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From Thai PBS World Despite the fact that it is now the rainy season in Thailand, no rain is forecast for most of July, returning in August. The Royal Irrigation Department has instructed its officials to adjust their water management plans to ensure optimum use of water and to maintain as much as possible in the reservoirs. According to Thaweesak Thanadachopol, deputy director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, the total volume of water in Thailand’s four main reservoirs, namely behind the Bhumibol, Pasak Jolasid, Sirikit and Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan dams, is at 45% of full capacity, or 11.301 billion cubic metres, with only 15% at Pasak Jolasid. Reservoirs, both large and medium-sized, across the country now hold a combined total of 39.869 billion cubic metres of water or an average of 52% of their capacities. The Meteorological Department forecasts that, until Sunday, the south-western monsoon will weaken and this will lead to less rain in northern Thailand, with isolated heavy rainfall in southern provinces. Although the water in Pasak Jolasid reservoir will be enough for consumption and protection of the ecological system, there won’t be enough for agriculture and farmers have been told to rely on rain for rice cultivation. Sermchai Khiewsirithavorn, director of Regional Irrigation Office 10, said he is, however, optimistic that there will be enough rain by November to fill Pasak Jolasid reservoir, which will be sufficient until the next dry season, citing forecasts from the Meteorological Department.

From Nikkei Asia APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer BANGKOK -- Thailand's tourism sector is taking LGBT travelers more seriously, hoping their spending on events and medical treatments gives the country a post-COVID economic jolt. The Thai economy grew 2.7% in the first quarter of 2023 from a year earlier, and the central bank expects it to expand 3.6% for the whole year. Authorities say the tourism sector, which accounted for about 20% of the economy before the pandemic, will play an essential role. LGBT tourists spend an estimated $200 billion worldwide a year, according to research conducted by Out Now Consulting, an agency that provides gay marketing services to big companies. This prospective gold mine has encouraged the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to hone its LGBT marketing strategy, which includes holding roadshows targeting LGBT communities in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Thailand has long been a destination for LGBT tourists, but it is only recently that the tourism authority started promotions targeting LGBT groups. This year, the tourism authority is sponsoring Pride events in more areas, such as Phuket and Pattaya, in addition to Bangkok. Thailand is celebrating Pride Month throughout June with parades, concerts and other LGBT events, with thousands of people from around the world taking part in a Bangkok Pride parade on June 4. The foreign tourists did not come just for the parade. According to TAT research, many were long-haul travelers who often spend days at destinations holding events they want to attend. “The TAT has realized the importance of [LGBT] groups and will continue to do research to serve their demand," a TAT official said. Thailand has long attracted wealthy medical tourists due to its high medical standards and competitive prices. Now the country's medical sector is working to attract LGBT medical tourists from Asia and elsewhere. “The TAT has realized the importance of [LGBT] groups and will continue to do research to serve their demand," a TAT official said. Thailand has long attracted wealthy medical tourists due to its high medical standards and competitive prices. Now the country's medical sector is working to attract LGBT medical tourists from Asia and elsewhere. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Commerce held a business-matching event in Bangkok so Thai producers of boys love content could meet and talk with importers from Japan, South Korea and China. The fair generated 158 business partnerships that are expected to lead to more than 3.6 billion baht in exports of LGBT-themed content, according to Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy spokeswoman for the government. Continues at https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Open-minded-Thailand-banks-on-LGBT-tourists-boys-love-exports2

From. Thai PBS World Yellow Line train free trial service to be extended to 22 stations The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) has agreed to expand the free trial run of the Yellow Line electric train service from 13 stations to 22 stations and to extend the operating hours from 6am to 8 pm, starting on Monday June 12th. Currently, the trial service, launched on June 3rd, runs from Hua Mark to Samrong station from 9am to 8pm. The expansion of the trial, to include nine more stations, will be from Srinagarind Road to Lat Phrao Road. The stations are Pawana, Chokchai 4, Lat Phrao 71, Lat Phrao 83, Mahadthai, Lat Phrao 101, Bang Kapi, Lam Salee and Sri Kritha. The Yellow Line service has 23 stations in total, covering a distance of 30.4km. As 22 stations are to open for the trial service tomorrow (Monday), the only station not yet open is Lat Phrao, where work on pavements and nearby road surfacing is being completed. The Yellow Line is a feeder service to connect passengers from eastern Bangkok and Samut Prakan to the main mass transit lines in Bangkok

Let me see if I got this straight: you’re calling someone else an old toad.

Love you, Peter.

I’m familiar with most of the shops and have yet to encounter one that didn’t have ample offerings

What gives you that idea. Check their Line posts and judge for yourself.

I listened to his presentation and made my judgement that he’s an old man trying his best to share his experience and what he’s learned about life. If you wish to believe accusations made my someone who claims to seen him in a bar in Pattaya, be my guest. Perhaps you were actually in the bar by clairvoyance. That would be one more credential you can add to your medical degree which enables you to advise Phuket public health officials on how they should do their job. Tell us, please: is their any topic under the sun on which you don’t see yourself as an expert?

