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Day 5 While yesterday was social day, today is an infrastructure day. I decided to do the survey of new Bang Sue Grand Station as well as new electric rail line branching out there. Went there by MRT / subway /. Grand Station is labelled as biggest railway station in Asia which I can’t confirm due to lack of experience with other stations but is very big indeed. Certainly planned with foresight with signs and platforms labelled ‘ High Speed Trains”. Some my see it as wishful thinking but I actually like it. One day it may prove useful and handy. With Hualampong scheduled to close sooner or later ( it was supposed to close on Dec 23 but is still working station it will be terminus of all Bangkok trains. For now , until it will happen there are two electrical lines starting there ; Dark Red SRT to Rangsit via Don Muang and Light Red SRT to Tailing Chan via Bank Bamru. I tried both. In meantime I was also busy on Line trying to convert T to LT material and when it did not work at least to invite him to my room for an extended session at 3 pm, idea he was receptive to. Rangsit trains are running every 20 minutes and are travelling at quite a speed, certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Carriages are very modern although at the moment line don’t seem to be overused. Main advantage is that it stops at Don Muang. I did survey that option after travelling all the way to Rangsit , 20 odd minutes and we are there. On return I alighted at Don Muang. Red Line station is bit less convenient than old SRT station located just across terminal, it’s station is at terminal’s end , quite a walk but with food court on the way so I had lunch there. As in Swampy they use coupon system there. You need to check how much your selection cost , buy the proper value of coupons and return to get your meal. Old trains from Hualampong usually take about 1 hr. to get to Don Muang while using new MRT / SRT RED Line connection one can be there in only 60 minutes from Hualampong since walk from MRT station to SRT platform is quite a long one. Of course if one is boarding somewhere in Suhkumvit area or further north new option is much faster and certainly more convenient. So in short we have finally proper public transport connection to and from Don Muang with trains running fast and frequently while old Hualampong option while much cheaper had limited us due to gaps between trains, sometimes 2 hours or more not to mention fact that city bound trains were often late coming from all those Ubons and Udons. Next , shorter but more scenic because is crossing Chao Praya is Light red which I took toward Bang Bamru station , handy if one wants to visit boat shaped Wat Chelo temple, about 1.5 km from the station. (see picture below) All it took good part of day and when I arrived at Raya bit late for our 3 p.m. appointment T was already waiting for me on the street. He was curious how I liked party yesterday / yes , very very much / and how was my walk / easy and singing / and we went to eat something to restaurant across hotel then returned to the room to have good time oiled by his hunky built with Issan type assets and promised / negotiated tip ( I’d say overtip but I was happy and still am ) . Nothing came out of long time but he suggested he will go with me for a day to Pattaya when I revealed I’m heading there. Out talk was mostly through Google translate and I need to warn users to be careful as at one point it lead to an embarrassing moment when I asked my usual question whether he likes girls or boys better and he become kind of upset , then his answer came “what do you mean sex with chil….n” ? Google translate for you I guess . I hastily explained that by ‘boy ‘ I meant ‘poochai’ (man ) but that moment of suspension was bit unpleasant one. Ensured me he is going with me to Pattaya tomorrow, after 4 entertaining hours he left and I was forced to start looking for hotel. My intention was to sleep in Copa but Agoda sent me e-mail that they can’t accommodate me at my dates , translation is because of closures they did not bother to open. But fortunately those days vacancies abound and it turned out Agate in jomtien complex will be opened so I booked 3 night there for 3800 payable at hotel on check in. Great deal for such good hotel. Jet lag is on it’s last legs but still lingering so I collapsed at 8 pm and it’s how my day 5 finished. Below is Wat Chelo mentioned above, picture Christian PFC made when we visited temple back in Sept -2017

