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not a bad way to go although he has quite a few years in him based on age. RIP I feel sorry for Miss Oraya as well

Last April I went on my post-vaccine trip to Santo Domingo--without benefit of this forum--and had a pretty good time (basically free Grindr guys and pain Juan binbin ones). Fun to the extent I wanted to go back--now all the more so that I have found this forum and info about Manny and Ezekial's guys! Planning to be there 2 weeks from today. First a quick report of what I did last year. Stayed at the RIG Casa Conde for 9 days, it was about $40/night, they gave me one of the few rooms overlooking the street with a balcony, which was a nice aspect, I could sit on the threshold of the door (still benefiting from the awesome AC) and watch the world go by. (I confess I'm not a tropical-weather guy.) No problem with having guests, the reception is on the mezzanine and the guys would walk past the glass-enclosed reception, reception never said anything to them but I like that the guys would have an awareness that it is not a totally unsecured place. As for the fun, yes it was fun. I'm a bottom guy, love big dicks of course, also like nice bodies, handsome faces and good kissers. Started out on the right foot with a Chilean guy a few hours before I arrived who was all of those and ended with a Dominican a few hours before I left who was too. (Nicely, the first and the last were the 2 best!) In between, a lot of guys with 8-9", in their 20s, mostly skinny non-gym, some handsome, some less so. And one guy around 40 with a great body and great kisser who went for hours, reminding me yet again that a big dick is not a requirement for great sex, nor is bareback. (On PrEP and prefer raw; I would say about a third of the guys were down with raw.) I would have about 3-5 guys a day, from about 5 minutes ,to that guy for several hours, pretty slutty although I doubt I qualify for BlkSuperman's league I'm open to paying (and did a few times) , but of course why pay for what you can get for free, plus the thrill that this hot guy is fucking me because he's into me not because he's getting paid is priceless. (I confess it is a thrill very hard to surrender as I get older.) Basically I would Grind during the day and if I wasn't satiated by around 4 or 5, I would heard to juan binbin (a few blocks away). The neighborhood drops off quite precipitously in those blocks, I always walked without trouble, it seemed so silly to order and Uber for 3 blocks, but the owner advised me against it (and once kindly even drove me back). I went there maybe 4 times, went with 3 different guys, the guys were not the super hottest (it's not the 117!) and never more than 10 were there at a time. 2 out of the 3 were very good (one was named Federico) and very obliging (I like it slow suavecito, not pounding and I find it's tough to get straightish escorts to deviate from the doggy-style pounding playbook. Also were good kissers and cool with breeding. You pay the owner, the rate is fixed, about $40 I recall. Once I went by and there was no one I was into and it was no problem that I just looked without buying. (Federico wasn't there otherwise I would have gone with him again.) One time I went with a guy who was boring and not very hard, I mentioned it to the owner and he was apologetic that the guy was new. Virtually no other clients around but this was April 2021, so maybe that's why... Went to Apollo once on a weekend afternoon, it was actually very busy. Although many were wearing masks, it seemed a little excessive risk even though I was newly vaccinated, and since I wasn't getting a flood of attention (I'm pretty fit, but late 40s, so older than most everyone there) I didn't stick around long. Guys were kind of in the same range I was finding on Grindr. Also went to Cine Lido twice (the idea of sucking off straight guys, I confess, does seem pretty hot) but not very crowded (15-20 guys) and guys not very hot, but maybe because of the pandemic. Incidentally, on the corner to the west of Cine Lido, the Chifa (in parts of Latin America, "Chifa" refers to pre-prepared Chinesish food) the fried chicken is delicious, and was surely the highlight of my two visits to Cine Lido and the culinary highlight of my visit. I walked on my 2 visits, only about 4 blocks uphill from hotel, but as with Juan binbin (in a somewhat similar direction) that may have been too cavalier. One last thing that made a nice contribution to my trip was the Gym Colonial, on Calle Conde, around only $2 for the day (yes, I love a bargain!) So, as I say, I had a nice time last year that I was planning on going back this winter (when it is a little cooler) Now that I have read here about Manny and Ezekial's guys (I swear it sounds almost to good to be true!) I am really looking forward to it, I'm eyeing Feb 10-21 with both weekends in SD and maybe 3 days Mon-Thurs in Punta Cana. Is 3 days enough in Punta Cana? I haven't read much about Ezekial's guys here there so think of keeping the emphasis on SD. When I finalize my plans and buy my tickets, probably next week I will contact them and start browsing the possibilities. Are there any must-haves that I should definitely not miss?? Any ones in particular I should start with?(all other things being equal, I would say to start with the guys who have more beautiful faces but are not quite so XXL and work my way up to the guys who are pure XXL dick plays. My preference is for guys who are open to slow penetration that lasts a long time (some pounding at the end is cool), and who are open to making out. Prefer taller to shorter, but flexible. I hope it is ok to ask, do any of them bareback, it's by no means necessary but all other things being equal, I do prefer it (The trip report from Arabcreamer suggests yes) So, thanks again guys for any and all suggestions!

