PeterRS

Debatable - agreed. But the governments in both Singapore and Hong Kong have spent billions in attracting international business corporations to base themselves in their cities because that is where the big taxation profits will eventually accrue (although Singapore has reduced taxation in the first years of relocation to the city state). Equally their Tourism Associations have spent more billions in providing some of the things expatriate managers - middle level and above - will miss if they are relocated to their Asian offices. Often managers just do not want to move, to relocate families, find schooling for their kids, and live in a part of the world they know little about. To suggest that musicals which tour to those cities - and indeed now to cities like Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and others - are sub-standard is simply untrue! The quality is extraordinarily high, even given the demands and the costs of touring compared to having a show sit in London or New York for years. Besides, they provide a major tourism draw. I was on a contract for the Hong Kong Tourist Authority when Phantom of the Opera first visited for a 16-week run exactly three decades ago. It was only also performing in Singapore and Seoul that year. Just one travel agent in Taipei sold 10,000 3-night Phantom packages offering three different levels of Hong Kong hotel including the 5-star Peninsula. Others in Taiwan and especially The Philippines sold many more. The producers of most touring musicals aim to give Asian audiences an experience virtually as similar to those originally produced. As far as squality is concerned, perhaps @khaolakguy will inform us if he saw CATS, The Lion King or the handful of other imported touring musicals which have visited Bangkok and played in the excellent 1,500 seat Rajadalai Theatre. Did he regard the quality as sub-standard or is that just an impression? Please tell us. I saw them, and the quality was not in the slightest sub-standard. Singapore has additionallly had hugely successful runs of Mamma Mia (I took friends three times to see it in Singapore on its first run of several months there), WIcked, Sweeny Todd, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music, Hamilton and a host of others. Indeed, as reported in the Straits Times, a Broadway aficionado, Mr Jian Yang, the managing partner at integrated communications company Distilleri, who used to travel to Broadway and London to watch his favourite musicals is among many Singaporeans who merely stay at home to see the plethora of internationally renowned musicals now performed there. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/curtains-up-musicals-enjoying-post-pandemic-boom-in-singapore

