General Reports

[SubCmdr]

I am uncertain as to why, but there are always going to be people talking out of turn who do not know their facts.

I am not one of those people!

I AM the authority on Thai Gold up in this thread. I AM the only one that has written about it extensively since I got here. I AM sure someone will correctly me with their memories of the Glory Days, but once again with Thai Gold it is the gold spot price set by the market that determines value, not someone's memories or opinions.

Thai people use gold as a savings account. Gold shops are plentiful and allow you to buy and sell gold for fiat currency (THB) very easily. When in Thailand it often makes sense to do as the Thai people do.

I see gold as a store of value. I take 70000 THB and buy gold with it in Thailand. If times get hard I can sell that gold and (depending upon the price of gold at the time of sale) and get more or less 70000 THB back. No exchange rate issues.

I was on the street today and saw: Sell 32700 Buy 32600 a THB. That is a 100 THB spread between buying and selling. That is an immediate loss. But I cannot buy a shirt for 100 THB. Well that is a lie, I actually I could, just not one I would want to wear.

Intelligent girls hold onto their gold in case of a financial emergency. A stupid girl is going to waste her money. So it does not matter what form that you give it to her in. I will update the numbers with a boots on the ground observation the next time I make a gold run!

Ballin like Thai Gold Pro!

[Werqweq]

Come on now. Everyone supposed to know jewelry price and scrap melt down price is different. When you buy gold jewelry, they figure in design, kraftmanship, and time. When selling back to a gold shop, this is called scrap price. Slighty below the market rate for that day per ounce or 100 grams. We Indians know bling better than anybody. See how many times we've been robbed on Beach Road? So watcha talking about Willis? When you say she gets the same 20,000 baht price back from selling the necklace. No such thing.

Anyways, my buddy with his gold face mask during COVID. And Mr. Sul, the King of Bling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrrOjzmzYo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUm9ZzrGlc

Unless it's something unusual, the workmanship isn't that much in Thailand. Many years since I last associated with bargirls encouraging the current love of their life to buy them something to remember them by, only to sell it on the way back from the airport, but even today I'd doubt it would add much more than 500-1000 baht to the price of gold.

[ElMexicant]

Come on now. Everyone supposed to know jewelry price and scrap melt down price is different. When you buy gold jewelry, they figure in design, kraftmanship, and time. When selling back to a gold shop, this is called scrap price. Slighty below the market rate for that day per ounce or 100 grams. We Indians know bling better than anybody. See how many times we've been robbed on Beach Road? So watcha talking about Willis? When you say she gets the same 20,000 baht price back from selling the necklace. No such thing.

Anyways, my buddy with his gold face mask during COVID. And Mr. Sul, the King of Bling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrrOjzmzYo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUm9ZzrGlc

[SubCmdr]

Good idea, I forgot about that! The shop keeper will even give her a paper that suppossedly makes it easier for her to get the cash after I've left town.

Does anybody know how much loss is incurred when we do this? 5%? 10% 20%

Gold is sold in Thailand based on weight.

https://legal.co.th/resources/thaila...-measure-baht/

So the price for a item is the spot price of gold and set nationally for the week plus a premium. The premium is based on the amount of gold purchased. With the lowest premiums being on gold bars (no matter what the weight) compared to jewelry.

When the time comes to redeem your gold for fiat currency you will get the buy price but no premium. So if you holding period is not long enough for the price of gold to appreciate more than the premium that you paid for it you will lose money. I consider Thai Gold to be an intermediate to long term storage of value (not an investment).

In other words, you can give a girl gold that she can wear and trust me, she is only going to sell it if she really needs to. Personal ownership of gold is integrated into Thailand's Culture and Economy.

[ThaiGoodTimes]

If you want to monger in Isaan, stick to Roi-et, Udon Thani, Khorat / Nachon Tatchasima, Ubon Ratchanthani, or Surin. There is a mongering scene there, but you need to have the info. Thai men and local expats take advantage of it. These cities all have tons of options. Don't waste your time in smaller towns or villages.