Day 4 Early collapse resulted in waking up in the middle of the night and look through the window provided me with nice surprise. Sky lit with stars, rare treat in every big city , not to mention as big as Bangkok. I took a picture ,made a tea and returned to the bed waking up only at 9.30 lazy bum me. Breakfast in world famous etc. Foodland , of course at that time it costs whole 81 baht as 65 baht reduction applies only between 5.30 and 9. Then change money and visit at Chong Nonsi BTS station to purchase Rabbit card. Used to be two varieties but one with preloaded number of trip at flat rate of 25 is no more so I purchased regular one, for 100 baht and preloaded her with 500 hoping it will last me till end of trip. Advantage is avoidance of lineups at peak limes to purchase a ticket, unused funds stay on card up to 7 years I was told and it can be easily re-loaded. Unfortunately is still good only on BTS ( overhead rail ) but not on MRT / subway/ nor ARL ( airport link ) and not even on new SRT lines out of Bang Sue Grand Station. More on those tomorrow. At 1 pm I had dentist appointment in Thai Smile on Silom for some minor jobs as Thai prices are less than half of what I would pay at home. Yesterday I promised T I will see him again so at 5 pm I was already at Sabaidee Spa for our 1.5 hr session , even better than yesterday. I’m trying to extract long time from him but managed to secure only vague promise for tomorrow. Instead he asked me if I will have a beer with him downstairs after massage so I agreed and it was best thing this trip perhaps. What was supposed to be a beer turned into party with all boys present , even boss joined later on. Farang i.e. me forked out some money for couple cases of beer and food and we had good time till perhaps 11 p.m. or so. Boys openly talked about themselves and their job, few spoke quite good English, as more were showing for work they all joined in, only from time to time when client appeared some went to the lobby to get a chance to make some money. It was nice to get a close peek into their lives and nobody mind me and T holding hands in the open even if T is straight and has a girlfriend. Truly I felt most welcomed and even if it cost me few thousands it was money well spent. Since it was outside , few remained in jeans only so I could see their quite sculpted torsos as Sabaidee is not a place infested with twinks . Even few girls joined and food was purchased in the stalls in the soi. Thais drinking system with all those ‘ chon!” toasts is conductive for getting drunk , not extremely but when we finally headed home I was quite jolly. Guy tried to organize somebody to escort me but I resisted and joyfully walked all the way from soi Pluk Chit past soi Ngam Duplee to Raya on Suriwong singing louder and louder as I was closer and closer , in several languages , most of them unknown to me but I sing in them anyways. “Lili Marlen” in German ( I don’t speak German but that is not an obstacle, at least not for me ) in Raya’s elevator was my masterpiece followed by ‘Vstavay strana ogromanya” ( “Rise immense country” , Russian military song, I speak language for a change ). It did not take much time for me to get asleep. Perhaps best day not only of that trip but entire year 2021 and it was day 4 of my trip.

Vinapu, buying drinks for the guys and partying with them is exactly what I used to do at Golden Cock. It would be an open bar and the guys could drink whatever they wanted. To their credit they never went overboard and got completely shit-faced, and always asked me if it was ok to have another drink. Whenever they were "take care" of me, they would lock the door and someone would stand outside to warn if a customer was approaching. There was no orgy but there was cock on display everywhere and I spent the entire time with a hand or a mouth on my appendage. As you say, it can be expensive but I've had some of the best times of my life in Golden Cock. Over the years I've gotten to know the guys and have had some very interesting discussions with them. It was like a private club - and a fraction of the cost of the clubs I belonged to in Japan. It has now closed and they have amalgamated with Natureboys. But I think they will reopen after the pandemic. Vinapu, have you dropped into Natureboys to see what's happening? For those of us who like hunky masculine guys, both GC and NB were the places to be.

