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Trial run for buses on eight new routes in Bangkok Breaking News August 09, 2017 19:47 By The Nation Newly painted buses will go on trial on eight new routes in Greater Bangkok from next Tuesday. They will be displaying a new numbering system too, including at least one English-language character. The new routes are: G21 (Rangsit - Rama V Pier), G59E (Min Buri - Si Phraya Pier via expressway), R3 (Rama IX Park - National Stadium), R41 (Tok Road - Happyland), Y59 (Taling Chan Train Station - Krathum Ban), Y61 (Settakij Village - Chatuchak Bus Terminal), B44 (Rama IX - Suttisarn) and B45 (Ua Arthon Beung Kum - Memorial Bridge). http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30323360

From Bloomberg News When Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government approved $256 million to upgrade a section of a remote border road last month, few took notice. Yet India’s decision to revive plans for the trilateral highway, part of an ambitious 1,360-kilometer (845 mile) crossing to link northeastern India with markets in Thailand and beyond, marks the next phase in the jostle between New Delhi and Beijing for economic and strategic influence in the region. In the last two years alone, India has assigned more than $4.7 billion in contracts for the development of its border roads, according to government figures, including the highway which will run from Moreh in Manipur through Tamu in Myanmar to Mae-Sot in Thailand. The construction has taken on new urgency as China pushes ahead with its own vast ‘One Belt, One Road’ infrastructure initiative, expected to involve investments worth more than half a trillion dollars across 62 nations. The intercontinental web of road, rail and trade links has raised concerns among strategic rivals India, Russia, the U.S. and Japan. Among the biggest showcases of the plan -- an economic corridor that runs through the Pakistan-administered part of disputed Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim -- has unsettled equations in the South Asian neighborhood, where border tensions often simmer. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-08/china-s-silk-road-lends-urgency-to-india-s-regional-ambitions

Today's Nationmultimeda site published an updated article on new immigration card with an improved view of flip side. Overall, it does appear to seek more data in smaller spaces on a single piece of card stock instead of the current hinged two pieces. How this will expedite immigration queues I haven't a clue. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323322

From Bangkok Post Thai Beverage, the spirits giant that makes Chang beer and SangSom rum, is expanding into the fast-food business. ThaiBev agreed to purchase more than 240 existing KFC restaurants in Thailand for about 11.3 billion baht ($340 million). http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1302575/beer-chang-maker-buys-up-kfc-thailand-restaurants

In an article in The Nation about the DMK immigration debacle, the following images of the new immigration card appeared. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323246

I think this is an example of what z909 means by ATM rip-off or unfavorable rate. (I posted the following in recent trip report). Made a stupid mistake while using Thanachart Bank. I failed to notice (or it wasn't displayed on screen) the following message: "I have chosen not to use the Mastercard currency conversion process." It was, however, printed on the receipt. The result was an exchange rate a full baht below what I should have received. The devil is in the details! Thanachart is not what I consider a major bank such as Siam Commercial. Again, it was my own lack of attention to detail that was responsible.

Have often paused to do the same. Hard, sweaty labor. Much to admire for sure and it's free.

Before using any ATM, have a good idea of what the current exchange rate is. This is easy to do by checking a few banks in vicinity. Do NOT go by the rate your hotel may be offering that is always way off in favor of hotel. You can also check an on-line source such as XE.com. I'd select an ATM inside a major bank. After inserting your card, entering the amount you wish to withdraw, a message should be displayed with the following information: 1. The exchange rate the bank will use for transaction 2. The fees bank will charge you 3. The amount (in Thai baht) that you will receive. Be sure to carefully read ALL the information. If you are not satisfied with anything, reject the transaction and get clarification from a bank rep or go elsewhere. As others have said, some card issuers will refund fees you incur. Check with your own bank before leaving home to avoid surprises. When using your credit card anywhere, carefully check that that you are conducting the transaction in Thai baht. Some will try to get you to select your home currency. If you agree, you'll incur two conversion fees instead of one. Always charge purchase in baht. I've used travelers checks in the past. If you can get the checks without a fee from your bank, that's good. You may receive a slightly better exchange rate but the Thai bank will impose fees for the transaction. Be sure to bring your passport to bank.

