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Families fly kites on a beach during a kite festival in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday, February 26. Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

From CNN The long-anticipated ETIAS visa waiver scheme, which will require all non-EU passport holders to get pre-trip permission to enter the bloc, was supposed to launch by November this year. But it has been pushed back to 2024. It’ll be a fast online authorization for non-EU nationals from the 60 or so countries that don’t currently need a visa to the EU – such as the United States and the United Kingdom – and will work a lot like the United States’ ESTA program. It’ll cost 7 euro ($7.43 on Friday afternoon’s exchange rates) and will cover you for three years. However, compared to the ESTA – $21 for two years – that’s admittedly kind of a bargain.

From The Thaiger Great news for punters, a committee drafting a new law governing prostitution has agreed that voluntary sexual service without criminal penalties should be allowed from the age of 20. Jintana Chanbamroong, head of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development at the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, chaired the committee drafting the new law. The new law is a landmark turn in Thailand’s stance on prostitution, the proliferation of which is probably the country’s worst-kept secret. The new law, initially called the Draft Act for the Protection of Sexual Services B.E., would serve as a replacement for the current Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, B.E. 2539 enacted in 1996. Public and focus group hearings were held in five cities before a proposal was tabled to Social Development and Human Security Minister Juti Krairiksh. The committee’s main priority was to safeguard and legalise independent sex workers who are at least 20 years old and provide sexual services voluntarily. It would still be illegal to engage in sexual relations with prostitutes under 20 years of age. Also not legal under the new draft, and migrant workers would be barred from engaging in prostitution. Freelancers will be granted employment rights and welfare benefits, without being labelled as sex workers. They will also have access to fair compensation but are required to undergo health assessments to verify they are free from any communicable illnesses. The new draft makes clear that it applies only to voluntary services and that the government still takes a hardline stance on forced prostitution. Procurement and trafficking or coercion to force a woman into prostitution would still be a violation of the Human Trafficking Act. Operators of brothels will be mandated to operate within designated areas, specifically avoiding locations close to educational or religious institutions, and adhering to guidelines for safeguarding their workers who provide sexual services. The committee reviewed prostitution laws in various countries to identify an appropriate standard for Thailand to adopt. After careful consideration, they chose to follow the example of New Zealand’s law that decriminalized prostitution. New Zealand lawfully legalized sex work in 2003, allowing any individual aged 18 or above to purchase or provide sexual services. The committee will push forward with analysing the societal and economic effects of the draft law while keeping a careful consideration of not damaging Thailand’s reputation. The draft law is expected to be completed and tabled to the new government around August this year.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The city’s unique book exchange with soft-drinks cafeteria is more popular than ever after being advised it would likely face closure. Canterbury-born Dave Collier, who runs the enterprise with his wife Yao said, “We were told many years ago that the internet and electronic books would doom a business venture like Canterbury Tales. In reality, we have expanded dramatically with more than 60,000 second-hand books being bought, borrowed and traded on a regular basis.” He adds that the shop never closed during the recent covid pandemic and still hosts a traditional gossip shop for UK expats every Monday. The internet has actually turned out a boon rather than a threat. “We regularly use Facebook to promote the business with regular updates and reviews of new arrivals,” explains Dave, “whilst our new premises in Soi Bongkot are much bigger and quieter than the old premises in Soi Pothole.” Canterbury Tales moved last September away from a bar and club district to a brighter and more reader-friendly district a couple of kilometers away. “We get a lot more foreign ladies and couples dropping in since the move.” The bookshop stock, which also houses a small selection of classic DVDs, is around 50-50 fiction and non-fiction. Wandering around the aisles and checking the shelves is an evocative delving experience with some rare finds. There are lots of books about Thailand and Pattaya including the very first exposure of the sex industry: Jack Reynolds’ “A Woman of Bangkok” published in 1956 and described as a “brutally frank story that will shock and enthrall.” And where else in Thailand might you find classics such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, or a paperback highlighting the ten most ugly towns and cities in the UK? The books are mostly given or traded in by local expats, although Canterbury Tales now receives bulk donations and job lots from the estates of expats who have died. “We also ship orders all over Thailand as we have developed a niche market,” explains Dave. The book sections partially reflect the expat community population in Pattaya. For example, there are lots of volumes on the Vietnam war, recalling the arrival of many American expats during and after that conflict, plus an unexpected influx of medical books which may reflect the preoccupations of ageing expats more generally. The store is arranged alphabetically, though that’s more of a theory than a guarantee. The real deal is to wander and browse. On your right might be a large choice of horror fiction from Frankenstein to Stephen King and beyond, on your left science fiction and fantasy which go well together. European languages other than English are also represented, especially paperback novels. High on the shelves might be a history of football and a guide to self-improvement in golf, whilst lower down you’ll come across biographies of famous public executioners such as Albert Pierrepoint. Canterbury Tales is open daily 10 am to around 5 pm. Check Dave out on Facebook, or phone 086 575 4966.

