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Recently I read Bangkok 8, a novel by John Burdett. It was the third time I have read the novel and I liked it just as much as on the first or second read. It gives a view of Bangkok and nightlife that intrigues me. Yesterday I read The Last Six Million Seconds, also by Burdett. This one is about the weeks leading up to the transfer of Hong Kong to China. It's a fascinating novel, full of corruption and intrigue. Both novels came out a long time ago. I submit that they remain timely. Current Chinese corruption is explained a lot in this book.

Greetings! May I suggest that the business listings for Gay Businesses in Colombia expand to include: - Medellin - Cali - Bucaramanga as these are the next most important cities after the Capital (Bogotá)? I would be happy to set up the major business listings to get things started.

there's also short movie ' Is my classmate a gay" on Gthai movies triggering the same problem described in Op , senseless hostility to a gut just because he is from other school. One of main characters asked why , responds ' because it's old tradition', nicely underlining idiocy of the whole problem

For those unfamiliar with SOTUS, it was a popular Thai TV series in 2016-2017. According to Wikipedia, it is an adaptation of the novel SOTUS: พี่ว้ากตัวร้ายกับนายปีหนึ่ง by Bittersweet. The title SOTUS refers to the S.O.T.U.S. [th] system which Kongpob (Prachaya Ruangroj) and his fellow freshmen have to undergo to be recognized by the hazing team, led by third-year student Arthit (Perawat Sangpotirat), as their official junior students. As the activities unfold, the two groups go through a series of conflicts and reconciling, and the friendship and love among them gradually flourish. In early March 2017, a sequel of the series entitled SOTUS S: The Series was announced where both Perawat and Prachaya will reprise their roles. The sequel premiered on 9 December 2017 and was followed by a spin-off on Our Skyy (2018)

NBC News's first report on it..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LKJ5ZzzL0w

As for the US: it is clearly not unable but unwilling to do so. I happened to see a press conference with the WH press secretary Psaki a month or two ago. When asked she said something like "the State Department has traditionally not provided health support to Americans living abroad. We would like to to stick to that policy." Traditionally that is all well and fine in the past, but then we didn't have a fucking pandemic! So there is no real reason why they don't do it. "Unable" because it has been a "traditional policy" is hardly a valid reason. The German Embassy sent out a letter to their citizens reporting that France is doing this, but "For legal reasons, the German embassy has no way of offering vaccines or vaccinations for all German citizens." That's similar bullshit to the US excuse. Legal reasons? Can't be legal reasons in Thailand, else China and France couldn't do it. Can't be EU legal reasons either, else France couldn't do it. So must be German legal reasons. Who can do something about those legal obstacles? Hmm I wonder who that could be..... Maybe Kim Jong-Un and he is unwilling to do it? What a super lame excuse. They have been changing the law like all the time in this pandemic to set a framework to manage it, most recently to implement Merkel's big "emergency brake" which entailed massive restrictions of fundamental rights and freedoms. And they can't change some minor fine print to allow the embassy to follow the example of France? Laughable! Ok sorry about that, */end of rant lol

@readerI was there at the AID Memorial Quilt in 1992. It was beautiful and sad. My first boyfriend was in NYC when I moved there. He was Brazilian: smoking hot. We were together for a few months before he told me he was positive. I didn't know what to do or say and he helped me to protect myself in the future. He said one thing that really stuck out in my mind (other than amazing sex and insane jealousy) and that was that he would not wish this on anyone so he will also be safe and protect me and others. He was a stunner. We were together for 5 years and he did protect me. And, I learned from him. As this Covid19 hits I wear a mask, sanitize, and take all precautions not just to protect myself but others. BTW: I believe that was around 1995. He is still telling others to protect themselves and others.

Renault and her partner had a circle of gay friends in Cape Town. She was an old school Brit that lived a very spartan life early on. I can understand how someone like her would shy away from being outspoken. She didn't have a taste for politics and movements. Times change. I recall 30+ years ago some older gays would poo-poo the idea of gay marriage. For them, that was going overboard! That Renault wrote about love between two men or two women back then was enough for me to hold her in high regard. Getting some of the material published during those times was a worthy fight that she thankfully pursued.

