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From Coconuts Bangkok A number of places are scaling down New Year’s celebrations due to the condition of a key royal. Several localities from Pattaya to Chiang Mai have said they would tone down celebrations or cancel them amid fears over the health of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of King Vajiralongkorn who suffered a major health emergency earlier this month. In the coastal enclave of Pattaya, the authorities yesterday announced that they would cancel New Year’s Eve fireworks but allow live music and flea markets to be held. he provincial authorities had already canceled Chonburi’s New Year’s Eve party and replaced it with a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony on New Year’s Day. It did not name the specific reason. Royal Park Rajapruek, a botanical garden in Chiang Mai, announced a day after the Princess collapsed in central Thailand that it would postpone its New Year’s events, dubbed The Night of Flora Fest, originally set for Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, until further notice. The palace has said that the princess lost consciousness during a military K-9 training exercise and is in a “stable” condition though she requires equipment to remain alive. Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has said there are no plans to cancel New Year’s festivities but encouraged people to pray for the princess’ health and recovery. The Court of Justice office on Monday circulated a letter instructing its offices to pray rather than party for a speedy recovery of Princess Bajrakitiyabha. The Ministry of Education on Thursday followed suit.

I think it's the promise of sex. I don't need to see naked or scantily clad guys on stage. That's what my room is for.

...not to mention several thousand massage boys.

From Channel News Asia Adapting Asia Pacific tourism to a post-pandemic future JOONDALUP, Australia: The Asia Pacific tourism industry was thriving before the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by strong demand from Chinese tourists with increasing disposable incomes. Pre-pandemic, Chinese tourists’ arrival to the Asia Pacific region was forecast to increase to 150 million by 2020, with an aggregate expenditure of US$230 billion. But this did not materialise due to pandemic-related travel restrictions that still affect Chinese tourists today. Historically, Chinese tourists tended to travel as part of package trips involving group tours with multiple destination stops. This trend is changing as younger Chinese tourists favour more independent forms of travel that allow greater flexibility. But the thriving tourism industry was completely disrupted by the pandemic. The Asia Pacific suffered an 84 per cent plunge in overseas visitors and recorded a 300 million decrease in tourist arrivals. This led to a massive slowdown in the aviation, hotel, restaurant and tourism industries that still lingers today. Continues at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/china-hong-kong-travel-visitor-asia-tourism-covid-19-outbreak-3159991

From Channel News Asia BioNTech said on Thursday (Dec 22) it had shipped 11,500 doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to China to be administered initially to German expatriates, marking the first foreign coronavirus vaccines to be sent to the country. BioNTech said the delivery, which landed in China on Wednesday, contained both the original COVID-19 vaccine targeting the original strain of the coronavirus, and its updated vaccine targeting the BA.4/BA.5 subvariants of Omicron. "The arrival of the vaccine doses on the Chinese Mainland is a great milestone for us as joint partners with Fosun Pharma and our efforts to address this pandemic," said Sean Marett, BioNTech's chief business and commercial officer. The vaccines are expected to be available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Chengdu, BioNTech said. The group is working with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical to deliver the shots to greater China.

I think well have to wait until Chinese tourists return in numbers rivaling pre-covid days. They were frequently the lifeblood of the gay show bars in Bangkok at least and I'd imagine big players in the Chiang Mai and Pattaya scenes. While it's obvious that older farangs are no longer exerting the influence they once did for a variety of reasons well described above, they're still much sought after in the message shops. And the reasons are far less complex to comprehend: they tip consistently well.

