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From Bangkok Post Untracked visitors from southern Africa asked to report for Covid tests The government is trying to trace 307 people who arrived from eight southern African countries hit by the latest Covid-19 "variant of concern", Omicron, and are still in the country. Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Wednesday that between Nov 15 and 27, 333 people arrived from the eight high-risk African countries. Three had already left, so 330 remained in Thailand but only 23 of them had been traced, he said. They had arrived from either South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Eswatini or Lesotho. Of the 330 still here, 252 entered Thailand through the Sandbox programme, and only 11 of them had been traced. the other 78 people had entered the normal quarantine process and only 12 of them were traced. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2224955/untracked-visitors-from-southern-africa-asked-to-report-for-covid-tests ========================================== Most face mask brands fail quality test standards Only a fifth of 60 face mask brands available on the market passed Thai Industrial Standard quality tests, according to the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC). The result prompted the TCC to demand the Thai Industrial Standards Institute require that disposable face masks follow safety standard regulations, instead of this being done on a voluntary basis. The TCC in July randomly selected for testing 60 face mask brands including 14 kinds of disposable face masks, 27 brands of surgical face masks and 19 different N95 face masks. Testing involved assessing their quality based on filter efficiency of 0.1 micron and 0.3 micron, air permeability and pressure difference to find whether each mask complied with the standard. Dr Paiboon Choungthong, a committee member on products and services for the TCC, said that only three of 14 brands of disposable face masks passed the standard. They are LOC, Medicare Plus and Iris Ohyama. But the Iris Ohyama brand over-claimed the filter quality for 0.1 micron as the result showed its filter was only 97.47% efficient, not 99% as claimed. The following 11 brands failed to pass: Zion, Lepono, Bestsafe, I-Tec, 3M, Asproni, Fidens, Life Mask, Microtex, Lanzhi and Yamada. Regarding medical and surgical masks, only three of 27 brands passed. They are Nam Ah, Double A Care and TCH. The others that failed are: Next Health, Union Beef, Fidens (dark pink box), Live SEF, Welcare, Nice Mask, Topvalue Bestprice, Medimask, Betex, Fresh Plus (blue box), Kenkou, G lucky, Hyguard, Hi-Care, Fresh Plus (green box), Fresh Plus (blue box), KSG (dark green sachet), KF (sachet), Miss Med, Exta, KF (box), Watsons, Nice Mask (light green box) and Betex. For N95 masks, seven brands passed the test: Minicare, Snake Brand, One Care, 3M, Welcare Black Edition, Ease Mask Zero, and Pharmatex. The following six brands were not in line with the standard: Cuwin Mask, Cuwin Mask (True Shopping), Mini Care, Pharmatex, Nobel Mask, and Kowa. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2224511/most-face-mask-brands-fail-quality-test-standards

From Khmer Times The Phnom Penh Capital Administration has announced the decision to reopen karaoke bar and discotheque businesses from today. According to this decision, the Phnom Penh Capital Administration has confirmed that the owner of the location or the owner of the karaoke bar and discotheque business need to assign the staff in front of the entrance and exit to inspect the vaccination card in accordance with the instructions of the Phnom Penh Capital Administration. They must always adhere to the “3 do’s and 3 don’t’s” measures of Prime Minister Hun Sen, in accordance with the SOP set by the Ministry of Tourism, guidelines of the relevant ministries and institutions and health safety measures, including strictly measuring the temperature, cleaning and spraying disinfectants. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50979874/phnom-penh-capital-hall-reverses-ban-on-high-risk-businesses-by-reopening-ktvs-bars-and-discotheques/

From Richard Barrow Twitter site During the month of November, 337,988 people applied for the Thailand Pass. So far, 268,799 people had their application approved and 41,456 were rejected for various reasons. 138,375 people received automatic approval #Thailand Arrivals + (people testing positive) 1. US 14,730 (0.14%) 2. Germany 12,099 (0.11%) 3. Netherlands 8,478 (0.08%) 4. UK 6,701 (0.31%) 5. Russia 5,307 (0.38%) 6. Japan 5,146 (0.06%) 7. South Korea 5,003 (0.04%) 8. France 4,741 (0.15%) 9. UAE 4,338 (0.25%) 10. Israel 4,035 (0.05%) ============================== The Thailand Pass website has just been updated. People can now apply for arrival dates after 15th December. Please note, the RT-PCR test on arrival is still compulsory The Thailand Pass website has just been updated. People can now apply for arrival dates after 15th December. Please note, the RT-PCR test on arrival is still compulsory. Apply: https://tp.consular.go.th FAQ: https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2 #Thailand

At Pointe 202 there is a very attentive locker room attendant. It would be hard to break into one of the lockers there without him seeing it. He did hit me up for a tip the nights I was there which I gladly gave. My near loss was in one of the Cabines which I had always thought of as a safe zone and that is why I posted my experience. Also I realized the bar area has a lot of activity and distraction and after a couple of drinks it would not be hard to imagine your phone taking a walk if you set it down and weren't paying attention. I still feel the saunas are very safe and you won't be physically harmed in any way but just pay attention to your valuables.