Tawan bar is not open yet. I went there last Friday just to realize that it is supposed to have opening this week. I will have already been back to the reality then, sadly. I went to Jupiter last night on January 2nd Sunday. No more admission fee. The place was empty.. there was only one other customer ahead of me, and i was the second one.. got all the attention by head mamasan. I showed him a picture of a handsome cambodian guy that i received from a forum member here and inquired about him. he said the guy is in Cambodia now and has no plan so far to come back here. Just a few minutes before the guys' parade, a group of 4-5 customers came in. There was a total of only 7 guys last night - all half naked, showing off their awesome torsos. As usual no smiles on their faces, but most put effort to make eyes contact. selfish thought to myself -- less competition was a huge advantage. no XX customer at all! While I showed no interest in any of them, mamasan showed me a few pictures of other guys who were not on site last night, but he said he could call if i liked any. Then all of the sudden, a ray of sunshine appeared at the entrance - it was a twunk with a broad smile on his face- clean cut in his street clothes -running late for the parade. without any hesitation, i asked mamasan to bring him to me. after exchanging a few words with the help of google translate, i came to realize that he's from Chiang Mai. no surprise why he has such a fair, smooth and spotless skin. within next few minutes, i found him and myself walking back to my hotel along Thaniya - nice and quiet - under the yellow neon lights.

I am still learning from the guys and how they are doing their business. Tonight I learned something new. I used to be a complete social butterfly on my previous trips to BKK - preferred no repeat policy. But two guys have changed me on this trip. I would usually wake up in the mornings with Line messages from both of them "What are you doing today?" or "Will you see me today?" Of course, I am aware that what they really want to see is my wallet rather than myself. Since they both have been very nice, with great physical features and no rushing attitude, I have been meeting them 2-3 times each already. I was supposed to meet one of them tonight, but at the last minute, he asked me if i could wait until 1 am (instead of our original appointment at 11 pm). As much as I was frustrated, I understood that his goal is to maximize his nightly income. I was indeed planning to bring him and one mamasan to Pullman King Power seafood buffet tomorrow night for a "farewell" dinner. he knows that i have already made a reservation. when i said no i wouldnt be able to wait until 1 am, he stumbled. Then I texted immediately to Jupiter mamasan. Luckily, mamasan was able to send me a boy of my choice from Jupiter promptly. the boy was already in my room within next 15 minutes. He has a handsome face and muscular body, but I was not prepared to see an appendage with a few foreign bodies embedded underneath the skin. he turned out to have a cheerful personality. he was able to make me forget the other guy who did not keep his promise... sometimes things happened for a reason.

I havent been to any other massage place yet except Sabaidee since its guys have been keeping me busy ever since after i was introduced to that place by my senior member here. though quite big and not easy to fill, i've been trying to follow his exact footsteps. on my first visit to Sabaidee, i felt a bit quite uncomfortable to put my face down on the pillow and sheets. Adding to this, the sheet appeared to be used already, soiled with oil. I exchanged contacts with the guy and also with mamasan. Since then I've been using outcall services only - not completely taking away the risks of infection, but at least i would trust hotel sheets than Sabaidee's.

that’s where all the important conferences usually start.

What do you mean bad? I'm breakfasting , lunching and / or dinnering there almost daily when in BKK at various times, sometimes even hosting there celebrities like Moonlight / HotMale models so how it can be bad ? I like it there, truly do , although their chicken with cashew nuts is a bit too salty for my taste. I even met some forum members there as everybody knows where it is.

