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From Richard Barrow Twitter site The new MINE Smart Ferry started operating on the Chao Phraya River on 1st December. The electric catamarans run between Sathorn Pier and Phra Nang Klao Pier. They run every day but on weekdays only during rush hour periods. There is a special promotion price of 20 Baht. The 24-meter long electric catamarans can be charged in about 20 minutes. The charge will last about 2-4 hours or travel approximately 80-100 kilometers.

You may want to hold onto that application because in a rush to judgement you may miss the opportunity of a lifetime. This wasn't the first time articles alleging this kind of stuff has surfaced. Here's one from March of last year from Amnesty International: Military conscripts face rampant harassment, beatings and sexual abuse A new investigation by Amnesty International published today exposes how the Thai military routinely subject new conscripts to a barrage of beating, humiliation and sexual abuse that often amounts to torture. The organization’s new report, “We were just toys to them”, documents a widespread and long-standing pattern of abuse of new conscripts, including several incidents of rape. “Abuses of new conscripts in the Thai military have long been an open secret. What our research shows is that such maltreatment is not the exception but the rule, and deliberately hushed within the military,” said Clare Algar, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy & Policy. “Recruits described how sergeants and trainers brutally beat them with sticks and the butts of guns, sexually abused them and forced them to exercise until they fainted.” “The full chain of command bears responsibility for this culture of violence and degradation. The Thai authorities must take immediate steps to stop these abusive and degrading practices before the upcoming annual military draft, as well as launch a commission of inquiry to investigate these crimes.” Amnesty International conducted 26 interviews with former and serving conscripted soldiers and commanders, including officers. As well as physical punishments, current and former conscripts described a range of practices designed to humiliate, including being made to jump into septic tanks and forced to eat “like dogs” using only their mouths. Reports of sexual abuse and humiliation were rampant. Interviewees described being forced by their commanders to masturbate and ejaculate in front of each other, and several described being sexually attacked or witnessing such attacks. Gay conscripts and those perceived to be gay described how they were routinely singled out for acts of sexual violence, harassment and discrimination. New recruits suffer rampant and routine sexual abuse by their commanders. A clear majority of conscripts told Amnesty that they had experienced or witnessed sexual abuse, or heard from its victims. Only two said they had not. A form of collective sexual abuse called “the train” was cited by nine conscripts who trained in nine different provinces during five different training cycles. Normally taking place in the bathing area, the practice involves forcing conscripts, while naked, to hold each other’s penises and stand or walk in a column or a circle. Eight conscripts, trained in four different cycles in camps located in eight different provinces, told Amnesty International that they and dozens of fellow conscripts were collectively forced by commanders to masturbate and ejaculate in public. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/03/thailand-military-conscripts-face-rampant-harassment-beatings-sexual-abuse/

The following article appears in The Thaiger. I am not an expat and have no personal knowledge of retirement schemes. ======================================== If you are planning to retire in the beautiful and tropical country of Thailand, there are many places which will suit your interests. From up north in Chiang Mai where the air is cooler (during winter), to a tropical oasis in the southern islands, Thailand has it all. Of course, with all things, you will need to get sorted before you come and we are right here to help. How much money will I need to retire in Thailand? For example, a retired couple should be able to live quite comfortably on £1,600 (71,000 THB, 2,100 USD) a month, but of course, it depends on your lifestyle. While the cost of living is low in Thailand, it is still important to have a savings of at least £20,000 (890,000 THB, 26,500USD), probably more, depending if you’re getting anything paid to you from outside the kingdom. This can help in the event of unexpected expenses, such as health insurance premiums, purchasing a car, or home repairs. For those in the UK with pensions, having your UK pension paid to you in Thailand is possible, but you cannot transfer over any other UK-based pensions without incurring a tax of at least 25%. This is because the UK’s HMRC does not list Thailand in its qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes (QROPS). You may still be able to transfer payments from your UK bank, but you are likely to incur bank and currency conversion fees. But, you won’t have to pay tax on this income to the Thai government. Other countries will have different laws on pensions and taxation so you need to find out about these before proceeding. If you are wanting to buy a property in Thailand, you can. Sort of. It can be a bit tricky if you want to buy freehold land or a villa on land. As Thai laws prohibits foreigners from buying land and property in their own name, there are a few loopholes which allow foreigners to ‘own’ property. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/news/national/key-info-for-those-planning-to-retire-in-thailand

From Richard Barrow Twitter Site The monorail trains on both the Pink & Yellow Lines are now doing test runs.