You did comment once that you would probably enjoy Calle de los pecados (Cle 57a) which I would recommend checking out in daylight before you commit to returning in the evening. That area of La Candelaria around Parque Bolivar is a known area for open drug trafficking and use. Muggings and pickpockets are common around the Catedral Metropolitana and your abuelita would tell you to never set foot in that neighbourhood. Ironically it is a tourist draw because of a scene from Narcos Season 1 featuring Pablo on Netflix, which might be entertaining except the foreigners often do not know how seedy the area is in reality. Keep your wits about you when getting oriented to the scene. The Calle de los Pecados is just off the Parque Bolivar, one block east from the Olimpica supermarket. For a real authentic Medellin experience, I would cross Avenida Oriental (Carrera 46) and head over to Parque del periodista where you can purchase beer and sit and socialize with the local crowd. All types gather here and people watching is part of the fun. This is an open use drug zone, where police look the other way. A good place to make connections and sample local product, as well as find herb, which can be a challenge in Medellín. Have had many interesting evenings start from this historical location. If you carry some street smarts and respect for "la cultura" you will be fine. And when you are done, La Cantina de Javi is just a 5 minute walk to the north. where the locals will greet you with Paisa charm. ¡Bienvenido!

Hey @Latbear4blk always happy to share what little I know. I will be in Medellin briefly next week for Noche las velas (Dec 7) which is the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season and my favourite Colombian holiday. Flights are really cheap right now (check Avianca and CopaAir) and I was able to snag a deal from Bogota to the DR for another commitment. From all reports from my Medellin fam, things have mostly returned to normal functions (schools and offices open again) Will post an update on the local scene -- I know the big clubs (Oraculo, Purple, and Industry) are all back to normal crowds. The strippers and drag shows are packing them in every weekend. Have been trying to update the Colombian business listings in the Colombia forum and will include sauna/massage businesses updates when I return from that trip. Will be in Colombia from early January until March. May stay longer, depending on weather. Happy to orient you to the city if I am around, but something tells me you will be just fine on your own

I was planning a trip to Medellin but put it off because I was unsure what the quarantine requirements in mid-2021 were there and went to Brazil instead. I still want to go to Medellin. You see there was this guy I met years ago while on vacation in Miami from Medellin and I am sincerely hoping the rest of the population looks something, anything, like him but I digress…. In any case though, I have fallen hard for Brazil, especially Rio. And, now that I’m getting somewhat close to being able say big-boy sentences in Portuguese, it’s not going to be easy to get me to go somewhere else anytime soon. Between Duolingo and the gay slang I have learned from my new friends in Brazil, I expect my next trip will require significantly less pointing which is a good thing.

One time at Babylon someone broke into my locker and took money from my wallet. I was careful not to bring any credit cards with me, just money for the evening, so it didn’t amount to much, maybe 500-1000. They took what I had but very kindly left about 100 baht to make sure I could get home. A thoughtful thief. I was actually rather touched. Only in Thailand.

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Thank you to you all for your information. I got in touch with the hotel conceirge and it seems for flights to Ko Samui you need to complete an information form before flying and wear a mask, but no vaccination check. Knowing which is no longer a priority for me, as Bangkok Guy had his first shot of Sinovac a few days ago. A friend had been vaccinated with no ill effects, so he screwed up his courage and decided to get vaccinated too. He Lined me announcing his decision with an implied question mark in the phrasing which looked like he wanted reassurance, so I called him and he was very happy to be reassured it was a good decision, he needed emotional support. He sent me a pic of his vaccination card and he will have had his second shot before I arrive. No ill effects or in Bangkok Guys words 'no pobpum'. He looks much happier now the stress of vaccinate / no vaccinate is over. It really had been weighing on him. Now that he is a 'old vaccination hand' he positively beams when I assure him I will get him a Moderna gift card from Bumrungard. With the arrival of Omicron I am very relieved that he made the decision.

