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From Khaosod English BANGKOK — The BTS system may soon get slightly less crowded as dozens of new trains with more capacity set to enter service later this year. BTS Skytrain executives on Monday officially unveiled the first of 46 new trains in Chonburi province, purchased for 11 billion baht to support the Sukhumvit line and its extension to Samut Prakan province, which will open in December. The train, comprising four carriages, was delivered Sunday. Company representatives said the new trains’ carriages, bought from German and Chinese companies, have a 10 percent greater capacity than current ones. All new trains will be delivered by late 2019. The popular city rail network currently serves about 900,000 daily commuters. Surapong Laoha-Unya, the company’s director, said in 2017 that 52 trains were in service along both lines. Its official website says each train accommodates up to 1,490 passengers. The operator faces mounting pressure to improve its services after it malfunctioned repeatedly in recent months, suffering signalling system disruptions, defective doors and water leakages inside carriages. It broke down as many as 20 times in June alone. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/bangkok/2018/08/06/new-bts-trains-coming-to-extended-route/

From the Nation Thailand Post holds exhibition to mark 135th anniversary Thailand Post has invited people to visit an exhibition it has organised at the Central Post Office in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district to learn about Thai postal history and buy commemorative stamps specially issued to mark the 135th anniversary of Thai postal services.At the opening ceremony on Saturday, Thailand Post president Samorn Therdthamphiboon said people could visit the exhibition every day from Tuesday to Sunday until October 31 and admission is free. Continues with pics http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30351471

From The Nation A special lane at Suvarnabhumi airport has been inaugurated - it is for the ease and convenience of Chinese visitors. Thailand's poster boy top cop Maj Gen "Big Joke" Surachet Hakpal - deputy commissioner of the tourist police - and Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong Prayoonsiri at Region 2 immigration have shaken hands on the deal that provided the new lane. Though they did not mention if this was in response to bad press after the boat accident in Phuket recently that saw many Chinese cancel their holidays. Continues with pics, video http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/around_thailand/30351469

From National Public Radio Scotty Bowers, pictured here in his Marine uniform, ran a gas station in post-WWII Hollywood that provided a unique service for many movie stars of the era. Greenwich Entertainment We are constantly rewriting our collective history, but few of us can do it with as much devilish glee as Scotty Bowers. Now 95, the onetime Hollywood hustler spent decades during Tinseltown's golden era providing sexual services to the biggest names in town, including Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, George Cukor and Rex Harrison. He'd rent out a trailer in the back of a gas station on Hollywood Boulevard for $20 per session and also make house calls, sometimes matching the celebrity with his tricks, often jumping into bed with them himself. And Scotty never spilled the beans on any of his clients, until they'd almost all died off and he felt free to publish his salacious tell-all memoir in 2012, forever altering our relationship to the stars. Well, Scotty's got nothing to lose anymore, and director Matt Tyrnauer knows it, which must by why now is the time for Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood. The documentary sets fire to the red curtain of modesty we've draped around our celluloid idols for so long. Some will be skeptical of such hard-to-prove claims about long-dead celebrities, which can have a JFK-conspiracy-theory tint to them, although for what it's worth, a lot of folks (including Gore Vidal) have vouched for their accuracy. But today, the hardest part of Scotty's story to swallow might be that he was somehow able to practice decades of discretion. You watch him on camera, going off on wild tales about setting Hepburn up with 150 women, and you can't believe this guy was capable of keeping all his clients' needs in his head—never writing down a word—for so long. He just enjoys the gossip too much. Picture him tossing off this nugget about Grant and his "roommate" Randolph Scott in as casual a tone as you can imagine: "I've been with them individually, and both of them, what you'd call a three-way, and I also brought another buddy so there were four of us, you know, two and two." Continues with pics https://www.npr.org/2018/08/05/635462094/a-sexual-underground-surfaces-in-scotty-and-the-secret-history-of-hollywood

You've been active in many posts but this one has summoned our better angels. I am sorry to hear of your declining health as are fellow members. You've been our go-to guy for all things Singapore. I especially recall your wonderful street food contributions there and elsewhere. Please don't hesitate to share what you're comfortable with. You know that there are many folks who are ready to listen. We may not be family but I think most will agree that we are a community. You may feel physically useless but what you offer us is far from spiritually useless. You have taken a risk and shared your despair. That required courage. Please post whenever you can, Abang. The strength you muster to do this contributes your unique inspiration to us all.

I've been trying to think of an event that produced as much positive feelings than did this. It affirmed the very best man is capable of in the face of calamity. Courage, tenacity, selflessness on the part of the rescuers; humility, bonding, and courage on the part of the rescued. I think this is class apart and will likely remain so. It will indeed be difficult for a movie to capture accurately these feelings. But with so much to work with, I look forward to the effort. The world needs to witness what occurred. It has immense potential to inspire when inspiration has never been more in need.