we too because it looks that this great report is about to end

Farewell, For Now Our last day, and after getting up early for my pre-departure RT-PCR test I return to bed and spoon with Bangkok Guy. We sleep late and head to the pool just before noon, where we relax in a cabana. I occasionally swim laps while Bangkok Guy is content to relax in the shade. We return to the room for a final nap and a final ‘nap’. Before going to dinner, I pack. I hate doing it, going through all the mechanical steps needed for a smooth departure this evening. We have a final dinner on the terrace by the river and then go to Bamboo Bar where we are greeted warmly and the captain automatically brings us our drinks, a Sazerac for me and a Pina Colada for Bangkok Guy. Since the evening four years ago when the mixologist at Vespers decided that a Pina Colada was a good match for someone who does not like the taste of raw alcohol, it has become Bangkok Guy’s standard jazz bar drink. The female vocalist tonight is outstanding. I suggest to Bangkok Guy that we should dance if there was more space. Back in the room we do just that, our own versions of the tango and the waltz. Next time, we agree, we need to dance. Bangkok Guy could stay in the room until late check out tomorrow, but ultimately he decides he will take a cab home when I leave, despite the late hour. By himself the room is “too spooky”. The LimoPattaya is on time, not our favorite lady in her ‘Boss car’, but a colleague. I ask Bangkok Guy if I can hug him goodbye – we are in public – “Yes, can” and we briefly hug. He usually gets down the evening I depart and while he has been cheerful up until now, I see this is happening. Despite all the snafus, the stresses and only spending four days with Bangkok Guy, it has been a great trip. However, like Bangkok Guy, alone in the car to the airport I am a little down. I really want more time with him. I stroke the gold dragon on the red cord around my wrist. This connection has become deeper than anything in the past. A little deeper, and it will push against the practicalities of my life, and I really have no idea where to take it then. I smile. I like Bangkok Guy. I like him a lot. We will connect again some time after June for the trip around Thailand and that will give us time together to figure this thing out.

Just an FYI that El Poblado hotels are probably the strictest when it comes to non-registered guests. Many will charge you a fee for the additional guest, up to the full cost of the night's stay, so this can get expensive (and they will not treat your "guest" very well, in my experience). You may want to consider an AirBNB in neighbourhoods like Provenza, Manila or Castropol which are all easy walking distance to El Poblado that will be easier to entertain "guests". Check whether or not the location has security on site -- that will also play a factor, although most security guards are happy to look the other way in my experience.

We have known each other four years and he is in his twenties. I am very cautious about this. First step is to help him achieve financial independence.

There have been times when I could visualise myself dying on a massage table. It wouldn't be caused by choking, but by suffocation. What I am referring to are those massage tables that do not have face cradles. (Or they do have face cradles, but the estalishment insists on plugging and covering them up.) When you're asked to lie face down, you have to turn your face 90 degrees in order to breathe. After a while, the neck starts to hurt and so you turn your head back to its normal position, but then you find that your face is buried in the bed linen. Why can't establishments respect the value of face cradles and use them? By the way, face cradles have one unintended benefit. When the masseur is standing at the top of your head, e.g. to work on the neck and shoulders, his crotch is just 15 - 20 cm from your eyes and nose (through the cradle's lacuna). Bringing one's hands forward, the crotch is within easy reach and can be investigated for interest. Almost always the interest is soon apparent. 😂

I know at my last massage I almost choked too.

I was just reading TripAdvisor reviews on the Atlantico. If you couldn’t find a sauna boy there is always the bed bugs to keep you company.

