splinter1949

The new format is a theme. I don't like it but can't change without support from the company as it is not working in admin. We are trying.

Well, whenever my luggage tips over 50# or 23 kg, they attach a red sticker, presumably indicating that it will require two staff members to lift, which is explains the higher fee (though those fees, I agree, are exaggerated and should be regulated). What should be required is extra wide seats on airplanes for hefty passengers. These rows would have 2 seats across in the place of 3, and would cost 150% of the regular fare. Passengers should be required to attest that they can fit into regular seats, or choose the wide seats for the extra fee. If the boarding agent finds a passenger mis-represented his girth, the passenger should be moved to the "hefty row" with a fine in addition to the extra fare (if available, or simply moved to the next flight with available hefty seats). Or, they can just buy first-class tickets. These people know who they are. They almost always pick middle seats, and love spilling over into the seats of hapless fellow passengers on the windows and aisles.

There are guys I've met in Thailand who would definitely be boyfriend material.
However, the 3 problems we all face are the language barrier - which is possible to overcome, the age difference - and all that entails- and the fact that the guy is straight - which means he is forever unavailable.
I'm sure there are examples of older guys finding younger partners who are gay and who truly love them. No money is ever handed out, either to the guy or his family.
But I believe these cases are few and far between. 
I couldn't imagine wanting to have sex with someone my age, so how on earth could a fit, healthy, handsome  guy enjoy sex with someone old enough to be his grandfather? 
Sex for guys is a necessity, not a want. So for me, it's a bit like buying food. When I'm hungry I buy food at a restaurant. That fulfills my need. When I get hungry again, I just go out and buy more food. And usually the more luxurious food items cost more and I'm willing to pay for that. I never order something I would consider unpalatable.
 

Well, in less than 24 hours I will be in the air from Denver to SF and beginning my next adventure.  I have just a couple of last minute errands to run this morning and then need to finish packing.  Unfortunately, it does not seem like the last bit of work on the fence project is going to be completed by the time I arrive.  This does not surprise me.  Weather has been a big factor as they have received a lot of rain this week so work has been difficult to complete.  They even hired an extra person a couple of days this week to help.  I asked Cam how much they pay the extra help hourly and he said in Cambodia they pay by the day, not hourly, and for construction like this it depends on their experience.  The helper is a friend of his who is currently unemployed and has no construction experience, so they pay him $10 USD per day.  I must admit I was a little taken aback by such a small amount, but was careful not to criticize or say anything other than to simply acknowledge what Cam said.  He said for someone that has experience, knows what they are doing and needed minimal instruction or supervision they would pay $15 USD daily.  Compare that to general labor construction workers in the US who probably make around $30 USD PER HOUR!   As I said, I made no comment and showed no reaction being careful not to offend Cam or his brother (yes, we were on video chat).  The friend was happy to have an opportunity to work and was happy with the pay.  I know Cam is feeling a little pressure to finish as much of the project as possible before heading to Siem Reap to meet me on Sunday.  He also has a good heart and was trying to help out his friend.  Who am I to judge.  It is not my place to question.  I am just excited to begin the journey and reunite with Cam.  The last few weeks have not gone by fast enough for me.  My posts will most likely be few and far between for the next week or so.  Cam is already making plans of all the things he wants to show me in and around Siem Reap before we continue the adventure in Battambang.  It sounds like the first week in Cambodia will be a busy one.

Was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever had flying on that turbo prop. Scarred me for life. I would never fly anywhere if that was the only thing available. Yes...I am a drama queen! LOL.
Regarding the 5am departure...I could have taken a later flight to SF from Denver, but then I run the risk of not making the connection. I book the flight from Denver to SF as a separate ticket...not part of the overall round trip. It is much cheaper that way heading to Asia from Denver. There are many more airlines from the West Coast that fly to Asia so the competition brings better prices. I always check LA, SF, and Seattle before booking. In order to be safe, the 5am flight is first flight out in the morning so usually no delays and on time arrival at SF. Next flight out would only give me about one hour layover...but the risk is too high for me to be comfortable about making the connection. Others might not mind, but for me the risk is too great.

