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From The Thaiger The Hua Hin International Jazz Festival is coming up, with more than 30 artists from around the world en route to perform at the renowned tourism hotspot. Several local artists and bands will also be performing. The festival will be held from December 2-3 on Suan Son Pradit beach, in front of the Seapine Recreation Centre. Musicians will perform from 5pm to 11pm. Entry is free. Artists performing at the festival include Nathalie Schaap, Saskia Laroo, Alexander Beets, and Lucas Santana, Hua Hin Today reported. The festival’s organiser Sakpon Aoonsamran, also known as Koh Mr Saxman, said there will be three stages at the festival for fans to enjoy the great music. These are the Beach Stage, the Open Stage, and the Hua Hin Stage. Sakpon said… “Foreign artists are flying in specifically for this event, while leading Thai jazz artists and new generations of jazz artists, including jazz youths, will also be performing.” The festival is being held live for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic when it was only broadcast online. This will be the 18th Hua Hin International Jazz Festival in total.

From Thai PBS World Baggage service provider at Suvarnabhumi faces ultimatum The company contracted to handle passenger baggage at Suvarnabhumi airport will be replaced if it does not improve the baggage reclaim service, which is currently causing delays for passengers. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said yesterday (Thursday) that he has instructed the transport permanent secretary to instruct the company to solve the problem, failing that the Transport Ministry may revoke its contract. The company is reported to be blaming the problem on shortage of equipment and manpower. Saksayam claimed that Suvarnabhumi airport has already solved the problem of the infamously long queues in front of immigration checkpoints and that arriving passengers now spend an average of 15 minutes queueing for their passports to be checked, including about a minute in front of the immigration counter. After having improved the immigration service, he said that arriving passengers now take an average of 40 minutes from disembarkation to go through immigration, reclaim their baggage, pass customs and leave the airport.

Keithambrose, I don't believe that you are making these claims but when you say "a lot of messages" that is very subjective judgement. What constitutes "a lot"? Twenty, 50, 10, 2? Without citing the alleged messages, there is no way to be objective. And just what are these messages critical of? Vietnam guys were--in my experience--popular staffers in Soi Twqlight bars and Screwboys on Patpong 2. They remain so at Freshboys today. I think we need to use caution before castigating a nationality. There's enough of that going around in the world at the moment without us gays joining the trend. If the unfairness of it isn't enough to dissuade us, then the fact that gays themselves are one of the most frequent victims of discrimination worldwide.

From Pattaya News Pattaya police inspected Beach Road last night, November 22nd, and took dozens of suspected transgender sex workers to the police station for identity recording in order to prevent potential crimes during the tourism high season. The intense prostitution purge was conducted by a combined team of Pattaya police and tourist police last night at Beach Road following complaints from anonymous concerned citizens. This also comes in advance of the highly anticipated Pattaya International Fireworks Festival this weekend which is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors. According to the leader of the operation Pol. Lt. Col. Pitchaya Khiaoplueng, many individuals whom he suspected were illegal sex workers left the road and pretended to be beachgoers strolling the beach immediately after they sighted police officers. Nonetheless, 36 alleged sex workers were arrested and taken to the Pattaya police station to have their identities recorded. The reason for this measure was likely because Pattaya police were waging war on a rash of petty crimes allegedly committed by transgender suspects against tourists. All suspects were released, and Pattaya police pledged to continue their crackdown on prostitution every day. ============== From Pattaya Mail Indian recovers gold stolen by Pattaya streetwalkers An Indian tourist narrowly escaped having his pricey gold necklace stolen after a gang of four thieves fumbled the booty. Nitin Mukund Puronit, 43, reported to police Nov. 19 that he was set upon by a group of four transgender prostitutes on Pattaya Beach at Soi 13/2. One hugged him and two grabbed his hands as the fourth removed the chain, worth 285,000 baht. But during the scuffle that ensued from Puronit pushing off the offenders, one of the thieves dropped the chain and they fled. Pongdanai Kotabud, 29, noticed Puronit looking around for something and spotted the gold lying. He picked it up and brought it to the Pattaya Police Station where gold and owner were reunited

The patrons of the Colorado Springs club who confronted the shooter have left fellow gays a legacy we shouldn’t ignore. When we witness discrimination and injustice in any of its manifestations, we all have a choice. We can confront it or give it a pass. I pray I will have the courage to remember this lesson.

