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The above article lacks attribution. The following claim by the suspect in the case is unsubstantiated: ”A large number of Thai berry pickers coming to Finland work in agriculture and mainly in rice plantations in Thailand where the income level is very low. EUR 12,000 corresponds to 15 years’ salary for rice cultivation, he adds. Most of us might feel disgruntled at best if we had to work and live in conditions of the berry pickers. The article comes across as a puff piece that attempts to put the suspect in the best light.

In observance of last day of Buddhist Lent, Monday is a non-alcohol day and expect to find bars closed. Thursday, Oct. 13, is a national holiday marking anniversary of late King’s death. But bars are allowed to open.

From Thai PBS World Thai immigration withdraw tourist visas of two CNN reporters Thai immigration officials have withdrawn the visas of two CNN reporters who entered the crime scene of Thursday’s mass killings at the child care centre in Nong Bua Lam Phu province, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national police chief said today (Sunday). He said that the two reporters, 47-year-old Anna Coren, an Australian, and 34-year-old Daniel Hodge, a Briton, were escorted from their hotel in Udon Thani by police and taken to Na Klang police station in Nong Bua Lam Phu province for questioning. He said that police want to know from them which Thai officials had allowed them into the crime scene, as they had claimed, adding, that only the police have the authority to grant such permission. The deputy national police chief also said that the two reporters may face charges of intrusion into a crime scene and interfering with evidence, if it can be proved that they crossedthe crime scene cordon without permission. He explained that, according to Thai legal procedure, the two reporters will be deported and blacklisted, but only after the completion of any legal proceedings. An informed source at the Immigration Bureau, meanwhile, said that officials had checked the two reporters’ visas and found that they are in the country on tourist visas.

From Channel News Asia How one man sheltered 60 children as Thai nursery massacre unfolded close by UTHAI SAWAN, Thailand: Monchai Pipatvilaikul never thought that the manicured stone garden at his house would one day become a playground for 60 schoolchildren, let alone their hiding place from an armed criminal. But when he heard about a cold-blooded massacre at a local nursery nearby on Thursday (Oct 6), everything changed. The armed assailant had fled the scene and was still at large at the time. The situation deeply worried Monchai, who feared the attacker might go on to target a primary school just a few kilometres from the nursery. With the school also in close proximity to the perpetrator’s house, the students in class that day could be in danger. “I rang the director of Ban Non Sawat Nong Paibool School and he told me what I’d heard was true. He also said there were students stuck inside the school. They were in classrooms with their teachers,” Monchai told CNA. “So, I talked to my wife about rescuing them.” Monchai owns a stone mill in the sub-district of Uthai Sawan, Nong Bua Lamphu, where the massacre took place. “It wasn’t clear at that time what was happening, so I thought while the situation was still volatile, the (primary school) students should come to my place as it would definitely be safe for them,” said Monchai. Together with his wife and two employees, he rushed to the school in two four-wheel drives. They chose a route largely unknown even among locals, that leads to the back of the school but with terrain that is rough and difficult to navigate. “There are two routes to the school. One is rough and requires a four-wheel drive. The other one is actually fine too but there were chances that we would run into the perpetrator," Monchai explained. When they arrived at the school, the students were still hiding. One of the teachers told CNA there were about 60 children and ten teachers lying low in four rooms on the premises. All the doors and windows were shut, and the students told to remain quiet to make it seem like nobody was at the school. “We took the children to hide in different rooms because we had heard the perpetrator was coming this way, and we were afraid he would come into the school,” said Teeramet Sewana, a teacher who had been working at Ban Non Sawat Nong Paibool School for only six months. When the 26-year-old heard about the massacre, he was in a cooking class with his students, making snacks. Examinations were already over and the children were just a day away from a school break. “I told the children to stay quiet, closed all the windows and locked the door,” he told CNA. They had been hiding in fear for nearly an hour, when someone knocked at the door. It was Monchai, who recounted that nobody made any noise or opened the door until a school employee informed those hiding inside that they could come out. “I told the kids we were going on a school excursion and that they should hurry,” he said. “'Hurry up, kids! Let’s go!’” The evacuation took place quickly, with teachers and students transported to Monchai’s house in two trips. During this time, terrified parents were calling the teachers to make sure their children were safe. As soon as all the students and teachers were inside his house, Monchai closed the gate and ordered several male employees to guard the place. “The kids were brought to sit in the pavilion. They got to use the restroom, then ran and played in the garden,” said the stone mill owner. “I also played music for them.” The students and teachers stayed at his place for about two hours - until police confirmed that the perpetrator had shot himself to death. Continues at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-nursery-shooting-mass-rescue-students-evacuate-primary-school-2997026

If the train is a viable option for you, I’d take it. I arrived around midnight this trip and taxi was default option. The driver was worst speed demon I’ve yet encountered, passing every vehicle in sight during moderate rain. It’s not all that uncommon for graveyard shift workers to use meth to stay awake. There are two options for making connection to Silom using airport train: the one described above and the other involves transferring at Makkasan station to the MRT line at Phetchaburi station. Get off MRT at Silom station.

