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In the midst of my week-long Thailand jaunt at the moment, and so far, so so. It is the low season ... DAY 1 My flight got in past 5 p.m. on a weekday. Maybe because the Chinese hordes aren't back yet, a situation that looks about to change soon, clearing immigration at Suvarnabhumi took all of 5 minutes. Decided to train it into the city, rather than risk Bangkok traffic at this hour, and, of course, when I arrived in Silom - am putting up at the Quarter Silom, more on which later - it was coming down cats and dogs. There's good reason why September is the low season! Thank goodness I packed a brolly. An hour later, the rain still hadn't let up, and the stretch of the soi in front of the hotel was literally flooded. Waited a bit more, then headed out to one of the many dispensaries in the neighbourhood. Enjoyed its merchandise for a bit - many feature a smoking area for customers - and then hit the Patpong go-gos. It was not even 10 p.m. on a weekday, and still drizzling lightly at this point, so you can imagine that the place was pretty quiet. The papa from Hotmale dragged me up to its bar, but their boys, while fetching in an aspiring-Moonlight-model sort of way, were clad in red sweat pants. All very Abercrombie and Fitch if that's your thing, but it wasn't mine. I departed quickly. Across the way, the boys loitering outside of the new Sol bar seemed less than promising, so I skipped it in favour of an old favorite, Dream Boys, now housed in the second-floor digs where Lucky Boys used to be. Turns out, I was the only paying customer in the bar at that hour. The boys on stage were still "practicing", according to the papa, and doing so in white boxer shorts. It was a huge disappointment. Clearly, gone are the days when they would be prancing around in briefs and cowboy boots, pre-show .. The boys weren't bad-looking, but I recognized no one from even last year. They were just rotating around on the stage, with several trying to give me the eye, and that was it. I stayed for 15 minutes and drank my 500-baht bottle of Tiger, during which the stereo system gave out at one point 🙄, decided I wasn't interested in the company of a twink that evening, and took off. Patpong 2 was looking sad in the drizzle, so Tawan it was. (Also, being right next to the hotel helps.) Well ... things weren't much better there, unfortunately. Aside from one regular - short, well-built dude with tats all over, even on his thighs, and vaguely reminiscent of a chipmunk in the face department, whose name I don't know - it was a small sea of new faces. Even the guy I off-ed last year was not to be seen. The biggest surprise was the fact that they now boast twinks in the employee roster! It's the end of an era ... They had about 12 boys there that evening, of which about 3 were twinks, 2 serious bodybuilders (incld. aforementioned guy with tats), several jock-y types (i.e. not quite bodybuilders), and with the rest looking like they could stand to hit the gym with a little more regularity. I was fairly stoned at this point, so I just sat and there at Tawan for about an hour and a half, watching the boys parade through their rotations, and then the show. The cute Asian otter seated next to me - most likely Taiwanese - tried to strike up a conversation, but I was too out of it to hold up my end, so that attempt died a pretty quick death ... The show was as it always was, just watered down. The highlight came during the cum competition, when one guy, quite the gusher, sprayed his load right at colleagues seated beneath the stage. Hilarity and some mild indignation followed. I was interested in none of the boys on stage, but I most definitely was in the bouncer at the door - a tall, built, dark type, with a great face, and likely well into his 40s, which I later found out was indeed the case. He would pop in occasionally to show new customers to their seats, and I'd grin at him like a dog in the presence of a treat, hoping he'd take the hint - which he eventually did. I brought him next door back to mine, and got to know him a little better, in all senses of the phrase. We made plans for dinner a few days later. I got the munchies in a bad way after he left, and cleaned the snack bar out in my room. About the Quarter Silom: as with real estate, it's all location, location, location. It's set smack in the middle of Soi Tarntawan, between the gay massage joints like Prime and 19-teen on one side, and Tawan on the other. The Patpong go-gos are five minutes away. There're lots of eating options on the soi itself, including a branch of Mango Tree - the grub is way too sweet for me, a real hazard in Thailand - as well as several izakaya-type Japanese joints. You could, as I have been doing, take forty-step stroll out for a massage in the late morning, have lunch, head back for a nap and maybe a puff and a swim, and then hit the bars. Frankly, this is the only reason to consider the Quarter Silom. (That, and the fact the their rooms come with a microwave oven, if that's a bonus.) The hotel may be barely two years old - I think - but already it's towels are looking pretty threadbare, for one. Walls are thin in this building, so you hear quite a bit of what happens in the corridor. (Thank goodness there are no families with small children, or at least I haven't seen or worse, heard any.) The staff are also, well, nonchalant, I guess, is the polite term for it, but being left alone is a plus for some folks, so whatever floats your boat. I paid a bit more than 2,200 baht a night, all in, so maybe I can't complain. TBC.

