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The past few days have been spent in Chiang Mai, which I’ll get to soon but my last night in Bangkok (part 1) I didn’t end up going to any bars. I was feeling quite lethargic so I decided just to rest that night (sacrilegious I know..). I will be coming back to Bangkok soon so I’ll have plenty of time for more bar fun times. My first time in Chiang Mai and it’s quite a nice place, lots of tourists and expats here. On my first day I hired a guide from Siam roads and we went around Doi Inthanon national park, went to the highest point in Thailand (amazing how the weather is so much different at the top of the mountain - it was quite cool), looked at some waterfalls which were beautiful and also visited Pha Chor which is a really cool rock formation. So many steps up and down though throughout the day. I was wrecked by the end of it. The second day I walked the perimeter of the old city which took a good few hours as I had to stop 3 times when it started raining. The hotel I stayed at was DusitD2 which was quite good, it has a pool and gym etc but I didn’t check them out. This hotel had carpet which I hadn’t ever seen in a Thai hotel before, and it didn’t have a bum gun which was disappointing. But it was neat and tidy. I visited classic house a couple of times, massages were good, and afters were also good. Nothing particular earth shattering but enjoyable nonetheless. Coincidentally the 2 guys that I chose (on separate occasions) both had mooks - first time I’ve encountered them. Next stop is Phuket for a bit, then back to Bangkok. Tossing up whether to go to Pattaya first though..

I will echo the sentiment, bravo Vinapu, thank you for taking the time to bring us another great report. The Thailand Ministry of Labour and our fellow board members applaud your dedication to economic stimulus in the post-covid recovery.

From Bangkok Post Foreign tourists may soon find Thailand a more expensive destination than in the past two years with the country now planning to raise hotel rates to pre-pandemic levels to support a faster recovery of the industry. The Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to ask hotel operators to implement a dual-tariff structure under which foreign visitors may be charged rates similar to pre-pandemic days while locals may continue to enjoy discounted rates, Traisuree Taisaranakul, a government spokeswoman said in a statement on Wednesday. “This is to maintain our standards of rates and services for foreign tourists, which affects the perception of country’s tourism brand,” Ms Traisuree said. “Rates that have been reduced during Covid-19 will be maintained for Thais to sustain the momentum of domestic tourism.” It was not immediately clear how the government's new plan to attract more foreign tourists to Thailand - by raising prices and charging them more than Thais - would impact foreigners living in the kingdom.

From Coconuts Bangkok “Please do not lean on the poles in the train,” the BTS Skytrain admonished riders this morning, with a whole lotta booty. In what could have been a gentle reminder for “the betterment of society,” the Bangkok Mass Transit System included in the now-viral post a bizarre graphic art of an uncomfortable female university student looking at a grinning shadowy figure, whose thicc glutes can be seen clenching the pole of the train. “The main purpose of the poles in trains is for commuters to get a grip to provide safe travels for everyone,” the post read in a tone far more measured than the sophomoric art unleashed on unprepared eyeballs. “Please be kind to your companions and provide space for others to hold the pole. Do not lean against the pole or lean on the hands of other passengers who are holding the pole first.” The post also went on to promote good hygiene, noting that all travelers should use alcohol gels to wash their hands before and after gripping the steel butt-rester. Naturally, many people focused on the wack art rather than the helpful lecture. “Please do not twerk on the skytrain BTS,” Supakit Nupuak suggested. “Does it have to be that tight?” another asked.

The elitist wet dream of Thailand for wealthy resurfaces with a new face. There’s no way of course it works because it ignores principle of supply and demand. File under TIT on steroids.

The Thai way of thinking never ceases to amaze me. Doesn't anybody there have a business brain?

I’d imagine there are more than a few members who’d consider going his bail. From the Thaiger The Royal Thai Police finally arrested a serial mobile phone thief known as “Mr. Underpants.” Mr. Underpants broke into 9 BANANA mobile phone shops in locations all over Thailand, stealing thousands of mobile phones in total. Every time, he wore only his pants. Mr. Underpants broke into BANANA branches in Yala, Hat Yai, Patthalung, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Ubon Ratchatani, Hua Hin and Sai Mai in Bangkok. He stole hundreds of phones every time, sometimes until there were almost none left in the store. Wanted on 4 arrest warrants for more than 6 months, police finally apprehended 23 year old Jeh Issamaeh Hama from Narathiwat province, also known as “Carmus” (and now Mr. Underpants), at a condominium in the Bang Kapi district of Bangkok today. Police seized hundreds of mobile phones. Mr. Underpants has already pleaded guilty to his crimes, which are caught on CCTV in all cases. He told police… “I only steal from BANANA stores because I like bananas and I like the colour yellow. I like to take my clothes off and I like to only wear underpants. It gives me a feeling of confidence and I feel like myself. In 2021, media in Yala province called me a psychotic thief. I didn’t like that, so I stole a camera too.” Mr. Underpants said he sells some of the phones and gives the rest to homeless people, who he sympathises with because he used to be homeless. He said that the reason he steals mobile phones, in particular, is because when he was a child, all his friends had mobile phones but he didn’t.

