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Anyone who thinks things are getting better in Myanmar are sadly misinformed. From CNN Burnings and beheadings: Myanmar junta escalates terror tactics Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. CNN — The two young men are bloodied, their feet clamped in wooden stocks. “What is the PDF (People’s Defence Force)?” their tormentors yell. “Dogs,” they reply. Humiliated and dehumanized, the men are hogtied and dragged across the rough ground by their thick chains. In front of dozens of onlookers, they are strung up to a tree and a fire stoked beneath them. As smoke rises and the flames consume them, the two men writhe and scream in agony – their final moments of unimaginable pain and horror captured on video. Phoe Tay was 21-years-old, Thar Htaung just 20. The two young men had left their family farms in northwest Myanmar to join a local armed resistance group following the 2021 military coup, hoping to bring peace and democracy to the Southeast Asian country, their fathers told CNN. But they were captured during a battle against the military on November 7 last year, and taken to a nearby village, where they were tortured and killed by a pro-junta militia under the watch of Myanmar army soldiers, according to witnesses. CNN has built a timeline of events, using accounts from more than a dozen witnesses, villagers, resistance fighters, family members and analysts, with analysis of the video and pictures from the day using open source techniques. Those accounts and analysis point to the ruling military as being responsible for the killings, in contradiction of their public denials. Phoe Tay and Thar Htaung’s deaths are horrific, but they are not anomalies in Myanmar, where the military is waging a war of terror against civilians as it finds itself increasingly on the back foot against a nationwide armed resistance determined to oust it from power. Those attacks have only increased since a rebel offensive launched five months ago resulted in major losses and defections for the military, multiple sources confirmed. By waging terror tactics including burnings, beheadings, mutilations, torching villages, and through a massive aerial bombing campaign that has displaced nearly three million people, the Myanmar military is attempting to control and divide the population through a long-established doctrine of fear and brutality, witnesses and analysts say. Continues with video and photos https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/27/asia/myanmar-military-junta-civilian-attacks-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

I don't do three-ways so I gladly defer to PaulSF's comments above regarding your question.

Yes, if you have business class boarding pass, you can proceed directly to fast track lanes in bound and outbound.

From Pattaya News Pattaya, Thailand – The Service Workers In Group Foundation (SWING), a community-based organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, human rights, and dignity of sex workers, announces a significant milestone in its mission to aid vulnerable communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV/AIDS. With the generous support of the Government of Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), SWING has secured essential mobile vehicles to extend crucial services to sex workers and other affected individuals in Bangkok and Pattaya. In response to the devastating effects of the pandemic, SWING initiated the “Angel Kitchen” project in 2019, offering vital sustenance and daily essentials to sex workers facing job loss and economic insecurity. This initiative later evolved into the “Food Bank” project, facilitating broader aid distribution to sex worker communities and their families. Amidst operational challenges, including transportation limitations, SWING demonstrated unwavering commitment by utilizing its own resources and subsequently investing in a food truck to facilitate aid delivery in the Pattaya area. Recognizing the urgent need for expanded mobile services, SWING submitted a proposal titled “Providing Mobile Vehicles for HIV Testing and Food Trucks for the Sex Worker and Other Vulnerable People in Bangkok and Pattaya” to the Japanese Embassy’s GGP project. This proposal, aimed at addressing critical gaps in service provision exacerbated by the pandemic, received approval, signifying a significant collaboration between SWING and the Japanese government in advancing grassroots initiatives. The handover ceremony for the donated vehicles was held on March 27, 2024, at the SWING Foundation’s Pattaya Office in Chonburi Province. Mr. Tatsushi Nishioka, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan, officiated the ceremony by presenting five vans, comprising two laboratory vans, two counseling service vans, and one food truck. The esteemed guests, including representatives from the U.S. Embassy, renowned experts in public health, and local government authorities, witnessed this pivotal moment in SWING’s commitment to community welfare. “We are deeply grateful to the Government of Japan for their unwavering support, which enables us to expand our reach and enhance our services during these challenging times,” stated Professor Dr. Chalidaporn Songsamphan, Chair of the SWING Foundation Board. “With the addition of these mobile vehicles, we are better equipped to address the evolving needs of sex workers and vulnerable populations, ensuring their access to essential resources and healthcare.” The handover ceremony represents a significant step towards bolstering community resilience and fostering collaboration among stakeholders dedicated to mitigating the impacts of the pandemic. SWING remains steadfast in its mission to champion the rights and well-being of marginalized communities, with the invaluable support of partners like the Government of Japan.

