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We'll have to wait and see what Japan did last month. But Dirksen sure did have a way with words 😄

From Channel News Asia TOKYO: Tourists will be able to visit Japan from next week on package tours without a guide, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday (Aug 31), as the country moves to ease strict COVID-19 controls. From Sep 7, Japan will also raise its daily cap on the number of people allowed to enter the country from 20,000 to 50,000, Kishida told reporters. Japan has kept strict border restrictions in place longer than many other major economies, and only in June began allowing tourists to visit on the condition they came in tour groups accompanied by guides. "As international exchange becomes more active worldwide, Japan will join this movement - also from the viewpoint of taking advantage of a cheap yen," said Kishida, who has himself just recovered from COVID-19. From the same date, "we'll also make it possible for tourists from all countries to enter the country on package tours without tour guides, and we will proceed with making entry procedures smoother at airports", he added. But the measures fall short of a full reopening and visitors are still required to book their trips through agents and obtain visas. Public broadcaster NHK and other local media have reported that tourists will be asked to follow isolation guidelines if they test positive for COVID-19 in Japan.

That's cutting it close.

From Time Out / Thaiger Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong district is the main artery of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Modern Chinatown now covers a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Road. It has been the main center for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago to make way for the construction of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. Yaowarat Road is well known for its variety of foodstuffs, and at night turns into a large street food destination that draws tourists and locals from all over the city. Time Out said… “Lined with neon signs and bustling day or night, this cultural hub is home to temples, restaurants, markets, and legions of acupuncturists and dispensers of Chinese medicine. “It’s been a street food lovers’ favorite for generations, but lately the area has seen cool galleries and high-end restaurants move in too, keeping Yaowarat as relevant and culturally diverse as the day it was paved.” London-based Time Out magazine named Yaowarat Road the eighth coolest street in the world after polling readers about post-pandemic life in their city. Over 20,000 people took part in the poll which asked readers to base their ranking on food, fun, culture, and community. Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong district is the main artery of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Modern Chinatown now covers a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Road. It has been the main center for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago to make way for the construction of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. The top 10 coolest streets in the world are: Rue Wellington in Montreal Gertrude Street in Melbourne Great Western Road in Glasgow Yongkang street in Taipei Værnedamsvej in Copenhagen, which I’ve likely butchered Karangahape road, Auckland, New Zealand which I’ve probably also butchered Tai Ping Shan street in Hong Kong Yaowarat Road, Bangkok Oranienstrasse in Berlin And Hayes Street in San Francisco https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-news-today-bangkok-street-food-destination-in-top-10-coolest-streets-in-the-world

From the Thaiger Alleged spies from the Burmese junta, disguised as Buddhist monks and nuns, were among 54 Burmese people arrested at a three-storey building in Tak province in northern Thailand on Monday, according to Channel3. On Monday, police, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Mae Sot District Administrative Organisation, and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) closed in on the building in the Mae Pa subdistrict in Mae Sod district. The raid occurred after the ISOC office in Tak province received a request from monks at the Buddhism Bureau of Tak province to investigate the group. The Buddhism Bureau had received a complaint from villagers in the Mae Pa subdistrict who were concerned that the group of monks and nuns, who had been out collecting alms in the area, were not real. The villagers told the Buddhism Bureau that they were suspicious of the monastics because they lived with a big group of people in the building and regularly made a loud noise. The officials found a total of 54 Burmese people residing in the building, including 11 monks, 16 nuns, 11 men, 14 women, and two children. Matichon reports that the building used to be a detention centre for Burmese illegal immigrants but was closed down when changes were made to immigration policies in Thailand. No one in the group could provide any form of documentation so all 54 people were detained and taken to the immigration officer of Tak province. ISOC’s initial investigation reveals that some of the “monks” and “nuns” are not real monastics but are spies from the Burmese junta who snuck into Thailand to investigate anti-junta activities in Mae Sot, near the border of Myanmar. Some of the “monastics” told officials that they planned to travel to Bangkok to investigate resistance movements against the Burmese junta.

From the Thaiger Two ladyboys allegedly rob Indian tourist who rejected their ‘services’ An Indian tourist was robbed of 12,000 baht cash and other assets last night on Pattaya’s infamous Walking Street in Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand. He claims that two ladyboys robbed him after he rejected their “services.” At 12.16am today, 33 year old Vishal Vajbhaw went to Pattaya City Police Station to request the police’s help in tracking down the alleged thieves. Vishal told police that he was walking down Walking Street when “two ladyboys offered him sex services.” Vishal politely declined, but the two ladyboys looked “dissatisfied,” said Vishal. The tourist said the pair followed him, tried to hug him, and “stroked” his body. Vishal said he tried to push them off, but they wouldn’t leave. One of the ladyboys asked Vishal for money. In a bid to make them go away, Vishal reached into his pocket to give them some cash. As Vishal reached into his pocket, he realised his wallet containing 12,000 baht and a contactless debit card had already gone. When he looked up, the two ladyboys had made a break for it, he told police. Vishal chased the pickpockets down Walking Street but he couldn’t catch up with them, he said.

