PeterRS

I had my annual HIV test at Pulse on Saturday. The clinic has moved from its rather plush premises one door up into much simpler accommodation.

I think it is madness! It used to be 800,000 baht in the account for 3 months prior to renewal. Thereafter it could be spent and I know that most lived on that cash without requiring another infusion from overseas for 9 months. Now that this amount is all but locked and unable to be spent, as @fedssocr suggests how many retirees are actually able to afford this every year till they pass away? I had read over a year ago that the entire business of retiree finances was being investigated by some government committee. The only thing I have heard since is the adoption of the new 10 year visa. From all accounts that is so far not a success.

Great looking guys and nice website layouts.

I also visited Pattaya on one of my first visits to Thailand. It was in the early 1980s just as the gay scene was starting to develop. I enjoyed the beach, but during the infrequent visits I have made since then the beach has become a reason for not visiting. I realise it's close to Bangkok but I like a beach to be a proper beach with white sand and great clean water. The Thai guys who'd come down in the late afternoon were certainly an added attraction. But in those days, there were a few go-go bars in Bangkok with great young guys and nudity after around 9:30 pm. But not in Pattaya. Hence Bangkok was more interesting. And so it has remained. That said, I did enjoy staying at the small, isolated 6 bungalow Le Prive on Thappraya Soi 1 when it was run by the two French guys. Not sure what it is like now. I also enjoyed staying at the Rabbit Resort and Deborah's always warm welcome. Both were easy to bring gay nighttime visitors. I did visit some of the bars but apart from a couple I still found Bangkok more interesting and enjoyable. Now I am more settled down, even the Bangkok bars in their new locations hold little interest. But I still love a great beach. I used to love Nai Harn and some other beaches in Phuket but not since the real tourism invasion a decade or so ago. Have written elsewhere that I think Khao Lak is wonderful for its peace and fantastic beach. Few in Thailand though have equalled the beach on nearby Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. It is actually relatively close as it is located just under Sihanoukville.

Anutin is a large snake in the grass. He has made his desire to become PM extremely well known but his term as Minister of Health has been pretty dreadful.

Don't have Tik Tok

I had the same understanding. Thinking back over several decades, though, I recall that 'twinks' in the countries I have lived in or visited most often - Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore - were mostly not entirely smooth/hairless. Veyr few had hair on their chests but most had hair on their legs. Some, especially from parts of Japan, just happened to be particularly hairy on arms, legs and to a certain extent chests. I do find most of the guys I meet in Taiwan have very little body hair. To me, smooth means almost no hair anywhere. I like the more recent fashion of waxing genitals so the torso is entirely smooth. One of the most intense sexual experiences I had was with a young guy I had noticed when dining at Dick's on Soi Twilight. He worked for a bar almost directlly across the soi which had a sort of computer theme. We started by smilng at each other across the soi on several occasions. When I finally took him home, he quite literally had no hair anywhere on his body apart from the tiniest genital bush.

Unfortunately I think it also reflects somewhat badly on Khun Pita. Everyone in the elite and in politics knows exactly what happened with Thaksin's share scandal and how he could never have been Prime Minister without substantial bribes to at least some of the members of the Constitutional Court. The fact is he lied on his paperwork, he lied to the media about his shareholding and he should have been booted out of parliament. But he was also aware that his fortune would only be infinitesimally reduced to pay off the Court members. There was also more recently another parliamentarian (I'm sorry I can recall neither the name nor the party) who was disqualified for virtually the same reason. Khun Pita knew the rules and if he had really wanted to become PM, he would have had a group of his close associates go through all his past history to ensure this shares nonsense was not allowed to happen. Of course, had it not been for the shares debacle, the Constitutional Court would have found some other reason. But through his inaction he has more or less guaranteed more street demonstrations and perhaps in due course yet another army coup.

