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From The Thaiger Hotels reluctant to apply for ASQ status due to cap on tourist arrivals With the number of foreign arrivals who can enter Thailand on the special tourist visa limited to just 1,200 a month, hotel owners say they’re reluctant to go to the trouble of applying for alternative state quarantine status. Hoteliers say a lack of tourists in sufficient numbers, coupled with the number of quarantine facilities already in existence, means the investment required to gain ASQ approval isn’t worth it. Bangkok currently has 103 hotels approved as ASQ properties. A further 30 hotels in Pattaya, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Surat Thani and Buri Ram are ready to operate as alternative local state quarantine facilities.

From Khaosod English Firecracker Attack on Anti-Gov’t Protest BANGKOK — Police said Tuesday they have yet to identify the perpetrator who threw a firecracker at yesterday’s anti-government rally close to the MRT Tha Phra station. Chaos briefly broke out at Monday’s protest when a loud bang was heard close to where demonstrators were gathering at about 6pm, though no one was injured. Some protesters tried to enter the MRT station and chase after the attacker, but protest volunteer guards stopped them doing so lest the confrontation turns violent. Deputy metro police commander Jirapat Phumjit said investigators are sifting through security camera footage around the scene, but they have yet to find anyone suspicious, despite dozens of cameras installed at the train station. “Local police are on the hunt for the suspect,” Maj. Gen. Jirapat said. “A used firecracker was found at the scene below the MRT Thra Phra station and it is widely available in the market.” Hundreds of people occupied the Tha Phra intersection on Monday afternoon and insisted on the three demands for resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, charter amendments, and reform of the monarchy institution. Apart from the firecracker, the rally proceeded without any violence until they dispersed at 8.30pm. ========================================= From Bangkok Post Former PMs support reconciliation panel Three former prime ministers have supported the parliament's initiative to set up a reconciliation panel in a bid to end the political rift, Parliament President Chuan Leekpai said on Tuesday. Mr Chuan said he had approached former prime ministers Anand Panyarachun, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Abhisit Vejjajiva by phone and they supported the idea. Gen Chavalit said he had been contacted and had agreed to join the panel and did not dismiss the possibility he could be panel chairman, when asked by reporters. The reconciliation panel was proposed by a special joint meeting of parliament, called so MPs and senators could give their opinions on how to end the political crisis.

From Bangkok Post Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta has become a target of criticism after his ministry blocked access to Pornhub, a well-known adult website based outside the country. The ministry on Monday ordered all internet providers and mobile phone operators to ban all access to the website after the Criminal Court gave the ministry the green light to take action, because porn websites are illegal in Thailand. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 190 URL addresses of the website, which claims to be the world's leading free porn site, had been blocked under the DES order. But instead of receiving praise, Mr Buddhipongse has been attacked for violating the right of the people to free access to the media. "The Anonymous Party insists on the right to hold gatherings and the right to have access to all types of media," the group posted on its Facebook account on Tuesday. That freedom included media containing sexual content, as long as viewers were not forced to watch it, the group said. ================================================================= From The Thaiger Expat says he was almost deported over Facebook posts With the ongoing pro-democracy protests, some have raised question: What could happen to foreigners who get involved or speak out against Thai politics? Or post their thoughts on social media? Well, they could possibly get deported. Expat Yan Marchal says he almost got kicked out of the country for posts he made on Facebook. Many of Yan’s recent Facebook posts are commentary relating to Thailand’s recent protests, although he has priors. Yan says he was on a visa under his Board of Investment, or BOI, company, valid until next March. He went by immigration to transfer his stamp into a new passport, but was told that his visa had been revoked and was now on overstay, Yan wrote on Facebook. “He told me that I would be deported. The reason given was my Facebook activity. I could see that he has a file with a detailed report on my posts, although he did not let me read the details.” Yan says he contacted Khaosod English. The news outlet got him in contact with the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. With the help of journalists and a lawyer, Yan met with another immigration inspector who told him that his visa was not cancelled, he will not be deported and the process for getting a new stamp in his passport would take a few days.

