splinter1949

From The Nation 
Giant retail chain Big C is pushing its flagship branch — Big C Rajdamri — in the heart of Bangkok to be Thailand’s No. 1 shopping destination for tourists.
The superstore in Pathumwan district features local brand products that make perfect souvenirs in representing Thailand’s charms and uniqueness to global audiences.
Located in the heart of the city, opposite CentralWorld shopping mall and near the famous Erawan Shrine, Big C Rajdamri has gained a reputation among foreign tourists as a shopping landmark that offers Thai products and delicacies at affordable prices under one roof.
The popularity of Big C Rajdamri has prompted the company to plan the launch of five new “tourist stores” in primary and secondary tourist cities across Thailand, for example, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai, with each location focusing on products that carry geographical indication (GI) of its respective province.

On the other hand the mosquitoes there, who seem to be on steroids, are very fond of farangs(blood)

From Pattaya Mail
By Barry Kenyon
A group of expats based in Pattaya, mainly holding one year extensions of stay for retirement or marriage, have written to Premier Srettha Thavisin to campaign for more humane treatment. Leader John Foulds, a British retiree, said that the government seemed to be interested only in expanding short term tourists by abolishing visas for mass markets, such as China and India, and easing the life of wealthy expat professionals on large salaries. He quoted the recent announcement about 10 year executive or professional work permits in the Eastern Economic Corridor offering specially discounted tax rates on earnings and confirming avoidance of 90 days reporting.
Mr Foulds explained, “By contrast, there never seems to be any good news for the mainstay expats who have retired here on pensions or are supporting Thai wives and families over many years. Now it looks like we may be faced by demands to register with the Thai tax system because of changing revenue rules and face more hurdles in renewing their annual visas.” He suggested that expats on one year renewals should be exempt from revenue regulations, at any rate until the system was open and equitable. “The very idea that expats like me living on an already taxed pension need to produce a whole load of annual paperwork to justify why we should not be re-taxed is a very sour notion.”
Amongst other visa complaints raised by the group are recent changes to the 90 day reporting system which require (in Chonburi) a new form and accompanying passport copies every three months, an increasing amount of paperwork required from Thai banks about the account holder’s cash balance and periodic alarm raised about compulsory medical insurance. “It’s as if older retirees in my position are being deliberately squeezed or forced into expensive visa options such as the 10-year Long Term Residence or 5-20 years Elite,” added Mr. Foulds. He said many retirees he knew were already planning to leave Thailand or relocate to more friendly visa regimes in Vietnam or Cambodia.
 
Expat visas in Thailand are now a complex field of options, each with its own set of rules. More recent choices have been aimed at wealthier foreigners or those prepared to pay lavishly upfront for a specific number of years. As regards the traditional one year extensions of stay based on retirement and marriage, there are thought to be at least 300,000 mostly-male visa holders including a sizeable number financially supporting Thai wives and families. Although Thai immigration does not publish comprehensive data, there may be 200,000 more foreigners living here part time on tourist and non-immigrant visas which they use together with spells of time outside the country.
A spokesperson for the Tourist Authority of Thailand said that she was well aware that the recent Thai revenue announcement had caused alarm in some expat quarters, but feedback was still being fed into headquarters. A representative of the Thai immigration hotline pointed out that the regulations for retiree and marriage annual extensions had remained basically the same for the past 15 years, if subject to some minor local variations. Given Thailand’s former good reputation as a retirement haven and the high daily spending by many foreigners with annual retiree or family permits, Mr. Foulds’ group is advising the Thai premier not to ignore these contributions to the national coffers. A sizeable market is in danger of being lost.

We have now survived the first year after the pandemic, which was not always easy; the many tourists who used to come stayed away for a long time. Now, for this year's Loy Krathong Festival, things are looking up again. We would like to thank our loyal community from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us during these difficult times.
The Adams Apple Club Chiang Mai team wishes everyone a Happy Loy Krathong Festival 2023.

perhaps disbanding those schools would solve such persisting and yet nonsensical problem 