Day 3 Today I need to trade lightly as historically speaking day 3 is for me worst day of jet lag. I mentioned it before, older I’m I seem to take long flights better and better abut jet lags seem to ruin my days worse and worse. One I almost feel asleep standing on the BTS train and it was scary. After 130 baht buffet breakfast at Quarter Silom I went to exchange money at XOne in Suriwong, usually they have one of best rates and are very accommodating to request for smaller denomination. Having enough of small notes eliminates need to wait for change , never problem in stores but sometimes in bars when it is not unknown that one hands over 1000 to be given change from 500 etc. So I like to stock on those 20, 50, and 100’s . In fact I came will prepared carrying in my luggage stack of 4900 baht in 20 ties. Went to buy 2000 in my local exchange , they had only those denominations and I told them I will clear all they have. So out of 10000 or so I asked to get 4000 in 100’s , cheap way to feel rich. Next step is MahaNakhon as it was 10 am , opening hour. This was when dearth of tourists was in plain unobstructed view . Senior ticket 250 , regular weekdays 530, weekends 880. On top at that hour was grand total of 3 of us only me braving to the glass. View was bit hazy but still splendid, good introduction to Bangkok charms and sights. What I notices traffic on the river was much reduced with very few boats plying the waters. Up alone , down alone, back on the street after hour there with obligatory visit to the washroom, truly toilet with the view in the best sense of the word. It’s a must before one boards down elevator as it’s on the same floor. Back to the room, quick packing and off to Raya. Some of you know I like to change hotels every 2-3 days , I just wanted to see how Quarter Silom is and I liked it although at the moment they seem to cash on novelty and in fact I paid more for the room there than for much bigger and better appointed one in Raya. Location is great , particularly for Tawan lovers as its 50 steps from there. And no, nobody blinked an eye when I was marching in with my guest last night. While Quarter seemed busy , Raya did not but still asked me to wait until 2 before I could check in , I was mentally prepared for it so left luggage and went to have a bite or two in world famous, Michelin start awarded etc , Foodland Patpong. Back in the room combed apps a bit for fun of it , noticed one guy I liked had a profile with Line Id so contacted him that way. I liked his Line response ‘ I’m boy services” , sounds much more classy and upscale than ‘ money boy ‘. Anyways it turned he is in Pattaya now but we agreed we will meet later on. At 5 p.m. I went to soi Pluk Chit, place where Sabaidee and Sancturary Spa are on the ground floors of neighboring buildings. Is not that far, just 1 MRT / subway/ stop from Silom, you alight at Lumpini station and when on the street you will see overpass crossing main street 4 minutes away. When you cross it go in the same direction and after 100 meter you will see busy soi. That’s Pluk Chit. Lots of food stalls , some selling other items (on another occasion I bought some socks and underwear there ), no farang in sight , very Thai even if it’s literally steps from main thoroughfare. Sabaidee is in parking garage under first high-rise, beside it is small Thai restaurant , great chicken with cashew nuts I learned on another occasion. Sanctuary in on ground level of second high-rise , entrance will hidden behind greenery. My mission was to find hunk I saw picture of on Sabaidee’s Line feed. Mamasan called guys available , all handsome , muscular and smiling friendly. Second from the left looked as mine goal but since I’m notoriously bad reading people from pictures I pulled my phone to confirm it’s him. It’s how I found T, one of heroes of my trip it turned out. 1 hr 700, 1.5 hr 1000 for the shop, minimum tip respectively 1000 and 1500.ine 1 hr is always rushed I almost universally settle on 1.5 hr course , with such a hunk it would be unthinkable to do otherwise anyways. Massage was professional and strong. I knew I’m in good hands because he did not pour oil over me but on his hands first as it supposed to be done. Towel did not last long either. Tipped extra, promised to return tomorrow, not much English but Google translate helped. Issan native as confirmed by the size of a part Issan guys are famous for , in short great find. Evening trip to newly re-opened Fresh Boys, few boys in jeans on the stage . I understand staff in restaurants must be dressed properly. All twinks so not exactly my field but distributed some red notes including friendly mamasan I recall from soi Twilight. No , not Lucy , I did not see Lucy this trip at all. Asked her about Lucky Boys but she said she doubts it will be opened any time soon , on another hand confirmed that Hot Male re-opening is matter of few days which turned correct and also mentioned Tawan will be re-opening in new location across the soi from old one soon. From there to Jupiter, more boys than customers. Boys handsome like hell but I don’t like that bar’s modus operandi. Guys sitting on the phones in the shadows, every 1/2 hour making parade, fully dressed as restaurant stuff should be but one or two removed their tops and paraded bare chested. I can live with that part but somber unsmiling face expression is put off for me, I know that is what management wants but how one can assess whether boys is interested or no if it’s so hard to get an eye contact. Of course red note produces short smile, specially those days of sparse customer base. It was shock for me to see that one guy across is actually of smiling broadly at me. We will met him later on but tonight I went to Raya empty handed. Few word about Raya, renovation should be completed soon with new façade. Works did not bother me at all as I spent days outside. Only inconvenience is need to use elevator in the back , usually acting as service elevator. They organized it well , there’s always somebody on duty to steer you there. It was few years since I was staying there last but rooms are still well maintained , spacious and spotless, same, same before. Staying on 6th floor I had privacy by being able to by-pass 5th floor reception entirely. Jet lag ravaged but well massaged I collapsed on the bed ending my day 3.

sounds like you had bad luck as I was there numerous times this trip and had no problems with sheets and pillows. Not to mention last thing crossing my mind was danger of infection. But I agree hosting in own room brings more comfort and usually longer session.

