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Teaser to "Hello Stranger"...

As I surveyed the many media reports of pro-democracy demonstrations, I was awed how the Thai media has evolved in the face of the crisis. Even traditional conservative outlets have recognized their obligation to cover events that would have once been seen as "off-limits". Further, I've come to accept that events are unfolding so rapidly that my singular efforts can no longer adequately give them the justice they deserve. If members are interested in keeping up to date of the subjects raised here they can easily find coverage by going to the following websites that I've often cited in entries above. The Bangkok Post has been trying to provide objective coverage of both sides of the debate. It has even dispatched a video team to the scene of some demonstrations. https://www.bangkokpost.com Perhaps the most conservative of the mainstream media, The Nation (Nation Multimedia) has spread its wings as it attempts to provide broader coverage. It also operates the Thai Visa website. https://www.nationthailand.com The Thaiger covers events by including snippets from other media in a daily digest of news but occasionally adds its own version. If something happened in Thailand overnight, the Thaiger is good source to quickly come up to speed. https://thethaiger.com The Thai Enquirer, a publication of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), presents a Monday-Friday daily news summary that covers all aspects of Thai news in detail. For news junkies like myself, this is a must read. https://www.thaienquirer.com/category/main-news/ Channel News Asia (out of Singapore) has a correspondent on the ground in Bangkok who provides objective and insightful coverage. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/international Khaosod English has distinguished itself not only through its website, but via the live Facebook coverage of the demonstrations by a team of two reporters. In my opinion, their work is unmatched by their dedication--and personal risks they take--to keep their viewers informed. https://www.khaosodenglish.com https://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish It's my hope that interested readers will access their choice of the above sites for updates news about the country that has become close to our hearts. Better yet, maybe you'll recommend articles going forward. It has been my honor to contribute to this thread since it began its run four months ago.