From Thai PBS World 
Vocational student shot dead in Bangkok’s Dusit district Monday morning
Bangkok police have launched a manhunt for three men, riding two motorcycles, who shot and killed a 16-year-old vocational student on Ranong 2 Road in the Dusit district of Bangkok on Monday morning.
The victim has been identified as a second-year student at Dusit Technical College. He was found dead on the pavement. A pen pistol with a .38 calibre bullet in the chamber was found near his body.
Police have questioned the victim’s friend, who reportedly said that he left the college on a motorcycle to pick the victim up, after he had disembarked from a bus on Rama V Road, opposite the entrance to Ranong 2 Road.
He said the victim told him he was being followed by three men riding two motorcycles, wearing black and full face crash helmets. He said they stopped in the middle of the road, then rushed toward him, one welding a knife. He then heard a gunshot and the victim collapsed. The three perpetrators escaped towards the Rama V Road.
————-
From Coconuts Bangkok 
Klong Toei shooting: University student succumbs to injuries after 8 days in hospital
A university student who was the target of a shooting by vocational school students last week has tragically passed away.
Thanasorn “Yod” Hongsawat, 19, succumbed to his injuries yesterday evening after he was shot by two assailants on Sunthonkosa road, Klong Toei on Nov. 11 in what was believed to be motivated by an inter-school rivalry.
The victim was a first-year student at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai Campus. He was shot twice in the chest and once in the neck, and was rushed to Chulalongkorn Hospital where he remained for eight days, during which the medical staff said he developed a blood infection. Phoraphimol, the victim’s mother, tearfully said she had been by his side at the hospital and that he passed away at 8pm yesterday. 

On a slight side-track, I have several dozen photos of Mt. Fuji both from early evening southbound flights out of Narita and from one of the great viewing spots in the city - the restaurant on the top floor of the Garden Wing of the New Otani Hotel in Akasaka.

But I got my best pic only a few years ago. I was on a daytime Cathay Pacific flight from Haneda to Hong Kong and then back to Bangkok. I knew it would pass to the east of Mt. Fuji and so had my camera at the ready - just in case we broke through the cloud cover and it came into view. It did. Magnificent views. You can easily make out the trails for walking to the top. Aicraft was an Airbus A330.

This is one of the most disheartening reports of bullying I’ve read about in Thailand.

A 15-year-old is suffering from a severe infection after a senior student forcibly injected a chemical into his penis at their school in Nakhon Si Thammarat. His penis is said to be permanently disfigured. 
From the Bangkok Post
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2685109/boy-suffers-nerve-damage-in-school-penis-assault
 

hopefully law enforcement will provide the same treatment to offending senior student. alternatively castration will do

