Leaderboard

Day 22 V has a day time job so we went for breakfast earlier only to find smiling 18past19 coming there at the same time so we enjoyed food together. V did not stay with us long rushing for work and when he left 18past19 revealed secret why he was so visibly happy this morning. Last night he had pleasure hosting X, one of Moonlight models and was absolutely thrilled by the experience. Being good friend he told me that I must off him too and he will support me in this pursuit. What can I say ? true spirit of friendship and cooperation. He even suggest I’ll try tomorrow as he will be visiting some local friends for a party or meeting and is removing himself from the market. Here I need to make some remarks. Few members past and present share fondness for the same type of guys I do so when we are in BKK together it’s almost inevitable that either by coincidence or design, like with V case yesterday, we off the same guys who know that we are friends . And this is when professionalism of our boys is showing up as they maintain utmost discretion, never commenting, not even musing the word on meeting with another guy. I can recall perhaps more than dozen of such parallel cases and only once, several years ago I heard comment about my , long departed from the forum friend from boy ‘you like to kiss but your friend likes fuck right away” . That’s it, not even particularly revealing as it still did not reveal who is fucking whom , not that I was curious or even cared . There was case I mentioned recently of boy showing my neutral picture made on stairs of BBB Inn to another member not knowing that he knows me and that ‘s about it in 21 trips over 20 years. So I must say we can share guys safely in knowledge that what happens in our room stays there. Today I designated day as touristy, I took subway to Sanam Chai station, most beautiful of MRT stations , steps from Wat Po and short walk to Grand Palace which I did not manage to visit because it was already closing. Street around Tha Chang and Tha Maharaj piers , usually very busy were quite empty , another sign of those missing millions of tourists. Going back I took Chao Praya Tourist Boat at 30 baht 1 way (not sure it was regular or senior rate ) to Saphan Taksin and it was not more than 1/5 full for the same reason. Late afternoon we has some rain, I was about to leave to see again T at Sabaidee when it started , fortunately umbrella is included I room amenities at Crowne Plaza. Not that I needed it much as by time I left Lumpini station rain was over . It was only rain I had in 25 days I spent in LOS this trip. T knew I was coming since he was asking me on Line since morning “ will you come to see me today ?” , and we had our usual 1 ½ hr. session. Mamasan did not mention marriage today , likely my previous answer was satisfactory and self-explanatory. I promised to see him at least once before I go home as my trip is getting to an end. Today I was planning to visit HotMale because you may recall I promised cheerful M, one with wife and children that I will off him one day. Cheerful was only one attribute but he is also cute and handsome at the same time, allowed me to sample his kissing skills last time we were sitting together and made sure I could feel his rigid thing too. All in all, a must. Ah-poo, guy I mentioned already was there on the stage and smiled broadly seeing me , perhaps hoping for repeat but I had other designs today , fortunately some customer, not much older than him by the way , perhaps noticed our smiles exchange and called him over and in few minutes world saw them both marching away. I called M for a drink, asked him matter of factly if he wants to go with me but warned him that I want to see show in the bar. This was what he wanted to hear as he was taking part in 2 numbers and likely he wouldn’t be available earlier anyways. So we had more time to talk, motive of him being fond of fucking girls but being fucked by guys was repeated, I joked that perhaps I should take one more guy with us and that idea was taken surprisingly seriously and immediately approved. He even showed me which guys have ‘beautiful cock ‘ as he put it an I warmed to an idea of having private sex show in the room. Not the first time , actually it were two Tawan boys on my birthday few years ago who seized occasion , planted idea and suggested they organize such a gift for my birthday. It turned to be fun, not to mention fact that one who was bottom clearly enjoyed it and even more getting paid for his own pleasure. Few other times it was not as much fun but then was a case of top and bottom taken from Fresh Boys in soi Twilight which actually in the room amused themselves by changing a roles they offered to play to a loud laughter of three of us. I sensed I kind of surprised him when I told him he can chose guy who will go with us and to my great pleasure he picked up one I hoped he will do without any hint from my side. They were together in one of show numbers and he told me he likes him the most. Coincidentally so did I as guy was very well built and only thing which in my opinion stopped him from being model there was his height as he is pretty short. Let’s call him T2. M was tasked with obtaining his OK, than I invited T2 for a drink and it was plain that they both are happy and anticipating fun. First tab, 3 drinks 1200, 2 off fees 1000, in meantime 3 100 baht tips to all big cock performers, one can see that Thai economy got quite a lift via that bar tonight. When we were leaving it looked everybody in the bar was smiling, even me , the sponsor. Sight of 2 guys penetrating up close is not necessarily that appealing to me but I was hoping that like few times before , it will turn to fun spectacle. And that muscly T2 will stay till morning. I knew already M must leave before 2 to see his controlling wife. Nobody in the hotel blinked an eye seeing patrician with 2 wingmen i.e. grey haired guy with 2 entertainers. If I expected some fun , what happened exceeded expectation. Good I had some beers so we had quite a talk before they started performance and it was plain that they like it. I’d venture it was not their first time together. I spare you particulars if only because this day narrative is already too long ‘ wink, wink’ but certainly hotel provided , strawberry flavored, condom was used with gusto and more. Guys had fun but so did I with more to come. When we went to shower together I asked T2 if he wants to stay till morning , not only he agreed but I sensed by way he answered he was expecting such a proposal. So M went home primed to have sex with his wife by his own admission and T2 with me retired to finish such fun filled day 22. No idea what pumped him, Sidegra, me ( LOL ) , fact that he just had fabulous sex with guy he liked to have sex with or sight of compensation on his only 2nd night after he returned to bar after quite a long absence but he sported impressive hardon till very morning which was a good idea as it generated 500 bonus over agreed tip. 3 more days left and shockingly I still have some funds available, pays to be prudent and not off guys right , left and center I guess.

