jimmie50

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.

I am heading to Bangkok next month as well and am staying at Ibis Styles Silom. Arrive mid-morning on October 16 and will stay there until October 24 when I will move to Galleria 10 in Sukhumvit. I signed up for a tour group of Northern Thailand that begins October 24. If anyone is in Bangkok October 16-24 and interested in meeting...for a drink, meal, or club...let me know.

Just read in the news this morning where an appeals panel in Denmark reverse the decision and return the infant girl to her mother. The article also mentioned that for years the government of Denmark had doctors implant IUD's in Greenlandic women to prevent pregnancy and control the Greenlandic population. The women and their families were not aware of these implanted IUD's, and a number of them recently filed a lawsuit against the government. The current prime minister of Denmark was quoted in the article as agreeing in principle to the establishment of a fund to compensate the victims of this horrible practice. Discussions regarding such a fund are to take place when she (prime minister) visits Greenland on Wednesday.

I don't think this is just unique to Thailand or Bangkok. Even in the US there has been a decline in gay establishments. I am in my mid-70's. The gay community was very closeted and the only place to go and meet people was the gay clubs. Cell phones, personal computers, social media...none of it existed. There are any number of reasons for the changes that have taken place, and I imagine some of those would be applicable to Thailand as well. The growing acceptance of gay people in mainstream society has allowed many to feel more comfortable socializing in mixed or even straight venues. This has decreased the reliance on dedicated safe spaces for the gay community. We have all discussed here in other threads the online dating and various location-based apps. These have changed how people meet and provides an alternative to bars and clubs. The clubs are no longer the primary connection point for the younger generations. And, as is always the case with any type of business, economic factors play a part in their success or demise as well. Economic concerns hit small businesses hard. Businesses fail and instead of a new business moving in, they are pushed out of the area to make room for new hotels, shopping malls, etc. Indeed, the future of 'our gay community', as we have known it, is gradually fading away.

I somehow got on their daily mail blast via LINE, but am not sure how. I am thinking perhaps it was called something else previously...perhaps KB Boy...and changed owners/names. They certainly send out many messages.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to retirement is their failure to plan beyond the financial aspect. The financial piece is certainly important, but it seems to me it is equally important to create a strong sense of purpose in retirement. Aside from the nights out in go-go bars and paying for money boys, people need to find meaningful activities, either through volunteering or perhaps part-time work that aligns with our passions. We need to remain active, both physically and mentally. Learn a new skill, like playing a musical instrument, or take some type of classes. It is also important to actively seek opportunities to nurture existing relationship and build new ones. Don't isolate yourself...join a club, start a club, volunteer...but participate in some sort of group activity on a regular basis. While it is nice to have a flexible schedule now that we are retired, it is that lack of structure that leads to boredom and depression. It is still important to maintain some semblance of order and purpose in life. I don't think the location of retirement is what creates the boredom. I think it is us lacking the motivation.

If I am aware of the hate and intolerance, in general I will avoid doing business with them. I avoid Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby. I recently have cut back on the amount of shopping I do at places like Target and Lowes that have basically caved in to the pressure from the current regime in Washington regarding DEI. Same thing for Pepsi and Anheuser-Busch products. Because of backing down to pressure from the conservatives, they no longer sponsor Pride events. Why should I give these businesses my hard earned money!

Many years ago I was in Taipei, Taiwan during a typhoon. That was the first time I had ever experienced such a powerful storm. We had earthquakes in California, but SF Bay Area never had typhoons/hurricanes. I do recall what you mentioned about the windows blowing out, flood waters rising, and furniture floating down the street. Certainly would not care for a repeat of that.

I think I will cancel my subscription when it comes up for renewal. When I was teaching full time, I ordered items for my classroom quite often. It was very convenient and usually cheaper. However, now that I am retired I do not really order that much. It wasn't necessary that what I have ordered recently arrives in the next day or two. I certainly was able to wait without any issue. I cannot even remember the last time I watched anything on Prime Video. I do not spend a lot of time watching television to begin with, so Prime Video isn't something I would miss at all. I, too, am of the mind that I don't want to support Bezos, his politics, and his censorship at the Washington Post, especially in recent years. I also prefer to shop local these days.

Wonder what the difference is between Mr. International and Mr. Global? Mr. International is currently taking place in Bangkok through September 25.

Perhaps I will get adventurous and try a motor taxi. Never been on one before. 30 minutes doesn't seem like all that long of a walk, even at my advanced age. lol. I think I can still manage that...especially when quality time with a handsome young man is involved. 😉

Yes, I really don't understand why people not just in the US but around the world are so afraid of him. From my perspective, he is nothing more than the old schoolyard bully. The way to deal with a bully is to not react. The reaction is what they are going for. Bullies thrive on getting a reaction. They often want to see the impact of their actions. Remaining calm and not reacting will disarm or take away the power of a bully. Why people choose to engage with him is beyond me. Why should Macron even care what he or his cronies think or say. Simply ignore it.

I have heard of Prince, but wasn't quite sure where it was located in relationship to where I will be staying. I am staying at Ibis Styles Silom...are S'sense and Prince easy walking distance from there?

I was very surprised that she didn't run for governor of California. That was really what I expected her next move to be, but she may be wanting to make another run for president. As you said, if that is her plan she may truly regret writing the book. I have always been a big fan of Pete Buttigieg, and suspect he will be making a run for president in the next election. He is probably working behind the scenes now to lay the groundwork for such a campaign. Personally, I think a gay male has a better chance of getting elected as president in this country than a female...any female. That threshold just seems too high given the current overall political and social climate in the US. It is pretty obvious already that the current governor of California plans to throw his hat in the ring.

Glad you were able to find a solution. Certainly would keep me from wanting to sit on the railing! LOL.