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While having dinner with three others at G’s on Soi 4 the other night, one member of our party got up to use rest room. When he returned, Guido’s cat had taken the opportunity occupy his seat. The quick thinking waiter—acknowledging that negotiation wasn’t an option—simply moved the chair to the head of the table and found a replacement for the temporarily displaced diner. For the remainder of our meal, the cat presided over the table, lifting his head only occasionally. He charitably permitted me to pet him under his chin on my way out. He rules the house with the disposition of a Jupiter model.

From The Thaiger Thailand is gearing up to challenge China in the lucrative aircraft maintenanceindustry, with Chiang Rai Airport (CEI) set to become a major Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Airports of Thailand (AOT), is targeting the booming Chinese market. AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat revealed that land preparation is already underway, with the first hangar expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Discussions are also in progress with Chinese aerospace giant AVIC to establish an MRO provider at the facility. “There is a lot of land at Chiang Rai. We have only used 316 acres of the 1,186 acres available. And being situated near the southern border of China, there’s a lot of Chinese aircraft that want to do MRO but cannot do it effectively in China.” Despite its strategic location, the project will take time to gain momentum. Kerati estimated that it could take up to five years for the facility to become fully viable. Currently, Chiang Rai Airport operates a single 3,000-metre runway, serving domestic and international carriers, including China Eastern Airlines, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet Air. Meanwhile, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is also eyeing MRO expansion. With plans for a northern terminal scrapped, AOT now has additional land to develop another hangar, reported Aviation Week. In similar news, Southeast Asia’s aviation industry is taking off this year, with major airports and emerging destinations recording impressive growth in seat capacity. Fuelled by surging travel demand, expanded airline networks, and strategic connectivity upgrades, the region is cementing its position as a global aviation powerhouse. Leading the charge is Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, adding a staggering 407,000 seats in January, a 16% increase from last year. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/chiang-rai-to-become-major-aircraft-repair-hub

From Pattaya News The Pattaya International Kite on the Beach Festival 2025 is set to take place from February 26th to March 2nd, 2025, at Pattaya Beach in front of Central Pattaya shopping center. The event is free for all visitors! Attendees can look forward to a spectacular display of giant kites designed in the shapes of various animals from different countries.

From Pattaya News Pattaya– The Daily Mail website recently reported that a British tourist complained of being allegedly assaulted by Thai police, being detained for 36 hours, and then being forced to pay 15,000 baht for his release after according to him accidentally walking into a traffic barrier. Pattaya police, however, insist they followed legal procedures and did nothing incorrectly. Mr. Andrew Hopkins, a British tourist, told foreign media such as The Daily Mail that he accidentally walked into a traffic barrier while leaving his apartment. A security guard then shouted at him in Thai, which he did not understand, and he tried to apologize. Shortly after, police arrived and arrested him, according to his statement. Andrew claimed that after being detained for more than 36 hours, an unidentified Italian man allegedly informed him that he needed to pay 15,000 baht in cash for his release. He stated that the police took him to withdraw money from an ATM, and two high-ranking officers took the money before releasing him. Pol. Col. Nawin Thirawit, Chief of Pattaya City Police Station, revealed that the original incident occurred on November 22, 2024, at 8:30 PM. Andrew allegedly destroyed a car barrier, not a sign as originally reported, at his lodging, and after being called by security police took him in to calm down, fining him only 100 baht before releasing him. Police say they believed he was heavily intoxicated and disorderly leading to them being called. Later, Andrew returned to his original accommodation, but his room was canceled by his landlord due to an alleged history of making loud noises and problems while drunk, causing another commotion and altercation between Andrew and the owners of his lodging, according to Pattaya police. The owner of the lodging called police again when Andrew allegedly refused to leave and caused a major scene while being heavily intoxicated, according to police and the owners of the lodging, whose name has been withheld pending further investigation. This led to his re-arrest and further legal proceedings and charges. The police confirmed that all property was returned to Andrew, with photographs taken as evidence. They strongly denied stealing anything from Andrew and his claims of extortion. Continues with photos https://thepattayanews.com/2025/02/03/pattaya-police-strongly-deny-assault-and-extortion-claims-by-british-tourist-in-foreign-press-release-evidence-contradicting-his-claims/

Last night reserved guy at 15M massage in SK. When I arrived 12 minutes early, he was waiting in shop. Highly satisfactory session and I plan to repeat with him again. I found it worth noting that there were seven other guys in the shop when I arrived, any of whom I would have been happy to take. (this shop has another outlet, 27M, on Sutthisan Winitchai rd.)

It may well have won over some bus riders on competing routes.

Walked by few nights ago and all (male and female) staff wearing green. Boss may feel since no other shops wearing green, might make them standout more.

Wasn’t Department of Agriculture banned by Trump last week?

My observation was attempt at humor. Substitute the slang “cuming” for “coming.”

When management casually dismisses feedback from customers, those customers are left to draw their own conclusions about where future baht will be spent.

I tell all guys when I’m about to come. Figure it’s the decent thing to do.🙂

They had a few guys but I didn’t inquire. They could have been waiting for appointments with other customers for all I knew. I wasn’t in mood for any additional disappointments and in seven positive visits now to Phoenix (in two locations) my confidence was high that wouldn’t be disappointed this time. I have no way of knowing whether the manager had in fact actually reserved the guy in advance or the guy simply waited until I showed up before he’d bother to come. That’s a problem I’m content to leave to management to deal with. But it succeeded in helping me limit future choices in Saphan Kwai.

From Reuters ByteDance's TikTok will invest 126.8 billion baht ($3.76 billion) in Thailand in a data hosting service, the Thai investment board said on Wednesday. The Chinese firm's investment was made by its Singapore-based unit and would support activities of affiliated companies, with operations slated to begin in 2026, Thailand's Board of Investment said. It was among $5 billion of approved new projects announced on Wednesday. Last year, Alphabet Inc's Google said it would invest $1 billion in Thailand, a year after Amazon Web Services announced a $5 billion investment in the country over 15 years. Microsoft has also announced it will open its first regional data centre in Thailand. ============ From Bangkok Post Emirates, the world’s biggest international airline, has opened a new $5-million travel lounge in Thailand, signalling Bangkok’s importance in the airline’s network and strong demand for premium travel. The relocated and refurbished facility in Satellite 1 Terminal (SAT-1) at Suvarnabhumi Airport is the largest international lounge outside the airline’s home market Dubai. With capacity for 250 guests, it is big enough to accommodate all premium passengers traveling on two Airbus A380 double-decker jets. The post-pandemic travel rush has led to more leisure passengers buying expensive seats in the front of the cabin. The $5-million investment is the latest in a series of moves by Emirates to meet the rise in premium demand, including scaling back the economy section on some planes as it overhauls its aircraft interiors. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/travel/2951831/emirates-pours-5m-into-premium-lounge-in-thailand.

As much as I’d prefer not to report this, Phetboy continues to have problems managing its large stable when it comes to keeping appointments. At about 2:15pm, I asked on line to reserve a guy they listed today. They confirmed reservation for 5pm. But when I showed up at shop, guy wasn’t there so manager phoned him. He asked me if I could wait 20 more minutes but I declined, explaining that’s why I made advance reservation. This was second no show at Phetboy in as many trips. Walked instead to Phoenix and picked guy from among about a dozen smiling faces. Well worth the walk.🙂

Phoenix Massage is offering promotion today though Monday of four hour-long sessions for 1,000 baht good through end of March.