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Allow John 13:17 to instruct you in this matter: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Perhaps, but none come in a better bottle.

OK, but if see any of you guys ordering pineapple juice at Jupiter 2018 it will be our little secret. (Christian gets a pass because he always orders juice or tea.)

From Financial Channel The FINANCIAL -- Bombardier Transportation has announced two contracts for its BOMBARDIER INNOVIA Monorail 300 system for two mass rapid transit lines in Bangkok. This will improve the commute for more than 400,000 people – every day. The contracts are with the Northern Bangkok Monorail Co. Ltd. (NBM) and the Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co. Ltd. (EBM), responsible for the turnkey construction and 30-year concession of the new, elevated lines. Bombardier will design and supply the mechanical & electrical elements for the two monorail lines, and deliver a combined total of 72, four-car INNOVIA Monorail 300 trains (288 cars) equipped with BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 650 automatic train control technology for driverless operation. The contract with NBM concerns the new 34.5 km Khae Rai-MinBuri (Pink) Line to operate with 42 trainsets. For EBM, scope comprises 30 train sets for the 30.4 km Lat Phrao-Samrong (Yellow) Line Operating in the city’s northern and eastern areas, the monorails will integrate with the existing transportation network and run at speeds up to 80 km/h with a maximum capacity of over 28,000 passengers per-hour, per-direction. http://www.finchannel.com/business/67281-bombardier-wins-contracts-for-the-first-monorails-in-thailand

From The Nation New smart driving licences to be valid across Asean Around Thailand August 15, 2017 16:42 By The Nation Thailand’s paper driving licences will be replaced with smart cards starting on September 4, the Land Transport Department has announced. The new licences will be embedded with magnetic strips and QR codes to improve security to prevent frauds. “In the future, they will be compatible with apps that are designed for enhanced road safety,” department director-general Sanith Phromwong said. Names on the smart card will be spelled in both Thai and English so they could be used to drive legally in any Asean country. Sanith said his department would stop issuing paper driving licences on August 15. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/around_thailand/30323873

Nor does mean that it wasn't. I've been drinking JD for 30+ years and know what to expect from the first sip. I sure many others have a favorite liquor they are well familiar with and would be quick to recognize a fake. But if you place assaults on your taste buds aside, the real problem is how the counterfeit liquor was manufactured. In the worst case scenarios, you can easily find accounts of tourists (most of them usually young party goers in the south) dying as a result of methanol poisoning. Methanol is converted in the body into formic acid, the same toxin that is found in the venom of ants. But most of them never saw the bottle their booze came from. What I'm referring to are the bottles with fake labels that are indistinguishable from the genuine. The monetary advantages of making and selling bottles of fake booze are significant for all parties: production costs are low and taxes are avoided but the retail price is the same, leaving room for huge mark up over cost. What I learned from my personal experience with fake booze is to stick to beer when I'm in Thailand. And even the most entrepreneurial locals wouldn't consider creating a fake because they're aware of just how harshly the legit manufactures--who are highly protective of their business--would choose to deal with them on a personal level. The OP noted that folks were buying their booze at the 7-Eleven before heading to NAB. I think the 7-Eleven is probably one of the safest places to purchase booze because it has so much riding on its reputation. Those who wish to read more about the effects of methanol poisoning (and they are indeed nasty) can find it in a report from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney: http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2013/09/10/3845522.htm BTW: the problem of fake wines is much more widespread worldwide but particularly in China.

Go for it; you'll feel much better after.

