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Yes, just don’t get caught saying anything favorable of gay rights in Russia. 🙂

Your 15 years doesn’t seem to have provided you with any insights into human nature.

You underestimate your guides’ ability to perform. This is fun.

Clients wouldn’t be paying them to sleep, dearest Moses. Even fatigued young men can muster the energy for profitable sex.

Nice try, Moses, but do you realize just how totally fantastical that sounds. 😂

And unless you’ve equipped them with a chastity belt, there’s no way you can ever know if they accept an offer from a client. Never say never when sex and money are in play.😋

Not all bar boys necessarily get fucked. Just saying.

I’ll be amazed if all those who booked this sail will be made fully whole. Meanwhile I reminded of the two great promises: 1. There’s a check in the mail. 2. I promise not to come in your mouth.

As original texts went through multiple translations into Greek and Latin, each one was an opportunity for translator to interpret it to their satisfaction. Consequently nothing should be taken literally today, regardless of what version of “bible’ you’re reading (and there are many).

NOTE— On a week-long visit to Vietnam this trip, i found the immigration delays at Hanoi extremely long and inefficient (and I had a prepaid e-visa). Exit immigration was quicker but baggage check slow. Since I was traveling with a local, didn’t experience taxi scams. From VN Express Besides visa waivers, foreign travelers also want Vietnam to quickly fix some of its malaises that affect tourists such as taxi scams, slow immigration procedures and pollution. The government needs to look into the overcharging by taxis drivers, especially at the airport," Jeremy Baratta of the U.S., who visited Vietnam last month, said. "It doesn't bode well for the tourism industry when a visitor's first experience in the country is being ripped off." He was shocked when a taxi driver charged him VND500,000 (US$21) for a three-kilometer ride, more than 10 times the normal prices. Martin Koerner, chairman of the Vietnam Business Forum’s tourism working group, said one of the most common complaints from tourists visiting Vietnam is the long waiting time at immigration at the airports, especially in HCMC. The procedures for both entry and exit are often "slow and inefficient," causing frustration and inconvenience for travelers, he said. "There are no dedicated lines for women with children or seniors." In May the government admitted the tourism industry faced major challenges like poor infrastructure, environmental issues and shortage of skilled tourism workers, adding digital transformation in tourism has been slow. Vietnam is now striving to attract 12-13 million visitors this year.

It was once the talk of the town: a membership card that granted the bearer unlimited stays in the Kingdom for a five-year period. But don’t recall any mention of it in media last year or so. With baht 900,000 the cost of least expensive member, suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.

It does their expectations.

You fail to acknowledge that they will be replaced by those who are now a decade younger. That’s how it’s been from day one. The faces will change but the beat goes on. The need for sex and affection is not some passing fad.

Well, if you were sitting or standing in Hoti Male beer bar last night, I think you’d be hard pressed to say anything but a resounding “no”. The crowd—staff included—were a bit raucous, waiters were getting offed, customers were getting drunk, someone was celebrating a birthday,. The adjacent show bars were doing a respectable business and the atmosphere was festive. I can only speak of Bangkok, but the older crowd (of which I am one) doesn’t seem to have any problem ponying up the 2K off fees and booking massages at the two dozen plus shops in the area.

As I wind down this visit, a few observations on these shops. First, I would generally reject manger/mamasan recommendations. I’ve accepted them three times over the past few trips and all were disappointing. My advice is to review the offerings on line and decide on a list of your top three. You can choose to reserve via Line or phone (never been asked for deposit on same day request) or simply choose on arrival. If mamasan says “he not work today but how about this one?”, I’d move on to my next choice. If you exhaust all three of your picks, I’d consider using tablet or moving on to another shop. Most shops open at 11a.m. but many of the boys are still sleeping or working other job. I think best time to come is mid afternoon. Your chances of getting your choice in fresh condition are improved. Coming from Saphan Kwai, only One Spa is on left side of road. All others on right are BT House, KK Massage and Home Spa.