The Navy released some additional information today about the search for the missing crew members but nothing encouraging was reported. Some in the government are raising questions about ship maintenance and the service's search and rescue capabilities. This all comes at an inconvenient time for the Navy that is vigorously pursuing the acquisition of submarines for the fleet that currently has none. China has built a diesel-powered sub that was originally to be fitted out with engines from Germany. However, the German government has declined to authorize the transfer of that technology and China officials are trying to persuade the Navy to accept China-made power plants. It would seem that what the Navy has a greater need for new littoral-type vessels designed to operate closer to land. The ill-fated MHS Sukhothai is being described by the Navy as the workhorse of the fleet. However, its nearly 50 years of service indicates that it should have been replaced long before huge sums were pursued for submarines. The incident also reflects the need for more robust coast guard assets to protect the nation's long coastlines. From Thai PBS World An unsung hero in the tragic end of HTMS Sukhothai In almost every disaster, there is usually at least one hero, someone who cares more for other people’s safety than their own and who does not hesitate to help, even at the risk of their own life. The tragic sinking of HTMS Sukhothai is no exception. The aging corvette class Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ship foundered on Sunday night in rough seas off Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Kunakorn Jariyot, chief petty officer first class (CPO1), is a medic serving on HTMS Sukhothai. He went missing after he and two other crew were rescued and taken on board HTMS Kraburi, but he decided to jump into the sea again, with a life vest borrowed from one of the survivors, to help others who were still drifting at sea on Sunday night. He has not been seen since and yesterday (Wednesday) he was listed among the 23 crew still missing. Fondly called “Torn Mor” by the seamen, Kunakorn is a nurse who completed study at the RTN’s nursing school. He was always seen carrying a big bag full of medical supplies, no matter how heavy it was, according to one of the surviving seamen. He was carrying the bag when he was in the water. When the 106 crew members were ordered to abandon ship, Kunakorn and two others, Sarangkon, the deputy chief mechanic and a seaman, were in the same group with only two life vests. They held hands, which is a survival technique at sea, which they were trained to do and had learned from a book, according to a Facebook netizen who identified himself as “Woody” Kaweewat Boondet. While drifting at sea, the three were joined by another seaman, identified as Komkrit. “Torn Mor told me to grab his hand tightly, telling me that then, even without a life vest, they would not drown,” Kaweewat quoted Komkrit as saying after he was safely rescued. All four crew thought they would survive when they saw HTMS Kraburi approaching, but Kunakorn told them to swim to the stern of the ship, to avoid being hit by it. Unfortunately Sarangkon, who was the oldest in the group, appeared to lose his strength and was swept away by the strong waves. Only three of them, including Kunakorn, were plucked from the sea to safety. They were saddened at not being able to help Sarangkon, who “disappeared right before our eyes.” Then Kunakorn told Komkrit to give him his life vest, saying that he needed it to help the others still drifting at sea. Then the medic took his bag to the mess room and has not been seen ever since. “We only saw his bag of medical supplies in the mess room,” wrote Kaweewat in his Facebook post. Kunakorn’s name appeared on the list of 75 crew members rescued, which was a relief to his friends and family. “We were relieved that Kunakorn’s name did not appear among those listed as still missing and that he would be fine,” according to the post. “Until now, none of those who survived have seen (Kunakorn). His relatives have not heard from him. So, where is (Kunakorn)? We only hope, because of his sacrifice, that nothing bad will happen to him. He should be back safely. We are waiting for you brother….” the post concluded.

From The Nation The secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office Piyapan Pingmuang has reportedly resigned following an allegation he is involved with Chinese triads in Thailand. News of Pol Maj-General Piyapan’s resignation was made public by former massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuwit Kamolvisit in a Facebook post on Monday. Chuwit also attached a photo of Piyapan’s resignation letter to the post. Chuwit said the resignation came after former Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong urged the Senate to investigate Piyapan and his deputy Theppasu Bavornchotidara for allegedly assisting members of Chinese triad criminal gangs in various illegal operations in Thailand.

I agree that it may vary from bar to bar in Pattaya. In Bangkok, it's another story. We're all free to go--or not go--to whatever bars we choose. But the bar business seems primarily supported by locals and tourists. Going by what I read in all three boards, expats in Pattaya are playing an increasingly smaller role in determining what bars succeed and what ones fail. Is it a result of fewer gay men choosing to retire there or advancing average age of the punters? How often are you attending the bars? How often are you offing someone from a bar? If not, is it the lacks of boys in skimpy briefs that influences you decision or something else? I read a lot of folks bemoaning that the scene that existed two or more decades ago is not what what they find today. And as true as that fact may be, not supporting the ones that remain only helps ensure that they, too, will fall by the wayside. One thing seems certain. There's been a definite shift away from the the old scene where bars of all types proliferated in Bangkok and Pattaya. And I suppose you can just as easily include Chiang Mai and Phuket. But lack of boys in skimpy attire is hardly responsible. I hope others will suggest what's actually responsible. Is it the apps alone or are other factors at play. I loved the Twlight scene but it was sadly on the wane well before Covid. I'm sure that was the case in the other cities, also.

