Gaybutton

It does. I hope all goes well and you enjoy your time in Thailand.

The same holds true for me - as long as the boys at least are shirtless. But if they are fully clothed in jeans and also wearing shirts, I fail to see much point in going to those go-go bars where you're going to pay exorbitant prices for drinks. You might as well go to a beer bar where the boys are also fully clothed, but the drink prices are far less expensive. Also, I have never had some sort of mama-san try to pressure me in a beer bar. For me, that has happened only in go-go bars. I learned a long time ago - never buy a drink for a mama-san who sits with me, uninvited, and starts the pressure routine. I make the mama-san get lost and try it with some other customer.

I'm not surprised by that. My guess is they want to make sure, if a leg took you to a country Thailand has currently banned, that you were simply in transit and did not spend time there. Of course, if you had spent time in a banned country I doubt they would have let you board to continue on to Thailand - either that or who knows what might have happened upon arrival in Thailand. In any case, no matter what their reason was, I'm glad you made it and had a trouble-free experience upon arrival. My next question is why did you go now, before the bars and entertainment venues have opened? And now, because of the Omicron variant, they are already talking about postponing the reopenings even further. How long will you be in Thailand before returning home?

After you took the photo, how much further did that boy get . . . ?

The absurd 2pm-5pm ban on alcohol sales is still in place and apparently it also applies to restaurants, but for now I doubt any restaurant owners are complaining. I think what most of us hope is if all goes well and if the Omicron variant doesn't cause problems in Thailand, maybe they will allow the bars to reopen in mid-January after all. __________________________________________________ Pattaya and other Chonburi ‘Blue Zones’ officially allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants December 4, 2021 Chonburi the Blue Zone: Chonburi, Thailand The Chonburi Governor has released new orders through their Public Relations Facebook page this evening allowing (November 3rd) alcohol sales and drinks which are now allowed in the Chonburi ‘Blue Zone’ areas including Pattaya and Banglamung. Chonburi ‘Blue Zones’ are Banglamung, Pattaya including Koh Larn, Si Racha, Koh Sichang, and for Sattahip only in Najomtien and the Bang Saray sub-district. Only restaurants in the blue zone and with SHA certificates are allowed alcohol sales and drinks inside. Alcohol sales are allowed from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and from 5:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. These restaurants must clearly show their certificates. Nightclubs, pubs, bars, karaoke, soapies remain closed. The order is effective NOW until further notice. The order had been in place previously for almost eight months but rising pressure from many business owners and sectors helped lift the unpopular ban. https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/03/pattaya-and-other-chonburi-blue-zones-officially-allowed-to-sell-alcohol-in-restaurants ____________________________________________________________________________ Booze in Pattaya is still only semi-legal say police By Barry Kenyon December 4, 2021 Thailand’s favorite seaside resort has given a sigh of relief after the ban on alcohol was lifted for diners. Effective late December 3. The Chonburi governor’s office has decreed the liberalization in restaurants and cafes provided they display prominently the Safety and Health Administration Plus sticker. And you don’t need to prove you are eating a meal as you enjoy a beer. A restaurant is also a bar. The certification is only awarded to businesses – which can be souvenir shops or transport companies as well as hotels and eateries – which demonstrate they are keeping strictly to the policies of the Ministry of Health, are observing social distancing and have fully-vaccinated staff. That should include ongoing self-antigen health testing, but that detail appears to have disappeared from recent official statements. Meanwhile, local police are reminding the public at large that the new policy has restrictions. Booze can be served only from 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 11 pm. These time restraints reflect a 1970s military junta proclamation which sought to ban afternoon intoxication and ensured you were safely in bed before midnight. The same rule was revived after the 2014 coup and still applies in supermarkets and convenience stores selling beer, spirits and wines. Nobody seems sure how many Pattaya businesses are already approved by SHA. City Hall said that all hotels registered with Thailand Pass carried the quality assurance certification, together with some other hotels and high-class restaurants. An optimistic total might be in the region of 500 local businesses. Although a flurry of applications is now expected via the SHA website, many small operators such as street vendors or small cafes simply cannot afford the registration fees or pass the stringent health requirements. The pre-Christmas announcement by the Chonburi Communicable Disease Committee was expected. The ban on the sale of alcohol in restaurants had become a farce by the end of November with many owners even allowing wine glasses and beer bottles on tables rather than faking with teapots and cups. Police checks were reserved for occasional raids on midnight parties in supposedly-padlocked clubs and private premises. Granted for two years, SHA certification can be withdrawn at any time if health inspectors discover any backsliding. For example, a vaccinated employee might be replaced by an ant-vaxxer or a cockroach might be found in the beef stew. In practice, cancellation of certificates is a rare phenomenon. Maintaining standards over time isn’t one of Thailand’s strongest points. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/booze-in-pattaya-is-still-only-semi-legal-say-police-381588