"when you come back bb" "come see me soon krap" "new iphone come out darling, can you buy me my phone break" The waiting back home for the next trip is always the worst, with loving messages of past flings sporadically appearing in Line, they must really miss me. Lucky for me the wait is over and i'm back in the thick of it once again, dodging the guys I should've known better to avoid in the first place while chasing down the new and shiny ones that will soon become the former. This report will be breaking some of my own rules, after one previous live report was shown to a guy i was with, i told myself i will never do a live report again.. but here we are, so if you ever feel the urge to show my ramblings to anyone.. just don't! i've got enough headaches in my life. I'm going to do my best to protect the identities of myself and my acquaintances, let's all play nice and respect that. I'm going to be adding to this report over the next few months, how long, i still don't know because i've quit my job and decided i'll go spend time travelling around SEA as long as I want/need/can. I'm here for twinks, relaxation, food and sights.. in that order. I’m posting in the Thailand forum, but it will venture out into the unknown at a later date. --- Start of Bangkok --- Window shades up, tray tables locked, seats in upright positions.. there will be no further safety instruction, here i go. I had been dealing with a whirlwind of issues before my departure date which saw me flying around my home country for the days before I was set to embark on my longest ever trip, the stress of it all and flights to and fro really messed with my ability to plan this trip. So there i was about to check-in to my Thai Airways direct to BKK without a plan or even an onward flight booking, while waiting in queue i quickly book a flight to Cambodia for 29 days later. ok that should get me past immigration, turns out my Thai airways check-in agent asked if i had an onward flight, but just took my word for it and no one ever asked to see it. Thai airways is a solid 8/10 carrier as usual, older planes but service is good and the food was better than i remembered. My only real issue was one of my own doing, i dropped the left airpod out of my ear mid-flight and rather than waking the seatmate next to me i decided to search for it when we land. well, when we landed it was nowhere to be found even with the help of several flight attendants. So i'm day one into my trip with half a set of headphones, a pocket full of baht and no clue. I activate my AIS eSIM (900baht for 5G 30 days/50GB), for reference the comparable AIS SIM at the airport booth i spotted was 2000 baht. I already had baht in my wallet from my last trip so i head down to the taxis and onward to Le Meridien. First order of business, massage. I did the Surawong lap, down through the Tawan dogleg and past nineteen. Lots of bums on seats and offers but none that really caught my eye. I decided to head back to one of the mixed male/female shops where there was a guy that could meet my needs in low light conditions. Note: now before i tell this story, be aware that i know there were multiple junctures where i could have changed the outcome... i know this.. i am as the french would say Le Idiote (i dont know french). I approach the massage shop up to the guy of my interest and the mamasam (i assume) intervenes and asks if i want massage, well yes, I say and point at 60 minutes oil massage while looking and smiling toward the guy i like. she says 'follow me', off i go expecting him to tail in behind me, I pay my 600 baht at the register and right after I've paid I look behind me to discover a Shrek lookalike had followed me in... oh bother. I am far too polite to reject this poor lad grinning at me from ear to ear after i had just paid right in front of him, ladyboy mamasan had disappeared shouting something toward the front of the store the second after i paid, i'm standing there shell shocked while Shrek stomps up the stairs. Ok, suck it up... it's just a massage, maybe he won't try anything, at least his hands look strong.. reassuring myself as i sheepishly creak up the stairs. I shower in the piss smelling washroom, wrap the towel around my waist and walk towards the curtained 'room' with Shrek guarding the stairs so i can't make a run for it (presumably). Ok face first into the massage bed and out comes the oil, enough oil to fill a tanker evading sanctions, but at least the massage was strong. The reach under didn't take long, oh no, i press my pelvis against the bed, he starts rubbing his (thankfully clothed) dick against my arm and hands as i try to tuck my arms closer into my body... the hints just aren't reaching. The turn... well, it was inevitable at this point. I close my eyes and do everything in my mental power to remain soft to not encourage this any further (the places my mind had to go will remain unsaid), the thought does cross my mind if this has moved into assault territory as my balls are getting fondled for a good 5 minutes, but let's not dwell on it, I knew what i'm getting myself into by not backing out earlier. I am successful against all attempts from him to make me hard so he can offer the extras, clenched my eyes closed and let out a little sigh of relief when he gave up. Time to shower the buckets of oil off me, it doesn't work, the oil is immune to water and soap, i'm a baby penguin after and oil spill. I return to the room and he's gone, i guess he didn't want to stick around to see if i would tip (i was going to give him something small as a gesture of good will). i go downstairs and put my shoes on, grit my teeth through a smile to the mamasan then go straight to 7/11 to buy a packet of cigarettes. I need to process this so i headed to the safety of the highly regarded foodland restaurant, on my way a cute waiter tout outside one of the bars grabs at my arm but the oil.. his hand can't get a good grip as i tell him 'not tonight sorry'. What a sight i must have been, half wet hair, covered in oil, cigarette hanging from my mouth, pale and wide eyed like i've just seen a car crash. I eat my chicken cashew, shaking my head, exhausted... what a start to my trip, surely it's going to get better from here

