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From Channel News Asia KUALA LUMPUR: After a dormant decade, calls for a new naval base in a sleepy town in Sarawak have gathered steam in recent weeks, with Malaysia potentially eyeing a more assertive stance against Chinese pressure in resource-rich areas near the Borneo state. But in building Malaysia’s latest naval base in Bintulu, closer to the disputed waters in the South China Sea, analysts believe Putrajaya will still steer clear of stirring up the hornet’s nest. Malaysia is unlikely to adopt more aggressive responses to Chinese vessel incursions, they told CNA, given its overarching aim to maintain its low-key approach to the maritime territorial claims and preserve its lucrative economic ties with Beijing. China, currently embroiled in its own scuffles with the Philippines in the same strategic waterways farther north, will also be keen to keep its ties with Malaysia on an even keel, hoping to alienate Manila from other Southeast Asian claimant states, the analysts said. Dr Collin Koh, a senior fellow at Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the Sarawak naval base would not alter China-Malaysia ties as long as the Malaysian government continues to keep a “non-megaphone” approach to the dispute. “The naval base and potentially increased Malaysian maritime presence in the area may come across as a nuisance to Beijing, but that’s just it,” he told CNA. “End of the day, it’s the political demeanour in Kuala Lumpur, not what’s happening on the ground with Malaysia’s naval buildup in Borneo, that seems to be the key determinant in overall relationship with Beijing.” According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a country retains exclusive rights to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources in its EEZ, defined as waters extending up to 200 nautical miles (370km) immediately offshore. Continues at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-south-china-sea-naval-base-sarawak-eez-luconia-4658451?cid=taboola_traffic-regional_paid_12042024_cnamkt_thepattayanews-thepattayanews&tblci=GiCLRklQkfe4-FMw0mn38WG-OYetLqAIWXwOJNgM3H98GiDsklIo9dCZ4NLX6r-uATCzp1U#tblciGiCLRklQkfe4-FMw0mn38WG-OYetLqAIWXwOJNgM3H98GiDsklIo9dCZ4NLX6r-uATCzp1U

Most of guys at FB are what I’ve come to refer to as “Bangkok straight.” They may prefer girls but know that their income depends on their ability to provide a satisfying experience for male customers. They are my favorite type of guys. I think you’ve already discovered that putting them at ease early on reaps dividends.

And no one ever complains about their accommodations.

From Pattaya News The Thai Cabinet has approved 153 million baht to host the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, aiming to draw 800,000 tourists and boost the economy by 3.2 billion baht. On March 3rd, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the Cabinet had approved a mid-year emergency budget of 153.03 million baht, as proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The funds will be allocated for organizing the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, set to take place at Sanam Luang from April 11th to 25th. The budget is divided into 93.26 million baht for activities at Sanam Luang, 48 million baht for parades, and 11.77 million baht for advertising and public relations. This is in addition to the 40-million-baht budget already allocated to TAT for 2025, Mr. Jirayu said. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/04/thai-government-approves-153-million-baht-for-songkran-festival-to-attract-800000-tourists/

What a coincidence, DOA. You showed up on the scene here AFTER Covid. 🤗 Wow. That certainly sounds like speculation by any measure. 😅 Thanks for mimicking my conclusion. 🤗

Discuss your expectations with guy in bar before agreeing to off. If he has no English or you otherwise cannot communicate with translator, ask assistance from mamasan. I agree with @Olddaddy that many boys will want to leave without breakfast. But some will be happy to stay. Feel free to discuss that with boy before offing, also.

From The Thaiger Thai Smile Bus, operating primarily in Bangkok, has expanded its payment options, now allowing passengers to pay using QR codes via PromptPay across all routes. Additionally, the service will also support Digital E-Wallet payments, such as True Money Wallet, which came into effect on March 1. Kulpornphat Wongmacharapinya, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited, announced the expansion following successful trials with electric buses on route 4-13 (75), which received positive feedback from users, reported KhaoSod. This initiative aims to offer a variety of payment methods to enhance convenience for passengers, aligning with the digital lifestyle of the public and supporting contactless travel. Along with QR code payments, the new system also accommodates Digital E-Wallet options like True Money Wallet. Other payment methods remain available, providing passengers with multiple choices. https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/thai-smile-bus-now-accepts-qr-code-and-e-wallet-payments