Ambiance was closed both times I was in Pattaya although in my 2nd stint there closer to Christmas Copa seemed opened already. With idiots in charge of Pattaya - see restaurant thread , situation may change from day to day. We saw that rollercoaster with Jomtien Complex and Boyztown bars, one day opened , next closed and so on. No breakfast at Agate as there were too few customers to bother but there are good option nearby for breakfast - Dicks, French restaurant in the corner or Zing where breakfast is available, actually pretty sumptuous one for 160-200 baht depending on selection. As you will learn in next installment ( be patient , I post next day only after following day is written i.e. day 6 will be posted after I have day 7 ready, this allows for possible day of being too busy to write ) that T bailed on me and did not go with me to Pattaya. In previous cases when i took boy with me I paid them LT rate2000-3000. Usually i give them 200-300 daily stipend for incidental drinks or snacks so they don't need to ask me for money every time they want to have a can of coke . It's my secret that had T decided to go , his tip would be much higher due to my hots for him. His loss I guess

Beauty of party we threw at Sabaidee was that it was of social, not sexual nature, there were few naked torsos but that's about it. And probably more about food than drinks, it's why I was able to walk (singing, singing ) all that distance to Raya. I doubt I'd be interested in kind of party you described, nothing wrong with hand or mouth on appendage but I kind of like it behind the closed door with boy or two and me, not whole congregation. But it's just me. Yes I learned a lot about their lives and that's why I liked it so much. Golden Cock site looks like abandoned , I passed by several times by Nature Boys but it was day time and never visited it this trip so can't help with information whether they were opened and what was going on there . Super A looks closed for good too. Somehow from few visits there in the past I rather see boys from those three bars as next door types rather than hunky masculine but I admit my statistic sample in their respect is limited, probably 6 visits between those 3 bars over 21 trips.

you are kidding ! Whenever I need an adrenaline boost I cross Suriwong diagonally at any place. And after 2am on Sunday until 8am is pretty quiet so you can do your warm-up training then

