Londoner

Yes, he was. And his gay forum, Baht Stop was quite different to the others available, often straying into politics. I enjoyed contributing. He was an American Pattaya ex-pat, as I recall.

Not just the haters; think about the preachers- many but not all in the US- who make millions from gullible and often not every well-off communities- in order to buy their own private jets. Of course, some of them also need money for their encounters with rent-boys in seedy motels. Before glorifying homophobia in their sermons.

Although, like Ruthreiston, I was brought-up in a Christian family, mine was challenging and tolerant. My father was appalled by the Charismatic/Evangelical movement and, in particular, refused to accept the literal truth of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament with its violence and genocide. "God gave us brains, " he told me, "and we are expected to use them." Accordingly, he expected me to question what I was told, whether it be by politicians or by preachers. There's no chance that I'd have been rejected had my parents known of my proclivities, only disappointment because it would deny me the support of a family as I grew older. I was taught that "Amor Vincit Omnia"- love conquers all, something that our wealthy mega-church preachers may like to consider. I chose not to reveal my sexuality out of deference to their love for me. I still attend Church, a famous London one renowned for its music and its association with Palestinian Jerusalem. I believe much of what I hear there, but not all. This would please my dad. My closest friends aren't Christians. One is Buddhist- of course- and the other is a Muslim. They are both devout. I learn from them; perhaps they have learnt something from me. Like all of us, I've made mistakes in my life and have regrets. However, my sexuality I consider to be God-given; a blessing. Sadly, it took me forty-five years to come to terms with it. I don't believe in an After-Life, at least not in the traditional sense, but if I were to face St Peter at the gates of Heaven I think it likely that one thing in my life would be met with approval; the constancy of my love for P amid eighteen years of challenges and difficulties. The fact that this love is between two men would be irrelevant.

An item on Thiger referred to a Thai nose spray, newly available, which claimed to offer some protection against Covid. Has anyone come across this?

There must be something wrong with me...in my straight days, I didn't like cunnilingus either. It must be my Methodist up-bringing.

Thais don't have the same reactions to sexual practises as we do. When in Rome.... I do recall however, a guy from BBB offering me a rimming-service back in the late 90s. I was shocked....for heaven's sake, I'd only been having vanilla gay sex for four years at that time! At any rate, I turned him down. Come to think of it, I'd do the same now.

.....but perhaps in a less attractive hotel? Thai prices at the moment must be as good as anywhere else in the world, taking into account the quality available. We're booked into the Amara in Chiang Mai- a 4* place- in November; prices are only 50% of what they were in the January pre-Covid, our last visit, though no breakfast. And I've already mentioned the 1200bht pn at Agate. In March the price rises to 1500. Remarkable value.

In Jomtien, the TT opposite the back entrance to The Agate has gone and has relocated in an enlarged premises a few meters from the beach.

Thais wore masks on buses doing the Jomtien trip when I was in in Pattaya a few weeks ago. Occasionally, one or two passengers of the twelve didn't, invariably falang. I thought it showed disrespect to our hosts.

That is my favourite part of Thailand. Did you drive to Mae Salong? a narrow road up a mountain but easily driveable and blessed with magnificent views. It is a Chinese village, only incorporated into Thailand quite recently. The inhabitants are descendants of the defeated Nationalist Chinese Army. I remembered the checkpoints on my first visit in 2001; they were no problem for me. But last time, I was with P and he was taken off for a pee-test. I was very unhappy but, to be fair, he was entirely unconcerned. The checks seem to happen going north; on our return, we were waved through. I recommend this area to all. And don't forget the Burmese border town of Mae Sai.

All of them? and aren't many of the them gay for pay? and exclusively tops? I've no experience so I genuinely don't know....I'm just echoing comments I've previously read on this site. But for many years, I had wide experience of Thais on the scene; some weren't very skilled, a few weren't very interested, most were fine and some were excellent.

