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US$40? How much did you withdraw? It's not a scam or rip-off - we have the option to accept, or not. Most banks worldwide outside of our home countries ask if you want to accept its / their conversion rate. Nothing new. Just don't accept it. You learned a lesson, which will save you money down the road. I'm surprised this is the first time you've encountered it. Currency conversion fees are typical charges, nothing new from what I've experienced. Some bank / investment account cards reimburse us for the fees ... most do not. Take a deep breath. Tomorrow will be better. Thanks for posting the report.

336,000 jobs added. Vote worthy, me thinks. ✅ https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/markets-jobs-report-september/index.html

New PM Srettha's honeymoon experienced its first major bump when 99 economist came out against his much-heralded plan to give every Thai 16 and above an injection of 10,000 baht via a new digital wallet scheme in hopes of stimulating the economy. From The Nation The Srettha Thavisin government is in the process of implementing an election campaign promise of handing out 10,000 baht to Thai citizens aged 16 years and above, to be spent in a limited area within six months, with the aim of giving the economy a push. The economic experts, however, argue that it was “not worth the cost”. They advanced the following reasons, according to a Krungthep Thurakij news report: Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40031677

"Yellow Bank" is Krungsri Bank, aka Bank of Ayudhya. The Thai banks are all easily identifiable by their various color schemes. For example, Kasikorn Bank, aka K-Bank, will be green. Bangkok Bank is dark blue. Siam Commercial Bank is purple with yellow lettering, etc. However, "Yellow Bank" is the only bank often referred to by its logo color. Nobody refers to the other banks by their logo color or color scheme. They are simply referred to by their names. I have no idea how Krungsri came to be commonly referred to as "Yellow Bank", but there it is . . .

Good luck! If you *really* want conservative, there's always Aceh ..

I have a German friend that lives in BKK, he says the more "conservative" or religious these places are the more activity on the apps...he likes Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also....

For the past umpteen years I have used the "yellow bank" ATMs. I always got a near-current exchange rate (a 1% currency conversion fee) and it allows a daily withdrawal of 30k baht. The service fee (200B) has always been refunded by my bank back home, so I was always happy. Last night, for the first time, a new screen appeared just at the very end of the ATM withdrawal process which asks if you want THEM to do the conversion to US dollars? I foolishly pushed "ACCEPT" which was a BIG mistake -- the receipt slip informs me that they took an additional 5% currency conversion fee for the privilege of doing the conversion!! This means I lost more than $40 on that transaction! I am really pissed! I knew the moment I pushed ACCEPT that I had made a mistake, but there is NO WAY to cancel or reverse your choice once you push that button (which is far bigger than the other buttons). I was in a hurry and it cost me dearly. So please, any Americans out there, please be careful with this raunchy (at best!) business practice. I was going to go back to the Yellow Bank to complain this morning but I realized it would do me no good. SO please be careful! (I don't know if this scam, and yes it is a scam, is also being done for pounds and euros, I hope not.)

"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

I would guess "better half"

Probably has an Excel chart for it.

Haha I have another Phuket story: My BH and I were in Patong and wanted a foot massage. We go to this (mixed) massage place and duly pay for a foot massage when this buxom woman is haphazardly assigned to my BH. The woman, doing a foot massage mind you, somehow managed to get her tits on his face, hoping I'm sure for a big tip! Instead I see him turning green and I thought he was going to puke, haha. We still joke about the "Phuket Massage" years later! Oh my.

Past 2 nights I have been hanging out at Hotmale Beer Bar downstairs and ogling at Sol Bar guys during their break from rotation. But I didn't feel burning desire to enter Sol Bar to have a closer look at their guys or watch the show because I was busy having great fun with Hotmale Beer Bar waiters. Sorry @vinapu I might not be able to write a report on Sol Bar!

