BjornAgain

Hello Folks:
Just wanted to add a summer update of things. So, I will plonk it all here.
Had to cancel Brazil due several last-minute events that happened pretty much over 1 day. Airline refunded price of out bound ticket, but my return was a separate ticket, so no refund, just a travel credit.
I was also in Southern California. Very bad homeless, drug user issue around MacArthur Park west of downtown LA. Lots of hookers near the navy bases in National City just south of San Diego. Some "out of sight" homeless camps in San Diego. Went to a sex club on Beverly Blvd near Vermont west of DT LA. Not as good as pre COVID. Also went to a sex theatre near the Sports Arena in SD. Semi slow when I went. The weather in SoCal was great.
United international planes were definitely nicer then American, especially walking past business class. Food on AA in economy was not that good and very small portions for very long flights. AA app remains a total joke vs United app, though improved vs 2025. Maintenance on AA planes was also very poor and some AA gate agents pulled folks from boarding due very small 3rd items. Absurd.
Edinburgh Fringe had tons of LGBTQ+ content this year. There were some parties as well, but as I was doing shows from lunch to after MN most days, I had no energy left for 2 am parties, plus waking early for breakfast. The Fringe simply got too big this year with around 4000 performances at around 200 venues over 3+ weeks. There are a few gay bars but not in the core downtown area, though only a 5-15 minute walk away. No idea regarding any gay for play. Grindr, Scruff, and Sniffies were not that busy for folks over 40 yo or so. Did not check Romeo for pay. Stayed at University of Edinburgh student lodgings as the price was about 100 GBP per night - very cheap for EDI during the Fringe and they host the musicians for the Tattoo as well. Breakfast was buffet style, eat all you want, though quality was not the best. LOL.
Airport hassles. US was much faster. In Europe, you might get through border control in 10 minutes or it might take over an hour. Automatic passport control areas might be fully functional or completely shut down. Your bags might take 30+ minutes from gate arrival. Security screening could be a bit easy or via Soup Nazi's from Hell and take a very long time due to poorly trained personnel and improper supervision. So be sure to allow at least 2+ hours for check in procedures once you arrive at the airport. I am not joking !! And you still have to reach the gate !
Europe was very hot through much of the summer so far. Athens was at or near 100 F / 38 C, sunny and not always very dry. Basically, unbearable mid day. There were very few boys / guys for play in the park north of the Archeological Museum around 1800-1900 hours, when they should be busy. The City was also setting up for a very large outdoor book fair that runs 4-20 September 2026. Tons of families, kids, joggers, and dogs as well. Yet there was some minimal action. But it was simply too hot for anyone to cum. There were guys in nearby Victoria Square, but they were hanging out in groups, so I saw no chance to hire. In front of the Cosmopolit Hotel and closed cinema area, (the) one guy hit on me. I had just done some food shopping but went to the Mansion Hotel (5 euros, he paid with my money) with him. The sex was not as agreed to, and he picked my pocket in front of me (loss was small) and violence was minimal. I think I saw him in the park a few days later. There were several times with the park guys that I said no and walked away, With one guy we verbally agreed to 15 euros. I then showed him the money and he said noooo, despite clearly agreeing to it a minute before. Trust your instincts and not your little head. The Athinikon cinema and another 3 level video cinema are almost next to each other near the Fresh Hotel and Economy Hotel and old Athens City Hall. Prices are now 6 e each, but no re-entry at the clean video place, but only regular folks. No pay for play. The Athinikon is nasty and was almost empty several times. Busier last year. Best by far was curiously Tuesday from 1800 hours, lol. The boys were mostly 30-50 yo !! Going rate I paid everywhere was 10-20 euros. But some asked for up to 25-50, before I said no. At the cinema there was a new scam - play with the customer and or let him suck you. Then stop. For anything else a new session and extra pay was needed. Who were they joking, the place was almost empty and they were just older average looking guys. Oh well. Never saw more than 4 guys for pay in the park, only saw a very folks near Omonia subway entrance by Hondas Center and Cosmopolit, and often 1-3 guys at the Athinikon. The number and quality of the guys was hugely less than last year. In the park, 2 guys might have been around 20 yo and neither could cum (likely due to the heat). Only 1 at the Athinikon would kiss, suck or be a bottom. All were Egyptian, Middle Eastern and maybe Pakistani. No "white" Bulgarians, Albanians, etc this year. Be aware there were also tons of police in a brown uniform, maybe like tourist police, all over Athens and many around Omonia. The druggies had to move a few blocks further away. I hope the dismal pay for play scene in Athens was more due to the heat then the ramped up policing. But we will need further reports as the weather cools and to see if Athens continues to cough up the money (which it does not have) for police. The big park clean up was apparently paid for via the Onassis Foundation and to be honest, they have done a good job.
Bugs and skin issues. At the Athinikon I got a bad contact dermatitis from the armrests in the main cinema. LOL. Mosquitos were bad at the park towards sunset, but also bad elsewhere. Lots of bites despite eucalyptus spray - I timed the sprays poorly and did not use enough. Used bilastine 20 mg up to 3x per day for the itching and an antihistamine spray.
Fleas and Bedbugs. Saw several folks in Edinburgh with bad flea or bedbug like bites. One hotel in Athens was treating some rooms for bedbugs. BBs and fleas are everywhere and as a tourist there is little you can do to avoid them.
I prefer hotels in Athens as they usually include a decent breakfast for the same cost as an Airbnb or misterbandb or ebab. Accommodation costs in SoCal and Europe continue to be very high. Prices seem to be up 50-100% vs pre COVID. When I checked for Barcelona (due to reasonable temps), prices for decent looking places were often 150+ euros per night. Brazil keeps looking better.