From The Nation A merger between Line Corp and Yahoo Japan Corp has created a new company called LY Corporation. Line Corp, which operates the popular mobile messaging application Line, will use the new name from October 1 onwards, it said in a statement released on Thursday. Line app also informed its users about the imminent name change in a message sent on Thursday. “We thank all the users of the Line Official Account service. Line Corporation and Yahoo Japan Corporation will merge to become a single company on October 1, 2023, and the company’s name will be changed to LY Corporation,” the message said. From October 1, LY Corporation will take over from Line Corp. It will oversee existing Line accounts in Thailand and other countries, it said.

Well we just got back I will have a full report complete by Sunday. YESSSSSSSSS! There was drama and I know you're gonna pass judgment on me, but who give AS? I'm a whore. Lol! InShot_20230927_062019403.mp4

I had arranged my airbnb from day 2, so in the morning I head out to go meet the host and pickup my keys. The room is ok I guess, but I’m starting to wonder who got the idea of misleading sizes in their photos first, grindr or Airbnb. Not to worry, it has a bed, a washing machine and a friendly security guard at the front. My second arrangement for the day was due to catch his flight from hometown into BKK that afternoon, he is a non-mb in the traditional sense and someone I’ve known for a couple of years now. The expectation from him is generally gifts in exchange for BFE. He stayed with me for about a week and well, I guess his actual boyfriend in farangland may have caught on (to me or one of the others he runs off with) because there was some significant mood change and not much action after day 2 after some private phone calls happened. I got the real BFE from then on, no sex just me buying dinner every night. As the arrangement had stopped meeting my expectations the gifts stopped. I did of course still enjoy this time with him, we did a bit of restaurant hopping and markets and things, nothing too exciting or noteworthy but always nice to have pleasant company and a translator with a cute smile. Eventually after his planned trip is over, I get him back to BKK airport and he’s on a flight back to farangland to live happily ever after with visa sponsor #1. Off to the Apple store to get a replacement airpod, 2500 baht and a few minutes of dodging tables of people touching the new colour ‘same same but different’ phone and I’m out of there into torrential downpours. Oh, this is the rainy season I’ve heard so much about. I’m not one to wade through floodwaters so I spent the night inside wondering what could have been if I decided to outbid the farangland bf, not at the very start of my trip was my conclusion. I should wait at least 2 weeks before I fall in love with ‘definitely not’ a moneyboy again. I need a good cleanse from all this relationship drama being near me, so I’m off to Pattaya to indulge in some long cigarettes, survey the financial market for investments and see what falls in my lap. Next update sometime soon

It wasn't speculation before COVID. Back in 2016, if you can believe The ASEAN Post, "the Thai government decided to stamp out zero-dollar tourism, estimating losses of US$2 billion each year in tax revenue. Three companies were shut down, 2,155 buses were seized and several people were arrested for money laundering and operating illegal low-quality tours." If you want speculation about the future, the Bangkok Post has an explainer with a 2023 dateline.

From The Nation Representatives of certain groups on Thursday presented to Parliament on behalf of the public the drafts of three bills in the hope that lawmakers would pass legislation on same-sex marriage, promote gender acceptance, and redefine prostitution. The drafts were accepted by first deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada. The draft Marriage Equality Bill proposes amending Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which limits the definition of marriage to a man and a woman, by making the marriage law applicable to any couple, regardless of gender. The draft bill on "gender identity, gender expression and sexuality" proposes that official certificates accept the gender that an individual identifies as. The third draft is an an amendment to the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, specifically to define sex workers as legal professionals who are entitled to rights and freedom to work equally. The three bills share the same goals of ensuring sexual equality, promoting acceptance and equal treatment of all individuals regardless of their genders, sexual identity, or profession, said a representative.

I understand from a reliable source that Dreamboy was nearly full for the first show Monday and managed to field about 50 on stage. Although Sol seems to be off to a slow start, I'd like to think it can find its niche in that compact stretch of PP2. I'm impressed that none of the bars don't seem to be having trouble finding guys to fill the ranks.

sounds like blackmail... For a guy who wants to be the top cop the idea that he's going to sit on incriminating evidence seems a little odd.

