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Blued App scott456 replied to WelshGuyUK's topic in Gay Thailand what's your politics? March 13 15 replies

From Pattaya Mail Josh Richardson is the latest among the 7 current tragedies of British holidaymakers in Thailand appealing for charity funds after a serious accident. Holidaymaker Josh Richardson, from Lancashire, lies in a Bangkok hospital after a motorbike accident several weeks ago in which he suffered substantial head injuries. His Chorley family says that an initial operation to make him well enough to return to UK by business class travel was not successful, so he now needs a full intensive care team onboard which would cost around 170,000 pounds or around 7 million baht. he total cash required is in excess of 200,000 pounds as the Thai hospital requires payment and there are add-on costs such as the family travelling to Thailand. So far the Go Fund Me crowdfunding platform has raised just under 28,000 pounds. Friends and family in UK are also organizing separate fundraising events. Josh is a well-known local figure he played for the Bradford Bulldogs ice hockey team in his university days. A hospital spokesperson said Josh’s travel insurance company was refusing to make a contribution as there was no evidence Josh was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Failing to take “reasonable care” or “defaulting on the host country’s traffic regulations” are common grounds for denying accident claims. But there is some suggestion that Josh’s helmet disappeared at the crash site. It is not known whether an alcohol test was administered as part of the post-accident bureaucracy. ABG Insurance, not involved in the case, said crowdfunding charity appeals are now inevitable in cases where cover is denied. But they rarely raise more than 20 percent of the amounts required. The general advice was to provide full details on the internet site and to provide regular updates. “Public interest soon wanes unless fresh information on the internet is provided on a regular basis.”

From The Thaiger Phuket International Airport in southern Thailand is gaining two new direct flights to China and Vietnam. The first is to Chongqing in China operated by Chongqing Airlines and the second is the first-ever service from Phuket to Hanoi in Vietnam serviced by VietJet. An Airbus A320neo will service the new Chinese route four times per week throughout April and will increase to daily flights in May, according to AOT. Chongqing Airlines is the 61st airline currently operating flights in and out of the world-famous tourist hotspot. VietJet will operate Phuket’s first and only service to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, commencing May 19. The route joins the airline’s daily flight between Phuket and Ho Chih Minh City. The airline will operate one daily return flight, departing from Hanoi at 11.35am and landing in Phuket at 2.40pm. The return flight will take off from Phuket at 3.45pm and arrive in Hanoi at 6.35pm. The flight time will be around three hours on both legs.

From Thai News Agency BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) – The police can identify the hacker who claims he holds personal data of 55 million Thai people, stolen from a government agency. The police are now investigating to find out if more people are involved in the data hack. Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas ordered the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau to accelerate investigation into the hacker named “9near” who posted on BreachForum, claiming that he had personal data of more than 55 million Thais leaked from a government agency, said Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police. Initially, the police know what agency the hacker got the data from but it cannot be revealed. The hacker posted examples of the data with people’s names, surnames, addresses, birthdates, phone numbers and ID card numbers. He also threatened the owners of information by sending them SMS. (TNA)

I'd think someone in the Trump obit could accommodate you.

If anyone is passing through Patpong it would be much appreciated by all if they'd stop by and see if any sign has been posted on the door of the old bar.

I admit that I had no idea what "cisgender" meant before reading this article--and I'm not altogether sure I do now. From The Nation What can businesses do to improve the work environment for transgender people? That was the question asked by transgender representatives at a recent Bangkok seminar to discuss issues they still encounter at work – and potential solutions. “Thailand appears to be an LGBTQ heaven, but in reality they are only tolerated, not included. Otherwise, we would see a greater presence of them in all kinds of occupations,” said Nikki Phinyapincha, founder of the TransTalent consulting group. Nikki was speaking at the “Trans Mentorship and Seminar Day” on Friday, part of Sasin School of Management’s inclusion initiative (IDEAL) led by Dr Drew B Mallory and TransTalents. Around 77% of job applications by Thai transgenders are rejected – more than for lesbians, gays, and bisexuals – and they face three times more obstacles in unemployment than cisgenders, explained Nikky. (Cisgender describes a person whose gender identity matches their sex at birth.) “This is also very important for financial inclusion and security of transgender people, who suffer the most from discrimination at work,” she said. “There is a false impression that a transgender person has emotional problems. To change this and make a better impact, we need to give power to these people in the boardroom for decision-making too,” she added. Anamika Phiancharoenrat, payables analyst for ExxonMobil, explained that when she took the job, she felt like she had no rights as a transperson at her company. “I was scared of going to the bathroom because I had to follow my title, which is Mr, and I felt so uncomfortable being in the male bathroom,” said Anamika. “I was fortunate that the company had a pride group to support me and help raise the problem, and now I can finally use the women's bathroom,” she said. “Thailand may seem like an LGBT paradise, but I disagree. We are not even treated as human sometimes,” she added. Wharinthorn Na-Bangchang, a partnership development manager at LMG insurance, agreed. “I think it's about respect,” she said, adding that “Asian culture is blind, no one knows what transgender or nonbinary means and they want nothing to do with anyone different from a cisgender.” While companies like to appear trans-friendly, she said, they do little or nothing to protect trans rights. “Many organisations seem supportive, but they are not. It’s more like a marketing campaign. They have to hire an LGBT in human resources first if they really want to support us,” she added. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40026305

