macaroni21

What happens when Bangkok sinks into the sea?
"... Greenpeace says almost all of Bangkok will be vulnerable to floods in the scenario of an extreme sea level rise by 2030. Under this extreme projection about 96% of the city will be below the mean sea level."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2499786/bangkok-is-still-sinking-and-fast-
Of course, Greenpeace tends to focus on the extreme scenario, but nobody (outside of the lunatic fringe) disputes the fact that Bangkok is subsiding and sea levels are rising.

I had a similarly perplexing experience with OneSpa (now Sky Massage). I think whoever handles the Line account is barely able to read English and clearly unable to say more than "Yes" or "OK". I also have a suspicion that whoever it is does not even know how to use Google Translate.
I don't recall much difficulty with Kman Spa (but maybe the staffer has since been replaced?). The two that impressed me were River 365 and Nine Spa. A lot has to do with whether the digital receptionist can speak any English at all. One needs to be able to at least read English to check if Google Translate has done the job properly.

What happens when Bangkok sinks into the sea?
"... Greenpeace says almost all of Bangkok will be vulnerable to floods in the scenario of an extreme sea level rise by 2030. Under this extreme projection about 96% of the city will be below the mean sea level."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2499786/bangkok-is-still-sinking-and-fast-
Of course, Greenpeace tends to focus on the extreme scenario, but nobody (outside of the lunatic fringe) disputes the fact that Bangkok is subsiding and sea levels are rising.

I had a similarly perplexing experience with OneSpa (now Sky Massage). I think whoever handles the Line account is barely able to read English and clearly unable to say more than "Yes" or "OK". I also have a suspicion that whoever it is does not even know how to use Google Translate.
I don't recall much difficulty with Kman Spa (but maybe the staffer has since been replaced?). The two that impressed me were River 365 and Nine Spa. A lot has to do with whether the digital receptionist can speak any English at all. One needs to be able to at least read English to check if Google Translate has done the job properly.

What happens when Bangkok sinks into the sea?
"... Greenpeace says almost all of Bangkok will be vulnerable to floods in the scenario of an extreme sea level rise by 2030. Under this extreme projection about 96% of the city will be below the mean sea level."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2499786/bangkok-is-still-sinking-and-fast-
Of course, Greenpeace tends to focus on the extreme scenario, but nobody (outside of the lunatic fringe) disputes the fact that Bangkok is subsiding and sea levels are rising.

I had a similarly perplexing experience with OneSpa (now Sky Massage). I think whoever handles the Line account is barely able to read English and clearly unable to say more than "Yes" or "OK". I also have a suspicion that whoever it is does not even know how to use Google Translate.
I don't recall much difficulty with Kman Spa (but maybe the staffer has since been replaced?). The two that impressed me were River 365 and Nine Spa. A lot has to do with whether the digital receptionist can speak any English at all. One needs to be able to at least read English to check if Google Translate has done the job properly.

The LINE account has changed its name from OneSpa to The Sky Massage.

Fortunately, gang members weren't carrying weapons other than sharp teeth.
 

Fortunately, gang members weren't carrying weapons other than sharp teeth.
 

Fortunately, gang members weren't carrying weapons other than sharp teeth.
 

Fortunately, gang members weren't carrying weapons other than sharp teeth.
 

The LINE account has changed its name from OneSpa to The Sky Massage.

I have no idea what this event is, and there's probably nothing gay about it. But I thought I'd share it here for the visual pleasure of those members who like some meat on their men. The video description mentions Tondo, which is generally a slum area in Manila. Some parts of Tondo are only grubby, other parts are positively dangerous.
 

I have no idea what this event is, and there's probably nothing gay about it. But I thought I'd share it here for the visual pleasure of those members who like some meat on their men. The video description mentions Tondo, which is generally a slum area in Manila. Some parts of Tondo are only grubby, other parts are positively dangerous.
 