I'm sure expats have made provisions for this. However, this article by a Thai lawyer explores the legal realities of a foreigner dying in Thailand. From Pattaya Mail By Jessataporn "Chang" Sriboo Q. What can lawyers do? All countries have their own rules and regulations about notifications to police and embassies, corpse disposal and the follow-up in court if the deceased had any assets in Thailand. A Thai lawyer experienced in these matters can make the whole process less distressing for next of kin or significant third parties. Q. What are the procedures if a foreigner dies here? Typically, the police will quickly be informed. If the deceased died in hospital and had a recent record of illness or disease, an autopsy is not necessary. In all other cases, an autopsy will be required and this can delay the funeral. The death certificate is issued by the local authority and relevant embassy approval is required before cremation or burial is possible. At this stage, relatives usually have a lot of questions about detail – such as where the autopsy occurs and the specific role of the embassy – which a lawyer can help to make a smoother process. Also any hospital or autopsy bills must be paid before progress can be made. Q. How are the dead disposed of in Thailand? Nearly always by cremation which is otherwise known as hygienic disposal. Embassies usually have a list of morticians who can organize the details and the service at temples. Prices vary a great deal according to the location and elaborateness, starting at around 20,000 baht with no upper limit. In general, funerals in rural areas are cheaper than those in urban centers. In temples, the body is kept in a “chedi” or special area and there is no specific time frame for cremation. The next of kin or executor can obtain the ashes in an urn for lodging in Thailand (often in a temple or at sea) or for return to the native land. Q. Is burial possible in Thailand? Yes, but it’s very expensive, difficult and can take a long time. An alternative is to transport the body back to the home country by air, although it should be noted that many airlines – since Covid – do not offer this service. Also, the body has to be specially treated by embalmers and returned in a zinc-lined coffin. In my experience, well over 90 percent of deaths in Thailand are prepared for cremation here. The exceptions are mostly where the insurance policy specifically allows for international corpse transportation. Q. What happens if nobody can be found to take responsibility? Yes, sometimes this can happen when a Thai or a foreigner dies and no family member or friend can be found. Sometimes embassies may pay for disposal, but many do not. In some areas, the local authorities may arrange for a pauper’s cremation at a local temple. In other areas, there is a paupers’ burial ground where corpses are lodged and collectively burned every few years to make way for new arrivals. In the Pattaya area, as an example, the Sawangboriboon Foundation will usually be asked to assist where a body is uncollected and unwanted by anyone. We should stress that a pauper’s disposal will be an action with minimal ceremony. Q. What about wills and courts? If the deceased had any assets (cash or property) in Thailand, a probate order from a Thai court is necessary before they can be transferred. However, if a bank account is held in joint names, then the surviving partner can avoid that bureaucracy. The judge in a probate case will expect to see a properly drawn-up will in the Thai language and will normally require the presence of the executor or next of kin. The court may ask about the family tree, but the process is normally automatic. The executor will then receive written authorization which allows the transfer of assets to beneficiaries. Q. Do things sometimes go wrong? Indeed they do. Sometimes there is no will or the original cannot be found. In these cases, the process may be more complicated and, where possible, we ask the next of kin to accompany us to a hearing in the Thai court. Another problem area is where the deceased died unnaturally, say a murder, which can result in all sorts of questions depending on the specific circumstances. Sometimes, the relatives may not be satisfied with the results of the autopsy and can fund a second one either in Thailand or in the home country. Q. Do I need two wills? It depends. Where assets are held in Thailand and abroad, we usually recommend that. Care has to be taken that the two wills do not contradict each other – I have known that to happen! Some foreign probate courts can require a lot of detail. For example, if a British man or woman holds assets in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, these jurisdictions are not part of the United Kingdom. The detailed rules are very different in, say, Liverpool and Douglas. On estate matters, you really do need professional legal input. Preferably well before you meet your Maker. https://www.pattayamail.com/business/pattaya-legal-corner-dying-is-the-last-thing-you-do-384945

I'm personally hopeful that Omicron is the last of it. It's highly contagious, but noticeably less dangerous. I think pretty much everyone is going to get it at one point or another, and that plus the vaccine should mean most of us can go back to normal.

I wonder what happened, as I was talking to their mamasan at last 3 times and he assured me about New Year's Eve opening, For a while I was even thinking about extending my stay to attend and obviously Guardian Angel advised me correctly not to. My guess is they had problem to get suitable number of guys but it's just my guess.

Thanks. But, not interested in doing that here.

Forcing people to sign in is controlling behavior. I have an automatic disdain for people who are controlling and/or use methods of control to get their way. It's not a personality disorder I admire. The fact is, many sites and businesses have turned to controlling behavior antics in the past 5-10 years, and I've left most of them. I understand that businesses feel pressure to join the controlling chorus, and I always caution against it. When smart people realize the manipulation, it can seriously turn them off. Pissing off potential customers is no way to build a business.

When I booked up our March stay at Agate, I was told that breakfasts were suspended owing to Covid. At the time I thought they may be reintroduced by the time we arrive. Now I'm not so sure that the trip will go ahead anyway!

It is prime the Tawan had a large stable of fit, muscled highly attractive men. On my last visit 3 years ago it certainly had “larger boys” as you have described them. Fat, totally out shape, heavily tattooed. Nothing to compare with what we experienced 8 years ago (roughly) and earlier. I have such fond memories of the early to mid 2000’s. It will be interesting to see how it emerged from this hibernation.

@vinapu Nice to read your reports regulary. Do you pay for T anything else besides hotel, food, drinks, transport? If so, how much per day?

Did you check if the Ambiance opposite Copa is opened ? 3 nights at the Agate for 3800 is a great deal less than half price from their usual rates on high season , Does it include breakfast ?