Nothing wrong with that. Enjoy!

Photo display available at http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/really-easy/1301102/bangkoks-newest-skywalk

From Pattayaone Thousands of tourists were left queuing for more than four hours at Don Mueang airport well into the early hours of Saturday August 5th. The reason was due to unstaffed immigration desks and several flights landing at the same time, officials said. Immigration said that airport officials did not provide them with an updated arrival schedule and consequently desks were left unmanned and unable to cope with the influx of passengers. Immigration chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Nathathorn said that a number of flights which had been delayed due to bad weather then arrived at the same time. Sanook News reported about Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a lecturer at Thammasat University was waiting for his wife who was arriving from Singapore. Mr Piyabutr shared a photo of the crowded arrivals hall and said that it took more than four hours to clear immigration and that one passenger fainted after being forced to wait in line for so long. Thai site Daily News claimed that 25 flights arrived which contributed to the long queues and that almost 5,000 passengers were affected in the delays which began around midnight and lasted until just before 5am on Saturday morning. Passengers at Don Mueang experiencing delays both at baggage check in and immigration are nothing new. In response to complaints of slow check-in facilities, last month airport chiefs announced that x-ray machines would be relocated and the number of machines increased from four to ten. The passenger identified as ‘Greg T’ wrote to The Nation to complain about his experience. He claimed the situation was so bad, people were forced to urinate on the public concourse. “I saw three different puddles of urine on the floor where people had no choice but to go, as you would never catch your flight if you left the impenetrable crowd. “The floors had become sticky with urine being walked throughout. People were surging and ducking under ropes to queue-jump as they panicked about their flights boarding. “The problem here is not merely one of “service” but also of the security and safety risks of so many people being jammed into that airport area”, he added. http://pattayaone.news/en/don-mueang-immigration-chaos/

Stick has learned the ins and outs of Bangkok very well over the years while making more connections than AT&T. And he also knows his audience. Maybe he'll consider giving the other side of tracks some attention? Stranger things could happen in business matters.

Alexx gets the cigar. His prediction proved right on the money. From this week's Stickman column: "Today’s column is not the final Stickman column. Talks have been taking place behind the scenes….and that’s all I can say about that at this stage. I don’t wish to be coy and the truth is I really don’t know exactly what is happening myself. As soon as I know more and things become clear, I’ll tell you."

Flying, unfortunately, is likely to get more onerous. And if you're connecting to US or European destinations, plan on more vigorous examination of your luggage as concern over terrorism heightens. On a recent connection through Doha, my luggage was scanned upon arrival (as transit passenger) and again at departure gate where additional scanning machines awaited. One more reason I try to avoid flying on the jumbo A380. Had a similar experience at Abu Dhabi. But since Etihad has a US pre-clearence facility, you arrive as a domestic passenger, having already passed immigration and customs checks.

I'd go further and recommend that any non-Thai totally avoid using any Thai word or expression of profanity--even if pronounced properly. It's an invitation to violent confrontation that rarely ends well for farang.

From Coconuts Bangkok Bangkok has planned to adjust and change the numbers on 269 of its bus routes to correspond to new train stations in the future. This month, eight bus routes have started using their new numbers as a trial, to make sure citizens are prepared for the change. The buses must have clear signs stating where they stop, reported PPTV. All of the new numbers will have one or two English letters in them to designate the zones in the city and help tourists. For example, Bus 555, which runs to Suvarnabhumi Airport, will be changed to B53E. Wait, is this supposed to be easier for us to remember, right? While it hasn’t been revealed what each English letter stands for, Thai netizens are already moaning about them, as many locals cannot read English. “Are the English letters necessary? Do we need to know which bus runs in which zone?” a Facebook user commented. “I think it’s better to just have numbers. Some Thais don’t know English, but I agree with adjusting the routes to serve the future BTS stations,” another user said. “The old people who don’t read English are doomed. What are they gonna do? Meanwhile, Thai education is not developing,” said a very realistic netizen. Rotmaethai, a Facebook page that informs the public of news about buses, has published the new numbers for the 269 routes. It has not been reported when the city will implement the changes. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/erase-memory-bangkok-change-numbers-269-bus-routes/

Any on-line search will produce numerous sites about Thai swear words and profanity. I located two sources that agree that the term mentioned above is "yet mae." NOTE: I don't read or write Thai and am only reporting what I found.