I spent a lot of time in sento (public baths) with my friends, even though we all had baths/showers at home.
The Japanese love getting naked together and the sento is seen as a social occasion. Everyone is equal once they take their clothes off. (Well, socially, at least!)
As the only foreigner, I was the centre of attention. My friends had warned me about this, but it was still a bit of a shock.
I'd sit on the stool in front of the mirror and taps, and before too long I'd find myself surrounded by fellow bathers. It all happened very quietly.
They weren't interested in me; they wanted to see foreigner's cock. Did I live up to the reputation of us being hung like donkeys?
I'm sure they were disappointed! 🤣🤣🤣
Guys who were well hung would walk around proudly displaying the goods, not bothering to hide their modesty with the little face towel you are supplied with. If you've got it, flaunt it.
The odd hard-on could be seen but nobody cares about that in Japan as nobody would ever associate a sento with a cruising joint, as lots of guys bring their kids, meaning there is absolutely no funny business going on.
That was a relief because I was often fighting to keep my cock under control. When I couldn't, I'd go and sit back on the stool and wait until things calmed down. My friends, who knew I was gay, thought it was really funny.
So onsen / sento are for eye candy only.

In all my visits to Japan and China - sexual and non-sexual places - I have never tipped, and loved the clarity and transparency of their pricing.
That's an important point for others to remember. Why risk causing offence just because it's one's own culture to tip? Might that reveal a sense of superiority regarding one's own culture to try to apply it to others? Is it so difficult to adjust to practices and customs of the country one is visiting, as a sign of consideration and respect? Possibly, a subconscious detection of a sense of superiority was part of the reason for offence.
This reminds me of an incident when a tourist would not take his shoes off before entering a Thai temple. When reminded, he said something like 'in my country, we don't take off our shoes to enter places of worship.' His group-tour guide had to intervene. I have never seen a Thai person flip from being sweet and smiling to angry quite as fast.

Dolly Parton, who had been struggling with poor health for sometime, has died. She was 80-years-old. 
We will always love you, Dolly. Rest in peace. ❤️🕊
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9xdl4g25zo
 

I was looking at this yesterday, It's still possible to enter for 60 days by buying a 60 day visa online before you travel. 40 dollars.
A 90 day visa for Vietnam is only 25 dollars.
Thailand seem to be shooting themselves in the foot.
Then people on the socials harp on about most people don't need 60 days.  
I like to have 60 days, I'm retired, I'm not a criminal, I behave myself, always. 
90 days in Vietnam is over in two days time, it's been fabulous, I will almost certainly be back here in December and January and cancel my 2 month booking in chiang mai. 
If as often mentioned they are doing this to stop the bad behaviour and criminal activity, they are going about it the wrong way imo.
It's not like criminal and bad behaviour starts on day 31 of your 60 day visa..... 

Very Irritating Person Very Important Person... In Their Own Mind Virtually Invisible Person  Very Idiotic Person
Very Impatient Patient  Very Important Penguin 🤷‍♂️ Vocally Inspired Princess Vaguely Interesting Profile

What are others that I missed? 

For those of you missing Pattaya right now. Courtesy of @purethailandbkk on YouTube.
That sea looks quite rough and the beach is very quiet but it all looks very peaceful and relaxing to me. We're having awful hazy weather in KL right now, thanks to the the slash and burn tactics in Indonesia.🤧🤒😵‍💫
 

always nice to meet one's compatriot in foreign land I guess

Yes.
Not as much with Thailand. How one can even be tired with  Thailand is beyond my imagination , at least for now.
But whole boy hunting concept lost it's luster for me. For years I was  buying illusion , was happy to pay for it and guys were more or less, usually more, often much more ,  happy to deliver it as expected. 
Now It's more like " happy to see you again tomorrow but now can you eat bit faster because  we want to clean the table and go home or move to next table "   .
Perhaps I changed, not them. I'm not negative and don't blame anything and anybody. Trip was great, boys were great.
Being back home is even greater

