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From CNN The adventures of Boji, Istanbul’s traveling dog A street dog named Boji has become something of a celebrity in Istanbul, where he travels around the city on its ferries, trams and subway cars https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/10/travel/dog-istanbul-boji-cnnphotos/

The issue of what actually might happen in you test positive. Members have speculated on the outcome. Here's two tales about those who have. From Richard Barrow's Twitter site Today’s special newsletter is about the nightmare that falls upon you if you test positive on arrival in Thailand. This is what happened to Kirovs, a tourist who came to Thailand with his family. He is now in hospital and his family are in hotel quarantine. The second story is from James who is considered a close contact as he was in the same car from the airport as someone who tested positive. Neither of the people who tested positive have any symptoms and they are now desperately trying to find out if their insurance will cover the large hospital bill. https://www.getrevue.co/profile/richardbarrow/issues/the-nightmare-of-testing-positive-on-arrival-in-thailand-848695

Only 7 of the 14,728 who entered Thailand under the provisions of "Test-and-go" for the period Nov. 1-7 tested positive, according to Richard Barrow's Twitter site. That's a 0.05 positive rate.

From VN Express The U.S., the U.K., Japan and Belarus have officially accepted Vietnam's vaccine passport, while others are waiting for the country to use a consistent template. The four countries made their decisions early November, with specific certifications regarding the vaccine types, Pham Thu Hang, deputy spokeswoman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said at a press meet Tursday. India has also agreed in principle; while China, South Korea, and countries in ASEAN and the European Union are in the process of reviewing and waiting for Vietnam to come up with a consistent vaccine template, Hang said. People from these countries can use them directly in Vietnam, and have their quarantine duration reduced to seven days in line with the Health Ministry’s guidelines for those who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. Vietnam accepts all types of vaccines that have been recognized by the World Health Organization(WHO), the U.S. CDC, the European Medicines Agency, and the Ministry of Health. The template for vaccine passports need to be issued both digitally and in a hard copy and it needs to bear a verification code. The issuing countries and territories need to have a high safety index and a high rate of vaccination. She said Vietnam has temporarily recognized the vaccine certificates of 72 countries and territories. They are: Algeria, Argentia, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hashemite Jordani, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Isreal, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the UAE, the U.K., Ukraine, and the U.S. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/four-countries-recognize-vietnam-s-vaccine-passport-4381422.html

Post on SN reports that owner of Pride Bar on Soi 4 has purchased Telephone Pub (terrace open but interior currently closed).

Judging by this post on Richard Barrow's Twitter site today, US applicants appear to be having their CDC vaccination card processed without too much difficulty. Top 10 nationalities that travelled to Thailand since the re-opening: 1 USA 2,465 2 Germany 2,334 3 United Kingdom 1,376 4 Japan 1,258 5 South Korea 906 6 Russia 905 7 Switzerland 838 8 Sweden, 724 9 France 695 10 United Arab Emirates 542

From Phnom Penh Post The Ministry of Health has authorised the Indian-made Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin for temporary emergency use in Cambodia. According to a notice of emergency use authorisation (EUA) issued by health minister Mam Bun Heng on November 5, the vaccine is permitted to be used for people aged 18 and over. The vaccine is produced by Bharat Biotech International Limited, a pharmaceutical firm based in the Indian state of Telangana. The ministry said the approval is based on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) dated November 3. “[Covaxin] is permitted for use only during the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic as public health emergency. With a 78 per cent efficacy rate after two doses over a month, Covaxin “is extremely suitable for low- and middle-income countries due to easy storage requirements”, the UN body said. https://phnompenhpost.com/national/ministry-authorises-indias-covaxin-jab-use-cambodia

From The Nation Ministry warns of fake Thailand Pass registration website Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) on Friday warned people of a website claiming to let visitors register for Thailand Pass, a new system for vaccinated visitors who wish to enter Thailand that has replaced the Certificate of Entry (COE) since November 1. he website address is www.thailandpass.org,” said DES spokeswoman Nopphawan Huajaiman. “The ministry’s Information Department has investigated and confirmed that it has no affiliation with the DES or any government agency.” “To apply for Thailand Pass, you must visit https://tp.consular.go.th, which has opened for registration since November 1 at 9am,” she said. Nopphawan added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), the developer of Thailand Pass registration platform, to ensure the smooth operation for all registrants. “Since the registration platform is still new, some users might experience some problems when using the website. The responsible agencies are aware of this and will fix them as soon as possible,” she said. “DGA is also working on optimizing the Thailand Pass website for mobile phone users.” https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008459

