reader

I only add personal comments on news items if I believe they’re relevant, and not just to hear myself talk. I try to select items that may be of interest to those considering a trip to Thailand or already living there. It’s indeed time consuming but it’s become a hobby over time. I guess it’s not so unlike the way Richard Barrow shares his fondness for news and current events. But thank you for asking. in all sincerity, I’m heartened that you have a committed partner. I’m sure your relationship brings immeasurable joy to your life.

From Pattaya news Indian and Russian victims in separate cases said they were pickpocketed last night by what they said were a Thai female companion and two transgender individuals. The first victim was a 29-year-old Indian national, Mr. Sekar Mohandoss. He came to report his plight at the Pattaya police station last night, October 2nd, saying his Huawei A4 smartphone was stolen by a female companion whom he paid to, according to him, “just hang out” with him at his accommodation. Mr. Sekar said his phone cost 18,400 baht, and it disappeared when the woman left his room. The Indian tourist came to the police station alone and was reportedly shocked by the incident. Meanwhile, the second victim, Mr. Vadim Korni Iashchenko, a 31-year-old Russian national, also went to report a similar thief incident at the Pattaya police station at 5:30 PM last night. According to him, he was on a night out to enjoy the beach when what he described as two transvestites in sexy dresses approached him to say hi and offer companionship. Mr. Vadim said he refused and tried to walk away, but the two kept following him and touching his body. Once the suspects were gone, Mr. Vadim’s gold necklace, which he claimed was worth over 120,000 baht, had disappeared from his neck.

From Coconuts Bangkok It’s been raining endlessly and we’re ready to move on. And we will. Just a little later than usual. Meteorologists forecast that Thailand’s cooler days of winter will officially arrive in the fourth week of October – a week later than usual – but last through February. Temperatures in the capital city and its metropolitan areas are expected to drop to as low as 15C. Temperatures in the north could fall as low as 8C. The south will get chilly in its upper reaches, but the region will also see heavy rains. Residents are warned to prepare for flash floods and high waves. This long-term forecast will be updated in the last week of October, said the meteorological department.

From the Thaiger On October 1, Korean Air resumed two direct routes to Thailand. The airline reopened services between Seoul to Chiang Mai and Phuket, which were both suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The South Korean flag carrier announced the return of the popular routes in August. Flights from Seoul Incheon to Phuket depart on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5.55pm and land in Phuket at 10pm. Phuket to Seoul flights depart on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, leaving Phuket at 11.20pm and arriving in Seoul Incheon at 7.55am the next day. A Boeing 737-800 will serve the Seoul – Chiang Mai route, which departs from Seoul Incheon at 5.55pm and lands in Chiang Mai at 9.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Chiang Mai to Seoul flights will depart at 11pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and arrive in Seoul at 6.25am the following day. One-way economy class tickets from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket to Seoul all start from 14,250 baht. Tickets can be bought through the Korean Air website.

Wasn’t the topic of this thread same sex marriage in Cuba, my dear Peter?

And some faring known for ignoring oral hygiene. One of reasons for “I no kiss.”

I believe the non-guest price of very good buffet breakfast at Quarter Silom hotel is baht 1.99.

If an avowed enemy was placing nuclear weapons 90 miles from your shores, I’d hope to hell you’d support crippling sanctions. But in spite of your hard on for Americans, you’ll always remain “my dear fellow.”

My point exactly. You derailed topic to scratch your itch.

Not to worry. Neighbors already know.