From You Tube / South China Morning Post

From Bangkok Post Last four detained protesters to be released The Criminal Court has thrown out detention requests for four activists who remained in jail after they were behind bars for almost 20 days. They will be released at midnight on Monday and their lawyer assured they would not be detained in other cases. The four were Anon Nampha, Ekkachai Hongkangwan, Somyout Prueksakaemsuk and Suranart Panprasert, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. It remained unclear whether police would try to detain any of them further in other cases. Earlier on Monday, the Pathumwan court also dismissed a police request to detain Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul and Parit Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak for their roles during rallies at the skywalk on June 5 and June 22. The protests aimed to demand justice for the disappearance of former activist Wanchalaerm Satsaksit in Cambodia. In the afternoon, the Rayong Court also threw out a police request to detain Panupong “Mike” Jadnok, who on July 15 raised a poster criticising Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha during the prime minister’s visit. The poster slammed the government’s handling of the Covid-19 situation in the province after some Covid-19-infected Egyptian soldiers had been found to have left the quarantine facility and roamed the town. Both courts cited as reasons the facts that the three were still at hospital and were not flight risks. Meanwhile, police continued to charge other protesters despite recent decisions of courts. Patsaravalee "Mind" Tanakitvibulpon, another activist, on Monday received a summon issued by Thong Mahamek police, accusing her of sedition for her involvement at a rally at the German embassy on Oct 26. All, except Mr Suranart, are detained at Bangkok Remand Prison. Mr Suranart is at Bang Kwang Prison.

From Thai Enquirer HM the King signals ‘compromise’ in surprise interview with foreign press His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn said that Thailand was a land of compromise in a surprise ad-hoc interview granted to CNN on Sunday night. The King was asked by CNN’s Johnathan Miller what he thought of student-led protests which have at times called for a reform of the royal institution to which he replied, “We love them all the same.” When pressed by Miller on a possible compromise between the palace and the protesters, his majesty responded, “Thailand is a land of compromise.” The interview was unexpected as the palace does not normally grant interviews. Student-led pro-democracy protests have gripped the country for the past four months with demonstrators calling on the Prayut Chan-ocha government to resign, for the government to re-draft the military-backed charter and for the government to stop harassing dissidents.

I'm no techie by a long shot but monitoring blood pressure on a watch band type device challenges the imagination. Key operative words: "Details, as usual, are sketchy..." Nary a day passes that we don't see some new idea that will do little or nothing to attract foreign tourists. Chalk up one more.

From The Thaiger Travellers to Thailand to wear “Smartband” tracking watch Special Tourist Vias, 14 day quarantine, “plans”, “models” and endless red-tape. Now we’ve got the “smartband” to track foreigners when they visit Thailand. The so-called Smartband will have to be worn by any foreign travellers entering Thailand. The new wearable restriction for travellers to Thailand coincides with the Cabinet announcement this week to allow more foreign tourists and crew of yachts to enter Thailand under the Special Tourist Visa program. “The wristband can track their locations and measure the body’s temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. It can also help the wearers with various problems, such as asking for directions when they get lost.” The Smartband is being introduced from today.It’s the brainchild of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, in cooperation with Thai startups, according to the announcement on PR Thai Government. Details, as usual, are sketchy and there is no clarification where the smartband is given to the tourists, if it’s compulsory to wear or who pays for it. Nothing explains how the Smartband can help when the wearer is “asking for directions”. Or is it waterproof? On the government’s own PR Facebook page the reception was less than enthusiastic…. Special Tourist Vias, 14 day quarantine, “plans”, “models” and endless red-tape. Now we’ve got the “smartband” to track foreigners when they visit Thailand. The so-called Smartband will have to be worn by any foreign travellers entering Thailand. The new wearable restriction for travellers to Thailand coincides with the Cabinet announcement this week to allow more foreign tourists and crew of yachts to enter Thailand under the Special Tourist Visa program. “The wristband can track their locations and measure the body’s temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. It can also help the wearers with various problems, such as asking for directions when they get lost.” The Smartband is being introduced from today.It’s the brainchild of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, in cooperation with Thai startups, according to the announcement on PR Thai Government. Details, as usual, are sketchy and there is no clarification where the smartband is given to the tourists, if it’s compulsory to wear or who pays for it. Nothing explains how the Smartband can help when the wearer is “asking for directions”. Or is it waterproof? On the government’s own PR Facebook page the reception was less than enthusiastic…. “I never wear a watch, especially in Thai heat. I don’t mind a month in the daytime but forever is nonsense. I wonder how it does in the pool? The original plan was a tracking app on the phone. No problem, I am boring, you can follow me if you like but this looks like a shakedown for tech that I don’t want, in a form that I do not use. What happens when you take it off? I certainly do not sleep with a watch on.” “I think these measures will not be widely accepted by european users. Almost no one wants to go to Thailand with quarantine don’t understand why also add this measure.” ===================================================== From The Thaiger Foreigners who test positive for C19 in Thailand won’t be able to use the public health system The battle to reopen Thailand’s borders is shaping up as a 3-way PR fight between economic hawks who are eager to re-open to reboot the country’s tourism industry, a government and medical officials resting on their laurels after containing the virus, and a risk-averse population who, survey after survey, indicate they are keen to keep the borders closed. In another effort to assuage Thai fears, a doctor at the infectious disease department has stated that any foreigner found to be infected with Covid-19, while in alternative state quarantine, would be taken to a partner hospital in the private sector, not a Thai public hospital. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong has made it clear that foreigners would have to pay for their treatment and medication themselves. “They won’t be a burden on the Thai health system.” Dr Opas laid out the strict measures that foreigners would have to submit to before travelling to Thailand. Apart from the effort and cost of finding a flight at this time, gaining permission from their country’s Thai Embassy, they would have to get fit-to-fly and entry certificates, Covid-free documentation, health insurance and upfront payments for their 14 day Alternative State Quarantine. “If infected they would go to a special isolation unit at the hospital partnered with the quarantine hotel. Non serious cases would be there for 10 days, those with serious conditions like lung infections may have to stay for a month.”

