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From Thai PBS World No less than four draft laws on alcohol control will soon go before Parliament, but none appear to contain a middle path that will satisfy everyone. Two drafts, one proposed by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department (DCD) and the other by an anti-alcohol group, push for strict control – apparently out of concern about health and other impacts of drinking. The two other drafts, one written by a pro-alcohol group and the other by Move Forward MP and craft-beer champion Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, seek to break monopoly-like conditions in the industry, which is dominated by just a handful of brewing giants. Along with these, the government’s eight-point recommendation will also join the fray. Strict rules Since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act was enacted in 2008, Thailand has ranked among countries with tight restrictions on the advertising, sale and consumption of booze. This Act outlaws any form of advertising that displays, directly or indirectly, an alcoholic beverage’s brand or trademark. Displaying even a picture of a glass of beer can result in a hefty fine. “I’ve heard that one restaurant was fined close to 1 million baht once,” said Asst Prof Dr Charoen Charoenchai, a lecturer at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi’s Faculty of Agricultural Technology. Charoen, who leads the group behind one of the draft laws to liberalize alcohol, believes authorities have tightened control until there is almost no room to breathe. “I don’t think this Alcohol Beverage Control Law is normal since it authorizes the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to add new stipulations.” “Normally, legal changes should come from the legislature,” the lecturer said. Rumors suggest the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is planning to tag packaging with pictures depicting the dangers of alcohol consumption. More power to control consumption? Charoen said that if the DCD’s draft becomes law, authorities and officials will be handed inappropriate powers. For instance, officials will have the power to search and inspect breweries or retailers selling alcohol without a search warrant. There is concern that this will also open the door to corruption and harassment by unscrupulous officials. “After looking through the drafts presented by the DCD and the anti-alcohol group, I can tell that their content is extreme. It’s as if they intend to ban any public mention of alcohol,” Charoen said. The DCD draft would also raise the ceiling of penalties for an offending manufacturer or importer from Bt500,000 to Bt1 million and up to one year in jail, or both. Too strict? Charoen said such a strict approach would affect the freedom and rights to earn a livelihood of many. Businesses that rely on tourists, for instance, were uncomfortable about scary pictures being attached to the packaging of alcoholic drinks, he explained. He said the strict law even affects his own field of education; though he teaches about the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, the law stops him from openly sharing his knowledge with his students. “I can’t talk about content that can be useful, even though as a lecturer, I should be serving the public with my academic knowledge,” he said. “Similarly, manufacturers can’t communicate about their products with consumers either.” Supapong Puenglampu, who represents small-scale liquor manufacturers, lamented that despite having the license to produce liquor and meeting all manufacturing standards and hygiene requirements, alcohol producers like him still face many problems under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. “If we try to present product information, our action is seen as encouraging drinking. How can we sell our product without explaining what makes it different from others?” He said that though small and local producers need to display their local identity, displaying a trademark or an emblem can land them in trouble. “Small manufacturers like us are summoned to court. If we can’t afford a court battle, we end up having to pay a fine at the Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.” Draft laws on liberalizing alcohol The draft law pushed by the Charoen-led group hopes Thailand will allow alcoholic beverages to be sold from vending machines, in shops near universities and through round-the-clock promotional campaigns. The draft proposed by the Move Forward MP is along the same lines. For instance, it would lift the restriction on the sale of alcohol during certain hours and allow people to drink where they want, including public parks and educational institutions. Government recommendations Believing that all four drafts represent extreme ends of the debate, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked PM’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej to come up with recommendations for Parliament to consider alongside the quartet. The eight-point recommendation, which has already won a Cabinet nod, seeks to ease tight controls on alcohol consumption in Thailand. For instance, it advocates the sale of alcohol at hotels or venues located near schools, as well as at stadiums and concert halls. It also suggests that the ban on selling alcohol through vending machines be lifted and promotions and discounts be allowed. Too lenient? Theera Watcharapranee, director of Stop-Drink Network Thailand, said the eight-point recommendation would weaken the country’s alcohol controls and favor alcohol-based businesses including pubs and bars. “The people will pay the price if you only please investors and businesses,” he warned. “If the consumption of alcohol rises, you will see more fatal road accidents from drunk driving.” According to the National Statistical Office, the number of alcohol drinkers in Thailand has dropped by 2% since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act took effect in 2008. The percentage of total road-accident casualties hospitalized by drunk driving during Thailand’s infamous “7 dangerous days” over the Songkran and New Year holidays has also dropped, from 40% to 26%. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act won 13 million signatures of support, including Theera’s, before it was enforced. Assoc Prof Dr Udomsak Saengow from Walailak University said the alcohol-control law was, in fact, beneficial, but the people in power are too preoccupied with the idea of liberalizing the industry to recognize the law’s benefits.

Thank you for self-eliminating.

