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I was in One Spa this week and manager (male) same as last trip.

From The Nation Thailand’s highly controversial “landing fee” has been renamed “travelling tax” and is expected to come into effect around mid-2025, starting with arrivals by air, the Tourism and Sports Ministry has announced. Minister Sorawong Thienthong said on Wednesday that the new tax will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval within the first quarter of next year. After being approved, it will become effective in six months, or around mid-2025, he said, adding that the tax will be levied on those arriving by air in the first phase. “Kha Yeap Pan Din” (fee for stepping on Thai soil), also known as a “landing fee”, was approved in principle by the Cabinet in February last year. It aims to levy 300 baht ($8.88) on foreigners arriving by air and 150 baht ($4.44) for those arriving by land or sea. The minister said the money earned would be used to buy insurance for foreigners and the remainder added to the tourism development fund. The fund will support the improvement of tourist attractions, including the building of facilities for the disabled and toilets for tourists. Sorawong said the ministry is working on an application to be used to collect the tax, which will be linked to the system of the Krungthai Bank. The current insurance coverage amount will remain the same, which is no more than 60 baht from the 300 baht per person travelling tax. Insurance payout in case of death is set at 1 million baht, and a maximum of 500,000 baht for injuries. This amount is on top of the insurance that foreign tourists buy themselves. The insurance under the new travel tax will cover a stay in Thailand for no more than 30 days, which is applicable to around 87% of foreign arrivals, he said. Sorawong added that after the first phase, the Cabinet may consider adjusting the tax for arrivals via land and sea channels to the same rate as for air travellers to avoid accusations of unequal treatment. He added that the travelling tax will not be levied on cross-border merchants, who will need to show a border pass when crossing to and from neighbouring countries. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40042628

From Pattaya Mail SONGKHLA, Thailand – Thailand’s national football team, the War Elephants, has won the King’s Cup for the first time in seven years, defeating Syria 2-1 at Tinsulanonda Stadium in Songkhla province. The victory on Monday night (Oct 14) gave Thailand’s 16th win in the tournament’s history and their first triumph outside Bangkok in the four-nation competition. Goals from midfielder Ekanit Panya and Captain Chanathip Songkrasin secured the win, with Chanathip scoring the decisive goal in extra time. The match saw a packed stadium of 24,121 spectators, with fans contributing to the high-energy atmosphere. The Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand) expressed gratitude to the supporters, crediting them as essential to driving the team’s performance. Thailand, ranked 100th by FIFA, managed to overcome Syria, ranked 92nd, in a closely contested match.

These appear to be two different shops with different photos and videos.

Meet someplace neutral (like Starbucks, they were designed specifically for assignations like this; certainly not for its coffee.

“For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing that they like.” 🙂 Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Thanks for tips. Haven’t tried them.

I do, also. Phetboy is three minute walk from BTS as are a half dozen or more others. My only venturing to Phoenix was to check it out.

From Pattaya News At 7:30 PM on October 21st, 2024, Bang Rak police, in collaboration with Immigration officers at the Sadao Immigration Checkpoint in Songkhla, arrested an Iranian suspect accused of posing as a police officer and robbing tourists in Bangkok. According to the police, the suspect, publicly identified as Mr. Ghiasi Arefhossein, a 53-year-old Iranian national, was accused of posing as a police officer and robbing tourists in Bangkok. The arrest followed two major incidents of theft on August 17th and 31st, involving a Pakistani and a Myanmar tourist, in the Bangkok area. In the first case, the Pakistani tourist reported that a man, allegedly pretending to be a police officer, stopped him, claimed to search his bag, and afterward the tourist discovered that ten 100 U.S. dollar bills were missing. In the second incident, a Myanmar tourist, along with his sister, was approached by a man also posing as a police officer. The suspect searched their bags and stole 3,150 pound sterling. He allegedly created a distraction by dropping some of the notes on the ground while discreetly pocketing part of the cash before fleeing in a white car waiting nearby. CCTV footage revealed that the same group of suspects committed both crimes, with one individual driving the getaway car and the other executing the thefts, according to the police. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/10/23/iranian-man-arrested-for-posing-as-a-police-officer-and-robbing-tourists-in-bangkok/

From Pattaya News After the recent popularity of tax articles from our friends and sponsors at Anglo Siam Legal, they put together a video for our readers discussing the tax laws and how they may and may not affect expats. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/10/23/video-a-deeper-look-at-2024-tax-laws-and-expats-in-thailand/

