Rogie

Here's a suggestion, seeing as you are fashion-conscious - which is great; do a video blog wearing your favourite outfit. Or do a bit of modelling - there's no need to speak to the camera all the time, put in on pause, have a change of clothes / accessories and repeat a few times. But no cat-walking! Just be your natural self. Rog

I award you a rare smiley for that. Very few posts warrant the lol cliche, but yours does!

Somebody's had a hand in there somewhere . . . New definition of a person wearing designer clothes? somebody's got designs on you!

Yes you're right Firecat, some discussions do take on a life of their own. Heck I'm even contributing again despite having said I wasn't going to take sides! The entry on the Gay Bangkok Business sub-Forum never said it was a gay club. What may have confused one or two people is the inclusion of 'Gay Bangkok' at the end of the description. The Saxophone Pub and Restaurant Blue(s) and Jazz In Gay Bangkok That's clearly a management decision to do that and all listings have the same 'Gay Bangkok' suffix. That applies to any establishment be they gay, gay friendly or other. I mean I don't know what a gay man would have to do to ruffle the feathers of a Thai-run business, there won't be rainbow flags all over the place, they're not necessary!

Is it possible to read the archives on the BP website? On the few occasions I've looked up BP articles quite often only the first few paragraphs were visible online. I think they restrict access to articles over a certain age . . . ? six months. Perhaps I am wrong and they are available for anyone to read, but if not perhaps Bkkguy could tell us 'in a nutshell' why there are no good choices in Thailand? Is he saying there are no (zero) choices, or that there are only bad (not good) choices?

I wonder if some of us aren't restricting what can and can't be written about on this message board to some kind of positive discrimination. It's a cruel world out there in mainstream life, taking daily knocks as they come and go, so yes it's nice sometimes to switch off and curl up in your comfy sofa with a good book or the boxed set of your favourite TV series. In a similar way it's nice to read and participate in message board forums whose philosophy you closely identify with and where life's rough edges are smoothed off and you find yourself nodding in agreement or having a chuckle. The more a forum caters for your own particular likes and interests the more capital you invest in it. So if you take it seriously, great. Nothing wrong with that. But taking it seriously carries a risk - the risk of overreaction. Go with the flow and you will seldom go wrong. I know that sounds bland and unexciting, but letting the 'raised voices' peter out is preferable IMO than getting bogged down in, to take the current bogeyman, semantics. So I have no intention of taking sides on this as it's a storm on a teacup as far as I'm concerned. But it's any member's right to voice his concerns and to hear what others have to say, so just as this particular issue doesn't get me worked up there may well be other issues I feel strongly about that leave others scratching their heads in bemusement. C'est la vie . . .

My friend and I went by car. In the days when I visited Pattaya I used to rent a car there and take it into Isarn to visit my friend's village and do a bit of touring (sight-seeing). On this occasion we drove as far as the Lao border at Khong Jiam, crossed over the Mekong to Lao (unoffically!) then visited Pha Taem NP, then southwards to the so-called Emerald Triangle, then headed back west, skirting round Ubon until we hit Kantharalak, a medium-sized town, where we stayed the night. Next day an easy journey to Preah Vihear. It can be done on public transport but I've had a quick look in LP and it's not that easy. There is a direct songthaew from Kantharalak but it's described as 'infrequent'. Otherwise, they suggest a motorcycle taxi or songthaew from either Kantharalak or Phum Saron. There's also the quite possibly long waiting times both there and back. Not a good place to be stranded at nightfall! I would heartily recommend this type of road trip, ideally with a Thai person as companion. There are some great places to visit in eastern and south-easternThailand (Isarn).

Thank you for your comments Vinapu. Main reason for the long delay in posting was I had some good photos but in quite a few either myself or my Thai friend were clearly identifiable. It took me a while to find a way to blur faces. I've never used Photo Shop and rightly or wrongly was led to believe you had to pay for that. So I was looking for a simple, uncomplicated method that was free! The site I eventually decided to use is called PhotoHide. Even for a non-techie person like myself it is dead easy to use. It's specifically aimed at exactly what I wanted it for, namely blurring people's faces. http://www.photohide.com/

Hi Jimen, I'll give ya 10 out of ten for persistence! I just clicked on your blog (sorry I don't use FB). Your bears e-shopping blog was nicely put together, although as a weedy non-gym kind of guy I am probably as far removed from the typical bear physique as it is possible to be. I go for traditional long or short-sleeved shirts and slacks back home (UK), although in Thailand I usually wear a polo shirt or T-shirt. Do you ever come to Thailand, and if so where are your favourite places? Rog

Where's that sign 'Drunken people crossing'? Is it for real?? If so it must be Pattaya or Phuket or other seaside location. Next question: who exactly is that sign aimed at? Other pedestrians? Don't see the need for that! Motorists? Have you ever seen a Thai in a car or on a motorcy stop for a pedestrian to cross the road? Even at the designated crossing points (on Beach Rd in Pattaya for example) they are usually ignored. As for Bob's photo, I am sure his suspicion is well-founded; although I am a great ice tea fan myself I prefer it au naturel - just tea brewed with boiling water, allowed to cool and ice added. Optional slice of lemon.

