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Set out for 9p.m. appointment at the most recent massage shop to open in the area: Phoenix. It was a pleasant and dry evening, perfect for the leisurely 25-minute walk. When I arrived on Inthamara 25, quickly located shop but it was closed. Puzzled because I’d made appointment, I texted shop on LINE and they sent me map link. It was all in Thai and nothing at all looked familiar. I followed with another text saying I’m on Inthamara 25 and shop answers, “sorry, we move to Lat Phrao 110.” Result: one disappointed customer and one disappointed masseur. Now in need of a sure-thing fix, I backtracked and headed for Phetboy and booked same guy from last Saturday who didn’t disappoint. I was a bit slow in cleaning up after and told guy to go to shower and I’d soon follow after checking phone. When I got to shower room, I opened door and placed towel on rack and ran a hand down boy’s back. Suddenly realized his tattoo had changed design and he seemed to be taller. He turned around with a surprised but amused look. Yes, it was a different masseur. Embarrassed, all I could think to say was “sorry. He was just finishing up and toweling off. Couldn’t help but noticing that he was very well equipped so I asked for his name. He told me, turned and disappeared. I was sort of hoping that find him downstairs but he had vanished along with what remained of my pride.

I’m content with my memories of old Dusit where I could occasionally find $144 rate on Agoda in their huge Dusit rooms with lounge privileges.

Given the spicy diet, I’m always surprised how few instances of bad breath I encounter. Chalk it up to good oral hygiene. The kiss is the most intimate of sexual expression. When it happens it delights me.

Of course. Keep your eyes open and apps on.

Guy I had appointment with cancelled at last minute. Manager gave me phone with photos and the replacement i chose just happened to be among five guys hanging around shop. For the record, I could have chosen any of the other four. They have many of my type here.

“Cute” is in the eye of the beholder. Did not find any of them unattractive. As a noted authority on the matter I believe would say: go and see for yourself; It only takes one.

From Bangkok Post Cambodia has agreed with the Thai government's initiative to facilitate cross-border travel for tourists from six countries in the region through a single visa policy called "6 Countries, 1 Destination", positioning Thailand as a regional tourism hub, according to a source at Government House. The move came after talks between Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, advisors to the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, to discuss cross-border travel and promoting seamless tourism on Monday in Phnom Penh. The source said the Cambodian tourism minister supported Thailand's "6 Countries, 1 Destination" policy and agreed to discuss the issue further with Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, Customs Department and other relevant agencies. The source said the feedback from these agencies will be proposed to Cambodia's cabinet for consideration ahead of an official visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The "6 Countries, 1 Destination" initiative aims to promote tourism and economic collaboration between Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2887782/cambodia-backs-thai-led-6-country-single-visa-plan

Posters confirm drag show (😔). But I’m sure others will see it differently.

While making the circuit of Lumpinee Park the other evening, the new Dusit Thani caught my eye. It’s indeed a great addition to skyline of Silom. Authorities are also improving all paved roads and walkways in the park. The resurfacing should be completed in time for high season.

Rekindles memories of West Side Story, one of my favorite Broadway hits.

Or ask someone else for assistance in the matter. 😊

How a massage turns out can sometimes owe it origin to the pre-massage shower. When I arrived at Phetboy last Saturday, the guy I picked happened to be in shop. He was new and from Myanmar with just about no English save yes and now. But we quickly became acquainted in the few minutes under the shower head and that set the tone for the next 55 minutes. He’s now on my top three list from that shop. I love international relations. 🙂

Stopped by the new bar shortly after 9p.m. I chose a table (Semicircular banquet type that can sit four comfortably). the waiter (one of three) gave me a menu that offered a good selection of beers and I selected an Asahi (150, same as local brew prices). When he put by bill in cup he also deliver small bowl of chips. There were two customers at bar and four young Asian guys at another table. it wasn’t long before waiter started conversation with usual questions. Then asked me if he could sit with me, confirming suspicion that this was indeed a host bar. I declined tbh because I knew I wasn’t interested and was there on an information gathering mission. The other waiters also stopped by but I was busy on my phone. There was local pop music on sound system, not at an obnoxious level that would inhibit conversation but still a bit annoying to old man like myself. The manager who was teaching bartenders to use register is a farang. And on the subject of bartenders, there are two and I believe that’s where the talent is. That’s where I’d sit on any future visit.

They pay like the rest of us.

Happens quite often in Bangkok boy bars.

I am seen in company of guys in restaurants, bars, aircraft, buses, trains and other social situations. If someone stares I figure they’re jealous—especially when I see the women they’re with.

Think I recall that you have already experimented with testosterone and that didn’t help. Perhaps it’s because you’re confronted with so many choices it’s a case of sensory overload. Before you turn in your wings and default to non-sexual future, ask yourself why you keep returning to Thailand. If it’s sexual adventures then you might try hiring a guy to help you gently through any adversity that seem to get in your way of fulfillment.

