Ruthrieston

Not a fan of songkran but I don't hate it, what I do hate is when you get dressed up nicely to go out at night (cabaret, show etc) and some twit thinks it's funny to throw a bucket of ice cold water over you. If you plan on wanting to go out and stay dry then I suggest you get a taxi to come to the hotels front door or you will get soaked. 

Nor for me. Other people have a right to their own enjoyment but not to impinge on mine, such as throwing a bucket-full of water in my face when I'm in a crowded a baht-bus. 

Cambodia's part of the trip is here:
  https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/41671-phnom-penh-angkor-koh-ker-and-sambor-prey-kuk-trip-to-cambodia-in-jan-2024/page/2/
Day 14 -back in Thailand
Air Asia flight to Don Muang departed on time and flight was uneventful but seats were very cramped. I guess that’s the price for cheap flight. I paid 2/3 of price of ½ hr flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
 Immigration was breeze although approaching it I saw mob unloading from another plane so I guess it was lucky timing. SRT to Bang Sue and from there MRT to Sam Yan from where short walk to Siam Heritage on Suriwong.
 Since I’m only 1 night in Bangkok I decided to check it. Never stay there as hotel had reputation for being guest unfriendly and I’m happy to report it must be thing  of the past. No problem at all, actually now  if you have card you bypass reception are and go to the elevators directly.
Room was quite big and comfortable and furnished nicely . I liked having real desk there.





 
After setting in I went to XOne and at 4 pm on Monday I had shock , I was long line up outside , when I pulled number I realized there are 10 numbers ahead of me to be taken. But look at exchange rates cheered me and fast at that. From there to Foodland to eat something.
 At 19.30 I was supposed to meet forrestreid , that’s our first meet but we already had Line contact so it was easy. Over beer in Balcony we decided to check Banana so off we went. It was early but there were 4 guys on the stage including very handsome but never seen #31. Mamasan seeing our interest explained that he is new so as welcome treat I performed world acclaimed Vinapu Tuck on him with red note and soon after forrestreid called him over to offer him  a drink.
We know that boys and mamasans have good memory but this time even I was shocked. At one point another boy entered and mamas an told me pointing at him said “ you had him before”. I looked and recognized Vu Thy immediately but still it was at end of Jan of 2023, one year and three trips ago. And it was just only one off, short time at that and I’m not that frequent visitor to Banana as I’m at Tawan , Moonlight or Hot Male. But truth is he remembered that unless he mixed me with somebody else.
Anyways another red note changed ownership for old times sake.
In meantime , after a while forrestreid send his companion back to the stage and we walked to Tawan as planned before. Crowd there was  sparse, probably more boys than customers but shortly it started to fill up and one of newcomers was K, my friend from Taiwan who decided to accompany to for 3 days  trip to Sukhotai tomorrow . He managed to get seat on the same flight but couldn’t get room in my hotel , got place  one across the street he told me .
 Of course boys there as always  tried to extract some deserved and undeserved tips but today I decided to hold the purse’s strings prompting comment from one of the boys ‘ you always had good heart, what happened ? “ but seeing my stern face expression he rushed to exclaim ‘ you still have good heart” , what a relief !
After the show we parted ways and I went to S’s bar to see if he arrived but they told me he is not working today. Good news so I promptly fired message “are we sleeping together ?” , Confirmation came within seconds, I sent him location and told him I will be waiting in front of hotel.
While waiting some disheveled passerby stopped  asking for some money for food. I was surprised because his English was quite good . It looked he came to Bangkok looking for good luck but not necessarily got it. Gave him 100 , he was more then happy as ass soon as he said his  thank yous and left taxi stopped with S emerging all in smiles .
It was plain that he is very grateful for vacations and now for an off. Surely he expected kind of payday too as we agreed he will be paid when we return. Four nights is Siem Reap plus tonight , it was a bit, but well deserved.
Like one of my forum friend says ‘it’s good to stick to our winners”

Day 7 , Bangkok part
 A wanted to go home at 7. Normally I’d be bit upset considering his compensation but today it worked for me as I’m on the move. We went for breakfast to new Foodland in Park Silom, not as crowded as on another day but still very well patronized for that early hour.
Total bill 500 , out of it 83 was my discounted American breakfast. Those muscly semi gods are not company for penny pinching seniors. Then we parted our ways , I returned to hotel and packed since today I’m starting Cambodian part of my trip.  Most of goodies I simply tucked in suitcase and left in the hotel where I’m returning in about 11 days. What I thought I need for Cambodia I packed into travel bag and took with me. Travelling lightly at cost of making daily laundry is how I like  to move around..
 My flight to Phnom Penh was from Swampy so BTS  to Phaya Thai and ARL to Swampy from there.
Lines to immigration and security attested than tourism rebounded big time.
 Flight with Lanmei Airlines was short and uneventful and 1 hour later I landed in Phnom Penh.
 This trip report will be continued in Cambodia section for benefit of those readers who are interested more in that country than Thailand. Then we return  here to continue Thai part , particularly trip to Sukhotai and Kamphaeng Phet.
 this report is continued in Cambodia section at this link :
https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/41671-phnom-penh-angkor-koh-ker-and-sambor-prey-kuk-trip-to-cambodia-in-jan-2024/
 

this is continuation of trip report from Thailand section at this link:
https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/41442-better-to-be-retired-than-retarded-thailand-and-cambodia-in-january-2024-trip-report-brief-but-long/#comment-374666
 