It was not that very down to earth V or meaty hunky T from sabaidee massage or that famous moonlight model who made my BKK trip enjoyable. it was no one else but vinapu who made this trip more fun. without him, my trip wouldnt have been this much fun. hoping to do it again soon in a near future Shifu!!

Day 21 Slow Christmas breakfast exchanging news with 18past19. He liked V very much but since he has other plans for tonight he generously suggested I should pursue him today. Is good to have friends in high places. Then we decided to visit MahaNakhon ,my third foray there this trip. Again not many visitors there, from all places in Bangkok in my opinion dearth of visitors was most pronounced exactly up there. Not necessarily bad for us as there was no need to elbow anybody for a chunk of space. Visibility was great and we liked it there. Of course I show him famous washroom with a view on 74 th floor and impressed him with shaft in emergency staircase, all 74 floors deep. We couldn’t have Christmas lunch in any lesser place than world famous, multi Michelin stars awarded Foodland Patpong where I treated myself for holiday with Chicken with cashew nuts. Then I returned to hotel to make some holiday calls only to learn than my sister’s whole household fell to Covid so she was forced to call off holiday dinner at the last minute. Fortunately it was pretty mild form thanks to all being vaccinated but it was closest I get to know virus so far. No kidding and no idea who brought it home and from where, shopping being main suspect. Then I decided to get some fresh air and leaving elevator I noticed that 18past19 at the same second arrived by another one, completely uncoordinated coincidence. Perhaps I should buy lottery ticket today because during my walk around Silom and Suriwong I decided to take some cash from ATM and when I turned back to retun to the street level I bumped into another member, newscene . He was in a bit of rush but we mutually confirmed that after tomorrow we are going to Ayuthaya by train. Somehow V found his way to our hotel in the evening so him, 18 and me went to soi 4 for a dinner and after that we went to Jupiter which was surprisingly empty for a weekend evening, dearth of farangs visible on MahaNakhon found it’s confirmation there as well. None of our problems because 18 had his plans and I asked V if he wants to check a view from my room , invitation he gladly accepted. And no wonder 18 liked him very much because I did too, thank you my friend for finding him and letting me to get acquainted with such a fine specimen of the guy. I couldn’t envision better Christmas treat to end my day 21.

