DivineMadman

Bali is great for this. (Or Bali and then head to islands further east if interests and budget allow.). I usually go to Bali every year but I'll confess I never go Kuta/beach area. I always go up into the mountains and base myself (+1) in Ubud. Depending on volcanic activity, there are almost always some smaller mountains to climb, river rafting and other outdoor adventure activities, and lots of instagram-worthy vistas and waterfalls. The Instagram crowds are actually a bit of problem. Maybe a good guide can get you to the less popular waterfalls or get the timing right to avoid some of the crowds.

If your schedule can work out, a visit to Luang Prabang for the end of Buddhist lent (Ok Phansa) - usually in/around October - is a truly wonderful experience. Each neighborhood prepares a boat, the temples are decorated with lanterns and candles and there's a lovely procession with the boats and village groups in the evening and launching the boats/floating krathong in the river, followed by boat races. There might be more of a time-imperative to visit Luang Prabang as a railway being built by the Chinese will stop there, so there is some legit concern that the current loveliness of Luang Prabang is in peril.

You probably already know, but if the wind is above a certain threshold the balloons do not rise that day. So if it's important to you or your family (as such a unique experience may well be), you might want to consider building in some flexibility to the schedule to allow for this. Often easier said than done.

I think they just want to go someplace far away and more exotic. That's all. No reason for it turn into the tedious Thai-bashing. They're just normal people. I don't understand why anyone with such contempt for the Thai people comes to Thailand.

In my experience this has never been a problem. Guys enjoy being a tourist in their home country. Something they don't always get a chance to do. I've consistently been impressed that guys I've traveled with have been interested in museum visits, etc., which aren't part of their limited school curriculum. More often than not they want to take in a museum at a slower pace than my in-and-out-in-40-minutes pace. And then when it comes to going to a different country, be it Singapore or Malaysia or Bali, etc., again, I've always found them to be excellent traveler/tourist/companions. I've never had any problem with them not being interested in a 1:00 am to climb Mt. Batur, pre-dawn trek to Borobudur or a visit to temples or art museums in Bali. Only problems I've ever had have been (1) desire for home country food, (2) appropriate sunscreen or sun protection and (3) one year a grown man I was traveling with was too scared to stay and watch the Ogo-Ogo demon parade in Bali. It may of course be that I just have good luck with my guys.

There are lots of reports in the local press that Phuket, etc., have been hard hit by the cancellation of the group tours. Overall BKK seems quite busy with people, but with so many people wearing masks hard to tell. The Charoen Krung Creative District has a bit more been busy with people for Design Week, but that could be mostly locals. Outside the truly crazy days around the big holidays, most bar guys seem to default into "bar not busy", so I tend to tune them out as unreliable reporters when it comes to the bar scene. Rumor has it that a forum member/bar chronicler extraordinaire is returning to BKK, so perhaps there'll be an update on the scene in a few days.

I can confirm that locals do go there to worship. I just got pictures from a Burmese friend who went there to make merit on his birthday (a journey from his village several hours away). Do you know the relics that are there and the importance of the relics? The fairy lights and neon halos were there when Myanmar was still subject to the embargo - long before the current tourist craze. And in any event, just because you might find them an odd aesthetic choice doesn't change the "merit" (pun intended) of the site to a believer - and that was the context of the statement I was calling into question. And by the way, you see same neon lights in Laos, Thailand..... Your comment to a local Buddhist guy - as you reported it -- wasn't that you didn't want to go there because you don't like the crowds or he wouldn't like it because of the crowds. Your statement - as you reported it - was that he would be better off going to the Erawan Shrine. My point was that from my understanding of Theravadan Buddhism that's not correct.