HOLY SMOKE is the appropriate title because my HOLE is definitely on fire.. These trips to the Dominican republic just get better and better and its always because of manny. This trip was no different as manny has 3 new hotties who are HOT HUNG AND HANDSOME. Of course I have videos. Of course they're hot. Of course I won't post because it isn't allowed anymore. (Sigh)! I do understand and totally respect the rules of gayguides. We took another slutty friend with us this time and the 3 of us had a blast. I had scheduled manny to meet one of my regulars and was anxious that he was CUMMING over. While I was waiting for manny to bring my guy At 2, manny bought a sexy ass ripped body Latin guy for our friend. I was like WHO TF IS HE AND WHY DIDNT YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS GUY? Manny told me DONT WORRY. I WILL BRING HIM LATER FOR YOU. this guy, I call him TATTOO, has a nice dick. It gets hard as a rock and he knows how to use it. HE also loves looking into the camera when he fucks. His video I could never share because he has tattoos everywhere, but he did not have an issue with me recording. We both wore masks that I bought from a sex store in Lauderdale. The 2nd guy we will call NEW HAITIAN. Manny had a hard time getting in touch with this guy because he doesn't have a phone. This guy has a HUGGGGGEEEEEEEEE DICK and it gets hard at the mere sight of a naked body. His dick was so big, that I called my bf and our buddy to come see and touch it. He also likes to put on a show for the camera. He moves like a seasoned porn star and gets a thrill out of seeing himself be recorded. Manny continues to find the type of guys I enjoy. He knows I like my dicks big and my men sexy. Until next time. Be well and stay safe.

There are probably gangs in most major cities. Many are violent. It may come as a surprise that there are deadly rivalries between student gangs in Bangkok - notably Technical Colleges. When I say "deadly", that is precisely what I mean. Few if any tourists and residents will be aware of them but they are to be found near at least one major shopping mall – MBK. This report from Channel News Asia formed the basis of a TV documentary shown some months ago. It is almost frightening. BANGKOK: Vocational student Kamonwich Suwanthat was interning at a multinational logistics company and was a few months away from graduation. His parents were certain his education would change the family’s fortunes. Until then, the 24-year-old was also helping his mother to make ends meet by selling noodles at her roadside market stall on most nights. That was where, on Oct 12, a stranger shot him four times, point-blank, and fled. The fourth-year student bled to death in front of a crowd and his mother. She did not realise it then, but his place of study was the reason he was targeted — by a school gang. The three students arrested a month later told the police they had no personal dispute with him, and gave this statement: “He was chosen simply because he can be killed in the same way his schoolmates killed our senior.” They were from the Pathumwan Institute of Technology located just one kilometre from the victim’s school, the Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai Campus. Deadly violence between vocational students with a potentially bright future is common in Thailand. In Bangkok alone, there are years when more than 1,000 cases of brawls have been reported by mid-year. And the rivalry that cost Kamonwich his life is a seven-decade, tit-for-tat grudge between two schools in the same neighbourhood as the MBK Centre, the giant shopping complex popular with tourists. “Once I knew it was a school rivalry, I knew the (shooter) couldn’t be anyone else but a student from the institute nearby,” said Thai Rath TV crime journalist Nattapong Riabsantia . . . When Thai youths leave high school, they are separated into general or vocational education tracks. Those who pick the latter enrol at one of Thailand’s 416 vocational institutes to learn trade-specific skills. Pathumwan Institute of Technology is one of them. The 87-year-old school trains future mechanics, technicians and electricians, among other trades. Despite its notoriety, this is where 19-year-old Nim chose to study electrical engineering “because what I learn will allow me to find work back in my hometown”. Her first semester, however, shows how the troublemaking can start. She signed up for a welcome camp that turned out to be a hazing experience — a rite of passage centred on loyalty to the school that brought the students together. These camps, organised by the seniors without official sanction, are common in many Thai colleges and last mostly a week to a month. But at Pathumwan Institute, there can be such activities for the whole semester. Nim (her nickname) gave up after two weeks. But those who endure get a “special’ T-shirt with the school crest, which they wear like a badge of honour. And that invites danger. Benz, a fourth-year senior, said: “When we wear a school shirt with a logo, it’s very easy for us to spot who wants to fight or who wants to have power over us.” To students like him, however, the school crest is a way to gain respect. Fees for vocational colleges are heavily subsidised, so they attract students from poorer areas that rely on agriculture. They often must leave their families living outside the city but get a chance to be initiated into a tight-knit fraternity. “Being part of this helps me to overcome an inferiority complex,” admitted Benz. Third-year student Pae added: “We’re like family. The minute I step in, someone will greet (me) and ask if I’ve eaten … ‘Do you have money for food? I’ll give you money.’” As new members learn to beware of students from a long-standing rival school, it is often their sense of loyalty and belonging that drives them to acts of violence. Pathumwan old boy and former army soldier Sompode Subpradit would know. He was expelled from the school 50 years ago for taking part in violent brawls. Now that he is retired, he “always” visits the school, and the students see him as an elder brother. Having listened to them, he said: “Sometimes the love and bond between friends and juniors is the reason for the violence. “If a junior student is attacked by a student from the rival school, the seniors would be sad and would take revenge to protect the school’s pride.” Over the years, the authorities have tried all kinds of measures to stop school gangs, from sending offenders to army boot camps to discipline them, to holding outreach programmes. Even a nationwide oath of peace, taken by almost a million vocational students in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej when he died in 2016, has not ended the inter-school violence. At Pathumwan Institute, students have worn a standard vocational college uniform since 1975, which many other colleges have also adopted. This uniform does not have the school logo, making its students indistinguishable from others. They are also told to be cautious, and the rules do include not allowing them to wear the school’s logo or colours outside the school grounds, in a bid to prevent rival students from identifying them. But it is clear that there are renegades flaunting their school crest. And the Thai police continue to enter the fray to stop the bloodshed. “Typically (from past cases), students use knives to stab each other. They’d grab the rival’s neck and stab him,” said Suppression Squad Leader Sarun Ausub from the Pathumwan District Police Station. “If we (the police) aren’t there to check on them, they may stab each other to death. That’s happened before.” A clash in August 2017, for example, which happened outside the MBK Centre, left one student dead after he was stabbed. Since then, the police and both schools have come together with a plan to stop these brawls . . . The Kingdom faces a shortage of technical and vocational workers. And violence among schools only pushes parents to steer clear of vocational education for their children, even though for some, their livelihood from farming now brings dismal returns. Pae is one of those from a rural area. He has been suspended for one and a half years for staring rival students down. But he has not given up on studying, “no matter how rebellious” he is. “It’s my dream to study here,” he said. “I’m poor. My mother is poor. If I don’t try, I won’t be able to survive.” Kamonwich, on the other hand, lost that chance simply because his profile — most likely picked out via social media — was similar to a Pathumwan old boy who was killed while selling food with his aunt. Mr Nattapong, who interviewed Kamonwich’s parents, said: “I could tell they were so sad from their eyes, because they’d just lost the son who’d have one day been a tower of strength for the family. “I’ll never understand (why vocational students fight). I can’t believe they kill each other because of reasons that are nonsense. The students shouldn’t die like this, because some of them really want to study peacefully." https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/shopping-haven-mbk-bangkok-thailand-deadliest-school-rivalries-11547204

