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Although in the back of my brain, I tend to agree with you on this, but for me, I dont look at it as electing "people" anymore, as all choices presented are pretty weak. I look at these new elections as electing Democracy over Autocracy, and that choice for me is clear, regardless of how the cards play out. Consciously voting for Trump, OR not voting at all is basically giving your vote to Trump, and that will NEVER happen for me. I still believe Kamala would make a better President than Trump, Watching his E Jean Carroll deposition gave me a NEW level of disgust for him.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Expectations that rich or talented foreigners would rush to take advantage of 10 year permissions of stay have failed to gain traction. Neither the Thai nor the Cambodian authorities have published meaningful data on completed applications and little has been heard of either scheme since the launchings last year. In Thailand, the long term residence scheme is run by the Board of Investment with options for rich retirees, global travelers and executives. Most enquirers have found the bureaucracy most complex with the principal advantage being tax concessions via a digital work permit on income earned in Thailand. The Cambodian variant is actually run by the Khmer Home Charity Association and requires cash investment in an approved property complex. Neither scheme promises a second passport although the Cambodian visa holds out the maybe “five years down the line”. Mr Keo Song, a Phnom Penh travel agent and visa specialist who works closely with Cambodian immigration, said he had heard next to nothing about the golden visa. “It is straightforward for foreigners to obtain a variety of annual visas and extensions (retirement, work, study and family) for about US$300, so there isn’t a market for the 10 year idea.” He added that it was open to anyone to apply for Cambodian citizenship by investing around US$300,000, a process taking three months. Thailand, too, has no shortage of annually renewable visas. Indeed, a 10 year O/X option was introduced (without success) as early as 2017. But the main competitor is the Elite visa which grants a multiple entry stay of five years for 600,000 baht (less than US$20,000) with various other options for up to 20 years. Although the Elite visa does not offer income tax concessions and does not carry a digital work permit, it has been far and away the best long-term seller in recent years. Golden Investments, which specializes in residency and citizenship by investment, said “The most successful schemes, for example in some Caribbean countries, offer clear advantages – notably a second passport – in return for a cash sum.” But neither the Thai nor the Cambodian 10-year visas attract specific markets and both are blurry round the edges.” The spokesman suggested that Thailand should expand the right to a digital work permit for self-employment without having Thai partners, whilst Cambodia should clarify its half-promise of a second passport and increase the options for investment.

Lets look at candidate motivation. I truly believe Biden wants to serve to HELP our country and its citizens in need. On the other hand, Trumps motivation is political cover against criminal prosecution. Is there really a conscious choice here between these 2 candidates ? One wants to serve, the other wants to stay out of jail.... If you take age out of the equation for most SANE folk, the choice would be a no-brainer. Would I like to see a new age of candidates ? YES, but it is what it is and we should make the choice that makes most sense for our ideology and the well being of our country and Democracy.

I stayed in the hotel a couple of times pre-Covid for I think for 4/5 days each trip. It’s situated about 300m downhill in a side soi off Thrapraya Road which connects Pattaya and Jomtien. Transport is rather an issue but I had a rented motor scooter which overcame any difficulties. They had a Tuk Tuk which was sometimes available for a lift uphill to the main road. The distance to the Jomtien Complex is rather shorter than to Boyztown so I didn’t find it a problem to walk. At night it was sometimes difficult to stop a baht bus going to Pattaya on the main road as they were often full of passengers. it’s a while ago but my memory has no recollection of anything negative about my rooms and for breakfast sitting by the pool was rather pleasant. In the evenings I remember the restaurent food being pretty good. it is of course a gay hotel and I didn’t see any female guests. I usually had a boy with me overnight. I had to get one of the staff to explain on two occasions to boys from Grindr how to find the place. Guests of course get admission to the sauna and spa (including the dark maze) which opens about 4pm, but I was able to use the small pool with boyfriends during the day.