The B Word: Sao Paulo Edition – … is good for the gander So maybe I overdid it with laying on the guilt about Paulo making me wait for 5 hours alone, while he sexed up 6 guys at Lagoa last night. So much so that he said that he was willing to allow me to have one programa tonight. I knew he didn’t take this decision lightly. He gave me many conditions: that I try to get the guy while he is in a programa so he does not see me going with the guy (jealousy?), that I was not to ask for the guy’s Whatsapp (how can he prohibit this if he is not in the room with us?), and to make sure that I won’t be too tired to cum with him after the night is over (oh yeah, this one is easy). Setting expectations is important in any successful relationship. Meeting them, however, is another matter. Saturday night at Lagoa. We arrive a little after 6, and the place was half empty. Paulo and I settle in on a table at the bar area. Paulo hydrates with water for the night ahead. I hydrate with vodka. Across the room, a weird looking guy was looking at us, and then walked up to us and shook both our hands. After a few pleasantries the guy asked Paulo if he could join him after he was done with me. I nod to Paulo to let him know he could go now. It was that quick. The guy was with another guy in the table, and with Paulo they seemingly had a nice conversation going. I wonder what they were talking about. Meanwhile, as the night wore on, and people started streaming in, I grew more excited. Not because I was “allowed” to do a programa with a guy, nope. I have done that so many times already this trip. It's that I had to do it under the BF’s nose. It is always more exciting if an act is somewhat forbidden. It adds to the experience. At least for me. So I had to make this one programa count. If I were to get someone tonight, he had to be “better” than the BF. At least in the superficial sense. More handsome. Taller. More muscular. Bigger penis. Better fuck. All the superlatives you can think of. Otherwise, why bother paying for it? Which was a tall order in these parts, at least nowadays. It is no secret to anyone that most of the “gods” that frequented the old Lagoa do not go to the saunas anymore, and have turned to websites as their main source of income. Even as a more recent Brazil tourist (since December 2017), I have to admit that I do not see those “gods” in huge numbers anymore, like at the start of my trips in 2017 and 2018. That’s probably why a guy that looks like Paulo was in such high demand. And it is probably why I had a hard time finding a “better” Paulo substitute to worship, than the god I was going home with tonight. That was until a familiar sight came along. He was easily 6’4 or taller. Giant muscles. You could not miss this guy, even in a sauna like Lagoa. And I certainly recognized him from a previous trip. I could not remember when or where. It was good timing too. Paulo was nowhere to be found. @floridarob knows this about me: I do not waste any time. I flag the guy down and he sits next to me. He tells me his name, “Henrique, prazer.” He shakes my hand, in a sort of formal way. Not warm, but I can overlook it considering he was a mountain of a man. Up close, I’d say his biggest assets were his gigantic muscles. He was handsome, not in a classical way, but the kissable lips and soulful eyes were two big things for me. While we did our small talk, I admired his muscles. Man, his overall look harkened back to the days of the sauna Adonises. His muscles were huge, and I asked permission for a helping of his biceps. He flexed, and showed me just how big they were, and invited me for a squeeze. That was it. There was no escaping it. Once you touch the sinews of those muscles, couples with how smooth his brown skin was, no one would be able to say no. So I asked. 150, he said. Pretty standard price. I was expecting more for this quality. I survey the room. Paulo was still out. We head over to the suites level to get a room. Towels. Condoms and lube. Keys. And we were off. He grabs the keys from me to open the door to our suite. He has probably done this a thousand times. He knew the drill, almost too well. First he turned on the TV to show straight porn. Then he turns on the air for ventilation. Then he puts his keys and phone on the shelf on the corner. Then he takes off his towel and folds it neatly at the top of the bed. Then he reclines on the bed, stroking his cock, waiting for me to make my next move. Alright, this was kind of too business like for me. I take off all my clothes right away, which is not what I do usually, as I usually let the flow of the programa lead me to this inevitable naked place, but since there was no flow at all, I figured that I should just get this over with. I lay beside him, feeling the warmth of his body on mine. He makes some overtures, touching my body, massaging my back. I try to kiss him, and he kisses back with a semi-closed mouth. Oh ok, he was one of those. I tried to press the issue, he didn’t seem to like kissing me much. The saving grace at this point tho, was his body, which was a work of art, like a Greek marble statue, except for the cock, which was all too Brazilian: uncut, long, and fucking thick. I took my time admiring, and touching, the merchandise. He flexed, he grabbed his cock for maximum effect. I take it by the hand, and then of course by mouth. After a while of this, he reaches for the condoms and lube to get ready. “Oh no,” I say. “No way all this is gonna fit in me. You are too huge.” He insisted, and broke open the packets to put the condom on and apply lube. He hands me the lube packet, so I could ready myself. “No! I can’t! It’s too big!” He shakes his head. “Don’t worry. I’m an expert. I know how to ease it in.” He has me lay on my side, and he slides behind me. He takes the lube packet and applies the lube himself. “Mmmmm,” he moans. He puts a finger in, and then two, as he jacks himself off. He seemed to take his time warming me up. And then he puts it in. Very slowly, with some nibbles on my neck and cheek. And then, just like magic, he was all in. How did he do that? It didn’t even hurt. He slowly thrusts. It felt really good. I raise one leg for easier access. I feel him get it all in, with his body close to me. The thrusts suddenly become faster and deeper. And all of sudden, it was like a switch just flipped. His free hand groped my dick and he was able to get it back to life. As he thrusted, he then turns my face to him and he kisses me, deeply, all the while drilling me. As if the passion that was missing in the beginning suddenly joined us this very moment. Since there was a height discrepancy, he was able to get me to some positions that I have never tried before. He clearly knew how to do it. And he seemed to enjoy it as well, as we eager to throw me around. And the reason why he needed the AC on: he sweated during fucking. We were both drenched in sweat before long. Finally, he pulled out. He asked me if he wanted me to cum. I said sure. 200? Of course. So he pulls out, takes out the condom, and jacks off. We cum in succession. Afterwards we talk. He tells me he is a Carioca (of course, why wouldn’t he be), and usually goes to Club 117 in Rio, but was in SP because the sauna was still too slow in Rio. I told him that that was where I saw him before. I remember him on a few trips to 117. I told him whenever I saw him, I wanted to talk to him, but I always got intimidated. He admitted the same thing. He’s also seen me a few times, but he was not sure if I spoke Portuguese, and his English was not so good, so he didn't dare approach me for an introduction. He actually turned out to be a good and humble guy, belying his fairly bombastic and intimidating exterior. He didn’t seem to be a clock watcher. I wasn’t watching the clock either, but I knew I had to end the programa, because there was Paulo to contend with. As we prepared to go back out, I told Henrique that I didn’t have an idea that he would be this passionate. And such a good fuck. He shot back with the same thing: that he didn’t have a clue he would actually enjoy himself with me. He said he can pretend only to a point. Work was easier for him if he actually liked the sex. Maybe it was a line that he always said to clients so he could get more money. Whatever, it worked for me. I gave him an extra 50. I get back to the main seating area. I was surprised to see Paulo, fully dressed, sitting at one of the tables, checking his phone. I sit next to him. He looks at me, not saying anything. “Whats up?” I ask. He was silent. “What’s wrong.” I see he was trying to find the words to say. Finally he says: “You were gone a long time with that guy.” I was surprised. "What guy?" I ask. "You know, tall and big." “You saw me with the guy?” He said yes, he saw us go into our suite. He said he was just leaving a suite with his first client when he saw us. “Is that a problem?” I asked him. He explained that it was fine, and we talked about this after all. What bothered him was that I took a long time. Why would a programa take that long? He asked me. So long that Paulo was able to snare a second client, and finish that programa, and I was still in the suite with Henrique. He decided to not work anymore and just wait for me so we can spend the rest of the night together. But he said I took long in there, and he was waiting a while. I apologized. I guess it was his turn to wait tonight. I certainly did not mean to make him wait. After a while, Paulo seemed to calm down. He told me about his night. Two clients. The second one was 200 reais. The first one was more interesting tho. That weird guy that called on him was some sort of “pimp” and he procured boys for rich clients and he gets a cut of the proceeds. Which meant that these clients were more upscale than usual. Politicians. Businessmen. He asked for Paulo’s contacta and asked if he would forward some sexy pics to him to forward to his client base, and get him some clients. Paulo said he would forward some pics to the guy when we got home tonight. And the pimp was with one of his “client base”. And the client paid more than most. Paulo he said he got 250 from the guy, and an extra 50 from the pimp. Not bad, I told Paulo. 1450 reais total for two days of work. Paulo told me that that is what he usually earns in a week in Fortaleza or Recife. He was very happy with his two-day haul. We enjoyed the rest of the night. Making out and telling each other stories and making fun of the others in the sauna (bitchy bitchy). And we had another night in SP as well, but instead of working, Paulo said that he would take a break from working, as he had all the money he needed this trip, and just to spend the night with me, not with clients. We still went to Lagoa taht last night, which enabled us to have an indoor space to make out with abandon, and drink with abandon. He got some proposals that night from clients, but he said no. He also had previous SP clients text him, offering him a second chance to earn money. He said no as well. He was giving up a lot of money. But he was content. Overall, I’d say that Sao Paulo has proven to be pretty lucrative for Paulo. It might be because he is the new kid in town, but his first time in Lagoa produced a good haul. He said he has never earned this much money in such a short time. And he was glad to know that he could strike it out here if he wanted. He understands that his looks and body won’t look that way forever, and while he hates doing this as a profession, due to his limited prospects, he is willing to take advantage of this tiny window of opportunity that he can earn as much money as he can. He know how lucky he was, versus his less attractive countrymen who have as limited prospects as he does, especially during this pandemic. But he also admits loving working in NE Brazil, and prefers to live there instead of the faster, and way more expensive Sao Paulo or Rio. “I can get away with cheaper rent, transportation, and living expenses in Fortaleza or Recife. But here in Sao Paulo, I have to contend with high rent and the traffic.” He admits the stress one feels when one is a GP. All the constant and tense adjustments he has to make, to suit a variety of moods and demands of each client, will take a toll on anyone at some point. Having a calming beach to go to, coupled with the northeastern ease of living and more casual (i.e. lawless) atmosphere, is very important for Paulo’s well being. Next… Garoto. Com. Local.

