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MASSAGE There was so shortage of guys in the shops. Although I'd guess that at least half are straight, that certainly doesn't mean they don't know how to satisfy. Only had one dud in that department. Granted it's low season but I was the only westerner I saw upstairs in any of the shops I visited. ARENA AND BANANA CLUB -- They never disappointed in the past and this was no exception. Banana provided me with my first guy who appeared to be Thai-Japanese mix. He was new but had learned quickly. SURIWONG STRIP -- There's a half dozen shops in the area between Soi Tarntawan (soi where Tawan is located) and the Family Mart, all on same side of Suriwong. I managed to sample three this time. These places don't get a lot of mention so here's what I found. My favorite turned out to be Tarntawan Massage (closest to Family Mart) where they wear white polo shirts with green trim. I was walking by my first night and a guy stood up, touched my arm and asked: "body massage, sir?" This qualifies as the Vinapu approach is spades. He was hunky with a killer smile. Think I said "yes" but who the hell knows. Ten seconds later I was removing my shoes and a minute later I was on the second floor. Facilities: all rooms are second floor and have in-suite showers. Standard massage table without hole. My guy was from Issan, 22, and had a body hardened by labor and not the weight room. Sure, he liked girls and asked if I minded if he used his phone to complete the mission, and I know I said "no problem." Must have enjoyed myself because I repeated this episode four times with my Roi-et accomplice during my stay. He showered with me after and was really attentive. Also had a pretty good experience at Urban Thai Massage nearest the 7-11 at the other end of strip. Again, it was the guy who smiled at me and said, "Massage?" The guys here wear lime green tops with high collar. Room he took me to was on third floor with a large shower. Massage table with whole. He was 21, not a muscle guy but could perform without aid of a device. Good massage skills and and responsive to requests. Only downside: I showered alone. Also tried Green Massage (oddly they wear orange polo shirts). Mistake I made here was responding to the female mamasan outside who inquired whether I wanted a male or female? "I have profiles on ipad" she assured me. I went inside and was invited to sit while she went off to get her ipad. Meanwhile, about 16 Chinese were getting leg massages. Shortly after an entire family (including three girls) entered and took seats to await their foot and leg pleasures. Finally, mamasan returned and showed me pics of six guys who'd be available. None stood out so I just chose the last one. Massage started OK but he remained fully clothed. When I asked if he could do body-to-body, he responded "no can." Oh, well, I figured I see how it went. Unfortunately, he must have thought that the application of more oil would compensate. It didn't. When I began to feel like a basted turkey, I told him enough oil but he didn't seem get the message. I brought it to an end when he asked me to flip over on my back. Cut my losses and showered alone. Tipped accordingly. Having said that, I'd still give this another try but only if I make the right connection outside. On my last night, I was walking along Suriwong in direction of Patpong (same side) and there's an area where there's a tailor's dummy on sidewalk. There's usually a few ladies outside, offering massage but this night there was a really eager guy who physically stopped me, promised the world but I was on my way to meet a friend at Telephone and had to take a pass. Maybe he'll be there next trip. SOI TWILIGHT -- Unless you're a show guy (I'm not) you can enjoy a beer in the vicinity of bht 120 at most of the outside bars. Maxi's has good food and a great for crowd watching. Dick's is also good and beers are 110. If the Chinese suddenly abandon Dream Boy, it will rapidly cease to exist. There were also some cute guys in a new outside bar located just after Dick's who are eager to keep you entertained if you're buying the drinks. SOI FOUR -- Spent most of my time there at Telephone. Like the waiters and the burgers. They have a low-season Happy Hour between 6 and 9:30 with cheap drinks. A shot of bourbon is bht 59. Although I didn't visit Jupiter, most of those I saw going in were Chinese. Four was definitely busier than Twilight. SUPER A, GOLDEN COCK AND NATURE BOYS -- These holes in the wall deserve our support because they represent an alternative to the standard fare. I hope they can hold out. Super A had 8 guys the night I stopped in, including a cute Lao guy. Drinks bht 130 and off fee 500. GC had five guys, two of whom were uninhibited, very well-equipped Issan guys. Drinks 140 and 400 off. Good idea to keep close count of number of drinks you agree to so you and bartender have same count when it's time to settle up. Nature Boys -- There were two attentive guys who made passing the time enjoyable. Beers were 150 if I recall correctly. MISC. Arrived about 7p.m. and took train to Petchaburi and transferred to MRT for quick ride to Silom. Cost about 60 bht. Reversed process for an 8 p.m. departure. USING AN ATM -- Made a stupid mistake while using Thanachart Bank. I failed to notice (or it wasn't displayed on screen) the following message: "I have chosen not to use the Mastercard currency coversion process." It was, however, printed on the receipt. The result was an exchange rate a full baht below what I should have received. The devil is in the details! Currency exchange -- Super Rich location in Silom complex continues to offer most competitive rates but you can do a little better at its other location further down Silom located next to the building where Arena is located. KFC has opened a new store a short distance away from its old location on Silom.