Yes, this parallel occurred to me too. The private sector is also prone to this kind of thinking. One saving grace however, may lie in the fact that there are way more hotels than gay bars and competition is fiercer. Another would be how international hotel chains might not want to adopt any such policy for fear of damaging their brand reputation.

I just noticed that more than half of the threads in this forum were started by my endless questions. I always ask a lot, bcs I'm too curious or bcs I like to b prepared. I apologize if I'm a nuisance. One of the good things about these forums is that pestering can b ignored. Hotel 61prado is north of the plaza-park-cathedral; Gallery hotel is to the east. Any difference security-wise? Any direction less prblmtc? Thx

The headline may be a little over the top, but the fact that Boris Johnson's government has had 40 resignations and the sacking of another all virtually in the last 24 hours is the worst in British history. Many have occupied the most senior cabinet posts in government. It is a truly damning indictment of the man and his leadership. Yet there were more than a few who realised at the outset that this is almost precisely how a Johnson administration would bite the dust. Indeed, I am reminded of what I wrote on this Board some years ago when Johnson was running for the position of Prime Minister. Earlier in his career he had been a journalist for the right-wing Daily Telegraph newspaper. His highly respected editor at the time, Max Hastings, wrote on June 24 2019 about the prospect of his becoming PM in what was a disastrous article for Johnson but one whose predictions, rather as those of the witches at the start of Shakespeare's Scottish play which we cannot name, have come spectacularly to fruition. Hastings wrote - "I have known Johnson since the 1980s, when I edited the Daily Telegraph and he was our flamboyant Brussels correspondent. I have argued for a decade that, while he is a brilliant entertainer who made a popular maître d’ for London as its mayor, he is unfit for national office, because it seems he cares for no interest save his own fame and gratification . . . We can’t predict what a Johnson government will do, because its prospective leader has not got around to thinking about this. But his premiership will almost certainly reveal a contempt for rules, precedent, order and stability. "Dignity still matters in public office, and Johnson will never have it. Yet his graver vice is cowardice, reflected in a willingness to tell any audience, whatever he thinks most likely to please, heedless of the inevitability of its contradiction an hour later. "Like many showy personalities, he is of weak character . . . Johnson would not recognise truth, whether about his private or political life, if confronted by it in an identity parade. In a commonplace book the other day, I came across an observation made in 1750 by a contemporary savant, Bishop Berkeley: 'It is impossible that a man who is false to his friends and neighbours should be true to the public.' Almost the only people who think Johnson a nice guy are those who do not know him." Johnson clearly cannot survive more than a few days - a week or two at most. Like the character in Shakespeare's Scottish play, his elevation will prove to have been his undoing. No doubt thereafter as he ponders what had happened to him, he will think of himself as another Shakesperean king whose weaknesses resulted in his downfall - "I am more sinn'd against the sinning." (King Lear Act 3, Sc. 2)

@z909New Twilight tried the model thing in the beginning, but they have now moved away from that. The captain Paul informed me of that. I would describe the boys on offer here as next door types. Other than Lucky, one of the dancers, I would hesitate to use the word muscular to describe the guys here, with the performers being more on the toned/swimmer build type rather than muscular. Upon entering before a show, boys are in street clothes. You don't see them without shirts until after the show. If you want a better understanding of what guys here look like, take a look at the pictures from Buzz Host Bar on Facebook. I would also describe the guys who work there as next door types.

Was at New Twilight on my 5th night in Bangkok, around 15 boys on rotation, the whole night there were only 8 customers from 10pm to midnight. Only one of the 4 waiters on duties was offed by a customer at the end of show. At the second show segment , I was the only customer watching, tipped all the 6 performers for their efforts to keep the shows going even with only one customer. The location may not be known by many people, they are giving 5 months time in the hope that more customers will come.

