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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/09/2021 in all areas

  1. Slightly off topic but Soi Than Tawan and nearby Sois at 2100 on Tuesday evening:
    2 points
  2. With the Winter Olympics getting closer and in the same time zone as Thailand (just one hour ahead) I am getting quite excited about several of the events. I love the ski jumping but it is the men's figure skating that completely grabs me. At the last winter games in Pyeongchang, it was not known if the Sochi 2014 Gold Medallist, the cute Japanese skater Yuzuru Hanyu, would be fit to take part. He had injured an ankle three months earlier and had pulled out of all competitions prior to the Olympics. He was not only fit enough to skate, he again won the Gold Medal. For the next Games, Hanyu may once again be unable to take part as he recently suffered another ankle injury. Hopefully he and his coach, the gay Brian Orser with whom Hanyu trains in Toronto, can get him fit enough. But the competition is getting tougher and Hanyu is not getting younger. By February he will be 28. Already a superstar in Japan with many sponsors, he will become Godlike if he could manage to win a third Gold Medal. He is the subject of many dozens of websites and innumerable social media, not a few of which speculate on his sexuality. It is assumed he is gay but those close to him never talk about it. Another Japanese Shoma Uno has been close on his heels for some years. Will this be his year? To me it's a pity that he is quite small whereas Hanyu is perfectly proportioned for a skater. Both, though, will have to beat the young American Nathan Chen, nicknamed the King of the Quads for the ease with which he executes these fiendishly difficult quadruple jumps. He is the present World Champion, a title he has won twice before, and he won Bronze in 2018. Although I really hope Hanyu competes and wins, my gut tells me Chen could well win the Gold this time around. A long shot could be the 20-year old Korean skater Cha Jun-Hwan. I reckon the area where Yuzuru Hanyu has had the edge on his competitors is his superb artistic interpretation. No one interprets the music as well as he does. There are times when it is almost balletic. His short programme in Pyeongchang was surely as close to skating perfection as one will ever see.
    2 points
  3. Lawmakers Approve Marriage Equality in Chile A reaction to marriage equality in the Senate chamber in Valparaiso, Chile on December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido Lawmakers in Chile overwhelmingly voted to approve a marriage equality bill on December 7, capping off a four-year political standoff and ushering in a new era for the LGBTQ community in the South American nation. The legislation passed both houses of Congress and President Sebastián Piñera has vowed to sign the measure into law. Piñera opted to support the bill after previously opposing it, paving the way for legislation that had stalled for years after former President Michelle Bachelet first introduced it in 2017. The measure gives LGBTQ couples the right to have children through adoption or assisted reproduction and removes a requirement that transgender or non-binary people must divorce in order for the government to recognize their gender identity or legal name changes. The law is a major step up from an existing law that gave couples the right to enter civil unions, but lacked the parenting rights or updates for transgender individuals. Folks embrace in Santiago after lawmakers approve marriage equality.REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado In the Senate, 21 lawmakers approved it, eight rejected it, and three abstained. The bill passed the lower house 82-20, with two lawmakers abstaining. Videos posted on social media December 7 showed people celebrating in Santiago. An LGBTQ organization known as Movilh Chile, or the Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement, hosted a rally featuring a crowd of attendees, many with Rainbow Flags in hand. “Happiness on so many faces,” noted a translated tweet posted by Movilh Chile. “People’s lives change for the better when we stop being second-class to the laws. Nice Chile, that’s the way you like it.” Love is in the air in Santiago.REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado The bill’s passage also comes at a pivotal time in Chilean politics. On December 19, a former student activist, Gabriel Boric, will face right-wing populist José Antonio Kast in a runoff after neither candidate received enough votes in the initial tally last month. Kast, who is opposed to same-sex marriage but has said he would sign the bill anyway, had the most votes in the first election. Piñera will remain in office until March. Chile will become the 31st country in the world and the latest in the region to establish marriage equality. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay allow for same-sex marriage, while Mexico has marriage rights in certain parts of the country.
    2 points
  4. vinapu

