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From Travel and Leisure "A lot has changed in recent years," says Roots founder Varatt Vichit-Vadakan. "Thailand is probably the only country in the world that has a well-developed consumer market — loads of specialty coffee shops in its big cities — while also being a coffee-producing country." When Han Wang moved to Bangkok eight years ago, one of the first things he noticed was the coffee. Unlike the delicate light roasts and well-balanced flat whites Wang learned to appreciate while attending college in Australia, everything seemed “too sweet or bitter to even consider swallowing.” Starbucks had been a major player since opening its first shops in the country in 1998; its robust dark roasts and cloying Frappuccinos were as ubiquitous as the equally strong, sugary iced coffee (a.k.a. oliang) that had long been a staple of Thailand’s shophouses and market stalls. Wang wasn’t about to give up on finding a truly great cup, though. Having recently witnessed the rise of third-wave coffee in Taiwan — Wang did a stint in Taipei before relocating to Bangkok — the Malaysian-born entrepreneur was convinced he could spark a similar movement in one of Southeast Asia’s most progressive cities. So he set his psychology degree aside and launched Phil Coffee Co. in an industrial neighborhood, with the help of his father and two sisters. Wang didn't rush into running a cafe, instead focusing on his roasting techniques and wholesale accounts for the first three years. Eventually, the team set up Phil's flagship shop in Bangkok's fashionable Ekkamai neighborhood. He wasn’t alone. Around the same time, other influential Bangkok outposts like One Ounce For Onion, Rocket Coffeebar, and Casa Lapin began attracting hip locals with elaborate pour-over setups, Western-style small plates, and bottles of cold brew for beating the heat and humidity. One leading figure during these early days was Roots, a heavyweight roaster that also happens to run one of the hottest brunch spots in town, Roast. "A lot has changed in recent years," says Roots founder Varatt Vichit-Vadakan. "Thailand is probably the only country in the world that has a well-developed consumer market — loads of specialty coffee shops in its big cities — while also being a coffee-producing country." Continues with pics and video https://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/craft-coffee-cafes-bangkok-thailand

I used to frequent Banana Club 2-3 years ago but found that the service (and selection) began to drop off over time. Liked the spacious showers and the manager's attitude. Read on another forum that manager said that it was becoming too much trouble to "manage" the guys. Fortunately there's an abundance of fine alternatives. DivineMadman's massage site is a great resource: https://bkkmassages.wordpress.com/

Air carriers in Vietnam are modernizing and expanding their fleets, according to the current issue of Aviation Week magazine. Discounter VietJet, one of the world's top 10 fastest growing carriers, has hubs in Hanoi and HCMC. It has already started accepting delivery of some 121 new generation Airbus 321 Neo's and expects to receive its first of as many as 100 Boeing 737-Max aircraft late next year. VietJet is also looking at adding international routes. Vietnam Airlines has 20 321 Neo's on order along with Airbus 350's and Boeing 787-9's. Both VietJet and Vietnam Airlines use BKK for Bangkok flight operations. Bamboo Airways, a new low cost carrier, is expected to makes it debut in early 2019 with a fleet of A321's and B787-9's. It is a subsidiary of conglomerate FLC Group.

From The Nation Singapore gay community urged to fight sex ban after India ruling A senior Singapore diplomat Friday urged the country's gay community to challenge a law banning homosexual sex after India's top court stuck down similar legislation, a rare high-level intervention on the issue. Tommy Koh, ambassador-at-large in the Singapore foreign ministry, made the comments on Facebook in response to a post about Thursday's historic ruling, which followed a decades-long campaign against the law in the South Asian nation. "I would encourage our gay community to bring a class action to challenge the constitutionality of Section 377A," Koh said, referring to the law which criminalises sex between men. Responding to a comment that previous petitions to strike down the law were unsuccessful, Singapore's former US ambassador and envoy to the United Nations said: "Try again." While Singapore boasts a modern and vibrant culture, attitudes towards homosexuality remain conservative. Sex between men remains technically illegal under a law dating back to British colonial rule, although the statute is rarely enforced. Despite the challenges, support for gay rights has been growing in recent years in the city-state of 5.6 million. Huge crowds attended the 10th anniversary of Singapore's annual Pink Dot gay rights rally in July. Pink Dot, Singapore's leading gay rights group, said the Indian ruling showed attitudes towards homosexuals were "positively changing in Asia" and called on parliament to decriminalise gay sex. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30353964

