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From Pattaya News Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok remains the most popular tourist destination in March, 2024, followed by Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Phuket, and Prachuap Khiri Khan. According to the data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Bangkok retained its top spot with 4,459,579 visitors, of which 49.60% were international tourists. The occupancy rate for Bangkok hotels was 76.32%. Chonburi, the home province of the resort city of Pattaya, came in second with 1,892,712 visitors, of which 49.88% were international tourists. The hotel occupancy rate was 76.69%. Kanchanaburi came in third, welcoming 1,185,695 visitors. The tourists, however, mostly consisted of Thai people with only 3.04% being foreigners. The hotel occupancy rate was 65.19%. Meanwhile, in the fourth place was Phuket, which saw only 1,171,189 visitors. 78.75% of these were international tourists. The province’s hotels saw an occupancy rate of 86.37%. Lastly, Prachuap Khiri Khan rounded out the top five with 979,818 visitors, including 6.08% international tourists and an occupancy rate of 72.83%.

Lucille has never been to Bangkok.🙂

Whatever the outcome, voters--regardless of where they are--voters get what they deserve. That of course depends on a fair and impartial election. In the US, that's complicated by fiasco known as the electoral college. In Russia--and other places--it's complicated when the incumbent snuffs out competition. In China--an other places--it's complicated by a complete dictatorship. Much now rests on he Euro Zone to accept the mantle of leadership in the face of a possible Trump victory--as absurd as the possibility is. But it wouldn't be the first time the masses demanded, "Give us Barabbas".

Exactly! No trouble finding handsome guys with lots of attitude at home but not a reason to fly 11,000 miles to see more. 🙂 As I've gotten older I find that I no longer seek out guys with glorious bodies or prettiest faces. Perfectly willing to settle for attractive young men who offer affection and intimacy sans the attitude games. Nevertheless fully appreciate why others do flock to Jupiter.

From Channel News Asia By Jack Board SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia: From the shady poolside cabanas of a newly opened beach club, only the buzzing of nearby passing sand-dredging ships disrupt the serenity of Cambodia’s largest ever coastal development. This is stage one of the Bay of Lights - what is meant to be a US$16 billion 934-hectare “eco city”, nearly three times the size of Singapore’s Marina Bay. Newly forged roads named Sunset Boulevard and Bay Esplanade lead to a menagerie of water sport offerings and a go-kart track. A golf course, shopping malls, luxury hotels and an international financial centre are planned for the future. Visitors can currently pay US$95 for 40 minutes on a jet ski or US$180 for a ride on a jet pack. A reverse bungee can whisk holiday-goers high into the air, where they might fully see the extent of still-incomplete land reclamation stretching out into the Gulf of Thailand. Sand has been poured at such a rapid pace that even Google Maps has yet to catch up with the reality that what has always been water, is now land. The Bay of Lights is reshaping Cambodia’s southern coastline, a sparkling stretch of shallow water. By 2045, when the third phase is pegged for completion, the developers say 160,000 people might live in this new green city, which began in 2019. The area is being developed by a company called Canopy Sands. Its parent company is Prince Holding Group, a powerful conglomerate led by Mr Chen Zhi, a business tycoon from China who became a naturalised Cambodian in 2014, a process that requires a significant investment or government donation. For now, aside from a few well-heeled thrill-seekers and the workers continuing to lay the city’s sandy foundations, it is mostly deserted and incomplete. But local people have already been left wallowing in its wake. There are growing fears among observers that the entire project could end up resembling a ghost city, undermined by shaky financial foundations, environmental concerns and growing scrutiny of the influential business group undertaking the ambitious construction. Continues with video and photos https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodia-sihanoukville-bay-lights-eco-city-prince-group-4252091