From Pattaya Mail Thailand Pass affects post-arrival immigration procedures By Barry Kenyon Since the introduction last month of Thailand Pass, around 150,000 foreigners have entered the country by air. A sizeable number of them, perhaps a third, have made a beeline for Pattaya and Jomtien. Most appear to be returning residents or family members, but there are also many European snowbird vacationers fleeing the cold weather in northern Europe. Chonburi Immigration (amongst other offices) is reminding newly-arrived foreigners that they need to register their address by providing passport details and proof of address under the TM30 regulations. There is no need to do this in person if the hotel or condominium has actually recorded personal details online to the immigration bureau. It is not possible to obtain immigration services, such as a visa extension or a certificate of residence to open a bank account or sell/buy a car, without a TM30 form dated after the last arrival from abroad. Short trips within Thailand itself no longer require re-registration Foreigners arriving at local immigration this month say they are confused by the situation at land borders. Although there are active plans to reopen Thailand’s borders with Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, the purpose is to facilitate the transport of goods and to permit open access for workers and market stall holders in border regions. There has not yet been an announcement that foreign tourists, or Thai-based expats, can pass through border posts as sightseers or visa runners. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thailand-pass-affects-post-arrival-immigration-procedures-382268

From The Thaiger Bangkok’s Train Night Market Ratchada is now returns with a new location and new name, but still with the same vendors with a wide variety of stalls including street food, clothes and accessories, furniture, vintage items, handcrafts. The market, now called JODD Fairs, is near CentralPlaza Grand Rama 9. The new spacious area has open-air bars to hang out and more “Instagrammable” spots. The market is located behind Central’s building, just drop at Rama 9 MRT Station Exit. 2 and work through the shopping mall to the market. The market is open everyday from 11am until midnight. Find more information via their Facebook page JODD FAIRS : จ๊อดแฟร์ https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/bangkoks-train-night-market-ratchada-opens-in-a-new-location-under-new-name

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Transport has submitted to the Prime Minister a plan on the pilot resumption of regular international flights carrying passengers to Việt Nam from December 15, in anticipation of a year-end surge in travel demand. The first phase will last for two weeks, starting on December 15, during which regular flights between Việt Nam and destinations with a high level of pandemic safety and high demand for entry into Việt Nam will be conducted, namely Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taipei (Taiwan, China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco or Los Angeles (the US). The flights in this phase will connect with the international airports of Nội Bài (in Hà Nội) and Tân Sơn Nhất (in HCM City). There will be four flights per week on every way for each side. About 14,000 passengers are expected to arrive in Việt Nam every week. Meanwhile, the second phase will last for a month after the first one concludes, starting in January 2022. Apart from the nine above mentioned destinations, the transport ministry also proposed regular flights linking with Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Sydney (Australia), and Moscow (Russia). https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1095025/transport-ministry-seeks-resumption-of-regular-intl-flights-from-dec-15-end-to-quarantine-for-vaccinated-passengers.html

From The Thaiger More than 160 Thai soldiers were apparently forced to masturbate… and climax… before they were allowed to take a shower. At least that’s what a social media user claims. Numerous Thai media outlets have reported the story, but there has been no confirmation or statement from military officials. On Facebook, a screenshot was shared, and picked up by Thai media, of soldiers sitting together with a caption in Thai which translates to “The week of masterbation check. Finish your masterbate first, then you will be allowed to take a shower. Do it together with 168 members.” The original video was said to have been posted on an Instagram story and has since been deleted. On Facebook, many Thai people have been revealing their own experiences in the military and saying that they have experienced situations like this while in service as well as other accounts of sexual harassment and abuse. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/168-thai-soldiers-apparently-forced-to-finish-masturbating-before-showering

