If Thailand closed tomorrow and wasn't going to open again for the foreseeable future, where else would you go?
I want to try somewhere different for my next trip abroad, but have no idea where to go. Any suggestions? Where else has a similar kind of gay scene to Thailand? (preferably outside Western Europe) I realise that everywhere else the boy's will be more expensive, but I'm prepared for that.
A bit of culture and some nice scenery wouldn't go amiss either.

What's the next best country to Thailand?

What type of gay scene turns you on?  The sauna/cruising scene, or the young-flesh-for-pay scene?  Is there anything else about a country you care about when you decide to take a vacation, or do you have a one-track mind?

Zorro The Gay Blade wrote:

What type of gay scene turns you on?  The sauna/cruising scene, or the young-flesh-for-pay scene?  Is there anything else about a country you care about when you decide to take a vacation, or do you have a one-track mind?

I like the big outdoors/dramatic scenery types of trips, but I also like picking up boys, which usually happens in big cities. I only ever go away for 10-14 days, so time is a bit of an issue. Ideally, I'd like to spend a few days in a big city, find a boy that I like, and ask him to be some kind of tour guide for me and show me some really nice countryside/scenery that's not too far (I don't want to spend too much time just travelling around. I want to stop off and enjoy places)

Whether I find a prostutute, or a pick a guy up cruising, this kind of thing will probably involve some kind of payment anyway, so I'm not too bothered where or how I pick him up.

Well, I think the experience you describe can take place just about anywhere in the world.  Only difference is the cost.

A friend in Pattaya organises 'gay' trips to South Africa and raves about the place. There's something different.

Another friend works on a cruise ship and has been all over the world. His favourite country for men is Mexico.

For me, the gay scene is the last item on my agenda when travelling, but then at my advancing years its "been there, done that".

Bali could offer an alternative. have a look at balifriendly.com to get you started.

Without Thailand having to close tomorrow, Zoro The Gay Blade answered it best, “what type of gay scene turns you on?”
For me Havana Cuba has worked best capturing the elements you describe  “big outdoors / big dramatic scenery type of trips” with the option of picking up company by the hour or beyond.
The city and indeed the whole country is a photographic playground of sites, a music lover’s smorgasbord and an art lover’s dollar store. The only down side would be with the culinary limitations of Cuba, however once you know where to go…even that is easily overcome.
On nights when crashing waves and daunting clouds permit, the Malecon can be filled with hundreds of boys and young men, most willing to do whatever you like. You need to see through two important challenges to make this encounter a reality. You cannot stay in a hotel or you need access to a short term, no questions asked room. Next, you need to have a private access to your room, if you choose to rent a “Casa Particular”. Once you meet your new friend, you should arrange to meet wherever you are going to have your encounter. Young Cuban men cannot walk or talk openly with foreigners without some interest from the Police.
There is a small club for drinks, smoky café’s and house parties that pop up through the weekend. Once the boys at the Malecon get to know you, you’ll start to hear about the "goings on". If you don’t speak Spanish, your choices may be limited somewhat.
Cuban men are not like Mexicans. They are white, black or a combination of the two called mulato. It’s quite easy to get to know one in advance with Gaydar etc…
Don’t expect to meet many that are really gay. If you are a bottom, you’ll love it here.
Many of these fellows are very well equiped.
Lately, the Malecon has become somewhat polluted with transvestites. They can be troublesome, fights etc….
If someone invites you down a dark street to go to a sauna or the likes, don’t go. There isn’t a sauna and if they are walking with you, they probably plan on rolling you quickly. I’ve never had any problems with the boys personally in Havana. Take their ID information, pass it to a friend or slip it under the landlord’s door, if you trust your landlord enough.
There are quite a few flights from Canada, Mexico and Europe, especially from Spain. If you are American and you are flying through Mexico, remember Mexico allows only 25 cigars and there’s nothing more the Mexicans would love than stealing them from you. It’s best to pick up your Cuban Tourist card in advance from a consulate or from your airline, if possible. If you leave it for Mexico, they’ll make it terrible difficult for you.
If you want to see a little Cuba first, I have plenty of photos now posted on Flickr see Surfcrest.

Enjoy!

Thanks for that. I hadn't thought about Cuba before, but you make it sound like something I should definitely look into.

Good places to visit are Istanbul - Turkey and Athens - Greece. Lots of action and good looking guys, many bars and night clubs, you cant miss or get wrong

Enjoy

No gay scene in Laos as such, but plenty of gay guys to pick up. If you like Thai guys then Lao boys are the same to look at, just a different nature. Much more friendly people. Get there soon before it becomes another Thailand.

yes I reckon CUBA is where it will be at..lovely mad Latins who are always randy and giant enormous you know what.

And I read an interview with Fidel Castro in which he said he has never had a problem with gay people, and never disliked them or cared at all what they did  but some of his compatriots were homophobic which he put down to Spanish machismo

Yes, Bali could be an alternative to Thailand.  There are the local boys but also many, many boys from all of the other islands run to Bali for work, sex, money

There is another alternative which is cheaper and just as sweet but the rules of this forum prevent it from being discussed.

Lao boys may appear sweet in nature and unspoilt compared to Thais but it is an illusion.........Gambling drug use and exploitation of multiple farang boy friends is common.  There are exceptions..such as my BF  and evidently John Bottings...............

yaraboy wrote:

Lao boys may appear sweet in nature and unspoilt compared to Thais but it is an illusion.........Gambling drug use and exploitation of multiple farang boy friends is common.

And you make this generalization from your extensive travels in Laos?  Or perhaps from your contacts with a dozen bar boys who you think were from Laos?  Just curious as your knowledge base for the claim.

I must say the Laos people are really nice, and so are the guys, I have been there and would never recommend it on this board, I want it to be my own fairytale ;-) Lack of the country, the beaches offcource.