From the Thaiger Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways and its budget subsidiary Hong Kong Express are boosting flights to three major tourist destinations in Thailand: Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Cathay’s Hong Kong – Bangkok route will be increased from twice to four times per day next month, according to Chairman of Cathay Pacific Patrick Healy. In January, the airline will resume its Hong Kong – Chiang Maiservice, said Healy. Hong Kong Express, Cathay’s budget offshoot airline, will operate 22 flights per week to Thailand to Bangkok, Phuket, and will also resume its Chiang Mai service in December. The airline hopes to return to 70% of pre-pandemic capacity before the end of 2023.

Yes, I’d very much like this to be fair. Now you’re claiming that “a lot” of mostly critical messages have appeared. If so, where is that lot of messages. Cite all the messages. Otherwise, you’re claiming the same thing Pong does without any proof. You seem all too ready to defame boys from an entire nation on what seems to be hazy recollections of having read a complaint at some unspecified time. And you’re extrapolating that into the basis of a one size fits all indictment of them all.

Are you kidding me. The age range of male massage workers in Silom Soi six, Best Massage and 9-teen alone is in the 18 to 30 range. Just how young were you expecting?

I agree it can be a bit off-putting but some guys need it to climax. I try not to take it personally They’re trying to fulfill both your and their fantasies. 😊

Yes, It never hurts to ask. These guys work in the shops for one reason: to make money, regardless of their sexuality. Be respectful and flexible. That’s the best approach to a good massage experience.

That’s a cheap shot out of nowhere. You disparage an entire nationality with “enough has been said about them” Who said it? Where did they say it? When did they say it? What did they say?

The reason the flight was undertaken was not disclosed in the article. From Thaiger A Royal Thai Air Force Airbus A340-500 completed what appears to be the longest flight ever operated by the aircraft. The record-breaking flight took place with much less fanfare than Singapore Airlines’ commercial record in 2018. The flight from Bangkok to Charlotte, North Carolina, took 18 hours and 14 minutes and covered 14,555 kilometres. The flight landed on Wednesday, November 16, after an 18-hour flight that crossed the international date line. Flight RTAF202 departed Don Mueang Airport at 6.10am Wednesday and passed between Taiwan and the Philippines before being spotted to the east of Japan. After disappearing from public radar over the North Pacific, the aircraft was spotted once again crossing the Gulf of Alaska before entering United States airspace in Washington State. The aircraft touched town at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina after a total flight time of 18 hours and 14 minutes. Due to crossing the international date line, the flight arrived on Wednesday, at 12.25pm. The distance covered, 14,555 kilometres (7,859 nautical miles). The Airbus in question is the only one operated by the air force. It was delivered to Thai Airways in 2005 and sent to storage in June 2012 before entering service with the air force in August 2016. The Airbus A340-500 is now quite rare on commercial passenger flights, with the last scheduled operator removing it from the schedule earlier this year. The previous record was set after a cruise ship full of Australian tourists became stranded off the coast of Uruguay due to a Covid-19 outbreak. The repatriation flight left Carrasco International Airport outside Montevideo and flew straight to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, where it landed 16 hours and nine minutes later, a distance of 12,338 kilometres.

From Thai PBS World Mountain B pub renamed, reopened and raided by police Chon Buri police and local officials raided a pub last night (Saturday), which is located on the same plot of land in Sattahip district as the Mountain B pub, the scene of a deadly fire on August 5th which has, to date, claimed the lives of 26 people and left others in hospital to this day. Police said that the new pub, named “Never Land”, opened for the first time last night, offering food, drinks and live music. The Mountain B was ordered closed for five years following the deadly blaze. Pol Maj-Gen Nunthavut Suwanlaong, deputy commissioner of Second Region Provincial Police Bureau, said they will invite the proprietor of the new pub to come to Phlu Ta Luang police station to answer some questions. He said police will check the land title deeds of “Never Land” and compare them with the deeds for the Mountain B pub, adding that the new pub will have to close if the venue is found to be located on the same plot. Meanwhile, Pongsiri Panprasong, the owner of Mountain B, said in his Facebook post today that his life has been ruined following the tragic incident and that his life savings have been used up to compensate the injured and the families of the dead. He said that he needs to make a living to feed his family and begged for an opportunity to reopen his business.

