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Those sneaky sons of guns. They’re just like us, pretending not to speak Thai.

Many—if not most—shops do not remit any of the fee to the guys.

From CNBC After more than two years of lockdowns and border controls, Southeast Asia is finally experiencing some semblance of the old days of travel. Flights are steadily returning to 2019 levels in the region’s major economies, with Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia being the most popular destinations this year, according to the flight data analytics firm Cirium. In Singapore, which had the most inbound flight bookings in the region this year, bookings rose from around 30% of 2019 levels in January to 48% by mid-June. The Philippines also saw a sharp uptick in bookings, from about 20% at the start of January, to almost 40% by mid-June, according to Cirium. Tourism is a key moneymaker for Southeast Asia, a region which saw international visitors more than double from 63 million in 2009 to 139 million in 2019, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The industry accounts for around 10% of gross domestic product in Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia and between 20% and 25% of GDP in Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines, according to a May 2022 report published by the Asian Development Bank. The pandemic “was probably more devastating in Southeast Asia than the rest of the world [because] governments kept the borders closed for almost two years,” said Gary Bowerman, director of the travel research firm Check-in Asia. “There were even restrictions on domestic travel.” “If you compare that to North America or Europe, for example, in both years 2020 and 2021 … they had some tourism and travel flows,” he said. Changing travel habits Most countries in Southeast Asia — including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines — have stopped requiring fully vaccinated travelers to take Covid-19 tests before traveling. Continues at https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/23/travelers-return-to-southeast-asia-but-inflation-could-hurt-recovery.html After Singapore dropped its pre-travel testing requirement in April, business has been “picking up fast and furious,” said Stanley Foo, founder of the local tour operator Oriental Travel & Tours. He said travelers are booking longer trips and spending more than before too. Before the pandemic, the company received around 20 tour bookings a week, mostly for tours lasting three to four days. Now, its handling 25 bookings a week, some for trips up to 10 days long. Average expenditures on customized tours rose from around $2,000 per person before the pandemic to $4,000 to $6,000 today, said Foo. “It’s because of the revenge traveling,” Foo said. “They have saved up enough for the past two years.” Since tourists are spending more time in Singapore, Foo and his team of tour guides are taking clients to places outside the usual tourist itinerary — to the suburbs to watch residents do tai chi and to order coffee at hawker centers “the Singaporean way,” he said. Joanna Lu of Ascend by Cirium, the company’s consultancy arm, said people are spending more time planning their journeys too. They are “making sure they’re covered for unexpected changes,” she said. Not your usual tourists Tourists contacting Foo are from all over the world, especially Southeast Asian countries, he said. That’s in stark contrast to his pre-pandemic business, when Chinese nationals were among his company’s biggest client groups, said Foo. China continues to “strictly limit” non-essential travel out of the country. Continues at https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/23/travelers-return-to-southeast-asia-but-inflation-could-hurt-recovery.html

Thank you for taking to share the story of the boy’s life as he related it to you. There are many things that did not surprise me but one that made me angry. That the guy’s bf thought he was entitled to manipulate him into bottoming simply to satisfy his own needs I find despicable. There are so many great moments the guys we meet can provide as long as we treat them with respect. I take the guys as they are because that how they take me. .

The beds at Tarntawan were replaced about the same time the Mahanakhon building observation deck opened. Remember this because day after going there I passed by Tarntawan and workers were hauling old mattresses down driveway. It coincided with change in name of hotel and management. Believe I posted photo on forum. If only those beds could talk.

Look on the bright side. Got your phone fixed and caught up on your reading 🙂

Correction — I said above that Green Massage was open. It is not. Walked past location again tonight. The massage chairs are all still inside so it does not appear abandoned.