I doubt if it is of much interest to anyone, but after posting on this Board and its predecessor gaythailand.com for 20 years, it is time to call it a day. For my first 13 years I wrote so much about the gay venues in Bangkok – and several other Thai cities – as like many on this Board sex was a major interest. But far from my only one, as those who have criticised my longer posts know only too well. I have posted a large number of photo essays of the trips I have made, both within Thailand – as for example the amazing Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, the equally fascinating Dansai Ghost Festival and the gorgeous beach at Khao Lak as well as the trips one can make from there. Photo essays have included a host of countries near Thailand like Nepal, Bhutan, several from Japan, and further afield like the Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, the Arctic Circle, Talinn, Petra, Iran, New Zealand, several on Taiwan and quite a few more.
Having been partnered for six years now and with no desire to visit my old gay haunts in Thailand like my partner, I restrict myself to occasional gay posts about Taipei and perhaps a couple of other cities outside Thailand. I no longer fit in with the interests of most Thailand posters. My curiosity about Japan where I lived for some years and other Asian countries is now almost totally restricted to my own interest in history, culture and society which really demand longer posts which some posters just do not like. Fair enough! This is not a blog site.
Let me add this is not a sudden decision. After thinking about it for several months, about ten weeks ago I wrote to inform @TotallyOz whom I met a couple of times in our go-go bar visiting days. I thanked him for running this Board and letting me contribute regularly all this time. Long may the Board continue.

But only on a Fridays, it's when people are taking bath, no? 

I knew it was Olddaddy as few trips ago we almost met - missed each other by the day or less. On that occasion he sent me his royal likeness.
You are number 29 right between floridarob and tartegogo. I don't need to remember , I have it writen down , lol
stop that nonsense although I can live with that. 
I met so many  members simply because I either shamelessly asked them if they wanted to meet or even more shamelessly accepted their proposal  to meet. 
Funniest meeting , or rather non-meeting was in days of soi Twilight. Member proposed to meet at such and such time of early hours of the evening . I parked myself at almost empty Maxi (  it was restaurant of that name there)  as agreed   and saw farang passing by casually looking at very few patrons there  . Certainly he did not like what he saw as he did not stop , later on just messaging me ' sorry I couldn't make it ".  