From Pattaya Mail Legal and visa implications for gay marriage By Barry Kenyon Subject to the likely agreement of the Senate and the 120 days waiting period prior to implementation, gay marriage will be operational in Thailand in 2025. Although the new law is essentially designed to grant equality to two Thai nationals of the same sex, there will be a sizeable number of expats wanting to marry their Thai partners. Jessataporn Bunnag, a Thai lawyer based in Pattaya, said, “Longstay gay foreigners will be able to apply for the one year spouse visa which currently requires 400,000 baht in the bank or the equivalent in foreign income, plus other documentation and an immigration police visit to confirm residence and relationship.” However, Mr Bunnag added that another option for foreigners over 50 years was the retirement visa and annual extension of stay which, though less bureaucratic, requires 800,000 baht or monthly income.” Thailand already allows two foreigners (neither being a Thai) of the opposite sex to register their marriage at the amphur office, subject to both receiving an affidavit from their respective embassy in Bangkok. After the new law is introduced, this civil facility will also be available for two gay foreigners, men or women, to cement their relationship. Many Thai temples already hold ceremonies for gay couples. Formal marriage here of two same sex foreigners is likely to grow in importance in future years as Thailand is famous as a gay-friendly destination. On the negative front, Mr Bunnag said candidates for gay marriage must also understand Thai laws on divorce. “Gay marriages will break up as easily as straight ones,” he stressed. Currently, heterosexual partners can visit the amphur office for formal termination providing they have agreed the settlement terms in advance. But if one partner has gone missing, has behaved badly or is uncooperative, a civil court order may be necessary which can take months. In general terms, property and assets bought since the marriage will be divided equally, though the detail can cause problems. Thailand has long been a draw for same sex couples as it has a vibrant scene for both Thais and foreigners and, under the current Pheu Thai government, targets this market to attract increasing numbers of travellers. In 2028, Thailand is poised to become the heartbeat of gender inclusivity in hosting the LGBTQ+ worldwide summit. “It’s all looking very good,” concluded Thitian Chanmontri of the gay campaigning Rainbow Alliance.

From The Nation Immigration police have warned the public not to believe internet posts that offer a fast track through immigration at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in exchange for a fee. Police spokesman Maj Gen Cherngron Rimpadee said on Thursday that officials are investigating the “richcarsbangkok” Facebook page, which promises access to Immigration fast-track lanes for both incoming and outgoing travellers. Posted in English, the advert reads: “Fast Track Arrival - Departure 2,900 Baht/flight”. It also contains instructions on how to use the service to supposedly bypass immigration counters at Bangkok’s international airports. Investigators found that the Facebook page’s main business is renting out luxury cars, Cherngron said. He insisted that there was no such thing as an “immigration fast track” for a fee. There was no need for such a service since Immigration police have streamlined the process at airports and reduced waiting time to less than 15 minutes, even during rush hours, he said.He added that the fast track lanes at immigration booths are reserved for priority passengers, including the disabled, travellers with infants, pregnant women, seniors over 70, and holders of diplomatic visas, elite cards, Thai long-stay and APEC cards. Officials are investigating other pages on social media that may be advertising similar services and would pursue appropriate legal action, the spokesman said.

From Thai PBS World The elevated Yellow Line monorail service in Bangkok is suspended until midnight, to allow for repairs and a thorough inspection, following an incident in which metal debris fell from the track onto traffic below on Srinakarin Road this morning, damaging some vehicles. Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has ordered a tightening of safety measures, to prevent another accident, according to his advisor Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit, who visited the scene of the incident today. “If this happens again, the minister has stated that he would review the contract and those found to be responsible could face penalties,” said Pongkawin. According to the Rail Transport Department’s inspection report, issued at about 8:30am, the conductor rail between Kalantan and Si Udom stations fell onto the walkways, causing loose metal debris to fall to the ground, resulting in the suspension of services on the entire line. Officials had to evacuate passengers stranded in two carriages when the accident occurred. The falling debris damaged one minivan, a sedan and a motorcycle. No one was injured. Compensation will be provided by Eastern Bangkok Monorail, the concessionaire of the line, according to Pongkawin. On January 2, a tyre fell off a Yellow Line monorail train and hit a taxi below, on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan province. No one was injured. On December 24 last year, another section of conductor rail fell from the Pink Line monorail onto Tiwanon Road, also causing service suspension.