During a discussion today with another member, it occurred to me that all the confusion about what the boys in the show bars wear or don't wear may have as much to do with their own preference as it does with what owners and the local constabulary say on the matter. For a various reasons, this is a moment in time when those who represent the essential component of a go-go bar--those who perform on stage--find themselves in a position to influence (for lack of better terminology) terms and conditions of employment. It's been mentioned here and in other boards that managers of Bangkok clubs have experienced difficulty from time to time in holding onto staff. When Dreamboy moved into new premises this fall, it created a temporary vacuum as it rushed to scale up from 15-20 boys to 40 plus. And recent reports out of Pattaya have some managers having similar problems. What's behind the shortage? The results of the long-term closure imposed by Covid is the principle cause. Not only did Thais return to the provinces of the northeast, many of those from other ASEAN countries likewise went home. Fast forward two years and a significant portion of them found other employment or for whatever reason opted not to come back. Those that have returned are older and perhaps less prone to being easily controlled. Newcomers entering the game are influenced by the older guys. Lets face it. Some performers--particularly the straight guys who dominate the trade--aren't excited about bopping around in briefs (with or without a bunny tail on the back). Sure, they'll do the critical stuff (the big cock show is a macho routine anyway) and flex their muscles, but they want it to emphasize their masculinity. Tawan is perhaps the exception because even in briefs, no one who wanders into the bar is going to mistake those guys for fem boys--not that there's anything wrong with that. So maybe, just maybe the balance of power is shifting a bit. If baristas at Starbucks can unionize, why not the guys who constitute the reason we all come to Thailand in the first place.

I've been looking for a feel good story for the holidays and this story from a Thai wildlife sanctuary fits the bill. The embedded video speaks volumes. From Coconuts Bangkok Photo: National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department A baby elephant is regaining its strength this morning at a sanctuary in central Thailand days after it was found alone and injured. Wildlife officials said veterinarians have looked after the female calf they named Thanwa, or December, around the clock since she was transported to the Bungchawak Wildlife Management Development Center with an injured foot. Thanwa was also dehydrated, and her kidneys were failing Though Tanwa still needs support from caretakers to move, she has been attempting to walk, sit and lie down, clips of which officials posted this morning. They said she has put on some fat, going from 87 kilograms to 90 kilograms now, which is about what an Asian elephant calf should weigh at birth. Veterinarians said they have been applying coconut oil to the wounds on her body. Caretakers are feeding Thanwa boiled rice water and milk powder every three hours. She still requires more rest. In early December, the calf was found injured at the Srinakarin Dam National Park in the western province of Kanchanaburi. At the time, wildlife officials said the 1- to 2-month-old calf had to be transported by helicopter due to concerns about her dehydration and kidney damage. Initially, they believed Thanwa’s family would come back for her, but there has been no sign of them, so officials employed a team of veterinarians to care for her. Continues with videos and photos https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/lost-baby-thai-elephant-with-bad-foot-recovers-at-sanctuary-video/

Thai PBS World reports that 76 crew members have been rescued, six were found dead and 23 are still missing after the accident on Sunday. The Thai Army announced that it has placed its helicopters on standby to support the Thai Navy in the search and rescue operations for the missing crew members. It did not say whether the navy has requested that assistance yet. The Royal Thai Air Force has sent a fixed-wing plane and a helicopter to support the operation.