I agree. But if this perp had been among the few all the efforts would have been worth it. As the Sandy Hook tragedy demonstrates, they never do.

From CNN Travel Amsterdam (CNN) — Hours-long lines for security that often snake outside under tents. Untold numbers of angry passengers who have queued in those lines -- yet still missed their flights. Worker strikes and delayed or lost baggage. Condemnation by major airlines, most notably KLM. At Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, labor shortages continue to fuel unprecedented chaos that began in the spring, prompting many travelers and aviation insiders to wonder what has happened to an airport long considered one of the most efficient and highly regarded in Europe -- if not the world. The beleaguered airport -- the world's third busiest for international passenger numbers in 2021 -- has continued to cut flight capacity, infuriating airlines such as KLM, the national carrier of the Netherlands whose hub is at Schiphol. The latest round of cuts asked airlines to implement reductions up to 22% for the winter season -- a "hopeless situation, lacking any perspective," KLM said in a release. KLM added that the situation is "damaging our reputation among passengers who are keen and willing to travel after the extended Covid crisis." The airline estimates it has incurred more than 100 million euros (about $96 million) in damages as a result. Over the summer, several airlines, including Air Malta, TUI and Transavia, opted to shift flights from Schiphol to other airports, according to Simple Flying. Many have placed blame on mismanagement, and on September 15, Dick Benschop, president and CEO of Royal Schiphol Group, announced his resignation. Benschop will remain in place until a successor is found. Benschop was a keynote speaker at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam, a conference attended by about 5,000 aviation industry professionals, where Schiphol's struggles were a common topic of conversation. Continues at https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/amsterdam-schiphol-airport-chaos/index.html

From the Thaiger Thais unhappy with Prawit’s response to daycare centre massacre The Thai people were not impressed with the insensitive statement delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan about the daycare centre massacre yesterday. Thai reporters asked Deputy PM Prawit how he planned to prevent a similar scenario in the future. He said… “What can I do about it? He is a drug addict.” Prawit offered his condolences to the victim’s families, admitting that he did not expect this kind of tragedy to happen in Thailand but his response was pretty weak. “I am sorry for the losses of all the families of the victims. The killer has already died, and his family has also. I never expected that this kind of incident would happen. It happened because of the drugs, and the government has always tried to help all drug addicts. It wasn’t lucky that the man had committed suicide because his family, wife and son were also killed.”

From the Thaiger Finnish police have arrested and detained the CEO of berry company “Polarica” under suspicion of human trafficking. CEO Jukka Kristo allegedly “deceived” 1100 Thai berry pickers and housed them in “poor conditions.” This year, Kristo’s company flew around 1100 Thais to Finland to work as berry pickers – an industry that heavily relies on a foreign workforce. The CEO has arranged seasonal work for Thais for several years. In total, 17 of Kristo’s Thai berry pickers filed complaints of forced labour and low wages with the Thai agency that employed them. All 17 returned to Thailand with the assistance of the Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki. Thailand’s Ministry of Labour announced yesterday that were prepared to help the alleged human trafficking victims. Following the complaints, Finnish police suspected that Kristo’s Thai berry pickers were “in a situation of dependency on their employer” and forced to live in poor conditions. Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation confirmed the criminal investigation on Monday when they detained Kristo in the coastal city of Oulu. Polarica – who sells bilberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, sea buckthorns, redcurrants, and blackcurrants – released a press release denying the allegations.

From Thai PBS World Human rights activists from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, a strong rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose invasion of Ukraine ruptured decades of nearly uninterrupted peace in Europe, and to the Belarusian president, his authoritarian ally. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2022 prize to imprisoned Belarus activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian group Memorial and the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties. Bialiatski is the fourth laureate to be honored while in detention. Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the panel was honoring “three outstanding champions of human rights, democracy and peaceful coexistence.” “We are in the midst of a war and we are talking about two authoritarian regimes and one nation fighting a war and we would like to highlight the importance of civil society,” she said. In Ukraine, there was some resentment at awarding the Ukrainian group alongside activists from Russia and Belarus, whose government allowed Russian forces to attack Ukraine from its territory.

