reader

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — So much water is used for sex in Bangkok’s brothels that it is contributing to the gradual sinking of Bangkok, officials have warned. The capital’s massage parlors – a thin euphemism for commercial sex venues – are illegally pumping so much groundwater for bathing and rinsing they are adding to the subsidence that causes the capital to sink a centimeter annually into the ground, a hydrologist said Wednesday. The problem was so rampant a decade ago, groundwater department deputy director Aranya Fuengsawat said, there were serious concerns about land sinkage. Officials fined offending establishments, and the illegal use of groundwater stopped. But Aranya said the practice has returned to some parlors, though she did not identify any by name. She could not be reached for comment Thursday. Someone who answered the phone at her office said she was in a meeting. But a former massage parlor mogul turned politico confirmed Aranya’s remark. Chuwit Kamolvisit, who was elected to parliament before the coup, said these brothels resort to groundwater because of their massive water needs, which would rack up enormous utility bills. “Think of how much they have to pay for water. It’s a lot,” Chuwit said on his Thairath show. “So they had to secretly use groundwater. They pump it up from 100 meters underground.” Bangkok is estimated to sink at a rate of one centimeter per year. Use of groundwater is cited as a major factor for the subsidence. Researchers warn the capital, which sits on floodplain near the sea, will face serious flooding within 20 years if the situation continues. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/nightlife/2017/10/05/bangkok-literally-sinking-sex-brothels-steal-groundwater/

From Pattayaone / Thai PBS New minibusses are available in the Experimental Provinces. The carrier exhibited the first 21 large minibusses that said it would change the current commuter vans from Bangkok to the province. Transport Company’s board chairman Maj Gen Suraphol Tapananond said the 7-metre long minibusses will be first put on service from Bangkok to destinations in the provinces within a distance of no more than 300 kilometers. All these new minibusses have passed all specification requirement test and have been registered by the Transport Company, he said. He said pool bus operators will first put on services the new minibusses from Bangkok to Buddhamonthon and Ratchaburi on October 11. They will replace the current commuter vans which have been in use for over 10 years, he said. Meanwhile, the Transport Company will first rent 55 new minibusses to run on its routes to destinations in the provinces, possibly in November. The renting process is expected to be finished in two months. http://pattayaone.news/en/new-minibusses-available-experimental-provinces/

From News.com Australia IT’S well known that Aussies just can’t get enough of Phuket. For decades, the largest of Thailand’s islands has been a travellers’ go-to thanks to its tropical climate, blissful beaches and raucous bar scene. But perhaps unknown to most is the island’s status as an international culinary heavy-hitter. Placed within the lauded ranks of UNESCO’s World’s Leading Cities of Gastronomy in 2011, four years later Phuket was upgraded to City of Gastronomy status due to its unique food scene. You see, long before backpackers and tourists descended on this holiday idyll, a melting pot of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Thais and “sea gypsies” created a fusion of flavours that colours the island’s culinary palette. To this day, many of Phuket’s quintessential dishes are made by the original families who brought them here. So next time you visit this beachside paradise, forgo western food and pad thai and tickle your tastebuds like a local with these seven Phuket foodie experiences. Continues with photos http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/best-street-food-to-eat-in-phuket-thailand/news-story/814772c6da7ecdf95f1be194359b0eb2

Christian approached the situation like the man of science he is. He strongly suspected that this particular boy was stealing from him but he had no way to prove his theory. Consequently he devised a simple experiment and even posted in his blog what that he planned to do it. The hidden cam would either eliminate or indict the lad. It's important to acknowledge that it wasn't his objective to identify thief other than by the nickname he has been using since his initial encounter with him. Nor was the experiment intended to protect his cash or even get it back after the theft was recorded. Christian was content with proving his suspicions were correct. To a scientist, this is not to be taken lightly. It is, in fact, its own reward.