I usually walk Patpong 1 nightly if for no other reason than to judge how its reopening is progressing. Last night I was impressed how many of the lady bars were open. What’s different is taxis now have free use in either direction, dropping off and picking up patrons. One of the old restaurants seems to be doing a halfway decent business, feeding the workers. I make it a point to check the Madrid for signs of life. Nothing new to report but it does not appear abandoned, just closed. I walked it from end to end this afternoon and was surprised by how many small shops had recently opened (eateries, barber, nails shop, massage and sundry others). Would not be surprised if night market returns by high season.

The massage scene continues to evolve by the day. I toured Surawong from Patpong to Soi Tarntawan this afternoon and found a few additions. Olivia massage has reopened on Surawong, roughly opposite Le Meridien. It has a mixed staff but heavy on the male side. Olivia also has shop on Silom in vicinity of. Saladeang. BTS. The upscale Urban Thai Massage has also reopened further down Surawong with a predominantly female staff. The flagship outlet of the chain is located in new facilities at the corner of Soi Thaniya and Surawong. Green Massage is located next to the driveway for the Tarntawan Hotel with mixed staff. Turning onto Soi Tarntawan, Sun Massage (Tawan bar’s daytime business) is the first shop you’ll encounter. If you continue on past The Quarter hotel, The large Prime Massage* building faces you just before the dogleg turn where the road becomes Silom soi 6. Here you’ll find 4-5 (depending on time of day) mostly or exclusively male shops, several of which have been written about on the forum. *Probably the most established (and otherwise legit) massage operation in Silom, Prime has a well-earned reputation for excellence and value. It’s professional staff is well trained. You can choose a male or female for your massage and discretion is always observed.

From the Thaiger The Airport of Thailand announced that the new passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok will be ready for use by April 2023. The Automated People Mover train, which will be the nation’s first driverless electric train used in Thai airports, will be available for passengers to travel between each terminal at the same time too. The President of the AOT, Nitinai Siriamatthakarn, informed the media that the construction of the new passenger terminal, Satellite 1 (SAT1) had finished, and it would be ready for use in April next year. He also added that the airport capacity would be increased to welcome 60 million passengers per year, up from 45 million passengers. And, with 28 aircraft stand taxiplanes, the airport will be able to support up to 68 flights per hour. The new SAT1 terminal is a 4-story building giving way to 216,ooo square metres. The B2 floor is for the APM trains, the B1 floor is for the airport office, the G floor is for a conveyor belt, the 2nd floor is for arrivals, the 3rd floor is for departures, and the 4th floor is for restaurants.

Jason, regarding your cannabis infused food experience, you’re not alone. This article appeared in Bangkok Post article today: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2331063/new-pot-scare-alert-heart-problems

The Thai News Agency is now reporting as many as 40 homes destroyed in the blaze.

From Bangkok Post A fire destroyed about 10 homes in the Bon Kai community in Bangkok's Pathum Wan district on Tuesday afternoon. Police said the fire started about 1.12pm at a two-storey house in the crowded community in Soi Pluk Chit, off Rama 4 road, and quickly spread to adjacent houses, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky. About 10 fire engines and crews were dispatched to the scene. But the firefighters found it difficult to reach the spot because of the narrow road and they were obstructed by panicky residents running back and forth, moving their belongings out of their houses. By 1.38pm about 10 houses were burning fiercely. Rama 4 road in front of the Bangkok Bank's Bon Kai branch was closed off by police to help the firefighting operation. A bed-ridden patient was evacuated from one house to Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Only three times do I remember calling off a massage in Thailand. Twice iit was due to repeated request for tip before, or immediately after, massage started.. I paid the shop the fee but did not tip and told manager why. The third time occurred after guy agreed to 1200 but then demanded 1500 five minutes into massage. Best advice is to follow your instincts. If it’s going down hill early, it’s unlikely to improve with time. All three instances were rare and all took place over 5-6 years ago, as I recall. Any time now a guy asks me in advance how much I pay, I assure him the best way to get a good tip is to do a good job.