That's a fairly subjective question but I'll give it a try. Based on 40+ visits to these shops post Covid, I can honestly say that the data about body size and preferences I found to be accurate. And for the most part, they all strive to satisfy the customer because that's how they make a living. Do the guys look like the photos? Yes. But as I recently mentioned in another post, some of the veteran staff photos may be a few years old. And pics of a small number who have darker skin may have been edited to appear lighter. That to me, anyway, is no problem because I find those cooper toned guys attractive. I think we all need to keep in mind that just as all of us are unique in outlook and desires, so are the guys who staff these shops. They have different personalities and backgrounds. For me, that's a plus because I want to meet a wide array of young men from different places. To those who just want an a more generic--cookie cutter if you will--experience, I'm confident they'll still come away satisfied, also. I think if we put ourselves in the place of the young men we encounter, we can appreciate what goes into their job. They agree to meet clients they've never seen before and have no idea how the next hour or so will unfold. I'm always amazed how often they pull it off with aplomb.

Although the laws of tort liability differ in Thailand, the conduct of the employee was so egregious that their dismissal from the RTP would have warranted dismissal.

From VN Express Restructuring and recalls have left Vietnamese airlines with access to around 40 fewer planes than they had at this time last year, struggling to meet travel demand. A representative of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said on Tuesday that the number of commercially active planes utilized by the country's six airlines was only 170 by the last week of March, a drop of around 40 planes compared to the same period in 2023. Major restructuring initiatives currently being carried out, resulting in reductions in company scale -- including in decreased numbers of available pilots, crew and other staff – been identified as a main driver in the decreasing numbers of aircraft. Bamboo Airways previously had 28 planes, and now the carrier is only utilizing 9 aircraft as it follows through on its ongoing plan to return all of its Embraer E190 aircraft. Pacific Airlines have also returned all six of Airbus 320 planes as part of its flight crew restructuring plan. Starting from this year, U.S. aerospace manufacturer Pratt&Whitney had to recall its engines due to manufacturer errors. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air had around 40 planes using the recalled engine, so those aircraft were suspended for the 2024-2025 period for maintenance. The drop in the number of commercial planes has caused several domestic air routes to launch fewer and less frequent flights. Bamboo Airways has halted several international and domestic air routes that were employing the Embraer E190. Such routes include important flights from the capital of Hanoi in the north to Hue and Dong Hoi in the central region, as well as Con Dao and Ca Mau in the south. Major flights from HCMC to Dong Hoi and Con Dao have also been canceled. Fewer planes now means it's tougher for domestic airlines to serve travelers, especially as the Reunification Day holiday (April 30) and summer holidays approach, when travel demand is expected to rise by 5-7% compared to the same period last year. Ticket prices will also increase as a result.

Or rent room at One Spa for 24 hours (1,000), avail yourself of "buffet" benefit (400) and have mamasan send you new boy every hour (24,000). Another option would be to try a sauna. 39 Underground in Saphan Kwai might fill the bill nicely and it wouldn't cost you anything more than price of admission.

The other shops on the road regularly post photo arrays. Here's one today from KK Massage: And another from nearby Home Spa:

Be sure to bring sufficient cash to cover all costs of your wet adventure. May initially seem like a lot but not bad to satisfy unfulfilled fantasy. 500 bht entry fee (your drink comes with it) 1,000 bht for room 10,000 bht in off fees for (20 x 500) 40,000 bht in tips (20 x 2,000) 1,000 bht for sundries from 7-Eleven (beer, etc) _______________________________ 52,500 bht total * * add 10,000 bht if you buy each boy a drink in bar

