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From Channel News Asia TOKYO: Tokyo began issuing partnership certificates to same-sex couples who live and work in the capital on Tuesday (Nov 1), a long-awaited move in a country without marriage equality. The certificates allow LGBTQ partners to be treated as married couples for some public services in areas such as housing, medicine and welfare. More than 200 smaller local authorities in Japan have already made moves to recognise same-sex partnerships since Tokyo's Shibuya district pioneered the system in 2015. The status does not carry the same rights as marriage under the law but represents a welcome change for couples like Miki and Katie, who have long had no official proof of their relationship. "My biggest fear has been that we would be treated as strangers in an emergency," Miki told AFP at home in Tokyo, where photos of the Japanese 36-year-old with her American girlfriend Katie, 31, adorn the fridge. As of Friday morning, 137 couples had applied for a certificate, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said last week. Hopes are high that the introduction of the same-sex partnership certificates, which cover both Tokyo residents and commuters, will help fight anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Japan. "The more people make use of these partnership systems, the more our community will feel encouraged to tell family and friends about their relationships," without "hiding their true selves", Miki said. Contunies at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/tokyo-same-sex-relationships-approve-3035656

From the Thaiger Russian airlines resume direct flights to Phuket Tourism in Phuket got another boost from Russian tourists as the first direct flights from Moscow to Phuket International Airport resumed. The airport expects to see an average of 30,000 arrivals per day in November. Ikar Airlines was the first to arrive from Moscow yesterday afternoon, with a flight from Russian national airline Aeroflot landing later at 9.10pm. Ikar is a charter airline that operates under Pegas Fly. They usually run flights from Moscow to Phuket, Krabi, and U-Tapao Airport serving Pattaya. Their plane landed at 1.23pm yesterday at Phuket Airport and was met with a special reception from airport staff. Some 449 Russian travellers were aboard the flight. They were met by the staff administrative officer for Phuket as well as airport staff who gathered to mark the return of direct flights from Russia to Phuket. Going into the winter High Season, when many Russian tourists flee to warm locations like Phuket, Koh Samui, and other tropical Southeast Asian destinations, three Russian airlines will shuffle passengers from around Russia to Phuket. Ikar Airlines which arrived first will have a regular schedule running flights from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow to Phuket on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday each week. The schedule is confirmed until March 25. Aeroflot will fly between the same two airports, but twice as often as Ikar. It will fly daily from now until the season change on March 25.

This confused me, too, when I first went looking for KK Massages. When I was nearly ready to give up, I showed motorbike driver address on phone and he pointed almost directly across the soi to a shop on Sutthisan Winichai Rd. Since then I’ve located Home Massage by using its Intramara location as a sort of mile marker on Sutthisan Winichai Rd. I have no idea if that’s the way it’s suppose to work but it did for me. TIT.

Thanks for reminding me; forgot all about it. Now on short list.

No lizards observed, but many fish and some turtles. Some of the lizards were removed from Lumpini last year. Late afternoon seems to be good time. Long shadows enhance the landscape and colors.

Made my second visit to this park today. My first was on previous trip about five months ago and I was surprised by how much new growth has occurred since. Originally tobacco fields, the property covers a sprawling mash that not only serves as a huge water retention reserve but as home to many bird species you don’t see in nearby Lumpini Park. We entered about 4p.m. Under partly cloudy skies and a steady breeze. Although there were more visitors than last time, the area is so vast you never feel crowded. Some parts are landscaped but the emphasis is decidedly on a natural setting easily accessible to the general public without admission fees. A large amphitheater has been created to blend in with the park’s sense of wildness. It’s truly an oasis in the heart of the city. Benjakitti Wetland Park is Easily reached by MRT’s Klongtoey station, just two stops from Silom. Take Exit 2.

Olivia Massage has just opened its third shop in Silom-Surawong. Find it just to left of Sunrise Taco near Soi 4..Guys wearing blue polos sitting outside.

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya officials cleaned up the neglected police tourist-service center opposite the Royal Garden Plaza on beach road. City Councilman Nikom Sangkaew, who also heads the Pattaya Police Volunteers Association, joined Pol. Lt. Thongin Panyanam and other officers in changing burned-out lightbulbs around the service center and sprucing up the police box. Nikom said the cleanup came after a rash of crimes perpetrated by transgender thieves just a stone’s throw away from the neglected and disused service center on Soi 13/3. Thongin said officers again will be stationed on the beach to provide immediate response and service to tourists, which has barely been offered since 2019.

Have to join in with those advising to go now, if at all possible. Drink prices in the show bars have always been a topic of discussion here—and always will be. I agree 500 for Dreamboy is a lot but you’re also getting biggest show in town. For most of us, it will probably be a one-time take in. Coming in at 400, Freshboys delivers a solid, twink-dominated show in a more intimate setting. And high electricity costs have caused them to mercifully turn thermostat up to comfort range. But beer prices at the street bars have hardly budged as while restaurant prices have only risen modestly. Hotel prices are no longer the outrageous bargains of six months ago but reflect good value. Surprisingly, most massage fees remain unchanged and, in the more distant shops, competition has seen them actually go down a bit. Massage shops represent IMO the most experience for the money.