You've left out Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Buriram that all have quite notable setups to play in.

I've been successful finding options without that much effort at all back in 2017 when I was a newbie novice staying in the above and your listed locations on a four week Isaan roadtrip.

Also to a lesser extent I was also successful when staying in Mukdahan, Yasothon, Chaiyaphum.

Bottom line is that it is everywhere, but be careful that you're not seen by the locals as stealing someone else's "lady".

Another place to find them is WeChat and it's people nearby feature.

[OzzieSuds]

Thanks for the advice. I'm researching some options out west, but there's very little information. I was hoping to get some Myanmar cuisine, but if I don't find anything concrete, I'll stick to ratchasima for my Feb. Trip.

I spent a few days in Natchon Ratchisima a few years back pre-covid. I was speaking at a conference at the University and there was a plethora of sweet young things keen to improve their english but I decided that was a bit close to home. There were a couple of soapies in the middle of town that were OK and some lady style bars where I got nowhere because of the language. I did find a few at a local restaurant that were willing. I was staying at a Dusit hotel and there were some lookers there but they needed to look after their reputations. Good luck now.

[ShyBoy143]

I speak few Thai phrases and fluent Thai English if you get my drift. This particular lady, I mostly had her read google translate, posing questions in a manner she can answer while massaging me with simple yes / no /1 word responses. Of course, if I spoke Thai fluently, I'the probably have had a very different trip.

Congratulations man. You executed a different type plan and nailed it. Was there a language barrier?

[ShyBoy143]

Especially so if you corner yourself in a way that you can't get a local for LT 2-3 nights.

What was the mistake?

[ShyBoy143]

Thanks for the advice. I'm researching some options out west, but there's very little information. I was hoping to get some Myanmar cuisine, but if I don't find anything concrete, I'll stick to ratchasima for my Feb. Trip.

If you want to monger in Isaan, stick to Roi-et, Udon Thani, Khorat / Nachon Tatchasima, Ubon Ratchanthani, or Surin. There is a mongering scene there, but you need to have the info. Thai men and local expats take advantage of it. These cities all have tons of options. Don't waste your time in smaller towns or villages.

Here is an example of an overview of the night life in one large Issan city. Do a little research before you go to any one of these cities and you will know what to do and where to go. Here is just one example and all it took me was a quick 10 second forum search. Use the forum search feature out. It will save you a load of time.

Search might find more gold nugget posts just like this one.

[EverythingThai]

By the 2nd day, I had finalized a masseuse to join me for my next 8 days - 750/ day. She ticked all my boxes in the 2 hour session.

Will go again in Feb for 3-4 day trip. I won't repeat the same mistake.

If you want to monger in Isaan, stick to Roi-et, Udon Thani, Khorat / Nachon Tatchasima, Ubon Ratchanthani, or Surin. There is a mongering scene there, but you need to have the info. Thai men and local expats take advantage of it. These cities all have tons of options. Don't waste your time in smaller towns or villages.

Here is an example of an overview of the night life in one large Issan city. Do a little research before you go to any one of these cities and you will know what to do and where to go. Here is just one example and all it took me was a quick 10 second forum search. Use the forum search feature out. It will save you a load of time.

For hotels, stay at the Sunnee Grand hotel and convention centre or V hotel.

Hostess and Kareoke bars:

There are both karaoke bars and hostess bars with girls even more attractive than those in the massage parlors. What is the difference? Well, it's simple. If you take The View in northern Ubon, that would be a typical hostess bar, with plenty of girls that will sit with you as long as you buy them drinks. A similar joint is Alive, located in downtown. Things are obviously a little different at Starlight Karaoke, where you would pay 200 Baht per hour for the rent of a private karaoke room plus 200 Baht per hour for one of their super hot and white skinned girls plus drinks (Beer 150-180 Baht, Red Label 1,900 Baht). My personal recommendation through is the brand new Sherbet, a mix of hostess bar and karaoke means you can first hang out with the girls downstairs which looks like an ordinary bar with live music and then later on (if you feel like) sing songs on the second floor.