You should make sure to receive the guy who caught your interest before paying.

He didn't strangle me. But I think he can and he will if asked. However, given the language barrier, the risk of it turning pear shape is quite high. Plus I'm a big fan of breathing. 😂

better than other way arround thank you for report, fun reading but I suspect also fun writing

if he is true professional he should know without asking

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=winner boy bar pattaya Was there a year ago. Business was so slow they had one table in the dark street with two boys and the owner. Went a couple times for a drink and tipping. Jomtien was jumping with customers and boys.

No one better explores the infighting among Thailand’s top cops than novelist John Burdett in his bestseller “Bangkok 8.” And he does it with a gay undercurrent and memorable character development.

I too have had a case where I mistakenly assumed that the guy who welcomed me into the shop would be the masseur, only to be assigned another. Fortunately the other one wasn't a woman. The story is in my blog: "This boy cannot," she said

From Thai PBS World The Bank of Thailand’s monetary policy committee unanimously voted to raise the policy rate by 25 basis points, to 2.5%, with immediate effect today (Wednesday). According to Piti Disyatat, secretary of the committee, the Thai economy overall continues to recover this year, although at a slow pace due to soft external demand, but growth should pick up next year, supported by both domestic and global demand. Inflation is projected to increase next year in line with the recovery and El Niño -related supply pressure. The committee projects growth to be 1.8% and 4.4% in 2023 and 2024 respectively, driven by private consumption. Growth this year weakened somewhat due to a delayed recovery in merchandise exports and tourism, weighed down by subdued growth in China and the global electronic cycle. Growth should, however, pick up next year thanks to increasing domestic demand, underpinned by tourism recovery and export increases. Headline inflation is projected to remain within the target range at 1.6% and 2.6% this year and next. The overall financial system remains resilient. Financial institutions maintain high levels of capital and loan loss provision.

Day 6 After doing a bit of work, laundry (advantage of Airbnb) and room tidy up (disadvantage), I felt l like rewarding myself and immediately looked up massage options. I messaged VClub7 and JeySpa but an hour later, never heard back from both. I looked up online and realised that Jey Spa approximately a 12 minute walk from my place. I decided to just walk in to have a look with the plan of going somewhere else, maybe a no hanky panky spa if no sparks were found. It was one of those pleasant day in Bangkok for a walk so I appreciated the chance to stretch away from my current sedentary routine of lying down in a massage bed, sitting cuddled with a bar guy or in a horizontal position on a bed parallel to my boyfriend for the hour. Given the photo I found online, Jey Spa wasn't hard to find and I was able to shortlist a couple before reception welcomed me in. I was about to be shown a small tablet but I inquired and pointed to a guy standing a few metres away and asked if he's a masseur. Receptionist swiped through the tablet to show me his profile and minimum tip expected. While he's swiping, I saw quite a number of hunky potential but I decided to stick with my choice - with the advent of image enhancing apps, nothing beats seeing them face to face. After getting cleaned up, Put (????? as he introduced himself) started the message. It was reasonably good and I started to let myself relax. We exchanged the usual pleasantries and backwards and forwards with questions. I was once told that when asked, never admit that you are a newbie in Bangkok and must make yourself sound like a frequent visitor (less chance of them pulling a trick on you) and make it always sound that you are staying for many days (better chance of good service to entice repeat). Not sure if it works but fortunately I don't need to lie as both are true and I also have another trick on my sleeves: to not be an a**hole. Around the 30 minute mark, I can see from my peripheral vision that Put is starting to lose pieces of his clothing. I ignored that for a while wanting to squeeze a bit more massage time from him. A few minutes later, he brought the big guns out and started doing body to body massage. I waved my white flag and let him take over. Overall, the experience was pleasant. It was a good amount of intensity that I enjoyed immensely. Looking back, I really appreciate having the subject of tip sorted prior to the session. It removes the guesswork and that awkward negotiation while you have most of your blood rushing down your hard on. I left the place satisfied and feeling really rewarded. I added a bit more tip and Put seems to be satisfied. He even stayed with me chatting while waiting for my taxi. What a gentleman! Come night time, I decided to play it safe and went straight to friendly Tawan. I haven't fully warmed my seat when I felt a tap on my shoulder followed by a big hug. "Welcome again!" said Tun. He sat beside me and clung like a koala which I find cute. I immediately scan the area to assess other guys and I decided to stick with Tun. We already have a good vibe between us since my last visit so I think it's the most logical choice. Did I mention that he's good looking too? We stay cuddled and chatted while watching the show. He's a bit cheeky constantly grabbing my hand placing it down his crotch and look at me with a mischievous smile. By almost midnight, I decided I had enough and we made our way outside. I asked him what he would like to eat and we ended up in 7-11. He and I bought several items and Tun asked if we can buy booze and drink it in my place. We continued our chatter over our 7-11 purchases. It wasn't long before the conversation progressed to the shower then bed. After cleaning up, he asked if he can turn the TV on which I gladly obliged. He tuned in to a Thai TV show and he animatedly explained to me what is going on. I find his effort to translate and the cute thinking face he makes the most entertaining of all. A little while later, we were cuddled and I start hearing a gentle faint snoring from him. I panicked a bit as there's no plan for it to be a LT. But then I realised: there's a hunky tawan guy sleeping in my bed, what am I panicking about?