From Thai PBS World Jiraporn Sindhuprai, a fast-rising political star from a famous red-shirt family, has been promoted to the Cabinet as the new PM’s Office minister, in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s first government reshuffle. Jiraporn, 36, was elected as a Pheu Thai MP in the 2023 election with the highest number of votes not just in her home constituency of Roi Et but also in the entire country. She increased her share of the vote from 58,842 in the 2019 election to 61,288. Just five years after she entered Parliament, her growing popularity and impressive political performances have earned her a Cabinet seat. Born on September 1, 1987, Jiraporn is the eldest daughter of Nisit and Aim-orn Sindhuprai. Both her parents were Roi Et MPs, but her father was also a co-leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or the red-shirt movement. During UDD rallies more than a decade ago, Jiraporn and her younger sister Chayapa, also a Roi Et MP, were often spotted at the front of the stage. Jiraporn said it was the eloquence of UDD co-leader Nattawut Saikuar that inspired her to develop her own speaking skills. Jiraporn studied at Assumption University’s Faculty of Arts in Bangkok before obtaining a master’s degree in political science at Ramkhamhaeng University. She later headed to England to attend the University of Reading, where she picked up a master’s in science. She also participated in the Cambodia-Thai Exchange Program. After being elected in 2019, Jiraporn was quickly rewarded with the post of deputy spokesperson for the party. She was also handed coveted positions on several parliamentary committees. Among them was the high-powered House panel on economic development, for which she served as secretary. However, it was on the parliamentary debating floor where Jiraporn’s skills really shone. Despite being a first-time MP, Pheu Thai allotted her nearly one hour to grill then-PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha during a headline-making censure debate in June 2022. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/jiraporn-sindhuprai-child-of-the-red-shirt-movement-and-rising-star-of-pheu-thai/

From Pattaya Mail Chonburi Governor, Thawatchai Srithong, met with Banglamung District Chief Weekit Manarotkit, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, officials from the Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and representatives from Eastern Water Supply Company on May 2 to strategize solutions for the persistent water shortage issue plaguing Koh Larn Island. Koh Larn Island, with a local population of merely 3,000 to 4,000 residents, experiences a staggering influx of visitors, averaging 8,000 on weekdays and 12,000 on weekends. This surge translates to accommodating over 500,000 to 1 million people monthly, far surpassing the island’s capacity. Despite this, the current water production capacity, excluding purchases from Pattaya, stands at a meagre 400 cubic meters per day, rendering it insufficient to meet the burgeoning demands for freshwater. To tackle this crisis, a comprehensive two-phase plan was devised. In the short term, immediate steps will be taken to purchase and distribute freshwater to residents, alleviating the acute water scarcity during this dry season. In the long term, the Pattaya City Administration will collaborate with the Eastern Water Supply Company to ramp up the production capacity of desalinated water from 400 to 3,000 cubic meters per day within the year. Governor Thawatchai emphasized that despite the water shortage crisis, tourism activities on Koh Larn Island remain unaffected. Accommodations and resorts have made provisions to provide freshwater, ensuring tourists can still relish their time on the island. However, the crisis predominantly impacts local residents, prompting concerted efforts to purchase and distribute freshwater to alleviate their plight.

Jupiter is the only bar I can honestly say that I have no desire whatsoever to visit. Although fully aware of its reputation to put on display beautiful men, the accompanying attitude makes it a total no-go venue for me. It would be like visiting a museum full of modern art: nothing there to attract me.

From CNBC The auditing firm for Trump Media and the auditor’s owner were charged Friday with “massive fraud” by the Securities and Exchange Commission for work that affected more than 1,500 SEC filings, the federal regulator announced. The auditor, BF Borgers CPA and its owner Benjamin Borgers have agreed to be permanently suspended from practicing as accountants before the SEC, and also agreed to pay a combined $14 million in civil penalties, with admitting or denying the allegations, the SEC said. The agency, calling BF Borgers a “sham audit mill,” said the company and its owner engaged in “deliberate and systemic failures to comply with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ... standards in its audits and reviews incorporated in more than 1,500 SEC filings from January 2021 through June 2023,” according to a press release.