From The Thaiger A language school in Koh Pha Ngan has ripped off more than 100 tourists claiming that they were able to issue them with a 1 year education visa. A group of the victims have made an official report with the local police over the scam. The tourists were from the US, UK, Germany, France and Russia. Manager Online report that more than 100 people had been allegedly conned by the school in the Sri Thanu area of the island. The report explained that the people had originally heard about the school being able to get them a 1 year education visa from teachers working there. The group have now made an official report, sending documentation to Koh Phangan district chief Poonsak Sophonpathumrak and the island’s chief of police Pol Col Phisit Wisetwong and Immigration police. They allege that they had been asked for 40,000 baht each for courses at the school on the understanding that the school would issue visas for them, changing their Non-B into an ED-Visa, as a way of extending their time in Thailand. They told police that they had put down a 50% down payment tot eh school. Their visas were promised five weeks ago. But when no paperwork turned up they headed to the mainland Surat Thani immigration office where they were told it wasn’t possible to change a Non-B into an education (ED) visa. When they confronted the school they were told there would be no refunds. This isn’t the only case of institutions and bogus visa agents taking advantage of the current confusion on visa amnesties and extensions. Immigration police are sorting through a range of similar cases.

From The Nation Eleven pro-democracy protests planned today in Thailand and abroad The Ratsadon (People) will organise 11 protest rallies on Sunday, which will take place in six provinces in Thailand as well as abroad, starting at 4pm local time. In Bangkok, a rally will be held at Future Park Rangsit where the pro-democracy protesters were planning to stay overnight, and the other at the Udomsuk intersection, which will have the theme of liberty for the LGBT group. The protest in Yasothon province will be organised at the Loeng Nok Tha District Office from 4pm to 8pm, while in Chonburi province, a protest will take place at Pattaya Beach Central shopping mall at 5pm. Saraburi province will have a protest at a public park near a bypass stop, in Si Sa Ket province at the shrine of the city pillar and in Surat Thani province on Naris Bridge. In New Zealand, the protesters will gather at midnight (local time) at Aotea Square in Auckland, while the protests in the US will take place at The Bean in Chicago, the International Fountain (Space Needle) in Seattle, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square in Boston.

From The Diplomat Laos will launch a fast-track immigration service for travelers from China beginning on November 1, relaxing controls at the country’s main border crossing, which was previously sealed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lao Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Meaungpak announced this week that the two countries have brokered an agreement between whereby Chinese nationals from COVID-19-free provinces will be permitted to enter Laos. According to a report by Radio Free Asia, travelers will be required to test negative for the disease and self-quarantine for 14 days within China. They will then have to quarantine for 48 hours on arrival in Laos. The fast-track service will be confined to the Boten border gate on the border between Luang Namtha province in Laos and China’s Yunnan province. Four smaller border crossings, including one on the border with China and three on the border with Thailand, will also be open for the transport of goods. For the time being, Lao nationals will not be allowed to leave the country, except for workers, students and Lao residents with family members living abroad. he agreement between Laos and China comes as tourism officials in Cambodia announced that they are in discussions about travel bubbles designed to restart tourism to the country, with China figuring as a priority. Specifically, officials discussed the possibility of implementing of a close-loop system of charter flights between Cambodia and China, although the idea is still in its infancy. The two announcements are relatively minor, but they indicate the extent to which China is likely to figure in the recovery of Southeast Asia’s economies, particularly the region’s tourism industries, as the COVID-19 contagion wanes. Prior to the pandemic, China was the number one source of visitors to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore, as well as to the Indonesian island of Bali. In addition to China’s proximity and size to the region, China has successfully been able to control the spread of COVID-19, while the United States grapples with a surge in coronavirus infections and European nations including France and Germany have re-entered lockdown in order to control the disease.

