Thailand visit

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Thailand visit--airline comfort

 

Terry, I like your initial itinerary, but I'd like to second another's suggestion: spend at least 3 or more days in Pattaya and fly to Chaing Mai if possible. I think you'd be better off.

 

I want to thank Rampo for mentioning the markets; I've done them alone and have enjoyed, but the one in Bkk was slightly overwhelming for me; it is sooooooo large.

 

When I went I boarded the sky train and went, curiously enjoying the innumerable stalls until I tired. I left at a good time and returned to my hotel and rested.

 

Just think-- I was there this time in 2005 and remained in the country until mid January-- my solo itinerary went as thus: Bkk, Pattaya, Phuket, Bkk. I think this was a 14day extension after my 2wk+ tour.

 

Enjoy, man! Remember to keep your wits about you and be SAFE!!

[raulgmanzo]

Pullman sleeper to Koh Samui

 

Yes Koh Samui is probably a good alternative although for better or worse I hear it's not quite as laid back or back woodsy a place as when I was there way back. That was before regular air service and back when many a cafe had magic mushroom omelletes on their menus.

 

As you don't have a lot of time it probably makes sense to fly directly to Koh Samui but there are trains and buses from Bangkok to Suratthani or Don Sak from where there are express boats and slow ferries to Samui.

 

Years ago I went there by overnight train from Bangkok to Sura Thani. The sleeping accomodations were very comfotable old pullman sleepers. Before the sleeper is pulled out you have a very large seat with great view as there is only one on either side of the aisle. The food and service on the train was pretty decent. Arriving in Surathani as the sun rose and vendors appeared with innumerable types of tasty khanom was fantastic.

[TerryP]

RE: Pullman sleeper to Koh Samui

 

Happy New Year everyone. Now that the holidays are over, I'm waking this thread up again.

 

To update everyone, I have decided (although everything is subject to change, I really like to have a tentative itinerary - I am one of those people who are more relaxed when I have a plan) to spend the first three nights in BKK at Vincent's Guesthouse, then take Bangkok Air to Koh Samui (they have flights for only 3400 baht). For accomodation in Samui, I found this place:

http://www.akwaguesthouse.com/

The reviews on tripadvisor and other sites are excellent.

 

As I definitely want to make this partly a beach holiday, and there are also gay bars, host bars, etc on Samui to keep me entertained, I will probably stay there for 6 nights.

 

Then I plan to fly to Samui to Chiang Mai (5500 baht on Bangkok Air). I am thinking 4 nights in Chaing Mai???

 

That would leave me 3 more nights to go back to Bangkok before my flight (or if I am not as excited by BKK as I think I will be, I can head to Pattaya or Samet from there).

 

At this pace I probably won't get to enjoy a train ride, but the airfare is so inexpensive that I am really leaning towards the three flights (BKK to Samui, Samui to Chiang Mai, and Chiang Mai to BKK).

 

Would love to hear any comments.

 

Also, if anyone can make any recommendations for shopping, I am looking for cool designer clothes for less than what I would pay here, and I will also need some Thailand appropriate clothing (ie lightweight pants that I can wear out to dinner and to the temples). I will be packing mostly shorts and tshirts - it is impossible to buy, for example, linen pants in Canada in January. For some reason.

[Guest rampo]

RE: Pullman sleeper to Koh Samui

 

Your plan sounds pretty good to me, and I think you made the right decision on taking planes. Trains are fine if you are in Thailand for 3 or 4 weeks, but if you're only there for a couple of weeks it eats up a lot of valuable time.

 

Bangkok has plenty of high-end shops with designer clothing, but prices aren't really all that much lower (there are plenty of wealthy people who live in or visit Thailand). Siam Discovery mall is on the high end; MBK is a not as fancy and a lot more fun. You may want to check out the many shops in the Pratunam area. It's Bangkok's garment district and has all varieties of clothing at quite decent prices. It's also a madhouse - and quite fun.

 

As for Thailand appropriate clothing, shorts are fine at the beach areas but you will stand out like a sore thumb in Bangkok, especially in the evenings. Chinos are usually light enough for Thailand weather. If you really want linen, you can visit one of Bangkok's many many tailors and have something made. Chiang Mai may be a bit cool in the evenings - high 50s/low 60s, but Bangkok and south will be quite warm. Don't be surprised if you let out a gasp as you step off the plane upon arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport - the humidity and heat are a bit of shock.

[fedssocr1]

RE: Pullman sleeper to Koh Samui

 

for lighter weight clothes you can try catalogs like LL Bean. I bought a couple of pairs of their "tropic weight" cotton pants that I really like. They are not exactly cheap though. They have odd sizes though which is nice. http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=tropic-weight-pants&categoryId=34491&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=502922&cat4=502921&shop_method=pp&feat=502922-tn

 

I wore long pants pretty much all the time except at the beach and running around BKK during the day a couple of times when it was pretty hot. All the rest of the tourists were wearing them so I figured "what the heck"

[TerryP]

Wow! I leave on my trip in exactly one week. I think I have read everything there is, especially about 'gay' Thailand. Any last minute tips are still appreciated though. Wish me luck! I'll be sure to post a first-timers report when I get back.

