Gay Bangkok

This is becoming depressing, if true. Just been looking up the Prince massage in Bangkok and it appears another quality massage spa has closed permanently (according to Google search), that's 3 of my favourites gone now. I can understand these things happening because of covid but I'm really starting to wonder just what if any gay massage businesses will survive and what things will be like on the other side of the pandemic. Truly hoping this thing is over or under control sooner rather than later and that these businesses can start back up again.

From Bangkok Post The Ministry of Labour is preparing to allow the return of labourers from three neighbouring countries under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), after a survey showed 424,703 migrant workers are needed to bolster the nation's workforce. Research by the Department of Employment (DoE) in May found that business operators need 256,029 Myanmar, 130,138 Cambodian and 38,536 Lao nationals in their workplaces. Most of the jobs are in the agriculture, livestock, construction, hospitality services and garment production sectors. The move is in line with government policy, overseen by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister …

From Thai PBS / Thaiger Thailand’s massage parlours and spas are suing the government, demanding compensation for the loss of income they’ve endured as a result of Covid-19 partial lockdowns. Thai PBS World reports that 172 massage parlours and spas filed a class action suit against the Finance Ministry and the government. They are demanding to be compensated for the financial losses they’ve suffered since last year, as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. According to the Thai PBS World, the suit has the support of Aksika Chantarawinji and Pitak Yotha, MPs from the opposition Move Forward Party. Aksika has spoken out in defence of the massage businesses, saying t…

From Bangkok Post Weeds are seen growing around taxis parked at a company parking lot, after drivers were unable to pay rent on them due to the economic hardship of Covid-19 and more than a year of no incoming foreign tourism, in Bangkok, on July 20, 2021. (AFP file photo) The governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) has called for an additional 1 trillion baht in government spending to counter coronavirus, saying the blow to the economy from the pandemic is greater than from the Asian financial crisis in 1997. The government can fund additional spending by borrowing more, BoT Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said Monday at a briefing in Bangkok. Eve…

From Pattaya Mail From August 11, the maximum deposit protection in individual Thai bank accounts is reduced from 5 million to one million baht, or about 22,000 British pounds. Inevitably, this has set off a wave of social media frenzy with foreign retirees and others alarmed that their cash deposits might disappear overnight or even that the whole of the Thai banking system is in danger of disintegration. Best to calm down. The Deposit Protection Act of 2008 was introduced in the wake of the world financial crisis of that era. The amounts protected have been regularly reduced over the years until they reached five million baht. Then, in April 2020, the Thai Cab…

Today's Bangkok Post carries a piece in the business section that calls for replacing travel-related portals with a government run site! It seems that these hi-so money gurus think by turning over the reins of what was one of the nation's greatest provider of foreign currency to the the same government that managed the vaccine acquisition and roll out is a sure road to success. You cant make these things up. If that's not enough, the same group believes that they can eliminate the need for migrant labor by concocting "ecosystems"--whatever the hell that means. I've been traveling to Thailand for a long time. I've probably used most Thai booking sites a…

From Coconuts Bangkok The Patpong red-light district in October 2020, when many venues were open as Bangkok enjoyed a calm in the eye of the pandemic storm. Photo: Chayanit Itthipongmaetee / Coconuts Bangkok Weeks after sex workers grabbed attention with their high heels and panties to demand a piece of the government safety net, their means of survival – even access to much-needed vaccines – remain ignored. Not only does social stigma make sex workers convenient pandemic scapegoats for the authorities, but the fact that prostitution enjoys no legal protections leaves sex workers forgotten in the margins, despite being among the most at-risk groups fo…

The following news about the once celebrated account surplus may give the hi-so minority that wants to do away with mass tourism in favor of a wealthy eco tourists a moment of pause. From Pattaya Mail Prior to the pandemic, the Thai baht was the strongest currency performer in Asia. It is now the worst, after a third wave of virus infections has quashed all hopes of a quick revival because of the loss of international tourist dollars. The Japanese Mizuho bank noted that the underperformance of the baht was “uncharacteristic”: the Thai currency has plunged 10 percent against the US dollar in the last twelve months. Even more against the UK pound. The huge cu…

It says "Gay Bangkok" or "Gay Pattaya," but many posts seem to be copy pasted news articles from the various news outlets. Maybe a specific section for news articles would make it easier to get to the normal gay topics? Just an observation and thought.

