tm_nyc

I don't go to Foodland for memorable meals. I go there for predictable. quick and economical meals.
The memories are provided by those who accompany me.

Welcome to the forums.  Don't let a troll ... bully you out of here.  Give it some time for participants to offer meaningful comments / advice - point you in the right direction.  If you haven't spent the time to read through the many archived discussions, some of which answer newbie questions, please do so.  

OMG, I just realized you are a first time poster.  You posted a question and wait for people to feed you information, very typical of those who never contribute to this forum.  You should do your homework.  The gay sex massage places are well listed on various websites and well discussed on this forum. 

As mandatsted by both UNESCO and Michelin I went to Foodland last night and happy to report nothing wrong with their chicken with cashew nuts. See attached.
It looks that OP had just misadventure.
7.5 stars and World Heritage designation reinstated effective 9.15 pm last night

NOTE -- Most readers are likely familiar with Richard Barrow, the Bangkok-based English teacher who devotes much of his free time to updating his websites about travel in Thailand and adjacent countries. Here's one of his most recent postings on traveling between Singapore and Bangkok by train.
From  RichardBarrow.com

By Richard Barrow
This is a guide to taking a train from Singapore to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and Penang in 2024. There are no trains that go all the way from Singapore to Bangkok. You must do it in at least four stages. I did it in five as I did a side trip to Penang. These are my notes detailing the trains that I caught and how much it cost me.
file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Singapore-to-Bangkok.pdf
 
 

From The Star
South Korea has decided to ban its nationals from traveling to the "Golden Triangle" region in Laos infamous for criminal activities starting next month, the foreign ministry has announced.
The Level 4 travel alert, the highest in the government's four-tier travel advisory system, for the region will take effect Feb 1, Yonhap News Agency citing the ministry.
The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, located along the Mekong River in the Laos province of Bokeo, is known for illegal activities, such as trafficking and scamming.
The decision to raise the advisory came as South Koreans have been subject to multiple crimes despite a Level 3 alert being issued for the region since Nov 24, the ministry said.
Such crimes involved luring the victims into working for a local company and forcing them to engage in voice phishing scams, prostitution or other illegal activities, and then holding the victims captive and physically assaulting them if they refuse to do so, according to Yonhap.
South Korea has also decided to extend the travel ban for another six months on eight countries and six regions, citing the risk of terrorism and unstable security.
The travel ban will be extended for Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Sudan, as well as parts of the Philippines, Russia, Belarus, Gaza, Myanmar and the border area between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

From the BBC
US citizens travelling to Colombia have been warned against using dating apps in the country after the "suspicious deaths" of eight American tourists in two months.
The US embassy in Bogota said some victims were drugged and robbed after meeting people on these apps.
The incidents often occurred in cities like Medellin, Cartagena and Bogota where US tourism has picked up.
Travellers are being told to avoid isolated locations like hotel rooms.
Criminals use the apps to lure victims to public spaces like restaurants and bars, where they can be assaulted, robbed and even killed, sometimes by the person they meet, the embassy warned.
In the final three months of 2023, the number of robberies of foreign visitors increased by 200% and deaths by 29%, including the eight Americans who died between 1 November and 31 December.
One of those victims was American comedian and activist Tou Ger Xiong, 50, an Asian-American living in Minnesota.
He was on vacation in Colombia at the end of November when he was kidnapped and killed after meeting a woman online and meeting her on a date.
Xiong was abducted and fatally stabbed over a dozen times by a group of men.
The number of foreign victims of these kinds of crimes could be higher than the figures suggest.
"These types of crimes routinely go underreported as victims are embarrassed and do not want to follow through with the judicial process," the embassy said.
And those who try to resist or fight back against a robbery attempt are more likely to be killed, it warned.
 
 

