Boys

[Gaybutton]

The typical inexperienced 18 year old

An inexperienced 18 year old? My guess is that would be quite rare . . .

[Jun]

And for the record - I don't chase bar boys anymore...don't have to...but you already know that...so why keep asking?

Thank you.

I'm not entirely sure why I keep asking.

However there are various reasons why historical observations may differ from current experience.

For a start, bar boys (incl app boys) have changed.
The proportion from Laos & Cambodia is far higher than it was 15 years ago.
The average boy weighs more & grooming habits have changed. A smaller proportion are in good shape, without facial hair and tattoos. I suspect those who tick ALL the boxes and are barely over 18 would find it far easier to pick up customers than 15 years ago.

Then there is the tendency for us to look back with rose tinted spectacles. We all remember the good boys, but duds are more likely to be forgotten.

Finally, if you still preferred cute 18 year olds that much, you really would still be chasing them. The same applies to all of us.

As it stands, I don't recall reading about any board member currently dating lads mainly in the 18~20 range. If there are some, by all means comment.

Of course, a lad who is cute, slim, good company, good in bed and just turned 18 is still the holy grail.
Out of all those criteria, age is the first one I compromise on.

[Dodger]

.......However there are various reasons why historical observations may differ from current experience.

For a start, bar boys (incl app boys) have changed.
The proportion from Laos & Cambodia is far higher than it was 15 years ago.
The average boy weighs more & grooming habits have changed. A smaller proportion are in good shape, without facial hair and tattoos. I suspect those who tick ALL the boxes and are barely over 18 would find it far easier to pick up customers than 15 years ago.

I have a completely different perspective:

The "Boys" haven't changed at all - but the "Scene" has.

The days when you'd see the bars filled with adorable smiling dolls mostly appearing like "just-turned-18 models" are long gone. There simply isn't enough $$money$$ flowing on the current scene(s) to attract the type of talent we saw back then, thus the reason for the increase in migrant sex workers and the decline in the number of Dream Boys who were around offering their services.

The dynamics on the scene have changed dramatically as well, and not for the best. We can all remember the days when the bars were filled with smiling boys who made every customer feel like a king when he entered the bar...showering him with attention. Those days are over as well. Completely different scene.

I spend a fair amount of time in Isaan (Buriram) where a lot of the working boys (both in the past and present) were spawned and can assure you that they are just as plentiful and HOT as ever. The difference is they now have more options for earning a respectful income than in the past and seem more inclined to seek out those options.

We all have the choice to either change with the times - or accept the challenge of finding happiness and fulfillment with the changes going on around us without making any changes ourselves. Those are the only two choices. For me personally, changing with the times allows me to continue living in the "Now".

As a side note: The fishing boats in Bang Saray used to be filled with young shirtless Thai boys manning the nets. I went there every single morning. The same boats are at the docks, but the nets are now manned by older migrant workers who replaced the Thai boys several years ago. I rarely if ever go to the docks anymore. Ironically, about the same frequency that I visit the bar scene.

[Jun]

Well I agree on part of that. We have to change with the times, which is exactly what I do.

The birth rate in Thailand has declined, obesity has increased & it seems the young Thai lads can find other career opportunities.

I've gone from offing Thai boys in gogo bars, at night, to mainly Lao & Cambodian boys on the apps, at whatever time of day I fancy.
On Thai part of the last trip, just 16% of the hook ups were with Thai boys. Most were from Laos.

I've had to adapt, but that's what life is all about.
What worked with Thai boys 15 years ago is different to what works with Cambodian lads today.
Those still participating in the game usually understand this.

I'm quite content with the scene.

[Dodger]

We talk a lot about the negative changes impacting the "boy scene" from our perspectives but about the "boys perspectives"?

The boys I know who work in the bars have also lowered their expectations to adapt to the changes we're discussing knowing that 1) the volume of punters simply isn't there anymore, 2) The punters who do request their services don't always tip as much as they used to (partly due to economic conditions), 3) More punters are gravitating to using the apps, thus putting additional hardships on the boys working the bars, as well as the bar owners, 4) the bonuses they once enjoyed of being hosted for evenings out at the discos and karaoke's or taken off to the islands for paid vacations seem to be heading towards an abrupt halt. These are just some of the realities the working boys are faced with.

Lowering expectations seems to be the common denominator for both working boys and farang punters, and for all intents and purposes, is a hell of a lot better than a stick in the eye, as witnessed by sex tourists who still visit the scene(s) and have a good time.