Day 20 In the morning quite unusual request from my guest , he wanted to borrow my underwear as he felt he need a change so I gladly provided spare one ones luckily I had. Then we went for breakfast which at Crowne Plaza is quite opulent affair. Checking the crowd one could notice that there were few tourist but mostly so called hi-so Thais. No doubt crowd checked us too but even if it was obvious what kind of couple we are, nobody blinked an eye , neither gusts not staff , waitress actually addressed him first which I found very nice. Two westerners , executive looking gentlemen who arrived to a table near us actually greeted us with ‘good morning‘. Selection was nice change from usual fried eggs and toast breakfasts so I feasted on rye bread and Swiss cheeses while my companion had usual Asian fare fortified with some seafood and other luxuries. Then I released him and went to Hualampong as today was supposed to be day of closing station and moving all trains to Bang Sue but for some reason it did not happen. It was normal traffic but also hosting plenty visitors taking pictures of few steam engines parked on the platforms. I even learned than in 2 days train to Ayuthaya will depart from this station so for now Hualampong is alive and kicking and news about it’s death are clearly exaggerated. Still curious I took MRT to Bang Sue Grand Station to see if there are any changes there but it looked the same like 10 days ago as terminus of both SRT red lines and spacious covid vaccination center. Being there I recalled thread in our forum about G-Beat spa close to Saphan Kwai BTS so I decided to check it out. Here’s link to this thread : https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/37106-loving-the-boys-at-g-beat-spa-in-gay-bangkok/ I had problem finding it simply because I did not realize it THAT close to the station so walked around neighborhood , visited nearby wat and returned toward station to final find it easily. How to get there – at Saphan Kwai take exit 3 and when you will be coming down the stairs on your left you notice kind of small plaza and you may even notice stylized “GB” sign on left side. So as macaroni 21 pointed out in the thread it’s no more than 100 m from the station. By the way there are few more guy staffed massage places on this plaza. Greeting mamasan explained that if I don’t have an appointment which obviously I did not he will call guy of choice for me – had selection on the tablet. Of course first one I liked had already appointment , second one was 5 minutes away and third 15 , we did not go further as I opted for 5 minutes one. Massage 600 for 1 ½ hr, for extra 50 upgrade to VIP room with shower inside , boy’s minimum tip of 900 was indicated ( it looks that they have personalized min. tip there ) , instead of waiting inside I went to 7/11 to buy some drink and when I was back nice looking , next door type smiling therapist was already there. Very basic English but friendly and handsome look provided receipt for successful session worth the trek that far. There was massage , afters , fun and laughter.1200 so min tip exceeded by 1/3. Recommended . In meantime T is sending messages on Line if I will see him today so I decided to head to Sabaidee straight from there , BTS to Asok and MRT from Sukhumvit. Nice reunion after few days of absence , mamasan even went as far as ask when I will marry T to which I responded defensively that he has girlfriend already. Then back to Crowne Plaza where I was supposed to meet another member who recently arrived under Test and Go program and parked there – 18past 19. We were supposed to meet downstairs in the lobby. He told me that we will meet his local friend as well as equally local ‘ friend’ there and when I went down I kind of suspected who that ‘friend’ may be as I spotted attractive handsome guy on his smartphone sitting on the bench . 18past19 showed second after and we both recognized each other after more than 2 years since we meet last time in BKK. I was introduced to both friends and off we went to soi 4. Since V, the ‘friend “ was very good looking I did not waste time to ask what his name is only to be reprimanded by 18past19 to slow down since he is his boy, LOL Sure, I know my place in line but since 18 was engaged in conversation with his other , regular friend it was my duty to makes sure his V is entertained when we were trekking so I got his name , guessed correctly Cambodian city he is coming from, all just in case 18 may decide to give him time of. I was not hungry having eaten already in place beside Sabaidee after massage so had my Chang while three gentlemen had their dinner and then we voted that next destination will be Hot Male so off we went. I Lined newscene that we are heading there and he joined us there. There was some time before show and one guys on the stage was smiling nicely so I decided to call him over for a drink and who knows , feel perhaps. Talkative Myanmarese, very open minded , married with 3 children , wife doesn’t know where he is working , he likes to fuck girls but to same degree likes being fucked by a guys. He also updated me which boy in bar has beautiful cock , this planted in my mind some sinister idea about the future . Not before long planted quite a few kisses on me so I made firm promise I will off him before I go back home but not today, tipped him for his troubles couple reds , sent him back to the scene, watched part of show including big c**k show, tipped participants, all 3 of them and at one point waved good bye to both members and both friends wishing them Merry Christmas as today is Christmas Eve and I left. Where I’m from Christmas is actually celebrated more on Christmas Eve than Christmas Day itself so I felt somewhat festive in a traditional sense, childhood memories and all that. Because of that instead of bar off I decided to be good boy and go to Holy Redeemer in soi Ruan Ruedi for midnight mass. Took taxi for 60 baht and went there. It was well attended, did not drag too long and early Christmas Day I walked all the way from there using bit circular way as Lumpini Park was closed for the night ( soi Ruam Ruedi is diagonally across park from king’s statue ) . Fresh midnight air made me realize that now I don’t need to be good boy anymore so I took circular way through Silom , Patpong 2 and Suriwong hoping I will meet somebody to share Christmas cheer with but now with bar closure at 11 pm it was too late and other than Foodland everything was in deep sleep already. Passing by , surely I peeked into world famous restaurant , in good times usually at that time full of bar employees dining but not in those covid days. So my very busy day 20 I finished lonely in the bed and shame on me, I liked it. Christmas spirit I guess.