Hi, I spent two weeks in SR this past September. It's a bit more mellow than I remember it from pre-covid - a significant majority of my previous favourite places have not survived the pandemic.
Barcode is the only happening bar - the waiters/bartenders are game, but I suppose not immediately offable Thai style. They could be available after the bar closes, or any following day through the whatsapp contact. There is another bar, called Look at Me, but its location is a bit off and it's most often empty than not. There is another bar called Rendesvouz one block from Pub Street, but it's a rip-off tourist trap place, local guys do not go there.
The Hatha Khmer "massage" place did not survive covid - there's still a branch in Phnom Penh but not in SR. There is another "massage" place just beyond the night market behind the cinema - every time I dropped by over my two weeks, it was sad and empty. So no more "massage" places in SR - however in many shops around town HJs are discreetly offered as extras for extra tips.
Sanmai advertises as a gay massage place - I've been once, the massage was bad, extras were nothing to write home about. I looked at their social media, there is one very cute masseur there, but I haven't seen him once over two weeks in the shop, and other guys are not my type. All Sanmai masseurs are on Grindr, so they can come to your place and it should be cheaper than to go to Sanmai.
Grindr is the app to use - there are plenty of freelancing MBs there, some are straight some are gay. There are some free sex options too there. Some masseurs from "normal" massage shops are also on Grindr, so you can agree on everything and then just come to the shop and ask for a specific masseur.
Men's Resort is the place I stayed - simply excellent value for money, especially if booked direct. They also have the biggest/best gay sauna in SR on premises (free for guests, $5 for non-guests) - best days (and only days to go) are Friday through Sunday, it's empty the rest of the week. I was actually surprised how busy with local gay guys it is. When I came downstairs to the pool, it didn't seem that busy, but then when you enter that dark sauna maze you suddenly understand everyone is there out of sight. I had great free sex experiences with young local muscle guys there - and I'm not the type that would usually expect free sex with that level of men, but the lust for older men is apparently real, they even came first before me usually, and then we discreetly part ways in the maze - the key for them is that nobody sees them (one hunk in late 20's was actually cheating with me on his local young bf who was lounging at the pool). That was very unexpected, to put it mildly - and made up for the lack of other options that didn't survive covid.

From The Star

PHNOM PENH: The under-construction Techo International Airport (TIA), Cambodia’s largest once completed, is among the most important public infrastructures, reflecting its status as a gateway to the capital and its crucial role in the global economy, according to the heads of Foster + Partners, the firm that designed the facility.
It said the project represents a new vision for Phnom Penh, with a design that draws inspiration from the country’s ancient civilisation, its traditional forms and the tropical climate.
It added that construction of the airport, located about 20km south of the city centre, is progressing swiftly.
The firm’s master plan for the hub includes a state-of-the-art terminal at the heart of a new airport city. It aims to provide the highest levels of passenger experience and set new standards for sustainability.
Stefan Behling, head of studio at Foster, commented on the airport’s importance as a symbolic gateway and its role in the globalised economy.
“The new airport will be an important part of Phnom Penh’s development as the nation’s primary inter-regional, inter-modal transport hub,” he said.
According to the company, the terminal building features a central head the nation’s primary inter-regional, inter-modal transport hub,” he said.
“The roof – supported by structural trees spanning 36m– is a lightweight steel grid shell, with an innovative screen that filters daylight and illuminates the vast terminal space.
"Designed to be highly legible at a human scale, there are minimal level changes throughout the terminal and views out to the apron to improve clarity and make movement intuitive. Interior materials are warm and welcoming, evoking the Cambodian vernacular in a contemporary manner,” it stated.
Nikolai Malsch, senior partner at Foster, emphasised the airport’s symbolic significance.
“If nothing changes, the project will be completed by the end of 2024. We expect the airport to open in the first half of 2025, following pilot testing and certification for flight,” he stated.
 

Arrived in Bangkok yesterday in order  to to through investigation mandated by both Michelin and UNESCO. Will report my findings when jet lag eases up. 

Short comment on visit, so far. New airport mad, huge, empty, miles away.
SR seems busy but not packed. My favourite restaurant, Khmer Grill, is full by 7.30, but that's because it's good! Pub street has people, but, again, not packed. Plenty of space. As usual, a couple of bars deafening. 
 
First visit to Barcode, which was busy, packed in fact. Too many screaming queens for my liking, but still fun, drinks cheap. Show rather dull, 3 guys in drag,  lip synching, then returning in new costumes, so 3 acts became 9! One sexy boy, stripped to waist wearing a sort of Roman leather skirt. Two dance routines by him, lip synching also. Just him! Sexy staff, indeed, most of them! Perhaps they can be offed later on? So fun to go, but not that exciting unless you get to know the guys 

I was in Naples 10+ years ago & there did not seem to be much going on then.  I would imagine that Naples, like every other city on the Mediterranean coast of Europe, now has a presence of refugees from North Africa.  There might be some potential there.

For decades I've never found Italy very promising for us....best action I used to see was at a park between McDonald's and the Termini station in Rome, and that was mediocre.

