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For eye candy value, my favorite athletes were all east Asian with the exception of the diver from Mexico. Based on individual and team performance, there were too many worldwide to mention. I tip my hat to France for hosting a grand affair.

From Bangkok Post Move Forward Party’s reincarnation challenged The royalist leader of the Thai Pakdee Party has demanded a probe into the status of the People’s Party to which MPs of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP) have just moved, questioning whether the destination party has enough branches to be qualified. Thai Pakdee Party leader Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom said on his Facebook page on Sunday that he would ask the Election Commission (EC) to investigate whether the People's Party should be disqualified for having too few branches. He said that the People’s Party was the renamed version of the old Thinkakhaochaovilai Party but he doubted that it had enough branches nationwide to maintain its political party status. Dr Warong said the law governing political parties stipulated that a party would be automatically disqualified if it did not have at least one branch per region for one year. He said he learned from the EC website that the Thinkakhaochaovilai Party, founded in 2012, had three branches: two in the North and one in the Central Plains. It did not have a branch in the South and the Northeast. “For transparency, the EC must check it and inform people of the details of its branches on a yearly basis,” Dr Warong said. “If the Thinkakhaochaovilai Party has not had branches in four regions for one year, it will lose its status by the law. This means that the People’s Party cannot use the disqualified party,” he said. He said that his party would file a petition on the issue with the EC. Shortly after the Constitutional Court dissolved the election-winning Move Forward Party last week, MFP MPs moved to the People’s Party to maintain their MP status. The People’s Party announced in its Facebook page on Sunday that it received donations worth more than 20 million baht altogether within 32 hours and almost 40,000 people applied to become members in less than two days. The main opposition party announced it would form a single-party government after the next general election. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2845411/move-forward-partys-reincarnation-challenged

From VN Express Meet Chopper: the hiking dog conquering Vietnam's trails By An Vy Chopper, weighing 10 kilograms, is called "Vietnam's most accomplished mountain-climbing dog" by his owner, Nguyen Thi Ha Mai, 36. Mai began taking Chopper on hikes in 2022 when she felt he was robust enough for the challenge. Mai, an avid hiker, had to leave Chopper in kennels during her trips, causing him stress and illness. Once Chopper was physically ready, Mai decided to bring him along to ensure he lives a happy and adventurous life. In April 2023, Chopper joined his owner to climb Nam Kang Ho Tao Mountain, which is 2,900 meters high, in Lao Cai Province. According to Mai, Chopper enjoys hiking even more than she does. Whenever he sees her packing, he excitedly jumps around. After conquering each peak, Chopper often sits down with a happy expression, Mai said. Chopper loves exploring and marking his path, making him a reliable guide on the way back. Mai mentioned that following Chopper prevents getting lost, recounting two occasions when ignoring his directions led to getting lost and having to retrace their steps. Chopper also enjoys posing for photos with hikers, endearing him to everyone he meets. Continues with photos at https://e.vnexpress.net/photo/places/meet-chopper-the-hiking-dog-conquering-vietnams-trails-4775780.html

From Khaosod English Who is leader of the people's party? BANGKOK — The new journey of the Thai progressive party in the new name, People’s Party, has started on August 9, 2024, with the new leader at the age only 37. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut said he will is ready to push himself forward, with his unmatched asset being hard work, to lead the party to election victory. Nicknamed ‘Teng’, Natthapong was born on May 18, 1987, into a business family, similar to Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of the Future Forward Party, and Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party. Both Thanathorn and Pita have been banned from politics for 10 years after their respective parties were ordered to dissolve by the Constitutional Court. Natthaphong is the fourth son of Mr. Suchart Ruangpanyawut, Managing Director of Chananthorn Development Group Co., Ltd. (a real estate development business) and Chairman of Ruangpanya Housing Co., Ltd. He graduated from Taweethapisek School for his secondary education and earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Chulalongkorn University. Before entering politics, he was an executive at absolute.co.th, a cloud solution provider. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2024/08/09/who-is-natthaphong-ruangpanyawut-the-leader-of-the-peoples-party/

From Bangkok Post A police spokesman has warned the public to be cautious about fake government websites and urged them to report them. Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, deputy spokesman, said on Sunday the Royal Thai Police had found that more fraudsters were creating web addresses with the “.go.th” domain extension typically used by government agencies to trick people into thinking they are authentic. The scammers would put the “.go.th” domain extension in the last part of a URL called the path to lure careless internet users. Pol Maj Gen Siriwat cited https://dif.link/www.ccid1.ccib.go.th as an example of a hoax government site that police had already taken down. The RTP issued a guide titled “how to verify web domains”. It said for a real government website like https://www.royalthaipolice.go.th, people should observe that the “.go.th” part comes after the “https://“ and precedes a forward slash (“/“) (if there is one). If the URL starts with “www”, there must not be a forward slash before the “.go.th” Pol Maj Gen Siriwat said the RTP were working with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) in obtaining court orders to close fake websites and prosecuting the wrongdoers. Victims of cybercrimes can file online complaints via www.thaipoliceonline.go.th or call the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB)'s 24-hour hotline 1441.