After a couple of trips, you won't need them anymore 😆

From Bangkok Post The Tourism and Sports Ministry promotion plan for 2022 will be themed "Amazing Thailand New Chapter", introducing new selling points from January and collecting a 300-baht entry fee from foreign tourists from April, government spokesman Thanakorn Boonkongwanchana said on Wednesday. The plan includes promotion of "white routes" for tourists in line with a bio-, circular and green economic development strategy for more sustainable and safe tourism, Mr Thanakorn said. Also under the plan, from the start of the second quarter, April, an "entry fee" of 300 baht would be collected from foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, the spokesman said. The 300 baht fee would be used to develop tourist attractions and for accident or death insurance for all tourists. The maximum insurance payout would be 1 million baht in the case of death and 500,000 baht for medical expenses. The charge would be included in air fares. The means of collecting the entry fee from people arriving by land was still being considered. According to Mr Thanakorn, the Tourism and Sports Ministry expected revenue from tourism this year of 1.3-1.8 trillion baht, from 5-15 million foreign tourists. He said if tourists were mainly from Europe or the United States, arrivals were estimated at 5 million this year. This would rise to about 7 million if tourists also came from India. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2246355/thailand-to-launch-new-chapter-of-tourism

Also advertising today that proof of vaccination required for entry to Pride or Circus. Alternatively, they offer on the spot private rapid tests for 100 Baht --results in 10 minutes. No fear of bumping into Novak there then.

you are making it up but still very nice of you, it was fun trip for me too. I'm glad we managed to use that short gap between border restrictions to have fun and help the boys with tip or two. Just finished typing about my encounter with X , the model, will publish it in day or two . I'm grateful you recommended him to me as I was bit apprehensive about him in the past. V , great find of yours was another memorable companion as well. I'm glad I could steer you toward T but still I feel indebted 1:2 . I still smile thinking about all 4 of you. will make up for that next time , hope soon we will be in BKK at the same time. Waiting for normalcy and this shockingly includes 'Test and Go"

I think we are more aware now than we were before about privacy issues. Not only we, the photographers, but also the garotos have a better understanding.

there's much, much bigger chance of me falling on my head while walking down Sala Daeng stairs than head over the heels in love but sure , everything is possible. Truth is with 21 trips experience tell me that often guys we adored previously don't seem to be that attractive anymore and there're always those previously overlooked who all of the sudden seem great. Guys I'm returning with anticipation of seeing again disappear from the scene or even worse, seem visibly not to be interested anymore while those who ignored me previously all of the sudden are all smiles. No , it's better like it's right now, we meet , hug , compensate and go our ways sometimes not to see each other again , sometimes not to see each other till evening. Chance of missing my trip reports is coming soon with only 5 days left if somebody really missed them at all and with no immediate plans to return it may be prolonged. Dream yes , plans no until situation goes back to normal which sadly includes 'Test and Go ' option. I just can't see myself being locked for more than a day even in most comfortable hotel.

That’s not a stretch. And it is a stretch.

Not unlike NYC Chambers Street/City Hall...

I had the opppsite experience at the Flamingo in Pattaya. Because there was an awkward corner they had joined two nearly normal sized rooms to make what was effectively a suite with two entrances from the corridor. I checked in, unpacked, went out. When I returned, my toothbrush etc. had mysteriously disappeared from the bathroom. Had the maid moved it? if so, where to? It took a while for me to realise that because of the history of the room, not only were there two entrance doors, there were two identical bathrooms and my things were in the other one 🙃