Day 7 , Phnom Penh part.
I had e-visa so immigration was breeze. I exchanged some money into riels as airport rates are only minimally lower than city ones ( 4000 vs 4065 for 1 USD).
 Some people don’t bother and are using dollars since Cambodia is practically dual currency country and is not  unusual to pay 10 $ invoice   with 6$ and 16000 riels ( 4 $) for example. Some places are quoting prices in riels  , other in dollars but both currencies are accepted everywhere and only exceptions I know is visa on arrival and tickets to Angkor ruins where one must pay in USD exclusively.
 If you decide to bring dollars just make sure notes are  intact without any tears , pinholes and writings on them, I saw 1 dollar banknotes rejected because of those infractions.
I prefer to use riels  with exception of big ticket items like boys’  tips as getting change from 50 or 100 $ bill may be problematic in country where dinner cost 5 $ and haircut 2$.
 Other airport purchase was SIM card for 1 week , it was 7$ if I recall correctly and then tuk-tuk to hotel for 9$. Those who want to save money on getting to hotel solution is to take bus from airport parking lot for 1000 or 2000 or leave airport area and get one of the waiting tuk-tuks outside for something like 5-7$ but I did not bother.
 Room was not ready so I went to Dolce Vita for lunch and returned in 1 hr to find everything ready. I stay in OK Palace hotel, twin of OK Boutique in the same soi where I stay last time. Entry to the hotel is palatial and so is   room. Both hotels are in street 19Z, appendix like short soi across from National Museum and walking distance to Royal Palace and whole central area including my Phnom Penh headquarters Space Hair bar.
hotel's entry


view from the window

sleeping machine and the room


 
 In the room I noticed I forgot phone charger in  Bangkok and girl on reception suggested I go to Kandal Market where there are phone shops. Bingo indeed. Instead of walking  10 minutes I took tuk tuk for whopping 4000 and returned in style by cycle rikshaw for the same amount.
 After setting in I walked around admiring smells and sounds , bought tour to Killing Fields  for tomorrow and at around 21.00 I walked to 136 street to my headquarters – Space Hair bar.
 I wish we had something like that in Bangkok although they operate on different formula . Staff are exclusively hunky and in shape – see sample from their recent Facebook.

Almost all guys from the picture were present  on at least one    of three nights I visited there. As always almost means one was absent and that one was precisely one I wanted to see as we met already quite closely  before. But if I don’t have what I like , I like what I have.
Boys there are only to accompany you for drinks and talk. Forget about offs and off fees. Surely if you have designs on one or more you must be very , very discreet and be prepared  for meeting absolutely outside working hours. Boss there , while very sympathetic is also very strict and serious about those rules. Cambodian Prince I had debacle with last year was fired on the spot  for leaving 1 hr. earlier than scheduled and apparently only because he got drunk
 Drinks are not expensive 4-6 $ but if you get heated like me , they add up but this is cost of fun. Some guys are somewhat touchy-feely , others less so, kiss or 7 can be stolen after few rounds of drinks , hand and knee holding is available and generally is a lot of fun. Guys are not pushing you for drinks  and absolutely no word of ‘ tip’ is spoken but obviously depending on time they sat with you  and how long you were holding their knee or hand you should tip them. I gave 5- 10 $ to those few who sat with me for prolonged time. Drinks are what oils bar keep in mind so when boy empties his buy him another one or he may choose to, leave your table.
But there are absolutely no situations like I had sometimes in Thai bars when boy gulped his drink in on ego and was looking for another one. It’s why I wish we have such bar in Bangkok. Easy , pleasant and no hard sell tactics.
Not only boys got plenty of drinks but also myself so when I was leaving at about 2 am I was quite drunk and 90$ lighter , not to mention about 100 000  distributed for tips. But it was fun worth of every minute and every penny spent. Unfortunately I went home empty handed so to speak. I had designs on one of their boys but neither one of us was brave enough to start serious discussion.
 Before I went to bed for fun I checked Grindr and had “ Hi “ from quite attractive looking guy but had that senior moment and did not realize that this guy ( I’m notoriously bad reading people from pictures ) was indeed one I had designs on in bar. It only dawned on my next day in the afternoon. But by then damage was done. Not only I spent night in cold bed but also he figured out that I rejected him and was doing his best to show that he cooled to me. Oh well, lesson learned

That's for sure. Anti-gay stuff is all over social media now in Canada. We had a series of "Save the Children" marches in Canada in the fall.... you can guess who the children needed to be saved from. The usual radical Christians/right wing bigots were joined by Muslim gay haters which was a first. They provided comments like, "they're disgusting, they should be dead," and "they have no human rights, they're not human, they're animals." As for the white bigots, they're using gays/trans as targets for now because they're easy to go after without much blowback, but it will spread to more severe racially motivated attacks and against women.

