Gay Thailand

Considerable care is needed when selecting travel information sources for Thailand. On the one hand, we have usually reliable sources, like Richard Barrow, who posts on Fakebook, Twitter and a blog also often including the original government source. He's an excellent source of information. E.g. https://www.getrevue.co/profile/richardbarrow/issues/full-details-about-suspension-of-test-and-go-947139?fbclid=IwAR3hpSam3bdRyb1M5iklL7nK8JSMPGtWrP5rXR6tzLj73orox_nPKu2HU8Y Fakebook also have CCSA briefings and some other official Thai news. E.g https://m.facebook.com/nbtworld/ Then there are groups, such as the Thailand reopening one https://m.faceb…

From Bangkok Post The government is expected to revise its list of "Test & Go" countries following the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 as details on Monday emerged of the country's earliest recorded local case of the strain. Gen Supoj Malaniyom, chief of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration's (CCSA) operations base, said the list of of low-risk countries eligible for the tourism opening scheme will be reviewed and Covid-19 screening measures will be intensified. Gen Supoj said the CCSA's operation centre will identify "high-risk" countries before holding a meeting on Friday to decide on the extent to which the "Test & Go" schem…

After anxiously waiting for exactly 7 days, my Thai Pass application was approved this afternoon. Initially I was holding a reservation with Furama Silom for my first 24 hours confinement. They have been very responsive, have always been in touch since. The whole package for a deluxe room (more than 400 Sq ft) is about $130 through Agoda. Then because of an impressive turnaround time with Trinity Silom (that I read on a trip report), I went ahead and cancelled my reservation with Furama Silom and just put in a new reservation with Trinity Silom without much thinking. Then it was when I started reading their reviews, I became a bit scared ("inedible food", bugs, etc)…

Hi all, Since my travel dates are closer and closer, I was wondering which apps are most popular now in Bangkok and Pattaya? Any suggestions and/or good experiences? Thanks a lot for all the hints. Mat

There is a report on sawatdee network that the police raided Jomtien Plaza last night and ordered all bars and restaurants closed until mid-January. There seems to be no confirmation. Anyone here have any more information? https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?22524-Jomtien-Complex-Raid-December-10

Sorry this is rather late. There is a Marriott Hotel and Resort Travel Fair at Paragon offering substantial discounts for bookings at the Marriott chain Thailand properties mostly through to next June. In many cases the discounts are 50% with add ons like breakfast for 2, upgrades and daily credit. 21 hotels have been on offer last week but that offer end today (Monday). These include several in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Khao Lak and Samui. From tomorrow there is another week of discounts with a different 21 hotels and resorts. Most are in Bangkok but there are some in Phuket, Samui, Rayong and Hua Hin. These remain on offer until Dec…

I've just been looking into the Phuket Sandbox scheme, just for future reference. 1 Promises Not Kept ? Note on the first picture, it says in the bottom right corner that people testing negative for covid can go anywhere in Phuket. They do not list any exceptions to that rule or refer readers to the small print. However, we have read about tourists being sent to an ASQ hotel, after other people on the aircraft failed the covid test. So the actual policy is not matching the promised policy ! Thailand can obviously set whatever policy it likes for incoming visitors. However, the visitors should expect the actual policy to match that explained i…

For years I have loved IHerb. I shopped with them and had a great deal of healthy vitamins and protein bars shipped into various countries. For years, I was limited in Thailand as they only shipped 2 pounds. Now, it went up to 11. That makes it possible for me to have my Zone Perfect Bars delivered. I was limited on 6 boxes but it works for me. Plus, I love their probiotics and other vitamins. They are having a sale with free shipping to Thailand on overs over 1200 baht. Check them out: IHERB

For those who might need, as I did, a Pfizer booster or even a first shot, Pfizer is available on a walk in basis at Airport Plaza, Chiang Mai. A very well run operation it is too. My longest wait was the 30 minutes supervised time before release. Certainly Friday and probably beyond.

London Thiefrow All documents checked at check in, including those which were required for the Thai pass, so this is a duplication of work. 40 minutes check in queue. Dubai Thai pass and a couple of extra docs checked. Bangkok Very efficient arrivals process, as last year. Chairs are provided, so sit down on one near the front and one of the staff advises which docs are needed. These are: Passport, Thai pass, RT-PCR test, BOARDING PASS (so don't lose it !) and the TM6. So no duplicate checks of items required to get the Thai pass. Then proceed to the checking area. After that, proceed to immigration. I handed over the e-visa with the passport a…

Can anyone tell me what the rules are for PCR-tests / vaccination requirements for internal flights in Thailand? Searching the web it does not look like there is a requirement for either, but the Bangkok Airways website refers readers to two websites totally in Thai, so I would like to be sure. The issue became a real one as it is now unlikely that Bangkok Guy will be vaccinated by the time I arrive and we travel to Ko Samui. Over the last year he has read a lot of anti-vax stuff, accounts of deaths etc. He is cautious but totally sane, so his reading triggered his instinct for Comparison Shopping which led to deciding he would wait to get Moderna. I have l…

I waited longer than I should have for him as he was slow.Then, he told me his eyes are not so good and was very old. Not a good start. But, he lived in USA for 20 years and in NYC and we chatted. Then, he spoke French, Russian and German with the BF and they had a nice chat. The ride was long as his eye sight was not great and he was slow. But, without question the best ride I had in ages. He said he learned French 60 years ago when in school. Again, scared me a bit since he told me the army turned him down for poor eye sight. He made up for it all and got a great tip!

Today I purchased a roll of PM2.5 filter material from Home Pro for 469 Baht. I put some on the aircon unit in the bedroom area only. Most remains on the roll. To test this, I then started the aircon in both the lounge and bedroom areas, with the connecting door closed. The results are below. A rapid drop in PM2.5 levels in the room with the filter and a much smaller drop in the other room with no filter. The data only runs for about 20 minutes, as I needed to open the connecting door. With the connecting door open, about 3.5 hours later, the reading in both rooms is about 13. It's 25 out in the ccorridor. Of course, one of the large dedicated filters with…

See Beer Bar "CP cuts flights

The following article was published in The Nation today. Guide for foreigners living in or travelling to Thailand As of May 6, the Thai government has restored the mandatory 14-day quarantine for both vaccinated and unvaccinated arrivals in the country, regardless of their nationality. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001414

The absurd 2pm-5pm ban on alcohol sales is still in place and apparently it also applies to restaurants, but for now I doubt any restaurant owners are complaining. I think what most of us hope is if all goes well and if the Omicron variant doesn't cause problems in Thailand, maybe they will allow the bars to reopen in mid-January after all. __________________________________________________ Pattaya and other Chonburi ‘Blue Zones’ officially allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants December 4, 2021 Chonburi the Blue Zone: Chonburi, Thailand The Chonburi Governor has released new orders through their Public Relations Facebook page this evening all…

From The Thaiger The Public Health Ministry says that from next year, Thailand will begin offering booster doses to fully vaccinated people, as well as vaccinating children. According to a Nation Thailand report, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control says research shows that the immunity granted by 2 doses of vaccine, regardless of the type, will decline over time. For this reason, a third, or booster shot, will be necessary. Opas says AstraZeneca has already agreed to increase the number of doses supplied to Thailand from next month. The kingdom currently receives between 5 and 6 million doses a month during the period June – August. From…

From Bangkok Post About 94.6% of HIV-infected patients are receiving free anti-retroviral drugs under the universal healthcare coverage scheme, 77% of whom have no trace of the virus in their blood, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) said on Wednesday on World Aids Day. Of all the 305,493 people who are living with HIV/Aids and have registered under the healthcare scheme for treatment in the fiscal year ending Sept 30, 289,116 (94.6%) have been receiving anti-retroviral treatments, said Dr Jadej Thammathacharee, secretary-general of the NHSO. Of those HIV patients, 81% have cut their viral load by continuing their treatments and 77% now have no trac…

From Richard Barrow Twitter site Immigration has just extended the deadline to apply for the special covid stamp based on being unable to travel. It now expires on 25th January 2022. However, there is a new clause that says officials must be stricter in order to make sure foreigners are not abusing the system.

Readers are reminded that bars and entertainment venues are closed, or at least that's my understanding. Restaurants may open. I'd already met someone earlier in the evening, so wasn't looking for another boy for the night. Gogo Restaurants Dream Boys. Open. Two fully clothed lads on stage. I did not enter, as even at the best of times, it's not what I look for and as far as I'm concerned, the unwritten contract is my 400 baht drink is to pay for near naked entertainment on stage. I'm more of Fresh Boys customer. Fresh Boys. Light on, door open, one lady (?) sat inside and lots of junk on the stage. Closed. Screw Boys, Lucky Boys (or whatever it is c…

I have noticed an increase of boys looking for a special friend of late. Also, the massage venues are opening back up to full swing.

From Bangkok Post Thailand will no longer have a curfew starting next month after lifting the nighttime ban being enforced in the last remaining six provinces as part of the measures to revitalise the economy and tourism sector. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2222199/ccsa-ends-curfew-eases-more-curbs-to-bolster-tourism

I don't ever remember asking if a boy is gay or not. For general chat I cover the normal things like name, age, where he comes from, where he lives and what else he does or has done. If we're meeting without any tips involved, then I presume he has to be at least partly gay or interested in trying it. If we're meeting for a paid encounter, all that matters is roles, keeping promises and having a good attitude. Even if gay, I guess the vast majority would not be in the room if a tip were not expected. Do people normally ask whether the other guy is gay ? Should one expect an, er, straight answer ?

Thailand currently requires the RT-PCR test before arriving in country under the Thailand Pass rules. I have looked up numerous testing locations in the US, and have been left confused over RT-PCR, regular PCR, rapid test, etc. I recently found the following explanation of the RT-PCR test from someone with a licensed background in the medical field very useful. It clearly explains to those of us who are not scientists or work in the medical field what may have been perplexing. I was also confused after reading some references as to to the "RT" in RT-PCR being referred to to as a Rapid Test, and in other instances called Reverse Transcription. There certainly is r…

HI everyone! I stumbled upon this forum and another one while searching for events in Bangkok this New Year. I'm thinking of flying to Thailand on the 29th of December from Singapore, to spend New Year and hopefully meet new friends. I am coming from Berlin/Amsterdam via VTL flight to SG. It's not my first time in Thailand, but I haven't explored the gay scene extensively since I went there with family before moving to Europe. I'm still browsing through the forum for some updates on the current situation. I would also like to ask for your opinion, if you think it is worth it to spend New Year's eve in Bangkok or Pattaya. I'm 30 years old, …