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Excerpts from South China Morning Post Why did China invite Thailand to the BRICS party? Clue: its sleeper hit of an economy Take a guess: which Southeast Asian country did Beijing invite for the BRICS Summit that begins on Sunday in Xiamen, where leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa will discuss the future of emerging economies over tea? Option A: Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s biggest economy; Option B: Cambodia, the region’s fastest growing economy, or; Option C: Thailand, which is riding a wave of political uncertainty, even if it is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia. And the answer is ... Yes, Thailand. Beijing’s invitation might have raised eyebrows in some quarters as it came at around the timeYingluck Shinawarta, the former prime minister of Thailand, was fleeing the country ahead of a verdict in her trial over a controversial rice subsidy scheme. Yingluck was supposed to appear in court on August 25 but followed the path of her brother, Thaksin, into self-imposed exile. Her disappearance served as a reminder of Thailand’s years-long political chaos. Analysts see Beijing’s invitation as returning a favour – Bangkok is its all weather ally and has helped China navigate its territorial disputes with neighbours in the South China Sea – and as a signal of Thailand’s still sound position in the global economy. “Thailand could play an important role in economic integration in the region,” said Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, a senior economist at the Bangkok office of the World Bank. Despite persistent political unrest, “there is no fundamental problem in the Thai economy”. Exports make up nearly two-thirds of Thailand’s economic output while tourism contributes 12 per cent. Surges in both sectors are a key to Thailand’s growth. http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2109399/why-did-china-invite-thailand-brics-party-clue-its-sleeper-hit

Would only pay in advance if request came from a boy I've been with before. About the guy who wouldn't undress, what did he think he was there for? "A little song, a little dance, a little selter down your pants"?* Assumed that you paid him accordingly. ------- * credit Chuckles the Clown (Mary Tyler Moore Show half-a-century ago).

You're making great use of your time, that's for sure. Always disappointed when guy doesn't shower after with me for practical and well as erotic reasons: it's not easy to get that oil off your back. If he doesn't, I don't choose him again. That's one of he reasons I like Banana Club where the boy always showers before and after with you.

Find this especially good indicator as I get older! This brings up a good point. Although I don't believe they doubt that they'll get paid the following day, boys who live hand-to-mouth--particularly in low season--experience a natural anxiety. I don't view it as a sign of distrust from a guy I know, just normal stress that I can relieve with a simple act of trust that they'll uphold their part of the bargain.

From Coconuts Bangkok A team at the renowned animal welfare charity Soi Dog Foundation, based in Phuket but very active in Bangkok as well, is pushing ahead with a project to transform unwanted – and often brutally mistreated – street dogs into a valuable watchdogs to protect communities. Together with a creative team at advertising agency Cheil Thailand, collaborators are developing a “smart vest” to take full advantage of the dogs’ biologically-bred sense of purpose and keen senses, with the hope of integrating them better into Phuket’s communities. Leading the team, Pakornkrit Khantaprab explained, “We’ve created a smart vest for stray dogs to turn them into watchdogs. The vest will combine technology with dog instincts – such as barking, super senses and territorial behavior.” When the dog wearing the vest barks, a notification will be sent immediately to people near the location where the dog is barking via 4G/WiFi, Pakornkrit said. Anybody with the mobile phone application the team created can access the information and even view what the dog can see via a high-definition camera stitched into the vest, he added. “Our app can distinguish between normal barking and furious barking. The sound waves are different,” Pakornkrit explained. “Technically, the camera can be accessed all the time but we can program it to activate only when the dogs are barking,” he said. To prevent the camera from being activated when the dogs are getting up to inappropriate “happier” things, Pakornkrit said, “The sound waves are also different. We have programmed it to detect only when they bark at something suspicious.” https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/soi-dog-foundation-employ-street-dogs-watchdogs-via-high-tech-vests-video/

From CNN Richard Quest's take on the resiliency of Thailand: http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/01/investing/quest-thailand-tourism-tourism/index.html?iid=hp-stack-dom