I absolutely hate to say it, but we're in a post-Trump/maga world now. More and more people are saying things out loud that have long been considered nasty and/or inappropriate. Sadly, it's impossible to put that cat back into the bag. She's out and proud, and more ignorant and arrogant than ever. What was once a quiet curiosity is now an in-your-face prejudice, intended to provoke a reaction, usually negative. I call it a social power-play, for desperately unhappy, unsatisfied people. We have no choice now but to always be on-guard, especially when you travel. The crazy airline stories we hear about now are completely out of control.
This thread reminds me of an episode I had with a longtime neighbor. We are not close friends, but for decades, I've been friendly with her. She's a smart, cool, hippy-ish, native New Yorker, a bit older than me. One summer, our building doorman was on vacation, and management hired a young, gay, Latino twink type to stand in. He absolutely looked like he might have been eighteen years old, fresh out of high school. He was adorable. I'll call him Louis.
Louis had terrific gaydar, and expertly charmed his way into my focus. He was an extremely good doorman, which will always catch my attention, but he was also very funny and flirtatious with me. I love funny, flirtatious men, gay or straight, so an instant bond had been created. One evening, Louis and I were talking in the lobby about his life, and my neighbor appeared from the elevator. She saw me and sat down next to me to chat. She had a few minutes to observe my interactions with Louis, who never ended his flirtatious flitting. At one quiet point she turned to me and whispered, "Is Louis your type?" I was aghast. It suddenly dawned on me, after knowing this woman for almost thirty years, we never had a conversation about my being gay. She knew almost nothing about that side of my life. I was horrified that she might think I was sexually turned on by young twinks, young enough to be my grandson.
I responded, "Absolutely not. However, I do love being in the presence of promising young people. I try to work with young people all the time, because I enjoy their company. Louis is a special charmer. I would hire him."
I'm not sure she was satisfied with that answer. She witnessed our unique "gay" chemistry, and I'm sure she imagined us in some daddy-fetish porn scene, and couldn't escape that image in her head.
Here I was being completely honest with her about a personal subject that was none of her business. And without mentioning anything sexual, I tried to convey that I'm not sexually attracted to very young men, and I hate the idea of having a type. I felt hopeless in the moment, because no matter how careful my words, I was going to sound defensive, which would make me sound as though I might be lying. The awkwardness of that moment stayed with me for a very long time. That is why I said earlier, you can NEVER totally control what others might think about you. The mind can be a crazy thing, and sometimes you will be challenged to think on your feet.
 