Aside from the geopolitical issues, the move would be a morale killer for Thai cops who—in my personal experience—do an effective job of patrolling the tourist hotspots.
From Thai Enquirer
The recent announcement by the government of new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin that it is considering inviting Chinese police officers to help patrol tourist hotspots in Thailand has sparked a wave of concern and debate. The plan, ostensibly aimed at bolstering security and fostering a sense of safety among the large number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, raises significant questions about sovereignty, the effectiveness of such measures, and the broader implications for Thailand’s foreign policy, particularly its long-standing ‘bamboo diplomacy’.
At the heart of this issue lies the question of sovereignty. Sovereignty, in its most basic sense, is the absolute right of a country to govern itself, free from external interference or control. By inviting foreign law enforcement officers to operate on Thai soil, Thailand risks eroding this fundamental principle. The presence of Chinese police in tourist areas, even if well-intentioned, symbolizes a troubling concession of Thailand’s authority to a foreign power. This move could set a dangerous precedent, where the line between assistance and interference becomes blurred, potentially inviting future compromises on national sovereignty.
Moreover, the presence of Chinese police raises practical concerns about the dynamics of law enforcement in Thailand. Policing is not just a matter of maintaining order; it is deeply intertwined with cultural understanding, language, and legal frameworks. Thai police officers are trained to operate within the specific context of Thai society and law. Introducing foreign officers, who may not have the same level of cultural and linguistic proficiency, or understanding of Thai law and norms, could lead to misunderstandings, ineffective policing, and even conflicts with local communities. This scenario is particularly worrying in tourist hotspots, where the interaction between locals, international visitors, and law enforcement is already complex.
The plan also stands in stark contrast to Thailand’s traditional approach to foreign policy, often likened to ‘bamboo diplomacy’. This approach, much like the bamboo plant, emphasizes flexibility and resilience, bending with the winds of global change without breaking. It involves skillfully navigating the complex terrain of international relations, maintaining balanced relationships with major powers while fiercely guarding national independence and interests. Inviting Chinese police to operate in Thailand, however, leans too heavily towards one side, potentially compromising the delicate balance Thailand has maintained in its foreign relations. This shift could be perceived as a tilt towards China, potentially alienating other international partners and affecting Thailand’s reputation as an independent and neutral actor on the world stage.
Furthermore, this move raises concerns about Thailand’s commitment to human rights and democratic principles. China’s policing methods and its approach to civil liberties are markedly different from those in Thailand. Allowing Chinese police to operate in Thailand could inadvertently endorse these methods, which often involve stringent controls and limited freedoms. This is especially concerning given Thailand’s own journey towards greater democracy and respect for human rights. The presence of Chinese police could undermine these efforts, sending a conflicting message to both the Thai people and the international community.
The argument that the presence of Chinese police will make Chinese tourists feel safer is also questionable. Tourist safety is undoubtedly crucial, but it should not come at the cost of national sovereignty or the principles of effective and culturally sensitive policing. There are alternative methods to ensure the safety of tourists, such as increasing the presence of Thai police in these areas, providing them with additional language training, or establishing special tourist police units with expertise in dealing with international visitors.
The plan risks exacerbating existing tensions within Thai society. Thailand is a diverse country, with a rich tapestry of cultures and opinions. The presence of foreign police, especially from a country with which Thailand has complex historical and cultural relationships, could be seen as favoritism or external influence, potentially leading to social unrest or a backlash against both the government and Chinese tourists.
This initiative could have broader geopolitical implications. In an era where global politics is increasingly characterized by competition and rivalry, particularly between the United States and China, Thailand’s move could be interpreted as taking sides. This perception could affect Thailand’s relations with other countries and its role in regional and global affairs. As a country that has historically prided itself on its diplomatic agility, Thailand risks losing this edge by aligning too closely with one global power.
While the intention behind the Thai government’s plan to bring in Chinese police to patrol tourist hotspots may be to enhance security and reassure visitors, the potential costs are too high. This move risks infringing on Thai sovereignty, compromising the effectiveness of law enforcement, contradicting the principles of bamboo diplomacy, and sending mixed messages about Thailand’s commitment to human rights and democratic values. 
Thailand must find alternative ways to ensure the safety of its visitors while maintaining its sovereignty, respecting its cultural and legal norms, and upholding its proud tradition of balanced and independent foreign policy. The integrity and independence of a nation are its most valuable assets; they must be protected at all costs.

Haven’t posted a feel good animal story in a while but I think this fits the bill.
==========
 
From The Thaiger / Khaosod English

The tale of Kanya, the lost wild elephant calf, has come to a joyful conclusion.Found wandering in a rice field in the Bueng Kan province, she has now joined a new family in Chiang Mai. The journey of Kanya, from Bueng Kan to Chiang Mai, is one worth revisiting.
Kanya’s story began on the morning of September 12, when villagers found her alone in a rice field near the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary in Bueng Kan province. Local officials, alongside the central inspection officers of the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, located a two-month-old female elephant calf, with no signs of her mother nearby.
They set up a temporary enclosure for Kanya, named after the month she was found, and monitored her in hopes her mother would return. However, by the morning of September 13, her mother had not returned.
Officials coordinated with veterinarians from the 10th Animal Hospital to examine Kanya and decide on a course of action. Health checks revealed that Kanya was relatively weak, suffering from diarrhoea, battlewounds, and inflammation of the eye tissue.   Despite her condition, she was observed calling out for her mother periodically. Around-the-clock care was provided by the team of veterinarians, with her health gradually improving. In early November, Teerapat Trangprakarn, owner of the Patara Elephant Conservation in Chiang Mai, offered to let Kanya live with a mother elephant who had recently given birth. This was coordinated through Kanjana Silpa-archa, allowing Kanya to drink the mother elephant’s milk and consume her dung, crucial for a calf’s immune system development and learning to live independently.
Before her relocation, Kanya was closely monitored by a team of veterinarians to ensure she was healthy and ready for the journey. The transfer from Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary in Bueng Kan to the Patara Elephant Conservation in Chiang Mai was meticulously planned, with a vet accompanying her throughout the journey and regular stops every three hours to check her condition.
Kanya was prepared for her journey to the elephant farm in Chiang Mai yesterday at 3pm. She swiftly entered the transport vehicle within a minute, accompanied by a convoy of five vehicles, including the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary head, the Phu Luang Wildlife Research Station, the vehicle carrying Kanya, a team of vets, and the director of the Wildlife Conservation Division.
Today, Kanya arrived at the Patara Elephant Conservation farm. She was greeted with milk and six caregivers to prevent attachment to any particular individual. Once she’s familiar with her new surroundings, she will be introduced to her adoptive mother, reported KhaoSod.

