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According to the rules of the board, here’s what qualifies for posting in Beer Bar: “Open to general topics not covered elsewhere including Current Events, Politics, Religion, Movies and other topics. Discuss the topic, not the policy or personality. Have fun and enjoy!” Knowledge of On-going terrorism is southern Thailand may indeed be useful to visitors to the country. But I understand that if you are no longer visiting the country it may not be relevant to you personally.

If you’re looking for availability, there are quite a few cute guys working at Avarin Massage’s two shops on Surawong, one of which is situated at corner of hotel driveway and the other one a shopfront away. I can attest that they do one of best foot and leg massages in Silom along with oil massage done in rooms with table and in-suite shower than can accommodate two. 🙂

When the woman who owned original Tarntawan Hotel sold it (and adjacent apartment building at corner of Soi Tarntawan), buyer changed name to Tarntawan Hotel Surawong.

Just noticed this so I guess it’s new.

Guess I am a little. 😉 Noticed that Phetboy has taken a page from Phoenix Massage and also posted an another video of some of its guys shirtless.

I can—and frequently do—remember every guy who does, going back decades. My all time best fantasies.

The best harbinger of exchange rates is your home country’s central bank interest rate policy. If it rises so should its advantage vs the baht. Political leaders can influence trade but have no effect on cross currency rates that I can see.

From Travel and Leisure / TAT The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to announce that Thailand has been honoured as Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Destination of the Year. Renowned for its captivating culture, vibrant culinary landscape, and breathtaking natural beauty, Thailand stands out as a premier destination for global travellers in the coming year. This recognition joins numerous awards and accolades Thailand has garnered over the years, celebrating the nation’s appeal and commitment to offering an exceptional travel experience. TAT New York Office Director, Chompu Marusachot, said “We’re thrilled to see Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, commitment to sustainability, dynamic culinary scene, and exceptional wellness offerings acknowledged by Travel + Leisure as their Destination of the Year for 2025. Such recognition from a respected travel publication reinforces Thailand’s timeless charm and renowned hospitality that resonates with visitors worldwide.” She added “We look forward to welcoming more travellers to experience Thailand’s unique allure through five must-do experiences: Must Taste (the flavours of Thailand), Must Try (local activities), Must Buy (authentic products), Must Seek (hidden gems and once-in-a-lifetime moments), and Must See (celebrated culture and festivals).” Link to Travel and Leisure article https://www.travelandleisure.com/thailand-destination-of-the-year-2025-8726182

From Bangkok Post Two United Nations (UN) agencies launched a chemical sex health toolkit yesterday during a two-day symposium held in Bangkok. The toolkit is designed to assist health service providers in aiding people who engage in chemical sex to have access to proper healthcare when needed while being safe from stigmatisation. Chemical sex (chemsex) is the use of specific drugs to enhance or prolong sexual experiences. Two United Nations (UN) agencies launched a chemical sex health toolkit yesterday during a two-day symposium held in Bangkok. The toolkit is designed to assist health service providers in aiding people who engage in chemical sex to have access to proper healthcare when needed while being safe from stigmatisation. Chemical sex (chemsex) is the use of specific drugs to enhance or prolong sexual experiences. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime launched the toolkit on the last day of the "6th Asia-Pacific Chemsex Symposium: Pleasures, Policies, Possibilities". The Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, Universiti Malaya, Swing Thailand, HEART Taiwan, and the Malaysian Aids Foundation jointly held the symposium. The symposium aimed to increase participants' understanding of chemsex practices, drug policies, and their implications for healthcare systems in the Asia-Pacific region. It looked at people-centred, community-led models of chemsex-related service deliveries, including harm reduction services and regional policies. Suniya Taimour, the UNAIDS Pakistan Country Office Community-Led Response Advisor for Pakistan and Afghanistan, told the Bangkok Post that the toolkit focuses on how to provide comprehensive healthcare to gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women. "It has been developed collaboratively ... It comprises the insights and the experiences of key populations from different countries," Ms Taimour said. "It also provided guides, tools, training through different modules, and it emphasises engagement with those who have engaged in chemsex to be done in a very empathetic and compassionate manner." This toolkit also considers the regulated environment in terms of gender and sexuality that many face in countries in the Asia-Pacific region, she said. Asked what the problems are when those who engage with chemsex often experience accessing healthcare, Ms Taimour said there is a lot of stigma against such people. She also gave examples of healthcare providers not giving proper healthcare because of a lack of knowledge on drug use and chemsex. Sometimes, healthcare professionals focus too much on the patients' drug use behaviour, making them forget they are duty-bound to give patients nonjudgmental and empathetic healthcare. When asked how this toolkit could benefit Thailand, she said that, in comparison to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Thailand is considered progressive. She said Thailand could use this toolkit to make health service providers more aware of the issue. "We can start small by showing what a good example is and expand it to other services and across countries," she added. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2898391/un-launches-chemical-sex-health-toolkit

Olddaddy, karaoke remains popular in Bangkok. There are many places around Silom.

