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Yes, and yes.

If you have to ask the price you can’t afford it

The Ministry of Public Health Ministry is expected to cancel face mask-wearing regulations and related fines in two or three weeks, the Bangkok Post is reporting today. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2419873/face-mask-rules-to-be-cancelled-soon

I agree that there are many attractive Taiwanese but I’m wholly addicted to the diversity of young men you find in Thailand from all over SE Asia. To me, every day here is a pride celebration of sorts. You can find it anywhere an everywhere from barstool in Silom to massage shop or beer garden further out. I’m in the thrall of these guys. The possibilities can present themselves anywhere. I do love the adventure of it all.

From the Diplomat On October 16, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) opened its 20th National Party Congress to one, announce a major leadership shuffle and two, review China’s achievements over the last five years, thereby charting a course for the coming five years. Much of the international discussion has seemed to focus on President Xi Jinping’s tightening grip on authority, which marks a shift from China’s old-school leadership transition (post-Deng Xiaoping era) and could ultimately put Xi on par with Chairman Mao Zedong. While this development certainly deserves attention, the CCP’s work report is what truly matters in the eyes of observers in Thailand. Continues at https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/chinas-zero-covid-policy-an-economic-nightmare-for-thailand/

From the Thaiger Thailand is going to attempt to fix its methamphetamine crisiswith another formally-illegal drug, cannabis. In a recent study, meth addicts in Thailand were given CBD oil under their tongues to treat withdrawal symptoms, and the results were promising. Today, acting Director General of the Medical Department Dr Thongchai Kiratthihathayakhon said that methamphetamine is “Thailand’s biggest problem.” Meth-induced psychosis is often found to be at the root of the most violent crimes in Thailand, such as rape and murder, which plague the kingdom day in and day out. Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug made in a lab, making it the cheapest and most accessible drug in Southeast Asia. Yaba (“crazy drug”) is methamphetamine mixed with caffeine pressed into a pill. Yaba sells for as cheap as 10 baht a pop ($US0.26), so it comes as no surprise that it is the reigning illicit drug of choice in Thailand. The number of methamphetamine users in Thailand is unfathomable. But of the 200,000 drug users receiving rehabilitative treatment each year in Thailand, 75% are meth addicts, which gives a rough idea of its hook on the population. ================= The Midnight High Time van can be found on Patpong 1 most nights.

Visited this shop for first time today about 16:30. One boy in shop but manager showed me photos on phone of about 15 who were available on call. I chose one and was taken to room. By time I finished shower he arrived and showered. As it turned out, he was my first gay masseur of trip and performed well. The one hour oil was 420 baht and was informed full service minimum tip was 1,000 (well earned). When I left there were three in the shop, any one of whom I’d take. Rooms here on first floor with mattress on floor atop foot-high platform. Shower down the hall. I took Blue Line and walked Sutthisan Winichai Rd. from Sutthisan station. It took about 22 minutes but I prefer approaching in opposite direction from Saphan Kwai because shops along way more interesting and sidewalks better. By 16:00, that side of road mostly in shade. Two bus routes serve this road. I began walking toward Saphan Kwai and I travelled no more than 3-4 minutes when I came upon KK Spa, a shop I’ve visited in three earlier occasions this trip. If you aren’t a slut like me you would have concluded that you’ve had sufficient fun and just headed home. I of course opened the door and was presented with a bottle of water and a new photo array. Several guys made the short list but the beaming smile on one sealed it and I agreed to one hour oil for 350 baht. I took shower and when I returned my guy had arrived and was stripping down. He was bigger than he looked in photo and had great tats. Turned out to be 22 year old Cambodian. I had chosen well because after he showered he demonstrated that straight guys know what the he’ll it’s all about. I traded places with after less than 15 minutes and he was a bit surprised. He soon discovered that this was a great idea and completely relaxed. He showered with me and we took turns soaping up each other. The minimum tip was 800 and I gladly tuned that up. From what I gather, these shops are keenly aware that their main source of income is locals and have adjusted their fees down in the past week or so. The guys are all free lancers and derive their income solely from tips. In the Silom area, most guys are on staff and get a cut of the fee because they have specified work hours to be available in shop. I believe the reason so many hot guys are available in these more remote locations is geography. These are the areas Thais and other Asians can afford to live. Some work other jobs during the day and are on call later.

