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From Pattaya Mail By Warapun Jaikusol Pattaya Thais may still be wearing masks nearly all the time, but they’re using condoms less than before Covid-19. Nurse Nakanya Jantrakard of Pattaya’s Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Department, said both reported cases of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases have increased since 2019. While protection from the coronavirus seems forefront in the minds of Thais, particularly young ones, protection against sexually transmitted viruses and bacterial infections doesn’t seem as important now. Sex workers reportedly are using condoms less in the bedroom as well, but afterward are sure to mask up. In the meeting with charity networks, health workers and NGOs, representatives wrung their hands about the problem and wondered how they can reverse the trend.

Last time I experienced three-way was in Babylon during its heyday years but that occurred spontaneously and didn't require any planning. It's crossed my mind recently. The only thing holding me back is that I think the guys are most uninhibited when it's one-on-one situation. But I may be wrong judging from some reports on the board.

That's true, although they do have supplies of the Moderns and Pfizer jabs.

From Pattaya Mail Pro marksman surrenders for murder of Pattaya British expat A competitive marksman surrendered to police and confessed that he shot a 70-year-old British man because the expat “insulted and angered” him. Apichart Boonsawat, 32, turned himself in at Huay Yai Police Station Jan. 7, handing over the handgun used to gun down Neil Lewis Roger, 70, as he drove a motorbike on Soi Khao Makok 1 Jan. 5. An arrest warrant had been issued charging Apichart with murder and carrying a gun in public. In his statement released by police, Apichart, an acclaimed marksman who has won numerous competitions for precision shooting and legally owned the gun he used, said he had been waiting to turn on Soi Chaiyapreuk when Roger allegedly honked his motorbike horn and banged on Apichart’s car, yelling at him to turn. The suspect said he stopped the vehicle to talk to Roger only to get into a fierce argument, with Roger taking off on his bike. Apichart pursued, cut off the Brit and shot him four times in the back “because he insulted and angered me, causing me to go into a state of rage.” Apichart was scheduled to be taken for arraignment at the Pattaya Court Monday and was being held without bail. The 70-year-old Briton’s 38-year-old wife, Thitiphan Kummalard, said he had just returned from the United Kingdom Jan. 4 and had gone out drinking on Jan. 5. Authorities said he had been living in Thailand for about 20 years.

I wonder if that those who come up with these lists would rethink their ratings if they actually had visited some of these countries. Basing the ratings on 10 fixed criteria instead of actual experience, they come with weird findings that don't mesh with how gays actually vote with their feet: Vietnam D Japan D+ South Korea D+ Thailand C- Taiwan C

Do you happen to recall where "somewhere" is? I ask because expats may be interested in getting booster and wouldn't want to see them unnecessarily discouraged by rumor.

From Thai Enquirer The Baht, which in October was trading around 38 to the US Dollar, has strengthened to 34 to the US$, and the currency is likely to continue to strengthen into 2023 as the Thai economy continues to recover and China’s reopening will help sustain recessionary fears from the west. The Thai Baht has benefited from the surge in the domestic economy as Thailand opened its doors to foreign tourists on July 1st, 2022. The currency has benefited from the weakening US Dollar that has seen the US Federal Reserve starting to slow its interest rate hikes that it has undertaken aggressively during 2022. “After being lackluster in the past 2 years, the Thai Baht looks set to outperform in Asia FX in 2023 as it receives a further bump in tourist arrivals due to reopening of China’s borders,” Heng Koon How, head of market strategy at United Overseas Bank (UOB) said in a note to clients. “The expected return to a current account surplus of 2.8% (of GDP) this year is another added boost to the THB. Taken together, we see a limited pullback in THB to 35 to US$ in H1 2023 despite a challenging global macro backdrop before a stronger recovery to 34 to US$ in Q3 2023 and 33 to the US$ in Q4 2023.” Continues at https://www.thaienquirer.com/47303/thai-baht-likely-to-continue-to-strengthen-as-asian-economies-could-benefit-from-chinas-reopening/

From Thai PBS World Bang Sue train station name plate change put on hold Under heavy criticism for what is being seen as a waste of taxpayers’ money, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has decided to postpone its plan to replace Bang Sue Grand Station’s name plate and the redesign of the SRT logo. An informed source said that the SRT has notified the management of Uniq Engineering and Construction (UNIQ) in writing of the postponement of the plan until further notice. Uniq was awarded a 33-million baht contract to change the nameplate to Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal, a name which was presented by His Majesty the King last September. Installation work was scheduled to start on January 3rd.

