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Old timers – and you don’t need to be that old to qualify – still call it Soi Twilight in honor of the original gogo bar of that name in Duangthawee Plaza. Newbies haven’t a clue why since that bar at the head of the soi eventually morphed into Hot Male although the popular name for the soi never followed suit. Over the years the bars that make up the gay tourists’ soi of dreams have changed names, occasionally changed decor, and at times have seemed to change boys far too infrequently. I remember a guy I offed from Barbiery, which eventually became Dream Boy and eventually moved across the street into the soi who was still plying his trade a decade later and still claiming to be 23. Somethings change along the soi, somethings don’t. That it is a place many gay tourists love remains a constant. As is that it is a place many gay sexpats hate. Regardless, Soi Twilight just keeps truckin’ on.
The boys on the boards love to predict the end of the gay gogo bar scene in Bangkok, but those posters tend to die off before seeing their predictions come true. Bars do come and go, but more often than not it’s nothing more than a change of name. There’s an ebb and flow to what – and how much of it – you get to see inside of those bars too; crackdowns have always been part of the soi’s history for one reason or another and the most recent – while once again being championed as proof the soi is on its way out – appeared to me to be more of a rewind back to the days when visiting a bar did not mean having a screaming little queen fucked on your lap. And I think that’s a good thing.
I’m pretty sure first time visitors are just as enthralled with the shows today as most of us were on our debut visit to the soi regardless of just how much flesh is, or isn’t, on display. For most, it still is beyond anything they could see back home. And the take away aspect of the bars’ business has always been the larger lure. Those waxing nostalgic over what once was, when the shows titillated more than took sex acts beyond any act anyone actually performs while having sex would probably enjoy today’s shows. If they could allow themselves to quit bitching about the cost of a drink. But then that’s one of the things that hasn’t changed – sexpats have been complaining about the high prices charged on the soi (and predicting its downfall because of that) for as long as the soi has existed.
The first gogo bar I ever visited was the pre-Dream Boy Barbiery and if you grabbed a seat by the door you could catch quick flashes of what the boys wouldn’t show on stage as they headed for the dressing room. By the time Twilight became New Twilight, every night at 10:00 they had a rotation with the entire stable appearing buck-ass naked. Within six months, Future Boy had guys swinging from the rafters while being impaled. I’d bet history will be repeating itself and nudity followed by outrageous feats of orgasmic couplings will be the standard on the soi again before the year’s end.
The soi has changed over the years, constantly updating itself. A few of the bars have changed little, others have changed names with the seasons. Rub and tug shops have done the same; Red Massage became Mario’s Massage by changing a sign; Bangkok Massage took over the space where X-Man once was – then closed and reopened as itself again. Restaurants are now part of the scene thanks to Dick’s success, but once there were no street-side cafe’s where you could while away the hours watching the action on the soi. Beer bars have popped up more recently and add a fresh look to Soi Twilight. Not that that idea itself is all that fresh. When Fresh Boy X and its not-long-lasting successor Siam Angel Boy closed their doors a beer bar cum pool hall opened in their place to much head shaking and predictions that that wouldn’t last. And you can still rack up a set of ball there today.
It seems that Soi Twilight’s demise has been a favorite topic of discussion almost as long as the soi has existed. Ten years from now that will probably still be a perennial favorite among those who never really enjoyed the soi in the first place. Every time a bar closes, sage heads nod, sure they called it right. When a new bar opens in its place said sage heads begin to whine over how much the place dares to charge for a drink, claiming the soi will soon go dark. All over again. The internet, massage shops, Gay Romeo, and Grindr have all been anointed as the new trend that will sound Soi Twilight’s death knell. And yet the sound of, “Show Now!” still reverberates down the soi. Because Soi Twilight has never been about what it isn’t, but rather about what it is.
