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Just about every member who has visited Bangkok has probably walked by it and never took notice. Tonight I went there for pizza for the fourth time and Alley’s Italian restaurant seems to get better each time. Located in the alley directly opposite Moonlight, it first came to my attention in a member’s trip report over a year ago, but I can’t recall his handle. But I agree with all he wrote about this place. My favorite: the large veggie (335 bht) that comfortably feeds two hungry diners. Matched with a few big bottles of Chang, you’ll think your back in the original Madrid.

The high rise at Silom and Convent roads is nearing its opening. According to website it will feature many shops, eateries and a supermarket. This raises the question just what one it will be. Although Tops appears a likely candidate, it could also be an opportunity for Foodland to move into larger quarters. Our favorite market is a fixture in Patpong but an opportunity like this to relocate may prove very tempting, especially with the speculation that developers may make Patpong’s owner an offer it can’t refuse. And it’s difficult to think of Foodland without thinking about Took Lae Dee Restaurant (Thai for cheap and good). It would have to be a package deal or Vinapu would revoke UNESCO title.

It seemed like a questionable military acquisition from the get go. Thailand was ready to spend 369 million USD for a submarine, built in China but powered with a German engine. It was odd decision Thai waters are relatively shallow for effective submarine operations. Nevertheless the Thai Navy has maintained a robust submarine division for years, complete with flag officers and ready staff despite the fact it hasn’t actually had a single submarine to put to sea for decades. If I recall correctly, the original deal was for two subs. From Nikkei Asia MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR, Asia regional correspondent BANGKOK -- Thailand is considering a Chinese engine for a submarine it plans to purchase from China now that Germany has refused to supply an engine. Thailand agreed in 2017 to purchase a submarine from China for $369 million, a deal that symbolized Thailand's deepening ties with China as a supplier of military assets. At the time, the then junta, headed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, was taking steps toward balancing its strategic ties with China, having received a cold shoulder from the U.S. following Prayuth's coup in 2014. But the plan ran aground last year after Germany objected to the use of its products for Chinese military exports. China's state-owned submarine producer alternatively offered a Chinese-made engine for the submarine, which Thailand initially resisted, apparently due to quality concerns. According to sources at the Thai defense ministry, Thai navy officials and Chinese authorities will meet and discuss the submarine deal later this month. In preparation for the Chinese substitute, Thailand has sought information from Pakistan about the quality of its Chinese-made submarine fleet, the defense ministry sources said. Pakistan has eight Yuan-class submarines that reportedly use engines comparable to what the Chinese are offering to Thailand. The Thai navy has also deployed lawyers to comb through the deal's contract. They are "looking for loopholes in the law to make changes to move this deal forward," a military intelligence source told Nikkei Asia. "It is very sensitive because there can be trouble for the navy if the contract has been violated and so much money is being spent." Security analysts say China has been lobbying the Thai navy to accept the Chinese submarine engine. "Although there have been real improvements in Chinese submarine engines, the ones on offer are notoriously loud," said Zachary Abuza, a professor of Southeast Asian security at the Washington D.C.-based National War College. "[China is putting] a huge amount of diplomatic pressure on the Thai navy to accept the Chinese-made engine." Besides Pakistan, China has supplied submarines to Bangladesh and Myanmar. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a think tank that tracks the global weapons trade, the submarines are part of China's expanding presence as a dominant player in Asia's military supply chain. "China has a lot riding on this deal as a dependable weapons supplier," said a Bangkok-based diplomat from an Asian mission. "Reactions within the Thai navy's bureaucracy -- resisting the Chinese offer of a Chinese engine initially, then conditional acceptance, then more discussions -- speak of the pressure Thailand is under from Beijing to save its face." Yet Thai military procurement from China has a history of price, too. "In our surveys of 1,800 Thai officers conducted [between] 2015 to 2017, we found that price was considered the most important reason for the attractiveness of Chinese military equipment," said Greg Raymond, a senior lecturer at the Strategic and Defense Studies Center at the Australian National University. Consequently, Thailand's military assets are now laden with Chinese-made heavy artillery, tanks and Jianghu-class frigates.

Dutifully journeyed to location to be among first to attend announced Prince reopening. It was not to be. I was at first heartened when I spotted the the Prince logo on outside wall. I ventured forth but was soon greeted by evidence of on-going construction. Exploring further, I located what appears to be a temporary entrance but path within had more construction material. I texted Line website and inquired if new opening date was available. Short time later I received response of Sunday, 18 June. Will follow up because (1) management replied quickly to my question and (2) this is shaping up as a promising location from a brand with a storied Bangkok history.

….burp.

