General Reports

[QUOTE=Beijing4987;2468367]Did you bother to read and digest my response to your post? No. Instead you tried to tar me as sympathetic to the CCP, which I am not. <snip> I'll have fun in Shanghai when foreigners are allowed in again.[/QUOTE]Well, I don't know where your sympathies lie and I don't care. Ha Ha. But you do seem to ignore some very relevant recent HK history. I wonder why?

As far as Fun in Shanghai goes: you can have that town. It is over priced and unsafe. Enjoy! It can't hold a candle to BKK, Pat, CGK, MNL or even Singapore or Macau. I wouldn't spend a night in Shanghai let alone punt there under the pre-Corona laws and I can't imagine the place getting any better post Corona or should I say post-Wuhan.

BTW, the Mainland totalitarians have already fucked up HKG mongering. That city was still pretty good for our mutual past time only 8 or 9 years ago. But it really sucks now and I am talking pre-freedom demonstrations back in fall 2018 and earlier. Read my trip report in HKG thread as of that November 2018 date.

Anyway here is a good summation of recent HK/China History and why it should matter to everyone:

"On December 19,1984, after years of negotiations, British and Chinese leaders signed a formal pact approving the 1997 turnover of the colony in exchange for the formulation of a "one country, two systems" policy by China's communist government. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher called the agreement "a landmark in the life of the territory, in the course of Anglo-Chinese relations, and in the history of international diplomacy. " Hu Yaobang, the Chinese Communist Party's secretary-general, called the signing "a red-letter day, an occasion of great joy" for China's one billion people.

At midnight on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was peaceably handed over to China in a ceremony attended by numerous international dignitaries, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and USA Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. A few thousand citizens of Hong Kong protested the turnover, which was otherwise celebratory and peaceful. The chief executive of the new Hong Kong government, Tung Chee Hwa, did enact a policy based upon the concept of one country, two systems, thus preserving Hong Kong's role as a principal capitalist center in Asia.

Massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong began in June 2019, when more than 1 million people marched to protest a bill that would allow the extradition of people to mainland China to stand trial. The bill was later dropped, but anti-government unrest remains. ".

Then the last straw, " Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" formula enshrined in the 1997 handover of the British colony to China was nixed by China's Parliament when it passed the controversial National Security Law for Hong Kong that will provide Beijing with enforcement powers to prohibit and punish acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the special administration region. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order promulgating the law after it was approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The law makers had fast tracked the legislation by passing it on the last day of a special three-day session that began on Sunday, 28 June 2020."

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2468492]Well, I don't know where your sympathies lie and I don't care. Ha Ha. But you do seem to ignore some very relevant recent HK history. I wonder why?

As far as Fun in Shanghai goes: you can have that town. It is over priced and unsafe. Enjoy! It can't hold a candle to BKK, Pat, CGK, MNL or even Singapore or Macau. I wouldn't spend a night in Shanghai let alone punt there under the pre-Corona laws and I can't imagine the place getting any better post Corona or should I say post-Wuhan.

BTW, the Mainland totalitarians have already fucked up HKG mongering. That city was still pretty good for our mutual past time only 8 or 9 years ago. But it really sucks now and I am talking pre-freedom demonstrations back in fall 2018 and earlier. Read my trip report in HKG thread as of that November 2018 date.

Anyway here is a good summation of recent HK/China History and why it should matter to everyone:

"On December 19,1984, after years of negotiations, British and Chinese leaders signed a formal pact approving the 1997 turnover of the colony in exchange for the formulation of a "one country, two systems" policy by China's communist government. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher called the agreement "a landmark in the life of the territory, in the course of Anglo-Chinese relations, and in the history of international diplomacy. " Hu Yaobang, the Chinese Communist Party's secretary-general, called the signing "a red-letter day, an occasion of great joy" for China's one billion people.

At midnight on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was peaceably handed over to China in a ceremony attended by numerous international dignitaries, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and USA Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. A few thousand citizens of Hong Kong protested the turnover, which was otherwise celebratory and peaceful. The chief executive of the new Hong Kong government, Tung Chee Hwa, did enact a policy based upon the concept of one country, two systems, thus preserving Hong Kong's role as a principal capitalist center in Asia.

Massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong began in June 2019, when more than 1 million people marched to protest a bill that would allow the extradition of people to mainland China to stand trial. The bill was later dropped, but anti-government unrest remains. ".

