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Thank you, Keith. If anyone would know, your friend certainly would. For the time being, my plan is to stay just under 180 days. I feel very much at home here. Wish I had discovered it much sooner but I’ve enjoyed a good run and have no complaints.

I’m sure you’re in a good position to judge, having the experience of witnessing the great quality of Prince Putin.🤣

Yes, but with good pension from His Majesty’s Service.

I’m sure Barry holds you in highest esteem, Moses.

From Thai PBS World The Interior Ministry has been assigned by the Cabinet to amend the Condominium Act, to increase the foreign ownership limit in a development from 49% to 75%, and to amend the Land Act, to allow foreigners to lease land in Thailand for 99 years, up from the current 50. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday that there is actually not much change needed to the Land Act, because the existing law already allows foreigners to lease land for 50 years, with an option to extend by a further 50 years. He said the Land Act needs to be amended anyway, to provide assurance to foreign investors that they can utilize land in Thailand for up to 99 years in a single lease contract, making investment secure and worthwhile. Anutin also explained that, although foreigners will be able to buy up to 75% of the units in a condominium development, their voting rights in the management of the development remain unchanged, with the Thais retaining the control. The change in the Condominium Act should mean that more units will be bought by foreigners, as there is currently an oversupply, especially of low and moderately-priced units, said the interior minister, while claiming that Thailand and the Thai people will gain from the two amendments.

From Pattaya News Travel + Leisure, a leading travel and lifestyle magazine, has awarded Thailand the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. Koh Samui was named the Best Island in Asia Pacific, and Samui Airport ranked fourth among the best airports. Additionally, Bangkok was awarded the Best City in Asia Pacific. These recognitions highlight Thailand’s potential in the tourism sector, showcasing its beauty and the convenience offered to travelers. The awards were based on votes from Travel + Leisure readers between January and March 2024. The magazine emphasized Koh Samui’s charm, noting its small bungalows, fishing villages, and stunning natural scenery, which make it one of the most visited destinations in Thailand.

From Pattaya Mail The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced an extension of its free insurance program for international visitors until December 31, 2024. The campaign, which provides cash compensation to foreign tourists in cases of accidents, emergencies, and deaths, was initially set to expire on August 31st after being in effect since January 1st this year. Under the policy terms, each case of death entitles the tourist or their family to a 1 million baht compensation. Incidents resulting in loss of organs or permanent disabilities are covered for 300,000 baht. Medical expenses from accidents are compensated based on actual costs up to a maximum of 500,000 baht. Sermsak Pongpanit, the Tourism and Sports Minister, stated that this extended insurance campaign assists international tourists during emergencies like accidents, crimes, and natural disasters in Thailand. However, the compensation does not apply if the visitors can claim insurance from their travel providers or cases where the hotel, attraction, or tourism operator provides separate insurance coverage.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Thai prime minister’s campaign to introduce a Schengen-style visa program for travel across the region has become stuck in bureaucracy. Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos each has different travel regulations which are proving hard to disentangle. For example, Thailand now allows no-cost visa exemptions for tourist traffic from 93 countries, about half the number agreed by Vietnam. Cambodia charges almost all visitors US$30 on arrival or via e-visa application, while troubled Myanmar insists on a pre-purchased visa which can take up to two weeks to issue. Chief executive of VietSense Travel, Nguyen Van Tai, said that the ASEAN block should not rush into a common visa as political and security issues had not yet been resolved. The Cambodian immigration service last week reported there were no plans to lift the US$30 tourist fee. Marisa Sukosol Nunbakdi, a past president of the Thai Hotels Association, said any common visa would need to be 90 days, not 30 or 60, to reach its international potential. Thitian Pongsudhirak, a professor at Chulalongkorn University, stressed that standardized immigration procedures throughout the region were very rare. Another ongoing complication arises from bilateral (two-country) agreements. For example, the Russian private lender Tinkoff has now started making Thai baht transfers through the Swift messaging system which may explain to some degree why Russians love Thailand. The Russian bank in fact sends funds to around 30 countries including China and Turkey. But some of Thailand’s regional partners are unlikely to agree to link up with Tinkoff without lengthy discussion. Meanwhile, Schengen-style agreements are doing better elsewhere. The Gulf Cooperation Council – comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – currently requires separate e-visas. But a Grand Tours visa is expected to be available by the end of 2024 and travel companies are expected to launch packages covering several mi-east countries once implemented. A similar common-visa initiative covering five southern African countries, spreading across massive nature reserves, is expected to popularize tourist attractions such as exotic wildlife and spectacular waterfalls. Schengen-style, visa-free travel in practice means seamless travel through the signatory countries without the burden of undue passport inspection. The concept creates a much more welcoming environment for tourists by simplifying the multi-entry process by air, sea and land. Given the hesitancy of ASEAN in agreeing any major policy changes and its history of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of member states, a joint visa plan by Thailand and her neighbors remains a worthy dream under discussion since 2010. ASEAN will sleep on it.

Bkkmfg2648, enjoy yourselves but I hope to read about your adventures only on these pages and not in Thai media. 🙂

….and severely constricted genitalia.

Will that be in the form of cash, check or boys?

You could have one hell of a party in the Dusit Thani Suite.

You grow into them.