Actually owning a large portion of the US national has proven quite beneficial to Japan over time. Japan is the largest holder of US debt (1,236 billion USD worth) and has one of the world's lowest interest rates on it's 10-year bond (0.226%).

Just about everybody, it seems. Top Foreign Owners of US National Debt https://ticdata.treasury.gov/Publish/mfh.txt

Incidents involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Thailand are not uncommon but we only hear about the larger ones. Although both are flammable gases, LPG is not to be confused with natural gas in any of its states (gaseous, liquefied or compressed). For gas users, the most important thing about how they differ is that LPG is a heavier-than-air gas that it slower to diffuse into the environment than is natural gas that is lighter than air. Should LPG gas escape its container, it will tend to flow down towards the ground or floor where it than begins migrating horizontally. As it mixes with air, it passes into and out of a defined explosive range . Should it find an ignition source while in that range (5-17% gas to air mixture), fire will erupt immediately. You'll find LPG in wide use in Thailand. Cooked food street vendors depend on it to fuel their stoves. These portable tanks are transported in on small trucks or even on the back of motor bikes. If the vehicle becomes involved in an accident, and the tanks are damaged, gas can be released. Tanks are equipped with emergency relief valves that automatically vent gas if internal pressure rises to high, but the tank must remain upright in order for the valve to operate properly. If a tank is exposed to fire, the internal pressure can rise rapidly, resulting in a violent explosion with pieces of metal becoming shrapnel fragments. The explosion in central Pattaya has the visual indications of some type of gas explosion. Gas explosions can occur without necessarily causing fire. The damage is done by the violent explosive force that can bring down walls, roofs and ceilings. The absence is of fire is attributed to the rapid release of energy before combustible contents of the building can be heated to their ignition temperatures. Most Bangkok taxis operate on compressed natural gas (CNG).

This happened in Thailand during current monsoon.

From Thairath / Thaiger Five people were injured, three seriously, following an explosion at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant in the Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. One of the big cylinders is believed to have exploded, spreading to others, and started a blaze at the V.I.P Petroleum plant, in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut Prakarn province. Five Burmese employees, who lived near the plant in workers’ houses in the area, were injured in the fire, them of them seriously. A rescue team and firefighters’ report revealed there were a number of flammable items in the area, such as houses, cars, motorcycles, and tyres. It made the fire bigger and more dangerous. The area is also surrounded by LPG gas which is highly flammable. Firefighters and officers spent about one hour turning all LPG’s valves off to help control the situation. A 42 year old worker, Anuchit Jaidee, made public that the gas plant has about 30 workers, both Thais, and migrants. They start work at 8am and finish at 5pm, but added no one was working inside the plant during the explosion, which happened at 12.20am. Workers living in accommodation near the gas plant heard the loud explosion, went to investigate, and consequently, five of them got hurt.

NOTE -- I recall that Thai rejected higher offers in the pass because they did not deem bid high enough. From the Thaiger Thai Airways sells five Airbus A340s stored away for 13 years Thai Airways has found a buyer for five dusty Airbus A340s which have gone unused for 13 years. Thailand’s flag carrier has sold one A340-500 and four A340-600 planes for a total of 350 million baht. The buyer – whose identity remains disclosed – has already signed the paperwork finalising the deal, according to Chief Technical Officer of Thai Airways Cherdphan Chotikhun. The transaction will go through once it is approved by Thailand’s Minister of Transport, said Cherdphan. Since Thai Airways entered its debt rehabilitation programme two years ago, the airline has sold a total of 16 decomissioned planes. Prior to the most recent sale one A340-500 and four A340-600s, THAI sold one Boeing 737-400 and ten Boeing 737-400 planes, amounting to two billion baht. Cherdphan admitted that the airline struggled to shift the decomissioned A340s and there are still four more aircraft of the same spec for sale. THAI is currently engaging in discussions with prospective buyers for the remaining four A340s, said Cherdphan. =============================== From The Thaiger Thai AirAsia X to launch two Thailand – Australia routes Budget airline Thai AirAsia X will launch two direct routes between Thailand and Australia in December. The airline will fly from Bangkok to both Melbourne and Sydney, beginning December 1 and 2 this year, respectively. The Bangkok to Sydney route will fly four times per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Bangkok to Melbourne route will fly thrice a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. An 337-seat Airbus A330 will serve both routes with 12 Business Class seats and 365 Economy Class seats. Tickets are already on sale, with one-way economy fares from Melbourne to Bangkok starting from $299 AUD (7,552 Thai baht). A one-way Business Class ticket on a premium flatbed costs $1,199 AUD (30,293 Thai baht).

From Pattaya News A bus service from the Don Mueang International Airport to Pattaya is now available. The bus service has two round trips per day from 10:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.. (350 baht per person) From the Don Mueang International Airport to Pattaya: The bus ticket is available at the Bell Travel Service on the first floor Gate 10 at Domestic Terminal 2 or online ticket at www.belltravelservice.com . From Pattaya to Don Mueang International Airport: The bus service has two round trips per day from 6:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.. (350 baht per person) The bus ticket is available at the Bell Travel Service at Pattaya Bus Terminal (North Pattaya) or online ticket at www.belltravelservice.com .

