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Siam Heritage Hotel -- I just stayed there on the tail end of last trip I booked a room for 2 with breakfast through Agoda. At cheek-in I was alone but was issued two keys, even through I was unaccompanied. I had no problem bringing in ST guests. However, if you bring a guest to breakfast, hotel will require that the guest register .And that can be the only guest you can register during your stay. (since I had booked room for 2, I was not charged any additional fee). On the desk of my room there was a notice that stated that any guest would be assessed a 900 baht fee. It was the same notice that was there about 15 years ago when I last stayed at this place. The rooms are well equipped with comfortable bed, excellent shower for 2 and quiet AC. Ask for a room in the bak that are more distant from noise of Surawong. Small pool and fitness center on top floor (9). ============== Montien Hotel -- Of the hotels mentioned above, I believe the only one with no-guest policy is the Montien. It has a new wing and draws mainly upscale Chinese and Thai-Chinese clientele. =============== Amara Hotel -- No problem at all with guests. Great rooftop pool with plenty of lounge chairs if that's important. Recommended.

You’ve told us that it’s been years since you’ve been in a gay bar and I take you at your word. I’m just winding down a two-month visit. I visit massage shops in Silom or Saphan Kwai daily. Every evening I’m circulating around Silom and have a pretty good handle on the gay scene for lack of a better phrase. The boys I’ve come to know are not here illegally. They make their regular border runs to keep their passports current. The bar scene has evolved. The biggest change was not the result of lack of business but the sale and redevelopment of Soi Twilight. Many of the bars migrated to Patpong 2 and Soi 4. I believe that the bar owners like the variety the ASEAN boys bring to the table. Certainly the customers do. There is certainly no denying that sites like Grindr have altered the dating scene and will continue to do so. But there’ll always be enough of people like me who want to see the product up close and personal. As for the Army hating the gay scene, I don’t buy it. I spent time in the army and found as many opportunities to meet like-minded people as in civilian life—perhaps even more. Think about it. There were 49-60 young men living in tight quarters and training hard together. No body talked about it but they sure as hell did it. I don’t worry about the elites turning on the gay community. All they want is grandchildren and Thai men can provide those and still engage in other pursuits.

From Pattaya News Today, December 5th, marks a day of special significance for the people of Thailand – it is Father’s Day, commemorated in honor of the late, great King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose birthday falls on this date. Although the beloved monarch passed away in 2016, his legacy lives on, and Father’s Day remains a cherished occasion for Thais to express their gratitude and love for their fathers. As Thailand celebrates Father’s Day, families gather to honor their fathers, expressing their love and appreciation through heartfelt gestures and meaningful interactions. Many Thais also wear yellow shirts, the color associated with Monday, the King’s birthday, as a symbol of respect and gratitude.

From Tourism Authority of Thailand The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched the ’Vijit Chao Phraya 2023’, a dazzling light and color event along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. Part of the Thailand Winter Festival, this 31-night spectacle features light-and-sound shows, projection mappings, fireworks, and cultural performances at five key locations: Rama VIII Bridge, Wat Arun, Wichai Prasit Fort, Memorial Bridge, and River City Bangkok, extending to ICONSIAM. Each venue hosts nightly shows from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering unique experiences such as 3D laser displays, light mapping, and cultural narratives. Prominent landmarks along the river, including ICONSIAM and Asiatique, are also participating in the festivities. The event, which is expected to generate significant tourism revenue, will culminate in the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024 at Wat Arun on December 31st. Updates can be followed on the event’s official Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/vijitchaophraya2023. (NNT)

Dream on, Moses.

You seem to have conveniently forgotten about The Ukraine.

That can change in a heartbeat if the economy undergoes another 90’s era depression.

I agree that there’s an influential minority that share that view. However, Thailand has likewise never been more conscious of the flip side of that argument. At the moment it has a lock on benefit of that reputation: the significant disposal income that represents and they’re not eager to lose it. They will hold their nose and take the money.

We all should be so well preserved 🙂

From Thai PBS World Pattaya police explain alleged bribery in child prostitution case Pattaya police issued a statement today in an attempt to clarify a German media report, claiming that a German tourist, who was arrested for buying sexual services from an underage girl in Pattaya bar in September last year, was released after allegedly paying a million baht bribe to police before leaving Thailand. In response to the accusation made in the DW documentary, Pattaya police said in its statement that that, on September 10th last year, police and local administration officials raided the Cobra beer bar in Bang Lamung district, after it was alleged that sexual services by underage girls were being offered to customers. The bar’s owner, a Thai woman identified as Ornthana Yothee, 42, and her British partner, were arrested and charged with providing the services of prostitutes. The police expanded their investigation and claim that a German customer used to buy sexual services from an underage employee of the bar. They arrested him on September 24th in a hotel in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Two days later, the German suspect was taken to the Pattaya court, to have his detention extended for further questioning. The suspect then sought bail and the application was granted by the court on the condition that he must report to the court on November 14th, or his 500,000 baht surety would be confiscated. On November 7th, the German suspect flew out of Thailand. Pol Lt-Gen Somprasong Yentuam, commissioner of Region 2 Provincial Police Bureau, said he had ordered an investigation into the bribery allegation made in the documentary. He said that, since several law enforcement agencies were involved in the case, the police would try to uncover what went wrong and which agency was responsible. The statement from the police did not specifically address the one million baht which is alleged to have been paid, or whether the 500,000 baht “bail surety” was part of it.

The Bangkok Post is reporting that video is now blocked in Thailand. The Post is also reporting that police are investigating an alleged 1 million baht bribe paid by a German man released from a sex-related charge involving his Pattaya bar. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2697609/police-probing-sex-charge-bribe-claim

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.