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From Bangkok Post Three quarters of Thai universities are at risk of closing over the next decade due to low enrolment and increased competition from foreign rivals, an education expert has warned. Arnond Sakworawich, a lecturer in actuarial sciences and risk management at the Graduate School of Applied Statistics of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), said he is worried the government's idea to allow institutes of higher education from overseas to create satellite campuses in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along Thailand's borders would put many Thai universities in danger of shutting down. Mr Arnond said Thailand's higher education market has been shrinking for many years due to a demographic transition from high to low levels of fertility. "There are just 600,000-700,000 babies born in Thailand per year on average now, compared to 1,000,000 per year from 30 years ago. The National Economic and Social Development Board also expects the number the number of Thais in the school-age group (0-21 years) will fall to 20% of the population in 2040, a sharp drop from 62% in 1980," he said. During last year's admission, the universities had vacancies for up to 150,000 prospective students to study various subjects, but only 80,000 applied for the entrance test, he added. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1253922/three-quarters-of-universities-at-risk-of-closure

It's not being a teacher that caused by carnal interest to collapse. It's not being the sexy Asian that did.

No, we might as well call you sugargrandpa as you called yourself on SN. You could no more stack cane as you could stalk Cain. You're way out of your league, Gramps.

Precious gladdy, I'm beginning to think you must be an English teacher for youngsters in the LOS. And not the sexy Asian you lured us with. Think I'm going flaccid.

You have a point there. But if we're going to submit fiction, it should be labeled as such to eliminate confusion. So why not have a new forum for "Member Fiction." It would give members an opportunity to try their hand at creative writing and could prove quite popular. And no other board offers a similar outlet. As all of us oldies should be!

He thinks nothing of misrepresenting himself to fellow members but he takes offense at misspelled words? His sense of values is worshipful. You're saying that members here should read this forum with an automatic acceptance that others are misrepresenting who they are, then why should we believe anything they say? It would be a colossal waste of time. The forum, IMHO, works as well as it does because we have some confidence in the authenticity of the information shared here. If that's how he gets his jollies, then it's the board that loses . He should take that to GR or hornet where that's accepted behavior. The only thing we might agree on is that I don't care who he is either; I do care who he isn't.

Excerpts From Singapore Straits Times A father gives his young son a new motorcycle for his birthday. "Study well... Don't hit anyone," he says. The boy gets on the motorcycle and rides out of the gate, whereupon another rider crashes into him. This road safety awareness video, released by Ramathibodi Hospital's Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Centre (CSIP) last year, has resonated with many in Thailand, where 73 per cent of traffic-related deaths involve motorcycles. Experts said last month that, on average, 5,500 motorcyclists die annually - or 15 deaths a day. The figure continues to climb, making Thailand the world's deadliest country for two-wheelers. The issue returned to the fore this month after two separate motorbike accidents in Phuket killed a pregnant British tourist and seriously injured another British tourist. "If you take motorcycles out of the equation, Thailand's roads will be as safe as (those in) Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom," Dr Liviu Vedrasco, health cluster chief at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Bangkok, told The Sunday Times. In a 2015 report, WHO said there were 26.3 motorcycle-related deaths for every 100,000 people in Thailand, the highest in the world. http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailand-deadliest-country-for-motorcyclists

He disrespects the forum by introducing himself as a 24-year-old exchange student from Singapore when he's actually a farang about three times that age living in Bangkok. We expect occasional misrepresentation on dating apps but this ain't no dating app. He certainly attempts to outsmart us all by trying to make us believe he's a young Asian student when he's just another guy like most of us, except he concocted this charade to make himself more desirable. He ridiculed the two gay Indonesians sentenced to caining and then doubled down on it. That seem smart to you?

Crowne Plaza Lumpini top floor lounge.

You're obviously an experienced packer.

Thanks for helping us get a better handle on just what those other issues might be. As usual, your own words--and symbols--speak for themselves.

