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From VN Expres Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, has resulted in the deaths of 14 people and injured 176 others since it struck northern Vietnam on Saturday. The casualties include four individuals from Quang Ninh province, four from Hoa Binh province, and three from Hanoi, according to the Department of Rescue and Relief under the Ministry of National Defense. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the storm has caused significant property damage. Approximately 121,500 hectares of rice and crops were flooded and destroyed, particularly in Thai Binh, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, and Ha Nam. After more than 15 hours in Vietnam, Yagi weakened to a tropical depression in the Northwest region, though it continues to bring heavy rains and flooding. Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, the busiest in northern Vietnam, reopened on Sunday after being closed on Saturday morning due to the storm.

Would not deprive you of pleasure of his company. 😍

From Pattaya News On September 5th, 2024, Mr. Wuttisak Reumkitkar, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, oversaw the registration process for massage operators at Pattaya Beach and Wong Amat Beach. The event saw a large turnout of massage operators submitting their legal documents and looking forward to helping tourists and locals. To enhance service quality and maintain the city’s tourism appeal, massage operators have formed clubs to provide organized services to the public and tourists. This basically prevents indecent services like prostitution and overcharging, which could negatively impact Pattaya’s tourism industry. Pattaya City has also implemented strict measures to control the number of massage service providers in each area. Massage operators are required to register according to Thai law, ensuring the number of operators does not exceed set legal limits and addressing various issues. Massage operators must meet the following criteria: – Be legally registered in Banglamung District. – Hold a certificate of Thai massage training from recognized institutes. – Wear shirts in the designated colors for each zone and display their membership number for easy identification and supervision. Pattaya City is divided into four zones: – Pattaya Beach (Yellow): 124 operators – Wong Amat Beach (Green): 39 operators – Jomtien Beach, Dongtan (Pink): 119 operators – Blue Zone (Other various areas): 141 operators

From Pattaya Mail EDITORIAL Kulaya Tantitemit, director-general of the Revenue Department, has indicated to the Bangkok Post that she is preparing significant new legislation. Under current rules, effective January 2024, Thais and foreigners residing here for 180 days or more in a calendar year will be taxed on foreign-sourced, assessable income when such cash is remitted into the country, regardless of when sent. A wave of panic has set in amongst the expat community, especially pensioners, although the opinions of banking and legal experts range from a don’t worry green signal to a hot potato red. Thus “savings” are not taxable, but there is no consensus about what “savings” are, or could be. But The Revenue, as reported in the Bangkok Post as recently as September 7, is preparing to amend the law to collect tax from any Thai or foreign resident (as defined above) who derives foreign-based income even if they do not bring such income into Thailand. This is unprecedented. The director-general justifies this move by referring to the principle of worldwide income which argues that all income earned by an individual is taxed by the country of residence. Some other south east Asian countries, including Cambodia, technically can tax the overseas income of resident aliens but choose largely to ignore the issue. For now anyway. It is important to recognize that this latest Revenue announcement would require parliamentary approval for a clear change in the tax laws. At this stage, it is not obvious that the suggestion will receive the rubber stamp of the legislature. For example, many rich and influential Thais may dislike the notion of declaring their worldwide income wealth which remains permanently overseas. There is no timescale and no evidence that the latest proposal is under parliamentary consideration even though it was first mooted last June. There is now a new premier and Cabinet in office following the resignation of prime minister Srettha Thavisin who had originally asked the Revenue to look for ways of broadening the tax base, presumably to increase government funds to pay for populist policies. Ms Kulaya pointed out that the proposed rule changes will depend on international cooperation and information exchange as Thailand is already a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for tax information exchange amongst countries. There are many other complications too. For example, foreign holders of the 10-year Long Term Residence visa are exempt from taxation on foreign income remitted to Thailand, a very popular marketing ploy. However, they may not be exempt from worldwide income not remitted to Thailand unless a special clause was included in any legislation. Many of Pattaya Mail’s readers are older foreigners living here mainly or wholly on pension income and inheritances which have already been taxed in the home country. They are aware of double taxation treaties, but mostly unaware of the complex detail in 61 very different agreements and what they actually mean. The Revenue could now or in the future ignore income under double taxation arrangements, or alternatively argue that any tax paid to the home country is merely a “credit” to put alongside any further tax liability in Thailand. Generally speaking, Thai taxes are more expensive than, say, those in the US or the UK in most categories. Our advice to readers at the moment is to wait for clarification, if any, on the grounds that any tax due for 2024 is not due for collection until January-March 2025. Thailand is no stranger to surprise announcements.

Was heartened today to open post from 15M Massage and find that one of my favorite SK masseurs ("Ole") appear back in the fold after an extended absence.