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Barry Kenyon speaks about other visa and immigration matters at a recent meeting of the Pattaya Expats Club.

From The Thaiger Songkran celebrations to be held at Bangkok City Hall After a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced plans for major Songkran festival celebrations in the Thai capital. The event will feature a water-splashing celebration in front of City Hall in the Phra Nakhon district, which has been designated as the main venue for the festivities. In addition, all 50 district offices across Bangkok will organise their events to celebrate the Thai New Year. The celebrations will kick off with the procession of the Phra Phuttha Sihing, a highly revered Buddha image, from the Phutthaisawan Throne Hall at the Bangkok National Museum to City Hall on April 12. The image will be displayed at City Hall until April 14. There will be other traditional rituals such as almsgiving and water blessing ceremonies organised nearby, NNT reported. Celebrations will also take place near Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The Songkran Festival is known worldwide and is celebrated to honour family values, pay respect to seniors, and participate in traditional ceremonies throughout the nation’s temples. This festival is observed as a three-day national holiday from April 13 to April 15 in Thailand. The festival is known for its water fights, with people throwing water at each other as a way to symbolically cleanse themselves of bad luck and misfortune. Songkran is also a time for family reunions, with many people travelling back to their hometowns to celebrate with their relatives. The word Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word “saṃkrānti,” which means “to move” or “to change.”

Then why do you speak about Brunei, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA, Anglo-Australians, Romans, Jews and Palestine? (did I miss any?). But like I say, there's bigger fish to fry. So live, from New York, it's....

From Pattaya Mail Visa exempt 45 days is back to 30 days at Thai airports and border crossings By Barry Kenyon Notwithstanding intense lobbying by the Tourist Authority of Thailand, citizens of the 60 or so visa-exempt countries will no longer receive 45 days on entry. Tourists from mainland Europe, the UK, the US, Australia, Saudi Arabia etc will receive from April 1 only 30 days if they choose to arrive without a prior visa. However, they will be able to extend for a further 30 days just once at Thai immigration. This is a return to the situation prior to October 1 2022 when the 45 days rule was brought in as a temporary measure to boost tourism until March 31 2023. In other words, nationals from visa exempt countries now will have a maximum of 60 days rather than 75 before their time expires. However, they will still be able to leave the country, however briefly, and repeat the procedure for a further 30 + 30 days. But land border runs are limited to a maximum of two in a calendar year. There is no formal restriction on entries by air, though immigration officers can refuse admission if they feel a formal visa from a Thai embassy should be obtained in advance. “Don’t try to live in Thailand on short permissions of stay,” has long been a common refrain in the country’s immigration halls and border posts. Citizens of a further 19 countries, wishing to enter without a prior visa, are categorized as visa on arrival. They pay 2,000 baht on entering the country and are mostly from China and India. In the period October 1 2022 to March 31 2023 they received 30 days on arrival, but this has now been replaced by 15 days which was the situation until the end of September last year. Nationals from visa on arrival countries can now receive only a seven days extension at immigration bureaux provided they can show a return airticket to the home country. They cannot extend their stay by a border run. No official announcement was made by immigration or the government about the reversion to historical precedent. The decision to liberalize the rules for six months only was agreed by the Cabinet last autumn and thus, technically, required no termination notice. Most Thai embassies abroad, including those in the UK and the US, have long had notices on their websites about the March 31 truncation. From April 1, foreign tourists were subject to the new entry rules at both Thai airports and land crossing points. One reason for the decision not to renew the scheme is the belief in some government circles that Thailand is seeing a welcome rebound in international tourism without special measures. Some visa gurus say that abuses in the system may also have played a part. Last December, immigration commander police lt gen Pakpoompipat Sajjapan promised to tighten visa rules after mainly Chinese tourists were shown to have corruptly obtained visas to which they were not entitled. Thailand has various other bilateral agreements with several countries. Citizens of South Korea and four Latin American nations receive 90 days on arrival and are unaffected by the latest changes. Russia allows visa free, short-term travel for Thai nationals and, in return, Thailand for the past six months has awarded 45 days on Russian passports, though without the 30 days bonus opportunity at Thai immigration. From April 1, the 45 days becomes 30 once again for Russians amongst other nationalities. No extensions internally, but they can do a border run to receive a new 30 days. The nationals of about half the countries in the world, including most of Africa, cannot have any sort of visa free travel to Thailand and must obtain a prior visa at their nearest Thai embassy. Nobody said immigration rules are a quick read – anywhere in the world!