As a diabetic, I give many fucks when it comes to health in my declining years. I expect to enjoy Thailand for a few years to come and remain determined not to take unnecessary risks. I shall also wear a seat-belt on my way to the airport.

Thai passengers on Pattaya baht-buses last month wore masks . I follow the customs of locals in this, as in other matters. By the way, UK visitors should remember that a spike in cases has already happened here due to the start of autumn. And I shall certainly wear a mask on the plane when I fly to BKK next month.

I love driving in Thailand...at least in rural areas. However, be advised that an accident, even if it is not your your fault, is likely to put you to enormous inconvenience. The falang is always in the wrong because, had he stayed in his own country, the accident wouldn't have happened. This is also true in Bali and, I suspect, elsewhere in the region. Because of this, P insists that we now hire a driver and I take the advice of a resident above my own feelings. We've rented in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Krabi and Phuket; the prices are barely higher than renting, which is itself cheap compared to the UK. Around 1000bht for about six hours, as I recall. By the way, it also enables a better view of Thailand's wonderful scenery.

Brazil has a racist and homophobic PM, backed by deranged US-style- evangelicals. I've always wanted to go, ever since I saw Black Orpheus fifty years ago.... but I'll stick toThailand.

At the same time, I'm sure that we are all reassured by the fact that the rich have been given generous tax-cuts so that they can continues to enjoy their 5* holidays happily.

One thing I recall from "Culture Shock Thailand" is that one of the rules of etiquette concerning meals is that it is not considered good manners to gobble-up every scrap that you are offered at dinner since it implies that you are not satisfied with the portions provided. Another one, by the way, is always to take a portion of rice before attacking the meat dishes.

Why do guys of Chinese origin have such beautiful skin? It's true even of ones I've met in London.

Where to live and where to spend my holidays are two very different places. And long may they continue to be so.

Yes. Other forums have suffered from this sort of thing; one of the attractions of this one is that members are respectful of each other even when they disagree. Its "tone" is supportive and informative which is why, I assume, the number of contributions is rising. Racist comments are posted to annoy, not to inform and in this respect , the poster concerned has been successful. I must admit that he annoyed me, anyway. But no more. I have read nothing that corroborates his claim that he lives in Pattaya. Nor have I read anything that is informative or supportive. Accordingly, I am ignoring him henceforward. ' There is a word in common usage to describe this sort of on-line behaviour.

Arabs and Indians buying property in Boyztown? Really? The Indian visitors tend to be relatively short of money and congregate around South Pattaya in groups. Men-only. The Arab guys- not many nowadays- tend to be young and looking to party not to invest.. Blaming Pattay's woes on ethnic groups is silly. It's not the people who are in Pattaya who are the problem but those who don't come anymore, for whatever reason. Pattaya needs to win visitors back, not denigrate those who already there.

It's always been my view that attracting younger Thais to Sansuk would lead to more falangs visitng. When it first opened, younger Thais were admitted free....and falangs , predictably, followed in their wake. This changed when they were asked to pay day's wage for entry. 200 bht is a lot for a young Thai to pay. When we were last there - about three and a half years ago- we noticed the absence of Thais and I remember discussing this with Punya- a gracious host- and giving my views. If he has now decided to widen the intake, good for him. In the long-run it will bring dividends. If I went looking for company, I'd be disheartened by the sight of elderly falangs like me being the only visitors.

Yes, Punya...his deceased falang boyfriend left him a bequest which he used to set-up his own business. He's one of those Thais who look eternally youthful! I'm so pleased he's got Sansuk back on track. The restaurant is appreciated by both of us. We like the Thai food....simple but tasty and good value. It overlooks the pool. We still sometimes go just to eat and enjoy the ambiance. And the swimming pool, of course. The gym is extensive but only one of us enjoys its facilities.

Two things allow me to upgrade to business; firstly, the eight trips missed due to Covid and the money saved and, secondly, the fact that that I'm at an age when I don't know whether I shall be able to manage future ones.

And if so, does this include the restaurant?