Day 6
 Solitary breakfast at Foodland Patpong generated comment from  one of servers ‘ alone today? “ .
I was about to answer  ‘ none of you f….ng business “ but fortunately Guardian Angel restrained me  and I  said nothing.
Certainly we are much less anonymous on the scene than we wish  for and then we think we are. Not sure it’s good or bad but it’s good to be aware about the fact.
 After breakfast  I joined my friend  for some sightseeing of Sukhumvit area. We visited new mall Em Something at soi 22. I was not impressed but my friend was. I don’t fly that far to wander through the malls , no matter how shiny. But at least I kept him from s Silom area and possible chance meeting of boy loudly asking “ Can I  sleep with you tonight?”.
 Mindful that I expect guest in the afternoon I was thinking how to part our ways but fate was on my side, friend ate something unfriendly  for breakfast and decided  to retire to his room to cure both diarrhea and jet lag and I went to hotel  on my way stopped at KFC of all places because N , my guest  loves  their stuff so I bought big bucket and as soon as I got it message on Line arrived with N asking to buy some KFC stuff for him as he is on his way. Perfect timing.
N works nights so arrangements we have is whenever  he feels like seeing me during day
( translation : can use some money ) he tells me day ahead he can come and if I’m free I tell him yes, see you tomorrow . If I have another plans I tell him no, next time . No fuss,  clean and clear arrangement. He is great guy who reads me very well and has only one fault – doesn’t kiss. He is not only one who don’t although his lips are particularly kissable and is shame they are so wasted
 So we had few hours of fun and all started shockingly, yes as soon as we closed door and embraced he planted sophisticated and long lasting  kiss on me. I almost fainted or may be I did , just don’t remember ? After I got my breath again he told me ‘this is my new year gift to you “ . How not to like such considerate guy ?
 So we had  quite a nice and long, no rush session this  afternoon . No we did not spent all that time eating from that bucket but certainly we tasted a bit. Rest I suggested he can take and treat his friends at work which it turned out was exactly he wanted to ask me. No doubt we understand each other very well. Since his English is good we can always break sinful activities with some sophisticated conversation.
At 19.00 he declared it’s time to say good bye as he doesn’t want to be late at work . asked about my trip plans and promised to see me again before I go home “ but no kiss , I kiss you again next trip “ .
I’m clinging to that promise expectantly as it was truly nice surprise.
 I have somebody else coming tonight so just to make sure I went to Thainya to exchange some money. Normally I do it at XOne but today was Sunday and they are closed . Jewelry shop at end of Thainya on the left coming from Sala Daeng is open daily till late and they have pretty good rates so if readers are in need of money exchange late or on Sunday that is the place to go.. I noticed that on Sundays those booths in the area which are opened have rates quite uncompetitive – market economy in situation when most are closed.
When I returned to hotel I met K , my Taiwan friend  who arrived yesterday and is staying in the same hotel . We exchanged news and upon learning I’m going to Sukhotai after returning from Cambodia he expressed intention of going there as well so I furnished him with info about flight I’m taking and hotel I’m staying there.
 At 22.00 I was supposed to meet A, muscle semi god who seems to have left scene recently. I did not see him in his bar , when asked mamasan  there answer was very vague ‘ we don’t know if he returns and when ’. Nevertheless  Line contact worked and he was free tonight. He changed his hairstyle and was actually him who first spotted me approaching although there’s no chance in hell  I would miss such hunk sitting  / standing  / walking anywhere.
 We went to restaurant to eat something, bill was quite high but blame is on me as I was one to pick up that place. I tried to find out what is his reason for such departure from the scene  but my joking question ‘ do you have boyfriend or girlfriend now ? ‘ was met with but reluctant answer “ I know many people ‘ so I left my curiosity unsatisfied. He looked good and happy so I guess he has it good and I’m happy for him.
 Boyfriend , girlfriend or monk , in the room he was great as always and seemed as happy  as I was so another 6th overnight meeting this trip was chalked off as ‘outstanding ‘. For tip he asked it should be I thought   but at least he delivered big and in style.
 
 

Day 5
At first day did not look good for me. At midnight I got message that my friend from hometown arrived in BKK which I expected and wants to meet in the morning which I did not expect. He is one of those types who talk first , think later so is better to keep him away from personal affairs as he may be random source of unwelcome leaks.
After my Tawan guest left I dressed and went to meet my friend. Since it was his first visit in several years and he is fan of public transport we made tours of new subways , monorails  , red line  DMK which took sus better part of day and finally we landed at Madid Tavern  to treat ourselves with pizzas. There he confessed that we need to part ways as he feels sleepy after long flight and I skillfully pretended I’m so disappointed but of course as victim of jet lags myself I understand.
So with sunset I regained my freedom.
There’s another arrival I’m expecting today , that is K , my friend from Taiwan but he is safe bet and big fan of Tawan boys. He told me will be staying in the same hotel I do.
N, guy not from the scene I met few times before and who was away to see his parents for last week  sent me also a message hat he returned and  is free tomorrow afternoon and if I want , he may visit me in my room.   
My plan for tonight was to repeat meeting with Y and went to Moonlight to pick him up. Fortunately he was still free , as a bonus he was not hungry so  I decided to skip the  show and we went straight to my room for another,  this trip 5th  fabulous session.  It was supposed to be long time , till breakfast,  but  in the middle of the night his phone rung and female voice was heard.
Bit embarrassed he told me it’s his sister who just arrived at Mor Chit called and wants him to go there and pick her up . We had similar situation in July but then he knew and informed me in advance, this time is was bit of surprise. I don’t think he staged it , after all we met quite a few times in last few trips so he should know there's no need for stories and he suggested that I shave 2000 baht ! of his agreed tip for letting him go early. That was fair and I did not make any fuss over it giving him benefit of doubt while seeing glass  half full – finally I get some decent sleep.   
 

new ? I thought I'm doing that all my life , at least since I mastered art of writing