I have to defer to Christian on many issues for several reasons: He has lived virtually full-time in Bangkok for about four years He reads and speaks Thai He's probably traveled more about the country than any other non-Thai member He's a keen observer with a practiced eye for detail This has enabled him to acquire a much more nuanced view than the occasional visitor. That doesn't mean I necessarily agree with him on all issues but I have much respect for his positions on matters of mutual interest. For those of us who don't understand the spoken language, he's able to eavesdrop on converstaions wherever he finds himself. If I could understand Thai, I'm sure it would indeed influence my experiences. I'm free to interpret the sounds I can't translate in a manner that fits my mood, intentions and desires. Ignorance can be bliss....especially when it comes to matters of sex.

True, but if I was being assaulted by the loud music I wouldn't give a damn about the purity of the motive of the cops who stopped it.

One would think so but, like in so many cases, TIT. Don't hold your breath. From Thai PBS BMTA scraps bid for NGV bus fleet due to no-show of any bidders August 24, 2017 Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, the only operator of city bus service, decided to scrap the bid to find a supplier for 489 NGV buses after no representatives of the three companies earlier showed interest to join the bid failed to show up to submit their bids for the deal on Thursday – the closing date for bid submission. BMTA board chairman Natthachart Charuchinda said it was necessary for the board to cancel the bid because none of the three companies namely Bestlin Group, Thai Technology and Development Company and JVCC Chor Thavee Joint Venture showed up within the 11 am deadline for the bid submission. He said authorities concerned would review the TOR and the median price of the bus fleet which used the bidding price offered by Bestlin Group that enabled the company to win the contract in the last bid. He added that the process would take about two months after which a new would be staged. An informed source said that the 3,387 median price was too low, making it impossible for any potential suppliers to deliver the bus fleet as required. http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bmta-scraps-bid-ngv-bus-fleet-due-no-show-bidders/

Excerpts from Khaosod English AYUTTHAYA — A disciplinary inquiry has cleared a policeman in Ayutthaya province of wrongdoing for the invitations he sent for his same-sex wedding. Three months after he was laced under invstigation following his marriage, Lance Cpl. Thanadet Sukthawinand said Wednesday that he had been cleared without further repercussion. In May, police said they were investigating whether Thanadet’s marriage violated any police regulations. “Nothing came of it,” the lance corporal said, adding he’s still on the force. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2017/08/30/cop-cleared-wrongdoing-marrying-boyfriend/

From Pattayaone / Bangkok Post Public bus systems for all 29 airports across Thailand will be established next year, says Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. Various parties which will be involved in the move signed an agreement yesterday. They include the Department of Airports, the Department of Land Transport, the Department of Highways and the Department of Rural Roads. According to Mr Arkhom, the new bus systems will be based on public bus services currently running at Khon Kaen airport. The Khon Kaen city buses, in service since February last year, connect the province’s airport to its metropolitan area. Khon Kaen airport’s bus system uses air-conditioned NGV buses, and feature free Wi-Fi services and GPS tracking systems to track the vehicles’ proximity to stations. Khon Kaen airport’s buses are also easily accessible by the disabled and elderly. “The most basic mode of transport that we can provide now is public bus services,” Mr Arkhom said. “Once a proper foundation for these systems has been established, we can then look towards connecting railways to airports too.” DOA director-general Darun Sangchai wants to see new bus systems established at larger airports, namely in Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Surat Thani. http://pattayaone.news/en/planned-major-airport-bus-roll/