Not really sure if the thing we get from Arena qualifies as a massage! Kidding aside, I get what you mean. I did not return to Banana Club during this trip. I was halfway through my 12 days so I decided to not risk it. Open to visit next time though. If there's one thing that I learned during my Bangkok trips is that each Bar shines and dims randomly every single visit. Question - how many guys do they usually have on stage?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iM3Uh5m3WoM Top ten, and one of them is from Southeast Asia - but it isn't Thailand.

But this is Thailand!

Yesterday 1130pm I passed through boy street after dinner with friend, Wednesday night and after a rain so not that busy. Few guys sit outside SOL bar, I ask for permission to take a look inside, almost same as old Dreamboy set up, dancing show on-going and only 1-2 groups customer, they have 2 shows per day 1020pm and mid-night, varity of show include sxcking show. Perhaps I will take a chance to visit in Novmeber.

It's like Cambodia. They fly on Chinese airlines, travel on Chinese owned buses, stay at Chinese owned hotels etc. Almost nothing to local economy.

I'm VERY clear about who's going to do the massage, and not shy...it's Bangkok, they've seen it all......

The contribution of Chinese organized groups are questionable they come with fix price pre paid tour packages on a very tight budget ,spend at the local businesses almost nothing and stay short time in Thailand.

Elsewhere he has claimed his wife bought the houses. Apparently she comes from a very wealthy family. But when this information dribbles out, there is inevitably a smell of corruption, whether in fact or merely supposition. Also he has admitted that he paid members of the media who covered him and his actions positively. He claimed reporters were underpaid and would regularly hand out 500 baht bills to all. When a particularly favourable article appeared, the 'tip' could be as much as 10,000 baht. And this is not corruption??? https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2653830/big-joke-says-he-paid-reporters

Having lived in Hong Kong for two decades, worked there for a further 17 years and been a very frequent visitor to Singapore throughout all that time, I find @macaroni21's comments very perceptive but only partly in line with my own views. What I will add is that while both cities have changed dramatically during all that time, I think Hong Kong has changed more quickly in terms of the cultural views of the two populations. No doubt this is in large part a result of Hong Kong having been a colony until 1997. On the surface one of the world's great glittering financial centres. Underneath, until its final decade or so of British rule, a nasty little crime ridden swamp where a draconian largely British-led corrupt police force was virtually hand in hand with the triad gangs. By the mid 1970s, the Independent Commission Against Corruption had been set up and this certainly helped clean up both the police, the judiciary and the civil service. But whereas there had always been a thriving gay underground, both privately and with closely-monitored gay bars and one mostly gay disco, part of the police force brief still remained the weeding out of gay men, especially those in prominent positions, as evidenced in the establishment of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in the late 1970s. This unit was thrust into the headlines with the death of a Scottish Police Inspector John MacLennan in January 1980. Found in his locked apartment with 5 gunshot wounds to his torso (but none to his heart or his head), the police ruled this a suicide. As details of the event dribbled out, public ridicule was heaped on the police in charge and even on the need for the SIU to be abolished. I wrote a series of five posts about this particular suicide/murder some time ago, the first of which is this one - Although it was to take a further decade, that death started the process of changing the colonial anti-sodomy law. Thereafter many gays were soon to come out of the closet and gay saunas, bars and nightclubs opened relatively quickly. Hong Kong therefore had quite a head start on Singapore. In Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew, laws were equally harsh in many areas of society. When Go Chok Tong took over in 1990 he promised greater openness and freedom. But when their People's Action Party lost votes at the following general election, he reneged on that promise. Even up to the turn of the millennium most Singaporeans were in fear of Section 377A (the anti-gay law) which could and did result in some gay men ending up in prison for around 2 years. There was no real gay infrastructure, although the very large Zouk club did have a fun gay section. And some hotels had weekend Sunday gay afternoons - as at the Pan Pacific Hotel around the early 1990s. In general, though, there was a fear especially of entrapment. It was quite common for young police officers to cruise popular areas frequented by gay men to try to establish a hook up. This was especiaily true at the beach. The guys who attempted a hook up were then arrested and charged. Even as late as June last year, the city-state's Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said on a BBC interview show, "a significant portion of our people, the middle ground as it were, do not want that law repealed." But then that had always been the government line. The change in the law since then has not been met with any form of protest, apart from the mega-Evangelical Christian Churches! I found that it was only around 2000 that Singapore gay men started to become more open. For decades there had been one bar here or there which welcomed gay men but then quickly closed. The longest established one was in Lucky Plaza off Orchard Road, Vincent's Lounge which opened in 1989. A small narrow bar, it was about the only formal gay meeting place where locals could meet foreigners, apart occasionally from fitness centres in hotels. More small gay bars opened, my favourite being Backstage. Gay saunas also opened. The only one I attended was a lovely small one named Rairua outside the city centre. It was the first to introduce all nude nights. Sadly it closed after only three years. Going back to @macaroni21's comments, I believe the reason for his having come across more openly gay managers in Singapore than Hong Kong is partly, as he suggests, because Hong Kong is a far more Chinese society and the Chinese managers in a work setting prefer to be more restrained in discussing and particularly openly making others aware of their own sexuality. This is true even in multi-national companies. I have a close American friend who worked in a very senior position in an American multi national. His secretary, his boss and a few of his fellow managers were aware he was gay. But not most others. Singapore has quickly become more open - but publicly I believe this remains only for a very few. I do not believe it is in general easier for Singaporeans to be openly out. Lastly on this topic I have always found Singapore guys seem more gay and sometimes act slightly gay, even though they are totally straight. Again this seems something to do with local culture. 30 years or so ago I recall visiting a hugely popular nightly cabaret show in the Boom Boom room. Hosted by a bisexual/gay entertainer, it included drag queens, very risque jokes and routines and every night had the local young audience in fits of laughter. I noticed that entering and leaving the club, many of the boys were almost acting gay - even though they were clearly with their girl friends. There is a chameleon-like quality to many SIngapore guys which I rarely find in more straight-forward Hong Kong.