From Bangkok Post and The Nation Protest leaders hospitalised as chaos reigns A court in Ayutthaya on Saturday rejected a police request to detain three protest leaders currently in a Bangkok hospital after an eventful night that followed their temporary release from custody. Police still have ample opportunity to make fresh arrests once the three are discharged. All told, there are 80 active warrants related to various offences connected with recent pro-democracy protests, according to Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai, deputy metropolitan police chief. The court said the investigation was already done, so police could proceed with the case without having to detain them, and since they were in hospital they were not flight risks. Mr Parit was injured with several glass fragments on his body and Ms Panusaya was exhausted. They joined Mr Panupong, who had been released at the same time and brought to the hospital earlier after fainting while in police custody. At a briefing on Saturday, a team of doctors at the hospital said Mr Panupong suffered several minor cuts from glass fragments. He was very weak and physicians are checking what caused his blackout. Mr Parit, who has asthma, also had cuts on his limbs and some glass fragments were found on his body. Ms Panusaya was suffering from severe dehydration and chronic sleep deprivation and was on a saline drip. All three need at least two to three days to recover, the doctors said. Pheu Thai MP Tossaporn Serirak and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a former MP of the now-defunct Future Forward Party and cofounder of the Progressive Movement, accompanied them to the hospital in the same van. Their supporters who had been waiting at the police station left after the leaders told them to return home. Ayutthaya police on Saturday morning visited Mr Panupong, who was suffering from a lack of oxygen, at the hospital, seeking to detain him. Mr Panupong refused to be held, saying the arrest began at the Bangkok Remand Prison, not at the hospital, and he had the right to be treated there, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). Late Friday afternoon, the Criminal Court had granted bail to the three student activists and Patiwat Saraiyaem, another protester, after repeated appeals by their lawyers. They had been in jail for 16 days. Mr Panupong, Mr Parit and Mr Patiwat were detained at Bangkok Remand Prison and Ms Panusaya was at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution nearby. Mr Patiwat walked out of Bangkok Remand Prison around 8pm to cheers from supporters waiting to greet him outside. He frantically told the waiting crowd that the other three had been taken from their cells by three men in civilian clothes while prison officials did nothing. The men were later identified as plainclothes police officers who acted on arrest warrants for the activists’ roles during rallies in Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. However, their lawyers, citing Section 68 of the Criminal Procedures Code, argued the warrants were no longer valid since they had already acknowledged and denied the charges while at the Border Patrol Police Region 1 and the Bangkok Remand Prison. Pol Col Ittichet Wonghomhuan, the Pracha Chuen police superintendent, said his team acted on the warrants of Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Ubon Ratchathani police, who had not revoked them yet. While the lawyers were still talking to some policemen at the prison, the plainclothes officers took Mr Parit and Mr Panupong away through a secondary gate without anyone knowing, according to TLHR. Another van took Ms Panusaya from the women’s prison. The van, with broken windows, took Mr Panupong and Mr Parit to the station at 9.30pm. Police did not allow them to get out at first since around 50 of their supporters were gathering there. Mr Parit shouted that Mr Panupong needed an ambulance immediately. At 10pm, an ambulance took an unconscious Panupong to Kasemrad Pracha Chuen Hospital. He was later transferred to Praram 9 Hospital. At the police station, Mr Parit said he and Mr Panupong resisted arrest because the people who took them did not wear uniforms and tried to illegally detain them. However, they were dragged by the neck to the van. Mr Panupong passed out later in the vehicle, Mr Parit claimed. He said the supporters who were following them tried to ask the police to stop the van so Mr Panupong could get medical help but the officials refused to do so. According to Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), some interviews and video clips showed what happened during the trip to the police station. The van carrying Mr Parit and Mr Panupong stopped at a red light at the Pongpet intersection, followed by a few people on motorcycles believed to be their supporters. Mr Panupong and Mr Parit shouted to them that they had been forcibly and illegally taken. Their supporters tried in vain to talk to the officials before attempting to break a window, allegedly to help the pair. As the van driver tried to get away, the vehicle hit at least two other motorcycles nearby. One of the motorcycles fell in front of the van but the van driver ploughed on, dragging the smaller vehicle for around 200 metres. The owner of the damaged motorcycle, who was not a protester, later filed a complaint with police. After their temporary release on Friday, four other protesters remained in jail as of Saturday. At Bangkok Remand Prison, Ekkachai Hongkangwan has been imprisoned since Oct 12 on charges related to the royal motorcade, Arnon Nampha has been held since Oct 15 on sedition charges, and Somyot Prueksakasemsuk has been detained since Oct 16. At Bang Kwang Prison, Suranart Panprasert has been held at since Oct 21 on charges in connection with a royal motorcade.

