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Odd day yesterday as I have a few guys from the apps I have wanted to meet. As always, you can never rely on much and promises of what they can do are about as honest as a New York Chelsea Guy telling you the size of his penis (accurately). Hookup 1: 12:00 PM Hornet - guy was cute, 29 year old Laos boy. Nice with little English. Versatile he said. But, he gets to my place, and it was just so bad that I got up after 10 minutes, said it was over, gave him the money and let him be on his way. Blocked from the app and LINE. Hookup 2: 4:00 PM Jack'd - guy was sexy and cute and said masculine. Showed up and was much more feminine than me or the ladyboys I know so I knew where that was going and for me, that meant no where. Paid him and on his way. Hookup 3: 8:00 PM Grindr - guy was very handsome and spoke perfect English. Best BJ I have had in years. Great sex. Great massage. No strike on this one and he is coming back Sunday AM. I just have to be sure I don't fall in love with him as this 23 year old hit all the right spots at the right time and checked all my boxes. Back in the saddle again!

as of right now, Soi 4 is in a state of gradual reopening. Last night, not only G's Restaurant, Connection Bar Restaurant and Fork&Cork Restaurant were open, but also Balcony Bar Restaurant Karaoke and even Welcome Bar (with no attempt to hide the word "bar", but with a food menu prominently put on display). Balcony had "bar" and "karaoke" covered up, and Telephone the same, though not open yet last night. But this afternoon there were workers busy, apparently preparing for the reopening.

Agree. But repeating myself from above, one has the sense that Roberts. Increasingly the deciding vote, is drifting from the right toward the center.

Today at 2.30 pm I was supposed to land in Swampy according to he ticket I'm still holding. Plan was to pass immigration , take a train to Phaya Thai, change to BTS and walk from Sala Daeng to still undecided hotel. First massage was supposed to be at Senso and in the evening I was hoping to itch to check if my dream boy at Jupiter is still there, Unfortunately for well known reason it came to naught and timing of trip # 21A is still unknown. Some seeing a tittle and then reading narrative will be disappointed but rest assured , not even 1/10 of how disappointed I am. But hope dies last

I left Soi 4 at 9:30 this evening (Friday). Balcony terrace was packed. No spare chairs. A few inside as well Telephone and Connection were also busy. 'W' had customers as well. One of the bars further down the soi was open (is it Sports bar or the other one?). Tapas is closed but "G's was open. ADAM Massage was open Fork and Cork open. Jupiter and Banana closed. I believe that the 'restaurants' serving alcohol are licenced till midnight. It's so good to see lights and atmosphere in Soi 4 again. Do not listen to the doomsayers about Soi 4 going the way of Twilight, they know NOTHING! Fake news.

When you're on the highway and the other choices are McDonald's, Waffle House or truck stops, Cracker Barrel seems Michelin 3-star. Rated best chain: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2017/12/12/which-is-better-applebees-or-cracker-barrel-our-critic-ranks-americas-most-popular-chains/

The Court still works, thank God. Somewhat surprisingly. Freed from political meddling, the absolute independence granted Justices is one of the strongest backbones of the Constitution; and succeeding precedence.

To confess my stupidity: right after I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago, I went to a Cracker Barrel and had their Reuben sandwich. Vesuvius erupted!

finally somebody has courage to speak the truth, thank you Michael

Tim Scott, the Black United States GOP Senator from North Carolina? Interesting comment, my friend. You must eat lunch with Senator Scott occasionally. Me, too.

