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From Vietnam News In light of a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases over the past five days, authorities in Hà Nội have said residents must strictly adhere to mask-wearing guidelines established by the Ministry of Health. The People's Committee said there had been apparent lapses in compliance among the population, leading to higher risks of transmission, especially in crowded, indoor places. The measure covers a diverse array of locations, such as shopping centres, entertainment venues, and fitness facilities, and extends to both employees and patrons. Furthermore, it mandates mask-wearing for individuals using public transport, including drivers and passengers alike. Those attending crowded events or visiting popular tourist destinations must also adhere to the mask requirement. Over the past five days, Hà Nội has recorded the highest number of daily cases nationwide, averaging 96 infections per day. Among the hospitalised patients, 30 to 50 individuals are either elderly or have pre-existing medical conditions. At present, there are 566 documented COVID-19 patients in Hà Nội. Of these, 299 individuals with mild symptoms are being monitored at home, while two patients require mechanical ventilation. — VNS

From Richard Barrow Thai Train Guide If you are a seasoned rail traveler, you probably already know that you can pick up paper railway timetables for free at the information counter at most stations. However, there are now alternative ways of checking the timetables. You have a choice of checking online on the official website or by downloading the SRT Timetable Application for your smartphone [App Store] or [Google Play]. You not only get to see the times for the trains for each stop, but there is more information such as pictures of the seats in the carriages and also prices for each class. UPDATED: I also have copies of the printed version of the timetables released by the State Railway of Thailand in February 2023. Please note, other than the first train, only the arrival train times are shown. Some trains will stop only a minute or two at each station, but you might find that at some stations, the departure time might be ten minutes or more after the shown arrival time. SRT Timetables for Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal: Northern Line | Southern Line | Northeastern Line | Red Line | Red Line (Taling Chan) | Red Line (Rangsit) SRT Timetables for Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong): Northern Line | Southern Line | Northeastern Line | Eastern Line | Commuter Line | Nakhon Pathom Commuter Line | Other SRT Timetables: Maeklong Line NEW: You can also download a PDF of all of these timetables:. https://www.thaitrainguide.com/timetables/

From Bangkok Post

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Marine Disco at the height of its popularity. Marine Disco, which has graced Pattaya’s Walking Street for over 30 years, has finally bitten the dust according to reports by reliable gogo gurus Stickman’s Weekly Column and Dave the Rave. One of the largest music clubs on the strip, Marine Disco (pronounced Mal-ee in Thai) first opened during the 1970s Vietnam war and attracted large numbers of American servicemen on rest and recreation vacations. Some say the original location was in a different Pattaya venue. Marine Disco’s success continued into the 1990s as Walking Street appealed to newer markets of night owl travellers from Britain, mainland Europe and Australia. Columnist of the era, Bernard Trink, is believed to have coined the phrase “chicken farm” for the disco. But he was apparently describing the naive and hungry foreign customers rather than the smiling ladies on the dance floor or circulating round the seven billiard tables which were an unusual feature of the huge layout. In more recent years, Marine Disco began to lose popularity. Some said the location at the top of an escalator was a safety concern in case of fire, whilst others commented third gender persons had become too dominant under the flashing lights. But the key factor was likely the classy competition from neighboring clubs which have become more flashy and hi-tech with cream-of-the-crop DJs. The club even ceased to keep its Facebook page up to date. In the post-Covid environment, the foreign clientele of Walking Street also appears to be changing. In 2023, it appears to appeal mostly to Asian vacationers whilst the traditional customers such as holiday Brits are congregating on Soi Buakhao and Soi L.K.Metro in a different area of the city. The consequences of the awesome pandemic for evening entertainment in Pattaya are still unfolding.

Thanks for clarification. I think I was reacting more to the mention of sleazeball like Murdoch in same sentence as stand up guy like Buffett.

Agree with you about the court but I have to come to the defense of Warren Buffett. My initial small investment in Berkshire Hathaway many years back now help finance my BKK travels. Buffett, and his even older sidekick Charlie Munger, have continually displayed great acumen in finding good companies at the right price. Most readers may be surprised to learn that they have very likely flown on aircraft whose pilots were trained by Flight Safety International (a wholly owned BH subsidiary), the world's leading provider of commercial aviators in 135 aircraft types. And if you've ever enjoyed a Dairy Queen, you're helping the BH bottom line.

