New Londoner

Is that a regulation for all flights into the US? or just on certain airlines?

The best bars had smiling, friendly guys, often teasing each other, interacting with the punters and having a good time. And dancing, some well, some not. But all trying. Then, a decade or more ago, we left the Age of the Dancer and entered the Era of Stander. And the Age of the Mobile. To compensate for the lack of joy on the podium, the bars resorted to the Guantamano solution; playing music so loud as to drown not only conversation but thought. And comfort. The coup de grace, well at least for me, was when some Boyztown bars dispensed with doors and inflicted their noise pollution on the whole d*** soi. Thus it is that I return to the issue of where to stay, and recommend Jomtien Complex and P's favourite hotel in Thailand- though he's stayed in more expensive , more luxurious ones - the Agate. And at present rooms are only 1000 bht pn.

Yes, the anticipation is always a pleasure in itself. As are the recollections which I assist by keeping my (very) private journal.

Really? my poor memory suggests that I'm older than I thought! So when did it close? By the way, who recalls a go go bar called Apache in Saphan Kwai? The area was once a significant centre for gay bars.

Does this mean that the sort of entertainment that drew the punters decades ago could be back in fashion? Go go bars with twinks actually dancing? Khatoey lip sync shows to be exceptions rather than boringly ubiquitous? An end to the deafening music which like Macbeth, "murders sleep" in the early mornings? If only......but I fear that my time has passed!

Yes....I remember them well. Ah, the Good Old Days. As I recall, Tomahawk had gone by 2000. Since then it's been downhill all the way in go go bars. Or is that just an old man reminiscing?

Just in time for me! Thanks.

I am expecting a refund from Lloyds Bank, whose credit card I used for the payment. I'd given-up on Thai Air. Thank you z909 for the suggestion.

One -day trips? Ayutthaya is only fifty miles away....if you are interested in history.

No problem, but I'll wait until he actually receives the visa. Apparently, there's a backlog in Kolkota owing to Covid. Yes, that's where Thai/UK visas are handled.

P is expected to be here in London with me during May. He's fully vaccinated, including a booster, and has certification. I assume he'll be required to fill in a Thai Pass for his return home as things stand. Will he have to do this before he leaves, in Thailand, or from here during his stay?

I hope he was just ensuring that his (and others') places in the history books will reflect the success in fighting Covid, not the near destruction of the tourist industry and the impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of Thais.

I don't believe that other saunas are as welcoming to falangs- particularly those of a certain age- as Babylon always has. Sticky rice. Is Sansuk (Pattaya) still open, or expected to re-open post-Covid?

Sadly, closed. And its demise is nothing to do with Covid.

In my early days, I was always pleased that reception checked and kept IDs; I felt it was for my own protection in two ways. Firstly, in the 90s there was a lot of concern about underage MBs and two cases of falangs being arrested while in the wrong company , one in Boyztown , the other in Sunee, made be particularly careful. And secondly, as a newbie, I was aware just how I vulnerable I was if I chose someone who was dishonest or unpleasant. I soon learnt better and never encountered such a visitor but my first visits were an entirely new experience for me and I had no one to whom I could go for advice. Perhaps there are guys today who feel the same? At least they have forums like this to guide them. By the way, the last three hotels we've stayed in -Tantawan, Ambiance and Agate, were still checking pre-Covid.