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True for me too. Here's my two cents' worth (again). IMHO, it is important to distinguish the Bangkok scene from the Pattaya scene. They have been bifurcating for a long time. The Pattaya scene depended heavily on winter exiles from the Northern hemisphere, and we know where the trend is heading. Pattaya has never managed to be much of an attraction to the gay Asian travellers. The Bangkok scene is a more complex story. Its three parts: gogo bars, massage, and social-and-dancing locales, are going on separate trajectories. I believe the social-and-dancing venues are doing fine. Business is robust, not just on Silom Sois 2 and 4, but also in places like Fake Club, etc. Bangkok attracts the Asian travellers. To the farang, it may be difficult to tell a Thai apart from another East or Southeast Asian, but eavesdrop on the language they use and it will be clear how much the Asian traveller is contributing to gay scene tourism. The massage business looks relatively healthy too, though, as with all massage businesses around the world, there is always considerable turnover, i.e. shops exit the business, new enterprises start up. I credit this to the fact that the shops outside of the Silom-Surawong area continue to depend largely on local custom as their bread-and-butter clientele. Tourists are icing on the cake. The shops in the Silom-Surawong area are more tourist oriented, but because of the healthy flow of Asian tourists, they're doing OK. More importantly, the massage shops continue to attract young men as workers. Understanding why they can attract young men into the industry whereas the gogo bars struggle to do so helps us understand the strategic mistakes the gogos bars made over the years. The Bangkok gogo business: A part of me thinks their days are numbered. I would say that they are being killed by two things: the tea money and the horrible strategic mistake the market leaders made to expose themselves to the general public through relying on the non-sex-buying customer. Let me elaborate. Tea money: While I don't have the insider figures, I think this is a key factor in the exorable rise in prices for drinks and offs. Of course, high prices limit sales volume. Tea money may also be the factor holding back gogo bars' reinvention. They don't seem to be able to try anything new, and I suspect this has to do with the terms of the tea money deal. As soon as bar tries to experiment with the business model, the tea-money-collectors will want to charge more. Exposure: When the gogo bars began to welcome hordes of straight tourists, they basically put a jinx on their staff recruitment. It gets harder to recruit when the gogo boy is expected to put himself on stage for people to gawk at them, even worse then he is expected to be part of an explicit show. The calculus is like this: The boy will do it if there is a high chance of an off. But if the great majority of the audience are only there to gawk, the boy earns little for "shaming" himself. So recruitment falls off a cliff. Here's something to observe when you're next in a gogo bar. Look at the ages of the performers in the Big Cock Parades or other explicit show items. They are the older ones. Dream Boys', Sol's and Tawan's stable now have a significant number of guys in their 40s. I doubt if they get off'd. So why do the bars keep them on their roster? Because they're the ones more likely to be prepared to show cock. The young ones won't do it. There is another strategic mistake the gogo bars made. They have left too much of the management in the hands of gatoeys. I think some bars are run as employment-creation platforms for ladyboys. The mamasan's primary objective seems to be creating jobs for her fellow ladyboys. Shows with fancy costumes and lip-sync don't attract the the boy-offing customer. They attract the gawkers, which then reduces the boys' chances of getting off'd, which then exacerbates the shaming the boys have to endure for working in a gogo bar. Yes, the economic progress that Thailand has made, the rise in wages, have generally made it less attractive or necessary to work in the sex industry. But the massage parlours have no difficulty recruiting. Only the gogo bars. So, economic progress does not explain everything, which is how I came to the view that the the factors unique to the gogo bars - exposure, gawking, ladyboy acts - are the real killers.

Took Mike Taxi from Pattaya to BKK 1200 baht, driver showed up early, like always...was a female 😲 Had to stop for gas before leaving, why she wasn't prepared? Then restroom stop within 45 mins, wtf. Got to Tarntawan, feels like home here, I know all the staff. Was going to meet my German friend at Circus at 9pm, so I slept even though I wasn't tired..... Stopped by Hot Male on my way to Circus, didn't see Alex so I just kept going.....Circus was busy but not packed. Watched the drag shows from outside and talked to a couple of the host boys from Cambodia....My German friend that lives here usually wants to go home early, but we stayed until midnight, I was surprised, but he liked one of the Cambodia boys and he tipped him....he never tips boys, lol Did a walk around soi 6 from Silom as all the massage shops were closing and went to Super A....was late, sad and disappointing @reader maybe I was just too late 😟 Walked back to Hot Male and Alex was there, his night off but was drinking (surprise, lol) I like him so much. Went over towards ScrewBoys, everyone was outside because was a drag show on....I cruised and chatted with a few guys, one really got my attention. I told him to see me at Hot Male when he finished. He and a friend came over and said they were going to Banana Bar for after hours.....I went to my hotel to refill some cash (I don't have so many pockets) and went to Banana Bar, you'd never know anything was open on soi 4, was pitch dark..... went upstairs and found Screwboy guy and we hung out and got progressively drunk together. Invited he and his friend back to my hotel, but first a stop at Foodland for food.....then so much fun back at my room. We went on for HOURS....I hope to see him again tonight, I hope he's alive, he still hasn't read my line message. I woke up horny around 11am and checked Grindr...was some guy my type, said he was hanging out at Lumphini and would come for 1000 baht, no need to negotiate at that price. I waited outside of the hotel to make sure he looked like his pics....he did. 30 minute massage then we had some good sex, another one I'd see again, maybe tomorrow. The screwboys guys only asked for 1000 each if I went with both, was almost like 2 for 1 ..... First night was a good one....I hope the rest of the nights are as much fun.

I’ve come across this problem many times particularly a few years ago when I was into fitness big time. Offed Boys found my desire to leave them in bed for early morning runs incomprehensible and not once did one take up an occasional invitation to try a little exercise, even though most had hard fit young bodies, usually from a previous life of working in the rice fields. Walking from the hotel in the Jomtien Complex to the beach or from Sunee to the Ambience was not at all what they wanted to do. The incentive of a present failed to persuade one boy to walk with me to Soi Buakhow Market from Boyztown.