Anyone who is reading the news expecting a government announcement now -- or in the near future -- of any sort of international travel plan that will get Thai tourism back to the old normal or anything even approximating the old normal soon is a bit like Charlie Brown asking Lucy to hold the football for him. (Cartoon below). Expect frustration and disappointment. As much as we may think tourism is the most important thing to Thailand, it's not. The usual number for GDP international tourism is roughly 12%, and roughly 6-7% for domestic tourism. That leaves roughly 88% non-tourism. That 12% International tourism is juicy and sexy and fun for us -- and 12% is nothing to scoff at -- but it is by its nature much riskier as far as COVID-19 is concerned. The 88% non--tourism is more important, by far. The Thai government, and the Vietnamese government, and the Laos government, etc., etc., have to look to overall safety of their people and to their economies overall. Another serious wave of COVID-19 could well mean another shut down of construction and of the factories, etc. And that would be bad. It is eminently reasonable for governments to be exceedingly cautious as far as opening their borders is concerned. I don't think one can truly, fairly say that the Thai or Vietnamese (or Australian or New Zealand) governments are being unreasonably cautious. We are less than three months from the global shutdown because of COVID-19. There is no vaccine. It has been brought under control successfully in some places, but not in many other places. It is still a global pandemic, getting worse in many places. Ironically, it has been brought under control in Thailand, but we don't seem to be showing respect for the Thai government's approach to COVID-19. I confess I find that baffling. In the same way that we can be against police brutality in the U.S. and still pro-police, we can decry all the many legit failings of Uncle Tu and his government, but also give Thailand a "win" on COVID-19. Also, the recent polls taken in Thailand have shown (1) the majority of the Thai people are still very concerned about COVID-19 and (2) the vast majority of the Thai people do not want the country to rush to open the gates to international tourists. I haven't come across any suggestions that these polls were rigged or are inaccurate. Thus, another thing that we can do is give a nod of respect to the sentiments expressed of the Thai people in these polls. (The 30% who want the tourists back may well be the 30% employed in the tourism sector, but the 70% saying don't rush can have their voices heard as well.) If there's wisdom in crowds, one might notice that Thailand is not alone in still trying (struggling) to come to terms international travel in the age of COVID-19. At this point I'm not aware of any government that has said "here are the easy answers." Of course I can't speak for anyone else, but I think I feel as bad as many here about not being able to get back to Thailand when I want. I'm paying rent on a condo I can't use and I certainly miss my friends, etc. And daily reading of the rumor mill is excruciating. In part this is because it is usually imprecise and occasionally downright inaccurate - as all sorts of ideas are floated in public. Maybe it would be easier if it was all kept secret until there was a final government-approved plan. Compared with many neighboring where there is no such openness, I keep coming back to the mantra: "wait until there's an actual plan." Because the openness and [comparative] press freedom is a good thing. I personally do not expect a plan that will be particularly "open to tourists" until October at the earliest. It's disappointing, but because I honestly and truly am able to say to myself, "OK. It may not be what I want, but I understand there is reasonable decision making that goes into the decisions, even if I disagree, ... so be it." If I were in the government I absolutely would be advising the government to go slow-slow-slow until October. The way to protect the high season is to be cautious from now until then. If there are "low hanging fruit" of rich people who will happily spend a week or two at a resort on an island, where the risks can be contained geographically, then go for it. And if they do go for it, I certainly won't be criticizing them for taking only this small, cautious step. But broad-based travel now? The world isn't ready. Today's English language press briefing in Thailand gave the astonishing statistic that currently there are about 10,000 people in quarantine in Thailand. I think it's worth letting that sink in before we wonder why the government isn't rushing to open the gates. YES, this is hard on the many people employed in the tourism sector. Each month I give a bit of the money that I might otherwise have spent on "entertainment" to charities in Thailand that I've posted about previously: SWING (direct help to sex workers) and Duang Prateep Foundation and COVID Thailand Aid. Highly recommended.

Even on the worst days in Philadelphia in the last two weeks, I thanked the police and Nation Guard as well as the demonstrators. Something I would not have done in the 1970s when the police were even less under control of the more honored Civic leaders.

It’s wishful thinking indeed. Thailand’s approach to restoring international travel has been disjointed, confusing and often contradictory. At least five agencies have proffered plans, all with slightly different requirements based on negotiated travel bubbles with other countries. Even if one succeeded in getting the PM’s blessing, it would not even come close restoring the jobs of the massively unemployed in the hospitality and entertainment industry or the many others who worked in associated sectors (transportation, retail sales, etc). Think about this. There are 50 international air carriers that fly into Thailand (according to Skyscanner). Imagine the logistical complexity of negotiating travel bubbles on that scale. What is needed is a simple solution that satisfies the major concerns of all parties (Thailand, air carriers, and nations those flights are departing from and returning to). So here’s my plan: The airlines -- Each airline must agree to test all passengers at the point of and day of departure. The cost of the test (about $100) is added to the cost of ticket. Tickets could be marketed as conditionally refundable, less cost of test and an administrative fee only if passenger fails the test. This guarantees that all those passengers entering Thailand have been tested and do not require quarantine on arrival. Transit airports (if applicable) – This would satisfy concerns of airports through which the passengers transit en route. Thailand – Thailand receives passengers tested within 24 hours of departure (and not the 72 hours that are required in all current Thai plans under consideration). As for insurance against Covid costs of a passenger who contracts the virus in country, Thailand would impose a health insurance surcharge (3000 bht ?) that would be tacked onto inbound flights. That would preclude the need for additional coverage that passengers would have to purchase prior to departure. Thailand could, of course, opt to waive the above requirements on ASEAN (and select other) nations it believes poses no threat from Covid 19. Nations receiving returning passengers – Thailand would agree to test, at point of departure, all returning passengers. That should satisfy nations the passengers are returning to along with any transit airports en route. These conditions would eliminate the need for negotiating individual bubbles and they would eliminate uncertainty at the point of arrival in Thailand. Passengers would be free to go where they wish and not confined to locations they don't care to visit. And--most important to Thailand--is restores jobs for legions of the unemployed without taking on added risk. The total additional cost would be in the vicinity of $200 per ticket, a small price to pay for the convenience.