Patpong was alive and well last night. I think all the heavy rains this week brought people out, and they were in a spending mood. Bars and gogo’s had big crowds . Lots of groups of people . It was a fun night to be out. Soi 4 packed. Long line to get into DJ Station. Offs seemed to be the order of the night. Can they go for 2 busy nights in a row, let’s see what Saturday brings.

How could I not follow your advise?

Summary of subsiquent coverage and response: But. Her. Fucking. Emails.

wait until flordarob goes there

Like mavica said, nothing new but thank you for OP for reminding us about that dreadful 'dynamic conversion rate" as it is called. Banks are getting more sophisticated to catch us off guard. It happened to me once even if I was aware of what's going on. I took it as a lesson. Few times when paying for purchases with card I was not even asked if I want charge in local currency or get it converted right away, the same big No, No

I would hate to break up a relationship in the manner you suggest. It rather implies - at least to me - that boyfriends can be picked up and then dumped as though they never meant anything to you. I mean by boyfriend someone who has been with you for a considerable time and who is not paid for his time (other than meals, transport, vacations etc.)

Yes Elek really got things done unlike myself. I hate to think of the stress and conflict when I made a mess of finishing with several boyfriends over the years. You have to think and think again before getting into a relationship.

What is Yellow Bank? Is it a real bank ATM or just an ATM network(e.g. Euronet in Europe)? I always use an ATM at a real physical bank when I travel in a foreign country, and never accepted currency conversion.

It's Ok, most important thing is you have fun there

They were polling people on the news on what they had against Biden "He's responsible for the gas prices," the Trump supporter said. The one thing Biden has virtually no control over. The most he can do is encourage alternative energy sources, which is what he's done.

Try North Korea.

Security can be beefed up but can not eliminate incidents like this. A determined assailant will find a way to elude it. The media and government tend to play down events like this that have been occurring in the south of the country for years. Most are directed at police, military and teachers but that doesn't keep others from being killed and maimed on a regular basis. Tightening control of the sales of weapons has been a subject long given lip service. And Although some legislation may emerge from this incident, interest will fade as time passes. Bangkok is a mega city and top world destination. Tourists aren't going to abandon it no more than they did in the wake of the Erawan Shrine bombing in 2015 or in 2010 when Central World went up in flames. People have astonishingly short memories. Lumpinee Park was an armed camp 13 years ago but it was business as usual on Soi4, Patpong and Twilight. For better or worse, what happened this week will, too, soon be forgotten. Tourists will continue to flock to Bangkok as they always have. Many of us will be among them. ========================= Also soon to be forgotten: From The Nation The teenaged shooter who went on a fatal shooting spree on Tuesday had practised at an Army shooting range for over 20 times, police disclosed on Friday. Pol Maj-General Theeradej Thammasuthee, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s investigation division, confirmed that the 14-year-old had practised at the Territorial Defence Shooting Range in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district. “The suspect said during police questioning that on the day before the fatal attack, he had practised shooting for more than 20 times,” the senior officer said. He noted that the shooting range is for members only and any service user aged below 18 must be accompanied by an adult member. On Tuesday afternoon, a 14-year-old boy armed with a modified blank gun fired shots at people in Siam Paragon, leaving two people dead and five others injured. A video clip being circulated on social media appears to show the teenaged shooting suspect firing a round of shots at shooting targets in a place later identified as the Territorial Defence Shooting Range. The Royal Thai Army, which runs the shooting range, found that the teenaged shooter was not a member, so it was possible he came with an adult member, a source said on Friday. An examination of video recordings from the shooting range’s security cameras over the past 10 days did not find the shooting suspect, according to the source. Staff members of the shooting range were instructed to gather information about the suspect’s use of the facility, according to the source. The Army has provided relevant information to police investigators working on the case, the source said. In a related development, the Juvenile Detention Centre has sent the shooting suspect to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute for psychiatric evaluation and treatment at the suggestion of a doctor, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on Friday. He declined to discuss the nature of the boy’s mental issues, saying that disclosing details of health conditions was against the boy’s personal rights. According to a source familiar with the matter, the teenager was sent to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute on Thursday afternoon after the Juvenile Detention Centre concluded that a specialist’s evaluation of his mental health was needed as this was a serious criminal case.

