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That job does (or at lest did) exist in porn industry for years. Here's Wikipedia's description: A fluffer is a person employed to keep a porn performer's penis erect on the set] After setting up the desired angle, the director asks the actors to hold position and calls for the fluffer to "fluff" the actors for the shot. These duties are considered part of the makeup department. While fluffing does not necessarily involve touching the actors, it could entail sexual acts such as fellatio or non-penetrative sex. There was a 2002 movie entitled The Fluffer. Sean McGinnis (Michael Cunio) is fresh from film school and has moved to LA to break into the movie business as a cameraman. But, legit film is a tough nut to crack and Sean takes a job with Hollywood's stepchild - the porno industry. He starts work at the Men of Janus production company, specializing in gay porn, because of his obsession with one of the stars, Johnny Rebel (Scott Gurney), and soon agrees to regularly help "prepare" the actor before the camera rolls in "The Fluffer."

From VN Express The Ministry of Public Security has proposed prolonging the duration of e-visas granted to foreigners entering Vietnam from 30 days to a maximum of three months to help tourism recover. The e-visa will be valid for single-entry or multiple entries, according to a draft amendment to The Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, for which the ministry is preparing to collect public opinions. Vietnam currently offers a one-month single-entry e-visa to visitors from 80 countries and territories, including the U.S. and Australia. Under the draft, the ministry also suggested extending the duration of stays for tourists from countries enjoying 15-day visa exemptions to 30 days. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a tourism conference that Vietnam will waive visas for more countries and extend the length of stay for foreign tourists to speed up the recovery of tourism. Despite being one of the first Southeast Asian countries to fully reopen to international tourism post Covid, Vietnam received only 3.6 million foreign tourists last year, around 20% of the pre-pandemic figure.

From The Nation The Yellow Line, Thailand’s first monorail mass-transit system, will start its free trial run in mid-May before providing full commercial service in June, according to its operator. Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) plans to carry out a trial run of the Yellow Line free of charge for two weeks starting in the middle of May, said Surapong Laoha-Unya, its CEO. The 30.4-km-long monorail mass-transit system connects Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district with Samut Prakan’s Samrong neighbourhood. “We expect to start opening commercial service of the Yellow Line in June, which is earlier than planned,” Surapong said. He said independent engineering consultants will examine the trains’ safety system so that the Yellow Line can be certified for commercial service. Meanwhile, the Pink Line, another monorail mass-transit system under construction, is expected to have its trial run in July before partial commercial service of certain sections in August, Surapong said. The 34.5 km-long Pink Line connects Bangkok’s Min Buri district and Nonthaburi’s Khae Rai neighbourhood north of the capital city. Construction of some Pink Line stations has been delayed, but it is expected to be completed towards the end of this year. BTSC operates the Yellow Line and the Pink Line through its subsidiaries Eastern Bangkok Monorail and Northern Bangkok Monorail, respectively, which won concessions to build and operate both systems. BTSC, which also operates the Skytrain in Bangkok, expects to earn 2 billion baht a year from both the Yellow Line and Pink Line, Surapong said.

From The Nation Phuket’s property market has returned to pre-pandemic levels and all finished condo units and villas with pools have been sold, most of them to foreign nationals, according to the Phuket Real Estate Association. Phattanan Phisutvimol, its president, said the surge in sales of condominiums and luxury villas started after the Covid-19 pandemic receded last year. Sales have surged to pre-pandemic levels and 823 real-estate projects, including hotels, were approved for construction last year, she said, adding: “This year will be the golden year for Phuket’s property market. The boom will continue.” A total of 4,163 condo units and houses in the island province were transferred to buyers last year, compared to 4,398 units in 2019, according to the association. The annual number fell to 2,767 and 3,143 units in 2020 and 2021, it said. Phattanan attributed rebounding sales to Europeans, especially Russian and German tourists and investors. Many bought condos or houses in the name of a Thai spouse, she said, adding that demand for condos started to rise in May of last year. About 28,000 condo units are registered in the island province and the number of transfers to buyers matches that number. Members of the association say villas with pools are also sold out, Phattanan said without providing a number. She expects demand for real estate on the island to rise further as more Chinese buyers return. Chinese nationals had booked then cancelled about 5,000 units during the pandemic, and they will likely return, she explained.