Thanks for taking the time to write @Latbear4blk about the current situation in Buenos Aires. I haven’t been back in some time and I’m intrigued by your observation. My view over the years of visiting regularly was that the legal sex industry in Argentina continued to thrive, either despite or because of the bouts of rapid inflation and the economic crises. Admittedly I had considerable success with what I term ‘amateurs’. They were young men that I met on the street, at the gym or in the malls. Some seemed to be especially interested in meeting a foreigner, an older man. Some even made the first approach. It helped that I speak Spanish and I dressed well. But I recognize that for them my prime attraction was my enhanced economic and spending power as a foreigner. Nonetheless, I met a wide range of middle-class, employed young men as well as handsome university students. I was happy to entertain them of an evening and pick up numerous dinner checks, as many proved excellent companions. And I have fond memories of taking the very best guys on trips with me, away from Buenos Aires to beach resorts in Uruguay and Brazil. It would be a real shame if times have so changed that presentable, young Argentine men are no longer interested in spending time with foreigners and earning some extra cash.

Gosh, I stayed at the Malaysia about 15 years ago. It was outdated then but I expect the rooms have been renovated. It felt pretty decadent with the escorts coming and going and sexy young fellows laying around the pool. The story then was it was built for American soldiers on R and R from the war in Vietnam. I enjoyed the thought of all those young soldiers having wild orgies there. But I saw a post, maybe on these forums, that tourist families have started staying there, that would feel odd.

What an incredibly stupid action by the agency that is in charge of promoting tourism.

From Pattaya Mail Cambodia’s interior ministry has announced the arrival of Cambodia My Second Home program with a 10-year unlimited entry and exit visa. The associated benefits will include state medical insurance, membership for spouses and close relatives and the chance to apply for a Cambodian passport after five years and enjoyment of ASEAN privileges. Entry qualifications are investment of at least US$100,000 and ownership of a real estate “project” which means some form of property deal. The interior ministry’s partner in the newly-announced scheme is the Khmer Home Charity Association, an umbrella organization to facilitate long-term foreigners settling in. Applications are made through the website cm2h.com/how-to-apply with a short waiting period of two weeks. A spokesman said that the program was aimed at foreign professionals working for Cambodian or overseas companies, but wealthy retirees would be considered as long as they made the minimum investments. The scheme does not require compulsory medical insurance nor details of foreign bank accounts. Cambodia My Second Home, unlike the 10-year visa proposals for the new Thai immigration initiative, does not spell out bureaucratic detail. “We will judge every application on its merits rather than issuing lengthy checklists,” according to an email reply from the Cambodian sponsors. Cambodia is now regarded as a regional economic tiger with annual growth rates averaging seven percent over the last two decades. Chinese investment has already transformed the capital Phnom Penh with mammoth infrastructure programs and ring roads. There are currently talks in progress between the two governments to fund a metro or monorail in the capital to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. The lack of public transport is currently one of Cambodia’s main domestic issues.

I love Colombia during the holidays. The season begins with the Noche de las velitas on December 7 (a Wednesday this year) which may be my FAVOURITE Colombian tradition. Each city is lit by thousands of candles set out by individuals and families around their neighbourhood to "guide" and celebrate the Virgin Mary. Cartagena is particularly beautiful this evening, where families traditionally set out candles in the street, in courtyards and doorways, and in windows, and receive visitors while they are lit. Once the flames go out, people head to the street to meet up and enjoy the evening. Lots of impromptu gatherings and dancing in the streets. Each weekend following this holiday is treated as a holiday weekend, with gatherings, parties and events. So much to do and the cities are alive with so many out enjoying the season. There are lots of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere without the hectic commercialism of the North America. But I love being in any Latin country for the holidays for this reason. But yes, la capital is particularly beautiful (and festive) during this time, with much to see and do. The light displays on Monserrate are a delight and the excited children running from display to display...it is the very best of latin culture.

Joizy I started out just being a lurker, reading. Here, on https://gaybuttonthai.com/index.php, and https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/forum.php. all three boards have similar traits of some cynical old members who are rough on each other and treat newbies almost as bad. I have a thick skin so... I don't really care, but it make the boards less usable particularly for new members. On the other side, without them sniping at each other, 75% of the content would be gone and the boards would probably die. I have commented it on it only to be told to man up. I appreciated your posts. don't stop.