From Channel News Asia Thailand’s Kotchakorn makes mark at global climate change talks The rooftop garden of Thammasat University is the largest in Asia. (Photo: Land Process) GLASGOW: David Attenborough was in the middle of arguably one of his most important public calls to action. To more than 100 world leaders, on the biggest stage at the opening of global climate change talks in Glasgow, he called on delegates to rewrite the human story in the face of a monumental challenge. As he paused, for a moment, another face appeared onscreen with a decidedly different accent. “Can we fix the climate problem in one generation? My answer would be yes. We have to,” said Kotchakorn Voraakhom. The video excerpt was from an interview Kotchakorn had done in the lead up to COP26, a short film in a YouTube series sharing the voice of the people on the frontline of climate change. Kotachakorn was last year named a United Nations Global Climate Action Award winner for her transformative work building innovative landscape solutions for urban resilience in Bangkok. That recognition gave rise to her attending COP26 in the UK, which began on Nov 1. Given the logistical difficulties, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the apparent limited access to the conference from attendees from the Global South, she admitted that she felt fortunate to even be there. The 40-year-old’s work has made an impact in Bangkok, where she founded her urban design firm, Landprocess. She has been a leading voice promoting functional green spaces in Bangkok’s new developments and converted spaces. Her sights have been set on sustainable green infrastructure that makes the city more liveable, walkable, and suitable for its future and new uncertainties to come. At a campus for Thammasat University, Kotchakorn’s designs have given birth to Asia’s biggest rooftop garden, a place with incredible aesthetics and true function. The 22,000 sq m space recreates a rice terrace, includes micro-watersheds from its cascading roof and has expansive areas for students to grow organic vegetables and herbs. It has aesthetics but more critically, purpose. Opened in 2017, Chulalongkorn Centenary Park is a critical piece of functional architecture that reduces inundation risk in the city during periods of heavy rain, by collecting, treating, and holding millions of litres of water, reducing pressure on sewage infrastructure. Bangkok is one of the world’s most vulnerable cities to climate change impacts. The megacity is slowly sinking, just as sea levels rise. It means much of the city could be underwater within decades and increasingly exposed to dangerous flooding. The looming crisis, and the chance to witness global talks up close, has given Kotchakorn more perspective about the need for greater action, the inequalities that exist and the frustrations of political negotiations. Continues with photos https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sustainability/cop26-climate-change-thailand-kotchakorn-landscape-architect-2292241

From Bangkok Post Standing alongside Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit and Sanam Luang, the historical Thaworawatthu Building was ordered to be built during the reign of King Rama V to serve as a supplementary edifice for HRH Prince Maha Vajirunhis' royal cremation ritual. The construction, completed in the reign of King Rama VI, later transformed into the Hor Phra Samut Samrap Phra Nakhon (Library for the Capital City) before being developed into the National Library, allowing the public to access its services. As part of the "King Chulalongkorn The Great (Rama V) Memorial" exhibition, it is now opening its chambers to showcase a rare collection of 47 classic gilded black lacquered cabinets to highlight Thailand's first-class craftsmanship and local wisdom. Aiming to conserve Thai art and promote its values to young artisans, King Chulalongkorn collected the cabinets from various places to use as bookcases in the Hor Phra Samut Vajirayana Samrap Phra Nakhon (Vajirayana Library for the Capital City), all of which were crafted in the Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Rattanakosin periods. Over the last century, the collection has grown from 130 to more than 390, with the majority currently kept at the National Library of Thailand on Samsen Road. This exhibition is arranged in six themes to display the cabinets, the majority of which are from the series "Gold-Motif Cabinets Books By The Office Of National Library". Continues with many photos https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2209439/timeless-designs

I agree that you've made a wise choice.

...and frequently provides more ample overhead baggage storage.

