vinapu

yes it was, there was Dtac booth just past luggage collection area before you entered area where hotels were collecting you. I did not notice any other booths nor I was looking for them. Possibly they were Ladies staffing booth were very efficient and my new SIm was installed before I could even say "Hail Mary , full of grace" with old card neatly scotch taped to SIM card carrier.

I just returned from Thailand where I had numerous massages and other close connection contacts with young( 23-33 ) part of male Thai population. While most massage places and bars are posting something about having premises sterilized and staff vaccinated I did not bother with neither following on that nor being worried. My logic is I'm vaccinated in order not to be afraid of other people. Or like I said to my cousin ;" Margaret, if somebody must be sick , it better you than me ". So far it seems to be working. I'd find close encounter , with either masseur or regular bar off in masks weird and asking about status fun killing so I took calculated risk of not bothering about either. So my advice to Londoner and other with similar and it must to be admitted, valid concerns. Ease up your worries and let them go or stay home. Otherwise your vacation will become nightmarish string of worries with every person you encounter potential killer. That is not a receipt for happy holidays. If you are longing for reunion with P, just go and stay with him somewhere leaving massages and other debaucheries for future trip. Good news is that 100% of population is wearing masks , if in 25 days I saw 30 people on street without mask that's it. And all of them seem to be western slobs, mainly in Pattaya. So my guess risk of catching something in LOS is the same as catching something on the plane or airport. Just go and have fun.

what's wrong ? we weren't bombed or something?

Day 2 But not for long as shortly after 5 in the middle of said 10 million city I was waked up by the sound of crowing cock, no kidding. Somebody in the neighborhood must keep some on his balcony or something. For me it felt like afternoon already due to jet lag so again I did some computerizing and smartphoning waiting for my breakfast to be delivered. Soon after I packed and took motorsai taxi to my next step - Quarter Silom , new hotel steps from Tawan. Hotels in Thailand now are extremely good value due to lack of travelers but that one seemed as an exception, parking was full, lobby was crowded and reception told me that I can’t check in before 2 pm as no rooms are available. Fine. I left luggage with them and went to see covid damage done to the Patpong area. Not a pretty sign. Patpong itself quiet with all bars , shops and restaurants including my beloved Madrid closed. Patpong 2 the same , only Foodland with it’s world famous , 7 Michelin stars awarded restaurant opened as before but almost empty anyways. Suriwong the same , many shops closed or even boarded, Silom a bit better but still depressed. Soi Thaniya only shadow of herself. Former BBB Inn on Rama boarded and decaying, ready to be demolished perhaps. Soi Twilight boarded high. Former Oasis restaurant closed , still after 4 years. Another new hotel ‘ 56 Suriwong “ arisen, Thaniya Plaza renovated so some places are not wasting a good crisis and sprucing up but generally it looked bit sad. Tawan closed , Sun massage beside the same but few massage shpos in that soi on the stretch closer to Silom , inclusion Prime and Thai Prime opened as before. After being able to check in I did so. Rooms are not very spacious abut very well organized and I like Quarter quite a bit, perhaps more than similar Red Planed on Suriwong. They even have a pool and serve buffet breakfast as well at 130 unless included in the room rate / mine was not /. 500 baht refundable deposit on check in. In the afternoon I decided to see how Sukhumvit area is coping so went there. Located Jey Spa in soi 43. No sign so one needs to know address 14/6 soi 43 , shoes at entrance are betraying it’s busy place . I did not go there yet. In Soi 23 went to check if Urban Male is still there – it was not. Soi Cowboy sharing Patpong’s fate. In the afternoon in hotel I met other member , 10tazione who also lived there and we went to soi 4 where I had an opportunity to meet his boy special. When it got dark we went to Dreamboys. It turned out my last night companion works actually there, strange that Jupiter charged me off fee for him last night but oh , well. He tried to sit beside me but I was not too keen on carrying conversation still smarting over that short time charge from last night. There was the show and quite explicit at that with big c***k show being part of it. Yes , Johnny is still there, energetic dancer as always. After show boys filled stage , all dressed in jeans and t-shirt. One of them , if I recall number 38 being extremely cute twink so without hesitation I decided to cross the border , called and offed him before somebody else could. Gap is his name and I can recommend him with whole heart. No long time material though as he has full time job. But great guy and true asset of that bar. World must be coming to an end if vinapu is bringing twinks home and is very happy about an experience thought I walking him to a taxi thus finishing my day 2 .

smallest size is actually like 2 1000 baht banknotes

at least she had long and successful life so now can rest in peace. Rest in peace Rose, I mean Ms. White.