I had a great time at the place. The owner is from Bangkok and speaks perfect English. I hung out with a beautiful white skinned girl and back to my room for 2,000 LT.

Bars:

Tawan Daeng.

Tawan Daeng UbonTawan Daeng is an institution all over Isaan and northern Thailand, pretty much every province capital has its own branch of this hugely popular franchise. It's the perfect place to bring your girlfriend, enjoy some dinner and watch the show on the huge stage with Isaan style Molam Music. Very nice and attentive staff and unlike some other branches like in Buriram, the Tawan Daeng Ubon starts getting busy pretty much every single night from 10 pm onwards.

I checked this place out for about an hour but mostly couples and big groups of guys and gals together. Not easy to approach.

Country Club.

Night Club in Ubon RatchathaniThe most popular night club in Ubon Ratchathani. And if you want to hit on some local girls, then this is the place to do it as, unlike most other Thai style night clubs, the tables are very close to each other and people walk and look around a lot to meet and greet new people. No cover charge in Country, like in all other clubs in town, so you can just have a look if you like it. Beware of (or look out for) the ladyboys who typically like to hang out right in front of the stage but aren't too shy (unlike the girls) to come over to your table and say Hi.

I had some good luck here with a local university girl out with her friend one night. We drank and partied all night and back to my hotel. This was a freebie for me, I just took care of the bill at the bar for the two ladies and lunch the following day with my lady.

You-Bar.

You Bar UbonI was surprised when I found out they have you-Bar in Ubon, since the club of the same name is the most popular club in Khon Kaen. It obviously has the same owner here, but it's significantly smaller and the best days to party here are really Fridays and Saturdays. On weekdays, it tends to stay half empty and then the whole atmosphere is somewhat dull. Still, you-Bar is one of the best night clubs in Ubon and it's also the newest and most modern one with the coolest design, thus attracting the Hi-So Thais of the province.

This place reminds me of Mixx in Bangkok but with less freelancers. You need your A game here and I was able to get many phone numbers but I did not have the time to follow up since I was leaving the next day. If I was a local expat there, this would be my first choice to meet ladies for potential GF.

There are a few more night clubs in Ubon Ratchathani, such as Warp Club, the-WA, Fuse Pub and Shark.

Soapy Massage Parlors in Ubon Ratchathani:

There are three soapy massage parlors in Ubon. They all have the typical fishbowl arrangement, however, there's no glass and you can invite a girl to have a drink with you before you decide on whether to go for the full program.

Amati.

Soapy Massage Parlor in Ubon RatchathaniThe best massage parlor in town. The location is quite typical for that type of place, very central but still somewhat hidden in a narrow alley connecting Uppalisan Road and Suriyat Alley. You can't miss it with the huge posters of girls in bikinis on the wall of the building. Upon entry to Amati, one of the polite papasans will sit down next to you on a sofa and make useful recommendations of the girls. They are divided into three categories, depending on age and attractiveness: 1,500 Baht / 1,800 Baht / 2,000 Baht. You may, if you want, arrange a tip with your girl of like 500 Baht for the second round and then follow her into the modern and friendly room that has a big bed, TV and a super nice and big whirlpool.

Palace.

Palace Massage Parlor UbonBright red light is illuminating the entrance to Palace Aap Nuat in the otherwise relatively quiet Phalochai Road. While the place as such has definitely seen better times, the same cannot be said of the massage girls most of whom are attractive and light skinned. Two categories and prices at Palace: 1,400 Baht and 1,700 Baht. The atmosphere with the narrow lobby and small and old rooms isn't that great at all, but if you pick the right girl it can still be very enjoyable. Oh, and they have Japanese porn running nonstop in the rooms and even better: mirrors on the walls.

I didn't try these places due to time restrictions so I will give them all a shot this next trip.

Long Beach.