Agree that that knowledge is not lost on the young men of Bangkok.🙂

From MSN At least once in their lives, devout Buddhists in Laos strive to visit a very special temple inside a natural landmark, the Pak Ou Caves, directly on the mighty Mekong River, the lifeline of Southeast Asia. According to estimates, there are as many as 6,000 Buddha statues of various sizes and materials like wood and bronze in two limestone caves, put there by pilgrims over the centuries. Buddha is depicted with various hand gestures - called mudras - each of which has a specific meaning. "It is estimated that there are around 4,000 sculptures in the lower cave and around 2,000 in the upper one," says tour guide Somjai Simoonthong, who regularly brings tourists from all over the world here. The cave temples can only be reached by boat along the Mekong. The journey from the popular tourist destination of Luang Prabang - the former capital of the Southeast Asian country - involves a boat trip of about two hours. Inside the caves, a Laotian who lives in the US state of Colorado sprinkles a group of Buddha statues with water - as a sign of purification and respect. "I've wanted to travel here for so long, it's very important to me as a Laotian," he says. Most people in the country believe that their ancestors entered the caves for the first time in the 8th century. At that time, Buddhism was not yet widespread, so the Pak Ou Caves were initially used as a shrine for the river spirits. Continues with photos https://www.msn.com/en-ca/travel/tripideas/the-sacred-pak-ou-caves-of-laos-home-to-some-6000-buddha-statues/ar-AA1nYfmm

From Pattaya Mail At 79, Wichai Kaewintarathi earns a living by selling traditional musical instruments from northeastern Thailand, such as the khaen and pin along Jomtien Beach. Originally from Nakhon Phanom Province, Uncle Wichai has been in this profession for over 40 years. The musical instruments he sells are crafted by his wife, who is skilled in this art. He then showcases these instruments to tourists, presenting them as authentic northeastern musical instruments. Every morning Uncle Wichai sets up his stall at Jomtien Beach, where he remains until evening. In the evenings, he travels to South Pattaya on a song taew (baht-bus) to continue his sales, offering his items for prices ranging from one hundred to one thousand baht. Uncle Wichai’s sales technique involves not just selling but also performing. He entertains passersby by playing melodies on the khaen and showcasing various songs, adding vibrancy to the tourist scene. Through his efforts, he not only earns a livelihood but also promotes awareness of northeastern cultural music.

+1 Westerners are prone to do it with watches.

There's an easy test to determine attraction. Do you get hard looking at him? All else is secondary.

Never underestimate the power of persuasion. Twunks--and twinks--can be quite aggressive if they value the prize. 🙂

I'd think twice before expressing those views to a Buddhist. Although it's known to be a peaceful religion, angry Thais are known to respond differently.