A Washington State Trooper told the governor to kiss his ass, he wasn't getting vaccinated. He is now dead from Covid. https://nypost.com/2022/01/29/washington-trooper-who-defied-state-vaccine-mandate-and-told-gov-to-kiss-my-a-dies-from-covid-19/

Surely if the flight is scheduled to land after midnight the stamp should be the ACTUAL date of arrival?? an equally if it is scheduled to arrive just before midnight, and is delayed, the stamp should be the next day? I can imagine spending some time arguing this at Immigration as I don’t leave the desk untiI I personally check the stamp and expiry date!

Thank you, I am glad you have enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what Bangkok Guy organizes in the second half of the year.

Just for information, I just read that the Philippines will reopen for vaccinated tourists starting Feb 10. Only requirement is pre departure PCR test. No quarantine any longer. I hope Thailand follows similar conditions soon. Even just back to the one day hotel quarantine would be more attractive.

The Ministry of Foregn Affairs has issued a special warning to those seeking to acquire a Thai Pass. From Richardbarrow.com WARNING: It looks like the Thailand Pass email database has been hacked and is sending out spoof emails with a link that sends people to a malware site after they click on “download”. Everyone is getting the same QR Code for a Mr Hongkam. Please share this news with others UPDATE: The Thailand Pass IT team has checked their system and can confirm the email did not come from them. It is possible that email addresses could have been collected from websites pretending to be Thailand Pass. Make sure you only use official sites: https://tp.consular.go.th

The same goes for anti-maskers.....do they refuse to submit to surgery if the doctor is wearing a mask? Scuba-diving must be problematic, too.

I often wonder what vaccinations these idiotic anti-vaxxers were given as babies. If they hadn't been given them, the chances are they would have been dead for decades. Don't they learn? Stupid question!