It was at such a stand where I caught the worst food poisoning in years. In hindsight, the skewer must have been left on the stand too long in the warm Thai air. Ever since then, I avoid such food stands though I am conscious (at a rational level) that the same can happen in the kitchens of the nicest restaurants.

So, the next time we use OneSpa's rooms, we may meet a woman in the corridor? Or we may hear a woman moaning away in the next room? 
Hmmm. I think I will pass

"The signboard had been removed"... Now THAT'S worrying.
The only way to reconcile that with assurances about reopening next month would be if it reopens under a new name and new owner.

I think I can help with a few of your questions.
3.  I have a revew of OneSpa in my blog (https://shamelessmacktwo.travel.blog/2024/03/13/shagging-in-the-shabby/)
4.  No need to check IDs in massage parlours. If you see anyone uncomfortably young (which I have never encountered), just ask to change the masseur.
6.  More often than not, they deserve no more than the minimum. When I think they're better than average, I may add 10 - 20%. When I am over the moon (which is rare), I may add 30%. I suspect many posters on this forum are shocked that I am giving farangs a bad name by not throwing money around (isn't the superior sahib supposed to do that when meeting the destitute natives?)

@newtobangkok123 in Thailand's massage parlours, whether it's a place primarily for legit massages or one primarily for erotic massages, the client makes two payments. The first is to the shop. The amount will be based on the their price list depending on the service you choose. You know that already. Some shops require you to pay before the session begins, other shops are happy to take payment (for the shop) after the session.
The second payment is directly from you to the service provider. It is always made AFTER the session. Your chief question is how to know how much.
First of all, not all massage places publish minimum tips. Some do, some don't. Legit massage places almost never publish minimum tips. Erotic massage places mostly do nowadays, or if they do not publish them publicly, the receptionist will whisper to you as you pay the shop's fee. Or, there will be something stated as a footnote on the menu card. Just be alert and pay attention. The rule of thumb is that any place with a stated minimum, however stated - whether publicly published, whispered or footnoted - you can assume to be an erotic massage place where the service provider expects that you would want a happy ending, or at least to get hard.
So, to your question: Once I know the minimum tip, does this tip include the happy ending?  the answer is Yes. Also, even if you decline the offer of a happy ending during the session, the minimum applies. That's simple enough
However, regular visitors to massage parlours do not always pay just the minimum. The "how much" gets trickier. If it's a handjob, something like the minimum, plus a bit more (20%?) if you're orgasmically over the moon, will be fine. But if it was mediocre, just pay the minimum. More often than not, there is no discussion about handjobs; the service provider proceeds towards it, and you have to stop him if you do not want the session to go in that direction.
If you're into plugging holes, you will probably be having a brief discussion in the room regarding who does what to whose hole, and in the course of that discussion, the service provider may mention a figure perhaps 25-50% higher than the previously stated minimum. Naturally, if you agree, that's the new minimum for your session. (If he quotes a new figure that is 75 - 100% above the pre-session minimum, I am likely to turn it down, as such a high mark-up probably indicates an unwillingness to go that route.) Whatever you've agreed, you can tip another 20-30% more above that new minimum if you're intoxicated with delight from his services (but they don't expect that). If for some reason, there is no discussion about any new minimum, then if he bottoms, you can still use the above percentages as a guide, i.e. anything from 25 - 50% above the minimum that was stated pre-session. If he tops. I think the pre-session minimum is still the reference level (but this is not an area I am familiar with).
If it's a legit massage, my practice is to think in terms of maximum tip and then discount from there. If it was an excellent legit massage, I would apply the maximum, which would be an amount for the service provider that is the same quantum as what the shop charged for the session. However, if it was legit, but substandard, then I start discounting from the maximum. Example: I book a legit massage for 700 baht. If the guy delivers a very good massage, he gets 700 too. If not so good, then 600, or 500 and so on.
What happens if, in what looks like a legit place, the service provider also delivers a handjob in the privacy of the room? If there was a discussion in the room, then all's clear. If no discussion, then I tend to tip some kind of industry average for handjob, which, in Bangkok (since you asked about Bangkok), may be in the 1000 - 1200 range.
As with all conversations about appropriate tips, this post is going to get wild reactions from other members of the board. Some will say my ranges are too high and I am spoiling the market. More likely, others will pick up a megaphone and decry what a cheapskate I am. Without knowing who I am or which country I come from, they will say that (a) I come from a rich country, (b) I am perforce rich, and (c) I am a disgrace to humanity for failing to throw money around like Mansa Musa on his pilgrimage to Mecca.
All I can say is that my rules of thumb have worked for the hundreds of massages I have had over decades, and no service provider has said - not to my face at least - I tip too little. I simply don't believe in bragging about my wealth (if any) by showing off. I was raised by parents who taught me that showing off is very crass.