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Although around 500,000 Chinese have already visited Thailand this year, there is little sign that the much-debated zero-sum holidays have yet returned. They were especially popular in Pattaya prior to the pandemic. They are essentially all-in tours, paid for in China prior to flying, which essentially benefit Thai-Chinese companies and nominee businesses which host the vacationers by pre-arranging flights, accommodation and entertainment. Once in Thailand, pressure is often put on the visitors to spend at nominated outlets such as jewelry and artifact stores, or even malls. The Association of Thai Travel Agents said there was not much evidence of zero-sum options actually happening yet, though they were certainly being marketed in cities such as Xian which has direct flights to U-tapao airport near Pattaya. With return flights now averaging 22,000 baht (US$650) plus other inflationary pressures, zero-sum holidays have become around 30 percent more expensive than in the pre-covid era. The now-expanded U-tapao also receives daily around eight international flights, mostly from the Middle East and provincial Russian cities. Other factors delaying the return of discounted vacations are Chinese delays in the issuing of passports, many of which expired during the covid pandemic when travel from China was virtually impossible. Most Chinese have never owned a passport, but increasing numbers certainly want one as revealed by long queues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in major Chinese cities. Another problem is the lack of Chinese-speaking tour guides in Thailand – a highly sensitive issue as this profession is reserved for Thais under the alien labour legislation. China has agreed to collaborate with Thai authorities in cracking down on Chinese nationals acting as unofficial translators, though how energetically is disputed. However, there is limited evidence that zero-sum holidays from China are beginning in Pattaya. For example, The 79 Adult Show on the resort’s Thepprasit Road recently reopened after the covid hiatus and regularly has 20 or so tour buses full of Chinese in the expanded car park in the early evenings. Although some patrons had travelled from the home country independently, many confirmed they were on pre-arranged Chinese packages of one sort or another. The 79 Adult Show, renamed from the suggestive 69 Adult Show pre-covid, is described as “bold” cabaret with luscious ladies and actors “without embarrassment” using artificial snakes, ropes and drums. The taking of photographs or videos inside is strictly banned with offenders warned they will be dealt with by in-house security personnel. Admission prices vary according to nationality from 1,000 baht (US$30) to double that for non-Asians. The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects up to 7 million Chinese visitors overall in 2023 with 250,000 expected at Thai resorts in April. That ambitious target will be dependent on how quickly zero-sum vacations get back on track.

No, I want to discuss the humanitarian tragedy that is Myanmar. That was what the OP was all about. You seem to believe that by misdirection you can refocus the thread and magically transform your glorious leader into another Gandhi. In actuality, Putin has become so paranoid that he fears his own generals will sabotage his plane that he's confined himself train travel. But as the old proverb goes, just because you're paranoid that doesn't mean they're not really out to get you. Now that Putin's best friend has become the first president to be indicted of a crime, there are bigger fish to fry.

From The Nation Airports of Thailand Plc will proceed with its plan to transform 723 rai of land adjacent Suvarnabhumi International Airport into “airport city” now that the Interior Ministry has amended the zoning code in Samut Prakan to allow the project to proceed, its president said. The Interior Ministry recently published an announcement in the Royal Gazette saying it had given approval for farmland around Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan to be used for infrastructure and buildings, AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said. AOT will begin the project by opening bidding for a contractor to build a bridge and road from the airport to the 723-rai plot as well as install basic infrastructure, including piped water and electricity cables, he said. After this is completed, AOT will select a private company to develop the airport city project into a hub for the trade of agricultural products, a centre for monitoring the quality of exports, and a distribution centre for export goods. Warehouses will also be built for online vendors and imported goods, Nitinai said.