I don't use Line either, but I think I know what to do with a screenshot. On my phone, I can choose to Edit a screenshot after I've snapped and saved it. 
Here's what my Android phone can do with a screenshot:
Open the saved screenshot. Press the Edit option. Press Mark or Arrow. Do one of the following:
With Mark, draw a circle around the face of the masseur you want.
With Arrow, insert an arrow pointing to the face of the masseur you want. Be sure to save the edited screenshot. Send the edited screenshot to the massage spa.   

I , for one , visit,  daily this, Sawatdee & Gaybutton sites as well as ChristianPFC and ShamelessMac blogs. Contribute only here and occasionally on Christian's site. 
For my travel needs,  Kayak for flights and Agoda for hotels seem to be sufficient. I pay very little attention to reviews, be it airlines , hotels, restaurants or indeed boys , spas and bars posted on various sites unless I know reviewer either in person or from contributing here. 
Sometimes for fun I read reviews of hotels I'm familiar with , either in Thailand or somewhere else and find them all over the place.
Food reviews are even less useful as our tastes vary and too sweet for some may be bordering on bitter or sour for others and even if your chicken with cashew nuts may seem too salty, one I order 1 hour later may be just perfect in the same place

use some Windex to clean the mirror

Scary stuff.  I guess I will have to hire an escort to walk me back to hotel after clubbing late at night.  It's too bad that I still look young.

My spy (who is probably also ne of Vinapus spies) is reporting:
 
Customer drink 400 Baht
Boy drink 400 Baht
There were about 15 boys, probably many Vietnamese, most of them shirtless
During the show about 25 customers, mostly Thai/Asian, 4 women, on a Monday night
No smoking visible
Music volume ok (compared to Dreamboys)
 
Show announced for 22:20, started 22:20 (or 22:15, if you count the line-up as part of the show), all acts about 5 minutes long
0. 8 guys line-up on stage, but also come down to the audience, shirtless
1. 2 fck the chair simulation
2. 2 cuties dance around a pole
3. "sex bomb"
4. 3 guys dancing wrapped in a curtain to oriental music
5. 4 guys dancing with candles in their hands
6. 7 guys big cck show, also came to the audience
7. SM  show simulation, also came to the audience
8. 1 muscle guy dancing/showing his body
9. 8 guys line-up on stage, but also come down to the audience, shirtless
 
What I think:
25 customers is not bad, they will survive
Guys line-up coming to the audience sounds good to me, to have a better look (Screwboys does it too)
Show ok, nothing to special, no ladyboy acts

Whatever technical niceties are what counts is that early arrival, been there , done that,  few times.
But as Peter noticed it may work other way around, Last year what  was  supposed to be 2 hr layover at Narita was reduced to 20 minutes sprint through security (granted, extremely well streamlined by Japanese and Thai jet was waiting for  us few conecting passengers ) . I made it to Bangkok  but my luggage did not until next day.
Nice gesture was that Just before we took off they warned us that fight to Narita will arrive 100 minutes late even if we departed on the dot.
Shocking for me was fact that First and Business passengers were also late exactly as much as we humble economizers.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/24648918/evan-ellingson-dead-child-star-home-san-bernardino/
"Former actor Evan Ellingson has died at 35. The actor, who appeared in numerous television shows and films including 24, CSI: Miami, and My Sister's Keeper, died at his home in San Bernardino, California... Evan's father, Michael, shared with the outlet that his son had been struggling with drugs in the past. The star seemed to be "better of late," but his sudden death is a complete shock to the grieving family. Evan's brother, Austin, also died of a drug overdose in 2008, according to IMDB...". Very sad.