From The Thaiger / BP All in close contact with Omicron case have tested negative Thai health officials now say all of the 17 people who came in close contact with the Omicron-infected traveller during his a hotel have tested negative for Covid-19, although one person is in quarantine after inconclusive test results. The American, who travelled from Spain and entered Thailand under the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme is the first in Thailand to test positive for the Omicron variant. The last to be tested was a 44-year-old hotel waiter who served food to the American on Dec 1, Dr Chakkarat Pitayawonganon, director of epidemiology, said. The American remained asymptomatic on Tuesday and would be required to complete 14-day quarantine, Dr Chakkarat said. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/17-people-in-close-contact-with-omicron-infected-traveller-test-negative

From Bangkok Post The operator of the electric boat service on the Chao Phraya River will add two new routes to and from Sathon pier on Dec 20, and charge a flat 20 baht rate until the end of this month. Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate on Tuesday said the service, MINE Smart Ferry operated by E Smart Transport Co, will feature a “Metro line” between Sathon pier and Rama VII pier and a “City line” running from Sathon pier to Pinklao pier. The Metro Line will have 12 trips on weekdays from 6.05am-5.45pm and 18 on weekends from 7.30am-6.45pm. The City Line will have 36 trips per day, from 7am-6.05pm. Mr Atirat said three electric boats will serve each route. Next month, the fare on the Metro line will be increased from 20 baht to 25 baht; the City line will remain at 20 baht. Currently, the EV service is available from Sathon pier in Bangkok to Phra Nangklao Bridge pier in Nonthaburi. The route is the “Urban line”. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2228091/sathon-pier-gets-extra-electric-boat-routes

I'm sucker for animal stories. From Pattaya Mail Kampol Tansacha (right) and Dr. Padej Siridamrong received baby ‘Khwak Rak’ at Nong Nooch and immediately began nursing the injured pachyderm back to health. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden assisted the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to rescue a baby elephant snared in a hunter’s trap in Chanthaburi. The calf, only a few months old, nearly lost its leg in the trap laid in the Kang Hang Maew forest. Its lower leg was torn apart and the calf had 10 shotgun-pellet wounds. Veterinarians at the National Park Protection Unit at Khao Hin Khwak in Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park in Chanthaburi worked frantically to save the elephant’s limb. Once stable, the elephant was brought to Nong Nooch Dec. 1 where Director Kampol Tansacha and Dr. Padej Siridamrong began nursing the pachyderm back to health. In addition to food, rest and hydration, the animal is being given constant medical care. Padej said the elephant’s condition was severe, but it is very young and the wounds were not life-threatening. Surgery was planned to remove the buckshot from the leg, some of which had damaged the bone. Kampol named the baby calf ‘Khwak Rak’ after the place where it was found. He said Nong Nooch has arranged an experienced mahout to care for the animal around the clock, the same one who nursed ‘Fa Jaem’ a previous calf that had suffered even more serious injuries. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-vets-save-baby-elephant-snared-and-shot-in-jungle-381640

From The Star PHNOM PENH, Dec 6 (Xinhua): Cambodia has nowremoved its ban on travellers from 10 African countries after a nearly one-week suspension due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said. With the approval from Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Ministry of Health (MoH) decided to lift the ban on travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola and Zambia, he said, adding that the ban removal took effect immediately. But the travelers from the 10 countries and those who have a history of traveling to the 10 countries in the last two weeks must undergo a rapid test for Covid-19 upon their arrival in Cambodia, he said. "If the result is negative, they must go into a seven-day quarantine and then take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the sixth day of the quarantine," the minister said. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/12/06/cambodia-reverses-ban-on-travelers-from-omicron-variant-hit-african-countries

From The Thaiger The Thai embassy in Berlin says Thailand has been removed from Germany’s list of Covid-19 high-risk countries, according to a Thai PBS World report. Provided they are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine, travellers from Thailand can now enter Germany without having to quarantine. The accepted vaccines are Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. In addition to being fully vaccinated, arrivals from Thailand must produce a negative PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of travel, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours. Travellers who have recovered from Covid-19 need to show proof of a positive PCR test result that is at least 28 days old, but no older than 6 months, or evidence of being fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before their arrival. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/germany-removes-thailand-from-its-list-of-high-risk-countries

