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From Thai PBS World / AFP Taiwan staged its first-ever military drill at Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday, briefly halting commercial traffic as soldiers practised defending the facility against a simulated attack by Beijing. The exercise is part of Taiwan’s week-long massive wargames — the annual “Han Kuang” (Han Glory) drills — which this year has included protecting civilian airports as Beijing ramps up military and political pressures on the island. This is the first such drill held at Taiwan’s biggest airport near the capital since it opened in 1979. Analysts said Taiwan is drawing experiences from Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which last year fended off a seizure by Russian paratroopers at an airport just outside Kyiv. “Seeing the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Battle of Antonov Airport is a successful counter-offensive of the Ukrainian forces in the defence of Kyiv,” said Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research. He added that Taoyuan airport’s proximity to a “red beach” — using a term for a potential landing point for amphibious assaults — makes it especially important to protect it. “If it were to be seized by China, Chinese paratroopers would join the attack against our troops guarding the beach,” Su told AFP. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/taiwan-defends-largest-airport-against-simulated-chinese-attack/

I agree that Thailand and SE Asia are not the most popular destinations for US gays who travel out of country. I'd expect Mexico, South America and Europe rank higher. However, even without knowing the number of registered members or where they come from, I think the visible data like what countries they are posting about is the key to projecting their favorite destinations. People tend to read and write about what they know and like. By far, the most read forum is "Gay Thailand." It draws the widest readership (133.2k posts). "Latin American Men and Destinations" comes in a distant second (32.3k posts).

I would think that accurately describes the majority of members.

From CNBC Supplements that claim to improve appearance have grown in popularity in the past decade. From 2011 to 2020, the percentage of Americans who reported taking a hair, skin and nail vitamin in the past month rose from 2.5% to 4.9%. But experts warn about side effects and dangers. Skin, hair and nail supplements often contain much more biotin than the human body needs, for example, a research paper published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has found. High doses of biotin “can alter test results that healthcare providers may order, like thyroid testing, cardiac testing [and] potentially even vitamin D testing,” Dr. Rebecca Hartman, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and one of the authors of the paper, tells CNBC Make It. The daily recommended dose of biotin for adults is 0.03 milligrams. In some cases, supplements had 650 times that amount, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. High levels of biotin to that degree can potentially lead to false diagnoses of hyperthyroidism and affect doctors’ abilities to detect heart attacks in patients, Hartman told TODAY in June. Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at the George Washington University, says these side effects can sometimes be deadly. “Someone died because a heart attack was missed [during testing],” Friedman explains, saying that the patient’s troponin levels weren’t showing any sign for concern. “They weren’t elevated in this one individual who was taking a biotin supplement for hair growth.” Biotin, or vitamin B7, is commonly found in most foods and multivitamins, so people rarely need supplements, anyway, says Friedman. “If you were biotin deficient, you wouldn’t be going to Walgreens to buy a bottle of biotin,” he says. “You’d probably be in the hospital.” Claims that suggest biotin is good for hair, skin and nail health are mostly anecdotal, Hartman says, adding, “Most Americans are getting the small amount needed already through their daily diet.” While preliminary data shows that collagen may make your skin healthier, Hartman says more research is required to solidify that claim. Regardless, a well-rounded diet is the most natural and safest way to get “beauty” nutrients like biotin and collagen, the researchers agree. Foods that are rich in biotin include: Egg yolk Beans Nuts Seeds These foods help promote collagen production: Meats Bone broth Gelatin Dairy Beans Soy Fruits, leafy greens, and root vegetables for vitamin C, zinc, and copper, which help produce collagen Before taking any supplement, it’s important to ask yourself these questions: Does it actually have the active ingredients it claims to have? What evidence supports using this particular amount of this particular product? Is this a trusted company to buy this specific product from? Has it been third-party tested, and does it contain any contaminants? Have I checked in with my doctor before taking it? Continues at https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/22/natural-ways-to-get-beauty-nutrients-like-biotin-and-collagen-in-food.html