Condom size got me curious so I wanted to learn more about the significance of "S.52", "S.54" or "S.56". Here's what I found. (DISCLAIMER: If you find all this a bit confusing, as I did, you might just asking a prospective masseur if he's from Isaan.) Condom size by the base flat width: Small - 50 mm (1.97 inches) +/- or smaller Standard - 52 mm (2.05 inches) +/- Large - 54 mm (2.13 inches) +/- XL - 56 mm (2.21 inches) +/- or larger Frequently Asked Questions How can you tell if a condom fits properly? A condom should fit snugly over the penis without slipping off or feeling uncomfortable. Condoms are supposed to be tight, but an overly tight condom that is overstretched can break more easily. Most men can comfortably use a standard condom, but condoms also come in bigger and smaller sizes.3 What is the best-fitting condom for a smaller-sized penis? When it comes to condom fit, width is more important than the length. You want a condom that is narrow enough to not slide off during sex. For a penis that is on the slender side, look for terms like snugger or close fit. Are magnum-sized condoms wider than regular condoms? Condoms labeled as extra large, max, or magnum are wider and longer than standard condoms. Some brands also provide extra width at the top of the condom to fit more comfortably on penises with larger heads. Wearing a condom is the best way to protect yourself and your partner during sex. Once you have properly measured the length and width of your penis, you can look for a condom that suits your size. The right condom for you will provide better comfort, and may prevent such accidents as the condom breaking or falling off. What size condom do I need? There is a simple way to find out what size condom you need by gauging your manhood in a snap. All that you need is a toilet paper roll. Got it? Drum roll, please. Here we go. Slip the toilet paper roll onto your penis: Image by © CondomJungle 2020 If there’s extra room you most likely need - Small (S) A.K.A. Snugger Fit If the fit is just about right, you should start with - Medium (M) A.K.A. Standard or Regular If it’s too tight or you can’t even come close to putting it on, you need to look at - Large (L) or Extra Large (XL) or X Reference websites https://www.condomjungle.com/blog/condom-size-chart/ https://www.verywellhealth.com/condom-size-chart-906776#condom-size-chart

Airbnb sees surge in searches for stays in Thailand From Bangkok Post Airbnb says it has seen a surge in searches for stays in Thailand in recent weeks by international travellers attracted by the reopening to quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated visitors from 63 countries. International guest searches for stays in Thailand within the next six months have more than doubled from one year ago, based on latest Airbnb search data for the week of Oct 18. International travellers are already planning to rediscover Thailand with Airbnb this coming holiday season, and villas are their most-searched stay of choice, the accommodation sharing platform said. Phuket's appeal remains undimmed, as the popular island destination continues to be one of the most searched Thai destinations on Airbnb by international guests, along with Bangkok, Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Resort destinations near Bangkok are also trending -- compared with September, Airbnb saw an 80% surge in the third week of October in international guest searches for stays in Phetchaburi for the next six months, and a more than 40% increase for both Pattaya and Hua Hin stays. Looking to escape the chilly winter, guests from North America and Europe are leading the surge in travel interest in Thailand. The top 10 countries of origin for searches of Thailand were: United States, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Sweden and Switzerland. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2209415/searching-for-thailand

From VN Express International travelers who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 can visit five destinations in Vietnam, with no quarantine mandated, starting this month. The Government Office announced Tuesday that Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has approved a pilot plan to welcome international visitors as proposed earlier by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The plan will be carried out in three phases. In the first phase that will open this month, foreigners will be able to visit: Vietnam’s biggest island Phu Quoc; the central city of Da Nang; Quang Nam Province, home to the ancient town of Hoi An; Khanh Hoa Province, home to the Nha Trang beach town; and Quang Ninh Province, where the famous Ha Long Bay is located. To be allowed entry, travelers must show valid proof of full vaccination or Covid-19 recovery, as well as a pre-departure negative coronavirus result obtained within the previous 72 hours. Vietnamese authorities will accept test results done either via the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) or the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT – PCR) methods. Visitors will also have to furnish medical or travel insurance including coverage for Covid-19 treatment worth at least $50,000 and book a package tour. Children under 12 years old traveling with a parent or guardian do not require a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19. They must install the IGOVN application on their smartphones and use it during their stay in Vietnam. No quarantine is mandated, but masking is required. On the first day of entry, visitors must do a rapid antigen test on themselves and if the result is positive, they will be taken to a medical facility and their treatment costs will be borne by insurance agencies or tour operators. The second phase of the plan is expected to take effect in January next year, allowing tourists to travel to other destinations allowed in the first phase after they have finished staying in one of them for seven days. The third phase is yet to have a specific timeline to be carried out but it will see Vietnam fully open to foreign visitors. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/foreign-travelers-can-visit-vietnam-this-month-4380594.html