From The Nation The ashes of 17-year-old Duangpetch “Dom” Promthep – one of 12 young members of the Wild Boars football team rescued from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai in 2018 – were given to his family at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Saturday, after being blessed upon their return from England.

Electrical short circuits are the most commonly cited cause of fires is Thailand by police who have the authority to determine origin. From Thai PBS World The 3-storey building of the Fifth Division of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Bangkok’s Sathorn Road burned down early this morning, together with many criminal case documents. No one was in the 42-year old building at the time of the fire, but seven cars parked close by, including the official car of the division commander, sustained heavy damage. Several fire trucks rushed to the scene and traffic was closed off up to one kilometre from the building during the fire. Explosions were heard periodically and the roof of the building collapsed about one hour after the start of the blaze. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who visited the scene, said he was told by a police guard that he had heard an explosion, possibly caused by a short circuit on the ground floor, and then he saw flames rising from a pile of documents. CIB Commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Thiti Sangsawang said it is currently believed that the fire started in a room storing documents on the ground floor, before spreading to other areas. He admitted that he does not know if there were important case files being kept in the building, adding that a fact-finding committee will be set up to determine the cause of the fire. The building used to be the head office of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, but was taken over by the CIB division last August.

From Coconuts Bangkok The guys of GCircuit are coming back with a splash for four party-packed days of Songkran. Billed as one of the world’s hottest events on the gay circuit, the festival this year celebrates its 17th anniversary – and return from a long, dry hiatus – under a sci-fi theme of The Big Bang from April 13 to 16. “There’s a transformative stage, basically a stage that transforms! Holograms and kinetic giant LEDs! And high-budget produced shows and costumes, one of them being a tribute to the queens we love and the queens who love us!” GCircuit founder Tom Tan told Coconuts. And Tan promised a whopping six parties in those four days: four night parties and two pool parties. All four night events will take place at CentralwOrld’s Bangkok Convention Center. April 13 is themed Neon Metropolis, April 14 Superheroes vs. Supervillains, April 15 is Space Opera, and April 16 is 50 Shades of Gay. The pool parties, dubbed The Big Sun Pool for the bears and The Sun Pool for regular boys, will take place at the Royal Orchid Sheraton on April 15 and 16 respectively from 1pm to 7pm. Tickets are available from THB10,700 online.

Glad you got your inquiry answered, "Toronto2021." Do you plan to show your appreciation by sharing your experiences in Bangkok when you arrive?

From Reuters Two Labrador dogs, which have been trained by British police, are to be flown to Thailand to help crack down on the smuggling of critically endangered pangolins, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said on Tuesday. Pangolins, nocturnal creatures famed for their full armour of scales, are the most trafficked mammal in the world according to the World Wildlife Fund, and all eight species are on the red list of threatened species and at risk of extinction, the ZSL said. The two dogs, Buster and Bess, who have already undergone an eight-week training programme with London's Metropolitan Police, will be sent to Thailand to complete their training, and then use their sniffing skills to detect pangolins being smuggled through airports, ports and by road. "Not all heroes wear capes: some walk on all fours and have extremely powerful noses," said ZSL Pangolin Technical Specialist Georgina Gerard. "Intelligence has been telling us that live pangolins are being trafficked all across Thailand - mainly by road. Some vehicles even have purpose-built concealed areas to transport the critically endangered species." Despite there being a ban on global trade of pangolins since 2017, the mammal is victim to high levels of poaching and illegal trade for their meat, scales and other body parts. Continues with video and photos https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/london-dogs-head-to-thailand-to-sniff-out-pangolin-smugglers/ar-AA185vNW

