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Last night certain prominent gay blogger and myself visited Hot Male after re-opening the day before. Touts, pretty pushy on the soi level. We came mid - show, in fact exactly when Babe was, doing his routine. Indeed face looks different and he looked bit diminutive in comparison to his Moonlight version on the stage but still has, his knack for the show. Bar was quite packed with few guys sitting with customers already. Drink price 400 and off price 500 are unchanged from Pre disaster times. That,s unfortunate and I hope it not backfires, after initial excitement to return to almost normal vanes away. Then we had not exactly completely dressed guy performing dance routine in the stage. He had shoes on and they were laced if one is looking for description of his whole attire. What he presented was quite impressive and I, m NOT talking about dance routine. Then we had Moonlight models Nicky, Tae, Bee and Babe presenting themselves more ot less decently dressed rather than undressed and to complete show 4 or 5 regular, quite acceptable to this tired eyes, guys in singlets and jeans were presenting themselves to an audience in familiar go go routine. One certainly got lucky as it turned out guy I had scheduled for a noon tomorrow. Just Line friend, you know. Why wait asked myself I and promptly called him over, confirmed identity with line picture in the phone and I had chance to learn about those unchanged prices mentioned above. Our of 4 models less known i. e. Bee was engaged but youngish looking farang, other 3 shortly after left. No idea if off fee for models is still 1000 and what tip they are expecting but have still time to investigate. Opposite to my friend above I like new Babe's look better so who knows. Currently I have sights on other Moonlight star, not present last night. So another step bringing us back to our youth was made and now we have 4 bars, at disposal, quite a feast considering that month ago were none.

Midguy, another excellent report -- keep 'em coming please. And no comments from me to be mis-interoperated as criticism by pedants, just one question -- you mentioned a 'cosy' bar at the end of soi4. May I ask which end? At one end (the darker end) there are two gayish comfy bars -- 'Sports on 4" and the other 'Bas Bar'. Both popular for years and good to see Sports has recently reopened. At the start of the soi, on the corner of Silom is a brand new bar called (I think) Silver Sands. It is owned and run by two 'ladies' from one of the islands. I haven't been in yet but it looks as though it could be quite gay. The floor above ground floor is due to open as a Korean restaurant and, this time a rumour for the future, the top two floors as a Cabaret bar. Finally, I've passed your kind comments about Connections Bar onto Ross an Aek the owners.

What started inconclusive turned out to be quite excellent turning my 4 days in Chiang Mai into Classic House monodiet proving my own rule to always allow for a second chanceunless bad will is involved. Which in turn crystallized as 3 Long Times with the same specimen and daIly massages with different highly qualified specialists each day, crowned in turn into last evening's 4 hands massage. Even free transportation between 2 hotels was thrown in. City sights are impressive, long distance train to Bangkok was sent off with full regalia including playing national anthem ( I did not take it, just went to see railway infrastructure and happen to be in that moment). City's crisp and sunny weather has also ability to turn old fools into idiots and had them still being happy for that. Details will be provided in due course. Bangkok's air is much warmer and steamer but I was quite happy to be back, if only to see Hot Male on 2nd night after re-opening.

Got this today from a long time Dreamboys employee: Last night i go to meeting at Dreamboys. Wait and see how is the Business. Very very bad. Only Staff, no customers. Last night in Dreamboys have only 3 Customers. Open from 8-11 pm. And, at Silom Soi 4 right now they have a lot of staff have Covid-19. I go to work at Dreamboys in January. I go for booster shot next Wednesday ( Pfizer ). My hospital called me to come for booster because Omicron very bad for people who have HiV.

Definitely back to normal 😉

That is something that usually happens to me in my trips. The first day or couple of days I am anxious and full of excitement and expectations, and I end disappointed. Fortunately, it never lasts more than a couple of days.

Some posters in this forum must think that everyone who is coming to Thailand now must completely regret it. But I think so far none of us who came regret it. Au contraire! When I landed back home my first thought was I wanna take the next flight and go back to Thailand! When there was a lot of discussion about opening Thailand 2 months ago, I immediately thought Nov+Dec woudl be the best time frame to go even though many things were still closed. Jan 2022 was already to far in the future and now we have to see how Omicron affects further Thai opening plans.

I agree and in fact when I was looking for hotels to do mandatory confinement my main criteria was size of room. So Quarter was out of question but others may have more tolerance for a small space. I was not worried about turnaround time nor willing to pay to speed up the process, I rather spend extra 4500 on even short time than speeding up result.

