West vs East: Gay Cruising Culture EXPOSED (Live w/ Inside Rob)

Added: 2026-05-10

[00:00:01][music] [music] Welcome, welcome to a very special live stream. I'm joined today by my good friend Rob inside. Rob, >> hello. Hello and hello. [clears throat] >> Hello. Where are you, Rob? Tell the folks.

[00:00:30]>> Uh, I'm in Berlin right now. So, sitting on a sofa, very comfortable. So, I'm >> look who came to join us.

[00:00:41]>> Oh, no. The cutie.

[00:00:43]>> And do you know my dog is German?

[00:00:47]>> Gentac German. Hello.

[00:00:54]>> Yeah, it's like that.

[00:00:56]>> It's almost like that. Um, Rob, do you want to introduce yourself to my audience if they don't know who you are?

[00:01:03]Like, I don't talk about you enough, but yeah.

[00:01:05]>> You don't think so?

[00:01:06]>> You don't think they know me? So, okay.

[00:01:08]My name is Rob. Um, Robert, and I'm um like the I'm Patrick's brother from another mother. [laughter] >> As you introduced me, I think like in our first podcast episode. Yeah. I'm also doing uh gay sauna cruising content around the world and I love to be in Thailand. This is maybe the reason we're here today.

[00:01:34]>> We are here today. Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah, for sure.

[00:01:38]>> Every time I look at your Instagram posts, you're on a beach or there's palm trees and you're almost naked and I'm really jealous because we've had a horrible winter in Canada. So you are a tried andrue Thailand lover.

[00:01:57]>> Absolutely. Yes. Absolutely. And we had also a very hot winter here in Germany.

[00:02:03]So I tried to escape as much as possible to Thailand. Bangkok. So I was in I think I was in Bangkok and Thailand this year like in November, December, January and now for a few days of May and uh big piles of April.

[00:02:20]>> Yeah.

[00:02:22]Part of the reason I want to have this discussion today is because of your love for Thailand and I want to I know that you film a lot of content when you're there and you go to the saunas and you're experiencing the gay life like 110%.

[00:02:36]>> So what I wanted to do today in this live stream is talk about the differences between the east and the west in terms of cruising and gay life.

[00:02:47]Because I think even for people that have been maybe For example, I've been to Thailand. I was in Bangkok. I went to Shanghai and stuff, but I I was very touristy. I was there only once. So, I did all the super touristy things, but I didn't dig my teeth into gay life. So, I want to start at the beginning. Like, in Thailand, for example, >> what what is the what are the the legal, you know, where are we with human rights and being gay and stuff like that in in terms of Thailand?

[00:03:20]I mean in general with human rights it's difficult to say for me but like in terms of LGBTIQ plus >> it's you know in these political times we have like in for example in the US and and in all the western countries where things seem to go back >> I have the feeling like uh Thailand is um going forward for example I think last year they legalized the gay marriage So it's also officially uh possible to um yeah to marry uh same sex um and even before that I had the feeling that I mean I think I traveled to Thailand the first time in 2011 or 2012 so many years ago with my ex-husband at that time and I never felt unsafe or I always felt self I always felt safe because um yeah they seem to be very tolerant means they don't maybe they don't judge you or they they don't uh care about it like like like we do here also with the uh trans people also lady boys for example is since I was there the first time absolutely completely normal you go to the smallest village to a market and you will have lady boys working at this uh market selling you some stuff. So that's completely normal.

[00:04:58]What? Yeah, the legal stuff. So being there um especially in a touristy area and holding hands with your girlfriend or boyfriend as uh same sex is uh not a problem as at all. Not with the type people. to be when I to be honest, I would be maybe a little bit worried when when I am in some very touristy areas and I maybe um there are a lot of drunk people from other countries. Maybe they could make a problem.

[00:05:32]>> But type Thai people are >> usually they don't they don't care. They don't judge you.

[00:05:38]>> So it's not it's not coming from the Thai people per se. be coming from like tourists that maybe come from more conservative countries or have more conservative views. That would be >> I got it. You brought up the lady boys.

[00:05:49]I wasn't going to talk about this till later. I had it in my back pocket. But I want to talk about that because when I was there uh with my partner at the time, we went into a store and we were just shopping and I didn't think we were being overtly gay, but uh my ex was having a a bit of a tiff with like the the person that was working in the [laughter] in the store, this woman.

[00:06:17]And I don't even know what they were arguing about because I was on the other side of the store, but I just heard this like sort of arguing and then it sort of escalated and then suddenly we were leaving and she was like, "Yeah, [ __ ] you, lady boy." And we were like, first of all, I didn't realize that we were so obvious because I guess a lady boy is a lady boy just a gay person or is it a specific like kind of person or is it a trans person?

[00:06:41]>> That's that's very hard for me to speak.

[00:06:43]Yeah. because I'm not a I'm not a lady boy. But from for my what I understand a lady boy is >> the special Thai or Southeast Asian but I think the most famous uh country for that is um Thailand is in my understanding no I don't it's I I it's it's it's too hard to say that. No, it's too it's it's actually too hard to say that for me as a person who is not a lady boy, you know.

[00:07:15]>> Yeah.