From Pattaya News A massive explosion obliterated several Thai restaurants and a building in the center of Pattaya and seriously injured one Laotian worker. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. The explosion shook parts of Pattaya at 5.50 a.m. early this morning, August 30th. The explosion was believed to take place inside a BBQ pork and chicken with rice restaurant called “Jae Jar” located in Banglamung’s Nongprue subdistrict, according to police reports. The restaurant was at the side of a two-storey commercial building and was adjacent to a noodle restaurant and a shrimp paste fried rice restaurant. All three were totally demolished in the explosion, said Kunlachart Kunlachai, police chief of the Pattaya Police Station who went to inspect the incident scene. Additionally, the explosion caused minor damage to places in nearby buildings, including an Indian restaurant called “Govindam,” Wichian Color Lab, and a barbershop. One unfortunate Laotian worker, Mr. Khith Lovanxay, 29, was discovered beneath the rubble of the first building with burn wounds and was rushed to a hospital.

From The Nation Thailand’s first high-speed railway will link up with the China-Laos high-speed railway in a network that will eventually connect Kunming in China to Singapore. First-phase construction of the project – a 250-kilometre high-speed railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima – is on schedule for completion in 2026, government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday. The first phase consists of six stations – Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station, Don Mueang, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima. She said the second phase – a 357-kilometre high-speed railway from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai – is currently undergoing environmental impact assessment. She added that the Department of Highways is cooperating with Laos on the construction of a bridge over the Mekong River for the high-speed railway.

From The Thaiger Thailand records its seventh monkeypox case A 37-year-old Thai woman in Bangkok became Thailand’s seventh monkeypox patient after testing positive late last week, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Sunday. DDC Director General Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute reported on Saturday that a woman had tested positive for the disease. Dr Opas revealed the patient had intercourse with a foreigner but had not travelled abroad recently. The patient developed a fever on August 20 and found blisters near her anus the following day. Two days later more blisters appeared in other parts of her body, making her seek treatment at a Nonthaburi province institute.

From Thai PBS World Deputy secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Prayad Puangchampa, was dismissed from service today (Monday), after he was found to be unusually wealthy by amassing 658 million baht in assets, many of which are being kept abroad. NACC Chairman Pol Gen Watcharaphol Prasarnratchakit signed an order dismissing Prayad from government service today. The NACC also agreed that his assets should be confiscated and become state property. The NACC faulted Prayad for allegedly deliberately concealing his assets by providing false statements about six of them when he assumed the post as deputy secretary-general on January 4th, 2017. The assets he allegedly attempted to conceal include six items, worth about two million baht, in the country and under the name of his spouse Thanipa, and four other items located abroad since 2019, worth about 225 million baht.

It seems that that was the point Gaybutton was trying to make. In that case I surely owe him an apology. “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Like I said, happy to oblige. 😉

Please don't take offense if I fail to heed your advice and embrace La Cage Aux Folles as a prescription for how to lead my life. 🤣 Good luck to you, my friend, but I don't wish to die that way. I don't want to be that lonely old man withering away in farangland, thanking the almighty that I was wise enough to hold my emotions tightly in check.

Happy I could bring a bit of amusement into your day. As I said before, I acknowledge that you're speaking honestly--and I believe from the heart--about you've experiences. In my book you are providing a valuable reflection on your many years as a Pattaya expat. I hope you'll keep warning us for many more. But you're quick to dismiss others who've had different experiences and formed a different perspective. You're persuaded that only your take on the matter could possibly be true and others must be delusional.

Indeed they are not. Love is placing the other person's well being on a par with your own. It's being emotionally available as a confidant and friend. It's accepting the other person's foibles as he accepts yours. It's taking joy in each other's company. It's mutual affection and trust. It's the realization that you are unquestionably happy and fulfilled when you are together. I've found that I need that experience in my life. And I agree that it has nothing whatsoever to do with sex.

Death toll rises to 22 The Bangkok Post reports that a woman who was seriously burned in the Mountain B fire has succumbed to her injuries.

Guess I'll just count myself as very lucky. The last six years of my life have been the happiest of the preceding 70. Up until that point I'd always considered myself a committed butterfly. I don't concern myself with "true" love. I'm perfectly happy just to have someone simply to love. I don't need a litmus test with which to measure it. We insulate ourselves by the use of language. We become "clients", young men become "professionals." That makes it easier to put the required emotional distance between us. For many, that's a healthy way to look at it. The parties part ways without emotional baggage. I tip my hat to all those who find contentment in their later years without any emotional attachments. At one time I counted myself in that camp. And then a simple smile turned my life on a dime. You may think of me as foolhardy and delusional. So be it. But you can't feel what I feel; know what I know. We all came to Thailand because we sought sexual intimacy we couldn't find at home. Please be tolerant of those of us who discovered emotional intimacy and affection in that same pursuit.

This forum regularly sees members unabashedly post about fucking boys, sucking boys, kissing boys and rimming boys. Odd how when someone suggests loving boys the naysayers come out of the woodwork. Just saying.