I do, I do indeed. If that is dark era, I can use more of that I guess

Well, my partner and I saw the new West Side Story this afternoon. Not surprisingly, our views were different. Surprisingly, though, whereas I thought I would love it, I was quite disappointed. My younger Thai partner on the other hand really enjoyed it. His only concern near the start was the question he asked, "What's Puerto Rican?" I think he still has no idea why people from a small island would be going to live in New York and want to start gang warfare in the city. That, for me, is a very definite reason for Spielberg to have had more courage and brought the time the show is set much more up to date. What disappointed me? Certainly not the two lovers Tony and Maria. They were excellent actors and singers. Indeed, most of the acting was very fine. It is much more that the movie looks and feels dated. I found the dancing, the choreography and the big production numbers more convincing in the Robert Wise version (or what I remember of that movie). Indeed, I much preferred a touring version of the musical at the Thailand Cultural Centre during one of the Dance and Music Festivals about 15 years ago. That stage production kept me emotionally involved throughout. Spielberg's movie just lacked that emotional pull. My last beef was that the balance between the singing and the orchestra was just too much in favour of the singers. Naturally they have to be heard and understood. But in a theatre, the balance engineers keep the smallish orchestra at a good level. Having employed the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to play Bernstein's gorgeous score, it was mostly kept just too much in the background. I came out of the cinema disappointed.

From The Thaiger What options are there for people who want to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days? A lot of people travel to Thailand for a short holiday and often decide that they want to stay for longer. But what do they do when it comes to visa? What about the smart visa that helps people fall in between the lines such as the digital nomads? Tim Newton sits with Ben Hart from Integrity Legal and talks all things related to long term visa in Thailand. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/long-term-visa-thailand

I think this is very unlikely. I think that I would have heard. It looks like Thai boy gossiping. I will find out what I can tonight.

Thursday night (3rd night if my trip) was much improved. I spent the evening at 117. I was pleased that I saw 4 GP’s from previous trips back at the club. It was not very busy but there were many more there than Wednesday. I spent the whole evening with 2 old favorites. I paid for a third (bottom) to join us in a suite so I could watch my 2 friends do him. It was quite hot. As for the going rate it seems to be 150 from what I can see which at $26 is quite the bargain. Hoping tonight is even busier. There was a GP there last night who kept making eye contact with me while I was with my 2 companions. He was very handsome so if he is there again tonight I might hire him. Tomorrow is the managers birthday celebration and they expect a bigger crowd. I’ll let you know. Today I have to find a place to line up a COVID test to take on Sunday so I can fly home on Monday. Wish me luck! On a side note, Google Translate is much improved since my last trip making conversation pretty easy.

Indeed, we are very thankful for all recent information and reports. You doing great job Thanks a lot and give us as many "good" information as you can .

I look at it a little differently. I don't have a preference. I look at all the apps. Whichever one has the boy I like best and if he is available, that's my favorite app - for that day . . .

Coconuts Bangkok has posted a great photo essay about the reprieve that Hua Lamphong (aka, Bangkok Railway Station) has received. End of the line for Bangkok’s grand rail terminal? Not quite yet. Continues at https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/end-of-the-line-for-bangkoks-grand-rail-terminal-not-quite-yet-photos/

Thanks reader for this article and the link to Viet Nam News.

From Richard Barrow Twitter site A useful graphic showing all of the MRT stations in #Bangkok where you can transfer to other forms of transportation such as BTS, railways, and boats.

If i have listened to @vinapu, my Shifu, i wouldnt have to spend ~ $50 for AXA insurance, ~ $10 for skype and i could have saved multiple visits to thai pass site for status check. now i am having a collection of 3 approved thai pass’es in my hand Lesson learned - always listen to Shifu’s here on this forum. 😍

From Richard Barrow Twitter site Local media are reporting that Bangkok Railway Station is not closing on 23rd December after all. SRT will allow 11 commuter routes to continue to operate out of this station. Most of the other trains will operate out of Bang Sue Grand

Hotel: Glo Hotel Sukhumvit 5 Plane landed 2230 on Nov 30 Tested next day at 0930 Result at 1930 Two people, Two tests, two results. Stayed the extra night at no cost. Food: Disgusting. Cost: $312 Canadian or about 8000 Baht via Agoda I think we could have done a lot better.