From Bangkok Post Thailand detects first Omicron Covid case hailand has detected its first case of Omicron. The coronavirus variant was found in an American businessman of Thai descent who arrived in the country from Spain, senior Public Health Ministry officials said on Monday. Department of Medical Sciences director-general Supakit Sirilak said the new variant was detected in an RT-PCR test conducted when the 35-year-old man arrived in Thailand. Department of Disease Control chief Opas Karnkawinpong added the businessman was a US citizen who had lived in Spain for one year before he arrived in Thailand. He was on Emirates Airline flight EK372 from Dubai to Suvarnabhumi Airport and showed no symptoms. It was unclear which day he entered Thailand as Dr Opas said he arrived on Nov 29 but a chart presented by the ministry during his press briefing showed Nov 30. The man underwent RT-PCR testing in Spain on Nov 28 before he left for Thailand via the United Arab Emirates, Dr Opas added. He had received one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which usually requires only a single shot. Following the man's positive RT-PCR test, a more detailed test was conducted at the Department of Medical Sciences on Friday. He was being treated at a hospital, Dr Opas said. Dr Supakit said "the chance that the infection is the Omicron variant is 99.92%". He urged the government not to replace RT-PCR testing with rapid antigen testing, and expected more cases would be detected. "If there is one case, we believe there will be the second and third cases," he said. The ministry said the patient had been in contact with two airport staff and 17 hotel staff members. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2227511/thailand-detects-first-omicron-covid-case

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

Appreciate your preference but I often find that they they can be equally attractive in street clothes...like the lad in your photo on Silom 🙂

Sorry, Peter, I still don't get it. You have, of course, the prerogative to present any viewpoint of a topic. If you choose to emphasize the trash and landmines and other lousy stuff, more power to you. But with so many attractive things about those countries to talk about, I find the negativity disheartening. Maybe my reaction is influenced by the fact I've been away from SE Asia--and the person I love-- for 20 months and it's grating on me. I've made arrangements for my return flight and now just hoping that it becomes a reality in a few moths. I can't afford to dwell on the downside at this moment in my life. I'm more inclined than ever to believe that..... You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between You've got to spread joy up to the maximum Bring gloom down to the minimum Have faith or pandemonium Liable to walk upon the scene

Candy for railroad buffs

But you had to go back 21 years to find something disparaging to say about Cambodian families in an old guide book. Last month you were talking about Thais who toss trash into the Sathorn canal. You have the capacity to write eloquently about places you've visited. Can't figure out why you feel compelled to dwell on the behavior that doesn't live up to your western standards.

In normal circumstances, I'd agree. But considering the bar is struggling get back on its feet again, I might give it a bit or moral--and financial--support. And maybe I'd decide one of the trio is someone I'd might like to get to know better.

From Pattaya Mail The Chonburi Communicable Disease Committee issued an order on Dec. 3 allowing the sale of alcohol in Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus certified restaurants effective immediately. The order specified that Banglamung District, Pattaya City, Sriracha District, Koh Sichang district and Sattahip District (only Na Jomtien Sub District and Bang Saray Sub District) are the pilot ‘Blue Zone’ tourism areas in Chonburi Province. Establishments that sell food or drinks including restaurants, food gardens, canteens, street food, hotel restaurants or accommodations including other establishments that sell food and drinks can operate normally. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/pattaya-restaurants-allowed-to-sell-alcohol-effective-immediately-381568

From Channel News Asia Singapore tightens rules for VTL travellers SINGAPORE: All travellers entering Singapore on vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) will soon have to take COVID-19 tests daily for seven days on arrival as the country tightens measures against the Omicron variant. This means there will be additional swabs on top of the current requirement for a pre-departure test, an on-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, as well as supervised antigen rapid tests (ARTs) on day 3 and day 7 of their visit. The new testing requirement will take effect on Dec 6, 11.59pm, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Friday (Dec 3). It will remain in place for four weeks "in the first instance" until 11.59pm on Jan 2, 2022, the ministry added. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vtl-travellers-covid-19-testing-daily-7-days-singapore-omicron-variant-2356791

It's reassuring that you're always prepared to call attention to the positive aspects of a poorer county's people.

From The Thaiger Immigration launches online 90 day report system A new online system for 90-day checks with immigration has been launched by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau. Online 90-day reporting has been glitchy in the past… So let us know how it worked for you. A confirmation could come through hours after applying. And be sure to check the spam folder. You can register at https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/register/add Foreigners who are permitted to stay in Thailand for longer than three months are required to notify their local immigration office of their place of residence every 90 days. ============================== Richard Barrow reports that he has successfully used the new system.