The following article was first published March 4, 2020 and reposted in today’s edition of Pattaya Mail. From the Pattaya Mail Last week we spoke with a group of Pattaya bargirls. The girl go-go scene is quite visible and known to all. This week we would like to give the men and boys who work in bars an opportunity to tell their side of the story. There is more mystery in their world, and a greater degree of discretion is required. They are hit by a double whammy from society; it’s not okay to be a whore and it’s not okay to be gay. This reporter interviewed three workers from a Pattaya bar. Anu, the oldest was thirty. Looking like an Asian Brad Pitt, he was calm and thoughtful. Torn, 24, was outgoing and higher voltage. He had the look and manner of Tom Cruise, in the movie Cocktail. Chai, 26 dark and muscular, was the most sure of his answers. We spoke in the central Thai dialect. JP: You aren’t what I expected. Are you typical? Torn: You were expecting katoeys?JP: Uh… Torn: Never mind (laughs). Katoeys are very visible. We’re not. JP: Are you gay? Anu: Yes, I am. Torn: So am I Chai: I’m not. JP: You’re sure? Anu: No, he isn’t. He has a wife and kids. JP: I’m confused. Anu: Being gay or straight doesn’t matter. We’re here to make money. Torn: Sometimes straight guys have it easier doing this work. JP: (Looking puzzled) ??? Anu: (thinks) You see, Chai is lucky. He just does his job and goes home. There’s no emotional investment for him. He has a family. Chai: Yeah, right. When I’m finished I leave and forget it. Torn: If you’re gay and do this type of work, you feel like your emotions are in a food processor. We don’t feel being gay is wrong, but in this scene, sometimes we wish we weren’t. JP: Why? Anu: Our customers. Some are very nice, but they get bored with us. JP: May I ask, are you attracted to any of your customers? Torn: Yes. Some of them. JP: Which customers? Anu: Asians. Torn: Yes. Mostly Asians. Chai: Anyone’s fine. As long as they pay. JP: Why Asians? Anu: Because we can relate to them. JP: I don’t understand. Aside from Thais, it must be difficult to communicate with Japanese, Koreans or other Asians. Anu: But they look like us and our cultures are similar. They want fun, so they are kind to us. I also find some of them attractive. JP: Could you explain? Anu: Very simple. We’re gay men. We take all customers, but it’s easier if they’re our type. Torn: Easier? Sure. I remember that Taiwanese guy. You almost went bananas! You JP: I’m in the dark. Anu: I met a very handsome, 25 year old law student from Taiwan. He was very generous and kind. He bought me gold and clothing. I really became infatuated. He even took me to Taiwan. After a week he sent me back here. I couldn’t be a real part of his life. It hurt. JP: What about the Farangs? (Silence). Please be open. What do you think? Torn: We find farangs to be the least desirable type of customer (pause). JP: Why? Anu: Several reasons. Farangs have this idea that 500 Baht is the market rate. They usually give us no more; often less. Also 99.9% of the Farangs who come here are not the least bit attractive. They look down on us. Their attitude’s wrong. Torn: Women bar workers are luckier. They can fake it. If we can’t perform, customers get upset. We usually fantasize. JP: Speaking of the fantastic, do any unusual things happen with customers? Torn: Yeah. I had one who was so afraid of disease; he wore three pairs of surgical gloves and three condoms. Torn: Yes, really. He disinfected himself with Dettol afterwards. He was strange when he first came in. Wouldn’t touch any of the doorknobs. JP: You don’t find Farangs attractive? Chai: Most of the guys don’t. But some only like farangs over forty. They don’t feel the same warmth with young men. Torn: The ones I like usually speak fluent Thai, and don’t like bars. JP: Oh. And you, Chai? Chai: I just think of the money and it works! Anu: Chai’s lucky. No emotional conflicts. JP: Are there any positive points about this work? Chai: For me, the funny things make it bearable. A guy took me to his hotel room. He had a valise full of make-up and women’s clothing. He had me dress up. Imagine me in drag? Ha! He spent the whole night cooing about how beautiful I was. Otherwise, he didn’t touch me. And he gave me three thousand baht. An easy trick. I described the dresses to my wife. She said they sounded dreadful. Anu: The first two years are fun. I was young, fresh and popular. I got taken out almost every night. Customers bought me gifts. I felt really desirable. JP: Why don’t you find other work? Anu: Once you do this for about six months, you’re trapped. We become used to the money. And we can never save any. It comes too easily. JP: Anu, where have you been, aside from Taiwan? Anu: Macao and Belgium. JP: What did you do? Anu:. I did this type of work. My customers were Thai women who worked in bars there. They were lonely for Thai men. I only stayed a month. JP: Why? Anu: Because I’m not attracted to women and they were neurotic. Too many hassles. JP: (to Chai) How does your wife feel about you doing this? Chai: (Laughs) She was the one who told me to do it! She works in a bar herself. She just asks me not to go with women. We hope to save enough to start a business. JP: Do your families know you do this? Torn, Chai: No. Anu: My mother pretends she doesn’t know. My brother is a real bastard. He called me names. I pointed out I was the one who had paid for his education and marriage by selling myself. I told him if he didn’t like it, to leech off someone else! JP: What’s the most difficult thing in your work? Torn: Weirdos! Anu: A lot of Western men are kinky and want us to do things we find distasteful. JP: May I ask what? Anu: Usually sado-masochism and other things. I’m not in to giving and receiving physical pain. And the other things? Think about it. Yuegh! JP: Do you have any future hopes? Anu: A man from France comes here every year on his vacation and always spends it with me. I’m not in love with him. He’s not my type. But I like him as a friend. He promises that he will take me to France to live with him. But it hasn’t happened yet. JP: How long have you known him? Anu: (Smiles ruefully) Seven years. Torn: Anu, you’re a pessimist. I do this because I want experience. Friendly customers are okay. It’s better than loading rice barges. Chai: Yeah, and I’ve had customers help out my family! JP:. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time. All: That’s okay. There are no customers. JP: When we publish articles we usually have an illustration. How would you like it to be? JP: When we publish articles we usually have an illustration. How would you like it to be? Anu: Maybe you shouldn’t make it look as if we’re all happy. JP: Why? Anu: Chai’s not gay and Torn’s still young. I’m thirty and don’t have as many customers as before. I had a Thai lover for three years, but we separated. I was too old for him. Most gay men like younger people. After our looks go, it’s difficult to find customers or life partners. I’ll not have children, and what would I do at home? The future seems lonely. Torn: (his face is bleak) Why did you have to mention that? JP: I’ll try with the illustration. Anu: Thank-you. JP: Thank you. Torn: Come back and talk again. JP: You want to talk to a farang? Torn You’re not a farang. You’re Thai. Wanna ride home? I’ve got a large motorcycle with a small seat. JP: (JP actually blushes).