I was a bit surprised myself. It’s a very heavily populated area so I assume there’s strong demand. Also, this shop is first I’m aware of that’s not on the main drag so rent may be lower. Should benefit the guys who now have more outlets.

Another new massage shop has opened on Inthamara 25 off Sutthisan Winitchai rd. Saengchan Spa is associated with One Spa which opened a few months ago. https://lin.ee/U8JoiP5

Makes me wish I’d borrowed money from Deutsche Bank 🙂.

Everyone probably has their own conception of a ladyboy but one thing is certain: you know one when you see one. I believe it would be a mistake to equate ladyboy with twink, the vast majority of whom are straight and not necessarily bottoms.

If they didn’t have enlarged breasts, wigs and high heals, maybe more men would find them attractive. Just a thought. And they should have cocks, I think .

Some local Vietnamese believe that the attacks may have their roots in long-simmering hostilities among Cambodians dating back to Pol Pot regime. Such incidents are extremely rare in the country. The search for perpetrators was facilitated by a pre-attack video found on phone of one of first captured. From Vietnam Express Police officers apprehend a suspect (C) involved in deadly attacks on two commune people's committee offices in Dak Lak Province. Eighteen more people involved in the deadly attacks on two commune offices in Dak Lak Province were arrested on Monday and Tuesday, taking the number apprehended so far to 45. Ten of them were caught on Monday, six on Tuesday afternoon and two others turned themselves in. To An Xo, the spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security, said Tuesday authorities are looking for the remaining suspects. But "there are no specific statistics" about the number of people wanted for the crimes, he added. On Sunday morning an unidentified group of people used guns to attack the Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur commune people's committee offices in Cu Kuin District in the Central Highlands province. Four police officers, two commune officials and three civilians were killed, and two police officers were injured. There has been no information about any attackers injured or killed. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Deputy Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang on Monday visited and consoled the families of those killed.

From Pattaya Mail Get ready Pattaya for not one but two major parades in a single day which is sure to draw thousands of participants and visitors…but also traffic headaches. The day in question will be June 24th, 2023, in which both the International PRIDE Parade and Pattaya Festival Parade will run down Pattaya Beach Road. First up will be the International PRIDE Parade featuring thousands of people celebrating diversity, equality, and inclusivity. This will take place starting from Central Marina and march down Second Road to the Dolphin Roundabout and then down Pattaya Beach to Central Mall. Road closures will start around 3 and the parade is expected to finish around 6. Next up will be the Pattaya Festival, a special night time parade celebrating all things Pattaya with plenty of colors, neon, and lights. This parade was a major hit in 2022. It will start from 6PM at Terminal 21 and march to Central Mall taking a similar route to the first parade.

From Thai Enquirer By Lynn Sasinpong You would be forgiven for thinking that pride month is all about LGBTQI+ being loud. Or even, that “gay love being thrown at our faces.” It is not a strange conclusion to arrive at, with the extravagant pride parade this month, with companies–even Thai Enquirer–adding rainbows to its logos, and with all the marketing gimmicks and rainbow decorations all over the streets, it is not a strange conclusion to arrive at. In Thailand, it is loud. Thailand has always been a hotspot for LGBTQI+ tourism: transgender entertainment, such as beauty pageants and cabaret, is very popular. Sex reassignment in Thailand is popular. Even Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has pledged for the international World Pride event to be held in Bangkok by 2028. These acts are great for fostering visibility, acceptance, and support for the LGBTQI+ community. But overblown or not, they are besides the point. Because pride is not always about being loud, donning rainbow paint, and marching on the streets. Pride month is about love. And sometimes, love is quiet. It is about allowing two men or two women to walk on the streets holding hands. Or it is about allowing a transgender woman to finally undergo safe surgery to finally become who she is. In Thailand, it is about allowing a homosexual couple to enjoy the same perfect union as heterosexual couples have always been able to do. In other countries, it is about two people to share private, intimate moments without the threat of death or imprisonment. Pride, really, lies in those simple and quiet moments of love–love for another, and love for each other regardless of who they are. Pride month is about equality. Pride month is being proud of a society that allows all its people, regardless of gender, to live and love equally. A society that prides itself on respect of the rights of individuals, including especially those who belong in the LGBTQI+ community. And finally, pride month is the struggle for identity. In America, it started out as a protest–a riot. In an early morning of the summer of 1969, the people in Greenwich Village fought back against the police while the latter tried to raid the Stonewall Inn gay bar. Since then, the protests grew and grew. And today, it celebrates the history of how far the journey towards LGBTQI+ acceptance has come, and commemorates the struggles along the way. Continues at https://www.thaienquirer.com/49965/pride-month-is-not-just-celebration-but-protest-as-well/

Trump took a little of the worst from all notable dictators and weaved his own brand. I very much want to believe that you’re right but the US lurches from one election to another and there’s really no cool down period. Far right figures will always find an audience in the era of the 24-hour news cycle. Even if Trump fades or disappears, you have DeSantis et al waiting impatiently in the wings.

