PeterRS

Hopefully there will be improvements coming in Bangkok with tenders soon going out for the rail link between its two airports and Utapao.

They will be new separate airports from the existing ones. Seems neither existing airport has enough land to permit further airport expansion. So the new second airports will be 20-30 kms away. The one for Phuket will be on the mainland north of the island nearer Phangna.

The heading on this topic is wrong as it gives the impression that Air Asia will no longer serve Myanmar. Air Asia has no plans to stop flying in to to Yangon from both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. What has been nixed is an Air Asia Myanmar based airline similar to those it has established in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and elsewhere. Presently there are 6 daily departures from Bangkok to Yangon. This rises to 8 during the high season.

Indeed not or that jet would be in several thousand pieces. Yet the angle of the video and the photo do not show the gap leading to the runway. I wonder what happens if strong winds blow a large aircraft slightly off course? Go around I assume, but it does take jet engines several seconds to respond to full power commands. Im certain its all perfectly safe. It just looks scary.

At first I assumed that photo has to be doctored. The undercarriage is so close to the trees that an accident seems inevitable. Then I saw the video and it is absolutely accurate. Here is a screen shot taken perhaps a second later.

I pay very little attention to this sort of poll. Fact is they are only as good as the specific questions they asks and the specific routes they check. My experience has been that long haul non stop biz travel between the UK and Thailand is very difficult unless dates are locked in up to 10 months ahead. Sometimes availability is better with a plane change en route. But then the problem can be lengthy delays. I once had an 8 hour connection in Dubai. Even with biz class this was exhausting and a waste of the extra miles.

I think you have misinterpreted my point. I am certainly not suggesting a gay mass exodus by farang will be made up by an influx of gay Chinese and Indians. I was referring to total revenue spends in the country as a whole. I suppose it is a question of numbers. How many gay tourists are there and how much cash do they spend? From the forums it seems most stay in quite inexpensive hotels and dish out most of their cash in the bars and other venues. But we know from threads here that the number of western gays is down - at least those visiting the bars. On the other hand last year Thailand saw 10 million Chinese tourists. Thats nearly 30% of all tourists. Not all will have been on cheap package tours. Looking at a TAT chart of revenue sources, China tourists spent 531 billion, Tourists from the four western countries in the top ten list spent only about half at 277 billion. More important I reckon is the daily spend. The Chinese per capita spend was 53, 528. The highest non-Asian group was from the UK who spent 76,237. Last year, Chiina tourists increased by over 1 million. So if all the gay western tourists boycotted Thailand (which will never happen IMHO) the fractional loss to the national treasury will be more than made up by the ever increasing inflow of straights from Asia. Us gay farang are not yet extinct or on life support. But I reckon we are a dwindling breed.

Everyone can vote with their feet. Sorry that it will not work with Chakran because few farang have been going there for years. So it is not going to hit Chakrans bottom line. It is mostly Thai for Thai and wants to stay that way. A gay mass exodus will also have no affect on Thailand except perhaps to result in a few bars and other gay venues closing down. Isnt that what the government is now saying it wants to do - change the image of the country as a sex tourist destination? The income from the tiny farang gay sex tourist market will be made up in a flash with all the new families arriving from China, India and the other new markets. By the way I love the Beatles too.

I have never yet come across an airfreshner, purifier, joss stick, fragrance spray or any other product that will successfully eliminate stale cigarette smoke. It may do so for an hour or two but that fag smoke is embedded in curtains, carpets and other soft furnishings. It takes weeks and a total cleaning to get rid of it. Besides, entering a room that has been liberally sprayed by a cheap purifier is almost as bad.

Its nonsense to draw a comparison between a government mandated fee and entrance to a private facility. The government here charges foreigners a lot more to enter national parks than locals. Thats fair in my book. I dont pay taxes and doubt if my contribution to the local economy amounts to much on the larger scheme of things. So unlike some moaners I happily pay that higher fee. I used to visit Chakran when there was no issue with foreigners and always enjoyed the place. Now it seems to be following the example of R3 which had a much higher charge for over 50s. Both are privately run facilities. I reckon they have a right to charge whatever they want and to have different prices if they want. I may object to it but I believe that is their right. So I will go elsewhere. Fortunately there is some choice here. Is it any different to my going to ritzy Central Chidlom where their croissants cost 35 baht but at the new Tops on Nanglinchee which has croissants from the same bakery they cost only 29 baht. Some of us faring seem to think we have a divine right to enter any sex establishment. IMHO we fail to realise that there are many younger Thais who for whatever reason feel uncomfortable in the presence of non-Thais and really want to spend time with their compatriots. We should respect that. On the other hand, Chakrans flimsy excuse is just plain nonsense and they should take it down immediately. If they don't want foreigners, post s notice to that effect. That is what the Japanese saunas did when AIDS cases started to appear in Japan. It was another stupid act as the cat was out of the bag by then. But did that cause howls from foreigners? I doubt it.