    Soi Than Tawan

    While pictures don't like and soi looks exactly like that it, s not a dead zone. Silom Market operates as before and is quite crowded so you would not notice any difference. Tawan soi is not that quiet either as new Quarter Silom hotel seems to be very popular. I showed at 11.00 on Monday and they made me waiting till 2 to check in. Parking was full and so was restaurant at breakfast ( buffet, 129 baht). As for Tawan itself as I reported in other thread they will be moving across the soi as confirmed by Mamasan from other bar as, well as well known Tawan boy I met in other place. So hope it turns true.
    2 points
  5. vinapu

    Silom bars

    Next in opening line is Fresh boys, I visited on Tuesday, familiar Mamasan, ( no, not Lucy), few fully dressed boys on the stage so it, s just beginning but start it is ! Twink lovers would pick somebody, that sure thing. Drink 350, boy drink the same. Mamasan told me that Tawan will be moving across the soi, news confirmed by one of their boys I met on Wed in Sabaidee spa. At this time, no sign of moving though. The same Tuesday at Jupiter I survived (barely) shock of my life. 20 years after I first went there I received a smile from one of their guys and it was, repeated few times. So when they did their usual parade, still fully dressed and handsome as always I rewarded him with 500 note so that historical moment was not lost neither on me nor on my pocket. For now they have karaoke format with few guys on duty waiting in the wings I. E. on their phones and not paying attention to audience and their but considering circumstances it makes some sense. Smiling guy was kind of exception. I should take an advantage of situation but that night I had another expactancy, not realized as I learned later. At one point karaoke stopped and for few minutes guys made their usual parade on the stage and audience, whole few of us and still couple od them managed studiously to avoid even cursory eye contact so old habits die fast but as I said, there are signs of encarougemnt. SoiTwilight is now green space, even if fully boarded and inaccessible, I will post picture later as I have it in plain view from my Raya window.
    2 points
  6. I can verify that this is really a thing. In Braxil, it’s called an “arrastão”, when a robbery is quivkky done by a big group targeting many people or places in the same facility. This kind of arrastão is quite common at the tunnels on the NW end of Lagoa that go under the mountains and forest with Christ The Redeemer, and less common (although they do happen) at the Alvim Tunnel that runs under the Cantagalo favela, connecting Copacabana and Ipanema. I have been re-routed twice and Brazilian and expat friends of mine have gotten caught in an Uber in those robbery raids (they quickly hid their smartphones in a floor compartment, took out some several hundred Brazilian reais and handed it to the armed robbers when approached). they’re not trying to kill or harm anyone. They just want a quick grab. But they will kill or hurt if you resist. “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas, anymore.”
    2 points
  7. Patanawet

    Soi Than Tawan

    Golden Cock the first gay bar I visited in Thailand decades ago. Nature Boy when I was feeling naughty. I haven't been back since the amalgamation but it is stretching my imagination to see two bars occupying the N.B. premises (seemed like half a shophouse😁). Good luck to them both.
    2 points
  8. macdaddi

