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No, but that's me seated in rickshaw in first photo.

For those who've read John Burdett's "Bangkok 8," they've seen this plot before.

The operative words are "high pressure" (measured in pounds per square inch). The trucks deliver the water in a low pressure spray.

The website still comes up as "https://onespa.love/"

From Pattaya Mail In the early hours of April 19, Pattaya’s tourist police officers swiftly intervened and arrested Sumaree Keemalae, a 59-year-old woman, in the vicinity of Walking Street, following a targeted theft aimed at a foreign tourist during the Songkran festivities. The incident unfolded as a Chinese tourist couple immersed themselves in the celebration along Walking Street. Sensing a disturbance with his backpack, initially dismissed as mere suspicion, the tourist soon discovered evidence of tampering. Upon closer inspection, he found his backpack slashed and valuables missing. Reacting quickly, the man managed to grab Sumaree, whom he suspected of perpetrating the theft, and handed her over to nearby tourist police authorities. During interrogation, Sumaree admitted to her involvement in the crime and divulged insights into the pickpocketing operation. She disclosed her role as part of a four-person group systematically targeting unsuspecting tourists during crowded events. Each member had assigned tasks, with one distracting the victim while another executed the theft. However, Sumaree’s capture by the tourist thwarted the operation, leading to her arrest. Further investigations revealed Sumaree’s extensive criminal record, with seven prior cases linked to theft. Pol. Lt. Col. Piyapong Ensan, chief of the Pattaya Tourist Police, voiced concerns for the safety of tourists in Pattaya and urged visitors to remain vigilant, especially regarding their belongings. Emphasizing the importance of proactive reporting, he encouraged tourists to promptly alert law enforcement to any suspicious activities. Additionally, security cameras strategically placed in the area captured clear footage of the incident, providing vital evidence for the ongoing investigation.

From Pattaya News The Wan Lai Festival, also known as the Big Day of Songkran, kicked off yesterday, April 19th, transforming the city’s world-famous beachfront into a lively spectacle of water splashing. The atmosphere along Pattaya Beach Road, from Pattaya Klang Intersection to Walking Street in South Pattaya, was electric as thousands of Thai and international tourists immersed themselves in the last day of Songkran festivities. The 2-kilometer stretch was transformed into a water playground, with the city authorities setting up water spraying trucks and private businesses organizing various entertainment activities and traditional games. The city also set up a major music stage headlined by famous Thai rock act Retrospect. The city had also previously announced that alcohol would not be allowed on the beach area during the event but this rule did not seem to be strongly enforced.

The One Spa site appears to have been restored. If you go the webpage and see message quoted above, look at bottom of screen for box that says "AGREE". Click on that and it should take you to listings. I feel a lot better now. 🙂

From VN Express By Mai Nhat Saigon City Hall (now headquarters of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee) was designed by architect Femand Gardès and built between 1889 and 1909. In the French colonial period, the building was originally called Hôtel de ville in French or Tay Xa Palace in Vietnamese. By the time of the Republic of Vietnam, it was used for government work and important meetings The corner of Rue Catinat and Lagrandière (now Dong Khoi - Ly Tu Trong, District 1). The street is known as the "umbilical cord" of old Saigon, a nearly kilometer-long street that boasted the first commercial centers an d first hotels in Saigon. The bustling street in front of Ho Chi Minh City Hall has now become Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Continues at https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/saigon-100-years-ago-through-foreigners-lenses-4734460.html

One Spa website is down The following message appears on the site: Please note: Currently, the Onespa store's customer database system has crashed and still cannot be recovered. In addition, the store's phone number cannot be contacted as well. Therefore, customers are asked to walk in to use the service directly for the time being. At this time, the store manager, Mr. Ritthikai (Sky), is no longer an employee of the store. We therefore request all customers to contact Manager Barbie as a replacement.

But nevertheless still factual 🙂

Thanks for great video. It caught my interest and I did some searching and here's what I learned. The festival is part of an annual celebration by the local Catholic church, commemorating an event that owes its origins to a gift from Mexico. From Wikipedia The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Tondo, also known as Tondo Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Tondo, Manila established by the Augustinians. It houses an image of the Infant Jesus which originally came from Acapulco, Mexico and was handed over by a wealthy merchant to the Archbishop of Manila at that time, who later turned it over to the parish priest of Tondo Since 1572, the image of the Santo Niño has been enshrined in this church. If you Google Tondo macho dancing (or something akin to it) you'll find other videos. Among them one that describes the time these young men spend in weight rooms, preparing for this joyful display of masculinity that delights the population. The topic of macho dancing jogged my memory. In 1988, the full-length movie "Macho Dancer" was released and won worldwide acclaim. From Internet Archieve Macho Dancer is a 1988 Philippine film, directed by Lino Brocka. It explores the realities of a young, poor, rural gay man, who after being dumped by his American boyfriend, is forced to support himself and his family in Manila's seamy red-light district. The film's frank depiction of homosexuality, prostitution, drag queens and crooked cops, the porn industry, sexual slavery, and drugs and violence caused Filipino government censors to order extensive edits of the film. Brocka smuggled an uncensored cut out of the Philippines to be shown to a limited number of international film festivals. The film received a standing ovation at the 1988 Toronto International Film Festival. In 2013, a Thai documentary (My Life as a GoGo Dancer) was released. It features a performer at Jupiter's old location on Soi Twilight.