@newtobangkok123 in Thailand's massage parlours, whether it's a place primarily for legit massages or one primarily for erotic massages, the client makes two payments. The first is to the shop. The amount will be based on the their price list depending on the service you choose. You know that already. Some shops require you to pay before the session begins, other shops are happy to take payment (for the shop) after the session.
The second payment is directly from you to the service provider. It is always made AFTER the session. Your chief question is how to know how much.
First of all, not all massage places publish minimum tips. Some do, some don't. Legit massage places almost never publish minimum tips. Erotic massage places mostly do nowadays, or if they do not publish them publicly, the receptionist will whisper to you as you pay the shop's fee. Or, there will be something stated as a footnote on the menu card. Just be alert and pay attention. The rule of thumb is that any place with a stated minimum, however stated - whether publicly published, whispered or footnoted - you can assume to be an erotic massage place where the service provider expects that you would want a happy ending, or at least to get hard.
So, to your question: Once I know the minimum tip, does this tip include the happy ending?  the answer is Yes. Also, even if you decline the offer of a happy ending during the session, the minimum applies. That's simple enough
However, regular visitors to massage parlours do not always pay just the minimum. The "how much" gets trickier. If it's a handjob, something like the minimum, plus a bit more (20%?) if you're orgasmically over the moon, will be fine. But if it was mediocre, just pay the minimum. More often than not, there is no discussion about handjobs; the service provider proceeds towards it, and you have to stop him if you do not want the session to go in that direction.
If you're into plugging holes, you will probably be having a brief discussion in the room regarding who does what to whose hole, and in the course of that discussion, the service provider may mention a figure perhaps 25-50% higher than the previously stated minimum. Naturally, if you agree, that's the new minimum for your session. (If he quotes a new figure that is 75 - 100% above the pre-session minimum, I am likely to turn it down, as such a high mark-up probably indicates an unwillingness to go that route.) Whatever you've agreed, you can tip another 20-30% more above that new minimum if you're intoxicated with delight from his services (but they don't expect that). If for some reason, there is no discussion about any new minimum, then if he bottoms, you can still use the above percentages as a guide, i.e. anything from 25 - 50% above the minimum that was stated pre-session. If he tops. I think the pre-session minimum is still the reference level (but this is not an area I am familiar with).
If it's a legit massage, my practice is to think in terms of maximum tip and then discount from there. If it was an excellent legit massage, I would apply the maximum, which would be an amount for the service provider that is the same quantum as what the shop charged for the session. However, if it was legit, but substandard, then I start discounting from the maximum. Example: I book a legit massage for 700 baht. If the guy delivers a very good massage, he gets 700 too. If not so good, then 600, or 500 and so on.
What happens if, in what looks like a legit place, the service provider also delivers a handjob in the privacy of the room? If there was a discussion in the room, then all's clear. If no discussion, then I tend to tip some kind of industry average for handjob, which, in Bangkok (since you asked about Bangkok), may be in the 1000 - 1200 range.
As with all conversations about appropriate tips, this post is going to get wild reactions from other members of the board. Some will say my ranges are too high and I am spoiling the market. More likely, others will pick up a megaphone and decry what a cheapskate I am. Without knowing who I am or which country I come from, they will say that (a) I come from a rich country, (b) I am perforce rich, and (c) I am a disgrace to humanity for failing to throw money around like Mansa Musa on his pilgrimage to Mecca.
All I can say is that my rules of thumb have worked for the hundreds of massages I have had over decades, and no service provider has said - not to my face at least - I tip too little. I simply don't believe in bragging about my wealth (if any) by showing off. I was raised by parents who taught me that showing off is very crass.

