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That would be akin to saying that all Germans were like Hitler; all Japanese were like their WWII leaders; all Russians are like Putin; all Venezuelans are like Maduro, etc. To most of Trump's supporters, he's a figurehead they rally around because they need to feel part of a social movement that binds them together. They want to be told who to blame for everything from inflation to crime. Trump is that vehicle and a very dangerous one, I agree.

I have a first-hand report that foreigners re-entering Thailand from Cambodia land border received 60-day visa exemption. However, the all-inclusive cost of the transportation services that facilitate the process has increased by 500 baht. There doesn't seem to be any complaints.

From Thai PBS World The Apple company has offered an apology for the recent release of the fifth instalment of its “Underdogs” series of promotional films, which sparked outrage in Thailand. They have also agreed to stop disseminating it. In its statement, Apple said that the shooting of the fifth instalment of the “Underdogs” series in Thailand, in cooperation with a Thai company, was intended to reflect Thai culture in a positive way. The ad was not, however, seen as appropriately or adequately reflecting the contemporary Thai way of life, said Apple, as it offered an apology. Earlier, Apple had suspended the comments section on its YouTube page for the ad. As of July 28, it had attracted 5.1 million views, approximately ten days after its release. The ten-minute featurette, described as a comedy thriller, featured four company employees racing around Thailand to meet their clients’ demands for design and quantity.

From The Nation Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the 2023 men’s badminton world champion, is poised to take on the current world No 1 Shi Yuqi of China following his victory over Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the round of 16 knockout match at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris on Thursday. Despite being troubled by poor air ventilation in the first game, the world No. 8 lost the opening game 16-21 and trailed by three points early in the second game. However, Kunlavut raised his level, cut down on unforced errors, and intensified his attack to bounce back and win the match “I made way too many mistakes and played under pressure in the first game. But after that, I stopped worrying about the results and tried to play faster to wear him down,” Kunlavut said. A herculean task awaits Kunlavut on Friday evening when he faces China’s Shi, who has collected four titles this season, including the French Open, where he defeated the Thai in straight games in March. “I will enter the match as an underdog since he is a better player in every aspect, whether it’s technique, physical condition, or experience. In fact, I have already reached my goal by advancing to this stage of the competition. I will do my best,” Kunlavut told reporters. Kunlavut and Ratchanok Inthanon are the only two Thais remaining in the badminton competition. The former world champion, Ratchanok, will play her women’s singles quarter-final match against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia on Saturday.

From Pattaya News Kasikornbank (KBANK) has collaborated with Pattaya City to introduce the FX EV Car, an electric vehicle designed for mobile foreign currency exchange services, to enhance convenience for both Thai and international customers. Pattaya Mayor Mr. Poramase Ngamphichet welcomed Mr. Boonthep Jiraphat, Assistant Managing Director of Kasikornbank and other Kasikornbank officials yesterday, August 1st, at the Pattaya City Hall. Both parties met to officially launch the FX EV Car, which is 100% electric and serves as the first-ever mobile foreign currency exchange service in Pattaya. Mr. Boonthep announced that Kasikornbank plans to participate in all events in Pattaya, such as the New Year’s Countdown, International Fireworks, Pattaya Music Festival, and Pattaya Marathon. The EV vehicles will be stationed at these events to provide foreign currency exchange services to tourists.