[00:07:16]>> But but what I what I heard or what I heard from um uh person who um consider theirel as lady boy they say they are they don't they don't define theirel as not not they but this person I was talking to did not um consider theself as a woman. they they wanted to be a lady boy like as a specific um gender as a own gender and um so what was the question I didn't um >> I don't know but I feel like a little research needs to be done and maybe this is a topic for another another time and we can really like we can really like dig into it because I love this idea of like what it is because I think it's very specific and and then we can talk about is it different for different people. I don't know. But I just you brought up the word lady, so I thought >> I'm so sorry. [laughter] >> No, but but I mean I have when I was in Thailand, for example, I had um several contacts also on Grinder with lady boys contacting me.

[00:08:24]>> Uhhuh. Um and most of the time they proudly also presented um what they still have between their legs. So and and wanted like not >> Yeah. So that's >> Yeah.

[00:08:45]>> Yeah. Yeah. I have like one story really in in my head because you share it. was >> I want to I want to share it but I have to be you know we are on YouTube I have to be a little bit careful about it but but it's but it's not so there was a person like texting me in um Instagram >> several times and this person says I I definitely want to uh I'm really really into making love with you and um which was for me as someone who is often or who likes to be a bottom, you know, like you know what, maybe it's not. No, no, no, no. It's you can be a bottom.

[00:09:27]That's perfect. I need a like >> that's what I want. Yeah.

[00:09:31]>> Okay. Yeah. So um and that >> that quite often. So there I think most of most of um them contacting me wanted to do like this and but the funny thing was about this story was like this person even offered me money to do it you know because was like so >> and then one day when we were in Thailand a few days ago like last week um we went to a restaurant my boyfriend and me and then there was a um tall lady boy sitting there having food and we came like in this restaurant and she was like hi and I was greeting back because and what I mean a friendly person and you greet back and then um also some especially in Silom that was in Salam like in the gay district of Bangkok there are people they know me and then they they just g and then I sit down and I was like okay she seemed to know me whatever. And I think when we went back to the hotel, I checked my Instagram and the person wrote me and said me, >> "Hey, did you recognize me?" And it was the person who offered me money before.

[00:10:47]>> Oh, and >> you didn't recognize them in real life.

[00:10:51]>> Yeah, because it was the pictures on there that was a beautiful person, no question. But the pictures and like live that's a different thing. And also like >> yeah that was a very very funny situation because I never thought that I would see this person in real life because I mean you know Bangkok has I don't know how many million >> Yeah. of course >> uh people living there and then this happens.

[00:11:14]>> Yeah.

[00:11:14]>> Yeah. We'll have to do another live and have a self-proclaimed or somebody who identifies as a lady boy on with us to help us understand more. What do you think?

[00:11:28]Yeah, I think I I I was definitely.

[00:11:30]Yeah, maybe you can do a threesome. I mean three person in a live stream.

[00:11:34][laughter] >> Uhhuh.

[00:11:35]>> You know, that was no.

[00:11:38]>> Um Okay. Well, let's talk about things that we can talk about then, which is um in Thailand, how is it let's just dive right into the cruising culture then because like let's let's talk about saunas or bathous as as we say it in North America because I know that you cover a lot of them in Bangkok, but I I know from your videos that they're very different from the European or North American style. So, what is the the sauna culture like in Bangkok or Thailand?

[00:12:13]>> I think like first of all, I haven't been to any part of America, so I cannot >> No, you have not. Even though you promised to come see me and then you >> you decide to keep going to Thailand instead.

[00:12:26]>> So, >> I mean soon soon. Um and I promise I I I promise I need to do that, but I still looking for a sponsor for that, you know. If someone is >> Yeah.

[00:12:36]>> You're looking for a Yeah. If somebody is willing to pay for Rob to come to North America, then he's open to [laughter] he's open to receiving those free airline tickets and hotel accommodations, I guess.

[00:12:49]>> Sorry, hotel. I thought I can you host me in Toronto.

[00:12:53]>> Well, I don't know. Well, whoever's flying you here might want to, you know, keep you for themselves.

[00:13:00]>> Oh, you might? I mean, that would be a special. Okay, we can try. Yeah. This is this is treading onto like I'm pimping you out territory. So I'll I will speak about the North American style bath house. You talk about the Thailand experience. So what is it like in Thailand?

[00:13:19]>> I mean it's not like a general thing but what I can say is because you have for example in Bangkok you have >> 15 16 17 gay sonas there.

[00:13:31]>> See right there that's insane. There's so many.

[00:13:33]>> Okay.

[00:13:35]>> And I mean the most famous ones are quite big. Like they have sometimes capacity from 500, 700, 800 during special holidays like 1,000 guys there hosting >> what >> locals and tour or tourists or how does it what's the what's the mix usually in your experience? I mean of course in a normal day when there it's not a holiday then of course it's uh most of them are Thai people local people but especially like in the area where which are more touristy you have like from all Asian countries and of course also westerners.

[00:14:21]>> I mean if people ask me what's the best gay sauna in Bangkok it's so hard to say you know with 15 to 17 places. I didn't ask you that.

[00:14:29]>> Yeah.

[00:14:31][laughter] Yeah. Yeah. But you wanted to know about the mix. But the mix is also very very difficult [clears throat] diff different. I mean you have for example the I I would say the most famous because it's on Google maps best not best rated but has the most ratings.