Sorry I wrote my post! 😵

We all know that at least some members of the Constitutional Court are corrupt. After all, Thaksin senior held shares in his own media company but had parked them temporarily with his garener and housekeeper. He then bribed the Court which ruled 4 to 3 that he could in fact hold office. The ridiculous charge against Khun Pita shows that nothing has changed, except perhaps that Pita is not prepared to go down the corruption route. From what I read, the Senators' main concern - apart from the fact that most of them would probably find themselves out of a job - is Move Forward's policy determination to change the draconian lese majeste law. Clearly a majority of the country's electors agree, but this was certainly a red rag to a bull for the army appointed geriatrics. Although the party's stance was modified after the election win, I can't help feeling that had this modified platform been in the original manifesto it would have still satisfied the electorate and made it more difficult for current senators to object. Then again, Pita or someone in his entourage must surely have been aware that he held these media shares and that this could only result in instant disqualification whether or not the company was in fact broadcasting. After all this has had happened before. Why they were not sold prior to his submitting his eligibiliity papers is surely a mystery, but one that will I'm certain have voters out on the streets again. And if that gets ugly, just stand by and wait for the next military coup.

I have been in 24 a couple of times on each visit to Tokyo virtually since it opened. It's certainly big even though the layout and experience there is much the same as other saunas I used to go to. I'd also recommend 24 in Ueno, the second of the three 24s to be opened probably around 20 years ago. It's a smaller facility on several floors and tends to attract a more well-built and dare-I-say working class fractionally older type of crowd (late 20s to 40s I'd guess). It's also a good 15 minute walk from Ueno station. Haven't been in the original 24 close to the end of the Ginza subway line in Asakusa (not to be confused with Akasaka) and virtually at the back of the wonderful Senso-ji Temple for probably 2 decades. It was pretty run down then, on two floors and had quite a number of much older men. On the other hand, I recall also a lot of student types which struck me as odd because I cannot think of any universities being nearby. Unless the sauna has been renovated, I imagine it must be in a pretty rough condition. The faciities in 24 in Shinjuku are slightly different than as described by @hojacat. As you enter, there are the shoe lockers on the right which require you to deposit a ¥10 coin. Then you go to the ticket machine on the left of the reception desk, as you need to purchase a ticket before going further. If I recall correctly, the basic fee gives you something like 10 - 14 hours. Here also you'll pay extra for tickets to the private rooms. You then take the ticket and your shoe locker key to the reception desk which is low enough so that neither party sees the other's face. There you will be asked to give a name and handed a small basket with a large towel, long small towel and a yukata. The large towel is mostly for drying off as you are about to leave the sauna, although some patrons do use it as they walk around cruising. Several will don the yukata and walk around in that. On your way to the changing area, you will see a TV room on the left. This is purely for relaxing. The next floor has the bathing area. On one side there is a bank of low showers for washing thoroughly before proceding further. Hence the small towel! On the other side are two medium heat pools for relaxing and people watching. Many guys will be totally naked as the Japanese, unlike many in the west and in quite a few parts of Asia, have no hangups about walking around nude in such a setting. Proceeding through the washing area, you come to a much darker area. This has about 8 full sized shower cabins, some with glory holes, and some patrons will use these for sex. Also at this level is a pool with freezing cold water, a sauna, a totally dark steam room next to a room with a sling, a rainshower room and a more popular steam room with a little more light where there is often a lot of action usually involving a few guys. Most people walk around this area naked. As you leave, there is a small fast spin dryer for drying your small towel before taking it with you upstairs. This floor is closed for cleaning, I think about 6pm On the next floor up, there are the two very large dark rooms, one virtually split into two sections. Each has long mattresses running along one or more sides. One side of the right section has only bunk beds but there are more bunks spread throughout the areas. When the sauna is busy, these rooms see a lot of action, and few seem to mind if you watch, even though it's not possible to see much given that it's dark. Imaginations, though, are useful! 🤣 Bareback is unfortunately not uncommon so take your own condoms and lube. At one end there is a TV room often showing Japanese porn (sadly when I have been there with mostly chubby actors) with around 8 slightly partitioned bed areas. The next floor up also has another large dark room with mattresses and bunk beds. At the end above the TV room on the lower floor there is a smaller dark room, again with a mattress and nothing but a starlit ceiling. It's on the next floors that there is a variety of private cabins which require extra payment and keys. I have never been to one but they do seem to be popular. No one cruises up there that I have noticed. As in most Japanese society, it is important to be polite in a sauna setting. If you see someone you like and gently touch his towel or his leg, if he is not interested he will either gently move your hand away or himself move elsewhere. It's not acceptable to pursue this guy further. So just find someone else, or pop down to the bathing area to see if there are any new arrivals who interest you! You'll have fun! I honestly can't imagine any Hong Kong sauna owner changing policy in order to embrace inclusivity!! Increasing profits is much more Hong Kong! I'm keeping my options open for the moment. Having been to 7 already and being much less interested in the dance parties and overcrowded saunas and hot springs than in the Parade itself, I may give it a miss this year as I do want also to revisit Tokyo.