From Channel News Asia BANGKOK: Visitors from Singapore and Hong Kong will be able to use automatic passport scanners in Bangkok airports soon, with immigration processing time reduced to 20 to 30 seconds, according to Thai news outlet The Nation. The system, which is currently reserved for Thai nationals, will be implemented "this month or next", police Lieutenant-General Nathathorn Prousoontorn said in the report on Tuesday (Aug 1). "Cooperation with Singapore on the matter is nearly 100 per cent complete, but for Hong Kong we need more discussions," he told The Nation. Eligible visitors who want to use these scanners will have to first register with the Thai immigration office before entering the country, the official added in the report. There are 52 automatic passport check machines at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, and these scanners will be installed with software to read information on the passports of foreign visitors, reported The Nation. Visitors from these two countries were chosen in particular because of the high frequency of entry into Thailand annually compared to other countries, the report said. There are plans to extend the new system to border checkpoints in Nong Khai and Sa Kaew provinces, as well as to other countries with no-visa requirements such as Australia and parts of Europe. It will however not be offered to visitors from parts of the Middle East, South Asia and Africa due to "security concerns", The Nation added. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-hong-kong-visitors-can-use-passport-scanners-in-9081244

From Pattaya Today It looks like tourists and expats in Pattaya are wising up to some traditional scams. A recent survey by this newspaper, involving visitors and law enforcement agencies, has revealed that some traditional money traps have all but evaporated, at least for now! The renting of Jet Skis plagued the tourist industry for years. Typically, naive renters were charged large sums of money for damage to the Jet Ski – usually dents and crashes – which were there before the most recent transaction. City Hall, after ignoring the problem for years, has at last got its act together. The licensing system for Jet Skis has been modernized and the operators obliged to participate in a collective insurance arrangement. Other scams which also seem to be in heavy decline include touts wanting passers-by to rent timeshare apartments. The fraud included asking people to pay deposits on non-existent properties or to mislead customers into thinking they had exclusive use of the property whenever they came to Thailand. Reasons for the decline probably include greater checks by the Immigration Bureau on foreigners working in Pattaya illegally without work permits and the decline in the number of European visitors who might be interested in the concept. For various reasons, touts can’t make much progress with Chinese tourists who make up the majority of international tourists these days. Surprisingly, a dubious practice which continues to be popular is the “beer tower scam”. A group orders a 3-liter tower of draft beer but staff then insert a smaller tube with ice which reduces by up to 30 percent the space available for the beer. It is not suggested that this scam is commonplace in Pattaya and most bars, clubs and restaurants are more concerned these days with attracting customers rather than annoying them. If not exactly a scam, a common complaint by tourists this year remains harassment by transvestites. The most prevalent feature is the ladyboy gang who work in groups to try and distract a stranger by groping or kissing him whilst his wallet or possessions are stolen. The group then typically escape on waiting motorbikes. A spokesman for Pattaya police said arrests had gone up markedly in recent months and many non-Thai cross-dressers had been sent back home, usually to Cambodia or Laos. He advised tourists not to wear expensive jewelry at night, to avoid dimly-lit areas and to keep valuables in a secure pocket or money belt. http://pattayatoday.net/news/latest-edition/are-scams-diminishing/