Excerpts from Khaosod English Sellers take to the streets to take back the streets for vending Tuesday at the Government House in Bangkok. BANGKOK — Top city officials said they will continue to clear vendors from the capital’s sidewalks despite a groundswell of opposition from Bangkok vendors. After frustrated sellers marched to demand the policy be rolled back and closed areas allowed to reopen, the provincial governor and his deputy said they will advance the campaign to new areas, including Chinatown. “City Hall’s policy has made clear that vendors can not come back to areas that have already been regulated,” said Deputy Gov. Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who’s been tasked with leading the effort. Marching on the Government House, vendors Tuesday complained that the city destroyed livelihoods with a heavy-handed approach that offered no satisfactory compensation. Sakoltee said efforts have been made to find new spots for those evicted, especially from the Asok and Memorial Bridge areas, with possible results by next week. Over the years, as the city forced vendors from places they had long hawked their wares, it typically offered alternative spaces the vendors said were impractical and distant. Vendors from throughout the city rose up this week after those on Khaosan Road recently won concessions by fighting the changes. As for the ongoing dispute over selling there, Sakoltee said district administrators have already designated spaces for selling on the sidewalks and is registering those who would like to sell. He said those violating the rules will be banned and prosecuted. His confidence doesn’t match the description of vendor representative Yada Pornpetrumpa. A day before Sakoltee’s comments, she said the zoning attempt had failed as there was not enough space for all vendors. A top local administrator on Thursday confirmed that the issue hasn’t been resolved. “It’s a dispute between vendors and building owners,” said Apichart Saenmanot, head of the Phra Nakorn district’s code compliance officers. “If we just have vendors put their stalls up [on the sidewalks], it also wouldn’t be fair to the owners. They don’t want their shops blocked.” . Apichart said the new ban on daytime sales will still be enforced. Yada, who has been questioning the rationale behind this rule, said Tuesday that she might tell the vendors to ignore it next week and erect their stalls during the day. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/09/06/unswayed-by-protest-city-hall-vows-to-evict-more-street-sellers/

This post by Finnseventy is augmented with many photos and entertaining narrative. He describes a journey, with his boyfriend Adhik, to some scenic areas of Nepal. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/11907-thailand-to-nepal-and-back-again/

This is an excellent introduction to a wide range of massage shops, broken down by geographical zones. Divine Madman, who maintains a blog on the topic, discusses his adventures and rates the shops on different criteria. Other members offer comments and info on these and other shops. It's great one-stop shopping for newbie and veteran alike. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/11512-info-on-a-bunch-of-bkk-massage-shops/

Divine Madman and Vinapu offer advice on a range of topics relating to traveling with go-go boys and others. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/11955-travelling-with-gogoboy/

Thailand ‘best country for people’, says travel survey Breaking News September 05, 2018 17:02 By The Nation Thais have been voted the best people in the world in an online survey by Conde Nast Traveller magazine, a leading US source of travel features. Thailand won in the category of “Best Country for People” in the 2018 annual award. The award honours “the best that the travel world has to offer”. Other categories include hotels, airlines, ski resorts, islands and architecture. In addition, Thailand came third in the “Best Country” category after Italy and Greece . Two hotels – the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok and Six Senses on Kho Yao Noi – came fourth and fifth respectively in the category of “Best Hotel in Asia and the Indian Subcontinent”. Meanwhile Samui island was awarded the ninth spot in the “Best Islands in the World” category, falling after Greek islands, Maldives, Balearic islands, Hawaii, St Lucia, Bali, Sicily and Mauritius. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353802 NOTE -- The following link is to the magazine's 2018 annual readers' choice award in the category of "Best Country for People". Unfortunately, the article describes the many attractions of Thailand and not the people of Thailand. https://www.cntraveller.com/location/thailand This is link to all categories of awards: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/readers-travel-awards-2018-winners-runners-up

+1 Please consider adding a new forum dedicated to FAQ about travel (or something akin to that) that only moderator could post in. If Scooby deems a post made in another forum worthy of essentially being pinned, he could move it (or link to it) in dedicated forum for quick reference. Members could still add replies in regular forums. Without something like this, great posts like above get forgotten over time. It would serve as a real service to both new and veteran members alike.

About LINE names, I get a mix of nick name they go by, their actual name, and something that seems to have nothing at all to do with either of the former. But since many include a photo, I find it easier to keep track. Your level of attention to detail is really well balanced. Find myself riding with you in the taxi, sitting with you at Toy Boys (even though I've never been there) and talking with the boys. And discovering a good pastry shop. The "sore cheek" or "dental work" explanation I've heard before, especially before first offs. Think they just want to see how the evening goes before getting too intimate. It also allows them to do something special for you if they like you and you take them again. It's always fun to read reports from guys who have truly enjoyed themselves--and others.