From Pattaya News On May 1st, 2024, Thai national media reported Sex Worker Statistics by Country and Gender made by the International Union of Sex Workers on the occasion of Labor Day. Sex workers in Thailand were fighting for the legalization of prostitution for their basic and occupational protection rights. It was reported that earlier this year (2024), Empower Foundation and sex worker representatives submitted a letter to various Thai political parties to demand basic rights and welfare from the government that should be equal to other occupations. The bill was made and opened for opinions for more than five years from every sector. However, the story went unheard of from November 2023 for no reason. The sex worker representatives were worried that their efforts might be futile, said Ms. Chatchalawan Muangchan, the activist from Empower Foundation. Thai national media showed Sex Worker Statistics by the International Union of Sex Workers ranking the first 20 countries in 2024. The original statistics were made on October 11th, 2023. The top 10 countries rank according to the statistics could be rounded up as follows: China 5,000,000 people, India 3,000,000 people, United States 1,000,000 people, Philippines 800,000 people, Mexico 500,000 people, Germany 400,000 people, Brazil 250,000 people, Thailand 250,000 people, Bangladesh 200,000 people, and South Korea 147,000 people. Thailand was ranked in the top 10 countries to have sex workers. The number tended to increase considering that in the digital age prostitutes could provide services on online platforms globally. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/05/02/thai-sex-workers-demand-legalization-for-basic-rights-statistics-reveal-thailand-in-top-10-countries-for-sex-work/ However, the statistics were not comprehensive as a massive number of sex workers were not surveyed and did not get the basic rights and welfare that they deserved, said the organisers.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Defense minister Sutin Klungsang says the proposal for the prime minister, with the consent of the Cabinet, to suspend top military officers suspected of plotting a putsch needs further debate. When asked what criteria would be used, he said the risk could be assessed on movements and activities within the military prior to an imminent coup. However, he expected several sets of proposals by the Defense Council to be debated by the Cabinet before presentation to Parliament to become law. Mr Sutin stressed that no law could prevent a coup, but could provide a potential deterrent. Thailand has experienced a military takeover on average every seven years in the past century, not to mention several unsuccessful attempts especially in the 1980s. Generals, defending a putsch, have always said they need to defend the monarchy, end corruption and/or institute much-needed political reform. Typically, they cancel the existing constitution and pass legislation by diktat. The last coup in 2014 was bloodless and the only one in Thai history not to roll out the tanks into central Bangkok. It was briefly opposed by a few thousand demonstrators but the army quickly assumed control of the capital. Anti-military activity in the provinces was, as usual, minimal or non-existent. The courts and the press were compliant. The coup leaders held a general election in 2019 and retained power before losing the one in 2023 to the radical Move Forward Party (MFP) and the mainstream Pheu Thai. In the event, Pheu Thai made a deal with the smaller pro-military parties to form a coalition, thus excluding the sorely disappointed MFP supporters. Most Thai commentators believe there is no prospect of a coup during the present parliament as radical agendas – such as reform of the treason laws and serious army reform – are not on the agenda. The next general election is slated for 2027 with some polls suggesting very strong and enduring support for radical policies. Given the coup-culture which is still entwined into Thai culture and even expectations, that could be a challenging year.

From Thai PBS World Thai workers have little to celebrate on Labor Day this year, with the government’s promised wage hike nowhere in sight. They will have to wait until at least October for the ruling Pheu Thai Party to honor its election pledge to raise the minimum daily wage to 400 baht. In contrast, white-collar government workers including new civil servants and retired officials will enjoy salary hikes from Labor Day on May 1. New civil servants will start on 18,000 baht per month while the monthly pensions of retired officials will rise to at least 11,000 baht. “The move to increase income for civil servants is politically motivated,” said Assoc Prof Dr Kiriya Kulkolkarn, who lectures at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Economics. She argued that raising salaries in this way distorts the labor market, offering limited improvement in quality of life for middle-class earners while failing to redistribute wealth to low-income earners. Kiriya also suspected that the government policy to significantly raise the minimum wage had a political motive. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/labor-day-wage-hike-delayed-thai-workers-and-experts-bemoan-thailands-low-income-trap/

From Thai PBS World In this ever-changing world, many people are overwhelmed by uncertainties and fears. Competition at work, rampant layoffs, finances, parenting, friendships and pandemic concerns can all spark tension, leaving people feeling stressed, anxious and emotionally drained. To cope with these feelings, a large number of Thai people have turned to superstitious objects, lucky charms, amulets, talismans and even occult rites, known as mutelu, in the hope that they will bring fortune, prosperity and good luck, a study has found. The findings of a survey on mutelu behavior released in 2024 by the Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living ASEAN (Thailand) revealed that 88% of respondents believed in superstition and had faith in mutelu, with ‘money’ and ‘good luck’ at the top of the most requested blessings. Mutelu, for many Thai people, refers to people who travel to holy sites or places to worship sacred objects. Many worshippers pray for blessings from amulets and talismans to bring peace, fulfil their hopes and wishes. When they receive what they asked for, they will return to developer the promised offerings. According to the study, more than half of respondents (52%) reported that they see mutelu as a spiritual anchor. And over 65% of them said they pray for blessings for themselves. The study involved over 1,200 Thai people of different age groups. Each group had particular worship and mutelu behavior, the study found. Gen X respondents (43-58 years old) prefer visiting temples, making merit, praying to boost morale and hope, as well as for good health. Gen Y respondents (27-42 years old), meanwhile request money, good luck and career advancement when practising mutelu. Gen Z respondents (11-26 years old) enjoy worship activities that fit their lifestyle and own amulets and lucky charms that are chic and trendy. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-superstition-boom-full-of-faith-in-thailand/