This photo from The Nation shows how the police managed to keep Silom Rd. open during Songkran by fencing off the traffic lane closes to sidewalk for use by pedestrians.

From Inhabitat Rainforest observatory provides a green space for Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand gained a rainforest observatory designed by HAS Design and Research. It’s called Benchakitti Rain Forest Observatory. Bangkok has 6.99 square meters of green space for each person, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Unfortunately, this is less than the nine square meters minimum recommended by the World Health Organization. The Benchakitti Forest Park rainforest observatory aims to remedy this a bit, opening to the public in 2022 to create more green space for Bangkok residents. Benchakitti Rain Forest Observatory is an architectural manifesto, according to its designers. The observatory creates more natural environment, expressing the demand of Bangkok residents for more green spaces for their city. Additionally, the project sits is in the center of Benchakitti Forest Park, surrounded by wetlands and trees. Flowers, songbirds and insects fill the park, which is already popular with locals. By creating an observatory here, designers have created a new way for people to get up close with nature in their environment while relaxing outdoors. Furthermore, the observatory is designed to blend in to its natural environment. It’s green and looks as though it is covered in leaves. The platforms extend out like a floating wetland island into the park amidst the tropical rainforest. Undulating forms guide visitors to the upper level where they can look over the park. The lower first level combines a water misting system to simulate a wetland environment with activities for people to enjoy, including yoga, meditation and family events. Nearly 100 smart boards were combined with four different green colors of sustainable paint to wrap into the forest seamlessly and with minimal impact. The light strips behind the smart boards come on at night to provide lighting while making the form of the building disappear against the background of the forest at night. HAS Design and Research says that Benchakitti Rain Forest Observatory is not just a service facility, but more like a tropical rainforest itself. The structure provides shade for visitors and creates a gathering space for citizens that helps them connect with each other and nature. Lastly, we love the walkways with changing elevations that are disguised and softened by the green façade. Visitors can stand on the upper levels to walk along the park at a higher level for a beautiful view, or sit beneath the misters beneath the platforms to relax in the shade.

Good that you remembered to equip yourself with a ruler. Never thought of that 😉

From The Diplomat Yesterday saw the beginning of crossborder passenger services on the China-Laos railway, a move that presages the tighter integration of the two countries. The 1,000-kilometer rail line, which links the Lao capital Vientiane to Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, was completed in December 2021, but crossborder services have since been limited to freight transports due to the barriers erected by Beijing’s severe “zero COVID” policies. The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that the first train departed from Kunming South railway station for Vientiane yesterday, at the auspicious time of 8:08 a.m. According to a report in the International Rail Journal, the will be one train running in each direction per day, and the total time of the journey will take 10-and-half-hours, including two short stops for customs checks. First class tickets for the full journey are available for 760 yuan ($110) while second-class tickets are priced at 470 yuan ($68). The Laos-China Railway, which broke began construction in 2015 and marks the first extension of China’s high-speed rail system into Southeast Asia, is as a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia. The opening of passenger operations between Vientiane and Kunming has capped off a quarter century that has seen a remarkable demolition of distance in the borderlands between China and mainland Southeast Asia. For most of history, the rolling, emerald-green hills of southern Yunnan and northern Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar formed an almost impenetrable barrier to outsiders, closed to all but the most hardy settlers and traders, while the peoples that dwelt in these regions enjoyed virtual independence from the major lowland states. Since the end of the Cold War, and in a more intensive way since the first decade of the 2000s, transport infrastructure (mostly highways) has threaded its way through this terrain, prompting a reorientation of the region’s economy to the north. Laos, in particular, has seen significant flows of Chinese capital that have reshaped the urban landscape of Vientiane and other Lao towns, which now boast large communities of Chinese expatriates. Given the two nations’ vast asymmetries of size, the opening of passenger services between Vientiane and Kunming is likely to have a much more profound impact on Laos than on China. It will likely lead to a sharp growth Chinese tourism to northern Laos, particularly to the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, and to gradual a resumption of the Chinese expatriate presence that was partly interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All told, with the demolition of a formidable barrier that once kept Chinese economic and political influence at bay, Laos’ economy is increasingly bound to that of its large norther neighbor.

