Gay Asia

Hello, I'm new here. I have a fantasy of finding a young man on my travels to act as a guide and houseboy. They would be companions during the day, but overnight they give me massages and attention. It’s not about dominating them and I do not wanting to be exploitative, but I’d be happy to find a cheerful person for a mutually beneficial experience. I’ve seen the Holiday Houseboys website, but I’m not sure if the consequences are “overnight” as well. I hate making rough assumptions! Also, their boys aren’t always that pretty as in my imagination. Is there any suggestion on how this can become a reality if we can finally travel again?

From Channel News Asia THIMPHU: Bhutan’s Parliament has voted to decriminalise same-sex relations, amending an existing law that penalised what it deemed “unnatural sex". The amendment was approved Thursday (Dec 10) by 63 out of 69 lawmakers, with six abstaining from voting. The amendment now needs to be approved by Bhutan's king to become law. The amendment changes two articles of the criminal code to clarify that “homosexuality between adults shall not be considered unnatural sex". The penalty for engaging in prohibited sexual conduct is up to a year in prison. "I haven’t stopped smiling since yesterday. I am eagerly awaiting His Majesty’s assent,” …

From Bloomberg News QAnon’s days as a solely U.S. phenomenon are over. The conspiracy theory’s foothold in Japan -- home to one of its most active networks outside the U.S. -- demonstrates how the movement can be made palatable in a range of countries as it gains popularity from Europe to Brazil. Research by social media analytics firm Graphika Inc. shows the Japan-based QAnon community is among the most developed international chapters, with distinct terminology, influencers, and behaviors -- such as idolizing Michael Flynn, a former U.S. national security adviser in the Trump administration. “What we’re seeing now is an adaptation of U.S. QAnon takin…

From Channel News Asia SEOUL: South Korean flag carrier Korean Air said on Monday (Nov 16) it will buy out its smaller, troubled rival Asiana Airlines in a US$1.6 billion deal as it looks to consolidate with the global aviation sector devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal combining South Korea's two biggest airlines comes as carriers around the world struggle with low demand, haemorrhaging cash and grounding planes to survive. "The main reason behind Korean Air's decision to acquire Asiana Airlines at this time is to stabilise the Korean aviation industry, which is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic," Korean Air said in a statement. "Once Kor…

There is a law saying you can't criticize the monarch, but protesters in Thailand are increasingly doing just that! https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-08-11/thailand-protests-demand-curbs-on-king-powers A Facebook page has been created on the topic: https://www.facebook.com/groups/160302545298190/

The Washington Post interviewed numerous Thai police who support the protests. There are reports of police actually helping the protesters evade arrest: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/thai-police-protests-army-king/2020/10/22/3c0b162e-1130-11eb-a258-614acf2b906d_story.html

From Channel News Asia TOKYO: Tokyo on Sunday (Oct 11) opened its first major community hub for LGBTQ people this month, part of a pre-Olympics project that campaigners hope will tackle stigma and raise awareness of discrimination. Pride House Tokyo is based on similar inclusive pop-up sites set up at past Olympics, but will offer a permanent meeting space and information centre, seeking to educate the public about sexual diversity and offer refuge to those suffering harassment or discrimination. While Japan has some protections for sexual minorities, it remains the only G7 country that does not recognise same-sex unions, and many couples say they can strug…

I'm still trapped here in the US and, unfortunately it is most uncertain when I will be able to return to my home in Thailand. They have started allowing a few foreigners to enter the country but not many and there are many restrictions. This is very sad for me and I hope things change soon.

From Channel News Asia Rising night temperatures a potentially major health issue in Asian metropolises BANGKOK: Prasert Saisamphan’s home used to be a breezy space, surrounded by trees. Now, the 65-year-old finds it hard to breathe, surrounded by confining concrete and the dust of a growing city. “When I was about 20 years old, condominiums were not built here yet. The weather was nice and cool. We only used a fan in the evening. No one had an air-conditioner in my house,” he said. “Now, there’s less air. It feels like I can’t take a deep breath.” The view from Prasert’s house in Klong Khlang in central Bangkok is dominated by the towering pylon…

Link Malaysia and Singapore will begin reopening the borders between the two countries from August 17, 2020 for selected travelers under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), and the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) travel schemes. The RGL scheme will permit short-term travel of up to 14 days for essential and official business. The PCA scheme will enable cross-border travel for those that have valid work visas. Strict health protocols, such as COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine measures will apply to all travelers. Before the onset of COVID-19, the Malaysia-Singapore border was one of the busiest in the world, with more than 300,000 daily travelers c…

From Bangkok Post SINGAPORE: Japan and Singapore agreed on Thursday to ease travel restrictions implemented in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic from September. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he agreed with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan that the two countries will restart mutual visits of businesspeople and expatriates from September, given they take precautionary measures. Japan, which currently bans entry of all foreign nationals from 146 designated countries and regions in principle, said in late July it will newly enter into discussions with 12 Asian economies, including Singapore, on ways to resume travel. …

It's now thigh land!