No, you have a sound understanding of how they work. Being a regular user, they're not suited for guests who want regular maid service. They're primarily suited for extended stay guests (month or more) who wish to live as they would at home. The advantages are not being disturbed by housekeeping and a lower per diem cost than hotels with similar amenities (i.e., pool, fitness center). I only use Airbnb's that have washing machines which allow me to travel lighter and, of course, launder the sheets as required. If you're staying longer than a month, the owner should throw in a complete cleaning at some point during your rental. I think for most visitors, hotels or serviced apartments are a far better choice.

In 21 years I can hardly recall more than a handful of disappointing experiences. I'm sure there are at least that many masseurs who were disappointed in me. I've never felt compelled to "warn" others. The guy could have been just having a bad day. I chalked it up to experience and moved on. You seem to think informing members that a masseur may have not given you what you considered proper oral or anal satisfaction is more important than posting an opinion that never goes away. Sorry, that's a "gain" I'm quite content to forego.

This is what Forkey said: "Overall - I'll be generous and call it crap." He was referring to his experience in the shop not an individual. Then you went on to criticize him for not naming names: "But u didnt name the "craps". Vinapu recommend an individual by name but didn't go into specifics of their private encounter. Nothing wrong with "x", "y" and "z" as they don't pertain to identifiable individuals, IMO. Yes, but you want "us" to name the individual. It's difficult to be both curt and non-demeaning in the same breath. It's one thing to share experiences with a member you trust in a PM. It's another thing altogether to publicly post something that follows a guy for the rest of his life. What can possibly be gained by that? Our opinions are all subjective. We both could have a massage with the same guy and come away with vastly differing accounts. IMO, nothing wrong with describing the account so long as we don't ID the individual.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The latest parliamentary bill to legalize some sex work won’t be passed any time soon. A general election is scheduled in May and no one can predict who will be the next crop of lawmaking representatives. Moreover, there is bound to be a rearguard action by conservatives who believe that legalizing paid-for sex is an affront to Buddhist principles. The proposal envisages that female and male sex workers over 20 will no longer be breaking the law provided they enrol with businesses registered with the police or provincial governors and subject themselves to health checks. There will be a range of protections ranging from the right to receive government handouts to rescue centers to prevent violence and trafficking. Sex workers under 20 will be not be prosecuted, but business operators and parents will face “consequences”. Although the reforms have been welcomed by many campaigners, some sex workers say they won’t work out. Former prostitute and drag star Eggs Benedict said, “Many sex workers are part-time and temporary and they won’t fancy being registered on a government data base.” She also argued that prostitution was not limited to brothels or clubs with back rooms. “You can see sex on the beachfront and on certain streets. To deny that is like going to KFC and denying you saw fried chicken.” Arna, who has worked in Pattaya’s Sexy Soi Six for eight years, said, “Most girls I know are not trafficked or forced into sex by bar and club owners. They can leave whenever they like.” She added that prostitution has changed a lot over the years. “Mobile phones and the internet mean that customers can now contact women for hire without ever stepping foot in a bar.” She also suggested that if prostitution became legal, the problem of overseas sex workers from Uzbekistan and other countries would become worse. “The police mostly ignore them as it is, so what would change?” Gay sex workers also expressed some cautiousness. “Many gogo boys don’t identify as gay, but are in the clubs to make money,” said Off who manages a cabaret show in Boyztown. Some have daytime jobs with families to support, so the idea of them signing up with the police or city hall is a non-starter.” He doubted whether trafficking was a significant issue in the gay scene. “Occasionally, you see underage boys being promoted on social media but the technology police are very vigilant these days about pedophile activity.” All prostitution has been illegal in Thailand since the 1960s. The 1996 law on prevention and suppression detailed the penalties, some of which are minimal: for example, loitering in a public place for indecent purposes brings a fine of around US$20. Prostitution campaigners say that it is high time for Thailand for update its legislation. Angela Barthold, of the International Women’s Rights Campaign, said, “The latest bill is a step in the right direction. The fact that it doesn’t solve every single issue isn’t really the point.” Drafters say the parliamentary bill is likely to be amended at committee stage during the summer or even next year.