[00:14:45]>> Craper is very mixed. So if you go there as a westerner guy um it is quite easy because um the local guys or the Asian guys going there they are also into westerners >> because if you go sometimes to the saunas in um which are not craft sauna it can happen mania for example also very in a touristy area it can happen you go there >> as a western guy western and they don't look at you at all because they're not interested in in in what >> Okay, so that's that's a good thing to know. So >> Mhm.

[00:15:24]>> when you're looking at these saunas like say online or something, does it say this is a sauna mostly for locals looking for locals and then do you know what I mean? Do they differentiate um so that you know before going you know?

[00:15:41]>> Um >> no. So >> you mean you mean do they say it in No.

[00:15:45]Do do they say on the website or >> well I don't know like on the website or even if you go and you're like hey I want to come in one person please and then they're like you're a westerner you're not going to have any luck in here but >> they don't do that they I mean usually in in these places they don't care about what if you have a like if you No no no >> okay >> they just give you also depends on the place you know like I can remember the last time we went to Armenia which is kind such place where it is harder for me. Um they you pay you get your locker there's nothing hey welcome your first time whatever that that's that does not happen there. So it's >> the reason I'm asking is because when I was in Tokyo it was very segregated. The the saunas are very segregated and they're very clear about who is acceptable to go in there >> in terms of westerners in terms of your look. your age, your body type. So, it's very segregated. Um, but you're saying in Thailand, it's not like that. But there are saunas that are more western friend, not friendly, but there's more westerners.

[00:16:57]>> Mhm.

[00:16:58]>> There is, as I know, there's there's one place then onen where you have a age restriction which is not older than 50.

[00:17:07]I think this is one place I know.

[00:17:10]>> Uh, not not older than 50. And >> okay. And the other Yeah. Yeah. And the other um discrimination for older people what I hear very often is what is for me not a discrimination but there are so many people feeling discriminated when people uh below 30 pay less you know.

[00:17:30]>> Oh okay. Yeah.

[00:17:32]>> This is what I this is what I heard quite often in the comments like oh that is discriminate agism because like older people and I always say uh no no no it's the other way around. you they want to make it easier for younger people who are maybe studying or >> Yeah.

[00:17:47]>> you know like but >> that's that's the same. Yeah.

[00:17:52]>> And they have also in some of the gay saunas in Bangkok they have special um terrace for not terrorists like special prices for local people.

[00:18:02]>> Okay.

[00:18:02]>> For residents. And I also do understand that I mean when I go there as a tourist I have most most of the tourists have more money than than people living there. So >> yeah, >> that's okay for me. So >> Oh, 100%. I I my my club here, Anvil, in Toronto, we do have a special for 25 and under because they're students. They're I remember even being 25. I didn't have any money, but also it's to help attract a younger crowd because in our establishment specifically, it tends to, >> you know, veer a little bit older. So we're just trying to attract that younger crowd. So I mean, I totally get it. But >> that's fair. Yeah, why not? So >> yeah. So what the ones that you've been to in Thailand, what kind of amenities can somebody expect?

[00:18:49]>> Um most of the places are quite um simple.

[00:18:57]>> Okay.

[00:18:57]>> So I remember for example one place which was we came in there and they knew that we will videotape there as they are always informed about it. [snorts] >> Mh. And [clears throat] it was like it was even like it was completely dirty there. Like there were condoms laying around. Um >> Oh, >> the facilities the facilities weren't that um clean or in a good shape. I mean they are usually they don't have um so also they have sometime they have a sling or an Andrew's cross but it's more like a decoration >> and um you have cabins where you can be private um and then you have often a pool also as in in in the western saunas I know um of course saunas or a steam room in some they even don't have uh one of like a steam or a sauna. It's the wellness is not so important at most of the places but there are also different ones like you have the bathous sauna and then you have the onen onen is a bit more this Japanese style >> they are a bit more chic bit bit more cute um younger people go often there they have models only fans models in some nights and yeah yeah there it's it's very diverse also Yeah, you Okay, so what's the difference between a bath house and a sauna?

[00:20:28]>> No, no, not I mean I would not >> or you're just using that as an interchangeable word like >> that's the same. I mean but the you have this onen >> Yeah.

[00:20:39]>> You know like the Japanese bath house style.

[00:20:42]>> No, you have to explain it.

[00:20:44]>> No, but the onen is usually Yeah.

[00:20:46]Usually a onen is a bath house where you have a spring like a hot spring or a cold spring.

[00:20:57]>> Oh wow.

[00:20:57]>> Um >> and in like the they're originally from Japan and they are more beautiful like they are not the crazy uh playgrounds. They are more like with um maybe marble and like a very nice um >> okay >> decoration stuff like this and the bathous are more yeah more the I mean of course onen is a bath house but I mean it's still like in in in Bangkok or in Thailand I would say there are onen and there are the normal gay bathous gay onen and gay baths because the onsen usually work that you have this area these public areas where nobody is doing stuff in the public area. So they're all >> very um down low >> and when you go in the steam room >> everyone goes crazy [laughter] >> like everyone is on his knees and whatever doing and they also have private rooms but it's all more a little bit you wearing this yukata din bing you know this uh Japanese bath house style >> bathroes >> yeah like this >> and you have also separated areas in some areas you have to wear the rope if you go for example Example, sometimes they have a restaurant, you have to wear the rope in the restaurant and in the relaxation area, >> okay, >> the activities area where they have the rooms and if you go downstairs to the onen areas means where the steam room is, where the sauna is, and where the spring is, the pool, um, then you are not allowed. You only have like very small towels, baby towels we always call call them. And in the gay bath houses, saunas, the normal ones.

