Dodger's Trip Report

[Dodger]

Hi you Maniacs.

Those are the words that started every single Trip Report I ever posted starting with Alan’s Pattaya Gay Forum in 1998, and continuing on to Sawatdee and Gaybutton.

Today marks my 6 year anniversary since retiring and I find myself reflecting back on what it was like coming here on holidays as a rip-roaring butterfly – as compared to my new lifestyle being coupled with a partner and living across the bay from all the neon lights that for so many years guided my adventures in Pattaya.

I was fortunate enough to be able to retire early, having entered into semi-retirement when I was still in my early forties. During my working life I visited Thailand twice a year for 3 month durations like clockwork leading up to full retirement. I never once during all of those years even looked at the internet while on holiday and waited until I returned home to write my Trip Reports. I really enjoyed sitting back and reflecting on my “Boy Adventures…while trying to remember all of their names before launching into work when the whole adventure would become hazy and surrealistic.

I miss writing those Trip Reports almost as much as I miss the events in Thailand that became the substance of those Reports. Feeling nostalgic right now my mind swirls back to so many friends - farang and Thai – some who are still here and some who have unfortunately passed on, including the infamous Monty who opened the first boy bar in Sunee, and more recently Martin owner of Forest House/Sunee, and my dearest friend Jack Newton who opened the original Memories Bar with his partners Ralph and Oud back when Sunee was first erupting.

I knew I was going to retire in Thailand from the very first moment my feet hit soil over here. I knew I wanted to retire early…I knew where I wanted to hang my hat…I knew the lifestyle I wanted for myself…and, last but not least,…I knew which boy I wanted to be with for the next chapter(s) in my life. So far my plan has come together without a hitch for which I’m extremely grateful.

I go to the bars infrequently primarily to rub elbows with old friends, down a few Leo’s, and pinch a few butts. Other than that I’m more than content with my early-to-bed – early-to-rise lifestyle…focusing more on fitness which was part of the plan…intimate times with my Boy Special (Jai)...and dabbling with my hobbies.

I’ve written two books since retiring mainly to keep the grey matter working, as well as the fact that I just enjoy writing (can't you tell…555). The first book I completed was a technical journal which has since been given to a very close work colleague in the States, and the second a book about “Gay Pattaya” (a two year work-in-process) which is currently sitting on a shelve gathering dust.

This book is centered on the gay scene mostly in Pattaya, but also includes details of activities that I’m afraid the Thai government would frown upon, thus the reason I’ve held off on publishing. In-other-words, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Some of the touchy areas include detailed descriptions my personal boy interactions and sexual escapades…Thailand’s corrupt underpinnings, including BIB activities involving tea money exchange on the bar scene, how the bar owners negotiate fees with the BIB, underground messaging systems (between bars and BIB), as well as equally descriptive information pertaining to Thai prisons, including things like the methods used to transfer drugs (yaba and Ice) and cell phones to prison inmates, etc.

Obviously this book would not be able to be published without some serious editing, and by the time that was complete the book wouldn’t be worth reading IMO.

I stay in touch with a few of the bar owners and working boys I know just to keep my finger on the pulse and contemplate which way the scene is going next. I was a Sunee diehard so things will never be the same for me, but at the same time I’m glad to see Jomtien Complex and Boyztown thriving.

Jai is in the next room cleaning a bucket of clams we gathered during low tide this morning, and later in the afternoon I’ll be zooming around the bay on my motorbike to visit Tukcom. I’ll intentionally drive past Flamingo Hotel which is where I met Jack during my very first day in Pattaya. The hotel might be closed with chalk on its windows – but it’s still standing - as am I.

It’s a shame we don’t have very much participation on these Boards anymore - so I’m probably writing all of this for the ghosts out there.

“Hey Monty, I’ve mentioned your name twice already you crazy bastard. What’s it like being dead?”...55555. That’s an inside joke.

Life is an Adventure – not a Destiny.

[Gaybutton]

Obviously this book would not be able to be published without some serious editing, and by the time that was complete the book wouldn’t be worth reading IMO.

Unless you think it is much too far out of date or would be misleading based on present circumstances, feel free to publish it in installments here, if you wish, and let everyone decide for themselves.

[Dodger]

Unless you think it is much too far out of date or would be misleading based on present circumstances, feel free to publish it in installments here, if you wish, and let everyone decide for themselves.

Thanks for the offer - but first I would have to do a lot of editing just to make it suitable (safe) to post here, and secondly, if I do decide to have it published (post editing) there could be a problem having already displayed its contents on a public forum.

The final chapters (post covid) describe the current gay scene(s) in Pattaya based on input from friends who visit the scene(s) and/or play the apps regularly, several bar owners, working boys (Thai and Immigrants), Jai as technical advisor (cultural aspects), and of course my own observations leveraging my 2-1/2 decades of experience in Gay Thailand.

Several of the chapters are dedicated to my life with Thep leading up to his tragic death. If by chance I was going to go public this book I would first provide his family members in Kantharalak the opportunity to read the draft to make sure they're comfortable with what I'm saying - regardless if the book is circulated in Thailand or not.

Writing this book provided me the opportunity to look back on my life, reflect on the series of changes I went through personally, and relive the fantasy that came to life when I found Thailand. That's the reason for writing it. I've already accomplished what I set out to do. Now, it's on to the next book for the very same reason.

[Gaybutton]

I understand. Whatever you choose to do works for me.