From The Thaiger In a shocking daylight assassination, the popular two-time mayor of the Rueso subdistrict in the southern province of Narathiwat was brutally shot dead at his garment factory. The 55 year old mayor, Wichet Thaithongnum, known by locals as Mayor Arm, was gunned down by a group of men wielding war weapons in an audacious attack that has left the community reeling. The deadly assault unfolded at 11.40am today, November 7, at the Hand-in-Hand factory in Yalaebor Village. According to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4, four armed assailants arrived on two motorcycles, making a beeline for the factory’s meeting room. Wichet, who was engaged in discussions with Nuree Dewadalae, chairperson of the factory’s community enterprise, had no time to react as the gunmen opened fire, instantly ending his life. After the brutal attack, the assailants fled the scene. Known for his dedication to local economic growth, Wichet was a highly respected figure, not only serving as mayor but also as chairperson of the Narathiwat Sports Association. His factory, the Hand-in-Hand garment enterprise, was a beacon of hope for the community, creating jobs and income for residents. The factory regularly hosted study trips, showcasing its community-driven enterprise model. The compound even included local shops, furthering Wichet’s vision for community prosperity. Local police are investigating the motive behind the attack, which has cast a shadow over the once-thriving factory. The incident has left locals in shock, mourning the loss of a man who had dedicated his life to the betterment of his community. In related news, tensions erupted late at night on October 9 when insurgents launched coordinated attacks on two security outposts in a southern border province, resulting in the tragic death of a border patrol officer.

From Pattaya News The number of Russian visitors in Phuket has instantly dropped due to two Russian airlines responsible for a majority of flights to the island stopping their services temporarily due to sanctions imposed by western countries on Russia due to the ongoing Russian invasion into Ukraine. The President of the Phuket Tourism Association Mr. Bhummikitti Ruktaengam posted on his Facebook, “Two airlines from Russia have paused their services to other areas including Phuket which are S7 – Siberian Airlines and Aeroflot Airlines.” “The reason that they have paused is because of European and American sanctions which caused airplane rental contracts to be paused too. Some ticket booking system companies have stopped their services. Airspace has been restricted and limited in conflict areas of Ukraine and Russia. So these make ticket bookings more difficult if not outright impossible for citizens of both countries, although there are still some routes in through the UAE.” Bhummikitti stated. “The number of Russian visitors in Phuket used to be very high and since reopening Thailand to foreign tourists last year with Thailand Pass, Russians have been number one in terms of overall visitors. Most of them used direct flights from Russia and not flights through Dubai or some other Middle Eastern countries which, for now, are still operating although could also be forced to pause soon due to sanction-related issues. As a result, the numbers of Russian visitors have instantly dropped.” Bhummikitti added. their services for now, including Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, American Express, Wise, Remitly, and bank-related sanctions with SWIFT it has become almost impossible for Russians to access their banks and funds in Russia, leaving a significant number of them stranded without the ability to pay for flights home to Russia or even for hotels or food. There are still some tourists who have managed to access funds through cryptocurrency or small banks not targeted by SWIFT but loopholes and grey areas continue to be closed by Western countries putting pressure on Russia to end the conflict,” Bhummikitti explained. Bhummikitti did not state exactly how many Russians were “stranded” in Phuket as a result of the sanctions, TPN media notes, but both Samui and Pattaya have reported similar issues with Samui stating hundreds of Russians and Ukrainians, who could not get flights home due to restricted airspace, were facing problems both in getting flights and for Russians financially due to sanctions. Bhummikitti said that the tourism association and Phuket leaders were working closely with both Russians and Ukrainians on the island who were facing travel and finance problems, as well as working out deals with hotels and Immigration to allow those who could not leave or could not temporarily pay to stay longer. Bhummikitti also stated that the consulates of both countries were working with their citizens to provide solutions and support for those in need.

from Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Donald Trump may not be an expert on Thai affairs, even mispronouncing the country as Thighland four years ago. But most economists believe his second-term win is more of a plus for Thailand than a Harris victory would have been. The secret lies in Trump’s monumental dislike of China and his threat to increase dramatically tariffs – up to 60 percent and beyond – to deter Chinese exports to the United States. As commerce minister Pichai Naripthaphan has noted, there’s likely to be a rush of Chinese investment to build factories in Thailand to create a manufacturing hub for exports to the United States. That is already a trend in the Eastern Economic Corridor for automobile production, electronics and AI data centers. The Thai premier, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was amongst the first tranche of world leaders to congratulate the Trump-Vance ticket. The Board of Investment has already announced a 42 percent jump in the value of investment proposals for 2024 compared with the previous year. With rising US Treasury yields rising already, the baht is likely to decline by one or two cents. Although that will be unpopular with international tourists to Thailand, a weaker baht makes Thai exports to the US and the world cheaper. There are, of course, threats to this positive scenario under Trump. For example, if Thailand moves closer to China in foreign policy Trump may well raise US tariffs on imports from here. He will certainly dislike Thailand’s flirtation with BRICS, an international economic framework led by Russia and China, which the new president will see as an attack on the US dollar. Moreover, Thailand is in dispute with China over the dumping of cheap consumer goods here which is threatening domestic production. However, Thailand has shown itself adroit over many decades in maintaining a measure of international independence on the world stage. Dealing with the unpredictable Trump and his America First agenda will be a major task of the current Pheu Thai administration. Thailand has the second biggest economy in ASEAN but is experiencing sluggish growth. Receiving as many international tourists as possible and encouraging exports are the two major preoccupations as 2024 splutters to a close.

Prompted by a video of their staff posted on their LINE feed, I satisfied a whim and paid a late afternoon visit to Phoenix Massage. My route took me from the MRT blue line station at Samyan to Lat Phrao where I connected to the MRT yellow line monorail. Although the signage is fairly good (follow Exit 4), it took me up and down escalators, up elevator, across parking garage on a 10-minute journey. Following shop’s advice, I got off at Lat Phrao 83 stop and walked about 10 minutes to soi 110. That’s where the directions on Google map went haywire. According to map I should be looking to turn left onto second sub soi. But there wasn’t one. After walking back and forth, I messaged shop and they sent me same map link. Lost, I figure what are my chances of finding anyone who speaks English this far out. As it turned out, everyone I asked (3 people) spoke it very well! The first was a couple outside their house. They directed me to the opposite side of street and told me to take next soi, I did but quickly arrived at intersection. Spotted two women sitting outside a convenience store. Before I could pull out my phone, one said “can I help you? In perfect English. She turned out to have worked 30 years in LA. She immediately asked me what I thought of election and I told her I was sorry Harris lost. “So am I,” replied Tammy, who then summoned two nieces who were learning English to come and demonstrate their new skills. After we chatted a few more minutes, she asked “what brings you here?” I showed her the address and she pointed down the soi. “It should be a little after my house on the right side,” she said. I thanked them and made my goodbyes. Sure enough, a garage like structure bearing the shop name soon appeared. I opened the door and the manager handed me a bottle of chilled water. I showed him the video and guy who captured my interest. “Oh, he’s here now,” he said, motioning to a one playing pool with a few others. While the boy went to collect his the massage basket, I inquired about the price and was informed there was a promotion of 1600 baht that was inclusive of tip. I was a bit apprehensive but was exhausted and had come a long way to cure my curiosity and agreed. The room was small but had AC, table and shower. The guy quickly arrived, stripped down and joined me in shower. He made sure I was carefully soaped up and I returned the favor. As we towel off, I used sign language to let him know I didn’t want any oil (he was first one so far that didn’t speak English), His technique was ok and he straddled me in the way I can resist advancing the schedule. When I rolled over, things progressed quickly but still found 10 minutes or so to massage him. He checked all the boxes of what would qualify as a full service massage in most readers’ book. He was just attentive in the post massage shower. This was a new experience that took the minimum tip process a step beyond, and I came away liking it. At no time did the guy ask more for any service. He was pleasant and accommodating throughout. For the record, he was from Isaan. As I left the shop, the manager called my attention to four boys at pool table who paused and smiled. I could have have taken any of them. As I walked back towards the station, I mused that 1600 might be a bit steep of locals but I didn’t give it much thought because I believe I received fair value. If I knew the lay of the land the total travel time would have been no more than 1:10. Cost each way 75 baht, I wouldn’t advise this undertaking if you have mobility issues. But it suited me because it reinforced my confidence in getting around the sprawling city with its excellent public transportation options. Should you decide to go, one final tip. As soon as you turn on to Lat Phrao 110, abandon phone map and turn immediately hard right and take your first left. Shop will be on your left a few minutes walk down.