I find a number of issues raised the the video somewhat concerning. I do suggest that the history of Thai tourism is definitely not linked to just one Prime Minister and his efforts at the start of the 1960s. Almost a decade earlier, as the vdo points out, much of the world had become transfixed by an interest in Thailand linked to the 1951 musical The King and I with its popular songs being regularly played in much of the world. That the Jim Thomson company had provided all the silks for the production and the Queen had been photgraphed with its star Yul Brynner certainly helped raise awareness. Perhaps all this was not in a tourism sense, but definitely it terms of curiosity value. This was then increased very considerably by the 1956 movie. Incidentally, though, Jim Thomson arrived in Thailand in 1946, not 1948. Vacation travel to Asia in the 1950s, as the vdo rightly points out, almost in general and Thailand in particular was on the minds of very few people. How many anywhere in what we term the west even considered intercontinental tourism to Asia in those days? Very few, as evidenced by the small number of flights linking Europe/America and Asia. One of my earliest memories of the early 60s is of passing the windows of travel companies with their large posters of the new Thai airline in its exotic purple colours, so much more attractive and enticing that those of most other airlines! The narrator's comments about the number of Americans based in Thailand during the wars in Indo China (not just Vietnam!) can give the impression of being more than a little off the mark. He states "from 1962 and 1976, 50,000 Amercan troops were stationed in Thailand." The implication is that 50,000 were here throughout every year of this period. In 1962 there were 6,500 US servicemen based in Thailand to fight the Pathet Lao in Laos. It is generally agreed that 50,000 troops were stationed only at the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1968. Initially some selected Bangkok for R&R, but Bangkok had very few hotels in the early 1960s. Increasingly, with the US Air Force using Utapao Air Base, thanks to Thai entrepreneurs Pattaya quickly developed into a much nearer and even cheaper place to find the girls and the booze for the R&R breaks - or as some preferred to call them I&I breaks, Intoxication and Intercourse. And as rightly noted, more and more military personnel on R&R gravitated to the sin cities like Pattaya in Thailand and around Clark Air Base in The Philippines. But I find it really hard to believe his comment that "Basically Thailand used the war to build a tourism machine that would outlast the war itself." This may have been the result, but then no one in Thailand - or just about anywhere else, for that matter - knew that such a massive war would be the result of the initial fighting against the Pathet Lao. So the infrastructure for R&R was definitely not a deliberate policy. It was a policy that gradually emerged over a period of years. Also, no one anywhere knew when that war would end and the GIs depart. So what was being built were temporary facilities that had to start finding other "residents" once the USA started drawing down its forces from 1969. The narrator also fails to mention that Thailand had become a key part of the hippy trail in the 1960s, when hip young guys and gels from western countries sought a different vacation experience, mostly cheap backpackers on much longer vacations in countries like Thailand and Nepal. Naturally they spent overall far less than the short-term GIs. But, as Australian travel began to develop with family reunions between Australia/New Zealand and Europe made possible as a result of long distance flights replacing multi-week sea voyages, Bangkok along with Singapore became major stopovers on the kangaroo route. Over time, a considerable number of passengers used the stopovers literally to "stop-over" for a few days. This, I bellieve, more than anything helped with the development of, shall I say, middle class hotels. The narrator then virtually jumps from the Vietnam War to the years just before the Asian Economic Crisis on July 2 1997. Yet Thailand had used the 1980s to develop its economy in a big way. But he is absolutely wrong in saying Thailand was the hub of South East Asia by the 1990s. Singapore and Hong Kong were vastly ahead of Thailand, as was Japan even though that decade witnessed the country's own massive recession as a result of the economic bubble of the 1980s. I am also concerned about the "investment tourism" comments. He again omits to mention that Thailand was a victim of its own crony capitalism as the 1990s progressed. Thai companies owned by Thai managements were increasingly encouraged by the government. But as so often happens in Thailand, one arms does not always know what the other is doing. With the government desperate to keep the Thai baht pegged at 25 to US$1, its economy was tanking. Property companies sprang up by the many hundreds and new banks opened. Expansion was the name of the game. A large asset bubble developed along with unthinkable and unsustainable amounts of debt. But members of the government were also major players in the private sector. Changing the status quo was unthinkable. Inevitably the baht was overvalued. To maintain its US$ peg, local interest rates had to rise - and then keep on rising. Companies found it was far cheaper to borrow large amounts of dollars or Swiss francs where the interest payments were far lower. In the first month of 1997, the international speculators saw their opportunity. Anticipating a collapse of the baht, they sold massive amounts of the currency. To defend the peg, the Thai government spent $24 billion - virtually 70% of its entire foreign currency reserve. The defence worked, but when the speculators returned at the start of July, the cupboard was bare. Thailand had no choice but to devalue and then suffer a major recession. Thai companies suffered massive losses and many collapsed. By the end of the year the baht had lost half its value. What he says about the sex industry readers of this forum have known for decades. In this respect the vdo could in fact have been made years ago. We all know that as a result of economic developments and the rapidly falling birth rate the number of young Thai men working in the sex industry has fallen rapidly. They have been replaced by young guys from neighbouring countries. Yet, while he goes on about Thailand's sex industry, he fails to mention that it is a small fry compared to the sex industry in a country like Japan, for example. The difference is that some other countries have far better regulation and official ways of generating sizeable income from it. Where the vdo is 100% accurate is its description of "the emotional narrative of Thailand as unsafe has stuck." His views on overcharging and the general higher cost of living are also true. And so Thailand is losing out quite considerably to other South East Asian countries. The question: can tourism ever increase through the present soft-power government initiatives aimed at much wealthier tourists is one which definitely requires an answer. The problem is that no one really has any clue if it can. In the corporate sector, my view is that it can only do so if it changes its laws and permits greater ownership for foreign companies. It also has to offer far more than just great food, nice apartments, fashion and film. Both Singapore and Hong Kong long ago accepted that foreign companies need more to make living here for even middle-level managers from overseas more similar to working in their home markets. So they have invested heavily in theatres with top class touring Broadway musicals, orchestras, dance companies and other entertainments that employees could see in London, Zurich, New York, Sydney etc. The main Japanese and South Korean cities are similar. But I am certain successive Thai governments have never even thought of this!

I defy anyone here to beat that travel schedule! I didn't do much apart from reading @Olddaddy's often amusing posts - and feeling envious that he stayed in the Capella!! Oh, and in London I did get to see the amazing Abba Voyage show and with friends catch an Exhibition of the Mughal Arts.

Just returned from 5 nights in Taipei. There are a couple of updates on info of previous posts. 1. The Huang Tzu (Emperor) hot spring now appears to be following the fate of two other nearby springs in attempting to cease being popular with gays. Until about 7 or so years ago Chuan Tang, across the little bridge was the one to visit. Then its management decided it did not want a gay clientele any more and suddenly Huang Ding, the one much nearer the main road, became hugely popular with gay guys, especially the younger crowd and spectacular eye candy, so much so that parts of it were almost a sauna where absolutely everything was happening! But it was then forced to close by the authorities just before covid when it breached some local regulation about its water - or at least that was the official reason given! Sadly the management of Huang Tzu has in recent months torn down the steam room which seems to have been quite active late in the evenings and overnight. It has not been replaced with anything else and the night I was there the clientele seemed to have increased in average age quite a bit. Unfortunately unseasonably hot weather meant my friends and I had to give up going to the Shan Yue hot spring suggested by @hojacat back in April. But I will be returning at the end of January and will definitely make a visit then. 2. Not sure why it is but the 'new' Hans Mens Sauna (although its move up the road must have been about 2 years ago now!) was buzzing yesterday. Compared to previous week-end visits, there must have been four or five times as many guys when I arrived around 5:00 pm. The crowd started to thin a bit around 6:30ish but a variety of different ages were still arriving. Still not a sauna for twinks, although there were some very attractive guys in their late 20s I guessed.

