up my thai language, looking at cycling races on TV ... And also allowing myself a trip to Tunisia as a retirement gift. 

Five weeks to go and I will be back again in Thailand ; for the first time (and because of a somewhat pushy boyfriend), I will spend one week in Cambodia. Now doing my homework ...

สวัสดีปีใหม่ 2557

                 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014 

    
    Thank you for coming, 
    Phuchai wishes you a nice new year full of sun and boys