That got me thinking several years back when I purchased a bottle of Jack Daniels at a market in Silom. When I opened it back in the hotel it was immediately clear that it wasn't the real JD. Thought of taking it back but then I remembered that TIT. Out of curiosity, just did a quick search for "Thailand counterfeit liquor" and the hits just kept on coming. This one stood out: From Thai PBS About five million worth of smuggled and fake liquor were seized by Department of Special Investigation officials in 12 coordinated raids of warehouses in Bangkok recently. DSI director-general Pol Col Paisit Charoenmuang disclosed that officials seized altogether 2,761 bottles of liquor of which 2,307 were smuggled authentic liquor and the rest fake liquor, also smuggled into the country from a neighbouring country. He said that the packaging of the fake liquor looks so authentic that it is almost impossible for buyers to distinguish fake from authentic liquor. He alleged that the store-owner who owns the seized liquor has been in liquor selling business for about 30 years in the Sao Chingcha area. But besides the authentic liquor which is displayed on the shelves in the store, he said that the store also sold smuggled and fake liquor. http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/5-million-baht-worth-fake-smuggled-liquor-seized/

Well we know that there's a market out there for used men's undies. That may be a starting place to launch the research. It's been my experience that the worst-smelling t-shirts are worn by female backpackers on the BTS. Not that the male backpackers smell much better but at least they're guys. Although I won't be adopting that diet, don't think I'd mind if the boys thought of me as a bull. Have to confess in advance that I will probably be scarfing down more pineapple from the breakfast buffet in the future (if I fail to get compliments, Vessey will have much to answer for!)

Just passing along what's reported and don't personally advocate any particular diet. Borrowing that old military response, "it's above my pay grade." One thing is for sure: like Scotch, it's an acquired taste. You can find much anecdotal stuff with even a cursory on-line search. Several swear by peaches, pineapple and bananas. In the interest of scholarship (lol), there's even more research out there on what diets produce an odor others find most attractive. All that I've come across seem to involve women smelling sweaty t-shirts. Here's the latest that was making the rounds on public radio in the US today: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/08/14/540059875/men-listen-up-women-like-the-smell-of-guys-who-eat-a-certain-diet I hope this info will encourage readers to experiment and report back. As Miss Jean Brodie observed, "For those that like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like"

Excerpts from Men's Health magazine Since semen is excreted by the body, male semen taste and smell would most likely be affected by what you eat and drink. So, are there foods that effect the taste of semen and are actually able to change the its taste? What’s the best diet for improving semen taste? For one, you should start living a clean and healthy lifestyle. Cut down and even eliminate alcohol, drugs and nicotine. Avoid junk foods and instead have lots of fruits and greens in your diet. Drink plenty of water. Drinking fruit juices from pineapple, citrus, and cranberry is also known to make semen taste sweeter. Throw in melon, mango, apple, or grape, and other fruits that are high in sugar. Likewise, vegetables like parsley and celery are recommended. There are also some foods that you should steer clear of. Fish and red meat produce a bitter, fishy male semen taste because of their alkaline content. Chemically-processed alcohol can also make your semen taste bitter. Instead, try naturally fermented drinks for a change. Garlic and onion are likely to produce strong odors since they are high in sulfur; so avoid these too. Improving male semen taste so that eating semen is pleasurable is the first part. Once you have achieved this, the next thing you can do is to increase semen volume. Even by just simply increasing your fluid intake, you will naturally increase semen volume. When your body is well hydrated, your body systems are able to work more efficiently and have less trouble getting water from the bloodstream. The most important to remember, though, is to keep yourself healthy and fit. Regular exercise encourages good blood circulation, which in turn, promotes healthy ejaculation. http://man-health-magazine-online.com/male-sexual-health/semen-health/male-semen-taste/