From Thai PBS World RT-PCR test requirement on arrival in Thailand to remain in place The RT-PCR COVID-19 test requirement upon arrival in Thailand will remain in place in light of the emergence of the new “Omicron” COVID-19 variant in many countries, the Thai cabinet announced today (Tuesday). This decision negates the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s announcement, issued last week, saying that antigen tests will be used from December 16th. The switch to antigen test kits (ATKs) was meant to reduce the waiting time for people arriving from specified countries, both Thai returnees and foreign visitors. The quarantine wait for fully vaccinated arrivals to get tested has, in fact, been about a day or half a day in a pre-booked certified hotel. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rt-pcr-test-requirement-on-arrival-in-thailand-will-remain-in-place/

If i were to go to thailand for a week or less, i wont waste my time on the app. I would casually check it once in a while in case there is someone worth the trouble, but would not depend on it. The apps while convenient and cut the middleman, is littered with customers and boys alike, as well as those who are just looking for a free hookup, free dinner, free transport, or just free money without committing to anything. And if they dont deliver, they can just create a diff profile, or block u, and u cant really do anything about it. While boys at bars are not 100% perform as you wish, most of the boys on offer are available for hire, so no guessing games, no fake picture, no lenghty conversation getting nowhere. And we can always complaint to mamasan, or just review here and bitch about the bars hehe. If there is a choice, like the case in thailand, id choose bars, then massage, then only app.

As time passes and events threaten to overwhelm us, I believe the last best hope is for manufacturers of the most effective vaccines to greatly broaden the practice of granting licenses to local entities to produce the newest versions of the jab. It's understood that this would likewise require providing on-site expertise to enable many other nations to actually execute the necessary means of production and quality control. It would seem to be a task tailor made for the WHO. That, however, would require a remake of WHO's sense of mission. Instead of just casting a critical eye on what it views as obstacles to getting vaccines to poor and developing countries, it would need to refocus efforts on actually making it happen. In other words, it would need to pull together the logistical capacity of the world's industries and research centers and fuse them into a solution that knows no borders. ========================================= From Thai Enquirer Wave of online misinformation leads to vaccine hesitancy in Thailand’s refugee camps As Thailand struggles to control lingering cases of COVID in the north, many refugees along the Thai-Myanmar border are reluctant to be vaccinated. Misinformation is seeping into the camps. And now, local groups are rushing to spread the truth. Oo Reh has no intention of getting vaccinated. The 34-year-old Karreni refugee lives in ‘Camp 1,’ a refugee settlement a two hour drive from Mae Hong Son through dirt roads and rough terrain. It’s a place where tens of thousands have found themselves living after fleeing decades of conflict in neighboring Myanmar. At one end of Oo Reh’s sprawling camp, the sound of a loudspeaker system echoes in the distance. The voice announces basic instructions on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But for refugees like Oo Reh, the messaging is not convincing. Instead, he believes that vaccines are ineffective and dangerous. “More people say now that after you get the Covid-19 vaccine some people will die or become disabled,” Ooh Reh said. “So I do not feel comfortable receiving [the vaccine] and I worry for myself what will be the impact in the future if I do.” He added that Chinese made vaccines like Sinovac are particularly suspect, claiming that some in the camps are not interested in taking them anymore. Although vaccines are beginning to become available in the nine camps on the Thai side of the border where over 100,000 refugees currently live, Ooh Reh said he’s not alone in his skepticism. It’s unclear how widespread the vaccine hesitancy is in the camps, but health workers are working to combat the anti-vax disinformation that seems to have trickled in. Refugees in informal settlements are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 as the camps lack access to full medical facilities and services. General education is low, compounding the vaccine hesitancy. But health workers and organizations working in the camps are rushing to combat bad information with safe messaging. “There are different perceptions among the refugee community, some of them receive information from outside through their network or social media about the type of vaccines,” said Preeyalak Sataranon with International Rescue Committee (IRC), a humanitarian aid organization working in the nine camps. “The information they receive varies, for example, some believe one type of vaccine is better than another, or some receive myths about the vaccine’s side effects.” When the pandemic first hit in early 2020, refugees started to experience a range of vulnerabilities. She said that refugees saw restrictions of movement inside their own camps and that lockdown conditions led to limited supplies of basic amenities and food, creating negative impacts on their physical and mental health. “Some camps faced ongoing outbreaks and significant numbers of confirmed positive cases have been reported,” said Preeyalak. “Some of the refugees are not keen to cooperate in the surveillance and case detection because they are afraid of being quarantined and isolated.” Continues at https://www.thaienquirer.com/35383/wave-of-online-misinformation-leads-to-vaccine-hesitancy-in-thailands-refugee-camps/