sometimes outright unpleasant on narrow side streets like sala Daeng, piles there attracts so many rats that it may be hard not to step on one. Better cross the street. But it's not tourist generated trash

One of the reasons trash becomes a problem in tourist areas in Bangkok is the lack of bins to dispose of it. Walk Silom or Surawong looking for a place to toss your trash and you you'll be hard pressed to find an receptacle. At least most 7-11's have a trash can outside the door but that's not the practice with most stores and vendors. In the evening it's common to find ever growing piles of loose and bagged rubbish appearing on the sidewalks, acting as temporary feeding stations for animals until the collectors arrive after midnight.

Completely off topic, but I have a couple of 60 baht notes hanging on my wall (hint: they were issued in 1987 and 2006).

There are no coincidences in Thailand--or anywhere else for that matter (see above post). From Thai PBS World Pol Gen Torsak to become Thailand’s next top cop The Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has selected Deputy National Police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the new head of the nation’s police force, replacing Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, who is set to retire at the end of this month. The selection of the new police chief that was initially the last item on the meeting’s agenda, but it was moved to the top. Pol General Torsak, who retires next year, is the most junior of the deputies, being the most recent to be appointed. The other candidates were Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote and Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet. Surachate and Roy did not attend the meeting. The vote was held after Torsak and Kittirat, as candidates for the position, were invited to leave the room. Torsak won with 4 of the 5 member committee voting for him. Roy, who is also due to retire next year, is tipped to become the National Security Council’s chief, the same rank as the national police chief. Kittirat is due to retire in 2026, while Surachate still has eight years to go before reaching retirement age. However a police spokesman declined to confirm the report, pending royal approval.

The video does actually say at the start that these are the countries with the most LGBT people. That certainly is not true of Singapore and I find it rather an extraordinary choice. Most majority Chinese communities have an in-built aversion to their sons being gay. Thankfully this is changing quite quickly, but Taiwan and Hong Kong are way ahead of Singapore in my view and both are at least as safe. And as both have been more tolerant of the LGBT community for longer, I would place either ahead of Singapore. It's true that Singapore may be one of the cruisiest cities on the planet for those who like Asian guys, but not many of those guys you see on Orchard Road will be openly 'out'. It was only at the start of this year that the dreaded Section 377A of the penal Code was finally abolished. Until then, it was technically illegal to be gay. The Prime Minster had said some years ago he had to keep the law as it was but the government would not act on it. The city state has had gay bars and saunas for years but many Singaporeans remained afraid to come out - and still remain so.

Not really the countries with the most LGBT people, more the 10 countries where people are more able and safe to be out.

