In Europe, what city is closest to "Bangkok" in terms of providers?

[marylander1940]

On 2/12/2024 at 3:45 AM, newdad said:

Where there's pretty much a plenty, and laws against it is not really enforced?

More like laws against it don't exist. 

[Marc in Calif]

2 hours ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

this is a more accurate way to make the point - yes.

It could also be the absence of Catholicism/Christianity since Thailand  was the only country in the region that avoided European colonization 

No, that simplistic reasoning is still off the mark.

Even those Southeast Asian countries that suffered under European (Christian)  colonization have always had much more permissive and tolerant societies in matters of sexual expression. As you know, both Hinduism and Buddhism have permeated the region for more than a millennium, long predating any strong European Christian influences on society. 

And here's another, much more complex example: the various traditions of transvestism and gender pluralism in Asia and the Pacific -- which predated European contact. 

According to Peter Jackson, a scholar at the Australian National University in Canberra, gender was not differentiated in Thailand until the 1800s. Before then, Thai princes and princesses dressed the same, with matching hairstyles. But in the 19th century, to impress the British, the Thai monarchy decided that women and men should be clearly differentiated with unique clothing and hairstyles. So Thailand embarked on a strategy to make its women look like women, and its men look like men, based on a very British model of gender. By the early 1900s, Rama V, the king of Thailand, imposed Western notions of dimorphic gender, and forced the crystallisation of what a woman and a man should be; all subjects thereafter had to be clearly female or male. For Jackson, this is when gender pluralism began to increase. When gender is not strictly mandated to follow a binary, there is no need for individuals to be transgender because there is nothing to transverse. So in fact the Western gender system created ‘transgenderism’ – crossing from one gender to another made no sense in Thailand when there weren’t two strictly defined genders. Hence the most well-known transgender in Southeast Asia: the kathoey, often referred to by the derogatory term ‘ladyboys’.

Edited February 13 by Marc in Calif

[Luv2play]

On 2/12/2024 at 10:33 AM, marylander1940 said:

Madrid and Barcelona by far!

Legal, reasonably priced, plenty of choices to meet guys in brothels, bars, cruising areas (Montjuic), etc. Obviously the younger and in better shape you're the more likely to get it for free but we're on this site for a reason.

Speak for yourself. I resemble that remark. Lol

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

 

Quote

In Europe, what city is closest to "Bangkok" in terms of providers

Look for a city with a neighborhood with the highest concentration of Thai immigrants

[SouthOfTheBorder]

1 hour ago, Marc in Calif said:

often referred to by the derogatory term ‘ladyboys

you should get on a plane to Bangkok & ask the locals to change their advertising signs. and while you’re there, ask them to stop using that very common word as they try to lure customers of all ethnicities into their bars 

Im sure they will appreciate your very delicate sensitivities & Wikipedia expertise

the ones who never get laid are always so bitter & jealous 

 

Edited February 13 by SouthOfTheBorder

[Luv2play]

3 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

Potato / Potatoe

I am speaking to an audience that's primarily American so lots of members here who suffered the anxiety of Catholic guilt about sex.

Let’s not forget the Puritans. They were preaching their views in America 200 years before the Catholics showed up in any numbers. 

[marylander1940]

43 minutes ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

you should get on a plane to Bangkok & ask the locals to change their advertising signs. and while you’re there, ask them to stop using that very common word as they try to lure customers of all ethnicities into their bars 

Im sure they will appreciate your very delicate sensitivities & Wikipedia expertise

the ones who never get laid are always so bitter & jealous 

 

 

@Marc in Calif gets laid plenty for free and he also hires!

 

[MikeBiDude]

Moderator note: to help stay on the original topic here this post has been moved to Travel Desk, Europe. Let’s keep to the OP’s topic and avoid religion. Thanks.

[Marc in Calif]

1 hour ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

you should get on a plane to Bangkok & ask the locals to change their advertising signs. and while you’re there, ask them to stop using that very common word as they try to lure customers of all ethnicities into their bars 

Im sure they will appreciate your very delicate sensitivities & Wikipedia expertise

the ones who never get laid are always so bitter & jealous 

 

Well, I was there last October and had my usual fill of friends, men, and lads. 

The term "ladyboy" has always amused me. It's a Thainglish formation that they seem to love because it's all for you and not for them. So if you love been pandered to, go for it! 😂

In Europe, the closest thing to being in Bangkok is indeed Barcelona. However, that lovely city doesn't have the huge number of gay massage parlors as in the Land of Smiles.

But in terms of escorts and providers, Barcelona is still #1 on the international circuit of  Deli boys.