If you're looking to boost the likelihood that you're going to find your preference (which in your case is a bottom), no massage shops I'm aware of do a better job of displaying photos and information that will help you in your search. Two stand out in this regard: One Spa and KK Massage. One Spa offers close to 300 and the website allows you to search exclusively for bottoms if you wish.. As for accuracy of photos, I've found that generally they accurately reflect what you'll get. However, the guys with lower numbers tend to have pre-covid pics. Also they have a tendency to air brush the complexion of some boys to make them appear lighter than they actually are. This is because local taste like a paler skin color. This is particularly true of clients visiting from the north (Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China). Many westerners on the other hand prefer darker complexion more common for those from Thailand's northeast and some ASEAN countries. Be flexible and considerate.There is much waiting to delight you in Thailand.

Look for envelope in upper right corner when signed in.

Doesn’t mean you can’t try 🙂

Five minutes you’ll not soon forget 👌

From UNESCO UNESCO and partners’ ongoing project ‘Achieving Sustainable Tourism with Intangible Cultural Heritage and Creative City Network in Waterway Cities of ASEAN’—it has already convened three dynamic seminars benefitting thousands of tourism professionals since its launch in September 2023 — is pleased to announce its upcoming, fourth installment in its South-East Asia seminar series, ‘Pattaya & Sustainable Festival and Event Tourism: Exploring Strategies for Growth and Development’. The hybrid seminar, to be held 10 April 2024, will focus on Thailand’s coastal city of Pattaya as a special case study for the potential to be had in fostering dynamic networks of tourism businesses in the ASEAN sub-region. Following keynote presentations, a panel discussion will explore the cultural significance of Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the role of hotels in driving sustainable festival and event tourism; and standards and efforts of various organisations in supporting sustainable events and festivals. Panelists include: Dr Chumpol Musiganont, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration-DASTA (Public Organization) Mr Jongrak Rojpalasatean, Director of the Management System Certification Institute (MASCI) Ms Urai Mukpradabthong, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Office in Pattaya Ms Alisa Phanthusak Kunpalin, Managing Director of Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Webinar Details Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024 Time: 13.20–15.50, Bangkok time (GMT+7) Location: Amari Pattaya Hotel For on-site participation, please pre-register at: https://bit.ly/SongkranICH For online participation, please pre-register at: UNESCO’s Zoom

From The Thaiger Egyptian man damages Phuket taxi in violent outburst An Egyptian traveller was taken into protective custody at a hospital following a violent outburst which caused significant damage to a taxi in Bang Tao, Phuket, yesterday. The taxi driver, 53 year old Suriya Plodmai reported to the police that he had picked up the 31 year old Egyptian national, Basem Aly Ismail, from the Patong area and was ferrying him to Bang Tao, with the fare agreed at 450 baht. Upon reaching the destination, Ismail borrowed Suriya’s mobile phone to make a call to a friend. However, after using the phone, he refused to return it to the driver. In a sudden fit of anger, the Egyptian smashed the borrowed phone onto another phone that the taxi driver was holding, resulting in both devices, a Xiaomi 12 and a Samsung A54, being damaged. The rage did not end there. Ismail then used an iron rod to vandalise the taxi cab. The damage included a shattered windshield, broken windows, and a damaged rear windshield, with additional damage to surrounding areas of the vehicle. Emergency services from Cherng Talay Municipality arrived at the scene and took the Egyptian, who was still in an agitated state, to Thalang Hospital. Later, he was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, reported Phuket News.

From Thai PBS World The 42nd annual Thailand Tourism 2024, curated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), promises to enchant with diverse activities across nine captivating zones. From March 28 to April 1, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center will transform into a hub of excitement and celebration, drawing travel enthusiasts and fans of all things Thai into the vibrant world of tourism promotion, a culture showcase, and a crafts and food extravaganza. Visitors are encouraged to use the MRT underground to the QSNCC Station or taxi or Bus No. 136 to participate in the Thailand Tourism Festival 2024, from 28 March to 1 April, from 10-00-21.00 Hrs. Entrance is free.

You live a charmed life, Tom. Now have better appreciation of your interest in this topic and why you posted about it.

Putin is unusually reserved because he dismissed warnings from US that attack was imminent, including specific mention of a concert venue. In other words he is embarrassed that he didn't act. Not unlike Netanyahu who failed to take seriously US warning of Oct. 6 attacks by Hamas.

Give it a rest, Caustic. 7-Eleven not about to run out of cheap booze.