From The Independent (K) By Elaine Dickinson "Amazing Thailand" - so the slogan goes. But while Thailand shines brightly on many fronts – its exhuberant capital, mesmerising beaches, bucolic countryside, lip-smacking food – it is mirrored by a dark side, a far cry from the tourism authority's vision of paradise. During my years living in the Land of Smiles, I heard almost daily tales of horrific motorbike, car, boat and bus accidents, scams and property frauds, drownings and diving incidents, stabbings, suicides and highly-suspicious deaths. Most distressing among them were the murders of British youngsters Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, who were brutally killed on the southern island of Koh Tao in 2014. At the time of the event, I was asked by an international news agency to gather some quotes from foreigners living on the island. Resting in the Gulf of Thailand, a two-hour ferry ride north of Koh Samui, Koh Tao is best known for its incredible marine life, which over the years has attracted a small but buoyant expat community of around 2,000 people, many of whom run dive centres, restaurants and B&Bs. But my requests to long-time residents and business owners were met with fear, as they made it quite clear they felt their lives would be in danger if they spoke on the record. Off the record, however, they told of an island held in the iron grip of a mafia family, who demanded protection money, controlled the local police force and were not above attacking or burning down the homes and businesses of people that crossed them. Continues: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/koh-tao-thailand-dark-side-car-crash-murders-mafia-suspicious-deaths-a7824171.html

Have had same experience. They want to get out of street clothes and get more comfortable. And, as Spoon points out, it keeps their jeans cleaner longer.

This is a time-proven rule that has failed me only once (and in that case, it was mostly due to inability to communicate effectively). The same premise applies to massage shops. At Arena, where you can find 20 guys smiling at you, it's hard to make a mistake.

Banana Club and My Hero to name a few.

I'm inclined to say TIT but somehow that falls short. There must be a lucrative business in destroying what nature has bestowed.

I found myself in a similar situation seven years ago and also used Bangkok Christian Hospital. Excellent service and treatment and I don't think the tab exceeded a thousand baht. Highly recommened.

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya has confirmed new rules for beach chair vendors that will see them kicked off the sand two days a week and confined to smaller spaces the rest of the time. Pattaya City Council Chairman Anan Ankanawisan and other board members informed the unhappy umbrella dealers of the final rules promulgated on military orders June 1. Vendors now will be limited one 63-sq.-meter block of sand – instead of renting multiple 49-sq.-meter parcels – on both Pattaya and Jomtien beaches. Whether those vendors will be subject to annual lottery draws to keep their spaces – as proposed earlier – was not announced. To keep the beach tidy, vendors will be barred from putting out chairs until requested by a customer. They also will have to remove all their chairs, umbrellas and other property from the beach Tuesday night and bring it back Friday morning. http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-confirms-big-changes-beach-chair-vendors-177207

Indeed there are and on any given day can be found patrolling the Garden of Earthy Delights

To be honest, I don't mind if a guy I'm attracted to has a bit of a belly. I've met guys who describe themselves on GR as "belly" but look damn good to me in person. It tells me they're comfortable with themselves and IMHO tend to be easy going and fun. Bottom line: they're still offable in my book.

The following article describes a chain of inexpensive hotels known as "Hop Inn." Being completely unfamiliar with them, I spot checked some Trip Advisor reviews and they seem to rate fairly well among guests. They appear to have numerous locations in the north and northeast regions and other locations around LOS in the price range of $16 US or less with current promotion. From The Nation Book soon and you can stay at any of the 25 Hop Inns across the country for Bt99 per night. The hotel chain is offering the low rate to celebrate the opening of the 25th outlet. Rooms can be booked from June 12 to 14 for stays anytime before October 31. Hop Inns boast consistently high quality and standards based on the brand’s “4 Points Promise” – cleanliness, convenience, comfort and safety. Designed for budget-conscious travellers, every room has a comfortable bed, air-conditioning, TV set, work desk and refrigerator. The hotels have secure parking, CCTV, key-card room access and a coffee corner. The 25 great locations include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Udon Thai, Khon Kaen, Krabi and Had Yai. Learn more at www.HopInnHotel.com. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/travel/tourism_hotel/30317489

