Up2u

The question was not who are the owners of the Ambiance but who bought the Ambiance, a big difference. It's clever rumor spreading and this thread should be removed.

.... and it's not a "yellow shirt" beer either.

That one is so old not even boys (or girls) use it any more. Usually much more creative; money for grandma funeral, rent due, or exchanging expensive gifts(phones) for money or drugs.

Do u use Jack'd, grindr or Hornet to connect with beach boys? Often they are just a stone's throw away. You can invite them to sit and chat to see if the vibes are right.

Paranoia is the word, my bf same same, actually the trees and umbrellas provide sufficient protection from the sun. I go to the beach regularly and I am still lilly white. Learn to say "mai ao" to the vendors, "not want", and ignore if they bug you. Everyone has got to make a living here.

Your imagination although some days the police will crack down and they will be fewer in numbers. Weather wise it has been a lousy high season. Yesterday was absolutely beautiful after several days of rain and just poor beach weather. This observation is from the eyes of a resident and not a tourist.

You can hear him coming 3 sections away," ice cream kaa, ice cream kaa! Who wants ice cream? I scream you scream, we all scream for ice cream ". I have heard his sales pitch for 20 years. No holiday was complete without sightings of ice cream kaa.

The first pic is the infamous "Ice Cream kaa", a fixture on the beach for 20 years or so. Unfortunately he is always "higher" than a Georgia pine.

Agreed, I don't understand this stereotyping as it pertains to tourists here in Pattaya. In my section of the gay beach the Germans, French, Russians, all nationalities get along. There are only occasional incursions by straights. The gay Russians appear to be in the under 40 age group and are a welcome addition for the eyes in that the Thai boys have just about deserted the beach.

A few weeks ago the beach weather was quite pleasant, it warmed a little but now we have returned to the cold weather we had earlier. The Thais are shivering and only tourists from cold weather climates do not complain. Even the GR and Grindr boys are taking time off from the beach.

No problem here at Jomtien.

I am envious of 2lz2p's coverage, it is a wonderful plan for someone living in Thailand. Like TJ, I am surprised he could drop Part B as it required for the medicare plans I reviewed. I had to have part B to get part D (outpatient drug plan) or my drug plan which is better part D.

Bob, you and TJ, raise a good issue about Medicare and residency. On paper, I have a California address and pay utilities but in reality I reside in Pattaya. My concern has always been what if I have major medical event here in Thailand. With this plan I hopefully got that covered (fingers still crossed), I know Americans with similar plan who have filed claims with no problems and they live in Thailand too and visit the states once a year. I have contacted Anthem and BHP and they do have an agreement on medical costs. My plan has no network that I must use although there is a cost advantage in using Anthem BS providers when in USA. ... and yes, apologies to non-Americans who are reading this but health care is a big issue for gay farangs who call Thailand home.

Yes, it appears to be a good plan for my purposes. I believe 2lz2p has a similar plan and he unlike me was a former government employee. Like I said the plan is cheap comparatively speaking. The plan actually makes money off me when I am in USA which should offset their costs if I file a claim overseas. With high deductibles sometimes these plans are called catastrophic coverage.

TJ and Bob, I have researched this thoroughly and yes the coverage is worldwide from any licensed medical provider. Anthem BS is only the administrator and has agreements with medical providers worldwide. You don't have to use them. BHP and Payathai(Sri Racha) are the only ones on their approved lists in Chonburi, but many in Bangkok. When I am states side Medicare pays 80% of the bill back to my employers plan. My benefit is for 70% up to my annual max which means I pay 30% or the plan makes 10%. I guess this is why the plan is the cheapest offered by my employer. The drug plan is better than Medicare Part D (no donut) , so I will get my drugs shipped to a friend's house in California and he has offered to be my mule. After the annual deductible max of 4,000 USD is reached, I pay nothing whether it is in California or Thailand or London. It is not technically a Medicare plus plan. I am on the hook for 30% in USA or Thailand up to my annual deductible max. Emergencies are emergencies, anything else should be preauthorized. If I lived states side I wouldn't have this plan.

I guess I am lucky (or not?) but I have signed up for a Medicare plus plan offered by my employer and administered by Anthem Blue Cross. It supposedly pays for medical costs worldwide. There is a 400 dollar deductible and 4000 dollars annual out of pocket max. After 400, they pay 70% worldwide (not 80‰ like Medicare). So if I understand everything a kidney transplant at BHP and would cost me 4000 dollars.

You can always make connections at the beach. There are just fewer boys, especially the way this high season is starting out. Bring your smartphone or laptop and you can kick back and make your date's online. The weather has been great, no rain, the weather at the beach today is 35 at noon.

My friends have done just what you said and they have confirmed no more NRT to BKK service. They have not been rebooked to ANA.

Thank you for your post, I will share this with my friends. I find it unconscionable that an US business has such an unethical business practice. I went to their website and selected some July dates and the cancelled BKK service is listed and being sold.

What is the source of this post? My ff friend went on the United website and booked an August flight from SFO to BKK via NRT. The United announcement said they were only dropping the 747 service. I went to the United site and confirmed this. There is no mention of dropping BKK service from United itself.

I have told my bf if he gets a tattoo he is out the door. No problem he says because tattoos are lo-class. The popularity of tattoos among Thai youth gangs grows, like a badge of honor, so that should tell you something.

tj, Thx for the Bangkok Post Link, I did in fact read the article but when it said 'all Thais' which was missing from your post, I then lost interest. I believe emergency medical services for tourists and expats would come under some good Samaritan provision of the UN or international accord.

In recent months, the Thai government has mandated that all hospitals provide emergency care for all. However, the devil is in the details - as the for-profit hospitals ....and government hospitals too... are balking at the costs they will incur by doing so. Up to now they could turn away those who could not pay. That has created major tourism/Thai citizen relations problems...so the attempted solution of mandating emergency care for all who show is posing implementation problems. This still does not answer the questions of who will pay? The government has said they will pay a set rate, but the for profit hospitals are balking at the low reimburesements they would receive. tj **************************** tj, What is the source for this information? I have not seen it reported in the media. I always thought a private hospital must provide emergency care but could transfer you to a government hospital once the patient was stabilized.

The difference in CM and Bangkok or Pattaya is like night and day. I don't see how a gay Bangkokian or Pattayan would be happy in CM (and vice versa). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my visits to CM, but those are not tears rolling down my cheeks when I have to leave (yes it's the air quality). I say keep your base in Bangkok. There is a condo building right behind the St. Regis at the Ratchamri BTS. They lost their views when they built the St. Regis and now there are many rentals and vacancies. The rents are very cheap, 15-18K. The location is ideal with high-end properties and shopping near-by (Grand Hyatt, 4 Seasons, Central World, etc.). Check it out.

I can recommend New Wave too but unfortunately they do charge a premium for using your credit card. I prefer the shop at Central Festival.