Khaosod English identifies the hotel as being on Sukhumvit 13 and the party comprised 28 Thai nationals and one Filipino.

One to add to my list. Never heard it before.

We were all somewhat aghast that @Olddaddy stayed at the Capella Hotel by the river. This has now been voted 3rd Best Hotel in the world by the official World’s 50 Best Hotel Academy, which is made up of 800 hotel industry experts, including hoteliers and travel journalists, spread across 13 destinations around the globe. No wonder he was a bit picky he saw my balcony . Some more for @Olddaddy to consider as he contemplates his next travels. The top ten list is - 1. The Rosewood, Hong Kong 2. Four Seasons, Bangkok 3. Capella, Bangkok 4. Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy 5. Raffles, Singapore 6. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai 7. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok 8. Chable Yucantan, Chochola, Mexico 9. Four Seasons, Florence, Italy 10. Upper House, Hong Kong The top three are all relatively new hotels. For long the traditional top hotels are either further down the list or have dropped off altogether. Hong Kong's flagship hotels, the Mandarin Oriental is at #41 and the venerable Peninsula has dropped off. Vienna's Sacher Hotel (where you have to have sachertorte mit shlag at a great price) is almost at the bottom at #49. Claridge's, the Connaught, Raffles OWO (what on earth does that mean?) and the Emory are the four to aim for in London, but the Savoy seems to have fallen into the river.

Are you sure you wanted to see him perform and not just to see him????

I tend to agree with @vinapu. I hasten to add I have no idea what the Magic Castle is or why it should interest you. Do they saw guys in half throughout and have rabbits runing around the place which have been pulled out of hats? Seriously, though, it sounds rather like a Club for professional magicians and therefore it would not be appropriate to solicit an invitation from someone you do not know or hardly know and just happen to meet casually at a party. Had I been there and in your shoes, as it were, I would probably have said something like, "I've heard of those amazing dinners you have at the Magic Castle. Do you know if there is any way non-magicians might be able to attend?" So even though I knew the answer, I'd throw the question over to him rather than specifically asking him to invite me.

Recently, and for a reason that defeats me, I have been getting regular emails from Quora. Today there is one rather nasty one about how narcissists age. But it is quite interesting, even though I doubt if it reflects the type of existence many narcissistic personalities have led.. 1. First, they spend their lives hurting others. After years of hurting others, all the guilt and shame add up, no matter how much they may deny it. To avoid this feeling, they continue to do bad things in order to protect their false identity — their “False Self.” Picture each cruel act as a brick. And by old age, they are carrying a huge mountain of bricks. 2. Second, they always see themselves as the victim. When people react to their bad behaviour, they twist it and believe they are the ones being treated badly. As time goes by this attitude isolates them. They drive everyone away but cannot understand why they are alone. My covert mother at the end of her life felt miserable and said that everyone had abused her. She had a good life and a husband that adored her, giving her every gift imaginable. 3. Third, the aging process works on their mind. They lose control and no longer can conceal their inner self. If they were covert, the mask drops. They become more rude, selfish and more bitter, exposing their real self. Now you know - or don't as the case may be!

Our @vinapu is now a certified STAR! Perhaps the TAT should create an Avenue of Gay Stars in Bangkok as a tourist attraction. After all, going back a century or so, we have Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, Jim Thomson, the greatest male ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, Gore Vidal, Marlon Brando, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, British Ambassador Brian Davidson, the murdered editor Daniel Berrigan, Sitthichai Chavanothai founder of HIM publications, gay activist, Natee Teerarojjanapongs, Mithuna Junior which was Thailand's first commerical gay magazine pubished wholly in Thai, Soi Twilight, Telephone Bar . . . Ideally King Vajiravudh Rama VI, assumed by all to be homosexual, should be included, but I expect lese majeste would prohibit that!

I have friends who a dozen or so years ago bought a beautiful small one-bedroom flat in Tokyo. But it was almost unique in my experience as it had a deck outside which could easily accommodate 50. The problem was the toilet. It was one of the then latest Japanese gadgets which do a great deal more than merely flush. There were instructions on the wall, but they were only in Japanese. Many at their first party were foreign friends who had little clue how to work them if they needed to poop. Most guys took so long trying to decipher the insructions, the end result was a long queue for peeing with many just going to the edge of the deck to water the garden below! I guess the Japanese couple below must have wondered how their flowers looked more lovely than usual!