Quite a few years ago @macaroni21 in his earlier incarnation put forward his ideas on an ideal go-go bar. If I recall correctly this included different rooms for different types of entertainment, including one where the boys would dance naked. I suppose the changing times mean that any form of nude dancing in the VIP room will be a no-no, unfortunately.

WIth all respect to @ChristianPFC whose experiences over years in Thailand have been so insightful and interesting, we have also to remember that he speaks Thai and so bargaining or making clear his financial parameters is much easier than those visiting for a short vacation who do not have a command of the language.

Quick question. When i was in South America, Brazil was not on my schedule. But when I visited the Iguazu Falls and stayed on the Argentine side, I was told I HAD to first see the Falls in the morning from the Brazil side - something I would certainly recommend. This meant crossing into Brazil in the morning and returning to Argentina just after lunch. No visa for UK passports was required 13 years ago. Would American citizens now require a full and expensive visa for just a few hours?

With the heat presently being experienced in Spain, France, Italy and Greece, I wonder if anyone in their late 50s or early 60s would be taking a gamble that the temperatures are not going to rise significantly over the course of their retirement. In the past Portugal, which in fact is #1 on that list in the 2023 Index with Thaland at #9, has had occasional fires, but I think not many. On average its temperatures are much below those of neighbouring Spain. My only visit was in late September when the weather was extemely pleasant during the day and quite cool at night. I now know four Asians who have moved to Portugal, three to retire and one with a view to retirement. All say it's an amazing country and a good deal cheaper than most others. The financial requirements for retirement are also vastly lower than Thailand, for example. At present the first year requires a bank deposit of less than €10,000 or US$11,250. Taking the annual one year payment rather than the monthly route, Thailand requires $23,400 for 5 months reducing to $11,700 for 7. But unlike in Portugal, this cannot be touched! I believe also the charge in Portugal is less for second and subsequent years. From your very first day, you are in the Schengen Zone making travel to other countries in the zone so easy. After 5 years you are entitled to become a permanent resident. That then gives you access to the free health service. There is also a vast number of towns and villages outside Lisbon and Porto where the cost of living is less. Plus the sea and beaches are never far away. And all that is before you start thinking about some of the excellent Portuguese wine!

Oops, someone read my post LOL. Sterling just dropped under 45!

We all know that Malaysia is outwardly pretty homophobic. The country retains the old British colonial anti-sodomy law. Many religious and some political leaders profess to be very anti-gay. This even though many visitors find Kuala Lumpur quite a gay city, especially under the surface of that supposedly moral high ground. After the massive 1MDB corruption scandal which has seen the former Prime Minister jailed for 12 years and his shopaholic wife sentenced to 10 years, a scandal that lost the country US$4 billion, one might have thought the government would be happy to remain out of the headlines for a while. That scandal spread the globe and involved dirty deeds in the banking, entertainment and political worlds. It has been described as "one of the world's largest financial scandals." Now, though, thanks to a small Swiss watchmaker, the government will be back in court for what in most countries would be regarded as a trivial case. To celebrate Gay Pride, Swatch produced a limited edition of Pride-themed watches. On arrival in Malaysia, the government seized 174 of the watches worth over US$14,200. Apart from the gay element, the government's reasoning was that the watches violated the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984. Swatch is suing the government for the return of the watches on the basis that this was an illegal act as they are not a publication which can be prohibited under the Act. The case will go to court on Thursday (20th). While it will be interesting to see the arguments put forward by the government, it is highly unlikely that the government will easily give in. The headlines about its being in favour of promoting homosexuality will be anathema to its leadership. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2612866/swatch-sues-malaysia-over-seized-pride-watches-says-local-media

