WWWHHHAAAZZZZZUUUUPPP

Today's song is: Dust in the Wind  .. Kansas

Thavorn and I headed out about 6:30 pm and walked by the beer bars on Soi 22 which were all open, but no music was playing which was unusual. We headed off to explore Cowboy which would be a better indicator about how things were going to go for the week, at least.

Cowboy was all closed and we also learned that Nana was closed as well by talking to some motorcycle taxi boys. We decided to head back to Soi 22 and found that Crazy House was open and filling up rapidly with gogo girls and punters. Not surprising as the owners of Crazy House seem to be very well connected.

We were on our second beer and enjoying the antics of the girls on and off the stage, not to mention the great dance tunes that they play for the dancers. It was a fun atmosphere until 8:30 pm when the shutdown cops arrived and and it was dark by 10 minutes. Music, dancing and having a good time seems problematic this week. This will definitely impact tourism and the businesses and workers who depend on it.  I suspect most of the girls will be bolting for their villages.  I also suspect that the street walkers and freelancers will be doing a boom boom business as well.

Arriving back at Soi 22 we decided to go to the Crazy Girls Bar to play some pool and chat with some of the girls that we know quite well. Around about 10:30, after about 4 beers, and about 6 games of pool, the shutdown cops arrived and all the bars were dark within 10 minutes. This time around the shutdown cops were not in very good humor.  The bars were told not to open up tomorrow and wait for further news from the cops.

If you are planning a trip to Thailand within the next 28 days you may want to rethink your destinations and activities.  Some punters I talked to were thinking about heading over to Cambodia for a couple of weeks.

However, the pristine beaches and turquoise waters remain the same and the food remains delicious.

Black and White: Please note if you are in Thailand in October you are supposed to wear only black and white in respect of mourning the King. Avoid bright colors or you will get more frowns than smiles.

TTY

What's Happening?

Today's song is: Already Gone  .. Eagles

Dedicated to all my friends sitting on the shelf  ..

The answer is, 'I am not sure.' Thavorn and I will go for a walk tonight to see how the passing of the King has affected the night life in the City of Angels. I had a txt from a bar girl at Crazy Girls last night and I was surprised to find out that they were open. I know some of the bars on Soi 22, commonly known as Queen's Park Plaza have closed for at least the weekend in respect for the King.

However, bar girls have rent to pay, children to support, and roofs to replace, so I really can't see the tourist business being shut down for long. Apparently it makes up 10-12% of Thailand's GDP.

I pity the poor punter who has saved up for the whole year to cut loose in Thailand for one week of self-gratification and hedonism (I suppose that is redundant).

In preparation for tonight's tour-on-the-town I am having a few vodka and red bulls, much to the consternation of Thavorn who worries about my self-indulgence from time to time. I however, ascribe to the motto that, "i am here for a good time  .. not a long time', and just like Madonna, I want to have fun!

Tomorrow I hope to have a full report on what's happening in Bangkok on Saturday night.

TTYL

First Night Out

Today's song is: Danny Boy, played by Eric Clapton  .. King Bhumibol Adulyadej - RIP

Thavorn's older children arrived with her on Wednesday and when I asked Thavorn when she wanted our first night out together in 6 months she replied on Thursday. So Thursday arrived and he headed out about 6:30 to catch the happy hours from 7 - 9 pm. We started off playing pool at Country Road to the tunes of the live band. Thavorn won the first game and I won the next 3 so Thavorn decided losing was boring and she did not wish to play anymore.

The truth is, the television monitors in the room were showing the news that the King had just passed away after a lengthy illness and that put a damper on all Thai spirits. I figured at 89, he had done well and in the best traditions of how the Irish celebrate a long and well lived life I suggested we drink up.

We headed over to Crazy House which I figured would be less affected as the ladies are much younger, but it too was a little quiet as well. We decided to explore Bangkok Beats on soi 7/1 but we arrived to a closed bar. In fact most of the bars were shutting down to acknowledge the passing of the King.

We decided one last stop at the Beer Garden was warranted as Thavorn had never been to that venue which features the largest group of free lancers and punters in one spot in Bangkok. True to form, it was hustling and bustling but 30 minutes the lights came on about 10 pm as the owners were shutting it down in respect of the King's passing.

