Bangkok Reports

[Goatscrot]

Yes, every day I try to jot down at least where I am and what I'm doing. So by this point I've got a huge record of places, friends, bars, girls etc. Highlights include Ermita in the early '80's (best ever, for me), Jarkarta in the '90's (a close #2), Angeles in the final years of Clark AFB, and of course Bangkok and Pattaya over the years. It's good fun to dip back into it sometimes, though mainly makes me realize how much of my life I've spent partying!

I've heard great things about Korea pre-olympics. I also enjoyed Batam in the early 00s. And of course Cambo late 90s early 00s.

[Sam Sanuk]

Huh? The Japanese were definitely not the first wave in Thermae.

I echo your opinion. My first visit to the Thermae was is 1986. I recall seeing NO Asians other than the freelancers and employees.

In those days, I stayed in the Sukhumvit wing of the Ambassador Hotel (which burned down years later). At that time there was a great restaurant of huge proportions in the Sukhumvit wing. Great lunch buffet in the daytime; served food with live music and rotating singers at night. AND scores of freelancers sitting at tables by themselves or with colleagues.

One night, I noticed three guys sitting at a table with 3 freelancers. One of the guys, seeing that I was alone, motioned me over. So I joined their table. Turned out that the 3 dudes were Arabs in BKK for biz. One of the guys asked me if I'the been to the Thermae. I did not know of it. He offered to show me and, a bit reluctantly, I followed him along Sukhumvit maybe 100 yards where he turned right into a VERY dark alley. Maybe 40 yards later we were at the back of the building and it was well lit. It was obvious "something" was going on. Past the bathrooms and down the stairs, I can only describe it as a happening place! It reminded me a bit of something out of The Blade Runner. The "eye candy" quotient wasn't what it seems to be these days (if YouTube videos are accurate). I haven't been to the Thermae in maybe 3 decades. Cowboy and Nana are my "go to" venues.

Sam.

[Betong]

Have you kept a diary / journal of all your exploits since way back to 1996 and yonder?

Yes, every day I try to jot down at least where I am and what I'm doing. So by this point I've got a huge record of places, friends, bars, girls etc. Highlights include Ermita in the early '80's (best ever, for me), Jarkarta in the '90's (a close #2), Angeles in the final years of Clark AFB, and of course Bangkok and Pattaya over the years. It's good fun to dip back into it sometimes, though mainly makes me realize how much of my life I've spent partying!

[Goatscrot]

Just looked it up in my journal -- the last night at the old location was 13 July 1996. There was no party as such but a lot of other old Bangkok hands showed up (I still keep meeting people who say they were there) and it felt like a bit of history in the making. I've never enjoyed the new venue as much but I'm probably just getting old and cranky. And yes, no Japanese as of then. It was mostly Anglophones plus some Germans and Scandinavians.

Jealous. Would have loved to have gone there. I do feel like I got to enjoy the end of the golden age of Go-Go's and FLs. All started to take a bit of a nosedive after the 06 coup. But then after that was the heyday of the oiles up until about 2015. And then the wonderful online scene during covid.

[Goatscrot]

You misinterpreted me Goat, or I was too obscure. I thought it was clear from the context, they were the first wave of Asians in Thermae.

THermae is still a fun place, it just lacks young partying dudes like we used to be.

Ah, yes, they were the first Asians for sure. I don't find it much fun anymore truthfully, although it is a good laugh to go occasionally. I like to say Hello, to Somchai and the other waiters.

[CatBert55]

Did you ever try Mai and Nong? If so was it worth it, any hassle getting the table into the hotel!

I've had good sessions and just OK sessions. Girls are Tulips like quality. Not the best looking but most are skilled and enthusiastic. The table folds down into a portable carrying case. It's just a massage table with a strategically placed hole, so it just looks like someone bringing in a portable massage table.

[PgReal]

Thanks for the heads up, both the option and the review. I'll check out their website. I may just go to Mai and Nong's place first since it's their specialty. I'll see if any girls are attractive to me and go from there. I can always try Analisa or paradise if the girls don't move me.

Did you ever try Mai and Nong? If so was it worth it, any hassle getting the table into the hotel!

[PgReal]

Just looked it up in my journal -- the last night at the old location was 13 July 1996. There was no party as such but a lot of other old Bangkok hands showed up (I still keep meeting people who say they were there) and it felt like a bit of history in the making. I've never enjoyed the new venue as much but I'm probably just getting old and cranky. And yes, no Japanese as of then. It was mostly Anglophones plus some Germans and Scandinavians.