The shops do offer “soft” service but I opted for “hard”

It would be impossible to criticize everything you write. 🙂 keep in mind you don’t have a monopoly on wisdom. Tweed Harris among them.

For two. One hour each massage.

From the Thaiger A Thai Airways flight TG683 collided with an EVA Air flight BR189 on a runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, causing no reported injuries. Approximately 260 people were on the Thai airline, while approximately 200 were aboard the EVA Air aircraft. Thai Airways explained that the incident occurred when the plane was moving toward taxiway L15. The winglet on the right side of the plane collided with the tail of the EVA Air aircraft parked at taxiway L14. Extensive damage was caused to the upper section of the wing, rendering the plane unable to continue flying. All passengers and crew were unharmed. Haneda Airport closed its 3,000-metre Runway A following the incident. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that around 260 people were on the Thai Airways plane, while around 200 were on the EVA Air aircraft.

Enjoyed two massages in Saphan Kwai Saturday and the total cost of both (shop fees and tips) 3,180:baht. As I’ve been saying all along, there’s great value, enjoyment and choice to be found in Bangkok massage shops. It’s just a matter of going.

Sounds like diarrhea of the mouth.

You pick on 90-year-old Tweed. Harris whose biggest crimes and being old and trying to share his wisdom with others. He’ll, man, you do that all the time. You accuse him of sprouting drivel in a bar in Pattaya that you were never privy to. And you’re trying to persuade us of the evils another old man is sharing on some mystery website you follow.

You’re right, of course. They should obviously wait until there’s another hundred thousand or so cases. Much better to hold off until cases get really bad. Wait, didn’t we try that with Covid?

Feel like I just won the lottery. 🙏

“That site” must be doing something right because it keeps you coming back for more of that “sprouted drivel.” 😊 Btw, it was the Pattaya Expats Club (not Pattaya Mail) that invited Tweed Harris to speak. Much like your self, Harris is a fellow expat so you’ve got that going for you.

Heartening to know you have been blessed with a multitude of good memories. We all have a few and hopefully they allow us to find charity for those like the poor soul that you follow on that other site who seems to have none.

Well this is an equal opportunity site. You and I both managed to discover it.

Probably. But all any of us has at this moment is the future. To dwell too much on the past provides little comfort or joy.

Let me see if I’ve got this straight: you’re calling someone else a drunkard.

From the Thaiger An emergency operations centre (EOC) has been established by the Public Health Ministry in response to over 100 people falling ill from an unidentified pathogen across three districts in Phuket. The pathogen has caused severe diarrhoea among those affected. Public Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, stated that health authorities are investigating the cause of the outbreak, which was initially thought to be a virus. The EOC has been set up to manage the situation, working closely with provincial authorities throughout the investigation. Dr. Opas emphasised that despite diarrhoea having a low death rate, it is crucial to enforce sanitation regulations to prevent it from becoming a public health concern. This comes after a surge of patients presenting with symptoms on Thursday night. Health Inspector-General Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong reported that numerous individuals were admitted to hospitals in the Muang, Kathu, and Thalang districts. However, most of those seeking medical treatment experienced only mild symptoms, including stomach cramps, vomiting, and low-grade fever.

From Pattaya Mail Tweed Harris, now in his 90th year, tells his PCEC audience about his life experiences and reflects on how as he aged, his desires in life continued to change. The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) was privileged to have Tweed Harris as their guest speaker on Wednesday, May 31. Tweed has previously shared his story as an actor, playwright, dancer, author, and teacher with the PCEC. Tweed has now reached his 90th year and for this presentation, he provided his “Reflections on Ageing and Changing Desires.” Tweed’s message was that what one desires in youth is no longer important in adulthood. As we age and go through life experiences, our desires will change. His talk illustrated this view by recounting his own life and how his desires and aspirations changed over time. First, he spoke about his early life in England and how he was first introduced to singing, thus creating his desire to become a singer and his early performances. He continued with his life story describing each stage and how it led to changing desires. During his national service his desire was to be a good soldier. When he delved into acting, his aspiration was to be a good actor. In one period of his life, he was a circus groom in Australia which led to his wanting to be a circus rider; but he was not able to achieve this desire as while still a groom he was fired due to exchanging punches with another groom. During his acting career, he mentioned that he had differences with what a director wanted him to do. The director told him “If you don’t like it, become a director.” Thus, another endeavor and another desire to be a great director. Tweed also described how later in his life he became a teacher, and loved it. His desire then was to be an excellent teacher, which he considers he achieved explaining how he used his acting skills as part of his teaching style. He concluded his talk by noting that when he was 79 and experiencing a “down period,” he decided to holiday in Thailand and how this led to his meeting a Thai man in a shopping center who, after 11 years is still his partner. He also mentioned that while in Australia he became a Buddhist and was told by Buddhist monks there that he would live to be 105. So, now his desire is to live, to love, and to be loved. To view Tweed’s presentation, see the video on the PCEC’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnozAQPsJJ4. To read a summary about his previous presentation to the PCEC, visit https://www.pattayamail.com/ourcommunity/pcec-enjoys-humor-comedy-tragedy-184251.