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Don't overlook an early evening walk through Lumpinee Park when sun is no longer beating down. Although it's nearby for most visitors, it's frequently ignored.

Phetboy website staff list. https://phetboyspa.blogspot.com/2024/02/phetboy-spa.html LINE: enter @kob2024" in friend search

From AP / MSN Cambodia on Friday decried newly imposed U.S. sanctions on one of the country's top tycoons who has been implicated in allegations of forced labor, human trafficking and lucrative online scams. Cambodia’s foreign ministry expressed “deep regret over the unjust decision” to sanction Ly Yong Phat and suggested that the action could hurt bilateral relations. Ly Yong Phat, one of Cambodia’s richest men, is also a Cambodian senator and a leading member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Manet. The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on Ly Yong Phat and five of his businesses “for their role in serious human rights abuses related to the treatment of workers subjected to forced labor in online investment scam operations.” “Victims forced to run virtual currency investment scams and other online schemes are often lured by fraudulent jobs and promises of free housing,” said the statement. “Instead, they find themselves forced to run scam operations for criminal organizations under horrifying working and living conditions.” Washington’s move, which blocks any of Ly Yong Phat's assets in the United States and prohibits U.S. entities from doing business with him, reflects mounting concern about cybercrime, including from Southeast Asia and Cambodia in particular. Cambodia has been the location of cyberscams that include “ pig butchering,” a term that refers to gaining victims’ trust through dating apps or other sites and steering them toward bogus investments. Cryptocurrency is often used in such schemes to make them harder to stop. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/cambodia-decries-us-sanctions-against-one-of-its-top-tycoons-implicated-in-forced-labor/ar-AA1qwmTX

From The Nation At a press conference on Friday, Thanapol Sirithanachai, FPT’s country CEO, announced that Samyan Mitrtown has reached its breakeven point and is now generating about 1 billion baht in annual rental income. This accounts for 10-15% of FPT’s total revenue. The project’s success is reflected in its impressive occupancy rate. Office spaces boast a 98% occupancy rate, while retail spaces are at 97%, surpassing the average for Grade A office buildings in Bangkok by 14.8%. The Triple Y Hotel within the complex boasts an occupancy rate of more than 90%, while the Triple Y Residence long-term leasehold condominium sold out completely in 2022. Resale prices for residential units have seen a remarkable increase of more than 20% from the initial offering, reaching 160,000 baht per square metre. Over the past five years, Samyan Mitrtown has become a vibrant hub of activity in Bangkok, welcoming over 120 million visitors and attracting a daily footfall of up to 80,000 people. The Samyan Mitrtown Hall has hosted more than 500 events and conferences, catering to a diverse range of industries. FPT attributes its success to three key strategies: Mitr-ting Place Concept: This blends the Samyan community culture with urban living to create unique experiences. The concept is reflected in themed areas, such as the "Urban Life Library", "Intelligent Office Tower" and "Neo Explorer Living Platform.". Mitr Mindset: This strategy focuses on offering diverse services that cater to new generation lifestyles. It includes 24-hour service areas like the free learning space, C-ASEAN Samyan Co-op, which boasts over 180,000 members and an average of 1,500 daily users. The Mitr Ecosystem: This approach involves a balanced allocation of approximately 30% for each project component, creating a truly mixed-use development. FPT prioritised community integration and public benefits when designing Samyan Mitrtown, the CEO said. The MITR Direct Link tunnel connects the Samyan MRT station directly to the project. The company has also improved the landscape and pedestrian facilities on Phya Thai Road, providing green spaces on the fifth floor that are open to all users. Despite challenges in the residential real-estate sector, FPT remains optimistic about its mixed-use development strategy. The company continues focusing on creating smart and friendly spaces that adapt to market challenges and meet the evolving needs of all user groups. https://www.nationthailand.com/business/property/40041652

