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Coming back in LOS yesterday from Siem Reap, I had a 45 day length visa. I asked if I will enjoy the same welcome in April and the officer said "yes it will be given also during Songkran month (april)"

So that charities hire locals to do the work retirees are willing to do for free. I guess the government prioritizes protection of job market for locals over the benefits to charities from free labor.

I think the inertia of these things will be difficult to change. Just like the "suspension" of the TM6 arrival/departure form

you got that right !

From Reuters Two Labrador dogs, which have been trained by British police, are to be flown to Thailand to help crack down on the smuggling of critically endangered pangolins, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said on Tuesday. Pangolins, nocturnal creatures famed for their full armour of scales, are the most trafficked mammal in the world according to the World Wildlife Fund, and all eight species are on the red list of threatened species and at risk of extinction, the ZSL said. The two dogs, Buster and Bess, who have already undergone an eight-week training programme with London's Metropolitan Police, will be sent to Thailand to complete their training, and then use their sniffing skills to detect pangolins being smuggled through airports, ports and by road. "Not all heroes wear capes: some walk on all fours and have extremely powerful noses," said ZSL Pangolin Technical Specialist Georgina Gerard. "Intelligence has been telling us that live pangolins are being trafficked all across Thailand - mainly by road. Some vehicles even have purpose-built concealed areas to transport the critically endangered species." Despite there being a ban on global trade of pangolins since 2017, the mammal is victim to high levels of poaching and illegal trade for their meat, scales and other body parts. Continues with video and photos https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/london-dogs-head-to-thailand-to-sniff-out-pangolin-smugglers/ar-AA185vNW

From Pattaya Mail The European Olympic Committees (EOC) has officially announced the inclusion of Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, at the European Games 2023, to be held in Krakow, Poland. The EOC also remarked that Muay Thai is one the fastest growing combat sports in terms of athletes and spectators. The website of European Games 2023 has this to say about Muay Thai: “Muay Thai has its origins in Asia. Several countries claim to be the birthplace of the sport, but there is no doubt that Thailand has made the greatest contribution to the development of Muay Thai. It became the national sport and it’s the most popular there.” At each Muay Thai bout in the European Games 2023, fighters must first shake hands and perform the wai khru dance – a ritual performed by boxers before and after a fight, according to tradition. Muay Thai will be held from 23 to 27 June 2023 in Myslenice Arena. (PRD)

in the past it was universal ' up to you ', those days is not unheard that guys either quote what they expect or ask " how much you give me? "

They are so strict about that some may remember when that terrible tsunami struck Thailand in 2004, foreigner volunteers who went to try to help were getting arrested for working without a permit. That really happened. In Thailand, when you're here on a retirement visa, then you're retired. If my car gets a flat tire, I would be afraid to change it myself.

Late last year I attended a meeting in Bangkok which required me to fly down and spend a night in my usual hotel there. Inevitably the hotel submitted a TM30, which caused problems when I tried to do my 90-day reporting online. Subsequently I had a discussion wth the local immigration people, who took a more relaxed (and more reasonable) view of how these regulations should be enforced. They pretty much laughed at the 24-hour requirement. I was given practical advice as to how to stay clear of problems in future which was greatly appreciated, A few days ago, in Bangkok for a minor celebration, I stayed again at my usual hotel and noticed that the registration form had significant changes. My personal details were preprinted, as usual, but there was a new section which required me to state from where I was arriving and to where I was going upon leaving. Obviously, in my case, this was my home address. I wonder if this change in requirements has been noticed by others and whether it's a further 'tightening' of the TM30 requirements?

Aren’t they having an election in late May? Surely nothing will be announced until we’ll after that.

Many places it is the opposite; hotels where the boys have to leave ID in resorption and can’t go to the rooms as you need a keycard for the lift, and on the other hand (like in my condo), they can come directly to the room

I haven't been to a cabin in a sauna in a long time...once upon a time they were 1 hr rentals then reduced to 45 mins no idea what they are now. But the session could be until you get off which could be double charged for the cabin....it depends on what you negotiate with the guy. I like to go back to my apt or out to eat , drink talk etc....then sex. Usually takes 3 hrs and this they know when going with me. Is why I like SP more, guys tend to live closer and not like rio, hours away which makes their getting home more complicated.

InShot_20230303_002426121.mp4 InShot_20230303_002809119.mp4

Over the years I’ve been visiting Pattaya I’ve visited Koh Samet quite a few times, mostly in company with another gay friend and our respective boyfriends. The easiest way of making the arrangements is to buy a package deal from a travel agent to include transportation, ferry, National park admission and bungalow accommodation. ive never stayed there more than five days but that’s enough to get away from the madness of Pattaya to enjoy clean air and sea. It’s usually better to avoid the weekends which are busier with people from Bkk.