- Terry

[fedssocr1]

I'm sure you'll have a great time. The Thais are incredibly hospitable.

 

You may want to learn a couple of words or phrases before you go. They truly do love it when the farang has taken the time to learn a little bit of Thai.

 

I used to have link for a site that had little sound bites by native speakers. But here's one with just transliteration

http://www.khaosanroad.com/speak.html

 

I think the hardest concept for me in Thai is the notion of the "polite" word that comes at the end of basically every sentence/phrase. It is based on the gender of the speaker, so for a male speaker the word is "khrap" or "krup" or "krub". Any approximation of that should do the trick. I have trouble remembering to throw it in there though for some reason.

 

hello and good bye are both sawadee khrap

thank you is kobp koon khrap

 

There is no standardized transliteration of Thai to the Roman alphabet so what you see in phrase books and the like are approximations of the sounds. The Lonely Planet Thai-English phrase book is very good if you can find it. It has the phrase in Thai script as well as in English and transliterated. So if you are really desperate you can just point to the Thai script in the book.

 

chok dee! (good luck)

[TerryP]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that things are going well in Thailand. Other than the jetlag, which was terrible for 2-3 days, Bangkok has been wonderful. I offed a guy from Tawan two nights ago, which was a lot of fun, and he even gave me his 'business card' when we were done (it described him as an escort, tour guide, and security guard).

 

I stayed at "Vincent's & The Seven Rooms" the first few nights, but moved to the Tivoli Hotel last night. It's very nice, only a year old, and a great bargain. I do not know what their joiner fee is though - the hotel directory says they have one.

 

If anyone has any questions or wants more information, let me know. Off to Koh Samui today.

- Terry

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Thailand visitT

 

Terry,

 

Please keep us posted while you're traveling or when you return to your home base. Additional information is always helpful for us travelers to "The Land of Smiles!"

 

Also, if you do not mind, please post the pertinent information about the muscle stud who you offed. If you are not comfortable posting publicly, then please email to me privately! It'd be most appreciated.

 

 

Many of the guys have done as mentioned in the aforementioned. It has helped both the client and escort/tour guide, etc....

[kjun]

Terry, don't you find the Tivoli to be a bit expensive? Certainly more than Vincents I would think. Why did you choose to move? Did you check out the Malaysia porch cafe?

 

the Cajun

[TerryP]

Hi. I will pull the guy's business card out of my pile of souvenirs and post the info next time I get a chance.

 

As for the Tivoli, I was paying 1200 baht at Vincent's, but it was full the last night of my stay. I was on a waiting list but it didn't open up. Plus there was no hot water the last day (Vincent said he was calling a technician to come the next day.)

 

Tivoli cut me a deal of 2000 baht including taxes, it is normally 2000++, and it includes a really awesome breakfast, and has a nice rooftop pool, and free internet. And I'm told there is no joiner fee, although I did not partake that night. So really not bad value. The bed is small in the basic room though...the double bed room is 3000 baht I think.

 

- Terry

[Guest atl0001]

If you visit any massage parlors with major muscle guys or bodybuilders, do let us know! Thanks!

[TerryP]

Hi. The only massage place I visited was B&N in Bangkok, and there were no real muscle guys. I did have a good massage (plus extras) from a cute, ripped little guy who was covered in tatoos. Was pretty good. I especially like getting washed in the shower.

 

I went to Tawan twice during my stay. The first visit I mentioned in an earlier post. The guy gave me his business card so I don't think he is shy about his details being passed around, so I will post the details:

His name is "Wichai"

The card reads:

Escort - Tourguide

Security/Bodyguard

Personal Trainer

 

At your service hourly/daily/weekly

+ 66 (0) 85 - 1618194

 

He is quite hot if you like the bodybuilder type, but is not huge (so like most of the guys at Tawan really).

 

My second visit to Tawan was even better, as I managed to get a guy who I had my eye on the first trip, but was busy. He had a Superman theme going - superman tatoo, superman pendant on a necklace, and a superman belt buckle on his jeans (which I saw after he got dressed to come with me). He is #10 at the bar and his name is Meknin I believe, but I may be off a couple letters.

 

He is a little on the short side - maybe 5'6, but big and lean, and only 25. He has a nice cock (average size), likes to show off and flex his muscles (or maybe he is just very accomodating as I let him know from the beginning that I liked that), kisses with tongue (although not a whole lot), and did not rush the session. I almost would go back just to see him.

 

Both guys topped me by the way, and I paid both 2000 baht.

[Guest icon513]

You can find muscle guy masseurs at Hero.