From Thai PBS World Rumour mills fired up shortly after Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that her father Thaksin will end his self-imposed exile and return to Thailand on August 10. Today (Wednesday) is Thaksin’s 74th birthday and he is said to be in Hong Kong, where he will host a birthday party. It is believed that some senior politicians will travel to Hong Kong to join the celebration for Thaksin. It is for sure that, when they meet with Thaksin in Hong Kong, high on the agenda will be how to break the ongoing political impasse, which is seeing the Pheu Thai party, so far, failing to convince parties outside the eight-party alliance to join the coalition. Pheu Thai has tried hard to build a bloc of at least 375 House votes for its prime ministerial candidate, so that it would not have to rely on the senators’ support. The party does not want to repeat Move Forward’s failure to gain enough senators’ votes, which sank Pita Limjaroenrat’s dream of becoming the next prime minister. Some political observers claim that Move Forward may back down from its campaigns to amend the lèse majesté law. All the parties outside the coalition have refused to get involved, because of this policy. Now that Pheu Thai leads the negotiations in forming the government and Thaksin is known to be the boss behind all Pheu Thai moves, Move Forward has to talk to the right man if it wants to be in the government, said a political observer. Move Forward’s core members, like Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and secretary general Chaithawat Tulathon, have separately denied that they either travelled to Hong Kong to meet Thaksin or were informed about the trip.

What about it? It's a cultural norm in Asia that the older man pays for meals, entertainment and alike. Actually, that's not unheard of in the west, either.

....and other things. 😊

From Bangkok Post Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has indefinitely postponed Thursday's planned joint sitting to vote for a new prime minister, pending a Constitutional Court ruling on the rejected renomination of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Mr Wan said on Tuesday that he made the decision after consulting with legal officials of the House of Representatives and his advisers. They were of the view that if the prime ministerial vote went ahead on Thursday, it could potentially lead to problems when the Constitutional Court makes its ruling afterwards, the House speaker and ex-officio parliament president said. With Thursday's meeting posponted, Wednesday's planned meeting of whips from the coalition allies, other political parties and senators was now unnecessary, he said. Another reason for delaying the joint sitting was that many elected MPs and senators were worried they would not be able to attend ceremonies to celebrate His Majesty the King's birthday in their respective provinces on Friday if the sitting was prolonged, Mr Wan said. The joint sitting for a prime ministerial vote could be put back on the parliamentary agenda after the court's ruling. The parliament president earlier set Thursday for elected representatives and appointed senators to vote again for a new prime minister, possibly from Pheu Thai, the second largest party in the same alliance led by Mr Pita's MFP. MFP has agreed to let Pheu Thai take the lead in nominating a prime minister and forming the government. It also faces a challenge because many parties outside the coalition bloc disapprove of MFP’s political platform and plan to revise Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law. The eight parties in the coalition were scheduled to meet on Tuesday afternoon to hear a progress report from Pheu Thai. But the meeting was cancelled at the last minute, with Pheu Thai conceding it had little progress to report so far. Meanwhile, MFP insists it will continue its efforts to have Mr Pita installed as prime minister.

From Thai PBS World Third-culture kids are a distinct group of people who spend a major portion of their upbringing outside of their parent’s native culture. Third culture kids usually accompany their parents’ on postings abroad, relocating for a length of time to one or more countries. This lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Home is “everywhere and nowhere” is the experience and feeling of many third culture kids on the journey between worlds and discovering their identity. These are the kids who don’t have a straightforward answer when asked where they are from. Often, when asked to specify their ethnicity, on university applications, for example, they identify themselves as global or international citizens. We spoke with Kyle Dante, a Filipino who was born and raised in Thailand. Now, he works as a marketing manager for a hotel and a few food and beverage outlets. His parents moved to Thailand to study master’s degrees at the Asian Institute of Technology and they’ve been here ever since. That’s why he has not had a chance to live in the Philippines. “It’s a real struggle, in terms of trying to sort out your identity. I think never really consider any place as home. I lived in Thailand, but I was not Thai. I couldn’t speak the language. I always felt and still am treated like an ex-pat, like a foreigner. Even when I go to the Philippines, which is considered my home, my motherland, I don’t speak the language. I’ve never lived there. I am not very integrated into Filipino culture, so I never really felt Filipino either”, he said. Third culture children are a growing group of people. While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many there are, according to Interaction International, it’s estimated that there are 230 million people who could call themselves third culture kids. If they were to claim a place on the globe as their own and gather all together, they would become the fifth most populous nation in the world. It is understandable that, while living overseas, families tend to find comfort and build relationships with other ex-pats, as they undergo similar experiences. He also said he has more freedom to explore, which also brings opportunities for him to go to other places, explore other countries and be more ambitious and adventurous. It really opened his eyes and opened up a range of opportunities. Third culture kids have a lot to offer in terms of their perspectives, experiences and skills. As they move through different countries and cultures, they develop unique qualities, which set them apart from others. These include adaptability, empathy, resilience and flexibility. They can use these qualities to their advantage as they pursue higher education, careers and personal goals. The journey of a third culture child is not always easy, but it is undoubtedly rewarding. As they continue to explore the world, they leave gather a wealth of experience and memories that shape them. By Thi Dieu Linh Nguyen, Thai PBS World