His concerns are well founded. But the only way to reduce—not eliminate—the threat of another tragedy is to strictly limit attendance and ensure that all means of egress are open and unobstructed. Once people sense that their life is endangered by fire or the press of the crowd, it’s too late. The outcome is then determined by the rush to escape.

From the Thaiger Researching or reading about the country, there’s a huge chance you might encounter the word “kathoey,” which they use to refer to transgenders, better known as “ladyboys”. Thailand’s ladyboys are famous worldwide and many travelers go to Thailand specifically to meet them. Ladyboys have been around in Thailand for a long time. It’s quite a bit surprising that they continue to be so prevalent, despite the negative stigma associated with them. They are considered part of Thai culture. The term transgender is rarely used in Thailand. Instead, the common term is kathoey which was once used to define intersex people, human beings who were born with ambiguous genitalia. Kathoey has become entirely common in Thai society, like everyone else, they go about their daily affairs: shopping, meeting with friends, using public transport, and visiting the temple. Thailand beholds the highest rate of transsexuals throughout the world. According to Sam Winter, the numbers differ from about 10,000 to (unofficial) 300,000, substantially above that estimated for transgender in most other parts of the world. The Thai community creates a sound public opinion environment for those of different sexual orientations. They can enjoy their freedom of expressing themselves. First Buddhist scriptures also mention three genders: a man, a woman, and a kathoey. So, religion officially allows for the third gender to exist. Buddhist teachings also hold that the circumstances we live in today are the product of how we lived our previous lives. Another concept behind kathoey is the result of karma – in particular, one was born kathoey because of some sexual misdemeanour in an earlier life or lives or that they failed to fulfil an expected role in the reproductive process, such as a man not caring for a woman who is pregnant by him. Whatever the reason, it is important to note that the common belief says there is no escaping from the karmic consequences, everyone has been kathoey at once in previous lives and will be again in future ones, thus kathoey should be treated with compassion. Kathoey’s acceptance in society depends on the area in which they live. In the bigger cities, it is more normalized to be kathoey. In more rural villages, the treatment of kathoey is described as tolerance than acceptance. Miss Tiffany Universe is a beauty pageant for Thai transgender women in Pattaya, Thailand. The contest is open to all transgender women who may or may not have gone through sex reassignment surgery. The Miss Tiffany Universe contest held once a year is receiving more attention especially since it is broadcast live on Thai television with an average of 15 million viewers. Miss Tiffany Universe winner receives a trophy and crown, Honda Jazz, cash prizes, jewellery, and other gifts from sponsors. The lifestyle of the kathoey varies as well. Mostly though, the kathoey lives like other Thai people. They work as hairdressers, filmmakers, sex workers, waitresses, models, and other jobs that you would find any woman. They have romantic relationships and are allowed to marry. Kathoey, like other trans people, is just that, people. Kathoeys are more visible and more accepted in Thai culture than transsexuals are in other countries in the world. Several popular Thai models, singers, and movie stars are kathoeys, and Thai newspapers often print photographs of the winners of female and kathoey beauty contests side by side. The phenomenon is not restricted to urban areas; there are kathoeys in most villages, and kathoey beauty contests are commonly held as part of local fairs. Continues with videos https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-ladyboy-facts-you-never-know-about-ladyboy-culture-in-thailand PHOTO: pattayaunlimited

And as Sunday rolls over into Monday, dollar clawed above 38 again. Rates can an do readjust by the moment so when you see one that you believe is satisfactory it’s a good idea to grab it. More people lose money in bonds and equities by trying to call market tops and bottoms. Currency is just another market. Leave the timing to the pros.

Xone was 37.83 Saturday.

Scores of them in the six all-male massage shops on Silom Soi 6.

Take him to the huge and mostly female massage place at corner of Thaniya and Surawong. It’s like an upscale Prime. They’re open to all comers. If you think he’s open to something different, the male massage shops on Silom Soi 6 worth a try. Then walk him around both sides of Patpong. Soi 4 would also be a fun take in. Be adventurous.

I’m older than you guys, easier to please and have had more than my share of luck. Ninety percent of my activity originates in massage shops and I have no complaints. Too set in my ways to change and to Bangkok I’ll be returning. Wish fans of other places as much luck and fun. 😊

From the BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-63443486

From AFP By Alexis Hontang with Fulya Ozerkan in Istanbul Almost a decade after fleeing China, more than 50 Uyghurs are languishing in Thai detention facilities, living in constant fear of being sent back. China has been accused of grave human rights abuses in Xinjiang against the Uyghurs dating back to at least the 1990s, with the United States branding Beijing's treatment of the mostly Muslim minority a "genocide". A damning UN report released in August detailed violations including torture and forced labour and "large-scale" arbitrary detention in what Beijing calls vocational training centres. Many Uyghurs have fled China over the years, with some travelling through Myanmar to Thailand, but dozens have ended up stuck in detention there -- the apparent victims of what observers say is the kingdom's desire to avoid angering either Beijing or Washington. The group of Uyghurs, arrested in 2013 and 2014, are currently being held in immigration centres around Thailand while authorities ponder their fate. Neither their precise location nor their exact number is clear -- a group of Thai rights organisations says there are 52, but a senator working on the case says 59. Immigration authorities have not responded to AFP requests for information.