There are some elected politicians who make me cringe every time I see then on television, even before they open their mouths because I know what is coming. This morning, though, on CNN, the awful Senator Lindsay Graham took things to a ridiculous level. He stated that had Trump been President Russia would not have invaded Ukraine and Hamas would not have committed its atrocities in Israel.
It reminds me of an old joke originally about a different group of people but let's assume for a bit of fun that they were the three senator amigos - the weird friendship between Graham, John McCain and Joseph Lieberman. The three are on a park bench and discussing the state of the Middle East.
McCain: I had a dream last night and in my dream I saw God who said to me: "John McCain you are a true Christian and I believe your views on Israel are correct."
Lieberman:  How strange! In my dream I also saw God who told me: "Joe, pay no attention to John McCain, Your views on israel are the only ones that matter."
Graham: What did I say?

Day 6: Went thrift shopping in platinum mall. surprised by the absence of the previous stalls who usually cater for bigger guys.  most of the stalls would say xl/xxl cannot fit me, so I didn't try to fit the items for sale. just bought a few items as souviners to be given to friends back home. I also went to central and found a sale on some footwear, quickly video chatted a friend who was into shoes to get his opinion, and bought 2 pairs, 1 for me and 1 for him.
I read somewhere that Big C was cruisy, so I tried my luck and BINGO!!! it was scary though as I read there were undercover cops who one might mistaken as a cruiser. it went pretty wild, which was quite worrisome . one guy even has a poppers which I read was supposedly illegal??? 
I think I have taken over 20k steps today according to my smartwatch. As it was getting dark, I decided I badly need a massage. I went to prime bringing along all  the stuffs I bought for the day. I availed of  their 90 minute oil massage. I was ushered into a different building as the main one was already full. The massage was ok and relaxing. I would've preferred more heavy pressure, but I was too tired to tell the masseur. I know this is a no hanky panky place, but he seemed ok with my hands grazing his crotch "accidentally" while he massage my forearms. After the massage, he offered me to shower in a separate room and later gave me hot tea and towel. I tipped him 300 baht which he accepted happily. I am not sure if it was too much or too little for a clean massage.
After the massage, I took my shopping stuffs and proceeded to Tawan. The very handsome and tall tout with a tribal tattoo on his forearm welcomed me. He could be a model in Moonlight or Jupiter if he wanted to. He asked if I would like to keep my shopping stuffs outside, which I happily agreed to. When I entered the bar, they were about to start the show. As there were already people seated on the front of the stage, they offered me a seat hear the cocktail bar. In hindsight it was a good position as I can freely grope the guys (with tips of course)  before they enter the stage. Saw some old timers from yore. Regarding the twinks though, these are not the k-pop cutey or effeminate variety. They are nearing the roughness of the guys in nice guys.
After the show, I claimed by shopping bags from Mr. S (the tout that I tipped for the chicken supper earlier in the trip). He offered to bring the bags to Surawong and hailed a taxi for me. After I climb in, I tipped him 100 baht for the nice gesture. Not sure if the taxi driver saw it, but surprisingly the taxi driver was kind enough to bring my bags to the lobby. I felt so rich hahaha. So I tipped him for the extra service. No, it's not what you're thinking.
 

I have left Bangkok and write from Vientiane.  I am enjoying a down-time trip here, with not good opportunities for a forum post involving adventures, observations and dilemmas about Laos.  I think I will post from Vietnam, my next stop with more time.    
 
Thank you for the replies.  Forrestreid your post is brilliant.  I think I am back in Bangkok in a fortnight and I will follow much of your itinerary, for sure! You correctly make reference to Paris but it is also important to recognise London (in the past, Camden, and now East London) and Dublin. The reason an English language word to flaneur is difficult is because it is all of the things you say leading to nuance. I especially appreciate your attention to detail in providing practical information which saves me much time. 
 
As I promised, I provide an unstructured update but with less time to edit and refine.  On future trips I will try to commit to a diary as is the custom but I hope this is interesting even to just one person!   
 
I was quick to comment on Tawan unfairly. On my second visit the atmosphere was brighter.  Twinks make up no more than 20% of the gathering of men working in the bar.  I heard more about the loss of our beret-wearing friend.  I was told he was 60 and died suddenly of a heart attack.  An off from Tawan was not in the cards for me this time. 
 
To Sol. I was more comfortable on my second visit (a theme?).  I was first quick to compare Sol with the old Dream Boys.  I think this is because they have done little with the inside so the comparison is hard not to begin with.  They have taken away all branding of Dream Boys, replacing it with usually nothing or with their own logo which is not easy to my eyes (a past failed career in marketing does not help me here).  
 