It is Friday today and many bars have announced they are closed for the next 3 days in respect of mourning for the King. That should put a damper on any tourists who are arriving in Bangkok for the weekend.

The King was truly a good person and is highly regarded and revered by the population. He will be missed and the future of Thailand is unknown as he was the longest living monarch in the world and most Thais can not remember a time without him.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/entertainment-to-be-toned-down-as-thailand-grieves-dead-king/news-story/1119f1e870a74cd53508b5c228486ca5

TTYL

Media Politics?

Today's song is: Turn the page  .. Bob Seger

What is the role of the media. I used to think it was to report on the news and let the populace form their own opinions of the events. Obviously that has changed.

'The word ‘media’ is derived from the word medium, signifying mode or carrier. Media is intended to reach and address a large target group or audience. The word was first used in respect of books and newspapers i.e. print media and with the advent of technology, media now encompasses television, movies, radio and internet. In today’s world, media becomes as essential as our daily needs. Media of today is playing an outstanding role in creating and shaping of public opinion and strengthening of society.

Media is the sword arm of democracy. Media acts as watchdog to protect public interest against malpractice and create public awareness. Today when politicians are taking full advantage of their positions, an evil nexus of mafia and crime syndicate is making the life of the common man miserable, taxpayer’s money is siphoned out for the personal gain of the influential and ordinary people are a mere spectator-media has a grater responsibility As the fourth pillar of democracy along with judiciary, executive and legislature, media of today has an all embracing role to act against the injustice, oppression, misdeeds and partiality of our society.' 

http://www.globalethicsnetwork.org/profiles/blogs/role-of-media-in-our-society

I suppose this all came about because of Watergate and Nixon and the fact that the Washington Post reporters were championed, but WDIK (what do I know) as I am incapable of forming my own opinion of events as they happen.

There is no doubt in my mind that journalists are born from the far left spectrum of democracy inculcated in the far left environments of academia. That itself presents a problem if the media is indeed to fulfill their role defined above. I think it would work if they were impartial, which they evidently are not. Of course, I am referring to the 2016 presidential race.

Hillary was anointed by the media before the race had begun and Trump has made it easy for them. I am neither a Trump or Hillary fan and neither of them is fit to be the next president but I do believe the American population should feel free to make their own decision without the media whispering in their ear.

The latest round of CNN parading feminazis on air commenting on locker room banter is beyond my comprehension. WTF, what do they know about male locker room banter. Are they closet voyeurs? I really do not see the leap from talking about groping being akin to actually groping females and therefore being sexual assault. CNN really glosses over Bill's transgressions (which were real, not thought about) while in the White house as old news because it would ruin Hillary's rise to power.

After observing what has happened in Canadian schools and universities I believe that Hillary's first executive action will be to ban locker rooms. After all, they must be a breeding ground for sexual assault. The school yards in Canada are now devoid of physical contact and red rover, king of the hill, and piggy back challenges are activities of the past. Every kid now gets a trophy as there are no losers, just winners. If you get pregnant, just kill the little bastard while still in the womb, rather than take responsibility for your actions. What are we really teaching the next generation?

The pendulum swings and invariably swings back. The barbarians will soon be at the gates.

The above rant needs to be said and does not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of the writer :-)

TTYL

The Dispicables

Today's song is: I have Never Been to Me  .. Charlene

Hillary and Donald

I am loving the US election. Donald has really fucked up this time around as a video taken in 2005 has surfaced where he refers to women as pussies and how he likes to grope and kiss them because he is a star and can get away with it. He would feel (pun intended) right at home as a farang punter in Bangkok which is where he is likely to end up when the Republican Party boots him and women start boycotting his hotels.

Of course the democrats are running with this despite the fact that Bill Clinton preyed on a young white house intern who was willing to trade a blow job for a chance to advance her career.  It makes you wonder if these two minions are the best that the United States has to offer.

The greater question is whether 'Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely' is to blame and women are blameless for trying to succeed at the end of a powerful person's knob?  At the end of the day (don't you just hate that saying), it takes two to play and women should stop playing the victim card, especially years after the fact.

