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parties contesting: a whopping 81 (there's even an LGBT party, I see there posters around Silom) source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-election-democracy-after-military-rule-11280022

As I understand it, Pheu Thai expected to work with Thai Raksa and an agreement was made not to compete for the same seats. When Thai Raksa was banned it was too late for Pheu Thai to submit their own candidates. The last poll that I saw-two weeks ago- suggested that the popular vote will go against the junta but, as you say, to what extent that will be reflected in the balance of power is uncertain. I tend towards the cynical view; how many military dictatorships across the world have ever willingly given-up power? f they did, who would pay for their collections of Rolexes?

I'm happy to report I sent three checks today to candidates running for president. I saw the Peter Buttigieg CNN Town Hall recently and the guy blew me away. So smart. So articulate. So open to new ideas. He's got some serious talent. I believe his mind and heart would be good for America. First check to him. I like Kamala Harris. Second check to her. I think she's got talent, too. She doesn't quite have her policy chops sharpened enough, but I want to watch her growth and see her in the debates. I think it's important to have leadership discussions among a diverse group. I like supporting smart women who don't behave like Amy Klobuchar in private. If Stacy Abrams jumps in, I'll be sending her a check, too. I enjoy supporting smart minority women with talent. Check #3 goes to Beto O'Rourke. So glad he decided to jump in. Let's see how he fares on the national stage. He has the potential to bring an Obama-type impact to politics. The fact that he's a White guy from Texas only helps attract more conservatives on the fence. We caring patriots need to support worthy candidates who try to avoid PAC money. Even if it's $25, I highly recommend our fellow gay men write a check asap to show support. Good candidates need every non-corporate penny they can get their hands on. Let's do whatever we can, whatever it takes to dump Trump and Pence. (I apologize for posting in the Pub. I wanted to reach as many members as possible.)

From Bangkok Post (14 Mar.) A new direct flight from Bangkok makes Nha Trang and the lesser developed Cam Ranh accessible for Thais. Unlike Hanoi, Sapa, Danang, Hue, Hoi An, Dalat, Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang (pronounced ya jang) is not a familiar name for Thai travellers. But with a direct air link between Bangkok and this Vietnamese city, recently introduced by Bangkok Airways and soon to be followed suit by another airline, that is about to change. Continues with photos https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1644168/vietnams-up-and-coming-destinations

One more thing - My travel insurance carrier sends out newsletters every now and again. Their newsletter of today has some excellent suggestions about how to reduce the chances of someone stealing your property or money while you are traveling. Some of the suggestions are already in the forum but there are some different ideas about how to keep thieves away from your money and property. Most of the suggestions I already knew. There were a few different ideas. This company is very knowledgeable about reducing theft. Many of the suggestions help both the traveler and the insurance company because the insurance company does not have to pay for covered items not stolen. For those interested in seeing the newsletter - http://links.mkt1649.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MTUyOTM0NDAS1&r=MTkyNTI2ODYxNDMzS0&j=MTYwMTEzOTczMQS2&mt=1&rt=0

That's quite a knock on gay men. Anyone who lived through the AIDS crisis saw the vast generosity of the gay and lesbian community. We see it still today in the support social programs receive. Gay men volunteer, they donate, they show care. Don't knock them. Knock those pompous fools who think they know so much more than anyone else.

I am not sure that I agree with the word - worry. Rather than worry, I think visitors to Brazil need to exercise a little more caution than they did just a few years ago. There is no question that poverty and no jobs make otherwise good people (Brazilians) do things they would not normally do such as stealing and mugging. In my opinion, the above is a better way to look at the facts about visiting here. In my case, I visit Brazil often. I have traveled here for over fifteen years. That equates to more than one hundred trips to Brazil. If you believe in statistics, you have comfort and a high probability of not having any negative issue or a problem during your visit. Statistically speaking, you have a greater probability of having a wonderful time than a bad time. Although I am less comfortable than I was before my incident, I am now back in Brazil again. This is my second trip here since the mugging. Don't be discouraged about reports of crime. Just be a little more cautious. Philosophically, if your number comes up, you will have a problem regardless of where you are.

How tall is Jack Maitree? He is one sexy fuck.

Yes, a pain for sure! Anyone who has been on this site for more than 2 months knows we take care of issues as fast as possible. That is why we sometimes ask for patience from others.

I think his name was John Booth. At one time he had been an English teacher so there was no reason for him to write as he did other than he was having a bit of fun. Sadly he died in very unfortunate circumstances. He had been treated for some form of cancer and thought he was cancer free. Then it returned but he had no cash left for a return to hospital. I seem to recall friends in Bangkok looked after him as best they could and he died in their home.