    Bogota in February

    ¡Buena suerte con los estudios de español! Good luck with your Spanish language studies. Wanted to share this article on best restaurants in Latin America, as many are in Bogotá. Maybe a memorable evening out for you and your Colombian friend. https://thecitypaperbogota.com/dining/colombia-rankings-among-latin-americas-50-best-restaurants/28751 There are also two restaurants on Monserrate (mountain above Bogota city) where you can enjoy a romantic meal overlooking the city. https://restaurantesmonserrate.com/ and La Parilla Monserrate (no website) +57 1 745 4630
    2 points
  9. Sorry guys for lack of updates but I found chapel for quiet contemplation and I' kind of busy. Will write soon but pleased to inform you that things are picking up, I'd say, by the day at least In BKK but will have news from Pattaya as well. Working on certain travel guide to go there with me as I,m afraid I may be lost in Ekkamai or something. Dearth of tourists is visible so if you are thinking of coming, just do it for YKW sake
    2 points
  10. 2 points
  11. Speaking about transport options - yesterday I surveyed new SRT red lines from Bang Sue stations. Shiny and fast. About 10 minutes to Don Muang airprt, trains every 20 MINS, go all the way to Rangsit. 42 baht to Rangsit. Another one goes other way, across the river to Bang Bamru terminating in some Tailing Chan or something, I forgot no, convenient for unique boat shaped Wat Chelo. On another hand old, rickety train from Hualampong took 1 hour to Don Muang while with new train with need to take Mrt to Grand BaNg Sue Station, than walk to platform and again walk quite a bit at Don Muang one easily can be there in mere 60 minutes. Conveniently as you walk from SRT to terminal there,s Street food mall on the way so yoy can have your fill. I,m bit sarcastic here and it, s not warranted since I really liked it but it,s good to be realistic with timing. New SRT station is also at south end of terminal while old one is just across with much lass, walking. Anyways as we know on 23 rd Hualampong option becomes history. Bang Sue is a monster of the building as far as size goesvbut eye pleasing from outside and all. It needs is a shuttle from old station there, elevated or in the tunnel. It, s also prepared for the furore with " HIGH SPEED TRAINS" pointers installed already. You build it and they will come.
    1 point
  12. No chance on twink monodiet as I found suitable hunk 😀and I, m on 3/5 monodiet now. As for parties they won,t probably happen for New Year but can be arranged which happened to me on Wed when innocent after massage beer invitation turned into well attended one. I never know l can walk that fast being somewhat quite drunk and I even liked sound of my voice singing Russian military song,, Raise immense Country,, ( Vstavay strana ogromnaya for you Russian readers if any) in original in Raya's elevator just past midnight. So I'd not be worrying about lack of parties.
    1 point
  13. Riobard

    Bogota in February

    I’m light on breakfast and dinner and prefer a substantial midday meal when travelling. 26 months ago Balsa at the Gold Museum, packed at peak lunchtime but accommodated walk-in basis around 13:30, was quite fine. Similarly, Marcha within the cluster of museums that includes Botero Museum. Both satisfying following hours of sightseeing and without being tied to a reservation timeline. I had figured on returning at least once a year but, like everybody else’s best-laid plans … Good to have these recent top-tier eatery tips for an eventual return, having accomplished the typical first-time sched-loaded 1-week sights sweep and able to slow it down next time.
    1 point
  14. Londoner

    Soi Than Tawan

    Thanks for the photos. To be honest, that particular soi didn't look particularly appetising even in the Good Old Days....but at least the massage joints usually had a few cute guys hanging around!
    1 point
  15. Thanks for posting this. I am in Coveñas, Sucre right now and mobile internet is slow and there is no local media in English. Most appreciated.
    1 point
  16. In addition to the vaccination many provinces have those barcodes who lead to an entry registration form. Not sure if they must currently be filled in or not. Flying to Chiang Mai, I asked the lady at check in counter in Suvarnabhumi and she said it is currently not necessary. At arrival in Chiang Mai they had posters everywhere to fill it in so I did nevertheless, but I was never required to prove it and I had the feeling I was the only one who filled it in. Maybe there are alternatives using some of those xxx-Chana-Apps.
    1 point
  17. spoon