Long Beach UbonLocated right behind the Pathumrat Hotel, Long Beach is the third massage parlor in Ubon Ratchathani. It has the biggest fishbowl of the three, but strange the selection is the worst. The four different prices at Long Beach are 1,000 Baht, 1,400 Baht, 1,700 Baht and 1,900 Baht.

Happy Ending Massage in Ubon Ratchathani:

Z-Through Spa where they tell you right upon entry that it's 699 Baht for an aroma massage plus 500 Baht for a hand job plus 500 Baht for body to body treatment.

Not my cup of tea but you might find a diamond in the ruff there.

I will be there again Jan 12-14 and will update on all of these again.

Search might find more gold nugget posts just like this one.

[PilotPete]

By the 2nd day, I had finalized a masseuse to join me for my next 8 days - 750/ day. She ticked all my boxes in the 2 hour session.

Will go again in Feb for 3-4 day trip. I won't repeat the same mistake.

Congratulations man. You executed a different type plan and nailed it. Was there a language barrier?

[Mr Enternational]

Will go again in Feb for 3-4 day trip. I won't repeat the same mistake.

What was the mistake?

[ShyBoy143]

By the 2nd day, I had finalized a masseuse to join me for my next 8 days - 750/ day. She ticked all my boxes in the 2 hour session.

Will go again in Feb for 3-4 day trip. I won't repeat the same mistake.

I've lived here almost a decade, and never ventured beyond the tourist spots. I am going to do a week long roadtrip early Jan. Starting and ending in Bangkok. Everything other than this is flexible. I am not going to take any company from Bkk. I am hoping to spend a night in several "Nakhon Nowheres", getting some work done on my computer and reading.

I would love to savour some authentic rural women. To this end, my plan is to visit small / homely massages, tiny roadside eateries that are relatively desolate, local bars / live music places.

I will try to befriend local men / women who show potential to help me get closer to my goal. I will avoid any places with even the tiniest tourist value. Of course, I will report next month, but if anyone with experience has any advice before my trip, please help.

Specifically looking for advice on how rural mongering / propositioning is different from urban, and where best to sleep in nakhon nowheres.

[BionicMan]

Folks always have dreams of going to the source. Meanwhile, all the chicks with hooker aspirations from the source have gone to larger cities to make money. Happened a lot in Brazil where in Rio a lot of the hookers were from Belo Horizonte. But people went to Belo Horizonte and were like where are all the beautiful women that are supposed to be here. Duh. They are in Rio! At least he will not be bored seeing that he has planned to get plenty of work done on the trip.

An ongoing joke in the main cities where one can easily guess the girl comes from. Issan, is: "is any girl left in issan as they all seem to be here in Pattaya".

[ShyBoy143]

Got it, so I will stick to spending the night at towns with enough population to offer some level of anonymity.

There is no rural mongering scene. If you go to a small village alone, everyone in the village knows everyone else, and all the younger women have a husband. So, no action there.

If you go to a larger city, there may be a Thai bar, where you buy a bottle, and if a lady joins you, you tip her. But she probably won't speak English, and there's no barfining. The lady is there for the entire shift.

There are some big cities in Isaan with Farang bars, but they are covered in other sections.

99% of Farangs go to the village with their Thai GF / wife.

To that end, thank you for the example. I will use this as a rough guidance for population needed to offer said anonymity.

I had a nice time in Nong Khai up on the Mekong near the Lao border a few years ago. There is an ample amount of lovely dark-skinned honeys, nice food, a small expat scene and some touristy things to do as well. Plus it's hella cheaper than BKK or Pattaya or Chaing Mai, for example. Good luck!

https://bbqboy.net/guide-nong-khai-thailand/

Not really after the source so much as something different from what bkk / pat / hkt offer.

Folks always have dreams of going to the source. Meanwhile, all the chicks with hooker aspirations from the source have gone to larger cities to make money. Happened a lot in Brazil where in Rio a lot of the hookers were from Belo Horizonte. But people went to Belo Horizonte and were like where are all the beautiful women that are supposed to be here. Duh. They are in Rio! At least he will not be bored seeing that he has planned to get plenty of work done on the trip.