Lemsta69

You don't have to be gay to go to gay bars, they don't ask your preferences at the door. I go to gay bars with my gay friend when we occasionally meet up and if he feels so inclined. I'm not a 'phobe. I've had a good time, especially in Cambodia a few years ago. A German guy running a Ponzi scheme opened all the gay bars on a street whose number escapes me. It was within walking distance of Street 182. However they hold no interest for me if I'm by myself. Thai gay bars even less so, to me the boys just aren't as cute as Indonesia or Cambodia. My friend hasn't had a boyfriend/partner for a while so I assumed that when he came up here to visit his older brother and his Thai sis-in-law that we'd do the family thing first, then hit Soi 2 for some boy action. I'd like to see the Silom Soi 2 scene firsthand instead of relying on others' opinions. But then he decides to tell us he's in a new relationship and has abandoned his former ways. I'm disappoint ????

The O visa can be obtained both inside AND outside of Thailand. It can be issued for a variety of reasons with the two most common ones asked about in here being Retirement and Marriage. The standard form of this visa is single entry which grants a permission to stay of 90 days. That can be extended one year at a time provided you meet the qualifying conditions. OA gives you a 12 month stay which explains the 18 month passport validity requirement (12+6).

I don't know what these guys are referring to. Either they're making up stories or there's a code I was never introduced to. 4 Sois, what does that mean? Patpong, Patpong 2, Thaniya and Soi 4 maybe? Doesn't make much sense to me as they are totally separate entertainment areas. According to the OP "Patpong" includes "Japanese St". I've always heard it referred to by it's actual name which is Thaniya. I've yet to try and visit any adult-oriented establishments on Thaniya. What's the point of going somewhere where you're not wanted and aren't willing to splash the cash like the Japanese guys do. Well I'm assuming that that's what they do in their snack bars based on the way they behave at Pink Panther. It is widely accepted that the girls sitting outside ignore farang and this has been my experience too, although I have made eye contact with a smile on my face a few times and gotten a smile back. I was also invited to enter a couple of premises about 6 months ago. I guess Covid had made them desperate for whatever trash they can pick up off the street ???? I declined the offers out of principle and also because the "snack bar" concept doesn't really appeal to me. Soi 2? I heard it's totally gay but I've never been there to check it out because I'm not gay so it's kind of pointless. I was hoping to check it out with a friend who came up from Jakarta but he's got himself a new boyfriend down there and was being faithful lol. All I know about it is that at 2am closing a mass of people spill out onto Silom and the waiting tuk tuks and taxis and private cars just about turn the road into a parking lot. Soi 4? I heard it is more mixed than gay and it seems to be busier than Patpong when I walk past it. Again, even though I'm "rainbow friendly" haven't been there because it's not my scene. There's also a small gay scene on Surawong Soi 37 aka Soi Tantawan. The couple of boys clubs there have pictures of these big muscly dudes who spend far too much time in the gym. Again, not my thing so haven't been inside to check if the real thing is as advertised or if they're doing a McDonald's menu bait and switch. As mentioned earlier I was out on Patpong last night and despite the claims otherwise I saw no "encroachment" of LB bars. There is, however, a new gay club on the soi that connects PP1 and PP2. The one that is to the north of Foodland. They have an illuminated sign with a picture of a bunch of boys at the bottom and a couple of drag queens at the to so I guess they do a cabaret show at some point in the evening. Perhaps that's what the other poster meant by "encroachment" of LB bars because he's too ignorant to know the difference between a drag queen and a ladyboy. I also seriously doubt that the one or two upstairs bars that are operating are still doing that 3,000 baht bar tab scam. One upstairs-only bar that is a little bit south of Tip Top (sorry, got drunk and forgot the name) actually has a ticket booth at the bottom of the stairs which I found quite amusing from my vantage point at the bar next door. I didn't see any customers actually go inside, just a farang couple who seemed to be quibbling about the price. They tried to entice me in but again I declined. I'm not a fan of paying to get inside a club and since they didn't offer me a hansum man/local resident discount I just smiled and walked on up the road to Pink Panther where I stayed until 2am close. So I kinda failed last night, I was hoping to visit a few more bars than I did. Sorry fellas, I'll try harder next time ????