Day 4
For breakfast we opted for new Foodland at Park Silom this morning . At 8 am was so packed that we managed to get only last remaining table  in the corner so conductive to not so accidental knee touching and similar sinister moves.  Going there we passed stand with discounted clothing and some accessories and upon seeing S took an interest in some travel bag I bought it for him as a bonus for his contribution to my almost sleepless night.
I’m surprised that is more hot than last January but still at least some breeze in the morning pretending to be cool with some degree of success. 
After we parted ways  I started tourist program today which was  Lumpini and Sukhumit are where I walked from Silom, For some reason despite heat I felt like having walking day perhaps to vent off heat generated last night ?.
At night I decided to make some bar tour and started with Hot Male beer bar. P of course was asking what happened to me another night, he thought I was playing practical joke with him but I bluntly explained to him that I did not like fact that he asked for a drink  only to leave me to drink alone, fact that was noticed and commented even by some other patron. Anyways red note brought peace but idea of going with me tonight was dismissed.
I’m easy going but not that easy going and like to be treated a bit better than on my first night there.
Then to soi 4 to have beer at Banana while watching Jupiter boys coming to work and finally to Tawan. As always I was greeted enthusiastically and walking ATM curiosities should be I guess . I was surprised to see Mekhin there. At one time he was unquestionable star at Tawan and his fame lasted quite a few years. Then he moved to Jupiter and when I offed him in 2018 he told me it was very good move for him.
Few years ago he had serious accident  and disappeared from the scene so I was both surprised but also very happy to see him. He still has his sizable frame but unfortunately muscles are only shadow of steel reinforced  concrete they were when I saw him last time. He sat beside me pretending he remembers me from days past and told me he is still in recovery and indeed some fragility in him could be noticed.
As always at Tawan boys were circulating asking for tips shamelessly lowering their briefs  but today I decided to be not as much stingy as selective so few were left disappointed and one even commented that I used to have good heart and what happened to me to which I cheerfully responded that you guys become too expensive.   
Still as always I’m of opinion that Tawan is friendliest bar of them all  and I quietly thought if Jupiter was so friendly I were bankrupt long time ago. Sure boys are pushing for tips a but it all is done with good natured humor. I watched show,  tipped  f….ck show participants , even forked out 100 for j/o show but since my tip was only one  guy on the scene resigned but my red note was still taken, he, he.
Tawan is more diversified now with few twinks in the rooster and one of them being only waiter drew my attention with his smile so I decided to cross Rubicon and asked him if he wants to see my stamp collection. Me and twinky twink – shock waves were probably felt as far as Koh Samui but yes, after the show   to applause of whole bar we both marched out. It was actually pleasant moment to see that his co-workers seemed to be vary happy for the boy that he landed such handsome and generous farang i.e. myself.
Dinner at Happy Beer Garden, again he selected some  very modestly priced  dish and back to the room. 2nd Tawan boy this trip and 2nd quasi boyfriend performance This trip is really developing very well  and while there will be some mild glitches , that pattern will stay till very end.  Again,  as with D on the 1st night , I suspect he was happy  he got offed and did his best to show his appreciation. I did my part to make sure  he was rewarded for his efforts and it was money very well spent.

Day 3
Raya has breakfast again at 250 per person if not included in the rate. Buffet style and all dishes very tasty. Pleased to see that guy I remember from my first stay there good 10 years ago is still working there although I have an impression he looks like 10 years older but what do I know? 
Today I’m moving to Baan Silom so after breakfast when Y left I packed what I have and rolled me suitcase there. Since it was bit early I was told to return at 2, left suitcase on reception and via Tourist boat went to Grand Palace are to browse stores there. It was good move as I required some old Thai banknote for my collection , one I was looking for  for quite a while.
This of course created an opportunity to invite somebody to admire and assess new acquisition. Upon return to hotel I was bit jet lagged- day 3 is usually my worst and collapsed on the bed for about 2 hours.
Woke up quite hungry as I did not eat anything substantial since breakfast and decided to go to Unseco designated world famous Foodland Patpong for a dish picture of which is attached below.

No prize for guessing it’s name though.
Then wandered for about 1 hour through the area and decided to go to HotMale upstairs to see if S would be there as I kind of believe he will be best suited to see my new old Thai banknote. He was mentioned in my reports before as only boy taken for  a tour ( of Grand Palace  back in 2022 ) who genuinely was interested in sightseeing , even trying to explain us some paintings in the area around Emarald Buddha temple.   
 
At 21.15 bar was still very quiet. Few farangs were holding court and soon after they took 4 or 5 boys with them. S was  there so I grabbed him right away even if there was no competition in the audience. Remembered from last trip when two girls were looking at him lustily when he was sitting with me already. Of course he accepted idea of seeing my new purchase not only right away but also in the morning where light will be more natural.
By time we finished our drinks and took off two farangs showed up  ( separately), gulped their drinks and left empty handed. Nobody was in the  audience when we  were leaving at 10 pm so it looked as quiet night and still quite a few offs from the bar.
Via 7/11 across the hotel we went to my room and of course in  a heat of the moment we forgot about my new trophy. No harm done.
It turned out that next week he is going to see his folks in Cambodia and by sheer coincidence I will be in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap at the same time as well. He asked to join me for the whole week but since I had some designs on Phnom Penh I suggested he will join me for 4  nights I will be in Siem Reap.   We left discussed particulars of that trip for Line and spent rest of  time together how it was supposed to be spend. Third night in row and third fabulous. I started to count my blessings already !