My hotel has an express option for an additional $70, 4 hours guaranteed. The total package - car from airport, testing and express results - costs around $180. The $110 car from airport + non-express test is the standard cost of the hotel's chauffered Benz, so they are not adding anything extra for the non-express test.

The 1700 is just the add on price for the fast track. Package starts at 6300 without fast track.

I’m staying at the Le Meridian in January. They told me 10-12 hours for results without fast track. With fast package (1700 baht) they say 6 hours. I’m not arriving till midnight so 12 hours is perfect.

If you're looking at options it might be worth considering the current Le Meridien deal: https://www.marriott.com/offers/step-into-thailand-in-style-off-34608?propertycode=bkkdm They say that they do a drive-through test at the BNH hospital on the way to the hotel, so i would imagine that would significantly improve the turn around time. I stayed there for my last BKK trip and loved the hotel, no AUNTS in sight.

It took me exactly 7 days (including the weekend) for my Thai Pass application to be approved. Since I live in a state where there is no such a thing yet as QR code for COVID vaccine certificate (yes we dont participate in CDC's VAMS system if anyone wonders), I just submitted screen shots of my CDC white card vaccine certificate. everything on the card is handwritten except stickers of the vaccines' lot/batch number. Regarding the health insurance, I just used my current local one.. i thought i'd just wait and see what happened since i still had a little more than two weeks before my trip. That time, i didnt realize that we needed a dedicated confirmation letter from a hotel for our one night quarantine stay. so i just submitted a screen shot of my booking confirmation from agoda site. It took me about only 10 min or so on my little phone screen and i got the confirmation email immediately with the receipt number. My anxiety kicked in after 3 days or so ... then I decided to submit another application with more prepared documents including a confirmation letter from Furama Silom for the test and go program. My first application was submitted around 2 pm EST on a Monday and when the status said still "Reviewing" on Sunday night (Monday morning BKK time), I started making phone calls to the numbers listed on Thai Pass site using Skype. The first question I was asked was my intended departure date. then I was told that i still had more than one week, and it could have been the reason I was told. The staff was quite helpful and she gathered my info including passport number, thai pass application receipt number and my email address etc. Then she said he was going to forward my information to "the officer". I also explained to her there's no way that i could get QR code for my COVID vaccine certificate, also asked her if i would need a Thai insurance plan. She said as long as i have a health insurance that would cover COVID related expenses, I wouldnt need to buy another one. But she urged me to submit another application if i wanted to. So, I decided to submit my third application after I talked to her on Sunday night. This time, I used Adobe fill and sign to put in my passport number and nationality on my vaccine card front page and my info again on the back of the card as well. Also I bought an insurance from AXA thailand (costed me about $45). and i submitted my third application. When the status of my all 3 applications remained "Reviewing" when I woke up on Monday morning, I started to make phone calls to local Thai consulate and started thinking to use an agent's help. Then all of the sudden around 2 pm on Monday, i received an email saying that my application was approved. When i checked it was my very first application, I still have two applications under "Reviewing". the approved one was the one that i submitted using my small phone screen without proper confirmation letter from the hotel etc. the one without a thai insurance.

Many thanks for all your great inputs and expert opinion. When I realized my impulsivity and anxiety, i was a bit too late. Now there is no more available room for Test and Go package at Furama Silom on Agoda anymore. It may pop up later.. I wont be surprised if I am going to be banned by Agoda site soon. I have cancelled so many reservations for this upcoming trip. I blamed it all to lots of unknown and uncertainties though admittedly, most of them were because of my anxiety and impulsivity. One review on the Trinity Silom says "..... my food was eaten by AUNTS ..." Since I dont want to be eaten by AUNTS, I again cancelled my test and go package with them.

Hotel: Amara Plane landed at about 10:50 am. Transported to hotel by Mr Ball, not shared. Arrived about noon. Told to come down to lobby at 3pm for test. I did so but sent back to room to await a call. Finally tested at 4pm. Down to lobby in one lift then up to carpark via another lift for testing. Food: 3 choices, very tasty but small serve and no drink. Test result at 8am. Cost about 6400thb via Agoda

Hotel: Trinity Silom Plane landed 8 am Test result 1.30pm same day (just over 3 hours but was originally told it would be next morning by the hotel rep on arrival). Transport not shared, confirmed by e-mail in advance, no extra charge. Food: Fair. Only sampled lunch. Left outside door, Thai option only. Cost: 5000 approx (Nov 2021) Booked via Agoda, with good cancellation rights Additional note: Test was taken as soon as I arrived at the hotel. A nurse and a hotel rep was waiting in the basement of the hotel where they had a small area for swabbing guests on arrival.