It's become a fiasco to discern the actual travel requirements for entering Thailand because individual government agencies are issuing their own interpretation. The Health Ministry had declared one set of requirement only to revisit it the same day with a different version. The latest--and hopefully the accurate version--has been sent our by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) in the form of a "NOTAM" (Notice to Airmen), an internationally recognized notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be publicized by other mean. From The Nation The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Tuesday issued a new Notice to Airmen (Notam) that cancels mandatory Covid-19 vaccination. The previous Notam, issued on Saturday, required airlines to check passengers for proof of at least two vaccine jabs and minimum health coverage of US$10,000 before boarding. Issued just two days before China removed restrictions on international travel, the “two-jab plus insurance” rule sparked a backlash from Thai tourism operators who complained it had forced many travellers to cancel flights and bookings. The new Notam issued on Tuesday includes the following updates: 1. Vaccination is no longer required. 2. Passengers from countries that require an RT-PCR test on return are advised to have health insurance covering at least US$10,000 of Covid-19 treatment during their stay in Thailand, plus seven days. 2.1 Flight crew, students, and others on special business can use a letter from their host or other forms of insurance to cover the requirement. 2.2 Absence of health insurance is not a reason to deny boarding. 2.3 Passengers from countries that require an RT-PCR test will be checked randomly for proof of insurance. Those who cannot show proof will have to purchase health insurance before being processed by Thai immigration. 3. Thai passport holders and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from the health insurance check. 4. Airlines must comply with all regulations and guidance including asking passengers to wear masks at all times, except during meals or emergencies. 5. Passengers showing symptoms of Covid-19 during travel will be advised to test on arrival. Travellers from China will need health insurance as their home country requires an RT-PCR test on re-entry. The new Notam is effective until January 31.

From Coconuts Bangkok Private health care professionals reacted today to a decision preventing them from providing free medication used to prevent HIV infection. After a Health Ministry decree that private clinics may no longer give away supplies of so-called PrEP and PEP drugs went into effect today, the head of chief AIDS prevention at the Thai Red Cross said it created a needless barrier for patients. “It’s clearly a health rights violation that bars people from accessing health care services,” said Nittaya Phanuphak Pungpapong, who heads AIDS prevention efforts for the Thai Red Cross Society. “This makes the goal to end HIV/AIDS by 2030 go off track.” rEP, aka pre-exposure prophylaxis, is highly effective at reducing the chance of contracting HIV from sex or drug use. PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is effective at preventing the disease after exposure. The decision to cut government spending on private health care services was announced late last month by top officials, including a representative of the agency which decides public health care priorities, as a cost-saving measure. As a result, commercial and nonprofit private clinics announced they would no longer provide the drugs for free. On Friday, Swing Thailand, a private group focused on Thailand’s sex workers, announced it would no longer provide free PrEP and PEP medication as of today. “SWING clinic Silom branch and Saphan Khwai branch will not provide PrEP, PEP service due to the announcement of the Ministry of Public Health as non-hospital services are not allowed to pay for PrEP, PEP,” it announced. “The SWING clinic would like to apologize to all service users. We tried our best to fight. but can not do anything contrary to the order announced by the Minister of Public Health.” The drugs are still available from public hospitals. Under the rules, people using their government-administered health care benefits and public employees can receive both drugs at public hospitals. A Swing representative said Monday that they were concerned that public hospitals lack the specialized expertise of some private providers. The group has also said that state-funded clinics are often inaccessible to sex workers. The Rainbow Sky Association, a community organization promoting sexual diversity, announced that its clinics stopped dispensing antiviral drugs to new customers on Saturday and will no longer supply existing customers today because it was against the law. “Fah See Rung Medical Technology Clinic in Ramkhamhaeng and Chonburi will not be able to provide PrEP because it is against the Medical Facility Act,” it said in a statement. Pulse, which operates a chain of commercial sexual health clinics in Bangkok, said it has supplied and will continue to supply the drugs for a fee.