Ah, gladpuppy, so good to see you back. There seems to be a rising interest in hearing more about your experiences in the Singapore military. You've told us how helpful it's been to you in other aspects of your life so could you--would you--enlighten us about those good times with your "mates," the long, lonely nights in the barracks? Did they treat you to blanket parties and make sure you enjoyed those hot, soapy showers? Did they give you special attention like Russian NCO's are fond of dispensing to worthy underlings? My erection hardens in anticipation.

Yes, where indeed. In his imagination I suspect...like everything else. Meanwhile, we'll have to remain on edge. lol.

Thanks for the tip. Have been to Chatuchak many times but never to Talat Bobae but it's now on itinerary for next trip.

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — Sun, sand, sea and sex are what some might expect when traveling to the Land of Smiles. Behind the infamous prostitution industry are hidden the lives and dreams of workers, all of which a director reflected through documentary theater. It’s been five month since a New York based theater director Jesca Prudencio has been in Thailand after she earned Julie Taymor’s World Theater Fellowship to explore theater scenes abroad for a year. Prudencio chose Thailand as her first destination, not only because she’s a good friend of members of the outstanding physical theater B-Floor, but also because of her interest in the objectification of the body. “Everyone knows there are so many prostitutes in Thailand,” said Prudencio in an interview Wednesday evening. “I’m actually a westerner, unfortunately, that’s a judgment that people have on Bangkok.” Aiming to humanize the infamous stigma through theater, the director collaborated with B-Floor Theater to produce a performance called “Fan: stories from the brothels of Bangkok” for which she and her team did a three-week research on sex workers in several infamous venues such as Boy Town in Silom, Patpong, Nana, Soi Cowboy and Pattaya. “They have no shame in doing this, in being prostitutes,” she said in an interview with two Boy Town’s “money boys” – a term used to describe sex workers. “Because they can make money to pay their bills and they could also possibly find a husband to take them away.” Admission is free and attendance can be booked on line (link in article). A 200 baht donation is suggested by organizers. The performance starts at 4pm Sunday at B-Floor Theater at Pridi Banomyong Institute which is a 10 minute walk from BTS Thong Lo’s Exit No.2. Continues with photos: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/arts/2017/05/20/see-dreams-hidden-behind-bangkok-brothels-sunday-show/

Regardless of destination or trip duration, I never check a bag so that limits me to one wheel-on and one smaller item. That means I've got to limit my clothing to to stuff that is washable and relatively quick drying. Shirts are easy to find in this category, especially if you're traveling in hot places like LOS. I pack a few T's but the rest have collars. Pants are the most important item for me and beyond being lightweight and easy to wash, I want a multiple, secure pockets that allow me to carry ID, larger notes and anything else I really don't want to lose. Although I've never been pick-pocketed in Thailand, can't say the same for some Euro and South America destinations (Barcelona and Buenos Aires come to mind). The following meet my needs and have sufficient pockets to accommodate smaller items I may pick up so I don't have to carry bags. Like others have said, appearing GQ acceptable is not on my check list. I seek a balance between utility and comfort. https://www.clothingarts.com/products/pickpocket_proof_adventure_travel_pants?variant=1298674136

The "24-year-old exchange student" would, no doubt, have felt right at home with the brown shirts on Kristallnacht. His oft inappropriate use of the smiley face suggests other issues.

Oh, Gladladdie, what is this I read on a photo section thread that us older guys are being nudged out of contention due of your new obsession with a young Thai who apparently appeals to you on every level. You regale us with descriptions of his beauty as you scrutinize his image. You speculate about what he wears beneath his blue outerwear. You cite the pleasure he takes in smelling red roses. You dwell on his pierced ear and how he arranges his hair. You predict that he attends a techno college and hint that he may be quite young. You even remark on the color of his bulletin board. And now I learn that you are familiar with an act you identify as "stealthing" (which previous to your disclosure I understood was something that only the American air force could manage). I remain, however, committed to winning you over, my Singaporean dreamboat. I will not be dissuaded by your dalliances.