I guess now it’s time for usual day to day update of my trip. Some repeats will be necessary as I’m too lazy to spend much time polishing text so bear with me. Short lived ‘Test and go “ scheme served me very well and we hope it will be re-instated soon but trip was not only matter of luck but also utilizing it. Long ago I decided that as long as quarantine will be eliminated or shortened to max 2 days I jump into plane ASAP. So when it happened it took me only few hours to complete documents , do the bookings of planes , hotels and tests. I may try to repeat the feast if scheme will return even if for shorter period of time. First few months of year are not really me travelling time as greed prevails due to much increased opportunities to earn some spending cash. For quarantine hotel I had chosen Centre Point Riverview Silom and looking back it was wise decision. Knowing I will be locked I was looking for big room with balcony and a view. They had it all with Executive Suite, as it turned out complete with washing machine and microwave. Location steps from BTS SaphanTaksin proved beneficial when I was released about hour before bars are closing / 11 pm now/ . It was costly at about 5200 baht but not when one considers that I paid 4600 baht for pre-departure test at home so for me it looked like for 600 baht I had transport from airport, spacious room and 3 meals a day. Nice gesture was to allow me to check in early ,even if my plane arrived at 6 am , I was advised when asked that booking should be done for 1 night only As noted before arrival was very smooth, documents checked before lining up for immigration, taxi from hotel was handily waiting and it did not take much more than hour from landing to be already in the hotel to start solitary confinement of my: Day 1 On admission I asked to skip today’s breakfast as I was well fed by Swiss and opted for next day breakfast instead. Waiting to be called for test I despoiled after long trip, did some laundry ( I travel light so usually my first thing in hotel when travel is to wash my shirt and undergarments ) drying which was easy as washroom was equipped with laundry line. In Swampy I bought SIM card so installed Grindr and Romeo in addition to already installed Hornet and to kill time combed through offerings there. At 10.30 knock to door from the staff inviting me to go to the testing area on the roof. I was told results will arrive up to next morning. Tasty lunch delivered around noon, then I fell to jet lag and slept till 6 when another knock waked me up announcing equally tasty dinner. It was 9.55 p.m. when I got a call from reception that results are in and I’m free man again. 10 minutes later I was already on the Saphan Taksin platform and soon after , after 2 years of absence I was pounding pavements of my beloved Silom again. Since it was Sunday evening and in pandemic time it was rater quiet and in one of massage shops I noticed very handsome masseur playing with cat. Perhaps I should stop there but fate dragged me to soi 4 which is kind of sarcasm as I never really liked it. But now with Jupiter , only one of three bars opened others being Dreamboys and Fresh Boys there was no place to be picky. Beer at Jupiter was cheap at 150 which lasted till before Christmas and now is at more “normal” 400 so I got mine and noticed few guys drinking beside , one of them familiar face of one of Moonlight’ s go-gos I never offed but tipped few times for a good looks. Smile and signalized my interest but he gestured that he is with that company. Did not worry me as it was first out if 25 nights but fate had it , shortly after they all left he returned with knowing smile. It turned out he in not Jupiter guy , just visiting his friends there to have a drink, is willing to check my stamp collection. So I paid off fee of 500 and we went. No not to Centre Point but to Furama Silom as when booking originally I was not sure what will happen with my early check in and took advantage of cheap rates those days , booked 1 night at Furama just in case. Not a long walk and soon we were there. Reception asked for 1000 baht deposit, gave us a key and up we went to have our fun, short time one for which I was asked to fork 3000. How it came to it ? walking I asked about long time , 3000, answer was 3000 is for a short time. After 2 years I was in no mood to haggle. Fun we had and he is nice and very well built man but also resolve came that we met twice – first and last at the same time. No repeat as Christian PFC use to say . When he left , soon did I collecting my deposit left 3 hrs ago and walked all the way to Centre Point past 2 at night through completely empty streets with rats being busy here and there but no soul in sight. And I thought “ where in the world on his 1st day tourist can walk at almost 3 am through empty street in the middle of 10 million strange city and feel completely safe and relaxed “ ? Try that in Paris, London, Rio , Nairobi or even Flint , Michigan. Long live Bangkok , long live Thailand. Slept without A/c , with open windows, just like summer at home. And that’s how I finished day 1.

