Report written by sd38 in Sam's forum on Oct 2005

Dear all, I have arrived at Hatyai on 3 Oct 2005 (Monday) via air. Very fortunate to have met up with ++ and thank him for his hospitality and advice. It is reassuring to know that you have someone to turn to in a foreign land. I will be leaving this Saturday (8 Oct 2005). This being my third trip (in as many years), the novelty of coming to Hatyai is wearing off and I do not think I will be coming anything sooner. But then again, who knows. Disclaimers for my field report. These are events captured in my personal view and are definitely subjective.

The Plane Ride

Smooth check-in at Changi Airport. Did not even need the printed out e-ticket. The counter staff asked for my name and gave me a boarding pass. The ride was very smooth and took about only 1hrs 10minus. Thumbs-up for TigerAirway.

Reaches Hatyai airport. As per past experience, took quite a while to clear immigration; even though there are only like 10 persons in front of me. Lesson - rush to the counter and get yourself out.

Took the airport limo (so-called) at 260 baht. Pls note that one limo can ferry 3 persons so you could try your luck car-pooling to save cost. Ride from airport to Lovely Tour took about 20 minutes. Smooth.

The Hotel

Stayed at Regency New Wing on Monday at 950 baht (promo - from what I overheard, the same rate is quoted for walk-in). Did not like the hotel. Decent room and bathing facility, but still quite run-down, th many family-type travel customers and terrible TV selection. However, there is a in-room safe, my main requirement.

Stayed at Sakura Grandview the second night (860 baht - bought from another tour agency). Decent room and bathing facility, with in-room safe. However, there are only 2 lifts, which are definitely not sufficient for the hotel.

Stayed at New Seasons on the third night (will be there till 8 Oct 2005, also 860 baht). This is a relatively new hotel about 5 minutes from Lee Garden / Regency. Decent room and bathing facility. Love the air-con, with the wind not blowing directly at you and yet, it gets the room cool. In-room safe and the 'newness' made me a fan of the hotel. Btw, please note that this hotel is apparently strict on its no-smoking policy at parts of the hotel. For instance, you are not allowed to smoke in the message place.

The makan

Due to some religious events, alot of the makan places that I know (and like) are closed for a period of time. For instance, the wanton noodle store opposite Sakura Grandview is closed for 10 days. What a waste.

Fuji Susi - located at Lee Garden (basement). Food is decent and price is like Saki Susi.

Chester's - a fast food chain located at Lee Garden (first floor). There is one particular dish, rice with prawns (69 baht) that I simply adore. The rice is the best rice that I have ever taken (in Hatyai and anyway else, and comparison includes chicken rice) and the sauce that comes with the prawns is so damn good. Btw, this is my personal view and taste only.

One girl that I booked took me to a place that operate like Korean bbq. Plenty of food selection that you can bbq or steamboat. Damage for two of us slightly over 200 baht only. Alot of customers, you can ask your fish to bring you there. Checked but the place has no name-card and I am unable to comprehend the thai name / address.

The Massage

Good news, you can now purchase Lee Garden's massage voucher at 200 baht. You can buy it at one South Travel Hatyai Co, which is the Tour Agency (TA) that I always use when in Hatyai. To get to the TA, walk out of Regency, dont cross the road but turn right. Probably about 20 to 30 metres from Regency. However, the Lee Garden's massage voucher comes with a string. You are supposed to confirm in advance the time (and date) that you will be going there for a massage.

Went to both Sakura Grandview and New Seasons for Thai Massage (walk-in at 240 baht, voucher at 200 baht, not sure if voucher is sold for Sakura though). Standard affairs, nothing to shout, just note that New Seasons massage = no smoking.

The night spots

++ brought me to Kiss Channel (I have been there in my previous trip though). Wow, must say that this is the place to be entertained (in terms of performance and music). There are a variety of singers, dancers and bands. Love the energy. Moreover, with ++ around, you are like a VIP, since 'ALL' the singers, dancers and bands, plus the waiters / waitresses, etc know him.

Went to Paragon on my second night, which is a disco beside Hansa Plaza. I think this place may be more suitable for fellow Msian cheongsters in view of the music selection. Alot of fishes going around. Samsters looking to book fishes at disco pls come this place. Saw one fish that gave me quite a fair bit of 'wink winks'. Somemore, she's my type and danced thoughout the night. Too bad, was with another fish. Shit. Caution, though, the volume is XYZW#@$ loud. Affected my hearings for two days.

Went to Kiss Lounge at Hatyai Garden Home. This place operates from 7pm onwards. Standard drink for customer I recall being 150 baht. If you ask a girl to sit with you, it is compulsory ladies drink at 150 baht per hour. It is up to you if you want to tip the girl thereafter. There are easily 20 to 30 well-dressed and pretty ladies to choose from. Apparently, they are all for booking and the average fee is 2500 baht. Bar fines (computed till 2am) at 150 baht per hour. What is interesting is that they do short-time (as informed by the girl that I sat with). For 2 hours (room provided, at the same hotel), the cost is 1200 baht. So brothers who want to book girls from there, please go early so that you dont pay higher price (than farm) and yet get a second-hand (on the same day) mechandise.