Roberts seems to be more pissed at Trump's ignoring judicial requirement of proper administrative procedure (The Administrative Procedure Act) than changing on substance. (The 5th overturned Obama's expansion of DACA on the same grounds.) The ability of DACA people to work or to get parole to marry into citizenship is still doubtful reading Roberts and many are now in their 40's. A good piece this morning: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-06-18/daca-ruling-shows-john-roberts-doesn-t-trust-donald-trump

Reader, I am sorry but you are breaking the morals of this board. You know there is no prostitution in Thailand and your article suggests there may be. Absurd I tell you. I have been here for years and not once have I ever seen any form of prostitution. For a reader, you may need your glasses next time you go out. Please, please do not even suggest such things would go on in LOS! Fake News!

I've always taken the opposite view. With one guy, in particular, he came to me strongly recommended by an experienced expat but for me could do nothing. He seemed disinterested and withdrawn. He had come on time and wasn't rude or aggressive; we just didn't connect. I took the view that it may be that my style just didn't work with him....my friend was much more out-going than me. Perhaps had I been more assertive and demanding sexually and socially, he'd have pleased me as much as he pleased my friend. And after all, had I just informed him that I would that I would to him what I wanted to do, he may well have submitted. That was just not my style. I always sought a connection. I gave him the minimum of the time (1000) and let him go after twenty minutes of failure. There are two more aspects to consider; firstly, the possibility of a public scene which I'd be very bad at dealing with. And secondly- speaking as one of the alt-Right's snowflakes- who knows what his situation was? There was genuine hunger fear of losing rooms at the time of which I speak; 1000 was nothing to me. Possibly it was vital for him.

Maybe more deliberately than just ‘drifting.’

The Court cannot overreach. They have to wait for these cases to reach them through the court appeals system.

One has to say they really did upgrade their menu a few years ago, and now it’s real food.

Early Warren supported Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, not the more conservative Republican candidate, Senator Robert Taft from Ohio.

One has to say the current Chief is doing a far more responsible job than I expected of steering the thing down the center-line.

Hugo Black had been in the KKK and Earl Warren was appointed as a conservative. The earth-shaking aspect of this case is Sotomyer's concurring opinion. Controversial.

It's American "soul food/southern food". You have to like turnip greens and ham hocks and cornbread. Most meals are about $10. It's hip to put down as associated with food lower classes like. I find they have the best meatloaf, biscuits and turnip greens anywhere and my Argentine and European guests always love it's food when we're on the highway. The nearest to DC is close to BWI airport and at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge past Annapolis.

The court just teed up LGBTQ protections for so much more than employment The authors explain clearly why this historic decision eclipses all previous gay rights "victories". THIS is a victory.

sounds like Foodland Patpong minus quiet of course

Could not agree with you any more on this count. Point of clarification: Source: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C. Based on its trends analysis, the Ministry of Tourism has forecast that 41.1 million people will visit Thailand in 2019, and they will spend over $70 billion during their stays. Direct receipts from tourism contribute about 12 percent to Thailand’s gross domestic product, and indirect revenues push the figure closer to 20 percent. https://thaiembdc.org/2019/02/04/thailand-sets-new-tourism-record-with-over-38-million-arrivals/ If (according to the report in The Nation today) Thailand has now reached 25 days without a domestic case, and all five the new positive patients were returnees from Saudi Arabia, who could possibly be among the 10,000 still in quarantine? I agree that's a troubling and seemingly contradictory indicator. I join you in finding the government's continual leakage of plan proposals excruciating. But it is, after all, multiple government officials who are releasing this stuff. That gives any one the right to be critical. And maybe that's just their intent: run a plan up the flagpole and gauge the response.

FUCK BOLTON, he refused a CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENA where he could've spoken out and just maybe made a real difference to instead line his pockets. He really is a Republican through and through. Also, I really like when Trump points out that he fired somebody who had been fired by a President before. Who exactly HIRED them, dipshit???

It may be Southern food, but it’s not “soul food”. There isn’t a black person in America who would consider Cracker Barrel legitimate soul food. Well, except maybe Tim Scott!

The BKK Art Biennale 2020 is still on track to open this coming high season. Dates are 29 October 2020 - 31 January 2021. The theme is "Escape Routes." As if anyone needed another reason to visit. This time the artists include Yoko Ono. (Not making that up.) https://www.bkkartbiennale.com

You're hitting .333. That's good in any league.

Stranger "bar" posted that they would be having a party Friday night. I think they included the hashtag "#dragdinner. You could always ask to order food at (if not necessarily from) the bars there, so good for them for recognizing their inner restaurant.

But it's worth searching the decision to see if there's an indication they will uphold DACA (and DAPA) as constitutional when it gets to them.