This report on Preah Vihear is in two stages. The first one covers the Thai side of the border. Please note most of the text is taken from Lonely Planet Thailand 11th edition (September 2005). Any prices quoted will probably be different now. The first photo shows we are inside Prasat Khao Phra Wihan National Park. Admission was 200 baht. The National Park, covering 130 sq-km, was founded in 1998. The next two photos shows the Flagstaff of Thailand along with the Thai description. Next we have a couple of old stupas. Finally we come to the most interesting part on the Thai side. On the Pha Maw I Daeng cliff face is the oldest bas-relief in Thailand. It depicts three figures whose identities are an enigma to archaeologists and art historians. Although they give the general impression of representing deities, angels or kings, the iconography corresponds to no known figures in Thai, Mom or Khmer mythology. Stylistically the relief appears to date back to the Koh Ker (AD 921-45) period of Khmer art, when King Jayavarman IV ruled from his capital at Koh Ker. This photo gives you an idea of the position of the carvings in relation to the cliff face. Looking at that photo again recently, my Thai friend only has to take one step back . . .! As you can see the carving is on an overhanging section of the cliff and is accessed via some steep steps and a walkway. There is a locked grill to protect the carvings. Part 2 to follow

"The Sweden v Germany World Cup qualifier last week had it all. Some of the world’s top footballing talent? Check. Goals galore? Eight. Star turns? Chelsea’s Andre Schuerrle got a hat-trick within 20 second-half minutes. But days later, a photograph from before kick-off has gone viral online and taken the spotlight from all of the above. In the shot taken by Andreas Bardell for Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, as seen above, Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom comforts an agitated mascot. The mascots for the game suffer from Williams Syndrome, a form of autism, and one of them - eight-year-old Max - is very sensitive to noise." http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/footballer-comforts-frightened-autistic-mascot-202719549.html

I think fair to say any problems at the airport would be minimal. I haven't flown into Luang Prabang but would be surprised to learn of any unpleasantness. I think the problem with the land border crossings is their unpredictability. I cannot remember the situation at Nong Khai, but at some border posts they charge a supplement if you arrive 'out of hours'. Then there is the discrepancy between paying the fee in dollars versus baht - but that's a minor point. One nasty problem for the lone traveller is being swamped by other people. I seem to recall at some immigration crossings you have to queue at one booth to get your application form, then go away and fill it in and take to a different booth with your money for processing. In the meantime, a few coachloads appear, their occupants spill out, and before you know it you are at the back of the Q!

Following on from Vinapu and taking the discussion a stage farther, sometimes we may be tempted to think to ourselves "no problem for me as I've got insurance". Nice if you have and a bit silly if you haven't. But claiming on that insurance is best left for situations such as your luggage going missing at the airport or train station. Being pick-pocketed or mugged totally at random falls into a gray area - you may have given away some clues (big bulge in your pocket!?), or you may have let down your guard after a few too many, but often you'll have been relieved of your cash by an opportunist. The person who is seen by others to be 100% for sure carrying money as in the situations already discussed in this thread, is raising the probability of becoming a target. In the event of being 'held up' yes he hopefully will be fully insured, but there is always the possibility of things not going according to the script. He may decide to resist. Maybe that will do the trick and his assailant will flee. But that's taking a big risk. Fighting with a Thai, even if he (and that includes ladyboys) is unarmed, is most inadvisable. And if they have a knife or some other weapon? Then you may seriously regret it for the rest of your life. So sod the insurance! Just use your loaf (*) (*) Cockney rhyming slang: loaf = loaf of bread = head.

I am often amazed what I read. I have never read in any newspaper or message board report " . . . and the tourist was robbed of 500 baht". No, it's always far in excess of that. Thousands of dollars very often. Good advice Devint: take out what you need little and often (at least I think this is what you meant). ATM's are every few yards in many parts of Pattaya. The only downside I can think of to that is the 150 baht (or has it gone up recently?) surcharge Thai banks impose users with foreign cards. In that case the odd hefty withdrawal during the daytime in a safe area (not the Western Union at Big C!!) and stashing the bulk in your room safe or hotel safe and just taking what you need out with you should work.

Well said, you are a lucky so-and-so to be only 28 and sensible. Many people do not get to live the way they want until very much later in life. Sometimes early retirement, but more often working until 60+ in order to save a nice nest egg in order to enjoy an idyllic retirement. For those yearning to spread their wings that might mean an endless round of cruises to exotic locations. Others decide to flee the nest and put down permanent or semi-permanent roots in another country. I am often intrigued what it is that's the deciding factor when they decide to relocate. Perhaps for many, Thailand scores because of its cheap cost of living plus that evasive factor X. . . the ability to make you feel younger, more alive. So although you may be 28 Devint, many ex-pats and foreigners more than twice your age feel a lightness in their step enjoying the company of 20-something boys and girls.

