Rogie

I don't wish to go off topic but Vinapu's comment about crack addicts soliciting for sex calls for comment, and as he is the OP I think that's justified. I have yet to read of anybody on any forum saying he would go with a boy with a serious drug addiction, such as crack cocaine. It is very important message boards such as this do not give the impression that sex with a boy can be had for 300 baht (whether that is actually true or just a figure picked at random I have no idea) because there will always be men who seek cheap thrills and 'getting a bargain'. From what little I know anyone addicted to crack is to be steered well clear of, let alone risk getting into an intimate (albeit short-term) physical transaction. http://drugabuse.com/library/crack-abuse/

Yes I can understand that, if there are several areas of the body well-endowed hair-wise and your particular preference in those parts is 'no hair'. Others who perhaps prefer the smooth look in a more localised fashion as per the focus on the pubic region can resort to 'making it worth the boy's while' if they are really that desperate! I agree that's not really very kinky at all. But sticking with kinky requests specifically related to body hair (not hairstyles) I think we've covered them all, but I may be wrong! You could go the other extreme and ask a good friend who's clean-shaven to grow a moustache or beard or a nice pair of side-burns. Alas for the aficionado of facial hair, many Thai young men are smooth because they know no other way.

Fair enough Christian, I was simply arguing a point and I suspect most people would agree with you. Presumably in that case if one or more friends make it known they don't like your facial hair I would imagine you'd just shrug your shoulders and accept that, I imagine you'd be unlikely to nip into the bathroom and whip out your razor! On the other hand have you ever politely asked a 'too hairy' friend to trim or shave, in order to conform to your preference? They are unlikely to agree but hopefully will not take it badly and you can always laugh it off "oh well, it was worth a try!"

That's perfectly reasonable. Anyone who hasn't visited Angkor Wat or Preah Vihear before can do the former and as Z says continue on to Preah Vihear by road. The Cambodian authorities are keen to build a road right up to the temple (i.e. not just to the foot of the cliff as at present). As far as I understand it seems that will now be possible. No doubt in time there will be coach parties leaving from Angkor / Siem Reap to do just that . . . I don't know the state of the road so maybe that's some way off yet. Z, would there not be minivans doing this run? Apart from being driven by madmen, they'd be a lot cheaper than a taxi (unless, as you say, you could fill a taxi and divide the fare by 3).

To describe a person as opinionated might quite logically simply mean that person expressing his opinion(s). However a few searches of various dictionaries comes up with: 1. characterized by conceited assertiveness and dogmatism.eg. "an arrogant and opinionated man" 2. holding stubbornly and often unreasonably to one's own opinions. (the Free Dictionary) 3. Someone who isn't afraid to give their personal opinion. It doesn't have to be a bad thing. It's just someone that doesn't stay quiet, if they don't agree with something. (suggestion in the Urban Dictionary) 4. expressing strong beliefs or judgments about something : having or showing strong opinions Meriam Webster 5. holding obstinately and unreasonably to one's own opinions; dogmatic (Collins) 6. someone who is certain about what they think and believe, and who expresses their ideas strongly and often (Cambridge) There seems to me to be two strands tied here; three interpretations saying opinionated is simple expressing your views strongly, whilst the other three imply or state the opinionated person is in danger of going too far, perhaps getting on other people's nerves, that sort of thing. I think the best policy in order to avoid any unpleasantness or confusion would be to try and steer clear of using this word, even if all you might have meant was another person simply expressing his opinion (which as I said in my first sentence might seem a perfectly logical definition of the word!).