[00:22:53]>> Yeah.

[00:22:53]>> You don't have this chin be. You don't have to. It's not so cute and it's more bam bam bam.

[00:23:02]>> Yeah. So the how do you say it? Onenen.

[00:23:05]Onenen.

[00:23:06]>> Onen. Yeah.

[00:23:06]>> Onen is more like stylistically like it's more beautiful to look at and it's more right. And is it more is it also is it fair to say it's more about >> relaxing and wellness with like sex on the side or is sex the main dish but it's kind of like wrapped around with this kind of like pretty facade and and sort of >> I think it is also more social can be more social for example one onen in Bangkok Anson onen is next to university it's one of the cheapest also they don't serve alcohol It's a nice place to to socialize with people and if you have fun it's it's a plus like this. Yeah.

[00:23:55]>> Okay.

[00:23:55]>> And and other places if you go to Sona Mania for example like the saziest places place in Saleom. No you definitely go.

[00:24:06]>> You call it the sleaziest place in Saleom >> maybe. Yeah. Is it because you don't No, you don't go there for wellness. No, no, no. Nobody can tell me because >> you go there for madness.

[00:24:21]>> Yeah.

[00:24:22]>> Yeah. They they they have a pool there.

[00:24:24]They have a sauna. They have a steam room.

[00:24:26]>> But it's >> No, it's not beautiful. It's not >> It's not relaxation. It's >> okay.

[00:24:33]>> It is. They have a foam party where like 300 400 guys walking through foam and they don't only walk through the foam they through the foam. So it's like really and you yeah consent for example if you are in Sonia in the in the foam party and you go into the foam this is consent you are in there when they are in there like people will touch you I mean you can still say no or push them away but it's definitely not like sometimes in European saunas when they are not too full you should always be sure that someone wants to be touched But if you are in these places it's so >> crowded so tight >> you will definitely people will touch you in in in >> and if if you don't like you don't like but and you can say no and then it will should be also working but >> it's not that you say >> oh I could hurt you you know it's >> guy touched me right >> it's it's expected like guys are going to be touching you >> well in and in the And you sometimes have even signs >> where where where is written on no inappropriate behavior here. So >> okay >> officially because and that's also a thing about the law I think >> um because they are tolerant and being gay is okay but >> um doing activities sexual things in public is not allowed.

[00:26:11]So that is a problem. So that is something you you are not allowed to do.

[00:26:15]>> So the is yeah >> uh I am not a Japanese expert. Actually we have somebody who's watching from Japan which is great. I would love for them to comment on this. My my my my my perception in Japan is that on the outside everything is is a little bit more formal and just kind of proper and this way and then you have to like get past that and then and then you enter the sort of you know >> in the in the whole place or only like so also in the >> in the whole country [laughter] >> there's sort of a veneer of like properness and like you know that So, I'm not surpris I guess my point is I'm not surprised that the onen has that uh vibe about it where it's like there's the right place to do something and there's a sign that says that and you have the robe and like it feels a little bit more um >> Yeah.

[00:27:14]>> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. But he's uh Tetsu from Japan is watching. So, if you're still watching and you have something to comment, please help us cuz I've [clears throat] been to Tokyo once and I I adore adore. If you haven't been to Japan, please go like right now.

[00:27:32]Don't even think about it. But, uh yeah, >> I I I I really want I I also want to go, but the thing is, you know, you talked about this um discrimination happening there in the bathous.

[00:27:47]>> Uh yeah. Well, there just the rules. I mean, just uh it's not like over here, which is f. Listen, I got in so much trouble because I did my my review on the back. Well, I in the comments people tore into me and I clearly stated at the beginning of the video I said I am not telling anybody how to run their business and I understand that everybody is allowed to and there's different cultures and people are approach bathous and saunas in different ways and they're allowed to do whatever they want. I that's not even a question. So that's how I started the video and I still got so many comments of people saying, "Well, you can't expect them to behave like North Americans and blah blah blah.

[00:28:30]They're allowed to do whatever they want." I'm like, I know I said that. Um, >> but is it do you That's interesting because of course I see that from a perspective of uh a 42year-old white old guy. Yeah. who would be who would be curious about to see the bath house in Japan >> knowing that it could be difficult for me to get in some of them you know >> yes >> and then I say hm that's discrimin then I say from my point of view I say oh that's discrimination >> but I can also but I can I try to understand what is the point of the view like of people saying things like this that could be of course like uh people running a business like that or also >> guys going to this businesses and enjoying this atmosphere like not having the old guys there like just >> I mean I think because of course I I I I like safe spaces and for example in Berlin there is you have often this this youngster parties you know in the gay saunas where people >> when they are younger they're getting a cheaper entrance >> but still the older guys can join they can still go to this um events and that makes sense because there are so many young guys who having the discount but they still love old older guys so >> or to have fun with them but there's also in Berlin for example the club sauna which is like next to the boiler like a alternative place and they have this >> twink nights I think something like this and this is a safe space for these people like where just >> younger people get in and this is also something I do understand if if you offer something like this.