Trip reports and venue reports are the meat and potatoes (or fish and rice, if you will) of any forum. They get the biggest readership and it's why most of us look in so frequently. They contain information we may well use in making decisions about where to stay, places to go, sights to visit and guys to seek out or even avoid. Over time, we lost a handful of great resources. One was all about massage shops, another few narrated adventures with the Thai BF's that were fun to follow, and there was the wonderful "Dancing with the Devil" series that featured the author's adventures with Bangkok MB's. I'm sure I'm forgetting some. As Alexx aptly says, members who post these reports are doing all of us a big service. Not only do we gain the benefit of the experience of others, we get titillated--I do, anyway--at some of the more descriptive segments. The last thing we should do is discourage those who compose them. Responses like that can discourage others from posting their first reports--the last thing we want to happen, no? Steveboy, it's no witch hunt; it simply represents a statement of what the vast majority of members collectively values.

Never have, either, so I looked on their website for more info. It appears legit. They list many upcoming events, including an all-you-can-eat durian buffet sponsored by Tops Market and Central World. Think I'll pass.

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Sweaty eight-packs and testosterone will sizzle on stage when an Aussie company of strip dancers comes to heat up Bangkok nights. After its 15-year run in Las Vegas, Australia’s Thunder From Down Under will bring its rippling manflesh to Southeast Asia for the first time this August in Bangkok. Dancers will show off their chiseled bodies and sexually-charged dance moves for seven engagements. Tickets go on sale June 27 at ticketmelon.com. General admission to the standing-room only venue costs 2,500 baht, with VIP seating available for 7,500 baht and group packages available. A 10 percent discount is offered through July 18. Guests must be 18 and up. Expect to glimpse some buns but – sorry – no full-frontal nudity. More information is available on at the troupe’s website and Facebook page. The show runs Aug. 30 through Sept. 5. Sept. 4 will be “girls only,” while while gay fans will have the men all to themselves the night of Sept. 5. Continues with video http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/entertainment/2017/06/07/magic-mick-feast-aussie-beefcake-bangkok/

Although I like the convenience, I'm a bit surprised cops allowed it. Storage lockers have been used as locations to plant explosive devices in other countries.

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Wearing a glittering golden crown, a male dancer in a purple sarong sways gracefully in an ancient Khmer routine. A necklace hangs from his neck, and bangles adorn his wrists, arms and ankles like the ancient temple dancers whose movements he evokes. Especially stunning are the bare-chested men personifying female characters in a performance that signifies a leap forward for Cambodia’s once-invisible LGBT performing arts community. At a Friday performance of the Prumsodun Ok and Natyarasa dance company, it wasn’t the dancers’ sexual identities that made for a captivating performance, but their command of traditional Khmer dance, which communicates beauty through every curved back and synchronized movement. Apart from their expressiveness, the audience at Thonglor Art Space could clearly sense the dancers’ dedication, accompanied by the dignity of representing their sexuality, being accepted and supporting themselves by doing what they love. Artists and academics were all but exterminated in the Khmer Rouge genocide four decades ago. Efforts were made to revive traditional Khmer dance afterward, but it remains in a vulnerable state today. Ok said the ancient dance is seen as a mirror of heaven, reflecting society’s highest expressions of beauty, identity and order. If one looks at that reflection and doesn’t see LGBT people, it means that they don’t exist. That lack of representation, Ok said, contributes to them being stigmatized and misunderstood. “Giving these gay men a place in this artform is really stretching and re-choreographing the image of heaven and the order it represents,” said Ok, the troupe’s founder and artistic director. “What we’re giving to the tradition is new voices, new ideas, new approaches of where to grow and expand into the future and also allowing young gay men to be heard, seen and to be valued.” Before the troupe was formed, Ok received threats from those afraid and angry that he’d destroy or distort the traditional artform. He compared the situation to a story in which the Hindu Lord Shiva held poison in his neck to save the world. “I really learned how to transform poison into nectar,” he said. “Beyond them, there were young Khmer people who wrote to me saying that they love what I’m doing. Also, I learned to see the love all around me from teachers, friends, strangers who came talk to me.” Eventually, negative criticism faded as his works proved their quality and began transforming traditional dance into a contemporary context. Ok said LGBT rights are improving in Cambodia, but a lot of work remains, such as ending workplace discrimination, harmful media portrayals and family acceptance. Continues with video and pics http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/arts/2017/06/06/gay-cambodian-dance-co-upholds-tradition-as-it-breaks-barriers/

