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From TechCrunch A federal district court in New York has ruled that U.S. border agents must obtain a warrant before searching the electronic devices of Americans and international travelers crossing the U.S. border. The ruling on July 24 is the latest court opinion to upend the U.S. government’s long-standing legal argument, which asserts that federal border agents should be allowed to access the devices of travelers at ports of entry, like airports, seaports and land borders, without a court-approved warrant. Civil liberties groups who advocated for the ruling praised the judgment. “The ruling makes clear that border agents need a warrant before they can access what the Supreme Court has called ‘a window into a person’s life,’” Scott Wilkens, senior counsel at the Knight First Amendment Institute, one of the groups that filed in the case, said in a press release Friday. The district court’s ruling takes effect across the U.S. Eastern District of New York, which includes New York City-area airports like John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the largest transportation hubs in the United States. A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency responsible for border security, said it was “reviewing” the court’s decision. “CBP cannot comment on pending criminal cases, and will continue performing its vital national security mission consistent with law and policy,” said CBP spokesperson Justin Long. The court ruling regards a criminal case involving Kurbonali Sultanov, a U.S. citizen whose phone was taken by border agents at JFK Airport in 2022 and told to provide his password, which Sultanov did when officers told him that he had no choice. Sultanov later moved to suppress the evidence — alleged to be child sexual abuse material — taken from his phone by arguing that the search violated his Fourth Amendment rights. The U.S. border is a legally fuzzy space, where international travelers have almost no right to privacy and where Americans can also face intrusive searches. The U.S. government asserts unique powers and authorities at the border, such as conducting device searches without a warrant, which law enforcement cannot normally use against someone who had crossed onto U.S. soil without first convincing a judge of enough suspicion to justify the search. Continues at https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/29/us-border-agents-must-get-warrant-before-cell-phone-searches-federal-court-rules/

From Pattaya Mail A meeting was held to gather public feedback on Phase 2 of the Pattaya Public Transportation System, specifically the proposed Red Line Monorail project. The July 30 event, organized by the consultancy firms involved in the project’s feasibility study, design, and environmental impact assessment, aimed to present draft environmental mitigation measures and collect additional input from stakeholders. The Red Line Monorail is planned to run from the Dolphin Roundabout to Thappraya Junction and extend to the Eastern National Sports Stadium, covering a distance of approximately 17.37 kilometres. The elevated monorail system, while involving higher construction and maintenance costs, is expected to reduce traffic disruptions and align with Pattaya’s urban development and tourism goals. This design aims to promote a shift in travel modes among residents and tourists. The project will feature ten stations spaced 800-1,000 metres apart, with walking distances to stations of around 400-500 meters, ensuring convenient access. The investment model for the Red and Purple Line projects will utilize a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, supporting Pattaya’s ambition to become a major tourism hub in alignment with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plans. Held at the Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities Conference Centre in Pattaya, the meeting saw significant public participation, reflecting strong community interest and concern over the project’s potential impacts and benefits. Consultants provided detailed information on the project, including environmental impact mitigation strategies and design options. The feedback gathered will be used to refine project plans, ensuring they address local needs and environmental concerns. From Pattaya News

The ordinance that exists in Bangkok province is a rental period of not less than 28 days.

Way to go! One of the most encouraging reports on Patpong 2’s most reliable bars in a while.

Think restful thoughts. Put on some nice music and let the world pass you by. I'm delighted to make your acquaintance.

There, there, Riobard. Those boys are not going to hurt you. They're only celebrating among themselves. They have absolutely no intention of going up and pulling you out of the stands and doing unspeakable physical activities with you. Really? But I appreciate that you're different. Now get some milk and cookies and try to forget all about those nasty fist-thumping boys. They're not coming for you. BTW, the Men's Badminton doubles are tomorrow. Can't promise you anything but there will probably be fewer emotional outbursts and fist thumping.

I understand, Riobard. I truly do. You lack understanding of the way athletes bond with one another. Watch soccer, baseball, hockey and football players react with each other after a good play. They pump each other up with displays of emotion. I'm sorry this is lost on you.