From Bangkok Post A labour shortage, particularly in manpower-intensive industries such as agribusiness and food processing, is likely to intensify over the long term as the pandemic makes it difficult for foreign labour to move across borders. Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Labour and Skill Development Committee and vice-chairman of the Thai Board of Trade, said the business sector is concerned about a labour shortage in the long term after several hundred thousand foreign workers returned home following the outbreak. Most workers who returned home have yet to return to Thailand, while new infections are rising in neighbouring countries, leading the government to retain its strict lockdown measures along the borders. Prior to the outbreak, there were about 3 million foreign workers legally registered. Foreign workers represent up to 50-60% of workers in certain labour-intensive industries such as agribusiness and food. Thailand also remains short of workers in elderly care and as housekeepers, he said. Mr Poj said although Thai workers are encouraged to work in the industrial sector, many unemployed Thais are uninterested in working in factories related to food processing, rubber gloves, food and agricultural products. "The private sector is calling on all parties to come up with measures to stimulate or entice Thai unemployed workers to work in industries such as the agricultural and food industries, which are estimated to need 200,000-300,000 workers," he said. "In the first quarter of next year, the picture will become clearer of how many Thai workers will be left unemployed," said Mr Poj. "Worrisome sectors include hotels and tourism." In the longer term, with Thailand having to forge free trade agreements both on the bilateral and multilateral basis, such as Thai-EU FTA, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, these all require higher standards for labour protection and labour rights, he said.

From Bangkok Post Pol Cpl Wutthichai Hongsamrong holds up a banner saying, "We work like a horse but the bosses take some of the money", after his unit returned from duty outside the German embassy during the demonstrations there on Monday. Young cop made to publicly explain away banner criticising bosses Lower-ranks upset after short-changed on overtime pay A low-ranking Border Patrol policeman has explained how a photo of him appeared on social media holding up a banner accusing his superiors of not passing on the full payments due for overtime worked during the Covid-19 lockdown. "We work like a horse but the bosses take some of the money," declared the banner held up by Pol Cpl Wutthichai Hongsamrong on Monday night — and the picture went viral on social media. Pol Cpl Wutthichai, of the BPP Second Command based in Surin province, displayed the banner when his unit returned to the accommodation provided for their overnight stay after being assigned to guard the German embassy on Monday. His display of the banner and its blunt message coincided with complaints by low-ranking police across the country that they did not receive in full the promised payments for the extra duties they were assigned during the coronavirus lockdown. They alleged their bosses siphoned off deductions from the money they were due. Each police officer was supposed to get 60 baht per hour for working overtime, up to a maximum 420 baht a day for seven hours. The Royal Thai Police Office is looking into the complaints, which were made in about a dozen provinces, including Saraburi, Nonthaburi and Phuket. Pol Cpl Wutthichai was sitting alongside police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong when he explained his action at a media briefing on Friday at police headquarters. The chastened police NCO said he had no intention to make a protest or cause damage to the police force over the issue. He did not intentionally show the message to the public. "I was taking the banner to dump it in a trash can, when a friend of mine who had not seen it asked me to show it to him. So I held it up for him, before I threw it in the bin," he said. He also denied he was punished for his action, but said he was ordered to write a report to his commander. The police spokesman said the issue was not over. He believed there were attempts to put the issue in the public limelight. Banners with similar messages were found in all buses taking police to and from the embassy on Monday. Pol Cpl Wutthichai promised he would not do anything like that again, and offered an apology. "I would like to apologise to all commanders and my unit for doing something that could damage the police force," he said. "Next time I will throw it away, right away," he added.

From The Thaiger / Pattaya News “Pattaya Model” to focus on Special Tourist Visa visitors from China and Russia Pattaya wants to cash in on the new Special Tourist Visa scheme and local officials plan to introduce the “Pattaya Model” to help boost the local economy after it took at beating from the lack of international tourists due to the pandemic. They’ll focus on drawing in Chinese and Russian tourists on the new long stay visa, according to Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem. “Last year, there were 3 million Chinese tourists visiting Pattaya, followed by Russian tourists with 1.1 million. The CCSA is targeting these two groups to visit the country under the Covid-19 health measures to boost the local economy.” These travellers would be from cities in Russia and China that are considered to be at a low risk for spreading the coronavirus, the mayor says. He mentioned St. Petersburg in Russia and Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen in China. Along with accommodating tourists under the Special Tourist Visa, the mayor says they are planning for other travellers that are approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