Your play-by-play reports of this trip appear to reflect a more adventurous vinapu who has evolved from an old Thailand hand who primarily pursued good value at predictable venues to one who arrived with an agenda to do things with fewer rules and more open to new experiences. Your pursuits were a joy to read because of their unpredictably. Who could have expected the same guy who traditionally made Bangkok his primary base of operations would suddenly decide that in Pattaya he was having more fun, twice extending his stay there. I also sense that it wasn't simply a price-to-book calculation that most influenced you. Never a cheap Charlie, you were this trip quicker to acquiese to the asking price of the most sought-after specimens and didn't look back. However, crossing the 4,000 baht rubicon put you in new territory where few here have ventured so all the more compelling were your descriptions of those experiences. Thankfully, there's a fair number of members who submit trip reports and we devour them all. Yours, however, are unique in the sense that you often pursue otherwise straight men. Doesn't mean you don't enjoy the occasional twink but you're definitely comfortable with guys who'll will be going home to wives or girlfriends. I think you find them less complicated and appreciate that they're unlikely to view you as potential boyfriend material. No "you love me?" comments emerging from these guys. As you said more than once, "you happy, I'm happy" is music to your ears. You also managed to take us on a few road trips such as the fast boat to Hua Hina and back and brief excursions around Patts and Bangkok. These are enjoyable to read and helpful for fellow visitors. It seemes that you also turned a page with just a single visit (if I recall right) to Soi Six, previously one of your regular stomping grounds. I'm not (and know you're not) putting down the trio of bars there but you've been there, done that and spread a wider net this time around. A few random comments: Swampy to Silom -- I find getting off the airport train at Makkasan station (two stops before Phaya Thai) and transferring to MRT Petchaburi station is a better option than connecting to BTS. Transferring at Makassan is via a switchback ramp that eliminates stairs. It also avoids the BTS train transfer at Siam. Cost is about the same but there's less hassle. Watching the world go by -- I thoroughly enjoy, as do you, passing time with a beer on Soi Four or Soi Twwilight, watching the work-bound guys (they're the ones carrying their meal), tourists and waiters interact. Love it. Thanks for tip about who might be found on the streets of Soi Thaniya after bars close. Hope to pursue this. All in all, you've set a high bar for the rest of us.

Determined to find Christian potential loincloth candidate. He does so much for readers here and on his own site it's least I can do to show appreciation.

From Coconuts Bangkok CP All announced this morning that it has decided to pull draft beer machines from 7-Eleven convenience stores once and for all, after anti-drinking groups staged protests on Friday. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/7-eleven-officially-pulls-draft-beer-machines-stores/

From The Nation Apart from the nine-spire roofed pavilions of the Royal Crematorium, the landscape at the ceremonial site has been arranged to pay tribute to the work of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A dike rice field in the shape of the Thai number nine character, with vetiver grass, Chaipattana Aerators, a weir, and royal initiatives such as the Kaem Ling (“Monkey Cheek”) flood-control royal project, have been created. Phorntham Thamwimol, the landscape architect of the Office of Architecture, Department of Fine Arts, said the use of water illustrates the late King’s genius. “In order to express many royal initiatives significantly, this is the first time that the royal cremation ground of Sanam Luang has been adjusted. “The ground level pools have a water circulation system and electric lighting effects at the four corners of the royal crematorium as well as at the front, where an actual rice field is planted,” he said. Continues with other photos http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/kingdomgrieves/30328886

From Pattaya Mail PATTAYA – Authorities are threatening to double or triple fines against warring Pattaya public-transport drivers, saying vigilante violence against smartphone-enabled ride-sharing services must end. Manote Chanwattanasin, inspector general of the Chon­buri Land Transport Department, called a meeting Sept. 27 with police, Pattaya administrators, and Banglamung District officials for taxi co-operatives to discuss the latest salvos in the “Uber war”. The confab was prompted by two videos posted to social media showing taxi drivers either fighting or angrily confronting drivers getting business from Uber Technologies Co.’s or GrabTaxi PTE’s apps. The former’s UberX and the latter’s GrabCar discount services have been declared illegal in Thailand as they utilize privately registered cars driven by people without commercial driver’s licenses. Operating almost with impunity in Bangkok for years, both services have been subjected to repeated incidents of vigilante justice and guerilla warfare by Pattaya co-op taxi drivers who, until the ride-sharing services arrived in Pattaya, had earned a dismal reputation for repeatedly overcharging customers. http://www.pattayamail.com/news/authorities-threaten-tripled-fines-end-uber-war-188081

Two solutions: 1. Only have sex at his place 2. Get a Greek friend; they don't shave as often.