Right now I cannot support a Biden/Harris ticket in 2024. Sure, Trump is not a good candidate either. So I wonder how our country has ended up with two old men running for President. Biden is too old and will be even older if elected. Harris did not make a good administrator in her San Francisco and Sacramento posts. She babbles and is already a failed contestant for President. Electing Biden is ultimately electing her President The Democrats have to know this, so why have we no real alternative? It's shameful.

that was my point and advice ,find somebody older so no problem with legalities and he still will be looking looking much younger than his ID shows. I can confirm your findings. On my last trip I offed guy whom I offed also in Dec 2021. Since I saw him advertising on Grindr being 23 I kind of thought it was a case. Anyways, for some reason we started discussing age, he pulled his passport and what I saw? age 32 !

Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Taiwan @vaughnAs most of the people in these post said, it's truly an amazing place to visit. Most of the local people go to Soi13 between 6:30-7:30PM as that can get it for only 300NTD and yes Saturday is the busiest night. They apply the same discount from 12:00-1:00 AM, so probably the crowd might bet bigger late at night. Not sure if you have to pay again if you want to enter again later, my local friend said you can go out and get in.I never made it past 11:00PM in there. I get completely drained. I didn't go to the sauna in Taichung but kinda had the same experience as you in the Kaohsiung one. Went on Friday and there were only 15-20 people, mostly old but then on Saturday there were around 40-50 people with many young twinks. ended up messing with three different guys. I'll be in HK in two weeks so will create a post in the coming days about the different saunas in there that I know from my previous visit in there and from doing research online. HK has one of the highest numbers of gay saunas for a city not just in Asia, but probably in the whole word so picking which one to go to can be tricky. I would still encourage you to consider visiting Taipei again during pride. If you thought Soi13 was busy on a normal weekend you would be in awe during that period. There are at least #X more people. It's really incredible. Plus you can treat yourself to so much eye candy just by strolling the streets of Ximen and other areas of Taipei.