Was asked that only once by an especially cute guy on Soi Tarntawan years ago. Still regret not trying to negotiate a better price but passed on opportunity. Can still see his face and remember exactly where he was standing.

i suppose this could have just as well been posted in the current running thread on ageing and changing desires. From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Jomtien pride carnival last weekend displayed the resort’s sexual diversity in all its splendor, not to say feathers. Hundreds of mainly young Thais thronged the beach road on Saturday afternoon for three hours, narrowly missing the earlier rains. Assembled were soberly dressed enthusiasts, drag queens, amateur cabaret stars, staff from bars and massage parlors, often wearing home-made glitzy costumes that left little to the imagination. Foreigners mostly kept away from the floats, although a few waved a rainbow flag or cheered from the sidelines. Political input, as usual, was low key. There were signs and posters embracing sexual diversity, promoting marriage equality and an end to traditional gender norms. The only complaint came from a cross-dressing star who said the high wind was making it difficult to hold her placard aloft. The semi-radical Move Forward party, which swept the Pattaya area in the recent general election, has promised early legislation to introduce single-sex marriages but the demonstrators avoided promoting politics or the popular MF leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Unlike Bangkok, controversy is not usually the Pattaya style. Saturday evening (sponsored by SWING) was devoted to parties, cabarets and special social events in Jomtien Complex: a street of bars, massage options and restaurants which is the hub of fun city’s gay nightlife alongside competitor Boyztown in central Pattaya. Post-event social media were swamped by thousands of camp photos and happy comments, mostly placed by Thais in their own language. The pride event’s main achievement was doubtless to encourage group solidarity, although it also proved to the general public (as if they didn’t know) that sexual diversity is an indispensable element of this seaside tourist resort, based on large international arrivals. A few farang internet warriors recorded their warm support, but most remained silent. A handful of skeptics took to Facebook to describe parade participants as mental patients on the loose, or to comment it was no wonder that Thailand was becoming a super-aged society. The English press, which revelled weekly in Pattaya sex tales 20 years ago, appears mostly to have ignored the event. The newspapers over there have lost interest in Pattaya unless there’s a foreign pedophile arrest or a Brit has been injured in an accident and can’t pay the bill. None the less, one popular daily did publish short story of a real woman who was selected as a cabaret show girl in a gay club. That’s entertainment. By Monday morning, life was back to normal, or as normal as it gets in Pattaya. A few rainbow flags still hung from lampposts and a huge public TV screen near Jomtien Complex still carried the warm congratulations of City Hall and hopes for an equal future. But the caution is that the pink pound has always been a huge cash market in international Pattaya. As resort Pattaya changes in so many directions, whilst the number of Brit/European, American and Australian visitors and retiree expats declines relative to size, the question is how much longer the traditional gay scene catering for single men can survive. As the former cabaret star Eggz Benedict asked, “Why do so many farang customers these days have bald heads?”

From The Nation Intouch Holdings Plc on Monday ordered its subsidiary iTV Plc to investigate why the minutes from its latest shareholding meeting appear to contradict an audio recording of the meeting itself. The minutes have been cited in a case that could see Move Forward Party’s leader and PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat banned from taking office. The move by Intouch, which it reported to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Monday, comes amid suspicion aired by Pita, his supporters and others that the share saga was concocted to prevent him from becoming the next prime minister. The minutes were cited by political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana in his complaint to the Election Commission Office on May 9. Ruangrai alleged that Pita was unqualified to contest the election because he held 42,000 shares in media firm iTV. The Constitution bars candidates from running for office if they hold media shares. The minutes of the April 26 shareholders’ meeting record that Kim Siritaweechai, CEO of Intouch and president of iTV, was asked by shareholder Phanuwat Kwanyuen whether iTV was still operating as a media business. The minutes record that Kim confirmed it was still active in media. However, in an audio clip released by former iTV reporter Thapanee Iadsrichai, who now works for 3 Dimension News, Kim can be heard replying that iTV no longer operates in the media business. Pita posted on Facebook last week that iTV had not operated as a media firm since March 7, 2007 when its TV concession was terminated by the PM’s Office’s Secretariat. Pita noted that the shareholder raised the question of iTV’s media operations just a few days before he applied to run as Move Forward’s party-list and PM candidate, suggesting he knew the reply or minutes would be used somehow later. In its report to the SET, Intouch said it had ordered iTV’s management to conduct an urgent investigation as the minutes had drawn public attention. It said it would inform the SET of the investigation’s findings for the sake of transparency and good governance. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40028468