From Pattaya News At 3:00 PM, on March 25th, 2024, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the deputy police commander, performed an inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport regarding Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s orders to improve the service quality and time. Upon the inspection, Suvarnabhumi immigration officers were found to have reduced average passport control time on arrival from 45 seconds to 30 seconds as the scan boarding pass processing was excluded. Moreover, automatic channels on departure were updated with new versions and improved technology and performance, reducing average time of processing from 40 seconds to 20 seconds, according to Thai national media. It was reported that Suvarnabhumi officers promised the biometric system would not crash like the previous time. However, during rush hours, it could cause an overflowing number of passengers as more than 4,000 to 5,000 passengers landed at nearly the same time while the passenger terminal had a capacity for only 2,000 passengers. The airport officers on break were ordered to support the checkpoints during rush hours in order to facilitate th processing, according to Thai national media. Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi Airport employed more than 200 officers and planned to increase its staff by 330 more positions which was believed to be sufficient for a large number of passengers, according to Thai national media.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Thailand is riding high on its new visa-exempt policy which allows most international tourists to enter the country without prior approval or payment of a fee. China, India, Russia, the UK, EU, US, Australia, Asean partners and a bunch of other countries all currently have the privilege for a 30 days free tourist entry (90 in the case of Russia and South Korea). With overall numbers now almost at pre-covid levels, over 85 percent of actual arrivals at Thailand’s airports are covered by the visa-free policy. Meanwhile, Cambodia still imposes a US$30 entry tax on almost all international tourist arrivals, the exceptions being neighboring states. This means that even Cambodia’s biggest short-haul market – the Chinese – all have to pay the tax for a maximum of 30 days stay. The Cambodian premier Hun Manet frequently boasts that once the newly-opened Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and the under-construction Phnom Penh Takhmao International Airport are fully operational in 2025, Chinese arrivals will swell further. The fly in the ointment could be the strong possibility that Thailand could have legal casinos in operation within two years. The opposition to that notion is now much weaker than, say, 10 years ago. But Daniel Li, a gaming expert and senior consultant to the Cambodian regulator Naga, says the Phnom Penh government needs to introduce a visa-exempt policy now to anticipate stiff competition from Thailand. “After Covid, we have seen a sharp drop in flights and arrivals,” said Mr Li. “ If a visa-free policy is introduced between, initially, Cambodia and China, we can expect more visitors coming from the world’s second-most populous country.” Based on data from NagaCorp’s annual financial results, direct flights from the Greater China region to Cambodia have only recovered 26 percent compared with 2019. The pressures on Cambodia to abandon its tourist entry free structure on a wider scale are growing anyway. The Thai premier Srettha Thavisin is busy promoting the idea of a mini-Schengen regional agreement whereby international holidaymakers will be able to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam without additional documentation once they have an initial entry stamp to any one of these five partners. Cambodia’s current US$30 entry fee is a significant obstacle in the way of freedom to travel across the Asean region. The prospect of casino gambling in Thailand could be the significant arm twister on Phom Penh.

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Lower House approved the final reading of the landmark marriage equality bill today, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia, and the third country in Asia, to recognise same-sex marriage, once it passes the Senate. The bill, which seeks to amend the Civil and Commercial Code, was approved by 400 votes to 10, with two abstentions and three MPs who decided not to vote. Danuporn Punnakan, Pheu Thai list MP and chair of the House scrutiny committee, told parliament that the bill is meant for all Thais, irrespective of gender. Under the bill, same-sex couples who want to get engaged or married must be at least 18 years old, to protect minors from being forced into marriage, which is in line with the convention on the protection of the rights of children, said Danuporn. He also said that the House scrutiny committee had added one provision to the bill, specifying the rights, duties and legal status of same-sex couples in the creation of a family. He assured that the existing rights of men and women in general will not be affected by this bill, but it will protect a certain group of people, classified as LGBTQ. He said that a minority of the House scrutiny committee had proposed a new wording, “first parents”, to be added to the bill, but this was rejected by the majority of the committee on the grounds that the wording is new and there is no legal definition yet. The Pheu Thai MP said that it is now widely recognised that there are more than the male and female genders in societies, as some people who were born as a boy or a girl want to choose their own gender when they grow up. The bill does not give them any additional rights, but restores their basic rights, said Danuporn, adding that the bill will mark the beginning of the creation of equality in Thai society. The bill has to be approved by the Senate before it becomes law. In Asia, Taiwan and Nepal already have the same laws.

The court's sleight of hand ensured that the government escapes any responsibility. But that still doesn't explain why the RTP keeps the perp on the force.

By any measure you're one happy recipient because 5 tablespoons equals 0.3125 cups.🙂

Kostik consults his unimpeachable source of information.