Much of the action does seem down by the Silom end as you described. Close to Surawong, there are three cannabis shops all right next to each other and none seem to be doing much business.

Don't squander your money. Hold out and you might get them for $28. 😄

Although this offer has expired, it may be worth checking with some of the larger Bangkok hospitals for availability.

It must be clear by now, even to you, Mavic, that there will never be an end to this yarn. You're obviously frustrated that you've been taken in by a newbie way above your pay grade. 🙂

With some great waterfront hotels to choose from.

Thailand remains a bargain once you get here. It's getting here that's more expensive.

From CNBC ‘Oppenheimer’ mania pushes Army to warn of long tourist lines at Trinity atomic test site WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army said its upcoming open house of the Trinity Site is expected to receive “a larger than normal crowd” due to the overwhelming popularity of Universal’s “Oppenheimer.” The Trinity Site on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico is where the world’s first atomic bomb was tested. The film “Oppenheimer,” which premiered Friday and earned $82.4 million over the weekend, tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who oversaw the Manhattan Project that produced the bomb and launched the world into the atomic age. “Due to the release of the movie, Oppenheimer in July, we are expecting a larger than normal crowd at the 21 October open house,” the U.S. Army wrote on its White Sands Missile Range website. “If you are not one of the first 5,000 visitors, you might not get through the gate prior to its’ closure at 2 p.m.,” the statement said, adding that wait times are expected to reach up to two hours. Twice a year the U.S. Army allows visitors to tour the site where the “Gadget,” a six-foot sphere with a grapefruit-sized powerful plutonium heart, was detonated. Following the open house in October, the U.S. Army will allow visitors again on April 6, 2024.

From the BBC Twitter has changed its brand and logo from its famous blue bird to "X". The new white X on a black background has replaced the blue bird on the desktop version of the social network, although is yet to appear on the mobile app. "Tweets" will also be replaced, according to Twitter's owner Elon Musk, and posts will be called "x's". The billionaire changed his profile picture to the new logo and added "X.com" to his Twitter bio. Mr Musk wants to create a "super app" called X - his vision for a new kind of social media platform that he has been talking about creating for months. On Sunday, the billionaire said he was looking to change Twitter's logo, tweeting: "And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds."

I've read occasional reports of four-hand massage members have posted. If memory serves me, they ranged from hot to satisfactory. Although I've yet to avail myself of the pleasure, I do recall a point made frequently by Vinapu and others: ask a guy with whom you have a good relationship to pick the second guy from his shop. That hopefully prevents any awkward experiences. Just be clear with the first guy what your expectations are and leave the rest to him. Can't think of any shops that don't offer four-hand massages. The tip would normally be twice a one-man massage.

From the BBC By Jonathan Head South East Asia correspondent, Phnom Penh Undeterred by the pouring rain, a long convoy of motorbikes carrying cheering, flag-waving supporters of Cambodia's ruling party revved their engines in preparation for their triumphant final rally in downtown Phnom Penh. People dutifully lined the road as far as you could see, party stickers on their cheeks, the sky-blue hats and shirts they had been given to wear getting steadily wetter. Perched on the back of a truck, Hun Manet, the 45-year-old eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, greeted the crowds proclaiming that only the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) was capable of leading the country. Indeed, his father had made sure that the CPP was the only party which could possibly win the election. Hun Sen, 70, has run Cambodia in his trademark pugnacious style for 38 years: first in a Vietnam-installed communist regime, then under a UN-installed multi-party system, and more recently as an increasingly intolerant autocrat. The only party now capable of challenging his rule, the Candlelight Party, was banned from the election on a technicality in May. The remaining 17 parties allowed to contest it were too small or too little-known to pose a threat. A few hours after the polls closed, the CPP claimed the expected landslide, with a turnout of more than 80%. There were quite high levels of spoiled ballot papers in some polling stations: that was probably the only safe way voters could show their support for the opposition. With Hun Manet expected to succeed his father within weeks of the vote, in a long-prepared transfer of power, this felt more like a coronation than an election. "I don't think we can even call it a sham election," says Mu Sochua, an exiled former minister and member of the CNRP, another opposition party banned by the Cambodian authorities in 2017.