Day 1
 That will be short one as I said arrived at 17.40. Immigration line was hair rising but speed was world beating. It was second longest I saw in BKK ever and still with all boths opened and personnel wisely directing internationals even to “ASEAN or Thai only” booths when they were free it moved shockingly fast.
 By time I bought SIM card my luggage was out already and in exactly 75 minutes from plane touching tarmac I was already waiting for train at the platform.
 Raya, where I opened door exactly 47 hours and 45 minutes after closing my home door,  was informed that I will miss previous night but at least room was waiting for me ( no refund for no show) so I unpacked , desoiled and went to 7/11 to buy some necessities in process took circular way through Thaniya and Patpong 2.
 At 21.00 I was supposed to meet J, our member  at G’Bangkok , soi 4. As it happened his last day was mine first. So we caught on news and food and  being already in soi 4 we decided to go to Jupiter . On recent trips  somehow it’s always first bar I’m visiting. Due to esthetics as their boy collection  beats them all not a bad place to start.
 I’m not being big fan of Jupiter due to their policy requiring boys to appear cold , aloof and uninterested. This of course changes right away after one invites boy to seat beside but still  I don’t like it as can’t gauge if g boy is treating me as transparent because I deserve or because boss told them so.
 Of course looking at them during their walkouts is pure pleasure , smile or not. And soon after we sat down first round started. I tipped red note two of them including hero of my many stories and veteran of dozen if not more  offs over the years HC (Handsome Cambodian).
 I did not count on anything other than may be nod and shy smile during next round acknowledging tip and my presence. But disappointingly during next walkabout I was still transparent air. There were few  smiles but not at me and not by me tippees .  That was bit discouraging and disappointing so  when J, who in meantime had some hunk  sitting beside  signaled he is ready to go I gladly went with them. This was my only visit at Jupiter this trip or as my father would say “ this trip I was there two times - first and last”.
 Outside I wished guys fun , to J also safe trip home and we parted ways. I went to Moonlight hoping Y will be available but he was already booked to tonight so I secured his presence for tomorrow by slipping him and mamasan who leeched on me immediately remembering me very well from previous visits red note each and went to Hot Male beer bar where P was present so I offered him  a drink and in process asked about option of accompany me tonight.
 He agreed but I sensed answer is kind of  suspended. On top of it , even it treated with drink , instead of keeping me company  he was constantly on the move here and there.  At some point when I noticed he is going to bar upstairs with some female patron I did one of best things this trip, right on the first evening – paid for both drinks and just took off.
 As it was past midnight I decided to try my favorite corner in Bangkok at soi 6 and Suriwong. That the place where Tawan boys use to drink after bar closes. Tonight it was only D solitary drinking from small Hong Thong bottle. We meet many times in the past, now he is in bit less of shape but his skin is still as smooth as baby’s and  being late I made another best decision, drunk or not I asked if he wants to go with me.
 Happy smile and nod. He wanted to ride his motorsai but I declined and we walked to Raya. Holly Molly, he was always quiet and bit reserved companion , very suitable for 1st night after long trip but not tonight.  I was hoping for pussy cat but instead  got lion, very sweet lion indeed. As close to boyfriend experience as one can dream about. It was almost shocking in a best sense.  I guess blend of being bit drunk and  probably not being offed   for some time contributed to that energy. What an introduction to Bangkok and a trip  and end of day 1 !!!

I expect I've said this before but the traditional Thai Songkran is a beautiful festival, just as Loy Kratong often is now, at least it was on Jomtien beach this year. The tender sprinkling of water on grandparents and washing of Buddha images; quiet reverence and respect. Very Thai.
Songkran's degeneration into an orgy of water fights and rowdiness is sad for some of us, something I experienced once and never again. Is this the result or a bi-product of tourism? Or would it have happened without us? 
By the way, does anyone recall the scandal of  an embassy official's wife - Norwegian?- slapping a child  who squirted water in her face in Pattaya?  

From Pattaya Mail

Clients and barbers look on in disbelief as the mad Russian takes an electric razor to Supachai Maneecharoen’s hair in a dramatic display of dissatisfaction and height of vulgarity.
In a shocking incident at a local hair salon, a 32-year-old hairdresser, Supachai Maneecharoen, was assaulted by a dissatisfied foreign customer following a dispute over a haircut. The confrontation unfolded around 4 p.m. when a Russian customer, unhappy with his haircut, resorted to violence by using an electric razor to embarrassingly cut off Supachai’s hair. The sudden attack left both salon staff and customers in a state of shock.
Supachai, a seasoned hairdresser with over seven years of experience, expressed disbelief at the customer’s behaviour, citing a language barrier as a possible cause for the misunderstanding. Despite the unexpected reaction, Supachai remains hopeful that the customer will return to apologize and compensate for the haircut. The entire incident was captured on the salon’s CCTV footage, providing clear evidence for potential legal proceedings. Pattaya City Police Station is currently investigating the matter, and charges may be filed against the individual for his disruptive behaviour.
 