After conquering first Japan and subsequently Thailand and Taiwan, movies in the BL genre are now popular in more homophobic South Korea. The following CNN article tells of a South Korean singer and actor Park Jae-chan who had had very limited success in the world of K-Pop. His group was only selling 1,000 copies of their latest albums during their first weeks. Then Park was approached to play a lead in a BL movie. "Semantic Error" became a huge streaming hit and was later seen by 60,000 in Seoul cinemas. Park became so popular he was featured in more than a dozen major magazines including the Korean versions of Elle and Cosmopolitan. His latest album sold 100,000 copies in its first week. A still from the South Korean BL movie "Ocean Likes Me" - photo E-Motion Studio https://edition.cnn.com/style/boys-love-south-korea-intl-hnk/index.html

Entrance to saunas in HKG has traditionally been on the higher side. I can't recall if Hutong has a two pricing system. I do know that it had a selective entry pre-covid. On Friday evenings, for example, when there would sometimes be a queue outside, one of the employees would decide who would be the next to enter. I think this was to ensure many more twinks than uncles. Entrance to 24 Kaikan in Shinjuku was ¥2,500 when I was last there about 4 years ago (US$18 today but the exchange rate then made it closer to $22). SInce Uber gave up in Thailand some years ago, I only have the Grab app on my phone. So thanks for that advice. I'll add in Uber, although I sometimes think the hike up the steep hill is good for getting rid of a few calories!! Being the rainy season I doubt it. I should have tried to find it in May during my last visit. The only other trip I have planned this year is mid-November when it is almost certainly too chilly for beach going. HONG KONG BEACHES In my earlier post, I forgot to mention gay beaches. On the Island the main gay beach used to be the small Middle Bay located between Repulse Bay and South Bay. https://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/interactive-map/middle-bay-beach.html It had a shark net, a pontoon to swim out to, a small cafe with simple meals, toilets and a cruisy changing room. Lots of cute guys used to frequent the beach at week-ends. During weekdays there would always be a few guys in skimpy swimwear tanning themselves. In the late afternoons and evenings there was sometimes some action in the bushes and rocks area close to the right side of the beach. I was told that many gay guys have moved on to the nearby and much larger South Bay beach but it is easy to check both. Parking is always a problem as the meter bays are snapped up early and the cops are active in giving illegally parked cars tickets. But it not difficult to walk down there from the main road which passes Repulse Bay or just take a taxi. Over on Lantau island on the oother side from the airport, for decades there was a gay beach at Cheung Sha. This is a 3 km long beach with white powdery sand, lots of cafes, a few bars, toilets and changing facilities. It is split into two sections. Local families and water sports enthusiasts tend to opt for the Lower beach. The Upper is quieter and closer to foliage which can see some action. But during weekdays don't expect to find many guys there. Getting to the beach is not difficult now. You take the MRT to Tung Chung station (the local version of the airport railway) and then a bus over the hill from there. This site has all the details - https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/great-outdoor/wellness/cheung-sha-beach.html