From the Points Guy Thailand and North America will soon be reconnected with nonstop flights. Air Canada on Monday announced that it will launch seasonal service on Dec. 1 between its hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The service, on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will operate four times weekly. The final eastbound departure from Bangkok is scheduled for April 17. The westbound flight, AC65, departs Vancouver at 11 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 5:55 a.m. two days later, all times local. The eastbound flight, AC66, departs Bangkok at 8:30 a.m. and arrives at 6:35 a.m. in Vancouver. That flight technically arrives before it departs, a quirk of eastbound travel over the International Date Line. The new flight will be a welcome addition for travelers, particularly those loyal to the Star Alliance, looking to get between North America and Thailand. Most itineraries between North America and Thailand currently require a stop in East Asia, generally at Incheon International Airport (ICN) near Seoul or at one of Tokyo’s two airports — Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND). The timing of this flight — a late-night departure westbound and an early-morning arrival eastbound — allows for a maximum number of same-day connecting options. Air Canada’s new flight is the first nonstop between North America and Thailand since 2012, when Thai Airways ended its nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Bangkok, according to Cirium schedule data. Thai Airways also had a nonstop between Bangkok and New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) that lasted between 2005 and 2008. In addition, United Airlines operated a one-stop service to Bangkok via Tokyo Narita until 2014. ========================== From the Thaiger Thai Airways is finally resuming its Bangkok – Perth flight route after a two year suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner will fly on the route 3 times a week starting next month. The first scheduled Bangkok – Perth flight will take off from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on July 5. As of today (June 20), a one-way ticket on the route in July costs 13,000 baht – around 528 AUD – on the Thai Airways website. The flight time duration is 6 hours 45 minutes.

If he penetrated mind just as effective 🙂

Trust me. Some of the guys who ping you aren’t necessarily gay; they’re self-employed business men.

Thankfully the same rules of engagement don’t apply in BKK 😊

You may have better luck if you widen your search a bit. If you did, my answer would be (1) Silom Road and (2) Surawong Road. The methodology is incredibly simple: scan for passing eye contact. Since long before Stonewall, gay men have been meeting other men mostly by eye contact. It’s brief but let’s you know there’s interest. It may well be a MB emitting what we now call gaydar. He’s essentially “pinging” us as we are “pinging” him. Last time I was pinged was last night about 9:45 when I was walking with a friend on Silom near Burger King. Even if it doesn’t lead anywhere it really boosts your spirits. You may not find your Thai boxer but a chance encounter can be a lot less time consuming and possibly exciting.

From CNN Once primarily sold in markets and beauty stores, skin-lightening products have exploded in their availability online and today, they are pervasive on every major social media platform. On Facebook and Instagram, vendors hawk creams and serums that promise lighter skin yet offer scant information about the products themselves, while on YouTube and TikTok you can find thousands of tutorials by people promoting potent products or home remedies without qualifications that support their claims. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #skinwhitening has over 254 million views, while #skinlightening has another 62 million. "Social media has become the most powerful tool right now for the sale of skin-lightening products," says Dr. Anita Benson, Nigeria-based dermatologist and founder of the Embrace Melanin Initiative to combat colorism and harmful skin-lightening practices in Africa. Over the years, Benson has treated many people experiencing skin issues following the use and misuse of skin-whitening products, including many women who have purchased them on social media. She is concerned that social media platforms are helping people perpetuate colorist ideals -- the belief that lighter skin is associated with beauty, success and often also wealth -- and that they are now also providing a marketplace for the products to act on these ideals. Previous research on other forms of media show a strong influence on colorism, explained Amanda Raffoul, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard's public health incubator STRIPED, who is studying the way these products are promoted on TikTok. "But there's little known about how (skin-lightening) products are promoted across social media platforms," she told CNN. Though the broader impact remains to be seen, experts like Benson are alarmed by what they are currently witnessing firsthand. She points to last year's #glowupchallenge -- a hashtag with over 4 billion views on TikTok -- as an example in which users compared before-and-after images of themselves. Many posts that Benson saw showed people becoming lighter skinned and she believes such appearance-based viral challenges have made bleaching (whitening) products "more popular and more acceptable." Influencing power Also making the practice, and products, more acceptable are social media influencers, many of whom are paid to advertise skin-lightening cosmetics, pills and injections -- though some may be pressured into doing so, as BuzzFeed News reported in 2020. For example, one of the leading live streamers on Chinese social media platform Douyin, Li Jiaqi, has promoted skin lightening to his 44.8 million followers, while another popular streamer, Luo Wangyu, has advised his 19.4 million followers that "to achieve whiter skin, you need to both whiten your skin and get rid of the yellow." Nigerian influencer Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, known as Bobrisky, promotes an aspirational lifestyle using Lagos-based skin lightening brands to her 4.5 million Instagram followers and 1 million followers on Snapchat.  Back in 2018, American reality star Blac Chyna, who has over 16 million followers on Instagram, faced backlash when she announced that she was partnering with the brand Whitenicious on a brightening cream. Although that post was deleted, the celebrity has maintained a partnership with the company and the Whitenicious x Blac Chyna collection continues to sell a range of "brightening" products while the company more broadly promotes skin lightening on its Instagram account. Many products advertised as skin whiteners and lighteners contain mercury, hydroquinone or corticosteroids, which are potentially toxic and can impact a person's health. A quick search on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube turns up a number of posts, and sometimes entire business pages, selling or promoting the use of products that have been flagged by researchers at Minnesota's Health Department in the US or by the Zero Mercury Working Groupas containing high levels of mercury. Mercury can have multiple negative health consequences, including neurological and cardiovascular damage. Continues at https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/skin-whitening-products-social-media-as-equals-intl-cmd/index.html

