Marc in Calif

I saw Dame Edna's show many times here in San Francisco. Her ability to improvise quips, comments, and takedowns on the spot were always entertaining. She reserved her takedowns especially for audience members. My seatmate was once severely reprimanded for wearing her comforter to the theatre. We'll never forget that one. 😅

The original question was about free and open democracy in Southeast Asia. My answer included the fact that no SEA nation was "free and open." I simply described where different SEA nations ranked globally in the sphere of laws as well as political and judicial systems. Rights and religious freedoms aren't typically codified in political/judicial systems, so that's part of another question. You can see a detailed matrix of the major political/criteria at another site, along with a global ranking. Indonesia is still #1 for SEA, with the Philippines a distant #2: https://www.democracymatrix.com/ https://www.democracymatrix.com/ranking

I never said that Indonesia and the Philippines have vibrant democracies! The question posed was whether there are any "democracies" in Southeast Asia. So I presented an answer based on countries' laws and political/judicial systems, including the fact that Indonesia is ranked higher than the other SEA nations based on political/judicial systems. You can look here for a full range of criteria on a different website, including a detailed global ranking. "Corruption" is included under Independence of the government and Independence of the Judiciary: https://www.democracymatrix.com/ https://www.democracymatrix.com/ranking

Of course not totally free and open! In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is #1 and the Philippines is very closely behind at #2 in terms of relative democratic societies. Thailand and the others are far behind.

Maybe because my phone is from 2017? Either way, I do just fine with regular SIM cards. It's no complication at all for me. And I enjoy interacting with local service providers, but perhaps that's just me. 😁

As in Singapore, the shops frequently had photos of the providers in a book. You can choose that way and, if the provider you want isn't working at that moment, you can make an appointment at a time when he's next on the premises. I recall that the rates for a one-hour erotic massage — and all massages on offer were apparently erotic — ranged from HK$450 (about US$60) to about HK$700 (about US$90). You may find different prices today.

I've been to these (early 2022) and can recommend them: Eden Spa and Touch By 17 (Kowloon) Club 1069 Spa and Spa 17 (Hong Kong),

You can start here: https://www.utopia-asia.com/hkmasa.htm Click any links or sites that interest you on that page to see if the venue is still in operation. An additional Google search of those venues wouldn't hurt.

That's the way to travel! And, as you say, US roaming isn't always dependable in certain places.

When I travel, I don't want to be a "roamer." I don't want to be a Google fanboy everywhere I go. I want a local phone number and mobile account. Why should I always identify myself as an American with an American phone number? You don't need to hunt. Finding a local SIM card is extremely easy if you're brave enough to step inside a local shop and talk to local people (even if it's a 7-Eleven). You also learn things about the place you're visiting. It's even easier than your hunt for local providers of sex. 😇 Moreover, I can use the same SIM card (and number) on my next visit. That's great if you're using the phone number for certain local apps and social media. For sheltered, privileged Americans, however, it's probably best to travel with all the comforts of home.

Dual-SIM card phone. I always get a local SIM card and phone number for whatever country I'm in. Makes so many things so much easier.

Google is your friend! 🥰 Train travel is the cheapest form of public transport from Bangkok to Pattaya. However, travelling by train is not the most popular option for most foreign visitors travelling to Pattaya because train services are slow, stopping at lots of small stations before reaching Pattaya, and all depart before 07:00 in the morning. The other options for travel from Bangkok to Pattaya are bus, minivan or taxi from either Central Bangkok or Bangkok International Airport. Bangkok residents often get to Pattaya by bus. Some of the most frequent departures are from the Eastern Bus Terminal, adjacent to the Ekkamai BTS Station on Sukhumvit Road at Soi 63 (Soi Ekkamai). Air-conditioned buses leave approximately every 30 minutes between 5 am and 11.30 pm each day.

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) Reeling from its punishing settlement agreement with Dominion Voting Systems, a newly cash-strapped Fox News Channel has been forced to sell Representative Kevin McCarthy. Rupert Murdoch, who acquired the Speaker of the House just two months ago, expressed sadness that new financial realities had necessitated the sale. “I wish Kevin well,” the Fox owner said. “I hope whoever buys him finds as much use for him as I did.” Even as many in Washington expressed skepticism about the House Speaker’s market value, Murdoch’s plans to sell McCarthy faced a significant roadblock in the form of the Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. “I have no idea why Fox thinks they can sell Kevin McCarthy,” she told reporters. “I own Kevin.”

You're a world traveler and yet you use an "American sim card with roaming"? Why so primitive and inconvenient?

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (The Borowitz Report) Fox News Channel’s much anticipated defamation trial was unexpectedly delayed after the network’s anchors required five hours to have their makeup done. Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, both expected to testify during the proceedings, were behind closed doors having what was described as “several substantial coats” of foundation, bronzer, and blush slathered onto their faces. Judge Eric Davis called the delay “unacceptable,” reminding Fox’s attorneys that the trial was not even being televised. But Dan Webb, Fox’s lead attorney, argued that, without their makeup, “Mr. Hannity and Mr. Carlson would be totally unrecognizable to the jury.” The trial suffered yet another delay when the anchors finally entered the courtroom and three jurors passed out from hair-spray fumes.

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) Ginni Thomas has reassured the American people that she is doing everything in her power to keep her husband’s mounting ethical issues from interfering with her work on the United States Supreme Court. Acknowledging that her husband’s controversies were a “distraction,” Thomas said, “They shouldn’t keep me from doing the important work I was sent here to do.” “There are reproductive rights to shred and environmental protections to erase,” she said. “Regardless of the mess Clarence has gotten himself into, I need to keep my focus.” Calling her post as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court “a job I’ve loved for the past three decades,” Thomas said, “I’m hopping mad that Clarence would do anything to jeopardize that. But anyone who thinks that I’m giving less than a hundred per cent to my work doesn’t know what Ginni Thomas is made of.”

You don't need to explain why real life can sometimes take precedence over sex tourism. It does indeed happen. Some of us have our priorities set correctly. 😘

Wrong! We "others" simply commented on his written statements. We obviously did not provide "answers." That is why these are called "replies" instead of "answers." 😇

They can do that in your own home country too!

I think this is something that many people on these forums don't want to accept. Yes, they ARE relatively wealthy compared to the locals with whom they usually interact. "But I'm NOT wealthy," they'll complain. Yeah, you are -- compared to those around you. Accept your privileges and all the benefits that go with them, and stop complaining about slight price differences.

Well, these places are private businesses. They can do as they want, can't they? Your "principles" (ethics? morals?) might be different from theirs. Welcome to the world of international travel and cultural/social differences! 🌏

You're privileged to be able to live in or visit their country for sex holidays. I wouldn't complain about US$6.

This is all very true. Yet some supposedly "left" individuals (talking about you, Glenn Greenwald) went so far "left" that they starting adopting the same views as neoconservatives and even common right-wingers. And, actually, not all of those Bernie Bros were genuine "lefties" at all. Remind anyone of this fascinating surface?

The year 2012 was so long ago! 😇 And the East Bay has much more than just one congressional district! 🤩 I think you need to read more and try to keep up. 😉

😂😘😂 Ideas derived and then deliberately obscured by purple prose -- not to mention sentence fragments! Purple prose is overly ornate prose text that may disrupt a narrative flow by drawing undesirable attention to its own extravagant style of writing, thereby diminishing the appreciation of the prose overall.