There's nothing that's not factual about the statement. It's simply doesn't contain all the historical data you'd like to see incorporated.

Not safe,I agree, and I wouldn't tolerate such close contact for any more than an hour....maybe two.🙂

From The Thaiger A transgender village head and her boyfriend allegedly yesterday committed suicide in a car parked outside a 7-Eleven convenience store in the central province of Ratchaburi. A 7-Eleven member of staff, Thatsaya Saetang, contacted Ban Pong Police Station officers at about 4pm yesterday, April 18 after she found the people unconscious in the car. Thatsaya explained that she noticed a white Toyota Fortuner parked in front of the store for about 20 minutes without anyone getting out. Then, she heard the engine revving up twice, which raised her suspicion. Thatsaya found the act suspicious and went to check on it. She looked through the car window and found both the driver and passenger unconscious inside. The driver was identified as the transgender village leader of Suan Kluay sub-district, 45 year old Phongsak Buakham. The passenger, believed to be her boyfriend, was identified as 45 year old Suppasate Suppasak-anan. Police and medical professionals from Ban Pong Hospital arrived at the scene and forcibly entered the vehicle. Phongsak and Suppasate were unconscious and bleeding from their noses and mouths. They were rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead upon arrival. The superintendent of the Ban Pong Police Station, Piyaphong Wongkatejai, speculated that the couple might have committed suicide by consuming toxic substances, as their skin had turned dark and they were bleeding from their noses and mouths. Relationship and business issues were cited as possible motives for the suicide. Piyaphong mentioned that Phongsak’s father had formerly held the position of village head. Subsequently, Thatsaya became part of the local administrative team and was appointed as the village head for eight years. The family was well regarded in the Suan Kluay sub-district due to their charitable endeavours and support for the community.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The highpoint of the British addiction to Thailand was the year 2011 when there were almost 900,000 entries by British passport holders. The information was from the Thai immigration bureau, though it was likely a slight overestimate as it counted re-entries by the same person as additional individuals. These days the bureau sadly does not publish data in the same detailed way country by country. Meanwhile, another useful statistical source, the UK government’s shock annual report British Behaviour Abroad, was discontinued several years ago. Maybe it provided too many salacious stories about sex, drugs and awful traffic accidents. The number of Brits declined in the mid-2020s to about half the 2011 totals. In spite of the covid pandemic, the international tourist numbers in Thailand are now approaching the 2019 figure of almost 40 million according to the Tourist Authority of Thailand. However, the principal recruiting grounds are now China, Russia and India whose nationals are no longer required to obtain prior visas. According to the Board of Investment, Brits have shown little interest in longstay visas such as the newish 10-year Long Term Residence which encourages the well-heeled to make a base in Thailand. The decline in British tourist numbers to Thailand has several roots. There’s stiff competition from eastern Europe and sun-baked rivals in south east Asia. The rising cost of international air fares and immigration bureaucracy, notably the TM30 residence form which can carry a financial penalty if ignored may also be factors. Almost daily reports of Brits being arrested and jailed in Thailand and disturbing stories about the non-insured facing huge bills after a traffic accident surely play a role. The notion that Thailand is the Wild West where anything goes, assuming it was once true, is now buried six feet under. The 2011 statistics showed there were around 60,000 Brits living in Thailand for most or all of the year. The UK Institute for Public Policy recently estimated the number at only 41,000 in 2024. For working expats, the opportunities in traditional industries such as oil and gas are smaller, whilst the Japanese and the Chinese are the dominant foreign presence in newer industries such as car manufacture and industrial estates. Working without a permit and using illegal Thai nominees in businesses these days are risky lifestyles with ongoing surveillance by police and employment officials. British retirees have long been a feature of the expat population in Thailand, but their numbers are also in decline. Inflationary pressures, not to mention the high cost of inpatient hospital care, are significant issues especially as some British pensions – including the state one – are frozen from annual increases. Expat clubs in Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai have been dominated of late by talk of the Thai Revenue policy to tax “assessable” foreign income with complaining British voices being amongst the loudest. Social media is abundant with English-speaking expats threatening to leave Thailand for pastures new in Cambodia, Vietnam or the Philippines where the tax authorities are, it is hoped, more indulgent. It certainly does look like the British love affair with Thailand is losing its magic.