From CNBC When Covid-19 hit early last year and most travel ground to halt worldwide, would-be vacationers scrambled to get refunds from hotels, airlines, cruise lines and other travel suppliers — or to file travel insurance claims for canceled trips. They often hit a wall on both fronts. Suppliers struggled, or sometimes stonewalled, with refunds — making those without insurance wish they’d bought some. Meanwhile, the “insured” often discovered the plans they’d purchased didn’t cover Covid-related travel or medical expenses. “People were trying to get their money back, trying to navigate through credits versus refunds, and put in travel …

From Thai Enquirer Angry netizens have called for a ban of food-delivery application foodpanda after the company said it would fire an employee for attending pro-democracy demonstrations on Sunday. The hashtag #แบนfoodpanda (#boycottfoodpanda) has been trending on Thai twitter for the past 24 hours with more than 1.13 million tweets as of Monday morning. Many of the posts see netizens vowing to delete their accounts. The outrage began after a foodpanda social media account said that it would fire a man seen in pictures wearing the company’s logo and taking part in Sunday’s protests. “Please be aware that foodpanda has a policy against all types of…

From Coconuts Bangkok A file photo of Charnchai Tangsubmanee at his shop Guay Jub Ouan Pochana. Photo: Guay Jub Ouan Pochana / Facebook Foodies and customers who’ve queued at a well-known noodle shop in Bangkok’s Chinatown are mourning the death of its owner after learning he succumbed to COVID-19. Tributes from customers famous and ordinary were spreading for Charnchai Tangsubmanee, the 73-year-old owner of Guay Jub Ouan Pochana who sold aromatic and peppery rolled rice noodle soup from a small shophouse over five decades. “I was in shock,” once-mighty news anchor Sorayuth Suthassanachinda said of learning Charnchai’s death. “Whenever I went the…

From The Thaiger The Bank of Thailand on Wednesday lowered the country’s economic growth projection for 2021 to 1.8 per cent, down from 3 per cent predicted in March, but kept the policy rate unchanged. The Monetary Policy Committee at the central bank reduced its estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) growth in response to a downturn in international tourists and lower domestic demand impacted by the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Projected tourist arrivals for this year plunged to only 700,000 from the 3 million expected earlier in March, despite the fact that Thailand is planning to open its border by October. “Employment in the service sector a…

From Bangkok Post The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday defined Bangkok and the three adjoining provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan as dark red zones of maximum and strict Covid-19 control. Under new zoning effective on June 21, 11 other provinces are red zones of maximum Covid-19 control - Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Trang, Nakhon Pathom, Pattani, Phetchaburi, Songkhla, Samut Sakhon (previously a dark red zone), Saraburi, Yala and Narathiwat. Dark red zones can hold activities involving no more than 50 people. Air-conditioned restaurants can serve dining-in cust…

I had a very nice Italian dinner tonight at Azzurro. It is a nice and small Italian place near Phra Kanhong. The food was good but the deserts were excellent. If you are in this area, they have a really great lunch special until 4 or 5 each day that is really reasonable. http://www.azzurro46.com/ Address: 46/2 Sukhumvit 46, Phra Kanhong , Klongteo Bangkok Phone: 02 392 5989

From The Thaiger Starting next month until September, Thai Airways will offer international flights from Bangkok to 16 destinations including Tokyo, Osaka, London, Paris and Frankfurt. The airline’s chief commercial officer says there’s an increase in demand for air travel and they plan to increase flights later this year under its 2021 Winter Programme. The airline says it “prioritises hygiene excellence” and strictly abides by disease control measures set by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Civil Aviation Authority. Passenger cabins are disinfected after every flight. Tokyo: From the Narita International Airport, 3 flights will run …