I think we'll see an even greater number of Thai boys leaving the gay scene as time moves forward - but, at the same time, can expect to see a continued increase of migrant sex workers, especially boys from Myanmar who recently gained approval to obtain Thai citizenship. I also see a further decline in the number of public boy venues for the mere fact that a high percentage of gay punters prefer the apps primarily so they can avoid spending money in the bars. No rocket science here...just reality.

A boy who I've known for years who once graced the stage at KAOS (now working as bartender in JC) said it best when I saw him last week..."Farang too cheap now...no money...not like before".

[Jun]

For the avoidance of doubt, I don't consider going from meeting 80% Thai boys to 80% from Laos & Cambodia to be a negative change. It is neutral. Admittedly that's after adapting my behaviour to the circumstances.

I do consider the global trend towards obesity to be a negative, but there are still slim boys around. Often with different passports.

I also suspect tips have gone up with inflation. Which is fair.

Finally, a boy who worked on stage in a gogo bar over 10 years ago may well find it harder to earn money now as a waiter. Unless he's one of the lucky ones who doesn't visibly age. He's also moved away from the premium end of the entertainment scene.

[Rocket]

If I didn’t enjoy playing pool so much with the boys, I’d probably not go to the bars as frequently as I do. I’d be bored just sitting there.

But I think you can miss out if just using the apps. Some hidden gems show up in bars at any moment. If I hadn’t been with my boy I’d have taken advantage.

To be honest, fifteen years ago there were too many choices. Now I look at it in a way that makes things simpler. I can find slim twinks much easier than my home country. So many gay men are missing out if they think that they can never indulge in a cute young twink, or cute guy whatever your type.

The scene works in the farangs favor. As long as we don’t run out of money. The boys think they can give it a go and many find out they can’t make enough to survive. They leave and are replaced by new hopeful recruits and repeat the cycle. Sort of like Chaturbate.

So last night at the bar, I was informed of a twink I had last year was sick in a public hospital. They were paying 3,500 baht a day for his care and they wanted me to go visit him today. I said I had previous engagement as they most likely wanted me to help out.

He's Cambodian so not covered like a Thai would be. Maybe he’s not going home because their hospitals are not as good as Thai hospitals. I hope he gets better, as he’s a nice guy. I knew something was wrong when I messaged him asking him where he was and he just said Pattaya. No follow up with can I meet you.

[Jun]

The scene works in the farangs favor. As long as we don’t run out of money. The boys think they can give it a go and many find out they can’t make enough to survive.

My impression is those who look good, present themselves well and make an effort in bed can earn reasonable money.
Some fail on one or more of those criteria.
And to be fair, I wouldn't be keen on earning money in bed with people 30+ years older than me.

So last night at the bar, I was informed of a twink I had last year was sick in a public hospital. They were paying 3,500 baht a day for his care and they wanted me to go visit him today. I said I had previous engagement as they most likely wanted me to help out.

I've not yet been properly tested like this & I don't look forward to the day when it happens.

The first line of defence is being a butterfly & I can't be responsible for all the unexpected expenses of boys I meet.
I suspect the more you know the boy, the more difficult it gets.

Now, if my bank balance were like that of Bill Gates, I'd pay up. But I'm not Bill Gates & I need to stay solvent for however long I live.

[Dodger]

If I didn’t enjoy playing pool so much with the boys, I’d probably not go to the bars as frequently as I do. I’d be bored just sitting there.

But I think you can miss out if just using the apps. Some hidden gems show up in bars at any moment. If I hadn’t been with my boy I’d have taken advantage.

If I were to ever return to the "boy chasing" scene I know I'd do exactly as I did in the past...and that's cruise the bars (and other venues) for those "Boy Specials" while enjoying the nightlife. No doubt about it.

Nothing wrong with the apps for those who use them but this was never my cup of tea. I've always been fond of saying that regardless how many, or how few, boys there around on a given night - there will always be that one "shining star" just waiting to be found which is all I ever needed. The fun's in the chase as they say.

Jun: The boy (ladyboy) I mentioned that made those remarks about the changes in the scene has been in a long-term relationship with a farang friend of mine for +15 years and not looking to get offed. His remarks were intended to describe the changes going on which effect his friends and all of the other working boys he knows on the scene. And he knows most of them.

[Jun]

If I were to ever return to the "boy chasing" scene I know I'd do exactly as I did in the past...and that's cruise the bars (and other venues) for those "Boy Specials" while enjoying the nightlife. No doubt about it.

If I were ever to take up football, I'd play a match every week. No doubt about it.

In the meantime, I could tell the players they're doing it all wrong, with modern tactics, rather than a good old 4-4-2.