An envious climax to great trip!

Be comforted to know that your typical posts can all be filed under "flake" news.😄

Doesn't get more violent than murder, Riobard. Meanwhile, I advise keeping that gold chain in your pocket.

Odd to you perhaps but another case of transwomen committing crimes in LOS.

Thanks for link. Haven't been to that shop for five years but I think I'd return for this guy.

Certainly agree with your conclusions. Although the boys can't control how many westerners decide to visit their bar, they can improve their odds of being offed. One, the easiest and most important is obviously smile.--and keep smiling. If they don't get that down, they've halved their chances from the start. Two, acquire as much English as they can because it's the most common denominator to induce conversation and sustain the customer's interest. Three, be open to suggestions such as, "would you like to get something to eat?" Getting to know the customer in a social setting is a great ice breaker that will very likely extend to how things go in the room. Four, look for opportunities to show affection. Simple touching--accompanied by a smile--will not be lost on customer's overall satisfaction. Five, don't rush. Don't be too eager to return to the bar. Even if you don't want LT, be leisurely in your departure. Assure the customer you look forward to seeing him again. Granted, none of the above will initially bring more westerners into the bar but it will encourage those who do to return. And few things are more advantages to the boys than repeat business. Perhaps some entrepreneurial veteran of the bars will see an opportunity to become a bar boy coach, sharing what he has learned in his days on the stage with the newbies.

From The Nation Seven new waterway routes are being planned in the Bangkok metropolitan area to ease traffic congestion and boost the comprehensive public transport network in the capital, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning said on Friday. The Transport Ministry is drafting the “W-Map initiative” to add waterway transport routes in Bangkok from now until 2032, aiming to increase the total distance of boat routes in the capital to 244.2km from the current 131.2km, office director Panya Chupanich said. The initiative also aims to increase the number of piers to 164 from 103, and the number of boat interchanging hubs to 30 from 8 at present, he said. Currently around 60,000 people use public boats in Bangkok daily. Four new boat routes under the short-term plan (2024-2027) are: S1: Lad Phrao Canal (Sai Mai – Phra Khanong), totalling 25.7 kilometres, comprising 23 piers S2: Saen Saep Canal (Wat Sri Boon Reung – Wat Bam Phen Tai), 6.8km, 13 piers S3: Bangkok Noi Canal (Chim Plee Watergate – Siriraj Hospital), 17.1km, 18 piers S4: Prem Prachakon Canal (SCG Pier – PTT Public Park), 6.6km, 7 piers Three routes part of the long-term plan (2028-2032) are: L1: Prem Prachakon Canal (PTT Public Park – Wat Rangsit), 13.7km, 13 piers L2: Chao Phraya River (Pakkred – Pathum Thani), 15km, 3 piers L3: Maha Sawat Canal (Wat Chaiyaphruek Mala – Maha Sawat watergate), 28km, 13 piers

From The Thaiger Police arrested a Thai transwoman in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan for the murder of a university student at a dormitory in Nonthaburi province, Bangkok. The suspect claimed that financial issues motivated her crime. The 22 year old university student, Wissawa “Sun” Tamprasit, was found dead in his room on the sixth floor of a dormitory in Nonthaburi province on Wednesday, August 7. He was stabbed in the chest and was cut on his chin and right eyebrow before being burned in the room. Officers from Rattanathibet Police Station reviewed security camera footage and spotted a suspicious individual entering the dormitory room with Sun. The officers then tracked down and identified the person as 21 year old transwoman Nattawut “Nut” Anto. Nut returned to her home province of Nakhon Sawan after the murder. Police issued an arrest warrant for her and coordinated with Khao Bor Kaew Police Station to arrest Nut at her home yesterday, August 8.

+1

Always on the lookout for new arrivals, this posting from One Spa appears to introduce some fresh faces--and bodies. =========================== Phetboy is now offering its first VIP room, a reasonable indugence for an additional 50 baht.

I wouldn't be too hard on him. To his credit, he's great at what he does do. These guys are all different. Some can come twice in five minutes and some are once-a -night producers. You really can't control for that. He was probably just saving face in explanation he gave you and not trying to cheat you.

Come on now; we're hopeless romantics.