Dog ugly? Would like to meet them.

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai was struck by an earthquake of 4.1 magnitude on the Richter scale, at 4.36am this morning (Thursday). It was the strongest quake in the province in recorded history. Tremors were felt in the two neighbouring provinces of Lamphun and Phayao, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. The epicentre of the tremor was located about two kilometres underground in Mae Khue sub-district of Doi Saket District. Thai PBS reporters conducted a random survey of temples in Doi Saket and found that none had sustained damage in the quake and no public utilities were affected. Mae Khue Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) Mayor, Nonthawat Wanna, said today that an initial survey has not found any damaged buildings or public utilities and has ordered a more thorough inspection.

This place appears to located in vicinity of KK Massage on Sutthisan Winichai Rd. Judging by map it’s probably equidistant from either Saphan Kwai on BTS or Suthisan station on MRT Blue Line.

Tried but failed to find it on first trip in 2002. It was only on second trip that I succeeded. In its heyday, it was practically addictive.

If you have access to local Thai TV, I’ve founds Muay Thai bouts on True about 1800-2000 hrs. most nights. Think it’s channel 24.

From the Thaiger See link below for description of local venues were Muay Thai bouts can be viewed in Bangkok, including the new Limpinee Boxing Stafium pictured here. https://thethaiger.com/guides/best-places-to-watch-muay-thai-fights-in-bangkok

What’s good for the goose….. From the Thaiger Fishing enthusiasts were hooked when a Chon Buri agency promoted a naked fishing trip on social media in the Bang Saray sub-district. Residents on the other hand were outraged. Angry Chon Buri locals are not happy with the unnamed agency shamelessly advertising fishing trips complete with naked women companions on Twitter. The naked fishing advertisement went viral when it was on Thai social media. It was posted by a Thai Twitter user named Soul Mates, Pattaya, Clean, Good Manner, Friendly (คู่แท้ พัทยา Pattaya สะอาด นิสัยดี กันเอง มิตรภาพ). The caption said… “Squid fishing + sucking milk + enjoying seashells for four hours. Only 3,000 baht per person. It includes sashimi and beverages.” Under the caption is a picture of two fishermen and two naked women. The agency’s Twitter account is awash with fishing trip advertisements alongside naked, sexy pictures of women. Some pictures show the women topless on the beach mixing with locals and tourists while other snaps reveal women fully naked on the boat with the clients.

I’m sure some of them were hot but all of them are smart.

Finding passage from Surawong to Rama 4 great find—and over hallowed ground no less. Looks like it’s directly opposite the Beer Garden. Think of all the guys who once danced above it 🤗

There’s on-going construction work on both side of Silom (including center strip at some points) as part of project to bury overhead wiring and new tree planting.

Everyone’s familiar with the night market that once occupied Patpong 1 but today I checked out the sprawling day market that runs from Silom rd. at Soi 10 to the road New Twilight bar is on. Ninety five percent of it is covered space and out of the sun. Cooked food and produce vendors dominate but you’ll also find a large number of clothing vendors (new and vintage) along with shops selling kitchen ware and curiosity items. ================ X-One Currency exchange shop Just a block from the day market is a currency exchange shop that today had the best rate in Silom area, buying the USD for 37.90 bht. This was just a hair better than Super Rich offer of 37.85. X-One currency exchange is on the soi off Surawong rd. a short distance from Sap rd.