Do you look at the 'Head for Points' blog/website? They give helpful updates in which loyalty programmes are the best, offers, etc.

Thank you for the report. I am going to BKK next week. Quite useful info.

And the number of people that have no problems..... Could be in shot in a mall in Thailand or killed on a motorbike in Thailand.....life is a risk.

Day 9 After breakfast and bidding my temp boyfriend goodbye, I once again am embracing singleness and ready for my next adventure. But at this point of the trip, I surprisingly found myself clueless with what to do next. It's similar to the feeling of having done a number of trips in the buffet line ---- you're not full yet unsure what to eat next. I decided to give myself a detox and declared a "cock embargo" for today. Started with distracting myself with Netflix and catching up with my series. When I start feeling a bit lethargic, I went down the gym for a bit of a run. By mid-day, the Filipino MB (Jake) I met previously (see Day 5) messaged asking if I'm still around. Turned out he'll fly out in a couple of days and wanting to know if I want to meet up. Banking on my previous positive experience, I agreed but warned him that my current mood and preference is just to go with the flow and walk around aimlessly. With that disclaimer made, we met up in Terminal 21 and eventually found ourselves making our way to Iconsiam. Inside the mall, we chanced upon what looks like an English style tea house - which made me suddenly crave for a proper tea and scone. I dragged Jake who later confessed that it's his first time doing this style of afternoon tea. Armed with this new information, I decided to give him the "full experience" and ordered the high tea set. His face lit up with excitement when the order was served. He took photos of the tiered cakes and savouries selection and asked me if I can take a photo of him with it as well. I was a bit embarrassed but encouraged by his excitement so I went for it and grabbed his mobile. After tea, we walked for a bit and did some minor shopping before finding ourselves back to my apartment. We spent the early part of the evening talking, cuddled up and making out between conversations. Nothing extra spicy happened beyond that. When he mentioned that he haven't been to a male gogo bar before, I took it upon myself to introduce him to that world. After dinner (via grab) we made our way to Dreamboys. In my 7+ years of visiting Thailand, this is the first time that I went to a gogo club with a companion. It was a different experience but I enjoyed it overall. Jake was a bit taken aback with how much I am paying for the drinks and just nursed his "entry bottle" throughout the night. As the night progress, he started being more and more touchy and affectionate. Didn't help that I introduced him as my husband to make the Mamasans leave us alone. He particularly enjoyed the drag performance. I gave him a couple of 100 baht and told him to give it to the performer he likes the most. He hesitated at first but drew the courage to approach the stage to give his tip - and was ecstatic when rewarded by one performer with a peck on the cheek. When the first show of the night ended and the guys are up in the stage, Jake asked me if I have selected who I will be taking home that night. When I said no, he responded saying "good, because you're taking me with you tonight." And consistent with today's theme of going with the flow..... I did.

Revenue management, it fluctuates....if demand drops, so will prices.....I can't imagine Tarntawan using that software....more likely a dartboard 😆