Your magnanimity humbles me but I'm opting for a more expeditious route: encourage the boys to simply join this forum. Sure, many don't write English but they can use Google Translate (same way most of us communicate with them) and they actually might use all the vowels. Then they could rate our performance in the same way we rate them. Now that's transparency. Actually I think you've got it backward. Unlike us, few of the boys are in it for the long haul. We're the lifers in your equation. In 21 years of visiting Bangkok, this is the first time I heard a punter refer to boys as "craps." Think I'm beginning to understand why you encounter so many unsatisfactory performers. Why are they different from hotels and restaurants? Maybe because they're human beings.

From CNBC WASHINGTON — The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on Friday for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes committed during his invasion of Ukraine. The court also put out a warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights. Putin and Lvova-Belova are “allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation” of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia, the court wrote in a statement. “There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Putin bears individual criminal responsibility” for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, the ICC said. The court alleged that he committed the offenses either directly or in cooperation with others, or failed to stop subordinates under his authority.

All one because I know you'd have no problem with masseurs sharing their option of customers' performance..

Although I don't visit Pattaya, I appreciate the time and effort you put into your massage shop reports. It represents a genuine service to the board. Your comments are concise and you are careful to treat the guys with dignity. Enjoyed reading about your adventures.🙂

Makes one wonder what the boys must be saying about their farang customers 😉

From Wikipedia Avoiding the draft is a felony under Russian criminal code and is punishable by up to 2 years of imprisonment. From the internet Extradition is not an automatic process. It follows the legal procedures of the country that receives the request for extradition. The process typically allows for appeals.

From The Thaiger Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia will soon boost flights daily from Chiang Mai Airport in northern Thailand to six international destinations including Hanoi and Da Nang in Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Flights will run to these Asian tourist hotspots every day starting Sunday, March 26, 2023. The budget airline is celebrating the boost in flights with a Songkran (Thai New Year) promotion for tickets bought via the AirAsia Super App. If tickets are booked before March 19, budding travellers can bag a flight to Hanoi, Da Nang, Hong Kong, Taipei or Kuala Lumpur for as little as 1800 baht (US$52) during the Songkran holidays next month. On February 16, Thai VietJet Air launched direct flights between Chiang Mai and Osaka in Japan, the route running thrice per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Aside from the Chiang Mai – Osaka route, Thai VietJet operates a daily direct flight between Bangkok and Fukuoka. In January, China Airlines inaugurated direct flights from Chiang Mai to Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, four times per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

From Pattaya Mail The Ministry of Culture, together with more than 30 agencies, is organizing events for the 241st Anniversary of Rattanakosin between 21 and 25 April 2023 around Rattanakosin Island, in Bangkok. This event is organized to celebrate the 241st anniversary of the establishment of Krung Rattanakosin, when Bangkok became Thailand’s capital, and create awareness of the Rattanakosin history, which will also promote and support tourism. There will be many activities, such as religious ceremonies, a “Night Museum” around the area, multimedia light & sound shows, outdoor film screenings, a photo contest, and much more. The city will be ready for a grand event, and there will be plenty of support places, including travel facilities, drinking water, and public relations on all channels of each agency. (PRD) Map from Wikipedia

From The Star VIENTIANE (Xinhua): The Laos-China Railway Co, Ltd. (LCRC) on Wednesday (March 15) launched its ticketing mobile application, allowing passengers to easily book and manage their journeys on smartphones. The APP supports ticket reservation and cancellation, and provides information on train schedules, stations, and routes.

From The Nation The Cabinet approved a draft extradition treaty with Russia on Tuesday amid reports that Russians are flocking to Thailand to avoid fallout from the war with Ukraine. The treaty would boost collaboration to suppress crime, said government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, adding that the details match extradition agreements Thailand has with other countries. The extradition deal does not need Parliament’s approval since it does not affect Thailand's territory, economy, society or trade and investment, she said. Tens of thousands of Russians hoping to avoid conscription and the economic fallout of war with Ukraine have visited Thailand since the invasion in February last year, according to Al Jazeera. It reports that many are looking to move to the Kingdom permanently, citing data showing Russians bought nearly 40% of condos sold to foreigners in Phuket last year.