From VN Express Ben Thanh station on metro line No.1 in front of the iconic Ben Thanh Market (red roof, left foreground), will be one of three underground stations with the remaining 11 being elevated. ----------------------- The four-level station, 32 meters deep and 236 meters long, will be completed in the second quarter next year. The space in front of the market has been reopened for public use after being occupied by the construction site of the station for five years. Work began on HCMC’s first metro route in August 2012. It was scheduled to be completed in six years. The line, to run 19.7km between Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, has carried with it high hopes of opening up a new mode of mass transportation and addressing people’s need to travel between the downtown area and the city's eastern gateway. Metro line No .1 is expected to cost over VND43.7 trillion (US$1.89 billion) and is funded by Japanese overseas development assistance and Vietnamese counterpart funds. The project has missed several deadlines and the latest reschedule has it becoming operational in the fourth quarter of next year. There will be 17 Japanese-made trains in operation with a capacity of 930 passengers. Since August this year all 17 the trains are being tested at the Long Binh Depot. Continues with photos https://e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/where-hcmcs-1st-metro-line-stands-a-decade-after-start-4549947.html

From The Nation Seven Thai nationals managed to break out of the clutches of a Chinese call-centre gang in the Cambodian border town of Krong Bavet on Tuesday. The victims said they were allowed out of their detention facility at 5am after their Chinese bosses learned that they had sought help via Facebook. The victims then took a tuk-tuk to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh to seek help to return home. On a Facebook Live clip posted at 1am, a woman can be seen asking for help, saying they were being held against their will by security guards and electric fencing. She said she and other victims had been forced to work for more than 15 hours daily without a break, and their employers had also confiscated their passports and ID cards. “The call-centre gang demanded up to 100,000 baht in exchange for our freedom,” she said.

Richard Barrow is one of the most prolific experts of train transportation in Thailand. He posted this guide today on his websiste in anticipation of the official opening on Jan. 19th of new mega hub popularly known as Bang Sue station. From Thaitrainguide.com It has been a long time coming, but finally the new terminal station in Bangkok will open on 19th January 2023. Starting from now, you can buy tickets for long distance trains departing from this station by entering the official name, “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal” *. Though from experience, you only need to type “Krung” and the full name will pop up. However, it should be made clear that not all trains will move here in January. It should also be noted that Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) will not close despite earlier media reports. As there will undoubtedly be some confusion among the public, and even misinformation in the local media, I will post here everything I know so far about what you need to know about catching a train from Bangkok from 19th January 2023 onwards. Please don’t copy and paste this page elsewhere as I will be continually updating it as and when new information comes in. * The station used to be called Bang Sue Grand when it first opened as a vaccination center. However, the new name of Krung Thep Aphiwat was recently given to it by King Rama X For the time being, only long distance trains on the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern lines will depart from the new terminal station. Other trains such as local, commuter, and tourist trains, as well as all trains on the Eastern Line, will still depart from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong). Despite reports in the media, the old terminal station will not close any time soon. By all accounts, it could still be around seven years from now. This is because they need to extend the Red Line down to a new elevated station next to the present terminal. This will probably take five years to build. As they are experiencing some difficulties with the route (it passes a royal palace), it will most likely be delayed. The following are the confirmed long distance trains that will leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. However, it is not confirmed which will be the first train. It will most likely be Express No. 171 to Su-Ngai Kolok leaving at 1:10 p.m. Trains on the morning of 19th January are still expected to leave from Bangkok Railway Station. Which brings me to another important note. As the new terminal is north of the old one and that the tracks are elevated, trains will leave the city much quicker and more efficiently. Trains don’t need to go through a dozen or so level crossings. As a consequence, the start times will be adjusted. For example, Special Express No. 9 to Chiang Mai normally leaves at 6:10 p.m. It will now leave from the new terminal at 6:40 p.m. but it will still arrive in Chiang Mai at the regular time. A second note is that the number of stops leaving the city will be adjusted. More information on that further down. I will do another update to this page soon with more details about how to get to and from Krung Thep Aphiwat and what facilities it has. I can tell you at the moment there is a Blue line MRT station in the basement called Bang Sue Station. There is also a Red Line Station here on the 2nd floor called Bang Sue Grand, though that may change to the new name. Next door is Bang Sue Junction which is another way to get here. As for facilities, there are no shops or restaurants yet. However at the far end there is a small food court. When I went at the weekend only three shops were open. There should be a lot more in January. In the basement there is also a massive car park. At the moment it is free but that will change once the station officially opens. The concourse for buying tickets is on the ground floor. Shops and offices are on M1 and M2. There is nothing there yet. The Red Line and long distance trains will go from the 2nd floor. This is a closed platform system meaning you cannot go up unless you have a ticket for that train. The 3rd floor is for the airport rail link and the high speed trains. That floor won’t open for some years to come and is off limits. Please follow @ThaiTrainGuide on social media on Twitter and Facebook for latest updates. Continues with train schedule and photos at https://www.thaitrainguide.com/2022/12/20/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-opening-of-bangkoks-new-terminal-train-station-on-19-january-2023/