From The Thaiger The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) busted a rogue operator offering dubious penis enlargement procedures to men looking for a bigger package. Unfortunately, one victim, seeking a bit of extra length, has been left with painful infections rather than a bigger pecker. Heading the charge, Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridet and Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, bigwigs of the CIB and the Consumer Protection Police Division respectively, swung into action to nail 36 year old Kittikorn (surname withheld). The charges? “Operating a medical facility without permission” and “practising medicine without a licence,” with a staggering 22 incriminating items seized. It all erupted when tip-offs to the Consumer Protection Police Division 4 revealed a startling Facebook enterprise. Kittikorn was peddling pearl implants, silicone additions, and filler injections, promising to turn average Joes into proud porn star actors. However, what followed were gruesome tales of inflamed members, crippling infections, and a complete bedroom bust. Turning detective, the police traced the penile perpetrator to his home in Tambon Om Noi, Amphoe Krathum Baen, Samut Sakhon Province. There they caught him, in flagrante, handling a customer’s nether regions in a makeshift operating theatre. Kittikorn, it turns out, was no doctor but a self-taught bodger moonlighting as a surgeon. The second floor of his house was a horror show, converted into a dodgy surgery with no sanitary equipment in sight – a true house of horrors for the hopeful gents seeking a confidence boost. Medical gear, drugs, and surgical tools were all confiscated in a bid to shut down this penile pandemonium. Kittikorn came clean, admitting that his medical credentials were non-existent. His scalpel-wielding days began at the tender age of 14, and within these 20 years, he managed to stitch up two to three clients a month, raking in a dodgy 5,000-20,000 baht per visit, reported Channel 3 Plus News. The law swiftly caught up with the back alley butcher. Under the Hospital Act of 1998 and the Medical Profession Act of 1982, he’s looking at up to five years behind bars or a hefty fine for each count of “operating a medical facility without a licence” and “practising medicine without registration.” This bust has laid bare the dangers of unlicensed medical procedures. While Kittikorn might have hoped to help his customers rise to the occasion, it’s clear his under-the-counter craftsmanship left their hopes, and their members, painfully deflated. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/biggus-dickus-rogue-penis-enlargement-doc-gets-shafted-by-cops

Don't disagree but you never said "...and stopped by police for traffic offences, too many shot dead!" in the post you cite here. If you had, perhaps we would have had a very different discussion.

In other words, you acknowledge that you made a false statement that started this exchange.

Show me where the US teaches that. Where is that taught?

Absolutely nothing, as did your post that ignited this exchange: Yea, indeed. I believe that the USA teaches that all men are equal, (unless black)! That's false and you know it. It was simply a cheap shot.

Thanks for the reminder, Keith. Btw, who came to your country's rescue in two world wars. That's right, those fuckin' Americans. I know, the army was segregated but didn't hear you complaining then, did I? And how are you enjoying Vegas? Any segregation in the casinos?

Yes, but you could say the same about an increasing number of European and Asian countries.

Harsh considering that we fought a civil war over that issue that took the lives of 750,000 of our own citizens. And went on to elect a black man as president and currently considering a black woman for same office.

Apology to readers. The above post was inadvertently posted in Pattaya forum instead of Bangkok forum.

From Bangkok Post New City Hall rules say that only “poor Thais” will be allowed to be street vendors in Bangkok and they will be barred from employing migrants, among many other requirements. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has signed a notice outlining the new rules and it will take effect when the Royal Gazette publishes it, said Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, a spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Under the new regulations, street vendors must have Thai nationality, hold government welfare cards, be paying instalments for houses built by the National Housing Authority and receive welfare allowances from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. In addition, they must be included in the annual taxation system of the Revenue Department. Their income must not exceed 300,000 baht a year after deducting business-related costs on their tax returns. Each vendor is allowed to have a sales assistant who must also be Thai. Vendors must also receive permission from the relevant public health authorities. Vendors must ensure pedestrians have a space 1.5 to 2 metres wide to walk in depending on street widths. The area of each stall is limited to three square metres. Stalls must occupy only the side of the pavement adjacent to a road surface but must be at least 50cm from the road for safety. There must also be a space at least 3 metres long at an interval of every 10 stalls to function as an emergency exit. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2868597/only-poor-thais-can-be-street-vendors-says-city-hall