From Pattaya News Pattaya City, in collaboration with the Thai and Traditional Boxing Sports Association and the Father Ray Foundation, will host the 6th World Muay Thai Championship from March 9th to 17th, 2025, at the Central Pattaya Beach event area. The competition will begin with a weigh-in on March 9th, followed by qualification rounds from March 10th to 12nd. The semi-finals will take place on March 13rd and 14th, alongside qualification rounds for traditional Thai boxing (Muay Krading). On March 15th, the event will feature the Wai Kru Muay Thai ceremony and the final round of Muay Krading. The Muay Thai championship final will be held on March 16th, while special matches organized by the Father Ray Foundation will conclude the event on March 17th. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/03/pattaya-to-host-the-6th-world-muay-thai-championship-in-march/

@Olddaddy has said many times he likes older guys like he finds at Heaven Sauna. 🙂

Love the big number tags. I have lousy night vision and can hardly make out any numbers in Patpong bars.

@Department_Of_Agriculture (aka, Dead_On_Arrival) said: ”We are further told that “however, a blogger claims that developers have their eyes set on Patpong”, without even being told which blogger it is so that we can evaluate the accuracy of the said blogger’s claims by looking at what other claims he has made on his/its blog.’ From Bangkokseven.com What’s up mingemongers and moneyhoneys, my name’s Seven and this is my weekly confession. On Sunday I slid into G’s German for his signature spare ribs, which were out of this world. Guido broke the news that he’d most likely move permanently to Ptown at the end of the year. ‘Twas another sad reminder that nothing good stays forever. Big G also shared news he’d heard from a group of new investors, who want to move in on the Pong. They will turn it into a modern high-rise similar to Park Silom, with hip restaurants, offices, etc. sometime in the next three to four years. So Patpong’s days are numbered, same as G’s. https://bangkokseven.com/redlight-diary-16-2-25-patpongs-numbered-days/

As I mull over other possible relocation sites, it strikes me that Silom Soi 6 could be in the mix. At the moment, it’s bordering on being over populated with six massage shops. And there’s the adjoining soi (Silom 8?) where the Nantra hotel is located that intersects it.

No matter when this finally occurs, it was inevitable as these two parcels represent the most valuable real estate asset in Bangkok’s business district. A forward thinking developer would most likely make accommodation for the Patpong Night Market. It has become such a tourist magnet that it would be foolhardy not to. And I can see venues like Jupiter, and maybe even Stranger Bar, also being included because they would attract international spenders with high disposable income to the new development, demonstrating Thailand’s much heralded “soft power.” Certainly the restaurant bars could compete for a spot if they can make the rent. Foodland saw this coming and already secured a new foothold in the Park Silom building across the way. But I can also envision it opening another space, along with the Took Lae Dee restaurant. As for the boy bars, they’ll have to find new homes. One promising location mentioned above behind Mango Tree is a bit off the beaten path but it may prove ideal. There’s already four gay venues on the soi. It will prove somewhat tricky timing the moves. If you relocate too soon, you may miss out on another year or two in your current, profitable venue. But wait too long and you forgo the choicest properties. And in any case, you don’t want to be last man standing. Just as the closing of Twilight was not the end of the boy bar scene, neither will this be.

You won’t find any undernourished cats in Lumpini. Many have been adopted by locals who come by daily to feed their favorites. The cats are territorial and hang out in the same places. I enjoy counting cats on each visit and came up with 41 spottings on last circuit.