I can only repeat: The bars and entertainment venues are ordered closed. If any are open, they are currently operating illegally unless they found some sort of work-around that I don't know about. Until the Thai government proclaims they can open legally, you for sure will not find me in any of them. It might be fine for Thais and merely a slap on the wrist if they get caught as proprietors or customers. Does anyone truly believe it would be the same for farang who get caught? In my opinion, if someone goes to a foreign country and intentionally flouts laws supposedly vehemently being enforced, that someone better be prepared to face the consequences. Decide for yourselves, folks, if you think it is worth the risk. If it were me, I would be delaying my holiday until the nightlife venues I want to go to are at least open legally. "That is what I would do. I have not the remotest idea what you would do." - David Ogden Stiers (Major Charles Emerson Winchester), 'M*A*S*H' __________________________________________________________ Govt explains delay in reopening entertainment venues 19 November, 2021 The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has given two reasons for delaying the reopening of entertainment places, and said operators must improve disease control standards. Apisamai Srirangson, a spokeswoman for the CCSA, admitted on Friday that when the government postponed their reopening from December to Jan 16 the operators of entertainment venues were bitterly disappointed. One reason for the delay was that the country had not been able to bring the number of new daily Covid-19 cases to below 5,000 and fatalities continued at about 50 a day, she said. The other reason was the Public Health Ministry and local organisations said the operators of entertainment venues had not registered compliance with the Covid-19 control standard, known as Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration Plus (SHA+), Dr Apisamai said. The standard was mandatory for reopening, she said. "Please improve your premises ... Whether reopening will happen or not does not depend on the decision of CCSA, but on the readiness of the premises themselves," Dr Apisamai said. Covid-19 vaccination of staff of entertainment venues was among the criteria of the SHA+ standard. Details of the standard were available from the Department of Health, she said. Premises that met the standard would get an SHA+ sign from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Visitors would look for such signs at entertainment venues, Dr Apisamai said. Under the CCSA's plan, from Nov 16 to Jan 15 the Interior and Public Health ministries would enforce disease control and ventilation regulations and officials would evaluate the reopening readiness of entertainment places. From Jan 16 onwards, entertainment places would reopen only in high surveillance, surveillance and tourism pilot zones. Places that cause Covid-19 outbreaks would be closed. Entertainment venues have been ordered closed since early April after some of them were found to be the centre of Covid-19 outbreaks. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2218367/govt-explains-delay-in-reopening-entertainment-venues

I believe that is exactly what is happening. In all the years I've lived in Thailand I have never seen so much rain over such a prolonged period of time. No seasons I have ever seen in Thailand come even close to what has been happening with this one. Maybe things will dry out later, but the fact is we are now a month into Thailand's dry season - and around here it is anything but dry. The only things dry are the bars . . .

It would be nice if you at least could go into a bar at all. But so far you can't. This thing about permitting alcohol in restaurants in Pattaya beginning January 16 is not engraved in stone. That is not by any means guaranteed. There is also nothing I've seen that says there are any plans to permit alcohol later than 9:00pm and nothing I've seen that says January 16 is necessarily going to mean the bars will open. Folks, I hope none of you are going to wishful think yourselves into planning your holiday in Thailand too soon and end up disappointed. You might want to consider waiting until the bars really do reopen and alcohol can be served - a lot later than 9:00pm. Don't be all that upset that you're not in Pattaya right now. You're missing all the bars closed, much less public transportation, some favorite hotels closed, and plenty of rain nearly every day just when you would want to be on the beach and just when you would be going out to dinner and the bars.

If you want to go to Thailand and put in the effort, especially if you think both MFAS and I are too negative about it, by all means go ahead and then let us know how it works out for you. What's the rush? If it were me, I would be waiting until things are far less iffy and uncertain than they currently are before I'd be arranging my holiday. If any bars in Bangkok, or anywhere else in Thailand for that matter, are open, they are open illegally - whether people are posting elsewhere or not. Fine with me, but bear in mind the police are arresting customers along with the bar staff when they get caught. If you are willing to take that risk, be my guest. Even when the bars finally do get permission to reopen, while you're on that long haul flight to Thailand, you better pray there won't be another outbreak while you're on the way. If that happens, the bars all being ordered closed again will be the least of your problems. As for the glass half empty or half full, I prefer the way George Carlin looks at it: "Some say the glass is half empty. Some say the glass is half full. You know what I say? I say the glass is too big."

Well, the good food part is certainly available. And there is no longer a curfew, but with the bars still closed and restaurants forbidden to serve alcohol after 9:00pm, doesn't seem like a curfew is necessary with nothing much to do at night. As for reconsidering your plans, you're far from alone in that. You might want to read this article: https://aseannow.com/topic/1239902-it’s-expats-not-tourists-that-are-visiting-thailand-business-leader/

To me, that is the saddest part of all. Even those of us who would want to support the gay venues and hope to help them make a comeback, now find it virtually impossible to do. Even living in Thailand doesn't seem to help very much. I think it is obvious to all that if the Thailand gay scene, especially the Pattaya gay scene, does make a comeback, it won't be a quick comeback. I believe it will take years. Just how many years - who knows? I just hope those of us who are running out of spare years live long enough to see it. Part of the problem is so much is unpredictable and it is difficult even to guess what might happen. I would love to see Pattaya make a comeback to the way things were in the gay scene's "golden years", but for those of us who were fortunate enough to be here to experience those years, all we can do for the foreseeable future is to remember them.

