Londoner

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.

I suppose it's age....but I find myself frequently panicking about my upcoming trip, although it's more than three months away. Two years of separation from my boyfriend has taken its toll and I need desperately to make a success of this visit before travelling is too much for me. This is why every detail has been covered in detail and why erroneous reports of complications (like the Covid stipulation in my insurance) are so annoying. I've decided that I'll apply for the Pass in January. I have the necessary documentation already.

I really must stop watching Youtube videos from Thailand "helping" technophobes like me to complete the Thai Pass. Two weeks ago, one advised us to use only a Gmail address to ensure a response. Yesterday, another claimed that our insurance document must refer to Covid specifically. It went on to advise using a Thai insurance company.... I know that the Gmail advice is wrong; I'm assuming that the insurance advice is too. As I say, I must stop clicking on these videosi

Has anything changed when it comes to allowing visitors into residents' rooms?

I tried setting-up an account a few years ago. Visited many Pattaya banks, not a suggestion from any of them that it was possible. I also tried to do do through Bangkok Bank's office here in London. Gave up. Eventually, I did so by using my partner's name. Of course, this isn't much use to you if you are single. Very convenient for me though. One of the considerations was that he would have instant access to financial support if I suddenly popped my clogs! Let us know if you succeed, please.

My EVA flight booked on Wednesday; cancelled today....no flights until March. The reason given? the delta variant. Really? we've known about that for months; has the prognosis for its spread in Thailand changed? Not a disaster but a nuisance. I've rebooked flight, hotel and quarantine night. But my concern is that, even when things seem to be getting back to a semblance of order, unexpected problems occur. And this one came right out of the blue. Any reports of other carriers cancelling Bangkok flights?