From The Nation As the temperature approaches 41 degrees Celsius in some areas of the country, the Association of Occupational and Environmental Diseases of Thailand has released a list of seven recommendations to cope with health-threatening heat. The list follows a rise in public concern about the dangers of extreme heat following the sudden death on Friday of political figure Chonsawat Asavahame, 54, who reportedly collapsed from heat stroke on Thursday before dying early on Friday. 1. Avoid outdoor activity when the temperature exceeds 34 degrees Celsius. 2. Wear loose clothing made from thin fabric. 3. Drink plenty of water. 4. Get a check-up from a doctor if you have cardiovascular illnesses or other ailments and your health worsens. 5. Use air conditioning while indoors and if you feel tired or get dizzy rub your joints with a cool, wet cloth. 6. Visit or keep in contact with elderly people to make sure they are well. 7. Drink more water if your urine becomes darker as this may be a sign of dehydration.

From Pattaya Mail The Colors of the East festival returns to Pattaya Beach on March 30-April 2 (Thursday-Sunday). The event site along Pattaya Beach will be split into three zones: Sunset Market, Cheerful Zone and Colorful Stage on the Beach. Each province also has a ‘tropical pop art’ exhibit highlighting unique features of each. Chonburi is doing a display showing off the sea and handmade baskets. The fair starts in the afternoon and runs until about 11pm. on each day.

Myanmar opposition hopes for change of government in Thailand From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Opponents of junta rule in Myanmar are putting their faith in the upcoming Thai general election to bring an end to military-backed rule of prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Critics of Myanmar coup leader, senior general Min Aung Hlaing, hope that a new Thai administration led by the Pheu Thai party will be more critical of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s armed forces). The current Thai administration, through its powerful military, has maintained close contacts with the Myanmar junta since the coup there in February 2021. Senior army personnel frequently hold meetings with their counterparts and Thai TV Channel 7, army-controlled, has carried programs encouraging tourism in Myanmar. There is mutual and ongoing cooperation on natural gas operations in the Andaman Sea. Ma Khine Thet, an exiled Myanmar researcher, said a Pheu Thai-led government in Bangkok might be more inclined to support the critical American line on Myanmar rather than following the Chinese lead in supporting the Tatmadaw. Zach Abu Abuza, a professor at the US National War College, stressed that Thailand is currently caught between the US and Chinese superpower rivalry. Meanwhile, the Myanmar Office of Immigration and Population has slightly modified the health requirements for incoming tourist permits. Fully vaccinated foreigners no longer need a pre-entry PCR virus test and medical insurance, though compulsory, no longer must be bought from the Myanmar junta’s monopoly insurance provider. Some tourist attractions, such as the floating water festival at Inle lake in Shan state, have reopened after three years under closure. However, there is no sign that the junta’s aim of attracting 1 million foreign tourists in 2023 will be achieved any time soon. Critics say that it will be difficult for an incoming Thai administration substantially to reduce ties with China. She provides more foreign tourists to Thailand than any other country on an annual basis, is Bangkok’s biggest trading partner and has invested billions of dollars in Thai business initiatives such as the Eastern Economic Corridor.

From the Nation Greenpeace urges Thai government to declare emergency over toxic air The government should declare air pollution an emergency so that its agencies can collaborate effectively to deal with the PM2.5 crisis, Greenpeace Thailand's air-pollution campaigner Alliya Moun-ob said on Thursday. Alliya also warned that the fire that has engulfed Khao Laem forested mountain could spread to nearby communities in Nakhon Nayok province, make people sick, and destroy property. Firefighters were still battling the blaze in the province in central Thailand on Thursday. In the North, air-pollution levels were among the worst in the world on Thursday. Chiang Mai’s air-quality index surged to 237 on Thursday, making its air the most polluted of any city in the world, according to the website IQAir. Delhi was second, with an index of 194. Alliya said that what is happening in upper Thailand is not new. It happened five years ago when the El Niño weather phenomenon exasperated the dry season, but there were few machines to detect PM2.5 then so people were not as aware of the crisis as they are now, she explained. PM2.5 is fine dust less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. It can be fatal. Long-term exposure damages respiratory systems and blood vessels, Alliya said.

Moses, I admire you for your efforts in maintaining one of the three popular forums left serving those in the gay community who travel to SE Asia. And you've also founded a successful and well-regarded travel guide business. But it pains me to see what you feel compelled to say in order to keep your enterprises alive in a country bent on destroying not only its neighbors but its own citizens. I hope that there comes a time in the not so distant future when some semblance of calm returns to Russia and its people. God knows they deserve it.

Think you have it backwards. Those in Washington incident had their opportunity to vote for party of their choice but decided to try to overthrow the government simply because they didn't like the results of election. Those in Myanmar were demonstrating for their right to vote for party of their choice but were denied the opportunity. What do you suppose would happen in Moscow if demonstrators had invaded the Kremlin because they didn't like the fact that Putin had "won" 90+ percent of vote? I suspect Putin would take a page from Stalin's playbook.