I got told last night that the night market is slated to return on December 8. I honestly have no way of verifying that info so only time will tell.

You really don't need to do that, they'll probably just tell you the same nonsense that they told you before. As Joe mentioned, they're just making it up as they go along.

I can't work out why his game is apart from bombastically saying "black" any time someone says "white". His farang are devils, Thais are angels schtick is wearing a bit thin.

are you a man or are you a mouse? squeak squeak, where's that fkn cheese!

doesn't really help the OP though, did it? do you actually know how to solve problems or are you just full of hot air? that was a rhetorical question.

Aah the good old days ????

You're really starting to show your lack of experience Sparky.

you'll get no argument from me, the old days were definitely better. but I'm here now and making do as best I can.

You're talking about Silom sois. Sparktrader was referring to Patpong which I assumed meant PP1 AND PP2. I'm on PP2 now. Send me ten grand and I'll visit every bar to make sure that they're not all gay ????

Good question because it's a bit out of the way over there in Rattanakosin. Taxi to the nearest BTS or MRT I suppose. Or the local bus if they're really on a shoestring. Flashpackers will likely take a taxi. I don't know what the hardcore begpackers do these days to save money. Supposedly there's the S1 bus that goes from Democracy to Swampy for 60 baht that takes its own sweet time. Since the Lonely Planet nuked the Thorn Tree forum I don't know where to go to keep up with the latest from that sector of the travel market.

I used to but then I got sweet on a coyote dancer at the Panther so I stopped going before I did anything silly like ask her out ???????????? I might go there tonight to see what's up, it's Saturday night so hopefully not as dead as before.

When where you there last? I've not been in a few months but last time I saw only a few LB bars. Pinocchio Club and "Tony's bar" (forget the name, it's to the right of Top Light). Looks like I'll have to get out tonight and have a squizz ????

It never was exclusively like that. It was rocking 20 years ago but is unfortunately a shadow of its former self these days.

Nonsense.

BarBar. Went there once. Expensive. 1,000 baht cover charge which includes 1 drink. 300 baht lady drinks. Mistresses were ladies but the subs were kathoeys. Didn't worry me because I'm easy but if it's not your thing then no point going. I'll spare you the gory details but I had a great time despite the drastic effect on my wallet PS. that was 6 months ago and I haven't been back since so they may have changed their lineup since then.

Hmm...any more information? The internet says it's a coyote club and they don't go home with dirty foreigners do they? ????????????

But this is Thailand, they do it their own special way and that's why we love the place ????????????????. Comparisons to other countries are, simply put, meaningless.

Yeah I don't think there's anything you can do about that. I only suggested that laminated card option as it is more convenient than paper copies and you don't have to hand your phone over to anyone should you keep photos of your PP on it. The only drawback is where to find a blessed shop that can do it! ????

some people make a habit of going to a photo shop and getting a miniature laminated copy of their passport photo page and current permitted to stay stamp. i've done it once before and think it's a good idea but for some reason I just haven't gotten around to it this trip (been here almost a year on a 'retirement visa' ????)

I don't think she's got any tears left after what we've subjected her to so far.

It had bloody well better get cooler here in Lumphini because after last month's leccy bill I've had to ditch the aircon and buy a fan. Currently sweltering at 31°C in my room ???? Hopefully I can keep this up for more than a few days and finally start acclimatising to the local weather if that's even possible.

Don't you have to say "Lobinson"? I'm in Bangkok and I find that if I pronounce my rrrs I get blank stares. Then when I repeat the word using the vernacular it's all smiles and "150 baht" ????