From Thai PBS World Another six members of the crew of the ill-fated HMS Sukhothai corvette class Thai Navy vessel were recovered from the sea by the crew of HMS Ang Thong today (Tuesday), leaving 24 still missing as the search continues. Five of them are confirmed to have died. Families and relatives of the missing crew members have been wating in the compound of the coordinating command centre, set up at the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province, to follow updates on the search operations. Mental health and medical teams are deployed at the command centre to provide counselling to the missing crews’ families. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Ministry of Defence to investigate the actual cause of the sinking of HMS Sukhothai, which has been in service for about 48 years.

The Bangkok Post reports that 31 crew members remain missing at sea today.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon As UK vacationers return to Thailand in big numbers, an old problem has resurfaced with new urgency. What happens when you owe a lot of money and have run out of cash in the Land of Smiles? The most recently publicized case is Wolverhampton social worker Jo Hoffman whose face is smashed after a horrible scooter accident. The estimated medical bill is 50,000 pounds with only a third so far raised via gofundme, the best-known crowd cash-raising platform. Her case is far from unique as a cursory glance at Google will reveal. 2022 is the worst year in recent memory. There are currently at least seven British accident casualties awaiting collective cash to get back home together with a mortuary corpse. Not to mention two much-loved dogs who somehow missed their flights from Bangkok airport. And the tragedies are not only medical. Thai immigration police are refusing to let a healthy Liverpool tourist leave the country until he offers compensation to a comatose Thai driver injured in a skid accident which appears to have been nobody’s fault. Understandably, victims and their relatives turn to the British embassy. Not much joy there. British government websites make it abundantly clear that there is no cash handout, or even a loan, no matter how desperate the situation. Diplomatic posts will offer a list of hospitals, translators and morticians and even phone relatives with the bad news, but there is a concrete zero budget for hard-luck stories no matter how grim. To be fair, other embassies sing from the same hymn sheet although a few – notably the Norwegian – offer far better counseling and care. The parrot call, of course, is to be properly insured when abroad. Nobody knows how many travelling Brits are uninsured or inadequately covered. Global Protection says it’s around a third, some say a half. The vulnerable total certainly runs into hundreds of thousands every year. Some like Jo Hoffman thought they were covered by credit card travel insurance, only to discover the truth too late. Others fail to pay the premiums to cover emergency operations or fall foul of restrictions which preclude the elderly from claiming. Not to mention catchall phrases like “pre-existing conditions”, “evidence of alcohol or drugs”, “dangerous sports” or “high horsepower vehicles” which can doom even the most expensive policies. Thailand does not insist on prior medical insurance except for one or two longstay visas. That’s true of most of her regional competitors for the tourist dollar. No mandatory insurance for the Philippines, Cambodia or Laos for example. All these countries, including Thailand, did require Covid-specific insurance during the pandemic but no longer. They are currently in competition to pack in as many visitors as possible in the name of marketing. Thailand does have a small discretionary fund for unfortunate foreign deaths on its soil, but it is limited to selected coach crashes and sunken vessels. Realistically, nothing will change. Of course, chances of any individual ending up on the gofundme register are remote. But stuff happens.