But the men they have are friendly and plentiful in number with variety, aged early 20s to early 30s towards the toned rather than thin.  One older western guy was enjoying the company of four or five men during my visit (I think the youth would call this ‘living your best life’) with French-kissing, 1000 bhat tips dispensed every few minutes to the delight of the workforce.  I met a man in his late 20s who accompanied me to my room for detailed contemplations on the success or otherwise of the Asian Development Bank vis a vis other international comparisons.  Following Vinapu’s super advice on first trying ‘non-steamy’ small-chat, I learnt about his broken mobile phone leading to the need to start working in the bar as being a Grab delivery driver without a phone is impossible. A 600 bhat per day wage to a 200 bhat per day wage in the bar was the outcome (unless there is an off, which he claimed I was his first in two weeks of working). I suspected this would lead to a request for a mobile phone, but it did not.  The story seemed true when, in a moment of forgetfulness, I asked for his LINE ID later and was told he did not have one because he did not have a phone! 
 
Dream Boys had change during my visit.  As was reported on the forum by another, there was an incident involving the theft of several 1000s of bhat and a mobile phone from a hotel, by a worker from a customer.  I learnt from a talkative (thank you Vinapu for your advice about asking for English language ability from mamasan) man who works there that the owner immediate let go of all staff that were not Thai, as the man could not be traced.  This came from just one worker who erred on the side of gossip and perhaps exaggeration in tone.  Some men are now in Banana Bar, according to this report.  The Dream Boys ensemble are now fewer but the quality is high (to my eye).  The vision of the owner is apparently for an all-Thai group from this time forth.  
 
Banana Bar show is lots of fun and laughs, marketed to those out with friends and groups as well as the tourist looking for company.  Men appear not often on stage.  
 
I did not, on two visits, enjoy more than one quick beverage in Screw Boys.  The atmosphere was difficult as the only customer or one of three, being so close to the stage with all eyes looking, I was self-conscious.  Men are early 20s to early 30s.  The mamasan who refused to not sit alongside me was funny with her sales-approach towards the huddle of men as they march which went something like ‘This boy, very big, does everything, no English.  This boy, less big, only man but good English.  This boy, very big, does everything, good English’.  
 
I was sad that an excursion to Arena was not available in the Le Meridian list of tours (feedback will be provided to Marriott) but I was able to visit anyway.  Once I had found the place (ignore Google Maps which takes you down some side road to a car park with an angry looking guard, go the front of the building, walk past the restaurants and to the lift at the back, third floor) I was very happy at what was inside.  Five men looked not quite ready for Tawan but like they had recently left the gym and were ‘normal looking’ and handsome were in attendance and I spent time with a man in his early 30s from Chang Mai.  
 
Again thank you for all replies.  I hope to post something from other countries as I visit in the weeks upcoming.  

Great report , very thank you !
 
it seems that recently  Tawan undergoes some renaissance on this forum and is mentioned very often. Funny thing we usually heard complains for some members that they don't like their boys becuse tahy are too bid and too old. Nor for a change we hear  that is hard suitable bulky off because stable includes twinks.  I personally , even if like muscly men , think that those twinks there  are adding some spice , variety and value and bar is becoming one with something for everybody while still maintaining it's position as muscle central.
As for handsome bartender at hot Male beer bar don't give up, keep smiling in his direction , buy him a drink, force blue or red note into his palm and soon he will talk business.
I agree with your assessment of Hot male go-go, almost as friendly as Tawan with somebody for everybody. I like their crew being middle of the road both body and age wise 
Hope your next visit at Sol will result in more conclusive impression. Do try again as you indicated.
Nothing wrong with asking mamasan about English proficiency , I bet they hear it daily. 
one of approach to guarantee longer session is to start slowly and with non steamy thing, like that drink from minibar. Asking few personal questions about siblings , girl/ boyfriends and where he is from may broke the ice and generate good overture to more dynamic part to follow.
 
as for Jupiter and to lesser degree Moonlight, again I agree that boys sober look is off putting but as soon as you seat them beside   they start smiling and talking.  Esthetically they are very pleasing so don't allow their somewhat disinterest look  discourage you. Regular floor boys at Moonlight are quite friendly looking even when on the stage .
 