Soi Twilight has always been in a state of flux. But that’s not about its death, it’s about its growth, it’s about its ability to change with the times. Soi 4 has been around even longer. And has witnessed even more changes than Twilight. But you seldom hear anyone claiming that soi will soon be a thing of the past. But then the face of Patpong has changed greatly too, as has Nana Plaza. And Soi Cowboy. Reinventing itself is something Bangkok has always done well. Despite what you may have heard, Soi Twilight and its bars are not a dying scene. It is an even fresher and more lively scene than it was a decade ago. And probably will be even more so in the decades to come. ‘Cuz just when you are ready to write off a historical landmark in Bangkok, someone steps in and gives it a new life. Just look what happened to Don Muang. Unless they decide to turn Duangthawee Plaza into the city’s newest shopping mall, of course.
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Bob said:
Change is a good thing, brings a new life to the area BUT NEVER change your blog I think your great and hope to meet you sometime. I will travel to BKK for my frist time in Feb 2015 for 6 weeks
If not you maybe your favorite bar boy
Bangkokbois said:
Wow. 6 weeks! Boy are you gonna be worn out!
Alex said:
Last night I visited a ladyboy go-go bar in Nana that’s very popular with Japanese customers. It’s interesting that the format is so different from the gay go-go bars, and I’d actually like to see a gay go-go bar in Soi Twilight use that format. It wouldn’t hurt to see some more diversity, after all. No shows, just plenty of offable cuties on a rotating platform that try their best to catch your eye (or something else if you let them near enough when they roam around). Drink prices below 200 baht, but the ratio of customers actually offing/barfining someone looked much higher, so I’m very sure they ultimately make much more money. Everyone who approached me went straight to discussing sex, I wasn’t asked to buy them a drink, not even once. Although I’m not really into ladyboys, I liked that hard-on approach.
Bangkokbois said:
With the caveat that you are not suggesting the ladyboy part of that format, I’d agree Alex. Personally I do like the shows at the gay bars. But those catering to the straight trade always seem more lively and a constant rotation of friendly hosts is really all you need,
But now we want to hear about the one you offed . . .
Alex said:
Right, I’m not suggesting the ladyboy part… I didn’t off anyone, but I felt surprisingly tempted and got touchy feely with one of them. It’s a shame that I’ve had sex with real Thai ladies, but never with a ladyboy, so I’ll be back for more soon to correct this shameful imbalance. Watch this space. 😉
Bangkokbois said:
Vagina?! Ewwww!
🙂
Although I try to stay away from the food variety of fish, I’ve done the human kind before too. I’m not sure if I’m ready for a chick with a dick though. So do tell me how it goes, maybe you’ll inspire me!
Rich said:
Dear BB,
Your blogs have been occupying me all this weekend; just about finished the complete set. Love them all, especially enjoy the details of your friendship with Noom (a true gem!). Many of your stories with him remind me of my ‘relationship’ with my long-standing ‘friend’ (a former Tawan guy). Our tastes in muscle seem similar. My friend is not overly ‘muscle-bound’, particularly as he has been off the BB circuit for a few years now and he is Turing 40 (+) this year, but he still keeps my juices flowing (emotional and otherwise), especially for a 60 year old!!
We have been friends since 1997 and still see each other when we can. I work in Jakarta but have bought a retirement condo on Sathorn, and he & his family regularly look after it for me when I’m away for too long. He now has a business in Ramindra (a gym and he trains many of the suburban high flyers; but why would that be a surprise bidness for an ex-Tawan guy!), and so that keeps him busy 6 days a week. But that is one of the costs in setting him up hopefully for the better part of the future (his son, daughter and wife also help out, and we are all friends; I am ‘lung’ to his kids, which has all meant a lot to me personally and has meant much more than the financial outlay). (May be I have been too generous in the eyes of many, including a townhouse in Ramindra, paying off his bank loan for 10 rai and house in Chiangmai Rai, a pick-up, overseas trips, and I suspect uni fees for the kids soon! But hay it’s my money, I can more than afford to spread it around and I can’t take it with me. And the joy I see behind his eyes and what they have all given me is immeasurable.
Anyway, I have taken your example and digressed from my original purpose in finally writing to you, apart from thanking you for your great blogs.
I was wanting to know if your Noom is still at ‘Zeus’? The next time I’m in Bangkok I would like to see him there, have a chat (of course with a generous tip) and maybe eat. (I hope you do not necessarily tell him all of the above details, just in case he knows my friend as it seems Khun Noom knows some of the guys at Tawan and Khun Vorakit, whom I’ve also known for many many years.