Thank you, forrestreid. I'm quite immodest, actually, but I was sort of waiting for a moment when someone might ask a question or two about Bali, and then I reply saying here's a bit of a resource.
I should add that Bali has to be taken on its own terms, and not assumed to be another Thailand. By that I mean that certain kinds of services or fun readily available in Thailand might prove harder to find in Bali. There are no gogo bars where you can buy boys off the stage, for example.
Another thing I am conscious of is that my taste skews quite differently from others. I like massages, and it's important to me that the massage is good, and not just a prelude to sex. Others don't really care about massage and want to get straight to the sex (some of my own personal friends have that preference too). Since getting straight to sex is not what I want, it's therefore not something I would have investigated, so if someone asked me if that's possible or available, I really wouldn't know.
Then there are others more interested in app hookups, or boyfriend hunting. To them, I have to apologise in advance. These pursuits not being my taste, I have nothing to report that's of any use. Given how limited my posts will be in terms of usefulness, I didn't think they merited any advertising.
Over the next few weeks, the opening posts on my blog will be followed by reviews of each of the six massage parlours I visited, and of five restaurants where I ordered Indonesian food. I won't bother to review western food.
In his mention of Banana Spa, @TMax was referring to this post: Lomi-lomi heaven

I think I can help with a few of your questions.
3.  I have a revew of OneSpa in my blog (https://shamelessmacktwo.travel.blog/2024/03/13/shagging-in-the-shabby/)
4.  No need to check IDs in massage parlours. If you see anyone uncomfortably young (which I have never encountered), just ask to change the masseur.
6.  More often than not, they deserve no more than the minimum. When I think they're better than average, I may add 10 - 20%. When I am over the moon (which is rare), I may add 30%. I suspect many posters on this forum are shocked that I am giving farangs a bad name by not throwing money around (isn't the superior sahib supposed to do that when meeting the destitute natives?)

I think I can help with a few of your questions.
3.  I have a revew of OneSpa in my blog (https://shamelessmacktwo.travel.blog/2024/03/13/shagging-in-the-shabby/)
4.  No need to check IDs in massage parlours. If you see anyone uncomfortably young (which I have never encountered), just ask to change the masseur.
6.  More often than not, they deserve no more than the minimum. When I think they're better than average, I may add 10 - 20%. When I am over the moon (which is rare), I may add 30%. I suspect many posters on this forum are shocked that I am giving farangs a bad name by not throwing money around (isn't the superior sahib supposed to do that when meeting the destitute natives?)

Let's assume the story is true, even if there is some exaggeration or missing elements. I for one am not surprised. Rightwing nuts live in their own bubble, consume their own media and therefore see the world through absurdly distorted lenses. They believe what they want to believe. Out of the millions of rightwing nuts, there will surely be some who act on those beliefs, like this man and his family. 
 

As often is the case with Thai journalism, it leaves more questions than it answers.
1. Any sign of a high-speed rail linking the 3 airports? Any sign of building works at least? (They must have won the contract in or before 2018).
2. Has anyone noticed that "the route has expanded to cover a greater distance since 2018"? As far as I know, it still starts at the airport and ends a Phaya Thai (and vice versa).
3. Have they restored the express line (different from the present local line) - the one which they say will have increased capacity to carry a grand 800 passangers a day, which is toughly 0.65 percent of the 123,000 passengers* a day that use Suvarnabhumi?
*45 million assengers a yer divided by 365 days.