PeterRS

I never read The Men of Thailand but I have read lots of posts on various chat rooms about what Bangkok was like in the 'old days'. I also have my own memories of the era. Difficult to know how much views have changed as people have grown older and the spectacles pinker. One thing does seem certain though. The gay bar scene was much more active 20 even 25 years ago. My memories differ a bit from BiggusDikkus. The original Twilight bar was quite dark on entry. It was lorded over by a couple of older trans women who fluttered around behind the long bar. There was also a small guy who always seemed to be rushing around adding extra seats on the large floor area at the weekends when the bar was packed more with Thais than farang or pushing boys to get dressed when they were offed. These are only a small part of my memory. The lasting one is of a large number of amazing boys. Until about 9 pm they would do s rather bored soft shoe shuffle 4 at a time on the tiny stage behind the bar. But one of the mamasans would then bark an order when the short pants would then come off and the boys would dance naked. Many were a bit shy and covered their assets. After each group of four came offstage still naked they would walk round through the customers and stand around one of the mirrored pillars. The best place to sit was at the left side of the bar. Once the order had been given, the 4 boys due onstage would sit crouched behind the bar desperately trying to get themselves even slightly erect. They didn't care that a group of Thais and farang were sitting watching them. Later in the evening there would often be a show (maybe only at weekends - not sure). Two pairs of boys would start on the stage, With a degree of athleticism they would then clamber over on to the top of the bar. Theyd then manoeuvre themselves slowly along the bar and back again. Im sorry BiggusDikkus did not enjoy Twilight then. I loved it same as I loved the better run and more fun Barbiery across the road. Also the various bars like Super Lek and the original Super A near where Mango Tree is located. They were in full swing then. There was a lot of fun there, just as there was in the still young Soi 4 and in the small DJ Station soi. Babylon had opened and offered a myriad of delights . The only problem was having to queue to get in at the weekends. Several other saunas had sprung up along with quite a few gay massage spas. The choice was quite amazing. I agree. I also consider myself so lucky to have enjoyed that era. Bangkok was heaven.

For a beach vacation the island of Phu Quoc seems to be worth exploring according to a poster on another site. Seems Bangkok Airways also flies there daily. Its very close to Sihanoukville so I guess there may also be a ferry linking them. Maybe an idea to combine the two. http://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9574

I can understand why Thailand hits the top spot. Like ggobkk I am surprised that the numbers in Hong Kong are so high. It doesnt seem like a key gay destination since the number of gay clubs, saunas etc, is not particularly high. Would have been nice to see the figures for Taipei/Taiwan. With a bill re same sex partnerships becoming law by the early summer, quite a thriving local gay scene and big increases in gay tourists, it is a more likely gay destination than Japan. I wonder how many tourists fly in just for the annual Gay Pride week-end when somewhere around 140,000 join the March. Perhaps they just don[t spend as much as n Hong Kong, although how anyone knows how to determine who spends what baffles me. Some photos of the last Gay Pride weekend from the gaybutton site http://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9355

Once that Indonesia poll is over, I wonder if the dreadful homophobic rhetoric of recent years will cease. When the countrys Defence Minister likens gays to nuclear war thats when I decide never to return.

Ive been twice to Brazil. I got mugged in Rio but I was probably as much to blame as the mugger. It was on a Sunday morning and I was just walking around the very empty centre of the city. All the churches seemed packed to overflowing, fortunately for me. I had just passed one when I heard the sound of someone running towards me from behind. Before I could even turn around a hand was clasped over my face and I felt something pulling on my neck. That was where Id been stupid. All the guidebooks say when you go out take off anything that might be of value including watches and rings. For a couple of decades I had worn a gold chain around my neck. Never removed it even in a sauna because the clasp was tough and difficult to open and close. It was just became part of me. So when I put on a T shirt and shorts I did not even think about it. In any case it was covered completely by the T shirt. The T shirt was thin. I did not realise that part of the chain would glisten under it in the bright sunshine. A guy had noticed it and was trying to rip it off me. As best I could I shouted for help. Some guys who were standing at the doors of the church heard me and came running over. As they got close the thief ran off. As he did so, the chain trickled down my back on to the ground! With only a few words of Portuguese I thanked the guys for their help. It then amazed me that a cop car arrived within only about 30 seconds. With only a sore neck, a ripped T shirt, a slightly damaged neck chain and a loss of dignity i walked off and soon got a cab back to my hotel. The city itself is amazing and well worth a visit. Just leave ALL your valuables in your bnb or hotel safe.