Keep the blogs coming, and Khwam chock dii, sookaphap thi dii, chawit thi yawanan to both you and Noom.
Cheers, Rich.
Bangkokbois said:
What a delightful comment, thanks Rich.
I love hearing about successful Thai/Farang relationships. Maybe not surprisingly they always have the same thing in common: the farang is not all hung up about the money, and feels he’s gotten the better part of the deal just by watching his guy – and often that guy’s family – get a head in the world. That look in his eyes that you mentioned is worth every baht spent, and more. Thanks for sharing your story.
Noom is still working at Zeus – try Friday and Saturday nights, slower nights are a bit iffy on whether he bothers to go to work or not. And if you take him out for a meal tell him I said he isn’t allowed dessert ‘cuz at his age he needs to start watching those extra calories.
🙂
Xiandarkthorne said:
Thanks for the tip about Noom. I plan to be in BKK mid-August and I must certainly see Noom again to continue our discussion about Asian tattoo symbology and the change in their meanings when applied to different body parts. Very esoteric, I know, but that’s what we talked about last time. I don’t expect him to remember me so I might have to do a few things to remind him of our interesting conversation before…maybe conjugate a few verbs or something…
Bangkokbois said:
I’m sure Noom will remember you XD.
Those rhinestone flip flops will probably tickle his memory.
Rich said:
BB,
Sorry for the late reply; busy at work even though the office closed early today because of the formal announcement for the new RI President.
Ramadan ends next week, so I’m taking a week in Bangkok, and will certainly try to see Noom. Saturday night is a bit problematic for me though as it’s the night (with all day Sunday) I keep for my hunky muscle friend!
If I get the chance, I will remind him that dessert is probably not a good idea for someone of his age as he doesn’t want to get too fat for his best faring friend; I will then run for cover if a giggle doesn’t work!
Btw: I can’t use ‘Bangkokbois’ as a name when I mention you to him. If you want to send me a private message, if you don’t want to publicly put it in the blog, I would like to know your name BB. Up to you; it could be fun though just to call you that ‘old-faring-Bangkok Boy’!!!
Cheers, Rich.
Bangkokbois said:
Mmmmmm, forgot about Ramadan.
Noom usually goes vegetarian for Ramadan.
But then there always is carrot cake.
🙂
If you need someone to blame for your comment about him getting fat, you can use Rush – a nod with ‘internet’ works just as well. But the comment alone will probably be enough to tell him who it came from!
Rich said:
Interesting; vegetarian for a Muslim fasting month, especially at the end and the Fast is broken the goats and cows get slathered! Maybe your comment deserves another blog story of Noom’s fastidious ‘religious’ predilections and Ganesharism! My best friend is devoutly Buddhist and last month got back from a month n a half ordained in a Wat out east. (When he got back with lots of pics, he looked positively gaunt; I said he looked like he just a holiday in Nazi concentration camp, which surprisingly elicited a series of giggles (and surprised me because he understood what that was); he was less giggly when also said he looked like he had an incurable disease. It passed with a sincere wai from me and a big hug. He gave me a big kiss and I had fun calling him Phra for the rest of the day. (I stopped razing him after he gave a Budha image (the one with the canopy of cobras over its head), which was made by one the senior monks from the Wat and he had brought back as a present for me.
Mmmmmm….carrot cake, I prefer getting my lips a round a raw carrot
Bangkokbois said:
Yeah, the cool thing about Noom’s religious beliefs and practices is he makes them up as he goes along.
Rich said:
🙂
I’ll give him the Rush test and report back on the reaction.
Cheers, Rich.
Bangkokbois said:
You’ll get more of a reaction if you slip him 5,000 baht.
🙂
Mitch S. said:
Just tell Noom that fundraising is almost complete for the bar/gym/sauna/guest house complex that Rush is building for Noom for his birthday. 😉
Bangkokbois said:
Bastard!
Rich said:
No problem; I don’t want to seem like a “bird shit” cheap farang (another favorite bar boy phrase!), so 5K from me but I’ll give him 5,005 and say the Bht 5 is from you….5555.
Bangkokbois said:
ROFL!
I think he’d already know that!