Only asking out of pure curiousity, nothing more sinister. Have you kept a diary / journal of all your exploits since way back to 1996 and yonder? Wow, has to be book or two of stories you could publish amongst them!

[Betong]

Sadly I never got to go to Thermae when it was located down the street in the Miami Hotel.

Just looked it up in my journal -- the last night at the old location was 13 July 1996. There was no party as such but a lot of other old Bangkok hands showed up (I still keep meeting people who say they were there) and it felt like a bit of history in the making. I've never enjoyed the new venue as much but I'm probably just getting old and cranky. And yes, no Japanese as of then. It was mostly Anglophones plus some Germans and Scandinavians.

[Nyezhov]

Huh? The Japanese were definitely not the first wave in Thermae. When I started going there in the late 90's there were no Japanese. They didn't arrive until about 2001 and it first there were only a few of them at the back. This changed when the coffee shop at the Siam City Hotel on Petchaburi Road closed. It was the Asian Thermae. Many of the girls there migrated and the number of Japanese began to increase. Thermae was actually a very fun place before it became a majority Asian dudes. Gals we're far more forward and aggressive not standing like wallflowers occasionally giving a smile. Girls were drinking, partying, and dancing by the jukebox. Sadly I never got to go to Thermae when it was located down the street in the Miami Hotel. It moved about a year before my first visit.

You misinterpreted me Goat, or I was too obscure. I thought it was clear from the context, they were the first wave of Asians in Thermae.

THermae is still a fun place, it just lacks young partying dudes like we used to be.

[Goatscrot]

Well when I'm there, that old farang guy would be me. I try to sit at the far right side table under the AC vent so I can keep an eye on the TV while I nurse my cola, get backslaps and shoulder rubs from the staff as they pass by and answer questions from clueless Asians in broken English.

The Japanese are pros in Thermae because they were the first wave and are the "#1" in the Asian hierarchy scale. I have talked to some Japanes guys that have been going there for years. Koreans would be next, Chinese are seen as ki nok or ban nok.

If I spy one I like, after relaxing, I grab her.

The food isn't bad there and if you ask for spicy, you will get spicy.

Huh? The Japanese were definitely not the first wave in Thermae. When I started going there in the late 90's there were no Japanese. They didn't arrive until about 2001 and it first there were only a few of them at the back. This changed when the coffee shop at the Siam City Hotel on Petchaburi Road closed. It was the Asian Thermae. Many of the girls there migrated and the number of Japanese began to increase. Thermae was actually a very fun place before it became a majority Asian dudes. Gals we're far more forward and aggressive not standing like wallflowers occasionally giving a smile. Girls were drinking, partying, and dancing by the jukebox. Sadly I never got to go to Thermae when it was located down the street in the Miami Hotel. It moved about a year before my first visit.

[Llantarnam]

........and if you ask for spicy, you will get spicy.

Is that the food or the women?

[Nyezhov]

I was only there to check it out. Some women showed interest, but not all. One old farang was just sitting there by himself, not walking around or talking to any girls. The only ones I saw leaving with girls were Asian guys.

Well when I'm there, that old farang guy would be me. I try to sit at the far right side table under the AC vent so I can keep an eye on the TV while I nurse my cola, get backslaps and shoulder rubs from the staff as they pass by and answer questions from clueless Asians in broken English.

The Japanese are pros in Thermae because they were the first wave and are the "#1" in the Asian hierarchy scale. I have talked to some Japanes guys that have been going there for years. Koreans would be next, Chinese are seen as ki nok or ban nok.

If I spy one I like, after relaxing, I grab her.

The food isn't bad there and if you ask for spicy, you will get spicy.

[Jimmy Boy 99]

That's how I look at it too. How did you, the other Farangs and Indians fair?

I have to say 1 thing about the Japanese. They can immediately see who they want and within 1-2 minutes off they go with a cute girl you didn't even notice yet. Happened to me at Classic 2 nights ago.

I was only there to check it out. Some women showed interest, but not all. One old farang was just sitting there by himself, not walking around or talking to any girls. The only ones I saw leaving with girls were Asian guys.

[Banana Boi]

The odds are in your favor.

That's how I look at it too. How did you, the other Farangs and Indians fair?

I have to say 1 thing about the Japanese. They can immediately see who they want and within 1-2 minutes off they go with a cute girl you didn't even notice yet. Happened to me at Classic 2 nights ago.