For the best of both worlds, there is Winner Bar in Sunee where the lads do sit outside during their breaks in skimpy briefs as well as dance on the stage, inside. And the drinks are inexpensive.

Not Thai Series but all great to watch. Also look for "Hello Stranger"!!!

The new Filipino BL series Lakhan is filmed in a rural setting.

I found the Filipino BL series, Gameboys, really good. It includes a coming out story, the challenges faced by everyone during the pandemic and how the main couple copes with courtship during the lock down. One of the main actors, Kokoy de Santos, in Gameboys is now staring in the new series, Oh, Mando! The other main actor in this series is a real hunk!

and you are doing excellent job to keep us updated thank you very much

So far I have seen only one Filipino BL series, "Sakristan". Promising start but then I was rather disappointed. But now I started watching (first 3 episodes) Gaya Sa Pelikula ("Like in the Movies", 2020) Charming series, two great and cute actors in the main role. Funny story, very prominsing! What sometimes bothers me with many Thai BL series is that the characters seem so restraint, not really alive. Like Tin in Love By Chance, but also Bright/Win, they don't really show much too emotions ... but then watch Gaya Sa Pelikula and your heart will be warmed No need to watch a trailer, just go directly to episode one! There are only 8 episodes, and they are rather short 20-30 min. It's funny that they speak 1/3 english with each other!