There seems to be an endless supply of foreigners who end up dying in Pattaya. From Pattaya News A 63-year-old Norwegian expat was found dead after reportedly harming himself in a Pattaya hotel room. At 4:00 AM on October 20th, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center received a report of a foreigner behaving erratically and physically harming himself in a hotel room on Soi 14, Pattaya. Upon receiving the report, they immediately coordinated with local police before rushing to the scene, along with The Pattaya News team. At the scene, authorities found the foreigner, a 63-year-old Norwegian expat whose name was withheld due to ongoing investigations, lying naked in front of the bathroom in a room on the second floor. He was bleeding heavily from his face and had sustained multiple deep cuts. The room was stained with blood, and shards of broken glass were found on the bed. Rescue workers attempted to stop the bleeding from the man’s face and checked his pulse, which was dangerously low. They quickly moved him for transport to a local hospital. However, his pulse stopped during the transfer, and despite performing CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The body was sent to Banglamung Hospital for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/10/20/norwegian-expat-found-dead-after-reported-self-harm-incident-in-pattaya-hotel/

I wouldn’t attend any party that had me on its guest list.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Thailand is far from unique in chasing up taxes on financial resources held overseas. The Straits Times reports a Chinese crackdown on overseas investments such as cryptocurrency, offshore banking and stakes in Hong Kong and US international companies. Peter Li, from the Zhong Lum Law Firm, commented that Chinese tax authorities are now targeting income received from outside China as tax revenue has fallen by 2.6 percent and land sales are plummeting by 25 percent. Unlike Thailand, China does not distinguish between assessable and non-assessable overseas income but does honor its double taxation treaties with over 100 countries. Moreover, China is interested principally in the ultra-rich, targeting high-worth individuals with at least US$10 million in assets abroad. The net also – theoretically – covers foreigners resident in Thailand for over 183 days in a year, but the government has so far asked only Chinese citizens to self-assess their tax obligations. In some cases, they have been summoned for meetings with the tax authority. Whilst the Chinese initiative is certainly different from the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) policy, it does illustrate the common trend to boost revenue across the Asian continent. Meanwhile, Thailand’s foreign retirees – living mostly on already-taxed pensions – say they are confused by the inactivity or lack of awareness in many provincial tax offices. Several European expats on the ASEAN NOW forum state that they have been told by TRD officers that they don’t need a tax identification number if living on foreign pension income. No worries. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/now-china-wants-its-tax-share-for-overseas-income-but-not-pensions-476607

GBeat posted these three pics today, including new Myanmar guy (far left) ============ Phoenix Spa (Inthamara 25) is offering promotion rate for four, one hour session, for baht 1199. ============ One Spa is offering following promotions: — three, one hour sessions for baht 1,089 — five, one hour VIP room sessions for bht 1,989 — Couples massage, one hour for baht 500 (all above plus tips to masseurs) —

Amen to that!

From The Nation At the election in February, Prabowo Subianto, 73, presented himself as heir to the immensely popular President Joko Widodo, the first Indonesian president to emerge from outside the political and military elite. Subianto, who was then defence minister, vowed to continue the modernization agenda that has brought rapid growth and vaulted Indonesia into the ranks of middle-income countries. In a speech last month, Subianto, who’s also the chair of the Gerindra Party, reminded party members to always remain loyal to the nation, not to him. He also vowed his unwavering commitment to defend the people, even at the cost of his life. “Once you smell I’m on the wrong path, please leave me,” Subianto said, “My life, my oath … I want to die for the truth, I want to die defending my people, I want to die defending the poor, I want to die defending the honour of the Indonesian nation. I have no doubt.” But Subianto will enter office with unresolved questions about the costs of rapid growth for the environment and traditional communities, as well as his links to torture, disappearances and other human rights abuses in the final years of the brutal Suharto dictatorship, which he served as a lieutenant general. Other than promising continuity, Subianto has laid out few concrete plans, leaving observers uncertain about what his election will mean for the country’s economy and its still-maturing democracy. A former rival of Widodo who lost two presidential races to him, Subianto embraced the popular leader to run as his heir, even choosing Widodo’s son as his running mate, a decision that ran up against constitutional age limits and has activists worried about an emerging political dynasty in the 25-year-old democracy. But for now, he appears to enjoy widespread support. He secured a majority in the election on Feb. 14, winning 59%, or more than 96 million votes in a three-way race, more than enough for victory without a runoff. Subianto was born in 1951 to one of Indonesia’s most powerful families, the third of four children. His father, Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, was an influential politician, and a minister under Presidents Sukarno and Suharto. Subianto’s father first worked for Sukarno, the leader of Indonesia’s quest for independence from the Dutch, as well as the first president. But Djojohadikusumo later turned against the leader and was forced into exile. Subianto spent most of his childhood overseas and speaks French, German, English and Dutch. The family returned to Indonesia after General Suharto came to power in 1967 following a failed left-wing coup. Suharto dealt brutally with dissenters and was accused of stealing billions of dollars of state funds for himself, his family and close associates. Suharto dismissed the allegations even after leaving office in 1998. Subianto enrolled in Indonesia’s Military Academy in 1970, graduating in 1974 and serving in the military for nearly three decades. In 1976, Subianto joined the Indonesian National Army Special Force, called Kopassus, and was commander of a group that operated in what is now East Timor. Human rights groups have claimed that Subianto was involved in a series of human rights violations in East Timor in the 1980s and 1990s when Indonesia occupied the now-independent nation. Subianto has denied those allegations. Subianto and other members of Kopassus were banned from travelling to the U.S. over the alleged human rights abuses they committed against the people of East Timor. The ban remained in place until 2020, when it was effectively lifted, enabling him to visit the US as Indonesia’s defence minister. continues with photo https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40042508

Indeed it was but name escapes me. It’s next to another rebranded lady bar that used to be known as “Crystal Palace”.

On my way to massage appointment in Silom Plaz, I stopped by Bar and spoke with guys outside who showed me menu (beer starting at bht 159 and mixed drinks Bht 229). A Quick Look inside and saw three patrons at bars and have dozen or so at tables. it struck me aa a quiet sit-down bar which is unusual in Patpong, Btw, I believe name means Dragon and fish. In nearby news, the music bar opposite Foodland that drew very few customers has been rebranded as “Virgin X”. Drapes now cover the wrap around windows, leaving it to imagination as to what transpires within.