I feel I need to do a short write-up of my experiences in the Northeast - I left some bits and pieces in comments elsewhere in various topics, but let it be a standalone post. I really really like Nordeste - guys are more down-to-earth and they care more about you, there is more chemistry and less rush, it's cheaper, it's sunnier. The choice is not as wide as in Rio or SP (even though I have doubts about SP after my two recent trips, but I digress) - but it takes one/two/three guys to make your night, and even if it's four great GPs and not 20, you'd still match the necessary numbers so to say. Fortaleza. I visited a few times before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and as recently as earlier this month. The sauna to go is still California. It's not as bursting with excellent garotos as 7 years ago, but it's still quite busy. Over my week in Fortaleza this January, I found out that no day is totally dead. Best days are Thursday and Sunday. Thursday is when all GPs are naked or with a towek wrapped around their dick, plus there's a stripper. The stripper has two outings a night - first a regular strip, but he goes from the stage to the audience to interact - in my case, he sniffed and licked my neck pressing his body into me. The second outing afterwards is with his dick hard - and then he goes to the audience in a similar fashion so you can defo touch. No extra tips that I've seen. Friday at California is a curious night of the "Wheel of Fortune" where there are three client winners spinning the wheel to get a prize (like a free entrance, or a free suite). On a Friday I visited, an older gentleman won the prize I really really wanted to witness somebody winning: two meet skewers from the kitchen. He could choose chicken or pork. Somebody needs to make a movie out of this. Suites are excellent at 30 reais - but on any given night only a maximum of two out of four are operational. There also free cabins, like in Barcelona's Thermas and people use them a lot (GPs flip a mattress and wipe the surface with an antiseptic). Condoms are free and plenty available. Guys are of varied shapes - there are quite a few of those who let's say are not frequent gym visitors, there are twinks, there are bigger muscular guys, and there are a couple of stunning guys with hard lithe bodies like at 117 or better - they are obviously straight, and even though one of them told me he is, quote, 99% top, he and all others did bottom for me. Fucking very straight muscular guys is still a pleasure for a bottom guy like me. TThe universal rate in Fortaleza, as elsewhere in Nordeste, does not depend on whether the GPs are out of shape or stunning muscular - it's always 100. Even if some tried to say 150 seeing me as the only foreigner in the sauna (in all three mentioned cities), all immediately and easily came down to 100 when I mentioned I know the universal rate. Some of course earned extra. Dragon sauna is the best in Brazil in terms of facilities, but it is empty with GPs, even during their big events. There are a couple of them at best, and they are quite jaded ones - it's better head to California. I really don't understand why it's not happening with Dragon - I can only assume it's high entry fees for garotos, as in terms of facilities there's no even comparison between Dragon and California, but all GPs and their clients are still at California. There are more cruising bars, like the ones that opened in Rio - Rommeo, Eden, or others - but they are very non-GP ones. I've been to Eden on the night they advertised a live sex show with a visiting porn star, and the vibe was very non-GP - lots of people, incl some young ones, but none appeared to be rentable. Other than that, Fortaleza has quite a quirky underground non-sex LGBT scene - Berlin-style techno parties at The Lights on Fridays and Saturdays, and samba at Teresa e Jorge bar where there's quite some gay presence. Recife. That was a major surprise. I visited this month for the first time in a few years - I think I did one trip early into the pandemic, but not after that. I remembered there were two saunas - Boa Vista and Blue Thermas - which were normal saunas but with some GP presence. On a visit this month, I was pleasantly surprised by Boa Vista - so much I spent all my three nights there without even visiting Blue Thermas. Boa Vista is the main sauna where quite a few non-hiring Recife guys go, some of them are simply stunning but not GPs for some incredulous reason. However, there is quite a substantial presence of GPs in the sauna, and I had multiple romps. Same as Fortaleza, the universal rate is 100, suites are at 30. On all nights I had their best suite which was itemized in my bill as "presidential suite" - it was 40. There is a maze, there are free cabins, there are open showers, it's actually quite a modern clean and very busy sauna where GPs are a fixture but not the main element. Still, you can have lots of fun. I had incredible experiences there, including with a guy who had great muscles and a great smile but was really nervous throughout but very attentive to my needs - when we showered (and the presidential suite has a large shower cabin with two shower heads so you can shower together with a guy and may continue to romp there) he told me he came from a rural inner state area and this was his first ever visit to the sauna and I was his first ever client. As he was visiting from the village, he was planning to stay the night in the sauna - it's open all night and serves free breakfast at 6am to those who are still there. Boa Vista also has a separate hall open on weekends which is pretty much a nightclub dance floor - with distinct 1990s high school prom vibes, but lots of local towel-clad patrons dance there which I think is really cute in its strange way and not something I've seen elsewhere in Brazil in saunas. So actually Recife was a blast. There is an interesting gay quarter 5 mins drive from Boa Vista with a proper night club and a few funky gay bars - I stayed outside on the street with a caipirinha and just observed the crowd. Really good. Sao Luis. I will mention Sao Luis as I don't think there were any reviews, and I've been possibly three times there, though not since 2021 or 2022, I think. They have a very decent GP sauna called Go.61, or it's called Sauna Go on some of their socials. It's sort of California style, very similar to what Fortaleza has, but with an added bonus of a swimming pool. There are similarly cheap suites and drinks, as well as plenty of free cabins on the upper floor. When I visited, I met really cool guys - again 100 was the usual rate. The best days are Thursday and Sunday. Sometimes they have performances, or bingo - at other times it's usual karaoke or just simple fucking, no complaints. Sao Luis is a really good city. On Friday nights, the whole historic center (where the sauna is, btw) turns into one big street party. They also have a week of June fiestas which is pretty much a carnival in June. An hour long public boat ride away with a severely drunk boat captain brings you to the island of Alcantara which is a ruined colonial city lost in time and space - a great day out. That all pretty much sums up why I liked to come back to Nordeste all recent years - and sometimes (but not always) it's an even more satisfying experience that the meat conveyor belt of 117/202/Lagoa in Rio and SP. Long story short, there is life on other planets in Brazil.

