vinapu

Day 3 Raya has breakfast again at 250 per person if not included in the rate. Buffet style and all dishes very tasty. Pleased to see that guy I remember from my first stay there good 10 years ago is still working there although I have an impression he looks like 10 years older but what do I know? Today I’m moving to Baan Silom so after breakfast when Y left I packed what I have and rolled me suitcase there. Since it was bit early I was told to return at 2, left suitcase on reception and via Tourist boat went to Grand Palace are to browse stores there. It was good move as I required some old Thai banknote for my collection , one I was looking for for quite a while. This of course created an opportunity to invite somebody to admire and assess new acquisition. Upon return to hotel I was bit jet lagged- day 3 is usually my worst and collapsed on the bed for about 2 hours. Woke up quite hungry as I did not eat anything substantial since breakfast and decided to go to Unseco designated world famous Foodland Patpong for a dish picture of which is attached below. No prize for guessing it’s name though. Then wandered for about 1 hour through the area and decided to go to HotMale upstairs to see if S would be there as I kind of believe he will be best suited to see my new old Thai banknote. He was mentioned in my reports before as only boy taken for a tour ( of Grand Palace back in 2022 ) who genuinely was interested in sightseeing , even trying to explain us some paintings in the area around Emarald Buddha temple. At 21.15 bar was still very quiet. Few farangs were holding court and soon after they took 4 or 5 boys with them. S was there so I grabbed him right away even if there was no competition in the audience. Remembered from last trip when two girls were looking at him lustily when he was sitting with me already. Of course he accepted idea of seeing my new purchase not only right away but also in the morning where light will be more natural. By time we finished our drinks and took off two farangs showed up ( separately), gulped their drinks and left empty handed. Nobody was in the audience when we were leaving at 10 pm so it looked as quiet night and still quite a few offs from the bar. Via 7/11 across the hotel we went to my room and of course in a heat of the moment we forgot about my new trophy. No harm done. It turned out that next week he is going to see his folks in Cambodia and by sheer coincidence I will be in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap at the same time as well. He asked to join me for the whole week but since I had some designs on Phnom Penh I suggested he will join me for 4 nights I will be in Siem Reap. We left discussed particulars of that trip for Line and spent rest of time together how it was supposed to be spend. Third night in row and third fabulous. I started to count my blessings already !

I agree it's not funny at all but in reality not much can be done to prevent suicides by determined . Help lines exist but does suicidal person want to use it?

reminds us that despite all progress and shiny skyscrappers Thailand is still Third World feudal country

Day 2 First full day and kind of quiet. After energetic night and jet lag still lingering I took it easy. D and me had breakfast at Foodland of all places and parted ways. As it happened I did not see him anymore this trip even if visited Tawan quite a few times, Perhaps he went home or it was just bad luck. I had some dental work to do at Thai Smile. Passing by I stepped in just to book an appointment but doctor was expected to be free in few minutes and since I had money on me I just wait and had it done . Then feeling bit sleepy decided to energize myself with massage so went to soi 6 and Nut from Maha spotted me approaching from mile away and grabbed me right away. Sweet , talkative , tiny but very muscular guy and I was happy with our 1.5 hr session. Massage made me hungry so I took motorsai to Charoen Krung soi 49, you guessed rightly to Madrid Tavern for my first pizza this trip. Late afternoon jet lag made me wanting badly to get some sleep so I returned to the room, set my alarm for 21.00 as I was supposed to pick up Y at Moonlight as agreed yesterday and collapsed on the bed. It was good idea with that alarm since I was sleeping soundly. After making myself looking decent – in Thailand I have habit to shave just before I hit bars in the evening and went to Moonlight. Y was there already , I bought him a drink and told him we will go after the show. At 10 pm bar was almost empty bar even if it was half an hour before show. But models and floor boys soldered on regardless. By 11 filled up nicely to about half capacity. Show quite decent. There, s new model, I guess his nick is Sam or similar. Quite handsome . Several new, floor boys, as well. Lack of crowds did not mean disaster as some high spending farang was holding court and was distributing tips by a handful. Y when sitting with me asked by said farang to join for round of drinks. Y asked my permission and he said for 15 minutes only. I agreed and it was a good move costing me nothing. After 15 minutes, and gulping 2 or 3 shoots he was clutching in his fist no less than 900. So it seems that sparse crowd doesn’t mean financial disaster. All depends. On another hand during my time there i.e. 10 to 11.45 my off was only one and I was, sitting in good position to see comings and goings through the door. So at 11.45 we went to Happy Beer Garden to have some meal, no prize for guessing what I had. Y ordered something simple as well which can’t be said about most boys I used to invite there. Since Raya is across the street few minutes after paying the bill we were already in the shower. Y never disappoints and did not even try to this time either. 2nd night and 2nd great one. Will I ever get decent sleep while in Thailand?

the same here.

you were already primed when we dined together . Day 2 will arrive soon I noticed mistake in the tittle, should be 'better ' not " batter" , will ask Oz to correct