I asked the same. The fact was that most of the hotel rooms were spacious and beautifully furnished. But there was a corner in the building and the hotel had decided to convert these tiny areas to rooms. Being a corner, the space was in a V shape. They decided to have to room in the bottom of the V and the bathroom with the windows in the larger part. Result was the bathroom was about 3 times the size of the room. The bed was wedged into a wall and about the size of one of the beds in a normal twin bedded room. So if two were trying to sleep, the one nearest the wall would have had to climb over the other party to get to the loo! I headed my review "Beware of Phantom Rooms" I had earlier found the same in one Tokyo hotel - then just the Hyatt and now the Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku. I had once before been accommodated in a room that was a fraction of the size of the normal minimum price rooms, even though it was stated that two people could sleep there! That room was nowhere on the hotel's website. Attending a Conference a couple of years later, I asked the organiser to make certain I was not in one of those tiny rooms. Well, he didn't do his job and I found myself stuck in this tiny room once again. So I went to the front desk and asked what was the price of their standard twin or double room. I was told around ¥27,000. And the price of the room I was in - ¥25,000. This was nuts. I asked who booked these rooms. I was not told. So I asked to speak to the Night Manager. He told me that they were only sold to Japanese tour groups and walk-in guests. I was not Japanese, I informed him, and demanded to be put into a normal room with a large bed. He could not do this, I was told. So the next morning I had a meeting with a Mr. Kobayashi, the GM. In typical Japanese fashion he trotted out excuse after excuse. Again I got nowhere. So on my return home, I emailed Hyatt head office in Chicago. I got a very nice reply asking for my phone number and a suitable time to call. The young lady actually thanked me for my mail, pointing out that no-one in head office was aware of these tiny rooms. They had an executive going to Tokyo the following week and he would make sure to see every room type. A couple of weeks later she again called. They had instructed the management to withdraw all of the 90 small rooms in the hotel. She offered me Hyatt points equivalent to the amount I had paid for my visit and asked me to contact her the next time I was at a Hyatt as she would ensure I was upgraded to a suite. Great service! As a postscript, I was able to use those hotel points twice over. I soon used tham for 3 nights at the Hyatt on Waikiki. But that hotel was also a disaster - for reasons I need not go into. After I left for japan, I wrote a long email to the GM. He said he was mortifed at my treatment and recredited the Hyatt points. Later I used them at the lovely Hyatt in Kyoto!!

busy introducing new selling points , busy creating barriers to entry. Left hand doesn't know what right hand is doing. But hopefully with introducing new 300 baht levy all that will go away and Thailand heavenly gates will open to all and for good .

We call him Novax here in Auz.

I'm with traveller123 when he posts the following; "I am waiting one of these trips Vinapu is going to fall head over heels in love when he he least expects it." Just like me in 2004 when I went into Lucky 7 bar in Pattaya to seek a companion. I now know better!

Phuket sandbox require u to book 7 days hotel accomodation with sha status. Yes u can go around the island but have to stay with the same hotel for that duration. Correct me if im wrong.

One of the problems my sister had in finding someone to tutor her in Portuguese is that in the US almost anyone teaching Portuguese will be teaching Brazilian Portuguese. To become a Portuguese citizen, one has to take an oral test to ensure Portuguese proficiency (strangely, unlike many countries, no test on Portuguese civics or history!). I don't think they'd bar you for having a Portuguese accent, though. I know some basic Brazilian Portuguese and was frequently corrected when I visited Portugal. No one was offended, though. Since there are over 20 times as many Brazilians as there are Portuguese citizens, I'm sure the Portuguese are used to it. I asked them if the Portuguese language from Mozambique and Angola were closer to Brazilian or Portuguese and was told it was in between the two.

Words fail me. How on earth does a 6 out of 10 stars review merit a lawsuit. There must be something more to this than we have been told. On Tripadvisor I have twice given hotels 1 out of five stars. One was the Holiday Inn at Helsinki's Vantaa airport. There was no way to heat up the room as the hotel had determined what was the ideal temperature. When I told them I came from Thailand where it is hot, they did not care. The shower flooded the bathroom and there was a mop for guests to clean up the mess. The other was at a 5-star hotel in Tallinn. I was so looking award to staying there but the room was tiny, the bed was tiny, there was no bedside table and since the restaurant was closed the evening I arrived, they suggested I eat there the following evening. I booked, but it was closed that evening as well. When I complained, I was offered free transport to the ferry terminal to Helsinki. The car never tuned up. I took and laud for a taxi. At least the manager of that hotel refunded my room charges. He still got a 1 star from me, though.

I am waiting one of these trips Vinapu is going to fall head over heels in love when he he least expects it. Of course it would be bad news for the rest of us as we would miss his trip reports.

