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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

Trial run for buses on eight new routes in Bangkok Breaking News August 09, 2017 19:47 By The Nation Newly painted buses will go on trial on eight new routes in Greater Bangkok from next Tuesday. They will be displaying a new numbering system too, including at least one English-language character. The new routes are: G21 (Rangsit - Rama V Pier), G59E (Min Buri - Si Phraya Pier via expressway), R3 (Rama IX Park - National Stadium), R41 (Tok Road - Happyland), Y59 (Taling Chan Train Station - Krathum Ban), Y61 (Settakij Village - Chatuchak Bus Terminal), B44 (Rama IX - Suttisarn) and B45 (Ua Arthon Beung Kum - Memorial Bridge). http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30323360

From Bloomberg News When Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government approved $256 million to upgrade a section of a remote border road last month, few took notice. Yet India’s decision to revive plans for the trilateral highway, part of an ambitious 1,360-kilometer (845 mile) crossing to link northeastern India with markets in Thailand and beyond, marks the next phase in the jostle between New Delhi and Beijing for economic and strategic influence in the region. In the last two years alone, India has assigned more than $4.7 billion in contracts for the development of its border roads, according to government figures, including the highway which will run from Moreh in Manipur through Tamu in Myanmar to Mae-Sot in Thailand. The construction has taken on new urgency as China pushes ahead with its own vast ‘One Belt, One Road’ infrastructure initiative, expected to involve investments worth more than half a trillion dollars across 62 nations. The intercontinental web of road, rail and trade links has raised concerns among strategic rivals India, Russia, the U.S. and Japan. Among the biggest showcases of the plan -- an economic corridor that runs through the Pakistan-administered part of disputed Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim -- has unsettled equations in the South Asian neighborhood, where border tensions often simmer. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-08/china-s-silk-road-lends-urgency-to-india-s-regional-ambitions

Today's Nationmultimeda site published an updated article on new immigration card with an improved view of flip side. Overall, it does appear to seek more data in smaller spaces on a single piece of card stock instead of the current hinged two pieces. How this will expedite immigration queues I haven't a clue. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323322

From Bangkok Post Thai Beverage, the spirits giant that makes Chang beer and SangSom rum, is expanding into the fast-food business. ThaiBev agreed to purchase more than 240 existing KFC restaurants in Thailand for about 11.3 billion baht ($340 million). http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1302575/beer-chang-maker-buys-up-kfc-thailand-restaurants

In an article in The Nation about the DMK immigration debacle, the following images of the new immigration card appeared. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323246

I think this is an example of what z909 means by ATM rip-off or unfavorable rate. (I posted the following in recent trip report). 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 conversion 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! Thanachart is not what I consider a major bank such as Siam Commercial. Again, it was my own lack of attention to detail that was responsible.

Have often paused to do the same. Hard, sweaty labor. Much to admire for sure and it's free.

Before using any ATM, have a good idea of what the current exchange rate is. This is easy to do by checking a few banks in vicinity. Do NOT go by the rate your hotel may be offering that is always way off in favor of hotel. You can also check an on-line source such as XE.com. I'd select an ATM inside a major bank. After inserting your card, entering the amount you wish to withdraw, a message should be displayed with the following information: 1. The exchange rate the bank will use for transaction 2. The fees bank will charge you 3. The amount (in Thai baht) that you will receive. Be sure to carefully read ALL the information. If you are not satisfied with anything, reject the transaction and get clarification from a bank rep or go elsewhere. As others have said, some card issuers will refund fees you incur. Check with your own bank before leaving home to avoid surprises. When using your credit card anywhere, carefully check that that you are conducting the transaction in Thai baht. Some will try to get you to select your home currency. If you agree, you'll incur two conversion fees instead of one. Always charge purchase in baht. I've used travelers checks in the past. If you can get the checks without a fee from your bank, that's good. You may receive a slightly better exchange rate but the Thai bank will impose fees for the transaction. Be sure to bring your passport to bank.

Nothing wrong with that. Enjoy!

Photo display available at http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/really-easy/1301102/bangkoks-newest-skywalk