vinapu

In meantime I arrived at Don Muang this afternoon and there were no immigration lines at all !

Definitely yes, I was there in May and walked out half happy , massage was great but afters non - existing and all that with min tip 1200 if not 1500, don,t remember exactly but reported it already in my May trip report. But don,t get discouraged since that was o ly one statistic sample, even I,m not discouraged and will try again when times comes in rotation.

Ganymede is former name of what is now Zing Resort in Jomtien Complex

I will but vacation pleasures first

It was, mentioned before but I repeat, do not mix Zing hotel on min road, half way to Pattaya with Zing Resort in Complex itself

Zing Resort, The Venue and Agate, all three right in Complex. I peronally think Zing is best value for money and quietest of them all. AGATE priciest and classiest

I was there 10 days 2 weeks ago and will write something hopefully in time of your trip. Nothing dead about neither PP nor SR, not Bangkok level choices but still fun to be had. If you consider this forum dead why you looking for help here ?

All people claiming being firmly anti-state should visit Somalia first, before they speak. That's currently unfortunately prime example of state without state. Nothing cures nonsense better than trying ones theories in practice. As for second sentence you seem to be well fed on Russian propaganda so watch your weight, blood tension and sugar level ( I understand you meant Zelensky)

I recently, horror of horrors, took taxi to and from Pattaya to Bangkok and did not pay any tips, paying tolls instead even if offer was they will pay. Reason - I was going there just for a day so tried to save precious vacation hours. On my way back to BKK took guy with me and I was mightily rewarded, he put his hand on my knee and keep it there whole 5 minutes!

What, s that? Never heard

You right, bars are for everybody who is paying to get in. My comment was not about restricting anybody,s, including Russian gays, access to bars. It was about sympathy another member voiced to their plight. Unlike you I speak and read Russian ( and sing in originaln Russian songs when walking drunk from Sabaidee to Raya which is recorded in this forum already) and what I hear from their circles is not always what I like. War is not "current thing", war is destruction, suffering and death. Those guys know it very well and it, s why thay likely escaped to be drawn in mayhem some of their kin are shamesly supporting.

That,s the problem of rich people . Poor are taking your advice and taking train. Cheaper and often faster option. Of course solidarity of rich and poor starts at midnight and lasts till 6 am when trains are not in operation.

Ask them what they think about war Russia started and you may discover thay support it ,just like Moses from Sawatdee Network loudly does. Only then you voice or not your sympathy.

Again apologies about pieces. Right after he left there was phone from airport that my luggage arrived and they plan to deliver it tonight to my hotel but I had better idea. Since I, m flying out tomorrow I, ll pick it up in the airport on my way. My laundry dried in meantime so I was set. Reader siganalzed he will be in Hotmale beer bar tonight so I rushed there around 8 to find him and paulsf as well. Paul showed me new waiter there, good looking guy indeed. I took note to get acquainted with him when stars align. Than after having drink with my friends I went to complete task nr. 2 of this trip, to go to Jupiter and check if Handsome Cambodian, long time my one-sided love is there but he was not. Music not as loud as before, AC also set at pleasant level. Boys, as always, shining handsome and unsmiling but one or two at least looked as trying to show interest, nice change. I don, t understand their format with boys hidding in corners after their walkabout and time filled by listening to singer but I assume bar knows better. Watched show but before finished I left for my next destination tonight, Tawan. As always I was greeted with smiles and enthusiasm due always when new shiny ATM arrives. Dum and Mas, resident twink invited themselves to my table so I treated them with drinks. K was already in the know he will be taken tonight to took my NO for drink question with understanding. I was hoping Tiger will be back but not yet, still another Lao guy Petch is back, he recognized me right away. For me he is remarkable specimen as all in, he is my second worst and the best off ever few years apart. When I advocate giving second chance I always have him in mind. If I did not fix K for tonight he will be one to go with me probably. After about 1 HR K and I jumped on his motorbike, I noticed that being new one and went to Happy Beer Garden for a meal and of course out of 1000 baht tab about 140 only was mine dish. Those guys sometimes really are testing my patience, lol. But in the room I got my money, s worth and in the morning woke up happy. Went to UNESCO Foodland alone for breakfast, packed very little I had and went to airport. Collected my luggage without any issues being provided instructions where to go by phone yesterday only to learn that my flight to Phnom Penh with ThaiVietAir was moved from 11 am to 17.30pm. Joy of flying with discounts I guess. So blood pressure up again and quick decision to check who flies to PP next and for how much. Bangkok Airways it was, in 90 minutes. Quick trip to mezzanine to check price, 5500 baht, sold. Other ticket may be wasted but half day in Phnom Penh gained. If I left at 17.30 I, d be there well after dark so no, I rather lose ticket. Straight to check in and shortly I was in the air, after about 36 hours there ending my 23rd trip, shortest ever but not boy deprived, leaving Thailand forever (until next time of course)

