TotallyOz

IMHO Fox News has destroyed the credibility of journalists. Most Americans view Fox as a news group and their anchors as real journalists. That means that half of America is really stupid. I am not an elitist. I just agree that Fox News is no more of a "real journalist" style than Bill Maher is. I like Bill but he is not a journalist, he is a comedian.

I am thankful for: 1. Thailand during the holidays (see attached Loy Krathong photo) 2. Getting calls from every Thai boy I know on holidays to "allow" them to spend the night with me. 3. Sex at the end of a wonderful night!

I have flown 6 of the 10 and have to agree with these. Singapore is hands down the best. I love Thai air's service but the seats at not great for a big guy. Interesting that no American airlines made it onto this list.

Buckling your airplane seat belt and weight-loss personality Richard Simmons aren't things you'd necessarily think go together. But if you flew on Air New Zealand in the recent past, that's who may have video-instructed you how to buckle up. Great companies always think outside the box, and Air New Zealand is no exception. In the most recent Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey, the Kiwi airline came in No. 2. And while readers didn't specifically rank in-flight entertainment, ANZ's fresh, amusing spin on the standard safety video surely gave passengers a memorable impression of the airline. The factors our readers did vote on, across 76 global airlines: cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, value, and food. No one was surprised to see Singapore Airlines topping the list; they've been the No. 1 airline for the past 17 years. And they must be doing something right—they didn't even have Richard Simmons entertaining their passengers. No. 1 Singapore Airlines For the 17th year in a row—ever since T+L inaugurated the World’s Best Awards—Singapore Airlines has been readers’ overall favorite. This year, the airline came out on top in every category: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value. The 32-inch seat pitch in economy class helps, as do the flight attendants, famous for their above-and-beyond service and sarong and kebaya uniforms. Bedtime turndown service is even part of the flying experience for those with pockets deep enough to book the A380 first-class suites that feature sliding doors, 23-inch TVs, and stand-alone beds hand-stitched by master Italian craftsmen Poltrona Frau. No. 2 Air New Zealand The Kiwi carrier has been steadily climbing up the ranks of the world’s best airlines. Two years ago, Air New Zealand ranked seventh, and last year, it was fourth. Cabin comfort, food, and especially improved in-flight service vaulted it into the No. 2 position this year. T+L readers felt that the airline’s value had improved during the past year, and its innovative OneUp program, which allows you to bid for an upgrade seven days before you fly internationally, beats paying through the nose for business or first. Another popular innovation: cuddle class, an economy row of three seats that can convert to a bed. No. 3 Emirates Emirates has slipped slightly from No. 2, a spot it held for the past two years. While the airline maintained steady scores for cabin comfort, in-flight service, and food, readers demoted both the airline’s customer service and value scores this year. Still, there’s nothing wrong about coming in third. And forward-thinking innovations like the airline’s signature Shower Spa in first class should keep the airline up to speed with the very best. No. 4 Korean Air Korean Air vaulted up the list from last year’s ninth place, thanks to major improvements in readers’ perceptions of in-flight service and food, as well as cabin comfort and value. Tastier Western, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes have certainly helped. But, taking a page out of Singapore Airlines’ book, it’s the improved level of service that has brought this airline into the rarefied ranking of our top five carriers. No. 5 Cathay Pacific Airways Cathay Pacific went up the list from seventh place last year. The airline worked hard and offered improvements in every area, according to our readers, but especially in the areas of value and food. Leave it to Hong Kong–based Cathay to be among the first to have rice cookers on board. Each seat is outfitted with power outlets and iPod and USB ports—not to mention a 32-inch seat pitch in economy class—and these special touches keep the airline highly ranked for cabin comfort. No. 6 Asiana Airlines Asiana is the comeback kid this year. The carrier fell to No. 13 in our 2011 rankings, but in 2010, it was No. 6. What’s the story? According to T+L readers, Asiana has upgraded its cabin comfort, in-flight service, customer service, and value. It fell a little short in its food ranking, but it was so much better in the other critical areas that it’s firmly back in our top 10. Now that Asiana, like its formidable Asian peers, offers suites, it’s clearly a contender. No. 7 Virgin America Virgin America remains the highest-ranking U.S. airline in our survey, despite slipping two slots in the overall rankings from last year. (It holds up even better among the survey’s domestic rankings with a No. 1 rank in every category.) The Red touch-screen system that allows you to order snacks and drinks, shop, and give back to fight cancer or to offset your carbon footprint is a prime example of how Virgin America is truly in step with the expectations of 21st-century travelers. No. 8 Qatar Airways Ranked No. 11 in 2011, Qatar has made a move into the top 10, although not yet back to the No. 3 ranking it earned from readers in 2010 or 2009’s No. 2 spot. Readers did give kudos to improvements in the airline’s in-flight service and to welcome changes in cabin comfort, namely the 32-inch seat pitch. Hiring celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa to oversee the in-flight menu is another crowd-pleaser. No. 9 Virgin Atlantic Airways Virgin Atlantic ranked eighth last year and could use a little maintenance in the eyes of T+L readers. The airline fell a bit short in every category this year, but most especially when it came to food, in-flight service, and value. Even cabin comfort was found to be less comforting this year compared to last. That said, the airline still made it into the survey’s top 10—and continues to make headlines for its cheeky spirit. Earlier this year, for instance, Upper Class passengers had the distinct pleasure of drinks served with ice cubes crafted to resemble Sir Richard Branson’s head. No. 10 Thai International Airways Ensconced at No. 10, as it was in 2011, Thai Airways pretty much maintained the status quo, according to our survey, although readers did feel that the airline offered more value than it had in the past. Thai has certainly been keeping up with other quality carriers, installing niceties like Audio Visual on Demand (AVOD). But since most of its flights are within Asia or to Europe (with North American service only to Los Angeles), it lacks the visibility of the top-dog Asian airlines. Regardless, our readers think it deserves top 10 status. http://travel.yahoo....t-airlines.html