No good either, in my view! I'm all for giving recognition to those who do good in their communities, but not for continuing to glorify centuries when the British Empire - as all such Empires did - resulted in great deal of harm.

Although I am reasonably certain there was no family living in any compound in Soi Twilight.

I have been in the front row for an Emirates economy flight to Hong Kong. The flight was overbooked and they offered me lounge access, priority boarding and a free biz class return for a later date if I just agreed to that one sector downgrade. It was a generous offer which I accepted and actually enjoyed the front row - even though then it was an economy seat and there was no partition in front. So I think Premium Economy on the A380 might certainly be worth trying.

The problem on the Emirates A380s is there is no bulkhead, only two half partitions. The first row has two seats each side with tons of legroom because they are in the open area at the downstairs entrance. The problem is that the toilets are up a few stairs at the front and the chances are you are going to have queues occasionally in front of you.

It seems slightly strange that one of the screen's major icons died 70 years ago just before his third and last movie appeared. I had never seen Rebel Without A Cause until this afternoon when it was shown on a True Visions channel. I had looked forward to it but was perhaps a bit disappointed, both with the movie and with James Dean. Natalie Wood's character also seemed to me two-dimensional and more than a little unbelievable. Inevitably it is dated and the post-war rebel image of the younger characters seemed tame - at least when you compare it with, for example, the gang warfare in the 1960s West Side Story. The concept of teenagers as a class of their own was still relatively new after the war. Teenagers were regarded as being filled with a restless angst and spirit of rebellion toward the social norms which they felt restricted by, and it is this that Rebel Without A Cause doesn't quite present on screen IMHO. The interesting character I think is Plato played by the cherubic 16-year old Sal Mineo. It was a role that earned him his first of two nominations for the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor. It could never be said at the time but he admitted in a 1972 interview that he really had to be killled off. His character, he suggested, "was in a way the first gay teenager in films." For years Mineo denied he was gay, presumably to ensure he got parts. Later in his short life there was a spell when he said he was bisexual and had allegedly slept with some of the most powerful men and some women in Hollywood, including Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando. Sadly for him, it did not do his career much good. the more so as his looks began to fade. In 1976 aged 37 he was brutally stabbed to death by a pizza delivery man during a random robbery outside his West Hollywood apartment. For his final six years he finally came out as gay and lived with an acting teacher Courtney Burr III. James Dean and Sal Mineo in a scene from Rebel Without A Cause

Just make sure the nephews dont get the lube! Oops!

You've let the cat out of the bag! I hadn't planned to let on about that!

Thinking back, the golden age of British television sitcoms seems to have all but disappeared many decades ago. Shows like Blackadder, Yes Minister, Are You Being Served?, Dad's Army, Porridge (with Ronnie Barker and the very talented Richard Beckinsale, father of actress Kate, who died tragically young) Steptoe and Son, Rising Damp, Till Death Us Do Part . . .and that's before all the comedy shows with such talented actors as Tony Hancock, Morecambe and Wise, Eric Sykes, Arthur Askey, Frankie Howerd, Spike Milligan . . . so many and so many now forgotten. And that's before considering at all the radio sitcoms and great comedians, not to forget the many great writers without whom most of the shows would never have got off the ground.

Fabulous reviews @NoNameFanBoy . Many thanks. You deserve five hearts! And totally agree about Japanese lube. Tried it in the years I worked there and quickly abandoned it in favour of lubes I picked up in Hong Kong.

In this forum there are some fascinating insights into the start and development of Patpong. I wonder if anyone has a history of Soi Twilight from its very beginnings. Perhaps even adding in those gay venues which started up in Silom Soi 4 and Patpong 2.

In the years when I was doing reguar ultra-long distance travel, I always took wax earplugs with me to ensure noise did not bother me. I found in cities like New York the sound of traffic and emergency vehicles generally found their way in to most rooms. But if I am with company overnight, even the lovely sound of breathing next to me won't keep me awake. On the other hand, I cannot handle anyone who snores!

Not sure where I heard/read it but I thought Sauna Mania did have an age policy. If that is not the case, does it come into force on certain nights/holidays?

The sound insulation of rooms is also important to me. I have stayed in many hotels in Taipei. One relatively inexpensive one just 30 meters from a subway station and overlooking Da an Park had a fabulous location. My room also had a really nice view of the park but it was just across from the single lift. I was driven crazy by the noise of people chatting quite loudly during their long waits to get the lift. I asked the management if on another visit I could select a room at the end of the corridor even if I paid a little more. Nope. Only available if free at check in. Never stayed again, unfortunately.