hank75

I have had to travel extensively for work even during the virus escalation. While I had the same thoughts as you (relatively “young”...well at least not close to retirement! healthy etc..) with good hygiene I thought I would be fairly relaxed about it all. Let me tell you. Long haul travel is zero fun. Other people’s paranoia and tension starts to rub off especially in airports and places with crowds. I don’t doubt you could have a good time in Bangkok proper especially if you picked the right hotels and activities, but the actual commute through flights and airports is a complete pain in the a**. My friend just returned from Bangkok, he had an average time but said he felt leery everytime he got into a taxi because a number of known cases were via passenger-driver transmissions and he doubted the drivers were properly sanitizing their vehicles. Tuk tuk suddenly felt like a very attractive option. The situation changed significantly once the first death was recorded, far more panic, so it depends also if another death occurs or things remain stable. On SK2020, this is a tremendous financial loss for the organisers. I heard they are very appreciative if ticket holders opt for SK2021 instead of refunds as this helps to keep the event going for next year.

#88 regularly does full nudity, he alternates with Arm for the only exposed cock in the whole Jupiter show.

Very much so

Is #31 JoJo?

Mistaken identities at Moonlight: My friend had a look at the Chinese gay forum to see if they were still making trips to Bangkok bars. He translated some funny snippets from clueless Chinese customers who had problems telling the models apart. Nicky and Male’s great resemblance seems to cause the most confusion, with customers completely unable to figure out who is who. Finally some detective discovered this was because their forehead, nose and chins were courtesy of the same Bangkok clinic, Adonique where Male is a spokesperson. One Chinese customer with an interest in dark skinned lads fell for a photo of York, rushed to the bar and eagerly searched for the darkest skinned of the lot. Started cursing when he realised York was far less impressive than his picture. Not surprising, considering he was actually looking at Mark in the line up. Other funny mix ups include Nut and Nest, and Smart and Babe.

I read this thread with interest and thank you for coming back to update us all. Delighted to hear that things worked out for you. I feel that you need to be brutally honest with yourself and your read of the situation. Take off those rose tinted glasses and assess if he is really with you for the long haul. If he is, as khaolakguy says, then nothing ventured nothing gained. This could possibly be something worth fighting for. Just don’t set yourself up for more than you have to lose. a few things to consider 1. Are you very sure he has never been a money boy or in any type of rental situation? This could very well be the defining factor that sets your relationship up for success. 2. A little caution about the Thai university setting. It’s a good suggestion but keep in mind many thai students abroad (even if they don’t appear so) are from hi-so and upper middle class families, they may very well look down on him if he is not as well educated / from a similar background / especially being in a relationship with a much older farang. Thai society is a complicated beast. It would be depressing for him to arrive in a foreign country and still be discriminated against by his fellow countrymen. 3. suggestion to locate Thai temple is a good one as I assume their community would be more inclusive. Also the Thais who arrive to work in service industries and run restaurants are far less discriminatory than millennials from good families. 4. When he first arrives, buy him a plane ticket for a home visit in two or three months. If he does not settle in immediately, it will help him to know that he will go home for a visit during a visible future date and he will focus instead on acquiring new skills and interests that he can show off to his family. 5. do you plan to have him work or enroll him in some courses to start off?

Six more cases in Bangkok today. One case is very sad, a 70 year old driver who ferried a Chinese woman to Hua Hin and is now on a respirator, as he also has tuberculosis to complicate his illness. And a couple who only visited Japan not China, not a good sign they haven’t traced the source of infection yet. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1850434/six-more-infections-detected

His name really is Big Jab

More likely they wanted to prevent any of the boys/ staff from being infected by customers! I heard some of the boys complained about being exposed to Wuhan customers and the virus. do you mean the very attractive ex Jupiter Spai? He used to work at Prince. But not aware he was in movies.

I did not know this, actually. Very good tip. I will likely have opportunities to return but not family members. So it has to happen first trip, if at all. Thank you I will keep in mind.

I’m asking because it’s also possible I may travel with family members instead - their safety is paramount, more important than my own!

pong, while I generally enjoy your forum input, the masks you keep dismissing could also be hospital grade surgical masks which are effective for their specific purposes, not by any means “old style” and more immediately accessible to most people than the “Europe painter” masks you suggest. Please don’t scare members into assuming their surgical masks are good for nothing.

Does he work regularly in any bar?

Interested to know what made Luang Prabang more enjoyable than Vientiane? Never been to either

Based on my personal experience mixed in with tips from friends, these can all be very successful holidays with a little advance planning. Taiwan is a great gay destination, especially during pride week. No problems at all if you choose to hold hands in public. Lots of cultural sights, night markets which he may enjoy to compare to Thai night markets, and some good but easy hiking just a short commute from the city. If you’re willing to plan an overnight, there are hot spring resorts an hour or two drive. Meals may require some advance thought but shouldn’t be an issue.