Vinapu's unusual reports of deception and bad faith relating to LT commitments is a cause of concern for all us going forward. We also heard a disappointing LT report from bkkmfj2648. These beg the question whether there's anything members can do to prevent falling victim to these same ruses. Other than not seeking LT offs, there's no foolproof way of completely avoiding them. However, anticipating them may improve your odds of not becoming a victim. What I believe is the best method might be to have a unambiguous discussion in the bar before a deal is struck that requires the guy to acknowledge that his fee will be reduced to ST if he departs before agreed time for any reason. (I was pleased to see that bkkmfj248 cut his guy's rate the next morning for lack of performance). It may also be helpful to early on tell your prospective LT off that you're interested only in a LT agreement. Putting him on notice prior to any negotiations may help dissuade some from the outset. Benefiting from Vinapu's experience may well turn out to be his gift to us.

From Aerotime Jetstar is officially opening a new aircraft and pilot base in Western Australia and launching a third new service between Perth and Asia. This marks the single biggest expansion ever of the carrier’s Perth operations. On September 2, 2024, Jetstar officially opened a new base in Perth for up to 60 pilots and aircraft. The carrier plans to introduce four new Airbus A321neo LR aircraft in its fleet by 2029. Additionally, the carrier announced it has shifted its domestic services from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. The launch will enable passengers to walk between Jetstar’s domestic and international services, rather than having to take a shuttle bus between terminal precincts. Starting from September 6, 2024, Jetstar will begin flying between Perth (PER) and Bangkok (BKK) in Thailand up to four times a week. The decision to launch a new route was made following the successful launch of new Jetstar services between Perth and Singapore and Phuket in August 2024, the company announced.

+1 Had no problem there, either. But as Spoon cautioned above, be sure to make reservation for two and do so on booking site like Agoda.

From Bangkok Post Airports of Thailand (AOT) has outlined an expansion of its six international airports to manage 210 million passengers by 2032. Kerati Kijmanawat, AOT director, on Friday outlined the Ministry of Transport's strategic plan for 2023-2027, which aims to make Thailand a regional aviation hub. As part of that, he said that Suvarnabhumi International Airport aims to have 120 million passengers by 2030, while Don Mueang International Airport expects to reach 40 million in the same year. Chiang Mai International Airport will serve 20 million passengers by 2032, Phuket International Airport will handle 18 million passengers by 2028, and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport and Krabi International Airport will each serve 6 million passengers by 2032. Mr Kerati said that Suvarnabhumi airport was once listed among the top 10 best airports globally, but its ranking has dropped, with Skytrax ranking it at 58th this year. He said this was due to the lack of facilities compared to other airports, such as Singapore, Tokyo, Istanbul, and Paris. He said that the AOT aims to bring Suvarnabhumi back into the top 20 best airports in the world with a plan that is divided into three phases. The first phase (2025-2027) aims to increase the airport's efficiency, establish it as a leader in airport services within the second phase (2028–2032), and rank among the top airport operators globally by 2037 within the third phase. As part of this, AOT plans to procure new technology to reduce international passenger processing times, cutting the arrival process from 30 minutes to 25 minutes or 17% faster and the departure process from 45 minutes to 30 minutes or 33% quicker, he said. Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2860868/aot-aiming-high-with-airport-plans. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. Mr Kerati also said the construction of the new South Terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport will proceed according to its master plan with a budget of 120 billion baht. The design of the South Terminal will take about 14 months. Construction will begin in early 2027 and take four and a half years to finish. The new terminal will accommodate 70 million passengers. The terminal will improve access from the south via Bang Na-Trat Road and connect to the Bang Na-Chon Buri Expressway for convenience. The airport will also have its fourth runway built on the eastern side. It will take about 10 months for the design. Bidding for the construction is expected in early 2027, he said. He noted that AOT will also submit its plan to expand the East Terminal and the West Terminal to handle more passengers in the future.

It's easier to list hotels that don't allow joiners and, at the moment, only one I'm aware of is the Montien (behind Starbucks off Surawong).

Mu experience is that it’s a mistake to try to buttonhole massage guys. Once door closes, straight and gay begin to blur. A lot of it depends on you and the comfort level that’s established.

I get about five massages a week in Saphan Kwai when I’m in town and pleased to report that the guys there are indeed prepared to get down to it whenever you’re ready. If you want romance, try your luck at soi Cowboy.

From BBC The Japanese owner of convenience store chain 7-Eleven has rejected a $38bn (£29.2bn) takeover bid from Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard. In a letter addressed to the prospective buyer, Seven & i Holdings said the Circle K owner's offer "grossly" undervalued the company and was fraught with regulatory risk. The 7-Eleven owner added, however, that it remains open to negotiations and ready to consider a better proposal. If successful the buyout would create a 100,000-strong global convenience store giant. Stephen Dacus, the chair of the Seven & i board considering the deal, said in a letter that the proposal was "opportunistically timed". The proposal, Mr Dacus added, "grossly undervalues" the Japanese retail giant and its potential to generate more value for shareholders. Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT), which is based in Quebec, runs around 17,000 shops across North America, Europe and Asia under the Circle K and Couche-Tard brands. The initial offer by the prospective buyer valued Seven & i at $14.86 per share. That's more than 20% above its share price before the offer was announced. The offer came when the Japanese yen is significantly weaker than the US dollar, making Seven & i more affordable to foreign buyers. 7-Eleven is the world's biggest convenience store chain, with 85,000 outlets across 20 countries and territories. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9w74dwkgno