From The Thaiger The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) anticipates the closure of the final chapters in the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway’s first phase, reveals Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Spanning 251 kilometres and boasting a staggering budget of 179.4 billion baht, the ambitious project links the bustling heart of Bangkok to the vibrant cityscape of Nakhon Ratchasima. Divided into 14 meticulously crafted contracts, only two remain awaiting the stroke of the pen, said Surapong. “Contract No. 4-5, tasked with the 13.3 kilometre Ban Pho–Phra Kaeo section in Ayutthaya, is on the cusp of fruition with a budget of 9.9 billion baht. Pending only the completion of a heritage impact assessment (HIA) report on the proposed Ayutthaya station.” Surapong reveals further that the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy is poised to submit the HIA report to Unesco imminently. “Approval is anticipated, given the scrutiny by the UN agency throughout the HIA process. The railway and station, strategically planned away from Ayutthaya’s World Heritage site, should encounter no hurdles.” Meanwhile, Contract No. 4-1 hangs in the balance, tethered to a 15.2-kilometre segment between Bang Sue and Don Muang in Bangkok. Originally envisioned as part of the high-speed railway network linking three major airports, its fate rests on the Board of Investment’s (BoI) impending decision, reported Bangkok Post. “Without BoI’s green light by May 22, alternative routes beckon. SRT might seize the reins solely for the Bang Sue-Don Muang stretch, a crucial lifeline to salvage the project’s punctuality.” Amidst delays plaguing the venture since its 2015 inception, the finish line now glimmers on the horizon: 2028.

From Thailand News Agency The acting national police chief has signed an order to suspend Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn and four subordinates from police duties following criminal proceedings. All five officers are suspected of being involved in money laundering linked to a gambling network. Pol. Gen. Surachate had earlier his legal team reschedule his meeting with the police investigators on the case at the Tao Poon police station for April 27. Acting national police chief Pol.Gen. Kitrat Panphet on Thursday met the prime minister at Government House before he later disclosed that he had signed the suspension order for Pol. Gen. Surachate and his four subordinates. The Prime Minister must be informed as he earlier issued the order for Pol. Gen. Surachate to perform duties at the Prime Minister’s Office, said the acting police chief. However, he said Pol. Gen. Surachate has the right to appeal this order according to the law.

And that's a bad thing?

You can eat pad kaprow and flush warm water up your derrière? As my grandmother would say, this is going beyond the beyonds. Floridarob, as recording secretary, suggest you put this on agenda for confab you suggested in Thailand and Vietnam thread.

Don't know what "IG" or "repping" means but that's probably due to age gap. Messy? Hope you don't mean like expanded version of water sports.

Saigon can be more expensive than Hanoi and even Bangkok, but I think guys from north are hotter. Why not go with Viet guy?

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is ranked at 58 in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024, an improvement from last year’s 68th placing. The international airport ranking website places Doha Hamad Airport at the top of the list. Singapore Changi, last year’s winner, dropped to second place this year. Airports of Thailand (AOT) adds that their satellite terminal one (SAT-1) received 4 stars this year, for the architecture, cleanliness, overall atmosphere, facilities and automation. These automatic systems include check-ins terminals, bag drop, self-boarding gates and the passenger validation system. While Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is aiming for Thailand to become a regional aviation hub, the current per-passenger duration for international in-bound processing at Suvarnabhumi Airport is 26 minutes and 37 minutes per out-bound passenger. Meanwhile, the time taken for domestic arrivals is 15 minutes per passenger and 25 minutes per passenger for departures. Don Mueang International Airport is ranked tenth among the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline Terminals. The rankings are based on traveller questionnaires conducted from August 2023 to March 2024. View full list: https://www.worldairportawards.com/a-z-airport-awards-winners-2024/

It was conceived by those in power to remain in power. And so far it's been quite successful.

From the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Inhalant abusers risk an array of other devastating medical consequences. The highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to fatal heart failure within minutes of a session of prolonged sniffing. This syndrome, known as "sudden sniffing death," can result from a single session of inhalant use by an otherwise healthy young person. Sudden sniffing death is associated particularly with the abuse of butane, propane, and chemicals in aerosols. Inhalant abuse also can cause death by— asphyxiation — from repeated inhalations that lead to high concentrations of inhaled fumes, which displace available oxygen in the lungs; suffocation — from blocking air from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head; convulsions or seizures — from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain; coma — from the brain shutting down all but the most vital functions; choking — from inhalation of vomit after inhalant use; or fatal injury — from accidents, including motor vehicle fatalities, suffered while intoxicated. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/what-are-other-medical-consequences-inhalant-abuse

To some, that's the attraction.