I don't understand this. Shwedagon is the most holy Buddhist site in Myanmar - and once you're outside the actual places where Buddha lived, surely one of the most sacred Theravadan Buddhist spaces in the world. Definitely of greater importance than Erawan Shrine (assuming that's what you're referring to.) Yes there are western tourists at Shwedagon, but I don't think the fact that there are western tourists (or non-Burmese tourists) at Shwedagon makes it any lesser and, in any event, Burmese people still go there "religiously." (pun intended). It certainly wouldn't surprise me to hear that making a pilgrimage to earn merit at Shwedagon would - for believers - have lots of benefits. Financial success, health, etc. I guess my concern is that sometimes local guys take what we say as true. In this case I think the statement is very much not true. In my experience, local guys love - in no particular order: Singapore, Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia (KL and/or Penang). All are easy no-visa-required spots. I think most of them just want to travel, and aren't very picky. Their well-traveled friends have gone to these places and posted on Facebook, so travel-envy kicks in. I know a bunch of Thai and Laos "working" guys who have gone to Vietnam just with their friends, so it clearly has attractions for them, including being inexpensive. Freelancers regularly go to Singapore and KL (and China of course), so those places are always on the Facebook radar screen. I think fewer go/or get taken to the Philippines. These places are just the easiest. Next round would be Japan, South Korea & Taiwan. Personally, when I go to be tourist in one of the Myanmar-Laos-Cambodia-Thaland-Vietnam countries, I prefer to bring guy from that country, so I have local guide/interpreter of sorts and they usually enjoying showing off their home countries (and often their homes). But they all love Singapore and Bali. (Recently I took someone to western Java, and he liked it. But I think he just likes to travel.)

Very often Stranger Bar will feature contestants from Drag Race Thailand, if you do become a fanboy. I used to see Pangina Heels there, but lately not so much I think. Apparently the bar is owned by the winner of Season 2. (I know I'm frequently a booster here for Stranger Bar on Soi 4 - couldn't resist a change for another plug.) Here's a cute little video about the Stranger Bar drag scene from Time Out Bangkok.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends good old-fashioned washing of hands with soap & water (thoroughly for 20 seconds) over hand sanitizer. (Hot take - because proper washing cleans off everything.) The CDC does recommend hand sanitizer when washing with soap & water is not available. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html. World Health Organization puts washing hands on a par with hand sanitizer - except when hands are visibly dirty, in which cash soap and water is the recommended. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public. By all means use hand sanitizer if you makes you happy, but absence of hand sanitizer shouldn't keep anyone home. (Personal portable soap is readily available.)

On a sad note, nong Golf who was in the movie Timeline has passed away (from cancer). Always seems so much worse when so young.... Available of Youtube if you haven't seen it.

I think falling in love is something that we should all do regularly. Good for you. Why not enjoy the feelings. Falling out of love is often less fun, but as often as not, it happens. Given financial disparity and the expectation over here that the more privileged person does "take care" of the less privileged, stick to a budget and be very clear. Managing realistic expectations and misunderstandings is key. communicate. communicate. communicate. And stick to the budget you're comfortable with. I friends who play poker or go on trips to Las Vegas, etc. They don't sit at home for fear that they may lose some money. They go and don't risk more than they are willing to lose. And they have great fun. So enjoy the trip! ("Take care" doesn't necessarily mean set up in condo with a monthly allowance. It can mean all sorts of things depending on the situation.)

One year I went by minivan. 12Go.com lists a bunch of van and bus alternatives from different locations in BKK. https://12go.asia/en/travel/bangkok/hua-hin?date=2020-01-27&people=2 I think the cost is around what Spoon quoted for 1st class a/c train car. Taxi is about 2,000. (I just checked Grab and got a 2,250 quote.)

No worries. Enjoy!