TIT. Very consistent.

Those are valid concerns. After retirement, my visits became longer (30 and now 60 days), Airbnb’s became more economical and practical. Since my regular guy is my only overnight guest, shared housekeeping chores are not an issue. Only use units that have washer in room. And luckily found super attentive agent who takes care of maintenance issues quickly. But for most visitors hotels are the option of choice. Finding suitable ones should be simple because so many members have reported their experiences on forum.

From Pattaya News Central Pattaya shopping center is preparing to host the “Pattaya International Pride Festival 2024,” with this year’s edition promising to be the biggest. The “Pride For All” themed festival will take place from June 21st to 23rd, 2024, at Central Pattaya. The highlight of the festival is the Pride Parade, which will be held on June 22nd at 4:00 PM. The parade will snake its way along Pattaya Beach, featuring over 5,000 participants from more than 100 LGBTQ+ organizations, allies, and even celebrities. Registration for those interested in walking in the parade will be open from noon to 3:00 PM on the same day at Central Marina. Following the parade, festivities will shift to the Central PattayaBeach Stage for a night filled with live music and entertainment. Attendees can expect performances by popular Thai singers such as Prang Prangthip and Praeja Yanwannathan, alongside DJ sets and special shows.

From The Thaiger A 64 year old Belgian tourist tragically succumbed to severe injuries following a brutal assault in Hua Hin in early April. The attack left him with a fractured skull and 10 broken bones, leading to a coma from which he never awoke. Jan Valkenborg was holidaying with his Thai girlfriend in the resort town when he was ambushed. He was smoking a cigarette on the pavement when a man struck him from behind, continuing the vicious assault even after he fell. The assailant, later identified as a German national with a criminal record and ties to a local fight club, also attacked a British man the same night. Danny Lemmens, Valkenborg’s close friend, remained by his side until he passed away on Monday, June 17. Lemmens, who travelled to Thailand to assist with Valkenborg’s care, recounted the harrowing ordeal. “It was a long day, waiting for 13 hours during his surgery, and the following days were sleepless ones as I stayed in his hotel room, surrounded by his belongings while he fought for his life in the hospital.” Valkenborg underwent a gruelling 13-hour surgery to address multiple skull fractures. Although the operation was successful, doctors estimated a recovery period of three to eight months, with an uncertain prognosis. Despite medical interventions, including a significant operation on his birthday, his condition worsened, leading to epileptic seizures. Doctors eventually concluded he would never fully recover. The German attacker roamed the area for hours after the assault before being apprehended by police. Lemmens, who met Valkenborg through their mutual involvement with the Vlaams Belang political party, remembered him as a helpful individual with a wide circle of friends. “Jan was a man with a heart of gold. He didn’t deserve this.” Valkenborg was initially treated at a hospital in Hua Hin before being transferred to Bangkok for further operations and eventually repatriated to Gasthuisberg Hospital in Leuven, Belgium.

From Pattaya Mail The Fact-Finding Committee has recommended to the Prime Minister that Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol be reinstated to his position of Police Chief at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters (RTP) following the completion of the investigation. However, the order suspending Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, Deputy Police Chief, must wait for the RTP to resubmit it due to procedural irregularities in the previous process. Wissanu Krea-ngam, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Thursday provided an update on the investigation by the Fact-Finding Committee concerning the conflicts within the Royal Thai Police. Chaired by Chatchai Promlert, the committee’s investigation included testimony from over 50 witnesses over four months. The investigation uncovered conflicts at all levels within the Royal Thai Police, involving Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimol, the Police Chief, and Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, the Deputy Police Chief, among others. The conflict has also implicated other police officers, leading to multiple lawsuits, including major and minor cases involving online gambling, illegal debt, narcotics, and the trading of police positions. Regarding Pol. Gen. Torsak, the Fact-Finding Committee recommended his reinstatement to his former position as Police Chief at the RTP following the completion of the investigation. The recommendation awaits the Prime Minister’s approval. For Pol. Gen. Surachate, an order was issued on April 18 to reinstate him to the RTP, and a disciplinary investigation committee was formed, recommending his suspension from service. However, under the Royal Thai Police Act, such a decision must be recommended by the investigation committee. Since this process was not followed correctly, the RTP must resubmit the proposal for his suspension.

This shop has been very favorably reviewed in the local media on several occasions. Good to hear you found it.

+1

Breakfast in the Amara is certainly adequate but like many hotels now the value isn't as compelling because it’s more of an add-on expense.

The opportunity to be able to talk with guy during massage is a distinct advantage, particularly if you like him and plan to repeat. Having said that, non-verbal communication offers its own special rewards.

Sunday Airlines is a charter airline in Kazakhstan and a subsidiary of SCAT Airlines. Its main base is Almaty International Airport. It was founded in 2013.

Thanks for the leads. I’m passing this along to Vietnam friend who’ll be traveling with me.

From Wikipedia SCAT Airlines, legally PLL SCAT Air Company, is a Kazakh civil airline. Its head office is located in the Shymkent International Airportin Şymkent, Kazakhstan.[2] It operates services to all major cities of Kazakhstan and its neighboring countries. Its main base is Şymkent Airport, with focus cities at Aqtau International Airport, Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, and Almaty International Airport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCAT_Airlines