Londoner

The possibility of meeting a relatively-wealthy falang in a LTR is a huge draw. Only a minority are successful I'd guess, but the possibility is enough to draw young men away from the rice-fields. P once took me through the Dreamboys cast-list of 2010, (the Pattaya one) , his last year ; I was staggered at the number of guys he knew there who had found themselves a falang. How long these relationships lasted is another matter, of course but I have met three of them with their falang partners by chance while out with him in Pattaya in the last five years or so. Another one I met had just inherited a comfortable home .

VInapu's reports brought me closer to my beloved Thailand; and closer to my beloved partner. A daily fix (or two), much- enjoyed and much- needed.

Some good news at last. The experience across the world has been much the same, starting in South Africa where Omicron was born. It seems to have just about peaked here in the UK.

I bought my first smart phone a year back, principally for use in Thailand and to navigate LINE at home. A huge step forward was made a few days ago when i finally discovered , or rather was told, how to access in-coming mobile phone-calls. It took me twelve months to make that discovery. Just about sums- up my relationship with mobile technology. On the other hand, I've bought a few for someone as presents, each one more advanced (and expensive) than the previous one! In that respect I'm an expert.

I'm with traveller123 when he posts the following; "I am waiting one of these trips Vinapu is going to fall head over heels in love when he he least expects it." Just like me in 2004 when I went into Lucky 7 bar in Pattaya to seek a companion. I now know better!

Yes, all the front-line reports are much appreciated. And much needed, in this dreary, dark and chilly January in London.

I've just enjoyed catching-up on these experiences, particularly the ones in Chiang Mai where P and I are probably at our happiest. I've just read about Adam's Apple....it must have been very disappointing. Exactly the same thing happened to me many years ago before P and I were together. I'd booked up Lotus, the gay hotel opposite where I'd stayed on numerous occasions, to be near AA, only to find that it was closed for renovation. The CM venues tend to be spread-out and I was devastated but I fell on my feet in one of the two bars in a soi just down the road and met-up with a guy who'd just returned form his monkhood stint. One of my idiosyncrasies is a preference for short-haired, shaved guys! Really cute and charming.... more my type than the Shan guys who were said to be dominant at AA. That's the great thing- one of the great things- about gay Thailand; the next attractive and willing guy is always just around the corner. The unexpected joy always awaits. I miss it badly!

When I booked up our March stay at Agate, I was told that breakfasts were suspended owing to Covid. At the time I thought they may be reintroduced by the time we arrive. Now I'm not so sure that the trip will go ahead anyway!

I'm a little diffident about posting this. I have no intention to pry, I am merely seeking information from our travellers and correspondents. Here are two concerns and I hope not too personal. When massages are given in BKK and Pattaya, are both masseur and customer expected to wear masks? Have the shops policies regarding this? And secondly, do the guys declare their vaccination status? again, do the shops (for example, the ones near Tarntawan Hotel, or those in the JC) have policies in place to ensure that the masseurs are vaccinated? Finally, what do out fearless travellers feel about it? I ask because, were I fortunate enough to be there in March as planned, I must confess I'd be rather diffident about close contact with strangers. P and I have been talking about what changes to our routines- taxis and restaurants, for example- may be required. Both of us are medically vulnerable in different ways.

Optimism is a tonic in these awful times. Thanks.

z909 posts; "The Thai Pass has a specified entry date and I believe it's valid for within 72 hours of that." Yes. My intention is to apply for the Pass as soon as I am able to, even if it's eight or more weeks before entry. I have flights and bookings . This means that if the system were reintroduced and then suspended again, I'll already have the Pass.

An important issue. At least for me. I have a flight for March 11th and Test and Go hotel for the 12th . Bluntly, I'm very pessimistic. However, were there a relaxation in the rules, the first thing I'd is to apply, hoping that even if the March12 date is lost, I could use it as soon as (or if) the scheme is reintroduced.

A different attitude was apparent on another forum when a poster boasted of his success at bypassing Reception and having fun....and possibly spreading the virus.

Any chance of a variant of the Phuket sandbox scheme for those of us visiting Bangkok or Pattaya? Any quarantine longer than the one night makes my trip a no-no. And there's the small matter of the return to the UK to consider....

On the contrary, 10tazione, my pulse has been quickened by the reports from our intrepid travellers. Thanks, everyone.

Thanks for the photos. To be honest, that particular soi didn't look particularly appetising even in the Good Old Days....but at least the massage joints usually had a few cute guys hanging around!

Agreed...they give us all hope of escape from this dismal, grey December.

I'm envious! And delighted to see that entry was painless....even a little thing like being able to buy a SIM. I hope we can look forward to daily updates.

My Lloyds Bank/Allianz insurance is providing me with exactly what you need, namely details of "pay-outs" and a reference to Covid issues being included. After a lot of thought, I decided this to be a better option than a separate Covid insurance. . A lot cheaper, too.

I'm pleased I booked my one-night quarantine with Agoda; I can cancel with full refund at anytime before I leave. Nevertheless, I won't....TTT. Not yet, anyway. By the way, another night in Thailand to enjoy rather than a lonely incarceration! If indeed it happens.

And Pattaya?

My impression is that Thailand is less troubled by ideological (and sometimes quasi-religious) vaccine-deniers than some of us in the west. Is that true?

I trust Agoda; I bought my (very expensive) ASQ there. Plenty available in BKK, only one in Pattaya. It cost £120! but Agoda reimburses cancellations up to the day of departure. I'm hoping that airport tests will sooner or later replace the overnight stay. By the way, rather cynically, I wonder if the ASQ hotels are lobbying the government to keep the present system going? Some of them must be making a mint.

A further complication(s) according to the Pattayaone website, as reported on the Sawatdee forum... 1) arrivals need to complete a T8 form. This is a medical declaration. This may be the same as we have to complete for our airline. 2) and download the Thailand Plus app. And what else? who knows?

I have found exactly that. https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/covid-cover-scenarios/ And no age restrictions; this was a significant issue I encountered in my investigations. Another plus- though I've not seen the document yet- is that the advisor informed me that the schedule is a single A4 My intention is buy their insurance, despite having a perfectly adequate one from Lloyds Bank, in order to facilitate the Thai Pass procedure.