Since most of the guys who work massage places aren’t gay, I’m not sure I’ve ever come across an exclusively gay massage place (in Bangkok anyway).

The news of the bribe getting out could well have been what actually scotched it.

There a banner suspended from the Surawong side of entrance, accounting the return of the market on December 5th. Don’t know how long it’s been there but the date draws near.

I think you made more sense when discussing your cancer diagnosis—that made no sense at all.

From the Thaiger A football has not been kicked in anger at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and already a match-fixing scandal has erupted. If the decision to stage football’s most prestigious competition in the Arab country of Qatar wasn’t controversial enough, amid allegations of corruption and human rights violations, FIFA has to deal with an alleged match-fixing impropriety on the eve of the tournament. The Regional head of the British Centre for Middle East Studies, Amjad Taha, claimed on Twitter that World Cup 2022 host Qatar has bribed eight players from the Ecuador national team to throw the opening match on Sunday, November 20. Taha, an expert in strategic political affairs and regional director of the British centre in Saudi Arabia, said that eight players have received a combined US$7.4 million (265 million baht) to throw the opening game against Qatar. It is reported that Ecuador will allow Qatar to win 1-0 and the goal will be scored in the second half. Taha ended his post adding that he hopes the rumour is not true. The allegations are hard to ignore given Qatar has been accused in the past of bribing FIFA with millions of dollars to be chosen as the host of the World Cup ahead of the United States. Neither the Qatar government nor the Qatar Football Federation has commented on the rumours. The opening match between Qatar and Ecuador will kick off on Sunday, November 20. As Thailand can close the deal for the broadcasting license yesterday, football fans in the country can enjoy the first match this Sunday at 11pm.

From Channel News Asia BANGKOK: Leaders of the 21-member APEC bloc pledged on Saturday (Nov 19) to boost trade and do more to tackle other economic challenges, wrapping up the last of three summits in the region in a week that have been overshadowed by intense geopolitical rivalry. The summits have been attended by global leaders, and the talks have often been disrupted by friction spilling over from the war in Ukraine as well as flashpoints such as the Taiwan strait and the Korean peninsula. A Southeast Asian summit that included China, Japan and the United States was held in Cambodia, while the Group of 20 (G20) major economies met on the Indonesian island of Bali. The opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting was interrupted on Friday when Vice President Kamala Harris, who is heading the US delegation, called an emergency gathering of allies on the sidelines to condemn North Korea after it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States. On Saturday, Thai Prime Minister and APEC chair Prayut Chan-o-cha sought to bring the focus back to economic issues and said APEC made "significant progress" by agreeing to a multi-year work plan for a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). An APEC leaders' declaration said the group would uphold and further strengthen a rules-based multilateral trading system, but also recognised more intensive efforts were needed to address challenges like rising inflation, food security, climate change and natural disasters.disasters. "This year, we have also witnessed the war in Ukraine further adversely impact the global economy," said the declaration. “Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy," it added. At the G20 meeting in Indonesia, members unanimously adopted a declaration that said most members condemned the Ukraine war but also acknowledged some countries saw the conflict differently. The APEC leaders echoed the G20 declaration as they referred to UN resolutions that deplore Russia's aggression and demand its complete and unconditional withdrawal from Ukraine, but also noted a variety of opinions. "There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions. Recognising that APEC is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy," the bloc said. Russia is a member of both G20 and APEC but President Vladimir Putin has stayed away from the summits. First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov is representing him at APEC. The US city of San Francisco will host the next APEC summit and Prime Minister Prayut handed over the chair to Vice President Harris at a ceremony. "We are ready to conduct a seamless cooperation with them," he said, while presenting Harris with a "chalom", a woven bamboo basket used to carry goods and gifts in Thailand. A day earlier, North Korea's missile test just an hour before the APEC forum was inaugurated prompted Harris to call an emergency meeting with leaders from Australia, Japan, South Korea, Canada and New Zealand. "This conduct by North Korea most recently is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions," Harris said. Friday's launch came after US President Joe Biden met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday in Bali and said Beijing has an obligation to try to talk North Korea out of resuming nuclear testing, while adding that it was unclear whether China would be able to sway Pyongyang. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/apec-leaders-pledge-boost-trade-tackle-economic-challenges-3086466

