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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.

I listened to his presentation and made my judgement that he’s an old man trying his best to share his experience and what he’s learned about life. If you wish to believe accusations made my someone who claims to seen him in a bar in Pattaya, be my guest. Perhaps you were actually in the bar by clairvoyance. That would be one more credential you can add to your medical degree which enables you to advise Phuket public health officials on how they should do their job. Tell us, please: is their any topic under the sun on which you don’t see yourself as an expert?

The shops do offer “soft” service but I opted for “hard”

It would be impossible to criticize everything you write. 🙂 keep in mind you don’t have a monopoly on wisdom. Tweed Harris among them.

For two. One hour each massage.

From the Thaiger A Thai Airways flight TG683 collided with an EVA Air flight BR189 on a runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, causing no reported injuries. Approximately 260 people were on the Thai airline, while approximately 200 were aboard the EVA Air aircraft. Thai Airways explained that the incident occurred when the plane was moving toward taxiway L15. The winglet on the right side of the plane collided with the tail of the EVA Air aircraft parked at taxiway L14. Extensive damage was caused to the upper section of the wing, rendering the plane unable to continue flying. All passengers and crew were unharmed. Haneda Airport closed its 3,000-metre Runway A following the incident. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that around 260 people were on the Thai Airways plane, while around 200 were on the EVA Air aircraft.

Enjoyed two massages in Saphan Kwai Saturday and the total cost of both (shop fees and tips) 3,180:baht. As I’ve been saying all along, there’s great value, enjoyment and choice to be found in Bangkok massage shops. It’s just a matter of going.

Sounds like diarrhea of the mouth.

You pick on 90-year-old Tweed. Harris whose biggest crimes and being old and trying to share his wisdom with others. He’ll, man, you do that all the time. You accuse him of sprouting drivel in a bar in Pattaya that you were never privy to. And you’re trying to persuade us of the evils another old man is sharing on some mystery website you follow.

You’re right, of course. They should obviously wait until there’s another hundred thousand or so cases. Much better to hold off until cases get really bad. Wait, didn’t we try that with Covid?

Feel like I just won the lottery. 🙏

“That site” must be doing something right because it keeps you coming back for more of that “sprouted drivel.” 😊 Btw, it was the Pattaya Expats Club (not Pattaya Mail) that invited Tweed Harris to speak. Much like your self, Harris is a fellow expat so you’ve got that going for you.

Heartening to know you have been blessed with a multitude of good memories. We all have a few and hopefully they allow us to find charity for those like the poor soul that you follow on that other site who seems to have none.

Well this is an equal opportunity site. You and I both managed to discover it.