Oh, I forgot to add that Medicaid is administered by states, but mainly funded through federal tax dollars. Medicare is all federal.

I agree re the barkers. The no 1 barker is amazing. I sit outside, with a drink, marvelling at how he gets customers, men and women, to go in. They might not stay long, but if they order a drink, he's done his job. As noted, position helps, they are near the beginning of the Soi, so every has to walk past, both ways. The barker gets customers in who are both entering the Soi, and leaving.

The free medical care system in the US, called Medicaid (or, in California, Medi-Cal) is available to those who are genuinely poor, and legally in this country (other than tourists, of course). Eligibility depends on how poor you are, not on whether or not you have a job. I retired early, so have no job, but I do not qualify due to my wealth and pension income. One does have to apply for Medicaid, but there are plenty of resources for those indigent people who are too dysfunctional to apply. For example, there are social workers who scour homeless encampments to make sure all of those people are enrolled (and many outpatient clinics serving the poor also have such social workers). Worst case scenario--someone goes into a hospital who never bothered to apply for his free Medicaid--the hospital's social worker will assist the patient in completing the forms (done online), and if eligible the hospital stay will be retroactively covered. Medicaid pays close to nothing to most physicians and hospitals, but pays rather generously to public hospitals and outpatient clinics who serve the poor. However, if the patient cannot be safely transported to a public hospital, the private hospital must provide any needed care and absorb the cost (cannot bill the patient). For example, women in labor or someone with appendicitis cannot be transferred. Any hospital violating this law gets severely fined (this might happen, for example, if the ER sends a woman home, telling her she's in false labor, but it turns out she's really in labor). The only illegal aliens who are entitled to Medicaid are pregnant women (since, presumably, when she gives birth her child will be an American citizen, and it's not wise policy to allow pregnancy complications just to "punish" the pregnant woman). Medicaid is available to asylees or refugees (or those whose cases have been presented and have not yet been adjudicated), but these people also get work permits, so they usually get insurance through work. Also, there are quite a few "free clinics," supported by both government grants and charitable donations, which provide outpatient care to illegal aliens (or tourists who didn't buy health insurance), hopefully to treat diabetes, hypertension, and so on, with the goal of reducing the need to hospitalize such people (private hospitals often donate to these free clinics, and pharmaceutical companies might donate meds). I did work at one of these clinics one evening a week, without compensation. The U.S. has full employment, so anyone who's able to work can find a job. In the case in which people are truly unable to work, they can go to a disability lawyer and present their cases to a judge who can declare them disabled. When such a judge declares someone disabled, the disabled's paid a generous monthly stipend from the Social Security Administration (the disability lawyer gets paid from a portion of these proceeds), and he's also entitled to Medicare, which, unlike Medicaid, pays a reasonable amount to any physician and hospital. Unlike Medicaid, the vast majority of physicians and hospitals accept Medicare. While, in theory, judges should only declare someone disabled if they're truly unable to do any work, in practice disability lawyers often work with lenient or easily duped judges, and many of those receiving social security disability aren't really that disabled, and might even work under the table in addition to receiving the social security disability benefits. (If discovered, those caught will have to pay back the money, and might go to prison) Those who get fired from work and are temporarily out of work get paid through Unemployment Insurance benefits, not social security. This will generally pay out up to about a year. This covers jobs which are legal--or at least with reported income. An escort who does not report his income (as required by law) will not be covered (though, if he's able to hide his income, he will qualify for Medicaid). Most successful escorts report at least some of their income, and buy their own insurance (perhaps subsidized), and are therefore eligible for benefits such as Medicare should they become disabled or reach retirement age. In the US, full retirement age is 67. One can collect social security retirement income starting at age 60, if one wishes, but this will doom one to a very low monthly income for life, as one cannot go back on the decision to collect early. Also, if one waits until at least FRA to collect, one's spouse can collect upon one's death. For example, if I start getting SS before I turn 67, my husband won't collect, but if I wait he will (and he's a lot younger than I am). My best friend had a domestic partner who was a truck driver and big boozer who decided to start collecting SS at the age of 60. At such an early age, the benefit was tiny (about $1200 a month), but enough to pay for the groceries. That domestic partner ended up dying before his 67th birthday (of alcohol-related issues), so collecting early was a good decision for him. Medicare also covers anyone 65 or over, working or not. Of note, the Social Security Act was passed under FD Roosevelt under the New Deal. Republicans opposed it.

George Carlin couldn't even predict Stinky's bigly words or how many stupid people would fall for them. Is Stinky talking about the Sock Market or the Stock Rocket???

I have seen this my own bars quite a few times. The two most recent incidents (2022 and 2023) were in Toy Boys Pattaya and Fresh Boy Bangkok. In the Toy Boy case, I was in the bar pretty late. A dressed boy came into the bar, and the first thing he did was to hand over a wad of notes to the papasan. He was probably returning from an off from earlier that evening. A similar thing happened at Fresh Boy, except that it was quite early in the evening (only 9-something) before show time. A dressed boy came in and handed money (don't know how much) to the mamasan. He was probably off'd the previous night. And that's what drives me nuts about how the businesses conduct themselves. If offing is what brings in the money, then why do they make such a bad job of marketing the boys? Instead, over-concentrating on the shows?

I am pretty sure Banana Bar pays a much higher rent than the Patpong Soi 2 places. But as @spoon pointed out, it is almost all cabaret now, with ... which is fine if that's what the location and traffic wants. Won't surprise me if they decide to be a mini-Tiffany and drop the rent boys part of the business altogether.

What a coincidence ! This morning I woke up before 7 as my bed warmer wanted to go to the gym early and sent some message to my sister. She, being aware about time difference, responded with comment " why you are up so early", my response was exactly as, quoted above. Not that she is aware about why I' m so happy here, he, he.