I second that based on my recet trip experiences although in Bangkok word basic is very well placed as often boys quote bit more

@Home bar charge you 300 baht, but you don't pay a bar fine. So the same as taking a boy home.

From Reuters HANOI, March 2 (Reuters) - Vietnam's National Assembly on Thursday elected Vo Van Thuong as the country's new president, in a reshuffle of the country's top leadership amid a sweeping anti-graft campaign. In an extraordinary session, lawmakers confirmed Thuong, 52, after the ruling Communist Party nominated him on Wednesday as president, a largely ceremonial role but one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation. Thuong's election follows the sudden resignation in January of his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who the party blamed for "violations and wrongdoing" by officials under his control, in what was seen as a major escalation of the country's "blazing furnace" anti-corruption crackdown. Thuong is the youngest member of the party's Politburo, the country's top decision-making body, and is considered a veteran of the party having begun his political career at university in communist youth organisations. "There will be no major changes to Vietnam's foreign policy following Thuong's election," said Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow and Vietnam expert at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.

IMO, 2,000 ST and 3,000 LT would be considered basic tip for boy offed from bar. You may, as you said, have reasons to be more generous.

Hell, I played in the Adonis for years, too. LOL. Btw, it was Rudy Giuliani's drive to rid midtown of any trace of pornography that led to the demise of the Adonis and a slew of other venues. That was before his love affair with Trump, of course. But if Disney-inspired productions hold your interest and those screened at the Adonis didn't, knock yourself out on Netflix. I think you can still catch Alice in Wonderland on demand. But I'll always think well of you, knowing that you ventured out to Eighth Ave. to test the waters with us hoi polloi.

Frankly no idea - sorry. There were several gay guys working at my hotel and I guess there must be quite a few around the island. The OP said he was not so interested in sex and I was not there for sex.

What is the boy situation like - any bars? Good on the apps?

Many of the bars have "massage rooms", but often for boys and customers from that bar. @home bar for instance. Alternatively, there is a short time hotel near Masala Twist, on Jomtien 2nd Road. I cant recall the name but they have a big sign. There is also one in Rompo just past the barber shops, but I don't know much about it.

Ask the boys u want to take, theyll know.

One more: bleublackbar Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iQh8rYsQrqcidSqv8?g_st=ic Line id @bleublackbar https://www.facebook.com/bleublackbarhostkaraoke?mibextid=LQQJ4d

More male host clubs are popping out. This one is in east Bangkok: Address: Ramkhamhaeng 65 Soi Mahadthai line : @wisdomClub65 tiktok account: @wisdomclubbangkok

Hmm...the location is 3 blocks west of Ave. Caracas. This is not good barrio and is normally to be avoided; if you ask locals in Chapinero many will not venture on the other side of Ave Caracas as it is not considered safe. Once I visited a guy a few blocks to the North the location you refer to and I would def. not walk in that area after sunset; deserted and spookey; very different from Chapinero on the other side of Ave Caracas. At least take an Uber to the location.

I stayed at a gay hotel - Arthur & Paul. A really boutique hotel with only 5 rooms. It's not "gay friendly"; it's gay: rooms have names of masculine pairs; decorative nudes; an immaculate gay sauna, including jaccuzzi and private cubicles; and 6 handsome youngsters doubling as staff and massuers. Indeed, the bellboy who led me to my room offered himself almost explicitly (too efiminate for my taste). I hadn't settled down yet, and a grindr msg appeared from another hotel massuer. He offered himself, explaining massage costs $20 (to hotel), and if there is any sexual activity - additional 20 to him. He also answered that he doesnt suck (my favorite HE). Later, to be on the safe side, I discreetly inquired at the reception and was given the same info, and that sucking is "up to boy". Went to tour the sauna and sit in the jaccuzzi. There were about 12 young local eye-candies. Never witnessed such a reserved sauna atmosphere: absolutely zero interaction btw them - no smile, no wink, no word, no hint, no touch. They just kept walking around, no action at all. They also wore bathing shorts beneath their towels. I was later told locals never approach each other. So why go to a sauna... ? Same scene the next night. Not being a local, I striked up a limited dialogue with a guy in the jaccuzzi. Soon we were groping each other, and then moved to grope more freely in a cubicle; me being the proactive one. He was really terrified of onlookers. By 23:00, when I opted for a massage, only 2 of the 6 were left. I chose the not-efiminate one. The massage room (like all hotel and sauna facilities) was excellant. So was the massage, both the therapeutic and the sensual. We hardly spoke. He took it for granted I was interested in a HE, and proceeded to give me a great swallowing BJ. Maybe he had heard something from the receptionist. I tipped him 30 instead of the 20. I got a preview of Vinapu's report, in which he mentions two saunas with same payment structure. I figured "why try them out when I have inhouse service....." Also, received a fair amount of non-pay apps solicitations, mainly thru grindr. In all, during my 3n/3d here, had two apps appointments and 2 massages. On Bkkmfj's recommendation, the second massage was a 4-hands (first time for me). Great sensation, and I loved the way they fit their dicks (one rather flacid, the other rocket-like) into my palms on both sides. There's no in-room phone, but I guess one can reserve in advance a service for a morning boner before getting out of bed... (-:

Whether he has zero posts or 1000 posts, I would not give out any information about anyone without permission from the person he's asking about. If you have the massage guy's LINE ID, you could contact him, tell him the new poster's LINE ID, or whatever contact information you have for him, and leave it up to the massage guy whether to contact him or not. I'd say either that or just forget the whole thing. What makes this person think you have the massage guy's LINE ID in the first place?

Glad you got your inquiry answered, "Toronto2021." Do you plan to show your appreciation by sharing your experiences in Bangkok when you arrive?

Kudos to Wilkerson for being a voice for diplomacy. And for applauding Chinese and Russian diplomats like Wang Yi he worked with closely. He also makes a good case for why Ukraine may well end up not regaining all, or any, of the territory it has lost. His idea of putting it to a vote is not a bad idea. That said, there was a vote in 2011. Other than Crimea, in every oblast - including the four Putin says he owns now - over 80 % of the people voted for Ukrainian independence. I have to assume from that election that if a fair election were held today, they would still say they don't want to be part of Russia. It is funny listening to that. Much of what Wilkerson said about US militarism and "hegemony" has been catnip to me all my life. I was rabidly opposed to the Iraq War. So I can say with fairness that Wilkerson has a problem being the guy in the glass house throwing stones. He is the one who prepared Colin Powell's UN speech on WMD. Powell was later furious he was lied to. So Wilkerson has very good reason to be suspicious of the CIA. I could have told him that two decades ago. When he was basically scripting Powell to cheerlead the warmongers. To be blunt, Wilkerson's credibility on the matter is shit. Because he completely fucked it up and bought the bullshit on WMD when it really mattered. Maybe this is now his way of atoning for the fact that HE PERSONALLY COMPLETELY FUCKED IT UP AND FED THE US PUBLIC LIES ABOUT WMD. So I can say with credibility that I'm tired of hearing that the problem in Ukraine is "US hegemony." That sounds like a good Maoist rant to me. But people in Ukraine who had their babies bombed or had to flee don't see the problem as US or NATO hegemony. Sorry, but as much as Germany always wants to be in the middle - because it literally is in the middle - there is no evidence that Germans are protesting "US hegemony." They are protesting Putin's invasion. Period. Vlad has united the US, the EU, and NATO in a way no US President could. He has made Ukrainians detest Russia and Russians - probably for the rest of their lives. I'd love to see a referendum in these oblasts. They'd probably vote to slowly torture Murderous Vlad to death, if they could. Not very diplomatic. But very human. I applaud Wilkerson's honesty in his applauding W.'s policy of "strategic competition" with China. But, it should be pointed out that it was precisely that policy that helped destroy 6 million US factory jobs. And led to the rise of Trump as the cynical gadfly who promised to help those factory towns. But completely failed to do so. Zhou Bo says that the word "cooperation" sounds better than "competition." Great. But I basically view that as diplomatic bullshit. If China prioritized cooperation with the US over all else, the no brainer move would be for Xi to cooperate with the US and EU in condemning Putin's invasion of sovereign Ukraine. He can't do that. Why? Because he views China as being in "strategic competition" with the US. Hence his marriage of convenience with Putin. If he wants to ally with Putin to compete with the US, great. But he shouldn't be surprised when Europeans greet his pleas for cooperation and peace with skepticism, or just outright cynicism. Nobody forced Putin to invade Ukraine. I don't even buy the idea that NATO "provoked" Russia by allowing a lot of former Iron Curtain nations to seek their own security arrangements against Russia. And even if you are sympathetic to the Idea that NATO expansion "provoked" Russia, Murderous Vlad is still a strategic Bozo. He got exactly the opposite of what he wanted from NATO. That's his own fault. And nobody forced Xi to align himself as closely as he has with a strategic Bozo. If Wilkerson wants to take a hard line against US hegemony now, great. But I have been there my whole life. I wish he would have felt this way back when it mattered, and he helped Powell cheerlead at the UN for our own WMD warmongers. Defending Ukrainians after an unprovoked attack from Putin is just not the same thing.