Good news for UK travellers. The EVA LHR-BKK flight, suspended for heaven knows how long and now scheduled to fly just once a week for a few weeks, is actually in the air as I post. Delayed.... but who cares? I must admit that I feared another cancellation after two disappointments and an enforced change of date.

Let me add I don't think there is any model form of democracy. I'm not even sure that democracy is the ideal way of running countries any more. US democracy worked effectively for a long time once women and African Americans had finally been given the vote. With apologies to my American friends, I think it is in need of quite a major overhaul. Apart from the points I mentioned in my earlier posts, the US seems to have nothing but a continuous flow of elections for all manner of posts in States and towns, all requiring cash and I guess not a little corruption. Is such short-term thinking effective today? Britain always maintained it had a near perfect democracy, but for centuries the only people who could vote were landowners and the aristocracy. Most citizens can now vote - but only if you actually live in the country. As a Brit who has lived outside the country for some decades, my right to vote was stripped from me ages ago and even though I continue to pay for my National Insurance contributions I have also been stripped of my rights to the National Health service. A refugee has more rights to medical treatment under the Health Service than I. My moans aside, though, Britain's first past the post system, like that of the USA, is clearly undemocratic. Having a government frequently voted in by a minority of voters cannot be democratic. Singapore is much admired throughout the world for its stunning developments in the economy, housing for most citizens, superb urban planning and so on. Singapore under its founding Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew had amazing vision and determination but it was a dictatorship in all but name. Could it have developed so quickly in such a short space of time with several political parties constantly vying for power? Frankly I doubt it. Further north, many loathe the idea of communism but could China have dragged a number many now believe as more than 600 million out of poverty in the shortest period in world history if it had been a democracy as those in the west know it? I am certain the answer will be 'no'. Lee Kwan Yew consistently informed western nations they had to realise that western forms of democracy were not necessarily the way to run Asian countries. He called it democracy with Asian characteristics. Yet the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis unearthed the crony capitalism practised in many countries and proved that he was far from entirely correct. My guess is that countries which have basically just two parties can never form anything like a near-perfect functioning democracy. We are seeing that now in a big way in the USA and to a lesser extent in the UK. Corruption in one of its forms will never be far away from such a system. Long-term policy also becomes a near impossibility as power ebbs and flows between parties. On the other hand, Israel is the perfect example of a country with many parties and a different form of democracy but has massive difficulties in forming any government. In that sense, countries like China have a big edge. Could a country as large as China ever become democratic? Certainly not in my lifetime. Democracy has to come from within and there is as yet no stomach for such a shift in that huge country. I realise there are no easy answers. But are there in fact any answers better than what already exists?

Looks likely to be one hell of a party planned, just wish I was there Tonight (17th and tomorrow 18th I believe) Would love to hear any reports if any of you drop by? https://www.facebook.com/Athomebarjomtien https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=3101524343398308&set=pcb.3101526123398130 It would seem that other bars in the complex are joining, these are from JQK Bar,

Ichigo, try to work in rice fields for a while and you may become slim and lean

there's no such thing

This Youtube video by a Chinese Youtuber was shared on K-Man Spa Twitter account. There are English subtitles.

Back when NY governor was exposed as having paid a callgirl $5000 an hour, someone offered the following explanation. He didnt pay for the sex, bcs no sex is worth 5000 an hour. He paid for the feeling that he can afford to pay....

Hi Vinapu - I imagine that they are chatting with each other - and the reason that they are glued to their phones is because they need the Google translator program to communicate between them. cut & paste the native text and then transmit in their respective language the message. If it is not that - then perhaps they are selecting guys from the apps for a 3-some or 4-some later in the evening....

Yeah, I got annoyed that I had heard more about Amber Hurd's turd than anything in-depth about this and went and looked it up, and it really amounts to almost nothing. It's not terribly easy to spread but close, intimate contact can work. Oh us promiscuous gays. Case counts are in the dozens and even without a smallpox vaccine this variant is a mild infection people get over pretty easily. So now that's two things being breathlessly reported in the news I don't give a damn about...

A fist-bump from some will run you more than a fisting from others.

@MinI'd love to meet as long as I'm fully recovered from the food poisoning I got on pride night...I'm guessing it was from bacteria in the ice of my drink. Now THAT is something I'm definitely not enthusiastic about as it robbed me of romantic beach time with Grindr guy.

So far I haven't seen anything "glorious" from you.