Day 19 This time breakfast in Zing, last embrace and good bye N, you were great guy. Nothing sentimental , all professional , I had money, he had time , body and skills and all that was good enough to have great time together. The same like with S in Chiang Mai. Job well done , guys move to next client and I did the same to next guys. I like that way and it’s what for I’m coming to Thailand. Bus to Swampy was only half full like suspension of Test and Go had immediate effect. I know it was perhaps just coincidence. Taking advantage of depressed hotel prices and Christams season I decided for next 4 nights to treat myself with digs in Crowne Plaza. Normally I don’t crave multi stars hotels as difference in price is much higher than difference in comfort but why not to boost ones ego for Christams by staying in 4500 room / I saw tariff on reception / for 60% of that price breakfast included if only to know where rich sleep when they travel. Location is very convenient , around the corner from Silom and Suriwong and view is guaranteed as rooms are starting on 25th floor. Trick is in order to get to the room one must use 2 sets of elevators, one available to all from ground to 23 rd floor where restaurant serving our breakfast as well as traditional afternoon tea with scones , 850 treat which I skipped trying to keep my waist lean and wallet full. From there is another set of smart , card operated elevators taking us to our rooms. Why smart ? if your room is on 25 floor you can press only ‘25’ button. With all that hoopla room was quite compact although comfortable and well furnished with expected utensils plus pack of 3 strawberry flavoured condoms in one of drawers. Whether it was left by previous occupant or was hotel provided I don’t know but I suspect the second. All those stars under the name oblige. It also signalized that hotel must be guest friendly and indeed it was as we learn soon. Washroom had those high tech Japanese toilets but it’s just too much , making complex relatively simple and well rehearsed thing so I did not test it but one of my guests did. here are some pictures for curious, inside dining area from above, room and call-of-nature computer, er. toilet Almost blinded by all that marbles and polished chrome I settled in and soon was marching to soi 4 where I was supposed to meet newscene, forum member present who took an advantage of Test and Go provisions , the same like me . We never met but now it’s easy to sent selfie to somebody’s Line so we recognized each other instantly. Since we were in soi 4 already we went to Jupiter. It was quite empty with few customers only, handsome but unsmiling guys made their parade, 2 best looking and 1 smiling got my customary 100 baht tip but we did not stay too long and moved to Dreamboys in patpong 2 just in time for the show including big you know what show. Mamasan was quite friendly , our mood was good so I spotted some well built performer and decided to invite him to try all those Crowne Plaza luxuries including breakfast with me, off fee 500 paid , LT tip 3000 agreed and off we went to world famous, 7 Michelin stars sporting for some dinner before we went to a room, undisturbed by reception but collecting few looks from other guest waiting for an elevator but this did not move us at all. Tob or Top , not sure of his nick, helped me with gusto to finish day 19 and welcome day 20. With my room being on 25th floor we did not even feel the need to bother with covering windows , debauchery with a view one can say. and here's the view

From Pattaya News A 64-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead last night (January 11th) after falling from a condominium in Jomtien. Captian Sanan Kotanon from the Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident at 9:00 P.M. at a condominium in Soi 7 Jomtien. The name of the condominium was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. Police, emergency responders, and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find the body of the foreign man who was identified by police as a 64-year-old Norwegian. He had landed on an awning on the 2nd floor. His name was withheld by TPN media pending notification of his family and embassy expected to be later this morning. He was found shirtless and wearing only shorts. He had suffered severe skull injuries and three cut wounds were found on his left wrist, likely inflicted before the fall according to police. According to Captain Sanan, the man lived alone on the 5th floor of the condominium. No signs of a struggle or other occupants were found in the room. A box cutter was found on the bed. No notes were found in the room. A 72-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead (January 7th) after falling from a central Pattaya condominium. The incident took place just before midnight in Central Pattaya on the 16th floor of a well-known local condominium and was responded to by Pattaya Police Col. Kulchat Kulchai, Sawang Boriboon rescue services, and TPN media. The name of the condo was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. A Russian man was found dead after he apparently jumped from the Pattaya City Police Station early this morning (January 5th), 2022. The Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident just past 2:00 A.M. near a power pole and exchange booth directly in front of the Pattaya City Police Station on Soi 9 on Beach Road. They and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find a deceased male who was identified by police as a Russian male national, aged 38, lying on the ground with severe injuries from his fall. https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/05/russian-man-found-dead-after-apparently-jumping-from-the-pattaya-police-station-roof-overnight/