From Tourism Authority of Thailand Bangkok, 28 October, 2022 – Thailand welcomed over 7 million tourists between 1 January and 26 October, 2022, with the full year target for 2022 being between seven and 10 million visitor arrivals. The total number of visitor arrivals for the 1 January-26 October, 2022, period was 7,349,843. The top five source markets were Malaysia with 1,246,242 arrivals, India with 661,751 arrivals, Lao PDR. with 538,789 arrivals, Cambodia with 373,811 arrivals, and Singapore with 365,593 arrivals. Tabulated by the TAT Intelligence Centre based on data from the Immigration Bureau, these totals do not include migrants, United Nations officials, and non-nationalities. The top five points of entry to Thailand were Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (3,891,196 arrivals), Phuket International Airport (958,027 arrivals), Don Mueang International Airport (564,008 arrivals), Sadao Border Checkpoint (451,578 arrivals), and Nong Khai Border Checkpoint (225,859 arrivals). Now having fully reopened to international tourism, Thailand no longer requires tourists to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results, and a longer length of stay is being offered. Effective from 1 October, 2022 to 31 March, 2023, the period of stay is extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA). Major international and regional airlines are resuming flights to Thailand from countries around the world, while Thai Airways International (THAI) in its recently announced 2022-2023 winter schedule (30 October, 2022 – 25 March, 2023) is operating flights on 34 European, Australian, and Asian routes with increased frequencies on selected routes.

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s top Muay Thai champion Buakaw Banchamek knocked out his Japanese rival, Yoshihiro Sato, in just 2 minutes and 18 seconds of the first round in a special World Series match at Rajadamnern Stadium last night (Friday). It was the fifth encounter between the two fighters and first held in Thailand. In their first match, about 14 years ago in Japan, Sato knocked out Buakaw. The fight last night was held under a kickboxing rule which bans knee or elbow strikes. The fight was to be decided on a knock-out. It was fierce fight, with the opponents exchanging punches and kicks from the start of the first round. In just 2 minutes and 18 seconds, Buakaw managed to put Sato on the floor. Continues with video https://www.thaipbsworld.com/buakaw-beats-japanese-fighter-in-2-minute-and-18-second-ko/

From Thai PBS World / AFP Emergency service personnel are seen in the alley where a Halloween stampede took place late October 29, in the neighbourhood of Itaewon in Seoul on October 30, 2022. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (AFP) – At least 149 people were killed and scores more were injured in a stampede at a packed Halloween event in central Seoul late Saturday, officials said, in one of South Korea’s worst peacetime accidents. The crowd surge and crush happened in the capital’s popular Itaewon district, where local reports said as many as 100,000 people had gone to celebrate Halloween on Saturday night, clogging the area’s narrow alleyways and winding streets. Eye-witnesses described scrambling to get out of the suffocating crowd as people ended up piling on top of one another, with paramedics, quickly overwhelmed by the number of victims, asking passers-by to administer first aid. “There were so many people just being pushed around and I got caught in the crowd and I couldn’t get out at first too,” 30-year-old Jeon Ga-eul told AFP. “I felt like an accident was bound to happen.” The fire department told AFP that at least 149 people, including two foreigners, had been killed in the stampede, which occurred around 10:00 pm (1300 GMT). The ministry of interior said that an estimated 150 people had been injured, as of 6 am local time. “The high number of casualties was the result of many being trampled during the Halloween event,” fire official Choi Seong-beom told reporters at the scene Sunday morning, adding that the death toll could climb. AFP photos from the scene showed scores of bodies spread on the pavement covered by bed sheets and emergency workers dressed in orange vests loading even more bodies on stretchers into ambulances. “People were layered on top of others like a tomb. Some were gradually losing their consciousness while some looked dead by that point,” one eye-witness told the Yonhap News Agency. In an interview with local broadcaster YTN, Lee Beom-suk, a doctor who administered first aid to the victims described scenes of tragedy and chaos. “When I first attempted CPR there were two victims lying on the pavement. But the number exploded soon after, outnumbering first responders at the scene,” Lee said. “Many bystanders came to help us with CPR.” “It’s hard to put in words to describe,” he added. “So many victims’ faces were pale. I could not catch their pulse or breath and many of them had a bloody nose. When I tried CPR, I also pumped blood out of their mouths.” Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/nearly-150-killed-in-halloween-stampede-in-seoul/

Hope it was as good for you as it was for him.

Shops were informed about an hour in advance from what I understand.

I’ve come across many Japanese sites about gay Bangkok. I believe Japanese men and women don’t want to have sex in their own country and prefer Bangkok. There were four Japanese women, buying bottles and freely distributing tips at Freshboys last time I was there.

I’m luxuriating in Bkk….but I’m not as much work 🙂