Bangkok June 2007

The recent Bangkok trip was planned like months ahead, partly to fulfil my wish to celebrate my 30th birthday from Singapore. I needed to get away from blogging, email, sms and phone calls. Of course, the JLC gang was supportive and took it as an opportunity to have our first retreat, in the far faraway (and very gay) Bangkok.

This retreat is pretty well organised by my standard. G is the hotel and program IC; J, the air ticket IC and YF, the travel insurance and alcohol IC. er... me? I didnt lift my fat finger to do anything. I just packed my luggage and show up at the airport on time. Just in time for a good Singaporean breakfast, meet up with Gary is on a separate trip to Bangkok too. And ahem, cruised by two gay Changi Airport security officers and they are speaking loud enough for us to hear.

Upon touching down on the new Bangkok airport, we are instantly bored by the warehouse looking terminal. Okie, I am being unkind here but I do expect something better when it was all planned for at least two decades. The queues at the custom is still as long and shockingly, they have also moved the old potted plants from the old airport over.

First Day - 8 Jun
Checked into Tartawan Hotel which made a major boo boo and compensated by upgrading us to two suites. This hotel is actually very thoughtful by providing us a stack of namecards with our names on it. :) Perfect tool for picking up guys.

In the evening, we went on a frenzy while making our way to a nicey restaurant by the Chao Praya. G,J and myself used English, mispronounced Thai and finally Teochew with the cabby to get to the place. Just like Amazing Race without the million. YF, sitting behind, enjoying the unfolding drama. Probably more interested to know when is his first glass of wine in Bangkok.


The place, named Studio 9 is owned by a theatre company under Patravadi. For those who dunno who is she, Patravadi is a prominent icon in Thailand's performing arts and fiercely anti establishment. Had a chance to read about her while working on the Marina Bay Sands project. Our table is on a platform protruding out on Chao Praya. Dining while watching performance is a refreshing idea.

After that, we went on the YF's favourite place - Khao San to look at shabbily dressed ang mo. It is also the place if you want to look at cute Japanese boys. Finally, we ended the night with cheap and highly toxic cocktail along the street and bioing cute thai guys. (that is for me)

Second Day - 9 Jun
My birthday proper. Went out alone to Siam Square area while the girls went to Chatuchak. I had a task to offer the prayers at the Erawan Shrine. After which, I roamed around the area and had a A&W rootbeer float. I wished that they still have it in Singapore. Had no intention to buy anything this trip so I was just window shopping and revisited some shops I bought stuff from in 2005. Sweet memories where I bought some stuff for myself and T.

Went back to Sala Daeng for a Thai massage. I stil cannot figure out if the centre is for gay men but they are very professional. The only thing I hated is that I have picked a masseur from a photo wall. Pointless unless I am looking for sex. Anyhow, I had a back breaking experience.

Had a quick disco nap before dolling up for the evening. This time, G refused to tell me where we are heading for my birthday dinner. This elaborate dinner was in Vertigo on top of Banyan Tree Bangkok which offer a perfect panorama view of the whole city and its reddish sunset. It is a very strange feeling when you dun hear the noise from the traffic at this height. Charming and attentive Pipat was the manager who attended to us. One of the kind I want to take home and show my mom. Big eyes, nice build, charming smiles and beautiful voice. He later surprised us with a cake and a photo souvenir when he know it was my birthday dinner. Aw.... I just want to take him back to Singapore. Perfect Husband material. That is me with the cake. :P Still waiting for the group photo from G.

Rushed back to hotel to do a quick change in our clubbing gear. I dun have a photo taken of YF back, but I can tell you that him alone can add to the woes of the Bangkok traffic jam at 11pm. The staff at the seafood next to the hotel was dumbfounded by the JLC boys. More commotions when we went into the go go bar street. Ok, the rest of the street adventure is up to your imagination but I think we got more attention than the boys.

Next stop, fire hazardous DJ station. Thai gays obviously know how to enjoy themselves more. Of course, with the help of stronger alcohol, they smiled much better than boys here. I was in my cock teasing mode and eye flirted with two guys. They are not like Pipat but are yummy enough for supper. But not, the flirting stop at chatting on the dance floor cos I know I am already vodka high. Honestly, sometimes getting such attention can validate a little bit of me. Okie... i am entitled to my bimboness. Club hop to Richard's where I took this Thaboy wannabe pic.

The circuit is completed with our short stop at GOD. By the time we got out, our legs were giving way and too hungry to think. Bought instant noodles and egg and literally crawl back to hotel. Again, maybe becos of the hungry, Thai instant noodle taste much better. Watching BBCWorld countdown repeatedly and finally got to bed at 6am.



Third Day - 10 Jun
Woke up at 2pm and had breakfast. Tartawan served breakfast 24 hrs. Went off for my first swim at a gym in a building nearby. The hotel made special arrangement for the guests to use to the gym. The pool is badly maintained and all the tiles came off, leaving the dangerously rough concrete edge exposed. Not one of the pool you wan to jump into. Sunbath for 20 min and figured out the air is too unhealthy. At the changing room, had a multi language/dialect conversation with a ang mo who lived in Bangkok. Later, I discovered that the gym is listed as a cruising place on Fridae. Hmm... non cruiseworthy.

Strange thing happen these days. I bumped into a friend from 3 yrs back. And the probabilty of meeting him again is almost zero. Daisuke, a Jap-American visited Singapore then and we met so I was very surprised to see him again in the same city at the same time, and same place. We almost didnt recognise each other So for the rest of evening, we were together with the rest of the girls at Bug and Bee. It is a small cafe with wonderful selection of thai food at affordable price. Highly recommendable.

Fourth Day - 10 Jun
Woke up at 12pm and had late breakfast again. We decided to do our own stuff again and I went off for another massage in Sala Daeng where I met Bank. Bought some stuff for my boss at Boots (who actually give me two days without leave for this trip) and my mom. After being told by J on how good is Botanics series, I bought some for my own use. tsk tsk... (and after using them for a week, I must say I am quite happy)

The last bit of the trip back was quite a nightmare when we are trapped at the rear end of the Airbus with noisy Singaporean students from FFMS. :( At one point, the stewardess had to tell one of them to sit down when the plane land.

Like what YF told me, this was actually the best non solo trip he ever had. :) which I totally agreed. This is not only a very memorable holiday and birthday celebration. :P thank you so much guys/girls. We are already talking about the next retreat.