From Forbes Laos may be a landlocked country without a tropical coastline, but it makes up for it with stunning mountain scenery, lush rice paddies and the mighty Mekong River which runs through its territory. Still wild and largely untouched, it offers a fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences and timeless charm. With its mix of Buddhist temples, colonial architecture and jungle fauna, Luang Prabang is one of the overlooked jewels of southeast Asia. First inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, its heritage has been preserved in time and its traditions remain an enduring attraction. It’s still common to see locals give alms to monks each morning around 6am: sticky rice, crackers or cookies given as an act of charity to monks who rely on these expressions of good will. Orange Robe Tours, one of many social enterprises in town, hires former Novices and Monks to lead tours around Luang Prabang. These culturally-immersive experiences provide unique insight into the life of a Buddhist monk, and help ease the transition from temple life to layperson life. The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) is another entity helping to preserve and share Laotian traditions with the public. Through its museum exhibits, education activities and livelihoods development programme, the TAEC educates visitors on the main ethnic groups of Laos, and empowers local communities to actively manage their own cultural heritage. Continues with photos https://www.forbes.com/sites/liviahengel/2023/03/30/laos-travel-guide-one-week-in-southeast-asias-most-charming-country

From Thai PBS World On March 31st, the world-renowned “Van Gogh Alive” exhibition will open its doors at ICONSIAM in Bangkok, offering visitors the most immersive and highly attended art experience in the world. “Van Gogh Alive” is a multimedia art exhibition that brings the works of Vincent van Gogh to life through digital technology. It was created by the Australian company Grande Exhibitions and has since travelled to over 80 cities around the world, captivating millions of visitors. The exhibition is a unique and immersive experience which combines high-resolution digital projections of van Gogh’s paintings with music and an interactive display. Visitors can explore the artist’s masterpieces in a new and dynamic way, getting up close and personal with his works’ vivid colours, bold brushstrokes and emotional intensity. One of the highlights is the “Sensory4” technology, which uses a multi-channel surround sound system and a synchronised scent diffusion system to enhance the visitor’s sensory experience. The combination of visuals, sound and scent creates a fully immersive and unforgettable experience. The show dates of “Van Gogh Alive” in Icon Siam Bangkok will be from 31st March until 31st July. Doors open at 10.30am and close at 9.00pm. The ticket price range from 480 baht to 1,490 baht. ========================= From The Nation Bangkok kite fest launches at Iconsiam with aerial duels and dazzling displays Tourists and kite enthusiasts swooped on the riverside at Iconsiam mall on Wednesday as preparations for Bangkok’s annual kite festival got underway. The ICONSIAM Summer Kite Playground 2023 will launch on Friday, transforming skies over the Chao Phraya River with weird and wonderful creations from around the country and abroad. The third edition unreels until April 10 at River Park and is organised by Iconsiam, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, City Hall, and private partners. From 5pm daily, kites equipped with LED lights will light up the sky with dazzling displays.

If I didn't know better, I'd think you're defending the status quo in Myanmar. Say it isn't so, Moses, say it isn't so.

The humanitarian tragedy in Myanmar continues to unfold. From Thai PBS World A total of 40 political parties in Myanmar have been dissolved for failing to re-register, which includes the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD), according to state-owned media. Myawaddy News announced on Tuesday night, during their regular news program, that the Union Election Commission had set Tuesday as the deadline and, as such, parties which failed to register will no longer be recognised. The National Unity Government (NUG), a parallel government that was formed during the fallout from the 2021 coup, had denounced the would-be election and so had the NLD. Not only is the legitimacy of the election questioned, but so were the strict new laws that were implemented in January 2023. The new rules will prevent parties and/or candidates, deemed to have links to individuals or organisations “designated as committing terror acts” or seen as “unlawful”, from running. The parties that also want to contest the national election, scheduled to be held in August this year, will also need to have at least 100,000 members within three months of registration. They will also need at least 100 million Myanmar kyat deposited in the state-owned Myanmar Economic Bank. The amount is 100 times more than what was required under the old law, enacted during 2010. The parties must also have representative branches in at least half of all 330 townships across Myanmar within 6 months, while also having representatives to contest at least half of all constituencies. Opposition to the military-run administration still rages, especially in rural areas and regions with a strong presence of the NUG’s PDF groups and ethnic armed forces. Military chief Min Aung Hlaing announced that “decisive actions” will be taken against those “unlawful groups” at the recently held military parade that marks Myanmar’s armed forces day.