From The Independent An image of children dancing on the side of the road as shared by the Cambodian PM --------------- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is fed up with street dancing. The politician this week ordered a ban on musical horns, after videos posted on social media showed people dancing on roads and roadsides as passing trucks blasted rhythmic little tunes. Hun Manet, who last year took over the wheel of government from his father, Hun Sen, called on the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation and police across the country to immediately take action against any vehicle whose normal horn has been replaced by a tune-playing one by ripping it out and restoring the standard honking type. He said the measure has already been implemented by provincial authorities, but he wanted to announce it publicly to make sure it was enforced nationwide. He commented on his Facebook page on Monday that recent social media posts had shown “inappropriate activity committed by some people, especially youth and children, dancing on the roadside to the musical sounds from trucks’ horns.”

From Pattaya Mail The Thai government has made it a priority to tackle the notable rise in criminal activities by foreigners, which has negatively impacted the nation’s tourism reputation. In response, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to devise strategies and enforce measures to surveil and apprehend foreign lawbreakers. The RTP recently convened meetings to strategize and execute initiatives against foreign offenders, with a focus on the Phuket Provincial Police Region. Since October 1st, 2023, police efforts have led to 614 arrests for a variety of crimes, including illegal employment and offenses related to sex. Addressing crimes committed by foreigners is of paramount importance to the Royal Thai Police, with significant cases being referred to the Immigration Bureau for potential visa cancellation. Furthermore, comprehensive operations have been launched to eradicate such criminal activities, aiming to refurbish the tourism sector’s image and bolster the security perception among visitors. (NNT)

On every trip I find more and more 7-Eleven shop assistants I'd like to report to. 😍

Buffets usually inspire customers to over indulge. Love the concept of extending it to world of massage. Nothing succeeds like excess. 😊

Although the owner of New Twlight and its likewise failed successor never could find the right combination to make a go of it, there's no denying it had some of the best components for a great venue: lighting, stage open on three sides, comfortable seating, high-end sound system. In the hands of the right promoter, the Tawan concept could retained but redefined in a way that has wider appeal. I know I was in the minority at the time but I didn't believe location was huge drawback. SOL bar had a primo location on PP2 and ultimately failed because it didn't get the concept right and has since evolved into a hybrid operation.

One Spa is now offering four long stay (12-24 hours) rooms for rent. The prices range from 300 to 500 for 12 hours and 600 to 1,000 for 24 hours. Rooms located on fourth, fifth and sixth floors.

In India perhaps during the British Raj but never heard the term applied in Thailand.

There is no need to thank me. But since you asked a lot of questions and got a lot of answers, perhaps you could share some of your own experiences in appreciation. 🙂

Certainly the case in this article. Reporter accepts statements without any critical analysis or knowledge of project's history. Recent news articles about Thai public education system have all identified "lack of critical thinking" as one of its failures.

If Biden has dementia, what's your excuse?

From The Nation After 14 years in operation, Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link that connects Suvarnabhumi Airport with downtown Bangkok, will soon undergo a major maintenance, the Department of Rail Transport has announced. Skipping this important step could jeopardise the safety of commuters, the department’s director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks said on Thursday (March 21) He said that following a recent inspection, the current operator Asia Era One hired experienced companies, including Siemens Mobility, to monitor and maintain the rail’s electrical and signaling systems on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. All trains are inspected by officials before running every day, he added. Asia Era One is a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Thailand’s largest conglomerate. Operating the Airport Rail Link is part of the deal to which CP agreed after winning the 276.5-billion-baht contract to build and operate high-speed rail lines linking the three airports of Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao. Pichet added that the Airport Rail Link, which began operations in 2010, had undergone a major overhaul in 2018 after hitting the 2.4 million-kilometre mark while it was still under the administration of State Railway of Thailand (SRT). “Another major overhaul is due soon as the route has expanded to cover a greater distance since 2018,” he said. “Without this overhaul, the train system could experience more frequent malfunctions that affect passenger safety or cause more delays in schedules.” The system could also suffer from having insufficient functioning trains to serve the increasing number of passengers in the future, he added. In 2021, CP Group announced that it had earmarked 2 billion baht to improve Airport Rail Link’s services and various systems, including braking, electricity, air conditioning, lighting and radio communication. It also vowed to add one more carriage to the express line, which has 3 carriages per train, to increase passenger capacity to 800 per day.

From Pattaya News The Tourist Police Bureau has collaborated with CP All Public Company Limited to establish incident reporting points for tourists in 7-ELEVEN convenience stores, initially piloting in 20 major tourist destinations nationwide. The initiative aims to enhance convenience and ensure the safety of tourists, following the government’s reopening to foreign tourists and efforts to promote the country’s tourism image. The project began with training volunteers from the Strong Tourism Community, as well as security guards and employees of 7-ELEVEN stores, to assist tourists effectively. Participating 7-ELEVEN branches will have designated reporting points and trained staff ready to provide information and coordinate with the Tourist Police. 7-ELEVEN stores are easily accessible and open 24 hours, making them ideal locations for incident reporting points to aid tourists promptly. This project represents a collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and communities to enhance safety and foster a positive image of Thailand in tourism.

Hopefully you will. 🙂