Then the last straw, " Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" formula enshrined in the 1997 handover of the British colony to China was nixed by China's Parliament when it passed the controversial National Security Law for Hong Kong that will provide Beijing with enforcement powers to prohibit and punish acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the special administration region. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order promulgating the law after it was approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The law makers had fast tracked the legislation by passing it on the last day of a special three-day session that began on Sunday, 28 June 2020."[/QUOTE]Zhang Zemin is a red **** hair away from a prison sentence, as experienced by his underlings. Boo hoo. The new boss broke a treaty with the former British Empire and the World, and is flexing his and the collective CCP muscle. Ronald Reagan got legacy points for treaties that both sides have broken. I'm well aware of recent Hong Kong history. I have sympathy only for those that suffer from injustice, not for any regimes or institutions. Shanghai has other benefits besides pussy. In that regard I can't compare it to those well travelled in Asia. My work and regular pussy is there. China is a police state and other countries are heading in that direction as demagogues emerge and technology abets them. A new book about Joseph McCarthy, called "Demagogue" profiles his rise and fall. I read the Thai threads for entertainment and intel for future trips, but they have cascaded into huge pissing contests. And my ego drew me in to call into question one pissers view of history repeating itself. American lawyer and demagogue Roy Cohn wrote the Bible of dirty tricks and subversion. Joe McCarthy and those that follow know what works. I can’t change my handle, but would consider Shanghai4987 or Suzhou4987

I thought this was a sex board. Not a history and political board. Boring!

I am willing that we take precautions and that we make checks but there they are completely freaked out [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=xiMysGHKe9U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2jpojPnhBZXjSnnUdm6b_i898v8YS-YATafx2VmBru6LTjVBZAjQmlK58[/URL].

[QUOTE=Pimpampoumpipo;2469067]I am willing that we take precautions and that we make checks but there they are completely freaked out [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=xiMysGHKe9U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2jpojPnhBZXjSnnUdm6b_i898v8YS-YATafx2VmBru6LTjVBZAjQmlK58[/URL].[/QUOTE]I mentioned before. All it takes is a letter from a medical provider to be given to the local Thai Embassy for that certification or travel. It's what called a bribe even if it represents a down payment. Nobody can force you to undergo a medical treatment or surgical procedure "once you arrive. " You will still have to pay at the minimum 30,000 baht for quarantine at an ASQ which gave kick backs to the Thai government. You only mission is to get into the country. You can cancel COVID insurance at any time. Once here, you can apply for extensions or a O volunteer visa, unless you already have another type of visa on file. How much do you do for want to be here for the end of the world?

One mission: Just get in.

[QUOTE=Pimpampoumpipo;2469067]I am willing that we take precautions and that we make checks but there they are completely freaked out [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=xiMysGHKe9U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2jpojPnhBZXjSnnUdm6b_i898v8YS-YATafx2VmBru6LTjVBZAjQmlK58[/URL].[/QUOTE]Your link does not work (for me on more than one IP address and hardware). Maybe geospecific, but a waste of time and bandwidth for those of us lured into clickbait and your enigmatic introduction.

Is this deliberate or coincidence?

[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2468898]I thought this was a sex board. Not a history and political board. Boring![/QUOTE]I second and third the motion. If there isn't a vagina in the post, don't post it.

Evidently the Nana Hotel freelancers were still there as recently as earlier this year. It seems only the names & faces have changed since I was last in Bangkok around 2014. Earlier today while watching a half dozen youtube videos of the location from 2015 to early 2020 I didn't recognize a single lady. Oh, and there's this place called Hooters that wasn't there before. In one video there were some sex workers standing in front of it.

In another video there were not many freelancers on lower sukhumvit from the NEP road to soi 5. While in the past there used to be many there, including Africans.

From relatively recent reviews of the Nana Hotel I've read, there were several reports of people finding the WiFi poor, something I had not previously experienced. I may have to reside elsewhere should I visit later this year, or in 2021 if LOS remains closed to farangs till the end of 2020. Which hotels have you found to have excellent WiFi?

Have you guys noticed any other changes in the NEP area in the past 5 years? Or in Thailand in general that people should be aware of?

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2468492]Well, I don't know where your sympathies lie and I don't care. Ha Ha. But you do seem to ignore some very relevant recent HK history. I wonder why?

As far as Fun in Shanghai goes: you can have that town. It is over priced and unsafe. Enjoy! It can't hold a candle to BKK, Pat, CGK, MNL or even Singapore or Macau. I wouldn't spend a night in Shanghai let alone punt there under the pre-Corona laws and I can't imagine the place getting any better post Corona or should I say post-Wuhan.

BTW, the Mainland totalitarians have already fucked up HKG mongering. That city was still pretty good for our mutual past time only 8 or 9 years ago. But it really sucks now and I am talking pre-freedom demonstrations back in fall 2018 and earlier. Read my trip report in HKG thread as of that November 2018 date. [/QUOTE]Thanks for your many great reports, Natty.

I was surprised you said that about HKG. I'll have to check out your Hong Kong HKG November 2018 post.

BKK Bangkok.

Pat Pattaya?

CGK?

MNL Manilla?

What are your thoughts about Angeles City, PI? Cambodia? Vietnam? Taiwan? Malaysia? Indonesia? India? Napal? South Korea? Tokyo? Phuket, Thailand?

I'd guess all of China is relatively unsafe, getting worse & perhaps Hong Kong is also. And should we not add in Macau as well, since it also is under China's feet?

[QUOTE=DanCee;2469099]Your link does not work (for me on more than one IP address and hardware). Maybe geospecific, but a waste of time and bandwidth for those of us lured into clickbait and your enigmatic introduction.