There is a new branch The Commons Saladaeng on Soi Saladaeng 1. It's still in soft opening stage. There is large Roast on the 1st floor. A bunch of different types of places on the second floor, including a wine bar, a place that promises to sell "Boston Lobster Rolls", and more. The highly-anticipated Meat, Bun & Cheese won't open until next month sometime. Not the cheapest place to eat and it's not trying to be, but it is a welcome addition to the Sala Daeng neighborhood.

the point I was trying to make by directing attention to the pm 2.5 levels during even the "good" months is that it's not "just 10". It is safe to say that in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S., there is absolutely no crop burning. But there are several highways. pm 2.5 level now is 90. I think the statement that automobiles, trucks, motorbikes, etc. contribute "almost nothing" is not correct. That's all.

I'm not sure that it's correct to say vehicles have almost nothing to do with the problem. Virtually all sources that I just looked at list vehicle emissions as a source -usually the first in the list - and even the article cited says "The major sources of PM2.5 particles are exhaust from car engines, power plants, and agricultural waste burning." When it comes to cars etc in part 2 she says, well, gee, the data seems noisy. I AM NOT DENYING FOR A MINUTE THAT THE CROP BURNING IS A MAJOR SOURCE DURING THE WINTER, which coupled with the weather pattern helps give us the sad state we are in. But cars etc. are still a major source. One easy way to think about it is look a the data for months when we know there isn't crop burning. Here's a link that (down the page) lays out some historical data. https://aqicn.org/city/bangkok. In June-July-August there are days when the 2.5 measurement is 60-70-++++. Now today we have days that are in the 130's 140's and some of that is clearly attributable to the weather pattern (buildup) and some is 100% attributable to the crop burning. But if the total is 140 (terrible) and it's 70 on a day in the rainy season, even if the extra 70 difference today is all because of the crop burning it doesn't mean only the crop burning is the problem. Everything that goes into the total is a problem. (If A+B=140, A is part of the problem, not just B) More sources that list vehicle emissions as a source of 2.5: https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/public-health/pm25.html, https://www.nrdc.org/onearth/particulars-pm-25, & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18258301 (" the first long-term attempt to concurrently measure and identify major sources of both PM(10) and PM(2.5) in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR)")

ThaiVisa reports that the young man is now in Bangkok at Bumrungrad and the doctors have confirmed that he does NOT have coronavirus. ThaiVisa (ThaiVisa does not link to a newspaper or website for the source of this update.)

I started it last night. Looks good so far.

the other night I came across an event for the cast and fans of Tharn Type, so I grabbed a few pics for you (sorry the quality isn't very good). And the fangirls on the BTS ride home gazing lovingly at their photos (same as I was )

I've never had this particular problem. I had one guy who had put on quite a bit of weight, so no more six-pack, but not a big deal (for me). We still had a fun time together. I do assume that the guy has posted a flattering photo or two of himself (duh), so I'm always expecting some variation. I also assume that standard filters have been used to lighten skin. Again, not a big deal (for me). I know some people like to have a quick Line video chat or FaceTime with the guy to confirm the looks/identity. Personally, I don't put too much stress on a particular encounter with a guy, so if the sex is only "meh" and the guy isn't quite as good looking as the fantasy that I built up in my own fevered brain, I still mark it as a win. Based on my own non-scientifically-valid experience, I also tend to steer clear of the most beautiful guys - whether at bars, massage shops or on apps. My lustful greed never seems to pan out and they often don't measure up to the fantasy, so it's unfair to them and me. Upon reflection, I think I still come at the whole thing the same way as I used to when I and my friends would go out and hit the bars and clubs. You chat up a guy you think is cute and you don't get to see him with his clothes off until you're back in the apartment. Maybe the sex is great. Maybe it's only good and a bit awkward. Repeat. Fun.

