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From MSN Sun, sea, surf and serenity are only a few of the things associated with Bali, Indonesia's touristic haven and coveted second-home destination. While hordes of expatriates and digital nomads have relocated to the province, long-term visa processes can often be convoluted and difficult to navigate. Now, Indonesia is aiming to simplify its immigration policies in a bid to promote foreign investment and attract more entrepreneurial and business-minded people to the country. This includes a golden visa initiative, which was announced during the G20 Bali summit last year and is due to launch before the end of the year. The new residency-by-investment visa has been created to attract international talent in sectors including health, research and technology. It is part of a goal to generate 4.4 million new jobs in the country's creative industries by next year, and was created with Bali in mind. The programme will be available to applicants with a five or 10-year validity and offer a range of benefits, including the right to own property in Bali. Other benefits reportedly include multiple entries into Indonesia, faster and easier processes for visas, plus a fast track for citizenship applications, if that is also of interest in future. The full terms of the programme are still being finalised. Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/what-to-know-about-balis-new-golden-visa-programme/ar-AA1fE0Rr

From VN Express South Korea's flag carrier Korean Air said it would weigh passengers and their carry-on luggage on domestic and international flights to ensure aviation safety, as well as reduce excessive fuel use. The airline will weigh passengers, including their carry-on baggage, with domestic passengers at Gimpo International Airport from Aug. 28 to Sept. 6, and at Incheon Airport for passengers on international flights from Sept. 8 to 19, The Korea Herald reported. The measure complies with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aviation regulations, which mandate the assessment of standardized passenger weight that encompasses their carry-on items. The collected data will be kept anonymous and used for safety operations, according to the airline. Passengers who refuse to participate in the measurements can inform staff at the time of boarding. Some airlines like Hawaiian Airlines in the U.S. and Finnair in Finland also check the weight of their passengers.

From Thai PBS World Move Forward becomes main opposition party Despite being the largest single party in Thailand’s House of Representatives, the Move Forward party has announced that it will work in opposition, after parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the Pheu Thai party’s prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, yesterday (Tuesday). Srettha received 482 votes of approval, against 165 of disapproval and 81 abstentions. Move Forward’s secretary-general, Chaithawat Tulathon, told the media that the partnership between Pheu Thai and the junta-linked parties, among others, to form the coalition government does not end the political divide, characterized by the red and yellow groups, but is collusion to extend the junta’s political system. He said that the party will do its utmost to check the performance of the government for the benefit of the people and will coordinate with those outside parliament to effect change in Thai society.

From Thai PBS World Thaksin taken to Police Hospital for heart treatment The Corrections Department confirmed today (Wednesday) that it had to send former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the Police Hospital in the middle last night, because the department’s hospital does not have adequate equipment to cope with his ailments, particularly his heart disease. The department said, in a statement issued Wednesday morning, that at 11.59pm, a nurse in Zone 7 of the Bangkok Remand Prison reported that Thaksin experienced tightness in his chest and could not sleep well. He was also suffering hypoxemia and hypertension. The nurse then consulted a doctor, who checked the medical records in files from hospitals in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, where Thaksin had been treated before his return to Thailand yesterday. The files show that Thaksin has several ailments under treatment, including high blood pressure (hypertension), myocardial ischemia, a degenerative spine, pulmonary fibrosis and heart disease, which requires special monitoring. ===================== Excerpted from Pattaya Mail On the matter of amnesty, the officials said a royal pardon can be requested as soon as on the first day of Thaksin entering prison. Thaksin or a family member also has the option of doing so by supplying the relevant documents to officials at Bangkok Remand Prison. In this case, the prison would forward the papers to the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice. The request will then be presented to the prime minister who will consider giving his signature and forwarding the request to the Office of the Privy Council. The office will then present the request to His Majesty the King. According to officials at the press conference, the process of requesting a royal pardon would take 1-2 months.

This thread has obviously touched a cord with many. I'm among those who make multiple annual trips and don't like to be away from Bangkok for more than three months. Much of that has to do with a particular guy I've become close with over the past seven years. There are other reasons of course that I believe many of us share. But as for living there, I couldn't do it for a variety of factors, the cost of health care at my age among them. Of all the factors cited above, I think loneliness can be the most debilitating. How we choose to deal with it affects us physically and emotionally.