 

From CNN
About two weeks after his oldest son’s funeral, South Carolina state house Rep. Brandon Guffey says he received a private Instagram message with a laughing emoji.
Gavin Guffey, 17, had fatally shot himself in a bathroom in July 2022, and the grieving father was searching for clues on what led to his suicide.
Then Guffey and his younger son began to get messages demanding money in exchange for nude photos of his late son. Anyone on Gavin’s Instagram followers list who had the last name Guffey got similar messages, his father says.
The family began piecing together Gavin’s last moments and discovered he had encountered a scammer on Instagram and unwittingly became a victim of sexual extortion, a crime the FBI warns is increasingly targeting underage boys and leading to an alarming increase in suicides nationwide.
Now Guffey is suing Instagram’s parent company, Meta, for wrongful death, gross negligence and other claims, saying it does not do enough to protect children like Gavin from online predators.
The lawsuit, filed in South Carolina state court last week, accuses Meta’s social media platforms of causing a range of problems in children, including depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and eating disorders. It alleges that Meta uses algorithms to aggressively target adolescents and does not do enough to keep them safe from harm.
In the suit, Guffey says Meta does not have tools in place to protect underage kids who use its platforms in “almost every aspect of their lives” and are unaware of its potentially negative effects.
Minutes before he died by suicide at his home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Gavin texted his younger brother and his friends a heart-shaped symbol of love – ❤️ – on a black background.
Since then, Guffey has been outspoken about his son’s death and sponsored legislation last year that makes sexual extortion an aggravated felony punishable by years in prison if the victim is a minor or vulnerable adult or if the victim suffers bodily injury or death directly related to the crime.
State senators passed the bill and named it “Gavin’s Law” before sending it to Gov. Henry McMaster, who signed it into law.
Before Gavin’s death by suicide, scammers had reached out to him on Instagram, convinced him he was talking to a girl his age and persuaded him to send nude photos, his father says.
The extortion started almost immediately after. The scammers demanded money, and Gavin sent $25 via Venmo, which is all he had at the time, Guffey says. He pleaded with his scammers to give him more time.
Sextortion predators typically trick young victims, usually teen boys, into believing they are talking to girls their own age. They persuade them to send explicit photos and videos, and threaten to publicize those images if a payment is not sent.
The scammers are typically located outside the US. Shame, fear and confusion often prevent minors from seeking help or reporting the abuse, the FBI says.
“The FBI has seen a horrific increase in reports of financial sextortion schemes,” Douglas DePodesta, special agent in charge of the bureau’s Memphis office, said in a statement. “We need parents and caregivers to work with us to prevent this crime before it happens and help children come forward if it does.”
Sextortion scams have increasingly made headlines nationwide. In August, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan extradited two men from Nigeria for allegedly extorting young men and teenage boys.
One of the men was charged with causing the death of Jordan DeMay, 17, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Marquette, Michigan, home in March 2022. The case is still pending.
Continues with photos
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/30/us/rep-brandon-guffey-instagram-lawsuit-cec/index.html

NOTE -- From time to time a feel good story comes to my attention. Today it's from Vietnam where a school for kids orphaned by Covid appears to be thriving.
From VN Express
Da Nang school opens new chapter for orphans

At a school dedicated to children orphaned by Covid, a distressing chapter of their lives is closed so they can move on to a journey full of hope.
At 5:30 a.m. one Sunday, 13-year-old Ba Thong asked his teacher to be excused from class so he and his team could complete their unfinished robot project. With the teacher's approval, the boy went knocking on each of his teammates' doors. Six children with drowsy faces then hurried to the robot lab.
"Let's take it all apart and redo it," Thong said, eyes fixed on the nearly completed robot that had yet to reach the test run stage.
The whole team agreed.
Having taken part in a robotics program the previous afternoon, they were aware of the shortcomings of their product, which they had built over four months of arguing and agreeing with each other.
With just over 10 days left until the national robotics championship, everyone wanted the product to be in its best shape.
The children’s participation in the tournament is the pride of Hope School - where 230 children orphaned by Covid, from 41 provinces and cities across the country, study and live together. More than two years after the pandemic, the children, under the guidance of their teachers, have overcome pains together, and each has matured in their own way.
Hope School was opened by FPT Corporation in Da Nang to receive Covid-19 orphans from across Vietnam, providing care and education for them until they turn 18.
Continues at
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/da-nang-school-opens-new-chapter-for-orphans-4705710.html

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.