He was, of course, shocked...shocked. It was apparently well concealed secret. From The Thaiger The Minister of Public Health (MOPH) plans to clean up traditional Thai massage shops after 75% were found to secretly offer sex services. The Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, stated he aims to clean up the seedy side of the industry and promote Thai massage as a soft power. The President of the Charawi Association for the Preservation of Thai Massage, Phithak Yotha, urged the MOPH to investigate foreigners working illegally in Thailand’s wellness industry. He also requested the ministry simplify massage therapist registration and encourage Thai massage as a soft power. Minister Somsak agreed with Phithak’s suggestions, stating they align with the government’s measures to promote Thai massage. Somsak disclosed that the Department of Health Service Support will improve Thai massage therapists’ skills and certify those able to treat musculoskeletal issues as Grade A therapists. Massage service costs will also be standardised. Somsak then highlighted the illegal sex services secretly offered in some Thai traditional massage shops, which could negatively impact Thai massage. The minister stated that all massage parlours in Thailand must be free of sexual services. Somsak threatened to close down all shops secretly operating as brothels. He hopes to clean up all massage parlours within two months before the next fiscal year begins. The Director of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Taweesin Visanuyothin, reported that only 25% of massage parlours in Thailand operate legally, while the remaining 75% illegally offer sexual services. Charawi Association President Phithak urged the MOPH to investigate those illegal massage shops, which can be found almost everywhere, especially in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit and Thong Lo areas. Phithak stated that some illegal parlours use the word “massage” to disguise prostitution, even when it was clear they only offer sexual services. He cited an example of a parlour advertising massage with promotional models known in Thailand as “Massage with Pretties.” In a related report, a massage shop in Chiang Mai was raided for illegally providing sex services. The shop was also found to be paying bribes to various government departments to cover up the illegal prostitution.

Probably should have since my friend was picking up the check. A little research tells me that the owner, 76, closed Bay Wolf in 2015 after 40 years. It was reborn, however, a few years later as The Wolf and appears to be still in business at same location. Wouldn't be surprised if Ggobkk (now posting in "Time to return" thread) is familiar with the place.

Almost as much as you, I'd imagine.👒

From Vietnam+ Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Senate of Cambodia on July 31 approved a draft law on the ratification of the convention on the unification of rules relating to international air transport, called the Montreal Convention 1999, local media reported. The approval was made during an extraordinary session of the fifth legislature of the Senate, held under the chairmanship of Senate President Hun Sen. The draft law was approved by the National Assembly during its second session of the seventh legislature organised on July 25 under the presidency of its President Khuon Sudary. Cambodia has been a signatory to the Montreal Convention since 1999 but has yet to ratify it. Countries in Asia that have ratified the convention include the Philippines (2015), Thailand (2017), Indonesia (2017), Vietnam (2018), Sri Lanka (2019), and Brunei (2020). With the law officially promulgated, it will allow Cambodia to legally ratify the 1999 Montreal Convention, which will eventually pave the way to further building confidence for air travellers and international air transport enterprises operating in and with Cambodia. Meanwhile, the international air transport associations are promoting the Montreal Convention to become a modern, equitable, and unique global convention to bring the quality of the aviation sector to a new height. ================ What is the Montreal Convention? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Convention

From Bangkok Post Immigration police on Thursday launched their "Welcome Pride by Immigration" campaign to allay concerns among the LGBTQIA2S+ travellers who may look different from their passport photographs. Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, commander of Immigration Division 2, said that many LGBTQIA2S+ people were worried about immigration checks due to discrepancies between their appearance and the photos or gender markers in their passports, which are often governed by the laws of their home countries. "Some people may have undergone surgeries that altered their facial structures, leading to concerns during immigration checks," said the official who oversees immigration at airports. He assured travellers that immigration officers are ready to review alternative documents and medical records to verify their identity as the legitimate passport holders, despite any changes in their appearance. Pol Maj Gen Choengron said that LGBTQIA2S+ travellers who have had their present appearances recorded by immigration authorities can easily navigate immigration checks, as the police already have access to their biometric data. "Thailand welcomes travellers worldwide, regardless of gender,” he added. LGBTQIA2S+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and trans, queer and questioning, intersex, asexual or agender, and two-spirit.

Having left Bangkok not that long ago, don't recall finding an acceptable meal at a reasonable price problematic. Most Thais patronize prepared food vendors. If the industry is experiencing a big drop in income, I'd first look at their pricing. Even McDonald's announced this week the return of the "value meal" due to reduced same-store sales. From Pattaya News On July 31st, 2024, Mr. Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, the Chairman of the Thai Restaurant Business Association, revealed that the restaurant industry has faced a significant drop in spending, exceeding 50% recently. The association had appealed to the Thai Prime Minister to address the current economic issues with immediate stimulus measures instead of solely relying on the upcoming 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme. More than half of the Thai restaurants in the association could close by year-end without prompt action, remarked Sorathep. The combined impact of rising raw material costs and declining consumer spending has left small restaurants struggling. Medium-sized and SME establishments are also suffering due to increased tax burdens. The lack of government response to their initial appeal has left business owners feeling abandoned, questioning the effectiveness of the current administration, concerned Sorathep.

