paborn

As I said above. There are training methods that seek to strip off our outer selves, to reveal core basics; to remove the mask we show to the world and having shorn that away allow intimate bonding to form. Thus we form a unit, a team, a platoon of soldiers. I have no idea if these photos portray actual drills or are a hoax. But, I would not label them abuse without a great deal more knowledge than a simple photo. What i am sure of is that this - if a true drill - is not, despite some members wild fantasies a sexual event performed to entertain grinning commanders.

I often go to a street food restaurant in the basement of Silom Complex opposite the supermarket. I'm having recall block. If you're on Silom, just down from Sala Daeng, on the far side of the road is ( I think ) Central department store. I seem to remember a food court around there. Yes/no?

I've always stayed at the Ambience and never Jomtien. I made a booking at the Poseiden for January. The reputation is superb, the price fine and I've read raves about the restaurant. When I booked, there was only the regular room available. When I check back to confirm I want to know if looking for a studio is worth it. If anyone is familiar with the various room types I would appreciate your opinion/observations.

He was surprised that people thought it was abuse, he thought it was just part of the training, a Thai way of demonstrating army discipline. My point all along.

I eat street food. But, you are not being irrational. The biggest issue is washing the dishes in tap water that is not hot. Start with something like grilled Issan Chicken - the bacteria is only on the outside and it is killed by the grill heat. The problem with meat is any ground meat ( larb? ) that pulls the surface bacteria inside. So, avoid that. Start with the chicken.

Sounds like the first reasonable rumor I've heard. Perhaps a corporate meeting center as a joint venture with the hotel - the hotel proving sleeping rooms and catering.

I don't have the Japan knowledge base, but I thought back to all the corporate training sessions and the icebreakers. Things like standing with your back to a colleague and falling back - allowing him to catch you. That's why I remarked that we had to know the circumstances and the reasons before making any judgment about it. I think it is, likely, totally benign.

For me it’s a bit like you off a western boy in a gogo bar full of cute Thai boys after 10 hours flights. If he's cute and turns you on I can't think of a single reason not to take him off. By the way, I love Thai food but totally understand that someone else has differing taste. As a great Austrian once said, " let them eat..."

We are advised against having intimacies with strangers Perfectly articulated...

The night I went was very quiet and the waitress asked for a tip before she asked for my order which always puts me off, Honestly, I hate being argumentative, but this is the sort of thing you say that I find impossible to believe. I've spent a good part of my life traveling - every week for years in business and thirty times to Thailand and I must doubt your veracity.

Susie Q sounds right but it was in Thai and compelling/

There is a song by a singer whose name, I think, was sort of Suzie... really NOT SURE. HUGELY POPULAR LATE 80'S TO EARLY 90'S - you could hear it everywhere and in every bar. Does anyone recall?

Completely and totally wild.

While I understand where you are coming from, I would respectfully suggest that you not ask me to differentiate between degrees of abuse...my point was that unless this was 100% consensual between all participants (which I doubt) then it is clearly not right and should not be condoned, regardless if you view it as a harmless bit of fun or otherwise. Just as forcing gays into conversion therapy or boot camps, this could be a deeply disturbing situation for straights who are made to buckle under peer pressure or authority. There is a lot here to unpack, but: 1. When, in all of human history, did you see military training that was 100% consensual? One does not vote on the drills to be run. One does not vote on when to get up in the morning- the bugle sounds - period. 2. Before anyone labels, this "kinky" or in any way lued we need to understand the reasons behind the drill and not put our perceptions before we understand. There is utterly no reason to assume this to be sexual in any way - other than our own ideas.

I agree. Before I call this abuse I would have to know far more about the reasons, the cultural imperatives, etc. The Thai military is not, despite our juvenile ideas, a gay organization. I would be interested in their rationale - before I judge I'm going to assume they know what they are trying to achieve.

By the looks of the masseurs in the Facebook post, I wonder if any reader here will ever try it. The most unattractive lot I've ever seen. Sorry,l just being honest - if this is your taste it can't hurt to try.

There has been a restaurant in Foodland (Took Lae Dee) for as long as I can remember (Patpong 2 that is). They also have happy hours in the very late/early hours. I'm not sure how far your memory goes back but in the mid-eighties and nineties, before starting to go to Pattaya there was only a small but excellent bakery. I bought rolls there every morning when staying ion the Suriwongse - I can't wait to check the restaurant out - thanks for the menu

You're right, of course. I misspoke, Issan chicken it is. I do find, oddly, that any number of cookbooks made for the American market give credit to Chiang Mai - might be because the writers never make it to Issan.

OK Hank, but your link does not translate the name of the place or its location. Have you been there? I gather it's a bar and grill.

Now, I'm sure we have had any number of restaurant threads over the years, but there is nothing wrong with being current. Let's have some updates on places like Maxis, Madrid Tavern, etc. For instance, last time I stayed in Bangkok there was no restaurant in Foodland. Is it very basic, are there western dishes? There are lots of Vietnamese guys is there a decent Vietnamese place to take one? We all eat but how do we handle it? Do you rely on street vendors; there's a large congregation in Thaniya - reliable? If you don't speak Thai how do you maneuver? I assume no menus let alone tourist ones. I remember vendors serving that wonderful Chiang Mai grilled chicken - is there a place to taste that again?

Please update us when you do. I looked at this on Amazon but the reviews were terrible.

Christian, I've followed your exploits for years and I think my taste is much like yours. I've been told that all Jomtien bars are alike, which I doubt. If your favorite works in Jomtien now can you share which bar? I'll start my stroll there.

Thanks, Gerefan. I'll download it right away.

Just an example of the idea that while there is someone for everyone - he might not be in every bar. Of all the "model" boys of Moonlight that I have seen the slim one kneeling on the left is the ONLY one, I would off. Alas, he appears to no longer be there from the recent photos posted.

Thanks!