From Pattaya Mail Several main roads were completely submerged, stranding small vehicles. South Pattaya’s Sukhumvit Road, leading to Central Pattaya, was among the hardest-hit flood-prone areas. In the early hours of September 18, heavy rainfall in Banglamung District led to significant flooding, causing major disruptions for over an hour. Some areas saw floodwaters rise above 90 centimetres, and the temperature dropped as the downpour continued. Several main roads were submerged, leaving small vehicles stranded. Flood-prone zones were hit particularly hard, including the railway road between Khao Talo and Wat Tham Samakkhi, South Pattaya’s Sukhumvit Road towards Central Pattaya, Chalerm Phrakiat Road near Paniad Chang Intersection, and Pattaya Beach Road. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/torrential-downpour-traps-drivers-in-pattaya-cars-swept-away-by-floodwaters-472825

From The Thaiger Thailand’s cannabis scene is about to get a whole lot more official but there are big consequences for those who don’t play by the rules. From January 1, 2025, consumers will still have access to the country’s wide variety of dry flowers but breaking key regulations could land you in hot water. The rules are simple: no smoking in public, no extracts with more than 2% THC without permission, and no use for anyone under 20, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Although these guidelines have existed for a year, enforcement is about to get serious. Violate them and you could be slapped with hefty fines or even spend a year behind bars. But there’s a twist in the tale: there’s no mention of a ban on recreational use. The Pheu Thai Party, which once vowed to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, has backtracked after pressure from the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest in the ruling coalition. This keeps cannabis legal, with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emerging victorious. “The easy availability of the drug became a hot-button issue during last year’s election.” The new legislation focuses on stricter licencing for the industry, ensuring transparency, and emphasising cannabis as a medicinal herb in line with traditional Thai remedies. This approach aims to integrate cannabis into mainstream healthcare, aligning with global trends as countries like Germany, Australia, and New Zealand relax regulations. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/news/national/cannabis-chaos-thailands-weed-rules-you-cant-afford-to-break

From The Thaiger The United Kingdom government has finalised a significant trade and investment agreement with Thailand, marking the first such deal since the Labour government assumed office in July. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander signed the enhanced trade partnership agreement in Bangkok yesterday, September 18. The deal seeks to eliminate specific trade barriers, focusing on sectors such as technology, customs, and standards but does not encompass broad tariff reductions. Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Labour government is prioritising trade to drive economic growth, as highlighted by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. Reeves criticised the previous Conservative administration for leaving a £22-billion (approximately 967 billion baht) deficit in the national budget. During the General Election campaign leading up to the July 4 vote, Labour pledged to focus on smaller, targeted trade deals rather than pursuing expansive free trade agreements that often face prolonged negotiations or fail to materialise. The UK has already engaged in sector-specific agreements with Thailand. For instance, a recent deal allows Bangkok to accept UK vehicle emissions testing standards, eliminating the need for additional testing under Thai regulations. The Department for Business and Trade indicated that this arrangement could save UK car manufacturers millions of pounds. A similar agreement for motorbikes is currently under negotiation. Additionally, a recent breakthrough permits UK food and drink manufacturers to submit conformity documentation via email, bypassing the need for physical stamps from the British Embassy. This change is estimated to be worth up to £70 million for UK businesses over five years. The new agreement will establish working groups to address similar issues in areas such as digital trade and clean growth. Trade between the UK and Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, already amounts to £5.9 billion annually. Debra Crew, chief executive at Diageo, which owns brands like Johnnie Walker whisky, expressed optimism about the partnership, saying she hopes it will be the first step towards resolving costly trade barriers. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/uk-signs-pivotal-trade-and-investment-deal-with-thailand

You've become obsessed with telling other people what their orientation is or isn't. I don't believe it's my place to do that so I accept what each individual tells me. If you want to play pop psychologist and insist you know their sexuality better than they do, knock yourself out and babble on. But please don't tell readers that they're delusional. That's a state on consciousness you've successfully carved out for yourself.