Agree with almost all of @hojacat's comments. I lived in Hong Kong for 20 years and worked there for an additional 16. So I do know it quite well. I love the mix of ancient colonial and modern architecture, although the main parts of the Island and Kowloon are now much more modern. There used to be a light show on the Island which you can see from the Kowloon side starting at 8:00 pm. Again that is something unique (photo without the light show!) Also I have been a frequent visitor to Taipei since the 1990s and continue to visit about 4 times a year. Perhaps because I knew Hong Kong so well and remember when it was not such a political football, I am gradually falling out of 'love' with it. I do return occasionally for business and love the place with almost as much fervour as I did when I first landed more than 4 decades ago. The views are incredible, the hustle and bustle unlike anywhere else, the food divine and its so easy to get around. The MRT gets you to most places (be careful: taxi fares are very high) and there are some fantastic places to visit. You have to go up to the Peak. Get the Peak tram to take you up - it leaves from Garden Road a short walk up from the imposing I M Pei's geometric Bank of China Building. https://www.thepeak.com.hk/en I love a simple tram journey either from Central eastwards or westwards. Fares are HK$3 (US$0.40) for as long a ride as you wish. It gives you a great idea of what old Hong Kong looked like. Same with the ferries. I used to love going to Lamma Island on a Sunday. There were ferries to Yeung Shue Wan which was close to a rather nice beach (now totally spoiled by a power station, alas), crash out for a few hours, walk over the hills to Sok Ku Wan and have dinner at the island's 'Hilton' - just an open air bar/restaurant but with fantastic seafood - and get the evening ferry back from there. As Hong Kong has gone downhill politically, so its gay scene is not what it once was (but then, where is?). Hutong is very much the sauna to go to and there are quite a few others of varying sizes and varying clientele. During the week, I'd suggest Hutong as your best bet. Not sure how old you are, but there is a tiny sauna named CE half way up Lyndehurst Terrace on the island and very close to the very long central escalator which takes you almost half way up to the Peak. I have not been for some years and so cannot vouch for its present state. It used to be a place for younger Asians to hook up with older westerners. But its not a patch on Hutong. The bar scene is also no longer what it used to be, alas. This ste lists some of them - https://thehkhub.com/best-gay-bars-hong-kong/ I've been to Zoo, Petticoat Lane and FLM in Sheung Wan close to Central District. None seems very busy during the week but packed at weekends. I also like to meet friends at T:ME bar off Hollywood Road but it's a small bar off the main street and not the greatest place to meet new friends to hook up. Taipei is also quite spread out. With its mutitude of cafes, restaurants and a few bars, the main Red House in the Ximending District is a great place for people watching although hook ups are not very likely here unless your gaydar is working overtime. @hojacat has mentioned Soi13in as the best sauna and I certainly agree. I wrote in another thread recently about the new incarnation of Hans Mens Sauna which is very close to the Red House (around 300 meters). There are lots of private rooms, dark room areas and 2 steam rooms where a lot of action takes place. Maybe worth a visit. Directions are on the post here. One of my passions in Taipei is quite simple - visiting a hot spring. Huang Tzu is the one to go to as most of the guys who seem to be there are gay. But do not expect much action as it a place to see and be seen rather than play around - although I believe there is some action in teh steam room after midnight. Good for making contacts, though. The one problem with Huang Tzu is that while it is easy to get there - take the Red subway line to Shipai station and then a taxi from there (around NT$160 now - just over US$5) - getting a taxi back is really difficult and without one, you are stuck with a long steep uphill trek to the main road to get a bus back down to the station. But then all the buses seem to stop around 11:15 pm or so and that would enable you to get the last subway train back to the centre of teh city. The apps are more active than I have found in Hong Kong. And it is unlikely you are going to find more than a handful of money boys on them if that is what you look for. Most Taiwanese just want to meet a foreigner and have good time with them - no money involved. Just remember that English is not as popular as in Hong Kong and so speaking a little more slowly will always help. For sigheeing, it depends very much on what you would like to do. There are countless Chinese temples, some very beautiful and many packed with younger people. The National Palace Museum is a must if you happen to like Chinese arts and crafts. When the Japanese started their march down eastern China prior to World War 2, the Chiang Kai Shek government crated many of the country's national treasures to keep them safe. Then after Chiang was beaten by Mao, he stole many of the crates and had them removed to Taiwan. The works on exhibit are a mere fraction of those in its possession but they include some stunning pieces, especially in bronze and jade. The little white and green jade piece on the cover of the Museum's catalogue is one of the Museums' most admired works. If you look closely you can see two tiny insects crawling over the green. And then of course there is Taipei 101, for a few years the world's tallest building. It used to be packed with Chinese tourists, but should now be much easier to get to the observation decks because very few Chinese are permitted to go to Taiwan. On a clear day you can see way beyond the city to the sea in the west and the mountains both around and to the south. In hot weater there s a gay beach west of Tamshui at the end of the Red Line. I did try to find it once but got lost. My friends tell me it is actually quite easy to find and there are usually a lot of gay guys there at the week ends. Outside the city there are several attractions including quite lovely walks. One trip perhaps worth considering is to the Shifen Falls. You need 2 trains to get there and then there is a good 800 meter walk. They are not especially large, but certainly with a visit and very popular. As you walk back you will see students lighting Chinese lanterns on the train tracks at the station and the floating them into the air. Lastly I totally agree that Hong Kong is more expensive than Taipei. Much depends on how much you are prepared to spend on hotels. If you check on the hotel search engines like agoda, you'll see Hong Kong does have cheap hotels but with very small rooms.

Just tell them it is for artistic purposes - of the athletic kind!