Tipsy Talk Back at the hotel Bangkok Guy heads to IconSiam to get a shirt for tonight while I shower before the tailor arrives. I am very pleased with the clothes and by the time Bangkok Guy returns I am wearing some of my new wardrobe, a pair of high-waisted caramel linen trousers held up with woven silk braces in light blue with a tropical fish design and a white Chinese-collared shirt, the collar and placket lined in deep navy. Bangkok Guy both likes and is amused by the braces “They cute”. He explains his amusement by showing me a picture of little children wearing outfits with braces – he associates braces with children’s clothing. He has bought a white Chinese collared shirt which matches mine. His phone rings. It is our driver from today saying that she will not be driving us tonight, one of her colleagues will collect us. We are disappointed as she is a co-conspirator and we like her car, a black Honda Accord, which Bangkok Guy tells me in Thailand is a “Boss car”. Her colleague arrives in an SUV, apparently “Not Boss car”, so we arrive at Baan Suriyasai as our humble selves. Our reservation is in Khun Bangkok Guy’s name as the restaurant was having trouble with my name and Bangkok Guy took over. The new shirt matches his status as patron-of-record. We have our usual room, a private table-for-two overlooking the courtyard. Bangkok Guy orders for us, old favorites like the pork belly with different sizes of egg and a few new dishes. As always the food is wonderful. No champagne by the glass, only by the bottle. I ask Bangkok Guy if he likes champagne and if he can drink more than a glass. I order a bottle after he affirms both. We don’t usually drink this much, certainly not Bangkok Guy, and the alcohol loosens the conversation. “Why you drink so much?” “All Falang drink”. “I not know Falang, I know you. You like alcohol more strong (than the champagne)”. I later ask for an eau-de-vie, confirming his analysis. “Your mother knows you are gay?” “Yes”. “Does it bother her?” He looks confused “Why it bother her?” “In the West some parents do not like their sons being gay”. “Oh?” he is not sure what to make of this Falang peculiarity. “Why you give me everything?” “I don’t give you everything”. “You give a lot”. “I like you”. “How much you like me?” “A lot” and I extend my arms to indicate the entire room and the universe beyond. “Why you like me?” “You are a very nice person. You have a good heart. You are responsible. You have a sense of humor”. “I not so nice”. “Really, why you say that?” “If I no want to talk to someone they can see, my face look like this” (he tries to pull a face of someone turning up their nose, but does not really succeed). I had wondered how Bangkok Guy’s complete lack of a poker face went down with fellow Thais and this suggests that it can cause problems. “You like me?” “Yes, you always nice to me, never ‘Ack Ack’ me, and you are funny”. ‘Ack Ack’ is said rolling back the lips to show the teeth in a biting motion. It’s a gesture I have used to indicate that I have had to deal with someone. He sees it as part of my being a Boss, but happily I don’t act as Boss to him. “Why you stay in such expensive hotel?” in a slightly critical tone. Bangkok Guy likes value-for-money, not expensive things. Now I discover why he called asking for the hotel address. I explain I have a deeply discounted rate, but admit it is still expensive. I am paying about twice as much as I normally would in order to get the space and river access, to keep distant from people because of covid. He nods, this is of a piece with my using the LimoPattaya rather than public transport and insisting on cracking the windows open despite smells outside. On the way to Ayutthaya, he wound the windows up because of a smell (not much of one to my nose, but he has a much keener sense of smell) and I put them back down. He felt the need to explain my odd behavior to our driver (I caught the word ‘covid’) and she just laughed. After driving me several times she was used to my strange obsession. “What do Thai people think when they see your ring?” I ask, indicating the ring-of-power-that-was-supposed-to-be-a-dragon on his ring-finger. “Think I am married”. “How many children do you tell them you have?” I tease him. Bangkok Guy gives me a tolerant ‘You are so Silly’ look and ignores the question. “In Thailand where you want to live, Bangkok or hometown?” “Bangkok too many people, but is business. Hometown is nice, have trees and nature, but no business. Stay Bangkok for business and live in hometown once business big enough. If could live anywhere, would live in mountains like you, cooler, air clean, not many people”. In mountains like me?! “I don’t live in mountains”. “Yes, I see many trees”. One time he called me I was in the garden and he has associated the many trees with forest, which he associates with mountains. He really does like nature. I explain the confusion. “Still many trees”, which I can’t deny. The comment about no business in hometown causes a penny to drop. The allowance I give him enables him to stay in Bangkok and keep alive his aspiration of creating a business. Without it covid would have forced a retreat to the hometown where the living is cheap but the opportunities are zero. “Outside Thailand, is there anywhere you would like to live?” “With you”. “You can live outside Thailand?” “Yes”. “But no Thai people, who you talk to?” His look implies I am missing something “Who you think run Thai restaurants?” he asks laughing. My local Thai restaurant is indeed run by Thais, and there is a temple twenty minutes away. I have always thought that Bangkok Guy was wedded to Thailand, so this is news. “You would be happy outside Thailand?” The answer here is nuanced. In Thailand getting ahead as a very poor person is difficult. His father went bankrupt a few years ago and now the responsibility for the financial wellbeing of the family unit (his mother and younger sister) rests on his shoulders. It is a lot. He accepts the responsibility, not accepting it is not a consideration, but he would like to be happy while he shoulders the responsibility and somehow this might be easier outside Thailand. My guess is that it comes back to needing emotional support and, possibly, he thinks there is more opportunity outside Thailand. Bangkok Guy, possessed of the ring of power, wants to join me in my woodland sanctuary. I wonder if this is how Tolkien got inspired? I’ve never heard that he visited Thailand.