From Phuket Express Phuket Old Town suffered worst flooding in 50 years Phuket Old Town has suffered the worst flooding in 50 years this past weekend, said local residents to the media. The situation in Phuket Old Town is now back to normal as floodwaters have receded but multiple organizations and volunteers have come together to clean the streets of trash and debris swept in by the floods. Unfortunately, more rain may be in the forecast in the near future but it isn’t expected to be as heavy or persistent as the recent storms that caused widespread havoc across Phuket over the past weeken

From the Thaiger By the end of the month, the temperature in the capital could hit lows of 15 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department. Yesterday, a chill was felt in the capital for the first time in a long time, reaching lows of 22 degrees Celsius. The department expects the temperature to continually drop over the next 10 days, before Thailand officially enters ‘winter,’ or ‘cold season,’ on the last Sunday of October. The department expects winter in Thailand to last longer than usual this year. It will be “cold” until mid-February 2023. January will be the coldest month, which is a nice time to travel to northern Thailand, suggests the department. “Looking at last year’s winter statistics, there was a period of 10 days when the temperature continually dropped. This year, the same thing is expected to happen in Bangkok over more than 10 days. “The temperature in some areas will hit lows of 17 degrees Celsius and as low as 15 degrees Celsius in some areas. “So this year, people in Bangkok should prepare to wear two layers of winter clothes to keep warm. We have not had such a cold winter in many years.”

From the Thaiger BANGKOK Thailand’s 11th monkeypox patient confirmed in Bangkok Thailand’s 11th monkeypox patient has been confirmed in Bangkok. The acting director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said today that the patient is a 40 year old masseur. The masseur returned to Bangkok from Qatar on Saturday. The DDC’s acting director-general, Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, said the man started getting a fever and blisters on his hands and legs on October 8, while he was still in Qatar, Thai PBS reported. Meanwhile, the department’s deputy director-general says that Thailand’s 10 previous monkeypox patients have all recovered from the disease. Dr Tares said that health officials are investigating to find if there are any more infections. The latest patient is not the first person in Thailand to have monkeypox after returning from the Middle East. Another patient confirmed with monkeypox last month, a 23 year old man, had also returned from Qatar. A 25 year old womanconfirmed with monkeypox in August had returned from Dubai.

From Thai PBS World From November 15th, people who want to deposit cash viacash deposit machines (CDMs) in Thailand will be required to identify themselves by inserting their credit or debit cards and entering their Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password. The new measure has been introduced by the Anti-Money Laundering Office and will be applied to all commercial banks, to prevent the laundering of money earned from drug trafficking, illegal gambling or other criminal activity. According to AMLO, the alternative for those who do not have a credit or debit card PIN or password for their bank accounts is to deposit their money and show their ID cards tobank tellers in the branch, which will incur service charges. Many bank customers have expressed disagreement, via social media, with AMLO’s new measure, claiming that itunnecessarily increases the financial burden and inconvenience, because they will have to apply for debit cards. The state-owned Krung Thai Bank is the first commercial bank to confirm the role-out of this new measure and a channel through which the public can seek more information. So far, 11 commercial banks have approved the new measure, among them are the Krung Thai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, TMBThanachart Bank, UOB Bank, CIMB Bank, the Government Savings Bank, the Government Housing Bank and Kiatnakin Phatra Bank.

Rumpole of the Bailey, starring Leo McKern as John Mortimer, the real-life criminal barrister and author.

From Thai PBS World 25th victim of Chon Buri’s Mountain B pub fire dies The Mountain B pub fire in Sattahip District of Chon Buri Province on August 5th claimed its 25th victim yesterday (Saturday). 26-year-old Parichart Kwanyoengyong was admitted to the Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip for treatment of burns on the night of the fire. She was there for a day before being transferred to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok for treatment. Yesterday, it was decided not to continue her treatment, because her body was not respondingto it. The victim’s sister, Darawadi Katekaew, told the media that Parichart suffered a blood infection, as well as lung and kidney problems, requiring dialysis around the clock. She said that her body will be brought back to Rayong province for a funeral at Nong Wa Temple.