John McCain is more of an unknown to younger Americans but older generations still honor and respect both his physical and political courage. A maverick in every sense of his life, McCain was true to his ideals to the very end. When the terminally-ill senator cast the deciding vote that preserved the Affordable Care Act in 2017, he defeated Trump's attempt to relegate Obama Care to the dustbin of history. Had he not resisted ll attempts by his party to vote with Trump, millions of low income citizens would today be without health care coverage. He truly understood and was inspired by the best traditions of his office. He also embraced the grace of being both forgiven and forgiving.

Big airlines have an added incentive to keep every seat filled now that American Airlines inked a new contract with its pilots calling for immediate raises of 21% with compensation increasing more than 46% over the duration of the four-year agreement. Some would see this signaling higher fares but tickets are--and always have been post deregulation--price elastic. Demand ultimately determines what passengers are willing to pay and what carriers need to do to maximize yield. Other major carriers are also following suit as unions representing flight attendants and mechanics also take advantage of the resurgent interest in travel.

From The Nation Breaking a political standstill that has lasted nearly 100 days, Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin succeeded in becoming Thailand’s 30th prime minister. After hours of debate, the former real estate tycoon received ….(vote)… votes in the joint sitting on Tuesday. He required only 374 votes. Srettha was proposed by a Pheu Thai-led coalition, comprising 11 parties who together have a majority of seats in the lower house – 314 seats. The allocation of ministerial posts was made before today's PM election. After assuming office, the Pheu Thai-led government pledged to put forward an agenda for amending the present Constitution in its first Cabinet meeting. It claims the 2017 charter is Thailand's current problem. On the same day, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Thailand after spending 15 years living in self-exile.

From The Nation Thaksin taken to Bangkok Remand Prison to start serving his jail terms Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was handed over to the Bangkok Remand Prison on Tuesday, so he can start serving his jail terms for three convictions. Corrections Department officials delivered Thaksin to prison at 11.20am after he was taken to the Supreme Court to hear the court’s verdicts against him in three cases. Prison officials had prepared an area outside the prison for reporters and supporters. As Thaksin was being taken into prison through the front gate, waiting red-shirt supporters shouted their support for him in unison. ==================== The Corrections Department said on Tuesday afternoon that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was isolated inside the Bangkok Remand Prison’s hospital after doctors diagnosed him with four co-morbidities. Thaksin was taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison immediately after he was read his jail sentences in three convictions by the Supreme Court earlier in the day. The announcement was made by Aryut Sintopphan, director-general of the Corrections Department, at 12.45pm. Aryut said the department would ensure Thaksin’s safety inside the prison. He said the Bangkok Remand Prison would have to designate a special building or space for relatives and supporters to visit the former prime minister. ------------------------ The Corrections Department said on Tuesday afternoon that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was isolated inside the Bangkok Remand Prison’s hospital after doctors diagnosed him with four co-morbidities. As Thaksin is aged — he turned 74 last month — he will have to be taken good care of so that he does not fall ill during his detention, the director-general added. He said that prison officials have made a record of Thaksin as a new inmate and doctors of the prison hospital have checked his health. Sitthi Sutheewong, deputy director-general of the Corrections Department, said doctors of the prison hospital found that Thaksin was vulnerable to ill health as he had co-morbidities and needed to be continually monitored by doctors. As a result, the prison decided to detain Thaksin alone in Zone 7, which is the hospital of the Bangkok Remand Prison where he would be monitored by medical staff around the clock, Sitthi added. According to Sitthi, Thaksin has the following illnesses: ▪︎ Ischemia, a heart condition in which blood flow is restricted and doctors need to prescribe anti-blood-clotting drugs to him regularly. ▪︎ He has had severe lung infections because of Covid. Although he has been cured, his lungs still have adhesion, causing him to feel tired easily. ▪︎ Thaksin suffers from hypertension and needs to take medicines regularly because of high blood pressure. ▪︎ He has been suffering from degenerative spine and herniated discs, which have affected his balance and walk. ▪︎ Ischemia, a heart condition in which blood flow is restricted and doctors need to prescribe anti-blood-clotting drugs to him regularly. ▪︎ He has had severe lung infections because of Covid. Although he has been cured, his lungs still have adhesion, causing him to feel tired easily. ▪︎ Thaksin suffers from hypertension and needs to take medicines regularly because of high blood pressure. ▪︎ He has been suffering from degenerative spine and herniated discs, which have affected his balance and walk

The gay community is being hit the hardest by monkeypox, according to the Department for Disease Control (DDC). From July last year to this April, all reported cases involved foreigners, but most recent cases occurred within he Thai population, the Bangkok Post is reporting. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2633254/bangkok-the-worst-hit-by-monkeypox-virus-spread

"Buy when others are fearful, sell when others are greedy." -- Warren Buffett.

