Originally Posted by robb
a) I have to say one thing, though, and it's about being a respectful and informed traveler as FlyerTalk strives to make each of us. If you're going to engage in something like this, find out ahead of time how it all works. You can search for sites which explain this in detail (and no, FlyerTalk should not be such a site). I can PM one to you if you'd like. On the respect side, if you're going to hire the bar boys, don't also call the whole thing sleazy. The bars are there as an important source of income for these boys who really are mostly working their way through school and/or sending money back to their families upcountry.
Thanks for this, robb. Initially I was was put off of this thread by the pejoratives like "hooker" and "sleazy." I find it hard to believe that the latter adjective was applied to the Paradise Complex bars (lord knows I've seen far sleazier in most American or European cities), and I've met far too many genuinely nice Thai bar workers to enjoy seeing the word "hooker" applied to them. Bar work is a way of earning a living, and while it is not the ideal career choice it does not carry the same stigma that many westerners like to apply. Most of the gay bars in Thailand have a commercial sex aspect to them and most gay tourists who visit Thailand know it, and the most minimal of research prior to travel will give one a farily good idea as to how the system works.