Mavica

Where I live in Florida there are many mobile home parks, and some are being cleared for construction of new rental apartment or condo construction. Last year, one such redevelopment took place and hundreds of rats ran for cover ... onto the properties of $300,000 homes a short distance away. I laughed, but affected homeowners didn't.

Maybe those particular rats had/have a foot fetish.

Traveling someplace for a month vs. living at the same destination full-time are apples-to-oranges comparisons. Tourists vs. Expats. Expat priorities are oftentimes very different from those of tourists ... as many of us have experienced. Preference lists, as provided by reader, above, interesting as they are, IMO, mean very little to a tourist or expat. For the expat the criteria is oftentimes "Which place is the least expensive to live and has better weather?" Geographical proximity to one's country of origin is another important factor. The number of 'hits', 'clicks' a forum or discussion gets doesn't mean the destination that forum focuses on is or would translate to the interpretation that it's the most favored to visit by a majority of this site' members + non-member readers. We're fortunate, though, to have so many members who share our travel and life experiences ... and opinoons ... about the worldwide destinations we have an intetest in. Diversity and inclusion. No absolute 'right' or 'wrong' choices.

Some reaction to your comments: In Colombia, though, gay tourism is different ... isn't it? Yes, in Bangkok and Pattaya you'll see gay foreigners hanging out with Thai's. But isn't what you see mostly at venues where moneyboys are available to off? Are you seeing an appreciable number of gay foreigners socializing with Thai's throughout? Not yet having been to Colombia, and reading the discussions here for that destination ... there doesn't seem to be a gay culture including the degree / network of venues with dancers and moneyboy-types as is found in Thailand. Pay for play relationships are arrainged for differently in a not so defined way as we see in Thailand. My impression is that USA gays visiting Thailand, frequenting the sex venues, are older than gays traveling to Colombia and South America. In Thailand, it's almost certainly easier to spot a North American (i.e., Canada and USA) visitor than it is in most or much of South America. Example: a now deceased friend of mine would travel with me at times and in Mexico and Brazil locals would mistake him for one of their own ... until he spoke. He was of Irish and German heritage. But in Thailand, nobody we met was mistaken about his not being Thai. So, in Colombia the younger gays from the USA may blend-in easier.

I don't know if that's accurate. Certainly, some guys who frequently participate on the various forums here visit or have visited Thailand (and live there, too). Some of the same individuals visit and have enjoyed destinations elsewhere, too. Without knowing the total number of registered members there are here, I sense Thailand will not be the preferred destination of a majority - nor of the non-registerd who actively read the discussions but don't join. As I view it, a large number of posts to a particular forum by a handful of a destination's admirers who are vocal doesn't necessarily equate to a destination being the overall favorite of the registered members. Geographical home of members and the ethnicity and body types of moneyboys / GP weigh heavily when we speak of our preferences. They're factors I consider. For gay retirees living in the US, I don't suspect Thailand/ SE Asia is considered a or the preferred playground and I wouldn't expect to see increasing numbers of the group - newbies - arriving there going forward.

Many single gays do have greater disposable income than married straight guys ... but I haven't seen reliable and comparable statistics. Yahoo Finance is featuring an online article today which reports, for the USA: ONLY 35% of the population aged 35 > 64 have 401(k) or IRA pension/retirement accounts. Further, the median retirement account balances for 55 > 64 year-olds. Unpreparedness for retirement is a serious problem. The average US Social Security monthly payment in 2023 (government retirement fund) is reported to be $1,790. Yes, there are many US retirees who have supplemental investment / stock accounts but I haven't seen statistics regarding the demographics. When we read the travel reports posted amongst the forums on this website it's obvious there's a lot of disposable income to spend on Moneyboys, GP, etc. 😁

" ... supposed to ... " doesn't necessarily track reality. " ... enormous returns from the stock market ... " My retirement account has not seen any such returns. In fact, though the US stock market is improving ... my current balance ... without any withdrawals ... is almost exactly the same as it was 2 years ago. " ... housing ... " If someone rents it's more likely than not that they're paying higher monthly charges. In some instances substantially higher. If someone owns property, values have risen substantially in some areas of the country ... not all; paper gains until a property is sold ... not spendable now. " ... bitcoin ..." in the past 2 years the value of bitcoin has dropped by more than 100%. From $64,000 to today's price of +/- $30,000. I don't know anyone who buys it. ===== For me, originating travel fron Tampa, Florida USA: > A flight to BKK has a duration of 36 hours (including layover/connection) with a lowest fare cost of US$1,500. > A flight to GIG (Rio) has a duration of 10 hours with a lowest fare cost of US$665 (for the same travel days for a stay of 2 weeks). So, trip travel costs and travel times and logistics, coupled with sexual experience expectations at a particular destination are factors influencing the decision maker. Unless a gay retiree from the US has a strong interest in Thai culture and/or a strong preference for sex with Thai's or SE Asians and considers offing moneyboys or casual sexual relations with other guys in Thailand the optimum return on investment ... there are other travel / enjoyment opportunities.

Ouch! 😁

Many gay retirees from the USA are financially insecure or lack travel experience in environments where a principal interest / business is Moneyboys, GP (Brazil), etc. and travel costs for visits to Asia are high. Play for pay has moved to Grindr and other online sites, wherever we live. The lack of foreign language skills makes many insecure ... particularly retirees from / in the USA. And incomes have risen in some countries where moneyboys, GP were previously available - thereby reducing the inventory of guys available to play with. As I view it, the GP Sauna scene in Rio de Janeiro is the bright, shining light for play for pay ... for how long, nobody knows.

