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From The Nation Nine Thais rescued near a border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province on Monday claimed they had set fire to a nearby casino on the Cambodian border to escape a call centre gang. The eight men and one woman told rangers and immigration police at Aranyaprathet’s Ban Klong Luek border checkpoint that they lit a fire at the PuLi Casino in Poipet before fleeing back over the border near the checkpoint. Maj Assawin Saothong, commander of a ranger company in charge of the area, said several of the group had severe cuts on their hands, legs and bodies while some had bruises all over their bodies. They were taken to Aranyaprathet district hospital for treatment. Members of the group told authorities they sneaked across the border after being promised jobs at the casino. But the jobs turned out to be working for a call centre gang operating from the building, they said. The group said the gang threatened to beat or kill those who refused to make scam calls to deceive fellow Thais in Thailand. They also claimed to have witnessed Thai victims being shot dead by the gang members. The group reported that about 200 Thais were being detained in the casino building, Assawin said. The group said they set fire to the building as part of their escape plan, adding that 11 of them had fled but two were recaptured.

From Coconuts Bangkok A newly drafted marriage-equality law was approved by the cabinet this afternoon. The new bill, which will go into consideration by the parliament this Thursday, will, hopefully, give LGBTQ couples the same rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples in an effort to allow diversity in Thailand, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Remember that civil union bill from the last government that would allow recognition same-sex civil partnerships? Yeah, this one kicks it up a notch. No more settling for the “not quite married” status quo. This time, it’s the real deal, with rings, cake, and maybe even a rooftop elopement overlooking the Chao Phraya (because why not?). The civil union bill, which failed to get the OK from parliament as it was dissolved by former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ahead of the May elections, would have given the right for LGBTQ couples to adopt children, manage assets and inherit properties. It would not have given them the legality to marry. Only two countries in Asia (Taiwan and Nepal) are currently giving marriage equality the green light, and globally, we’re looking at less than 40 countries. So, yeah, this could be a pretty big deal for Thailand and for LGBTQ rights in the region. Parliament still needs to throw their thumbs up on Dec. 21.

From Thai PBS World Prime suspect in fatal Khlong Toei shooting arrested in Chiang Mai A prime suspect in the fatal shooting of a vocational student and a school teacher in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei area on November 11th was arrested this morning in Chiang Mai province. A police team from the Bangkok-based Metropolitan Police Bureau apprehended 19-year-old “Anawin” while he was camping on Doi Pui mountain at dawn. He is to be flown back to Bangkok this afternoon for interrogation. A member of the police team, tasked with pursuing present and former students of a rival school, said that they are still looking for another suspect, Abdulloh Dueramae, who is still at large. Thirteen suspects, excluding Anawin, have been in police custody at Thung Mahamek police station. All were escorted by police to the Bangkok South Criminal Court this morning for a court order to have them further detained. Police said they are charged with criminal association of more than five people and as accessories in the murders of two people. The national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, is scheduled to give a press conference at the investigation centre of the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday afternoon. A school teacher from the Sacred Heart Convent School in Khlong Toei, Sarada, was shot dead as she was waiting in front of an ATM machine near her school by a perpetrator who arrived at the scene on two motorcycles. Thanasorn, 19, a first-year student at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus, who was among a group of his classmates, was waiting at a bus stop and was seriously wounded. He died a few days after at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

I'd think a professional guide would be helpful in introducing you to the bars, saunas and some historical sites. As for the massage shops, these are more straight forward and can be explored on your own. Much has been written about them on the forum. Good luck!