Is this deliberate or coincidence?[/QUOTE]Specially for conspiracy theory enthusiasts: [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMysGHKe9U&t=61s[/URL].

At least it shows that my posts interest you and it makes me happy.

[QUOTE=Pimpampoumpipo;2469313]Specially for conspiracy theory enthusiasts: [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMysGHKe9U&t=61s[/URL].

At least it shows that my posts interest you and it makes me happy.[/QUOTE]Thanks, that one works fine for me.

Yes of course I'm interested. Maybe a bit grumpy from time to time and less appreciative than I should be. Must remember that it's nice to be nice (not a common trait on here it seems from some posters).

[QUOTE=MonkeyPaw;2469076]I mentioned before. All it takes is a letter from a medical provider to be given to the local Thai Embassy for that certification or travel. It's what called a bribe even if it represents a down payment. Nobody can force you to undergo a medical treatment or surgical procedure "once you arrive. " You will still have to pay at the minimum 30,000 baht for quarantine at an ASQ which gave kick backs to the Thai government. You only mission is to get into the country. You can cancel COVID insurance at any time. Once here, you can apply for extensions or a O volunteer visa, unless you already have another type of visa on file. How much do you do for want to be here for the end of the world?

One mission: Just get in.[/QUOTE]I thought about doing breast augmentation because I still have hair, my teeth are good and I'm not very keen on changing genders.

On the other hand I read somewhere that in the case of a surgical intervention you had to stay 14 days in the hospital and that it served as quarantine but I'm afraid that I will serve as a Guinea pig as in The Island of Dr Moreau ((Island Of Lost Souls) Erle C. Kenton (1932) version).

And noooooo I know what you're going to say, I don't need a penis enlargement either.

Otherwise you're right I'm looking for a way to get in (before the end of the world).

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Health-Care/Thailand-attracts-hordes-of-Chinese-patients-despite-COVID

[QUOTE=Pimpampoumpipo;2469323]I thought about doing breast augmentation because I still have hair, my teeth are good and I'm not very keen on changing genders.

On the other hand I read somewhere that in the case of a surgical intervention you had to stay 14 days in the hospital and that it served as quarantine but I'm afraid that I will serve as a Guinea pig as in The Island of Dr Moreau ((Island Of Lost Souls) Erle C. Kenton (1932) version).

And noooooo I know what you're going to say, I don't need a penis enlargement either.

Otherwise you're right I'm looking for a way to get in (before the end of the world).

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Health-Care/Thailand-attracts-hordes-of-Chinese-patients-despite-COVID[/QUOTE]In case of actual surgery, you will have to stay for post operation care. But the level of care is dependent on the type of surgery and where you had the surgery. This is a bribe system. The list of ASQs are out. These are all Thai brands hotels and businesses. This is just a big scheme to bring in foreign dollars and foreigners under those nose of the Thai locals who do not want them here because of COVID fears. They range from 30,000 to 150,000 I believe for 14 days. 30,000 is closer to the hospital rates. So what does that tell you?

[URL]https://thaiest.com/blog/list-of-alternative-state-quarantine-asq-hotels-thailand[/URL]

If you have real surgery, less of a bribe. If you are using this to sneak in, they want you to stay at more posh hotels. Nobody can force you to have a surgery after consultation. Good time for dental work because it has to be done in steps. Cleaning X-ray and exam. Consult. Root canals. Then crowns. But you can stop at any point while you are already here as you are already committed to at least 30,000 baht spending for your first 14 days. Change your mind after cleaning, exam, x day and then use your deposit for a teeth whitening. My advice is drop 5,000 for a deposit via credit card that you can always charge back if they don't approve your certification of entry. Go dental. I even have a buddy that's using the sex change route to drum up Thai sympathy at the Embassy in Houston for his return. What they want to hear is that "previously you have stayed in Thailand and so most of your medical records and rapport is here. You need to come back. Or you want to spend big bucks to do procedures in Thailand because their hospitals are well reknown as tops in the world. They want you to act like you know they've rebranded their country and it's working.

[URL]https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/79949-covid-19-pandemic-showcases-thailand-as-a-medical-wellness-hub.html[/URL]

Remember to cancel that COVID-19 insurance once you test negative. So the expensive policy is for only a day or two. You will be tested on arrival. Your effective date starts day of travel. I heard there are repatriation flights leaving from only a few parts of the USA, so coordinate your flights to the departing airport. This all about the haves and the have nots. I'm not even sure if the extension until 26 of September is an extension or Grace Period. If it's an extension, then that means they are in not rush to kick anybody out who has money to live here. COVID is not going away even with a vaccine.

Right now, it seems that the best way to get to Thailand this year is to get an Elite visa, 500 K THB for 5 years.

[QUOTE=Downandup;2469593]Right now, it seems that the best way to get to Thailand this year is to get an Elite visa, 500 K THB for 5 years.[/QUOTE]Not having a crack at you here, but do you have a source for this? I can't find one. 500 K Thai Baht is US $16000 and for 5 years this means its around $3000 per year. A bit steep?