From the Guardian (UK) UK police broke law in case of British backpackers murdered in Thailand National Crime Agency breached rules by passing information to Thai police that led to death sentences, high court rules The National Crime Agency in the UK has been forced to admit it acted unlawfully when it gave information to Thai police that helped send two men to death row for murdering two British backpackers. The NCA supplied phone record evidence and intelligence to investigators in Thailand following the murders on the island of Koh Tao. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both Burmese nationals, were convicted of the murders in 2015 after a trial which the anti-death penalty group Reprieve said was unfair. They face execution by lethal injection, and claim to have been tortured. On Tuesday, the high court in London found against the NCA – Britain’s version of the FBI – in a case brought by lawyers for Lin and Phyo. The case is controversial because the government opposes the death penalty overseas. As a result there are tight restrictions on what help British law enforcement can provide to police abroad in cases where suspects may be put to death. The high court order said that five times the NCA breached government rules designed to prevent UK law enforcement from inadvertently aiding human rights abuses abroad, known as overseas security and justice assistance guidance (OSJG). Following the murders, the NCA passed Miller’s phone location data to Thai police, enabling prosecutors to say the suspects were in the same area as their alleged victim. The NCA admitted the data-sharing was unlawful, as was the passing on of other material. The court order also said the NCA ignored rules on seeking authority from its own directors or Home Office ministers, holding only an “informal conversation” with a British diplomat in Bangkok “about the generic death penalty risks”. “The NCA misinterpreted the guidance … as a result of wrongly placing reliance on (a) a working understanding that the Thai authorities would make a formal request if they wanted to use information in evidence and that the question of death penalty assurances could be considered at that stage, and (b) the risk of the death penalty in fact being carried out, as distinct from the risk of it being imposed.” The order continued: “Ministerial authorisation will be required for any assistance that might directly or significantly contribute to use of the death penalty where effective mitigation is not available unless the urgent criteria provided for in the guidance are met.” The NCA accepted in court that it was required to consult departmental ministers. Reprieve said the evidence and intelligence was used selectively against Lin and Phyo, and that the NCA material potentially pointed to other suspects that could have bolstered the defence case. However, this information was not given to the defence team. Maya Foa, the director of Reprieve, said: “It is bad enough that the NCA secretly handed over evidence to help secure death sentences in a country known for unfair trials and torture. But they now admit they did this illegally, without any proper thought that their actions could contribute to a grave miscarriage of justice with two men now facing execution. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/29/uk-police-broke-law-in-case-of-british-backpackers-murdered-in-thailand

From Bangkok Post Running on empty: A day adventure on the new bus routes When the blue B44 bus finally arrived at the stop after a 90-minute wait, no one moved. Although a line of people waited by the sign, none of the would-be-passengers hopped on the vehicle. The B44 bus -- or the original No.54 -- runs one of eight pilot routes, set for a one-month test-run as part of a future bus route reform that began Aug 14. Five non-air-conditioned vehicles were sent on each route in addition to the normal buses. "We ran this route four times already today and had less than 100 passengers altogether," the conductor said as we were riding towards Rama IX. People still don't understand how it works and don't dare to use it, he said. But the Department of Land Transport's (DLT) bewildering system of new names, featuring English letters, colour-codes -- green, blue, yellow and red, one for each of the capital's operation zones -- and and routes were met with disinterest at best, and with irritation and complaints in many cases. Some people appear pleased with the routes, although the majority are confused and angered by the lack of information provided by the DLT, he said. A regular bus rider, Phong observed that the new routes aim to reduce redundancy between existing bus lines but retain the buses' function as a feeder system to railway transportation lines. In short,... http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/11255-bangkok-changing-269-bus-route-numbers/ ----------------------- Bus conductors face early retirement The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is introducing a two-billion-baht early retirement scheme targeting 2,000 bus conductors by 2019, says BMTA deputy director Yuk Charupum. Now serving as BMTA acting director, Mr Yuk said the early retirement package aims to hand out one million baht to each bus conductor entering the programme, as the agency soon plans to install automated common ticketing systems in buses, making conductors redundant. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1314643/bus-conductors-face-early-retirement

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Commuters will soon have to shell out a few more baht every day to ride the BTS Skytrain. Fares will rise by up to 3 baht on the Sukhumvit and Silom lines starting Oct. 1, Surapong Laoha-Unya, executive director of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Co. Ltd., announced Monday. Fare increases will not affect stations along the extended Sukhumvit Line, from BTS On Nut to BTS Samrong. Current fares of 15 baht to 42 baht will rise to 16 baht to 44 baht when the new schedule takes effect in just over a month. Traveling farther than seven stations will cost 44 baht instead of 42 baht. The fare hike will also apply to 30-day cards, for both general riders and students: up 1 baht per trip. That means, per month, regular commuters will have to pay 1,300 baht for 50 trips, 1,080 baht for 40 trips, 725 baht for 25 trips and 465 baht for 15 trips. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/transpo/2017/08/29/skytrain-fares-increase-oct-1/