Good that you are not poor. I don't think anyone engaging in or contemplating sex tourism is poor or needy. Most countries in western world provide social welfare to anyone who is poor and needy. I would rather help out the Thais in exchange for their man juice.

I have just returned from Japan and South Korea. The big topic of conversation in Japan at the moment is the effect over-tourism is having on the local people. The vast majority of tourists were from Singapore and Taiwan. The locals in Kyoto were complaining that they can't move around freely or even catch buses to work and litter is becoming a big problem. For those who are not familiar with Japan, years ago the government removed all bins from public areas and told citizens that from now on, you are going to take your rubbish home and dispose of it there - which is what everyone does. When you head our for the day you always make sure you have a bag of some sort into which you can put your rubbish and then carry it around all day. Unfortunately, tourists are not always familiar with this concept and so in frustration, they tend to just quietly - or blatantly - dump it along the way of leave it in toilets. Kyoto's government decided to deal with the problem by setting up 3 large bins on the main street but by late afternoon they were full and rubbish was piling up around them. Litter is such a rare sight in Japan that it came as quite a shock to everyone. The biggest fear now is what will happen once the mainland Chinese tour groups start returning. If Japan is already overwhelmed by tourists and finding it difficult to cope, this will be disastrous for the locals. I recall a couple of years ago when I was walking around Kenrokuen, one of the 3 great Japanese -style gardens. I was enjoying the serenity when suddenly large numbers of huge tour buses turned up all at once and disgorged a tsunami of Chinese tourists. The serenity disappeared, as did the views, because everywhere you looked you just saw people. They all wanted the photo with the famous stone lantern; the problem is, they don't just take 1 photo and move on so that others can have a turn; they have to take multiple shots going through a series of poses. I, along with others, fled the park and vowed to return another day - which I did back in January and without the tourists. It was wonderful! Chinese tourists have a perfect right to visit these places just like we do. But I wish they would not travel in such large groups because the sheer number overwhelms everyone and everything. (Try buying an icecream when the Chinese are in town!) I remember the tour groups being a problem in Pattaya before Covid. I dread to think what it will be like once the Chinese start to travel again.

more than once boys in both Bangkok and Pattaya told me that we shouldn't eat at least 2 hours before massage so it must be some reason for that. Sorry to hear you did not like Banana but you did right thing going, if we don't go we never know. You may want to give them another try next visit, old rule , one statistic sample is not enough to formulate hypothesis. As for Jupiter as I said in another post few days ago, yes it's discouraging looking at their disinterested look but this is mandated by managemnet, I heard it at least two times from different boys. When they sit down with you they are smiling all of the sudden. All my 3 or 4 post covid offs from there were good to very good and this comes from me who did not like that bar for many years, No I do and visit it at least once every trip. Getting long time mat be very hard but at least they tell you up front they are not interesting in or quote you prohibitive price like 6000 with the same effect.

Day 1 started as an interesting and enjoyable trip report, thank you, but as the days go by the reports are getting even better, thank you even more. Loved Day Five and can't wait for Day Six. I always try and leave at least an hour between food consumption and swimming or massage or the other. I think it was ingrained in me as a child that you could get cramp swimming too soon after food.