Stinky's economic plan: $787.5 million judgment against Fox News $148 million judgment against Rudy $5 million judgment against Stinky An additional $83.3 million judgment against Stinky Stinky is adding over a billion dollars into the economy and he's not even president.

Emit K, you better start buying a lot of those stupid red hats from Traitor trump. $83 million verdict in E. Jean Carroll defamation suit!

Fortaleza is infamous for being the most dangerous city in Brazil - the murder rate is so high that if you live your life there the chance of you being murdered at some point is 1 in 27. Still, great great beaches - both in the city proper (Praia do Futuro) and a couple of hours drive away (Canoa Quebrada - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world that I've ever seen). Recife in turn is infamous for its sharks. When they built a new city port a couple of decades ago, they messed up the biosystem in the ocean. Suddenly sharks infested the waters immediately to the south from the port - that's where the beautiful Boa Viagem beach is. The death/injury count became so high that all along many miles of the long Boa Viagem Beach there are signs "sharks - do not bathe in the sea", and locals really do not enter the ocean - the latest shark fatality was a woman who was standing just knee deep in the water. There are only two areas where locals swim - they are sheltered by a stone reef close to the shore - and only at low tide.

I think this is what Pattaya's BBB owner has realized and has been pretty much successful to attract both kind of customers, the offing kind and the gawkers. I see 4 different type of staff hired by BBB, excluding the mamasans/waiters. First is the usual, boys available for off. Second, boys who can be hired but unlikely to be offed, but are there doing majority of the explicit shows. These boys are neither has the model handsome looks, or muscular body, nor young ages, but most if not all does sport big dicks and exotic manly look. Third are the dancers/ladyboys, mainly for the show, and not for hires. Last is their external hires like breakdance boys, str8, hired only for their skills to attract, gawkers, but at the same time, entertain the offing type customers too. Jupiter are slowly moving towards this too but they still have their handome and muscular guys doing the shows, though i wouldnt call their shows explicit, although some exposed dicks were visible now, which is a good improvement. Alas, most of their boys a not known for performing well in bed. But during december last year, they have no issues hiring new boys, most of them still fits into Jupiter standards. Moonlight and Banana are moving exactly as you mentioned, too focused on bringing customers that would not off, aka, come for the show only. Moonlight shows are way too PG, done mostly by their models. They do have some gorgeous boys, and my offed has been mostly from here, but i would not stay for the show. Not anymore. Even the boy i off says similar thing. Banana is even worst i supposed. I enjoyed their shows but they gave practically no airtime for the small group of boys to market themselves. Granted that none of their boys my type, though i did off a guy there before, those who didnt stay too long to watch the ladyboys one after another, wouldve easily missed the boys rotation. I have no idea about tea money though, but without it, i dont think thailand will have a very vibrant red light district. If all the BIB are str8 as a ruler, enforcing the law and are not corrupt, thailand will be a family vacation place that their tourism minister is dreaming about lol.

Good point. I was a loyal customer of Lucky Boys pre-covid. It had the best floor show on biggest stage among the Silom bars. And the rotation could on some nights number close to 50. I distinctly recall one older guy who was in that lineup every night. That he never smiled didn't help his case. But when the big cock show came on, he was always prominently on display. Don't know if he ever got offed but he did collect his share of tips due to his huge cock. The other thing I've noticed post-covid is the importance of location. Banana Bar capitalizes on its primo location of Soi 4 that draws a more mixed crowd. It also has a few of the best barkers around. I prefer the shows at Screw Boy and Fresh Boy which are more intimate but have to acknowledge that Banana manages to rack up the numbers thanks in no small way to the foot traffic on he soi.

