KhorTose

It has a lot of critics when it first opened, but many have changed their mind. I have been to the LA Phil and Bilbao, and I still like ours with it many colors. However, comparing it to the Pompidou Centre is just plain mean. I like modern design, but that building just plain sucks. When you view Paris from Montmartre it sticks out like an ulcer from its surroundings. Whenever I see a Gehry design, I am struck by its closeness to one of the world's greatest, if not the greatest architect of modernism. Go to Barcelona and see Gaudi for the best.

I object, his best work can be found in Seattle at the Seattle Music experience.

It is obvious that you like this letter, but to me it sounds a bit picky. Allow me to translate. You are very close to being able to walk on water. If these minor things were different you would have achieved that goal. I think your first edition is great. In no way do I think you have to be perfect on every page. Just keep up the great stories and insights into the various cities and venues that are of interest to gays, and you will always have this reader's admiration

Stuck in Chiang Mai, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Yes, the layout is bad, King power charges way to much, and the Thais seem to do everything to slow down the process of landing and leaving the airport. There are also some fun glitches when you arrive to depart elsewhere, like a twenty mile walk. However, when you factor in 18 changes of government in the last 65 years is it really that bad? I mean look at it this way, Hong Kong designed their efficient airport to last for the next 50 years, in Thailand I think they think in terms of 5 years. Not a bad airport considering:wacko:.

I bet he remembered his camera when he took the boy back to his room.

Also why the USA is stuck with almost no rail and even fewer high speed lines that any other developed country in the world. Of course the auto industry did its best to kill the public transportation we did have. In the East public transportation was able to hang on, but in the West most cities still lack any kind of adequate rail or subway systems.

Pictures or web site?

They do announce programs, they just have a habit of not living up to them. But then Thaksin did not live up to some of the programs he announced either. Question: You keep spelling program as programme, is this British?

No it has not blown in these countries yet, because now it is possible to have the rule of the gun.Which sort of makes my point as to one possible solution for the palace and the military.

I did get your point. However, I do see a correlation between what happened in China and Thailand., and saw it as an excellent example to expand on what happens when a rigid conservative government fails to adapt to a new reality. It has been the fashion recently in Chinese history to blame the collapse of Imperial China on the incursions by the imperialist Europeans. Heaven forbid that we admit that a rigid, conservative, and corrupt Chinese government could be the blame for China's collapse. Of course when we are dealing with the collapse of a nation or an empire many factors do contribute. However, in the case of China the overwhelming major factor was the rule of Dowager Empress Cixi. This is a brief synopsis. Please feel free to read some history or google some. The empress seized power from the regency appointed by the late emperor and executed some of them. While technically she ruled with the Dowager Cian (who later died mysteriously) ((poison?)) she was the real ruler even during her son's rule and later during the Guangxu Emperor's rule She failed to provide the necessary education and discipline to her son, who later died of syphilis (???), or smallpox after being publicly overruled by his mother. At her son's death she appointed another line to be emperor (Emperor Guangxu) but when he tried to impose reforms she drove him into exile and picked yet another line by appointing 14 year old prince Phuyi as crown prince. Thus making a mockery of the appointed by heaven idea of the imperial throne. She opposed all political and economic reforms until after the Boxer rebellion. She initially supported the modernization of the military and the nation and even sent students to the USA to study. However, she stole 30 million taels of silver from the army to celebrate her 60th birthday and 100 million taels of silver from the navy for her summer palace. She allowed a train to be built but required it to be pulled passed her palace by horses as she did not like the noise. Later she began to distrust many of these foreign trained students. Therefore, her support of modernization is at best half hearted. Finally, she had appointed General Ronglu as head of her army. In spite of his loyalty to her, his actions during the Boxer rebellion lead to the Europeans being able to enter Beijing. Ronglu did not properly support General Nie, who did win the initial battles and who could have defeated the Europeans. He did not take the legations and withheld the necessary artillery that could have done so. He did not tell general Nie to stop killing the Boxers, even though the Dowager had so ordered. He allowed the railroad to remain intact and it was used to facilitate the Europeans entrance into Beijing. To the end he was the loyal and rumored consort of the Dowager Empress and to this day the reasons for his betrayal during the Boxer revolution remain a mystery. (I am reminded of another General who seems to be appointed just for his loyalty.) The main lesson I get from the Dowager's rule is that rigidity and conservatism in the face of a new reality can, and often does, lead to political collapse. A lesson that I think Thailand needs to heed. One further note. Up until the Boxer rebellion the USA was a friend of China and did its very best to moderate the imperialist ambitions of the Europeans. After the Boxer rebellion when it was obvious to all that collapse was immanent we joined the Europeans to get our share of the dead horse.

Every time I go to Bangkok I make it a point to have one meal there. The food is just okay, but the prices are not that bad. When I first went in 2002 I do remember better food and several really great dishes that seem to have disappeared from the menu. However, I love watching the action in Soi Twilight, without being grabbed or hassled by doormen. It is like an Oasis of calm amidst all the incredible hustle and bustle of this soi. I love people watching (especially when the people are mostly cute young Thais), and Dicks is the perfect place for that

Just a touch too much racism for me. However, when I was in Morocco I saw many Arabs that I wanted to fuck in the worst way. Some incredibly beautiful boys there, and I think of that beautiful blond Russian boy that married one of Tevye's daughters in Fiddler on the roof. Yes, definitely a double fuck.