Unlike athletes competing in many other events, gymnasts can't show emotion during routines and have to hold it until after. It a release of tension that I like to see in a truly competitive athlete.

Asher Hong springs a MASSIVE vault for USA in team all-around final | Paris Olympics | NBC Sports Continues with video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbrvW0pRSfM

If avoiding walking by Soi 6 massage shops is only thing preventing you from taking unit there, I'd rethink my aversion. Those guys take "no thanks" and "not today" in stride. Nothing ventured, nothing gained they figure. Having stayed in Soi 3 building several times in past, I agree that it does a good size pool that I used occasionally. Only thing that bothered me was that I never saw it being serviced which is something that should be checked daily. Not saying they don't I just never observed it happening. Other than that they're both just minutes from Patpong and Soi 4. Take your pick.

Try driving taxi in Bangkok and you'd become greedy, too.🙂

From The Nation The operator of the Robinhood application has postponed shutting down its food delivery service, saying that many parties are interested in acquiring the business. According to SCBX’s letter to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on Tuesday, the decision is based on the company’s ongoing consideration of acquisition proposals for the entire business from interested parties, which have exceeded its expectations. Other services on the application will cease operation as initially scheduled on July 31, it added. “The company is committed to ensuring that the Robinhood application, a product of Thai innovation for Thai people, continues its business operation sustainably to maximise benefits for all stakeholders, including consumers, merchants, and all Robinhood riders,” it said. SCBX also hopes that the postponement of the application’s food delivery service until further notice will receive support from its customers to assist merchants and riders. Previously, SCBX had planned to end all services on the Robinhood application, which is operated by its subsidiary Purple Ventures Co Ltd, saying that the application had completed its mission of supporting merchants, riders, and small businesses throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The past five years of the Robinhood operations have shown increasing net losses. The company reported an 87-million-baht loss in 202. The net loss surged to 1.335 billion baht in 2021 then to 1.986 billion baht in 2022, with the highest net loss of 2.155 billion baht recorded in 2023.

At least it was for a noble cause. 🙂 From Thai PBS World Twenty-five city officials have been implicated in corruption in the procurement of overpriced and overrated fitness equipment for Bangkok fitness centres. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Nathapong Disayabutra, told a press conference today that a disciplinary committee will be set up to investigate the allegations. The panel will have 120 days to complete its probe, which can be extended by 60 days if necessary, he said. He also said that the procurement of the fitness equipment, involving seven projects, was in breach of state bidding practices. For instance, the prices were inflated above market prices and the specifications were unnecessarily narrow. The deputy permanent secretary also noted that the qualifications of the bidders specified in the Terms of Reference were tailored to limit the number of potential bidders, such as requiring them to submit details of at least four contracts they have signed with state agencies in the past two years, which is beyond the requirements set by the Finance Ministry. Of the 25 officials implicated in the scandal, Nathapong said one of them had resigned, adding that the remaining 24 are not in the same department or unit, but are responsible for the procurement projects.

Those from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar receive closer scrutiny because they are more likely to be working working without permit. If you have a round trip ticket, immigration is already aware based on information provided by your carrier, as mentioned above. More than 100 vans and buses daily carry individuals from metro Bangkok to Cambodia and back where the are usually readmitted if they have no history of overstaying their visa exempt status.

NOTE -- Best filed under don't try this at home....or anyplace else. From VN Express An Indian man was hospitalized in Hanoi after inserting a live eel into his anus, which punctured his intestines and entered the abdominal cavity. The patient was admitted to Viet Duc Hospital on July 27 with severe abdominal pain. After informing doctors of his actions, a scan was conducted to locate the eel. Le Nhat Huy, Vice Director of the Department of Colorectal and Perineal Surgery, stated that doctors initially attempted to use endoscopy to remove the eel. However, they discovered a large lime obstructing the rectum. Due to the eel's location and the patient's pain, surgery was deemed necessary. Surgeons successfully removed the live eel, which measured 65 cm, from the patient's body. The eel had punctured the intestine and entered the abdominal cavity. Following the eel's removal, doctors extracted the lime through the anus. The reasons behind the patient's decision to insert the lime and the eel remain unclear.

