Gay Boy Thailand

I cursed myself for being so slow in the morning. I had set the alarm to 6.45. I didn’t oversleep, but I spent so long time checking my email and in the bahtroom that it was 7.30 by the time I caught a taxi in the soi.

One look at the driver and my gaydar went off. He was barely past 30 I thought, but he said he was in his 40ies. He had driven his kids to a posh private school in my neighbourhood. I was surprised he could afford that kind of school for his children, but I didn’t say anything.

The driver told me his life story. He had been in the navy as a gunner. Maybe that was where he had damaged his hearing. I had to speak loud to him.

He touched my knee and my arm too. Flirt flirt.

“I hope to see you again”, he said.

Let me see. Do I want to date a Thai man my own age? That would be a first.

I have some history with Thai men like him. I meet them, like them and want to be friends with them. But they want something more. It is the same old story about my dazzling looks, charming personality, perfect body etc.

I had one Thai friend who was around 50, a well-educated middle class type. He said on the Internet that he had a crush on me. I thought he was joking. He always had a string of Thai-Chinese boys around 19-21, one after the other, and I could not see how I would fit in. But he said he wanted to move to Farangland with me to start a Thai restaurant.

Once this Thai man had taken me to an expensive Western restaurant. In passing I mentioned my new boyfriend. The Thai man said nothing but he froze. I haven’t seen him since.

I fear the same will happen if I keep in touch with this handsome married gay taxi driver. He seemed eager, almost desperate. But I will think about it. I have his business card.

—

The Air Asia check-in counter had closed when I came running. This was my second trip in a row where they had to call up the gate and get permission to send me. The first time I had company of an Air Asia guy who hinted strongly that he expected a tip for helping me catch the flight. I gave him what I had, 140 baht. He didn’t thank me. I wonder what he had expected.

This time there was no Air Asia guy with $$ signs in his eyes. I went to the gate by myself.

Thai Immigration were all smiles. They thanked me heartily for spending my time and money in their country. They wai’ed and said “kha” and “krap” and gave the passport back with both hands while saying “hope to see you again soon”. Then they put on a Thai classical dance number and everyone applauded. (This was irony. I hope you got it.)

—

Air Asia has made an effort to change their image as The Late Airline. Now they are on time and I blame this for almost making me miss their flights. I don’t have that extra margin anymore. How unfair. I will write to the airline and complain.

Their planes are A320s. It feels like I have been in them all. Maybe I have.

—

The queeny fem receptionist at the hotel in Kota Kinabalu was happy to see me. I think he has figured me out. His burly Muslim wife sat there too. She is twice his size.

A cleaning boy said “long time no see”. These Malaysians speak good English. I could not remember him.

Tomorrow I continue to Sandakan.