A Snippet of Gay Life in Thailand
Sawadee Khrap
Here is my painting of the enormous statue of Buddha (female looking) at Wat Phrathatsutonmongkonkiree Just outside of Phrae near Den Chai, before you come into Chiang Mai. Above is the link to my article posted 2/7/2008. I have a slideshow posted there and this photo was one of my favorites so I thought I would make this 16×20 inch painting of it.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
Here’s a great clip – has this ever happened to you?
Click on image to play
In related sad news, I have just found out that a several of my young friends from the beach have been diagnosed with HIV – I am so grateful that we have the medicines to fight it now and they can still enjoy a future life with proper medication – I just hope and pray that they avail themselves of it and begin to practice safer sexual habits, more importantly that they pass this information on and warn their friends of the consequences of not protecting themselves.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
This is flat amazing – about time the streets were cleared – BKK traffic is a mess without having all these illegally parked cars – great effort – hope it continues and throughout Thailand – We are seeing major reforms here – seem to me all for the better.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
I told you I am in love with my new Art pen – With all the time on my hands lately I’ve completed several boy images, a portrait for my Landlord, Goody’s, and this one – my favorite scene from a photo taken in Lampang. All are done at 16×20 in , only the Landlord one has been painted on canvas and frame mounted. That cost him 2,100 Baht – 
very reasonable – I’ll show a photo of it later. This ones typical of rural living in Thailand and the beauty in the land, although I prefer being in the city – really nothing to do in the country but relax – and paint I suppose – HA HA I would miss the shopping centers. Houses are all raised for natural air-conditioning, and most of the land, if not forested, is set for farming. These are rice fields with banana groves. In the far middle right is a typical temple – you can see these dotted all over the landscape.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
I just went to show the owners, Chris and his lady, at my favorite local restaurant in bldg B the 16×20 in. painting I made for them and have my regular lunch. Gift too late !!!
Bad news all around – they have just been informed by the View Talay Management that he will have to remove his gas burners and replace them with electric, it’s against the Insurance code. Chris has been preparing my lunch, and dinner for that matter, ever since I developed my condition – special cooking, salt and sugar free, olive oil, no MSG – stir fried fresh daily vegetables and rice with grilled fish for dinner at a price extremely affordable. Sounds like he will have to move as he does not want to cook with electric – different flavor and not as good. He has a week or so but it sounds like unchangeable – I can only hope they find a place close by - within walking distance would be nice. Sorry you didn’t have a chance to taste his food – only comparable restaurant around is Cabbages and Condoms and that’s too far for walking.
I wish them all the best luck and I am really going to miss them. I’ll post their new location as soon as I know.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
Seems to never stop – On Wednesday Siriraj Hospital call and asked me to come in and set an appointment for Sunday 8th for the operation. WOW so quick and short time notice. So got up at 4AM and made it to the bus station at 5 AM for the bus to Ekkami terminal BKK – then cab to Siriraj. Arrived at 8:30 AM and went to the 1st floor of the Cardiac Center. Had my blood sampled for some more test and received my papers and had the appointment set for 1PM Sunday 8th. But now they stated that they also needed 250,000 deposit made when I check in to cover all possible costs – I remember that I was told that a Angioplasty would run 60,000 and stent maybe another 60,000 for a total cost of about 120-150,000 Baht. That was a a big surprise. I had 80,000 cash on me and my credit card maxed out would only add another 92,000 Baht = total I have right now 172,000 Baht. Didn’t know how I would get the additional balance by Sunday. In any event headed home – had lunch then called a friend of mine to see if he would go with me on Sunday.
All this time, actually starting a day before, I had watery and itchy eyes. Since they seem to be getting worse, I stopped by Dr. Mongkol’s office to get some quick drops. What the hell – both infected - told that I had to cancel the operation and get my infected eyes cleared up first – antibiotics, drops and salve – should be fully gone in a week. Went home, called the hospital and cancelled, called my friend and told him the story . Siriraj said they will call me when they can reschedule in July or Aug. At least I now have the time to gather the needed funds – and maybe by that time my blood pressure will have been steady long enough so it wouldn’t be needed – wishful thinking probably. Beginning to look like I really need the operation to do it right. Sooner or latter I’ll get through this – I hope.
As always I’ll keep you posted.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
Here is a great Inspirational message – Beautiful thought for the day. Thanks Kevin.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
WOW – the new pen is a must for anyone doing painting in Photoshop. No wonder I didn’t want to do painting – the regular pen just won’t cut it. And couple this Art pen with Jack Davis’s techniques and what a pleasure. Now I will go through older shots and turn them into paintings. Oh by the way, I expect a new model and a repeat within the next couple of weeks – hope it works out will.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
The background is from the wall of the old “Batman Building†in Chiang Mai – the model is anonymous. The painting is Digital Acrylic Painting using my new Art pen.
Ciao
Sawadee Khrap
And on and on it goes on, This week I have been able to reduce the morning pills I take to four. And then just within the last 3 days , the medicine used to open the arteries was replaced with Valpress. 
The old stuff Metropolol started to give me problems so the switch was made – then I found I could reduce the other BP reducing medicine Madiplot – last night almost all the edema in my legs went away – perhaps elimination the Madiplot entirely will help this further – we will see. Now after a 20 min 1 mile brisk walk this morning – my blood pressure is 146/69 and a pulse rate of 73. Valpress to the rescue. But I am noticing a small amount of edema coming back – looks like it’s the remaining Madiplot causing it.
The above photo is the 3D CAT scan of my heart taken in Siriphat Hospital in Chiang Mai – remember this only cost 16,000 Baht as compared to BKK Hospital in Pattaya with a charge of 53,000 Baht. It would appear that if my blood pressure is under control, which it seems to be the case now, as Dr. Nathawut (Siriraj Hospital – BKK) said – leave well enough alone unless there are symptoms and right now there are none. So I’m hoping that no operation will be needed – I will just monitor my BP for the next several months and see if the kidneys respond and I do not have future symptoms - All in God’s Hands. 750,000 Baht down to 50,000 baht already spent – great for my budget.
Sawadee Khrap
I just received a email from Todd of Adam’s Apple Club in Chiang Mai :
“I have been in the US for six months recovering from Cancer surgery. The Cancer is now 100% gone, Recovering well. Feel Great and enjoying life. Everything is great.
I will be in Thailand in September, 6 month Thailand 6 months USA plan.
I am sure you are hearing many different story’s about me.
From my mouth to your ears I will be back…
Adam’s is open and doing Great, I am very proud of my staff and great friends for keeping it going and making a profit. :-)â€
Great news – Looking forward to seeing his return.
Ciao