Day 8 The problem with writing trip reports like this is the more that you write and reflect back on your experiences, the more the longing and temptation to go back becomes unbearable. With four "usable" days left in my trip (not counting the 12th one as its usually spent doing pre departure stuff), I decided to fuel the "non-red light" sector of the Bangkok economy. (Lol) Given the generous baggage allowance from the airline, I planned to max it out by doing an early Christmas shopping. First stop is back to my usual - Platinum mall. This place is a favourite not just for the bargains but I also find the selection interesting and it feels more "compact" than MBK i.e. more shops and selections per square metres. As this is not the main reason for my trip, I want to be as time efficient as possible! More experienced bargain hunters might say that the Pratunam Market is much better price-wise but I would rather pay a bit more for the convenience and air-conditioning. After 3 hours of walking and hauling items around, I decided that I had enough and made my way to the 5th floor for a quick foot massage. I sat there and spent the next few minutes just being thankful for this kind of experience. When the massage was over, the masseuse pointed at my bulky shopping haul saying something around asking for my permission. Long story short, the sweet auntie reorganised the content of each shopping bags moving them around which resulted to less bags and a more manageable haul. I was so touched with her gesture and let my tip reflect my appreciation. After dropping my stuff in the apartment, I rested a bit and browsed through Grindr over a cuppa. There are some interesting and potential meetups but I decided to soldier on and go to my spa appointment that I booked via app. Upon arriving there, I thought it Will be a good idea to soup up the package and add more from their menu. That took another 3 hours off my day (facial, massage, foot scrub, pedi). I marched out feeling rejuvenated and a few baht lighter. Dreamboys was tonight's destination. This will be my first time to visit since they moved to their new location. I'll say that this new location looks much better especially with the absence of that huge pillar in the middle of the stage. The place is quite full and I can see several tables with bottle service that the staff are focusing their attention to. This turn out to be positive as I was left to my own devices the whole time with no Mamasan pressuring me to make my selection and off a boy. Question: how do bottle service works and is it more cost effective? How much should I tip the guys who say with me helping to down the bottle? One guy caught my attention since he looks like a twink version of this cute Thai actor named Papang (photo below). I smiled and motioned that he come join me which he immediately did. We had a good conversation as he can speak English reasonably - He mentioned that he will be moving to Australia soon. He's very personable and attractive but for some reason, I can't feel any spark. So after handing him his tip, I made my way out not really knowing where to go next. Given my lack of direction, a tout from freshboys managed to get hold of me and dragged me inside without any resistance from my part. I sat on a corner and realised that they are more than halfway through their show - the bit where they have to hit the pole with their dick. The sound the pole makes always make me cringe and can only imagine how painful it could be. Or is there a trick? I looked around and cant seem to find Nam around. Maybe he's on leave? I also saw a group of really youngish looking female Asian customers intently watching the big cock show. When they left a little while later, I noticed that they went to the bar straight from the shopping mall. A couple of their large transparent shopping bags contains all sorts of stuffed toys and other fluffy cutesy items. What can I say? Cock aficionados do come in different shapes and forms! One guy approached me, introduced himself and asked if he can sit beside me. He's cute so I did not object and even offered to order a boy drink for him. The plot thickened when it turned out to be Nam serving the boy drink while playfully looking at me pretending to be heart broken. I continued chatting with my guy until it's time for him to do his stage rotations. Nam took this opportunity, sat beside me and with a hurt puppy look on his face asked "you don't like me anymore?" which I answered with a resounding "yes!" We both laughed it off and he took that as a signal to be clingy and have his hands wandering everywhere. At that point, I started to feel that I am enjoying the night. While variety is good, I think there's a certain degree of comfort that familiarity can bring. So when Nam popped the question "I go home with you tonight?" I happily smiled, nodded and minutes later, were out in the street making our way to my apartment.

Thank you for your trip report @CallMeLee I enjoyed reading about your experiences. Lots of useful update for my trip to BKK next weekend.

Yes, I often see GPs sit and drink with clients, and let clients openly fondled GP's cocks. I have done the same to GPs too, buy them drinks, fondle them and tip them accordingly, I usually tell them I want to see their erection before I decide if I want to hire them to cabins. I am an exhibitionist myself, I sometimes leave the cabin door open on purpose while fucking with my GPs.

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

Or more accurately, the senile old fool needs to retire and face criminal charges for his involvement in the Biden crime family's corruption and influence peddling schemes.

Oh, the irony.

Tell me what the alternative is, the rapist under four (so far) indictments who's clearly less physically (not to mention mentally) fit with an extensive record of lying about everything including his health? Or one of the sycophants who find his record of constant reaching of new lows to be inspiring?