+1 The time, effort and money spent on this experience was good investment because it will, going forward, save you the same many times over. I’ve learned never to push the envelope. If I don’t see interest on the face of potential off from first eye contact, I just narrow my list. That’s why I believe in-person venues will always beat the apps. I still maintain overall that I’ve had the highest ratio of good times to so-so experiences in massage shops than in the bars. For whatever reason, the conditions in the shops seem to work to my advantage more often than not. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re both alone in room and good chance that both of you are naked. That’s always a good start to me. And it’s a reasonable outlay. You’re committed to paying one fixed cost and one variable (tip) cost. No drinks to buy and no off fee. But that’s me. It may not work as as well for others.

That’s not your profile. It’s profile for those you don’t want to meet. Lol 😆 Twinks, sure, but why do they have to be skinny? I think Vinapu’s right: improved nutrition is responsible for decline.

I think you’d be better off on the apps. Bangkok is a great town and one of its assets is that it welcomes all comers into its bars, whether predominantly gay or predominantly straight. And neither do they employ weight restrictions. You have just a good of chance of finding the overweight as you do the underweight. On the apps you can discriminate till you heart’s content.

From Bangkok Post The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday agreed to ease the requirement for wearing a face mask, making it purely voluntary outdoors or in uncrowded places. The CCSA meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, agreed that this and other easing of Covid-19 controls would take effect when published in the Royal Gazette. A spokesman earlier said the target date for the changes was July 1. The planned relaxation of Covid-19 controls are: - Redesignating all 77 provinces nationwide as green Covid surveilance zones. Currently there are 14 green, 46 yellow high sureillance provinces and 17 blue or tourism "sandbox'' provinces; - Extending the closing hours of nightspots, pubs, bars, karaoke shopsbars and similar venues from midnight to 2am; and, - Allowing people to go unmasked on a voluntary basis when they are in low-risk areas, uncrowded areas or outdoors, across the country. Face mask wearing will still be required in crowded and poorly ventilated areas such as public transport, and markets and concert venues. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the CCSA, said the prime minister thanked people for their full cooperation in wearing masks. However, further cooperation was still needed. Gen Prayut said most people still wore face masks, as they recognised their usefulness, said Dr Taweesilp.

Yes, that’s the massage I had today. It was wholly pleasant and satisfactory. It was my intent to share that experience with forum readers. Nothing more, nothing less.