Most likely the boy was lazy and didn’t want to walk far. Possible that he was embarrassed walking with a falang as he would be seen in public as a money boy prostitute.
The Thai boy I had for a week, the first few days he went off on his own. I had no problem with this as I like alone time and his company at night.
So I suggested he shop at Terminal 21 as it’s less crowded than Central Festival .  He has a job and really isn’t a money boy( maybe I turned him into one), so I told him people will think he’s a money boy if we go together. He said he didn’t care and we went to the mall together. I ended up buying him a gold ring and a new suitcase, so definitely worth his while going.

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.

Reader and Travellerdave have said more or less everything I wanted to post and so I'll add just a couple of comments.
Now in my seventies and with my eightieth (more or less) trip only a few weeks away, I can express my profound gratitude to those who led me to Thailand in 1995, provided me with the necessary information to enjoy myself, and of course those who attended to my needs with a smile and, generally,  good grace.
Particularly one who remains the only love of my life.
Consider; some of us lived through decades of concealment, fearing exposure and-at least in my case- suppressing an essential aspect of our character for fear of arrest or public shame.  And then we experienced Pattaya.
How lucky we were. How fortunate I still am. And grateful, even if the vibrancy of Old Boyztown is long since gone.
 

From The Nation
The Constitutional Court on Wednesday reinstated Pita Limjaroenrat as Move Forward Party MP after it ruled that iTV Plc had not been a media firm since March 7, 2007. The Office of the Constitutional Court announced that the majority of judges had dismissed the request of the Election Commission to disqualify Pita as an MP under Article 101 of the Constitution for holding shares in a media firm. Eight of the nine judges voted in favour of Pita. Only one judge, Nakarin Mektrairat, voted against Pita.
The EC alleged that Pita applied to run in the May 14 general election although he held shares in iTV, a media firm, which is prohibited under the charter.
The court ruled that although iTV had been a media firm under a contract with the secretariat of the PM’s Office since 1995, the secretariat had cancelled the contract on March 7, 2007.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40034976

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. 

From Pattaya News

A 21-year-old Cambodian man was injured in an assault outside a bar near the Jomtien Complex condominium.
Pattaya police and volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation responded to the incident reported last night on January 23rd, 2024.
Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found the victim, Mr. Thep Song, with visible injuries including a swollen and bruised eye, head wounds, and bodily bruises. He was waiting for assistance outside the bar where the incident had occurred. Rescue volunteers provided initial medical aid before transporting Thep to Pattaya Hospital for further treatment.
According to Mr. Thep’s initial statement, the assault was allegedly perpetrated by his fellow employees at an unidentified bar in the Soi Jomtien Complex. He explained that he was drinking at the bar before the incident. After Mr. Thep left for his room and was changing clothes to sleep, two assailants knocked on his door and confronted him. The first assailant restrained Mr. Thep while the other attacked him, inflicting facial and bodily injuries. Following the assault, both perpetrators fled the scene.
Mr. Thep remains hospitalized, and authorities are awaiting his discharge to conduct further questioning. The motive behind the assault remains unclear at this time. CCTV in the area will also be reviewed.
 

I would avoid donating to a cause based on a phone solicitation for a number of reasons, some related to personal benefit, the other to being a "good citizen." 
(1) Even if someone calls you claiming to be from a charity you've known, researched (i.e. you've determined they're rated 4 stars on Charity Navigator or whatever other criterion you use), and aligns with your principles, you still can't be sure they are who they say they are. Giving someone you didn't seek out your credit card information might lead to serious hanky-panky.
(2) If you donate based on telephone solicitations, your telephone number will be sold to others as "someone who sometimes will send money based on a telephone solicitation." Therefore, even if you don't give your credit card information to the caller and just tell him "That sounds great. I'll go online and send your organization some money!", you will end up being bombarded by this and other organizations due to the possibility of being successful. In fact, variable ratio (VR) reinforcement is the most powerful form of reinforcement:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Intermittent_reinforcement_schedules

The addictive nature of variable reinforcement is why gambling addiction can be so powerful
Finally, (3) By a similar logic, donating based on telephone solicitation encourages the behavior to continue to annoy other people, most of whom don't like cold calls at random times. So even if you personally don't mind random solicitation calls, a positive response encourages behavior which annoys the majority of people who do mind such calls. 
When I'm ready to donate money, my approach is to look up my usual charities on charitynavigator.org to make sure they're still rated 4*, then go to the organization's website to donate. One of my favorite charities, International Rescue Committee went down to 3* in 2021/2022, primarily due to inefficiency in use of donations. I did call them to ask them if they were aware of the drop and why it occurred. Their response was that they decided not to let go of staff during the pandemic, so I was OK with that. I've noticed that, in fact, they've gone back up to 4*. I will occasionally donate to an organization which is not assessed or ranked 3* if they are doing something I strongly support, and no one else is doing, such as the Rainbow Railroad, which helps get members of the LGBT community out of hostile countries such as Uganda and Iran.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/135660870
https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/474896980