I’ve always found the hi-so culture offensive because it mirrors a caste system. But what I believe truly matters is how Thais who are not in the hi-so minority view it. The current political climate serves as a good indicator of how the majority of Thais see things.

Thais are still wearing masks inside buildings and some also outside. Foreigners outside rarely wear masks.. Hardly see anyone wearing them in entertainment venues or restaurants. On public transit and taxis, it is expected that everyone will wear them. I try to copy what Thais do inside buildings and on transit, but not outside.

From CNN (CNN) — Hong Kong attracted around 56 million visitors a year before the pandemic, and now the popular destination is taking significant steps to win tourists back after over two years of some of the world's toughest travel restrictions. Just days after dropping its longstanding mandatory hotel quarantine requirement, Hong Kong has confirmed plans to give away half a million airline tickets in a bid to boost tourism. The move, first announced two years ago, was confirmed to CNN by a spokesperson from the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), which said that the 500,000 tickets, worth around $254.8 million, would go to global visitors, along with residents. https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/hong-kong-is-giving-away-airline-tickets/index.html

Olddaddy, you may take some flak for some of your topics but you’ve succeeded in stimulating a lot of conversation. And conversation is the essence of a blog like this.

Well, at this moment 47 have read it here so that’s not too bad. Why did I select this forum? Bangkok, voted the fourth best city in the world, is widely acknowledged as one of the best gay destinations in the world. That checked the right boxes I needed.

I want to mention two massage shops I’ve sampled in the past week. I’ve had it on my mind since my last trip to get out to KK Massage in the Saphan Kwai area (not to be confused with K-Man Spa even if they they share same owner). Finally made it this time with the help of a good map provided in a post by Totally Oz (see link below). For those going by public transportation, take exit 2 at Saphan Kwai BTS stop. It’s about a 25-minute walk or short bike or taxi ride). This is a small, basic shop of the type you find in the areas outside of main business district. Mattress on the floor and shower down the hall. But it may very well have one of the best stables in town. Upon arrival I chose from an array of guys the manager said were available The manager showed me a phone array of guys on call at the moment. After a quick scan I could have chosen any one of them and quickly pointed out one who made best impression. Manager called the boy and then took me to a room on second floor, pointing out shower location along way. I’d just finished undressing and was wrapping towel around me when there was a knock and my guy arrived. He smiled and immediately stripped down and led me to shower. I knew from this point I was in good hands. As usual, I spent 10 or so minutes massaging him (how could I not?). He turned out to be from Myanmar, 22, and has been in Bkk for a few years. He had almost no English but everything else I wanted. Already generously equipped, a tad more and you could easily imagine him among the Spa Boys of Myanmar. After a very satisfactory session, he took me back to shower. I’d been informed the minimum expected tip was 800 for the one hour oil I’d selected (I paid him 1200). One hour is 400 and 90 minutes 600). This was worth going out of my way for and plan repeat visit. https://www.gayguides.com/listing/kk-massage-gay-bangkok/ =============== The other shop I stumbled upon while touring the massage opportunities on upper Silom was Paradis (no e). There were a few guys sitting outside Soi 2 and both smiled broadly. One started chatting and showed me menu. I had a good feeling about this and agreed on one hour oil (500). He led into Soi 2 and soon turned right and took elevator to second floor. Doors opened to a spacious area with foot massage chairs. After removing shoes he led me to a good size room with massage table and shower. After showering alone, he returned and pointed to his pants and I said, Yes, please. Another satisfactory journey had taken the first step. He had sufficient English to carry on conversation and I soon learned he had once worked at the since closed Nakarat shop on Soi 4. We reminisced about guys I had known and he filled me in on where some had landed. He was a 28–year-old Lao guy who I vaguely remembered and most likely had used his services at Nakarat—among a handful of others there over the years. He seemed to know what I liked before I told him.He showered with me after and we chatted some more. Overall, I was pleased to get reunited with an old hand in nice accommodations.

For someone who allegedly joined this forum 52 years ago, I’m surprised you aren’t more familiar than the rest of us about where to find these guys. You “registered” on Jan. 1, 1970 (had no idea Gay Guides has such longevity). Haven’t you been paying attention. Vinapu and others have been educating us on the these types for much of the 21st century. When you were last posting here your join date was Dec. 31, 1969.