While I agree that the government coalition is not cohesive. I disagree that all the players are at an equal level of decision making when it comes to what will be the reaction to the Democratic movement in Thailand. Clearly to me the army and the palace are in the commanding position to decide all by themselves which way the country will go. Once again I cite the Burmese example where many of the military were friends of General Aung San, but did not hesitate to join General Ne Win and later Than Shwe in rejecting losing power to the populace. However, No need to guess as within the next two years we are going to reach a real crisis point and then the answer will probably become very apparent. As for me, I will not invest in the SET index just yet. There are two many other safe bets, and good returns are always predicated on risks. You made a quick discussion of China and the dowager empress. Foutainhall disagrees, but my history says you are correct and I will discuss that issue on his thread,.

My hidden mean steak tempts me to kid you about the "little choices" article. However, i know you were caught by surprise as almost everyone--including those in Hua Hin--was. Great magazine and do keep up the good work.

Mack and Foutainhall, I feel I should wei both of you. I've hesitated to reply, because I have been so impressed by you insightful and well-thought our responses. However, I think I am going to throw a small monkey wrench into this discussion, as there is one area that I see a vastly different future. If the future I see is true, then most of the statements about the economics, go out the window. Please allow me to start will the pertinent quote from Mack. I am familiar with the book you refer too, and it is on my reading list. I have read some good synopsis so I know that this is also the conclusion of its author. However, I disagree that the stalemate will continue for another then years. I truly believe that both of you and the author underestimate the scope of the democratic movement in Thailand. Right now the government is trying to buy off the population the same way that they claimed Thaksin was doing; shall we say using the model that China has been so successful with in keeping its population complacent. This model is not the correct model for Thailand as economics, while still an important factor, is not the principal motivating issue behind the democratic movement.. What I see is the real core of this democratic movement is a strong desire to have a real voice in their government, and greater control of their lives. This is not a peasant movement, but a true middle class revolutionary movement. I might point out that most revolutions in the West have always been the middle class first , and then the peasants. I see two possible futures for this country. One is where the Democrats (For me democrat means red shirts) continue their push to take greater control of the government by trying the voting booth. If that fails, probably because the government has rigged the results, then I see them taking to the streets. If they win, then I do believe the outcome you have predicted will come to pass with greater alacrity as change will be the name of the game. The second and all to real possibly is that if the red shirts take to the streets I see this government being faced with the choice of conceeding power or using force. There is little doubt in my mind that they will choose force. It is now, more then ever before, easy to control a population with force. In the days of the French Revolution 400 unarmed peasants could easily storm a barricade held by musket welding troops. Sadly, that is not true today. In this day and age or rapid fire guns, computers, and cameras make it more then possible to exert absolute control. One has only to look at neighboring Burma where even the religious authority comes under control and gun fire if they get out of line. There are many who would say that Thailand would never take this path as it would definitely lead to economic hardship and financial loss, but I think they seriously underestimate the upperclasses desire to maintain their hold on power. Many of them are already rich, and life living under their Chatra is just as, if not more important, then the economy of Thailand. They know they can still make money investing abroad and let the people suffer, which if anything, would only make them more dependent on them,. I can speculate on what will happen to the tourist and sex industry if this came to pass. Assuming no boycott by individual nations, it might under these circumstances become Thailand's biggest industry. I do not know about others, but to me I would find sex with people who have no other choice to be too distasteful and exploitive by my standards.

We have such a place in Chiang Mai called the Glass Onion and it did not have enough customers to be a success. It is now a mixed bar with two Japanese owners, one gay and one straight. Very nicely done, definitely a hi-so feel but few customers in attendance, so I am not sure that is the answer. I have found this whole conversation fascinating and the analysis provided superb. I do not think you guys have lost anyone, and if more people are not replying it is because you guys are doing so well in expanding the topic. I do not want to jump in as I do not want you to stop, I do wish you would expand more on how the bars might change, especially considering the economics and politics of Thailand which you have left out of the conversation, but appear vital to me.

It is obvious that we are all either cheap bastards, or wise with the wisdom that comes with age. I so get a kick out of my Thai Boy friend and his fascination with brand names. From Gucci and Prada bags to expensive watches. something is not worth having unless everyone knows it cost a lot. Me, I will usually wear my nice looking timex until it falls apart, and then buy a new one. Yes, I have two fancy watches, but both were giving to me as gifts.

Z909 Many people find Facebook very usefull and it is now valued at 50,000,000,000 (fifty billion) dollars. I am with Foutainhall and anonone in saying that I did not get much value out of it. Xian, I've missed you and I am glad your are back. Hope the workout and diet are still working. Is that you reclining in your avatar? If so, you do look good.

Your post made me look up a gay web site on Shanghai. I am impressed, and i agree Thailand may have some serious competition.

A term that those darn Anglo's use. I do not know why they can't speak American. The word punter may refer to: A British, Australian and Hiberno (Irish) English colloquial term for a paying guest or customer, especially a patron of a public house a patron of a brothel a customer of a prostitute a gambler, particularly an amateur betting on horse racing or a player in the game of Baccarat a beginner skier or snowboarder, especially one with particularly bad style a speculator in the stock market

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You have got to be kidding. There is no way in hell I am willing to spend $400 to $500 USD a night for a room at this or any other hotel. If I want dinner and drinks in a crystal palace, I will go to the Paradise Inn on Mt. Rainer, which will include a nice drive, outdoor scenery, and a spectacular view of some of the world's prettiest landscape.

I too appreciate the review. While I seldom visit Pattaya, reviews like this are a great help for when I do. Z909 could I talk you into doing a review of Jomtien?