From Coconuts Bangkok Members of the “Wild Boars” football team hand flower garlands to Buddhist monks during a ceremony to mark the end of their retreat as novice monks at the Wat Phra That Doi Tung temple in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on August 4, 2018. The Thai boys freed from a flooded cave in a rescue bid that gripped the world left the Buddhist monastery 11 days after ordaining as novice monks to honour a diver who died in the mission to save them. / AFP PHOTO / Lillian SUWANRUMPHA https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thai-cave-boys-leave-buddhist-monastery-honoring-dead-rescuer/

Whenever I'm with a young man in public, I practice decorum and do nothing that would cause him to lose face. No public displays of affection, no hand holding. In short, we behave as friends. Whether were walking across a hotel lobby or eating in a restaurant, I remain at ease and chat with him. That, I believe, enables him to relax and feel confident that we belong there. And it telegraphs to others that same message. In brief, I've traveled halfway around the world to be with guys like this and I'm proud to be in their company. The key, for me, is to show respect for my companion. While waiting for pizza to arrive at the Madrid last month, my regular guy walked around, looking at the many photos on the walls, soaking in the atmosphere. I couldn't help but notice his self confidence and comfort level. We were just two guys (albeit separated by a few generations) who wanted to share a good meal and a few laughs as we drank our beers. I would not hesitate at all to embrace a friend I haven't seen for a while as any other friends would do, regardless of sexual persuasion. I don't like to think of it as anything more complicated.

As of 10 days ago, quite a few of the guys who appear in photos were still around. Four I know are temporarily--I believe--back in VN. There's always a turnover so it's interesting to walk by and see what's changed. I can attest that in almost every case they look better in the flesh than they do in pics.

From Bangkok Post An Algerian man has been arrested for picking the pocket of a Hong Kong tourist inside a passenger carriage at the Makkasan Airport Link train station. The passenger reported his wallet missing on Wednesday. Tourist police then examined recordings from closed-circuit cameras, which showed a man stealing the wallet from the tourist on board a train at Makkasan station on Aug 1. Police found the stolen black wallet in his possession, along with the 1,020 baht cash and US$2,680 it contained. A police investigation revealed the suspect had entered Thailand 12 times. Police believed he entered the country to commit similar offences each time as he had three passports he took turns using. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1515158/algerian-pickpocket-caught-working-airport-link-trains

And he only charges her 2,000. Not fair. Clear case of gender discrimination.

NOTE -- I've only been successfully pickpocketed once (Buenos Aires, 2003) and never in Krung Thep. The trade, however, was common practice when I was visiting the suck cinema in Saphan Kwai 16 years ago. Fortunately, those who practiced it weren't the smoothest of operators and most movie goers seemed to quickly spot the telltale moves. And if you were a regular you began to recognize them by sight, even in the dark. This was the wonderful time before apps and this particular location would attract huge crowds of young Thais after work and on weekends. Outside of that, it's never been one of my concerns. Now, however, it seems on the rise in the target-rich environment of the Chit Lom BTS stop. And it is foreigners who have taken it up. From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Three Mongolian men were charged with pickpocketing and credit card fraud Thursday after being arrested at BTS Chit Lom. Okhinsuren Bayarsaikhan, Tseddenbal Oyunbold and Indermaa Ganbold, all in their 30s, were accused of stealing 300,000 baht in various currencies from tourist areas last month, much of which allegedly went to purchasing iPhone Xs. They have been charged with pickpocketing and credit card fraud. Police arrested the trio near BTS Chit Lom on Wednesday and seized US dollars, Euros, Thai baht, Australian dollars and Korean Won worth about 100,000 baht. Tourist Police Deputy Commissioner Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpal said Thursday that the gang consisted of five Mongolians who entered the country July 18. Two returned home July 26 with the iPhone Xs. Credit card fraud is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 baht. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/crime-crime/2018/08/02/mongolians-accused-of-pickpocketing-bangkok-tourists/

From Bangkok Post The new terminal for interprovincial public passenger vans is located under the Si Rat expressway, opposite Mor Chit bus terminal. The new terminal for public passenger vans operating on interprovincial routes opened in Bangkok on Wednesday. All van services at Mor Chit bus terminal had been moved to the new facility on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road under the Si Rat expressway, Land Transport Department director-general Sanit Promwong said. The new terminal, built for exclusive use by public vans, is across the road from the Mor Chit bus terminal. The 30-rai complex can handle up to 2,000 passengers at a time, leaving on all routes. Transport Co allows public vans to operate to destinations within 300 kilometres. Longer routes are reserved for buses. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1513838/new-van-terminal-for-interprovincial-routes-opens

It was about 35+ years ago when late one evening I picked up a hitchhiker and agreed to drop him near his home. En route some groping quickly ensued so I pulled into a deserted beach parking lot. With out pants around our ankles, we proceed much like you did in Silom. As I was getting (going) down to business, I noticed that his right hand had dipped down below steering column and then moved to deposit something between passenger seat and door. But I was enjoying the session so much I let it pass for the moment. When it was his turn to reciprocate, he gave me one of the best blow jobs that is probably as high on the memory scale as yours. As we zipped up a few minutes later, I reached over and retrieved my wallet. Looking a little deflated, he said, "Want me to get out here?" I told him no. "You didn't stop when I said I'm coming so I figure I at least owe you a ride home." I still occasionally jerk off to that incident of my youth. Well more his than mine, actually.

Thanks, DM, for the above link. Particularly enjoyed links at the end of article that describe other new parks about town I wasn't aware of. Too bad city administration couldn't work out an agreement with long-time fort residents. As a youngster, my family was forced out of our home by the "urban renewal" craze that swept many American cities 50 years ago. It paved the way for commercial deevelopment but also resulted in the destruction of the city center. Politically-connect real estate interests made out fine, however.

9 0-massage days 13 1-massage days 4 2-massage days 1 3-massage days 24 massages in 27 days* Not difficult. *didn't count day one because I didn't arrive at hotel until after midnight so no massage opportunity

When in Bangkok, I'm acutely aware of the need to stay hydrated. Some may accuse me of being a heretic, but I add ice to my draught beer when sitting at an outdoor cafe (got the idea from watching waiters drink beers purchased for them by customers). But when I get home, I slacken off and consequently seem more prone to dehydration. Think this added to the jet lag I'm just getting over. This was reinforced this morning while listening to American National Public Radio that featured a segment of how even a little dehydration can affect us. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/30/632480321/off-your-mental-game-you-could-be-mildly-dehydrated

I read with interest about your massage--and other--experiences so far this trip. You certainly have my sympathy having just returned from nearly a month in Bangkok where I had only one miscue (the guy fell asleep before the massage even began so he's the only one who suffered a financial loss). A few things that may improve your batting average: (1) If a shop requires payment in advance, go elsewhere. (2) If something seems askew, it probably is. Ask questions before opening wallet. (3) Always keep in mind caveat emptor: let the buyer beware. During my last trip I visited seven massage shops (all in BKK) and had a total of 24 massages, 21 of which occurred at four of the shops. My method seems no different than most of us practice when settling on our favorite restaurants. When we find ones we like we tend to give them repeat business. It doesn't keep me from trying new ones but I do a little research in advance and this forum is ground zero for that. As for the Viet guys (three from the same massage shop and two offs elsewhere), I went 5 for 5 on the positive side of ledger.

Thanks for catching that. When I saw Democracy Monument on a map of area, my mind when to Victory Monument BTS which is no where nearby. As I look at map now I see that the new Bangkok City Library is located close to the fort. May be worth a visit if you're in the area.

From Coconuts Bangkok The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will reopen Mahakan Fort as the city’s new park at today, three months after the eviction of the centuries-old community inside the fort. Bangkok Governor Asawin Kwanmuang said yesterday that the space inside the fort, which is now “spacious, green, peaceful, beautiful and safe,” will officially welcome the public at 5pm. The fort was originally built in 1783 to protect the then-new capital city, which was established just a year prior to construction. Nowadays, Mahakan Fort is one of the only surviving walled fortresses that remain of the old city. “From every angle, the fort’s elegance stands out, and you can see the city’s historic wall more clearly,” Asawin wrote on his official Facebook yesterday. He hopes that the landmark with educate visitors about Thailand’s history, culture, and tradition. The beginning of the capital’s new green space, however, grew out of a historic community’s bitter end. The land inside Mahakan Fort was once home to nearly 300 people whose proud stories dated back to the reign of King Rama III — 200 years ago — when servants of Thai aristocrats built their houses there in order to live close to their masters. Continues with pics https://coconuts.co/...ay-public-park/ NOTE -- The park is located not far from Democracy Monument BTS station.

From Coconuts Bangkok Last Friday, during rush hour, Bangkok’s skytrain briefly had that rarest of rarities — an open seat. Unfortunately, it was open for a very good reason. Someone had pooped on it. After the predictable juvenile laughter died down across the internet (yes, ours too), the BTS authorities let everyone in on a little secret: skytrain stations have toilets, and you can use them. Could this really be true? For years, the commuting public has been relying on a viral list of public restrooms near the BTS. Gotta go potty at Ploenchit? Race to the Park Ventures building. Can’t hold it near Sala Daeng? Silom Complex is conveniently connected to the skywalk. How about Phrom Phong? Take your pick, heck, there are malls on both sides of the street. But what if you didn’t have to leave the station at all? After hearing the BTS announcement about the on-site commodes, we had to know if it was true. And so, in the truest tradition of public service journalism, your humble Coconuts crew went about finding out exactly what the hell was going on. Over the past few days, our editors have gone up to staff at five BTS stations and unashamedly told them we had to go. And guess what? They let us. At most stations, the toilets are located in the staff-only area, and you have to be let in by a janitor, who has a key card. There are separate restrooms for ladies and gents. They also double as locker rooms for staff. One cool thing to note: At all five stations we visited, the restrooms are located outside of the train platform area. But because you’re accompanied by staff to the toilets, you can ask them to let you back into the train — without having to pay the fare a second time. Continues with photos https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/hidden-toilets-bts-asked-staff-5-stations-use-toilets-heres-happened/