From Khaosod English Court Rejects Request to Arrest Embassy Rally Leaders BANGKOK — The Criminal Court on Thursday turned down a request by the police to arrest five pro-democracy activists responsible for Monday’s march to the German Embassy. The request was made on Wednesday by Thung Maha Mek police station, who sought to charge the activists with sedition and slap them with arrest warrants. But the court ruled on Thursday morning that the rally took place for a brief time, and there is no evidence that the suspects might flee the country. The judges also advised the police to summon the activists for questioning before applying for the arrest warrants. The five people marked for prosecution were identified by court documents as Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon, 25; Korakoch Saengyenpan, 28; Chanin Wongsri, 20; Chollathit Chotisawat, 21; and Benja Arpan, 21. ==================================== Khaosod English's Facebook page is broadcasting live from anti-government rally in front of Wat Kheak on Silom Road. The protest is billed as “the people’s art fair.” https://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

From The Thai Enquirer Opinion: A rich Thai socialite just killed a pedestrian in a hit-and-run; the legal double standards are shocking Meet Akarawin “Jimmy” Taechaubol, a young, prominent Thai businessman, socialite, millionaire heir to the JC Kevin Development real estate empire, and police captain working as a sub-inspector at the strategic division of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. On the morning of October 22, Akarawin struck his friend’s BMW into 49-year-old Udom Saengkaya, a lukchin (fishball) vendor who was on his way home from work. Udom died on the spot, with his body faced down on the ground, head bloodied, and limbs broken. Khlong Tan police chief Col. Ruetee Pandum, was asked [Ed: We have now bolded, struckthrough, underlined, and italicized the previous link so people won’t miss it] whether Akarawin will ever face a prison sentence, reportedly laughed nervously and responded, “that’s up to the court.” These will most likely be the only charges against him. Almost a week later, and it’s almost as if the case has been dropped, with hardly anyone or news media talking about it. This is not the first, the fifth, nor the last time Thailand will see this happen. The culture of impunity is so glaringly obvious, yet so normalized, ignored, and celebrated even, by mostly those holding onto power. We’ve seen it happen before, most recently and notoriously with the Red Bull heir case: eight years later, and Vorayuth Yoovidhya still hasn’t been held accountable for killing Wichian Klanprasert. His case was almost dropped back in July, if not for public outrage. Akarawin Taechaubol, no matter the intention, family background, or wealth, should face the same consequences and prosecution within the Thai justice system. Akarawin’s story, like Vorayuth, are merely symptoms of a disease that is far more problematic — and that is the Thai judiciary system. The privileged Thais, those in power, and people like Akarawin should not be put on a pedestal and made to feel that their lives are more important and worthy than others, merely because they have more in superficial and material gains.

From Khaosod English Police to Charge Activists Over German Embassy March BANGKOK — Up to 16 people could be charged for organizing a demonstration to the German Embassy in Bangkok earlier this week, a police source said Wednesday. The source said the suspects include protesters’ representatives who submitted their petition to German ambassador Georg Schmidt inside the embassy, as well as other activists who gave speeches to the crowd and translated the documents. Pro-democracy activists Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon and Jatupat “Pai” Boonpattararaksa are among those marked for criminal investigation, though it is unclear what charges will be brought against them. Deputy Bangkok police chief Piya Tawichai told the media yesterday the police were gathering evidence to prosecute the embassy protesters.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Nobody is quite sure where the term Boyztown originated. One possibility is the 1938 movie of that name, but Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney were hardly icons of the gay civil right movement. There is a town in India’s Kerala state called Boys Town but it is apparently famous only for its herbal gardens and cucumber sandwiches. There is a Jamaican football club called Boystown, but there’s a high murder rate of gays over there. Oh well, never mind. Pattaya Boyztown (it was originally named Boystown) was the center of gay entertainment in the 1990s and early 2000s, before competition in Sunee Plaza and the Jomtien Complex caused a slow decline. In its prime, Boyztown played host to a score of restaurants, hotels, karaokes, bars, clubs and cabaret shows appealing mostly to European gay tourists who flocked in their thousands to spend the pink pound, get sunburned, watch the eye candy and let their hair down. But in October 2020, the Boyztown district is truly deserted. For the first year in ages, Halloween will likely be a flop. In the main street, only the Panorama bar is open most evenings, but plays host to scant customers and to two bored-looking staff checking their cell phones. The two biggest cabaret clubs, Castro and Boyz Boyz Boyz, appear to be open only at weekends presumably to cater for the Bangkok crowd taking a mini-break. The once elegant Toyboys, a male go go bar catering mainly for wealthy Asian men, now has fixtures and fittings piled up outside permanently locked doors. Flamboyant drag stars Eggz Benedict and Aggie Glitterbug, not actually their real names and currently unemployed, said that Boyztown’s decline wasn’t sudden. “From about 2010, the number of European tourists began to fall off as Thailand began to get expensive and eastern Europe opened up for the first time,” said Eggz. “It’s really been downhill since then,” adds Aggie, “although the shows were packed in recent years by Chinese tour groups who have also disappeared thanks to coronavirus.” In its heyday, Boyztown businesses were also significant fundraisers for various charities, especially aids-related and orphanages. Annual street cabarets and parties could haul in hundreds of thousands of baht for worthy Thai causes. The Bangkok Post gossip columnist Bernard Trink (who died earlier this year) always refused to mention gay venues, but even he did once congratulate the Pattaya Gay Festival committee for handing out free condoms to the male prostitutes who might need them. He then ruined the positive effect by complaining that the owner of the Amor restaurant in Boyztown had tried to poison him with a tarnished shrimp cocktail and a stale carrot cake. Will Boyztown recover its former glory? Eggz and Glitterbug think not. “Pattaya’s future lies in a different direction with literally millions of Chinese tourists waiting in the wings,” muses Eggz. “It’s not only Boyztown,” complains Aggie, “nobody is making any money these days.” Both of them point to social media apps, such as Grindr and Hornet, which have replaced gay bars and clubs as meeting places. “But what will come back after the virus are the cabaret extravaganzas,” predicts Eggz, “because you don’t have to be gay to enjoy a good drag show.” Can’t argue with that.