Clearly you've never been to Jomtien Complex. 🙄

For Big cock show I give 100s only to the performers l like and my types, especially if they took their time when they went up close and personal to me 🫣😂 though I'm shy in openly inspect the goods for all others to see.
If it's a fuck show 100% always to all the performers.
But if they don't come near me then I'm not inclined to part with my red note on my ever ready hand in pocket.
I always do appreciate the "effort" they pour on their performance.

Great to see and hear the old dulcet tones of Barry Kenyon. Sorely missed. RiP.

I'm trying to convince Reader to post again, giving the reason mentioned here....in the meantime he texted me this, since I asked for an update on the masaasge places since I'm fixing ( @BjornAgain a Texan expression for ya) to head to that side of the world.


About Sun Massage on Silom Soi 6 (first shop on right as you enter from Silom rd.). It's my favorite in Silom because of the variety of nationalities represented (Lao, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thai). Unlike most other shops that tend to be single origin, Sun features an ASEAN approach. Many downright handsome guys of all types with the bodies to match. Rooms have massage tables and en suite shower. One hour 500 baht shop fee.
In Saphan Kwai, you can count on frequent turnover as newbies arrive and some rotate home. The wealth of talent remains impressive. If you venture out to shops on Sutthisan road, you become aware your in a thickly settled neighborhood environment that I find fun to experience. Plenty of good food vendors and small eateries in welcoming atmosphere.
The first you come to One Spa. It's a 24/7 operation on four floors. Rooms run from basic mattress on floor to VIP and some LT suites. Usually a half dozen or so guys hanging around. 450 baht shop fee for standard room.
In addition to the well publicized shops that post regularly on LINE, there's an assortment of local Thai shops that function pretty much the same with all Thai staffs. I've sampled a few and found that you can have good results but recommend a bit more discretion. I believe the best way to proceed with these shops is look for a guy you like and don't be afraid to smile first. It it's returned, you're on your way to a new adventure.
The first local shop I tried is on the short Soi leading to STARS massage. It on your right side and there always some cute guys outside.
The second is on the same Soi where Loveboy is located. Actually there are two on right side and frequently guys are hanging around outside. I stumbled upon the first guy when I was headed to LB and returned his smile.
At the end of that Soi you'll find 39 Underground Sauna. This is very popular with locals and there's no restrictions on clientele. Although I haven't used it, have read favorable reviews on forum of those who did.
Just to right of sauna entrance is a coffee shop known as 39 Hornet. Operated by same owner as sauna, it serves up fine coffees and pastry. And if you venture upstairs you find yourself in a maze that kindled memories of Babylon's legendary Garden of Earthly Delights but minus the naked part. It's pitch black except when you go to third floor where it opens into a veranda of sorts facing rear of building.
One last note. If I owe anything to my sauna success it's this: don't hesitate to make the first move. Otherwise you risk wasting precious time.

Yes @BjornAgain I agree. I really miss Barry and after his awful death crossing the busy Thappraya road - I have since changed my walking patterns as I used to often use that same area to cross Thappraya road to get to either FoodMart or to the Jomtien bus station for the busses to the Suvarnabhumi airport in BKK. Noteworthy is that for 153 baht each way it (the buss) is truly the deal of the century.
By the way, this video, produced by Glistening Stories of the day in the life of the Tourist Police in Pattaya is very well done - excellent UK journalism in my opinion.
What I found fascinating about this particular edition is that it was published on Jun 22, 2023, but references very important stories/cases from the year May 2001.
Especially the case of Kevin Quill, as he was one of the many financial investors in what we all know today as Boyztown.