From The Thaiger The British Foreign Office issued a warning to both UK residents and expats in Thailand about a passport scam that is currently targetting British nationals in the kingdom. Fraudsters are attempting to capitalize on the recent strikes by government workers in the UK, which have caused delays in passport renewals, by promising to bypass the three-month waiting period for a fee. The scam involves fake websites such as UK-renewpassport.net and emails from similar-named sources promising to expedite the passport renewal process through international money transfer systems like Western Union, Pattaya Mail reported. The British Foreign Office is advising British nationals in Thailand who want to renew their passports not to fall into a trap and deal only with authorized application centres in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The scams in Thailand are similar to those already identified by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) in the UK, where many Brits have been tricked into believing they can get bargain-basement air tickets or cheap foreign holidays. However, in Thailand, the scams appear to target expat Brits who specifically want to renew their passports quickly. The CTSI said… “This scam has arisen as people try to bypass the inevitable delays, but paying money online for special favours is a recipe for disaster.” The British Foreign Office website confirms that there is no fast-track service available overseas. The cost of an adult renewal is currently £127.51 (5,500 baht) for 34 pages and £138.51 for 50 pages, inclusive of courier fees. Local staff in Thailand will check the required paperwork before transferring and returning the original documentation to the applicant.

Remember the old stories about how bars in Bangkok would make up for fewer customers by raising drink prices? Well, airlines are taking a page from that tactic and raising fares and restricting capacity. Within the last 24 hours, US majors American and United announced disappointing earnings last quarter but said bookings are strong going into the summer while they are simultaneously planning to cut the number of flights. “We’re intentionally pulling back some of the capacity,” United CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC. “We want to make sure we don’t outrun our capabilities.” Nevertheless, he went on to predict that the airline should be able to get to 2019 capacity levels by the end of the year. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, "Chinese airlines undertaking the biggest hiring drives in more than three years as travel rebounds are facing a deluge of applicants for cabin crew roles as fresh university graduates turn to the relatively high-paying career in a bleak job market. In contrast to Western countries, where cabin crew roles are relatively low-paid and mostly do not require a university degree, becoming a flight attendant in China typically requires a bachelor's degree and preferably passing a challenging government-administrated English test." Excerpts from Reuters article (11 April) Carriers including Xiamen Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Spring Airlines are now on a hiring spree as domestic travel recovers and they plan to resume flights to popular international destinations. Hainan Airlines, which plans to hire more than 1,000 flight attendants this year, has already received more than 20,000 applications, it told Reuters. China Southern, which plans to hire 3,000 cabin crew this year, said it already had more than seven times as many applicants by the end of December. "There have always been a large number of young girls and boys who want to do this job, as the income is not bad, usually between 10,000 ($1,454) and 20,000 yuan a month, and it is fun, allowing you to fly around the world," said Li Hanming, an independent expert on China's aviation industry. In 2021, only 6.1% of fresh college graduates earned more than 10,000 yuan a month, the Global Times reported in February, citing education consulting and research institute MyCOS. Despite the surge in job seekers, airlines may find it difficult to deploy new hires immediately because of year-long ground training courses, which could slow their efforts to boost capacity quickly and keep airfares high, Li said. "Carriers have pretty bright forecast for 2024 so they need to hire crew members now, otherwise they will be short of hands next year," he added.

Such events were commonplace at the gay cruising cinema in Saphan Kwai in its heyday.