Ayutthaya and Birthdays The same lady driver from LimoPattaya is on time in her very nice car to drive us to Ayutthaya. As usual, Bangkok Guy curls up on the back seat and rests his head in my lap. My role as human pillow is secure. After the first temple, one with tortoises, we are hungry. Bangkok Guy finds a place online and a ten minute stroll finds us at a charming old wooden Thai structure nestled in a garden. No one in sight, and we are concerned that it is closed until we find the proprietors seated around a table at the back having lunch. We are the only customers, and they are delighted to see us. Bangkok Guy selects what turns out to be a very good lunch. Over lunch we continue an earlier discussion of future travel plans. We have been looking at all the places that Thais can go without visas and some of these correspond to my bucket list, including the Maldives and the Serengeti (Tanzania and Kenya are e-visa, failing which South Africa and Kruger National Park is no visa). He does not know the Serengeti, so I type it on his phone and he explores the pictures on the web, his grin widening. He holds up a picture of one of the lodges with eco-style architecture: “This where we stay?”. “Can”. “I want!!” He is however a frugal realist: “But expensive?” Yes, compared to Tokyo which had been the next on our list, but as I want to go anyway and it will be more fun with Bangkok Guy than by myself, I assure him we can do it. Our post-covid travel plan is now the Maldives and Africa. Tokyo is banished: “It only shopping”. However, who knows when covid will end. For the second half of this year we agree that he will plan a trip for us in Thailand. Bangkok Guy is enthusiastic and shows me pics of himself on holiday in various spots of natural beauty around Thailand. He really likes scenic beauty, partly for the beauty and partly for the absence of people, and traces out a possible route on a map, all nature spots except Chang Mai which, as I have not been there, he thinks I should see. We will hire a car, he can drive, he is in fact very enthusiastic to drive me. To avoid circumnavigating Thailand by car, which I think would be tiring, I point out that he has a credit with Bangkok Airways for the cancelled Koh Samui ticket, so when we reach the far North we can fly South and hire another car. Given the logic of a free flight, he agrees, although left to himself he would drive the entire way. Lunch over, he calls the driver (they exchanged numbers and he is now in charge of driver relations) and we visit more temples including the Buddha-head-in-tree, the one with a big fishpond and the reclining Buddha. Our last stop is a floating market which Bangkok Guy is very keen to re-visit as he enjoyed it on a previous occasion. From his photos I thought it was a local market, but it is clearly built-for-tourists, albeit strongly appealing to Thai tourists. Unfortunately many of the shops and the ladies selling from boats in the small lake are no more, victims of the economy. Bangkok Guy is disappointed but unfazed and once he finds a clothing store I see why he likes this place – very attractive casual clothing at very cheap prices. He gets a stylish tie-died shirt and loose pants in white with a red-brown Thai-patten print for 100Bt each. H&M and Uniqlo, eat your hearts out. It is now a little past the hour at which we need to depart if I am going to be back at the hotel in time to receive the completed clothes from my tailor. Bangkok Guy speaks with our driver, and we are on the road home for all of four minutes when we suddenly pull over and circle around for a parking spot. To my questioning face Bangkok Guy says ‘Two minute’ with his ‘Trust Me’ expression. I assume he needs to go to the toilet. Ten minutes later I am beginning to wonder. Fifteen minutes later I line him “?” and get a quick response “Five minutes” and a sticker indicating ‘please’. My “Ok. What you doing?” gets a sticker of a figure biting its fingernails. “Not to worry, but only because it is you” to which he responds with a kiss sticker. Whatever he is doing, it means something to him, and I will find out eventually. I text my tailor that I am running late and can he please come thirty minutes later than scheduled, a request with which he is fine. I look back in the direction in which Bangkok Guy went to see if there is any sign of him and spot an advertising sign for a jeweler. Our driver is watching me. “Did he go to the jeweler?” “Yes”, she smiles. She is in on whatever he is up to. I decide to visit the jewelry shop. As I approach the shopgirls see me and by the time I enter they and Bangkok Guy are doubled-over in guilty laughter. A gold dragon on a red cord is just about to be placed in its gift box. Instead, Bangkok Guy places it around my wrist “Happy Birthday!” Everyone in the shop is beaming. It is the same type of dragon that I gave him the money to buy two years ago, instead of which he bought the ring. I had said I would like one and we had planned to take a boat to Chinatown tomorrow to get one for each of us. Bangkok Guy had drawn me into a thorough discussion of what size dragon I wanted compared to the size he wanted, and in the car on the drive here had played around comparing his hand and wrist with mine, I now realize to size the red cord correctly. I offer to buy him one but no, he has the ring, the whole point of the discussion was to find out what size of dragon I wanted. I am quite blown away and grinning from ear to ear. This is a nicest gift I have had in a long time, and the best planned. As an aside, our lady driver passed Bangkok Guy’s number on to LimoPattaya, and for the remainder of the trip LimoPattaya call Bangkok Guy, not me.

I'm planning for departure on 4th Feb. I'm taking a gamble on this. Wish me luck! ** I'm waiting for Royal Gazette to release tomorrow (hopefully) so that I can start my bookings.