I love holidays in Thailand as they are so different from the way I celebrated all my life in the USA. I love the Thai people and the customs and traditions. Today was Loy Krathong. It is one of my favorite holidays in Thailand. It is at the end of the rainy season and everyone lights these beautiful lanterns and lets them ride in the sky. They also dress in traditional Thai attire and send out little ships with candles into the ocean. I just love Thailand! I am working on a video and I'll try to have soon!

Thanks. My other name on the board was GayThailand. I gave it up a few years back when the board switched owners. It was so long ago and I think I was right on both that name and this one at least 95 percent of the time. Mr. Bill, I thought I was the only one who saw that. Thank you for confirming it was not my imagination. I'll cancel my appointment for the psychologist in the AM as I thought I was just seeing things again.

My understanding of last year is that they had 3 barges set up. One was on the left side of Central Festival and the other two were on the right side of Central Festival. Anywhere in the beach area downtown will make it easy for you to see the fireworks. I have been told by many people that last year was amazing and it is a not to miss thing in Pattaya.

A few photos from my night. I hope you enjoy. I'll try to add more in a day or two but I have to learn how to edit a video! (not easy to teach an old dog new tricks)

HOLY SHIT! Firecat, are you OK? In the MANY years I have known you (more than anyone else on this board) I have never heard you say the above. I have now photocopied it and made a picture above my desk. Thank you!

2lz2p thanks for that link. Some good places there and I will try them. What is the number for the New York Pizza? Is it really New York Style?

Wow! You have accomplished a first at boytoy/MER. You are ranked number 1 with the highest number of posts and you have just past the 6,000 mark! THANK YOU! Thank you for being such an amazing part of this site!

All the way back so many years ago!

A few photos from years gone by!

I tried to find Magnolia but the Google map shows it off Pattaya Klang. Is this correct? Magnolia's map shows it across from Big C.

What I have found is that if you are on a plan for say 200 baht for unlimited calling, you can get your BF to send you a code for another month free. When I am away from Thailand for an extended period of time, I cancel the plan and I do minute by minute. If I do 500 baht, it extends my number for one year. That is usually sufficient for me. When I get back to Thailand, I have the BF call up the phone company and put me back on a good plan. Yes, a bit of work but I like keeping the same number. Just last night, I was a bit bored and I got a call from a number I did not recognize. It was a guy I knew about 4 years ago and he was in town for the holidays and wanted to see me. It was wonderful that he has saved my number and I was so happy to see him again. And, I know if he had relied on my memory or my cell phone, I would never have seen him again. Also, when I am in USA, I will put 100 bath or 300 baht or any amount onto my 12Call from K bank account. This extends the period as well. I do this every few months just to be safe and it is easy to set up the "bill payment" through these online Thai banks.

Babylon is a lot of fun and you can have a great time there. However, the swimming pool is not clothing optional. It is mandatory that clothes be worn. I was there last year with some friends from Brazil and they thought they would jump in with no clothes and they were quickly told to put on clothes.

The age of consent for anyone who is a foreigner is 18. There are no other numbers that one should worry about. It is 18 for everyone that is not a Thai citizen.

McDonald's charges no fee for delivery. Burger King charges 50 baht each time. Interesting they are so different and I often see McDonald's in my building but rarely Burger King. Right now WOW Delivery is not charging fees for my area. What other places deliver for free?

I don't think you will get many deals on electronics in Thailand. If you are going back to USA, I suggest that you buy there as it is warranted and it is most likely cheaper. If you need something in LOS, try New Wave on 2nd Floor for phones or go all the way to top floor for other electronics.

A partisan war is brewing that could bring the government to a screeching halt as early as January — and no, it’s not over the fiscal cliff. It’s all about the filibuster. Democrats are threatening to change filibuster rules, in what will surely prompt a furious GOP revolt that could make those rare moments of bipartisan consensus even harder to come by during the next Congress. Here’s what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering: banning filibusters used to prevent debate from even starting and House-Senate conference committees from ever meeting. He also may make filibusters become actual filibusters — to force senators to carry out the nonstop, talkathon sessions. Republicans are threatening even greater retaliation if Reid uses a move rarely used by Senate majorities: changing the chamber’s precedent by 51 votes, rather than the usual 67 votes it takes to overhaul the rules. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84195.html#ixzz2DHCFczSA

I hope everyone has a fantastic Loy Krathong this year! What are you plans? Where are you headed?

I have been able to keep in touch with many friends and businesses through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and other sites. I have found that a great many of the boys also use and check these sites often. When I go to Brazil, all I have to do is post I am headed that way under my Brazil account and I get tons of guys to make appointments for dates and overnights. My last trip there, I had everything pretty well set. I have friends that do the same thing in Thailand and with the easy of communication, social media has made it very easy to keep in touch as well as to meet new friends. In what ways do you use social media to make your experience in Thailand better? Do you find parties and events this way? What is the best platform for meeting Thais?

Adam, is there any other way to attend one? Really? Do tell please!