Day 1 That will be short one as I said arrived at 17.40. Immigration line was hair rising but speed was world beating. It was second longest I saw in BKK ever and still with all boths opened and personnel wisely directing internationals even to “ASEAN or Thai only” booths when they were free it moved shockingly fast. By time I bought SIM card my luggage was out already and in exactly 75 minutes from plane touching tarmac I was already waiting for train at the platform. Raya, where I opened door exactly 47 hours and 45 minutes after closing my home door, was informed that I will miss previous night but at least room was waiting for me ( no refund for no show) so I unpacked , desoiled and went to 7/11 to buy some necessities in process took circular way through Thaniya and Patpong 2. At 21.00 I was supposed to meet J, our member at G’Bangkok , soi 4. As it happened his last day was mine first. So we caught on news and food and being already in soi 4 we decided to go to Jupiter . On recent trips somehow it’s always first bar I’m visiting. Due to esthetics as their boy collection beats them all not a bad place to start. I’m not being big fan of Jupiter due to their policy requiring boys to appear cold , aloof and uninterested. This of course changes right away after one invites boy to seat beside but still I don’t like it as can’t gauge if g boy is treating me as transparent because I deserve or because boss told them so. Of course looking at them during their walkouts is pure pleasure , smile or not. And soon after we sat down first round started. I tipped red note two of them including hero of my many stories and veteran of dozen if not more offs over the years HC (Handsome Cambodian). I did not count on anything other than may be nod and shy smile during next round acknowledging tip and my presence. But disappointingly during next walkabout I was still transparent air. There were few smiles but not at me and not by me tippees . That was bit discouraging and disappointing so when J, who in meantime had some hunk sitting beside signaled he is ready to go I gladly went with them. This was my only visit at Jupiter this trip or as my father would say “ this trip I was there two times - first and last”. Outside I wished guys fun , to J also safe trip home and we parted ways. I went to Moonlight hoping Y will be available but he was already booked to tonight so I secured his presence for tomorrow by slipping him and mamasan who leeched on me immediately remembering me very well from previous visits red note each and went to Hot Male beer bar where P was present so I offered him a drink and in process asked about option of accompany me tonight. He agreed but I sensed answer is kind of suspended. On top of it , even it treated with drink , instead of keeping me company he was constantly on the move here and there. At some point when I noticed he is going to bar upstairs with some female patron I did one of best things this trip, right on the first evening – paid for both drinks and just took off. As it was past midnight I decided to try my favorite corner in Bangkok at soi 6 and Suriwong. That the place where Tawan boys use to drink after bar closes. Tonight it was only D solitary drinking from small Hong Thong bottle. We meet many times in the past, now he is in bit less of shape but his skin is still as smooth as baby’s and being late I made another best decision, drunk or not I asked if he wants to go with me. Happy smile and nod. He wanted to ride his motorsai but I declined and we walked to Raya. Holly Molly, he was always quiet and bit reserved companion , very suitable for 1st night after long trip but not tonight. I was hoping for pussy cat but instead got lion, very sweet lion indeed. As close to boyfriend experience as one can dream about. It was almost shocking in a best sense. I guess blend of being bit drunk and probably not being offed for some time contributed to that energy. What an introduction to Bangkok and a trip and end of day 1 !!!

tell me something I don't know, lol You will be mentioned in due course , rest assured. It was nice to meet and bar hop with you . In meantime here's day 1

both very handsome, specially first one. As for calling them Russian it depends of degree of nationalism. For most of English speakers the will be, since they come from Russia. Kissinger was American even if born and raised in Germany and Madame Curie was French scientist even if Polish born and raised. Not to mention Marshall Rokossovsky, Russian without drop of Russian blood. Other than Trump who would call Obama Kenyan?