Edited February 14 by Marc in Calif

[SouthOfTheBorder]

8 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

It's a Thainglish formation that they seem to love because it's all for you and not for them. So if you love been pandered to, go for it

well then - given English is the default language in Thailand for all foreigners, including Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Europeans, Russians, etc  and the Thais who communicate with them  -  it would seem they are “pandering” to everyone who is not Thai.  
It’s the Thai people who have elected to use that term and put into everyday usage.  And the very people who are the ladyboys are the people using that word the most - calling out to all foreigners passing by the numerous venues.  Hard to fathom they would continue to use a word they find so deeply insulting & derogatory over & over & over. 
So, it’s not really for me - it’s for everyone who is not Thai.  And that would include you & likely everyone else reading this forum.

i guess you’re using “Thainglish” as a descriptor to imply the Thais don’t really know what they’re saying or some inappropriate mash-up of English & Thai.  “Thainglish” is not a word in common usage & I doubt you’d hear Thai people use that themselves.  That’s insulting, derogatory & condescending.   But, if thats “amusing” for you - then who is really lacking the cultural sensitivities ?  Hypocrites generally lack self-awareness which is on full-display here.

8 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

Well, I was there last October

October ?  that says quite a bit.  Omg - no. 

8 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

that lovely city doesn't have

While Barcelona has it charms, including Thermas & many providers - it hasn’t been considered “lovely” for years.  It’s one of the most over-touristed cities in the world, overrun with obnoxious loud Americans, digital nomads & cruise ship passengers. And it’s become very dirty & sketchy (in parts) post Catalonia independence movement when most major banks & business fled Barcelona to Madrid. There’s an economic malaise that’s settled in which translates to a general decline overall.   It’s still worth a visit and I go frequently - but lovely is just not a word to describe Barcelona in its current state.  Other than Thermas, which is the defining variable in this discussion - Madrid is superior in every way.  Wikipedia might say something different, of course 

and as per usual - the trolls hijack a thread with comments that have nothing to do with OPs original question. the goal, it seems is to make it all about them.  What’s amusing to me are the people who troll these forums but post nothing about the core subject matter, meaning providers & venues.  Obviously the agenda is for something else.

Edited February 14 by SouthOfTheBorder

[cany10011]

On 2/12/2024 at 5:10 AM, Zippo5 said:

Barcelona's always a good bet, especially with Sauna Thermas.  London has loads, and Villa Giani. 

Agree with Barcelona It's much faster to travel to for me (from NYC) than it is to go to Rio. Lots of options in the saunas... and the prices are still quite reasonable. The food scene in BCN is awesome as well.

[Marc in Calif]

10 hours ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

i guess you’re using “Thainglish” as a descriptor to imply the Thais don’t really know what they’re saying or some inappropriate mash-up of English & Thai.  “Thainglish” is not a word in common usage & I doubt you’d hear Thai people use that themselves.  

Your notions about Barcelona are kinda stuck in 2017-18. It's still a very lovely city, with many quality-of-life indexes higher than in Madrid. But I'm glad you agree that Barcelona is a city that offers large numbers of quality providers -- which is the topic of this thread.

In Bangkok, if you've never heard Thai people use the terms Tinglish, Thainglish, or Thaiglish, you're not listening very carefully. Or perhaps you meet only one type?

Referring to such terms does NOT mean that Thais have no idea what they're saying. Where did you get that idea? Do pochos in Mexico and the US not understand what they're saying? 

FYI... "Mashup" terms like Thainglish, Singlish, and Manglish are well known by locals in those three countries. Listen up -- not everything is on Wikipedia! ☺️

Edited February 14 by Marc in Calif

[SouthOfTheBorder]

2 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

Your notions about Barcelona are kinda stuck in 2017-18

Im in BCN every 6-weeks & know the city very well.  I’m in Madrid frequently too & I’ll be there next weekend (again). You have no idea what you’re talking about.  

fyi - I don’t use Wikipedia as a source.  you do - I’ve seen it. Want the receipts ?  because when you run to the mods later, remember- you asked for it 

 

Edited February 14 by SouthOfTheBorder

[Marc in Calif]

14 minutes ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

Im in BCN every 6-weeks & know the city very well.  I’m in Madrid frequently too & I’ll be there next weekend (again). You have no idea what you’re talking about.  

fyi - I don’t use Wikipedia as a source.  you do - I’ve seen it. Want the receipts ?

 

So why is Barcelona rated higher than Madrid on many quality-of-life indexes? You must know!