From the BBC In our series of letters from African journalists, Tanzanian writer Sammy Awami considers what is behind recent moves against homosexuality in East Africa. From banning schoolbooks in Tanzania to passing the harshest of laws in Uganda, to disputing a Supreme Court decision in Kenya, there seems to be a wave of anti-homosexuality sentiments sweeping through the region. While there is nothing unusual about the homophobic and apocalyptic tone that always accompanies the subject, it appears there is also a rise of genuine belief, especially among those who would generally pass as liberals or open minded, that the West is on a systematic mission to shove this "homosexuality agenda" down the throats of Africans. Most of those holding this belief can hardly substantiate it with any facts or concrete examples. Khalifa Said, a Dar es Salaam based journalist and editor for an online outlet The Chanzo, believes that "Tanzanians' perception towards members of the LGBTQ+ community is very negative and it's getting worse every day". There are many on social media who looked at the recent visit by US Vice-President Kamala Harris with particular suspicion. There was even an unofficial survey on Twitter asking users to suggest how President Samia Suluhu Hassan should respond were she to be asked about her stance on homosexuality. When journalists were not able to ask questions at the leaders' joint press briefing, many suspected it was a trick to save President Samia from the infamous question: "What is your stance on homosexuality?" Said says this rising homophobic sentiment is not random. He believes it is sponsored by politicians and political parties who have not delivered on their promises to their voters. "The biggest winners of all this hatred will be the politicians who have failed to improve the living standards of their people despite being in power for decades," he says. The hypocrisy and predictability of politicians, clergy and the rest of the self-appointed defenders of African traditions and culture is never short of amusement. Politicians would swiftly name and shame individuals and NGOs they accuse of supporting and spreading homosexuality in the country but would never dare to expose their peers who embezzle millions of dollars of public funds. Last week, Tanzania's Controller Auditor General released a damning report detailing the sickening loss of millions of dollars in public entities. We are yet to hear from the top anti-homosexual crusaders on how they plan to rescue the nation from this scourge of embezzlement. On Zanzibar, there is an on-going court case against a gentleman who is accused of being involved in homosexuality. A medical doctor is one of the witnesses after conducting a forced anal examination on the suspect, which rights groups have repeatedly called cruel, inhumane and without scientific basis. This case comes only a few weeks after a humiliating private video featuring the gentleman was widely shared on social media. Continues at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65239117

From the BBC By Andrew Stillman12th April 2023 While San Francisco and Los Angeles are renowned for their gay scenes, San Diego has long been one of the US' most tolerant cities. California has long been known as one of the most progressive, tolerant and LGBTQ+-friendly states in the US. Los Angeles was home to the US' first gay rights organisation and coined the term "Pride" to refer to gay advocacy. San Francisco hosted the country's first gay rights march and elected the first openly gay man to public office. The state was the first to legalise domestic partnerships between same-sex couples and consistently ranks as the best place in the US for LGBTQ+ travellers to visit. In 2017, California issued a travel ban prohibiting state-funded travel to any state "that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression". The travel ban initially applied to just five states, but after a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has swept across the US in the past seven years, it currently covers nearly half of the country. Now, in an effort to advance some of its other progressive policy goals, California is considering ending its travel ban and replacing it with an advertising campaign to promote acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in these "banned" states. The move is the latest effort in California's long history of promoting acceptance and inclusion for the gay community. But while places like San Francisco and Los Angeles have famously helped establish California as an LGBTQ+ bastion, the state is home to another gay hub that is often overshadowed by these larger cities: San Diego. San Diego has been a haven for members of the LGBTQ+ communities for decades. In his book Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II, historian Allan Bérubé explained that the city's role as a major military headquarters inadvertently created a nascent gay scene during the war. Gay and lesbian people who had been isolated in smaller towns across the country where homosexuality was frowned upon were suddenly brought together during the war effort. Gay bars like Bradley's and Blue Jacket in San Diego's Gaslamp District attracted so many people that the city was featured in the 1952 book USA Confidential about America's "sin spots", while clubs like the Seven Seas and Jack's Steam acted as a cruising ground for gay men. Many military veterans later chose to settle in the city and, thanks to the city's culture of tolerance, 135 gay bars have opened here since the the war ended in 1945. "Moving out here, I fell in love with San Diego," said Chris Orban, more commonly known as Ariana Grindr on TikTok. "I feel like I can be my true self here." Nowadays, the hub of the city's LGBTQ+ community is Hillcrest, where a rainbow-lit sign and rainbow flags flapping over indie book shops, cafes and vintage clothing shops remind visitors why the area is dubbed San Diego's "gayborhood". Thanks to a mixture of cheap rent, abundant space and its out-of-the-way location, Hillcrest's gay community began congregating here in the late 1960s. The city's first Gay Pride parade was held here in 1975 and today the annual event is one of the largest Prides in the US, attracting more than 300,000 people. One of Hillcrest's most popular hangouts is Gossip Grill, which is one of only 27 lesbian bars left in the country. "We're a safe space for women and the marginalised community. It's the only women's bar in Southern California," said owner Moe Girton. "One thing we've seen recently, there's so much more diversity now and fluidity and people just stepping into their skin. You don't have to fit into a box anymore. Everyone [here] is just who they are and so accepting of everyone." Down the road and across a rainbow-painted crosswalk, you'll find the Hillcrest Brewing Company, the world's first gay brewery. When the sun dips down behind the horizon, you can follow the music along University Avenue to dance the night away at Rich's, Hillcrest's most popular gay nightclub, which has been featured on shows like the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Any visit to San Diego wouldn't be complete with a visit to the beach. But before hitting the surf, stock up on sweets from the Candy Pushers, a colourful, lesbian-owned candy shop serving homemade fudge, specialty chocolates and truffles alongside more than 1,000 varieties of sweets. Then, a few shops away, stop by HUMANITY!, a novelty shop where you can find the perfect pair of Speedos, though those preferring to swim in their birthday suit should hit Black's Beach, a clothing-optional beach that's a popular hangout for the gay community. One of the city's most iconic and historic hotels is The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, located in North Park. It also happens to be a hotspot for local gay men to enjoy a poolside drink. The hotel will reopen in June 2023 after a $26m renovation, and is just one of many LGBTQ+-friendly hotels in the city. San Diego may not be the first city people think of in California when they think of tolerance, but with its mix of year-round warm weather and climate of acceptance, there's nowhere Orban would rather be. "I feel at home [here]. Everyone is so open minded here and I can just be my authentic self without worrying. I don't live in the fear of walking down the street and getting assaulted because I dress the way I dress or have long hair," he said. "Plus, it's gorgeous and I'm obsessed with the beaches and the weather here. Every day is a vacation."