From Pattaya Mail The European Olympic Committees (EOC) has officially announced the inclusion of Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, at the European Games 2023, to be held in Krakow, Poland. The EOC also remarked that Muay Thai is one the fastest growing combat sports in terms of athletes and spectators. The website of European Games 2023 has this to say about Muay Thai: “Muay Thai has its origins in Asia. Several countries claim to be the birthplace of the sport, but there is no doubt that Thailand has made the greatest contribution to the development of Muay Thai. It became the national sport and it’s the most popular there.” At each Muay Thai bout in the European Games 2023, fighters must first shake hands and perform the wai khru dance – a ritual performed by boxers before and after a fight, according to tradition. Muay Thai will be held from 23 to 27 June 2023 in Myslenice Arena. (PRD)

From what I've read, UAE only requires carrier to file a flight plan to gain overflight permission. Looking at a map, the advantage that overflying Oman is that it provides the most direct route to Bangkok and other SE Asian destinations. I'd think El Al would not be inclined to overfly Iran or Yemen.

From Reuters HANOI, March 2 (Reuters) - Vietnam's National Assembly on Thursday elected Vo Van Thuong as the country's new president, in a reshuffle of the country's top leadership amid a sweeping anti-graft campaign. In an extraordinary session, lawmakers confirmed Thuong, 52, after the ruling Communist Party nominated him on Wednesday as president, a largely ceremonial role but one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation. Thuong's election follows the sudden resignation in January of his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who the party blamed for "violations and wrongdoing" by officials under his control, in what was seen as a major escalation of the country's "blazing furnace" anti-corruption crackdown. Thuong is the youngest member of the party's Politburo, the country's top decision-making body, and is considered a veteran of the party having begun his political career at university in communist youth organisations. "There will be no major changes to Vietnam's foreign policy following Thuong's election," said Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow and Vietnam expert at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.

IMO, 2,000 ST and 3,000 LT would be considered basic tip for boy offed from bar. You may, as you said, have reasons to be more generous.

Hell, I played in the Adonis for years, too. LOL. Btw, it was Rudy Giuliani's drive to rid midtown of any trace of pornography that led to the demise of the Adonis and a slew of other venues. That was before his love affair with Trump, of course. But if Disney-inspired productions hold your interest and those screened at the Adonis didn't, knock yourself out on Netflix. I think you can still catch Alice in Wonderland on demand. But I'll always think well of you, knowing that you ventured out to Eighth Ave. to test the waters with us hoi polloi.

From Gulf Business Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that the Sultanate’s airspace will be open for all civilian carriers, a move that will also shorten Israeli airlines’ flight time to destinations in Asia after Saudi Arabia took a similar move last year. “Enforcing international and local requirements against discrimination in dealing with civilian aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority confirms that the sultanate’s airspace is open to all carriers that meet the requirements of overflying,” the CAA said in a statement on its Twitter page on Thursday. The opening of Oman’s airspace comes after months of diplomatic efforts between the US, Oman and Israel. However, Oman and Saudi Arabia currently do not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia opened up its airspace to all airlines in July 2022 and Oman’s historic decision is expected to shorten flights to some Asian destinations by more than two hours while opening up the possibility of Israeli carriers including El Al Israel Airlines (El Al), Israir and Arkia to expand deeper into the Southeast Asia market.