From Coconuts Bangkok Bangkok Remand Prison suspends visitation amid Thaksin’s return Bangkok Remand Prison announced today it would suspend visiting relatives at the prison tomorrow as it plans to tighten up security in the Lat Yao prison area, where it is expected a large crowd may gather if former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is transferred here after returning from his self-imposed exile. “We kindly request closing visiting privileges at the prison for one day on Tuesday, August 22, 2023,” the prison announced via its Facebook page today. “This is to ensure security in the Lat Yao prison area, where there might be a large crowd.” This announcement comes after Thaksin, who spent 15 years living in exile, claimed multiple times that he would fly back to Thailand, reaffirming he will land at Don Mueang Airport at 9am tomorrow via private plane. He has said he will turn himself in upon arrival. “Tomorrow at 9am, I would like to seek your permission to be back in Thailand to live on Thai soil and breathe the same air as my Thai brothers and sisters,” Thaksin wrote in a tweet Monday evening. Reports say if he arrives within court hours, he will be held at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office before taking him to the Bangkok Remand Prison. If he arrives after court hours, he will be taken to the Royal Thai Police Sports Club where he will be detained for one night before he is taken to the Supreme Court the following morning. According to corrections department chief Aryut Sintopphan, Thaksin will be recorded as an inmate once he is handed over to the Bangkok Remand Prison. He will then be placed under quarantine for 10 days once his records have been taken. ================= From Thai PBS World Eleven parties agree to form government, with Srettha as PM Pheu Thai party leader Cholnan Srikaew announced today (Monday) a coalition of 11 parties, to form a new government for Thailand, commanding a total of 314 seats in the House of Representatives. Pheu Thai is taking eight ministerial and nine deputy ministerial portfolios, including Prime Minister. In a joint statement by the 11 parties, the coalition has agreed to nominate former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as their sole candidate for prime minister when parliament meets tomorrow. They also agreed not to touch the lèse majesté law and that the coalition will not include the Move Forward party. The remaining cabinet seats will be shared between Bhumjaithai (4 ministers and deputies), Palang Pracharath (2 ministers and 2 deputies), United Thai Nation (2 ministers and 2 deputies). Chartthaipattana and Prachachat will each get one ministerial portfolio. The remaining smaller parties, which have one or two seats each in the House, do not get any cabinet seats. It is not yet known, which parties will get what ministries. The Thai cabinet consists of 35 ministers and deputy ministers and one prime minister. According to the statement, all 11 parties have agreed to implement Pheu Thai’s election manifesto policies, such as a 600 baht minimum wage within 2027, 25,000 baht minimum salary for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree, ending conscription, the 10,000 baht digital wallet subsidy for all Thai nationals over 16, increased farm gate product prices, constitutional amendments and medical cannabis.

That's a brief but accurate description of the course of events. In the end, the US ended by supporting the wrong side. The south had a history of extreme and consistent corruption at the top. That's not to say that corruption has vanished in the intervening 50 years but the worst perpetrators are getting jailed at a fairly good clip. Some of the credit for the normalization of relations between the countries can e traced to the efforts of John McCain and John Kerry, both veterans of the war who went on to the senate and pushed for recognition. McCain, who was imprisoned after being shot down over Hanoi and parachuting into Lake Truc Bach, was the most powerful voice. At the spot where he was pulled from the water, this sculpture stands.

I don't know if here's any sport with such a long tradition that has survived to this day. Cave drawings found in France are dated to 15,000 years ago. When you think about it, it has all the things we fantasize about: close physical contact with a well-chiseled body, frequently changing positions, the unpredictable erection, lots of heavy breathing. Only once encountered a guy (in a Saphan Kawi massage shop) who enjoyed a more tame version of it. He turned off the AC and and began to playfully grab me and roll around. Wasn't long before we were both sweating. It was about then he put both hands on my head and the rest is just a pleasant memory.

It's sad, Moses. You have vast knowledge of SE Asia which is evident when you write about your experiences there. But you seem intent on trying to infect this board with the same discord that you've created on your own board.

It's good you still have a hobby to keep yourself engaged.

Please don't turn this into another "brink of war" debacle.

They could afford to live in Thailand when they first decided to make the move. But as you may have noticed, things can change in 10-20 years.