Years back, I had read many of the controversial articles that were published about his case - especially those produced by Andrew Drummond and I was always left in shock on how something like this could even happen in the early years of 2,000.

https://www.pattayamail.com/408/news.htm
Other related articles for who is curious:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-sex-club-kings-lose-1053788
https://www.andrew-drummond.com/2010/03/23/lock-stock-and-two-smoking-boyz-judgmen/
https://www.andrew-drummond.com/2015/01/16/another-good-day-or-thai-justice/

Great to see and hear the old dulcet tones of Barry Kenyon. Sorely missed. RiP.

Great to see and hear the old dulcet tones of Barry Kenyon. Sorely missed. RiP.

Great to see and hear the old dulcet tones of Barry Kenyon. Sorely missed. RiP.

I came across this video that I had never seen before. It was record just before my arrival in Thailand/Pattaya. I had heard Kevin's Story and the Crazy Pub was of course still open. Was interesting to see these figures on video so many years later.

Just create a new e-mail account. It's cheaper.

Just create a new e-mail account. It's cheaper.

I just mention "Friend of @vinapu" on my profile and wait for my phone to blow up with messages.

My advice in Thailand would be to rent so that you could walk away

We didn't try very hard...

Just taken the 14:00 North Pattaya bus upto Ekkamai, only took 2 hours, so a normal run. Did notice numerous cones on the motorway ring-fencing areas of loose tarmac from the recent floods.
Traffic levels same as an early Sunday morning. Bolt to Hilton Silom, only had to wait 1 minute. Journey time only 20 minutes, last time was 90 minutes!
Don't know what all the fuss was about.

Yes, and unfortunately the buffaloes are all dead and the camels are having their humps fixed at Bumrungrad. 🙄

Whats e-hailing? To my surprise, my peerage hasn't arrived yet. I must speak to Lord(!) Mandelson.

Hardly rained all day. Soi 4, Guido and cat, all dry!

So, have you been to see @Olddaddy ?

Today I got cabin fever (too many consecutive days of monsoon storms), so I decided to have a late lunch over at Tinnies.
Left VT5 via Dongtan Beach and the rain was tolerable but the gale force winds were too strong.
As I turned into the short cut that is in-between VT7 + Casa Myka - 7-11, the winds were super fierce and snapped my umbrella in half.
So, I continued forward without the umbrella and made it to Tinnies soaking wet.
Ate an excellent lunch and then I asked my favorite waitresses where can I buy a STRONG umbrella and they sent me directly across the street where I bought one of those large umbrellas that are very strong. All was ok on Thappraya road until I reached Jomtien Beach where the winds were too strong even for this new more powerful umbrella - so I shut it and just braved my walk (I had a rain weather parka on) to the Jomtien Night Market - soi 9 as I wanted to see the actual stranded and sinking "Dolce Vita" tour boat.

What a sight to see - as the waves were crashing through the lower deck windows and it was listing on its side.
On the upper floor there appeared to still be a person aboard who was just sitting in the middle deck - perhaps to watch the ship ??
I felt sorry for him but he seemed to be ok as the ship was now so close to the shore that it was not going to sink any further.
All of the life jackets that had floated away from the ship were already collected into a big pile near the Jomtien Beach footpath.
There were also other objects that came off the ship - 2 water slides and some parts from the siding of the ship.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CL4EV22Vt/
Below you can see the Dolce Vita ship in her full former glory - before its demise in this week's monsoon storms:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHLU6VcT6qI/
When I lived in Italy and the Costa Concordia cruise liner sunk off the coast of Giglio island in Tuscany in January 2012 - as soon as I could get free time from my job - I drove up from Rome and took the ferry over to Giglio island so that I could observe the partially sunken cruise ship before they towed it away for salvage.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZIfLXQM5bD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Concordia
I seem to be attracted to see disasters up close and personal.

Why is it "embarrassing to have an abundance of Thailand immigration stamps in your passport"? Don't they know that you go to Thailand to reflect, meditate, make merit, visit temples and study Thai language and culture? Surely I'm not the only one who do these things? 🤔😇

Video call before agreeing to meet them.....

Careful. A boy with a lisp might pronounce it as Anthrax wipes.