From CNN Travel Least satisfying North American mega-airports Bottom 5 scorers (in descending order) in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - 575 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - 574 O’Hare International Airport, Chicago (ORD) - 569 Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - 559 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - 552

If they weren't straight before that, they certainly are now. 😃

You made a mistake? How the hell do you think those two poor guys feel. 😄

From CNN Travel Most satisfying North American mega-airports Top 5 scorers in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) - 671 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) - 643 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 633 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - 628 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 623 Most satisfying North American mega-airports Top 5 scorers in the mega-airport category for 2024, on a 1,000-point scale: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) - 671 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) - 643 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 633 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - 628 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 623 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/18/travel/airport-satisfaction-2024-north-america-jdpower/index.html

JD Vance illustrates his monster measurement, Would this do it for you? Did I mention he likes strong daddy types?

From Bangkok Post Security personnel cuff demonstrators outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat to prepare them for transport to an army camp on Oct 25, 2004. Seventy-eight of them died during the journey. (Bangkok Post file photo: Thawatchai Kemgumnerd) Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2867881/eight-more-charged-in-2004-tak-bai-massacre. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. Thai authorities will prosecute eight more former security personnel over their roles in the Tak Bai crackdown two decades ago, when 78 protesters suffocated or were crushed to death when crammed into army trucks, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said on Wednesday. All eight — six soldiers and two civilians — are charged with premeditated murder with foreseeable consequences. The use of overcrowded trucks to detain protesters was inappropriate, though there was no intent to cause death, OAG spokesperson Prayut Phetcharakhun told a press conference. “The suspects could have foreseen that their actions would have led to the suffocation and deaths of the 78 people under their responsibility,” he said. Mr Prayut said that Attorney-General Amnat Jedcharoenruk had decided to ask the police to bring the eight suspects to court for arraignment. If police are unable to do so by Oct 25, the statute of limitations will expire, he added. The Criminal Court in the southern province of Narathiwat last month accepted a related complaint filed by the victims’ families against security personnel after a years-long legal struggle. The seven defendants in the latter case were due to appear in court for witness questioning and evidence examination on Sept 12 but none showed up. Arrest warrants were issued for six of them. A summons was issued for the seventh defendant, former Army Region 4 commander Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri. He is currently protected under parliamentary immunity as a list-MP of the governing Pheu Thai Party. The seven defendants implicated in the first case are accused of murder and unlawful detention for mishandling the demonstration and its aftermath. The eight suspects in the second case are: Gen Chaloemchai Wirulpetch, Sub Lt Nathawut Lueamsai, Wisanu Lertsongkhram, Lt JG Wisanukorn Chaisarn, Piti Yankaeo, CPO3 Pitak Srisuwan, Lt Col Prasert Matmil and Lt Rithirong Promrit. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2867881/eight-more-charged-in-2004-tak-bai-massacre

From The Nation Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt traded ideas on how technology can boost public management efficiency with former British prime minister Tony Blair on Monday (September 16). In their meeting at Bangkok City Hall, Blair, who is also executive chairman of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), and Chadchart shared their experiences as political leaders, as well as the Bangkok governor’s vision to overcome the challenges and the policies he aims to achieve during his tenure. Chadchart and Blair also discussed TBI’s reimagined state initiative, which focuses on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology to boost public management efficiency. This initiative stems from Blair’s vision that the government should adapt to rapid technology advances to boost efficiency in serving people and dealing with complicated issues. The Bangkok governor told the former PM that he had adopted technology in dealing with corruption and ensuring transparency, as well as enhancing education and public health to improve people’s quality of life. He explained that the Traffy Fondue platform has enabled BMA and public agencies to effectively tackle issues raised by Bangkok residents effectively. This platform also proved people’s trust in the BMA, he said. Chadchart added that his ultimate goal was to promote Bangkok as a liveable city for everyone.