Day 13
 L was sleeping deeply and likely did not notice my arrival but at some point I found him wrapped around me so my guess is at some point of night he did. .It was actually very pleasant situation warranting tip on top of agreed tip . In the morning few romantic moments , L went his way and I took shower , packed my stuff including , yes , tablet and went down to meet  my  remork driver who offered me to take met to the airport for 10 $ and 5000 riels. Pretty long way and not the fastest more of transport but air in the morning was very pleasant and I like my 50 minutes ride.
 Actually I was bit of anxious as my  last two  times flying out of Phnom Penh were breezy . Last year morning flight was cancelled and I was forced to spend  8 hrs. at Pochentong  waiting for afternoon one . In January it was another cancellation and we were driven  back to hotel in the city but that was blessing in disguise as that enabled me to meet my schoolmate first time after 40 years.
This time it was all breeze , I even managed to have 8$ breakfast  - tea and baguette at the airport.
 Aircraft took off few minutes earlier  and landed at Swampy 15 mins before schedule so when exchanging my Pattaya bus voucher for a ticket  for 2 pm. they offered me space in 1 p.m. bus but I declined opting for lunch in coupon restaurant by gate 8 instead. Exchanged some money as well.
On the bus I took time to catch up with the forum as fortunately nobody was sitting beside me in the last row. I also let bkkmfj know I’m coming and we agreed to meet at new Complex restaurant Schatzi in the evening . 
In Pattaya  again I opted for Zing hotel  on the main road and was even treated  with upgrade for bigger room .
At 6.30 pm as I approached  Schatzi I saw bkkmfj and familiar , although never seen before figure sitting beside him , no one less that our dear and beloved Olddaddy. Finally ! My forum member # 42 met in person .
I ordered my schnitzel and must say it surpasses and exceeded expectation. Two weeks later typing this I still feel the taste. After covid claimed Alt Heidelberg on Bitch Road I never thought I will tase such decent schnitzel in Pattaya but now obviously I realized I was wrong.
Engaging conversation with both guys, we even discussed golden faucets, after all it was Olddaddy at the table , Very happy we finally met !
At one point Daddy went he way, bkkmfj and me decided to do the walk through the Supertown but since nothing really triggered by attention I suggested Boyztown and bkkmfj agreed.
While walking  through the main soi I noticed very attractive guy in front of Toy Boys but for now we kept walking toward XBoys and when we entered show just started. What surprised us  in the soi was most well known guy from B Boys break dance  troupe working as barker for the bar. Soon we realized that he is still active  performer.
Show at XBoys is always very progressive and deprived of any sense of modesty , in short  , it’s what boy show should be. Lots of flesh on display and all of it can be sampled if one invests in drink or three for the boy(s) . Atmosphere was good and fun filled although sound was too loud , bordering on occupational hazard for the boys. But that can be said about many a bar in Thailand.
After the show bkkmfj went home as youngsters those days are  somewhat weak and getting easily tired and I went to ToyBoys to take closer look at that boy who drew  my attention.
 He was still available  but I decided to take my time . When buying drink I noticed price list  and yes , they have published tip for Short time of 1500 and double of that for Long Time .
Soon my ‘target ‘ was sitting beside me treated with drink. Long Time accepted enthusiastically . Cambodian , good English , interesting life story ( had farang boyfriend who  died already ). We took  2 motorsais to my hotel at 60 a person and soon I could admire up very close what so far  I could  sample just up close only. That was piece of art attached to him , that’s beyond doubt and I liked what I saw and could feel . Even he noticed proudly ‘ you like it ?”.
 We had chemistry and that helped with more or less sleepless  night of fun.

one more

few pictures from the trip we took today

I recently tried a TCS spa at its new location - Ari (easy access via BTS).  The facilities are very good, u can upgrade to a room with jacuzzi and apparently you get to bath with the massuer.  On the whole even if you book normal room the massuer is very professional.  Massage is good and if your chemistry with the massuer click Im sure you can go all the way (do note tipping will vary accordingly).  
the others like fafa spa massage, 15m or 27m massage its really more sex than massage.  But some of the boys are very cute. 
There are so many massage places in BKK !

Thank you for asking.  I haven't posted much about it recently as I didn't think many forum members were all that interested.  The Gay Cambodia section is not nearly as lively as the Gay Thailand section.  lol.  
Things are progressing nicely.  They finished digging for the footers, building the framework out of steel rods, and poured the concrete for all of the footers and columns.  Mind you, all of this is basically being done by Cam, his brother and his father manually.  Even the footers were dug by hand with a shovel.  Just yesterday they started to lay brick.  They were all very happy and excited to reach this stage.  Even his mother is out there helping.  She is bringing them buckets of mortar and has her little red plastic bin she fills with brick and brings to them.  Certainly is a family affair.  Cam assures me they will be finished with the project by the time I arrive next month.  I certainly hope so, but understand that things happen with construction all of the time.  I will need to keep an open mind and think positive.  
I am including a couple of photos that show the work but none of the family members for privacy reasons.  Cam is okay with me posting as long as nobody is actually in the photos.  

compared to most of the punters on here, you are practically a foetus

Embrace the BULGE.....





 

You seem to assume that throughout my rather long life I have not made any contributions to refugees. Sorry @Olddaddy that is not true. I have made several contributions. Like many posters here, I have also contributed to other charities - as for example the Thai Red Cross for the massive 2004 tsunami, the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake when 69,000 lost their lives, and the disastrous earthquakes in Nepal in April and May 2015.
@unicorn is absolutely correct. When it comes to disasters of any kind, do not go to Go Fund Me pages where you have little idea idea where your contribution goes. Do research and stick to official charities. For years my chosen charity has been Medicins Sans Frontiers who work with people in many needy parts of the world.