From CNN (CNN)Two gay women have been caned in Malaysia amid a worsening climate for LGBT individuals in the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian nation. The punishment of the two unnamed women took place Monday morning in Terengganu, a state to the east of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, according to rights campaigner Thilaga Sulathireth. The state is governed by Sharia law. Each woman was lashed six times after being caught attempting to have sex in a parked car. They were also required to pay a fine of 3,300 ringgit ($800). Sulathireth, who witnessed the caning along with around 100 other people, told CNN that it was a "public caning to all intents and purposes," and that one of the judges had said it was the first time a punishment of this kind had been open to the public. Monday's punishment shows the religious right "flexing their muscles and making clear that the laws against LGBT activity will be enforced in their state," said Linda Lakhdhir, a legal adviser in the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch. Homosexual sex is illegal throughout Malaysia under colonial era criminal law. The punishment follows a raid last month on one of Kuala Lumpur's only gay clubs, which saw around 20 men charged for "illicit behavior," and a brutal attack on a trans woman in a city close to the capital. "It's very uncomfortable, (people are) feeling very oppressed right now. People are afraid because this is the first time that two women are being caned for sexual acts," said Numan Afifi of LGBT activist group the Pelangi Campaign. Continues with photos https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/03/asia/malaysia-gay-rights-lesbian-caning-intl/index.html

Actually someone did call attention to the lowly minimum wage way back in post #31: "The waiters live off their tips, not the 300 minimum wage (if they even get that). Some send a good chunk of their earnings home." Even if it succeeded in awakening some, it induced sleep in others.

From Bangkok Post PATTAYA: Two transvestites have been arrested and charged with stealing cash and a credit card from a British tourist, and using the card to buy gold jewellery worth about 120,000 baht, police said. Tipakorn Surintham and Banchong Jantawong, both 33, were arrested early Monday morning. They were charged with colluding to steal and illegally using electronic cards of others and causing them damage. The arrest follows a complaint lodged by 31-year-old James William Jack Mason on Aug 31 at Pattaya police station. The tourist said he was approached by two transvestites who struck up a conversation while walking along Walking Street earlier that night. Shortly afterwards he realised his wallet was missing. The wallet contained 8,000 baht cash and a credit card. He received a short phone message notification that his card had been used at a mall. Police investigators learned the card was used to buy gold jewellery worth about 120,000 baht at a gold shop in Soi Noen Plub Wan. After further inquiries they obtained an arrest warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court for the two suspects. The pair admitted the charges, according to police, saying they used the card to buy personal items and the gold. The pair worked as a team, preying on tourists, with Mr Tipakorn picking their victims' pockets while Mr Banchong distracted them by starting a conversation. Police seized gold accessories worth 56,000 baht, cash totalling 4,000 baht and a motorcycle from the suspects. Police said the pair had been arrested previously on similar charges. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/1533222/transvestites-arrested-for-pickpocketing-in-pattaya

We've read warnings by some of our own members about this area. This documentary film from 2010 will should serve to discourage anyone from becoming involved. http://www.shatterthelookingglass.com/underage-documentary-film/

Stopped using TC's three years ago because of the combination of costs of acquiring and fees for cashing them. Although they offer security and get a slightly better than cash exchange rate, I now rely on ATM (issued by State Farm Bank) that reimburses all transaction fees from foreign banks. I use credit cards for hotels and charges in trusted locations (i.e., department stores, supermarkets).