It's been long acknowledged that the elites of Thai society enjoy a certain impunity when it comes to the law. Most readers can recall the incident when Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, heir to the Red Bull beverage fortune, ran down and killed a Bangkok motorcycle cop. The hit-and-run took place in August 2012, when Mr Vorayuth rammed his car into a motorcycle driven by Pol Snr Sg Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station. According to a Bangkok Post article published on June 15 of this year, Mr Vorayuth postponed his court appearances more than five times before finally fleeing abroad in 2012. While Mr Vorayuth was overseas, a speeding charge against him was dropped after its one-year statute of limitations expired in 2013. Meanwhile, a second charge -- failing to stop to help a crash victim -- expired on Sept 3, 2017. Two charges remain active -- the first, for drug use after cocaine was found in his system following a drug test. The charge expires on Sept 3 next year. The second charge -- reckless driving causing death -- will remain valid until 2027. The OAG (Office of the Auditor General) had initially dropped the charge, but later decided to pursue it after a public uproar. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2132255/at-least-10-may-face-probe-over-boss-acquittal-role Earlier this month, The Thaiger reported the following news: Killer’s sentence reduced from 10 years to 3, plus community service 4 years ago, 56 year old Suthep Pochanasomboon, was convicted of killing 17 year old Nawaphol Poengpai after an argument about a parking space. Now, Suthep’s sentence has been commuted by the Supreme Court to 3 years. The shooting which led to Suthep’s temporary incarceration happened close to the Ang Silla market, which is in the Chon Buri Province. Suthep had honked his horn at Nawaphol and his friends for blocking an intersection with a van. They argued. Suthep swore, honked his horn, flashed his lights. At some point, Suthep was punched in the face several times. Eventually, the van was moved. However, this was not enough to satiate Suthep. He followed the van, honking again. Nawaphol and his friends then pulled over and made their way to Suthep’s car. Suthep says he feared for his family’s safety and shot Nawaphol. Suthep was originally found guilty of killing Nawaphol. The Supreme Court felt that Suthep could have fired his gun into the air to scare off Nawaphol and his friends. However, he elected to shoot the teenager in the chest. However, the court also determined Suthep acted in self-defence because he had been assaulted earlier when the two parties had first interacted. Part of Suthep’s reduced sentence is he will have to perform 30 hours of community service and take anger management classes. He was also fined 2,000 baht for having a gun in public. They did not mention whether he is allowed to drive. He is out on probation. SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times Thai PBS https://thethaiger.com/news/national/killers-sentence-reduced-from-10-years-to-3-plus-community-service