If you can plan ahead you can usually contact G-Spot Entertainment and reserve a table. recent contact info is in the picture below. For big parties the cover charge is higher. Chinese New Year it's 500 but you get 2 drinks. In my experience there's usually a line to get in by about 10:00-10:30. After 20 years of clubbing in NYC, I quit waiting in lines like this so I usually try to get there earlier. There's usually a nice crowd for the 9:00 show, so if you do get there at 9:00 it's not like the club is empty with only a few oldies like me. But as is so often the case for clubs anywhere, waiting line can be a great place to hang out, smoke and meet people too. Go. If you don't like it the next drink is on me. (Offer limited to Jason1975)

Off to a great start. The drinks are definitely expensive, but it's where the bars make their money. 400 is still the high season price. If it gives any comfort, I find it helpful to remember that the drink is a combo (1) drink, (2) cover charge for the shows and (3) fee for entering a brothel with a lineup of 40 or so guys. I am rather fond of the older ladyboy mamasan. From the right angle she is dead ringer for Eartha Kitt.

I think the key issue (sticking point) is that I don't think climate change activists are saying that we need to give up smartphones or internet or TV for entertainment. And I don't think is a logical necessity that any climate change advocate must in his or heart take that position or they're being inconsistent/hypocrites. Even if sorting recyclables, no more grocery store plastic bags (or whatever) is a "sacrifice", there is simply no logic or fairness to say that by extension those activists have to make some new additional "sacrifices" that we can come up with that they aren't even advocating. So I don't think they're granting themselves an exemption from anything they're actually saying. And we shouldn't put other words in their mouths and then ding them. As I understand it, little Greta made a promise not to fly. So when faced with the problem of how to get to the UN, she could have flown - in which case she would have (1) broken a promise and (2) flown in an airplane, each of which would have opened her up to virulent attacks by the haters, plus breaking her promise to herself, or she could go by boat (on a vessel equipped with solar panels to reduce fuel use). There were absolutely carbon costs to that. Even incremental carbon costs over flying. Were those incremental costs outweighed by the extra attention she got for the cause? Personally, I think so. Conde Nast Traveler or some similar magazine in it's "2020 Travel Trends" included lower carbon-cost travel, and they cited Greta's sail. Plus of course there was all that attention for the cause her speech got at the U.N. So maybe she did get that little bit of incremental awareness for the issue so the costs were outweighed by the benefits. I think the grown-up real-world adult test for the deicison. And - by the way - I did some research and, sure enough, the yacht team manager for the trip did state that the carbon costs for the captain' and crew's flights would be offset to keep the voyage carbon neutral. So I don't think Greta's sail across the ocean was all that bad. It was made with carbon costs very much in mind. At best we can say reasonable minds might differ on the cost/benefit analysis. That doesn't quite rise to the level criticism she's been subject to. But you never know. My point was that in the real world these situations happen, we can't just assume them away. The simple point is that there might a plastic bottle there. If there is, it doesn't make those attending hypocrites. Same same Greta. Obviously an absurd criticism. Real world situations happen. Actually, I don't think I'm saying that at all (no surprise ). "Vegan eating meat" does not equal "climate change activist playing Angry Birds on smartphone." You can still be an advocate for eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and developing renewable energy resources and play on the internet, etc. It's the difference between "reduce" and "minimize". All people are saying is we should all take reasonable steps to reduce carbon footprints. No one is saying the each of us must take whatever steps necessary to minimize carbon footprint. There's a big difference between the two. Being a vegan and sitting down to a big steak is entirely inconsistent. But I see a trap that now any really vocal well-know advocate has to make "sacrifices" that they are not even advocating for anyone. And - and I think this is this the big difference, I think one can be a true believer and use electricity for entertainment. (etc.) I see a very famous vocal climate change advocate roughly my age like Bill Nye and I have respect and he inspires me to do better. And I don't expect him to give up his smartphone or the internet. I see young people advocating for climate change and I am delighted and inspired. And I don't expect them to give their smartphones at night. I think it's unnecessary. They're not being hypocrites and we should be encouraging them. *** At a time when in the U.S. you can't criticize the killing of a foreign government official in a third country's territory without being accused of loving and supporting terrorists, it is fun to have a good old fashioned discussion. Thanks!