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I, too, remember those goings-on at Babylon. There were not many, but they seemed to be regulars. Haven't been to Babs for quite some time now because of the poor ratio of Thais to guys like me. As Groucho Marx said, "I wouldn't belong to any club that would have me as a member."

If all goes according to plan, Thailand will have, by 2023, its first submarine in service since 1950. The Bangkok Post reports that two more are to be purchased. Although the Thai navy hasn't had a sub to man for 67 years, it remained steadfastly confident that replacements would follow, maintaining a staffed submarine command throughout. The challenge will be to figure how to effectively deploy the craft in the Gulf of Thailand that has an average depth of just 190 ft. From Bangkok Post The Royal Thai Navy has secured 13.5 billion baht to purchase a Chinese-made submarine. It is expected the vessel would be ready to enter service in six years time. The Chinese S26T craft has a submerged displacement of 2,600 tonnes and is equipped with an air-independent propulsion system that allows the submarine to stay under water for up to three weeks at a time. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/1186061/navy-secures-funds-to-buy-chinese-sub

Here's a novel idea from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) to attract Chinese tourists. Instead of Disneyland, they can experience the thrills of Armyland, a ready-made solution that will divert them from Nana Plaza and Walking Street so they can inspect vintage tanks and watch the recruits train and drill. Actually, that may not be a bad idea, but make it an equal opportunity available to all foreigners. We need diversion, too. Getting to know the soldiers is as good as any. Suggest they develop an app for that. From Bangkok Post The Tourism Authority of Thailand has come up with an idea to open military facilities to draw tourists from China as part of a campaign to show Thailand's new look, TAT deputy governor Srisuda Wanapinyosak said. She believes warships, firing ranges and others will be exciting for them. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... facilities

Beijing aims to spread safe sex awareness among men at risk of contracting HIV as part of its wider push to tackle the spread of the disease. Critics say, however, any campaign should address the discrimination that patients face in seeking medical care. In a plan released by the State Council on stopping the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the government vowed to have 90 per cent of the high risk population educated about the disease, and lower the mother-to-child transmission to 4 per cent. The plan, released last month, also aims to lower the rate of infection arising from unsafe sex among men, or MSM, by 10 per cent by the end of 2020. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2072197/beijing-targets-unsafe-sex-among-men-hiv-campaign

I don't live in LOS but I've known where Saphan Kwai is for 15+ years now. It's simple to get to by Skytrain and found it a worthwhile alternative to Silom venues. However, time--and gentrification--has taken its toll. Haven't been there for about five years but it once had ample bars and two huge porn cinemas. One was torn down and I'm unsure if the other is still open. Christian recently gave a pretty good review to a massage place there.

(CNN) In the history of Western art, the erotic has long been hidden, ignored or condemned. For centuries, one had to look to mythological or even religious works for representations of the naked body, even a mere breast -- a nude Venus, goddess of love and beauty, in Ancient Rome, or Adam and Eve as symbolic representations of sin in paradise. It's only relatively recently that erotic art has become truly transgressive in nature. Freed from the shackles of myth, religion and academia, it gives way to the fury of desire. Erotic art is truly an image without context, a naked and pure image that transgresses the norm by making the private, the intimate and the sexual public, expressing the infinite power and beauty of the subconscious. Pablo Picasso once said sexuality and art are the same thing. Perhaps he was right. http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/15/arts/erotic-art-history/index.html

Used to enjoy sitting at outside tables at Telephone but the overhead fans are directed downward, forcing the smoke to spread to tables under the canopy instead of dispersing it. So I move across the street to a bar stool at Balcony for relief. But since I travel 10k miles to get there, I find that I over look most annoyances that would drive me batty at home. I regularly remind myself to keep my trip priorities in order.

Although it doesn't help the bar owners, it certainly improves the odds of a Thai getting offed.

Absolutely stunning photography, providing a sense of place that allows us to travel vicariously though your generous efforts. The horseplay you captured at the village toll point reinforced what I've come to see repeatedly represented in my visits to Thailand and environs: the uninhibited joy that young people take in each others' company. Perhaps it comes from living in a more intimate conditions, in close proximity with others that fosters this mindset of acceptance. I'm sure that there other factors I may never fully appreciate but remains a joyous experience simply to witness it.

Regardless of your nationality you should be familiar with what to expect when arriving from international destinations. This CNN segment covers topics like right to search your phone or other device, latitude in types of questions, search and seizure and legal rights. Veterans travelers are probably familiar with these but some areas, according to article, remain in a state of flux. http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/16/us/border-legal-rights-faq-trnd/index.html

The American PBS network has introduced a three-episode special that takes a fascinating look inside the world of commercial aviation. It takes the viewer way behind the scenes, exploring how luggage is handled in a maze of underground tracks. It describes airport design considerations, aircraft construction and maintenance, navigation and how in-flight medical emergencies are handled. And that's just a sample of topics covered. One segment centered on the world's busiest air cargo airport which I was surprised to learn is Hong Kong. You should be able to view complete episodes once they have aired at this link. http://www.pbs.org/show/city-sky/

Will take you up on that offer next time in Singapore... but please hold the pig offals. Never had scallop porridge but it sounds great. And no, I won't be boiling my rice in 1 to 6 ratio either. I'll just settle for soaking it. Always thought if I had liquid left in pan after cooking that I didn't do it right.