From Pattayaone At 3:00am on August 27th, Pattaya police continued the bar raids in Pattaya, this time it was the turn of Oskar Karaoke Bar. Police had earlier received reports from locals in the area who had been having problems with the bar playing loud music well into the early hours from some time now, causing loss of sleep as well as other issues. Police made their way down to the bar, and were able to confirm the reports. Inside was a mix of Thai men and tomboys working, as well as a handful of young female customers. http://pattayaone.news/en/pattaya-bar-raids-continue/

August 28, 2017 15:26 By Vorawit Pumpuang The Nation HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn has ordered that a replica of the elaborate Royal Crematorium for his late father be erected at the Royal Plaza. The current monarch intends to allow people to lay funeral flowers in tribute to HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during the Royal Cremation Ceremonies that will run from October 25 to 29. The construction of the replica is now taking place. The Royal Crematorium is being built in Sanam Luang area. Although it is vast it will not be able to accommodate all mourners. The government has prepared several venues across the country for people to lay funeral flowers in tribute to the King’s late father. Additional photos http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30325109

From Bangkok Post Thai AirAsia X (TAAX) looks set to spread its wings boldly next year as restrictions imposed by the global aviation audit agency since mid-2015 are expected to be removed. The country's first long-haul low-cost carrier (LCC) will then begin to add three to four new Airbus A330-300 jets and inaugurate regular flights to Eastern Europe, also ramping up its existing services to Japan and South Korea. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1314083/thai-airasia-x-to-add-routes-in-2018

From Pattayaone

Nakednytop, it seems that GC may have a new mamasan because they one you describe doesn't fit description of the one I remember (older, slim and no way I'd consider in the "offable" range). There was another guy, early 30's, with slicked back hair, who I assumed was one of the boys, who sat with me for a while who was in no way fem and had a hunky body. I brought him drink and tipped him as he left the bar because he had provided a brief service. Upon leaving 20 min. later, he was leaning against his motorcycle. talking with a girl. However, there was a mamasan who worked in SA in the afternoons who was quite fem, age 50+, who held his hand out for 100 bht as I left (I did not fill it). He was annoying. I certainly hope he hasn't moved over to GC. The only good news I take from your experiences in that you had no trouble with any of the boys at any of the three spots. Just disappointed that you didn't get to enjoy them.

Excerpts from NYTimes LOBESA, Bhutan — For centuries, Bhuutan has celebrated the phallus. They are painted on homes, or carved in wood, installed above doorways and under eaves to ward off evil, including one of its most insidious human forms, gossip. They are worn on necklaces, installed in granaries and in fields as a kind of scarecrow. They are used by masked jesters in religious festivals and at one temple near here in Lobesa as a blessing of fertility. Now, as Bhutan increasingly opens up to the world, the ancient tradition has been evolving or, some say, sullied — by commercialization. Though still a religious symbol, it has become, to some, a relic of a patriarchal past, something vaguely embarrassing and not fit for the modern new democracy that has, by all appearances, taken firm root in Bhutan after decades of relative isolation and absolute monarchy. It has also become a curio to peddle in all sizes and colors to the increasing number of tourists visiting this remote Himalayan kingdom, renowned for its pursuit of "gross national happiness." “Stories of Bhutan’s engagement with the phallus shed light on traditions and lifestyle that make Bhutan one of the happiest places on earth,” Karma Choden wrote in the 2014 book “Phallus: Crazy Wisdom from Bhutan,” which was published here and claims to be the first scholarly effort to document the ubiquity of the phallus. The tradition has been widely traced to one lama, Drukpa Kunley, who spread the tenets of Buddhism through Bhutan in the 15th and 16th centuries. Full article with photos http://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/world/asia/bhutan-phallus-commercialization-tourism.html