After a rather long pandemic-related break, I visited Bali again in December 2023 - January 2024. Here are my findings - I'll try to keep them factual, succinct, and to the point. A. General picture of how Bali looks like now. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on them. Pretty much every single restaurant and place of business I remember from before the pandemic is not there anymore. Up-market places (e.g. Bambu, Mauri - these are restaurants if you wonder) are still going strong but they are more an exception to the rule than the rule. December and January are supposed to be high season there (well, not exactly because of the rain season, but still, this is one of the busiest periods there, normally). This year, the average occupancy in Seminyak in December was 37% only. It went up to about 75% around Christmas and New Year but went back to well below 40% immediately after. The locals are worried: they claim they'd had an amazing summer with tourist numbers being much higher than normal but from October onwards, it suddenly went all quiet yet again. To give you a practical example: normally, it takes about an hour to get to/from the airport to/from my hotel in Seminyak. This time, the drive was only 30 minutes. The absence of the usual tourists is very much palpable: the usual Australians are not there anymore and the influx of the Russians and the Chinese still cannot compensate for it. B. The scene and the entertainment sector. Apparently, Seminyak is not the centre of nightlife and entertainment anymore. For some inexplicable reason, it all has moved up to Canggu. Nobody understands why. I've never seen Potato Head and Ku De Ta half-empty - they are now. Even Finns (a beach club 'up north' from Seminyak) is going out of fashion now. I am not a party person and I strongly dislike clubs. I can only report that the good old Seminyak places are still there (MixWell, BaliJoe, etc) but they are less crowded than before. To be fair, I've NEVER been inside any of them, so I can judge only by the look from the outside. The good old 'spas' are still there as well - the Banana Spa, Elegantz, Adam's Apple etc - but they look very sad these days: I had to pass by the Banana Spa entrance several times over 3-4 weeks, and I've never seen any sign of activity at all. I wasn't tempted to sample the offers in any of the usual places (see the list above): they all have the look of abandonment and desperation. Connoisseurs of Bali (or just the readers of my earlier reviews) might remember the reports about M Spa at the heart of Seminyak, just next to Ku De Ta, The Seminyak hotel and the flea market, that was closed for good in 2019. It had been an iconic establishment there for many decades but, as I've been told this time, everything had changed when the owner of the premises Paul (some might still remember that the building M Spa was based at was called The Paul's Place) died in late 2018 - early 2019. The heirs had no interest in retaining his property business and all his properties were put on sale immediately. Sadly, M Spa couldn't secure the necessary funds to keep The Paul's Place to themselves and they had to vacate the premises. They have been refurbished and yet another faceless and completely empty (I've passed by them daily and have never seen a single pundit there) generic massage parlour is operating there now (girls offering foot massage). I don't think it will survive. C. The business. I relied solely on the apps, this time. Interestingly, the most popular app over there is still Grindr. Hornet is almost unheard of. Scruff is still reasonably popular but Growlr, which used to be used quite extensively, isn't anymore. Jack'd is a waste of space. All of the apps work perfectly well via a VPN and, bizarrely, for days in a row without any VPN whatsoever. Here is what the menu in December 2023 - January 2024 looked like. A massage (we are talking massage, not 'massage') might have cost you as little as IDR 85k and up to IDR 200k (at the time, US$1 = IDR 15k approx). As usual, there was no correlation (either direct or reverse) between the cost of the service and its quality. A massage session with extras would be IDR 400k - IDR 750k. Again, there was no correlation (either direct or reverse) between the price and the quality of the service. To be clear - we are talking outcalls here (i.e. the 'masseur' will visit you at your hotel). - service providers. Before the pandemic, almost all service providers were either Balinese or Javanese. It's not like that anymore: during my 3 and a-half week stay there, I encountered this time a much wider range of service providers: Sulawesi, West New Guinea, Borneo, Bali, Java. Many of those were employees at Adam's Apple, Elegantz, Banana Spa before but decided to go freelance. - massage. Generally, the quality has deteriorated (we are talking massage rather than 'massage' here). These days, even if you request a Swedish or a deep tissue session, it will inevitably transform into a Balinese massage session when you are massaged by an elbow and a forearm, mostly. Before the pandemic, if I asked for a deep tissue, I'd get it (not necessarily of a good quality). These days, it is Balinese only, even if you ask for something else. This was my major disappointment. Even in (expensive) hotels, you ask for a deep tissue massage and end up with 'forearm and elbow' in the end. - service quality, customer service and product stewardship. Generally, it still remains high. Unfortunately, the hard times do influence the quality though. Before the pandemic, I couldn't have imagined a conversation like that: "Sir, could you give me IDR 800k now and I promise I'll give you a free massage tomorrow?" Bali used to be one of the very few places where conversations like that had been unthinkable - sadly, not anymore. - individual reviews. = A Sulawesi guy, early 30s, former employee of Adam's Apple, Elegantz and Banana Spa. IDR 400k for the job (massage + extras). Massage was very mediocre: not enough pressure, poor technique, slipped into 'forearm and elbow' almost immediately. The endowment was small, didn't perform well, asked for IDR 800k as an advance payment for a free massage afterwards (obviously, he didn't get the money). I didn't contact him again. = A Balinese guy, mid-30s, a spa worker (a regular hotel spa, not a gay spa). IDR 750k for the job. Exceedingly good massage but did slip into 'forearm and elbow', eventually. The endowment was average but very good fucking technique, genuine passion. Met twice. = A Balinese gay, early 40s, IDR 700k for the job. Very good massage, didn't slip into 'forearm and elbow'. The endowment was huge by local standards (i.e. average European), outstanding fucking technique and genuine passion (I came hands-free). Met him 4 times. = A West New Guinea guy, late 20s. Free service (see below). Average massage, a rather small endowment but great genuine passion and very good technique. Met him 3 times. = A Javanese guy, late 30s. Free service (see below). No massage, average endowment but great genuine passion and very good technique. Met him once. = A Borneo guy, mid-40s. IDR 600k. Very good massage, didn't slip into 'forearm and elbow'. The endowment was small, but he was a very good bottom. Met him once. = A Javanese guy, early 40s. Free service (see below). No massage, very small endowment but he was an outstanding and passionate bottom. Met him once. D. Free services. I've been visiting Bali for many MANY years, and it was the first time that anyone - moreover, several people - explicitly told me they wanted a free session with me. These are mostly local professionals ('local' doesn't mean Balinese - it means someone who lives there now; 'professional' means a person of independent means who isn't a spa worker/masseur/etc) and could be as young as 25 and as old as 50. Judging by the pre- and postcoital conversations with the locals, the main reason for it is the lack of foreigners: while they are still used to the earlier abundance of choice, the choice isn't there anymore, and they are getting desperate.

Recently noticed I hadn't received mileage credit for my last trip to bkk so called airline customer service. Since I was crediting miles to a partner account, they told me to contact that airline to initiate the process. Thought it was unusual work around but I followed through. The partner (AA) took my flights numbers and ticket number and said they would submit form to carrier (CX). Five days later received email from AA customer support, requesting copies of ticket receipt and boarding passes. I hadn't retained boarding passes for outbound flights but did manage to find my return boarding passes still in my carry on backpack. Sent those along today. Lesson learned: Don't dispose of those boarding passes until you've seen the miles on your account, especially when itinerary involves partner carriers.