Topic moved. See VN reopening details announced

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Ngọc Đông on Tuesday told the Vietnam News Agency that the Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro line project will be inaugurated and put into commercial operation before November 10. According to the deputy minister, the ministry and the Hà Nội authorities met on Monday to discuss issues related to the handover and reception of the project, including documents for the two sides to sign at the handover ceremony of the project. The Hà Nội People’s Committee has announced the price of the tickets for the Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro, with the lowest one being VNĐ8,000 ($0.35) for a trip and VNĐ30,000 for a day pass. A monthly pass for a passenger is priced at VNĐ200,000. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1071989/cat-linh-ha-dong-metro-line-to-begin-commercial-operation-before-november-10.html

From Bangkok Post Only 0.07% of 4,510 arrivals test positive in first two days There were 4,510 arrivals through Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday and Tuesday after the country's reopening to vaccinated visitors on Nov 1, with fewer than 1% testing positive for Covid-19, according to the government. Releasing the data on Wednesday, Dr Sumanee Wacharasin, hazard communication director of the Department of Disease Control, said the top five countries of origin were Japan, with 725 arrivals, followed by Singapore with 387, Qatar with 365, Germany with 283 and China with 273. Testing on arrival revealed three visitors were infected with Covid-19 under the “Test and Go” process for fully vaccinated travellers from specified countries. This was 0.07% of all visitors under the “Test and Go” process, Dr Sumanee said. Another three arrivals who were subject to quarantine also tested positive. They accounted for 0.94% of all visitors in this group, she said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2208987/4-510-arrivals-in-first-2-days-6-have-covid

This started as a post about a great project and has digressed into a discussion of lack of social discipline and bad habits of Thais. Less we forget, these are the same people some of us come half way around the world to be among. Maybe some of us come from places with crystal clear rivers, pristine streets and impeccably behaved citizens. If so, they'd be fools to leave such a paradise. Bangkok may not be perfect but I'm more than happy to take it just as it was when I last left, nasty water and all.

I doubt that many westerns have the same social discipline as the Thais or the Koreans. Just because that many may be poor, I wouldn't be so quick to assume that they'll automatically be tossing their trash in the water. The poor are just as capable of appreciating the beauty of comfort of a park-like environment as the wealthy. Thousands use Lumpini park every day and you don't see them throwing their refuse in the pond.

From Bangkok Post / AFP A positive atmosphere reigned on Monday as Thailand began welcoming vaccinated tourists arriving by air from 63 countries and all deemed at low-risk of Covid-19, without quarantine. The first flight into Suvarnabhumi airport was All Nippon Airways flight NH 805 from Tokyo, with 11 foreigners and 32 Thai nationals on board. It was followed by Thai Airways International flight TG 931 from Paris at 6am. The passengers went through stringent Covid-19 screening by airport staff wearing PPE suits, who also checked their travel documents and provided assistance as needed. Suvarnabhumi airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn said a total of 61 flights were scheduled to arrive on Monday, most of them from Europe, with about 3,000 passengers - 2,300 of them foreigners and the rest Thai returnees. Mr Kittipong said he was satisfied with the process, with the only problem being congestion at the screening stations where officials had to also check passengers' vaccination documents before allowing them to proceed. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said between Monday and Friday, flights operated by 27 airlines would arrive and depart from Suvarnabhumi airport with a total of 15,230 passengers. Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports were the gateways for tourists on the reopening day. "We are very, very happy," Andre Winkler, 55, told AFP after he and his partner passed immigration at Suvarnabhumi. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2207575/reopening-begins-in-positive-atmosphere ====================================== Brief video from AP / Yahoo https://news.yahoo.com/thailand-reopens-airports-boost-economy-084722873.html

