Ring the Alarm

Ring the alarm in a gay club and chances are the gym-lovin' circuit boys would just raise their muscled arms up in the air and wave them like they just don't care.

Seems to be true in Bangkok for sure. With the redneck Red Shirt Rebels squatting in various key intersections in the city belligerently demanding a re-election, something close to a prohibitive state of emergency has been announced here. An ineffective armed response to the situation - with a pacifist government leader unwilling to bloody his hands - has led to a pitched battle for the past few days with significant casualties on both sides.

But despite the warning alarms ringing here incessantly for the past month, the gay community seems undeterred - continuing to flock to the City of Angels without much care.

Just a quick glance around the roster of the fellow passengers on my flight here was enough to confirm the fabulousity of the trip. Dozens of ripped, tanned boys in flip-flops, tank tops and shorts ready to party it down in Babylon / DJ Station / GOD etc ( insert name of relevant gay club ) for the upcoming Songkran Festival. Plenty of eye-candy from the entire region to be sure so the rice queens would be having a field day.

Even a few familiar ones in the hotel I'm staying in. Talk about Two Degrees of Separation. Guess the gay world is certainly smaller than I imagined. Judging by the eligible fellas marching in and out, it's no surprise Kimchi Ken picked this particular hotel.

Unlike the rest of the more intrepid party boys however, Ken bailed on us early on. Perhaps Red just isn't his colour :)


Damn. We're running out of options!
Gotta say it's been an eventful first time for Charming Calvin in this city. Promised him an enjoyable time shopping in Bangkok but that doesn't seem to be the case this time. With the major shopping district of Ratchaprasong being annexed by the rebels, it has become quite a feat for even the most ingenious shopaholics. Eluding gun-toting rebels in red and the boys in blue - well dark brown here actually - has become an almost full-time job for me.

And the rest of Bangkok.

Practically become a daily plan to map out a complex circuitous route that bypasses every major intersection cordoned off by the hillbilly Red Shirts.

Paul : So we take a skytrain down this route, hop off and then join up with the MRT, then come down here to go up the sky train again to bypass that particular intersection. Hopefully get in time before they shut the doors of the malls.
Calvin : Then take a cab back since they might close off the trains in the evening?
Paul : If we can find one willing to make a circle around the city since they closed the main roads as well.
Calvin : Maybe a tuk-tuk?

Certainly not the Bangkok love story we were counting on.

Seriously though, here's hoping for a peaceful end to the seeming impasse between the rabblerousers and the government. Back to the discussion board, boys. Listen to the fabulous fags - make love, not war. About time Bangkok returned to being the capital of the Land of Smiles.