So, kind of like Pattaya, I was totally messed up on my 2nd night , sleep wise afer the 1st night and my sleep didn't get in sync on the 2nd night. Plus my body told me to recuperate and I did. I was ready for the 3rd night....woke up at 530am and thought I was going to be fucked again come later, but I kept busy and it's now almost 5am and I'm ok, nearly 24 hrs later. I went to MBK to look for a shirt I bought last time that I really liked, but it seems like is an old model and were out of my size.....so I bought a coupe of different ones. Went to DQ for a blizzard, always makes me happy, surprised how many they sell out of such a small stand in the mall. Decided to get a haircut at David #5, near where the gay hotel on Rama IV was (BBB INN)... got there just in times before 5 other locals came in shortly after me...the wait would have been ridiculous. Needed to buy some alcohol and was 4pm, so had to kill an hour....damn law for the drunk school kids, lol So I walked around Silom looking at the massage shops....ZERO interesting nor anyone interested in business, just their phones! Ran into a group of construction guys getting off work, thought about inviting a few for drinks.... Went to Foodland to do my shopping with a few minutes left on the alcohol timer.....so ridiculous. Messaged @vinapu to see what his plans were and we settled to meet at Hotmale downstairs bar at 7pm.....I was punctual, he was 4 minutes late. However this time he came straight to me instead of going to someone else, thinking it was me.... progress! Hung out there for an hour and we decided to walk to Tawan/Soi 6 to see if his Tawan massage guy was there....he wasn't (supposedly). The guy that was outside (I'll come back to him later) said he usually comes late, so we did a roundtrip of Soi 6, without anything interesting, except @vinapuknew a massage guy there from years ago. On the way back to Tawan, his "massage" guy came outside and they both disappeared into the heavens. We agreed to meet up later.....he wanted to see SOL at 10pm, since he hadn't been there before. I hesitated to go in @400 baht a drink, didn't look promising, but I did it for moral support, lol. I couldn't stand the entire show and left, they're hitting the Cabaret market, not the whores like us 🙄 Back to Hotmale bar downstairs....after the show he came over and we contemplated Hot Male upstairs or Screw Boy....I checked out Hot Male, was packed and the big cock show was on, we decided to try Screw boys. One of the guys that I almost fell in love with , that messaged me saying he was going back to Cambodia tonight, was shocked to see me walk in, as was I surprised to see him there, nothing shocks me anymore in Thailand, unless if Gayinpattaya bought me a drink maybe. I REALLY liked this guy and was willing to overlook everything...I don't go out with much CASH, but have credit cards....I asked the mamasan if I could pay with card if I bought a boy drink (soda only 400baht) and an off, 500 baht....10% cc commission , wtf? I said , ok I won't no neither and they said ok....yet another example of Thai business logic. Lose 900 baht of almost free money and to lose what comes to a max 4% cc commission, of 36 baht??? If you know me, I'm a stubborn man of principles, lol I made an agreement with the kid, I'd see him after work at Hot Male at 2am....I half knew he wouldn't show, and he didn't. Meanwhile I lost 2 options at Super A and 1 at Hot male downstairs. Will I ever learn..... doubtfully , I believe in people more than I should. Since I had about 2 hrs to wait for him I walked Surawong looking for a foot massage, this is when I ran into the Tawan guy that was outside of the bar, with 2 other guys....He told me I could pay for the 3 of them to eat and I could join them, lmfao. I told him I was full and am on a diet, but he could fuck me for free if he wanted too....he didn't get the irony. The only massage of the surawong shops wanted to do, was a body oil massage, because they know that have a happy ending upsell chance, but not with only a foot massage. The last place next to Tarntawan hotel agreed to take me in and A cute 20 yr old Laos boy did it and was fun, I'll give him a chance to do a full body, he was playful with my cock/balls because I was in my boxers only, was late and only us in the shop and I didn't want to use massage pants. After finishing, went back towards Hot Male and ran into the Tawan guy and friends AGAIN! I asked, "you still eating, wtf" he laughed and offered me some of his food, he redeemed himself. Hung out waiting for Screw Boy guy and never appeared nor read/replied any of my Line messages..... So I went to Silom, as DJ and GOD was letting out. Was like a scene of the night of the living dead, as you can imagine.....WASTED ASIANS stumbling all over the place. I sat on the side stoop and watched the show go on for about an hour, was entertaining/sad at the same time. I got on Grindr and a thai/Turkish guy messaged me, staying on soi 5....nothing added up, his story or his pics. So blew him off and never heard back from him. Saw a guy on Silom that claimed to work at a soi 6 massage shop, some made up name place, I gave him the "give me a sample" line, again, saved me, total shit massage, dodged a bullet there! Ran into one of the guys that work selling the good underwear on Silom, I've known him for awhile, I think I make him nervous, he knows I like him, lol I wasn't hungry, but how could I pass up Foodland on the way back to my hotel.....there was a few interesting guys there to watch, again for the entertainment value. End of the story, @vinapu booked a 1 AM guy as not to end up empty handed like me and I am always looking for the best in people, which seems to be more difficult anywhere these days.... Long post, not as eloquent as most, but I'm writing it before I go to sleep and my memory is erased by aliens overnight. Forgot to mention we met up with a board member in SOL, I forget his name, the aliens have already gotten to me.... Also , Screw boy guy just messaged me saying he's in Cambodia now, lol I met a Brazilian American YEARS ago in Rio that used to hang out in front of Corujinha in Rio, was like Malaysia hotel back in the day, before the internet, hook up place after the bars to meet MB's. I always remember his advice, yet don't always follow it.... NEVER trust guys that suck cock for money.....if they're willing to do that, you never know what they're capable of doing. Maybe not today or weeks/months from now.... but at some point they'll do SOMETHING and you can't be surprised by it. Some just show their true colors sooner than others 🙄 Sarcastic, yes....accurate....give it time, you'll see. A few pics, so you get the vibe of the night.

Well, there are very few foreigners in that region, almost none that I've seen (Argentinians/Colombians aside). It was edgy as in every big Brazilian city, but usual precautions apply. Rio, Salvador, Fortaleza are all quite dangerous - but foreign tourists still go there and happily survive to tell the tale!

I probably had the same Mike driver today from Jomtien to Koh Chang pier. She didn't have enough cash for the gas so I had to pay her the transfer at the gas station. Otherwise she was ok...