Although I'm sure you can purchase one at a private hospital, all of the government hospitals and distribution programs are free. They are even inviting foreigners to participate.

TIT.

From Pattaya News Two Russian tourists filed police reports in separate cases yesterday, January 8th, claiming their money secured in safe boxes at the same Pattaya hotel had disappeared. The first victim, Mr. Oleg Gipke, came to report the case at the Pattaya police station at 10 PM. He told the police that he was staying at a hotel in Pattaya and kept his 5,000 dollars in a safe box provided by the hotel. Pattaya Police withheld the name of the hotel pending a further legal investigation. Mr. Gipke said that on January 4th, he noticed an irregularity with the safe though he did not describe the nature of that irregularity. He then opened the safe, counted his money, and found that around 1,000 US dollars were missing from his stack of money. He then asked the hotel’s staff to check CCTV recordings but got refused because the staff said he must first file a police report. This led to Mr. Gipke reporting his grievance to the police last night. It was unclear why there was a delay in the original incident and the police report. Another case, which was almost exactly similar to Mr. Gipke’s incident, happened with Ms. Natalina Chernova, a Russian national. She also came to report her missing cash yesterday at the Pattaya police station, saying her money worth 4,000 US dollars had vanished from her 16,000 US dollar stack. Ms. Chernova said she kept her money in a safe box, and she was staying in the same hotel as Mr. Gipke. The two victims did not know each other, The Pattaya News notes. The incidents reportedly baffled the two victims as their money had disappeared without a trace, and only a portion of it vanished. Pattaya police are now examining CCTV footage of the hotel and inquiring with staff for more leads.

Latest travel restrictions “need immediate amendment” From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Effective early today Monday January 9 Thai time, airlines round the world are instructed to ensure that their passengers to Thailand have documentation to prove at least two anti-covid jabs, no matter how old. The exceptions are children under 18, pregnant mothers, Thai nationals and foreigners holding Department of Employment work or labor permits. Unvaccinated passengers must show a doctor’s letter why they are jabless, presumably for reasons of pre-existing health conditions. However, some unconfirmed reports say unvaccinated tourists are being allowed to board by some airlines with the proviso they will be delayed for testing by Thai health authorities on landing. The latest regulations do not, immediately, include land border crossings. Consequently, the hi-speed rail route from the Chinese border to Vientiane, capital of Laos, is booked solid because of its proximity to the major crossing point at Nong Khai via the Friendship Bridge. Other reports indicate that passengers from Europe are trying to exchange their air tickets to Bangkok for Cambodia’s Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airport. From Cambodia, entry by land to Thailand is fairly straightforward via several immigration check points. nbound air passengers to Thailand do not require any travel insurance, or hospital cover for covid, unless their next air destination after Thailand is a country which insists on covid checks on entry. Examples include China and India which both require RT-PCR tests before boarding flights there. The required Thai insurance is a minimum of US$10,000 and must cover potential hospitalization whilst in Thailand. Whether the Thai health system can provide enough RT-PCR tests, within 48 hours of the flight to China for example leaving, is unclear. Pattaya hospitals told Pattaya Mail they don’t have the stocks. Unconfirmed reports say self-administered antigen tests may replace hospital-stamped certificates to cope with that issue. The international press and social media are dismayed by the sudden imposition of new health requirements just as Thailand recovers from the covid-induced tourist starvation. They argue that the measures are a botched attempt to deal with high covid infection rates in China without seeming to single out China for special treatment. The Thai tourism minister and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are both pressurizing the Cabinet to reverse the restrictions on the grounds of “non-feasibility”. In Thai fashion, any changes will be announced without prior warning. In the meantime, passengers with questions should consult their airline as the main thrust of checking has been thrown on check-in staff. Further checks at Thai immigration on landing are unlikely except on a random basis in order to avoid more chaos. Unless you are coughing or sweating of course.