+/- US$29 accepting.

Deleted, because I was writing then posted essentially the same information as did @maump.

The Washington Post is featuring an article today about the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention plan to release guidelines later this summer for deploying a morning-after antibiotic pill, a treatment known as DoxyPEP, in hopes of addressing fears among medical professionals that preventive use would fuel antibiotic resistance — and the rise of drug-resistant superbugs. Link: DoxyPEP offers an alternative to condoms to prevent STDs - The Washington Post (there may be a paywall for some readers)

The Hill published an article last week focusing on VP Harris and perceptions she's not up to the task, and her unpopularity rating. The article presents a perspective i haven't seen written very often. Link: Kamala Harris is far from the worst vice president: Why do polls say otherwise? | The Hill

What's "nonsensical" to me is your disbelief that someone - recently joined - would come to a gay travel / behavior specific forum to ask for advice / information. Not all gay men are as wise and experienced as you, me or others posting here think we are. We're not born as intellectual. 🙂 Surprise! Is that now an offense, worthy of what certainly seems to be trolling itself and a violation of the Guidelines for participation on this forum? Think the OP is insincere, game playing? If you have reliable information that the OP is trolling or not sincere ... post it. Or just move-on to a different discussion. It's no wonder some newbies avoid these forums.

Most of us posting here have been sexually active with moneyboys, escorts, etc. for decades ... so it might seem strange / odd to have someone arrive in our midst who isn't as sexperienced, asking questions. I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt that the questions are sincerely asked - because we've all started somewhere, oftentimes moving forward with the help of others. I don't know that it's risker having sex with a moneyboy / escort than with a freebie. It's not as if there's an interview, testing, whatever before we have sex sex either. Unprotected sex brings with it risks, some minimal (minor std's), or deadly (HIV/AIDS). My own experience with STD's the past 50 years I've been particularly sexually active runs the gamut: syphilis, gonorrhea, Hep. A and B ... but not HIV. I haven't had unprotected / condomless anal sex (top or bottom) since 1985. I don't think, though, that anything I've caught originated with a play-for-pay relationship; I cannot be 100% certain. I have encountered a few guys who wouldn't let me blow them unless they could wear a condom; always when it's been a straight guy and in Mexico. Newbies can be reluctant to go to a clinic to be checked-out if they suspect an STD. I understand that. It can be intimidating. However, there's no judgement, just treatment. Just go.

I thought it strange that the writer of the comment, assumably a gay man would use the the phrase "the Gays". I was going to post something about that but didn't. Here's an expanded description of Niemöller's writings: (see: Martin Niemöller - Wikiquote} The origins of this poem first have been traced to a speech given by Niemöller on January 6, 1946, to the representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt. According to research by Harold Marcuse, the original groups mentioned in the speech were Communists, the incurably sick, Jews, and people in occupied countries. Since then, the contents have often been altered to produce numerous variants. Niemöller himself came up with different versions, depending on the year. The most famous and well known alterations are perhaps those beginning "First they came for the Jews" of which this is one of the more commonly encountered: First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. Another variant extends the comparisons to include Catholics and Protestants: In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up. Other translations or variants: In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew; And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up. Twenty-five years later Niemöller indicated that this was the version he preferred, in a 1971 interview. When the Nazis came for the communists, I did not speak out; As I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I did not speak out; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; As I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I did not speak out; As I was not a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out. When the Nazis arrested the Communists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist. When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat. When they arrested the trade unionists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist. When they arrested me, there was no longer anyone who could protest. First the Nazis came… First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak out for me. I was fortunate to attend a 1979 NYC Broadway performance of the play "Bent" starring a naked Richard Gere and David Dukes, a powerful play which focused on the concentration camp imprisonment and extermination of gays during "the Holocaust". When Jews frequently say "Never forget!", those of us who are gay need to remember not to forget our history, too. The struggle never ends.

I've had 6 of the COVID shots. Most recently before my May 2023 visit to Mexico. No sickness, yet. 😁

IF the main issue in the General Election is a recession then advantage Biden, if he repeatedly and effectively points-out the damaging financial decisions of then Pres. Trump and the mistakes and high interest rate policies of the GOP dominated decision makers at the Federal Reserve Board. The GOP is always better at messaging than Democrats, though.

The income test for legal permanent residency in Mexico is high, higher than many expats can afford. Correct me if I'm wrong: I believe it's +/- US$60,000 verifiable annual income, or static annual investment / bank account balances of +/- US$220,000. From what I observe, many expats are living in Mexico illegally (not suggesting floridarob is).

I don't place any importance on sketchy public opinion polls this far in advance of a general election campaign. Biden hasn't even begun to campaign, nor campaign against whomever the GOP nominates. His popularity will increase as the general election progresses. If the GOP nominee is Trump or D, Santis ... Biden wins. If the GOP nominates a generational younger candidate ... Biden will still be strong, but his age will become a front-burner issue as will the Harris Factor.

Yes, and the law has to limit false claims by scamming insureds. I've had friends who've filed false claims, for things which were their wrongdoing / damages. If / when someone files an inappropriate claim and is compensated ... the rest of us who don't act that way pay the price, eventually.

The devil is in the details. The small print. There are many possible / legitimate exclusions that most of us may think unfair.

"Enjoy this little time with your family and relatives! A hug."

Just what the Doctor ordered! Not!

In the other discussion about this incident a news article was linked and identified the business as Phoenix Fitness and Sauna Service Centre on Ratchada-Tha Phra Road.