but points are still valid

Day 5 here we go! This is the part of the trip where the excitement is still there but I can no longer ignore the jetlag and the fatigue coming mainly from days 1 to 4. So after Ghanaian guy left, I felt the need to properly recharge in order for me to fully enjoy the remaining days - reminding myself that this trip is a marathon not a sprint. Woke up at around 11am with a message from "lone wolf" (see Day 2 report) asking if I'm keen to get some crabs. I responded saying that as long as she's referring to the crustaceans, she can count me in. She then forwarded a link of this restaurant in Khet Taling Chan (Mae Khlong) which is quite far to where I would go for food. But having read the glowing reviews saying how popular this restaurant is with locals, I was convinced. Imagine having good food while people watching! We meet up at Iconsiam, loaded up on coffee and took a taxi for possibly an early dinner gig. Overall, the food was so worth the trip especially if you like seafood dishes. I particularly enjoyed the grilled crab with roe on shell and the giant river prawns. We order a couple more item and it became obvious that it was too much. I looked around and other items looks yummy too. Kinda the same feeling when you're sitting with a bar boy and enjoying yourself but also eyeing and low key jealous of the customer and his guy at the other table! We parted ways and I decided to give Arena another go. I was a bit self conscious how my breath will be like so I got myself a brush and toothpaste in 7-11 before taking the lift to Arena. After a mind boggling selection process, I asked the uncle to tell my guy not to massage my feet and leg because I have an injury. He walked up to the guy, whispered something and my guy (who introduced himself later as kao) gave me a thumbs up. Hopefully this trick will avoid the masseur for spending so much time down there. The session with Kao was quite an enjoyable one. Not as intense but exactly what I need given the heavy meal I had prior! I'm glad i went to 7-11 prior as Kao seems to enjoy kissing a lot. I stepped out of Arena feeling a lot refreshed. I then decided to walk towards Starbucks in Montien Plaza while waiting for things to get busy in Surawong. After my coffee, I walked a bit further through patpong market and attempted to satisfy my curiosity by going to Banana Club. Not sure if it's just a bad night or completely a wrong decision in my part but I did not enjoy my time in there. There were only four guys on stage alternating between performances. I know it only takes one guy to make one's bar experience extra special but unfortunately, I can't see any of the four fulfilling that role. After about 40 minutes, I decided to leave and give Jupiter a visit. Jupiter is totally another Kettle of fish but from experience, I'm already expecting that the possibility of an off will be very slim. I think it got something to do with how the guys project themselves onstage or most probably how they were told to do so. Maybe it's just me but the stage feels more like a catwalk with most guys giving that standoffish model vibe. I can see a couple of ex dreamboys guys in there and remember having good fun with them. But given the vibe they are now projecting, I decided not to call anyone down and just enjoy the show. Jupiter is a type of club I imagine myself bringing my female best mate in and we can have lots of good time - but not a place I can source my BF for the night (and next morning). Don't get me wrong, maybe Jupiter's approach works for other clientele. And maybe I'm just not their key target market? With a not so successful attempt at bars, I decided to taxi back to my place and possibly look at the apps. Found this guy visiting from the Philippines who turned out to be an MB. He showed up half an hour later. I was pleased that he got good banter and can carry a decent conversation. I opened up a bottle of wine apologising to him that it's not the best but he drank more than half of it like a champ. We eventually found ourselves in the bedroom and after the deed had a quick shower and he stayed a couple more hours for a chat. Today may be a mixed bag bar-wise. But overall, I felt happy and satisfied and can go to bed with a cheeky smile on my face. Got a week more left so I can still afford nights like these.

My first guy in Thailand- it was in Pattaya- failed to achieve an erection. My first gay sex experience had only occurred eighteen months previously and I blamed myself entirely. And, as it transpired, wrongly. A sobering thought; that guy must be fifty years old now. Oh dear.

TMI !

Thank goodness I will not be traveling to Thailand in October.

What you talking about ?, Bangkok has a beach , in Pattaya , just 2 hrs by bus or taxi

Winner has recent pics on social media of their boys. While I'm (sometimes) partial to twinks, gotta say that their crowd isn't quite there in the looks dept. for me. I like my twinks pretty.

During the first couple of days of my trips checking out the Complex I sometimes find difficulty in making the decision as to which bar to sit down at. Early in the evening the boys are concentrating on attracting custom rather than latching onto a potential off. A couple of strolls up and down is needed to assess the attractiveness of the boys, the music being played and if there is a customer there who I know. Later, say 11+ they become somewhat more interested in drink invitations and maybe potential offs. You see more customers having closer contact with the boys possibly cuddling and kissing. I’ve stayed at the Zing a few times, usually in one of the larger rooms, and have never been troubled by bar noise. The pool is of reasonable size allowing a bit of exercise swimming and is very pleasant to sit by during the daytime, possibly with a “boyfriend du jour”.

I live in the USA. My full retirement age for government Social Security monthly benefits 7 years ago was 66.5 years old. That's when I retired from full-time work. I could have claimed that retirement benefit at age 62 but the monthly payment would be approx. 30% less for the rest of my life compared to what I receive now. At age 65 we are eligible for government assisted medical insurance a/k/a Medicare.

I agree. He must be charged in all these cases...large and small. I also agree with the other poster expressing dismay that it is taking so much time for all the various charges to be brought against Trump formally. I need to see him in an orange jumpsuit before he dies!

The problem here Is that you WILL hear from him again, and again and again, until he accomplishes his goals of making America TRUMP WORLD..... Regardless that the case is SMALL, what he did was illegal and he MUST be shown there are consequences. The only reason he is the destructive force that he is IS because he was allowed to escape any punishment for for his past illegal behaviors. I dont care if he stole a Snickers bar from the bodega, I want to see him PROSECUTED... And any public uprising that may come from it MUST also be dealt with. We cant show these morons that we are afraid of them... Fear is the enemy now. We have to start somewhere, and I truly believe once the first shoe falls from Bragg, ALL the other shoes will follow, and Trump will be Buried in indictments..... Its like putting your little toe in the water first before cannonballing into the pool.