From Pattaya Mail Long-time resident and former Honorary British Consul in Pattaya, Barry Kenyon provides a very informative talk on Thai laws and court system and how to stay safe legally. The guest speaker for the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) at their Wednesday, January 4, meeting was Barry Kenyon who offered some wise advice on how to stay out of legal trouble while living in Thailand. His talk covered reasons why foreigners are typically arrested in Pattaya and what happens to them as well as areas foreigners get involved in civil cases such as disputed wills or seeking compensation. He also pointed out some key differences between Thai and Western courts and offered some advice to follow if you by chance are arrested. Barry also covered what made several elderly Pattaya Bridge Club players get their 15 minutes of fame in 2016 when 30 members of the Pattaya Bridge Club were arrested for alleged gambling including himself. Barry is imminently qualified to offer general advice on how to stay safe legally in Thailand. He has lived mostly in Pattaya for the past 30 years. During this period, he has worked in various capacities for the British Embassy, including being the Honorary British Consul in Pattaya and a volunteer assisting Expats at Pattaya’s Immigration Office. He has had a varied past career as a Latin teacher, a police officer, and a college executive. He is now largely retired but is a part time advisor for a large international law company based next to Jomtien immigration. He also writes for the internet and Pattaya Mail mostly on tourist and immigration subjects. Alcohol is usually involved for most foreigners that get arrested whether it be driving or belligerence leading to more serious offenses such as assault or other violent acts. Barry noted that in cases of assault, there must be medical evidence to support the allegation. Another area where many foreigners may be arrested is for committing drug offenses. Foreigners violating Immigration law by overstaying their permitted time in Thailand is another leading cause for their being arrested. Barry noted that overstay offenses are now more easily detected through use of better technology. Barry also described several issues involving working illegally in Thailand. Barry also explained the differences between Thai court procedures and that of Western countries. One being there are no jury trials in Thailand eliminating the adversarial aspects during court proceedings. The case is heard by Thai judges and a case may drag on for a lengthy period as the trial may involve several sessions with months between them thus dragging on for years. Some other differences is there is no transcript of the testimony and legal precedence does not play as important a part with judges having wide latitude on judging a case as well as in imposing sentences. He also highlighted some areas of civil law such as disputed wills and divorces along with the method used to collect damages if one wins a judgement. He also offered advice on how to act if you are arrested, the first being to remain calm. He mentioned that while being processed and before being placed in a cell, you will likely still be in possession of your mobile phone; use it. Call your friends to let them know where you are and what is happening. He did mention that having a good attorney to call can be beneficial, but then defined a good attorney is one that doesn’t turn their phone off when they go to bed. Barry also emphasized that you should not sign any documents which will be in Thai and most likely an admission of guilt. As part of his presentation, Barry mentioned several aspects of the infamous Bridge Club raid of 2016 in which he and 29 other elderly participants were arrested and that it took over 3 years to finally resolve the case. Although the gambling charge was eventually dropped, there were in fact some violation of other Thai laws including a very old one adopted during the Japanese occupation of Thailand during WW2. MC Ren Lexander than mentioned some upcoming events before calling on George Wilson to conduct the Open Forum portion of the meeting where the audience comment and ask questions about Expat living in Thailand. To view Barry’s presentation, visit the PCEC’s YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6icUdorzzz4. To learn more about the PCEC, visit their website at: https://pcec.club.

From Thai PBS World Free COVID-19 vaccinations stepped up ahead of increased foreign arrivals Due to an anticipated increase in foreign arrivals, Chinese tourists in particular, everyone, especially the those over 60, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, those who weigh over 90kg, small children and those who have not been vaccinated, have been urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get booster shots. COVID-19 infections are on the rise in several provinces. In the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, for instance, over 600 cases were reported last week alone, with 14 fatalities, most of whom were unvaccinated. The vaccination services are free of charge for Thais and foreigners at state hospitals or health centres nationwide. In Bangkok, people who want to get vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine can just walk in to the Institute of Dermatology, near the Victory Monument, or make advance bookings. The institute will provide a free vaccination service from 9am until 3pm on January 12th, 13th and 16th to 20th. Those who received their last vaccine dose over four months ago are advised to get another booster shot. ======== Barry Kenyon writes in today's Pattaya Mail that "All air passengers of any nationality, aged 18 and over, will need documentary proof of at least two anti-covid vaccine shots. The same paperwork could be required too by Thai immigration on landing, although this latter step may be on an occasional or random basis as the main thrust is on the shoulders of the air carriers. Unvaccinated or undocumented travellers will likely be refused boarding as will those who appear sick. "Most air arrivals will not be required to show tourist or anti-covid health insurance under the CAAT ruling. However, those arriving in Thailand with onward tickets to destinations which require RT-PCR clinical testing as part of that country’s immigration requirements will need Thai insurance. For example, both India and China both require all entrants, including their own nationals, to have RT-PCR health tests within 48 hours of their flights from Thailand. Thus Thai health insurance is needed for such travellers in case they fail their pre-flight covid examination here. "No guidance is given in the CAAT circular about the details of such insurance. It will presumably need to specify potential hospitalization in case of proving covid-positive whilst in Thailand. As with the vaccination record check, the main responsibility will be with the airlines to check carefully the onward travel plans of their customers, or risk heavy fines if they are less than diligent. The extra costs of insurance could deter some Chinese tourists from visiting Thailand as the financial blow has already caused some Indians to cancel Thai holidays. It is also unclear whether Thai hospitals and clinics have the staff or resources suddenly to guarantee thousands of RT-PCR within 48 hours of intended departure at a low cost, a potentially mammoth task."