Reader's post is very informative and for many of us probably quite timely. The fact is that a will written in Thai is essential. Without that the Court will decide who your nearest relative is and he/she will end up with your assets. I had a will made on line by a solicitor's office in Phuket about 15 years ago. I thought it was virtually foolproof. Not so. A few months ago I consulted a solicitor in Bangkok who had drawn up the wills for two friends. He pointed out one clause in my earlier will which had been superseded by legislation. So at considerable expense I had a totally new will drawn up that makes my wishes 100% clear and 100% in accordance with Thai law. One issue which I was asked to clarify and include in the will is what happens if the beneficiary/beneficiaries die prior to my death. So a second beneficiary had to be included just in the unlikely event that happens. Copies of that will are lodged not just with the solicitor but also with the beneficiaries who also have the contact details of the solicitor's office. I believe the cost has been more than worth it for the peace of mind it provides. I have a second will in the UK and have ensured that neither conflicts with the other.

Thanks guys!

if that logic would apply, first to be shut should be public transport like trains and long distance busses , not to mention planes. I probably can finish my dinner in less time it takes to get from Sanam Chai /Wat Po / to Sukhumvit MRT stations. Restaurants can request proof of vaccination but require recent test or making customers to take test on the site and wait for results 15 minutes -it's probably first such lunacy in the world.

If that actually happens, will you be surprised? They won't have to evacuate the city. People will leave by their own choice. I hope this won't result in massive free food lines and lost jobs yet again. This bizarre edict is on my "I Don't Get It" list. It makes no sense. Why would anyone be more likely to get Covid in a restaurant than in any other venue? I'm closer to many more people in a grocery store than I am in a restaurant. Pattaya is a tourist dependent city. What kinds of tourists will go to Pattaya and have to deal with this when they can go anywhere else - and I mean anywhere else - in Thailand and walk right into a restaurant perfectly normally? And as a local living in Pattaya, I'm not going to deal with this. I'll either do my own cooking at home or order from one of the food delivery services. This rule is going to help what? They talk about learning to live with Covid - so let us live . . .

sometimes I wonder why they simply evacuate Pataya like Pol Pot did to Phnom Penh, close whole place down and not bother with it anymore. That's most idiotic on many idiotic decisions made over covid in Thailand. I wonder what's next? requirement to take PCR test and wait 24 hrs. for result to get a dinner?

From The Thaiger “Thailand Trusted Destination” is the latest campaign in a long line of schemes government authorities have launched as they attempt to lure international travellers back to Thailand, even amid Omicron uncertainty. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports launched the campaign in a bid to increase the standards of tourism in the country. The project aims to build confidence in travellers by certifying businesses that meet certain quality standards, allowing them to display the Thailand Trusted Destination dancing elephant logo. The Tourism Ministry hopes this will incentivise businesses and venues to bring their standards of management, cleanliness, safety, and fairness up. Businesses will also be evaluated on their eco-friendly practices. Tourists can identify attractions that have been certified with the dancing elephant logo by searching on the Thailand Tourism Standard Facebook page or their website at tts.dot.go.th though the site seems to not be quite functional yet. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/thailand-trusted-destination-certification-aimed-at-luring-tourists

Next, I will finish watching "Baker Boys", which I loved from the first second of episode 1, and catch up with "Bad Buddy", which, while E1 and E2 were so so, is great from episode 3 on!

I am way behind with all the new series. I guess its my own fault, why did I go on holiday to Thailand and have no time for watching series. Bite Me (2021) At the beginning I liked it, but then the story evolved a bit too slowly and Aek was so cold to Aue. Even though Aek is pretty cute, I liked the side couple Vich+Prem more. Aek What I really liked though were the amazing food pictures. According to the special episode (behind the scenes), they even opened a shop for online delivery where you could order the menu they cooked in the series, so you could watch the series while eating their food, what a great idea! And what I always enjoy are the deep dialogues like this one: or this one:

I loved the Raya when I last stayed there, however I absolutely hated crossing Surawong road! When I eventually get to Bangkok again, I will stay on the other side of the road! 😅

Good to see that Boyztown business’ have not given up trying to keep things alive. COVID has gone on a lot longer than anyone envisaged in early 2020 when I made my last trip to Pattaya. I’m just hoping that the situation will improve in 2022 allowing making a visit by me and other gay tourists feasible, when their efforts will be rewarded by the resumption of buoyant trade.

yes it was, there was Dtac booth just past luggage collection area before you entered area where hotels were collecting you. I did not notice any other booths nor I was looking for them. Possibly they were Ladies staffing booth were very efficient and my new SIm was installed before I could even say "Hail Mary , full of grace" with old card neatly scotch taped to SIM card carrier.