From Pattaya Mail The Cambodian government is determined to put a new focus on international tourism, stressing that visitors should be dispersed throughout the country. The move follows concerns that the traditional attraction, the Angkor Wat ancient temple complex, is suffering environmentally from mass tourism (notably Chinese) and more controversially from the semi-forcible eviction of 10,000 local residents to “protect” the park. Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that, in the past, overseas visitors had restricted themselves mostly to the capital Phnom Penh and the provincial Siem Reap with the neighboring temple complex. He explained that new packages were now offering more nature tourism, adventure activities, ecotourism and learning about local culture and food. Cambodia had many poor areas throughout the country which still needed development. Mr Khon said the focus now was on the slogan “Every day is a Wonder” and included events such as the Southeast Asian Games next month, the international tourism forum in Sihanoukville and the 12th ASEAN para games in June. He added that tourism had rebounded since the pandemic and predicted arrivals in 2023 would surpass 4 million. The pre-pandemic six million would be equaled by 2025. Cambodia is now rapidly transforming its poor infrastructure image, such as 38 new roads in Siem Reap, the recently-opened Phnom Phnom-Sihanoukville expressway and two mid-construction international airports which will encourage new airlines by applying tax incentives and reducing or waiving landing fees. Mark Geoffreys, spokesperson for Asian Tours which specializes in Cambodia, said, “Angkor Wat will remain the most popular venue, but the many improvements in transport communications mean that many more international tourists will visit other parts of the country too.”

Authorities suddenly appear to be going out of their way to play down the huge cyber theft. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the May elections. From The Nation Hacker ”9Near”, who is accused of stealing personal data of 55 million Thais, has nothing to do with Thai politics, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Wednesday. Thai authorities began a hunt for the hacker on April 2 after he announced on the Breach Forum website that he had obtained the personal data of 55 million Thai nationals. He claimed the data included names, surnames, date of birth, ID card and telephone numbers. The Breach Forum website is a place where personal data leaked from state agencies or private firms are bought and sold. The Criminal Court, on April 3, ordered a block on the website, 9near.org, and any websites found publishing data from 9near.org. Army Transportation Department officer Sgt-Major Second Class Khemarat Boonchuay, who is suspected to be the hacker, surrendered to cyber police on April 7. Khemarat has been accused of violating the Computer-related Crime Act and Personal Data Protection Act. Cyber police have confiscated Khemarat's hacking equipment at his residence in Nonthaburi. The suspect's wife would be charged with being an accomplice if they find evidence, the police said.