From Thai PBS World On National Thai Language Day, many foreign diplomats in Thailand are embracing the occasion by sharing their own take on the local language on social media. The subjects range from Thai food, to slang words, to the number of syllables in the full name of Bangkok. The European Union delegation celebrates the event by posting a video on their official Facebook page explaining 4 Thai slang words, including; ‘Kueap-tui’ (เกือบตุย) – ‘almost dead’ ‘Jhung’ (จึ้ง) – the equivalent of ‘wow, amazing, excellent!’ ‘Tid-Glam’ (ติดแกลม) – ‘addicted to glamour’, and ‘Dai-Yoo’ (ได้อยู่) – depending on the tone, this term carries both positive and negative connotations. Literally, it means ‘quite OK, it’s alright’ but figuratively it could also mean ‘that doesn’t quite work’. These are slang words that the younger generations often use. Kueap-Tui (เกือบตุย) is a modification of เกือบตาย (Kueap-Tai), which means ‘nearly dead or nearly died’. It is often used in a light context to express the feeling of achievement after overcoming difficulties. The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, celebrates the day by reviewing Thai food in Thai. The items on the menu include; durian crisps, noodle with pink sauce and fish balls, Chrysanthemum drink, Tokyo mini pancakes and steamed sticky rice with banana fillings. The programme is called ‘aroi mak mak’ which is a homophone of his English name ‘Mark’ (‘mak’ means ‘very’ in Thai, and ‘aroi mak mak’ means ‘very delicious’). Ambassador Gooding ends the video by saying that he uses the Thai language not only for work but also in his daily life. Robert F. Godec, the US Ambassador to Thailand also joins the event by singing Bangkok’s full name in Thai. The central theme was the question, “how many syllables are there in Bangkok’s full name?”. The video ends with ‘can you guess how many syllables there are?’, but no one was quite sure of the exact number. Both videos of the US and the EU embassies also feature the Thai ‘ya-dom’ or the herbal inhalers that are popular among Thais. Videos are embedded in the following link https://www.facebook.com/EUinThailand/videos/470717442576440/

From The Thaiger Debate is intensifying over whether Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin should be ousted from office following his controversial decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a PM’s Office Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. Former senator Wanchai Sornsiri expressed confidence that the Constitutional Court will likely dismiss the case against PM Srettha, pointing out that no court ruling has been made on the specific crime that would prevent Pichit from taking up the ministerial position. Pichit was accused of attempted bribery in 2008 while representing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a contentious land case. Although he was sentenced to six months in jail, Wanchai clarified that this was for contempt of court, not for attempted bribery. Wanchai also mentioned that the Thai premier had sought the Council of State’s opinion regarding the matter, indicating that the 62 year old prime minister was committed to adhering to legal procedures. “The political circumstances are changing. Most members of the new Senate have good ties with Bhumjaithai. The recent golf date between Anutin and Thaksin at a resort in Nakhon Ratchasima is a sign that a compromise has been reached.” The controversy began when a group of 40 caretaker senators filed a petition with the Constitutional Court in May, demanding PM Srettha’s removal for allegedly violating the constitution by appointing Pichit. They argued that Pichit was unsuitable for a cabinet role due to his 2008 conviction for attempting to bribe Supreme Court officials with a paper bag containing 2 million baht. Pichit resigned from his ministerial position just before the court accepted the petition, a move seen as an effort to shield the Thai PM from legal complications. The Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict on the case against PM Srettha tomorrow.

When ASEAN nationals without a work permit arrive in Thailand by air, Immigrations will want to see proof that they have a ticket out by the end of the specified visa exempt period. If they don't, they can be refused entry if passport shows many consecutive previous visa exempt entries. The decision has always been at the discretion of the immigration officer. When the same individuals return to Thailand via land border, they are routinely admitted for another visa exempt period. Thus the term "border run" was popularized. Technically, any foreigner is subject to the same rules when entering Thailand by air. Last year when I flew to Vietnam for five days and then returned to BKK, the immigration officer asked my how long I intended to stay in the country. I told her 11 days and she issued me another 30-day exemption.