After trip reports--the meat and potato of this forum, threads like this represent to me the reason why the forum exists and prospers: it gives members an an opportunity to discuss and debate topics that catch their collective interest. We've had contributions that discussed the unknown factors, offered solutions, considered morality, related personal experience and provided some comic relief. The ancient Greek senate functioned not unlike this. Ideas emerge from time to time that that fit into this category. It may not be obvious from the OP, but one post leads to another and more members become drawn into the discussion. Over on the Gaybutton board, the campaign and administration one Donald Trump has been attracting posts for over two years now. It has a loyal following and reflects what many of its members enjoy debating. That's a healthy indicator as is the run of this thread. The more who contribute, the likelihood of reaching some sort of consensus is heightened. That can't be a bad thing. Even if we don't, it's still entertaining.

Size of bottle has yet to be established. As this very moment the same Scotland Yard inspectors who helped the BIB pin the Koh Tao murders on those Myanmar guys is en route to Swampy to get to the bottom of this. Room will be swept by forensic team and depositions taken. No bottle will be left unturned. If you're certain it was a miniature bottle, expect to among those interrogated.

He's one tough customer but perhaps the guy in second from last photo (short, bubble-but type, second from right) might pass his initial round of elimination process. He seems very much in the doable weight range. Alas, we cannot remotely measure skin temperature.

A quick visit to Trip Advisor yielded a few interesting pics guests submitted of mini bars in their upscale Bangkok hotels. Dream Hotel Sheraton Grande Although published by Trip Advisor in 2013, I believe it remains a good representation of what guests world-wide continue to value when it comes to hotel amenities: Most Important Hotel Amenities for U.S. Travelers 1. Free In-Room Wi-Fi (89%) 2. Free Parking (89%) 3. Free Breakfast (84%) 4. Free Personal Care Items (72%) 5. Free Lobby Wi-Fi (71%) Least Important Hotel Amenities for U.S. Travelers 1. Mini Bar (21%) 2. Spa/Beauty Treatments (23%) 3. Business Center (34%) 4. Laundry Service (39%) 5. Free Pool-Side Wi-Fi (42%) The following list of average mini-bar mark-ups from Huffington Post (2015) reflects US prices. In Thailand, where imported wine and spirits can be prohibitively expensive, you can expect even higher baht equivalent prices. The only thing I want to find in my mini bar is a refrigerator with some complimentary water. I can easily get anything else I need at 7-Eleven or Family Mart.

The Guardian (UK) posted this photo (provided by authorities), showing cops displaying the "evidence" confiscated in the raid. It apparently consisted mainly of condoms and lubricants--stuff that could be purchased at most pharmacies. The heavily-armed Swat team in background creates interesting optics. Some noteworthy quotes from the Guardian account: When asked about what the people in the spa were doing at the time of the raid, Yuwono noted that it was dark at the time. “LGBT is clearly between men and men or same-sex relationships. Male prostitution,” Yuwono said, without clarifying further. He said those charged could face up to six years in prison under Indonesia’s pornography law. “There’s a cashier, the manager there and also those providing facilities like towels and other things,” he said. I'm sure readers were shocked, shocked to learn that there was a manager and a cashier preseent and that towels were provided. That explains why the Swat team was required, I guess. Give me good, old Thailand any day.

Bangkok Post is reporting that International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has removed the "red flag" from Thailand, allowing Thai carriers to expand international routes. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1338422/aviation-red-flag-lifted

Based on comments, it appears there's three perspectives on loin cloths: aesthetic, function and comfort. Aesthetic -- compared to briefs (jockey) style, some of the loin cloths seem less revealing of what they cover (a common complaint made against boxers): Other loin cloths designs, however, are noticeably more revealing: Function -- loin cloths offer the wearer ease of movement and easy access to what they cover: Comfort -- since it's somewhat unlikely that more than a few readers have actually worn one, much is left to the imagination. Some enthusiasts claim it improves circulation. At the end of the video in the OP, the narrator observes: "some businessmen say that it even boosts performance in the workplace," although just what business they're engaged in wasn't mentioned. To assist in evaluating the comfort angle from afar, these candid photos may help stimulate the imagination: Hope this encourages more exploration. Who knows? It may even get Christian to reconsider his initial reaction.