From Thai PBS World Several cafés in Thailand have stopped selling mint-chocolate drinks, after the Pheu Thai party met with Bhumjaithai, the United Thai Nation, Chart Pattana Kla and Chartthaipattana parties over the past weekend, to woo them into supporting its prime ministerial candidate and forming a government. Mint-chocolate drinks became widely popular after one of Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidates, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, stated that it is her favourite drink. Since then, the drink became symbolic of the party and is often served to welcome members of other political parties whenever they visit its headquarters. One of the cafes which stopped selling the drink called it a “betray-your-friend-menu”. Some of them also announced that customers’ orders for the drink will be automatically cancelled on delivery apps, while some cafes went as far as announcing that they will only sell iced Americano and orange juice, a drink symbolic of the Move Forward party and Pita Limjaroenrat’s favourite drink.

From Bangkok Post The number of Covid-19 cases continues to drop, with the fatalities either elderly, people with a chronic disease or unvaccinated, public health permanent secretary Opas Karnkawinpong said on Monday. Speaking after chairing a meeting of the committee monitoring the Covid-19 situation, Dr Opas said thatlast week 556 people were admitted to hospitals for treatment of Covid-19, an average of 79 per day, and 178 had a severe infection. There were eight fatalities last week, or about one a day. All were of the "608 group" comprising people over 60, those with underlying diseases and pregnant women, or were unvaccinated or had a booster shot more than three months ago. An analysis of the 749 Covid-19 fatalities in 2023, showed people in crowded communities had a high risk of catching the virus from other family members. He said 116 of those deaths were in Bangkok. Dr Opas said it was still necessary to continue with the vaccination campaign. =================== From Thai News Agenccy BANGKOK, July 24 (TNA) – Health authorities are eyeing the declaration of dengue fever outbreak zones after the number of dengue cases has exceeded 5,000 per week. The accumulated number of cases has already reached nearly 40,000 since the beginning of the year, with over 40 reported deaths. The Department of Disease Control director-general, Dr Thares Krasanairawiwong said that during a teleconference on Friday, he told health officials in 18 provinces where the numbers of dengue patients has increased continuously to curb the diseases in the next four weeks from July 21 to August 18. Thsoe provinces are Bangkok, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Songkhla, Satun, Phuket and Narathiwat.

The proof is that you believe this stuff. 😉

From Bangkok Post he Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) is warning people over a new form of cyber scam in which Android smartphone users are duped into believing they were updating their ThaID app in way that allows the scammers to remotely control their phones and steal their money. The CCIB was alerted by the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) that many people have fallen victim to the ruse, said Pol Col Kissana Phathanacharoen, spokesman for the CCIB. The department is responsible for the ThaID app, a mobile phone application that allows Thai citizens to substitute their ID with a digital version which they can use to receive government services or for identify themselves in certain situations such as when boarding a plane. All victims had received an SMS with a link directing them to add a fake ThaID official Line account and were lured into believing they were chatting with a DPA official, said Pol Col Kissana. During the chat, victims were tricked into giving personal information, six-digit phone passcodes for iBanking apps, and instructed to install an APK (app package) file that let their phones be remotely controlled, he said. The scammers used this access to transfer money to bank accounts, he said. These online scammers often change their tricks as they keep conning people, he said. In the past, they posed as officials from various government organisations and companies including the Revenue Department, Department of Special Investigation, Department of Lands, Provincial Electricity Authority, Provincial Waterworks Authority, Thai Lion Air and Thai Life Insurance. The CCIB has asked people not to click on links sent via SMS. DPA does not have a Line Official Account and does not have a policy to send SMS messages to people, he said.

There's a difference between "generic" and "authoritative". You want people to believe that you're a gay man coming to Thailand who has very specific questions about oral sex and you think total strangers will provide the best advice? That's nonsensical. You claim that you're "not experienced" but in your OP said you "particularly love being blown." Sounds like experience to me.