From VN Express /Reuters Indonesia has mandated that all international travelers complete an electronic health declaration form before entering the country to prevent the spread of monkeypox (mpox) virus. The requirement applies to all foreign visitors, including cabin crew, according to Kristi Endah Murni, Director General of Air Transportation under the Ministry of Transportation, as reported by Antara News Agency. The decision follows the World Health Organization's classification of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14. Travelers must complete the form, available at sshp.kemkes.go.id, within 48 hours before departure. This allows Indonesian airport authorities to assess potential risks related to the transmission of the virus. Upon completion, the form generates a QR code, which facilitates the identification and health screening of travelers upon arrival.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Thai government’s pioneering DTV option for long stay foreigners is stimulating great interest amongst expat communities here and abroad. There are basically three markets: remote workers with contracts from overseas-based companies but no business within Thailand, “soft power applications” from those enrolling on skills-based education courses (or medical treatment) and a family visa for those with legal partners and/or children under 20. No official statistics are currently available, but staff at the Thai embassies in neighboring countries suggest well over 1,000 applications worldwide in less than two months. Most of the visas granted so far appear to be in the digital nomad category. There are several key advantages to DTV. It has long validity – five years with multiple-entry – which surpasses the traditional one year extensions of stay for retirement or marriage. The official enrolment fee is 10,000 baht ($US30) for an initial 180 days which can be extended for another 180 days, if wished, for a 1,900 baht fee at local immigration. But it is then necessary to leave the kingdom – briefly if you like – and return to begin the process all over again. There is a financial guarantee of 500,000 baht ($US16,000), but this is cheaper than the much larger sums required for traditional visas or the five years’ Elite which requires a non-returnable 900,000 ($US26,000). Many retirees in Thailand are looking carefully at the cost-benefit analysis. All they have to do is to find a justification to apply for the DTV, although some agencies in Thailand are already partnering Muay Thai academies or cookery schools to prove enrolment in advance of arrival here. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/destination-thailand-visa-proving-very-popular-innovation-471187

From Pattaya Mail On September 4, city officials and project designers gathered at the Grand Palazzo Hotel to discuss the development of the new Purple Monorail route. This initiative aims to enhance public transportation and support Pattaya’s expansion as part of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) plan. The proposed Purple Monorail will span 11.44 kilometres, connecting Thap Phraya Road, South Pattaya, and Nongprue. The project is divided into two phases: Phase 1 will extend from the Green Line station S1-01 along Pornpraphanimit Road (Siam Country Club) to Nong Maikan Road. Phase 2 will continue across the railway and Sukhumvit Road, follow Pattaya Central Road, and end at the Thap Phraya intersection. Designed as an elevated single-track system, the monorail is tailored to Pattaya’s tourism-focused environment. Although construction and maintenance costs are higher, the system is expected to minimize traffic disruptions and facilitate urban development. The project will include 12 stations, spaced 800-1,000 meters apart, with walkable distances of 400-500 meters between stations. Land acquisition for the monorail will affect 635 plots, covering approximately 64 rai and involving 461 buildings. The Purple Monorail, in conjunction with the Red Line, will be developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The investment is projected to significantly benefit Pattaya’s tourism industry and align with the EEC’s long-term development goals.

From Bangkok Post The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will implement the Hold, Test, Release (HTR) measure to enhance the effectiveness of screening imported fruit and vegetables starting next year, in the wake of news that tainted produce, largely from China, was being dumped into the Thai market. Lertchai Lertvut, FDA deputy secretary-general, said that the FDA will introduce the measure to expedite the process of verifying the quality and safety of imported produce. An immediate import ban will be imposed if the produce fails the test. Random samples of imported fruit and vegetables will be collected and subjected to lab tests, with results available within 24 hours. The testing process requires efficient logistics to ensure the produce reaches the lab as quickly as possible and in pristine condition. If the lab tests reveal contamination with hazardous substances or pesticides, a sales ban will be enforced on the imported produce in question. Once the HTR measure is enforced next year, any produce suspected of contamination or substandard quality will be pulled aside for inspection. It will only be released for sale if it passes the test.

You really are losing it. Take two asprin and call me in the morning. 😅

Shame on the Bangkok Post for reporting that an appeal has been filed?

From Bangkok Post A doctor who claimed to have been kicked by a Swiss man while she was sitting on the steps near his property on Yamu Beach in February has vowed to appeal his acquittal on assault charges. Dr Thandao Chandam, 26, said on Thursday that she was disappointed by the court’s decision. Thanking the public for the moral support she received during the case, she said she would continue to fight for justice, adding that she stood by her accusation of assault. Her father, Kasem Chandam, said the family decided to appeal for the sake of fairness, adding that he hoped the public would keep up with the support. “We will do our best to regain justice,” he said.

Absolutely. And there's a check in the mail.🙂

Still trying to figure out why you were shocked when your acquaintances declined the pleasure of your company.

And this surprised you?