    Silom bars

    Im more interested to know which bars have those muay thai guys performing? Also, that dj station scene at the end, is it pre-covid?
    1 point
  18. I just want to give my most heartfelt thanks to @vinapu for taking the plunge on not only visiting Thailand during these uncertain times, but also to document, in almost real time, his exploits. The trip reports continue to be the bread and butter of this forum, and @vinapu your perspective is always welcome and greatly appreciated, in my world. I have completely written off Thailand for at least this holiday season. While I'm glad that things look like they are slowly getting back to normal, some of the uncertainties still make me feel that I won't be able to enjoy myself as much as i would, like the usual New Year circuit parties for example, have not been reinstated, as far as i know. I am heading to Mexico and Brazil for Christmas and New year, but who knows after that. Maybe Songkran next year will be a thing? And @vinapu please continue this trip report! Maybe you will have a monodiet of twinks this trip. I havent been dining on twinks lately. Too many muscle gods taking up my time in Brazil.
    1 point
  19. Airport exchange booth was by the luggage belts. Because of covid I was, whisked to the waiting taxi so no chance to see whether booths at railway station are opened. What I noticed in Silom area few booths are closed presumably due to lack of tourists. I like to steer you to a "" Silom bars" thread where I posted a bit about Dreamboys show. As you see, live is slowly going back to normal. There was some movements I Hot Male outside too but did not have a chance to check it out yet. Soi 4 on Monday was, less busy but by no means deserted although at Jupiter it seemed only waiters were present and perhaps two boys but it could change later. Bars are starting earlier, at 8 but also closing earlier, at 11. Walked certain twink to a taxi past midnight through Patpong 1 and few bars were showing sign of life. On another hand atop of Mahanakhon between 10 and 10.50 apart from first arrival I. E. me only 3 other tourists appeared, one of them stepped on the glass platform, but I was first anyways. Lunching with another forum member at world famous, 5 Michelin stars Foodland Patpong restaurant between 1 and 2 it was almost empty as well with more staff than diners. Quarter Silom, new hotel in soi 6, just past Tawan or at least when Tawan once was, perish the thought is very modern and well appointed, even with a pool and a gym. Rooms not too big but very well appointed and organized, I liked long desk particularly. There's breakfast buffet, well stuffed particularly with Asian style food, if not included in room rate one needs to splash 129 baht. Kind of novelty are almost universal so far( 3 out of 4) requests for deposits at check-in, either 1000 or 500 so be prepared with cash or card number. Whether it's new trend or just kind of my bad luck remains to be seen. Dragon fruits are quite big this year so it looks covid works well for that crop. And jet lag is still killing me, as usual 3rd day is the worst. Getting old is no fun, jet lags, twinks and other disasters don't compensate for a fact that from time to time somebody yields the seat in the subway car or bus.
    1 point
  20. I stayed in a beach town just outside Santo Domingo and took a local bus into town one day. I was struck at how kind the younger men were to the elderly ladies, helping them with their belongings, giving up their seats to them, making sure the driver let them off at their stops. Eventually there was just me and the driver and the conductor on the bus and they started mocking me in Spanish talking about me being gay. How little did they know. I never tried to find a guy for sex. The town I was in had lots of pimps and female sex workers. The desk clerk at the hotel even asked me if I wanted a woman when I checked in. I didn't ask if any guys were available. But there were local guys staying with some of the European women.
    1 point
  21. I've been called anti-American more than once. Now the Brits will have me in their sights for a whistleblower has blown the lid of the British reaction to the withdrawal from Afghanistan. A former civil servant desk officer at the foreign officer has heaped criticism at the British government and its lies after the evacuation. Among his allegations - 1. The government falsely claimed that every request for evacuation had been logged. Thousands of emails, even those sent to Members of Parliament, had not even been read. 2. Up to 150,000 Afghans applied for evacuation. Fewer than 5% got any assistance. Some who were left behind have been murdered. 3. Even for those whose pleas were actually read, there were no regulations for deciding the criteria re who should be eligible. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had approved a list that included judges and intelligence officers, but final decisions were left to individual officers. 4. Guards who had protected the British Embassy were not prioritised. 5. Telephone calls were only to be in English. The Dari text of emails inviting Afghans for evacuation was inaccurate because it said a printed version of the email was necessary to enter Kabul airport when a digital copy was sufficient. 6. Despite the gravity of the situation, there were insufficient civil servants to undertake processing and overtime was only very reluctantly agreed. 7. Civil servants from the former Department for International Development who had volunteered to help were "appalled by our chaotic system." 8. Despite the huge numbers trying to leave, the Prime minister instructed the Foreign office to use "considerable capacity" to help animals to leave the country. So animals are given an aircraft at the expense of British nationals and those at risk of imminent murder. What a disgrace! https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/07/whistleblower-on-uks-afghan-evacuation-main-accusations
    0 points
  22. You realize it's almost 2022, so you're talking about something almost 2 decades ago 🤨
    0 points
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