From Coconuts Bangkok An Englishman died after he jumped seven stories from the restaurant at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok hotel last night. Andrew Frank C. Browning, 67, was found dead outside the hotel. In his possession, officers found a suicide letter addressed to his daughter, which had been kept as evidence. Witnesses said that Browning had ordered a drink at the restaurant before he walked over to the balcony. Before they knew it, he had jumped, according to manager. Police suspect that Browning had decided to end his life due to severe health concerns. The forensics department at Chulalongkorn Hospital will examine him to determine the cause of death and will coordinate with the British Embassy to send his body back to the United Kingdom. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/brit-jumps-death-westin-grande-sukhumvit-bangkok/

You're forgiven, Stevie. Don't give it another thought.

Agree that it's reasonable to require it. However, the only way I can conceive that it could be accomplished without creating significant inconvenience and delays on arrival is to require airlines to collect it at time of ticket purchase as they do airport use fees imposed by individual countries.

Indeed they are. Stevie labors under the belief that they are more interested in his abs. Abs can't buy you love, Stevie, but 1500-2000 can come damn close ST.

Had to laugh when I read this quote: "The requirement should not be seen as a "hurdle to visitors...". Imagine for a moment the hordes of tourists disgorging from a 380 and scrambling to the vending machines to buy insurance before racing to the immigration queues. No, no trouble at all. From Bangkok Post All foreign tourists will soon be required to have travel insurance before entering Thailand under a proposal put forward by a committee of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, according to an informed source. The plan has been proposed by a committee working on the development of Thailand as a wellness tourism hub, and will be forwarded for consideration by the national tourism policy commission. The requirement should not be seen as a "hurdle" to visitors to Thailand, the source said on Monday. Under the proposal, the Office of the Insurance Commission would draft details on insurance policies and insurance distribution channels, including the installation of automatic vending machines at international airports and border checkpoints. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1262919/insurance-to-be-compulsory-for-travellers-to-thailand

From Bangkok Post The combined capacity of airports under Airports of Thailand Plc's (AoT) supervision has fallen well short of actual utilisation, resulting in congestion, according to AoT data. All but one AoT airport is being run well beyond the designed capacity for passenger handling. Chiang Rai airport is the only exception, even though passenger traffic through the facility has been on the rise, fuelled by holiday travel. Airport with the most critical shortfalls in passenger handling capacities were, from highest to lowest, Suvarnabhumi, Phuket and Don Mueang. Congestion will only worsen over the years to come as AoT continues to squeeze increasing numbers of passengers and flights into the crowded facilities, while not moving fast enough to add new airport capacities. Indeed, Suvarnabhumi has lost a decade in starting a much-needed expansion. The expansion of the airport, which includes the construction of a third runway and a second passenger terminal, together expects to cost over 110 billion baht, will not be entirely completed for next four years. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1262683/congestion-suffocating-aot-airports

Stickman's blog, that attracts more than a few readers from this side of the tracks, leads off this week with an Q&A interview with a Bangkok clinical hypnotherapist who specializes in problems of the male organ. https://www.stickmanbangkok.com/weekly-column/2017/06/when-you-cant-get-it-up/

From The Mirror (UK) A naked British tourist plunged from a hotel balcony following a boozy session with a 'ladyboy' hooker. The middle-aged man in his 40s was pictured covered in blood after he mysteriously fell from the balcony at around 5am this morning. He had spent the night with transsexual prostitute Sittipong Maneekat, 35, who said they had a "good time" after taking food and alcohol back to the third floor room in Pattaya, Thailand. But at 5am this morning the man fell after he went for a cigarette outside. Onlookers covered him with a small towel and gave him a pair of shorts as rescue workers bandaged his head. "The prostitute said she had been with him and he was foreign and British. She said they were not fighting and had a good time before. Continues with video and pics http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/naked-brit-plunges-hotel-balcony-10551232

I suspect that your plane may have simply got caught up in an air stream of consciousness that periodically befuddles your writings. But here's where we agree and disagree: DISAGREE -- I don't think I'd be concerned if a cook touched his scalp (cooking isn't really surgery is it now). AGREE -- If you observe your cook sticking his finger in his ass, your ass or the ass of others it may be cause for concern. NOTE -- If your sexual partner also happens to be a cook, you'll have to make up your own rules in this matter as you go along.