Fighting oppression can indeed make some people angry. But if the gays who were attacked at the Stonewall Inn didn't get angry, we probably wouldn't even be discussing gay pride today. Human rights is something worth fighting for. Whether you're seeking voting equality, racial equality or sexual equality, no one said it was going to be easy. It often involves risk and admonishment. Lee Kwan Yew's method is to rule his subjects essentially by fear. So I automatically eliminate the Singapore model. And ruling a city state is much easier than a country as large and diverse as Thailand. As for what's achievable, that remains an unknown. But what is definitely known is that you'll never find out unless you try. As to how do you go about actually achieving it, you begin by giving all citizens the right to directly elect their leaders. That's ground zero. I don't think this quote will ever go out of fashion: "Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…" Winston Churchill, 11 November 1947

while correct it doesn't make Thailand unique . Vote buying , perhaps more subtle but not always applies to even most matured democracies. If not cash dispensed, bridges to nowhere are being built and tax relief granted to segments of population know for disciplined election participation i.e. seniors as an example. Pupils in USA have every chance to observe functioning democracy and and well taught about her advantages and it doesn't not stop from electing very questionable leaders with bad hair to add. Attacks on Congress building in Jan were far from universally condemned either. So sometimes we need to accept fact that even fully democratic process may lead to bad decisions by majority. Still better to give people that chance to learn by their own mistakes.

I believe u can post the videos on the members only subforum

Equality for gays can't be achieved by parades or dot parties alone. At some point it requires legislation to ensure those rights to be treated as equals. It's a human rights issue at its core. Far from ruining your discussion, talking about the political implications of attaining equality is indeed necessary. It provides the actual context in which equality can be assured. For equality to be permanent, at some point those rights must be enshrined in law. Pretending that gay pride is not as much a political issue as it is a social issue is short sighted at best.

Reading the news remind me a lot of Sotus.

I don't think anyone disagrees with that observation. However, I inclined to point out a flaw in the following rationale: Thinking that enlightened leadership will somehow emerge out of the current undemocratic morass that exists only to perpetuate rule by a small minority of the economically privileged is leaving a hell of a lot to luck. If I had to choose, I'll always opt for the will of all the people to vote for their leaders. It may not guarantee enlightened leaders, but at least it allows the less privileged to have their say in the matter. Otherwise, you assume that commoners are unfit to make weighty decisions that are now being made almost exclusively by hi-so elites concentrated in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Most of us come to Thailand to spend some quality time with guys, almost all of whom come from lower economic backgrounds. I'm not comfortable with the idea that they may make great partners in bed but can't be trusted to vote for whom they choose. They're not stupid. They can't possibly do any worse than the current crew that rules the roost.

That's so funny! Technically, you are probably right, they shouldn't be able to visit. Practically, however that probably hasn't even occurred to them because the whole sandbox regulation package is for foreign visitors, and Thailand is not a foreign country. Hence, those rules to not apply. but a separate set of rules that basically says "Thais can visit if fully vaccinated. Period." As for trying to make sense of the list and the placement of individual countries, the sensible posts in this thread make it clear that that is an entirely futile undertaking. TiT. Case in point: It would be crazy anywhere else, but it's par for the course in Thailand, we all know that.