I just returned from Thailand where I had numerous massages and other close connection contacts with young( 23-33 ) part of male Thai population. While most massage places and bars are posting something about having premises sterilized and staff vaccinated I did not bother with neither following on that nor being worried. My logic is I'm vaccinated in order not to be afraid of other people. Or like I said to my cousin ;" Margaret, if somebody must be sick , it better you than me ". So far it seems to be working. I'd find close encounter , with either masseur or regular bar off in masks weird and asking about status fun killing so I took calculated risk of not bothering about either. So my advice to Londoner and other with similar and it must to be admitted, valid concerns. Ease up your worries and let them go or stay home. Otherwise your vacation will become nightmarish string of worries with every person you encounter potential killer. That is not a receipt for happy holidays. If you are longing for reunion with P, just go and stay with him somewhere leaving massages and other debaucheries for future trip. Good news is that 100% of population is wearing masks , if in 25 days I saw 30 people on street without mask that's it. And all of them seem to be western slobs, mainly in Pattaya. So my guess risk of catching something in LOS is the same as catching something on the plane or airport. Just go and have fun.

Handy, cheap and nice smelling micro-towel. I always made sure I have few on me at any time . Refreshing , stays moist for few hours, can be washed and reused. Whether you feel sweaty, oily , soiled you appreciate having it on you . comes in 3 sizes ay 9, 13 and 16 baht, can be found in 7/11 and the like not where other toiletries are but curiously where dairy items are shelved. Don't ask me why. I even went as far as bringing few of those home.

Both the post and the times allow you to share subscriptions with another person, so I have one to the post that I share with my mom, and she shares her times subscription with me. Not a bad deal for us.

The Winner - To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee 2. The Fellowship of the Ring By J.R.R. Tolkien 3. 1984 By George Orwell 4. One Hundred Years of Solitude By Gabriel García Márquez 5. Beloved By Toni Morrison

Today i went to Ayutthaya with a local friend by train. it was such an experience. more details to come ….

10/5/19 Bangkok is crying heavily. I am blaming it to this heavy rain that's making me more emotional From 88D to 44D in less than 48 hours IMG_3938.MOV

I don't see how this could have been rationally promulgated or actually enforced. I'm only reporting it. From Pattaya Mail In a crushing late-night order, Chonburi’s governor mandated that customers of restaurants of all sizes produce a negative coronavirus test result before entering. The arguably unenforceable dictate from Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai late Jan. 1 replaced a less-restritive proclamation issued earlier the same day that had spared smaller restaurants from the onerous unfunded mandate. Both orders were issued in reaction to the coronavirus omicron variant, which has now made its way to Chonburi on its march to inevitably becoming the dominant strain in Thailand. The original order had applied only from Dec. 31-Jan. 2 and required all staff, including entertainment performers, at restaurants – and the thousands of bars masquerading as restaurants – to be tested daily with rapid antigen kits. Customers, however, would only have to produce proof of a negative coronavirus test from within the past 72 hours or take a test on-site before entering if the venue regularly served more than 100 people or “looked busy or congested” even without actually serving 100 people. The new order, however, does away with the time limit – it’s now in force until further notice – and requires all customers, regardless the size of the venue or the customer’s vaccination status, to either take a test on-site or provide proof of a recent negative test. Restaurant owners unable or unwilling to foot the testing bill or make customers wait 15 minutes outside for test results are given no other choice than to simply close. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/all-pattaya-restaurants-now-require-customers-to-show-negative-covid-19-test-385022