I think his name was John Booth. At one time he had been an English teacher so there was no reason for him to write as he did other than he was having a bit of fun. Sadly he died in very unfortunate circumstances. He had been treated for some form of cancer and thought he was cancer free. Then it returned but he had no cash left for a return to hospital. I seem to recall friends in Bangkok looked after him as best they could and he died in their home.

Incorrect. In the main Priority Lane (whatever the actual title but I believe it is "Premium" or "Priority") the same entrance caters for first and biz class passengers with passes from their airlines, over 70s, APEC Business Travel Card holders, diplomats, air crew, Privilege Pass holders (which I believe means the Thai Elite programme members).

Some airlines have withdrawn their priority service for business class passengers. This is because airlines have to pay for each passenger using those priority entrances. Check directly with a Vietnam Airlines office otherwise you will probably get the runaround with different people saying different things. Seems there is definitely a Fast Track Service within the East Immigration Hall specifically for THAI passengers. This photo was posted on the ThaiViss forum some months ago - As for the names given to the Fast Track lanes, I understood = and asI have seen for some time now - that the other dedicated channel between the east and west Immigration areas uses Priority Lane for both outgoing and incoming flights. But irrespective of name, it will either be Priority, Premium or Fast Track. As with the above question, why don't you just call THAI Airlines and ask them to find out for you. No guarantee, of course, that someone with actual knowledge will answer you. But the ground staff at the entrance to the aircraft as you disembark will.

There seem to be dozens of maps of the arrivals area but none is accurate. Seems to me the Fast Track is closer to D5, so let's just say it is between D4 and D5. Perhaps the easiest way to recognise it is that it is - - between the two main Immigration Halls - very close to the visa on arrival channel, so there will be lots of passengers filling forms close to the Fast Track entrance. However, from what other posters have been writing, it seems there may be another THAI only Fast Track. I have never heard of this or used it. Since THAI issue e-boarding passes, if you do not have a physical ticket perhaps best just to use the general dedicated Fast Track lane. I have never once had to show any physical ticket there - only the Fast Track coupon. Admittedly these are issued by each airline and that is obvious on the coupon. In dozens of arrivals (including on THAI) these have always been handed out on the aircraft and never by the ground staff on arrival. Unless the whole system has changed since my last arrival a couple of weeks ago, there is no notice at the entrance advising that it is not for use by TG passengers. Besides, TG flights do sometimes arrive at the west gates. It's a much longer walk to the East Immigration lines, and I cannot believe THAI passengers have to go all that way for a dedicated THAI biz class channel. But I stand to be corrected on that.

True, but there are dozens of departing flights in the evenings and many passengers with luggage have to take taxis. These are the taxis which then go into the queue to take arrival passengers into the city. Frankly I have never seen any difference in the queues on a Friday night compared to others. But there are usually queues. As others suggest, forget the costly fast track arrivals service. As a biz class passenger the only benefit it will give you is the buggy from the airport gate to Immigration. But once through, you will spend longer waiting for your bag. So it's a waste. Just remember that the Fast Track Priority Immigration has its own special entrance close to the main west side Immigration area.

You are assuming that your flight will arrive on time. Having frequently arrived close to that hour, I would not bet the bank on it. Lots of arriving aircraft and often delays prior to landing. That usually uses the East gates but I have frequently seen Thai aircraft at the west, especially if it is an A380. There is no Thai dedicated terminal. About 3 gates are pretty near Immigration but Thai does not use them. If you really want to get to Screwboys, book the fast track service. If you happen to be over 70 or are travelling biz class, you will have automatic access to fast track with no need to pay. But that will not help much with the transfer to the city. With lots of arrivals the chances are you will have to wait at least 20 minutes for a taxi.