From the Thaiger Air Canada will launch direct flights to Thailand next month. A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will service the route, flying between Bangkok and Vancouver four days per week. It will be the first direct service linking North America and Thailand in 10 years. Canada’s flag carrier will fly between Vancouver International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight route is seasonal and will run between December 4, 2022, and April 14, 2023. The aircraft features three cabins – Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.The westbound flight leaves Vancouver at 11pm and arrives in Bangkok at 5.55am. The eastbound flight will leave Bangkok and 8.30am and arrive in Vancouver at 6.35am, technically going back in time. Both flights are designed to arrive early in the morning to give passengers the maximum choice of same-day connecting flights. The service will provide a new option for American passengers. Before they would have to transit through Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, or, in the other direction, the middle eastern hubs.

It’s no wonder there are so many advertisements for drugs in media. When industry knows it can make men believe that they’re girth deficient, sky’s the limit.

From Pattaya News An Indian tourist in Pattaya filed a police report on a stranger whom he reportedly paid to go to his hotel room but later turned out to be a transgender individual. The tourist said the transvestite refused to return his money and stole his wristwatch. The tourist said he hired a stranger whom he originally thought was a woman to go to his hotel room on Soi 8 in Banglamung, Chonburi. While the two of them were inside the room, the tourist stated he noticed the stranger was, in fact, a transvestite, not a real woman. Out of disappointment, the Indian man asked for his cash worth 1,500 baht back, but the transvestite reportedly refused. The tourist then chose to file a police report at the Pattaya police station, but the officer informed him that what he did with the stranger was against Thai prostitution laws and may result in legal action against him.The Indian man reportedly began to shed tears as he did not want to get charged. He pled with the officerto find the stranger, claiming the stranger was also a pickpocket because they stole his wristwatch. Pattaya police were inspecting the hotel to try to locate the suspect, adding they would be able to solve the case soon because the suspect forgot their ID card in the hotel room. TPN notes there have been in terms of pickpocketing issues in the Pattaya area 16 cases so far this year, with the most recent happening in early November. There have been arrests, including this most recent one, and Pattaya police vow they will continue to search for and arrest the suspects.

From Thai PBS World People living in Bangkok, other central provinces, eastern and southern regions of Thailand are advised to expect heavy to very heavy rainfall from November 22nd-24th, as a result of an intensifying low pressure cell. Thailand’s Meteorological Department reported today (Friday) that a low pressure cell, looming over the coast of Borneo, is moving towards the South China Sea and intensifying as it heads towards the southern tip of the Vietnamese Peninsula and into the Gulf of Thailand. It predicts that the storm will bring heavy to very heavy downpours to the southern part of Thailand’s central region, including Bangkok. The Weatherman also warned of possible flash flooding at the bases of mountains and overflows in low-lying areas close to natural waterways during the period. Rough seas and strong winds are forecast in both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand from Monday until Thursday, with waves 2-3 metres high in the Gulf down to Surat Thani and more than 3 metre high waves in the Andaman Sea north of Phuket. Meanwhile, in Phuket, torrential rain struck Krathu district yesterday and, in less than an hour, the famous Patong sub-district was flooded. Runoffs from the mountains submerging roads in front of Patong Hospital, the police station, the municipal office and many communities in the Patong area. The flood water receded by about 3pm. Patong’s Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri said he will discuss long-term solutions to the flooding in Patong area with relevant agencies, noting that the area was hit by flooding several times over the past two months. Nonetheless, tourists continue to stream into Phuket, with Oman Air becoming the latest airline to operate four direct flights per week, from Muscat, the Omani capital, to Phuket. The maiden flight arrived in Phuket yesterday carrying 160 passengers. According Tourism Authority of Thailand local staff, Oman’s population of about five million is a high potential market for tourism to Thailand, with many Omanis travelling to Phuket for wellness services and recreation before the COVID-19 pandemic.