From Pattaya Mail A high-level delegation from IndiGo Airlines, India’s largest passenger airline, visited U-Tapao Pattaya-Rayong International Airport on Friday, December 15, to explore opportunities for cooperation and partnership with the airport and the local tourism authorities. The delegation was led by Navaid Desai, General Manager of Customer Relations at IndiGo Airlines, and Natsuda Mettaprasert, Thai Deputy Consul in India. They were accompanied by Thitiphan Petchtrakul, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, and Urai Mukpradapthong, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya Office. They were invited and hosted by Admiral Sitthichai Tangjai, the Director of U-Tapao Pattaya-Rayong International Airport to facilitate discussions on potential collaboration between the airline and the airport, fostering mutual confidence and enhancing services for international tourists, particularly those from the Indian subcontinent. The participants engaged in discussions about strategic partnerships between IndiGo Airlines and the airport, exploring avenues for improved air travel services and joint initiatives to attract Indian tourists to the vibrant Pattaya region. They also observed the facilities ready for the influx of Indian tourists booking to visit Thailand under the visa-free campaign. =============== Visa-free Indians are flocking to Thailand By Barry Kenyon The experiment to cancel visas for Indian nationals is bearing more fruit than the similar relaxation for Chinese citizens. Whereas the Chinese seem concerned by media reports that Thailand is unsafe, Indians are flocking here even though airfare costs can be almost double those of the pre-covid era. Rajesh Magow, founder of MakeMyTrip, said the traveller bonus from Indian visa relaxation was at least 30 percent. Air India has already announced flights from Delhi to Phuket which will be daily from the new year. Charter flights from several Indian cities, such as Mumbai and Hyderabad, to U-tapao airport, near Pattaya, are also under discussion with IndiGo the low-cost airline. The tourist authority of Thailand expects to see 1.6 million Indian tourists in 2023 with around double that number in 2024. A limiting factor is that Indian airlines are short of aircraft to deploy on new routes to Thailand. Airlines may be unhappy to add too much capacity lest visa-free travel is not renewed on expiry in May 2024 which could exclude the peak summer holiday period. Moreover, Thailand in 2024 will have to compete with Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, all of which have beaches as well as different attractions.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The cash-strapped military government of Myanmar is demanding that its overseas workers remit part of their monthly wages, no matter how meager, to a junta-controlled bank prior to returning home or trying to obtain a new passport. Separately, foreigners of all nationalities residing within Myanmar for 183 days a year, or more, are expected to pay income tax on their worldwide income amounting in most cases to 25 percent. Around 1.5 million Myanmar nationals work legally in Thailand on labor permits, mostly earning minimum monthly wages of 7,500 baht or US$200. They must now remit 2 percent or 150 baht to the junta government. The Myanmar embassy in Bangkok says that the payments should be made there or in approved banks before the workers try to return, lest they risk losing the right to travel abroad for three years and are refused mew passports. Better paid, white-collar overseas workers must give up 10 percent of their wages, whilst the select few on salaries of US$14,200 a year are to be taxed at 25 percent. They are expected to pay their remittances regularly into Myanmar banks which are controlled by the military. Myanmar embassies in Singapore and South Korea have also made similar announcements. The Global New Light of Myanmar, a junta mouthpiece, has not commented widely on the income tax demands but claimed the sliding scale of remittances from 2 to 25 percent was fair. As regards foreigners living permanent residents in Myanmar, there are believed to be around 2,000 in the country. They are mostly working for international organizations or businesses and include small numbers of Chinese, American and European expats. The demand that they pay taxes on their income or assets is not new, but is apparently now being enforced more strongly. Most will be subject to a rate of 25 percent payable annually or monthly to Myanmar banks. The government website says nothing about exceptions or double taxation issues. The military government, led by senior general Min Aung Hlaing, is believed to be short of money after an incipient civil war which has already ceded swathes of rural territory and at least 30 towns to insurgent forces. China has recently brokered a deal between the junta and its domestic enemies in the areas close to the Chinese border, but there is no sign that the fighting has eased in other areas. Already over a million Myanmar nationals have been forced to flee the violence and many have ended up on the Thai border, particularly in the city of Mae Sot.

From The Nation Adventure tourists to descend famous Tham Luang Cave A limited number of tourists who strive for adventure are able to visit chambers 2 and 3 of Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai province. The cave is a part of Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non National Park, and became famous after the breathtaking rescue of the Wild Boar children’s football team of 12 footballers and one coach in June 2018. Registration for trips into the cave were opened on December 15. Initially, the trip will be organised twice, in the mornings and afternoons, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Eligible tourists will join a two- to four-hour exploration along the approximately 700-metre-deep route. They will encounter the stalacites, rocks and holes that caused the rescue difficulties in 2018. The cave trip costs 950 baht per person for Thai tourists and 1,500 baht per person for foreign tourists. Fees for equipment and accident insurance are not included. Tourists must register at least 15 days in advance; the national park will consider upcoming weather conditions before informing applicants within seven days. Eligible tourists must show their ID card and evidence of registration on arrival at the park. Those who have not registered in advance will not be allowed to enter chambers 2 and 3 of the cave. Interested people can register for the trip here. They can visit the Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non National Park’s Facebook page or Protected Areas Regional Office 15 (Chiang Rai) website for more information.