[00:30:21]>> But it seems to be a little bit weird when you have a safe space for beautiful young people who >> Yeah.

[00:30:32]I I mean and if you if you would have like much more important for me would be like having strict rules about concept for example because um no young younger guy younger guys shouldn't be and I mean with younger guys guys who have who have not so much experience because a safe space should like protect you from guys who are maybe just too too much like they don't understand what concept means and stuff like that these rules are really important like about that just [snorts] >> touching a person >> you are really sure about and stuff like this but >> yeah it's interesting and I also wanted to know if I would contact the people or like the businesses in in Tokyo >> that would be very interesting to see what they would say and you and you make >> let me in. Yeah.

[00:31:22]>> Yeah. Well, that would be interesting to see if they would let you in. But you make a really good point because it's it's it's a safe space versus um just exclusivity to be exclusive. Like it's a it's like Studio 54. Like you you no not you you like there's that exclusivity that I personally does not resonate with me personally. Um but the consent side I totally get like at Anvil we have a trans night, right? because trans folks in in sex positive spaces often feel very vulnerable and it's difficult to to sometimes navigate those spaces being a trans person. So like we have set aside a specific night for um but trans men are invited anytime. They can come anytime. But if you feel a little bit more like you want to be in a safer space with cons, we always have consent but a safer space then. So I feel like those are two things. But you know what Tetsu wrote here about Japan. So let's see.

[00:32:21]So he says there are countless hot springs in Japan. It's true that there are various rules you need to follow to use them.

[00:32:29]There are gay saunas and gay hot springs as well as hot springs with private rooms. Hot springs with like you have a private room with a hotring in it. That sounds so much like fun.

[00:32:40]>> I That sounds great.

[00:32:43]That's amazing. That's I hope you don't mind. I shared your comment there. But uh Oh, wait. There's more.

[00:32:49]There are also famous gay saunas in Yuino and Shinjuku. Oh, I was in Shinjuku. There is. Okay, that's the other thing. In Japan, there are a lot of And we're talking more about Japan than Thailand, but in Japan, there are so many um there were so many, but it's because they're so specific. Like some of them, even your hair, like your hair couldn't touch like I couldn't get in with this haircut because of the hair is touching my ears. Like, they're so specific and it's it's kind of maddening, but at the same time, I'm going to tell you how to run your business, but it's certainly not like how I would do it. Like I just like you said creating a space for just hot young people to like and my point was you don't know what people are into. Maybe you're hot and young but you're into daddies. So like >> Yes. Yeah.

[00:33:37]>> You're limiting my experience.

[00:33:39]>> Um >> different points of view.

[00:33:42]That's that's that's yeah that's really interesting and it's but it's also very hard to speak about it for us you know because we should also invite a third person for three thumb >> to like who is who understand this culture um because it is a cultural thing I think it's because yeah >> that would be very interesting so if you know someone who wants to join our conversation this time just write an email [laughter] >> yeah well maybe Tetsu Tetsu is from Japan if you want to come us and we'll do a live in the future we can talk about Japanese you know saunas versus North American and uh >> but we have Eric here and he's talking about in Belgium they um are the bathous are disappearing basically in Belgium and the government well here this is a comment that he said the government is not making it easy even straight saunas are disappearing oh what's a straight sauna like for swingers I But what is the problem? Like why what is what is the government doing? What what happens so that >> uh that's true. We need more information. Eric, please.

[00:34:51]>> Yeah.

[00:34:52]>> I haven't been to Belgium. Have you been to Belgium?

[00:34:55]>> No, actually I was I wanted to go to Belgium um because there was Darklands in March like a very big fetish festival.

[00:35:03]>> Yeah. um because they all they also said to me that it would be possible to film there and stuff like that but it was very short time to decide all this and yeah as always I didn't find a sponsor for that.

[00:35:18]>> Oh I know. Well, you know your bar is very high and your your your your >> your price is very but you're worth every penny, [laughter] >> right?

[00:35:31]my price. I'm priceless.

[00:35:34]>> Oh, I like that. That's perfect. Yeah, [laughter] that's true. Well, no, I mean like you bring the expertise you bring.

[00:35:40]It's like this doesn't come for free, right?

[00:35:44]>> I'm I'm I mean I'm I'm I'm literally free.

[00:35:49]>> Well, I know you're free, but your services are anyway. [laughter] Um, I want to Okay, let's go back to Thailand because we we we left Thailand, but I want to I >> we talked about Oh, I had a question about the cabins. You mentioned about cabins because I know here in North America, a room is something that you purchase at the front when you go in and it's a private room and you have the key and that's your room. And I know in Europe cabins are communal. So, you go in, you use it, you leave, somebody else uses it. How is it in Thailand?

[00:36:24]Um I mean in you can in in Europe you can also rent some of the premium cabins but it depends. Um and in Thailand most of the cabins are for free. I remember one place Bangkok onen where they had I think three or four private rooms but these private rooms were were like like really hotel rooms >> for some hours but most of the time you have the the cabins the normal usually usual cabins are included so you don't have to pay extra for it.

[00:37:02]Um, I want to move on to the street because something that I cover on my YouTube channel is a lot of cruising.

[00:37:08]So, like parks and bathrooms and places like parking lots and stuff like that.

[00:37:12]And I want I was curious to know what the cruising situation is like in in Thailand. Are there is there public sort of, you know, interaction?