Located this BBC special report released in January this year: Life and death on Thailand's lethal roads There is a ritual that is now very familiar to Thais, before the two big holiday seasons of the year, in late December for the new year, and in April for the Songkran Festival. The government will set a target for reducing fatalities on Thailand's notoriously dangerous roads, exhorting Thais not to speed, or drink and drive. Sometimes good citizens will run publicity stunts, like the coffin-maker, who last year invited journalists to film the huge stockpile his workers were building up for the holiday season. And every year these efforts fail. The grim statistics of death and injury on the roads are tallied each day in the media with, as often as not, worse figures than the year before. And so it was this last new year - 478 people lost their lives on the roads in just seven days. In one horrific collision in Chonburi on 2 January, 25 people died - some burned to death in a crushed and overcrowded passenger van they could not escape. Road accidents in Thailand 2nd in the world for road accident deaths, after Libya 24,000 people are estimated to die on Thai roads every year 73% of those killed are motorcyclists 36.9m vehicles ply Thai roads - it's gone up by 30% in the last five years World Health Organization Continues with video http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38660283

Damn good advice. Many, many years ago (when I was indeed a young man) I was on one of my frequent trips to the Fort Lauderdale area. I had brought along one of the popular gay guide books of the day and noted that there was, for lack of a better term, a small sex club operating out of an old motel in nearby Hollywood. Off I went in the rental car my first evening and found the place as advertised. The owner had taken three rooms at the end of a remote wing of the single story building, replaced the beds with old sofas and opened the connecting doors between the rooms. I think there there was a modest entrance fee and a bar where they sold cans of beer and soft drinks. The crowd appeared to be mostly local and young which was fine with me. I quickly settled in, spotted a cute guy and offered him a beer. We spent the next hour or so on one of those sofas, doing what came naturally. As we were saying our good byes, I instinctively checked my pockets. My cash was there but a folded wad of $25 travelers checks I couldn't find. I asked him, loudly I'm sure, if he taken them and he denied it, inviting me to search him. I declined and left in an angry mood, slamming the door. As I climbed back in the car I noticed my windbreak on the floor by the passenger seat. A sudden sinking feeling came over me. I quickly located the checks in one of its pockets. My first thought was to just get the hell out of there but then I though of the young guy I had falsely accused in front of his friends. I swallowed my pride and returned to the club. I approached the boy and apologized as sincerely as I could. He replied in a quiet voice, "I told you I didn't do it, why didn't you believe me?" I had no answer but I turned and looked toward the on-lookers and announced that i had been wrong and that this guy was no thief. No one said a word. I left in humiliation, knowing that i deserved every bit of it. I hadn't thought about that for a long time but vinapu's account instantly brought it back.

Escapes from grim reaper--no matter how narrow--are always better than the alternative.

Well, I'll meet you halfway on this quote. I agree that If an Australian visits Thailand, the probability of death is lower than visiting The Philippines. As for the remainder of the sentence (so Thailand cannot possibly be the most dangerous country, based on this data), it still remains the most dangerous in terms of greatest incidence of death. In any case, our arguing about how many angels can dance on the top of a pin comes as little solace to the 329 Aussies who met their death in both destinations.

Thanks for the vote, 909, but I look forward to our acknowledged expert on all things undie, Christianpfc, to weigh in.

If the minibar contents are in a separate cabinet, some hotels will lock them on request. If they're out in the open, you could always hide the liquor bottles before going out for the night, leaving only the less costly items on display. There's good advice in posts above. I think the bottom line comes down to just how memorable was your time with this guy. If he makes the "definitely want to do this again" category, forget about the loss and move on. If he doesn't make the cut, there are plenty of others who will. And in any case, you're wiser for the experience.

Volunteers are hitting the streets of Tokyo to clean up trash and spread the word about the latest trend in underwear: the loincloth. Not quite sure if they would pass muster with the board's authority on the subject. Video from Rueters TV http://www.reuters.tv/v/aG2/2017/10/06/volunteers-clean-up-tokyo-in-loincloths

True, but it will be interesting to see how this works out. These machines are already in quite a few 7-Elevens. And the Leo beer must be paying a hefty fee for product placement.