mauRICE

If he's been coming in and out of Thailand this past year using the 60-day visa exemption plus 30-day extension at Thai immigration, he will only get a 7-day extension upon application to tidy up his affairs before leaving according to the new rules. No more 30 days. Presumably he won't be allowed to come in again for another year. 🤷 According to one of my friends at immigration, nationalities and demographics with a dubious track record in Thailand for eg those involved in online scamming (Chinese?), using nominees to front businesses (Chinese, Israelis?) or those with a history of bad behaviour (Indians, Israelis?) will be subjected to the utmost scrutiny.

Atlas Shrugged? 🤷

🙄 Is the pope American? As gay as a 100-baht Christmas tree, dear.

Isn't that Pop from Little House on the Prairie? My sister has the books and the DVD box set.

Weekends are for church?

Cashews with chicken?

8500 USD?

😮 At the same time?

Calling them models is a sales and marketing ploy; I doubt any of them would pass an audition for a fashion shoot or a runway call. I think the "models" receive a stipend for every day they show up at the bar and tips and money garlands for sitting with customers. These may or not be enough to sustain them and some do go with customers for handsome tips. Those gym memberships and supplements cost money you know - not to mention the wife or girlfriend waiting at home! The bar is also a good place to meet well-heeled customers and build up a customer base for outcalls, overseas trips (as escorts), etc. Some of the guys may already have sugar daddies and/or sugar mummies and work at the bar for a bit of fun and extra pocket money.

There's still time for a sex change and a facelift.😏

Is it a gay bar? I've always thought of these venues as places where there are men who entertain - and I would define "entertain" very broadly - and are open to whoever can pay to enter. But let's say they do tout themselves as a gay bar, can't a guy, gay or straight, work there as a dancer or server and have the agency to go with whomever he pleases or choose not to go with anyone at all? Wouldn't that be better than compelling them to go with customers and "underperforming", creating bad blood all around?

Try googling "men's bowl haircut" and click on images.

Is it Jacky or Johnny? Handsome guy with a cheeky smile. Love the natural, floppy hair. Best body in the bar now that Babe is in off-peak form. But not very tall; perhaps slightly taller than Babe whom I've met and isn't tall at all.

Those of you who advocate putting your arms around the rider's waist for...err...safety reasons should read this. For a moment there I thought Old Daddy was up to mischief again but passenger appears to be (a younger?) Asian. https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/thai-taxi-rider-seeks-justice-after-being-banned-for-rejecting-passenger-sexual-advances

Out of curiosity, what's an "American style" haircut?

You forgot the Jackie O headscarf and sunglasses. 😏 Make that a Hermes headscarf.

😯 Meanwhile, how's he going to explain it to his wife?!

Have you got a GP or specialist that you regularly go to in Thailand? It might be a good idea to ask them as I've seen medical insurance brochures at clinic counters.

Yikes, that's peak Chinese New Year travel season! Chinese New Year Eve falls on 16 February 2026 and the celebrations thereafter will go on for about two weeks for the mainlanders and about a week for the Southeast Asian diaspora.

AI?

No idea where you can meet them but broadly speaking, if they're financially independent, they'll be looking for younger Thai guys in their twenties. A friend of mine, 45, who's American partner passed away of old age three months ago and left him a significant amount of money, has found himself a sweet young thang of 21 from Isaan and is supporting him. I've seen this time and time again and sometimes they don't even wait for their farang partners to die! So you might be in luck if you're a SYT yourself! Incidentally, I noticed you posed a similar question in November last year. Is this a yearly ritual?

Tutted the Dowager Countess. 🙄

What is it like in Patong now? I haven't been in ages.

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions...as is the road to Silom/Patpong/Pattaya/Jomtien Complex etc. If it's any consolation, in my long association with the Land of Smiles, I've not seen a single case of someone being refused "help" in this way ending up in the streets. They just move on to another host. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the rest of of your holiday! PS Check out the fruit carts you see on the streets. Some of them may have lamood.

I think most Chiang Mai locals would say Songkran is the busiest time of the year with the days lasting longer. That said, there was a huge influx of visitors during Loy Kratong last year and most of my Chiang Mai friends chose to stay home during the festivities. I'm happy for the business owners; a friend who runs a coffeeshop says business has been brisk these past few weeks. The snowbirds from Japan, Europe, etc are back early.