This shop is located on Sutthisan Winitchai Rd., about a 20-minute walk from Saphan Kwai BTS. I discovered it too late in my last trip to give it a try but have been following it on social media. It posted some new staff photos yesterday and I'm inclined to move it to near the top of my next trip's itinerary. https://www.facebook.com/bthousebkk/

From The Insider This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Ian Paynton, the founder of content agency We Create Content in Hanoi, Vietnam shares what he's learned about Hanoi after living in Vietnam since 2010. After living in Vietnam for around a decade now, I've noticed tourists making the same few mistakes while traveling the country. Here are seven of the most common mistakes I've seen tourists make. 1. Avoid wearing skimpy swimwear around the city after a trip to the beach. 2. Don't take it personally when a local cuts the line or butts into traffic lanes. 3. Be respectful around shrines — locals believe it's where they can worship their ancestors. 4. Tourists who use Tinder should be careful of nightclub scams. 5. Don't be afraid to bargain with street vendors. 6. Make it a priority to venture out of the three big cities of Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh. 7. Tourists should avoid getting upset if locals are late or if schedules get off track. Continues with photos https://www.insider.com/vietnam-hanoi-tourist-mistake-travel-guide-local-tips-2023-3

From CNN Travel Air New Zealand's "Skynest" economy sleeping concept is among the shortlisted entries for this year's Crystal Cabin Awards. From a cabin concept that completely eradicates the middle seat to a swanky design that takes single-aisle aircraft business class to a new level, this year’s Crystal Cabin Awards shortlist offers an exciting glimpse at aviation’s potential future. Every year the Crystal Cabin Awards showcase innovative ideas that reconceptualize the airplane cabin experience. There are eight categories, with awards spotlighting everything from eco-friendly innovations – such as an AI-based food waste app idea from German airline Lufthansa – to next generation concepts straight from the university classroom. Julia Grosser, a spokesperson for the Crystal Cabin Award Association, says this year’s shortlist suggests aviation is turning a corner after the uncertainty of the peak pandemic years. “Airlines, manufacturers, and suppliers are heavily investing in their onboard products again,” Grosser tells CNN Travel, pointing to the “significant innovation visible even in economy class – from bunk beds to better connectivity.” Among the shortlisted cabin innovations is Air New Zealand’s “Skynest” concept, which envisages bookable sleeping pods made up of six lie-flat bunk beds, designed to give economy long-haul passengers the opportunity to get some proper shuteye. “Being a small country at the bottom of the world, long-haul travel is vital to keeping us connected and allowing tourists to visit our beautiful country,” Kerry Reeves, Air New Zealand’s head of aircraft programs, tells CNN Travel. The motivation behind SkyNest is Air New Zealand’s belief that passengers should be able to “get a good rest, no matter the cabin,” as Reeves puts it. Continues with photos https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/crystal-cabin-awards-aviation-shortlist-2023/index.html

Saudi Arabia Airlines, and a new spinoff, may be positioning itself to challenge major carriers in the region with the acquisition of 87 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a mega deal announced today. The carrier, which already flies into many European and three US destinations, is ideally situated to offer good connections to Bangkok and other southeast Asian destinations it already serves. From CNBC Boeing said Tuesday it has reached a deal to sell 78 of its 787 Dreamliner planes to two Saudi airlines, the latest large order for the wide-body jets in the past few months. Boeing did not disclose a timeline for deliveries of the planes. The White House said the order is worth almost $37 billion, although that figure does not take discounts that airlines usually receive, especially for large orders, into account. “This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visits by 2030,” Riyadh Air said in a news release. The sale shows a pickup in demand for wide-body aircraft, planes that are used for long-distance flights and fetch a higher price than the more-common narrow-body jets. Riyadh Air is owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund and will be helmed by Tony Douglas as CEO, a longtime industry veteran and former CEO of Etihad Airways. “The ambition here in the kingdom is huge,” Douglas said in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street.” “There will be more [aircraft] orders, for the avoidance of any doubt.” He said the order will help Saudi Arabia connect to 100 destinations.