I'm surprised nobody has picked up on Michael's comment regarding his friend disliking falungs. Ok, he wrote 'many farangs' but that definitely implies he doesn't like the majority of 'them'. It depends on what is meant by the term 'many' I guess. Sometimes you read that foreigners (note to any readers new to Thailand: farang is the Thai word for foreigner - when I write falung that is just a common written variant that supposedly reflects the way Thais pronounce it) don't like being referred to as a farang, but then foreigners do the same referring to others as Thais. I think the problem is when a foreigner thinks he ought to be referred to by his name, Johnny, Pete, Steve, or whoever, rather than being de-personalised by use of a catch-all expression, although to be fair I have never been called farang to my face, it tends to be used between Thais speaking amongst themselves when referring to you. Certainly, once a group of people become referred to in a particular way, they can henceforth be seen to 'be all the same'. Hence some foreigners feel being referred to as falung pigeon-holes them. The same could be said for nationalities, we sometimes use the expression TiT (This is Thailand!) and its many variants. Russians and Arabs, fairly or unfairly, tend to be all lumped together (see recent comments on the Thailand wants to sock it to Tourists thread) and so on. That's fine if any particular group has a good reputation, but if it's a bad one, you're a marked man already! I think I know how Peter Lorre must have felt in M. (famous 1931 film directed by Fritz Lang). Taking this a stage farther, I wonder just how many Thais actually like pizza. Don't we sometimes make the mistake of assuming because we do that everybody else does? Probably in the case of pizza that's a fair assumption, especially amongst younger Thais now that pizzas are so readily available, almost an international food along with hamburgers and the like. Be that as it may, it is probably worth simply asking any young Thai(s) you intend to invite out for a meal "do you like pizza", and if the reply is "up to you" you know it means they aren't too keen . . . not a cast iron way of interpreting it, but very often true.

Sorry Christian! Beard backlash: the clippers are out “What a lot of hairy-faced men there are around nowadays,” begins one of the greatest kids' books of all time, Roald Dahl’s The Twits. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-and-style/10388072/Beard-backlash-the-clippers-are-out.html (Note to non-Brits, Paxman is an extremely irritating (at least to me!) interviewer on late night BBC TV. On the other hand he is very good at his job.) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10249396/Jeremy-Paxman-Its-only-a-beard-but-its-a-big-burden.html

As a little light relief from all those lovely calories, apparently someone has really got stuck into the dough and toppings debate and come up with a formula for the 'perfect pizza'. Finally, some more 'science' . . . I guess I have a lot to learn; never heard of pizzaiolos! So next time you indulge, just try and remember the 'science' that goes into making that slice of pizza - but I think I'll carry on in blissful ignorance of that rather ridiculous perfect pizza formula! Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2464404/Formula-perfect-PIZZA-revealed-Mathematician-creates-equation-ensure-dont-burn--undercook--margherita.html#ixzz2iHhA1tsa

I don't know the current situation, perhaps things have calmed down a lot since Thailand stirred things up back in 2007. Thailand takes on drug industry, and may be winning Tough talking, but . . . Understandable comments from Big Pharma . . . And at least one Thai is a fan of Chinese proverbs! A message for Starbucks here, or am I stretching the analogy too far? http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/world/asia/11iht-pharma.4.5240049.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I don't know the current situation but as that was only just over ten years ago probably nothing's changed. One thing is for sure, our members past and present have visited / are intending to visit, purely for pleasure, rather than further add to the misery of narcotic addiction for the sake of personal greed. Unfortunately, the lure of supposed 'easy money' entraps many, often poor people, to undertake the risk of carrying drugs from one country to another. Usually it is the 'little guy or gal' that is arrested. The drug bosses IMO are little better than mass murderers, in addition to the misery they sow, they send the equivalent of the 'Indian scout' into foreign territory knowing full well they may never return. So when Michael writes . . . . . . that's great he made a life for himself starting from scratch. I suppose in an ideal world poverty would be alleviated - socialist countries and capitalist countries alike - but of course in reality the world is an unfair place and there'll always be reasons why criminality thrives.

Yes indeed: our board members are widely travelled. We've had reports from all of those places. That's not to say we wouldn't enjoy seeing more, I for one certainly would. In fact, at least one of our members will be in Taipei next weekend, camera at the ready.

'Big Brother' Starbucks muscles in on the little guy: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/10/18/bungholes-starbucks-demands-arrests-ip-case

“The message I wish to convey is, please, live each day as if it is your entire life, if you start something today, finish it today; tomorrow is another world. Life live positively.” Yusai Sakai, born September 5 1926, died September 21 2013 Ok, so not exactly original, but this Japanese man certainly knew how to push the boundaries. That's not all. How about this? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/religion-obituaries/10385695/Yusai-Sakai.html

Welcome to the forum, Paulfort. Sorry, I've no personal experience of this place. There was discussion on Baan Souy on this thread, starting at post #3: Opinion was divided! http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/8393-gay-friendly-hotel-in-pattaya/?do=findComment&comment=61433 It's also mentioned in the following threads: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/8233-where-to-stay-in-jomtien/?do=findComment&comment=60011 http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/7975-pattaya-hotels/?do=findComment&comment=59252