Trailrider's comment was a bit weird, but let's not forget those of us reading this either live in or visit Thailand, a country whose politicians often exhibit a weird inflammation of the brain. I am reminded if those brain scans we sometimes see in medical journals where various parts of the brain show in different colours depending on what the brain is 'thinking'. I wonder if we were to brain scan a Thai politician, would he/she light up either entirely red or entirely yellow? Alternatively, a scan might reveal a 'vacancy' in the brain. There's no point in asking, you'll get no reply Oh just remember I don't decide I got no reason it's all too much You'll always find us out to lunch Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty we're vacant Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty A vacant etc. . . Pretty Vacant 1977 Sex Pistols

Good point re the booking of flights from your armchair. That's a good way to do it provided you are certain of the dates you've decided to leave Thailand and come back. Unless you have a flexible return ticket that allows date changes, if you decide once in Thailand to alter your dates that'll add to your cost. On the other hand many airlines seem to be 'low-cost' for flights within SE Asia so unlikely to break the bank should you need to re-book. I'm not absolutely clear what advantage a multiple-entry visa will have over a simple 60d one, although if the date of your return flight back to the UK was nearer 60d than just over 30d, you'd have a problem if you visited a neighbouring country say after 15d in Thailand, got a new 30d entry stamp coming back that'd allow you to stay a total of 45d, so short of the 60d you needed. I assume that problem wouldn't arise with a multiple entry visa and you'd be allowed back into Thailand to continue for the full 60d irrespective of the dates you left and came back. Please correct me if I have this wrong! Perhaps Z lives within easy travelling distance to the Embassy, thus avoiding the awful possibility of his documents going AWOL.

This topic was first aired nearly a year ago, so we've probably exhausted facial hair - likes and dislikes. As for Thais, I can't say I have taken much notice regarding the quantity of hair in the genital and bum department. Certainly amongst western Caucasian men some seem to like the smooth look and feel on themselves down there and go to what I would reckon extreme measures to ensure this. One could argue such a man would have 'earned' the right to be fussy about other men, whereas a hirsute chap complaining his Thai friend was too hairy for his liking ought to remember "and why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

Great pics - very unusual, good to see something different. The guys (or in at least one case, girls) on each boat beating the drum, did they all use the same rhythm or were they free to choose their own? Do they use a variation on Ben Hur? i.e, slow beat = take it easy / loud and fast = get going guys

Preah Vihear Part 2 I’ve deliberately omitted any reference or comment regarding the current dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Once again, text is taken from Lonely Planet 'Thailand' 11th edition Sept 2005. Chief editor: Joe Cummings. Prices correct as of March 2007 when my Thai friend and I visited the site and these photos were taken. Setting the scene Preah Vihear (Khao Phra Wihan in Thai) is one of the region's great Angkor-period monuments. Straddling a 600 metre high cliff on the brow of the Dangrek (Dong Rek) escarpment and accessed by a series of stepped naga approaches, the large temple complex towers over the plains of Cambodia, offering dreamy views and some beautiful and evocative ruins. We accessed Preah Vihear via the Prasat Khao Phra Wihan National Park, as seen in part 1 posted above. A visitor centre marks the path into Cambodia and up to the temple – from here it is a 600 metre walk to the border, where you pay 5 baht to have your passport photocopied, and another 400 metres to the main entrance, where the Cambodian authorities collect their 200 baht fee. Some history The temple was constructed over two centuries under a succession of Khmer kings, beginning with Rajendravarman II in the mid-10th C. and ending with Suryavarman II in the early 12th C. (it was the latter who commanded the construction of Angkor Wat). The hill was sacred to Khmer Hindus for at least 500 years before the completion of the temple complex, however, and there were smaller brick monuments on the site prior to the reign of Rajendravarman II. The temple complex is semirestored. During Khmer Rouge occupation, which lasted until Pol Pot’s death in 1998, the site suffered from the pilfering of artifacts – lintels and other carvings in particular – although some of the smuggled art has been intercepted and will eventually be returned to the site. One naga balustrade of around 30 metres is still intact; the first two gopura have all but fallen down and many of the buildings are roofless, but abundant examples of stone carving are intact and visible. The first photo shows the steps up to the temple Looking down the steps The main prasat tower in the final court at the summit is in need of major restoration before the viewer can get a true idea of its former magnificence. Many of the stone carvings from the prasat are either missing or lie buried in nearby rubble. The galleries leading to the prasat have fared better and have even kept their arched roofs. The doorways to the third gopuras have been nicely preserved and one (the inner door facing south) is surmounted by a well-carved stone lintel depicting Shiva and his consort Uma sitting on Nandi (Shiva’s bull), under the shade of a symmetrised tree. A Vishnu ‘creation’ lintel is also visible on the second gopura. It shows Vishny climbing the churning stick. Finally, a word of warning from Lonely Planet Until 1998, the area around the temple witnessed heavy fighting between Khmer Rouge guerillas and the Phnom Penh governments, and landmines and artillery pieces still litter the surrounding forest – stick to the designated safety lanes leading to the ruins. Also recommended If you enjoy looking at Khmer temple ruins (in addition to Angkor Wat in Cambodia of course), there is another excellent Khmer temple complex at Phanom Rung in Buriram province; one big difference is Phanom Rung has been restored, and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. I think it would be difficult to visit both Phanom Rung and Preah Vihear on the same day. Both are ideally suited to leisurely independent travellers – especially keen photographers. For anyone interested in visiting Phanom Rung I’d suggest basing yourself in Surin, which has some decent hotels. Many of these sites are not easy to get to, so as I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, having your own transport (or perhaps hiring a taxi or booking the services of a local guide with his own transport) makes things run much more smoothly. Be sure to go in the dry season, it cannot be enjoyable visiting in the rainy season as these kinds of historical sights are very exposed with little shelter on a day of continuous rain.