Went to Porsche Karaoke just to check out the place. The mamasan is very friendly and able to converse in english. So no problem checking the various information required. Her name is Mamee Tai and accordingly, she has 12 girls in her stable. The 7 to 8 that I saw that day, in my personal view, CMI. Furthermore, they are quite reserved in the KTV room. The booking fee asked outfront is 3000 baht (I have no doubt that you can negotiate it down). What is attractive about this place is the fact that it operates beyond 0200hrs (for whatever reasons / backings) I think till 0600hrs. Hence, cheongsters who need more disco sessions can come here after the other nightspots closed. For instance, it has a room that could accommodate about 20 to 30 persons (500 baht fo the room per hour). Damage for me (half an hour, two hostesses, tips to mamasan, etc, one local wine) at about 2100 baht. I personally will not come back since ktv is not my cup of tea.

A NEW NIGHTSPOT (I was told so) - OR-KAR CLUB PART 2. A two-storey pub located near kiss channel which is damn happening. First the direction there - if tuk tuk fails, go to kiss channel. Imagine that you are walking out of kiss channel, turn left, reach the junction (dont cross), turn left again, walk for about 200 to 300 metres, you will see the place on your left. When enter, the door persons asked for my passport (at hotel) then IC. Apparently not checking my age (hey, me a junior middle-age, no one can miss that) hence I am puzzled till today as to why they want to see my pink ic. The first floor is dominated by sofa seats with the second floor the standard stools thingy. One beer (Heinkein) at 75 bahts. Saw a lot of girls whom I do not think are working, and who are attractive, hip and modern. Brothers who like challanges can try this place. The best part to me is the music played. Went in for about half an hour. The 4 songs that the DJ/KJ played is solid for a pub. Before I left, the 5-persons band started playing. The first 2 songs were thai songs. Not sure what happened next as me left oredi. Good place, good atmosphere, highly recommended. However, the waiters / waitresses got some attitude, seems more delighted in listening and dancing to the music then serving us. So, you must be proactive in getting seats and ordering drinks. Also, no place to dance lah.

Hansa Caberet Show - bought the voucher at TA (250 baht). Standard dropped, only saw 2 ah quas who are pretty and the rest, like Porsche hostesses, cmi. Usual advice, leave before the middle portion of the last song (you will know that it is the good bye song when it is played). The performers are not shy in asking for tips lah.

The Nightspots / Booking Place

One place highly recommended in terms of entertainment value is the sexy show at Hatyai Palace. Met ++ there on my first night in Hatyai (i.e. Monday lah). I was the only customer there before ++ joins me. There are 5 girls performing sexy show (strip dance). The majority are, in my personal view, pretty and attractive. For a tip of 100baht, you can hang some jewelries and may get touchy-feely with the girls. I bought mine at TA for 200 baht (ps - ++, sorry, me recalled wrongly, think 250 baht is for the Hansa show whereas 200 baht is for the Palace sexy show).

Pink Lady Massage - went there yesterday night when they were about to close. Paid 1300 baht for T8 (Ms Noo). A short and pretty girl who is from Chiangmai. Me asked for only HJ and BJ (sorry, me no FJ in Hatyai lah). Good work and most attractive demeanors. Really enjoyed the one-hour with her (the booking is for 1.5 hrs but because it is quite late, she ended earlier to allow the cleaners to go home). Will be returning to her today and tomorrow (if time permits). She is available for booking after 0001hrs at 2000 baht till next day 0800 to 0900hrs. T8 is highly recommended, in my personal view lah.

As of now, booked a total of 4 girls (the fourth joining me later). The stories go (will include name if I recall) -

First girl (at Apples Karoke at Channivet) - surprise beyond surprise, the girl does catbath, BJ, HJ and obviously allows FJ (in my last two trips, no such service). Good service and very attached to you. But get jealous too easily and quite violent (i feel). Cried when we retuned to hotel after a disco session, cried the next morning and wanted me to continue to book her. Managed to release her despite the crying. When I went to the karoke, only 5 girls. The mamasan is quite pretty though.

Second girl (at 168 Karoke at See Kim Yong) - surprise beyond suprise, the girl does catbath, BJ, HJ and obvioulsy, allows FJ. This girl is quite tall at 168. I think her name is joy. Her height is definitely an attraction.