Further to my Bangkok post, a few comments on Siem Reap. The Bangkok Airways flight at the new white elephant airport early. Looks Impressive, I counted around 12 airbridges all empty. There were two aircraft there, ours and another small plane, who can't use the air bridges. You walk up the steps, with hald luggage to reach arrivals. You then walk a mile or so, I exaggerate, to immigration.
This is a huge hall with over 30 desks. Once you work out where to go, I had an evisa, it was fairly quick. I had no luggage, so walked through. Interestingly, when you exit customs, that's it, you are outside in the so. There are hotel reps, including mine, and a stall selling local SIM cards, but that's it! 
 
I got in my car, Viroth's hotel used to send their antique Mercedes, or Rolls, but they said the roads were so bad to the new airport, you now get an SUV. Perfectly ok, apart from the $45! Bra d new single carriageway road with posh lights every 40 metres, for about 20 miles. Then, crunch on the old highway, slow, bumpy etc. took an hour.
 
Hotel nice as usual, spent the first hour fending off guys from Grindr, offering paid sex, 5 in all. I selected one who was persistent, and he looked like his pics, did everything he said, and was great! Fully versatile etc. ended up giving him $50, which in European terms is so cheap! That included a tip!  Then dinner at the Khmer Grill, a drink in Pub Street, and home. Beer now $1.50, but fear not, second free! Lots of attractive guys including the waiters!

While trawling Tumblr I tripped over this: https://gaykohsamuithailand.tumblr.com/
Mostly it seems to be advertising "Emerald Green Mens Club" but there's some eye candy (not all Thai) too. Not sure where the Parthenon fits in, though.
For an overview see https://gaykohsamuithailand.tumblr.com/archive
Disclaimer: I have had no dealings with the listed businesses, so this is neither a recommendation nor the opposite.

January 2024 - Ferchos Masajes (Amistad) is in service at the same contact number and terms described above.

you are supposed to eat there , not gossip

The videos are intriguing but I don’t understand what you wrote. Could you please translate to English as I’d like to understand the backstory. Thanks. 

From Pattaya Mail
By Barry Kenyon
What to expect in 2024
The Thai government is committed to tourist expansion and more visa hurdles are likely to fall in the next few months. Already, only in Bangkok and potentially in Phuket, some visa extensions can be applied for online and there are likely to be more similar projects in provincial immigration. The bothersome 90 days reporting and the notification of address after arrival in the country are likely to remain with us, partly as a consequence of visa retraction. Rumors in 2023 that all expats will soon be required to have their own medical insurance appear to have retreated. Fears that your immigration record will be dragged into the still-confusing Thai Revenue taxation of foreign assessable income also appear false. Some countries are already experimenting with replacing visas and even passports by biometric data for use at airports and immigration bureaux and there will be the start of a long debate in Thailand too about the pros and cons.
Visas in retreat
Tourists from several countries, notably China, Russia and India, no longer require a prior visa to visit Thailand. This is an attempt by the Thai government to boost arrivals from countries believed to have huge expansion potential. Although there have been rumors that citizens of UK, US, EU and Australia will have their visa-exempt status improved from 30 days to 90 days without visiting local immigration, there has not been any announcement.
Extending a visa
Visa-exempt arrivals with a 30 days stamp can obtain a further 30 days on application at immigration with a fee of 1,900 baht. They must fill in an extension form, provide a passport photo and – crucially – provide evidence of their local address on a separate form known as TM30. Evidence would normally be a receipt from the hotel or a property lease, or proof of ownership of a condominium or residence. This proof of address is required as soon as possible after arrival and must be renewed every time the tourist re-enters Thailand. Many hotels and condominiums automatically register their guests online with immigration. If so, they will have an official confirmation from immigration which the tourist will need if requiring a service from immigration such as extending their stay, or as part of the bureaucracy to open a bank account.
Border runs
Visa-exempt nationals can obtain a further 30 days by visiting the border, usually with Cambodia, on a border run. This basically involves a minibus day trip by a tour organizer and the cost is typically 4,000-5,000 baht. Thai immigration has a limit of two entries by land in a calendar year. There is no formal limit on the number of entries by air from any country, although there will be problems if an individual tries to “live” in Thailand by too-frequent arrivals at the Thai airport without an authorized, pre-arranged visa.
Visas from embassies
Increasingly visa applications are online at Thai embassies which offer longer-stay visas including 60 days tourist visas, which can be extended for 30 days at local Thai immigration, together with various three months’ and annual visas for Thai family, marriage or retirement purposes. They can also arrange 10 year retirement visas, 5-20 year Elite visas and the 10 year Long Term Residence visas. Most of these can also be obtained whilst in Thailand at immigration or via the Thai tourist authority for Elite. These visas are expensive, may involve heavy financial investment in Thailand and some require comprehensive medical insurance. The detail is too complex to cover here but embassies, immigration and competent agencies can assist. There is comprehensive discussion on the internet, although not always truthful.
Medical insurance
Mostly visitors to Thailand do not need medical insurance. A few visas do require it, namely O/A retirement visas initially awarded by embassies, 0/X 10 year retirement visas and Long Term Residence visas. The hospital cover now required is US$100,000 or just over three million baht. It’s worth noting that the O retirement visa issued by immigration does not require medical cover although changing from O/A to 0 cannot be done without leaving Thailand. Foreigners with work or labor permits are covered by the Thai national insurance scheme. Currently, the Thai government has a fund to offer compensation where “tourists” (not defined) are injured or killed through no fault of their own. But the fund is discretionary and is used mostly to pay funeral costs and compensation to relatives in sensational cases such as major traffic accidents.
Student visas
The former practice of enrolling as a student of Thai and then attending classes rarely or never is now frowned on. There have been a number of scandals reported involving heads of language schools and deviant immigration officers. It is unwise to seek student status on a non-sincere basis. Those interested in becoming a serious student should contact a language school of their choice to ascertain costs and requirements. Many student and volunteer visas issued during the covid pandemic were shown to be fraudulent.
Working in Thailand
If a foreigner is offered a job, the host company will be responsible for organizing the required visa (non-immigrant B) and Labor office permit. Alternatively, a foreigner can set up his or her own company with capital, acquire Thai partners, register with the Thai tax and health authorities and deal with Thai immigration and the Department of Employment. An informed lawyer is the key to this bureaucracy. For example, many foreign-run restaurants are established through a company set up correctly.
When things go wrong
Working without a permit can lead to deportation and blacklisting. Overstaying a visa for a limited period can be cancelled by fines – 500 baht a day to a maximum of 20,000 baht – but overstays for more than three months will likely lead to deportation and blacklisting. Thailand in recent years has become more strict about drunk driving (especially with accidents) and possession or trafficking of illegal substances. Whilst bail is usually offered by the court, the time scales involved in trying criminal cases can be months or even years if an appeal is involved.
 