From The Star VIENTIANE, March 14 (Laotian Times): TUI Care Foundation announced a new EUR10 million (US$10.5 million) project to assist nine least-developed countries, including Laos, in growing their tourism industries at the fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) conference on Tuesday. Program Director of the TUI Care Foundation, Jost Neumann was at the conference to discuss a global partnership to implement the 10-year Doha Program of Action to accelerate the graduation of least developed countries from their categorization as the most vulnerable places in the world. At the event, he spoke to Vientiane Times about the Tourist Development Fund initiated to assist nine least-developed countries, including Laos. “We are launching today the Tourism Development Fund, which targets nine least developed countries, one of which is Laos. We look to implement the project in these nine countries until 2030,” said Neumann. Neumann added that the Foundation had learned that Laos has huge tourism development potential thanks to the country’s striking landscapes and central location in the Mekong region, adding that tourism development can make a significant contribution to economic growth and poverty alleviation in Laos. He pointed out that Laos’s main challenges are the lack of a skilled workforce and the innovation and entrepreneurship needed to unlock the potential for tourism growth, which also applies to other developing countries. The support program’s main focus will be capacity building, specifically strengthening tourism-related education, conserving cultural assets and natural beauty, and enhancing tourism entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized businesses. In preparation for hosting the Asean Summit in 2024, the government of Laos will also declare 2023–2024 as a Tourism Year and will implement extensive measures to promote the country and draw in tourists. - Laotian Times

From the BBC Indonesian island Bali is planning to ban foreign tourists from using motorbikes after a spate of cases involving people breaking traffic laws. "You [should] not roam about the island using motorbikes, without wearing shirts or clothes, no helmet, and even without a licence," Governor I Wayan Koster said. Tourists will instead get around on vehicles provided by travel agents. The plan has been divisive as tourism continues to recover from Covid losses. More than 171 foreign nationals have violated traffic orders from late February to early March, according to local police records. Some tourists also use fake licence plates. "If you are a tourist, then act like a tourist," said the governor. Foreign tourists in Bali often prefer renting motorbikes to get around the island, which does not have a well-developed public transport system. The two-wheelers make for a good option for weaving in and out of traffic, as well as travelling through scenic back alleys. The proposed ban will be implemented via a regional law sometime this year, but how it will be enforced is unclear.

From The Nation Bangkok opened its newest park on Monday, aiming to serve as an exercise space for over 800,000 people in the city’s central business district. The catchily named National Sports Development Fund-Sports Authority of Thailand (NSDF-SAT) Park links three city parks – Benchakitti, Benchakitti Forest and Lumphini – to provide a green jogging and exercise route through the city centre. The park/route uses 5 rai (0.8 hectares) of the three parks, plus the so-called “green mile” elevated walkway that links Benchakitti and Lumphini parks. It’s located on the road next to the Tobacco Authority of Thailand in Khlong Toei district, accessible by both Rama IV and Sukhumvit roads. BTS Skytrain users can get there via either Phloen Chit or Asok stations, while the closest MRT stations are Khlong Toei, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre or Lumphini. NSDF manager Supranee Guptasa said the new facility aims to be a “running park” that promotes exercise among people in Phloen Chit, Sukhumvit, Khlong Toei, Rama IV, and Silom areas. “There are over 600,000 office workers in these areas, plus 240,000 local residents that will benefit from the park, which offers a convenient location for exercise after people finish their daily activities,” she said. The NSDF-SAT Park features a running route that connects Lumphini, Benchakitti, and Benchakitti Forest parks, allowing up to 4,000 runners to enjoy a long, challenging track amid a variety of landscapes. Facilities along the way include a fitness centre, locker cabinets, drinking fountains, toilets, CCTV surveillance, and wheelchair ramps. NSDF-SAT Park is open daily from 5am to 10pm. See how to get there on Google Maps at https://bit.ly/3J2OLUa