ggobkk

Without Dr. Fauci and politicians such as governors Cuomo and Newsom, the US would be supporting spurious cures touted by Rudy Guiliani in order to get people back to playing Trump golf courses and filling football stadiums. The best thing about President Trump's daily campaign rally/virus update is that it reminds me it's time for my daiy walk. I keep hoping for a clear opportunity to plan my next trip to Thailand. Vinapu and Reader know I planned for late May...now? Many of the boys I know and am concerned for have headed home to Vietnam and Cambodia...and most have been quarantined in their home countries. They text that they's like to return to work, but now sure what that means or will mean? Sorry...I'm drifting into a rambling rant about lost habits and opportunities.

Maybe this topic and a few others should be retired and renewed when things return to life.

In the USA, the President is one, among many, who believes the coronavirus will go away with the onset of warm weather. According to Alexa, the low temp in Bangkok is 25C. The high will be 30C. That means the reports of new cases in Thailand must be fake news.

On a side topic, Viet Nam is quarantining for 14 days the boys returning from Thailand.

ผู้นําโง่เราจะตายกันหมด - USA! I live in northern California in a university town. Almost everything is already closed or ordered shut by the end of the day. The California governor directed all folks of a certain age or older to self quarantine. I'm applying the hashtag to the national leadership who believed the coronavirus could be wished away and lost precious preparatory time. Up the hill at the local university's deep learning think tank, the algorithmic blessed are projecting (among themselves) the US will hit max sometime between the end of March and April 9th. Max is defined as when all intensive care units in the country are at capacity - this is based on 87 infections per 100,000 persons. I am not among the algorithmic blest so the numbers may be off...but ผู้นําโง่เราจะตายกันหมด

Also received a report from a forum member that he’s just back from the bars tonight. Notes there are very few customers.

PaulSF reports via message that he’s been in the bars tonight but few customers. I’d like to think I had bad information and things are functioning.

Just received news from 2 sources that the Thai government is closing all the bars.

Just now received a text from a long time friend who works in one of the bars. He tells me the bars are closing. He is returning to Vietnam today. All the bars are being closed by government order.

Coconuts Bangkok is reporting that the VOA ban has been suspended one day after it was announced. a review of the policy may happen next Tuesday.

Thanks, I saw a different list. This makes more sense...not that sense is actually involved.

China is still eligible for VOA... Tightening up on Russia and Saudi Arabia is a blow to Pattaya tourism and condo rentals.

Following up on DivineMadman’s recommendation I downloaded the AOT app. Noticed it’s users only rated it 2 stars.

PaulSF is his own specialized GPS for the boys

I received an update morning from a travel newsletter I trust that Lufthansa which operates Swiss may cut its schedules by up to 50%. United changed its terms and conditions that allow it to offer a schedule change that can be as much as 20+ hours different than original flight without needing to refunds rule used to be 2 hours. I’ve now had 3 changes on departure times for a round trip to DC in mid April I have a strong hunch that precise planning based on current schedules will be hindered ‘

Reluctantly my vote went for cancelling. Numazu has wide and ongoing experience of Bangkok. As I understand his post, he wanted to show his BF Bangkok and participate in Songkran and GCircuit. Well, the GCircuit is not happening, Songkran will be tempered if not closed down as the date draws near to reduce chances of exposure to the virus. So the Bangkok expereince might be a disappointment to Numazu and leave his BF wondering what all the fuss was about. Another concern based on my own planning for a visit is that I cancelled my February trip, have planned a visit in late May instead...BUT am finding that flyng from the wet coast of the US creates complicated travel planning which is subject to alteration by the airlines. I have an internal trip in the US in April flying from SFO to Washington DC booked on United (whose miles Numazu is using for his trip). At least once a week, United informs me that my flights have been changed to another time /airport. When I look for a booking for the May / June period almost every flight involves flying though Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, or Taiwan. Each of which might raise an eyebrow or two at immigration in Bangkok, not to mention in the US when I return. I have, I suppose, the option of flying to the east coast of the US and flying via the Middle East or taking Singapore airlines or Qantas...all these options add extra hours which Hank75 points out means more time cooped up with the paranoid sanitizing seats, tray tables, screens, and one another. It's a quandary... I know I'll get back to Thailand but don't know when, just that I will. I also know that Numazu will go back to Thailand, but for his BF, well the full-on Numazu in Thailand experience is something to behold...but next month all of the piece may not be there. Numazu, let me/us know what you decide. If it is a "go", I'd be interested in the routing.

Yes, it’s a Bangkok go go bar. PM for the name.

There is the Venue which Vinapu has given a thumbs up. I stay at The Poseidon and have made it my Pattaya/Jomtien base for the past four years.

One of the boys I've known for several years sent me a message this morning confirming that business was suffering in his club and that the owner had told the boys he'd have to close if business didn't pick up.

With one exception I agree completely with floridarob. Exception is the term "spoiled little brat"...he is a rather large brat.

Thank you for your report. I hope the writing and posting of your experience and feelings helps to work through the mixture of thoughts and emotions of the encounter. My own experiences suggest you will meet up again with “adorable Myanmar boy”.

Great good wishes...it’s your life, live it in your way!

This is not a good time for wishful thinking. Last year at this point in time, I had just returned from a Thai holiday and planning my next journey to Bangkok and Pattaya. This year, well...I’m reading the forum posts and PMs from members who are in Thailand and several of the boys who stay in touch via Line. My plans like many airlines are in a holding pattern about trips to Asia especially those that pass through Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. The rumor internet tells me that things will be better by April, warmer weather, medical break through, quarantine success, etc and United is resuming Hong Kong flights on April 25th (about the same time as the 737-Max restart)... I’m booking for a month beginning in mid-May. That’s a longer visit than usual for me...but all bookings will be refundable.

In the list of forums on this site the Times Information May provide some experienced and tested insight. I second zoomy02’s recommendation of Freshboys and Screwboys which are conveniently in the same location separated by a staircase. If you are over on Soi 4 where Jupiter is check out Banana. You are encouraged to post a report of your adventures and the reality of advice from mamasans.

I’m hearing there are very few Chinese around at the moment.