From Thai PBS World Thaksin to get extra security and “adequate conveniences” while in prison Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be given additional security and appropriate “conveniences” while he is detained at Bangkok remand prison, following his return to Thailand this Tuesday, according to Aryut Sinthoppan, director-general of the Corrections Department. He said that he has received instructions from Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, also acting justice minister, on Thaksin’s security, convenience and comfort while inBangkok remand prison. According to Wissanu, the former prime minister should be provided with extra security, because he is at more risk than other inmates, and be provided with appropriate conveniences“but not to the extent that they could be seen as a privilege”,because he is expected to be visited by representatives of international organisations, human rights groups, his supporters and members of the media. Regarding the issue of comfort, Wissanu wants Thaksin to be provided with appropriate comfort for someone who is over 70 years of age and ailing, said Aryut. For security reasons, he said Thaksin may not be incarcerated with the other inmates, because prison officials will have to take care of his food and ensure that his visitations will not affect the rights of other inmates.

If it was that bad why didn't you cut your losses and return to Bangkok?

Although you won't find it on any of the hotel booking sites, the Coffee Grinder Silom has four new and reasonable-priced rooms (with en-suite shower, frig, microwave and TV) to rent above its location on Soi Tarntawan in Bangkok. For information, contact owners at Coffeegrindersilom@gmail.com.

From Thai PBS World U.S. President Joe Biden will sign a strategic partnership agreement with Vietnam during a state visit to the Southeast Asian country in mid-September, Politico reported on Friday, citing three people with knowledge of the deal’s planning. The agreement will allow for new bilateral collaboration that will boost Vietnam’s efforts to develop its high technology sector in areas including semiconductor production and artificial intelligence, Politico said. A source familiar with the plans told Reuters on Friday that Biden was weighing a September trip to Vietnam. Biden said earlier this month that he would be traveling to Vietnam “shortly” because the country wanted to elevate its relationship with the United States and become a major partner. The White House has not confirmed plans for the trip. At a meeting in April, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed a desire to deepen ties as Washington seeks to solidify relations with partners in Asia to counter an increasingly assertive China. Officials have not said what the closer relationship might entail, but experts say it could include increased military cooperation and U.S. weapon supplies. By Reuters

Thaksin’s may return August 22 From Thai PBS World Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will fly back to Thailand on August 22nd, the same day that parliament will meet to select a new prime minister. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter and head of Pheu Thai “Family”, said in her Twitter and Instagram posts this morning (Saturday) that she will travel to Don Mueang airport to meet her father, who is scheduled to land at about 9am in his private jet. Thaksin had previously announced that he would return to Thailand on August 10, but he abruptly changed his plan, claiming that he had to see his doctor. It is reported that authorities have already made preparations for his return, after 17 years of self-imposed exile. Thaksin’s aircraft will park in a special zone reserved for private jets and immigration officials will receive him upon his arrival. They will process him and inform him of the outstanding arrest warrants against him, before handing him over to Corrections Department officials, who will also be at the airport. Thaksin will then be taken to the Supreme Court, in line with the required legal procedure.

From Thailand News Service BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA) – His Majesty the King has graciously approved the establishment of the “Department of Climate Change and Environment” effective from today. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion was renamed the Department of Climate Change and Environment. The newly-established body will be responsible for directly addressing climate change issues. Mr. Warawut further elaborated that recently, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, noted that global surface temperatures and ocean temperatures during July have reached historically high levels. It signals the era of “global warming” has ended; the era of “global boiling” has arrived. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has been assigned to closely oversee the transition from the former Department of Environmental Quality Promotion to the new Department of Climate Change and Environment. This seamless transition aims to ensure the continuity of environmental efforts. (TNA)

From Thailand News Service Chiang Mai Hotel Exposes Hotel Booking Scams CHAING MAI, Aug18 (TNA) – A renowned hotel in Chiang Mai has filed a complaint to the police against scammers creating a fraudulent Facebook page to deceive individuals into making accommodation bookings and transferring money. The manager of R1 Nimman Hotel Chiang Mai filed the complaint at the Phu Ping Police Station after a cybercriminal gang took images from the hotel’s official Facebook page, created a counterfeit page, and posted messages claiming to offer room reservations. This led to several potential customers falling prey to the scam, thinking they were interacting with the legitimate hotel page and subsequently transferring money for room bookings. Upon arriving at the hotel, these victims discovered that no such bookings had been made. Over the past month, nearly 10 people have fallen victim to the scammers. The hotel advises customers to be cautious by checking the creation date of the hotel’s page. The real Facebook page has a longer history spanning several years, whereas a fraudulent page is created within a few months, aiming to scam victims in the short term before disappearing. Legitimate bank accounts used for hotel transactions should carry the hotel’s legal entity name, not individual names. (TNA)