[00:37:22]>> I mean, I didn't um Thailand is Yeah, it's in the one thing is like very forward like it's going on but on the other hand side like public in in doing things in public is can become a big problem. So um so you should not do that in a public area when maybe you know a beach where nobody um can like can can see you.

[00:37:54]>> Yeah.

[00:37:55]>> But yeah it is possible. I mean for when I thought about the songran is the Thai new year and I joined it for the very first time this year it was so much fun like everyone is wet and I just remember we me and my boyfriend we went to the parade it's like a parade like a pride parade but it's the actually the strong front parade >> and we were also in a LGBTIQ plus area because we joined like one of the biggest uh fetish uh gear um producer of of Thailand and because they invited us for the for the show there. And um when we were there like walking the parade, there was a Brazilian guy joining my boyfriend and me and they have this uh this toilets where you have to pay like 10 bat to get in. very very very um basic simple toilets and yeah so but you have to you have to yeah you have to be sure that nobody can can see you or stuff like that.

[00:39:04]>> So >> I mean I I would I would I think if especially if you are a tourist I I mean if you go on a toilet and you go in the same cabin in the same toilet cabin I wouldn't be afraid of doing this. That would be I think that's as long as the doors are closed that's >> that's fine but in but in public you can really get problems with the with the police like paying fines and stuff like this >> right and I think also like to your point if you're a tourist probably you don't want to take chances also you stick out a little bit because you don't look like everyone else you know what I mean you don't know where you are really and the the local comingings in yeah I would just it would be it's not something that I would do just because I would feel uncomfortable not being in even anywhere anywhere anywhere that's not somewhere I'm familiar with. I would feel sort of weary about doing something like that, you know.

[00:40:00]>> Yeah, that's that's that's true. And we have the venues to where you can go and where you can be.

[00:40:06]>> Yeah, exactly. Um, so Eric is saying, remember you were like, what is it about Belgian and the >> the bath closing the bath houses and stuff? And he says they only want businesses where everyone is welcome, straight, gay, etc. Which is so weird.

[00:40:25]I mean that's uh also like straight places as you said like the swinger places also these places are usually not in the center or or in the heart of a city. Also these places in Germany they're mostly Are you still there Patrick?

[00:40:47]What's happening here?

[00:41:02]So, it seems like I'm the only person in this live stream because Patrick disappeared.

[00:41:12]Oh, yes. I'm the only person. That's funny. Um guys, I need to check with Patrick where where what's happened before we started the live stream. Um there was a neighbor drilling.

[00:41:26]Maybe they cut his power line now or his uh Wi-Fi. I don't know. Um but let's see what's going on here.

[00:41:45]So, I'm trying to text him.

[00:41:48]Where are you?

[00:41:53]I'm back.

[00:41:57]>> Wait, I can't see you. There you are.

[00:42:00]>> That's so weird. They're like, "You've lost your internet connection." Really?

[00:42:05]Because I pay a lot for it. So, uh, >> so better I I cannot hear you.

[00:42:12]>> Oh, really? Okay, hold on. Let me hold on, hold on, wait, wait, wait. Can you hear me now?

[00:42:25]Okay. And then mute mic. Unmute mic. Can you hear me now?

[00:42:31]>> Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello.

[00:42:33]>> Hello. Hello.

[00:42:36]There you are. That's so weird.

[00:42:41]>> Like, >> are we back now? Can you hear me? Hold on. Let it catch up. I feel like I can hear myself in your video.

[00:42:50]>> I can hear you via the YouTube, but not via your phone.

[00:42:55]>> That's weird.

[00:43:00]>> You guys can hear me now, right?

[00:43:04]>> What can I do? Can I like lock off and come back or >> do you want me to kick you?

[00:43:08]>> Let me try to to to get >> Let me remove you.

[00:43:13]>> Sorry guys. I pay enough for my internet. I can't believe that that would happen. I need to talk to them.

[00:43:19]Okay, let's bring Rob back.

[00:43:26]I can't see you now, Rob.

[00:43:36]Patrick is free.

[00:43:39]Oh. Oh god. Okay.

[00:43:42]What is this?

[00:43:43]>> Did you see my Hello? Oh, >> I see you now. But now there's two of you. What did you do?

[00:43:50]>> Wait, let me try to close this one. Um, remove from stage. Oh, there we go.

[00:43:55]>> Ah, perfect.

[00:43:57]>> You removed You removed me from stage.

[00:44:00]>> I can do that. I have the power. Oh, I know. That's unbelievable. Yeah, >> I know.

[00:44:05]>> Um, yeah, I'm gonna have to have a talk with uh my internet provider because I I sure do get a bill every month, so that shouldn't happen, you know, and I do pay my bills anyway >> because I I thought like I I told the the guys that your neighbor was drilling and maybe they cut the line [laughter] >> and they hit like the internet cable or something.

[00:44:30]Literally, literally 30 seconds before we were coming on from my next door, he decided to do home renovations. I was like, "Are you kidding me?" Like he's nothing is silent, silent, silent always. And then right before a live stream, >> maybe he thought, "Oh, these content creators, oh >> god, I'm so tired of hearing him."

[00:44:53]Right.

[00:44:54]>> Yeah.

[00:44:54]>> Um, okay.

