jimmie50

I think it all depends on what experience you have had on previous visits to Bangkok. For myself, all of my previous trips I was visiting friends. I either stayed with them or they made arrangements for me to stay in a condo. Most of my time was occupied and it wasn't until my most recent trip last August that I was actually able to venture out on my own a little and explored Silom for the very first time. So, aside from reading about these places on forums like this, I was also unfamiliar with Raya as well as many of the other accommodations mentioned. That is why I asked for recommendations before making my reservation for the upcoming trip and plan to be mostly independent this time. Fourteen days until departure.

Very good point. SF Bay Area in California is nothing like it was when I first moved there 35 years ago. Some would argue it has changed for the better; others will complain about how horrible it has become. All depends on your frame of reference I guess.

The Trump factor you mention includes increased political polarization, a decline in public discourse, the mainstreaming of misinformation, and intensified debate over race relations. Under Trump there has definitely been an erosion of civility. His frequent use of false or misleading statements gets amplified by social media. Any attempts by social media to curb some of this information only intensifies among his followers and in some cases even increases this machinery of misinformation. Some historians have openly mentioned the parallels between what is happening in the US currently with what happened in Germany and Italy in the 1930’s. Truly are scary times here.

That is pretty much how I have lived my life since my mid-30's. I certainly didn't send out engraved announcements to everyone I had ever met or associated with during those first 30-something years, and I didn't start wearing a sign. But, I also don't hide it. I live my life how I want to...on my terms. If someone asks, I have no problem telling them. When I was in a relationship, my partner would attend family functions and nobody said a word. Same as get togethers with friends and co-workers. Basically, it was a non-issue. For those who had a problem with it...that was their problem, not mine.

So true. Was something that I didn't think was a possibility in this country until now. But, when the other two branches of government which are supposed to provide the checks and balance to the executive branch simply look the other way and become a door mat that says 'welcome'...do as you please, regardless if it is legal, moral, or good for the country as a whole. It is now all about one individual and what is best for me, me, me.

Agree completely. It was all staged for the greater masses.

The term 'teflon don' comes to mind in this case. Originally a nickname given to mobster John Gotti, in more recent times it has been used to refer to prominent inviduals, such as Trump, who seem to have this uncanny ability to withstand public and legal challenges without any significant or long-term consequences. It is difficult to understand the downfall of Andrew when Trump's association with Epstein was just as bad...yet nothing seems to come from it. I am beginning to believe we no longer have three separate branches of government in this country. Congress nor the Supreme Court seem to be willing or able to have a backbone and stand up to such a tyrant. There are no checks and balances anymore.

Wow, so much to unpack here. I grew up in a small town in Ohio in a conservative Baptist family. We maybe had 7000 people and everyone knew everyone's business. I did not know of anyone that was openly out. Of course, there would be rumors or suspicions, but I think we were all afraid to act on any physical desires we might have. Back in those days everyone was required to take PE in school, which included the communal shower after class. My greatest fear in high school was that among all of the naked guys in class I would get aroused and be exposed. I would find every excuse imaginable to avoid the shower or be one of the last persons to take one. I didn't have my first experience with another guy until I was in college...living away from the hometown...among 20,000+ students where it was easier to hide or fade into the background. My chosen field didn't help the situation either...education. To be a teacher back in those days and discovered that you were gay...was basically a death sentence. I guess you would call me a late bloomer, as I didn't really come out to friends or family well into my 30's. I have friends, a gay couple, both of whom are my age (70's), both married and had children. One of the friends, after coming out, divorcing, and then finding his partner actually had a much stronger and closer relationship with his son. The son married and has a son of his own, so my friend is now a grandfather. Unfortunately, the other friend had two daughters, who after he came out and got divorced they would not have anything to do with him. To this day, they refuse to even acknowledge that he exists. It's a very sad situation. Both of them got married after college and started a family because in those days, that was the expectation for everyone.

You are correct...I didn't think about that when I was listing companies I avoid. Will be adding Unilever to my list of products to avoid in light of their recent attempt to silence Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Company was founded on a principle of social activism and when the two partners agreed to sell the business to Unilever that was specifically written into the contract. However, Unilever has recently tried to backtrack on that agreement and exert more control on what Ben & Jerry's can say or do in the way of social activism. Ben & Jerry's has actually filed a lawsuit for breach of contract. Guess Unilever doesn't like or is afraid of the criticism of Trump by Ben & Jerry's. Another example of corporations tucking their tails between their legs and sucking up to the bully. I just don't get it.