I wish I could say the same but unfortunately I'm home already

no, it's fabric , not paper , It's why i like it's usability and re-usability. I agree that weather wise December and January are best months to come to Thailand. Hot but not too hot. In my 25 days there perhaps 1 hr of rain total

Handy, cheap and nice smelling micro-towel. I always made sure I have few on me at any time . Refreshing , stays moist for few hours, can be washed and reused. Whether you feel sweaty, oily , soiled you appreciate having it on you . comes in 3 sizes ay 9, 13 and 16 baht, can be found in 7/11 and the like not where other toiletries are but curiously where dairy items are shelved. Don't ask me why. I even went as far as bringing few of those home.

I agree with 18past19, now one has feeling of having country to himself. There are visitors but nowhere in overwhelming numbers, even Chao Praya Tourist Boat had choice of seats whenever one wanted. Thais finally have country to themselves but that's mixed blessing as we can imagine.

eat less, don't sleep during day, have a daily walk to Hualampong or ChitLom and back and don't let boys to do all the work should do the trick. Don't waste your money on gym, waste it on guys

His treatment by Chinese authorities will be forever reminder that authoritarian governments can't be trusted , no matter their achievements are. Mussolini made trains going on time, Hitler eliminated unemployment and still very few tears are shed for them and this should act as warning to all who think they have all answers

I'd not be making light weight of potential abuses they are subjected to

If youmean me , I'm very happy we could meet and could support each other in our adventures . Sadly I left you there while I,m ready on my way home but one can,t have it all I guess.

The same soi , just diagonally across. That may build some panel as you are spot on with your observation. Main point is, they are back on the scene which is good whether you like big boys or not

I won,t be there very unfortunately but one of members may. I m on my way home already. We should be happy it,s opening again at least. Smaller size means we will be closer to the boys.

What awfull times? Difficult for many yes but awfull ? I'm about to board the plane on my way back and wish I would be just bad dream. More bureaucracy , a lot of nonsense but after all is done you will have country to yourself with only a bit of exageration.

As you guys can see, Tawan almost ready for Friday,s reopening

Tawan

Yes and smoking may cause lung cancer while volcano eruptions destroy a lot of crops

Jupiter decided to cash in on Christmas spirit and last night drinks went up from 150-180 to prepandemic 400 but at least show was decent with Hooola hop guy performing. And that rare specimen of smiling Jupiter boy was present so no complains from the me. Audience equals number of boys, roughly 20 so it must be tough. Soi 4 restaurants busy, but world famous, Michelin stars awarded Foodland restaurant at 3 pm completely empty except other forum member and me dining on their fine offerings at half of soi 4 prices. Madrid tavern still sporting padlock. Earlier atop MahaNakhon despite fine, almost unbangkokian visibility also sparse, crowd looking farang and Middle Eastern. On Saturday one would expect at least 10 times more people. But I like that sparse crowds, sure at odds with business owners.

I don, t know about hi so but cartainly is not ugly and rather adds to the street appearance in my oppinion

This should not come as surprise. Well known hotel I'm staying in Bangkok seems fairly busy judging by quite decent crowd at breakfast at 8.30 but very few farangs and only 2 money boys, luckily one sitting at my table. Seems locals finally can enjoy their country by themsekves, unfortunately it comes by other locals expense. In Pattaya likely it, s even worse

From rooms on other side of corridor