[00:44:58]So, um, Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, Eric was saying, yeah, something about the businesses want to just welcome gays and straight people to their businesses and not like be exclusively one or the other. That seems overly what what the word that they use here is woke. That seems overly like trying to appease everybody, but that doesn't make any sense. Of course, there should be spaces that are for gay people and you know what I mean? Like, that's so dumb.

[00:45:26]I don't I don't I don't agree with you Belgium if that's your actual stance.

[00:45:30]The government about the people of Belgium. I love the people of >> Belgium. Yeah, it's of course. Yeah. I don't know. Maybe it's also about this um like like the >> Yeah, >> like the like the straight guys who say we need a straight pride, you know, like this.

[00:45:47]>> Yeah.

[00:45:48]>> Oh, right. Oh, I see. Yeah. Right.

[00:45:51]Exactly. Or all lives matter.

[00:45:54]M [laughter] >> right, we're getting political now. Um, let's talk about the apps.

[00:46:02]>> The apps.

[00:46:03]>> Let's talk about the apps in Thailand.

[00:46:05]Like, do they work? Do people use them?

[00:46:07]Do uh like I'm not like an app lover myself and I don't really use them to connect with people. Uh, but I know people do and I do videos and I've teamed up with Sniffies and Squirt and all of those guys. And so when you go to Thailand, do you use the apps?

[00:46:26]>> I mean, you know what, Patrick? I always would use Sniffies, of course. And I just made a cruising guide with Sniffies for Berlin.

[00:46:36]>> Are you just saying you worked with them recently or [laughter] >> And I don't know any other cruising apps.

[00:46:42]>> No, the only app I ever use is niffies.com. But but the problem is actually the problem is sniffies does not work in Thailand.

[00:46:50]>> Okay. Right.

[00:46:52]>> Which I'm not surprised because I know even in Europe it's not as widely used as say in North America.

[00:46:57]>> I mean but when you want to log in in Thailand this it says you are in a country where we are not available.

[00:47:03]>> No it's not even available. Okay.

[00:47:05]>> Yeah. So this is this is the thing.

[00:47:07]>> Uh I I think it's easy to use. Let's talk about the apps in general. I think and there we know all like the most famous one I think there is this one app which is like famous everywhere in the world that works easy in Thailand and you don't have to hide or stuff like that as in countries as when I was in Istanbul for example I would be more I would uh be more but no Istanbul is also cool it's um but [snorts] it's very easy but still if you going if you go to Thailand or if you go to Bangkok talk specifically and go to Sylum, you you don't really need the apps because there are so many. It's like everyone is gay. And if you go to Yeah.

[00:47:52]And if you go to a stranger bar, which is like a drag show, or you go in one of these cruising bars, of course, it's so easy to meet people. You don't actually don't need it. Even in my hotel, I always stay like it's a very hotel.

[00:48:05]Yeah.

[00:48:07]I was going to say if I'm if I'm a tourist and I just show up and I'm in my hotel room and I open the apps, uh, can I do that?

[00:48:16]>> Yeah. Yeah, of course.

[00:48:17]>> Yeah. And people >> Why not?

[00:48:19]>> Well, no, I'm just saying. And people are on them and they use them and they connect that way.

[00:48:23]>> Yeah. That that you you can of course.

[00:48:26]Yeah. Yeah.

[00:48:27]>> But you're saying it's so easy to meet people in real life.

[00:48:30]>> Yeah. But you I mean actually really in that hotel I always stay like the ebisom in I just you use the elevator and then you have the Yeah. It's it's it's really really easy. Or walking the streets.

[00:48:44]Yeah.

[00:48:45]>> Silom is a city.

[00:48:47]>> No. Silam is a district in Bangkok.

[00:48:50]>> It's a district in Bangkok. Okay. So that was actually one of my questions.

[00:48:54]Is there a defined gay area like a village?

[00:48:58]>> Okay. Yeah, >> it's >> it's Silam. And I mean >> you all the center of Bangkok is you can have gay venues, but Sylum is where you find most of the um bars and uh gay venues like Sylum. Soy 4 is very very famous is the most famous gay um street. Soy means like street. Um, >> and there are also gay massages all around and yeah, stuff like this.

[00:49:33]>> Okay.

[00:49:35]What are your tips for somebody who's traveling to Bangkok for the first time as a gay person?

[00:49:44]>> Go to Silom. I mean, really, if you go to Silom, it's it's very easy to go there because you are close to a lots of the touristy um spots you you want to visit. they have and even if it is so touristy, you have so much good like original basic street food uh so many nice people um and it's yeah easy to get in contact with other tourists but also with local people. So go to Saleom uh and have your hotel there because I heard from from so many guys they went to Thailand and then they said, "Oh, this is a nice five-star hotel because it's quite cheap there." Um in comparison and they went to other parts of the street and then they ended up going to Saleom every night because it's it's like where things happen. Yeah.

[00:50:39]>> Yeah. I feel like I was there because if you're in Saleom, you would know you're in Silam, right? because you walk down and then the I feel like we were walking down the street and some guy came out of a club and he tried to like bring us actually he did bring us into a club like he almost like dragged us in and it was like a male strip club and that oh god the dancers were really hot they were really good look but in my mind I just pictured my wallet opening and all my money leaving like you know what I mean because you're tipping the thing now you're buying drinks and you're you know what I mean and I was just like oh my god so it was it was intimidating actually for me and I don't get intimidated easily you know.