Frequent players in Bangkok would never question my statements above. It is a simple relationship. 'You go with me?' = 'No money, no honey!'. 

The American public has a tough choice which predator they choose to put in the White House, Bill or Donald. Bill has great favor-ability ratings for a former President so I tend to think they don't care what goes on in the Oval Office.  The fact that Hillary would be the first female president is overriding with most of the female electorate. After-all, she rose to the top by overlooking Bill's affairs and propensity for younger women.

Donald's biggest failing is he is just not political enough to escape his past. The Clintons just go into denial and blame it on bi-partisan witch hunts and the democrats buy into it. For some reason, Republicans, probably due to their holier than thou attitude, are held to a higher standard. With the media, firmly on the democratic side, the Republicans are doomed for the next 4 years.

Pay for Play is indeed in action in the States as it is in Thailand. The Thais are just more above board on how things work. 'What's in it for me?' drives the democrats whereas 'I am pissed at the status quo!' is driving the republicans.

Morality quotes:

My favorite

TTYL

Friday Night

Today's song is: Runnin with the Devil  .. Van Halen

Great news: The Stones are releasing a new album!

I am able to stay in Thailand for a year because I have a Non Immigrant "0" visa which are typically given for either 'Retirement in Thailand' or 'Marriage to a Thai National'. Thailand also offers a 30 day visa on arrival as well as a 90 day visa which has to be applied for outside of Thailand at a Thai embassy in your host country.  Most visitors to Thailand are on a 30 day on arrival visa. I used to visit for months on the 30 day visa but I had to leave the country and come back in. This usually meant I flew to Malaysia or Singapore for an overnight-er.

To qualify for a retirement visa you must have 800,000 Baht in your bank account or an income of 55,000 Baht a month. I never have 800,000 baht in my bank account but I do make 55,000 baht in pension a month. Of course I have to prove this, so I go to the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok with my bank statement printer out showing my pensions being deposited into my account. The embassy then issues me an affidavit stating my income which I then submit with form 7 to the Immigration department at the government Complex out near Don Muang Airport. Of course there are the obligatory passport photos, photocopies of my passport, copies of my lease, a fee, etc. The first time you do it, it is challenging unless you have a friend to walk you through it which I did.  Thank you Ron!The complex is so large, you could put 4 soccer fields in the inside open court.

Once you have the visa you still need to report in every 90 days to tell the government you are still there, and where you are living.  This is much different than Canada where you get a 6 month visa and the government has no idea where you are, or even if or when you left the country.  Most countries make you go through immigration when you enter and when you leave, but not Canada although I hear they are planning to change that process. 

It is pretty quiet on my night activities as we are await the arrival of Thavorn's two older children so they can babysit Jaidan and Thavorn and I can both go out and party together. We have not been able to do so since Last April.  We are both looking forward to some music, dance and pool.

TTYL

Middle Age Tourists

Today's song is: Take it Easy  .. Eagles

My friend Shaun from Malaysia is visiting for the weekend and of course that means we have been hitting the bars at night. Last night, Saturday was very interesting as Country Road on Soi Cowboy was full of middle age farang tourists that would be in their mid forties. Both men and women and were they ever having fun dancing to the music of their teens and twenties.

Ditto for Titanium on Soi 22 which is a little bit more up market with an all girl rock band that really pumps out the sounds. It too was full of middle age farangs. Titanium is also an ice bar and pushes vodka on the ice bar on the second floor. Lots of fun.

I think that is one of the huge draws of Thailand is that there are many, many venues for folks in their middle age and on up. Back in North America not so much where the bar scene caters to teenagers and 20 somethings with a few 30 somethings trying to hand on. I don't know why North America is like that. It seems as  soon as we hit our 30's we hunker down and raise a family and become house and kid poor and have no money or time to have fun.

I would guess that some of the folks I saw left their teenagers at home and escaped for a fun time.  I had fun just watching them cut loose and relive their youth.

This is the slow month in the Thailand tourist seasons but most of the venues I popped into were doing quite well. Shark bar was hopping and a man from Dubai bar fined 3 girls and left with a big smile on his face. I know one of the girls so I am looking forward to hearing how that one played out.

TTYL