NOTE -- This article begs the question: why is the cop still a member of the force (see final paragraph)? From The Nation The Civil Court has ordered a police officer to pay 27.3 million baht to the parents of an eye doctor he hit and killed at a Bangkok zebra crossing in 2022. The court ruled that Police Lance Corporal Norawich Buadok was solely responsible for the death of Dr Waraluck Supawatjariyakul, as it dismissed the lawsuit against the Royal Thai Police (RTP) as an entity. The late doctor’s parents filed a lawsuit against the RTP and the cop for 72 million baht compensation on February 17, 2022. About a month earlier, on January 21, Norawich had been riding a red Ducati big bike when he slammed into ophthalmologist Waraluck as she was crossing the road in front of Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital on Phya Thai Road. Waralak’s parents, Dr Anirut Supawatjariyakul and Ratchanee Supawatjariyakul, named RTP as the first defendant and Norawich as the second defendant in the civil lawsuit. The lawsuit demanded that the RTP and Norawich jointly pay 537,505 baht for funeral expenses and 72.27 million baht for the parents’ caring costs. The lawsuit said that RTP should share responsibility for the tragedy as it was the commanding agency of Norawich and should have taught him not to breach traffic laws, speed through a zebra crossing or use a motorcycle that violates the law on various counts. The lawsuit also said it was RTP’s duty to manage traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians. The court, however, disagreed, saying that Norawich was the sole person responsible for the doctor’s death. Also, it said, Norawich’s direct commanders were responsible for his behaviour, and they had taken all the steps necessary to ensure he observed traffic laws. The court also said it was the local administration’s duty to oversee traffic management, not the duty of RTP. The court awarded 331,230 baht as funeral costs and a compensation of 13.5 million baht to each parent. It the compensation was calculated based on the parents’ potential lifespan and the money the doctor would have earned if she were still alive. The parents are now both 64 years old and the court believes they will live for at least another 15 years. The court has also ordered Norawich to pay a 5% per annum interest on all three amounts from January 21, 2022, until the entire compensation has been paid off. In January this year, the Appeals Court also took a tough stance against the accused. Norawich had initially been sentenced to just one year and 15 days, but on Wednesday, the Appeals Court increased his sentence to 10 years and two months in response to an appeal filed by Waraluck’s family. The RTP announced that if the Supreme Court retains a guilty verdict, he will be fired from police service.

Why just 4-star hotels? From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Wage Committee decided today to increase minimum wages to 400 baht for employees working in 4-star hotels which have at least 50 employees, located in specific areas in 10 provinces, effective from April 13th. The specific areas are: Bangkok: Only for hotels located in Pathumwan and Wattana districts. Krabi province: Only in areas under the jurisdiction of Ao Nang Tambon Administrative Organisation. Chon Buri province: Only in Pattaya City. Chiang Mai: Only in Chiang Mai municipal area. Prachuap Khiri Khan: only in Hua Hin municipal area. Phang-nga: On in Kirk Kak municipal area. Phuket province. Rayong: Only in Ban Phe sub-district. Songkhla: Only in Hat Yai municipal area. Surat Thani: Only on Koh Samui. The Wage Committee said that the tourism industry is important to the Thai economy and the ten provinces have earned substantial revenues from tourism, adding that its decision is based on the opinions of all stakeholders, especially those of employers and employees in the hotel sector.

Certainly no hated in your messages, Caustic.😘

Just as every customer is different so is every masseur. Some are aggressive and will make the first move by grazing your genitals. Others may position their crotch within easy reach. Shy ones may wait for you to make the first move. Again, be flexible: there are no hard rules of engagement. As for haggling, if you're in a shop with minimum tip there is no haggling. You and masseur already agree what tip will be. In shop with no minimum, Vinapu's recommendation (and I believe I recall it correctly) is the best advice I've heard on the matter. Guy asks "what you give me?" You say X baht. He asks for more. You make one--and only one--counter offer (which may or may not be your original figure). He either accepts or declines. It shouldn't be like negotiating over the price of a carpet in a suk in Marrakesh. Go into this relaxed and confident. It's surprisingly easy to get from A to B. Hopefully nothing will come up that you can't handle.

From Pattaya News Pattaya is set to host an extraordinary spectacle to celebrate the kickoff of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, with a dazzling Drone Light Show. The event, organized by Terminal 21 Pattaya, promises to be a great way to kick off April and the 21 days of Songkran events around the country from April 1st to the 21st. Event Highlights: – 300 drones will take to the skies, forming dynamic ‘Songkran themed’ patterns and narrating stories high above North Pattaya. – The show will commence at 8:00 p.m. on March 29th and 30th, 2024, amidst a vibrant food festival featuring over 70 stalls. – A special treat for music lovers, the event will feature aerial performances synced to the tunes of four renowned bands. Venue & Time: – Dates: March 29th – 30th, 2024 – Location: Aircraft Area, Terminal 21 Shopping Center, Pattaya – Time: Shows begin at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.