Originally Posted by Doppy
Well first, this is an interesting story, but I don't think it's "urgent." Let's save that word for a real emergency in the future
I'd go with either
izzik's suggestion that this guy may be more interested in a sugar daddy than a one-off event, or
Scandalous's that the bar fee may have been sufficient.
There's also the possibility that this guy may just like your friend, or thinks that hanging out with your friend and sleeping in his hotel room is nicer than what he'd otherwise be doing.
If the gay scene is like the straight scene in Thailand, the bar fee ONLY pays the mama-san and NOT the lady (or guy). The handing of money needs to be more discreet as opposed to hand open, palms up; usually done by slipping it in as they walk towards a taxi or something.
The last part of Doppy's statement may also be true - ladies have been known to not charge for their services to certain people they like in the hopes that they'll fall in love, that sorta thing. Could also be the case...