There's no retail outlets that visitors--and possibly some expats--spend more baht at than the 7-Elevens . It shouldn't surprise then that corporate owner is rolling in cash. From Reuters BANGKOK, August 14 (Reuters) - Thai companies have accumulated a record $34 billion in cash, prompting some investors to demand companies from oil producers to food suppliers consider deals to put the money to work - or hand it back to shareholders. Some of Thailand's biggest corporate names, including energy giant PTT Group Pcl (PTT.BK), the largest convenience store operator CP ALL Pcl (CPALL.BK) and agribusiness CP Foods Pcl (CPF.BK), are hoarding cash. With few investment opportunities at home, Thai companies are looking abroad, but a patchy track record of foreign acquisitions and growing competition in Southeast Asia has left managements risk averse. "Idle cash piles are dragging on investors' returns and should be put to work," said Patcharapa Mahatthanakul, fund manager at UOB Asset Management in Thailand. She said investment in increasing production capacity or for acquisitions "is preferable." Companies listed on Thailand's main stock index .SETI produced an average dividend yield of 3.1 percent and a return on assets of between 2 percent and 7 percent so far in 2017, ratios that are slightly above regional peers. But with such large cash piles, investors are growing impatient for companies to do more. "Thai companies have done well, but if they do not have aggressive plans, they should return more profits to investors," Jalil Rasheed, chief executive of Invesco Southeast Asia, told Reuters. Thailand's economic growth of 3.6 percent is a laggard in Southeast Asia. Domestic investment is slowing down due to excess factory capacity and weak demand, while outbound M&A investment by Thai companies is falling sharply. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-companies-idUSKCN1AU011

You seem to be saying that although you consider yourself an ex-smoker you still relapse on occasion. I wish you well in your effort to stop completely. Nevertheless, the WHO data is pretty clear that increased taxation is correlated with people who stopped smoking or did not take it up in the first place. Good luck going forward!

Actually, the World Health Organization has ample evidence that it reduces both smoking and smoking-related deaths. http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/4/15-164707/en/

I always try to do it with a smile. Having said that, I admit I have a soft spot for these three holes-in-the-wall (Golden Cock, Nature Boy and SA) and end up buying more drinks than I originally intended. Rising real estate values in that soi will probably gobble up the buildings in the not too distant future. The bars may not be much to look but oh how I wish there were ones like them back home. Guess I have that in the back of my mind whenever I'm the neighborhood. Another option if you've decided on a particular guy is to just pay the off fee without buying drinks or take him upstairs for massage (500 bht in either case, plus tip of course).

Since Gaybutton has generously invited re-posting from his site, I recommend post #34 in following link that is the collaborative work of Christian and Fountainhall. It resurrects an idea for a prototype bar specifically for Soi Twilight by the late Shameless Mack in the detailed manner that only he could have mastered. http://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8652&start=30

Wholeheartedly agree! They're the reasons I travel half way around the globe as often as possible. That mirrors my experience. In my occasional trips to KL, I've always found English widely spoken and hotel and retail staffs professional. I believe the reason Thailand ranks low in "human capital" is a direct product of a failing primary and secondary public education system.

The current immigration card debacle continues to evolve. The PM's office, Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand, Transport ministry and the Tourism and Sports ministry are involved in a sort of rule-by-committee effort that is still far from resolution. This account does make it clear why the card will continue in use--in one form or another--and why such new information as email address and phone number is being collected: security. Foreigners must still fill in ‘TM6’ immigration form for security reasons August 12, 2017 01:00 By THE NATION FOREIGNERS travelling to and from Thailand still need to fill in the “TM6” immigration form for security reasons, the Immigration Bureau chief maintained yesterday. Pol Lt-General Nathathorn Prousoontorn, commander of the agency, said that despite overcrowding at immigration counters, foreign travellers are still required to complete the TM6 arrival and departure card for authorities to collect information on their travel. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Royal Thai Air Force to dispatch personnel to help immigration officials. In a Facebook Live interview with The Nation’s founder Suthichai Yoon yesterday, Nathathorn explained that under Thailand’s policy to promote tourism, authorities allow citizens of more than 60 countries to travel to Thailand without a visa, so Thai authorities do not have their information prior to their arrivals. “For Thailand, the form is important as it is the tool for us to get and keep information about foreign visitors when they stay in Thailand,” he said. The Immigration Bureau is in the process of amending the immigration law to exempt Thais from filling in the TM6 form, because basic information of Thai citizens is available on their passport. “We already proposed the amendment of the exemption to the agency concerned. But if it cannot be exempted we may shift to require them to fill in electronic forms before travelling,” he said. Prayut in July instructed the Immigration Bureau to decide whether to cancel the requirement for visitors to use the TM6 form as part of measures to improve immigration procedures at airports and reduce waiting times. However, starting on October 1, a new immigration form will replace the existing one in line with a Cabinet resolution in January approving a Tourism and Sports Ministry request. The new form has only one side for visitors to record both arrival and departure information, with an “automatic channel” barcode for more convenience. Shortage of manpower Heavy congestion at Don Mueang International Airport’s immigration checkpoints last weekend prompted an urgent investigation to determine why thousands of visitors were kept waiting for nearly five hours. Prayut yesterday said he had instructed the Immigration Bureau to open all counters for service. In dealing with a shortage of manpower, the PM said he ordered Air Force commander-in-chief ACM Jom Rungsawang to dispatch his officers to help at the immigration counters. “If all-out efforts by the Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand and the Ministry of Transport cannot deal with the congestion, we will find another solution,” he said. Prayut said there were several reasons why the process was very slow, including limited space at the passenger terminal, which has a capacity for 1,000 to 2,800 people but sometimes has to deal with as many as 4,000 passengers arriving at the same time. “We will have to see if the existing terminal space could be expanded,” the PM said. In a related development, national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday said he has ordered the Immigration Bureau to set up operation centres at five major international airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai – to help with the backlogs of arriving passengers. He warned that if there was further chaos at any of the airports, those in charge must be held responsible. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323574