[00:51:20]>> Yeah. I mean that's of of course always where you have like the entertainment it's a fight they want to get you for their bar and stuff like that. So if you go >> soy 4 stranger bar for example is at the end of soy 4 and if you go this street down there will be all the bars that will put their menus in your face and say ah here and then the boys whatever.

[00:51:41]So yeah, but it's you just say like my pen that that means like uh no no I I I I'm not interested. Uh so yeah >> and they will accept it very easy.

[00:51:53]>> I'm having a chat here on the side with this guy and we're talking about the apps and he says how the apps are destroying people's ability to have conversations. Um, yeah, which I kind of agree.

[00:52:08]Face to face like communication, you know, >> but it's not just the apps, it's social media, it's everything, right?

[00:52:14]>> But it's still, I think, like a good or easy way to connect. You can I mean, you can meet for a quick hookup on an app and still have a good time and you can still I mean, you still meet someone. you can still talk with these people and it's all about yourself I think and but yeah I mean making the apps responsible for it it's I grew up in a countryside of Germany so and we just we didn't have these apps >> huh leipig lip >> no no no smaller much smaller even >> smaller okay >> yeah and um and I had we had like this this there not we're not really apps but we had some websites Right. But it was not that easy as today where you can get verified where you can have a live chat and stuff like this. It was a lot. I had sometimes I had to travel like 50 kilometers by by car to find out that someone is not real, you know. So [gasps] yes and no. I mean yes and no. I think I I get what what he wants to say, but I think it's about how you use it. Yeah.

[00:53:25]>> Yeah. Sure. Has that happened to you actually? Like you drove 50 km.

[00:53:29]>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[00:53:31]>> See, that's my problem with apps. I got stuff to do. I'm busy. I don't have time to be driving 50 kilometers, you know? That's crazy.

[00:53:39]>> But I mean, and but I also had this thing where I went 50 kilometers and I just had I really just had a picture of a torso [laughter] >> of a six-pack, which was hot.

[00:53:54]>> Well, I hope so. Yes.

[00:53:57]>> And then I went there.

[00:53:58]>> And And then I went there and Yes, it was true. It was really that guy. So that also happened. Yeah. But it was not like the Yeah. It was not like a app as we have it now with with where you can see the distance and stuff like that. It was just a website, a random German gay website. So yes, but no.

[00:54:18]>> Back in your day.

[00:54:20]>> Yeah. When I was younger.

[00:54:22]>> Old man. I'm older than you. Um, I'm leaving for Argentina next week.

[00:54:29]>> What?

[00:54:31]>> I know. Well, Colombia first, uh, and then Argentina and then probably Uruguay. Just to like a little day trip to Uruguay.

[00:54:42]>> You're gay.

[00:54:43]>> You're You're so gay. Yes. And yeah, so I'm going to be hitting up some saunas in like Boota and Buenosarees.

[00:54:52]And so we'll have to like debrief when I come back.

[00:54:56]>> Really really I I'm I'm jealous because I haven't been to also not to Latin America and um >> but I I will do soon. I will do soon.

[00:55:07]>> It's a magical place. You would love it.

[00:55:11]>> Also the food.

[00:55:13]>> The food is the culture, the people, the food. Like there's just so much I find like I don't know. I don't know what it is about like Yeah. It's just the music.

[00:55:25]Oh, yeah. It's just so right.

[00:55:29]>> Oh, everything. Well, you know, my ex is a Colombian, so I fully got immersed into the entire like rugatone and everything and just uh Colombian food is some of my favorite and it's just like yes, it's delicious. So, maybe uh our next live we can sort of debrief about that.

[00:55:47]>> That would be really cool. I'm I'm really curious about it and I need tips before I go. Of course.

[00:55:52]>> Yes, of course. I'll give you tons of tips. Is there anything you want to share with us before we wrap up this this live stream >> about Thailand cruising bathous, saunas, gay life in Thailand?

[00:56:06]Any recommendations?

[00:56:08]Yeah, I I would say just go there, try it because Thailand is also in comparison to most of like the western countries to visit so cheap and the food is so much better than uh than here in cold Germany.

[00:56:20]>> Just try it. Get a good I mean the flights is also a bit difficult right now in the prices, but I love Thailand and you should all love Thailand.

[00:56:30]>> You do. And also as somebody who didn't do really do the gay thing very much when I was there for some reason. Um just for the beaches, I mean this I was in we went to Pee Island and Phuket and stuff and it was just I mean it's just some of the most beautiful beaches are in that area. Anyways, >> definitely. Yes, definitely.

[00:56:49]>> So definitely work.

[00:56:50]>> Love it.

[00:56:52]>> Rob, thank you so much for joining me on my live stream today.

[00:56:56]>> Thank you for having me.

[00:56:58]>> Of course. What's uh we're g we're thinking maybe once a month to throw the put these together. What do you think?

[00:57:04]>> Sounds Sounds good. Your you guys should subscribe to my channel because I will host the next episode.

[00:57:10]>> That's right.

[00:57:12]>> Yeah, >> that's right. Okay. So, go subscribe to his channel and we'll see you guys in the next live stream.

[00:57:18]>> Thank you so much.

[00:57:21]Capun.

[00:57:23][laughter] Yeah. Bye.