I doubt if it is of much interest to anyone, but after posting on this Board and its predecessor gaythailand.com for 20 years, it is time to call it a day. For my first 13 years I wrote so much about the gay venues in Bangkok – and several other Thai cities – as like many on this Board sex was a major interest. But far from my only one, as those who have criticised my longer posts know only too well. I have posted a large number of photo essays of the trips I have made, both within Thailand – as for example the amazing Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, the equally fascinating Dansai Ghost Festival and the gorgeous beach at Khao Lak as well as the trips one can make from there. Photo essays have included a host of countries near Thailand like Nepal, Bhutan, several from Japan, and further afield like the Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, the Arctic Circle, Talinn, Petra, Iran, New Zealand, several on Taiwan and quite a few more.

Having been partnered for six years now and with no desire to visit my old gay haunts in Thailand like my partner, I restrict myself to occasional gay posts about Taipei and perhaps a couple of other cities outside Thailand. I no longer fit in with the interests of most Thailand posters. My curiosity about Japan where I lived for some years and other Asian countries is now almost totally restricted to my own interest in history, culture and society which really demand longer posts which some posters just do not like. Fair enough! This is not a blog site.

Let me add this is not a sudden decision. After thinking about it for several months, about ten weeks ago I wrote to inform @TotallyOz whom I met a couple of times in our go-go bar visiting days. I thanked him for running this Board and letting me contribute regularly all this time. Long may the Board continue.

Hey Peter,

For sure we will miss you and your erudite and interesting posts. Like you I am also tiring of the "and tonight we visited Bar X and Bar Y and offed Boy A and Boy B". Seriously, isn't there more to life? For me the great fascination I have with Thailand (after visits spanning 30 years) is trying to understand its amazing "scene" (in the largest sense of that word) and how it differs from my home culture. For some years I posted quite regularly but my posts generated little interest, so I soon recognized I was out of step with the majority of people on the board -- who seem to be in their 20's and 30's (or so their posts would indicate <wink>). 

I abandoned the bars years ago, as I could not countenance supporting the Thai Mafia with my funds. I don't smoke, I drink very moderately. And I detest the "sit down and drink!" attitude at most bars (which bkkm.. often rails about.) Like OldDaddy I much prefer the serendipity and unexpected delights of using "gaydar" and intuition to land the perfect tryst. 

When enjoying the amazing pleasures of a kind "service provider" (as latin likes to call them), I much prefer to spend my funds supporting his needs, and hopefully his dreams, not those of a corrupt underground.

 

Disappointing. PeterRS2 will  be missed, particularly since his contributions are so knowledgeable and distinctive.  There is , or should be, a place for different perspectives and I find those which deal with political , social, or cultural issues more to my taste  than bar reports.  I also particularly enjoy his photographs of parts of Thailand I do not know. 

I am of the same generation as Peter; I sometimes feel out of place among younger people who have "grown-up" with sites like this one. Our language is different, as are our experiences and our interests.  There should be room for us all.

I have left two other gay Thailand sites owing to persistent racism from a minority of contributors and so this  one is my "last hurrah"; I wish it to continue to be  inclusive of age, taste and style. And- here's an odd word- respectful.

 

 

Peter, you have certainly been a controversial figure at times, but one thing nobody could ever accuse you of is being afraid to express your opinion. Whether people agreed with you or not, you always had something to say—and usually something worth thinking about.

Your posts have ranged across an extraordinary variety of subjects, and your incredible knowledge and understanding of Asia have been especially impressive. You brought experience, insight and a perspective that will be difficult to replace.

The board may occasionally have been challenged, entertained or even provoked by your contributions, but it will undoubtedly be a quieter and less interesting place without them.

Good luck with whatever lies ahead, and thanks for all the discussions, debates and knowledge you shared with us. You will be missed.

Peter, we have never met, and yet, to me, you are a welcome and respected 'face' here on this forum. I have not always agreed with everything you have posted, but you always write with the authority born of a wealth of personal experience that you have been happy to share.

For many years I have been heavily involved with another forum, Pattaya Addicts, where there has always been a continuous evolution of popular posters who emerge, shine for a number of years, and then fade away as their personal circumstances and interests evolve, but, importantly, their contributions survive within the forum for others to discover and benefit from.

You too leave a strong posting legacy behind you that will continue to be appreciated by others in the future. Thank you 😊

 

I'm not sure that Peter would thank me but I can say now that he is a well-known and distinguished person  with an enviable reputation and significant cultural achievements.  Not just in  Asia but across the world.  

To be more specific, his achievements include a significant contribution to the rise in popularity of classical music across Asia.

I wasn’t sure whether to say anything, partly because on a message board like this even a sincere comment can sometimes be read in a way it wasn’t intended, is why I use so many emojis 🧐

But when someone who’s been around as long as you has decided to call it a day, saying nothing somehow seemed worse.

And, as you’ve demonstrated more than once, there are times when keeping quiet is easier said than done. I can certainly relate to that. 😄

So, slightly jaded sentimentality aside, I am sorry to see you go. The board will be a quieter place without you, although I still suspect the first time someone posts something spectacularly wrong, you may discover that retirement has its limits 🤷‍♂️

All the best, Peter 👍

28 minutes ago, floridarob said:

I wasn’t sure whether to say anything, partly because on a message board like this even a sincere comment can sometimes be read in a way it wasn’t intended, is why I use so many emojis 🧐

I thought you do it just to annoy me more as I hate them, thank you for clarification.

Peter

Thank you for all your contributions over the years and , like many others I'm also sad to see you go . Certainly  hope floridarob is right when saying 

30 minutes ago, floridarob said:

although I still suspect the first time someone posts something spectacularly wrong, you may discover that retirement has its limits 🤷‍♂️

 

 

5 hours ago, vinapu said:

I thought you do it just to annoy me more as I hate them, thank you for clarification.

Both things can be true 😝

5 hours ago, floridarob said:

I still suspect the first time someone posts something spectacularly wrong, you may discover that retirement has its limits 🤷‍♂️

The problem always was that anyone with a different opinion to his own, on any subject, was "spectacularly wrong" in his opinion and there would be umpteen logical/illogical paragraphs/pages to follow to "demonstrate" that! 

RIP Peter, your stress levels will be the better for this decision.

I hope this hasn't got anything to do with me & my boyfriend coming to sleep on your balcony next week!

Are we still on ? 

We are at the beautiful Capella today 

 

3 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

The problem always was that anyone with a different opinion to his own, on any subject, was "spectacularly wrong" in his opinion and there would be umpteen logical/illogical paragraphs/pages to follow to "demonstrate" that! 

RIP Peter, your stress levels will be the better for this decision.

Be great if you could swap places with Peter ....your posts wouldn't be missed

One of the best posters on this board is Peter and he will be missed , please re-think your decision Peter 

An amazing poster who has contributed greatly to this board and will be very missed. But, also a very kind person and human being! 

 

 

@mauRICE is why everyone is afraid to talk about what's in the Epstein files...

Best wishes for a great life, Peter. I really enjoyed the many photos you have posted over the years.