German news network DW English language program Global 3000 follows the transition of a male-to-female transgender process in Bangkok. http://www.dw.com/en/metamorphosis-made-in-thailand/av-37210406

The Tarntawan Apartments (not to be confused with nearby Tarntawan Hotel) states on its homepage "no joiners fee." Tarntawan Apartments, located at corner of Suriwong Rd. and Soi Tarntawan (Tawan bar soi), is managed by Lucas who formerly managed the hotel and also operates Dick's Cafe on Soi Twilight. http://www.tarntawanapartments.com/apartments.html

I wanted to know, too, so I spent spentsome time searching on line for some answers. After exploring scores of sources I believe this Wellness Letter from the University of California as the most reliable I reviewed. Some of the points it makes: We are exposed to trace amounts of arsenic all the time—in our food, water and air. For centuries, arsenic was even used as medicine and in cosmetics, and it may actually play a role in physiological processes in some animals. Cook rice the way you cook pasta—in a lot of water. Use 6 cups of boiling water for 1 cup of dry rice. When the rice is done, drain off the remaining water. You may lose some nutrients in the cooking water, but you also reduce arsenic residues—by as much as 45 percent, according to a 2009 study in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring. Rinsing rice before cooking helps, too, though it also removes some B vitamins. Avoid brown rice syrup and foods made with it, many of which are junk food, even if they are organic or come from a health-food store. Also, limit foods with multiple rice ingredients. The letter also noted that jasmine rice from Thailand was among those varieties found to contain less arsenic than rice grown in some other regions. The letter isn't too long and you can find it at link below: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/arsenic-rice-should-you-worry

ggopbkk wrote: "Try to imagine what the restaurant, which is a bit of a hole in the wall den, was like during the Vietnam war era when the Madrid was a CIA meeting spot." ------------------ I try to stop for pizza there once a trip and, like you, wonder what the characters sitting at those tables nearly 50 years looked like. Stickman wrote about the place once and I remember it being mentioned in a book whose title I can no longer recall. Truly great reports, please keep them coming!

Numazu, you're wise to undertake these adventures at a relatively young age and fortunate to have found a guy who brings so much sheer joy into the relationship. Butterfly or no butterfly, you're one lucky guy. One of the things I find myself occasionally falling victim to is the feeling that it's too late to fully enjoy life. But what really holds me back is not physical constraint but a mental one that often finds excuses to believe that it's even possible. Sharing your experiences challenges that mindset. Thanks for taking the time to put these reports together; they're like a not-so-gentle nudge in the back.

Good question. I'm a rice eater myself so I pursed this with no little amount of self interest. Consumer Reports published the following: All types of rice (except sushi and quick cooking) with a label indicating that it’s from Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas or just from the U.S. had the highest levels of inorganic arsenic in our tests. For instance, white rices from California have 38 percent less inorganic arsenic than white rices from other parts of the country. Our latest tests determined that the inorganic arsenic content of rice varies greatly depending on the type of rice and where it was grown. White basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and sushi rice from the U.S. on average has half of the inorganic-arsenic amount of most other types of rice. Brown rice has 80 percent more inorganic arsenic on average than white rice of the same type. Arsenic accumulates in the grain’s outer layers, which are removed to make white rice. Brown has more nutrients, though, so you shouldn’t switch entirely to white. Brown basmati from California, India, or Pakistan is the best choice; it has about a third less inorganic arsenic than other brown rices. The article doesn't cite rice grown elsewhere. It does cover the presence of arsenic in other grains. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/01/how-much-arsenic-is-in-your-rice/index.htm There was scare when cadmium was discovered in disturbing levels in rice in south China in 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/world/asia/cadmium-tainted-rice-discovered-in-southern-china.html After what I've read, it raises my awareness but I certainly have no intention of stopping consuming rice. What I probably will do is soak in some water for a while before cooking. Thanks for the cooking tips, Abang. I'm always looking for new ways to use turmeric.

This BBC article presents a scientific approach to the question and an easy method one researcher says reduces arsenic levels by 80%: soak it in water overnight. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38910848

Japan's NHK news reports that the Bangkok city government plans to redevelop the Klong Toey slums, and this has many residents on edge. Although they've been promised alternative accommodations, many fear that they'll simply be displaced as high-rise condos go up. The home to about 100,000, the slums occupy a space near a major subway stop and the Chao Phraya River. The report appeared as part of news acount praising a local developer for installing two unique soccer pitches within Klong Toey. Their design makes the field conform to the available space, a concept named one of the top 25 innovations in 2016 by Time magazine. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/editors/1/bangkoksinnovativesoccerfields/

Have had 3 in-room massages (all in Bangkok and all arranged on line) and found one barely satisfactory and the other two less than satisfactory. In two cases is was simply lack of skill and in the third it was someone who had the idea that he should receive the massage. In all three it was buyer's regret. Having said that, I know others who have had generally good experiences. In addition to the cons mentioned above, the down side of in-room is if your bed is too comfortable, even a good masseur cannot do the job right because much of the motion is transferred through to the mattress. I like visiting different massage shops and selecting a masseur. You get to see masseurs in person. I generally avoid places where they want you to choose from a tablet. There are many good reviews in the forum by members who report first-hand experiences in Bangkok and Pattaya. You'll save time, money and frustration by benefiting from their experience. I'd recommend Arena or Banana Club as good places to start in BKK. Good luck!

Could you please tell me if that was per person or for both?

Beds at the Crowne Plaza are among the most comfortable hotel beds I've had the pleasure to sleep in.