Also, Justices tend to drift toward the center over time, wherever they started at. If memory recalls (I may be repeating myself) Burger himself authored the unanimous opinion requiring Nixon to hand over the Watergate tapes. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burger_Court

This one plus the DACA decision together in one week. Donnie must be having a hell of a time.

Cracker Barrel became very pro-gay several years ago, including equal health and life insurance benefits for same-sex partners. And Chick Filet stopped donating to the anti-gay-marriage Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes last year. Personally I admire that Chick Filet loses enormous profit by closing on sundays because of their beliefs. That sunday closing is also a reason many people with families or spouses love working there. And my father made me promise to always help the Salvation Army because it was the only group to help him as a soldier plus I've seen the great work they do for people in AIDS housing in DC.

From The Nation AI launches global petition for probe into Thai activist’s abduction Amnesty International is calling on people around the world to take urgent action by writing a petition addressed to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to ask for an “effective, thorough and transparent” investigation into the disappearance of Thai activist in exile, Wanchalearm Satsaksit. It is also urging calling on people to demand that Hun Sen honour the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which Cambodia is a party to. Wanchalearm is among nine Thai activists who sought sanctuary in neighbouring countries after the May 2014 coup and have gone missing in recent years. The bodies of two activists were found stuffed with concrete in the Mekong River in December 2018. Amnesty international has also voiced concern over the possibility that governments in neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, have colluded with Thailand in recent years in the forcible return of political dissidents wanted in their respective countries, who would face human rights violations if returned. This includes Cambodians who have fled persecution for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. It also says that neighbouring countries, including Laos and Vietnam, have not exercised due diligence in investigating this pattern of abductions of Thai nationals whose extradition has been sought by Thailand. Wanchalearm, 37, was reportedly abducted on June 4 from a street in Phnom Penh. His sister said she was speaking to Wanchalearm on the phone at around 4.30pm when she heard him say “I can’t breathe”, and the line was abruptly cut. Security camera footage reportedly shows a black Toyota Highlander SUV departing from outside his condominium at around the same time. Like other missing activists, Wanchalearm’s whereabouts remain unknown. The activist faces charges of sedition in Thailand, the most recent filed in 2018 under the Computer Crime Act, alleging that he had posted anti-government material on a Facebook group called “Gu Tong Dai 100 Lan Jak Thaksin Nae Nae” (I will certainly receive 100 million from Thaksin). The Thai government reportedly sought his extradition from Cambodia and filed charges against him for failing to respond to a summons issued to many activists after the May 2014 military coup. TWanchalearm’s Facebook profile states he is in exile because he supports democracy.

what da ya mean? One is not going to Thailand to save money, one saves money by NOT going to Thailand - that's only upside of whole virus saga for me

I find there is often the temptation to bareback when waking up whilst in bed with a boy, rather than fiddling about with a condom, but I have resisted in recent years, Unlike when I first discovered Thailand and Pattaya 20 years ago when I used up my luck in this department, not contracting any infections, despite anal sex with a lot of boys.

Returning (off-thread ) to the food topic, good God almighty. How difficult is it to just buy a few fresh ingredients and make a nice lunch yourself? The crap that comes out of even the ‘best’ fast-food joints...

I have never had their 'food'. But, it's fast food. It's just another variant of greasy crap. I can get that anywhere. People praising the joys of chick-fil-a or any of that stuff is a lot like somebody trying to tell me that Bud Light is some amazing beer. It's prime value is in ensuring that I don't trust said person's culinary choices. I find it baffling that somebody would give these people money that they use to try to kill us in exchange for greasy crap.

Great news

Gentrification of the area, hopefully for the better. As we can see before in soi twilight, most of the destruction also resulted in either the movement of the bars or a rebirth of bars such as lucky boys. Soi 4 bars like jupiter will surely take another venue, most likely on the same road as the other gay bars, perhaps replacing one of the straight girlie bars that didnt survive. The night market transformation is what id like to see! Hopefully some beer bars will grab the prime location and we will see a revival of dicks/maxis of soi twilight there. Food trucks at the like, more foods that can be enjoyed hopefully at street food price, nothing wrong with that lol. One thing Bangkok have too much already is the place to shop for cheap knock off.

From Jupiter's Facebook page: "We are open 1 July 2020 . See ya..!!"

Thanks for the thoughtful response, @Caeron. I think what @RockHard and I are both trying to say is that there's room in a good deal for both parties to come out winners. I care about myself a lot and a peaceful environment with lots of smiles around matters much more to me than the ability to shit on other people. (I say this with some modest authority, but that's a post for another forum. ) I think folks who believe they become winners by turning other folks into losers are setting a very low bar for a happy life. Anyone who's had the experience of cutting a deal with all winners will know that life is much better without the "losers" trying to get even.

Salt Lake City police HQ today: