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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!

Gotta tell you, Stevie, how flattered I am that you posted six times on a thread you consider "dumb", including three consecutive ones (think that ties your personal best for posting trademark gibberish). And thanks for the bump on the thread you thought "irrelevant" about traffic tickets in English. Now you just keep thinking positive thoughts about your performance issues and you'll soon return to your old, happy self. You're a sweetheart, good buddy!

I think I got you wrong, Stevie. Now I realize what you're really trying to get across. You expressing extraordinary empathy with a guy who was told by his partner that he sucked at sex. It's all so obvious now. But you mustn't allow that experience to sour you on life, or feel that you must constantly work to improve your body image. You're great just as you are, buddy!

Police now say that the assailant is also wanted for unprovoked attacks on young Thai men whom he considered overweight and had "loss of tone in the core muscles that help the abdomen to protrude and form a disgusting shape." Victims said he could be heard screaming "and I don't like this" as he fled the scenes of the attacks.

You may find this article on Mexico City street hustlers of interest: https://news.vice.com/article/mexico-citys-male-hustlers-inside-the-rough-lives-of-the-good-vibe-guys

Nice try, Stevie. Dragging out your old "blame the victim" rationale again I see. Last time you employed that it was in defense of a Pattaya ladyboy who snatched a gold chain from a tourist. Blaming the victim didn't work for the Nazis and it's not working for Trump. Your "nice man" is a old-blooded murder. And you are so predictable. (This doesn't have anything to do with your jewelry fetish does it?)

From The Nation New traffic tickets include English, allow appeals August 21, 2017 By Suriya Patathayo A new generation of traffic tickets about to be launched will include both Thai and English languages, along with a barcode to help in paying fines. The new approach would also allow accused motorists to object to the officers’ charges and explain themselves within 15 days. The new ticket would have a section for a police officer to record whether the accused agreed or not with the charges. When an accused violator reported to a police investigator at the precinct to pay the fine or to proclaim innocence and object to the charges, the ticket would be revoked if the investigator were convinced, said Pol Lt-General Wittaya Prayongpan, acting advisor to the Royal Thai Police (RTP), on Monday. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30324462

From Coconuts Bangkok A Thai man confessed to police that he murdered a woman he was on a first date with out of anger, after she let out a complaint that he “sucked at sex” during their coupling — at least in his version of the story. In a press conference on Sunday, police in southern Songkhla province announced the arrest of Natthan Raknui, 23, for the murder of a woman named Jiraporn Theppaya, 22, who was found dead on a rubber plantation near Prawk Suwan Canal. According to police, Natthan started talking to the victim on Facebook in July. After two weeks of a long-distance courtship, he rode two hours in a public van from Phatthalung province to meet up with Jiraporn in Songkhla on Aug. 12. As Natthan could not afford to rent a hotel room, they rode on Jiraporn’s motorbike together to the rubber plantation to have sex, which matched the CCTV footage police have of them on a motorbike, Manager reported. Natthan told police that he slit the victim’s throat after she complained about his sex skills. After that, he escaped on her motorbike, which he later sold for THB7,000. The suspect was later arrested near Pabon Reservoir in Phatthalung, where he often checked in on Facebook. The man who “sucked at sex” was charged for murder and theft. http://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thai-man-confesses-slitting-throat-facebook-date-said-sucked-sex/

From Coconuts Bangkok The two Myanmar nationals on death row for the savage 2014 murders of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Koh Tao filed their last appeal today. This 300-page document, handed in to the Supreme Court, states that the forensic evidence, including DNA tests, used to convict migrant workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 22, was not carried out according to international forensic standards, reported Bangkok Post. Lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat, leader of the men’s defense team, was turned down by the Appeal Court in March. The Appeal Court ruled that the evidence was collected correctly and that the men had committed the rape of Witheridge and both murders “without a doubt” on Sept. 15, 2014. The death sentence was upheld for both men. Nakhon still maintains that problems ranging from custody of the DNA samples during the investigation to how the men were charged and interrogated prevailed. The lawyer also pointed out that a proper interpreter or legal representation was not provided early in the case for the two convicted young men. In advance of today’s appeal, Nakhon met officials from Myanmar to coordinate information as well as meeting his clients at Bang Kwang Central Prison to get their signatures on the final documents. He said that his clients still hope for justice. Migrant rights groups have suggested at various points that the men were being railroaded, and the government of Myanmar protested the initial guilty verdict, saying at the time that the men were being “wrongly punished.” http://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/final-appeal-filed-today-two-myanmar-men-death-row-2014-koh-tao-murders/

Excerpts from Khaosod English BANGKOK — Passing through airport immigration is a little swifter today for some, so long as they hail from the sparkling city-state to the south. Singaporeans are the first foreign nationals to be approved to use new automated passport control gates at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as of Saturday. “This will help solve the problem of crowded queues in airports,” Lt. Gen. Nattatorn Phrosoontorn of Immigration Bureau police said. “We’re using technology to tackle this problem in a concrete way.” At the gates, a photo is taken of each passenger, their passport information collected and their fingerprints scanned. Although the service is limited to Suvarnabhumi for now, it will eventually be rolled out to all of Thailand’s international airports, Nattatorn said. The Immigration Bureau and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working on approving other nationalities for use of the automatic gates, but no specifics have been made public yet. What is made clear is that “high-quality” tourists, meaning those likely to spend the most, will have priority. “Countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We will focus on countries that have high-quality tourists who visit Thailand in large numbers each year, but keeping security as the main priority,” Nattatorn said. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/bangkok/2017/08/21/auto-passport-control-gates-open-suvarnabhumi/