Sorry guys I kept this thread neglected for good while busy doing nothing i. e. travelling. So if you recall I had unexpected reunion with boy not seen many years. We had great time together but in the morning, after he left, not that he was in rush to do so, I was back to reality which sadly was that I, m without luggage. So after breakfast in UNESCO heritage Foodland Patpong I went straight to Silom Market in soi 1p to buy necessary toiletries, underwear and t-shirt to carry me through the day. Upon returning to hotel I washed my other set and head to UNESCO again because floridarob signalized he is planning to have lunch there. No problem recognizing him this time, nice talk we have over tasty foods. Then when I told him my planned first step this short trip is Senso, not visited by me since prepandemic he decided to accompany me there. Mamasan was the same but crew totally different. I hoped to see M or Jack but no, no familiar hunky guys, those present were rather well built next door types than hunks. One face was familiar from Sabaidee spa Line feed so I decided to get him, floridarob did not find anybody suitable so he left me there. Prices unchanged 1. 5 HR massage 1490, min tip 1500. Guy was actually surprised Sabaidee still uses his pics when I told him so as he left them, massage was good , guy pleasant but when I declared lack of interest in bottoming he kind of lost his heart too so session finished quite before 90 minutes mark. So tip was only minimum even if I was prepared to cross the mark but not when time is cut short. At 4 pm my last night companion returned for short time session since we need to catch up all those 5 years. Such muscles must be utilized before they start being covered with fat reasoned I. He was as happy with repeat as was me and again was not in rush to leave at all. Only when time to go to his bar neared we parted ways promising to see each other much sooner then in next 5 years.

Still as cool as 9 years ago when I last visited and perhaps now with rail access even cooler. At one point possibly Chinese hordes may ruin that coolness with easy access now so go there everybody before they arrive.

Last 2 pics, Vientiane station

It went smoothly although at times it felt like night train as so much of track is in tunnels so it was dark behind the window. Vientiane station also far from the center which considering is on flat plain is bit surprising. Transport to the city very well organized, I took busfor 15000 to central bus station which is in vicinity of my hotel but shared taxis aplenty . Word of warning, go to toilet on the train as on arrival one's available were closed. Hopefully due to open very soon . Mysteries of ticket sales - agent was told no 1st class for today, I visited 1st class carriage and it was half empty. Overall very positive experience, with ironed schedule either city may be day trip destination from the other. All that checking and herding is nuisance but we need to understand that for locals rail travel is unheard of experience until last year so thet need to be taught how to find a space and behave. It was sad view to see a bit of trash thrown on the floor here and there in otherwise spotless carriage. Old habits are dying slow. I will post few pictures soon.

About to take the train. Station is about 30 minutes drive from old city giving Luang Prabang distinction of having airport much closer ( 10 mins vs 30 )to the center than railway station. Station is impressive but is not much more than just gigantic waiting room with toilets and water filing points. Ticket counters are outside , at the far end of building in the picture. One can buy food and drinks outside in oarking lot in numerous stalls so stack up there as there are no shops in building itself. Security us airport like and I got confiscated almost empty can of AXE deodorant due to it being flammable. Good for a plane but not for train it seems, at least here, who would think ? on the platform ordinary train on it,s way from Vientiane to Boten ( border )

Some people are fond of wasting precious vacation time

Very good point SIR ! And as pointed above no guarantee that surcharge will be spent as advertised. If Bill wants to charge that extra he can feel free to without asking government to mandate it. What,s next ? Bar owners asking to mandate 100 baht surcharge to every off fee?

That would be nice

As long as it will be one bar and one guy in it I like it,s worth going for me