Chiang Mai dry–Bangkok flooding

Sawadee Khrap

Our rains seemed to have stopped, cloudy but not raining at the present time, but Bangkok is getting the brunt of all the rain Thailand has had lately – and that was a lot.

Bangkok FloodingHere’s an article from the Bangkok Post into latest efforts. Very large scale flooding down there.  The only good thing I can see is that a massive spending bill will be needed to repair the damage and that should cause the value of the Baht to drop.

 

On another note:   I am thinking about moving to Pattaya, Jerry has been there for over 7 mo. and I visited him last week and had a great time relaxing at the beach, sipping coconut juice and watching the boys walk by.  True retirement, so I think I will join him down there. 

Several friends a coming to Chiang Mai before the New Year and I will wait till they have gone then I can go down to scout out a place to lease and get ready to move.  More entertainment venues available in Pattaya and of course only a hour bus ride to Bangkok. Consolidate and relax.

Ciao

LGBT population in Thailand

Sawadee Khrap

MissTiffany 2011

 

Here’s a good article on Pattaya’s Miss Tiffany Contest and the 2011 winner from Chiang Mai.  And it brings up a good question.

“with around 500,000 transgenders – know locally as ladyboys or katoeys – Thailand has one of the highest rates of transsexualism per head in the world.  Though researchers have failed to explain just why there are so many ladyboys in Thailand – ancient Thai mythology talks of a woman bearing three children – a male, a female, and a third sex.”

Having lived here for a while and observing the culture, I believe I can explain why – Thailand has no retirement support such as Social Security like we have in the States – parents rely on the support by their children – Thai children are taught both culturally and spiritually that they owe their parents support in their old age and every Thai, boy or girl, tries in every way to fulfill that obligation.  Even if the family has money – they will still send support (some being banked for their later use) home from their working pay.

This also means most LGBT’s will eventually marry and raise a family – security for their old age retirement support – they don’t keep the group separation as they do in other cultures.  In San Francisco it would be unheard of for a old Queen to marry and raise kids just for retirement – but very common here.

So to the point – I believe it is now accepted that being gay, lesbian,or transgendered is genetic,  so if the LGBT population is marrying and producing offspring, that would naturally increase the potential for a greater rate of diversity,  and this is very apparent here in Thailand.

I believe this is a good example that genetic differences are at the core of diversity in lifestyles –  That’s my take on it —-    What do you think?

Ciao

Pattaya and Back

Sawadee Khrap

Last week in the heavy downpour, while taking a monk home from Monk Chat I backed into a tree and really fucked up my back bumper on the car – had to take it into the body shop to fix this and all the other dents  – a week  – what will I ever do ??????

“Pattaya for a week”  or a least 4 days – no photos, went down to visit Jerry and just relax on the beach and catch some shows – nice, nice, nice holiday.  venue

Went to the “Venue”, a great ‘Broadway’ type show.  

Can you imagine a 2 hour show that cost just 100 Baht a drink – that’s about $3 – and extremely PROFESSIONAL – and they don’t bug you about the drinks.

And of course we had to check out Sunee Plaza – some great shows there – sexy young men, and I mean “SEXY”.  I really liked the chuckwow show at “Good Boys” – definitely plan on coming back.

Back in town, I meet a wonderful young man, had dinner a couple of times and took in some shows.  His birthday is next month and he is planning on coming to Chiang Mai, for his birthday so I can show him around my town and local area – really looking forward to that.

Spent most of the time at the beach, just laying in the shade – sipping coconut juice from the shell and watching the boys go by.  Didn’t have to go far as most of them come by to say hello and see if you would like to help them out – times are bleak – very little tourist – but still it’s a great feeling just to have a 18-20 y/o young man stop by to chat and find you attractive (or maybe it’s your wallet, he,he – at my age, does it really make a difference?) – in any event this is what retirement should really be – Don’t you agree.   Thanks Jerry for showing me around –

Now all I have to do is move there and take full retirement – ha-ha

Ciao

Getting Old

Sawadee Khrap

Thanks Jerry for this tidbit on life – been there yet ???

Ed came home drunk one night, slid into bed beside his sleeping wife, and fell into a deep slumber.   He awoke before the Pearly Gates, where St. Peter said, ‘You died in your sleep, Ed.’   Ed was stunned. ‘I’m dead? No, I can’t be! I’ve got too much to live for. Send me back!’   St. Peter said, ‘I’m sorry, but there’s only one way you can go back, and that is as a chicken.’  Ed was devastated, but begged St. Peter to send him to a farm near his home.
     
The next thing he knew, he was covered with feathers, clucking and pecking the ground.  A rooster strolled past. ‘So, you’re the new hen, huh? How’s your first day here?’   ‘Not bad,’ replied Ed the hen, ‘but I have this strange feeling inside. Like I’m gonna explode!’   ‘You’re ovulating,’ explained the rooster. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve never laid an egg before?’  ‘Never,’ said Ed. ‘Well, just relax and let it happen,’ says the rooster. ‘It’s no big deal.’  He did, and a few uncomfortable seconds later, out popped an egg!  He was overcome with emotion as he experienced motherhood. He soon laid another egg — his joy was overwhelming. As he was about to lay his third egg, he felt a smack on the back of his head, and heard…..

"Ed, wake up! You shit the bed!"      Getting OLD just ain’t what they said it would be!

Ciao