Planning a trip to Bangkok in September and have been looking at the news on whats going on.... It looks like Bangkok has reopened up but not to international travelers yet Anybody know how business is back to usual with the night markets, malls, etc. Thanks for any updates

From CNN China reports its highest number of local Covid-19 infections since March China recorded 57 local Covid-19 cases on Sunday, the highest number the country has seen since it brought the coronavirus largely under control in March, according to figures released by the National Health Commission on Monday. Among the locally transmitted cases, 41 were found in the far western region of Xinjiang, where the coronavirus resurfaced on July 15 after nearly five months of no new cases. The remaining cases were discovered in the country's northeast, including 14 in Liaoning province and two in Jilin province. Sunday's figure is the highest number of l…

Since I was the last to post on the Picking Up Boys thread, when I come to the site I keep seeing my name associated with that title. Not to be picky, but I don't pick up boys in Bangkok. (Nor anyone these days!) So I posted this to keep that title down the section...at least with my name next to it.

I was just in New Zealand for a few weeks. Amazing country to visit with stunning scenery and great people. I was traveling with friends so I didn't hook up. I was surprised by the number of guys advertising on grindr, some quite cute, for fun with "rewards welcome" which indicates $$. Chatted with a couple but didn't waste their time since I really couldn't get away to hook up. All were very nice.

Singapore, Malaysia agree to allow cross-border travel for some residents and business travellers SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to allow cross-border travel for certain groups of people, including residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes. This was discussed between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Muhyiddin Yassin in a telephone call on Friday (Jun 26), said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a press statement on Saturday. The two leaders agreed to establish a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and a Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) for different groups of travell…

From South China Morning Post Which parts of Asia are easing coronavirus travel curbs? Most tourist hotspots in Asia remain out of bounds this summer as international travel remains restricted, but some countries including China are making special arrangements for business travellers. Even once mass travel does return, however, tourists won’t accept long coronavirus quarantines – but testing is likely to be part of the deal, on both ends of the trip. Here are the latest developments as of June 11: Continues with information on Australia/New Zealand, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, So…

This is a boring read but it may show you a bit of over excitement on my first trip and many things learned on trips since. ----------------------- Have I found Paradise? My first day in Bangkok was fun, enjoyable, exciting and fast paced. I started the day off with a nice massage at Babylon. After a long 24 hour flight and then unpacking and getting settled in, this was a needed treat. Babylon is beautiful and very peaceful. I went for a swim in the pool and hung out there for about an hour or two. The place was pretty dead because they were having a big foam party later that night and I was told the many patrons would show up later that evening. I ordered a …

Auckland Gay Guides Hotels 1 CityLife Auckland | 171 Queen St Auckland | 9-379 9222 | http://www.heritagehotels.co.nz/hotels/citylife-auckland CityLife, part of the Heritage Hotel brand, caters to business travelers and those who like the amentities offered to business travelers. The rooms and suites are crisp, clean, modern, and the bathrooms are nice and big. Also, the Queen Street location is ideal. 2 Mollies | 6 Tweed St | 9-376 3489 | http://www.mollies.co.nz/ Mollies is a small only seven suites and luxurious boutique inn that seems more like your rich friend's amazing beach house than a hotel. The common areas are super comfortable, and the rooms are di…

Although I am familiar with Brasil, I'm planning to travel to Bangkok this fall and have a few questions: 1.) Best month to travel to Thailand? 2.) If interested in staying near the "boy action" in Bangkok, can someone suggest accommodations and in what neighborhood would that be? I'd like to take boys back to the hotel, and would prefer as few problems as possible. 3.) What is Babylon (the hotel / bath house) all about? Who stays there? 4.) What is there to expect when visiting Phuket and Pattaya? How is the nightlife / boy-life different or the same when compared to Bangkok? Thanks guys.

I was booking an award ticket to BKK today when I saw United has something called an excursionist option that gives you a free additional flight in the same region you are visiting. So I went onto grindr and saw a lot of cuties for Bali and thought, I need to try someplace new....now to do the homework of going to a new place. I'll post on GayThailand as well but if anyone here has suggestions of where to stay, what to do, etc.... thanks

I have read several articles that call this city very gay friendly and also very modern as well. Anyone have some experience to share on Kuala Lumpur?

It was a surprise to me that South Korea is homophobe heaven. I've always thought that they were more advanced... https://www.towleroad.com/2020/05/seoul-gay-coronavirus/ https://www.businessinsider.com/anti-gay-backlash-feared-south-korea-records-new-coronavirus-spike-2020-5