From CNN A Sharia court in Indonesia's conservative Aceh province sentenced two gay men to a public caning Wednesday. The men, ages 20 and 23, were arrested in March by vigilantes within their community in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province. They were subsequently found guilty of violating Aceh's strict Islamic laws and were sentenced to 85 lashes, according to Evendi, the head of Sharia law enforcement in Banda Aceh. Khairil Jamal, the lead judge, said that "the court has proven that the defendants without doubt are legally guilty of committing sodomy." Neighbors barged into an apartment with the men and filmed them naked with camera phones, according to rights groups. The videos were shared widely in local media. Gay sex is legal everywhere else in Muslim-majority Indonesia, a nation generally known to be moderate and tolerant. http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/17/asia/gay-men-caning-indonesia-aceh/index.html

From The Nation New cases of HIV in Thailand have fallen to less than 10,000 per year thanks to the increased use of condoms and advances in preventive medicine, the Disease Control Department's Bureau of AIDS, TB and STIs revealed on Thursday. Bureau director Dr Saman Futrakul told the National News Bureau of Thailand that the rate of new HIV cases per year has dropped from its peak of 150,000 to between 6,000 and 10,000. He said the Public Health Ministry plans to lower the rate further to less than 1,000 a year by 2030. Dr Pannee Pitisutham, head of the Vaccine Center of the Mahidol University's Faculty of Tropical Medicine, said the center's AIDS vaccine development program, which has entered its third phase, got a promising result – an increase in immune cells - in the latest test conducted on male HIV-positive volunteers. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30315614

Ryan, I wish you well too but please don't get any amorous ideas about your new "buddy." He's spoken for.

Why, glad one, are you falling for the sexy Australian? Don't you realized he's a butterfly who will only use you as his Singapore toyboy? I know, I know: you're obcessed with the member's massive member. You post about it just as you post his image. You can't stop thinking about him. You even want to possess his used undies. You're making me insanely jealous. Alas, I cannot compete with him in terms of length or girth but I assure you that I exceed standard Thai issue. ( OK, not the huge ones you may travel to Issan to pursue). And now I read that you are impressed by his wealth. But wealth cannot buy happiness.....Ok, forget that. But it is I who truly believes in you, gladness. I pay no heed to the naysayers who claim that you're actually a hydrologist. I know that you're a real Singaporean. It's so obvious. You're familiar with all the lingo; you know about the national service; you have Chinese uncles to tutor and spoil you; you write term papers. When the flashy Aussie leaves you used and depressed, I will always be there to comfort you with warm milk and cookies (or is that too western for your delicate palate?).

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — A police source said Tuesday a timer device commonly used in pipe bombs was found at the site of last night’s explosion that wounded two people in Bangkok’s historic quarter. The development undercut the shifting claims made by police brass that the incident, which took place at a particularly sensitive spot opposite a royal landmark where funerary rites for His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol are being prepare, was not a bomb attack. A source within police bomb squad, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the timer was missed in the first sweep of the crime scene and only spotted later “five or six meters away.” The part is similar to those found in previous small explosive devices and is used to delay its detonation by some minutes, the source said. Two people suffered slight injuries from the explosion, which was heard at about 8:40pm in front of the National Theatre opposite Sanam Luang. A bomb squad was soon called to inspect the site. Sanit later said no gunpowder was found. After offering several different version of events, police went silent on the incident today but said they would investigate it. It was a drastic shift in tone for Sanit, who last night visited the scene of the incident, which had been initially reported as a small explosion. Upon arriving, he insisted the explosion was not an explosion after all, but a “loud bang” caused by a plastic pipe breaking under pressure. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2017/05/16/police-offer-shifting-explanations-monday-night-explosion/

Please keep this a fair fight.

I suspected that glad boy had a secret admirer when he let slip (no undergarment connotation) that a PM he had posted about me was actually interned for another. And now I see my worst fear realized: one of my trip report heroes is courting him with promises of erotic underwear. Oh, a447, how could you do this. You labored behind my back (no reference to much discussed photo controversy) to attract the young and impressionable glad, I know your plan. You parade yourself in a rainbow of colors until he is dazzled by your peacock-like charms and succumbs, But I will win his affections by appealing to intellectual bent. He may think of me as lazy but I will seduce him with colorful words of passion. Feint heart never won fair athlete. I'll be relentless in pursuit of my Chiang Mai studmuffin.