Yes, it's indexes instead of indices -- just in case that's your next trigger. ☺️

Edited February 14 by Marc in Calif

[SouthOfTheBorder]

@Marc in Calif do you want the receipts ? yes or no 

[Marc in Calif]

7 hours ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

@Marc in Calif do you want the receipts ? yes or no 

If you have receipts about Barcelona being similar to Bangkok, please go ahead.

But if you don't like being confronted with verified facts, I can't help you there. You'll have to do your own research.

Edited February 15 by Marc in Calif

[KyleSmith4]

4 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

 

 

4 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

If you have receipts about Barcelona being similar to Bangkok, please go ahead.

But if you don't being confronted with verified facts, I can't help you there. You'll have to do your own research.

 

[SirBillybob]

Albeit irksomely, Irkutsk RUSSIA.

Edited February 15 by SirBillybob

[SouthOfTheBorder]

the OPs original question was which European city was most like Bangkok - the simple answer is no city in Europe comes close.  But, if having to choose one it would be Barcelona.

The one thing that makes Barcelona just a bit similar is Thermas - a venue where you can find paid sex.  That’s it.

Then there was another questions about Madrid vs Barcelona: if you remove Thermas from the equation - Madrid wins in almost every comparison.  Madrid is vibrant, clean & relatively safe while Barcelona suffers overtourism & all the attendant problems of a very small city inundated w tourists & the after effects of Catalan independence referendum.  While many may not understand why Barcelona is in decline - the actual decline is obvious if only visiting for a couple of days.  Still beautiful of course, but not very pleasant; crowded, dirty & plagued by petty crime targeting tourists.

btw - thousands of businesses, including big banks & corporations left Barcelona for Madrid post Catalan referendum because of political instability.  That’s a fact.  And it remains an unsettled question - so, they aren’t going back.  The entire episode inadvertently gave Madrid an economic advantage & was really just self-inflicted harm for Barcelona.

As for providers online - Madrid still wins.  It is the center of Spanish speaking world and filed with recent arrivals from Cuba, DR, Colombia, Venezuela, Brasil (yes - not Spanish speaking), Argentina, etc.  Spain has a relatively easy immigration policy and according tho the guys themselves, most prefer Madrid. 
I still visit Barcelona frequently, but it’s really for Thermas.  If it wasn’t there, then probably not.

Below is a Financial Times piece dated February 2023 which explains Barcelona’s lingering problems.  
 

https://www.ft.com/content/18f0ca8c-607b-4633-a83f-e99f71a046e8

Edited February 15 by SouthOfTheBorder

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

1 hour ago, SirBillybob said:

Albeit irksomely, Irkutsk RUSSIA.

Since Irkutsk is in Asia, the Original Poster might as well travel to Bangkok.  After all, he's looking for a European city that reminds him of his good old days in Bangkok, presumably because he's in Europe or will be on holiday there soon.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 2/12/2024 at 4:29 AM, newdad said:

what your experience with Bangkok like? Care to share?

@newdad that might help the rest of us, if you elaborate more on your experience in Bangkok.  Then others would know what you're looking for in other cities that are similar.

[+ Lucky]

21 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

 

In Bangkok, if you've never heard Thai people use the terms Tinglish, Thainglish, or Thaiglish, you're not listening very carefully. Or perhaps you meet only one type?

Referring to such terms does NOT mean that Thais have no idea what they're saying. Where did you get that idea? Do pochos in Mexico and the US not understand what they're saying? 

FYI... "Mashup" terms like Thainglish, Singlish, and Manglish are well known by locals in those three countries. Listen up -- not everything is on Wikipedia! ☺️

I have been to Bangkok 15 or so times and never heard these terms used. Just saying.

[SouthOfTheBorder]

21 minutes ago, Lucky said:

I have been to Bangkok 15 or so times and never heard these terms used. Just saying.

that type slang is thrown around frequently & it’s always derogatory.  

just makes the person using the term sound stupid & typically dated/out-of-touch

obviously they don’t know any better

[SirBillybob]

2 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Since Irkutsk is in Asia, the Original Poster might as well travel to Bangkok.  After all, he's looking for a European city that reminds him of his good old days in Bangkok, presumably because he's in Europe or will be on holiday there soon.

No flies on you but I am going by the UN classification, not the territorial you correctly point out. Personally I have not been to any European city evocative of Bangkok or vice versa. 

Edited February 15 by SirBillybob

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

1 minute ago, SirBillybob said:

No flies on you but I am going by the UN classification, not the territorial you correctly point out. 

Good point.  I wonder if @newdadis looking for generically European men in an atmosphere similar to Bangkok, or if he's looking for Asian men without having to travel to Asia.