Shopping and Business In the morning we follow Bangkok Guy’s habit of sleeping in if there is no specific reason to get up. I enjoy drifting along next to him. We leave the room in time for lunch and Shopping at IconSiam. First stop is for me, Jim Thompson where I buy additional masks as gifts and get one in yellow with an elephant pattern for Bangkok Guy. Then I follow Bangkok Guy to his usual go-to’s, H&M and Uniqlo where, to my surprise, he buys nothing. Too expensive as no Sale today. His frugality extends to my money. In Muji he finds underwear and hoodies he likes, and my views are sought on hoodie selection. He gets an attractive lemon yellow one with dove grey lining. We are heading for the escalator when I see Polo Ralph Lauren. “Expensive”. Yes, but they are having a sale, 50% off. Bangkok Guy needs ‘underwear for swim’ and these are on sale. My opinion is sought between pale pink and mid blue. I am surprised he likes the pink, but maybe it is only brighter shades to which he has an aversion. In the end price is the deciding factor, pink is 50% off while blue is only reduced 30%. To my surprise, we have to return to Jim Thompson where Bangkok Guy buys himself a black facemask. He has decided it will match his outfit better, which it does. He is frugal, but he is gay. All this activity requires a rest, so we return to the hotel and after a shower climb into bed for a nap which later becomes a ‘nap’. After dinner on the hotel terrace, we have a business discussion. I have updated the spreadsheet showing his monthly budget: his expenses, the money he makes from the market and his allowance from me. The last two years his market income has been erratic to put it mildly and I have provided additional funds to fill the gap. For the coming two years I have increased his allowance so that it fully covers his expenses: the additional money is funded from a new long term contract I recently landed. Whatever happens with covid, his basics are covered. The discussion then turns to his business. His experience with the market stalls is a textbook case of the need for differentiation and defensibility in a business model, without which you can’t maintain steady volume and reasonable margins. For example, he got into selling masks and sanitizer early and for around two months he was doing great business, until everyone else did the same thing. If he is going to move beyond hand-to-mouth he needs to find something which is both differentiated and defensible. I explain these ideas, using his experience as the example and sketching out pictures in my business notebook. Bangkok Guy becomes animated – he gets this – and takes over the conversation to explain to me how markets are organized, sketching pictures for me. He has a plan, which I think is a good one, that achieves a somewhat defensible business model by using access to goods from his hometown and the organizational structure of the markets. By employing his mother and sister the model also follows his understanding of the purpose of a small business, which is to support the family unit. Bangkok Guy and I have discussed business often enough that there is a mutual understanding that my suggestions are very welcome (“you are businessman” in a very approving tone), but that he will decide whether-or-not my ideas are workable for small business. Early in our friendship he had an idea for creating a laundry service to cater to the new middle-class tower blocks. I thought it was a good idea and a scalable one if he developed an app with a tie-in to courier services. From my perspective, the purpose of a small business is to scale enough to achieve a trade-sale or an IPO. As I waxed lyrical, I noticed I was on the receiving-end of the constipated look. “What think?” What he thought was that I did not understand the purpose of small business which is, as everyone knows, to support and provide employment for the family unit. So now I offer my insights from ‘big business’ which he then considers through the lens of his framing of small business. Capital is needed to make this new idea work, which is my role. He understands that anything beyond the allowance depends upon me generating additional income. I now know the goal for the additional income I need to make this year if the modest percentage I share with Bangkok Guy is going to meet his capital needs. I am keen to help him with this, partly as I think he has a good idea and partly because I want to move him away from hand-to-mouth and become financially independent. And of course, I like him and enjoy his enthusiasm. We do not go to Bamboo Bar tonight as Bangkok Guy points out that we have an early(ish) start in the morning.