From the NYTimes “I don’t really know what I like,” Frankie (Harris Dickinson) says to a man he meets on a gay hookup site in "Beach Rats." He repeats variations on that phrase throughout the film, and part of what’s refreshing about Eliza Hittman’s sophomore feature is that the character’s confusion isn’t limited to coming out. When not cruising the web with a cap on and shadows hiding his face, Frankie hangs out with macho, aimless potheads in and around the Coney Island boardwalk. (Like Ms. Hittman’s first feature, "It Felt Like Love," “Beach Rats” doubles as a portrait of Brooklyn’s southern-shore neighborhoods, lyrically photographed by Hélène Louvart.) During a fireworks show, Frankie effortlessly — in the sense of exerting no effort — catches the eye of Simone (Madeline Weinstein), who flirts with him oblivious to his uncertain sexuality. After initially taking her home only to rebuff her, he spends much of the movie waffling on the relationship, trying to make it work and even defensively confessing to a man he accompanies to a motel for sex that he has a girlfriend. http://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/movies/beach-rats-review.html Trailers http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6303866/videoplayer/vi1980544537?ref_=vi_nxt_ap

There was a long post that included this topic that may help. It boils down to terms of carriage you agreed to when you purchased the ticket. Your credit card issuer may also be a recourse. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/10958-how-could-united-airlines-have-screwed-up-so-badly/ Thai is one of the more troubles carriers in the region, suffering from many years of poor management and strategic planning. It turned down offers to buy its fleet of fuel-guzzling, four-engine Airbus 340 aircraft, holding out out hope that a better offer would somehow emerge for equipment no body wants. They're still sitting idle, losing whatever remaining value they have by the day. Meanwhile, much-in-demand experienced pilots have been defecting to other carriers, contributing to the scheduling problem. Was this your flight by any chance? http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30324972 And it continues to hemorrhage cash: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Thai-Airways-falls-back-into-quarterly-loss

Sorry to hear you had a bad time at GC. Four, maybe five, "available" guys is the norm in my experience there. Two others who've been present were the bartender and mamasan, the latter noticeably older. Regarding the tab, it's Vinapu's advice (and I solidly endorse it) is to pay by the round and not run a tab. I learned this on my first visit there when the bartender tried to overcharge me after several rounds. When I called him on it he pulled out a calculator and made it read nearly 700 over what it should have come to. Although I had neglected checking the chits as they arrived in the bin, I was keeping a close count. I said sure, sure, laughed and gave him the correct amount, rounding it up to the next hundred. He put the calculator back under the bar and that was it. As for the mamasan, I didn't have a particular problem with him but did buy him a drink on a subsequent visit (obviously, never brought the bartender one). Spoon's right: don't loose your cool but don't hesitate to be direct. You'll get treated better if you do. Sometimes I find it's better to pick the guy I like sooner rather than later, pay the off and be gone. No hassle and cheaper in the long run IMO. But if you want to sample more of the wares on offer, pay by the round. And there were on my visits a few "wares" worth sampling.

From South China Morning Post University of Hong Kong scientists have discovered an antibody that could treat gut inflammation in HIV patients – a common condition for sufferers that can prove fatal. By blocking the pathway that leads to acute gut inflammation, the antibody can also delay the virus from weakening the immune system and prevent sufferers from contracting Aids. But HKU researchers said the treatment, which has so far only been tested on mice, would require further study before being used on HIV-infected patients. “This study solves the mystery of an inflammatory mechanism during the acute HIV infection,” said professor Chen Zhiwei, director of the Aids Institute and microbiology professor at HKU. “It also anticipates to develop the antibody as a new immunotherapy to fight against Aids and other inflammation-related disease.” Full article http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2108153/hong-kong-scientists-make-potential-hiv-treatment

I recall you being accosted with a knife a few years back while cruising Saranrom, but I've got my good buddy advocating for my murder. Know that's heavy stuff but I cut him slack because his last post propelled this "dumb" thread into the HOT category!