Picture says it all! Hope someone can do a report on the opening!

Post 2 - Bangkok report My trip was broken into 5/6 days staying in each of Bangkok - Phuket - Pattaya - Phuket - Bangkok. As explained in the previous post I'll give a report of each location rather than a chronological order of the trip, so this post will be about my Bangkok experiences. Daytime activities During the day I like to do a lot of walking. General plan is there is no plan. Went exploring and got lost, have a coffee, move on see where the wind takes me. I couldn't access lumphini park, the entrances I found were all closed but I saw people in there so there must have an entrance I couldn't find. Visited the Ari area, the riverside area and took 2 boat trips. To enter the malls had to scan temperature each time. Generally each day ended up with a massage from one of the establishments on either the surawong or silom roads. I didnt get to any of the more upmarket gay massage places this time, mainly through being otherwise occupied rather than choice. Bars/Nightlife I should point out that food was available in all the establishments I visited. The place to be was Silom Soi 4. The place was buzzing, even on week nights. When I visited at the weekend I couldn't get a seat either at the new Circus bar or Balcony bar so ventured on those nights to a quieter cozy bar at the end of the soi where I got a seat (and happily chatted to some handsome waiters). The Circus bar seemed to be in the in place to be and when meeting up with some local guys this was the bar of choice where they would like to meet for a drink. I frequented the Pride bar (seemed to be more local Thai oriented - maybe because of the live singer - but just my impression) and visited Connections bar where I was warmly welcomed by the Australian owner and his boyfriend. In my first Bangkok stint I mainly frequented Balcony, Circus and Connections but I'd have no hesitation in supporting any of the bars on this soi and would be happy drinking in them all. Closing time most nights was either 11pm or 12 pm and earlier in the trip on some days alcohol could not be purchased after 9pm or 10pm. I don't know what rules are/were, and would simply follow the flow and directions of the staff. Soi 2 - I visited the DJ station complex a couple of times and the bar opposite as it had opened up during my visit. There were times where I was the only foreigner there and I didn't get to chat to anyone. I still enjoyed visiting though. I think they closed at midnight. Patpong area - This was very quiet and dark. There was one gogo bar open and this changed to three on my return. I did visit one of the gogo bars open (full street clothes only) which I won't name because I didn't enjoy the experience. The tout told me a drink was 250 bht only to be given a bill for 450 bht. I'm not tight, but that left a sour taste so I finished my drink, payed my bill and didn't return. Maybe it was just some confusion. I hope that post covid this area can get back in full swing again. Jupiter 2018 - This turned out to be the highlight of my trip. It had opened up on my second visit. Unfortunately for the bar there were very few customers but fortunately for me it meant much more interaction with the staff. About 8-10 models each night with a rotating live singer and catwalk format for the evening. About 15 minutes each rotation. Drink price was 170 thb for a beer and no entry fee - expect this to change when the shows return. Because they were very welcoming and had reasonable drink prices I was happy to open up and spend. The mamasans/captains here are not pushy and I found them very friendly. I got acquainted with a few of the guys there strutting the catwalk where some of them were happy to come back to the hotel after the bar had closed on various evenings to discuss the climate crisis. Hotels I stayed in Trinity Silom (one night only), Crowne Plaza and Quarter Silom. Crowne Plaza without a doubt turned out to be the best value for money for me and I enjoyed staying here. It was very cheap at average price of about 1400 thb through the Agoda app. For my stay at Quarter Silom Soi 6 and paid an average of 750thb. In normal times I would stay at the quarter again, but, for a brand new hotel I was surprised at a couple of things. Firstly the bathroom and part of the room flooded when taking a shower (could be avoided if holding the shower head and carefully angling away), only two bath towels provided (not hand towels) and a lack of storage space. For a city centre hotel I would stay here again but in my opinion there are much better value options during the present time with many good quality hotels heavily discounted (purely my opinion of course and we are all different and I guess my view was tainted as i had been spoiled with high end hotels in other parts of the trip). Restaurants Many options in Silom Soi 4 but don't expect anything fancy. I had good meals in Gs, Pride and Balcony. I also visited some more upmarket restaurants and was taken to a fancy Italian restaurant on Witthaya Road (can't remember all the names sorry...) Two restaurants visited on Sukhumvit soi 11 - Hemingway's for Sunday lunch (nice roast) and Oskar for dinner. Guys Ive already mentioned my acquaintances at Jupiter. Everything else was via the apps. When I first arrived was bombarded with many offers from mostly Cambodian guys looking for some tips and got to know a few of them. What did surprise me was how many local and other expat asian guys there were interested in meeting up for free. It just needed a little patience and spectrum ranged from 21 year old twinky students to 35 year old very handsome muscle guys which wouldn't look out of place at some of the model bars and a few older gents too. Would you believe I even had one very attractive 25 hiso guy take me out to dinner picking me up in his BMW!! I couldn't believe my luck - he was just sexually attracted to older white guys. Back to our friends looking for some support I noticed more isaan boys on the apps for the second Bangkok stint where I became acquainted with a few of them - hopefully a sign many are starting to return back to the cities. Transport Mainly walking. I used the BTS and when needing to take a taxi I used the bolt app. The bolt app ended up being the best and cheapest taxi app. Overall, with the exception of Patpong being closed, and with some adjustment elsewhere there was much on offer in Bangkok.