From Bangkok Post A digital talent shortage, fewer digital products and uncertain policies have put Thailand near the bottom of the digital nation index, says a Singapore-based advisory firm. http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/1304502/ouch-thailand-ranked-only-10th-in-digital-nation-index

Air Force officers to help clear airport immigration checkpoints August 11, 2017 15:41 By The Nation Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered Royal Thai Air Force officers to help speed up the process at airport immigration checkpoints. Last weekend, heavy congestion at Don Mueang Airport’s immigration checkpoints prompted an urgent investigation to determine why thousands of visitors were kept waiting for nearly five hours. Prayut said on Friday he had instructed the Immigration Bureau to open all counters for service. If they faced a shortage of manpower Prayut ordered Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Jom Rungsawang to employ his officers to help. “If all-out efforts from the Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand and the Ministry of Transport cannot deal with the congestion we will find another solution,” he said. Prayut said there were several reasons why the process was very slow, which included the small space at the passenger terminal which has a capacity for 1,000-2,800 people but sometimes there were as many as 4,000 passengers arriving at the same time. He said he was not sure whether the terminal could expand the space. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323530

Glad, you inspire me. I think from now on I'm going to be a hot 24-year-old Asian guy. Never knew it could be so easy. So now that I'm young and sexy, lets you and me conspire to get this thread back on topic. Want to meet me for some kinky stuff? You can play the guy in the purpose-built, adult-sized baby cot and me and some off my mates will surround you and jerk off.

Agree. Just hope they don't concoct a fake substitute for my favorite protein-rich drink. Like many posters here who have developed an epicurean's appreciation over many years of visits, we do have our quality standards.

From Pattaya Mail CHONBURI – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched an inspection of eateries in Pattaya following complaints of fake bird’s nest being sold to tourists. DSI agents have joined agents of the Department of Local Administration, tourist police and local public health officials in Pattaya to inspect 9 restaurants. Deputy Director of the DSI Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinil indicated his agency received complaints from the former president of the Birds Nest Business Association of fake bird’s nest being sold in Pattaya. The phony food is made from wood gum and rubber from India and while not posing any harm if consumed does not provide the nutritional benefits promised by bird’s nest. It was noted that the damage to the image of Thailand could cost its bird’s nest industry 4 billion baht a year. Sets of the bogus food were said to be sold for up to 3,000 baht, netting sellers a 2,600 baht profit. The DSI has detained several restaurateurs for selling fake food. They face 6 months to 10 years in prison and a fine between 5,000 and 100,000 baht. http://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/dsi-acts-complaints-fake-birds-nest-sold-tourists-183169