If the boys can do it, you can do it. 🙂

That really jogged my memory. Was taken there by a friend sometime in the 80's and had a good meal. But what I recall most is the truly memorable bottle of Chardonnay that we shared.

From BBC As Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris vets potential running mates, spare a thought for the contenders as they undergo a process that one past participant likens to "a colonoscopy performed with a telescope”. Have you ever paid for sex? Have you ever paid for an abortion? Have you ever had a homosexual encounter? This is just some of the material in questionnaires fired off during the exhaustive vetting process for previous US vice-presidential nominees. Potential partners to join Ms Harris on the Democratic ticket for November's election will have to answer up to 200 questions before they can even begin to be seriously considered. The vetters - campaign officials and lawyers who volunteer their billable hours for the networking and prestige - often have about a month to dig up every grain of dirt they can find. The Harris campaign has a matter of days to pick a running mate, with a paperwork deadline looming. The vice-president, who went through the process herself only four years ago, has been assessing around a dozen contenders, with Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Mark Kelly among those being touted. Pete Buttigieg, who is also among the rumoured potential picks, was asked this week if the possible running mates are aware they are being vetted. "Yeah, you know," he said with a smile. What makes the whole undertaking especially challenging is that, unlike with cabinet picks, the FBI does not perform background checks on vice-presidents. The vetters will pore over a contender’s tax returns and medical history. They may log on to his or her private social media accounts. They will scour the social media posts of his or her children. The grandchildren’s, too. The least suggestion of marital infidelity, or any other skeleton in the closet, will be picked apart. They will check every record of every word the potential candidate has ever uttered or written. Jim Hamilton, a Democratic lawyer who evaluated potential running mates for John Kerry, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, told the BBC that notes of the process are destroyed afterwards to preserve “a strict, strict veil of confidentiality”.

+1 Did you consider going home with the doc? 😉

I try to adhere to same practice whenever possible. It trumps any inconvenience like missing leisurely breakfast. ====================== From Yahoo News Mass tourism exasperates locals in Europe and beyond An increasing number of visitors has sparked numerous anti-tourism movements in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. Locals blame tourists for driving up housing costs, inflation, and causing environmental degradation. Some affected regions are beginning to take small steps to ease their residents' concerns. A collective of several hundred associations in Spain known as Ecologistas marched through the town of El Puerto de Santa Maria on July 20 to denounce "uncontrolled mass tourism", chanting: “Our city is not for sale!” Thousands of protesters marched on July 6 in Barcelona to denounce an excess of visitors, preceding another large demonstration against mass tourism on July 22 in Mallorca, an island reputed for its beaches, protected creeks, limestone mountains and archeological sites. Spain recorded an additional 24 million tourists in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year, representing an annual increase of 14.5 percent. The country had already registered an all-time high in international visitors in 2023. The tourism boom is driving up prices in shops as well as housing costs, a surge which locals say is complicating their access to housing. Spain’s most-visited city, Barcelona, welcomes some 12 million people a year, many of whom arrive by cruise ship. The increasing number of tourists each year is putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supply and housing – to the detriment of inhabitants. "The city centre might be good for drinking a beer, but it has become an aggressive and unbearable place to live."