From Bangkok Post The operator of the electric boat service on the Chao Phraya River will add two new routes to and from Sathon pier on Dec 20, and charge a flat 20 baht rate until the end of this month. Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate on Tuesday said the service, MINE Smart Ferry operated by E Smart Transport Co, will feature a “Metro line” between Sathon pier and Rama VII pier and a “City line” running from Sathon pier to Pinklao pier. The Metro Line will have 12 trips on weekdays from 6.05am-5.45pm and 18 on weekends from 7.30am-6.45pm. The City Line will have 36 trips per day, from 7am-6.05pm. Mr Atirat said three electric boats will serve each route. Next month, the fare on the Metro line will be increased from 20 baht to 25 baht; the City line will remain at 20 baht. Currently, the EV service is available from Sathon pier in Bangkok to Phra Nangklao Bridge pier in Nonthaburi. The route is the “Urban line”. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2228091/sathon-pier-gets-extra-electric-boat-routes

From Richard Barrow Twitter Site The monorail trains on both the Pink & Yellow Lines are now doing test runs.

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.

I know - it all happened ten years ago and is probably forgotten by most. I only bring it up as last night I watched a Netflix mini-series "Room 2806: The Accusation". I am very late in watching it as it was produced in 2020. But I found it fascinating, with the memories I have of that scandal jogged by the four episodes featuring most of the people who actually participated in the events. To recap. Dominique Strauss Kahn (referred to by all as DSK) was the brilliant Chairman of the International Monetary Fund who had helped steer the world through the 2008 financial crisis. An economist turned Socialist politician, he was the leading candidate to win the 2012 French Presidential election by beating the hugely unpopular incumbent Nicholas Sarkosy who is now serving a second term in jail over financial irregularities re that 2012 campaign. It was known that Sarkosy's party was up to dirty tricks against DSK. Although based in Washington, DSK had spent a night in New York prior to having lunch with one of his daughters and then a flight to Paris. The following day he would be meeting the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In New York he stayed at the French-owned Sofitel. As a VVIP he was upgraded to the Presidential Suite on floor 28. Although the facts remain somewhat unclear and many internet sources are behind pay walls, there is enough information there to re-piece together much of the story. It is known that soon after arrival at the Sofitel he went out and spent several hours with a young lady. The following morning he made and received some calls on his 6 mobile phones. One was from a party worker in France to warn him about another dirty tricks campaign being mounted against him by Sarkosy's party. He then called his wife in Paris asking her to call for their house in the luxury Place des Voges area to be electronically surveilled for bugs the following morning. He then started to pack his small trolley bag. Before leaving his room, he took a shower, dressed and was at check out by 12:30. Floor map showing the Presidential Suite #2806 and another room #2820: from the New York Times The scandal that quickly erupted concerns a room service maid on the 28th floor that morning. The Sofitel's security logged every time a key card was used to enter, but not when a door opened without a card - e.g. on exit. The maid, Ms. Diallo claims she entered the room to clean it just after midday. She claims she saw the occupant's luggage in the hallway. But she did not leave. She continued into the large suite. Once in the bedroom she saw a naked DSK coming through the corridor from the bathroom. She then alleges that he assaulted her sexually, forcing her to the floor and then giving him oral sex. The deed done, he left the suite with his bags, checked out and had lunch with his daughter. He then took a taxi to JFK where he waited for the 4:10pm overnight flight to Paris. But he had forgotten one of his phones and assumed it was at the hotel. He called the hotel and they agreed to send it over to the Air France lounge in time for his flight. The maid took about an hour before reporting the incident. Hotel security called the police. No one had a clue where DSK might be, and had he seriously assaulted the maid, some assumed he had simply fled. As we know, he did not flee. He continued with his planned schedule and was taking the flight his assistant had booked for him some days earlier. Had he committed a crime it