zombie

And have heard stories of retirees being unable to meet the financial conditions for their retirement extension due to the drop in the value of the pound.

I agree with Vessey. None are my type but if I had to choose one it would be Mr Thailand.

OP: Enjoyed your pictures: so good job!

If not visited before try the Ancient City for a day out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Siam Can hire a golf cart to go around the site. Best to go on week days and non public holidays.

I am also reading that for this new 10 year Visa the insurance cover needed is not only insurance as an in patient, but also insurance for out patient too.

KT writes: What we really need is a "QUIT BORING ME" button. -Excellent idea!

Yes I agree with the above. Fossil makes what for most of us is a harmless joke and GB tries to slam him down with a very unpleasant remark about him being a coward. Likewise I will steer well clear of Elephant bar as it seems to attracts a lot of bitchy poisonous old queens.

OP : I concur with the advice re staying at a gay place; and like it or not most decent hotels will have a 24 hour reception. Just grin and bear it...... Some straight people have told me about a variation of the same kind of attitude as you do. When they bring in a little creature from a beer bar etc., and go from the front entrance of the hotel to get to their room, they call it: "the walk of shame".

OP: Many thanks for your posting. Its a lesson for us all to be extra careful with security etc., especially for ATM/debit cards.

Mostly paid by B/F's savings and contributions from relatives and friends; plus a decent gift from me too. All those who attend the ceremony usually give a monetary gift in an envelope which can offset much of the cost.

My B/F recently finished as a monk. Over 500 guests attended. Costs that needed to be paid included : invitation cards, pay for food (pigs) and drinks, seating, tents, tables, chairs, music. fees to the monks, costumes (monk apparel) stage, flowers etc etc etc. Cost was around 140,000 baht.

In my opinion you would be better going to Phuket than Chiang Mai. Stay at somewhere like Aquarius guest house, which is gay. U can goggle their web page. Nice rooms and in the heart of the scene. But Royal Paradise is ok (though often full with noisy Chinese tour groups) and a short few paces walk to the gay area. Whilst in Phuket the bars are nothing as good as Pattaya and Bangkok , there are adequate gay go-go and dance places; preferable to anything in CM. Beautiful beaches in Phuket and no problem swimming in the sea. Great seafood too. And it you are smart with your schedule, plenty of things to do day time and night time.

I appreciate all the helpful replies; many thanks!

I have lived in Thailand a long time, no need to work and still enjoy a good gay life. However what with the recent bridge club fiasco and other issues I am considering whether there are other countries that may be able to offer an alternative place to live.... Any suggestions and why? What about the Philippines or Malaysia? Thanks any input!

My view: sounds likely X on "something", perhaps YB hence causing the aggressive behavior. I assume the tip was paid. My experience is that such an attitude from X can be as a result of drug taking, then again I am no expert, and many will be on "substances" with no outward signs etc

Thank you brall3 for an interesting topic on this web site. In my opinion the boy was not only being disrespectful to the older farang but also disloyal. I cannot abide disloyalty so my reaction would be far more dramatic than what actually occurred.

My answer was directed to the question about COPA and the underwater show. Of course the only underwater show at Cupidol may be when there is excess flooding!

Yes- the underwater show is back. Quite good and skilful. No more boys on the stage but the cabaret show that starts @ 11.00pm right after the water show is first rate and very professional.

My tip: Make sure you have medical insurance to cover you for any emergency etc when in Thailand.

I also would recommend Phuket especially Patong Beach. But if you want it quieter can find some resorts away from Patong but with access to it. I stayed in Phuket last month (June). Even though raining on a few days, there is plenty to do in the day and at night. There are some great beaches and many excellent seafood restaurants. The night life whilst not on a par with BKK or Pattaya is vibrant with more than enough to choose from.

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/154538/germans-wallet-snatched-by-thai-man-in-pattaya-beer-bar/

N Irish your latest post conjures up a lot of images:

Whilst a little bit pricier and not quite central south Pattaya, you would be very comfortable here if they have any rooms available: http://www.theresidencegarden.com/en/

This past weekend I went to Dream Boy in BKK. The drink charge is now 400B, the off fee is 650B, and the minimum fee to the boy is 2,500B. The place was packed on Saturday and Sunday nights, with mainly Asians customers. (Quote from brall 3 above) -These prices are in my view ridiculous. It is catering for and aimed at the Asian market. If they are stupid enough to pay these amounts then more fool them. As said by Richard they have no qualms spending 10,000 or more per night. Hence less farangs in the bars in BKK, and more in Pattaya where the prices have not yet reached outrageous levels.

Some very interesting replies to my post, so thanks to everyone. I do not, nor should I have any problem with the gender of any customer in the bars providing they have no problem with me. However as Christian rightly says: "Unacceptable behaviour (the loud-mouthed Chinese females, getting on the stage; and the Thai staff moving other customers to the side). " My group had the best seats in the house but we were asked to move to inferior seating just to accommodate the Chinese plus we were there to look at guys on stage not a bunch of short time tourists taking over the dancing! Of course if I am ever again asked to move in any bar(except for good reason) I will not move but pay up and leave immediately. To answer the question by Aussiebi14: I do not know if any of the boys were offed as when the conga started with the noise levels reaching ear splitting level, I and my group paid up and escaped. Thank u anoone for your helpful suggestions for other bars.