Preliminaries and getting to. This was my first trip to Thailand after leaving workforce for good and as result it was also longest of them all (so far I hope).Also first covering month of January, I was in that month before twice but only for ,few days in the beginning back in 2003 and at end last year. I keep travel diary on evert trip everywhere so no need to stretch my memory, cleaning glasses from time to time will suffice to produce this report. Reading it this morning I noticed that some occurrences faded from memory already which makes point again not to be upset about small things as they are soon forgotten for good. Winter trip has advantages of escaping cold but also carries risk that weather may go in the way. It was exactly a case this time. When we boarded plane snow blizzard started . It was sudden and energetic and as result we took off exactly 2 hours later than scheduled. Considering that at Narita I had originally exactly 2 hours connection time it was obvious that something will happen. Either, like last time I took that route plane to Bangkok will be waiting but luggage arrive day later or I need to be placed on another flight that evening or day after. Did not bother me as nothing I could do on my part. I did not enjoy flight much ( one of those things faded from memory I mentioned before but diary remembers). It was cold inside and this comes from guy who likes winter over summer. For first few hours entertainment system did not work which I don’t care but in modern aircrafts one can’t turn on reading light if screen is dead so I lost few hours of reading time. And to add to my misery , food was nothing memorable and that is charitable. But as always there was bonus – nobody seating beside me. I always fly at the back , middle section , aisle seat , hoping for that to happen and it did again. I noticed that elbow space is as important as legs one on those long flights. We landed as we departed , exactly 2 hours after scheduled time and were advised to see agents who will inform as about further connection. This being Japan , was organized very well. Indeed lady was holding placard with Bangkok and my flight number, told me where to go and there another agent gave me boarding pass for tomorrow morning , advised to pick up my luggage , pass immigration and go to the parking spot nr 16 where shuttle bus to hotel will be waiting. It was all in print on small piece of paper. Impressive enough. Japan I thought. Then somehow things get a bit less smooth as I was waiting exactly 2 hours for my luggage to emerge entertaining myself with Whatsapping, e-mailing and Lineing. After that we were back to Japan. Bus arrived and was filled to capacity with people sharing my misfortune, from what I heard not only Bangkok bound but also Bejjing and Saigon but somebody said Manilla passengers were lucky to be placed on next flight departing tonight. At the hotel they knew exactly why we are there, there was special counter arranged and we got our keys and coupon for supper tonight and breakfast tomorrow as well as information about bus to the airport departing in the morning. In short all my questions at Narita were answered before I even asked them. It was too late to go to the city 1hr train trip away so I settled in the room and did not even bother with evening meal. Just made my tea and went asleep. As for breakfast ‘opulent’ is understatement. All tasted soooo good and I feel sorry for myself that days I was eating more than I need are over. I was placed on Thai flight and again had luck of nobody seating beside – it’s after all still 7 hrs flight. I already commented in another thread, meal they served was probably best airplane meal I ever had and no, after that breakfast I was not starving or something , it was just extremely tasty, just pork with rice but made for kings and CEO’s . This way instead of landing at 22.30 , I arrived at 17.40 next day and day 1 of my trip started. still Christmas time in Japan Scat Airlines ? I wonder what this is all about

in some circles they are called Russians or East Europeans

additional crematorium built?

to avoid routine sometimes when somebody I'm on friendly terms with asks me ' how are you ?" , my response is ' who cares ? ' or even more up to the point " none of your business "

station is renovated and working indeed with trains to Sihanoukville and Battambang departing daily

from Bogania?

confirmed , the same happened to me when I was there right after you. When checked -in on the phone boarding pass was issued but with clear note ' that pass can't be accepted at the airport you are flying from , please go to the counter to obtain paper one' or something to that effect .

and a lot of other drugs are just over the counter for which my family is eternally grateful to Thailand. Few years ago me nephew , epileptic, was running out of his drug which happened nowhere to be available or if available , only by prescription from local doctor. ( Later we learned it was due to manufacturing problems ) . Fortunately one of our members was able to find those in Bangkok and buy without any fuss , just ' how much do you need?' and sent to us literally few days before last pill was taken. to answer original question , yes I once forgot BP pills called Olmetec and surely enough they were available just for asking and baht at Chula.

it was probably just automated move by the clerk without thinking. reminds me visit to bank when clerk asked me ' how are you ?' and I answered ' not good, going to funeral right after that ' to which she responded ' have a nice day"

i consider it great idea and hope it will bear some fruit. If memory serves me well it was raised first by Vietnamese Prime Minister. if revenue is concern nothing stops country from collecting payment at point of entry in exchange for, say , sticker in the passport but without any paperwork required

+1

in my opinion more danger is coming from idiots wearing all those gold necklaces while getting drunk and debaucherous than from enterprising thieves themselves. My late godmother used to say ' vinapu I'm only afraid of stupid people"

April Fools day moved to Feb 1st

possible but they spoke with strange accent typical to former far away colonies

I agree. just returned from month in Thailand and Cambodia and I did not notice any nuisances coming from Russians even in Phuket where they are very big chunk of vacationers. Only annoying moment during whole trip was when group of 4 already drunk teenagers, Australians judging by an accent sat at the table near mine at Happy Beer garden and they spoke very loudly with 'fuck' being every third or forth word spoken but even then they kept to themselves.

I can't say much about Pattaya as on last trip I was there only 2 days but week or two ago while strolling Silom it dawned on me that while say 10 years ago majority of obvious tourists were Westerners now they are replaced by Asians. There were visits in bars where I was one of very few farangs in attendance and once in Tawan even boy sitting with me noticed ' you only farang in bar". Only place when one can still see farangs en masse is soi 4. Is this good or bad? I don't care who keeps our bars running and boys employed. So as long as I have fun for me this is cosmetic change but change it is. Only negative part of that shift for some may be that boys in bars are more overdressed now than in the past. I was told that this is what Asians like. Whether it's true , I don't know. I can live with guys on the stage in sexy , fitting jeans although ones in tracksuit pants are bit too much when boys esthetics are discussed.