Last point on the A340. List price when it was withdrawn from the market was approximately $250 million. According to the website Aircraft Value News, there are so many now out of service that the value of the first model - the A340-300 - is virtually only for scrap. THAI purchased the -500 and -600 models. But according to the same website, the value of an A350-500 has plummeted by 90% over the last 10 years. http://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/aircraft/airbus-a340-300/

According to various websites, THAI purchased 10 A340s. All were retired between 2012 and 2015. One was sold to the Royal Tai Air Force. The other nine remain stored somewhere! Therefore unsold! Currently it still operates 8 747-400s with an average age of 19.4 years, Whilst that is not 'old' for a 747, their maintenance costs must be higher than they used to be. Anyone who has been on one of those planes will know that they are also in desperate need of refurbishment. Like many of the older 777s, business class has the recliner seats that most airlines got rid of some years ago. If you cannot offer flat beds, you will inevitably suffer lower passenger numbers, especially when THAI's prices are generally higher.

Corruption must inevitably have been involved in the purchase of the A340s, as with many other types of aircraft. THAI operated part of that fleet on the non-stop routes to LAX and JFK which THAI eventually suspended. Even so, lots of other airlines purchased it because at the time of its introduction ETOPS was extremely limited for twin engine planes. According to wikipedia 377 models of the aircraft were sold and 60 remain in service. THAI needed a minimum of 4 aircraft on each route because only 4-engine aircraft were authorised to operate most long haul routes, especially over oceans. That they were unprofitable for THAI was only partly a result of fuel burn. THAI simply could not sell enough seats - and it had designated a lot of these seats as business class at premium price. It was unfortunate for Airbus and the airlines that the Extended Range Operation Procedures were changed not many years after its introduction. From that time the ETOPS range for twin engine jets was extended from 1 hour up to 3 hours thus rendering the twin engine A330s, 777s and later the 787s and A350s not just possible but quite a bit cheaper to operate for ultra long hails. By the time THAI wanted to sell its A340s, the price of second hand models had plummeted.

Flights had to be diverted but only because Pakistan closed its airspace. India did not. For a few hours it closed some airports in the far north of the country. This might have had an effect on overflights - in case they got into difficulties and had to land. But Mumbai was never closed. As has been pointed out, it's perfectly easy to overfly China. Routes obviously have to be negotiated and flight times arranged to coordinate with those of airlines flying to Europe out of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and even Taiwan. In an emergency situation, I am certain this can be done quickly. But is is certainly not free, as one poster has suggested. Airspace over any country belongs to that country. Fly over it and you have to pay for the right. 4 years ago each aircraft overflying the USA had to pay a fee of US$56.86 per 100 miles. Also, for airlines flying from airports east of Bangkok, overflying China is a considerably shorter route to Europe. As for aircraft not having enough fuel, that is extremely unlikely. All long-distance airliners have plenty of room in their tanks for a couple of hours extra flying time. To my mind, THAI was remembering the situation of the MAS 777 when the captain chose to overfly Ukraine when other airlines all took a slightly more northerly route. That resulted in a missile bringing down the 777. With the Indian and Pakistani air force having dogfights in the region, there was a very real reason for avoiding the Kashmir region.

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Chase operates in some Asian countries as J. P. Morgan Chase. But I think I am right in saying it does not get involved in consumer banking in most of the countries. A bit like HSBC which pulled its consumer banking business out of Thailand some years ago. HSBC now only handles commercial clients. So those banks wouldnt be issuing ccs. Some smaller banks might offer a few thousand miles (less than 5,000) if you sign up for a cc linked with the bank and an airline and spend a certain amount in the first months. But the perks are minuscule compared to those offered by US banks for US citizens. I joined Priority Pass for one year. In Asia it is mostly a waste. Unlimited access is US$429 annually. I found the lounges were absolutely packed most of the time. Just imagine the number of biz passengers who have to fly coach departing each day from Singapore, Bangkok., Hong Kong and other major hubs. Before the crash of 2008, many of these businessmen would be entitled to biz class. Now they are forced to downgrade and they are the ones who mostly use Priority Pass. The lounges just are too small to handle the numbers.