From South China Morning Post Bangkok is sinking. How will Thailand’s capital cope when flooding disaster strikes again? With the weight of skyscrapers contributing to the city’s gradual descent into water, Bangkok has become a victim of its own frenetic development As Bangkok prepares to host climate-change talks, the sprawling city of more than 10 million is itself under siege from the environment, with dire forecasts warning it could be partially submerged in just over a decade. A preparatory meeting begins Tuesday in Thailand’s capital for the next UN climate conference, a crunch summit in Poland at the end of 2018 to set rules on reducing greenhouse emissions and providing aid to vulnerable countries. As temperatures rise, abnormal weather patterns – like more powerful cyclones, erratic rainfall, and intense droughts and floods – are predicted to worsen over time, adding pressure on governments tasked with bringing the 2015 Paris climate treaty to life. Bangkok, built on once-marshy land about 1.5 metres (five feet) above sea level, is projected to be one of the world’s hardest hit urban areas, alongside fellow Southeast Asian behemoths Jakarta and Manila. “Nearly 40 per cent” of Bangkok will be inundated by as early as 2030 due to extreme rainfall and changes in weather patterns, according to a World Bank report. Currently, the capital “is sinking one to two centimetres a year and there is a risk of massive flooding in the near future,” said Tara Buakamsri of Greenpeace. Seas in the nearby Gulf of Thailand are rising by four millimetres a year, above the global average. The city “is already largely under sea level”, said Buakamsri. In 2011, when the monsoon season brought the worst floods in decades, a fifth of the city was under water. The business district was spared thanks to hastily constructed dykes. But the rest of Thailand was not so fortunate and the death toll passed 500 by the end of the season. Experts say unchecked urbanisation and eroding shorelines will leave Bangkok and its residents in a critical situation. With the weight of skyscrapers contributing to the city’s gradual descent into water, Bangkok has become a victim of its own frenetic development. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2162409/bangkok-sinking-how-will-thailands-capital-cope-when

( a) get off table ( b ) invite masseur to lie down ( c ) massage him It's critical that you refrain from over thinking this.

Glad to hear things are turning out so well for you.

Considering all the otherwise straight guys most have have been with, I begin to wonder if it really makes much of a difference in this land where--as I'm fond of saying--all things are possible.

May be yet one more example of why the carrier continually finds itself in the red.

From Bangkok Post Learning Section Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb Drake and Frank start a relationship The popularity of yaoi continues to grow. Yaoi TV dramas often make new stars of their actors and directors. The 2015 drama Love Sick the Series launched the career of director Rachit Kusonkoonsiri. So when he announced that he was adapting another yaoi novel, A-Tee Khong Pom (‘Cause You’re My Boy), it created a buzz. The GMM25 show stars new actors Thanatsaron Somthonglai (Frank) and Sattabut Laedeke (Drake) as Tee and Mok, two high-schoolers who fall in love but their parents don't approve of the relationship. The success of ‘Cause You’re My Boy has earned the guys plenty of fans - not only in Thailand but also in countries such as China, Indonesia and the Philippines. Ahead of the drama’s conclusion, S Weekly chatted with 18-year-old Frank and 17-year-old Drake about their characters and working together. Continues with Q&A and photo https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-entertainment/1530982/stories-for-boys

NOTE -- A few Thia aviation-related items in today's news: Excerpts from The Nation Thailand welcomed visitor arrivals of 22,657,730 over the period January-July 2018, up by 11 percent over the same period of 2017, according to preliminary figures tabulated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Estimated visitor expenditure also rose significantly, up 14.44 percent to Bt1.18 trillion. East Asian countries accounted for 15.45 million visitors, or 68 percent of the total. China topped the list with 6,860,924 million arrivals. Arrivals from Europe were up 6.37 percent to 4.05 million. Russia is the largest source market out of Europe, with arrivals of 900,712, up by 16.24 percent. Arrivals from the Americas were up 2.99 percent to 948,872. The main market, USA, was up by 5.82 percent to 656,327. Continues with charts http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Travel_log/30353214 ------------------------------------------------ From Bangkok Post The Department of Airports plans to raise the passenger service charge (PSC) on departing travellers on international flights at its 22 airports by 50% to 600 baht. The rate for domestic flights, now at 50 baht, remains the same, he said. The airports currently charge 400 baht per passenger for international flights and 50 baht for domestic flights, much lower than other airports, director-general Darun Saengchai said on Saturday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/news-and-pr/1532242/provincial-airports-plan-service-charge-hike -------------------------------------------- Excerpts from Bangkok Post Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) will propose a revised turnaround plan for the flag carrier to the State Enterprises Policy Commission on Sept 12. Mr Ekniti said earlier that he wanted to make the national carrier a premium service airline, cracking the world's top five within five years. He said THAI is approaching street food vendors who were awarded Michelin stars, including Jay Fai, to provide food for in-flight meals. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/1532002/thai-updates-strategic-plan-to-exit-rehab

Anddy, you made some interesting arguments in the discussion and presented unique points of view. But the videos do not serve you well. Two to three minutes in duration, the videos attempt to persuade the viewer that the practice of tipping was developed to compensate African-Americans for working as waiters. It uses as evidence some cartoons pulled off the net. And then tries to extrapolate this claim to prove that tipping is therefor racist. It's illogical and unfounded.

No, he did not pull the original thread. He pulled a new thread (posted earlier today) in which Farangholiday announced he was bored and going home. Never said that his membership was deleted.