I am grateful for the warning too!  Thanks to Khun Mack who has been posting a lot of very interesting content lately.  

Popular blogger and contributor here visited new boy bar on Walking Street and reported in his blog what he found.
link below
 
https://shamelessmacktwo.travel.blog/2024/01/03/russian-girls-russian-boys-and-catwalk/#more-3507

From The Phnom Penh Post
The recent New Year’s Eve celebrations saw record numbers of visitors to some of the Kingdom’s most popular tourist destinations, except Siem Reap province, which experienced a 10 per cent decline on the 2022-23 event.
Kampot province greeted the most guests, with the provincial tourism department reporting that nearly 390,000 arrivals opted to welcome the New Year there.
In second place was Preah Sihanouk province, with 349,000 tourists recorded. It was followed by Siem Reap, with 304,064 guests enjoying the countdown in the province, home to the Kingdom’s renowned Angkor Archaeological Park.
The Battambang Department of Tourism reported around 263,000 guests, with Kampong Cham logging about 120,000 and Kep’s seaside location drawing slightly over 100,000 visitors.
Each of the departments confirmed that the figures included both domestic and international tourists.
Kampot Provincial Tourism Department director Soy Sinol said on January 1 that the province had recorded 386,488 tourists, including about 1,500 international guests. Visiting residents of the province were not included in the figure, he noted.
“The reason we welcomed so many guests may be due to our proximity to Phnom Penh, as well as the fact that we have so many recreational facilities here. The provincial authorities did an outstanding job of preparing the necessary infrastructure this year. Many, many domestic and international tourists gathered along the riverside in Kampot town for the celebrations,” he added.

Hailey Hicks is definitely not based at San Diego State University in California.
She's been a full-time resident in Chiang Mai for many years. She worked at SDSU for 11 months in 2015-2016 while she was finishing her four-year degree there. 
If she claimed to the Pattaya Mail reporter that she still has a SDSU "base," then she was simply hyping her credentials like other hucksters do. 
 

Yes. Making it easier for tourists would be great for those looking to give (and get) lip service in the LOS! 👄

Chiang Mai had bus service with several routes for a few years prior to Covid, but I'm not sure exactly when it started.  I agree the airport bus route is a compromise between the needs of the locals & the needs of the tourists so it doesn't fully satisfy anyone.  
The airport taxi is only 150 THB which I don't mind paying at all!