From The Nation Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled plans to enhance seamless tourism between Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia after meeting the three leaders on Sunday. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the summit in Tokyo commemorating Japan’s 50 years of cooperation with ASEAN countries. Srettha said that in his discussion with Vietnam President Võ Văn Thưởng, both sides agreed to restore Cabinet meetings between the two countries. Vietnam has proposed to host the first such meeting in May next year. Srettha said the agenda of the meeting will include the price of rice to boost income for farmers. In the discussion, President Võ suggested that Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia take steps to promote seamless tourism, so tourists can hop between countries without having to take separate visas. Srettha commended the idea as creative and said he would instruct Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol to discuss this issue and work on stimulating tourism across the four nations. In discussions with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Srettha addressed several issues, including the setting up of a Thai consulate in Siem Reap to accommodate the influx of tourists visiting the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex. The Cambodian premier also thanked Srettha for the care provided to Cambodian workers in Thailand. In his talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Srettha confirmed Indonesia’s purchase of 2 million tonnes of Thai rice. The surge in rice exports to Indonesia has been notable due to severe drought and delayed rainy seasons triggered by the El Niño phenomenon. Widodo also pledged to send officials to meet Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow early next year. “This will help boost the price and demand for Thai rice,” Srettha said. The premier added that the president also expressed interest in Thailand’s 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project, adding that further discussions will be held soon.

Echoes of the infamous Red Bull case. From Thai PBS World Court postpones ruling on PAD core members regarding airport seizures in 2008 A Criminal Court has postponed its ruling on former key members of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who are accused of laying siege to Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports in 2008. The Court said the delay is because the four defendants were not present at the hearing today and ordered them to appear on January 17. When public prosecutors filed the lawsuit against the group 15 years ago, there were 32 defendants (including ASTV Co, Ltd), but one has already died. The public prosecutors allege that 28 defendants, including Chamlong Srimuang, committed acts of terrorism and rebellion between November 24 and December 3, 2008, as they led protesters to seize the airports. The prosecutors also sought as huge amount in compensation for the alleged damage to the airport during the seizure.

From Coconuts Bangkok Police arrest 14 more suspects connected to Khlong Toei shooting The Metropolitan Police arrested 14 suspects today connected to a fatal shooting that killed a teacher and a student last month. Police conducted search operations targeting 14 individuals in the areas of Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi yesterday evening. One of the 14 suspects, Chananchit AKA “Pepsi,” was taken for questioning at the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division this morning. Previously, Chananchit had visited a group of friends who were arrested at Bangkok’s Thung Maha Mek Police Station on Nov. 23. He also gave an interview to the media, saying that his arrested friends were made scapegoats in this case. In addition, the police also arrested Napawut, who is believed to have played an important role on the day of the shooting. Napawut, whose wanted status was announced by police via Facebook, is believed to have aided the shooters in their escape and evasion of the police. The 14 suspects are the second group to be arrested on warrants in this case, taking the total to 23 after police previously arrested nine people connected to the shooting. Police said they found that the suspects are part of a larger gang of students that operate like a crime syndicate with over 80 members. The members consisted of former vocational school students who would rent houses together, according to investigation police chief Theeradej Thamsuthee. Despite all the arrests so far, the actual shooter and his accomplice have yet to be identified.

Compared to eating opportunities at western airports, I find Asian airports a bargain. Hong Kong has an employee McDonald's on lower level near Gate 11 that's open 24-7 to the public. Some good people watching to help your digestion. Menu tweaked to satisfy local tastes. Changi in Singapore has hawker-type vendors in Terminal 3.

You’re not being rude although it tasted much better than it looks. Here’s my all time favorite version from the “Beer Park” in Saphan Kwai (about 10 minute walk from BTS).