From The Nation Actress, model and beauty queen Poy Treechada Petcharat married a dashing young businessman from an elite Phuket family on Wednesday. The highly choreographed ceremony followed the traditional Peranakan style, which originated with the first wave of Chinese immigrants to the region six centuries ago. Poy – who won the Miss Tiffany and Miss International Queen pageants in 2004 – married Oak Bhavagha Hongyok at Phuket’s Baan Ar-Jor. The 84-year-old Sino-colonial estate is a museum, a famed restaurant, and the Hongyok family’s mansion. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40025336

After checking your map, I'd agree that Intra is a separate shop from Home. If you left Intra and began walking in the direction of Saphan Kwai, you'd soon arrive outside 27M Massage (a few shop houses before Intramara 27) on same side of road. Have been there a few times. In the evening they tend to have a group of guys on hand. Aside from Silom Soi 6, I'm unaware of another Bangkok location with such a concentration of all-male shops.

Give you an "A" for effort, at least. For me, walking into a dream was entering the Adonis Theater on Eighth Ave. And unlike Disney's, the dreams weren't celluloid.😉

Looking at the map, you'll see "Home Spa 31" . Note that it's actually not located on Soi Intramara 31, the soi opposite side of street from Soi Intramara 18 (even numbered sois are on one side, odd numbered on other). Also note that the road that Home Massage (and just most other shops in area) are located on Thannon Sutthisan Winitchai, the wide, gray colored road running horizontally on map. Soi Intramara 29 would be the soi just to right of Bangkok Drugstore. This leaves Home Spa situated between Sois 29 and 31 but on opposite side of road. I know it's there because I've been to the shop before. So the function of the "Intramara" addresses of these shops is to serve as landmarks to help you find the shop on Sutthisan Winitchai road. If you want to determine whether or not Intra and Home are operating out of same shop, make a trip over there or give them a call. And please report back so we'll all be the wiser. I agree with Oz about the accuracy of photos. Good luck!

I became fairly familiar with shops in this area during my last few trips. The boys circulate as free agents in a variety of the shops. I recognize some of the photos on Intra Twitter site from KK Massage shop which is located in close proximity to Home Massage. There seems to be a regular flow of new boys entering the scene as some of the older ones exit. It's indeed possible that two internet sites are sharing the same location, although I haven't encountered that before. I don't recall the name "Intra" from the shops I've already come to know.

From The Thaiger By Neill Fronde Pattaya has been attracting foreign investors for years, but now Indian and Chinese investors are leading the way, buying up businesses in the area and catering to people from their home countries. Business people in the Chonburi province have commented on a rise in businesses specifically by and for Indian and Chinese tourists. Indian investors were the first to strongly finance post-Covid recovery. They had previously bought pubs and restaurants along Pattaya’s famous Walking Street, reopening them as businesses specifically catering to Indian tourists. But now that it’s been a month and a half since travel restrictions were lifted for Chinese travellers, investments from China are soaring. The Chinese investment is different from the Indian investment though. It is more organised and larger-scale. They have been buying up businesses as a fully integrated venture, rather than just owning individual businesses. Chinese investors have been purchasing three-star and four-star hotels, restaurants, pool villas and chartering tourist attractions in the Bang Lamung area, Pattaya City and Jomtien Beach. Their investments have been geared towards creating a comprehensive tourism programme that caters to Chinese tourists, famous for travelling on organised tour packages. Not everyone is a fan of the influx of Chinese and Indian investment though. Locally-owned businesses refer to the fully-organised Chinese packages as zero-dollar tours as they are cheap, but tourists are required to buy overpriced products or services from connected vendors. This means that, while there may be a surge in tourists and spending, none of it will trickle down into the hands of local vendors and business operators. Chinese investors had previously put money into housing as well, and are doing so again, But, while they used to invest in entire real estate developments, the president of the Thai Real Estate Association says they are now buying more individual houses. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/chinese-and-indian-investors-buying-up-pattaya

