Londoner

I kept my legs crossed during the video. I remember being taken to a Muslim circumcision hut in West Africa. Twenty boys , aged around ten, were being kept in isolation there and periodically "frightened" - it was all a game- by Devil-like creature who'd suddenly appear from the bush with a cutlass. I was told it was a privilege for a white man to be shown this place- thankfully not the actually cutting which, I was told, is done with a bamboo blade.

Yes... my life becomes richer the moment the doors of the airport open and I'm assailed by the smells and the heat. Seventy plus trips now; and it works every time. And next time, it'll be even better after two years away.

Midguy1 writes; "Seriously planning to retire much earlier (like early to mid 50s) to allow more travel time!" I was lucky; I received a generous pension at the age of fifty-two but even if it had been less so, my mind was made-up. And it was the best decision of my life. That was more than twenty years ago. it improved my health, both mental and physical and it eventually resulted, nine years into retirement, in my meeting the one and only love of my life. Go for it!

Removal of the second test would make my spring/summer trip more likely; removal of all would make it a certainty.

My first visit changed my life...it even resulted a couple of years later in my taking early retirement. And a pay-cut! I hope your experiences are just as thrilling.

Very likely.

"Are we talking about the same boy ?" asks Boy 69. No. The guy to whom I am referring was "Eric". He was on Romeo for some months. But he certainly fitted your description.

There is nothing better than getting away from the Metropolis with a loved-one, experiencing rural Thailand. And then returning!

A friend of mine offed the Madagascan guy to whom I believe you refer in Pattaya. I saw him in a Boyztown bar and yes, he was remarkably cute and, I'm told, charming.

I cannot resist noting that "go go dancing " existed in the Good Old Days but has been replaced by "go go standing" for well over a decade. Apologies for going off-thread.

For evidence of the above, there are plenty of "Karen" clips on You Tube....one of my many guilty pleasures. The only time I was present when something like this happened was on a Thai Air twenty years ago flight when a passenger was dragged away in handcuffs. And I slept right through it!

Agreed.

Some good advice. The Covid issue may have encouraged some to forget that hiv remains a serious threat to Thais on the scene...I know which of the two I'd prefer to get!

I'm delighted you are together again. And back on holiday. I hope the rest of the trip is full of happiness.

My partner is still waiting for his Pfizer booster and he isn't allowed to have it until March. To be blunt, the Covid situation in Thailand is such that I wouldn't feel comfortable and the implications of being tested positive are dire. Read daydreamer's posts. Still hoping for June.

I'd forget about saunas; they are closed. And the scene has declined since I arrived twenty-five years ago. Are you interested in commercial sex or hoping to hook-up with gay guys? Remember that the scene in Bangkok is much more commercially-orientated than at home. And that includes the apps.

A nightmare. I wonder how many other tourists are in a similar situation? I'm delighted you taking are care of N. Thais recognise and appreciate love when it is offered so spontaneously. Trying to think of positives, I can only allude that you are both well. And together. Best of luck.

I have two observations. Firstly, is the problem regarding open discussions about sex in Thailand related to the pervading issue of prostitution and its sister- so popular among the more affluent- the "mia noi" , and the desire of many, on both sides of the equation, to maintain a degree of secrecy? And secondly, the Thais' embarrassments regarding intimate, revealing , difficult and sensitive interactions is not just related to sex, is it?

Thanks; every photo is beautiful and evocative, particularly on this cold London morning. Even photo of the menu; I've chosen today's breakfast, lunch and dinner! I'm sorry to read about the problems with your test. It's hard to see what else you could have done but, on consideration, I suppose it shouldn't be that surprising....TIT. Please keep reporting and sending those photographs. They brighten-up my day.

Yes....apparently, the latest figures for incoming tourists are disappointing, particularly when compared to the numbers when Test & Go was previously introduced. The above comments, reveal a great deal of anxiety. My March trip is off and my June one is in doubt. Others must be as concerned as I am.

Thanks so much; the report and the photographs brought back many memories. Phuket isn't one of our favourite parts of Thailand- Patong in particular- but it looked (and sounded) wonderful. How I miss Thailand! P and I were there when the Buddha was being built; he bought a tile (for want of abetter word) , wrote his name on it and it was used as some sort of cladding. It was a spiritual experience for him; I stood well away as he said a long prayer. I noticed other Thai visitors observing him with respect. I was touched. I look forward to the next instalment.

This was why US Zionists claimed that Trump was a reincarnation of Cyrus. Figuratively speaking, of course...though Q anon followers may well have believed it literally! Iran's enmity is due to the fact that Zionists colonised a predominantly Muslim and Christian country, expelled, displaced and massacred a million plus people and turned a Jewish 7% minority in the early thirties into a 55% majority by 1970, a majority which has 95% of the power, land and wealth. The small Jewish community in Iran is an accepted minority; unlike some here in the West, Iranians are aware that Zionists, not Jews, are the perpetrators of crimes against Palestinian Christians and Muslims. And I met many heroic Israeli Jews, including Rabbis, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Palestine.

To be blunt, the loss of days or weeks in some sort of medical imprisonment is more of a worry than the money.

Thaiger.com has some advice on this and recommends two or three local (Bangkok)providers. My concern was that some policies have a seventy-five year age limit....however, Thaiger found a couple that don't have an age limit. I'm ultra-careful and so my intention is to use my own UK travel insurance but to back it -up with a local company that specifically mentions quarantine and is "Covid-Pass friendly."

Since his photo was included in this article, I thought I should point out that most biographers agree that Oscar Wilde never engaged in anal sex. He did , however, enjoy watching Bosie perform on his young "panthers."