From Bangkok Post Construction work has begun on the first section of the 4.5km Klong Chong Nonsi canal park which will open on Dec 25. Thana Boonlert Once known as the Venice of the East, Bangkok has seen its vast network of rivers winding through the capital vanish due to urban development. Construction has filled in klongs (canals) for roads and houses and the remaining waterways have become neglected and clogged with rubbish. However, the sound of pile drivers is once again pounding in the heart of the withering city. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is reviving canals and surrounding areas to increase clean water access and green space. Five pilot projects are expected to open by the end of this year. "I remember going to school and passing Klong Lot and Klong Phadung. I remember seeing people empty their bowels, wash dishes, and sell goods along the same canal. Urban development has overlooked waterways," Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, the BMA spokesman, told the press. "Canals are treated like sewers." City authorities have been trying to improve the condition of waterways, including those in the central business district. Inspired by the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul, they are building Klong Chong Nonsi canal park, which flows into the Chao Phraya River. It will open on Dec 25. Once finished, the first section of the 4.5km Klong Chong Nonsi canal park will feature trees and water plants. Photo courtesy of Kotchakorn Voraakhom Pongsakorn said the new public space will use the pipe jacking method to carry wastewater to a treatment station and flush clean water to Klong Chong Nonsi. "Then, it will flow into Klong Sathorn, Lumpini Park, Klong Paisingto, Klong Tonson, and Klong Toey," he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/2207371/giving-new-life-to-canals

From Channel News Asia BALI: After 18 months of almost no activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hoped that some international tourists would be back by now in Bali’s famous beaches of Kuta and Nusa Dua, or enjoying views of the forests and lush paddy fields in Ubud. However, two weeks after Bali’s reopening on Oct 14 to travellers from 19 countries, no international flight has landed at its airport. As of Monday (Oct 25), Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport has yet to receive any request from airlines to land there, said its spokesman Taufan Yudhistira when asked by CNA. If airlines want to land in Bali, ideally they should give a notice of seven to 14 days in advance, he said. “We cannot predict (when they will arrive), but one thing for sure, informally or formally the airlines have not filed a request to us. We cannot predict when the first flight will be,” Yudhistira said. A receptionist at one of the villas in Ubud told CNA that although there has been a spike in occupancy by domestic travellers in recent weeks as the impact of the second COVID-19 wave dampens, there are still no signs of international tourists. Among the standard operating procedures that apply to foreigners include a five-day quarantine upon arrival as well as the need to purchase insurance coverage worth at least 1 billion rupiah that would cover treatment for COVID-19. I Ketut Ardana, the Chairman of Bali’s Association of the Indonesia Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) told CNA that even when the borders were still closed, many overseas tour operators inquired about travelling to Bali. “When it was reopened, there were even more inquiries. But it seems some of the information we gave them prevented them from coming,” he said. “For example the five-day quarantine regulation, PCR testing and having insurance coverage worth at least 1 billion rupiah,” added Ardana. He said that most of the inquiries came from Europe and Asia. “For ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, the quarantine is definitely a barrier because travellers from ASEAN countries tend to only stay for four days and three nights,” he said. “Travellers from China also on average only stayed for five days and four nights,” Ardana noted. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bali-indonesia-international-tourism-reopening-quarantine-covid-19-2277961

From Bangkok Post The Foreign Ministry on Saturday announced Thailand is to admit visitors from 17 more countries without quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of pre-flight negative Covid-19 test results from Nov 1, increasing the number to 63. The announcement was signed by Thani Thongphakdi, the ministry's permanent secretary. On Oct 21, Thailand issued an announcement to allow fully vaccinated travelers from 46 low-risk countries and territories to enter the country without quarantine from Monday. That number has now increased to 63. The 17 additional countries announced by the Foreign Ministry are: India, Taiwan, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Croatia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Romania, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Luxembourg. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2207027/thailand-open-to-17-more-countries-nov-1

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has released a long list of frequently asked questions regarding entrance requirements today. Although much of of the information has been previously published in one form or another, this one clarifies an issue for those arriving with a mobile phone: What if I do not have a mobile phone, how could I present my QR Code? - If you do not carry a mobile phone with the QR Code, you may print out a hard copy of the QR code and bring it with you to present it to the officers at the airport. https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/thailand-pass-faqs