I honestly couldn't say if any of my friends or family are bisexual or not. I have no clue, and it isn't really something that ever comes up in conversations. I have friends who openly identify as gay or lesbian, but I have either met them through some type of gay venue or activity, i.e. gay community center, gay pride committee, gay work association, etc. It is quite possible that even though we have met through a gay venue that they do identify as bisexual, but I really don't know. Anything is possible. I have several friends who were married years ago, and some had children, but they are divorced and openly identify as gay or lesbian. They are of my generation when you stayed very closeted and succumbed to family or societal pressures to marry and start a family.

ok...I'm confused...isn't Olddaddy the one talking about being bored if he retired in Pattaya, but now he wants to return to Pattaya because he is bored in Bangkok?!? lol. How could you possibly be bored in Bangkok!

Pretty devastating and scary. I would be worried about the stability of some of those nearby buildings, including the hospital...not just the police station. I know you periodically hear about sink holes in Florida, but never actually seen or experienced one up close and personal. Watching that video gave me chills...and not in a good way.

Probably a dumb question, but how do you know where the young men are from? Do you simply ask them in conversations? What if they don't speak English? I am not sure I would be able to tell the difference between Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian, or Myanmar just by appearance.

Pardon my ignorance...what is a 'punter'?

I have a reservation in early November for Woody in Chiang Mai. I have not paid the deposit yet, but Woody has communicated directly with me. Still waiting to receive the invoice so I can pay the deposit. Possibly they have changed their policy. Last year I made a reservation for Mac in Bangkok and, as you said, I was unable to communicate directly with him until after the deposit was paid. Unfortunately, Mac was having some personal problems at the time and was a 'no show' for my reservation. Siam Roads did refund my deposit in full once they became aware that he did not show up.

My friends in Bangkok enjoy going to KFC, especially their teenage daughter. When they were going to school in the US they went to a KFC here and hated it. Said it was totally different.

LOL. I saw the topic title and thought it was a post about the Big C Supercenter. Boy was I ever wrong!!!

Wow! Does this really happen? Good to know. I did book my room at Ibis for two people, but will obviously be checking in alone. On my previous visits to Thailand I have always been staying with my straight friends or they have made arrangements for me in a condo (Airbnb). This will be my first time actually booking a room in a hotel and exploring on my own.

Did two sub-forums, Gay Thailand and Gay Thailand Businesses, get merged into one forum? Gay Thailand Businesses was there yesterday, but seems to have disappeared completely today. Am I missing something?

What fantastic photos, and what an amazing life you have experienced! Thanks for sharing!

Yes, please, details about History. Strictly therapeutic, or was more available? Will be in Bangkok next month and was thinking about checking this place out.

That is one of the reasons I have for avoiding American Airlines...repeatedly bad experiences...in addition to their DEI stance. As for McDonald's, I try to avoid fast food in general. I don't find any of the fast food restaurants that appealing. I think they are all grossly overrated.

Both Putin and Trump

Having had some more time to reflect on the topic ‘Don’t retire in Pattaya’, when it comes time for us to retire we give very little thought beyond the financial considerations. Working full time, we are accustomed to interacting with dozens of people each work day. Loneliness and boredom are never an issue. Then, all of a sudden, retirement hits and we are confronted with so many hours of gaping silence. There are countless studies that have been done that show how loneliness can slowly but effectively eat away at your physical and emotional health. Finding some way of creating meaningful relationships and a continuing purpose in our lives is not easy. It isn’t as simple as going to one party, attending one concert or festival…we establish connections through routine exposure. I think this is the reason why some people make the decision to move to a retirement community…daily exposure to like-minded people in the same stage of life as you. These communities also provide countless opportunities for connecting so you don’t become bored and isolated. On the flip side, that is also a good reason why so many older people decide not to move once they retire. After spending so much time in one place, they are surrounded by long time friends and family.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/04/greenlandic-women-sue-danish-state-for-contraceptive-violation-coil Here is the link to the article I was reading. It appeared on the page I was looking at about the infant girl being returned to her mother as a related topic.