I noticed in many Asian cultures, it's common to display wealth with gold as a way of demonstrating success. But add booze to the equation and the outcome can prove costly.

The police officer was killed in the middle of the road, as the video in link shows. The taxi did crash into sidewalk but came to stop within the intersection.

From The Nation The Ministry of Public Health says it has known about the risk of blood-clotting side effects from AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine since the beginning, and confirmed it has not purchased additional AstraZeneca vaccines after stocks were depleted. There have been have reported cases of litigation in the United Kingdom regarding adverse effects after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, sometimes resulting in fatal blood-clotting incidents. While AstraZeneca disputes these allegations, it did admit for the first time in one court document that its vaccine could potentially cause thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) or blood clotting in some cases. Dr Surachoke Tangwiwat, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said AstraZeneca has been providing information on vaccine side effects through medical journals since its emergency use authorisation (EUA), and now it is widely authorised. The ministry has been collecting adverse-event data as evidence, including cases of litigation. When there are recommendations or academic information available, the ministry incorporates them into vaccine guidelines, Surachoke said. For instance, when AstraZeneca provided data on blood clotting in younger age groups, the ministry recommended vaccination only for individuals aged 30 and above. “Data on blood-clotting incidents have been disclosed since the vaccine was used in emergency situations. The company itself has presented this information to all countries using the vaccine, including Thailand. As for the AstraZeneca vaccine, Thailand has already used up its supply, and there have been no additional purchases this year. Therefore, the vaccines currently available for Covid-19 are supplied by Pfizer and Moderna, Surachoke said. https://www.nationthailand.com/health-wellness/40037690

I like to think that I exercise all due caution when crossing Silom or Surawong roads but the following incident gives me a moment of pause to reconsider if I've become overconfident. From the Thaiger Drunk taxi driver crashes and kills traffic cop in Bangkok A drunk taxi driver crashed and killed a traffic police officer on Phahonyothin Road in the Bang Khen district of Bangkok on April 28. The deputy traffic inspector from the Bang Khen Police Station, 54 year old police sub-lieutenant Autsada Jamniansi, lost his life while he was on duty directing traffic during a mini-marathon event on Phahonyothin Road. He was rushed to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital but tragically succumbed to the severe injuries. Continues with vieo https://thethaiger.com/news/national/drunk-taxi-driver-crashes-and-kills-traffic-cop-in-bangkok-video .

From The Thaiger Police in Phuket have detained a British national following an altercation involving a tuk tuk driver, where the foreigner was accused of physically assaulting the driver over a fare dispute. The incident, which was captured on CCTV footage, garnered significant attention on social media, leading to a swift police response. The confrontation took place on the evening of April 26, when a tuk-tuk driver was allegedly attacked by a British tourist after a disagreement over the fare. The driver claimed the fare was 400 baht (US$10) but the tourist insisted he had paid with a 1,000 baht (US$27) note and demanded change. When the driver suggested resolving the matter at the local police station, the tourist responded aggressively. The video, just over a minute long, shows the tourist squeezing the driver’s neck and slapping his face, actions which left the driver visibly shaken and seeking justice. The footage prompted an outcry from netizens, leading to an investigation by the Karon Police Station. Last night, April 30, the police, led by senior officers from the Karon Police Station, executed an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court. The suspect, identified as 31 yeas old Luke Alexander Graham, had fled Patong for a hotel on Koh Phi Phi in the neighbouring province of Krabi.