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Glad you enjoyed it SiamSam. Thailand does not have much in the way of social services - there is no universal pension for senior citizens, they do get low cost health care (but often of dubious quality from the gov't hospitals), and free education up to grade 12. People who do get pensions are generally gov't employees (a small pension, unless they're high up), and those lucky enough to working for private companies that offer it as a benefit. Most Thais rely on their children for support as they move into old age. This is also one of the main reasons why lbs face such insecurity when they are old - who will look after them since they cannot have children?

The common view of lbs on lb forums is pretty jaded probably because the usual interaction we have with them is via the p4p scene. Here's a documentary that shows a bit more than that, and although it's a few years old, it's a revealing look into the lives of cabaret lbs.

There is another difference that a few have not yet mentioned. Filipina lbs are usually desperate for a ticket out of the Philippines. So they will probably be more focused on looking for a boyfriend to take them "away". Thai lbs usually want to stay in Thailand, and while they will be happy to have a sponsor, they aren't looking to move away and live with you in your home country.

BB, up to you as they always say! The story even made Thai TV news as you can see with this video. It's a bit ironic that Jazz gets almost more publicity with this than the year after winning the crown in 2009.

Yes, BB. It isn't unusual for an lb to revert being a male, but this is almost unheard of for a major contest winner. However, Jazz did not really parlay her crown into more success as some of the other past winners have. Here's another before an after photo of her from Bangkok Post.

"Social Dating Companies" aka online dating sites.

Here's a interesting story from The Bangkok Post: http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/349767/miss-tiffany-universe-2009-winner-sorrawee-jazz-nattee-enters-monkhood After she was crowned there had been a number of stories about conflicts she had with other lbs. On an aside, i find it strange that the English Thai newspapers have not yet picked up on the story of Miss Tiffany Universe 2013 winner. Makes me wonder if it has anything to do with her complexion? Normally they pick up the story within a few days after the contest and it's been 10 days. Here's the photo from the news story.

Ernesto, good to see you're sharing your adventures again. Sorry to see that you had such bad luck on this trip, especially with lbs that you had known before! I guess it means one needs to be cautious no matter what. I hope that you don't have such problems with future adventures!

For those French speaking board members - and even those who don't speak French, an interesting documentary that even features a spot about an LB mayor of a small village as well as the usual. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1NBKZs7dj8

globetrotter, unlikely to be at Voodoo, as that is now the NEP postop lb bar. Hopefully another FM can update regarding her whereabouts.

Here's a Youtube video of saying goodbye to MTU 2012 and announcing the runners-up and winner. This is the first time a dark skinned contestant has won the title. There have been a few who were runners-up in the past. The 1st runner up was the winner of Miss Kiss Sexy Star and was a favorite to win.

This comes and goes in cycles - for a while Q-Bar was banning lbs, and so was CM2 in Novotel Siam Square. As time goes on, the rules will probably relax and known "good" lbs will be able to get back in, or someone may sue, as was the case in CM2, when they prevented an lb cosmetic company executive from going in.

More from the show . . .

Just to let you know, daveduke is doing a favor for Jim, the owner of Cocktails and Dreams, by reposting the posts and photos of C&D on this forum. The comments in the posts with the C&D photos are actually from Jim - the owner, and not Dave. Thanks for keeping us up to date Dave!

A lot of older hotels in the Sukhumvit area are undergoing renovation or being bought out and refurbished. This bodes well for nicer rooms at reasonable prices.

Here's the Pattaya One article about the winner. http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/85821/glamour-glitz-tiffany-universe-2013/

Wow, almost forgot to post about this for May 3! Unfortunately I won't be able to attend this year, but here's a short video from the Miss Kiss Sexy Star event. Another bunch of lovely contestants this year! If' you're in Pattaya, check it out, or you can watch it on Thai TV http://www.ch7.com/live.html

When the exchange rates goes back to a favorable ratio, I think the popularity of Pattaya will wane and Bangkok will re-establish itself as the lb destination of choice - especially for those on a short trip, 2 weeks or so. For sheer numbers and convenience Bangkok has it over Pattaya for finding lbs - but it's true that cost is a factor especially with the tough exchange rates. I also think with the changing emphasis in the tourism marketing to Russia, India, China and Arabic countries, you'll see even higher numbers of these groups all over Thailand, including Pattaya. Whether this makes Pattaya less attractive for mongers remains to be seen - but complaints of the "Russian" hordes seem to be increasing.

I would suggest the best way to meet a Chinese lb would be 1) speak and understand Mandarin quite well as read and write Chinese, 2) check this internet site: v.youku.com many Chinese lbs post videos on this site and you probably could meet one. Here's a video of one putting on make up. http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XNDA2ODg1Mjc2/v.swf

We generally assume that Thais can pick out lbs better than farangs. This is put to the test in this episode of the Thai Game Show - "My Man Can". So the wife confidently predicts her husband can score 100% - so see if you can do better! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8-gZG1LEDE

Seven, a perfect example of jumping to conclusions - I wrote that one of the brothers was a student at "a" Boston college, not Boston College - and that is a verified fact. As for the continuing speculation - first it was a Saudi, (not true), I think it is best to let the investigations reveal the facts as they come up.

Seven - they were not Arabs, they are Chechnyans. Further investigation will reveal if this was related to an Islamic group or not. Apparently one was a student at a Boston college.

There was an earlier attempt to get a bill on this passed shortly after the coup. Unfortunately it was never brought up for consideration before the election was called to go back to civilian government. I don't think that it has a good chance of being passed because the priorities of the current gov't would put this way at the bottom of the bills for discussion. Also with the big push for amnesty, this could lead to more political instability, which would postpone such discussions indefinitely.

I agree with Hoot - there have been cases of domestic terrorism in the USA, ie. Timothy McVeigh with the Oklahoma City bombing, and it is natural to leap to conclusions. It's easy to speculate, but better to wait until more substantial facts arise.

golfme, the site is still up, but quiet. There are a few people who still post on LBQ, but it is not as busy as this forum. If you send me a pm with your LBQ user name, I can check to see what the problem might be as I am the administrator there.