Waiting for next installment impatiently

With only a few more days left in Bangkok, I thought it might be interesting to a few to pen a few notes.  Please forgive that they are unstructured.  I hope to understand more from the distinguished posters here present for my next trip or perhaps my last few days here. For context, this is my fourth trip to Bangkok.  My first two trips were for weekends and my second was for a week so I do not try to compete with the experience on this forum.  I cannot commit to a daily report but I am visiting some other countries in South East Asia during my time away and I will try to do the same while travelling.  
 
Before flying from London Heathrow, I jumped at the chance to spend a few days with friends in Oxford as I would be in the UK anyway.  I can highly recommend the ‘Oxford Tube’ as a means of transport, which actually a bus!  It took me from central London, where I had stayed for two nights of tourism to the beautiful city of Oxford in an hour and a half.  Returning from Oxford to Heathrow required a change at Hillingdon station and one more bus for the princely sum of less than 2GBP.  Grindr in Oxford was full of handsome, university types and it was interesting to see many described themselves as ‘trans’, ‘non-binary’ or ‘queer’ despite presenting as a masculine.  Grindr in London was very busy and it was pan-European in nature, despite Brexit!  For those interested, I gathered that the going rate was about 150-200GBP though I did not partake.  
 
Eva Air direct to Suvarnabhumi on their business class product was efficient, friendly and comfortable.  The food was good, the wine flowed and the flight landed right on time after a good night of sleep.  Arrivals was very busy, there was a 10 minute wait at the fast track section but the bags were quick - so quick in fact that most people had not made it through security. 
 
I’ve been staying at Le Méridien, and it is good.  I like the evening pizza menu and breakfast is very good.  I’m not sure there has been much benefit to my suite upgrade, I have barely used the lounge and the men I have brought back to the room have on more than one occasion have been confused about why one person would need so much space (I think even regarding it as an unnecessary extravagance).  No problem with guests, key cards required for the lift, friendly staff.  Lots of gay folk, as I type from the ground floor I am looking at a middle aged guy European couple walking together wearing rainbow pins and holding hands.  Last time I stayed at Raya but I would choose here next time and save a few THB in a standard room.  The lounge is very nice and if I have time I will post a picture from the lounge, which I think may be a fair challenge for the ‘best view from a toilet’ posts previously seen on this forum.    
 
I am ambitious to become a flâneur (I cannot think of an English equivalent) in my later life and there is no better city than Bangkok to practice.  I’ve enjoyed (most of the time) my solitude, thoughts, my wandering, my coffee, my aimlessness and people-watching.  Today, for example, consider Soi 4.  At around noon, a large gathering of very smartly-dressed business types in designer suits queued for street food.  Interested, I wandered down the Soi to see about four carts in front of Banana Bar and other venues in the Soi.  It seemed to the most popular place for these hi-so workers for miles.  I wonder if these distinguished folk know the depravity that takes place just a few short hours after they have gathered their tasty morsels?  I imagine they know all-too-well and care little - and this is why I love Bangkok! I enjoy these aimless considerations.  
 
I felt something was ‘off’ about Tawan compared to my previous visits (when this was my favourite bar).  I have since read that the papasan in the beret, that I have before met, has recently passed away sadly and this is probably why. Much lenience is required, I suspect he was well-loved by staff. I have not stayed for a show but when visiting earlier in the evening the men working are less likely to sit alongside customers than in my previous visits.  Some older Thai men take the place of papasan but do not occupy the attention of customers. The place is looking more dishevelled than before.  That has, though, always been part of its charm.  I have a fond (?) memory of walking up the stairs from the bar to a room for a massage (if I assure you that it was virtuous, you will not believe me).  A large rat ran over my foot, leading to my loud screams and a look of horror at my exclamation from the masseur.  Happy memories.  
 
I have not found a guy to take home yet from Tawan as their huddle of men now includes a number of twinks, which are not my type.  I did have an interesting moment with a man who I think said his name was David.  He was my type and I was leaving the bar, having concluded after one drink that enough was enough.  He chased me down the road, threw his arms around me and told me he was horny.  My intention, of course, was to take a man to the room to discuss neoclassicalism’s influence on 18th century Greek literature so this admission of horny-ness took me rather by surprise.  I declined the offer, wrongly now I think about it, as I was in the mindset of marching to HotMale determinedly.  I will try Tawan again and hope that this is a temporary situation caused by the loss of a formidable figure.  
 