Third girl (at Nok Karoke at Channivet) - the name is Ah B, quite short and a bit plump. In my personal view, her service is bad. Bathing you means standing and pouring water on you, with a bit of soap (the other 2 girls would bath u in the bath-tub). When arrived, sat at one end of the bed away from me. After bathing, released her without any further actions. Called the papasan and told him simply that the girl has been released with no reasons stated and did not ask for a refund. However, am quite angry with him as he promised good service. Will never return to Nok myself.

Fourth girl ........ (have not arrived yet).

Btw, the number of joints at SKY has dropped notably. According to ++, however, girls at SKY are among the better service providers.

Btw, Thongsao and Channivet are actually beside each other. To go to Channivet, just tell the tuk tuk that you are going to S.K. Hotel (if the tuk tuk blur, adds that the hotel is in channivet). Facing the Hotel, turn left for one whole stretch of joints about 10-20 meters away (also the direction to thongsao). Facing the hotel, turn right, a couple of other joints too.

Hotel - Kindly note the following shortcomings of New Seasons Hotel; firstly, it is not exactly soundproof so you could hear people talking along the corridor. Secondly, the ceiling in the bathroom is quite low hence for a 'good-sized' person like myself, I am unable to fullystretch (with my hands) vertically. Then again, think it is the same situation at Sakura. Unable to recall for Regency New Wing.

Korean BBQ alike (Moo Kartak - courtesy of ++ ) - unlike Singapore, the Thai version has the steamboat surrounding the bbq area. This means that the meat you want to bbq may slide into the steamboat area. I found this pretty annoying. Also, they do not use butter. I think what they have is a piece of lard that you could 'oil' the bbq area with. Not my cup of tea. Never liked to cook my own food anyway. Ha ha.

Pizza Karaoke - this place is located at Chinnivet, with the OKT (male) wearing a strange blond hair-do. Booked a girl called Joy (same pronunciation as per the second girl I booked, deja vu). She is 20-year-old and I will be continuing her till saturday. Talkative girl with some attitude. According to her, she has been booked almost every working day since she started work. Furthermore, when we went to Paragon yesterday, there are fellow cheongsters who approached her asking whether she is working. I dont think you would call her pretty nor sexy. But definitely attractive. A funny girl in a weird sense. Would appeal to some cheongsters like myself. Good booking to end this trip.

I went to Pink Lady massage yesterday but unfortunately, T8 has been taken. Will try again today and tomorrow. Simply loves her service and character.

Went to Pink Lady complex (massage - the adult type) yesterday to look for dear T8. First went there at 1200hrs but she was not in yet. Went an hour later and there she is, sitting in the viewing gallery (3 customers are already there viewing). Without any further delay, went to the cashier and booked her for a session. Went to the sixth floor, the room which I think is bigger and newer (slightly) than the room I went to in the fifth floor. Furthermore, there is a good-sized mirror on the ceiling that I do not recall seeing in the fifth floor room. The service is still good and I am most satisified. Came via BJ afterwhich she laid down beside me, with the two of us hugging and resting (and she kissing me lah). SHIOK !!!! Btw, T8 is quite dark, short and is 75B (though look to me like C). Probably not the cup of tea for everyone so try at your own perils.

Btw, girls with a 'T' infront of their numbers means that they do body message at the bath tub whereas those without a 'T' infront do body message on a float. But I guess you could check whether a girl does either, dont see why not. Also, the booking fee for say a lady is 1300 baht for one session. They worked till 12 midnight. If you intend to book a lady out from 2100hrs onward, you would have to pay pink lady 1300 baht (overnight booking fees to be worked out between the girl and yourself).

Went to Paragon (again) last night after a brief meeting at Kiss Channel with ++ and several brothers from M'sia. The girl that I booked asked a couple of her friends along and at one point, I am dancing with a total of 8 young and majority quite attractive ladies. Being a nice guy that I am, went out a couple of time to allow them to perhaps hook up on freelance basis. But guess they dont have the luck. Anyway, at about 0100hrs, the security guard took 2 girls from this group away. Being blur and thought something occurred, me went with the entire group outside the disco. Then I was told that there is impending check and the guard, who knows the girl well, has helped us by pulling us out. On the way to tuk tuk, saw at least 2 police trucks (with police officers). I understand that checking ICs of everyone in the disco may take up to 0200 - 0300hrs. Lucky, did not kenna the boring check.

Have booked the taxi from Tour Agency to airport at 200 baht. If you know the driver, you can book at 150 baht (me dont bother lah).

One more thing, there is an internet cafe near lee garden at a lower rate (30 baht per hour, I went to a place at 20 baht per hour but the location is too difficult to describe so I would describe the one for 30 baht). This place opens earlier than Lee Garden, I believe. To get to this place, Imagin you are at Lee Garden facing Regency (do not cross the road to the side of Regency), turn right and walk all the way. After about 100 meter, you would pass a 7-11, turn right immediately after the next shop following 7-11, which opens into a small lane. Look out for the shop on your left which is about 30 - 50 meter from your last right turn.