Thai Citizen in Egypt

[TotallyOz]

I was considering taking the BF to Egypt over the Xmas holidays.  Does anyone have any experience taking a Thai to this country?  Any help, advice, etc is greatly appreciated.

[Guest LoveThailand]

You must have your reasons for Egypt I am sure.

But consider also Jordan - the dead sea shore and Aqaba are very nice.

[williewillie]

Oud from Oud's bar in Sunee went to Egypt with farang boyfriends. Probably on Facebook but just a guess.

[Guest]

Be careful how you behave.....

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypts-police-using-social-media-and-apps-like-grindr-to-trap-gay-people-9738515.html

 

 

 

[TotallyOz]

You must have your reasons for Egypt I am sure.

But consider also Jordan - the dead sea shore and Aqaba are very nice.

 

We have looked at Jordan. That was where I wanted to go as I wanted to see Petra and I loved the Dead Sea Resorts.  The BF wants to see the Pyramids and take photos.  The visa for him takes 2-6 weeks.  The one for Jordan is Visa on Arrival for Thais.

 

Willie thanks for the heads up about Oud.

 

Z, no worry, I am pretty consertative.  I don't even hold hands in Sunee Plaza so I don't think Egypt will be an issue.

 

Anyone else have info, it is greatly appreciated.

[kokopelli]

Can't wait to see a photo of Michael riding a camel. 

[Moses]

Egypt isn't right country for gays now...

[Gaybutton]

I was considering taking the BF to Egypt over the Xmas holidays.

 

The last time I was in that part of the world was in 1987 and I was there by myself, so obviously I can't help you.  But I'm curious.  Why Egypt?  Isn't it a little dangerous to be in Egypt these days, not to mention the added danger of being gay there?

 

Before going to Egypt, I suggest you read the following - along with several more articles on the same web site:

_______________________

 

Harshest Sentences Ever for Gay Sex in Egypt

 

April 7, 2014

 

An Egyptian court has sentenced four men convicted of the “crime” of gay sex to a total of twenty eight years in prison, three of them receiving an eight year term and one a three year term.

 

To my knowledge eight years is the longest ever stretch of prison time handed down for consensual sexual acts in Egypt’s modern history and surpasses any of the sentences handed down in the notorious Queen Boat case of 2001 which brought Egypt international condemnation from across the globe including strong criticism from the then French president Jacques Chirac as well as from singer and songwriter Elton John.

 

The accused, like the female protesters dragged off to the Egyptian Museum by the military police in March 2011 and like the Queen boat detainees arrested under the Mubarak regime in May 2001, were forced to undergo humiliating medical tests.  In this case to “prove” (using long discredited medical techniques) that they were “habitual gays”.

 

The news in depressing. In the last ten years much of the world has progressed to legally  accepting gay lifestyles as having a complete equality to a heterosexual one.  But Egypt, despite recently toppling the Islamist Morsi regime, seems to have taken the opposite direction.

 

And the headline punishment says nothing about the real consequences for these men. Let’s not forget that they will be lucky to survive their sentences. If the treatment of gay men previously arrested is anything to go by then they will receive the most degrading and brutal abuse conceivable at the hands of prison guards and other prisoners.  Can you imagine how they will manage inside?

 

Their cell mates will be drug dealers, hardened criminals, religious zealots (either Muslim or Christian) with whom they will also have to share the crowded sweltering prison vans. When the guards say “Here are prisoners who are the cause of all Egypt’s problems – khawalaat, perverts, mitnakeen” will the prison authorities care in the slightest what happens to them?

 

We cannot allow their lives to be abused and lost so cheaply.

 

Egypt should remember that many of the tourists who visit Egypt – and on whom one in seven of the country’s jobs depends – are either lesbian, gay or have close friends who are or they will be at least sympathetic to the idea of treating the lgbt community with respect and dignity. Many will surely think twice about continuing to holiday in a country which imposes such draconian and inhumane punishments for what men chose to do in the privacy of their own homes.

 

GayEgypt.com recently reluctantly decided to deactivate its’ message forums in light of the recent spate of arrests in Marg and Nasr City and the consequent risk to online posters from Egypt’s infamous internet police.

 

This is not a promising start to Egypt’s new regime. These sentences are symptomatic of a weak and cowardly government and judiciary that lacks any sense of moral direction or principle. Instead the new “secular” government is nothing more than a front to facilitate Sisi’s procession to the presidency. The thinking behind these prosecutions being presumably that Sisi needs to prove that in the new Egypt people need not be afraid of having “Western freedoms” forced on them.

 

http://www.gayegypt.com/

[Up2u]

Michael, you are braver than I am, I would not consider traveling to the middle East (except maybe Israel) with my bf. Be careful, you are a natural target and we don't want to see youtube videos about you.

[Alexx]

I think it's great that Michael's BF has shown an interest in seeing the famous pyramids, and I'd say: Go for it! I don't think it's irresponsibly risky to go there at this time.

[firecat69]

I am going to disagree.. I travel all over the world but the world is becoming a bigger mess and you have to give serious thought about where to travel.

 

There are many places to go that are still relatively safe but Egypt is certainly not one of them nor is anyplace in the Middle East.

 

I have an Asian trip later this year and at least thinking about whether I want to go to Malaysia with their largely Muslim population. Not a comment on the religion but the fact that a great deal of the trouble in the world is being caused by people who have co-opted the Islam religion .

 

Do I think security at any of the worlds airports is as good as it should be. Definitely not but I would be suspect of a country who has its hands full maintaining order and may not provide the security for the airline that I would be forced to fly in and out of Egypt.

 

The world is in constant change and there are many wonderful places to visit that are far safer then the Middle East. Plenty of time in the future to visit Egypt.

[kokopelli]

Agree with firecat; after all the pyramids aren't going anywhere soon.

[vinapu]

pyramids aren't going anywhere but we are,

 

I'd go Michael, firecat is right about troubles here and there  but tourists are still coming to Egypt and in lower number it means lots of 5 star attractions can be seen without usual crowds. I still fondly remember my flight from LAX to BKK in Nov 2001 when everybody was afraid to fly  and I had whole row of seats at my disposal.

 

Troubles in Middle East may mean also that may will become worse and for a while  some places may become inaccessible. After all some of us recall times when visiting Angkor was impossible dream when Pol Pot closed Cambodia to the outside world.

 

Not only pyramides but Luxor and Karnak temples, Valley of Kings and Abu Simbel temple are a must in Egypt 

[firecat69]

Interesting perspectives from everyone. For me somebody of Michaels age has plenty of time. I would put the Top ten places in the world I always wanted to see and then eliminate the ones I had already been to.

 

Then I would see the remaining ones in the order most safe to least safe. Something tells me Egypt will be near the bottom of that list.

 

Believe me I am not referring to tourist Hotels and tourist sites but more the arriving and leaving at an airport these Morons like Isil would love to blow up. Egypt is not one of their favorite countries and I do not respect the ability of that country to protect its own citizens much less strangers.

[vinapu]

firecat,  your post helped me to realize that I should count my blessings because I already chalked  off list all my 10 childhood travel dreams , never thought about this , thank you

[Guest Promsak]

Maybe the pyramids is Mexico and south America would be a better choice at the moment.

[vinapu]

Maybe the pyramids is Mexico and south America would be a better choice at the moment.

Tikal in Guatemala is crown of those IMHO

 

nice alternative but don't forget that at the moment Honduras with t's Copan ruins is most murderous country in the world