BTW: Thank you Lucky for starting this thread even though I told you we were looking into it. And, thank you Tomcal for replying to Lucky. So, yes, there is a bug in the system. We are still able to check IP's from anonymous posters and we do not plan to allow this to continue. However, as I told Lucky, we are looking into it and trying to resolve it. But, the issues a bug with Invision Software and will be fixed in the next release.

Is the issue that too many or too few have been allowed? With the possible exception of some true fringe groups, I believe the only meaningful party that has - so far - been banned is Thai Raksa Chart, which is/was an off-shoot of the Pheu Thai Red Shirts (Thaksin Shinawatra's peeps). Worth noting that the Pheu Thai party has not been disbanded and is contesting the election vigorously. They take it seriously. As I understand it, the Thai Raksa Chart party was created to take advantage of the way seats will be allocated under the new constitution. To oversimplify: let's pretend the drafters of this constitution thought that Pheu Thai would win "too many" seats in the lower house of parliament on a direct proportional vote, so instead the drafters set up rules that try to award more seats to the smaller parties, and less to the bigger parties. The smart folks at Pheu Thai said, "Hey - let's split into two and take advantage of this, and the way the rules work we actually will end up with more seats in parliament than if we stayed as one bigger party. All well and good and then in a massive strategic error, Thai Raksa Chart/Thaksin thinks they'll win the game with a bold move by nominating the Princess as Thai Raksa Chart's PM candidate, as near as we can tell without first securing royal approval. So bye bye Thai Raksa Chart and now the very good ploy of getting more seats by splitting into two looks to be a bad idea since now one of the two is gone. Was the banning of Thai Raksa Chart motivated by "politics" ? My guess guess would be almost certainly. But maybe such a briiant/stupid move should be disqualifying. BUT in any event, worth again reminding ourselves that Pheu Thai has not been banned. Also in the background, over the past two-three years a few smaller parties that Thaksin had bought or scooped up to make his party in the first place were peeled off by the military or left Pheu Thai for their own reasons, so there are a bunch of smaller parties that are in play and/or have a history of being available to the higher bidder (usually Thaksin). So (1) the junta-drafted constitution is intended to keep junta firmly in control of the Senate and the country for a while yet, but (2) there is a lot of uncertainty over how the voting and seat allocation rules will actually play out. Is there a chance the General faces a defeat in the popular vote? I think there is. Would he take it well. Nothing suggests he would. Will the junta then try to blow up their own constitution in the midst of the coronation celebration. I think no. I think as happens in any parliamentary system where no party wins a majority, there will be lots of backroom action (and not in the fun way) as people figure out who has the seats in parliament and whether coalitions are available. Abhisit (former Democrat PM) has come out saying he would not support the General as PM. If you have have aspirin or a gin & tonic here is a link to a Bangkok Post article explaining the rules for the lower house. Shitshow

Yes all is included: no tip and extra services The masseur can go outside the shop

Yes sometimes Pong's English is just fine. And sometimes Pong is also known to lapse into a rather mocking Thai-nglish (Thaibonics?), so gentle ribbing about language seems acceptable. (Also Pong says he has a great massage shop but doesn't share the name, so he's fair game. )

I go there regularly (as I have a place there). The best way I can describe Palma is as a mini-Barcelona. There’s great architecture, wonderful food and shopping, with lovely beaches and countryside. As you’re asking here @rodiem25 I guess you’re interested in meeting local guys. There are lots online and as long as you speak some Spanish, you should have no problems. There is a small sex-sauna (but AFAIK to meet other men, not working guys) and some working guys advertise on Hunq (the commercial part of Planet Romeo) and on Spanish sites.

So much that is wrong with everything you say in this post . The stubbornness not to look at your opinions and wonder if it is you that see RED when the rest of us see Green. You bring up Autism ( self diagnosed) only after you are attacked by myself and others for your statements that actually mimic the Ku Klux Klan. You talk about your 5 years of traveling in Thailand like it makes you an expert. I have been traveling in Thailand for 34 years as well as much of the rest of the world. You go to small towns where of course the education system is likely to be more basic and then base your biased opinions on what you see there . You avoid BKK because the boys you seek for Sex are more expensive and in many cases more likely to see you for the racist that you are. You have no idea about educated Thais because you avoid them like the plague. You are afraid you might meet a Thai who is far smarter then you and more educated and then would not fit in with your opinion of Thai people I believe your home country which I think is Germany has a sad history of Bigotry . Yet I who have travelled extensively in Germany have never thought to attack Germans as lacking in intelligence because they were so easily led by a MadMan. But of course I realize I am wasting my breath trying to argue with you about your opinions of Thai people because you need to feel superior to the people you interact with and in your mind that is easier in the countryside villages of Thailand.