From Channel News Asia Motorcycle taxi drivers aid Thai protesters BANGKOK: Orange-vested drivers of motorcycle taxis have become allies to Thailand's anti-government protesters gathering across traffic-snarled Bangkok, offering lifts and keeping an eye out for trouble. When authorities shut down train lines this month in an effort to curb daily rallies, drivers of the capital's motorcycle taxis came to the rescue, ferrying stranded protesters to demonstration sites. But they have long waited on the sidelines of the youth-led movement, cheering student leaders on as they demanded the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha and issued unprecedented calls for reform to the kingdom's monarchy. "I root for these kids," said driver Supatr Manapornsiri, 41, adding that he keeps his prices low because he supports their goals. "My income has increased a bit," he told AFP, saying it jumps from 1,000 baht (US$32) a day to 1,300 to 1,400 baht during protests. Another driver Pakin Kamhamauk, 44, sometimes even grants free rides. "If they happen to have no money then that's fine," he said. Motorcycle taxis may appear a haphazard transport option for Bangkok's traffic-clogged roads, but there is order in the chaos, with passengers lining up on specific street corners to wait for drivers. Congregating around demonstrations in their signature orange vests, the drivers are also helpful as look-outs. In October, when authorities deployed water cannon for the first time since protests kicked off in July, it was the drivers who rushed to provide early warnings and later blockaded some roads so activists could safely escape riot police. Supatr said he worries for the mostly young protesters, who have rallied peacefully for their goals. "They're well-disciplined. They don't go off to do stupid things," he said. "I want every single one of them to be safe." Dubbed by some as the "Orange Shirts", a play on Thailand's colour-coded political factions, motorcycle taxi drivers are able to snake through tens of thousands of protesters, leaning on their intimate knowledge of the capital's backstreets.

From The Thaiger Officials to tap into Chinese market Thailand has so far welcomed 2 flights with Chinese visitors on the new Special Tourist Visa, a first step after a 7 month ban on international tourists. Now, tourism officials are proposing to bring in more whilst tapping into the vast Chinese market to draw in more visitors. Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn says they’re planning on 7.45 million Chinese arrivals next year with hopes that travel restrictions ease up (in 2019 there were around 11 million Chinese visitors to Thailand). Tourism officials expect a high season in July during the school break, assuming that international travel restrictions are lifted by then. Next year’s overall goal for the Asian market is 11.2 million, a 34% decrease from 2019, before the pandemic. “Some 7.45 million arrivals from China is in our sight, but it depends on how situation develops.” “When the pandemic subsides we will change their focus from business travellers and retirees, to a younger generation that are ‘less concerned’ with health risks.” He says he’s focusing on millennials, those born in the early 1980s to late 1990s. China has 321 million millennials, while Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan altogether have 69 million. “Millennial travellers have more flexibility as they can actively penetrate technologies and online information — essential tools for post-pandemic tourism.”