I recently came across this forum and have been reading the many posts on gay adventures in beautiful Egypt. I wanted to pay my contribution by adding stories of my experiences as a 30-year old European expat living in Cairo between 2015 and 2020. My apologies for the context I would like to provide. The main reason for leaving Europe in 2015 was the lack of adventure and excitement I felt in my early thirties. I was living in rainy Western Europe, had random unexcited hook ups via Tindr or Grindr once in a while, but generally felt like living a boring routine. Therefore, I applied for a teaching position at a Cairo international school, was offered the job and left for the unknown. The moment I arrived at Cairo Airport, I knew I was about to love this country: chaos, shouting everywhere, a lack of structure, adventure, the heat, ... Soon I was about to discover something else: the ridiculously handsome men available... everywhere. The school arranged us a flat in a lush suburb south of the city center, Maadi. Having your own space, it turned out quickly, had amazing advantages in terms of excitement. Each apartment building in Maadi is guarded by a bowab, a local doorkeeper, often from the southern Egyptian regions. Separated from their families in the warm south and often very young of age, their main task is to maintain the building and secure your safety. The first week of arrival, our building's bowab asked me to help him move a table in one of the other flats. it was 'too heavy to lift by one person only'. How naive could I be? Soon he wanted to show me the flat's bathroom 'as it was more modern than mine'. Before I realised, we were showering together. The sex was quick, rough and meaningless. Finished by a 'Welcome to Egypt', I could not have imagined this to be start of a new journey. I subscribed at a local gym. After work, not wanting to hang out with my colleagues all the time, I would hit the place and finish off in the sauna. Within days, I became part of the (gym) community. Egyptians are very eager to meet foreigners in general and the sociological characteristics of that Maadi sauna were of an interest to me. After working out, men would typically hang out in the sauna or in the steam bath. All pre-arranged married, they did not seem to have the appetite to go home early. Neither did they particularly seem to like / love their wives. They all raved about their kids, yet - Egyptians don't shy the topic - the marital sex life was far from satisfying for many of them. Most men I met in the gym (and later), it seemed to me, were eager to enjoy and explore life. The word 'gay' was never mentioned, nor assumed. It was all about enjoying, relaxing, massaging, smoking shisha, going home and watching porn / masturbating together, having a beer, smoking hasjish and finishing off with quick, good sex. Five of us would become friends with benefits: through them - on parties in Maadi or the city center - I would meet other men. In exchange, I invited expat colleagues. I could never have imagined this being the Middle East. Men looked beyond gorgeous with their muscled bulky bodies, deep voices, dark-brown soft skin, cheeky smiles and endless capacity to explore. They all seemed so relaxed. They live life to the fullest, especially as the Revolution had proven that things could turn to worse very quickly. That atmosphere felt so sexy and harmless. I never felt the need to turn on Grindr on Tindr, you just would meet endless boys and men in the supermarket, in coffee bars, on the metro, in taxi's (Uber got introduced when I was living in Cairo - a hot spot as well) and in bars and clubs in the city center. In terms of Cairo, I remember the railway station (Ramses Station) and the huge square in front of it to be a popular hook up spot, as well as the bridge crossing the Nile at Tahrir Square (Qasr El Nil Bridge). However, as mentioned, there never seemed to be the need to look for something. It would come to you! In Aswan, for instance, I was approached by the taxi driver who drove me from the airport to the hotel late at night. Nubian penises and fatter are bigger than in Cairo. Moreover, the city's feluccas and corniche are ridiculously cruisy, both at day and night. I occasionally picked a handsome (and incredibly fit) felucca sailor and we had sex in his boat around Elephant Island in the River Nile. On a Luxor trip, I would visit the temples and Valley of the Kings in the very early morning and relax at the hotel's pool / room in the early afternoon. As mentioned on this blog earlier, staff is eager to meet you. Egyptians are allowed to enter the big hotels without any issue. There is too much passage to control. At the Luxor Steigenberger I invited a fruit vendor I met at the temples earlier that day. His triceps were the biggest I had ever felt in my life. Although the sex was rubbish, just seeing him undress and observe his body was a pleasure enough. Alexandria is a driving sea city in which all life surrounds the most amazing sea side boulevard I have ever came across. Hotels turn into rooftop night clubs at night. People enter and leave the buildings at a paste unable to control. When looking for more adventure, try one of the many desert tours (with overnight camping - pleasure guaranteed with the staff), a Siwa oasis visit, crossing the Suez Canal from Port Said to Port Fouad, relaxing in one of Dahab's open-minded hammock guest houses or staying over at one of the 'liberal / freedom camps' between Sharm-El Sheikh and Taba. Having an Egyptian boyfriend - I got even introduced to his (well-educated) parents - is a different story. They are hard work. In the flux they are at, it almost seems impossible for them to meaningfully connect to one person. Monogamy is unheard of in Egypt's gay community. They key words remain pleasure, devotion, emotion, passion, unlimited sexual drive and endless adventures. Enjoy this marvelous spot on Earth, both culturally and spiritually! Cheers B.

I am sure it will take years. But, good for her!

I wish they would have found him guilty of RAPE too..... He will use that not guilty charge as an "out" for ALL the charges and spin it as E Jean Carroll being a liar.... But does the fanatic Trump voter CARE about this verdict ? NO they dont care and will STILL support him undyingly. Will the GOP still support him ? OF COURSE they will. .

I suppose you are into very young guys, so you did your homework.