From Thai PBS World Two more monkeypox cases confirmed Two more monkeypox cases have been reported in Thailand, bringing total confirmed infections to 10, according to Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department. Both cases were found in Phuket province, with one being a 37-year-old Thai woman and the other a 54-year-old German man, who had been in close contact with the infected woman. The woman developed a fever, sore throat and muscle pains on September 16th and took medication she bought from a pharmacy, but blisters later appeared on her body. On September 25th she went to a hospital for treatment and lab tests confirmed her monkeypox infection. The German man also developed blisters on September 27th and a hospital test confirmed his infection. Both are now being treated in hospital. Dr. Opart said that Thailand has taken a pro-active approach in dealing with monkeypox, adding that anyone who has been in close contact with anyone suspected of being infected or who has developed symptoms can seek a consultation at their nearest health facility or call the Disease Control Department’s hotline at 1422.

Peter, my dear, this topic was about same sex marriage in Cuba. You authored the very first response to the OP as an excuse to indulge your penchant for bashing America. You’re obsessed with doing that, poor fellow. This was a deliberate attempt to derail the discussion and now you’re dismayed because there are some members who call you out for it.

We always end up at square one, Peter. Whenever England needs help, it will always speed dial Washington. And Washington will respond. That’s the nature of the relationship between these once enemies. There exits no stronger international ties. The rest of your histrionic babble amounts to shit when balanced against that fact.

McDonald’s used to be at the very intersection (with Ronald figure outside). KFC is in same building but storefront faces Silom. I referred to complex as being Silom Edge. It’s actually “Edge Silom.” Bangkok City Administration is doing extensive sidewalk repairs on Silom. Trees are being planted that will eventually provide shade for pedestrians. Be assured all due respect will be accorded heritage site held in high regard by many.

All one, Peter, but nations must now look to the future and decide where they stand In face of aggression at this very moment in Ukraine that also affects the economies of Europe and the wider world. Putin is either stopped in his tracks or he’ll continue his plans for further annexations.

Just the kind of mindset that enabled Hitler and could further enable Putin. It didn’t work for the British in the run up to WWII. Thank God for the tenacity of Churchill. And be grateful that the Ukrainians don’t lack courage.