From Bangkok Post Cambodia officially launched on Wednesday a central bank-backed digital currency that draws on blockchain technology designed by a Japanese company. The e-money "Bakong", an initiative of the National Bank of Cambodia, joins a very small group of digital currencies backed by central banks that have gone fully operational. Bakong, which supports transactions in the dollar and riel, the Cambodian currency, is expected to help Cambodians make payments and transfer money between individuals using their smartphones. The e-money can be used through the mobile app installed on a smartphone. While the number of Cambodians who have traditional bank accounts is limited, smartphones have reached every corner of the Southeast Asian country. Japanese financial technology startup Soramitsu Co was involved in designing the system. The central bank began its pilot use in July last year. So far about 20 financial institutions have participated in the project, with dozens more expected to join. Users of the mobile app can make payments and transfer money from their e-wallets by scanning QR codes or tapping in phone numbers. Bakong was named after a prominent ancient temple in the country.

From Channel News Asia TAIPEI: Two Taiwanese soldiers and their civilian same-sex partners will tie the knot at a mass wedding hosted by the military on Friday (Oct 30) in another gay rights landmark in Asia. Taiwan is at the vanguard of the burgeoning gay rights movement in Asia and became the first place in the region to allow same-sex marriage in May 2019 after a bruising political fight. The armed forces regularly put on mass weddings for staff, and the ceremony to be held on Friday will see two same sex-couples taking part - a first for the military. Taiwan "has become the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage and the ministry gives its blessings to same-sex servicemen who are getting married," it said in a statement. They both showed soldiers in uniforms with their partners donning traditional Qipao dresses that Taiwanese brides often wear for weddings. The post quickly went viral with over 25,000 "likes" under one of the photos and congratulatory messages pouring in. "It's great the Army can post this photo," read one message. "Congratulations, so happy to see Taiwan's progress!" echoed another.

From Vietnam News HÀ TĨNH — Now the waters have started to recede in flood-hit Cẩm Duệ Commune in central province of Hà Tĩnh’s Cẩm Xuyên District, local residents have set up a collective clean-up group. Memories of the historic floods will soon fade but one story that will remain in the community is that of the brave actions of Lê Văn Thành and three other young men. Residents have hailed the young men as heroes because together they saved more than 300 people from drowning. It was 5pm on October 18 and Thành was fishing near his house when he noticed the water was rising rapidly, he recalled. He rushed home to move his family to higher ground as water rushed through the commune submerging all 12 villages. The voices of people calling for each other and screaming caused unprecedented chaos, he said. After making sure his wife and children were safe, Thành decided to phone his younger brother Lê Văn Công and his friends Đậu Văn Hoàng and Phạm Văn Đồng to ask them to help rescue other villagers. Within minutes Công, Hoàng and Đồng were at his house and they jumped in a boat to set out for some of the houses where the water had reached up to the windows. Thanh rowed the boat towards houses that had water up to the windows using a lamp to search in the darkness. “Save me, let me get in the boat!" shouted 53-year-old Phạm Viết Phương from Trung Thành Village. "We saw Phương and a neighbour standing in front of a house. The water was up to his chest," said Thành. “When they got in the boat, they were shivering with cold,” Thành said. Seeing two elderly in the house next door, Thanh’s group also managed to help them. The group went back and forth for four hours, paddling in the surging floodwaters. By 11pm they had rescued 60 people. Continues at https://vietnamnews.vn/society/803897/young-men-save-hundreds-from-floods-in-ha-tinh-province.html

From Thai PBS World Do you know what will happen if I resign? The Thai PM has asked opposition MPs if they know what would happen if he resigns – then proceeded to tell them. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called on members of the opposition to clarify whether they want him to resign or to dissolve the House of Representatives. Thai PBS World reports that his comment was in response to Pheu Thai MP Chulapant Amornvivat urging him to do the responsible thing and step down. The PM replied by asking if MPs knew what that would entail. He then went on to explain that if he resigns, Cabinet would technically be dissolved too, but be required to remain on in an acting capacity until there is a replacement Cabinet. He added that a new PM would be elected by Parliament (under the current 2017 charter), but the winning candidate would need half of MP and Senators’ votes. He then pointed out that if he opts to dissolve the House of Representatives, all MPs lose their parliamentary status and a general election will be called. Anti-government protests have been taking place since mid-July and show no sign of stopping. Indeed the royalist factions are now mounting counter-protests in support of the government and ‘status quo’ as regards the Thai monarchy. The primarily student-led movement is calling for the PM’s resignation, the dissolution of Parliament, fresh elections, and a Charter (constitution) re-write, among other demands. So far, the PM has held fast despite growing calls for him to go.