From The Irrawaddy Myanmar’s regime has handed death sentences to three brigadier generals who surrendered to the Brotherhood Alliance at Laukkai in northern Shan State. The other three brigadier generals have been jailed for life, according to junta sources. On January 4, almost 2,400 regime troops, including more than 200 officers surrendered to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kokang on the Chinese border. The MNDAA sent the soldiers and around 1,600 relatives back to the regime. Brigadier General Moe Kyaw Thu, the Laukkai headquarters chief, Brigadier General Tun Tun Myint, the acting chief of Kokang Self-Administered Zone, and Brigadier General Zaw Myo Win, the Division 55 commander, were given death sentences, according to junta sources. Brigadier General Aye Min Oo, Brigadier General Thaw Zin Oo and Brigadier General Aung Zaw Lin, the chiefs of Operation Centers 14, 16 and 12 respectively, were reportedly jailed for life. The Brotherhood Alliance, which also includes the Arakan Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army, launched Operation 1027 across northern Shan State on October 27 last year. The alliance has seized over 500 junta bases, including several headquarters, about 17 towns and vital trade routes with China across northern Shan State.

Let me hazard a guess: the Pattaya city council or whatever they call themselves is obsessed with making their city a family friendly destination, and they are ultra sensitive to any marketing effort that still makes it look like sin city. Bangkok is more relaxed because the majority of tourists it gets are 'morally upright' visitors anyway, whose primary interests are temples, malls, food, chatuchak, malls, food....

I comment about the massage scene in Pattaya (Jomtien). As per the below Supertown Jomtien Complex webpage there are 10 massage shops noted by said web site administrator. Of which 9 are gay - where the Thai Blind Massage I do not know if they are gay even though they reside within the walls of the complex. I lament about the Jomtien massage scene because it is so disorganized when compared to the super sophisticated way that the Bangkok massage places market their masseurs. There is practically ZERO marketing for the Jomtien masseurs and near ZERO use of marketing technologies (i.e., Line, Twitter, webpages, etc.) In Bangkok, there are Line sites for most of the massage shops with pictures of the masseurs with information about their preferences. Then there is sometimes a booking system via Line or Twitter to obtain time with your favorite masseur. Bangkok has a couple of EXCELLENT chat and review systems that are enabled in Line. I joined 3 of them via Twitter, at: B_u_X: Massage Addicted - Twitter ID = @Massageaddictt1 - if you agree with his terms of engagement you can become a member for a small fee of 300 baht per year. Once you pay to his PromptPay, he will allow you to enter into his private Line Group where you will have access to the Chat, monthly .pdf masseur reviews, OpenChat, and promotional discounts and coupons. Note that everything is in Thai - but I just use Google Translate and I do quite well communicating. I find the monthly .pdf reviews VERY interesting (to translate these .pdf documents you need to use the Google Translate image translate function for each single page - cumbersome but FULL of very useful information - like how did the sex and/or happy ending go and the related rating of the masseur given by the designated rater). His Line group (B_u_X Massage Addicted By Bung) has 2,459 members and the chat is VERY active and busy. see sample screen shot below. Massage Insider - Twitter ID = @massageinside3 - if you agree with his terms of engagement you can become a member for a small fee of 300 baht per year. Once you pay to his Thai bank account, he will allow you to enter into his private Line Group where you will have access to the Chat, monthly (and sometimes weekly) masseur reviews (note that the reviews are written in Line in the Notes section in Thai - but you just click on the translate button in Line and you instantly see everything in English), OpenChat, and promotional discounts and coupons. Note that everything is in Thai - but I just use Google Translate and I do quite well communicating. His Line group (M Community) has 2,690 members and the chat is VERY active and busy. see sample screen shot below. Planet Worldz Massage - Twitter ID = @PlanetWorldX - his group is more expensive @500 baht for 1 year. I have not yet joined - but I am very tempted as I like what his offering is: Massage reviews in Line with the possibility of xxx photos from the actual massage that was reviewed, Weekly updates in Line and also on Twitter, Twitter access to thrilling clips with an emphasis on the xxx parts, Line group chat access. I note that the emphasis on the above 3 groups are primarily focused on Bangkok, but with some emphasis on Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, and even Japan (occasionally). There was ZERO focus on Pattaya. So, my question to all of you is - why is Pattaya SO difficult and disorganized for massages ? I asked some of my Thai Jomtien based massage friends and they say that the local police in Jomtien/Pattaya have a FIRM control over them and that is why you don't see any of them having personal line profiles, booking systems, massage shop web pages, etc. Is this true? If so, why would the local police want to stranglehold the local massage industry in Pattaya/Jomtien when it has the potential to be vibrant like in Chiang Mai, Phuket, or even small Hat Yai - which has 3 massage shops down in the conservative southern part of Thailand?? Perplexed in Jomtien......

I think most MAGAts buy their genuine made in China MAGA hats from Temu for $2.68.

I wonder how Melania explains to her son that his father is a rapist. I'll bet he already knew it. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/26/trump-trial-jean-carroll-defamation-verdict-00138171

My memories are sweet....and I was thirty years younger in the Golden Age. A mere slip of a forty five year-old! But Vinapu's right; it's good growing old with someone you love. It's good that we enjoy simple things together...a walk on the beach, a nice meal....an early night. Well, to be honest they all are now! Furthermore, Pattaya may have lost some of its attractive sleaze and a lot of its former vibrancy, but it is cleaner, has better air and beaches, better restaurants, better travel from a better airport. And much else. I no longer travel Economy. We stay in better hotels. We eat well. We spend money on clothes- well, one of us does. On a more melancholy note, an added sweetness results from the fact that we know that this won't last forever and so, as I often say, carpe diem. Each moment together- and in Thailand- is priceless.