That very nice photo deserves a caption. My try - "OMG! Whats this? A pussy???"

I wonder if this is something to do with two things. Many Asian women are getting married later, live at home with their parents and so have a lot more spending power for holidays. Secondly the rise in host clubs specifically for ladies. These are mostly found in Japan but may be on the rise elsewhere. The ladies tend to be older than the hosts and happily drop a lot of money in the clubs for drinks, snacks and excessive pampering by a handsome young host. The tips at the end of an evening are very generous. And thats before the possibility of sex which will command an even more generous tip. have no idea about host bars in Thailand, but the male gogo bars could offer an alternative. After all we know that many if not most of the gogo boys now are straight.

Rubbish! As lines have been extended the number of passenger cars has all but remained the same. I sometimes see trains with one extra car but not many of them. This idiot clearly has not travelled on a non rush hour Skytrain. I have frequently found myself having to squeeze into a car that looks and feels like a rush hour train. The BTS determination not to pay for additional cars is one major reason for its whopping profits.

Is there not something omitted here? Government, Tourism Authority and City Councils policies? I realise that there have been crackdowns in the past and they have proved either totally unsuccessful or only partially so. This time I detect a difference. You can see it in the ads which keep on running on True Visions channels about a sparkling new Bangkok/Pattaya axis. Its a continuation of what has happened in Phuket and Chiang Mai. Venues for Thais will mostly remain open and hidden from tourists. Establishments catering mostly to tourists and farang will mostly not be permitted to continue. Redevelopment will account for some. Lack of finding a new business strategy for others. Failure to obtain new licences for the rest. I am not optimistic.

I dont quite understand this logic. I agree the apps make meeting up with fellow gays far easier than it ever was before. But if there is no need to converge in one location, how is it that new enclaves will develop elsewhere? Just curious.

A thought. My gut feel is that the number has not gone down much. Much more that the type of gay tourist has changed. At the turn of the century the majority were probably older westerners (older being 45 and up) who came for around 10 days to 3 weeks. This group focussed more on sex and the gogo bars and some saunas. Now the majority are quite well off younger Asians who come for much shorter two or three long weekends each year. I do not think gogo features much in most of these guys visits. They are more here for shopping in the daytimes and are later into the massage and sauna scene with disco, clubs or Soi 4 to follow. Far more come in pairs or groups than the solo westerners of earlier years and socialise within their own groups. Offing boys does not play a major part in their trips. You just have to check the Singapore based chat site mentioned here some time ago Blowingwind. It has long threads on visiting Thailands major cities and phuket. The vast majority of posts are about massage. What will happen as the number of gay Chinese visitors increases I cant guess.

Do you think it is normal for the wives in Japan to know?

I believe all the indicators point to the commercial gay scene getting even smaller. I think Vessey is correct. In Bangkok the scene will continue to see more closures and a move further from the centre. Same in Pattaya. The present government seems determined to get rid of the Thailand as a Gay Sex Tourist reputation and to finish off what the Thaikhsin government started in the early 2000s. Just look at how the scene in Chiang Mai and Phuket has virtually collapsed from the thriving places these used be for gay tourists with many got bars, host bars and other places. So many have closed and not been replaced. The one part which will probably survive and even flourish could be gay massage venues I reckon.

That seems to be true today but I doubt if it was so for Japanese gay travellers in the mid 1980s. With military rule I doubt if there was much of a gay scene in Taiwan then. The Japan sauna association (if such a body actually existed) certainly closed their doors to foreigners but as other have implied the horse had well and truly bolted before then. Besides, the ban really only meant a notice at the entry. I suspect Japanese saunas then were a bit like those today. The staff at the front desk have difficulty seeing the faces of those entering. I heard they never asked for passports to prove nationality. I know a Singaporean and an overseas Chinese from elsewhere who always got in during the late 80s and early 90s. Yet just a few years ago the popular 24 Shinjuku demanded passports before handing over a locker key. Funny lot the Japanese!

You are correct. The information is confusing. The closure on August 11 and 12 were specific days for the Queens Birthday holiday. As I write it also states "closed". This is because, like many restaurants now, it is not open at this moment. It adds that today it "Opens 10:00 AM". Whether that is true or the Hall is actually closed and no one has bother to update the website, I do not know. If anyone is interested, it is probably best to call the number listed on the site for information 02 283 9411. Hopefully that actually works!

Are you sure you are thinking of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall? Its the old Italian style parliament building, not the Throne Hall in the Grand Palace where the late Kings body lay in state. According to its website it is definitely open.

If your friends are remotely interested in Thai culture and artefacts, take them one morning or afternoon to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall for the stunning exhibition Arts of the Kingdom. I have taken a few friends there over the years since it was first on display and each has loved it. http://www.artsofthekingdom.com/en/index.php?page=product_main Afterwards you can take a leisurely walk to Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple. I know it is yet another temple but its perfect symmetry makes it special. Take a taxi to the Throne Hall if its not the rush hour. After the temple you can then walk to the river to get a river boat back if you wish. Grand Palace. Youll know that the best way is again to go by river boat, probably from Saphan Thaksin. Getting a taxi through Chinatown can take a huge amount of time and is just not worth it. Besides the river trip is fun. Nearby there is a good S&P restaurant to have lunch at a reasonable price. When you get to the entrance to the grounds beware of the tuk tuk touts. They will confidently tell you they are closed for lunch or some ceremony or other. But not to worry, instead of queuing they will give you an hours tour to fill the time at a very cheap price. It is a total scam! Note also there is a dress code. Check the internet or with your hotel concierge. Warning about Chatuchak. In May it will be fiendishly hot as little air gets circulated. There are fans around but you will be dripping with sweat. A lot of people poo-poo the Jim Thomson House and Museum. It may not be totally authentic but visitors always seem to love it. I have invariably found the food at the restaurant there good and there is the big shop on the grounds for checking out their products. Easy to get there by walking a short distance from the National Stadium Skytrain stop.

Can we now really trust any company/organisation to keep our data safe? As importantly how can we get them to obey our stated wishes? I was a member of Linked In for a few years. I thought it might be useful for business purposes. It wasnt. So five years ago I deleted the account. Since then I have had at least 40 requests from Linked In members to be a friend or link or whatever they call it. The last was just two weeks ago. Worse, one from from a close friend who died four years ago. Having cancelled the account I now cannot get in in order to tell the organisation to stop sending me useless emails. I suppose to them I remain a number to justify their total member count.

I was only in Seoul twice in the early 1990s. My hotel was near Itaewon and a gay Korean friend took me to a few mixed bars where there were obviously gay sections. We gravitated there and my friend chatted with a guy he knew. Hardly cruisy but I had a good time. Young Koreans then did not seem nearly as hot as they do today. There were a couple of openly gay bars. When i visited each had a few Korean customers but no young ones, only older. Eventually I found one so-called sauna advertised in Spartacus. It was in an alley off the north side of the main street running east from City Hall (cant recall the name now). I easily found the alley but remember walking around for at least half an hour trying to locate it. Eventually I succeeded. It was no Thailand style sauna. Downstairs was one very big room with a hot and cold pool on one side and a steam room on another. In the middle was a massage table where hefty guys were giving clients very strong scrub downs and massages. Upstairs there was a smaller low ceilinged room with mattresses and blankets. Each little area was separated by a very low partition that can not have been more than 18 inches. Not very dark it was easy to see that hands and arms were wandering. I noticed two guys in one partition but everything seems pretty discreet. I am surprised Seoul seems still to have so few gay places.

Interesting introduction to Blued on the AsiaGuys.net site http://www.asiaguys.net/i-guess-thats-why-they-call-it-the-blues/ I have been using it for a few months and like fedssocr find I am becoming more addicted to it than I ever was with jack/d, hornet and the others. Especially interesting is that the site is not only run out of Beijing, one of its investors is a state controlled media company. I have read that some guys can only get in on their phones. I can get it on both my phone and wireless-only iPad, although never together. But its odd that on the phone I get guys close to me in Thailand but on the iPad its only guys in China. With the latter the instant translation facility is pretty good.