I believe that is a perk offered mostly to ccs provided by US based banks to US residents. To my knowledge very few in Europe and Asia offer these. And if they do, you have to pay quite a bit for the privilege or spend a major amount monthly. There is also the Priority Pass with lots of lounges around the world. But that means coughing up $99 annually plus $32 per visit or $429 with unlimited free visits. Problem is these lounges are often packed and sometimes you are denied entry because they are full. It is not only specific Priority Pass members who have access. Some other credit card users are also able to access Priority Pass. If anyone knows a regular cc that offers ounce access in Europe and Asia, Id l;ove to hear about it.

The snack bars and coffee shops at BKK are outrageous in their pricing. I once had an earlyish flight to Europe which I knew did not serve breakfast after take-off. Lunch at 10:00 am departure time is ridiculous. So I had a simple breakfast in the departures area. Absolutely rip off and I have never wasted money like that again.

Agreed. And thats before you consider all the extra bottles of Duty Free booze the flight attendants try to flog on board. But increasingly airports are looking at Duty Free on arrival which saves much of that extra weight on the aircraft. Sydney has had this system with a large stock of items for about 2 decades. Unfortunately prices are often quite a bit higher than at your departure airports! I find the same is true in Singapore where prices on entry are higher than prices on the same goods on departure. BKK has a small Duty Free on arrival section. The real problem with purchase on arrival is that the time taken to locate what you might want results in your ending up at the back of a long Immigration line. What I find almost ludicrous about Duty Free shopping in general is that most travellers happily buy a bottle of gin or scotch which saves them perhaps less than a handful of dollars. For all the time taken checking prices and queuing to pay, I fail to see how that bottle is worth it! The only real savings tend to be with the high end products. If you like an occasional glass of Krug or Dom Perignon, you can easily save $40 or more. But then you are most likely to be flying biz or first and price is hardly an issue for you!

Getting rid of the price gouging by King Power will be a major boost - if the AOT resist the financial "incentives" King Power will no doubt offer. Hong Kong changed its duty free operators last year ousting DFS (Duty Free Shoppers), now part of the LVMH Group, which had more or less pioneered mass market duty free in the Asia Pacific region 60 years ago and opening down town centres. The two new consortia now running most of HKG's duty free operations have not only slashed prices on many goods (a bottle of ordinary Moet champagne is now cheaper by more than 20%), the booze and tobacco operator offers guaranteed cash back if the goods can be found cheaper at any other regional airport. Thats double cash back - twice the price you paid. King Power obtained its concessions at BKK and the other major airports in the Kingdom without any tender process. Seoul's airport at Incheon had 12 bidders!

Ha! Maybe not! I can see dozens of flag waving, whistle blowing security guards encouraging passengers to move quickly across the taxiway in lashing monsoon rain as an A380 bears down on them!

As I understand it, Terminal 2 was actually put on hold several months ago. One reason was that the Thai architects who designed it are alleged to have copied ideas for the basic design from elsewhere. There was also concern about its location.. But there is also the large satellite to Terminal 1 which I believe is already under construction. This is located between the runways, south of the main Terminal, its gates and taxiways. If I remember correctly, I saw work being done on that site the last time I departed. The design calls for 28 new air bridge gates and it seems these will be exclusively for THAI and Bangkok Airways planes. The satellite will be connected to the main Terminal by underground people movers.

The UK adopted facial recognition at least 2 years ago. It is also one of the countries with the most surveillance cameras of any country per head of population. 1.85 million CCTV cameras are in place - thats 1 for every 32 citizens!

The Rabbit card has evolved in much the same way as the Octopus card in Hong Kong and the Oyster card in London. The Octopus card is actually more than 20 years old. I also like the Rabbit card - the more so when I see the increasingly long queues of people for single ride tickets at certain stations. I cannot believe anyone living and using the BTS regularly in Bangkok is prepared to do that every time he takes a BTS ride.