From The BBC An ultra-wholesome Japanese dating series on Netflix has hooked viewers globally. It's part of a wave of reality shows showing the nuances, and differences, of gay relationships. It is a concept that we've seen many times before: a group of strangers enter a house and, as cameras film their every move, they search for a romantic connection. But conceptually, Netflix's The Boyfriend is actually a million miles from the Love Island villa, where singles with chiselled abs search for love (and Instagram fame). The Netflix series is Japan's first ever same-sex dating show – a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation. The premise is simple: in Tateyama, a quiet coastal city in Japan, a seaside beach house known as the "Green Room" becomes home to a group of nine young men from different backgrounds, from product designers to artists, models, students, and chefs. As their stories unfold, a group of commentators – including Japanese actress Megumi, pop star Thelma Aoyama, and comedian Yoshimi Tokui – provide a humorous running analysis of every moment, misstep, and micro-drama. Words like "groundbreaking" are overused in TV criticism, but The Boyfriend feels genuinely deserving of it. Since the first episodes dropped on Netflix on 9 July, the show has been positively reviewed and much discussed on social media by viewers around the world – mostly because of how different it feels to the more over-produced, conflict-heavy dating shows we're used to seeing. In the Green Room, romances form over a blink-and-you'll-miss-it glance, a flirty beachside picnic, or a letter posted under a bedroom door. And the show is part of a wider shift, where a new wave of LGBTQ+ dating shows – like BBC Three's I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl in the UK – are showing viewers a more wholesome side to romantic reality TV. TV critic and writer Scott Bryan, host of BBC 5 Live's Must Watch podcast, thinks the success of The Boyfriend is down to it existing at the meeting point between wider TV trends. The first being that TV shows that are not in the English language have become gradually more popular on streaming platforms since dystopian Korean drama Squid Game became Netflix's all-time most-watched show in 2021. "Sometimes, watching a show with subtitles means that you actually become much more absorbed in it," Bryan says. "Because you're not scrolling on your phone or looking at another screen, you actually have to watch it." Then there is the show's production set-up, with the group of commentators providing a sense of narrative cohesion and witty asides: this is an extension of the format of Married at First Sight UK and Australia, where the "experts" watch group events such as dinner parties. "The fact that you have these personalities providing instant reactions, rather than syphoning that off to a separate programme, is great. It makes the show easier to follow and it also makes the raw footage of the participants feel more organic and authentic in comparison." There is also a more thoughtful, quietly sincere quality to both the contestants and the show as a whole that makes it stand out. The Boyfriend has a distinctly “back to basics” feel about it. The group are tasked with running a coffee truck together and managing how they spend the profits to cover their household budget. As the name suggests, the show is about finding romantic love, but over the course of 10 episodes, which have been released two at a time throughout July, the group have also formed deep friendships. Fans have been won over by the brotherhood between the men (and even their taste in menswear) almost as much as their unpredictable romances. In 2023, BBC Three's I Kissed a Boy, presented by Dannii Minogue, became the UK's first-ever gay dating show. (It was followed by I Kissed a Girl, starring a group of queer women, in 2024.) Dan Harry, a participant on I Kissed a Boy, was initially unsure when he was approached by a casting producer. "I was extremely cautious," he says. "Because there were no reference points for this. There were no other gay dating shows for me to visualise what it was going to be like." But this ended up being what convinced him to take part. "I realised it could turn out to be a bit of a landmark TV moment. I wanted to be a part of that." Watching The Boyfriend, and both I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl, what is noticeable is how direct the communication is between the couples. Proper conversations between the contestants about their backgrounds and emotional lives come to the fore much more quickly than on a show like Love Island, where talk for a long while mostly seems to revolve around superficial flirting or "grafting". Rejections are often delivered more constructively and, in general, these shows have felt noticeably kinder and less manipulative of their subjects than majority-straight shows like Love Island, Love is Blind, or Married at First Sight. "There's a really big difference between Love Island and something like I Kissed a Boy," Harry explains. "On I Kissed a Boy, you see our stories and our backgrounds, our upbringings, and our deeper emotional feelings, whereas within Love Island pretty much everything is about what happens in the bubble of the villa."

From CNN Kudos to you if you can speak perfect Japanese and order food at a neighborhood sushi bar in Tokyo. If you can, chances are that on your next trip to Japan, you may be able to score a better deal by blending in as a local. Japan has never been a destination known for hiking up prices for foreigners. But overtourism – fueled by a combination of pent-up post-Covid demands (aka “revenge travel”) and the weak local currency – has recently prompted restaurants in the country to consider the merits of differential pricing. “People say it’s discrimination, but it is really hard for us to serve foreigners, and it is beyond our capacity,” said Shogo Yonemitsu, who runs Tamatebako, an all-you-can-eat seafood grill in Shibuya, Tokyo’s bustling shopping district. He maintains that he doesn’t charge tourists extra. Instead, he offers a 1,000 yen ($6.50) discount to locals. “We need (this pricing system) for cost reasons,” Yonemitsu said.

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.