Taiwan is of course different. But, with respect, I think you forget that Taiwan was a very poor island under a repressive authoritarian military dictatorship for 40 years until 1987. During this period and for 15 years beforehand Thailand was supposed to be a representative democracy. Chiang Kai-shek did not believe in elections. He believed firmly in Confucianism and rule from the top. Politics was a matter for the elite, not the average citizen. Only three parties were permitted in elections - his own island-wide Kuomintang and two far smaller ones. Although Chiang's son introduced democracy. Chiang Ching-kuo was of almost the same mind as his father. The difference was that he understood the shifting international ground re Taiwan's position in the world. Even after introducing democracy, he all but ensured that Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang Party won elections and kept winning them. His major contribution was ensuring a greater social and economic freedom which the Taiwanese grabbed with all hands. The KMT finally lost power in the 2000 elections but regained it in 2008 after major corruption scandals rocked the Democratic Party. It was Sun Yet-sen who tried to introduce democracy in China following the overthrow of the Imperial system. That failed, but his teachings found their way to post War Taiwan and all children are taught them in school. But it seems unlikely these would have had much effect without the massive economic advances made after the elder Chiang's death. Taiwan's economic growth was nothing short of spectacular. As @reader points out, the distribution of wealth was spread wide thereby generating a national cohesiveness which enabled democratic institutions to be established and reinforced. Taiwan's population gave the government, even though it was the KMT, credit for making the economic miracle happen. Taiwan's GDP in 1952 was $1.33 billion. By the year 2000 it had risen to $330 billion! By then, though, cohesiveness was not a result of issues with mainland China, for Taiwan companies had been increasingly investing in China where it employed huge numbers of Chinese citizens. China was far too busy with building its own economy. It is only very recently that the Taiwan issue has once again come to the forefront. If there is a lesson from Taiwan, it is surely that Asian countries need to develop economic growth and ensure this trickles down throughout the population before spending time on developing democratic institutions - especially in a country like Thailand where extensive corruption is endemic throughout the country. Thailand has had in effect only one decade of major economic growth - from 1986 to 1996 when annual GDP increases averaged 9%. Thereafter corny capitalism and corruption resulted in the Asian Economic Crisis starting in Thailand and putting the entire country back well over a decade. And then came the 2008 finical meltdown affecting most of the world. The dilemma for Thailand is therefore: how to get rid of corruption and ensure not just clean government but one that has the interests of the entire nation at its core. That will in itself bring greater equality. But how you achieve that, given the country's history, I have not the faintest idea. I believe it only has a chance when the country develops leaders who themselves are neither kleptomaniacs nor crony capitalists like almost all who have risen to the top of the tree in recent decades.

From The Thaiger Thai embassies offering COEs for Sandbox travellers from Monday, June 28 The final stumbling block – the issue of Certificates of Entry for people keen to take advantage of the Phuket ‘Sandbox’ – appears to be sorted out. The way is now clear for fully vaccinated travellers to re-enter Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox plan. The plan is also being rolled out for the trio of Gulf Islands – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao – in a version called ‘Safe and Sealed Routes’ from July 15. Now, Royal Thai embassies in some countries are posting information that travellers can apply for a COE from next Monday, June 28. Click on this link to read HERE. The final part of the Sandbox puzzle, confirmed by the Thai cabinet last Tuesday, was its signing into law as part of the Royal Gazette. That was expected on Thursday or Friday, but, following the update to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, is now expected over the weekend. For people who had already booked flights and accommodation on Phuket for July, they were unable to complete their paperwork as foreign Thai embassies were not able to issue the necessary Certificate of Entry. Many readers told The Thaiger that the embassies were either impossible to contact or, if they did respond, said they knew nothing of the Phuket Sandbox. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/foreign-embassies-offering-coes-for-sandbox-travellers-from-monday-june-28

These results may be the first document of the fading of Boytoy into Gaythailand.

I would also prefer that a gay pride demonstration focus on equality. Unfortunately, given deepening social and political divisions, holding events aimed at altering public opinion of any kind would be impossible without politics creeping into the message. When you consider the polarized views on constitutional reform and the growing dissatisfaction with how the government is handling the Covid crisis, there's not much room for light. Taipei has a different social order. Although there remains political divisions among the citizenry, a certain cohesiveness exits because of the common foe across the Taiwan Strait. And the distribution of wealth is not extreme as it is in Thailand. In an atmosphere like this, it's a lot easier to celebrate equality without having to compete with other issues that could subvert the main intent.

I wonder how much gay sex is practised in rural areas? Is it to be assumed that a gay man, wishing to express his sexuality, has to travel to Chiang Mai or Bangkok? I ask this question because of a friend of my boyfriend, in Kamphaeng Phaet, was recently diagnosed with hiv+. I was astonished. P blamed the guy's infection on his interest in cruising toilets- specifically those attached to petrol stations. He says that there are very, very few local guys (that is, within thirty kms ) on Romeo or Hornet. And so, presumably, other avenues are explored. It sounds rather like 1950s Britain. I should add that P told me that his first experience was with a schoolfriend when he was eighteen and that his nephew, who is also eighteen, has just "come out" without, as far as he knows, facing opposition in his family. I suppose it helps having a gay uncle!