I had been posting occasional articles about the situation in Myanmar but despite great resistance from the people and international sanctions, the violence continued unchecked. An ineffectual ASEAN did next to nothing in the way of contributing to a solution. Likewise the UN, stymied by opposition from China and Russia, also seemed to lose interest. However, this account in today's Thai Enquirer screams out to be heard. ---------------------------------------------------- By Caleb Quinley The Myanmar junta has ratcheted up attacks on civilians in Kayah State, (Karenni) in eastern Myanmar, pushing over 100,000 civilians to flee for their lives. The military has launched at least a dozen airstrikes since Saturday, targeting residential areas with rockets from both the sky and ground, according to local reports. Many areas in Kayah’s capital have been completely destroyed over the weekend. Some estimates say that around half the population of Kayah, about 125,000 people, are reported to be displaced after the indiscriminate attacks. But the army, known as the Tatmadaw, has a long history of using violence on their own people. The Tatmadaw announced last week that they would give residents in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, three days to leave the area before shelling the city. Naw Diamond, a mother of two young children is one of the thousands who recently fled the violence in Loikaw over the last few days. She told Thai Enquirer that it’s simply not safe anymore and she fears for her family’s safety. “Leaving everything behind is really difficult for me,” Diamond said. “ I never thought that I would have to flee my home. I tried my best to resist and decided not to leave [in the beginning]. But I have to consider the safety of my mom and my children.” As she fled, Diamond worried for her mother’s health as she suffers from high blood pressure. When she arrived in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, she needed to go straight to a hospital so her mother could see a doctor. Since the Feb 1 coup, the Myanmar military has killed at least 1,200 people and detained thousands of others. Over the last year, the Tatmadaw turned it’s weapons on its own civilians at peaceful protests in urban centers, killing women and children and injuring countless others. Now the military has ramped up its assault on resistance fighters in rural parts of the country. Junta forces announced that the attacks in Kayah were targeting resistance fighters known to be living in the area. Many say it’s the heaviest bombardment of a major city in recent history, or at least since the Feb 1 coup. “The situation in Karenni [Kayah] is the worst it’s been since World War II,” David Eubank told Thai Enquirer. “There’s now over 100,000 displaced since last week with the heightened strikes in Loikaw areas.” Eubank is the founder and leader of the Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a multi-ethnic relief organization that offers medical aid and training at the frontlines of some of the world’s worst conflicts. Speaking from the hills of Karen State, he explained that the attacks have been continuous, noting an increase of aircraft strikes from helicopters as well as armored vehicles used to devastate civilian zones. FBR lost two rangers in recent clashes with Tatmadaw troops. Despite the attacks, defense groups like the The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), say the Tatmadaw has suffered many casualties, while reports indicate that numerous soldiers are deserting the Myanmar army. One of the most brutal attacks took place on Christmas day where at least 35 people were killed. The military set fire to more than 30 civilians in their vehicles. The victims were women, children and two employees of the charity Save the Children. Many of the victims had their hands tied behind their backs, were gagged, and had shown signs that they had been either stabbed or shot in the chest. In other attacks over the weekend, junta troops killed four teens after clashes in Tanintharyi province. The bodies of 10 people, including a 13-year-old child, were reportedly used by the army as human shields in Chin State, according to local news group, Myanmar Now. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36412/over-100000-displaced-as-attacks-mass-killings-rock-myanmars-kayah-state/

Sadly I agree. The world can do little for a country that has been fucked over by so many greater powers with yet another tyrannical regime tied to a fierce interpretation of a religion about to take over. The future is bleak for gays. Some would argue that this has been true for centuries - and they are probably correct. The real sadness, though, is that, as in their other war follies, when western powers have invaded countries of whose history, culture, customs, aspirations etc. they know precious little, they have done so spouting the goodies their invasions will bring - democracy, freedoms, rights for women, proper education, protection for minorities. Tell that to the Iraqis! It's a load of crap! No invading country should be given the authority to open a door promising a brighter future unless it is actually prepared to hunker down and deliver that future. Slamming the door in its citizens' faces as you depart with your tail between your legs just because you screwed up and got bogged down in an unwinnable war should be total humiliation. "Oh I'm really sorry you gays and women of Afghanistan" but it now no longer serves US interests to try and protect you. You are on your own again . Fuck you!