Yes, that's another great series, Hello Stranger! In almost of the Filipino BL series, there are lot of English words. That helps me!

When Frederick Douglass after a long time was denied entry for being a ‘Negro’ finally was admitted entry into the White House on the afternoon after Lincoln’s second acceptance address, Lincoln clasped his hand and said, ‘Douglass! I have been waiting to see you. What did you think of my speech?’ ...No egotistical question, but: ‘Did I get it right?’ Lincoln was asking.

I finished watching "Love by Chance season 2 - Chance to Love' 13 episodes sequel to "Love by Chance " and in my opinion poor relative to an original series. Ae and even Yacht are no subdued this time that is causing my tooth ache and I didn't like much Tin and Can at the first place. They were primary couple now in sequel. But last sequence is promising. Pete, great absence throughout whole series is texting Ae that he is back in Thailand. Perhaps we will have third season at some time in post-covid future, God willing.

Too funny!

I agree with Vinapu...thanks, reader

perhaps boys are complaining that it's too cold

The media has focused on some of the most severe cases.. but if you look at the numbers; most recover..it is a game of Russian roulette.. Vacations are supposed to be a time of being carefree and free from worry but the media has caused such a frenzy that most are scared of their own shadow.. there are many at high risk but the rate of mortality is low based on the "numbers" published.. most who have passed had some underlying condition... recovery rate is 99% as BCDARON noted but the scare around the 1% makes you think twice.... there are also therapeutics now to treat...the media has done their job in creating quite the scare..on another note.... if this second wave is so bad.. where are the daily press briefings like when this first came out.... THIS VIRUS is REAL.. do what you have to to protect yourself.. make wise decisions.. another 4 or 5 months and "a vaccine" should be widely available.. BUT the thing is only 90% effective.. people are still going to get it...

THAI has been trying to sell off its A340s for years and I believe it turned down at least one offer some time ago. It bought many of these planes for its North American routes. But being 4 engine gas guzzlers they had to have a much larger business class than usual and pack in as many passengers to make any profit. They rarely succeeded. Hence the routes were cancelled and THAI has been stuck with aircraft that no one in the industry seems to want. Their value now must be a tiny fraction of what THAI paid.

I have not heard that the Democrats will "integrate," or even work with The Lincoln Project, but if the Dems want to see future success, they're going to have to be more moderate in order to convince Republican moderates to join ranks against Trumpism. The failure of down-ballot races in this election SCREAMS that Trump's "socialist" branding worked on the masses. Also, that god-damned STUPID phrase - defund the police - was the worst attempt at brain-dead PR I've ever experienced. There is a certain corner of the progressive left who are idiots and have no clue how to WIN. Someone has to keep those folks in line, if that is even possible.

Steve Bannon was the first to claim that if The Lincoln Project flipped 4% of Republicans, Trump would lose. So TLP used Bannon's numbers as their goal. It turns out, according to their numbers guru, Mike Madrid, TLP had tremendous success in numerous states, exceeding their 4% goal. They do believe they had a strong hand in the Biden win, and they seem quite pleased about that. They are not happy with the results in Florida and North Carolina, but they acknowledged what a long shot those two states were. They could have thrown more money at both states, but it was determined the money would have gone flushed down the toilet. Florida, in particular, required door-to-door canvasing, and you just couldn't do that during Covid. They openly express doubt about "reform." Most of the TLP leadership have officially left the Republican Party. Tara Setmayer announced her official departure the day after the election, after she saw how strong the numbers were for Trumpism. There are calls for Don Jr. and insane girlfriend Kimberly Gargoyle to run the RNC. Clearly, TLP wants no part of that, if that's how reform will get defined. TLP claims they are not going away. Their goal is to destroy Trumpism. They are in Georgia right now, working on the two Senate run-offs. They intend to pursue Trump's enablers for years to come. IMO, they are the political force to watch. Their political ads are superior to most. The Georgia race is going to be very tense and interesting.

Would sure be nice if they reformed their own party so that Trump 2024 would never be a possibility...

You honestly have nothing to worry about, the U.S. has as many Covid cases as Brazil. I have been in Brazil since September 1st and am currently in Rio now. With a recovery rate of 99% should we really consider it a real issue when you have a higher likelihood of getting in a car accident,

Mark Adrignola who posted as Thaiworthy on some forums, ,and a resident of Bangkok, died on Nov. 8, 2020. Mark suffered from diabetes and complications led to his passing. He hobby was that of a magician which brought cheer to his life. Mark was an expat who lived for many years in Bangkok with annual visits to his family in the USA and was active on Facebook. Rest in Peace, Mark