Gay Bangkok

From Thai Enquirer The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced on Wednesday that public parks in the capital will start to open at 4:30 am and close at 10 pm instead of the current opening hours, starting August 1.

From Forbes GranMonte Winery is located on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, celebrated for its biodiversity. (Livia Henge) lMy interest in heroic viticulture has taken me across northern and southern Italy, but I didn’t expect it to catch up with me on a recent trip to Thailand. As I was researching weekend trips from Bangkok, I stumbled upon the GranMonte Estate, a family owned winery located just 2.5 hours northeast of Bangkok. And, intrigued by the prospect of grapes grown in a tropical climate, I made the trip to learn about Thai wine and explore this emerging winemaking region. Located at the foothills of Khao Yai, a national park renowned for…

From The Thaiger British Airways isn’t heading back to Bangkok until at least next year. Tour operators were hoping the British flagship carrier would be adding regular flights again between Heathrow and Bangkok in time for Thailand’s high season, just when the winter kicks in in the UK. British Airways was originally set to resume flights in November this year but has now reviewed this decision and made no commitment to restarting services between Heathrow and Suvarnabhumi. BA says that Bangkok, and Thailand, “is not top of BA’s list for resumption, as it is predominantly low-yield tourist traffic”. (Low-yield traffic are passengers who are predominan…

I was a bit antsy last night and went out early for a nice evening. A Thai friend and I went to a local Cigar Bar we like and relaxed a bit after dinner. We weren't really doing anything but killing time before the bars opened. All in all, we hit 4 bars. Fresh Boys - there were about 25 boys there, mostly twinks, cute guys and mostly thin. The drinks were 350 baht each. Hot Male - there were about 20 boys there, mostly well built manly men. Drinks were 400 baht each. Dream Boys - there were about 30 boys there with a mix of twinks (few) and more well built boys. Drinks were 450 each. New Twilight - less boys for sure than the others but the place is b…

My typical go to for a good Sunday Brunch is the Intercontinental Hotel. It has a great brunch on Sunday and the seafood is excellent. But, it is closed for renovations. I have a friend flying in from Spain this week and I wanted to treat to a nice Sunday Brunch. Any recommendations?

Richard Barrow takes readers on a trip to the famous Railroad Market. Using photos and a video clip, he tells us how to make the trip and what to expect on arrival in a manner his fans have come to expect from the full-time teacher and part time Thailand promoter. https://www.richardbarrow.com/2022/06/day-trip-to-the-market-on-the-railway-tracks/

I have been here a few times and the food is excellent. It is convenient to the Silom area (Eastin Grade) and the food is tasty. I had the Tomahawk steak this week and it was very good. Their dim sum is great as is all of the other food. It is a bit pricey, but it is tasty. http://www.chefmangroup.com/en/dining-concept/chefman

From Bangkok Post A commercial district in the heart of the city, Siam Square is known as a trendy spot for people across generations. An entire shopping district where youngsters find the latest fashion, it's also an ideal meeting spot where plenty of restaurants and malls are located. It is also a limitless learning resource with many educational hubs and institutions. In the midst of rapidly changing trends, lifestyles, society and economy, the old commercial district has recently been rebranded as Siam Square Walking Street. Located on Siam Square Soi 7, Siam Square Walking Street recently opened after the Property Management of Chulalongkorn Universi…

From The Thaiger Bangkok’s Train Night Market Ratchada is now returns with a new location and new name, but still with the same vendors with a wide variety of stalls including street food, clothes and accessories, furniture, vintage items, handcrafts. The market, now called JODD Fairs, is near CentralPlaza Grand Rama 9. The new spacious area has open-air bars to hang out and more “Instagrammable” spots. The market is located behind Central’s building, just drop at Rama 9 MRT Station Exit. 2 and work through the shopping mall to the market. The market is open everyday from 11am until midnight. Find more information via their Facebook page JODD FAI…

Nowadays do they still have the adult DVDs at the markets ? Obviously you can watch them online ,but I can't remember that night markets I went to a few years ago that sold dildos ,DVDs, poppers etc

Thinking of staying here this week. Any new reviews? Are there now room safes or still leave valuables at reception? Any other hotels in that area, I'm not into the tartwawan

Asiatique, the riverfront mall on the Chao Phraya, Is open. Took the free ferry from Saphan Thaksin pier Monday night and arrived in about 12 minutes. The giant Ferris wheel is operating and several of the larger restaurants closest to river were open. Many visitors appeared to be ASEAN tourists. Estimate that only about 10-15% of small shops are open but enjoyed a few hours wandering about and taking in the views from ferry trip.

Once the runner up behind exports, tourism is now being hailed as the “key engine supporting Thailand’s economic recovery.” An article in the Bangkok Post cites a report by Siam Commercial Bank, upgrading its forecast for foreign tourist arrivals to 7.4 million this year. Although this represents an increase of 1.7 million, it still falls far shor of the 40 million who visited in 2019.

One of those venerable and long standing BKK gay places- mentioned in any of the 100s of ´gay listings/travelguides´ in print or on www has also bitten in the dust. Its in Silom soi 4 and at the end could not longer survive all the restrictions. Even though I guess about anyone in this forum will also read/follow the other gay-TH forum (often named the ´bitchy one´) were I just read this, I felt it appropriate to also post it here-for the sake of completeness. It has been taken over by the Phuket based Pride concern, and it seems the old manager now works and leads the place for them. Not clear if those old telefones (well, most of you seem to be old enough…

From Bangkok Post The government has lifted its face mask mandate and advised vulnerable and infected people to still use masks for the sake of personal and public health. The decision was made due to the improving Covid-19 situation and intended to let people resume virtually normal lifestyles, according to the government announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Friday. The use of face masks now voluntary, but is recommended to prevent infection by respiratory diseases including Covid-19, the announcement said. The Public Health Ministry advised people to continue to wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated places. Vulnerable people, mainly t…

http://www.babylonbangkok.com does not respond. Is Babylon closed? That would be extremely sad

From The Thaiger The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases yesterday sentenced a cop to 50 years in prison for taking bribes, totalling 641,000 baht, from a Bangkok massage parlour. The unnamed police officer was indicted on 65 counts of bribe-taking after turning a blind eye to illegal activities at the massage parlour on Ratchadaphisek Road. The ruling was published in a Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission news bulletin last month which revealed the policeman, attached to the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, was found guilty of bribe-taking. The court found the defendant guilty of violating the anti-graft…

From Bangkok Post he government is planning to launch four big events in Bangkok to promote tourism in the capital, says Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy government spokesperson. A panel assessing the impact of Covid-19 on the economy on Friday decided to extend its "Visit Thailand" campaign for one year to stimulate growth in the tourism industry, she said yesterday. Under the campaign, "Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters", Bangkok will host four events under the theme of "Unfolding Bangkok", she said. The spokesperson added these events will allow Thai and foreign visitors to experience the capital from next month to January next year.…

From The Thaiger The Thai government has signed a loan contract to borrow 50 billion yen or about 13 billion baht (US$385 million) from Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA to cope with costs of handling the Covid pandemic in Thailand. Thai PM and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged Thais not to criticise the government borrowing money again because the amount was included in the existing quota planned with the Japanese government a long time ago. On May 1 to 2, Thai PM Prayut welcomed the Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to discuss cooperation on different topics like infrastructure, investment, startups and SMEs, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and …

For those who like that sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they like... From Coconuts Bangkok If nothing’s tying you down next month, head to a Patpong cultural venue to learn esoteric art of Japanese rope bondage. Become a rigger or rope bunny at the Patpong Museum, which will host two-hour sessions starting at 7pm on May 7 or 3pm on May 8. Either session is THB900 per person; couples looking to bind can join together for THB1,600. Also known as kinbaku, or tight binding, shibari is a Japanese form of bondage which involves a person, known as the rigger, tying elaborate rope patterns around the model (or rope bunny). …

From Bloomberg News Thailand is targeting newly-minted crypto millionaires to breathe life into its pandemic-battered tourism industry. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is working with the nation’s regulators and a local cryptocurrency exchange to pave the way for the acceptance of digital tokens for travel, according to its Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. That may help the tourism-reliant nation to recoup some of the $80 billion in lost revenue through the pandemic, he said. “There are people who have become wealthy from holding digital currencies and they may want to use the wealth they have accrued,” Yuthasak said in an interview on Thursday. “If they can u…

From Bloomberg News In downtown Bangkok’s Patpong area, most evenings are quiet. Before the pandemic, it was one of the world’s most notorious red-light districts, attracting foreign tourists to its many bars, nightclubs, and massage parlors. With the tourism industry decimated by two years of Covid-19, most of the street’s businesses are locked, with “Closed” signs in the windows. At the area’s night bazaar—for decades the place to buy Red Bull T-shirts, Thai boxing pants, and fake Rolex watches—the vendors are gone. Thailand wants to get them back. Tourism accounted for one-fifth of the country’s gross domestic product before the pandemic, with almost 40 milli…

From The Nation Thailand will go ahead with the controversial 300-baht “tourism tax” for international tourists, but implementation will be delayed until June, Tourism and Sports Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday. The National Tourism Policy Committee resolved last week to go ahead with the plan despite calls from the tourism and hospitality industry to drop the plan. Phipat said his ministry was working out details of the plan with relevant government agencies after which the matter will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. Once given the go-ahead, the regulation will be published in the Royal Gazette and go into effect 90 days later.…

From The Nation As part of moves to develop the capital’s canals and improve the lives of residents, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is getting ready to launch an electric boat service in the Saen Saep canal. The new boat service will run from Wat Si Bun Rueang to the Minburi district office is expected to be launched this month. BMA has procured 12 electric boats for the project and has rebuilt eight damaged piers. The service will run from 5.30am to 8.30pm daily from Monday to Friday, with boats departing every 15 minutes during rush hour and every 30 minutes otherwise. The last boat will leave the pier at about 7.30pm. On Satu…

Yesterday I received an email with a malware payload purporting to be from the Malaysia Hotel. I don't suppose the hotel has anything to do with it, but it looks as if their email system or website may have been compromised. If you receive anything similar, don't open (as if you would!) the attached spreadsheet.