From VN Express Gia Lai, situated in the northern part of the Central Highlands, ranks as Vietnam's second-largest province, trailing only Nghe An. It spans 15,500 square kilometers and is about 481 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. To its northeast lies Quang Ngai Province, to the east is Binh Dinh Province, while the southeast shares a border with Phu Yen Province. In the west, Gia Lai is adjacent to Cambodia's Ratanakiri Province, with Dak Lak Province to the south and Kon Tum Province to the north. The provincial capital is Pleiku, and the primary tourist attractions are concentrated within Pleiku City and its environs, spanning roughly 20-30 kilometers. Gia Lai experiences a tropical monsoon climate characterized by high humidity, substantial rainfall, and the absence of storms and frost. The climate exhibits two distinct seasons: a rainy season from May to October and a dry season spanning from November to the following April. The average annual temperature hovers between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. For information on transportation and accommodations check following link: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel-guide/a-passage-through-gia-lai-a-journey-across-vietnams-second-largest-province-4677509.html

From Coconuts Bangkok By Nicky Tanskul The MRT Pink Line launched just a few weeks ago, allowing people to commute from Khae Rai all the way to Min Buri. With more stations now available for convenience, and not to mention less traffic jams in places where the stations were constructed, I decided to see what’s worth highlighting if you’re feeling adventurous. This is the second skytrain line to launch this year after the Yellow Line (we also wrote a Yellow Line guide in the wake of its launch, so check that out if you’re still hankering to explore some more of the city). Where? The MRT Pink Line starts from the Nonthaburi Civic Center station on Ratthanthibet road and stretches all the way to Min Buri. The line stretches over 34.5 kilometers and comprises 30 stations. When and how? Trains run from 6am to 10pm. NOT MIDNIGHT like the BTS lines! Fares run from THB15 to THB45. However, the Pink Line is undergoing its trial run period which will end on Jan. 2, 2024. So, in the meantime, all rides aboard the Pink Line are free. How often? A digital display showed trains arriving every 8-10 minutes or so. How fast does it go? This genuine, bonafide and electrified ride feels as fast as an overhead BTS train. But you can hear its Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300’s IGBT inverters kick it up a notch, so be sure to hang on to something. Continues here with list of individual station information https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/tourists-heres-how-you-can-explore-bangkok-on-the-new-mrt-pink-line/

Interior Minister Anutin Charvirakul said that he was ready to consider expanding the zones where entertainment places can open until 4am in order to boost the economy during a visit Saturday night to Khao San Road. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2707248/zones-for-nightspot-4am-closing-time-can-expand-anutin

From Thai PBS World The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, or The MET, has agreed to return two artefacts, including a bronze statue of Lord Shiva, known as the “Golden Boy”, which were smuggled out of Thailand over 50 years ago. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said on Sunday that a representative of The MET spoke with the director-general of the Fine Arts Department, Phanombut Chantarachot, last Sunday, to hand over a letter from the MET’s director, informing the Thai government of the return of the two ancient sculptures. The “Golden Boy” statue was discovered in Ban Yang, in the Lahan Sai district of Buri Ram, near the Cambodian border, during an archaeological dig at Prasat Ban Yang ruins over 50 years ago. The other bronze sculpture, about 900 years old and 43cm tall, features a female figure in a kneeling position, with one knee on the floor and the other straightening up, and two hands above the head in a “wai” posture. The sculpture bears traces of being decorated with silver and gold ornaments Minister Sermsak said The MET has checked the origin of the two statues and found that they were connected with Douglas Latchford, an American antique trader, who was indicted by the New York attorney’s office for illegal trading of antiques in 2019 and 2021, prompting The MET’s board to remove the two statues from the museum’s inventory. The two statues will be handed over to the office of the Thai consul-general in New York.

