I was visiting with a boy the other day that has worked in the bars for a very long time, both in Silom and Saphan Kwai.  During the conversation I asked if it was true that new boys have to give their bar a kick back, out of their tip, for the first few months.  This is something I’ve heard about from a few boys and one captain.  In fact, I’d been told this is most common with bars in Saphan Kwai, which is why I asked.

The boy was rather adamant in saying this does not occur at any bar, in Saphan Kwai or Silom.  He said what does happen is many boys agree to give the captains 50 to 100 baht per off if they will cheer them.  To cheer a boy means to get recommended. This, he said, is quite common, particularly with the newer boys.

I guess its no surprise to hear of this.  It certainly fits with what I know about the bar culture.  I’ve not been one to rely on the recommendations of bar staff, but I know some do.  No doubt it’s most common among tourists, as they are more inclined to believe captains and mamasans have their best interest at hart.

In reality it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference, as most boys are good if they want to be…even the bad ones.  As I’ve said time and time again, how good a boy is depends largely on your behavior, and how much he fancies you.  If a boy wants to buy himself an edge over his competition, that’s just good business.

Little Choices, the new gay bar in Hua Hin, is having its grand opening celebration this 4th of July.  The party starts at 7PM with a bar-b-que and an art opening.  The community is invited to enjoy a wonderful evening of art, wine, food and friendship, at the best little queer bar in Hua Hin.

Last Thursday I was walking by the Phaya Thai BTS station and noticed people on the escalators of the new airport rail station that connects with the BTS line.  Apparently it opened June first, but I never saw any announcement.  It was getting late, so I decided to wait until Friday to take a ride and Princess elected to join me for the outing.

This is a soft launch, with very limited service.  From Phaya Thai the train runs every 20 minutes (7am - 10am and 4pm - 7pm) and only on week days (M-F).  From Suvarnabhumi Airport the times are 7:10 - 9:50 and 4:10 - 6:50.  In addition, the train only stops at two stations, on its run between Phaya Thai and Suvarnabhumi Airport.  They are Hua Mak and Ramkhamhaeng, but it does not stop at the big City Air Terminal at Makkasan. Apparently the City Air Terminal still has technical problems.  Based on the current schedule, it is obvious they are initially targeting those commuting to and from work.  Until August, there is no charge to ride the new rail line.

The Suvarnabhumi station is under ground at what appears to be a central location.  Its design is very similar to the MRT stations, but the train arrives and departs from only one side.  I assume the other side will be used for the planned Pattaya line.

The train rides very smooth and quiet on its tracks but lurches side-to-side as much as the MRT and BTS cars.  It is a three car train, each coach separated by a double set of sliding glass doors that automatically open when you approach.  The entry and exit doors slam shut with a loud bang that is a bit disconcerting.  Seating is sparse, compared to the BTS and MRT.  This is due, at least in part, to the spaces left open for people to place their luggage.  The hand rails for standing passengers are at the extreme left and right, making it difficult to avoid stepping on the feet of those seated.  I assume this was done to keep the isle open for passengers dragging their luggage.

There are no instructions for those waiting to get on, so they all pile in front of the doors making it difficult to exit.  Not that everyone follows the instructions at BTS and MRT stations, but most are accommodating.

The design of the stations is more enclosed at train level, so passengers will be more comfortable during heavy rains.  The trade off is they don’t breath as well, which makes them hotter inside.

The ramp connecting the two stations at Phaya Thai has not been completed, but I saw some indications they are about to start work on that.  For now, you have to go down to ground level to transfer.  Use BTS exit 1 for the shortest walk between the stations.

I’ve uploaded some new photos that were taken yesterday.  The album also contains pictures I took in the past, when the system was still under construction and/or testing.

While in Hua Hin, Princess and I were setting in The Guys Bar when one of those big roaches went scurrying under our feet.  A few minutes later, he returned and Princess pulled his feet up off the floor.  He said, “I scare Peter.”  I asked him who Peter was and that’s when I learned it’s what the boys call those big roaches.

Princess was surprised I didn’t know who Peter was, because most farang he has met did.  I’d like to think I’m not the only farang ignorant of this important fact.  For some reason it never came up in conversation, but now I know and so do you.

The other day I accidentally discovered a great shortcut to an area where many wats and other interesting attractions are located.  It involves making use of the klong (canal) water taxi system.  I don’t have much experience with traveling on the klongs.   In fact, this was my first time.  They are a very efficient way to get around certain parts of BKK, if you know how to use them.  Unfortunately I have not been able to find any English friendly guides, so I’ve not made use of it.

I had spent the afternoon at Wat Saket and decided to take a chance and use the Klong taxi to get back to the river.  From there I could take a river taxi down to Saphan Taksin, which connects with the BTS.  It is a bit of a long way around, but beats sitting in a taxi, in heavy traffic, for an hour or more.  At the klong taxi pier, I could see the boat was pointing in the right direction for a trip to the river, so I got on.  As it turns out, this is the last stop on its route, so after picking up passengers the taxi made a U turn and headed the opposite direction.  Two stops into this I decided to get off and flag a taxi for the trip home.  Once at street level I quickly recognized my location.  I was just down the street from the Tesco Lotus, which is a short walk to the National Stadium BTS Station.

Later I looked at the area on Google maps and concluded an even better pier to access this shortcut is located directly between the National Stadium and Ratchathewi BTS stations.  Saphan Hua Chang Pier is, at most, a 5 minute walk from either BTS station.  From there, the taxi will make 3 stops before reaching the fourth and final pier where you want to get off.  I know Google maps only shows two piers in route, but there is one more.  So count 4 and get off.  It will also be the stop where everyone else gets off, as this is the last stop on the route.

For those that have never used a klong taxi it is important to understand their stops are as brief as possible, so you need to get on and off quickly.  Climbing in and out of these boats is not easy, but the attendants are good about helping those who are struggling, like me and my fat ass.  Don’t expect a view of anything, as they pull up curtains to keep the filthy canal water from splashing in.  I don’t know the exact fare, but I’m sure its less than 20 baht.  What I do, with any water taxi, is hold out a hand full of coins and let the attendant take what is needed.  Even if you end up paying too much, its still dirt cheap.

Once you reach your destination, you’ll be right next to a half dozen significant attractions and a reasonably short walk to as many more.  If you zoom out on the Google map, it is easy to see this shortcut places you in a location that would be a bit too fare of a walk from the river.  Actually, it’s not that far, but if you have already walked in you then have to walk back out, and that’s what will kill you.  Knowing about this shortcut also offers the option to enter at one side and exit at the other…from klong to river, or the other way around.  A couple of days later I did just that.  I took the klong, which put me next to several things I wanted to photograph.  Then I walked out to the river, with a lunch stop along the way, and road a water taxi down to Saphan Taksin.

I’ve posted my photos of Wat Saket.  If you have not been, I highly recommend it.  In fact, I’d put this one on the top 10 list of best wats to see in BKK.

Here is a new Thai word you can use to impress the boys, as they won’t expect you to know this one.  The word “jam” is Thai youth slang that basically means the same thing as cool.

Last Sunday I took a ride on the new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system, which began operations that day.  I took plenty of photos that are now available for viewing.

The Kinky KAOS II party has been rescheduled for Saturday 19th June, 10pm - 6am.  Visit the KAOS Bangkok web site for more details.