Pleased to inform readers that I awakened this morning to my second day of rainless and partly overcast skies over Bangkok. The air is cool enough to open the windows and take in a pleasant breeze. The last two evening were perfect for walking. Getting in about 11:45 on Wednesday night, there was only one person in front of me at immigration. Less than three minutes later I was on my way. Spent the first night at The Quarter Silom on Soi Tarntawan. Check in was quick and I immediately messaged my friend to meet me in the lobby. He arrived 15 minutes later and no problem whatsoever bringing him to room (I’d booked for two, including breakfast). Rooms here are tight an compact but very clean with a most comfortable bed and walk in shower. The buffet breakfast offered much more than I expected and we more than satisfied. Checked out at 11:45 and front desk allowed us to check bags while I went to phone store to renew my plan (200 bht per month). It was raining lightly but not enough to keep us from short walk to Airbnb. Rain cleared by evening and we walked around the Silom-Silom rectangle. In anticipation of Vinapu’s impending visit, KFC has opened a new location in the site at Rama 4 and Silom Rd. Once the home of Robinson’s Department store, it now houses Silom Edge, a multi-use complex and the Colonel appears to be among the first occupancies to open. One thing that caught our eye were massage shops that seemed to be doing a good business. Spoke briefly with a few friendly guys on upper Silom and on Soi Six who reported that business has been good. The outdoor food stalls we’re doing a brisk business along Surawong. Stopped for meal at The Beer Garden and waitress remembered I like ice in my Leo. Have a haircut on the agenda today and a trip to Foodland to gather provisions. It’s great to be back.

From Thai News Agency BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) — Twenty-baht polymer banknotes show different serial numbers in Thai and Arabic digits on each bill due to a production flaw but owners can use them or exchange them at banks and financial institutions, according to the Bank of Thailand. BOT deputy governor Vachira Aromdee said the defective banknotes were produced by De La Rue International Limited (DLR) and the central bank already stopped distributing the bills from the company. Initial investigation showed that normal quality control could not detect the mistake, she said. People could use such banknotes and exchange them at banks and specific financial institutions. The BOT was collecting them and trying to solve the problem with DLR which confirmed its best cooperation with the central bank to work out a complete solution, Ms Vachira said. (TNA)

From Thai PBS World In his first reaction to the ruling by the Constitutional Court which reaffirms his premiership, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to forge ahead with mega-projects initiated by his government. In a post on his Facebook page, Prayut welcomed the ruling and thanked his supporters. “I want to convey my highest regards to the ruling of the Constitutional Court,” he said. Prayut said the one month during which he was suspended from active duty has given him time to reflect on himself. “It makes me realize that I need to spend the limited precious time that this government has left in following up and pushing all the mega-projects that I have initiated to bring prosperity to the country,” he said. It was the first direct message from Prayut to the country since the court suspended him from performing his duty as prime minister on August 24 pending its ruling on his term of office. The court this afternoon concluded that Prayut can continue to complete his tenure which it ruled began in 2017. He said among his priorities are projects to upgrade the country’s communication and digital infrastructure which he said is crucial to the country’s future. “These are projects that no previous administrations had undertaken…I initiated them with thorough consideration for the benefit of the people,” he said. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-vows-to-push-ahead-with-mega-projects/

There’s no excuse more lame in the face of an enemy like Putin than cowardice. The suffering he’s wrought upon thr people of Ukraine has risen to crimes against humanity. The last thing Ukrainians, and those who’ll follow if Putin isn’t stopped, need are whining pinkos. Does anyone really think Putin appetite will be sated by what he has managed to gain so far. Somehow I just don’t believe he’ll be dissuaded by biting criticism.

If we’re just talking about Cuba then why are we mentioning Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cambodia and various African countries. The inescapable truth is that when shit hits fan, it will be America that its allies—and once enemies—will call first. And if folks want to pile on, add America’s decision to provide arms and intelligence to Ukraine that’s enabling it to remain in the game against against Putin’s desire to resurrect the Soviet Union peacemeal. Of course America has made its share of stupid choices. But much of the free word continues to depend on its largess to keep sea lanes open and belligerents at bay. When bad guys are at your door, you’re not going to be reciting a litany of past sins to those coming to your rescue.

I understand that America can not do anything right. What I can’t understand is why so many citizens of so many other countries risk life and limb to come to America. Stupid America twice saved Europe from one of its own nations. How dumb was that. Crazy Americans saved much of east Asia from rampaging Japan. FDR and Truman should have been impeached.

As are some others of us. 🤗

Cubans who can actually reach US soil are allowed to remain. Cuban Americans represent one of Florida’s strongest voting blocs. They tend to maintain conservative political positions, including maintaining sanctions against Cuba. This was never more evident when Clinton and Obama made attempts to liberalize relations with the Castro regimes. They must know something about Cuban politics that some do not.