Thai Discos
November 3rd, 2007Any westerner visiting Bangkok is going to find his way to the Silom gay district. It is where all the clubs cater to farang, and everything has a westernized flavor. It’s also where most of the gay sex trade is. But Silom is not the only place in Bangkok to find gay clubs.
Clubs, mostly discos, can be found all over Bangkok. They are usually in clusters, and most often located near one or more universities. The difference is these are Thai discos, and they are nothing like what you will find in Silom. These clubs cater to the Thai university students who are typically not shopping for a farang, and there is no sex trade associated with them. Put simply, it’s where the locals go to party and pick up a trick.  You won’t find many westerners in these clubs, but as long as you behave yourself, these places are farang friendly.
All of these clubs have bar stool height tables that typically measure 2 feet by two feet square. Glasses and everything associated with mixing drinks goes on top. In some places, the tables have a lower shelf for storing extra mixers and hand bags, and some tables have a 6 inch high lip that makes the top look more like a shallow box. Each table may or may not have one or two bar stools, and in most cases, there is standing room only between tables.
As a general rule, Thai clubs do not have a dance floor. Instead, everyone dances at their table. There may be a stage for nightly cabaret shows, and those few that are not too shy will get up and dance on stage, after the show, but usually not before.
Standard practice is to buy a bottle of whiskey and mixers - usually soda, coke and ice. In some places, whiskey is the only option. These boys don’t have a lot of money, so they go out in groups of 3-6 and pool their baht on a bottle for the night. Considering a bottle and mixers will run them between 1000 and 1200 baht, split several ways it makes for a very cheap night on the town.
Even though these boys are not out looking for westerners, it doesn’t mean you can’t pick them up. The language barrier probably won’t be a huge issue, as these are college students, so many of them speak English to some degree. That said it’s important to understand things are done differently in the Thai clubs, and there is no guarantee you will get lucky. That’s why you don’t see many farang hanging out in the Thai clubs. They know a boy can be gotten every night of the week in Silom, even if it means paying for it. I would not advise trying to offer money for sex in a Thai club. It will go over like a fart in church.
Considering you are the only farang in the place, using eye contact (cruising) to determine who has potential won’t be of much value. Of course you are going to get stares from the boys, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they have a sexual interest. While I’m no expert on this, the best way to meet boys is to concentrate on those at tables near you. Close enough for you to reach over and toast drinks. This seems to be the most common way Thai boys communicate interest in each other. Once you have communicated your interest two or three times, and not too close together, the boy should give you some sign if he too is interested. The thing is he may wait awhile to see if you loose interest and start pursuing someone else.
If you are out on a week night, chances are slim to none you will take someone home, because they have school the next day. In most cases, you are better off exchanging phone numbers and hooking up on a different night.
If you are with a Thai boy that frequents the place you are in, and there is no question the two of you are just friends, he may give some assistance in meeting other boys. He will have a lot of friends there, and will know who the candidates for a Thai farang hookup are. I know this to be true, because I’ve had it happen before.
Most Thai boys, outside the Silom area in particular, are very shy. Consequently, you don’t want to be making any moves until you’re sure they have a little liquor in them. Once those inhibitions fade, a lot of bottoms are going to be very interested in fulfilling their fantasy of getting fucked by a man with a big cock. Even your standard 6 inches is going to impress most Thai bottoms, who are most use to something similar to a half smoked cigar.
Everyone should experience a Thai club at least once. If you are only in Thailand for a short time, and don’t want to risk going home alone, grab a boy in Silom and ask him to take you to a Thai club one night. You can even suggest he bring a couple of his friends. It doesn’t cost a lot, and you are all guaranteed to have a good time. But go there with the understanding you have already picked your boy, and make sure everyone in the club knows who he is. Chances are he will be doing the same.
At the base of the stairs, in the Balcony Pub, is a magazine rack with brochures, bar rags, and maps to most of the gay clubs in Bangkok.