From CNBC The cybersecurity world faces new threats beyond targeted ransomware attacks, according to experts at the recent RSA cybersecurity industry conference in San Francisco. Joe McMann, head of cybersecurity services at Binary Defense, a cybersecurity solutions provider, said the new battleground is data extortion and companies need to shift gears to face the threat. Traditionally, ransomware attackers encrypt or delete proprietary data of organizations and ask for ransom before reverting the attack. McMann said hackers are now focusing on stealing customer or employee data and then threatening to leak it publicly. “By naming, shaming, threatening reputational impact, they force the hands of their targets,” McMann said. The International Data Corporation predicts firms will spend over $219 billion on cybersecurity this year, and McMann said cybercriminals constantly evolve their exploitations. Hackers shifted tactics after ransomware attacks brought an unwelcome level of visibility by law enforcement and governments, and cybersecurity professionals became adept at solving decryption. Instead of paralyzing hospitals and pipelines, he said criminals changed gears to collect data and threaten companies with customer dissatisfaction and public outcry. At the end of March, OpenAI documented a data leak in an open-source data provider that made it possible to see personal AI chat histories, payment information, and addresses. The team patched the leak in hours, but McMann said once data is out there, hackers can use it. Continues at https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/07/in-a-new-hacking-crime-wave-more-personal-data-is-being-held-hostage.html

From National News Bureau of Thailand Police warn of New SMS Cyber Scam Links BANGKOK (NNT) - "Cyber Cop Thailand" has issued a warning to the public about new SMS texts issued by scammers claiming to be from commercial banks. Victims are deceived into downloading a mobile control application by clicking on a link in the message. According to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), also known as Cyber Cop Thailand, scammers use the same name and text field as commercial banks, making their messages appear authentic. After clicking on the link provided, victims are directed to the scammers’ Line account which resembles that of a real bank. They are then asked to provide personal information before being tricked into downloading a mobile control app. The CCIB officials said there have been over 3,700 complaints related to mobile control app scams filed via the police website between March 1 of last year and April 30 this year, with total damages estimated at over 233 million baht. The cyber police bureau has assured the public that banks never send SMS messages with links to follow, adding that any such message should be considered fraudulent. The public is encouraged to be wary of SMS messages and links and to contact organizations directly to confirm their authenticity.

Does any SANE person really listen to what Trump says anymore ?. If you saw his E.Jean Carrol deposition, it was totally bonkers and embarrassing, and gave us all a CLEAR picture of how he sees himself and his entitlements. If Fani Willis and Jack Smith dont have enough evidence by now, most of it coming directly from Trump himself, then neither one of them really intends to Indict him. This all should have been done 2 years ago, and the longer it takes the less likely it will happen.

New series “Be Mine SuperStar” with JaFirst (“Remember Me”, “Don’t Say No”, “Close Friend”):

Yes, the carpet - with its inimitable smell- was replaced by the ubiquitous flooring that graces just about every hotel in Thailand. The plumbing was improved, too. We stayed there overnight a few weeks ago. We still like it after many years of patronage and the prices offered are remarkably good.

I don't know about that carpet. I spent most of my time looking at the ceiling.

I thought soi Thainiya is to provide shortcut from Sala Daeng BTS station to Raya and Moonlight

Thank u Vaughn, for a VERY user friendly report!