is surely unlikely he would have called the hotel to give it his location. The police proceeded to the airport, boarded the 747 and asked him to step off the plane. He was arrested and taken to a holding cell in Manhattan. After being held for a few days, he was remanded to the notorious Ryker's Island jail for two days before being given house arrest in a residence his rich wife had rented in Tribeca. So the man expected to be the next President of France had been utterly humiliated. But what soon became known was that DSK was not merely a brilliant economist and politician. He was a serial womaniser who would probably put Don Juan to shame. He gladly paid €1,500 a night for hookers here, there and everywhere, provided they were pretty and around their early 20s. (He was no Epstein with a thing for underage girls). He had taken part in naked sex orgies in France and the USA, and probably other countries as well. He seems to have sampled even more female flesh than Harvey Weinstein. Until then, though, he was not known for any form of violence. But no sooner had the news spread around France than two women claimed he had threatened them in their early 20s in the same manner. After a long drawn out "he did", "she said" case, it finally got to court. Remarkably the prosecution told the judge it was withdrawing its case because the evidence from the maid was not trustworthy. It turned out that some time after arrival in the USA, she had claimed she had been raped about 9 years earlier by multiple soldiers, her tears helping to convince those who heard the story. It was proved to be fake. She was found to have $60,000 in her bank account. She claimed to have a businessman boyfriend who had asked to use her account whilst he opened one in a new city in the mid-West(!!) The boyfriend turned out to be a drug pusher in jail. When being interrogated she said her English was not good enough and asked for an interpreter. Yet when the interpreter translated one sentence, the maid said in English "No, that's not what I said!" In a phone call with the man from his prison, she said words to the effect, "Don't worry. He has money. I know what I am doing." The maid claimed she entered the suite to clean in in preparation for the next guest. Yet I know of no luxury hotel where a maid is permitted to undertake a major cleaning of a Presidential suite until informed by the Head Housekeeper that the guest has checked out and the suite is free. As can be seen on the plan, this suite was very large. A guest in the bathroom would be extremely unlikely to hear a doorbell. When the maid saw DSK, why did she not rush out of the room? Almost certainly she could have done so before he reached her. Some sort of sexual encounter no doubt did take place. But was it consensual? Did money change hands? The floor plan above also highlights another strange fact (and this is not in the Netflix series). As far as I recall, Room #2820 had no guest the night before. Why therefore did the maid enter that room no less than three times between 10:30 and 11:30 am? Even more curious, why did she return to that room at 12:26 pm for less than a minute? I can fully understand that if she was indeed traumatised by what happened with DSK, she might have waited before reporting it. She was an immigrant and she had a good job that paid well. She did not want lose it. But what had she been doing in #2820? Had she left something there for later collection? We do not know and I do not believe this ever came up in the court proceedings. Whatever actually happened - a sexual assault by a known serial womaniser, an extortion attempt by a maid who knew exactly who was occupying that suite and exactly what she was doing, a combination of the two - we will now never know. Did anyone in France instigate what happened for political purposes? We do know that in a civil suit, the maid received a very generous settlement generally agreed to be $1.5 million. She now runs a restaurant. We do know that the scandal humiliated DSK, wrecked his Presidential hopes and any future political career. It also wrecked his marriage, but it was his third and he soon remarried. He has always stated he made a mistake, that the sex was consensual and he remains the aggrieved party. There were clearly faults on both sides. On the basis of everything I read 10 years ago and what I saw in the Netflix series, I do think DSK was set up in some way. Why and by whom, again I have no idea. I just do not trust the maid and I believe DSK was so arrogant he could - and still can - only believe he had been massively wronged. Sorry for the length. I am stuck at home again today and writing relieves the boredom!!