Definitely had some work done (maybe that’s where prize money was invested) and increased muscle mass. Both versions cute.

Per person or per balloon? At any point did you feel unsafe or the operator was unskilled? I generally dislike heights but would be willing to take a risk for this magical experience, would want a very professional and safety focused operator to ease my mind.

Quieter Response to Coronavirus in Countries Where China Holds Sway

Point taken, and maybe I should elaborate. Boy in question - like most Thais - is an avid temple goer. Once we were in the vicinity of the Four Face Buddha and I suggested going together for him to make merit, this received a very grudging reaction and an “Up to you”, upon prodding I received a somewhat garbled explanation that the shrine was good for foreigners but Thai people could go elsewhere (untrue I know, many Thais worship there too but this is just specific to the same boy who wanted to go to Shwedagon). My assumption from his response was, either he thought the hordes of tourists compromised the efficacy of the Buddha (on his personal level, as no Thai would ever say the Four Face was not efficacious) or he disliked the crowds too or else he thought it was just too expensive with falang pricing on the offerings. Never got to the bottom of this. But my point with Shwedagon was, if he didn’t enjoy the Four Face Buddha experience (and even Wat Hua Lamphong which I enjoy visiting and he visibly does not) he would likely not enjoy the equally touristic Shwedagon. But you are right and I will do more research on the relics too in case this balances out the stress of braving crowds.

Inspired by CurtisD’s wonderful trip report to Myanmar, I thought I would continue the spin off discussion as to where one could travel with a boy companion to mutual enjoyment. I’m interested for any recommendations or suggestions within Myanmar as I’ve only been once to Yangon and don’t recall it as being easy to navigate particularly with a Thai boy in tow who has a specific palate. Philippines or KL are not for me as I find neither city charming, few sights, and if going to the beach, Thailand’s beaches are equally beautiful with the bonus of, well, being in Thailand with the food and language familiarity. So I guess I’m looking for either an easy adventure or a nice escape from the daily grind. Singapore, Bali and Hong Kong are all good suggestions. If anyone has successfully planned a trip there with your Thai companion I’d be keen to hear about it.

Could not agree more. I was not captivated by initial promo pics but the actual show pics are Woww! Pity they didn’t see fit to upload a video

I would happily stand to be corrected if anyone can affirmatively tell me that they have been to Shwedagon in the past year, it was not crammed with tourists and touts, and had locals worshipping. My own memories are hazy but I recall tour buses, and Buddhas draped with fairy lights and neon halos. Not what I would travel a distance and incur expenses to visit. But admittedly it has been some years. Western tourists are not my worry, Asian tour groups are especially the Chinese and Korean who are everywhere in great quantities (well with the exception of this month. I have some thoughts and questions on the other suggestions you, GWMinUS and spoon kindly made and will start another thread so as not to clutter up CurtisD’s report which I am enjoying as much for his writing as for the content.

I’m sorry if I missed this part in your reports. Did you fly in to Yangon or it a direct flight to Mandalay? A while ago I discussed with a boy about taking him on a short trip, but couldn’t find any nearby country that held his attention. In his words “Thailand good, have everything” and upon being shown photos of Bagan he in return showed me photos of Ayutthaya lol. But recently he enthusiastically Line’d me photos of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Turns out one of his friends told him this was the place to go to pray for a financial windfall. No idea where these barboys are getting their information. He was rather crestfallen when I told him Shwedagon is extremely touristy and he’d be better off at the Four Face Buddha in Bangkok. Mandalay could be a good option for us if there is enough to see and do, apart from 1700 steps which I already know he won’t be up for. Is it still less touristy and can the food be adapted for a Thai palate? However I do want to see Bagan too so another option is to leave him out entirely.

What I’ve been told is, surgical masks (worn by hospital staff) are effective at blocking out the flu viruses which are transmitted through sneezes and coughs. The droplets need to be inhaled deep into the lungs for infection to transmit. So shielding mouth and nose is sufficient. People are not at risk through air passing around the sides of the mask as the viruses don’t transmit this way. They ARE at risk from still touching contaminated surfaces and bringing their hands to their face around the mask, or sloppy removal of the mask which still conveys droplets to their nose/mouth And as you’ve pointed out, there are other more aggressive viruses are airborne and that surgical masks offer less protection against. The particle size is much smaller. Against cases like these you need the N95/99 masks or those very fitted heavy duty masks with a build in respirator. But if you’re not familiar with how to wear a N95 mask properly, you may not be protected. The regular man on the street may possibly be better off with just a regular surgical mask. and I have heard so many differing opinions about which category the coronavirus falls under that I’m thoroughly confused too.

Pong, the “old style cheapees” could possibly be legit surgical masks (worn by hospital staff) which are actually encouraged to wear in times of virus contamination. They have a water resistant filter to shield your nose and mouth if you are in close contact with an unmasked patient who may be coughing/sneezing. many of the stylish, high tech masks are only for pollution and industrial environments.