From The Thaiger Pattaya is bustling with anticipation for the upcoming Chon Buri Coffee on the Beach 2024 event. Scheduled to take place from November 22 to 24 at Pattaya Beach, this event promises a unique blend of coffee culture and scenic beachfront experiences. Held at Pattaya Central Beach, directly across from the iconic Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, the event marks its 5th year running. The organisers have set their sights on promoting a refreshed image of Chon Buri, drawing in lifestyle-focused tourists, bolstering local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and highlighting the burgeoning coffee industry in the region. The event promises a plethora of engaging activities for attendees. Visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of coffee tastings, offering a chance to sample different blends and flavours that showcase the local coffee scene. Additionally, workshops will provide insights into coffee brewing techniques and the art of crafting the perfect cup.

From Pattaya Mail All Thailand’s expatriates should register with TRD says tax expert By Barry Kenyon All foreigners clocking up 180 days residence here, or more, during the calendar year 2024 should obtain a tax identification number from the Thai Revenue Department. They should also fill in the requisite tax form and submit it in the first three months of 2025, according to Thomas Carden the Bangkok-based founder and director of American International Tax Advisors. He accepted that the majority of expats would need the help of a tax professional to complete the bureaucracy. Mr Carden emphasized that only overseas income actually transmitted to Thailand was relevant. “Issues such as pre-taxed pensions, non-assessable income and double taxation treaties are all important,” but our advice is to register even if you don’t believe you have anything to pay,” he told 100-plus members of the Pattaya City Expat Club. “If you don’t register, then you risk audit at a later date, maybe years away, and have to prove your immunity. If you delay, the financial penalty screws can become tighter and tighter.” He admitted that the TRD head office in Bangkok had failed to keep the provincial offices up to date. “That’s why expats turning up at local revenue offices have often been told to go away even if accompanied by their wife or a Thai speaker.” He added that there was bound to be initial administrative chaos, but the safest course of action was to register via a professional tax company. “Most pensioner expats living on savings and pensions will have nothing, or little, to pay and supporting bank or tax documentation is not required when submitting the form.” Answering questions, Mr Carden said that taxing foreign residents was common to many countries these days, not just Thailand. He told one British audience member that it was best to register even though the guy had not remitted any income to Thailand in 2024 and would be unlikely to do so in 2025 either. “Registration doesn’t mean you have to pay,” Mr Carden repeated. In a brighter piece of news, he stated that TRD was not, for now anyway, investigating credit or debit card transactions.

I would agree that if you are selecting a guy based solely on photo, you run an equal risk of being pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised. Consequently I’d generally advise members to visit the shops in person and see who’s hanging around. Places like Phetboy, 15M and K-Man (all with easy walking distance of less than 5 minutes from BTS stop) will have some you can see in person before deciding. That both of us had disappointing experience on a single night should not keep you from exploring the shops in the area. In our pursuits there are no guarantees of satisfaction but I assure you that there are equal rewards to be enjoyed.

Agree. Photoshopping, however, is making selection more of a challenge.

That’s Phoenix Massage, formerly in SK area but now in Lad Phrao 110.

+1

In Saphan Kwai, most of my experiences at 15M have been good to very good. Some guys who originally became known to readers who receive feeds from Jey Spa, Glam and other shops have been appearing in various SK shop listings. I’ve booked two of them but found their practice annoying of trying to upsell themselves piecemeal with very pricey requests for what they believe are “extras”. in Silom, I’ve had many good times in Soi 6 shops* and at Avarin and Green on Surawong. * I haven’t tried any of the 9-Teen shops which only hire Thai staff.

For combination of location and price, difficult to beat Tarntawan. if the price is right, Raya has location plus better rooms.

Although he’s not alive to share in the victory, Roy Cohn is responsible in no small part. From National Public Radio obituary: Cohn was already a legend when Trump met him in 1973. Cohn had been in the news for decades, prosecuting nuclear espionage or searching for communists or defending celebrity clients. Among those he represented were Cardinal Francis Spellman, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and the New York crime bosses Carmine Galante and John Gotti.Trump met him in the high-fashion Manhattan bar called Le Club and was soon relying on him for advice in dealing with lawsuits and legal orders and life in general. He drew up four versions of a prenuptial agreement prior to Trump's first marriage. (His first wife, Ivana Trump, died Thursday at 73.)Cohn was known for telling clients to fight all charges, to counter-sue when sued and to never concede defeat. Trump has followed his formula for half a century, and that has come to matter a great deal to the nation.

Trump is wining because he knew the electorate better than Dems. It didn’t matter who the Dems ran against him. This is the worst possible outcome for a democracy. Whether it can withstand it remains to be seen. It’s also a blow to NATO and long-standing allies.