From Benar News Hundreds of thousands of Myanmar workers in Thailand have to remit a part of their wages to their country’s ruling junta or risk losing their jobs under a new rule aimed at collecting foreign exchange and perpetuating army rule. Myanmar’s economy has been in crisis since the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021, facing significant economic challenges as conflict, macroeconomic instability and dislocation constrained production. The kyat currency has plunged from about 1,350 to the dollar before the coup to about 4,500 to the dollar now, fueling inflation. The junta, battling a growing insurgency and widespread opposition to its rule, has responded with various measures including cracking down on gold and rice traders to stop them putting up their prices and on the property sector to prevent people buying condominiums abroad. In another effort to boost foreign reserves, the junta announced late last year that Myanmar nationals living and working in Thailand were required to pay Myanmar income tax, and it also began pressuring migrant workers to send their salaries home. Now it is seeking more. In a directive that came into effect on Aug. 1, the junta said that the estimated 250,000 migrant workers in Thailand under a labor scheme agreed by the two governments must pay a quarter of their salary, or at least 6,000 baht (US$170), through junta-owned banks and agencies, over the three months before they apply to renew paperwork allowing them to stay in Thailand.

From Reuters Thailand's disbanded opposition regroups in new anti-establishment party Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a member of the now disbanded opposition Move Forward Party, looks on before a press conference to announce a new political party in Bangkok, Thailand, August 9, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa © Thomson Reuters By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's disbanded opposition Move Forward unveiled a new political vehicle on Friday that will be the biggest party in parliament, promising to advance reforms and a controversial plan to amend a law that protects the monarchy from criticism. The anti-establishment Move Forward, which won most seats in the last election but was blocked from forming a government, was dissolved by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, which ruled its campaign to reform a law on royal insults risked undermining the constitutional monarchy. All 143 surviving lawmakers have joined the new party under the leadership of 37-year-old Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a former cloud software executive who was involved in the innovative digital campaign strategy that earned Move Forward massive youth and urban support. "We will carry on Move Forward's ideology. The mission for me and the party is to create a government for change in 2027," Natthaphong said, referring to the next election. The dissolution, which was criticised by major western countries, was the latest salvo in a two-decade battle for power that has pit Thailand's conservative establishment and royalist military against political parties with mass appeal. Continues with video https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-s-disbanded-opposition-regroups-in-new-anti-establishment-party/ar-AA1oxeOH

From The Thaiger The Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Thailand, under the leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Hussain Al-Failakawi, is closely monitoring recent events that took place in Pattaya City. Ambassador Al-Failakawi has emphasised the importance of Kuwaiti citizens strictly adhering to the instructions and guidelines issued by the Embassy, as well as the laws and regulations enforced by the Thai authorities. His Excellency stated that the Embassy is actively coordinating with security authorities in Thailand to stay informed about the latest developments and to collaborate on necessary measures to address the situation. The aim is to ensure that such incidents do not recur and to maintain the safety of all individuals. The Ambassador further highlighted the strong cooperation between the Kuwaiti Embassy in Bangkok and the local authorities in Thailand, underscoring the shared commitment to preventing irresponsible actions that could compromise safety. His Excellency also praised the efforts of the Thai security forces in maintaining security and safety for all tourists and residents in the Kingdom of Thailand and their ongoing collaboration with the Embassy.

For those who wish to read the actual news source you quoted, here it is. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/sister-issues-update-in-2-week-thailand-search-for-skegness-man-simon-robinson/ar-AA1ow7zO

Got to see the Men's Speed Wall finals last night and the guy who caught my eye right away, Indonesia's Leonardo Veddriq, grabbed the gold by two hundreds of a second. Don't think he ever stepped smiling from the time he stepped to the platform until after award ceremonies and beyond. Couldn't get enough of him. Silver finisher, China's Wu Peng, was likewise easy on the eyes. I'm hooked on this sport!

+1 But I draw the line if they're just checking their mail. One massage boy's phone on last trip began chirping every few minutes and he actually picks it up each time. When it was over and time to hand over tip, I gave him the minimum and he looked at me quizzically. This was a shop I frequent and the boys know I usually tip well above minimum. I pointed to his phone and he gave me a wai and said, "sorry." Money--or lack of it--is a reliable incentive. Pleased to report that massage boys almost always showered with me after. The smart ones know that this is the final act of intimacy and aware that it can affect their tip (it works with me!). But these guys all have one thing in common: they can towel off and dress in a third of the time it takes me. They use the idle time to gather up the random tissue paper and will usually hold my shit as I struggle to catch up. Many bar boys, on the other hand, seem more committed to the "you come, I go" scenario.

It's not faith that you lack, Riobard It's veracity. 😄

That's the spirit, Riobard. 😃