From Thai PBS World Princess Bajrakitiyabha remains unconscious and under treatment in hospital Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has been and remains unconscious, and doctors are still treating her with medications. She is also on a life support system, to support the function of her heart, lungs and kidneys, and to enable close monitoring of her condition, the Bureau of the Royal Household said on Sunday. The Princess fell unconscious due to a heart problem and was admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on December 15th. Doctors at the hospital have attributed the initial collapse to an extremely irregular heart beat, induced by Mycoplasma infection, resulting in unconsciousness.

I got the Suan Plu address through an internet search and got the wrong shop. I think the LINE map link is the accurate location. Thanks for catching that.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The demand for Russian flights to U-tapao airport, neighboring Pattaya, is being described as insatiable. Almost daily, Air Azov and Red Wings are now delivering 2,000-plus passengers on six charter flights from various Russian cities including Moscow, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and even Kazan which is the country’s fifth largest urban complex and situated by the Volga. These arrivals are on top of daily, multiple scheduled flights to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. Most Russians will return after their vacation, but a sizeable minority is here to stay as long as possible as retirees or entrepreneurs. Some younger men and those with families are evading conscription to fight in the Ukraine war, or seeking to settle as global expats. Pattaya immigration is deluged with requests from Russians for certificates of address to open bank accounts and apply for driving licences. Indeed, there is a standing half-joke that, within a few years, more Russians than Thais will own healthy Thai bank balances or own plush vehicles. The Russian love affair with Pattaya goes back decades and annual arrivals almost touched 2 million before the pandemic struck in early 2020. Some believe that this figure has already been exceeded in the last twelve months. Welcome signs beckon in Russian in convenience stores in “Little Moscow”, a Naklua suburb near Pattaya: davai (take it) and deshyovyi (cheap). Thai tailors report a booming business in made-to-order clothes whilst the tills ring merrily in retail outlets from stylish malls to corner jewelry stores. Closed parties with champagne freely flowing are reported in several of the resort’s five star hotels. Thailand Privilege, the owner of the Elite visa, reports intense interest amongst Russians for longstay visas from 5-20 years. The less affluent are renewing their immigration entry stamps by crowding the organized minibus trips to the Cambodian border where a further 45 days visa exempt is available the same day. “Russians don’t want temples and culture, they want sun and fun,” according to a Moscow tours representative. “Pattaya is our main business now,” she adds, “and we have clients who light their cigars with a 1,000 baht (US$30) note.” Lining up next are the Chinese who are expected to pour into Pattaya once more flights are available and pending the opening of Chinese passport issuing offices, a service cancelled for almost three years of coronavirus. But the market is much bigger than short-visit tourists. Xiaohongshu, China’s answer to Instagram, is awash with the benefits of emigrating to Thailand where international schools are cheap and the latest generation longstay Thai visas, notably the 10-year Long Term Residence with its inbuilt work permit, is attracting lots of attention. Some Chinese investors want the freedom to travel in and out of China at their discretion. They are already the biggest group of foreign buyers of property in Thailand, according to the Real Estate Information Center, with 3,500 units snapped up last year at an average price of US$150,000. In Pattaya, Chinese investors own at least half of all foreign-owned condominium flats. They don’t necessarily intend to live here: the idea is to rent them out. Almost 30 percent of all near-40 million foreign tourists in Thailand were Chinese nationals in 2019. There has long been a debate about how Pattaya is changing and the prospects for neo (new) Pattaya in the post-pandemic world. The unprecedented surge in Russian and Chinese immigration – not simply tourism – will likely have titanic consequences not yet unfolded. They likely involve a continuing rise in the general cost of living as demand begins to exceed supply against a rapidly shrinking Thai workforce owing to a falling birthrate. Even more significantly, it is an open question whether Pattaya’s infrastructure, traffic routes and local government services can handle a surge of this proportion. The jury will be out a long time.