+1

From Nikkei Asia BANGKOK -- Thai retailer The Mall Group opened its latest shopping center here Friday in a bid to create a new destination for tourists and shoppers in Thailand's capital. EmSphere, in the vibrant Sukhumvit dining and entertainment district, is a six-story attraction spanning 200,000 square meters with more than 300 tenants, including IKEA and restaurants. The mall with a direct walkway from the Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain station was packed with visitors on its first day. "The dining area has a lot more going on than other malls, so it's fun to just walk around here," said a 30-year-old local. The anchor tenant occupying one entire floor is IKEA, offering about 8,200 products from bedding to couches. That is about 20% fewer items than at the Swedish furniture retailer's larger store in a Bangkok suburb. But the new location is the company's first city center store in Southeast Asia and features showrooms geared for urban apartments in nearby high-rise buildings. It also offers items exclusively available there.

From the bears

From Pattaya Mail PATTAYA, Thailand – The Thai government has approved the draft regulation for an urgent extension of operating hours for entertainment venues in strategic tourist locations. The move aims to stimulate tourism and sustain economic growth in specific regions. The approved policy will allow entertainment venues, especially those within hotel premises, in Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi (Pattaya), Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui, to extend their operating hours until 4 a.m. This extension is set to commence on December 15. And for the New Year’s Eve, it is allowed until 6:00 a.m. on January 1, 2024.

From Thai PBS World The National Soft Power Development Committee (NSPDC) has decided, in principle, to approve about Bt5.1 billion to promote 11 elements of Thailand’s soft power, from food and festivals to music, fashion and Muay Thai. There will be as many as 10,000 activities, with Songkran being the key festive activity which is expected to generate about Bt35 billion in revenues, according to Chadatip Chutrakul, chair of the festival subcommittee of the NSPDC. She said that the Songkran festival, to be referred to as “The World Water Festival”, will be held throughout the whole month of April next year. Bangkok will be the main venue, with three days and nights of processions along Rajadamnern Avenue and three entertainment stages at Sanam Luang, featuring boxing, movies, music and other festive activities. She said that famous international artists will be invited to the festival, adding that the organisers intend to claim Songkran as Thailand’s intellectual property. ========= Note — The Pattaya Mail has printed its final hard copy edition. The Pattaya Mail was founded in 1993 as a weekly English-language newspaper, covering local, national, and international news with a focus on Pattaya and its surrounding areas. Over the years, it has grown into more than just a newspaper; it has become a trusted friend and companion to our readers, offering a unique blend of information, entertainment, and community engagement. The publication will continue its legacy in the digital realm, maintaining its presence and commitment to delivering quality journalism through its website, www.pattayamail.com. From Pattaya Mail Promoting art of Muay Thai globally The Thai administration has announced a collaboration led by the Thai government to promote Muay Thai internationally. According to Chai Wacharonke, Government Spokesperson, this project aims to disseminate the art of Muay Thai globally, enhancing the Thai boxing industry and establishing it as a significant soft power. It also seeks to extend Thai boxing products and services to the international market, thereby generating revenue for Thai boxing professionals and contributing to the country’s economic value. The initiative involves the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), the Boxing Sport Committee, the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand, the Professional Muay Thai Association of Thailand, and the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA). The spokesperson further stated that Thailand has been actively promoting Muay Thai in various international locations. These include Budapest, Hungary, and Guangzhou, China, in September. A recent highlight was the “East Asian Muay Thai Championship 2023,” held on November 23rd-26th, at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong. This event was one of the largest Muay Thai competitions in Hong Kong, with participants from Bangladesh, India, South Korea, Mongolia, Macau, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. On this occasion, Thailand introduced the One Standard Muaythai (OSM) to establish uniform standards for the sport. The event also featured displays of ancient Muay Thai martial arts and Thai boxing music. Additionally, Muay Thai skill clinics were organized for enthusiasts, receiving positive responses from the Hong Kong Muay Thai clubs and associations. These clinics offered both theoretical and practical Muay Thai training by experts from Thailand. (NNT)

Religions don’t recognize any version it does not accept. So it’s quite possible that whatever particular version described in the OP is not observed by, for example, Anglicans or Catholics.

The version discussed appears to be recognized by Southern Baptists, but is it used by many other sects?

My instructions are if it occurs in SE Asia, I’ll be cremated there and ashes given to my friend from there. Shipping body home very expensive and is meaningless to me. These are instructions in my Trust.

Direct creamation (without embalming) is efficient and least costly alternative. You just want to leave instructions on who should receive the ashes. This can be done in advance through funeral director and incorporated into will or trust documents.

Much easier than looking forward, too.