From Thai PBS World Thai Airways aircrafts and other carriers are parked at the tarmac of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Thailand’s embattled national carrier, Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), said it was looking to add 9 more aircraft to its fleet as its passenger load factor continues to rise. THAI, which is still undergoing its bankruptcy restructuring process after its already loss-making business was severely impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, said it was looking to bring into service some of the parked aircrafts it has in its fleet and it was also looking to lease as many as 4 Airbus A350-900s during 2023. Suvadhana Sibunruang, the acting Chief Executive Officer of THAI, said the plan was to bring in service as many as 5 (badly) parked aircrafts that can be seen at Suvarnabhumi Airport tarmac, into service. The 5 aircrafts that are set to leave the tarmac after nearly 2-years of being parked and their engines and other parts not being covered properly, are 3 widebody Airbus A330-300s and 2 widebody Boeing 777-200ERs. THAI has parked many of its aircrafts at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the past 2-years and many of these aircrafts have not been properly covered to prevent corrosion, unlike other airlines that sealed their aircrafts during the pandemic in order to avoid corrosion in the humid climate of Southeast Asia. THAI, whose shares continue to be suspended from trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), said that it aims to add these aircrafts to popular routes such as Japan, Korea, Singapore and many cities in Europe including preparing to support the return of Chinese tourists in the very near future. Currently THAI has 61 aircrafts that are in operation including: 12 Airbus A350s 4 Boeing B777-200ERs 17 Boeing B777-300ERs 8 Boeing B787s 20 Airbus A320-200 aircraft for Thai Smile Airways. At present, Thai Airways also plans to procure 10 additional aircrafts for THAI Smile Airways, which will focus on aircraft such as Boeing B777. Up for Sale THAI, Suvadhana said, still has assets in the category of aircraft up for sale, with as many as 22 aircrafts that are on the block, which is still in the process of negotiating with potential buyers. The aircrafts up for sale are: 6 Airbus A380s 2 Airbus A340-500s 2 Airbus A340-600s 6 Boeing B777-300s 6 Boeing B777-200s Previously, 19 aircrafts have been sold, pending delivery, including: 1 Airbus A300-600 1 Boeing B737-100 12 Boeing B747-400 1 Airbus A340-500 1Airbus A340-600 There are also 5 aircraft that have already been transferred to the loan guarantors, namely 4 Airbus A330s parked at Suvarnabhumi Airport and 1 Airbus A330 parked at Don Mueang Airport. However previously, THAI planned to refurbish 6 Airbus A380 aircraft that are parked but have not yet been sold in order to accommodate higher passenger travel. THAI says that such type of aircraft can accommodate a large number of passengers, but Airbus has said that trying to fly an aircraft of such size that has been parked for 2 years would be time-consuming to bring them back to flying condition. THAI said that it could take time to check the condition, and various checks could take up to about 7-8 months in order to be ready to return to fly safely, and the cost of such a move would be in billions of Baht.

From Thai PBS World The Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) Ratanakosin-class corvette, HMS Sukhothai, sank in rough seas in the Gulf of Thailand at about 11.30pm on Sunday night. The RTN reported this morning (Monday) that 77 of the 110 officers and men on board have been rescued, with the remaining 33 still floating in the sea. Three were seriously injured. The ship sank after it took on a lot of sea water. According to RTN Spokesman Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin, HMS Sukhothai was on routine sea patrol, about 20 miles from the Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, when it began to list to starboard, allowing seawater to get into the electrical system through the exhaust pipe. This led to a loss of electrical power and the stopping of the main engine. The ship lost steerage, resulting in more water entering the hull, increasing the list. The RTN ordered three other naval vessels and two helicopters to rescue the crew and officers. HMS Kraburi was the first to arrive at the scene and began rescuing those in the sea. The search for crew members who are still missing continues today, as the Royal Thai Navy sends additional vessels and planes to take part in the search and rescue operations, which are being hampered by rough seas and strong winds. The RTN confirmed that there were enough life vests on board the ill-fated HMS Sukhothai for the whole crew, adding that the 33 sailors who are yet to be rescued are believed to have drifted in various directions, but the rough sea has made it impossible for small boats to reach them. According to the Army Times Thailand, 43 were crew injured, most of them suffering minor injuries and four who suffered broken legs. ======================== Oil tanker runs aground near Songkhla beach, cargo ship sinks off Surat Thani An oil tanker ran aground on the coast of Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla and a cargo ship capsized in the seas of Surat Thani province yesterday (Sunday). Initial reports said that the captain and eight crew members of the cargo ship managed to escape from the sinking vessel in a life raft and were taken to Chaiya district hospital by the emergency services, who responded to the vessel’s SOS signal. The report said that the 2,037-tonne oil tanker was not carrying any fuel as it was anchored near Samila Beach in Mueang district of Songkhla. The anchor chain broke, however, and the vessel was swept toward the shore by strong winds and rough seas until it ran aground. The company which owns the oil tanker has asked for tug boats to tow the tanker back out to sea, but bad sea conditions have, so far, prevented the operation. In Chaiya district of Surat Thani province, an SOS signal was received by a ground station from a cargo ship, Santhad Samut 2, which was carrying 36 containers of rubber timber and 10 crew. The vessel was heading for Laem Chabang in Chon Buri Province. The ship later sank in the Gulf of Thailand, off Chaiya district. The cause of the vessel’s problem is not yet known.