From Pattaya Mail The devils in the details Thailand’s initiative to secure a “6 countries, 1 destination” visa policy with her neighbors has received the thumbs-up as desirable. If implemented, cross-border travel would promote tourism and economic collaboration between Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. Following the “Schengen principle”, a single visa would permit subsequent entry to other cartel member states. Of course, the devil hides in the detail which has not yet been agreed. For example, Vietnam has notoriously complex immigration rules, whilst Cambodia charges a tourist fee of US$30 for foreigners outside the ASEAN network. Laos has a fee structure for entry at its border posts, but has apparently now agreed with Thailand to abolish charges in the interests of an expected surge in tourism and cross-country trade. Hoang The Han, director general of Dai Vet International Tourism, said that Vietnam had the most to gain from the “6 countries, 1 destination” policy as the nationals of only 25 countries were currently allowed no-hassle entry. Thailand, by contrast, allows visa-exempt and free entry for 93 countries including all those with large contingents of leisure-seeking tourists. Currently, 70 million visit the region annually, with Thailand and Malaysia taking more than half of the US$90 billion estimated revenue. Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, based at Chulalongkorn University, said that several security concerns still had to be resolved as member states had very diverse immigration-related policies. For example, Thailand will next year introduce a prior, automated entry requirement for all visa-free travel. But the authorization is specific to Thailand. What happens under the proposed policy if a tourist first enters Cambodia but then crosses to Thailand? The Thai foreign ministry believes that all related concerns can be sorted, but that the initial “6 countries 1 destination” policy will likely be a bi-lateral agreement with Vietnam or Cambodia. A quick resolution across the region is unlikely. Thus, agreement will need to be reached on the data base identification of criminal elements who would be quick to exploit ambiguities in specific countries. Best to make haste slowly. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/visa-free-travel-across-south-east-asia-has-detail-devils-to-resolve-476986

Set out for 9p.m. appointment at the most recent massage shop to open in the area: Phoenix. It was a pleasant and dry evening, perfect for the leisurely 25-minute walk. When I arrived on Inthamara 25, quickly located shop but it was closed. Puzzled because I’d made appointment, I texted shop on LINE and they sent me map link. It was all in Thai and nothing at all looked familiar. I followed with another text saying I’m on Inthamara 25 and shop answers, “sorry, we move to Lat Phrao 110.” Result: one disappointed customer and one disappointed masseur. Now in need of a sure-thing fix, I backtracked and headed for Phetboy and booked same guy from last Saturday who didn’t disappoint. I was a bit slow in cleaning up after and told guy to go to shower and I’d soon follow after checking phone. When I got to shower room, I opened door and placed towel on rack and ran a hand down boy’s back. Suddenly realized his tattoo had changed design and he seemed to be taller. He turned around with a surprised but amused look. Yes, it was a different masseur. Embarrassed, all I could think to say was “sorry. He was just finishing up and toweling off. Couldn’t help but noticing that he was very well equipped so I asked for his name. He told me, turned and disappeared. I was sort of hoping that find him downstairs but he had vanished along with what remained of my pride.

I’m content with my memories of old Dusit where I could occasionally find $144 rate on Agoda in their huge Dusit rooms with lounge privileges.

Given the spicy diet, I’m always surprised how few instances of bad breath I encounter. Chalk it up to good oral hygiene. The kiss is the most intimate of sexual expression. When it happens it delights me.

Of course. Keep your eyes open and apps on.

Guy I had appointment with cancelled at last minute. Manager gave me phone with photos and the replacement i chose just happened to be among five guys hanging around shop. For the record, I could have chosen any of the other four. They have many of my type here.

“Cute” is in the eye of the beholder. Did not find any of them unattractive. As a noted authority on the matter I believe would say: go and see for yourself; It only takes one.

From Bangkok Post Cambodia has agreed with the Thai government's initiative to facilitate cross-border travel for tourists from six countries in the region through a single visa policy called "6 Countries, 1 Destination", positioning Thailand as a regional tourism hub, according to a source at Government House. The move came after talks between Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, advisors to the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, to discuss cross-border travel and promoting seamless tourism on Monday in Phnom Penh. The source said the Cambodian tourism minister supported Thailand's "6 Countries, 1 Destination" policy and agreed to discuss the issue further with Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, Customs Department and other relevant agencies. The source said the feedback from these agencies will be proposed to Cambodia's cabinet for consideration ahead of an official visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The "6 Countries, 1 Destination" initiative aims to promote tourism and economic collaboration between Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2887782/cambodia-backs-thai-led-6-country-single-visa-plan

Posters confirm drag show (😔). But I’m sure others will see it differently.

While making the circuit of Lumpinee Park the other evening, the new Dusit Thani caught my eye. It’s indeed a great addition to skyline of Silom. Authorities are also improving all paved roads and walkways in the park. The resurfacing should be completed in time for high season.

Rekindles memories of West Side Story, one of my favorite Broadway hits.

Or ask someone else for assistance in the matter. 😊

How a massage turns out can sometimes owe it origin to the pre-massage shower. When I arrived at Phetboy last Saturday, the guy I picked happened to be in shop. He was new and from Myanmar with just about no English save yes and now. But we quickly became acquainted in the few minutes under the shower head and that set the tone for the next 55 minutes. He’s now on my top three list from that shop. I love international relations. 🙂

Stopped by the new bar shortly after 9p.m. I chose a table (Semicircular banquet type that can sit four comfortably). the waiter (one of three) gave me a menu that offered a good selection of beers and I selected an Asahi (150, same as local brew prices). When he put by bill in cup he also deliver small bowl of chips. There were two customers at bar and four young Asian guys at another table. it wasn’t long before waiter started conversation with usual questions. Then asked me if he could sit with me, confirming suspicion that this was indeed a host bar. I declined tbh because I knew I wasn’t interested and was there on an information gathering mission. The other waiters also stopped by but I was busy on my phone. There was local pop music on sound system, not at an obnoxious level that would inhibit conversation but still a bit annoying to old man like myself. The manager who was teaching bartenders to use register is a farang. And on the subject of bartenders, there are two and I believe that’s where the talent is. That’s where I’d sit on any future visit.

They pay like the rest of us.