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Less than 3,000 expats have shown any interest in Thailand’s golden visa and there are no figures on how many of those have dropped out. Data from 10-year schemes in Malaysia and Cambodia suggest many potential applicants fail to complete. The Thai LTR (Long Term Residence) visa was launched in September 2022, but the Board of Investment is now seeking foreign investment companies to encourage the laying of more golden eggs by wealthy foreigners. There are problems to overcome. As Thailand is pushing its brand of LTR, other countries are cancelling their versions. Both Portugal and Ireland have very recently cancelled their 10-year options because foreigners, especially Chinese and Russians, have been using their residency permits to buy up choice properties, thus fuelling inflation and making it impossible for poorer citizens to get onto the housing ladder. The same sell-out complaints were heard in Thailand last year and forced the government in November to abort any plans to let rich expats buy freehold properties or land. Just condominium units are allowed. Alarm bells have been ringing in Britain too where the 2 million pounds cash-LTR was cancelled last year after fears that Russian oligarchs and investment exiles were buying up parts of London. Security minister Tom Tugendhat now says that countries in the Caribbean and Central America are selling citizenship and second passports to foreign nationals who are then landing in the UK for nefarious purposes. This concern mirrors the recent scandal in Thailand where corrupt police and bureaucrats have been issuing longstay visas to Chinese nationals who did not qualify for them. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thailands-10-year-visa-needs-a-bail-out-425421 --------- Visa extensions for sick foreigners are now tougher to obtain By Barry Kenyon There are numerous reports, from Pattaya and Phuket in particular, of foreigners being refused a visa extension on medical grounds unless they have copious proof of being a hospital inpatient as opposed to a casual outpatient. The crackdown appears to relate to a working party set up by immigration police commander Lt Gn Pakpoompipat Sajjapan last November to close loopholes which had facilitated fraudulent visa extension applications based on voluntary work for foundations, being an adult language student or claiming to be ill. Police regulations do allow for visa extensions based on “inability to travel” to be issued on a discretionary basis. In the past, outpatients who collected a letter from a hospital doctor or consultant specifying the medical issue, outlining the treatment and giving clear time lines were often successful in receiving an extra 30 days, a repeatable procedure. In theory, a 90 days extension was possible though rarely granted. But medical visa extensions were – and are – only possible after other legitimate options have been exhausted. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/visa-extensions-for-sick-foreigners-are-now-tougher-to-obtain-425502

From Thai PBS Wold Hong Kong is scrapping its mask mandate from Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee announced, ending the financial hub’s last major Covid curb as it seeks to emerge from the pandemic. The city was one of the last places in the world to require face coverings in virtually all public settings, with everyone over the age of two required to wear one or face a fine of up to HK$10,000 ($1,275). “I announce that the masking requirement will be completely cancelled starting tomorrow, March 1, including for indoors, outdoors and (on) public transportation,” Lee said at a brief press conference on Tuesday. He added that hospitals and elderly homes can impose their own restrictions. The mask mandate was imposed three years ago, and had remained in place for nearly 1,000 days. Hong Kong’s lifting of its restrictions comes after the neighbouring Chinese territory of Macau relaxed its own mask rules on Monday, dropping the measure except for high-risk public areas, such as hospitals.

From Coconuts Bangkok Wild Boars footballer to be cremated in England Monks pray in the room where 17-year-old Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep was found unresponsive earlier this month. The boy died on Feb. 14 at a hospital in Leicester, England, where he had gone to study four years after he was rescued from a cave in northern Thailand. Photo: Zico Foundation Funerary rites will be held in England and Thailand tomorrow for the teen football player who died under mysterious circumstances at a football academy five years after he was rescued from a flooded cave. Ceremonies for Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep will be held in Leicester, England, and the Mae Dai district of Chiang Rai province, after which his ashes will be returned home to Thailand on Saturday. Duangphet’s mother, Thanaporn Phromthep, told reporters that the family has been making merit to monks every morning since the 17-year-old student was found unconscious in his dorm room at Brooke House College in Leicester. She said she and other family members would be present for his cremation in England prior to returning home with his ashes. Thanaporn said that her son’s ashes would then be brought to a traditional merit-making ceremony for three days and two nights at Wat Phra That Doi Wao, located just up the road from where he spent 18 days trapped inside Tham Luang with 11 other young footballers and their 25-year-old coach in 2018. After the rites, his ashes will be spread in a ceremony at the Mekong River in nearby Chiang Saen district. No clear reason for Duangphet’s death has been made public despite rumors in media reports that he suffered a fatal head injury. According to the BBC, his death was not being investigated as suspicious.