When I read whether 1,000 or 1,500 is too much of a tip, or how outrageous a 500 entrance fee is, I apply the Groucho Marx reality test: how much would you have to pay me to have sex with a clone of myself? That puts everything back into perspective.

Thanks for catching that. This is the link I should have posted. https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/awakening

From TimeOut Bangkok / Pattaya Mail Awakening Bangkok is Bangkok’s largest light and digital arts festival that gathers several local artists in the old quarter of the capital. After its journey to Khon Kaen, Awakening Bangkok is set to return to Bangkok again from today – 25th December 2022. The festival will be held under the concept of “Endless Tomorrow: For Tomorrow and Forever” with illuminated creations that highlight sustainability and immortality and will take place at various locations on Charoenkrung Road and in Talad Noi. For a complete list on participating sites and interactive map. go to https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/awakening

From Pattaya Mail North Americans are expected to power a resurgence of western visitors to Thailand in 2023. Thitiporn Maneenate, director of the Americas region for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that arrivals from the U.S. and Canada have risen steadily throughout the final months of this year and are expected to remain strong throughout North America’s winter. Thitiporn attributed the growth to wintery conditions, holidays and pent-up desire to travel after the coronavirus pandemic. Air Canada on Dec. 3 launched nonstop service between Vancouver and Bangkok using Boeing 787-9 aircraft that can carry 298 passengers. Other airlines also have increased fights and frequencies to Thailand, he said.

From Atlas Obscura Luang Prabang was named a UNESCO world heritage site for its well-preserved French colonial architecture, but its true charms spring from the Lao culture. The streets are filled with Saffron-robed monks, local handicrafts, Buddhist temples, and hawker stalls selling river fish and sticky rice. Visitors flock to the old town’s famous Sai Bat almsgiving—a daily tradition unbroken for hundreds of years, but those who go wandering after the ceremony might discover a new tradition a short walk away—the seasonal bamboo bridges across the Nam Khan River. The Nam Khan winds through Luang Prabang before joining the wide Mekong, and during the rainy season residents and visitors use shuttle boats or the Old French Bridge to cross the swollen river. But when the dry season comes along, quicker and more charming options arise—two narrow bamboo bridges. In 2006, a local family erected the twin bridges for the first time and they’ve kept the practice going every November since. Although the bridges are designed primarily for tourist use, the construction is very traditional. Each bridge is made entirely of bamboo and rope (except for the lights), and though they might look (and feel) wobbly, they’re actually quite strong. They rely on bamboo’s natural strength and building techniques employed by Laos for generations. The bridges span the Nam Kahn until rainy season, when they are dismantled until the next year. The larger bridge, set at the picturesque bend of the Nam Khan just as it reaches the Mekong, connects Luang Prabang with two villages noted for their artisans—the weaver’s village of Ban Xieng Lek and the paper-making village of Ban Xiang Khong. The smaller bridge is slightly upstream and connects the old city to the newer side of town, as well as to restaurants and craft shops overlooking the river. This side arguably has the best view; visitors who take the bridge to the Dyen Sabai restaurant at sunset are in for a beautiful view of the fleeting bamboo structure. The larger bridge can be found at the bottom of the path starting below the Riverpoint Cafe on Khem Khong road. The smaller bridge extends from the old steps leading down from Wat Siphoutthabath on Kingkitsarath Road. Make sure you check with a hotel or tour guide if planning a visit to include the bridges; their presence follows the whims of the river. Note that traversing the bridges is not free. Tickets are sold at small booths on the old town side of each bridge. Passage costs 10,000 Kip (about sixty cents U.S.) for a round trip ticket. It’s a pittance well-spent — the money goes to the families who build and maintain the bridges. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bamboo-bridges-of-luang-prabang