NOTE -- Pretty sure that I passed a stall like this on Silom between Soi 4 and Patpong 2. It seems that it's one of many around Bangkok. Although the young woman backing the idea talks about female sexual rights, what's good for the goose should be good for the gander, no? From Coconuts Bangkok You can drink on the streets, buy antibiotics without a prescription, and purchase a woman’s “companionship” with dispiriting ease, but in Thailand, you can’t buy a sex toy — at least not legally. As incongruous as it seems, the Land of Smiles is one of the only countries in the world where sex toys remain illegal, a fact that attests to the decidedly conservative views of sexuality held by a majority of citizens. This is a country where gynecologists are far more likely to coyly inquire “Have you had a girl/boyfriend before?” than bluntly ask if a patient is sexually active, a country where the word “sex” itself remains taboo in classrooms and daytime television. All of the above are present-day realities human rights activist Nisarat Jongwisan is looking to change — starting with the sex toys. “Our society has this mentality that our sexual satisfaction relies purely on the opposite sex. Especially among women. Many of them are literally taught from the time they’re kids to depend on a man’s masculinity,” Nisarat recently told Coconuts Bangkok, her eyes darting around the cafe where we’ve met as she looks for a place to smoke. Nicknamed Tuk Ta, the 29-year-old is arguably responsible for getting more Thais talking about sex toys in the past month than they have in their entire lives, thanks to an appearance on Thai PBS’s Policies by the People, where opinionated Thais are invited to pitch a law, or changes to existing ones, to a panel of “experts” and juries comprised of fellow citizens. “That’s why I went on the show,” she said, “to raise awareness about means of self-satisfaction. How sad is it that so many Thai women don’t even know what ‘finishing’ is? It’s a concept they can’t even comprehend.” It’s safe to say the concept of “finishing” is not high on the priority list of the Ministry of Culture’s Salini Choomwan, who faced off with Tuk Ta on the panel. Speaking on behalf of the buttoned-down status quo, Salini described sexual desire as a “natural impulse that is within our ability to control by activities like exercising or meditating.” (And she meant it, too.) “We’re a Buddhist country” says Tuk Ta’s many opposition on the show, social media and in real life, “we can’t blatantly be displaying obscene objects in public” as obviously evidenced by gigantic dildo on display on a busy street. Unsurprisingly, Tuk Ta’s desire to alter Criminal Code Section 287 — which makes the trade or distribution of “obscene materials or things” punishable with up to three years in prison — quickly became a trending topic on social media. Her point of view is straightforward: Since sexual satisfaction is a fundamental human desire, why shouldn’t it be a fundamental human right? Continues with photos https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/lets-talk-sex-meet-woman-behind-movement-legalize-sex-toys-thailand/

I'm thinking about a few times when I came across a guy who, for whatever reason, was unable to perform. I don't believe now that I was intentionally deceived. I think he had hoped he could pull it off but some things just can't be done even with the best of intentions. I have to admit that I've been unable myself to perform in situations in the past. As was mentioned above, perhaps a good way of handling these rare events is to try to make the best of it. If I think he's embarrassed by his predicament, I'm certainly don't want to compound the problem by berating him. I'd tend to put him at ease and try to salvage the experience. Maybe just some gentle cuddling will cause him to relax. I might also try giving him a bit of a massage (never ran across a guy who didn't enjoy having someone--anyone--rub his back). I'm not precluding that there are some guys out there who are indeed deceitful but I just having run into them here as I have done on more than a few occasions back home. All told, however, satisfactory outcomes are the rule. I'm heartened by your decision not to blacklist Screwboys in particular or Viet guys in general. I can assure you that there are many out there who have made me more than grateful that I chose them. And I agree that Screwboys is a class act that will be near the top of my list when I return.

Fortunately I don't have to pick ONE so here's my simplest recommendation: At any of the bars, shows, or massage shops where guys are assembled outside, you get to see them in the flesh so therefor they're unlikely to disappear. You're own your own from there but I'm confident you'll know how to proceed.

Yes. Twilight, Patpong 2, massage shops, Moonlight, Soi Six, Jupiter, BTS....just about anywhere.