Chicken with cashew nuts enjoyed in Hanoi last month

From the Nation 2023 was an eventful year for Suvarnabhumi Airport, the sprawling gateway to Thailand on the outskirts of Bangkok. The Nation looks back on 12 turbulent months at the airport that serves as the gateway to Thailand for most international travellers. But first, a quick introduction to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Suvarnabhumi (“golden land” in Thai), is also known unofficially as Bangkok International Airport. But Thailand’s main international airport is actually located in neighbouring Samut Prakan province, from where it connects with downtown Bangkok via the Airport Rail Link train. Opened in September 2006, the 32.4-square-kilometre (3,240 hectares) Suvarnabhumi is the country’s largest airport and among the biggest in Southeast Asia, serving as a regional hub for aviation. The airport is also a major global hub for air freight (20th busiest in 2019), with a designated cargo Airport Free Zone and road links to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand’s biggest economic zone across three provinces on the eastern seaboard. Suvarnabhumi Airport reached its 17th year in 2023 with operator Airports of Thailand (AOT) vowing to restore its status as one of the world’s top airports after it slipped sharply in the global rankings in recent years. Suvarnabhumi held 10th position in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2010 but nosedived to 77th in 2022 before pulling up to 68th this year. In May, AOT director Kirati Kitmanawat set a goal of making Suvarnabhumi one of the world’s best airports for travellers again. The target is to break into the top 50 within two years and the top 30 in four years, he said. To meet that goal, AOT needs to tackle the long queues at check-in, passenger screening and immigration counters, especially during rush hour, which have plagued the airport for years. The authority said it will set up around 200 self-check-in and self-service bag drop points to cut the queues. AOT has also earmarked 9 billion baht for terminal expansion to the east of the airport, with construction expected to begin at the start of next year. After years of construction, the new satellite terminal at Suvarnabhumi was opened in September this year, with incoming Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin cutting the ribbon. Satellite Terminal 1 (SAT-1) cost 35 billion baht (US$1 billion) and will boost Suvarnabhumi’s capacity by 33% from 45 million to 60 million passengers per year. SAT-1 is connected to the main airport terminal by an automated people mover (APM) train system. The terminal has six storeys, two of them underground, with a total floor area of 251,400 square metres. AOT advises passengers flying from the new terminal to have at least 20 minutes in hand, since the APM trip from the main terminal to SAT-1 takes around 18 minutes, with services leaving every five minutes. Passengers are also urged to check their flight information carefully, as entering SAT-1 by mistake may require them to restart the whole check-in process again, resulting in missed flights. Continues with photos at https://www.nationthailand.com/more/commentary/40033869

I believe you're wise to leave the lust to others. 😉 Otherwise, I'm sure there's nothing left to tell. 🙄

No, not at all, Marc. We frequently do that before we leave our hotel. You know, Marc, you may be right. So why don't you tell us about your last trip to Thailand and how an educated man like yourself spends his time. You have been to Thailand, haven't you?

That's why trip reports are the meat and potatoes of this forum. Trip reporters have saved to purchase a ticket and accommodations for a limited time. They strive to make efficient use of that time and it should come as no surprise that they wring out as much enjoyment as they feel comfortable doing. You may label them "cheap" sexual encounters. Perhaps you'd prefer that they have more expensive sexual encounters, or no sexual encounters at all. For most of us that involves a lot of sex. That's what this thread illustrated. Members read the forum in hopes that they'll find descriptions of those trips. They enjoy reading about the bars, massage shops and hotels that are visited. It provides them with tips that may help shape their next trip. For some members who are not able to travel owing to financial of health reasons, these reports provide a source of entertainment they can't find elsewhere. One of the reasons for the success of this board is the opportunity to post about many different topics: travel, current events, politics, food, health.. But trips and venue reports will always trump those secondary topics. To wit, this thread has attracted 4.6k views from members alone, not including the many others from non-member readers.

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As the day is long, Peter, please be assured that I have no problem whatsoever in acknowledging that I am not like you. 😉 But sure, let's bury the hatchet.

From CBS News A year-long investigation by 60 Minutes examines what might be the greatest art heist in history: the theft of thousands of sacred stone, bronze and gold artifacts from religious sites across Cambodia. Correspondent Anderson Cooper reports Sunday.

From Thai PBS World The current increase in COVID-19 infections is seasonal, like other respiratory diseases, and will continue until the end of January, returning to normal between February and May, according to Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University. He added that a new wave of infections will begin in June and last until September, dropping again by November. Like many respiratory conditions, such as flu, COVID tends to peak during the rainy season. COVID-19 infections are entering their fourth year and Dr. Yong said that the severity of the disease has declined substantially, even though the virus continues to mutate, such as the XBB sub-variants. The symptoms are less serious, except for those suffering from underlying diseases. These people should take special care, including the wearing of face masks and regular hand washing.