From Thai PIS World Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will be at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Monday to welcome the first group of Chinese tourists to visit Thailand post COVID pandemic. The visitors will fly into Bangkok in a 289-seat Boeing-789, on a direct flight from Xiamen operated by XiamenAir. The plane is scheduled to touch down at 12.50pm. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand says that, during the first three months of this year, about 338 flights from China will fly into Suvarnabhumi airport, including 98 in January, 144 in February and 96 in March. At Phuket International Airport, there will be one flight from China each day between February 15th and 17th, then the flights will be increased to four a day from February 18th to March 25th. At Chiang Mai International Airport, the first direct flight from China will land on March 15th. There will be about 200 flights during the three-month period, with 42 flights in January, 84 in February and 74 in March. About five million Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year after their government decided to ease travel restrictions, effective from Sunday, January 8th.

At 1,400-baht per 90-minute session, it lives up to its name. LOCATION: 167 / 5-6 Soi Suanplu 6, South Sathorn Road, Thungmahamek, Bangkok +66 94 818 5122

My favorite spot in Hanoi. From Vietnam Times The year 1940, when the famous "Sword Lake" collection by photographer Harrison Forman was taken, seems a lifetime ago. Hanoi has changed in many ways, surviving foreign invaders to become a thriving capital city. Sword Lake is emblematic of these changes, with details from yesteryear and today’s world. Yet, seeing the same location captured in black and white pictures placed next to the modern time's colored pictures, one can spot the strong resemblance between the past and the present in spite of the 82-year gap. Continues with photos https://vietnamtimes.org.vn/in-photos-sword-lake-of-today-and-yesteryear-54119.html

From Pattaya News Chonburi Police Region 2 is hunting down a mysterious murderer who shot and killed a retired British engineer yesterday, January 5th. The gruesome shooting occurred while the victim, Mr. Neil Lewis Roger, was traveling home on his red Scoopy I motorbike in Soi Khao Makok 1 in the Huai Yai subdistrict of Banglamung district, Chonburi. The 70-year-old was shot four times and passed away instantly on the spot. Pol. Lt. Col. Ittipon told The Pattaya News the motive behind the murder still cannot be disclosed, but he assured the media that the case is progressing well. He said authorities are gathering all types of evidence including three gun shells found at the scene and CCTV recordings around the area. Police met the victim’s wife, Ms. Thitiphan Kamlas, at the incident scene. As she mourned her beloved’s death, the 38-year-old Thai said the victim was a British engineer who chose to retire in Pattaya. He just returned to Thailand from England on January 4th after visiting his ill older sister. On the day of the shooting, the victim reportedly went to a party with friends in Pattaya and did not come back home. The wife said she grew worried and was heartbroken when the authorities called her about his loss. Ms. Thitiphan stated she did not know if the victim had any enemies.

From Thai PBS World 33 million baht to change of the name of Bang Sue Grand Station The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has provided full details of the expenses involved in changing the name of Bang Sue Grand Station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal, in defence of its 33 million baht estimated cost, viewed by critics as being too expensive. On the characters to be replaced, the SRT said that there are 48 Thai characters and 62 English letters to be changed, not 56 as widely misunderstood, plus two logos. The name plates are on both the eastern and western sides of the station. The budget is not only for changing the name and the installation of the new name plates, but also covers the expense of the removal of the old name plates, changes of glass and aluminium panels, the lighting system rearrangement, designing and structural engineering works, plus insurance coverage for 365 days, said the SRT. The new name, Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal, which means “Bangkok’s prosperity”, was presented to the SRT by His Majesty the King in September last year.