I only once took Canadian. I was on a round the world trip with several executives from a client. Our first stop from Asia was Los Angeles but I elected to leave 3 days early and took Canadian so I could just relax in Vancouver first. On that trip the other airlines were American and British. The OneWorld Alliance had just been formed earlier that year with 7 airlines of which Cathay Pacific, Canadian, American, British and Qantas were original members. In the last 3 months of 1999 the Alliance had a promotion for members based in Asia. In that period, fly 3 airlines and you got a bonus of 25,000 miles; 4 airlines, 50,000 miles; and 5 airlines 100,000. Since I already had Cathay, I was up to four by mid December. And I had a holiday coming up in Sydney over Christmas. On a rainy morning just after Christmas, I went out to Sydney airport. At the Qantas desk I asked the young lady for the cheapest ticket to anywhere and back the same day. She looked at me quizzically before looking into her computer. She suggested Canberra which would be around A$240. I asked for somewhere cheaper. She said Newcastle would be about A$185 but there was nothing to see there. I said it was still too expensive and I had no intention of seeing anything! Then she asked why I would go somewhere just to wait an hour and then come back. Apparently the promotion was only applicable in Asia, not in Australia. When I told her, she looked again. Then she said she had the perfect ticket. To Melbourne leaving in 30 minutes, 45 minutes on the ground and then back for about A$140. She told me it was a special pensioners ticker but no one would check my age and she'd give me both boarding passes. So posing as a young pensioner i did a quick round trip and earned the extra 50,000 miles. With a round trip business class ticket from Bangkok or Hong Kong to Sydney then requiring 60,000 miles, I thought it a great deal. I kept hoping there would be a similar promotion, but it was never repeated.

Interesting piece of airline history. And this is one of those forums where more than a few members are old enough to recall--or even flown--Canadian Pacific. 🙂 In 1968, Canadian Pacific Air Lines was rebranded as CP Air. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company (renamed Canadian Pacific Limited in 1971) had decided to align the airline's name and "Multimark" design to that of its other subsidiaries, including CP Hotels, CP Ships, and CP Transport (CP Rail was spun off from the parent company later). The development of the great circle or polar route to the Far East from CP Air's Vancouver base would become one of the cornerstones of the airline. Having been renamed CP Air in 1968 with a new orange livery, the airline in 1986 reverted to its original name, Canadian Pacific Air Lines, with a new navy blue colour scheme and logo. This occurred shortly after the airline had taken over operations of Eastern Provincial Airways. This new incarnation, however, was short-lived. Less than a year later, in 1987, Canadian Pacific Air Lines was sold, along with Quebec's Nordair, to Calgary-based Pacific Western Airlines (PWA) for $300 million. PWA assumed the airline's debt of $600 million. In April 1987, PWA announced that the new name of the merged airline would be Canadian Airlines International. In 2000, Canadian Airlines was taken over by and merged into Air Canada. Bristol Britannia 314 "Empress of Rome" at Manchester Airport in 1965 Boeing 747, Boeing 737 and Boeing 727 in "Beautiful Orange" livery at Toronto International Airport in 1975 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Air_Lines

Sondheim revolutionised the musicals genre even more I believe than Rodgers and Hammerstein II. Indeed it was Hammerstein who first noticed him and helped encourage him. I was fortunate in having a dear friend in London who adored musicals. He gave me my first Sondheim experience with the London production of Company featuring the Broadway original performers: Larry Kert in the lead role of Bobby and the legendary Elaine Stritch whose "Ladies Who Lunch" remains seared on my memory. We then saw A Little Night Music with the wonderful pairing of Jean Simmons and Hermione Gingold. "Send in the Clowns" from that show became his one worldwide hit. Unlike Lloyd Webber Sondheim was not especially interested in beautiful melodies. Whereas Lloyd Webber always wrote the music first and then had lyrics added to it, for Sondheim the lyrics and the detail in those lyrics were the absolute key to how he wrote a song. A struggling London producer who was to become a close friend and collaborator on future Sondheim shows, Cameron Mackintosh (later to produce the four great blockbusters CATS, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon), then mounted a low budget evening of songs by Sondheim titled Side by Side by Sondheim - a reference to one of the songs from Company. This was a total joy. On Broadway I was later to see Sweeney Todd with Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. I enjoyed it so much I returned a second time. Although Company remains my favourite, a close second is Follies which I saw again on Broadway in the 2001 revival. A truly wonderful evening. It is a difficult show to produce almost anywhere requiring as it does effectively two casts - a group of 60/70 year old singer/dancers who used to perform in a variation of the famous Ziegfeld Follies and return for a reunion. They appear alongside a younger group performing as ghosts of their former selves. I wish I had seen more. I have several on CD but nothing beats the live stage experience for me. To say he was in a class by himself and that he revolutionised musical theatre is superfluous. He was quite simply a ground-breaking genius. Most will remember him with "Send in the Clowns". I prefer his much more gritty "Ladies who Lunch" which really can only be sung Elaine Stritch. It's a song filled with mockery about the bitterness, boredom, wasteful lives and fondness for alcohol of rich society ladies who really have nothing meaningful in those lives. Just listen to the mournful opening phrases and then the biting satire of the lyric. Magical!

Never tell your trick your phone is set up for roaming.