I agree on much of the history but we diverge as we look forward. The fact that 19 coups have occurred tells us that they still haven't got it right yet: the "have" minority still continues to dominate the political scene. And I continue to believe that nothing that occurs in regards to changing a system of government is free of politics. Culture and religion may be factors--important factors--but they are also political in their very nature. When you seek to alter a government due to religion or culture, politics always infringes. Looking west, I was encouraged that the gay community in Warsaw managed to overcome strong cultural, religious and political opposition and held a Gay Pride march this past week. That it came when Poland is embroiled in a controversial law that demonizes homosexuals demonstrates the tenacity and power of resistance.

no idea where it's streaming ,try to use links from this site, worked for me when I tried seconds ago https://world-of-bl.com/index.php/Thai/MannerOfDeath also try to search dailymotion or YouTube

Hi guys. Any updates on CDMX? I was a frequent visitor until the lockdowns so know the pre-COVID scene very well. How are things now? I’m not looking for information about bars or nightlife. Life in general and free Grindr hook ups. I have a work trip planned for late July. gracias

Also loved The Persian Boy. Read it probably 40 years ago and so will return to it. Having been to Iran and especially the stunning ruins at Persepolis, I am surprised that Alexander was such a Persia-phile. After all, he was the one who stole all its wealth and then burned it to the ground. That he accepted Bagoas as a gift is also unusual since the Greeks as a whole did not accept eunochs other than as occasional servants. Interesting too that before Alexander Bagoas had been the lover of Persia's Darius III. He has been described as "a eunuch of exceptional appearance and in the very flower of boyhood." That is generally interpreted to mean he was around 15 when presented to Alexander. Clearly an experienced boy!! Renault had many gay fans due to her novels. Yet she disliked the gay rights movement and later in life spoke openly against it.

Here I go again responding to an old post. Sorry But it's Mary Renault! My first sample of Renault's writing was The Last of the Wine, which a friend gave to me to read, about ancient Athens, and the love between Lysis and Alexias, champion athletes, who served in the cavalry and were friends and students of Socrates. Publishers in the 1950s were not easily persuaded to included sex scenes between men. However IMO there are places in the book where she gives symbolic clues it is happening, for anyone willing to admit it. Some readers will not. Some tidbits about her. She left England behind as many gays and lesbians that could afford to did back then, and settled with her partner in Cape Town. In college J.R.R. Tolkien was her professor. I wonder if that had any influence on the direction her writing went, especially The King Must Die. It is a remarkable and to some a shocking book, what goes on in this story, back in times of antiquity where the matriarchy still held power. I loved this book. Lastly, Mary Renault was JFK's favorite author.

+1

From Bangkok Post Phuket still set to open to foreign tourists The planned reopening of Phuket and Surat Thani provinces remains intact despite more than 4,000 new Covid-19 cases and 35 deaths nationwide on Monday, according to the government's senior epidemic spokesman. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Tuesday that the reopening of Phuket on July 1 and Surat Thani (Koh Samui and Koh Phangan islands) later remains possible. Both provinces were reporting new daily cases in single figures. Dr Taweesilp said that there were clear criteria for the government to stop the reopening. For Phuket, they were: - more than 90 new Covid-19 cases per week - outbreaks in all three districts - more than three clusters or widespread and unrelated infections - at least 80% of local hospital beds occupied - a widespread and uncontrollable outbreak of virus mutations Dr Taweesilp said there would be four steps, based on the number of new cases, in any lockdown of Phuket, as follows: - reduction in activities - sealed routes - hotel quarantine - an end to the Phuket Sandbox reopening project For Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, their reopening would be halted if Covid-19 cases exceeded the number of local hospital beds, the spokesman said. Dr Taweesilp reported 4,059 new Covid-19 cases confirmed over the past 24 hours. Representatives of entertainment venues met Phuket deputy governor Wikrom Jakthee at the provincial hall on Tuesday, seeking permission to reopen their premises when the island province opens to foreign tourists on July 1. They also asked for assistance, saying workers in the entertainment sector of Phuket had no income since the government-ordered the closure of their businesses to control Covid-19. They said they could operate while strictly observing disease control measures. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2136615/phuket-surat-thani-still-set-to-open-to-foreign-tourists