From Bangkok Post Bangkok’s metro system is known for its efficiency, but one station stands out as an architectural masterpiece: Sanam Chai MRT Station. Designed to resemble a Rattanakosin-era throne hall, this underground station is a must-visit for travellers and history enthusiasts alike. More than just a transportation hub, it is a gateway to some of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks, including Wat Pho, Museum Siam and the bustling Pak Khlong Talad flower market. Step inside Sanam Chai MRT, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a grand palace rather than a subway station. Designed by renowned architect Dr Pinyo Suwannakiri, the station pays homage to the grandeur of the Rattanakosin period, blending traditional Thai aesthetics with modern functionality. Golden lotus capitals adorn the columns, while intricate ceiling patterns and floral motifs transport commuters to Thailand’s royal past. The design reflects Bangkok’s deep-rooted history and cultural heritage, making it one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/life/travel/40046898

NOTE — What could these “appealing profiles” possibly be” 🙂 From The Thaiger Police in Chiang Rai have arrested nine Chinese nationals involved in a significant hybrid scam operation, impersonating individuals with appealing profiles to target victims in the United States and Canada, persuading them to invest in cryptocurrency. The operation was carried out yesterday, February 28, with oversight from Police Lieutenant General Kritthaphon Yeesakorn and several other senior officers from region 5 and Chiang Rai province. The suspects, aged between 20 and 32, include Cao TaiQing, Tu Xing, Yi Xiu, Duan Guang Shun, Li Jiawei, Yang Lianwei, Cheng yue, Jrang Kai Hang, and Huang RangXin, along with a 21 year old Thai woman, Orathai. Police confiscated 14 computers, 81 mobile phones, and internet connectivity devices. The initial investigation indicated violations of the Computer Crime Act, Immigration Act of 1979, and the Foreign Worker Management Act. The arrests followed intelligence reports about a group of Chinese individuals perpetrating Internet scams from Ban Du subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang Rai province. Police discovered the suspects had rented a house in the area, leading to a raid where the suspects were apprehended, and the aforementioned items were seized. In similar news, an ex-inmate has been arrested in Phuket for impersonating a well-known politician to deceive a woman into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme, costing her 22 million baht. Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers apprehended the suspect at a residence in Koh Kaew, Mueang district. He faces charges of public fraud and inputting false data into a computer system. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/chiang-rai-police-arrest-9-in-crypto-scam-targeting-us-canada

Based on a tip from @10tazione, I was able to confirm that some shops on Silom Soi 4 are looking for new quarters because the sale of the parcel now seem imminent . Although no hard date was mentioned, it’s understood that proprietors are already eyeing available space in Patpong and elsewhere. One source said it was at least a year or more out while a rumor of an earlier date was also circulating. However, a blogger claims that developers have their eyes set on Patpong with both parcels being folded into a larger project but with a considerably longer time frame.

The United States embassy in Thailand has issued the following alert: On 27 February 2025, the Royal Thai Government deported a group of 45 Uyghurs asylees to China. Similar deportations have prompted violent retaliatory attacks in the past. Most notably, in the wake of a 2015 deportation of Uyghurs from Thailand, improvised explosive devices detonated at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok killing 20 people and injuring 125 others as this shrine is heavily visited by tourists from China. Actions to Take: The U.S. Mission in Thailand advises U.S. citizens to Exercise increased caution and vigilance, especially in crowded locations frequented by tourists due to the potential for increased collateral risk Review personal security plans Follow the instructions of local authorities https://th.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-bangkok-thailand/ =============== The United Kingdom embassy in Thailand has issued the following alert: There are regular terrorist attacks in the 4 provinces in the southern tip of Thailand by the border with Malaysia. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to these provinces. Martial law is in place in most areas in these provinces, which means security forces have greater security enforcement and investigative powers. See Regional risks. However, terrorist attacks could take place anywhere in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/safety-and-security

Yes we do. In the last few weeks in particular, Japanese were frequent visitors to Good Boy and Freshboy, and this is not unusual. On one evening, they actually represented the most dominant portion of customers for a FB show. Know four guys from those bars who were offed by Japanese customers in past week.

Attended FB from 9:20:to 11:45 last night. About 40 guys playing to nearly full house by 10:30. Dozen guys in bc show. Rotation breaks up show about midway through. Instead of walking down main staircase, turned left to check out how Hot Male upstairs bar was faring under new management. It proved quite busy with host waiters—and I suspect some show boys—were drinking with good number of patrons. Did not go into show bar.

With the onset of low season, the promotional rates and discounts in The following SK shops are coming too fast to keep up to date: Phetboy, One Spa, KK Massage, Phoenix Massage and Home Spa, Best way to keep abreast is by LINE postings.