Just realized that AI changed "international" to "internal." My fault for not rereading third time before posting.

I believe there's a bit more to the story than that. Certainly no propaganda for the junta and its supporters in Russia and China. 😄

From The Star PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has announced the dates for the much-anticipated "National Lakhon Bassac Festival 2024" to promote and preserve traditional Khmer arts. “The three-day event, dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Lakhon Bassac, will be held from October 25-27, at the Department of Performing Arts in Phnom Penh,” according to the ministry’s announcement. The festival will also be broadcast live on the ministry’s official Facebook page, ensuring that the celebration reaches a wider audience. According to the ministry, the event seeks to uphold and promote the values of Cambodian arts, culture, national traditions and identity, as well as contributing to societal development and enhancing national prestige. “It also aims to encourage artists specialising in Lakhon Bassac to revive their activities, thereby preserving this significant aspect of Cambodia’s cultural heritage,” said the announcement. Artists with expertise in the discipline from various organisations and public art associations nationwide are invited to take part.

The practice of "absolute discretion" has from time to time has left internal air arrivals--particularly those from neighboring countries--with little alternative than returning to their home nation and starting their journey over again by land. Examples have been posted in the forum. That said, the 60-day visa exemption is a boon to the guys we've come to know who work in the venues we visit in Bangkok and elsewhere.

From The Nation Thai embassies, consulates, and trade offices across the world on Sunday celebrated the 72nd birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

From Thai PBS World Politicking and profits block path to recriminalising ganja The escalating battle over cannabis in Thailand’s Parliament means the herb is unlikely to be recriminalised or more tightly regulated anytime soon. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reversed his tough stance on relisting ganja as a narcotic on July 23 after Bhumjaithai, a key coalition partner in his government, fought back fiercely against the plan. Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who doubles as deputy prime minister and interior minister, warned of economic consequences if the government changed its marijuana policy. “Who would want to invest in Thailand?” he asked. Numerous investors, both domestic and foreign, have set up marijuana and related businesses in Thailand since Bhumjaithai successfully pushed for the legalisation of cannabis. Thailand’s rapidly expanding cannabis and hemp industry is now worth 36.52 billion baht, up from 31.75 billion baht last year, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting. Last weekend, Anutin played golf with Thaksin Shinawatra who, as patriarch of the coalition-leading Pheu Thai Party, is believed to wield huge influence over Srettha. The prime minister has now decided to handle the explosion in the recreational use of marijuana not via prohibition but with legislation governing its availability. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said there were now four separate marijuana bills being considered, but the legislative process was progressing slowly. As such, Thailand should first put marijuana back on the narcotics list, he added. “However, I have to respect the National Narcotics Control Board’s decision. Let’s see what the board decides,” he said. On July 5, the National Narcotics Committee passed a resolution to relist marijuana as a narcotic, but the resolution will only take effect if it is endorsed by the board. Medics have expressed frustration over the delay in controlling cannabis use. Dr Smith Srisont, a member of the Medical Council and president of the Forensic Physician Association of Thailand, said recent developments showed politicking was obstructing the path to proper regulation. “Going back and forth or emphasising that cannabis control should be done via the marijuana law means the legal vacuum will continue,” he said. “And the public will continue to bear the brunt.” Anutin, despite his claims, had never really listened to what others said about marijuana’s adverse health impacts, Smith lamented. “Research in both Thailand and other countries shows marijuana consumption causes many negative effects, but he [Anutin] keeps saying there is no solid evidence for this,” he said. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/politicking-and-profits-block-path-to-recriminalising-ganja-in-thailand/

I think it's way too soon to judge their motives when the forces who oppose them are supporting the most treacherous and corrupt junta in Asia. I prefer to judge the Myanmar Nation Army by its declared allies: China and Russia.