From Thai PBS World Despite the fact that it is now the rainy season in Thailand, no rain is forecast for most of July, returning in August. The Royal Irrigation Department has instructed its officials to adjust their water management plans to ensure optimum use of water and to maintain as much as possible in the reservoirs. According to Thaweesak Thanadachopol, deputy director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, the total volume of water in Thailand’s four main reservoirs, namely behind the Bhumibol, Pasak Jolasid, Sirikit and Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan dams, is at 45% of full capacity, or 11.301 billion cubic metres, with only 15% at Pasak Jolasid. Reservoirs, both large and medium-sized, across the country now hold a combined total of 39.869 billion cubic metres of water or an average of 52% of their capacities. The Meteorological Department forecasts that, until Sunday, the south-western monsoon will weaken and this will lead to less rain in northern Thailand, with isolated heavy rainfall in southern provinces. Although the water in Pasak Jolasid reservoir will be enough for consumption and protection of the ecological system, there won’t be enough for agriculture and farmers have been told to rely on rain for rice cultivation. Sermchai Khiewsirithavorn, director of Regional Irrigation Office 10, said he is, however, optimistic that there will be enough rain by November to fill Pasak Jolasid reservoir, which will be sufficient until the next dry season, citing forecasts from the Meteorological Department.

From Nikkei Asia APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer BANGKOK -- Thailand's tourism sector is taking LGBT travelers more seriously, hoping their spending on events and medical treatments gives the country a post-COVID economic jolt. The Thai economy grew 2.7% in the first quarter of 2023 from a year earlier, and the central bank expects it to expand 3.6% for the whole year. Authorities say the tourism sector, which accounted for about 20% of the economy before the pandemic, will play an essential role. LGBT tourists spend an estimated $200 billion worldwide a year, according to research conducted by Out Now Consulting, an agency that provides gay marketing services to big companies. This prospective gold mine has encouraged the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to hone its LGBT marketing strategy, which includes holding roadshows targeting LGBT communities in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Thailand has long been a destination for LGBT tourists, but it is only recently that the tourism authority started promotions targeting LGBT groups. This year, the tourism authority is sponsoring Pride events in more areas, such as Phuket and Pattaya, in addition to Bangkok. Thailand is celebrating Pride Month throughout June with parades, concerts and other LGBT events, with thousands of people from around the world taking part in a Bangkok Pride parade on June 4. The foreign tourists did not come just for the parade. According to TAT research, many were long-haul travelers who often spend days at destinations holding events they want to attend. “The TAT has realized the importance of [LGBT] groups and will continue to do research to serve their demand," a TAT official said. Thailand has long attracted wealthy medical tourists due to its high medical standards and competitive prices. Now the country's medical sector is working to attract LGBT medical tourists from Asia and elsewhere. “The TAT has realized the importance of [LGBT] groups and will continue to do research to serve their demand," a TAT official said. Thailand has long attracted wealthy medical tourists due to its high medical standards and competitive prices. Now the country's medical sector is working to attract LGBT medical tourists from Asia and elsewhere. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Commerce held a business-matching event in Bangkok so Thai producers of boys love content could meet and talk with importers from Japan, South Korea and China. The fair generated 158 business partnerships that are expected to lead to more than 3.6 billion baht in exports of LGBT-themed content, according to Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy spokeswoman for the government. Continues at https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Open-minded-Thailand-banks-on-LGBT-tourists-boys-love-exports2

From. Thai PBS World Yellow Line train free trial service to be extended to 22 stations The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) has agreed to expand the free trial run of the Yellow Line electric train service from 13 stations to 22 stations and to extend the operating hours from 6am to 8 pm, starting on Monday June 12th. Currently, the trial service, launched on June 3rd, runs from Hua Mark to Samrong station from 9am to 8pm. The expansion of the trial, to include nine more stations, will be from Srinagarind Road to Lat Phrao Road. The stations are Pawana, Chokchai 4, Lat Phrao 71, Lat Phrao 83, Mahadthai, Lat Phrao 101, Bang Kapi, Lam Salee and Sri Kritha. The Yellow Line service has 23 stations in total, covering a distance of 30.4km. As 22 stations are to open for the trial service tomorrow (Monday), the only station not yet open is Lat Phrao, where work on pavements and nearby road surfacing is being completed. The Yellow Line is a feeder service to connect passengers from eastern Bangkok and Samut Prakan to the main mass transit lines in Bangkok

Let me see if I got this straight: you’re calling someone else an old toad.

Love you, Peter.

I’m familiar with most of the shops and have yet to encounter one that didn’t have ample offerings

What gives you that idea. Check their Line posts and judge for yourself.