I was Friday, Saturday, Sunday at Boa Vista and there were many GPs on all three days, with Friday possibly the busiest - was it because of bingo? I remember Boa Vista before the pandemic - and GPs were fewer in between than they seemed now when I visited. The corridor leading to the maze is where they line up like at the 117 corridor in Rio. I've been to Recife maybe 4 times before, and that's why this time I was surprised - I didn't expect more than four or five garotos, and there were easily around 20 of them. At California, I think it's the management that encourages GPs to go naked on Thu - they brand Thursday the "dark nude night" - but I think they are rather reluctant to go full nude all the time, but some of the regular GPs wrap their towel around the dick rather than around the hips and walk around that way - something they don't do on any other days

Soi 6 shops close at midnight but if you arrive just shy most guys will still accommodate you. Some guys stagger the time they report for work. If they come before noon they get to leave at 10 or 11pm. Personally I think best time to go is mid afternoon to early evening. Told you that luck would change in Bangkok. 👍

From PBS A groundbreaking visual investigation in collaboration with The Washington Post featuring a detailed examination of how Hamas was able to breach Israel’s vaunted security barrier on Oct. 7 and carry out its attack. This special collaboration stems from a Post reconstruction, now deepened with additional on-the ground reporting and riveting interviews that present a remarkable picture of how, as the Post reporters show, Hamas was planning the attack in plain sight, and Israel was blinded to its own vulnerabilities. Continue to video https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/failure-at-the-fence/

IMO unsavory reputation as regards sex and drinking has small impact the main reasons of the gay scene decline are others; Thailand becomes more and more expensive over the years, less Thai guys are willing to go as money boys, authorities restrictions on entertainment venues ( especially limiting the closure time ) , Falang countries are much tolerate to gays and have much more gay local venues and the most important thing the younger gay generation are behaving more like regular tourists and are not limiting themselves to 'gay ghettos'.

From ABC News (Australia) Dr Richard Harris appointed South Australia's Lieutenant Governor The heroic doctor involved in the infamous Thai cave rescue has been named as South Australia's next Lieutenant Governor. South Australian anaesthetist Dr Richard Harris, who rose to fame after his involvement in the rescue of 12 children trapped in a cave in Thailand, will be sworn into the role next month. The former Australian of the Year will replace Dr James Muecke, who has served in the role since 2022. Dr Harris was described as an integral part of the rescue of a team of soccer players and their 25-year-old coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand in 2018. Dr Harris conducted initial medical assessments on the boys and advised authorities on the safest extraction methods. On the day of evacuation, he gave the medical all-clear for each boy and administered anaesthesia before they left the cave. Dr Harris was about to leave on a cave diving adventure when he was called by expert divers from the UK to assist in the rescue mission using his unique dual skills of medical knowledge and cave diving. He was the last person out of the cave. Dr Harris received the prestigious Star of Courage bravery award for his efforts, and was named joint Australian of the Year in 2019. In his new role, Dr Harris will serve as deputy to South Australia's Governor, Frances Adamson. The Lieutenant Governor acts as the state's Vice Regal representative in the absence of the Governor. In a statement, Dr Harris said he was "truly honoured" to be appointed to the role and thanked Dr Muecke for his service.

Morton Grove

Looking back to the Thailand of 20 year ago or 20 years into the future isn't going to help you appreciate what it offers today, especially if you dwell on the misery you perceive in others. Loneliness is endemic for most older men. Health and financial issues weigh heavily. I'm certainly in that age group. I travel to Thailand as often as I can because it renews my spirits and my outlook. Without it I fear I might too succumb to misery. Instead of rejecting the miserable, try smiling toward them. Who knows when some day any one of us may find ourselves in similar straits.

He was about to open a bar but regretted when he discovered that most of his cliente will be" the miserable ones in their 70's who look miserable,are unhappy faces most look far older than their ages and don't like to get with the times "... LOL

Next you'll be yelling "Get Off My Lawn" Where did you come up with this brainstorm.....maybe it's you that's out of touch? When you opening your bar?

On my first visit to Thailand, I was 38. On my last visit, I am 76. My stamina was reduced, as was my libido, but I still had a great time in Bangkok. It was my first visit to Taipei and I liked it okay, especially the area round their skyscraper Taipei 101. I was shown so much respect. In both places. people volunteered their seats to me- yes, I look old!. It happened many times. And I went to massage parlors where I was treated with great respect and even admiration. Yes, the guys paid attention to my old body, but rather than criticize or avoid, I received admiration for my current shape and accolades for what they could see of my years of body building. I do look fit for a man my age,, having lost 50 pounds in the last two years. In Brazil in September at a sauna, a boy said to me with seemingly great sincerity "You are so handsome!" I immediately laughed, but in retrospect, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Well, at least you're grounded enough to include the word "seemingly"... 😉

This can also be said about some members of these forums! 😎

Why does trump refuse to release his STD test results?

We haven't seen a politician who could get people this excited since the 1930s. We all know how that ended. Also, I don't see one single idea for how Trump plans to help these folks that are enamored with the Orange Ogre. Yet President Biden has already accomplished more than any president I've seen in my 58 years ex. infrastructure, CHIPs, etc. But he gets no credit. I guess all I can do is canvass, write post cards, and make phone calls to swing state voters. Let's hope others join me before we lose what's left of our democracy.

Rightly so, shit!

What do you say/ask for?

Sunee Plaza began to die when the police finally began to get serious about cracking down on underaged boys in the bars and those who used to hang around that area, generally. No, not all the bars in Sunee offered underaged boys and not everyone who went there was into that sort of thing but Sunee was a hotbed of that kind of thing. Once the police started cracking down in earnest, the gaps started showing very quickly. As the lights went out for good in some bars and as many "Sunee fans" stopped coming, the place lost momentum. Good riddance. Sunee was a shit hole and far cry from what Boyztown or Soi Twilight were. It is sad that on another forum, which now largely consists of the owner speaking to himself, that period is still described as the good old days, with a little nudge and wink.

Seems to be geared to clients who want sex with pre-teen and teen boys.

Forest Park?

But cannot explain to me about these rumours as I'm not American The healthcare system I think it's State run not Federal government in America ? So anyway say I live in Alabama,and I have no job do I get free health care if I turn up at a hospital with kidney stones or I have to pay? The other rumour , if you can't find a job does your social security run out after 6 months? What happens then ? I know America has better retirement at age 62 ,compare that to UK or Australia where we must wait until 67 to access the government pension !