2028 B.C. I gather?

I have just come back from my Taiwan trip, it was amazing. I don't really have the time to write a big trip report but here's some info for newbies (like myself). Grindr was quite easy to find guys on, but I didn't see any profiles offering massage or MB. I had the most luck picking up guys on the same night rather than trying to schedule ahead, 6-9pm there's lots of guys active every night. I didn't end up needing to try Blued or any other apps. Taipei Ximending area was full of attractive guys, it's a good area to stay. Soi13 sauna was very busy and worth going to on a Saturday night, easily 100 guys most aged 20-35, a lot are fairly shy but the dark rooms can be very intense. It was busy 6:30 until about 9:30 then it started to get quieter, i left so i'm not sure if it picks up again after guys have been out clubbing. Foreigners pay NTD800 entry. https://goo.gl/maps/pVhZfGqMkhNM11cz9 The day I planned to go to Emporor hotspring the plans didn't work out, so I still need to go back to experience that. http://www.emperorspa.com.tw/about.html https://goo.gl/maps/VYM47sdBspm1e6xXA I went to Mars sauna in Taichung, Mars was harder to find, mostly because i went in the wrong entrance and tried to use the service elevator instead of the staircase entrance in the next door building. there are stickers on both doors saying mars, but if you find yourself looking at elevators with no staircase to the right, go next door. NTD350 entry, the front desk will need to help you with the ticket machine if you don't read mandarin. https://goo.gl/maps/sYVDEcouGoGBHF5Q6 Mars had good facilities, hot and cold plunge pools, steam room (wasn't working when i was there), cabins, a dark room, cinema playing chinese movies, chill out area. I didn't pick the best nights to go Friday (before an event on Saturday) and on the Sunday. On Friday there were 35-40 guys, most in mid20s-30s. The guys at mars were less shy than the guys at Soi13 for me, I met a great guy and ended up going for drinks and back to my hotel with him. Sunday was rough, maybe 10 guys most >35. I was in Kaohsiung as well, but i didn't try the sauna there. I found Kaohsiung the most difficult to find guys, I had one catfish dud from Grindr and met one cute guy that said he works at a KTV in Taipei but translate wasn't doing the best with my questions so we didn't communicate much and just had fun. Kaohsiung is worth visiting but I didn't stay long. Overall the language barrier is manageable, in Taipei it's easier than Taichung and Kaohsiung but that's to be expected. The saunas don't need any language because people don't really talk except in the cabins or chill out areas, glances and hand touches were the signs of interest. Mars sell colored wrist bands to show your position which i liked, in Soi13 i just put keys on left wrist to show i'm top (idk if that's universal everywhere). Next time I plan to try the hotsprings and I want to figure out the KTVs because it seems like there are gay KTVs around but it might need more than google translate to find what i'm looking for there. People are friendly, food is great, the country is beautiful. I'll be back for sure. My next trip will be Bangkok or HK, so i doubt i'll be back for Taipei Pride but maybe next year.

Last night I took off a different man from Screwboys for long time and he was excellent, he stayed until the agreed time, and I had a good time. Despite the issues I've mentioned the bar is seducing me away from Freshboys, where I usually go. Tonight is my last night in Thailand and I will do a tour of Red Dragon bar, Freshboys and Screwboys to say goodbye. I may even pop in to Dreamboys which has more twinks than it used to have.

For the air con aficionados, one air con unit was broken and is now repaired as of last night; now pleasantly cool! A few customers and about 6 boys on stage last night. One customer was constantly calling boys over to inspect the merchandise and tip them. Another was also giving out some 50 B tips to one and all the lads. And others sat on their hands; a typical night at a go-go club.