Thanks Koko, good point, but see my comment below. I should have pointed out I come to Thailand as a visitor, I'm not living here. Also I like visiting other countries, so in my current situation I would never do a classic 'border run'. I'd just use Bkk as my hub and travel either overland or by air into a neighbouring country. So that's good news about the 30d stamp when you arrive back in Thailand overland. Sri Lanka is a great destination btw! Good point, thank you Pong.

No experience myself, but an observation. Nothing new in what I'm about to say, it's a lack of flexibility on the part of the airlines . . . they don''t like it when you fly to Thailand for a stay exceeding 30 days, without a visa in your passport. I believe Immigration are not supposed to allow you in if the date of your return flight is more than 30 days after entering the Kingdom, but I have never been asked to show my flight reservation. So, supposing the date of your return flight back to the US, Europe or Australia was in 2 or 3 months time, it would be preferable if you could therefore arrive, get your free 30 day entry stamp, and then if you want to stay longer in Thailand, visit a neighbouring country, come back and get a new 30 day entitlement. I'm not sure if you could do that more than once, thus extending your stay in SE Asia to 3 months, but I don't see why not. Why the fuss about not getting a visa in my home country? Firstly it costs money, secondly there's the hassle of posting it to the consulate (I use the one in Hull) and the risk it might go AWOL.

Back to driving in Thailand. Forget about bad driving, which undoubtedly exists. Sticking to Thailand, and focussing on what this fascinating country has to offer, does anybody have any great road trips they'd like to share.

Cornering? Well my first car (sadly not a Chevy) was built like a tank, was thirsty as hell but petrol was only 6 bob a gallon, and had great bench seats, no seat-belts of course and somehow it still managed to take the odd corner in pedestrian fashion, unlike some of the cars and lorries seen in Vinapu's video. . . I never knew that! 'twas thum thar fins wot captured my juvenile eye - beauty is truly in the i of the beholder. My dreams lie shattered! Makes perfect sense. 1. My head tells me modern cars are vastly better than older ones, but my heart flutters at the mere thought of an E-type, DB6, XK 150, frog-eyed Sprite, or even the Volvo P1800 (as driven by 'The Saint'). 2. Yes, very interesting. Some lucky escapes there. Made me a bit suspicious some of them were staged by stuntmen, but I'll suspend disbelief in favour of forevermore vowing never to drive in Russia. Definitely a pressing need to curb drunken drivers!