From Los Angeles Times For many years, Chinese tourism fueled the economy of this island paradise, known for its tropical weather, stunning sunsets and foreign-friendly accommodations. But with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Thailand's Phuket Island is transforming into a different kind of getaway: a refuge for Russians fleeing military conscription, political oppression and the economic impact of Western sanctions. Businesses in Phuket — many still recovering from the pandemic — have responded quickly and enthusiastically. Restaurants now serve sweet porridge. Grocery stores sell sauerkraut, borscht and blinis with cottage cheese. Gyms offer ice baths and saunas, while Russian-language signs have popped up around busy parts of town. One entertainment lounge that opened two years ago advertises trivia nights, movie showings and live performers — all in Russian. Phuket is becoming "Little Moscow," jokes Boon Yongsakul, vice president of the Phuket Real Estate Assn. Some of the island's attractions, such as international schools and long-term visa options, have long been a draw for foreigners. But as Western sanctions have made bank transactions and travel through Europe more difficult for Russians, Phuket's cash-friendly real estate market and direct flights from the Middle East have enhanced its appeal. As of 2022, Russia has been the largest source of foreign arrivals in Phuket, according to data from the Phuket Tourist Police. Since then, the number of visitors has quadrupled to 1.03 million annually. Hungry for more tourists, Thailand has encouraged the trend to continue. The Tourism Authority of Thailand aims to attract 2.2 million Russian tourists this year, up from about 1.7 million in 2024. In 2023, Moscow opened a consulate in Phuket to serve the growing number of Russian nationals. “As more and more people realize it’s safe here, the communities get bigger,” Yongsakul said. “They have their own churches, their own businesses, their own food.” Bogdan Martianov, a 25-year-old tech worker from St. Petersburg, Russia, wanted to avoid being drafted to fight in the Ukraine war. So he flew to Argentina and sought political asylum. For two years, he lived and worked in La Plata, an hour’s drive from Buenos Aires. Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-us/general/general/russians-seek-escape-from-sanctions-draft-on-thailand-s-phuket-island-not-everyone-is-happy/ar-AA1zK2IC

NOTE — While walking the park with a few friends on a recent evening, we can across the first baby monitor lizard I recall seeing in the park. It found its way ashore, unfazed by a few admirers who were feeding turtles who gather in the same location nightly. It sniffed about before returning to the water. I always give the reptiles a wide berth but they have always been a source of entertainment, as are the weightlifters who push iron relentlessly not far off. From The Thaiger by Bob Scott Bangkok’s iconic Lumpini Park is grappling with a surge of reptilian residents, as the city considers crafty manoeuvres to manage the thriving water monitor lizardpopulation that’s raised eyebrows, not alarms. At the heart of the city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faces a slippery challenge: an uptick in water monitors roaming Lumpini Park and the adjacent canal along the bustling Rama 4. Prapas Lueangsirinapha, the BMA’s Environment Department boss, recently spoke out about the concern bubbling among residents as these reptiles leave their mark on the city centre. While protected under the Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act BE 2562, which forbids hunting or harming them, water monitors are more an asset than a threat. Despite their fearsome appearance, experts from the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand assure the public that these majestic creatures pose no danger to humans unless provoked. In fact, they play a crucial ecological role, feasting on animal carcasses and keeping rodent populations in check. Continues with photos https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/bangkok-tackles-rising-water-monitor-numbers-in-lumpini-park

From Pattaya News Helena Lerch, TikTok’s Vice President for Emerging Markets and Public Policy, met with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra during her visit to Thailand. Paetongtarn welcomed the delegation, expressing excitement over TikTok’s plans for further investment in the country. Lerch revealed that the company intends to invest $8.8 billion in Thailand over the next five years, highlighting the platform’s strong presence, with over 50 million users globally and more than 3 million Thai accounts using TikTok Shop. She also noted the PM’s use of the platform and emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, with over 1,000 employees in Thailand ensuring compliance and content moderation. Paetongtarn inquired about TikTok’s workforce training initiatives in Thailand. Lerch confirmed that discussions had already taken place, with plans to launch training programs next year to develop local talent and digital skills. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/02/28/tiktok-plans-8-8-billion-dollar-investment-in-thailand-over-five-years/