From The Thaiger Army suspends AWOL sergeant major turned cyberpunk The sergeant major turned cyberpunk who was accused of hacking the personal data of 55 million Thais has been suspended by the Royal Thai Army (RTA). Police on Friday reported that the suspect and his wife were detained and questioned about the alleged crime, but the couple has since disappeared. Maj. Gen. Sirichan Ngathong, the deputy spokesperson, stated that “SM2 Khemarat’s unit” suspended him on Friday, April 7 for being absent without leave (AWOL) since April 3. The suspect works as a driver in the Army Transportation Department. The sergeant major was issued an arrest warrant for computer crime, leading to his suspension, reported Bangkok Post. Maj. Gen. Sirichan reiterated that the army is doing everything possible to locate the suspect and that the alleged crime was a personal matter rather than a military operation. The suspect allegedly obtained the personal information of millions of people, including their names, surnames, addresses, birthdates, ID card numbers, and telephone numbers, from the Mor Prom app. The suspect’s wife, who is a nurse, also had access to the database. The Mor Prom app was initially developed by the Public Health Ministry to help implement Covid-19 controls during the pandemic. It was later expanded to serve as a health service portal. The RTA on Sunday was accused of delaying the arrest of the sergeant major. But the RTA say that despite approaching the suspect’s supervisors and family, investigators have been unable to contact him. Maj. Gen. Sirichan responded to a report stating that the police had given the suspect seven days to surrender. She also stated that the army had formed a committee to investigate disciplinary action against the sergeant major for damaging the army’s reputation. Responding to reports that the suspect had the support of an influential person, Maj. Gen. Sirichan stated that any soldiers suspected of wrongdoing would not be protected. The hacker threatened to disclose the information if a government agency allegedly involved in the data breach did not meet his ransom demand last week. ================================ From CNBC FBI warns against using public phone charging stations The FBI recently warned consumers against using free public charging stations, saying crooks have managed to hijack public chargers that can infect devices with malware, or software that can give hackers access to your phone, tablet or computer. “Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers,” a tweet from the FBI’s Denver field office said. “Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.” Consumer devices with compromised USB cables can be hijacked through software that can then siphon off usernames and passwords, the FCC warned at the time. The commission told consumers to avoid those public stations.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration lists the following Songkran venues: For residents and tourists, here are some of the key locations to celebrate Songkran in Bangkok: – International Amazing Splash 2023 from 13 to 15 April 2023 at Chula Soi 5, at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, near the National Stadium. The event is aimed at highlighting international cultural events and traditions of splashing that are similar to Songkran; – SIAM Songkran Music Festival from 12 to 14 and 16 April 2023 at Urban Yard RCA open cafe; – GCIRCUIT Songkran Festival 2023 from 13 to 16 April 2023 at CentralWorld Shopping Plaza. (PRD)

Taking into consideration first and second-hand reports I'm receiving about the crowds in Silom area over the weekend, I wouldn't be surprised if authorities will end up backing off decision to keep Silom rd. open to vehicle traffic. Maybe they're counting on the widened sidewalks to accommodate revelers or they anticipate that they'll go elsewhere to celebrate. However when you consider this is what the avenue looked like in pre-covid days, that's taking a lot for granted.