A quick update from the departure lounge in Cairo Airport. A successful trip. I met up with a lot of my regular Egyptian f-buddies, and a good time was had. Juggling them was sometimes difficult! I did open Grindr and I did successfully meet a three outstanding men. One is a 24 year old serving is last days of National Service in the army. We chatted, exchanged pics, then determined he was on duty very near to where I was staying in Zamalek, so I walked over on a hot afternoon to meet him. I stayed chatting with him for about thirty minutes, and had an erection the whole time, and he did to. We couldn't do much, it was in the street, but we did manage a brief kiss and I touched his cock. He was off the next day, so he shot round the second he got permission. Stripped naked, his body was taut and lean, with a lovely amount of hair. And like all 24 year olds, he fucked like a rabbit. Number 2 was a 19 year old Medical Student from Alexandria; he had that handsome, vacant look that male models have. He was less my type, but he was over 6 feet in hight, very lean body, and again, fucked like a rabbit fed only on viagra. He is a lovely man from a very good family (all doctors). He travelled from Alexandria to Cairo specifically to meet me. Twice. Number 3 was a very dark man from Luxor, 28 and ripped like you wouldn't believe. He didn't speak a word of English, and after a few exchanges of words and pics he indicated payment was required. I told him that I do not pay for sex, so he left me alone... only to come back two days later to say he wanted sex with me, without payment. He was, truthfully, one of the thickest and biggest cocks I have ever had. I measured it and it was a genuine 25cm/9". His stamina was amazing - he'd cum, but be up again and trying to put it back in within 5 minutes. I had to beg for mercy. The amazing thing about him was that he kept coming back. I'd go off to the office, to find him waiting for me in the cafe next to my apartment when I returned. He never once asked for money, and I never gave it. I obviously got the usual number of flakes and men I don't fancy on Grindr. I also came up with a new, fun, strategy for dealing with the inevitable Top Cash profiles - I would reply that I was Bottom Cash. That flummoxed them, especially when I quoted a price three times theirs. Grindr does now come with a big, ugly message about police actively using Grindr to catch and arrest people, but I think they leave foreigners alone as it is too much hassle. It also means foreigners are rich pickings, as we are seen as safe. Just to reiterate, I do not see the need to ever pay for sex in Cairo. I'm no Adonis, I am a 54 year old with middle-aged spread, and I absolutely have no problem getting hot, desirable men who desire me. Even walking in the street, or in the market, I was cruised constantly, just like in previous trips. Even the guy behind the counter at the supermarket told me he "had the best meat in Cairo, I should definitely put it in my mouth" I cannot wait to go back in September.

I don't know. What I do know is that Dreamboys, Pattaya, circa 2005, was the meeting-place for a number of guys who established successful LTRs. Previously, I said I had met three but we met another couple, an American ex-pat living in Jomtien and his ex-Dreamboys dancer only last month. I was also given the names of others from posts in Facebook etc. As for "love", I wouldn't presume to be able to offer an answer but would point -out that, for centuries, traditional , straight marriages have been made for many different reasons, not all of which conform with romantic notions of love.

Not just mine....

From Pattaya News Lampang — A British teenager has been found dead with head wounds in a forest in Lampang province, northern Thailand. His girlfriend who went for a motorbike ride with him also went missing. The deceased teenager, Ben, 16, was found in a grove in the Ban Than district with injuries resembling blunt force, local police reported on Sunday morning, May 7th. The victim of British nationality, who has a Thai mother and was largely raised in Thailand, went for a motorbike ride with his Thai girlfriend Yam, also 16, in his hometown of Lampang on Saturday but did not return home. His body was found by a garbage collector who was at work on Sunday morning. Police Colonel Sittisak Singtongla, superintendent of the Mae Tha Police, told the Thai media: ‘The station received a notification at 10.15am that a deceased person was found in the undergrowth.’ Upon inspection of Ben’s body, the authorities found that his phone and cash were not with him. He was found with his back against a tree wearing a black long sleeve T-shirt and jeans. Police said that the body has been taken to hospital for an autopsy. The victim’s girlfriend also went missing, and police are searching for her. ‘We are currently tracking down individuals close to the victim, including his female companion. She is a key figure in this case since she is the last person to see him alive,’ Col Sittisak said. Ben’s mother, Ooy Taota, told police that her son had said goodbye to her on Saturday evening and said he was ‘going to work with friends’ but he did not give any more details to her.

LA Times columnist Johan Goldberg sums up his column: In short, we are on track to have a presidential contest between a whiny, disgraced, septuagenarian, characterologically unfit former president and an octogenarian incumbent who a majority of Americans believe is not mentally sharp enough for the job. Each has an incentive to run against the other because their best shot at winning is having the other as an opponent. As someone who thinks it would be truly dangerous to put Trump back in power, I think it’s truly irresponsible to run Biden against him. There’s still time to avert a no-win scenario, but that would require party leaders to lead. If these two old men end up being the nominees, the party hacks will insist it’s a “binary choice,” as if that excuses their role in putting us in such a calamitous predicament in the first place. It’s not supposed to be like this. Full column: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-05-09/political-parties-democrats-republicans-president-nominations-voting-biden-trump