Enter Bangkok Guy Complete radio silence from Bangkok Guy, which is not a surprise as he only communicates if there is something to communicate and, unlike me, feels no need to reconfirm what is already agreed. The need to keep multiple balls in the air in business has habituated me to rigorous management of time and process which I unwisely carry over into my personal life. Unwisely, as it gets in the way of relaxation and spontaneity. In Bangkok Guy’s words ‘So much organize’. Bangkok Guy has three approaches to managing this potentially irritating part of my personality. Amused indulgence while he watches me attempt to bend the universe to my will, when a wise person would realize you can only organize so much and then play the rest by ear; persistent but gentle suggestions that I need to relax more; and simply ignoring me and doing what he thinks is necessary at the pace he considers suitable. Today he is ignoring me. A little after 5pm he Line’s me that he has finished his errands and is on his way, followed by a Thai-language screenshot of the hotel with the question “This your hotel?” Odd question as he has already spoken to the hotel about his vaccination status, so I guess that his taxi driver knows of other hotels with similar names and wants confirmation of the address. I later discover that he went into the website to get the address and got such a shock at the room rate (full board, not my heavily discounted rate) that he felt he needed to confirm. It is great to see him. He looks good and his eyes have their usual sense of mischief. After two years apart we are both happy, hopeful, but slightly hesitant. Is this going to click and pick up from where we left off? I reassure him that as he has been sick, we go at his pace. I follow him. He wants to rest, we rest. He wants to go to Bamboo Bar, we go, but if he does not feel up to it, we do not go. His face, mirroring his thoughts as always, is a picture of great satisfaction mixed with thought. He snuggles close and smiles “I follow you”. “You have been sick, I want to be sure you are ok”. “I not tired any more, can go anywhere. You want to go Ayutthaya? Can go.” I touch the gold ring on his ring-finger. “You give money for (he uses a Thai word meaning dragon charm) but I buy ring”. We have had this discussion on Line, but now that I am seeing the ring in person for the first time, he is watching my reaction. “So you wear my ring?” “Yes”, with a mischievous smile. “So you are mine?” “Yes”, with the mischief heading off the scale. I trace his eyebrows with my finger “These mine?” “Yes.” Stroking his nose “This mine?” “Yes.” Comprehensive exploration reveals that all of him is mine. Ah, but apparently a rule of reciprocity applies here. “If ring make you mine, then ring makes me yours?” “Yes.” “All of me?” “Yes” with a great grin. This is clearly a powerful ring, but alas for Sir Peter Jackson there is no material here for a further trilogy. Unlike Sauron, Bangkok Guy is likely to use the power of the ring gently and reasonably, mischief and grinning included. It does not take much empathy to understand that while Bangkok Guy needs and likes the financial support I provide, he also needs love. He has a romantic heart but beyond that, sane and well-balanced as he is, I sense a need for emotional support. I don’t know his full family background, but there is a deficit there that needs to be filled. After a couple of hours slowly reintroducing ourselves, we shower before heading to Bamboo Bar. We are again very comfortable with each other. Things are not back to where we left off. Somehow they have moved beyond that.

(Photo by Thai PBS News) From Bangkok Post Oil washing up on Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong could be the “nail in the coffin” for hotels and restaurants already brought low by the pandemic, local hospitality business operators said on Saturday. The navy and pollution experts are scrambling to clean up the mess created by the spill that took place in the Gulf of Thailand on Tuesday after at least 60 tonnes of crude leaked from a pipeline about 20 kilometres off the coast. Crews in yellow plastic protective suits fanned out along the beach on Saturday afternoon to start cleaning up the oil slick that began washing ashore late Friday night. Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC), the operator of the undersea pipeline that leaked, said it was trying to minimise the amount of oil reaching the shoreline by using booms. An aerial surveillance aircraft is monitoring the slick on the sea. A 47-square-kilometre area was affected before the slick drifted to the shoreline late Friday, a satellite image from the government’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency showed. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2255531/oil-spill-the-last-straw-for-rayong-tourism

Not Such A "Happy Ending" British man, 70, dies inside 'happy ending' massage parlour in Thai 'Sin City' Pattaya Police arrived at the 'Lovely Massage' shop in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya City to find Robert John Swain, 70, had died at the scene Swain was pronounced dead before his body was moved to the hospital ( Image: ViralPress) A British man has reportedly died inside a “happy ending” massage parlour in a Thai city, after falling asleep and then choking during the procedure. Police say they arrived at the 'Lovely Massage' shop in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya City to find Robert John Swain, 70, had died at the scene. The pensioner was pronounced dead before his body was moved to the hospital. According to Newsflare reports , Mr Swain had taken off his clothes and was lying naked on the massage table while being rubbed with oil by the masseuse 'Miss Oraya', 39, shortly after 3pm. Mr Swain died while being rubbed with oil by the masseuse 'Miss Oraya' ( Image: ViralPress) Oraya said it was the first time Mr Swain, who arrived on a rented Honda motorcycle, had visited the parlour for a massage. “Everything was going normally then I noticed he was sleeping,” she said. “Suddenly he started struggling to breathe. He was gasping and choking.” 'I called the other girls for help and we started pumping his heart.' Oraya called for help and staff began performing CPR but by that point, Mr Swain had already stopped breathing. Mr Swain was said to have had no identity documents on him ( Image: ViralPress) After coming to the conclusion they were unable to revive him, staff covered his body with a towel. Police reportedly arrived at the 'Lovely Massage' shop in the Bang Lamung district at 4pm and cordoned off the scene. Officers said they looked through the building for signs of foul play or a struggle, but found nothing. The elderly man was said to have had no identity documents on him.