tm_nyc

I would hope that they would just include it in the airline ticket price. Given all the current obstacles that foreign visitors face trying to get into Thailand, another 500 THB seems pretty minor.

Vinapu, I guess that you are right! All the other trans-Pacific flights from North America to SGN would involve a change in Hong Kong or Seoul/Incheon or Taipei, so a re-fueling stop amounts to the same thing.

Cambodia's 60%+ full vaccination rate is very impressive, compared to Thailand's 20% & Vietnam's 6%. Maybe Cambodia's re-opening plans are not just talk.

I am big. It's the pictures that got small.

'Round up the usual suspects.' and... 'Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.'

'Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown.'

Interesting, although the refueling stop makes the VN service less attractive. When the lockdowns in Vietnam are lifted & they start issuing visas to foreign tourists again, Vietnam Airlines might be an option to look at.

Sorry to be piling on but Cuba has also been experiencing a big rise in covid cases since June, so it is not the ideal time for a visit.

Both Istanbul & Kiev are high on my list of places to visit too. My impression is that Istanbul has some gay nightlife plus the hammam & Aquarius while the gay scene in Kiev is tiny, like most Eastern European countries. According to travelgay.com, Kiev has one gay sauna which does offer massage it's not Aquarius. If you have a Planet Romeo account, you can search various destinations on Hunqz anywhere. Hope this helps...

If the Arena news is true, that is very sad indeed. The end of an era in BKK.

As of August 1, people doing the Phuket Sandbox will be allowed to travel to Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan & Koh Tao after 7 days on Phuket. For everywhere else in Thailand, the 14 day Phuket quarantine is still in effect. https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/sandboxers-can-travel-to-specified-islands-and-beaches-after-7-days-in-phuket

My understanding is that Mexico is experiencing another wave of covid & cases are rising, owing to the Delta variant. Mexico State is 'green' but Mexico City is currently 'yellow' & will be moving to 'orange' next week. In other words, the covid situation is worsening in CDMX. Someone please correct me if I have got this wrong. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-23/covid-explodes-in-cancun-and-los-cabos-as-third-wave-hits-mexico

Interesting. I keep an eye on the NYC-BKK air fares on kayak & they have remained pretty stable for months. However, I was not aware of the rescheduling issue. Not surprising as the demand for flights to SE Asia is probably not that strong right now.

Like everyone else, I am rooting for Thailand to re-open & am hoping that they get all the details right. But, by upping the Phuket quarantine from 7 to 14 days &, now, keeping the bars & entertainment venues closed, they are treating potential visitors, who have ALL been vaccinated, like it's last December & the vaccine doesn't exist.

Thanks, XClay, your description of the local talent in Athens is pretty much exactly what I had hoped!

Thanks! An excellent post (even if it's less than what Santiogodc experienced). Glad to hear that you were 'stimulating the local economy' in Athens. Can you say anything about the age & general type (or types) of guys that you encountered?

Everything in Costa Rica is open right now but... they have been experiencing a major surge in CV19 cases in the last month. So, it's an unpredictable situation. Funny, I was just looking at CR yesterday.

I agree. TAT tends to be highly optimistic about these matters. I am hoping to get back to Thailand in the Fall but it's not looking good at this point.

The good news from Greece is that they are re-opening to foreign visitors (including from the US, EU & UK) who have been vaccinated or who have had a covid test. However, they still have a lot of covid cases so there is a lockdown & a curfew but the Greeks are planning to start lifting the restrictions in May. I doubt that the Kosmopolit Cinema is open right now.

This old queen likes that Bentley a lot, especially in that paint color, but I agree that it does seem rather showy for HRH.

I watch the Thaiger's daily video on Youtube too. Definitely an interesting way to keep in touch with what's going on in Thailand on a daily basis.

Great stories... I am looking forward to a return visit to Egypt so I would definitely like to hear more!

I am in the US & have been vaccinated so the 7-day quarantine option is starting to look more appealing to me. So I am thinking about returning in September, maybe. And, yes, a deserted beach with a cute guy sounds very attractive!

It's positive news but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Does 'vaccinated persons' still mean people who have been vaccinated within 3 months or has that requirement been dropped? Will it be possible to change planes in Bangkok to get to Phuket (or wherever) or does it have to be a direct flight from outside Thailand?

Very nice photos, z909! As for the cars, I prefer the looks of the Jaguar but for a car that would actually run, I agree that the Traction Avant is preferable. Also, I'd like to hear more about the traditional Lao sauna.