From Channel News Asia BANGKOK: A former policeman killed 37 people, including 22 children, in a gun and knife rampage at a childcare centre in north-eastern Thailand on Thursday (Oct 6), later shooting dead his wife and child at their home before turning his weapon on himself, police said. The children at the childcare centre in Uthai Sawan, a town 500km northeast of Bangkok, were mostly stabbed to death, they said. Police identified the attacker as a former member of the force who was dismissed from his post last year over drug allegations and he was facing trial on a drugs charge. The man had been in court earlier in the day and had then gone to the childcare centre to collect his child, police spokesperson Paisal Luesomboon told broadcaster ThaiPBS. When he did not find his child there, he began the killing spree, Paisal said. "He started shooting, slashing, killing children at the Utai Sawan daycare centre." Continues with video https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-mass-shooting-childcare-centre-gunman-killed-himself-former-policeman-2991456

The studio claims that it’s been approved for release in Thailand. Could be cinemas are delaying it to occur during high season when more international travelers are in town.

Agree they have their own networks but those with English skills reading this site it only to learn what we say about them. And we say a lot because they’re our favorite topic of discussion.

A new Netflix (single episode) documentary about the cave rescue became available in Thailand yesterday. It focuses on interviews with the players, their coach and other key players. In my book, this is history’s greatest rescue adventure. What makes it unique is that it’s an event free of corruption, bad intentions or self-serving motives. It is about courage, brotherhood, self-sacrifice and teamwork. And for those of us who believe in such things, a miracle.

I know three working boys in Bangkok (with respectable English skills) who read this site. And why would they not because many comments concern the work they do. I’m sure there’s others I don’t know who look in here to see what customers are saying. So when the guy you’re with impresses you with his English, we shouldn’t be surprised that he reads the same sites we’re attracted to.

From the Thaiger / Condé Nast Traveler Thailand was voted No.3 best country in the world to travel to in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Europe dominated the list of 48 countries, with Thailand and Singapore the only Southeast Asian nations to make the top 10. Thousands of people voted in numerous ‘best of’ lists… best countries, cities, islands, resorts, hotels, etc. Thai locations ranked highly in several categories… Top 10 Countries In The World 2022 Portugal 91.22 Japan 91.17 Thailand 90.46 Singapore 90.09 India 90.01 Greece 89.79 Denmark 89.62 The United Kingdom 89.12 Italy 89.12 New Zealand 89.01 Readers also voted for “Best Cities In The World” to travel to, where Bangkok came in fourth place. Top 10 Best Cities In The World 2022 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 92.94 Singapore 89.49 Victoria, Canada 89.46 Bangkok, Thailand 89.36 San Sebastian, Spain 89.15 Tokyo, Japan 88.32 Merida, Mexico 88.30 Quebec City, Canada 88.29 Cape Town, South Africa 88.27 Mumbai, India 88.27 Continues at https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-voted-no-3-in-list-of-top-countries-in-the-world-2022

From The Nation The Thailand-Laos rail project linking the China-Laos railway is on track, with services expected to commence in mid-2023 and both countries agreeing that Thanaleng station in Vientiane’s Hadxayfong district will be an international one, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said on Wednesday. During the latest meeting last month with representatives from the Lao National Railway Authority, the neighbouring nation agreed to send train operators, maintenance staff and related officials for training in Thailand, the SRT said. The training is expected to be completed by December, after which both countries will discuss train operations and fees, as well as other related issues. The discussions are expected to wrap up before the scheduled opening date in mid-2023. The project will see the railway linking Nong Khai province to the Laotian capital of Vientiane, where it will connect the China-Laos railway that runs to Kunming. This stretch went into operation in December last year. The Thailand-Laos-China railway will be a boon for tourists and cross-border trade among the three countries. Under the first phase, the Thailand-Laos rail line will sport four stations – Na Tha and Nong Khai in Thailand along with Thanaleng and Vientiane Khamsavath in Laos. Train operations commence in mid-2023 with four return trips per day. The route will also run pass the Thanaleng Dry Port and a container yard. In the second phase starting from 2024, the SRT will extend the route to Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima stations, with two trains running daily from Nakhon Ratchasima to Vientiane Khamsavath and back. The last phase, from 2025, will see the route further extended to Bang Sue Grand Station, with two return trips per day between Bangkok and Vientiane Khamsavath.

December and January are always the height of the tourist season but we still always talk about.