From The Thaiger / Bangkok Post The operator of the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores has confirmed it will open another 700 shops in the Kingdom this year. According to a Bangkok Post report this morning, CP All plans to spend between 11.5 and 12 billion baht on expansion in 2021. The company has opened 155 new 7-Eleven stores so far this year, meaning there were 12,587 CP All-operated stores by the end of the first quarter of 2021. Chief Financial Officer Kriengchai Boonboapichart says around 4 billion baht will be invested in new projects, subsidiaries, and distribution centres. Between 3.8 and 4 billion will be spent on store expansion, around 2.5 billion…

From Pattaya Mail June is considered the month of pride among LGBTQ. The mall in Bangkok like Samyan Mitrtown has transformed its iconic tunnel walk with colorful rainbow decorations to celebrate ‘Pride Month’ under the campaign ‘Samyan Mitr Proud 100% Love’ to promote love and equality of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer). The event is taking place from now until July 11, 2021.

From The Nation Wang Thong Lang police officers on Saturday night arrested about 60 employees and visitors at Faros Sauna in Bangkoks Ramkhamhaeng Soi 21 for allegedly violating the state of emergency, the Communicable Disease Act and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)s announcement. The raid was conducted after people in the area informed police that the sauna was allegedly used for drugs and could spread Covid-19. Police reportedly found packs of methamphetamine, a narcotic drug, a syringe and used condoms in the area, while 14 of about 60 employees and visitors reportedly admitted to using drugs. "Investigation officials would interrogate and …

From Bloomberg News Thai Airways International Pcl’s creditors approved the airline’s debt restructuring plan, paving the way for payment extension and unpaid interest waiver on at least 170 billion baht ($5.41 billion) of its debt. The plan was backed by 91% of creditors at an online meeting, Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, chairman of Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok, the airline’s legal adviser, said by phone on Wednesday. Five people have been appointed as its administrators including acting Chief Executive Officer Chansin Treenuchagron and former CEO Piyasvasti Amranandthe, Thai Airways said in a statement after the meeting. The airline in March proposed a t…

From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: From Thursday (Apr 29), users of Singapore's PayNow and Thailand's PromptPay will be able to send up to S$1,000 or THB25,000 daily across the two countries using just a mobile number, as the two real-time payment systems are linked. In a joint media release, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) said the link would allow customers of participating banks to transfer funds “seamlessly and securely” between accounts in the two countries. “The transfers will be completed within a matter of minutes, representing a marked improvement over the average of one to two working days needed by most cr…

From Pattaya Mail The Bank of Thailand expects the country’s third coronavirus wave to reduce the occupancy rate at the country’s hotels to only 9 percent this month. The BOT said May 2 that a survey of hotels found occupancy rates of 18 percent in April and only 9 percent in May. At that rate, 47 percent of hotels would go out of business within three months. Because more than 51 percent of reservations were canceled in April, Songkran proved much less successful than anticipated, the joint BOT-Thai Hotels Association survey concluded. Eighty percent of operators consider the current third wave more damaging than the second, which ran from Christmas u…

From The Nation The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Monday launched an official Line account for residents seeking emergency Covid-19 treatment. The Line account is @bkkcovid19connect. Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said the account would speed up the emergency response for Covid-19 patients, providing an alternative to the Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre's 1669 hotline. "A strength of this account is that it enables the BMA to manage Covid-19 patients effectively," he said. "Once officials finish checking a person's information submitted via the account, they will contact the person within an hour." He also asked people who con…

The country has shut down many businesses based on the current Covid surge. This is a tough thing for many of us but we do the best we can. One benefit for me is that the massage places are now offering delivery to your condo. I was in touch with multiple massage venues yesterday and took one from Orgasms Spa. But, the guys at Prince were also hot and I have one I may try today. The going rate seems to be 3500-3800 thb all inclusive of tip for the guy and "room."