HotMale beer bar is still a good spot with fairly priced drinks, smiling staff and good views.  I was surprised to see cannabis being smoked at the tables (only by one group of customers on one day).  There is a very handsome man who seems to stay behind the bar there, preparing drinks rather than waiting tables.  I have been trying hard to have eye contact with him, succeeding often, but receiving a nonchalant response.  Perhaps my portly (read: fat) build is off-putting or the stars just do not align.  I will not give up yet.  Advice welcome.  
 
HotMale’s gogo has been the surprise of my trip, in a good way.  The men on stage are keen to smile and engage with eye contact, are engrossed in securing your attention and not on their phones.  Though they are thin in number, there is something for everyone and especially for me (preferring 25-45, handsome, not thin, Dadbod or muscular-but-not-too-muscular types).  Smoking being allowed will be an irritant for some, but the papasan is flexible about reseating (and it has never been busy enough for this to be a problem). 
 
The HotMale ensemble are mostly topless and wearing fetching, pillar-box red sweatpants.  The show is awkward when it is quiet but ends well with an explicit fanfare that even would make my old Aunt Agatha blush (and she a woman with a remarkable, audacious character).  I had one strange experience with a guy I offed from HotMale when motivated by the aforementioned explicit display.  His girth, so to speak, was impressive from a distance.  Back in the hotel, just as we made progress with a particularly challenging logarithmic identity, I became distracted.  Something about this girth was not quite right.  It wasn’t that there were beads or noticeable defects, but the thickness seemed somehow artificial and not in keeping with the rest of the member concerned.  He was a good egg, and no harm was done.  He showed me his Lao passport which revealed both that he was aged 29 but also that he was considerably more handsome now than when the picture was taken a number of years ago!  
 
FreshBoys has the same loud and irritating mamasan and her interest in me has been only for the purpose of generating tips.  The men are young, I would say 20-25, predisposed to mobile-phone addiction at all times when not on the stage though smiles are frequent.  I am unlikely to revisit but this place will be a gem for some.  
 
The new Sol Bar is interesting and I have no conclusions.  From a distance (that is to say the HotMale beer bar) the men look handsome on the balcony, are mostly topless and I really like the shorts with numbers on rather than the usual badges.  Inside, I had a different experience on my one visit.  In some way, the lighting is not flattering and the building looks more downtrodden than when it was Dream Boys.  Somehow, I have not yet been able to bring myself to have more than one drink but my reason is not rational and based on some ‘feeling’.  I will try again.  
 
I have not yet made it to the Dream Boy show but will before I leave and update.  I cannot be motivated to go to Jupiter or Moonlight but I must do so because the men are hot and I have seen good reports recently.  My struggle is the passive, unsmiling approach I previously saw when visiting.  Also, I feel the men are hoping a woman will ‘off’ them, there being so many and the men being straight, and I will therefore be a disappointment.  Advice welcome.
 
I would also like advice on the language barrier.  I am almost ready to ask the mama/papasans which men speak English well.  I think this relates to another problem.  My ‘offs’ have been gratifying, but short with little room for conversation.  Yesterday, I had to use Google Translate ask the guy if he wanted a drink from the minibar.  My ‘offs’ last half an hour usually and I am craving more (they are probably enjoying the easy cash!). Though I don’t want LT, I cannot sleep unless alone.   
 
On my first visit a few years ago, I think I got lucky and saw the same man three or four times (now sadly ‘gone’ as per the report of the papasan) and we went for a few drinks before our deliberations on counterurbanisation in the room began.  I enjoyed his company and sense of fun.  This has not happened naturally for me yet. I would like company than extends beyond 30 minutes in the room talking through a phone. Advice welcome.
 
Although I have adjusted to the jetlag, I do also have a dilemma about adjusting to how late everything happens.  I am trying to dine around 2030, as things just don’t begin here until about 2230.  I cannot do a 2am finish and a breakfast that finishes at 10am!  I need more to be occupied with between 1700-2200 and cannot drink alcohol during this time as I will be drunk by midnight!  
 
I will post again and await thoughts and advice eagerly.  
 

sure , few more years  and upon return we will be greeted by border officer in our country  with question ' did you get lucky at Dreamboys on Oct 14th ?