From Time It’s a Monday in Bangkok, the Thai capital, which means all civil servants by custom don their tan military-style uniforms, and so the arm enthusiastically proffering the “ganja oil” is immaculately pressed with golden epaulets at the top. Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, unscrews the brown vial’s lid and takes a deep sniff before breaking into his trademark grin. “Cannabis has been long stigmatized as a narcotic,” he tells TIME. “But it is no more addictive than tobacco. I consume traditional medicine droplets [of ganja oil] to help me sleep.” Until last summer, Thailand had some of the world’s harshest drug laws. Possession of many of the products laced with cannabis derivatives that Anutin arranges on his desk in Bangkok’s Health Ministry building—such as facial scrub, tea, massage balm, hand sanitizer spray, as well as CBD oil—would have then risked a long jail sentence. But Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party, which is today the junior partner in a military-backed ruling coalition, competed in national elections in 2019 on decriminalizing the plant, ostensibly to reduce prison overcrowding and foster a budding hemp industry. On June 9, marijuana was decriminalized and a resurgent cannabis culture has since engulfed the Southeast Asian nation of 70 million, with dispensaries peppering both its sprawling cities and chicken coop villages. The Thai cannabis market is projected to reach $9.6 billion by 2030. “Thailand is actually the [world’s] most suitable location to grow quality cannabis,” says Anutin, a former engineer who entered politics in 1996. “We have so much knowledge from traditional medicine in Thailand and the use of cannabis extractions can cure so many illnesses and [alleviate] symptoms.” Thailand goes to the ballot box again on May 14, and Anutin is hoping the buzz around cannabis legalization can propel him to become the nation’s next leader. He is promising another broad swath of reform, including a three-year debt moratorium for farmers; subsidies for green technology adoption; and a $3 billion land bridge spanning southern Thailand’s Isthmus of Kra. Yet success in May’s ballot may hinge on an even more seismic undertaking. The election will once again pit the populist political machine of exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinwatra against the Bangkok-based elite power nexus centered on Thailand’s military, judiciary, and royal palace. Parties backed by Thaksin­—a policeman turned media mogul, who lives overseas after being convicted of corruption (charges he denies)—have won every election since 2001 but have been ousted twice by the military and three times by the courts. With the Thaksin-aligned Pheu Thai Party set to win yet another landslide, observers fear a renewed cycle of deadly street protests and military intervention. “A Pheu Thai prime minister would not be acceptable to the establishment,” says Thitinan Pongsudhirak, associate professor of political science at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University Anutin is one of the few figures capable of bridging Thailand’s yawning political schism between the Bangkok-based elite and Thaksin’s heartland in the populous, rice-farming northeast. Bhumjaithai has welcomed 34 influential defectors from other parties in recent months and a decent showing at the ballot box could see Anutin thrust into the top job as the head of either a military-backed or majority Pheu Thai government. Continues at https://time.com/6264782/anutin-charnvirakul-thailand-prime-minister-election-interview/

From Pattaya Mail The Water Festival 2023 is taking place from 13-16 April at the 11 charming sites along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Five famous temples – Wat Pho, Wat Rakhang Kositaram, Wat Arun, Wat Kalayanamit, and Wat Prayurawongsawat Five popular riverside attractions – Yodpiman River Walk, Tha Maharaj, Lhong 1919, SOOKSIAM at ICONSIAM, and Asiatique The Riverfront Destination One shrine – Guan Yu Shrine (Khlong San) Free shuttle boat service is available throughout the 4 days at all 11 piers from 08.30-17.00 Hrs.

From Thai Newsroom WITH Songkran festival kicking off next Thursday (Apr. 13) revellers might be disappointed to hear that Silom road will not be close this year for them to gather there for a splashing good time but they can still enjoy themselves on the sidewalks and the alleys leading off this key artery of the metropolis, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon. Bang Rak district said while Silom road will not be closed, their officials and the police will be on hand to take care of revellers and tourists who gather on the sidewalks and alleys to participate in this festival. The district office added that there are many other places in Bangkok where Songkran events are being held including Khao San road, City Hall square (Larn Khon Mueang), Samyan Mitrtown, Siam Square, Central World and Icon Siam. NICEMap has put out a map showing 198 places in Bangkok where Songkran events are being held and spots where people could go to and splash water at each other at https://th.riskmap.org/

Again, thank you for the definitions. I'm content if LGBTQIA2S is the new standard for those who are concerned with gender studies but, judging from your explanation, there's no need for it to replace LGBT and LGBTQ in describing gays in the media. And I thought it was just the fine print in insurance polices that are complicated. Reads like the list of ingredients in a tube of sunscreen.🙂

Much appreciate your clarification. I guess this means that LGBTQ is insufficiently inclusive. So we now should use a new acronym of LGBTQCGNB to refer to the gay community? I hope—for my sake and that of Joe Biden—that neither of us has to pronounce that in pubic because I'm sure we'll both stumble over it. 🙂