Perhaps - if that is the only reason a person is traveling to Thailand.

In my opinion, the short answer is absolutely no. I live in Pattaya. From where I sit, the current situation sux. In Bangkok none of the bars are open yet. Whether they will be, what the imposed rules will be, and how many boys will have returned to work in the bars by then is anybody's guess. Right now restaurants can serve alcohol, but only up to 9:00pm. No word yet when that might change. In Pattaya no bars and no alcohol even in restaurants. As it stands now, restaurants in Pattaya will not be allowed to serve alcohol until January 16 and there is no word at all as to when the bars will be allowed to reopen. The government restrictions have effectively killed Pattaya's holiday season. I keep stressing that for the bars can reopen is by far not the same as will reopen. We really don't know how many bars, especially go-go bars, have even survived to be able to reopen. I am expecting many of the bars won't reopen until it appears there will be a good chance of enough customers to make it worth reopening. There will be varying opinions about this, but my own opinion is I wouldn't be planning a trip to Thailand at least until we have a much better picture of what is happening and when it will be happening. If it were me, I'd be hoping for a trip to Thailand maybe around March or April if things are returning to at least a semblance of normal by then - and the way things are currently going, that's a mighty big if . . . I have a gay Thailand board too. If you wish to check it out, it is: https://www.gaybuttonthai.com

https://www.facebook.com/pattayagaysauna/ https://sansukthailand.com/

Obviously people do manage to get their first-time retirement visa, but I don't know how it works or what people have to do if they don't already hold a Thai bank account. Maybe it has to be done through one of the visa agents. Maybe they can also help to open a Thai bank account. Can't hurt to try. I've never used a visa agent, but I do know in Pattaya Mots-Services is reliable, reasonably priced, and honest. One of the services they provide according to their web site is "OPEN THAI BANK ACCOUNT" When you read the details, their fee is 3500 baht and they can do it even if you have only a tourist visa. See: https://www.mots-services.com/ One thing is clear - things involving Thai bank accounts and retirement visas are not getting any easier. I wish I could provide better advice, but this is the best I can do.

Now without holding the retirement visa it is very difficult to open a Thai bank account, but if you try hard enough and are willing to try enough different branches it still can be done. How much longer it can be done is anybody's guess. If anyone has any reason to believe you might sooner or later need a Thai bank account, I suggest doing whatever you need to do to get it during your next trip to Thailand. From what I understand, Kasikorn Bank (aka K-Bank) is the bank most likely to approve opening an account.

Do you remember which visa you had at the time? Those of you who have been on the boards long enough may recall I used to very often urge those considering retiring in Thailand or making multiple trips to Thailand to open a Thai bank account while you still can - because it was getting more and more difficult to do so. Many years ago when I opened my Bangkok Bank account, which I still hold, I had no problem doing it on the 30 day privilege. Obviously now it is far more difficult for foreigners to open a Thai bank account. No problem at all, though, if you hold a retirement visa. So - if TotallyOz's friend succeeds and we find out how he did it, I'll repeat my advice - if you may ever need a Thai bank account, open one while you still can . . .

Bear in mind the way things seem to work with the banks. If you don't get the answer you want at one bank branch, just go to another - and another. Chances are if you go to enough of them, sooner later you'll be able to open an account. Don't forget to also get online banking. I suggest trying Kasikorn Bank, aka K-Bank.

If Thailand really wants an influx of international tourists, I think the obvious thing to do is to eliminate the unnecessary hoops and come up with an app that actually works. I don't see how Thailand can expect mass tourist arrivals when they make just getting to Thailand so confusing and difficult.

After submitting the application, how long did it take until you received the approval?

Obviously I have no personal need for it, but perhaps it works the same way the 90-day address report online works. With that app they don't send anything. You have to go back to the app and there will then be an icon to click on that takes you to the page that has your verification. Then you print out that page.

You can buy it from any insurance company. Seems to me you actually have to buy it from other insurance companies. From what I am reading, you must already have it and be able to prove it on arrival in Thailand. Just think - this rule might actually last a week or so before they change the rules yet again . . .

I disagree. You can practice nudism at any beach you want - right up to the moment the police show up and arrest you. Then you get to practice even more nudism at the police station when they order you to bend over and spread your cheeks. But don't worry. You can tell the police you saw a web site that said nudism at the beach is perfectly acceptable. I'm sure the police will then apologize for arresting you, give you a wai, and immediately release you - maybe even giving you a lollypop on your way out the door . . . "I went to a nude beach. They made me park in a handicapped space" - Rodney Dangerfield

That is because there are none. Sometimes it is easy to forget that anyone can write whatever they want on the internet and anyone can set up a web site. And there are many who think if they see it on the internet, then it must be true. Based on what he says about Bangkok, that tells me how much attention to pay to that web site. I see nothing on this guy's site to indicate who he is or how he knows anything more than anyone else about the places he writes about. How come he knows more about Bangkok and what to expect to experience than those of us who have lived in Thailand 20 years plus? El toro caca . . .