Totally agree about the Frick. Visted on my first ever visit to NYC and many times since. Its Piero della Francescas, 3 Vermeers, Rembrandt, Goya, Holbein, Renoir, Reynolds, Manet, Gainsboroughs and especially the Fragonards are perfectly lovely in that rather intimate setting. Perfect in size and with beautiful works of art which do not leave you with visual indigestion! I cannot say I have a favourite but I do have a soft spot for Tintoretto's painting of the Venetian Ambassador. But that is probably because when I see it I am reminded of several lovely evenings spent listening to an ensemble playing Vivaldi and other baroque composers in the Upper Hall of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice decorated entirely with so many of Tintoretto's paintings .

Now we know Alcaraz won a fantastic match. Amazing for a 20 year old against arguably the greatest tennis player of all time! So now he has another £2.3 million in winnings less a large chunk in tax and in payments to his manager, coach and all others in his team. That makes his total tournament earnings as a professional up to more than US$20 million. But it is the winning clauses in his sponsorship and endorsement contracts that will bring him even more than the Wimbledon prize money. Plus the list of hopeful sponsors lining up outside his manager's door will become very long. A lucky hugely talented young man.

Thankfully, even flying millions of kms throughout my life and career, I have only had to make one travel insurance claim and it was for the on-going consequences of a travel delay in the autumn of 2012. I was flying BA from Edinburgh to Munich via Heathrow (for mileage and points reasons although there was an EasyJet aircraft on the next bay flying non-stop to Munich). I was then connecting to a cheap €90 Lufthansa return flight purchased months beforehand to get me to Dresden. At Edinburgh, we were all boarded on time onto a totally full 767. Then we waited. And waited some more, before the captain informed us of an hour's delay as a result of strong winds at Heathrow. As we waited, the cabin crew came round checking our onward tickets to ensure we were rebooked on to the next flights. That slightly worried me as the next BA flight ex LHR to Munich would make the connection to Lufthansa relatively tight. But stuck in a metal tube with the doors closed, what can one do? Arriving at LHR, of course I had missed the Munich connection and waited in the lounge for the next flight which was on the departure screens as leaving on time. But . . . I quickly realised that with most incoming flights delayed I needed to know where was my aircraft would be coming from and its likely arrival time at LHR. The BA staff in the lounge were totally hopeless. I went down to the general enquiries desk, waited 15 minutes before being informed the Munich aircraft was coming in from Paris and was subject to almost an hour's delay. So I would not get to Munich in time. My problem was Dresden is not served from LHR. Although it is only 350 kms from Munich I was on the last flight of the day. If I missed it, that flight and the return to Munich would be cancelled on the LH computer system. I'd also lose a night at my pre-paid hotel in Dresden. I checked train timetables - nothing that late. Naturally, as the BA flight landed, the LH flight was taking off. The LH staff were very helpful but there was nothing they could do. So I had to cough up around €420 for new full fare LH flights plus around €80 for the Holiday Inn Express hotel at Munich airport. Unfortunately with tickets on 2 separate airlines and bils from 2 separate hotels, that makes claims much more complex. The insurance company wanted paperwork from each confirming reasons for delays and hotel costs. As I was then a BA top tier Execuitve member, the member services agency in Sydney processed that quickly. LH was much more complicated. But after filing the claim along with reams of paperwork, I did finally get the costs less the small deductible reimbursed around 2 months later.

Oh for the halcyon days following the start of the Asian Economic Crisis! In January 1998 sterling hit 86.034. As I was starting to think of purchasing my apartment around 18 months later, equally as good was the baht interest rate I got of 20% over one year followed by 16% for part of the next. By May 1999 sterling had fallen to its lowest level 59.942 before starting to climb and reaching 75.264 in February 2005. It then slowly began to fall again. As @Ruthrieston points out, there was a peak of around 56 in May 2014 and then again in May 2015. Since then like Humpty Dumpty it has been crashing, albeit more slowly than that revered children's character. However, with the British economy in its present dire straits and a General Election due next year which will finally see the Conservative Party thrown out of power and the indecision this will cause - if only temporarily - I cannot believe the rate of 45 will hold much longer. But then my economic forecasts seem always to be wrong! 😵 https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/currency