They were death traps (in an accident) and drank fuel like there's no tomorrow, but (to me at least) they were aesthetically pleasing on the eye. The current model's (to steal a recent swipe on GBT) Ernest Borgnine to the '59's Brad Pitt. Grab a bottle of chrome cleaner, fit some seat belts, drive it sweetly and listen to it purr . . . oh dear. . .cough, splutter. . . .Detroit! we have a problem!! . . .

Not a lot of sunshine over here in England at this time of the year, but I enjoyed reading your sunnies special. By the way, as a ignoramus on most things humanly bearish, what or who is a 'panda'? Rog

Sorry to hog this topic, but in addition to being saddened at bench seats demise, I was struck by the contrast in styles of the cars of yesteryear and those of today. First, the current model referred to in my earlier post: Compare that with the 1959 model. As a young boy living in Canada at the time the Chevvy Impala was my favourite car!

Good observation Vinapu! Back in the heyday of bench seats in cars, seat belts were seldom, if ever, fitted. Regrettably, there was awful carnage on the roads owing to the combination of poor safety features in cars + lack of seat belts. Any distraction afforded the driver may well have had dire consequences. Probably the 'back roads' were a bit safer. Fooling around on an interstate highway was inviting trouble.

OUTragious pink auto + cosy trad. bench seat = not much likelihood of making a mistake I bet many of you reading this learnt to drive in a car with bench seats. The first car I owned had them! Sadly, they have joined 'proper' chrome bumpers and speedometers that change colour the faster you go into a bygone age: RIP To The Front Bench Seat http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/10/rip-to-the-front-bench-seat/

Yes, not broadcasting it seems to work best in a non-commercial setting. In the first instance (that is to say when you first meet), perhaps boldly announcing your gay sexuality will deter men such as the two friends Buckbee refers to. Making friends first and foremost and allowing the possibility of sex to develop, as Buckbee says, as a natural course of events.

Yup, that works now and I've voted!

I've driven in Thailand and Australia / New Zealand without encountering anything other than the odd 'finger' or blast on the horn. I reckon every country has its fair share of lunatics and like many disagreeable events in life it's a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Driving carefully with regard to local road rules should keep you out of trouble, whereas carving other motorists up or any other inconsiderate manoevres, will increase the chance of escalating the situation into a road rage stand off. As Vinapu aptly implied, many road rage incidents are fueled by drink and drugs. There may be the odd idiot who behaves like that when stone cold sober, in which case I agree you'd better watch out, whether in Thailand or anywhere else!

Sensibly, no! You can't. Unfortunately I'm not a 100% sensible person. I've been naughty once or twice and driven back to the place I've been staying in Thailand after a meal in a restaurant, where I've drunk a bottle of Singha. The person I am with also drives and usually doesn't have any alcohol, but every so often does. Hence it's a toss of a coin who drives back in that situation. It's very inadvisable to drink and drive.

Hi Buckbee, I've just taken a quick look at your site: http://www.asiaguys.net/ Very nice! Just one question: I tried to vote in your poll . . . The Sexiest Guys in Asia Who are the Sexiest and Hottest Guys in Asia? . . . but my vote wasn't accepted. Perhaps readers need to register in order to do that. Rog

As Loy Krathong is eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by Thais that would have been a real shame had it been cancelled. Just a word on the Supreme Patriarch. I had a quick look at his lifetime achievements a few days ago and was concerned to note that he had been in very poor health since around about late '90's and been hospitalised for a decade. I don't wish to detract from the official period of mourning, but really and truly this leader of the Buddhist monastic order was a shadow of his former self for a great many years before he died. I don't know exactly what the Supreme Patriarch's role in Thai Buddhism is: if it's a bit similar to the Pope, an ailing patriarch cannot be a good thing; on the other hand if this position doesn't require day to day decision-making then the mere fact the incumbent is alive may be sufficient. It seems to me we have seen a big increase lately in the numbers of 'bad monks'. No doubt there have always been such people, but it does seem to be reported a lot more now. Is that because of more openness in the Thai press or is it an actual fact? If there really are more badly behaving monks then IMO whoever is the newly appointed Supreme Patriarch has a tough job on his hands.