From Coconuts Bangkok Police are searching for as many as three tech college students suspected of stabbing to death a student from a rival school. Chanon Chuankhunthod, 20, a student at polytechnic university Uthenthawai, died after trying to fight off attackers outside the downtown MBK Center mall on Tuesday. Chanon was the newest fatal student death in a long tradition of rival student gangs injuring and killing each other. Chanon was allegedly killed by students from Pathumwan Institute of Technology, located just a few minutes from the mall, reported Khaosod English. In a bid to prevent retaliation or other related incidents, Pathumwan Institute of Technology canceled classes through the end of the week and plans to open up again after the weekend. According to onlookers, the senseless killing started when groups of students from the rival schools met in the walkway from BTS National Stadium station to MBK Center. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/tech-student-murdered-outside-bangkoks-mbk-mall-gang-rival-school/ From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Chulalongkorn University’s vice president of student affairs apologized Friday for a professor who put a student in a chokehold during the school’s annual freshmen initiation ceremony. University Vice President Bancha Calapiron’s apology came a day after botany instructor and administrator Ruengwit Bunjongrat was filmed placing a freshman in a headlock during the campus event. “I really have to apologize on behalf of the professor,” Bancha said Friday. Supalak Damrongjit, the 21-year-old freshman Ruengwit placed in the headlock, filed an assault complaint with police after Thursday’s incident. Supalak said he was physically and verbally abused when he and the student body president, 20-year-old activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, bowed instead of prostrated themselves on the ground to statues of two past kings credited with founding the university. “He put me in a headlock and yelled at me using curse words as he dragged me off the field,” Supalak said. “He called me a motherfucking kid, used ‘meung’ and asked me where [Netiwit] was.” Meung is a vulgar term of address also used casually between close friends. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/crime-crime/2017/08/04/chula-admin-apologizes-student-put-chokehold/

From Bangkok Post CHON BURI - A 23-year-old South Korean man fell to his death from a condominium building in the Pattaya area in the early hours of Thursday. The man's body (name withheld) was found in the car park by a security guard at View Talay Condominium 5 in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district. Pattaya police were advised of his death about 2.30am. The man landed on a car, breaking the rear windshield, before tumbling to the ground. He was wearing black shorts and a T-shirt. Police said he had been staying in a room on the 15th floor of the building. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1299154/korean-falls-to-death-from-pattaya-condo

Photo taken Thursday and published on Khaosod English:

Good point, z909, and very useful info on what to do with those leftover currencies we accumulate in our travels. --------- While on the subject of currencies, this article from The Nation today is noteworthy: A nine-member gang that allegedly printed and sold fake US dollar bills in Thailand has been bust in a combined operation by Thai police and US Secret Service officers. The arrest was announced at a press conference yesterday by Provincial Police Bureau 2 commissioner Lt Gen Jitti Rodbangyang, Chon Buri Police commander Pol Maj Gen Decha Songhong and a US Secret Service officer. Jitti said the nine suspects, including a Chinese man, Zhu Ifeng, 35, were arrested in the operation carried out from July 27 to August 1. Jitti said fake US100 bills with a face value of US1.262 million were seized. The authorities also seized three packs of white paper for printing the banknotes and six fake banknote detecting machines. Authorities also seized a skimming machine and nine fake electronic cards. Jitti said authorities found that Zhu and his Thai accomplices also stole data of credit cards to make fake cards to steal from the owners’ accounts. The US Secret Service officer said similar fake notes that seemed to be printed by the same mould have been found and seized in Thailand and neighbouring countries. Fake notes printed by the same moulds have been used at several Thai bank branches during the past four years, he said. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30322800

What a difference a year--or even six months--can make. if you want to get a handle on what's happening with the baht vs. various currencies, I find this site simple to use. The USD has been among the poorer performers vs the baht this year. Meanwhile, the Euro, Australian and Canadian currencies have rebounded. The pound has been the more erratic. This doesn't predict the future but selecting the 10-year chart view can be instructive. http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=EUR&to=THB&view=1Y

From BK Insiders Guide to Bangkok Held for the first time in Bangkok last year, The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale returns for its second edition this Aug 11-27 offering more than three million English-language books at heavily discounted prices. The 17-day event will take place 24 hours a day at Hall 9 (Impact Forum) at Impact Muangthong Thani giving book lovers a chance to pore over fiction and non-fiction titles covering cooking, sports, children books, graphic novels and much more, all at 60-80-percent discount. This self-described biggest book sale in the world originated in Malaysia before moving onto Indonesia and Thailand. The event can be reached via taxi or Impact Link van service from BTS Mo Chit (exit no.4) or MRT Chatuchak (exit no.3). Tip: Anyone who visited last year's event would know it gets freezing late at night, so this a rare chance to dust off that old jacket in the back of your wardrobe! http://bk.asia-city.com/news/news/big-bad-wolf-book-sale-bangkok