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From The Nation The body of a foreign tourist who dropped a water pistol in the Saen Saep canal and jumped in to retrieve it was recovered on Sunday evening. On Sunday at 7 pm, authorities received a report of a missing person near Pratunam Pier along Khlong Saen Saep. They collaborated with a water rescue team and forensic doctors from Ramathibodi Hospital to investigate. The incident occurred at the Khlong Saen Saep Pier, under the Chalerm Lok Bridge. The water rescue team swiftly located the deceased male shortly after arriving. Initial findings suggest that the victim, a foreigner visiting Thailand for the Songkran festival, lost his water gun in the canal and drowned while trying to retrieve it. Witnesses, among them other tourists, attempted to intervene but were unable to come to his rescue, but promptly alerted authorities to ask for assistance. The precise cause of the incident is currently under investigation. The foreigner has yet to be named. ================== In another incident, the Bagnkok Post reports that a 54-year-old man from Japan fell to is death from his seventh floor hotel room in the Lumpinee district Monday.

From Reuters A general view of the department store Kaufhaus des Westens "KaDeWe" in Berlin, Germany January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo © Thomson Reuters DUESSELDORF (Reuters) -Thai retailer Central Group has acquired the landmark KaDeWe property in central Berlin from the insolvent Austrian company Signa in what it said was another step towards buying the group. Central said in a statement on Friday that it was optimistic about talks to acquire the entire KaDeWe Group, which includes Alsterhaus in Hamburg, and Oberpollinger in Munich. The Thai retailer already holds a 50.1% majority stake in the group. "The acquisition of the KaDeWe building is the first important milestone for us in the attempt to restore and restructure the KaDeWe Group operating company towards a sustainable, financially viable business," said Vittorio Radice, board member of Central Group Europe, in a statement. The purchase price for the building, a popular tourist destination in Berlin, was reported by the German business daily Handelsblatt at roughly 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion). Central did not say how much it paid for the property.

Moved to Photos forum by poster

From Pattaya Mail Jeff (JJ) Michell now living in Thailand is personally working through the process of retirement as are so many Expats here in Pattaya. At the Wednesday, March 27, meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club he shared his ideas on how to deal more productively with the 4 phases of retirement – Vacation, Loss, Trial & Error, and Reinvent & Rewire. Jeff was a Fire Protection Engineer for 40+ years until retiring in August of 2022. Also, a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) & Hypnosis, he spent two years working as a life coach and giving classes in personal development. He began his presentation by laying some ground work for his talk. JJ explained how (1) Dopamine is a biological currency as it creates the desire to do, to succeed, and to create & procreate; (2) NLP is a psychological approach that focuses on the connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns learned through experience; and (3) how goals are created from End State Energy and they may shift form to the extent that there is new data to make new adjustments but in the process more energy is available. JJ then described the four phases one experiences upon retirement. The Vacation Phase mirrors the traditional honeymoon phase of retirement, where retirees enjoy newfound freedom, relaxation, and indulgence. It’s a time of exploration, travel, and leisure activities, akin to an extended vacation. This is followed by the Loss Phase, the time when retirees may grapple with feelings of loss, both tangible and intangible. Loss of identity tied to work, loss of routine, and possibly loss of social connections can be significant. It is a period of adjustment as retirees navigate the emotional impact of retirement and redefine their sense of purpose. The third phase is one of Trial and Error. During this phase retirees experiment with various activities, interests, and routines to find what brings them fulfillment and meaning in retirement. It involves a process of trial and error as retirees explore different avenues for personal growth, social engagement, and leisure pursuits. Then comes the final phase, to Reinvent and Rewire. This is when retirees actively reinvent themselves and their lifestyles to align with their evolving priorities and aspirations. They may pursue new passions, engage in lifelong learning, cultivate deeper relationships, or contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. This phase emphasizes adaptation, resilience, and continued growth as retirees embrace the opportunities that retirement offers for self-reinvention and personal fulfillment. He concluded his talk by summarizing how it all comes together, the ground work to the phases of retirement. After JJ’s presentation, MC Ren Lexander brought everyone up to date on upcoming events and then called on George Wilson to conduct the Open Forum portion of the meeting where the audience can ask questions or make comments about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya. To learn more about the PCEC, visit their website at https:/pcec.club. To view a video of JJ’s presentation on the PCEC’s YouTube Channel, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4zIIO6MkOM.

Although I don't do four-hand massages, here are some things you might consider. Four-hand are standard fare at mot shops and not difficult to arrange. However, if it was me I'd follow advice from Vinapu and others. Select one guy you definitely want in the equation and ask him to suggest the other member of your team. I've spoken with a few members this year who've had four-hands at Natural Massage on Silom Soi 6 and they were quite satisfied with outcome. As for six-hand, you need a shop that has more spacious rooms. The one that first comes to mind is One Spa in Saphan Kwai. Even standard rooms are spacious with mattress on floor and ample space for guys to move about around it. And their roster certainly has the twink offerings you have in mind.

From MSN and Tik Tok An Australian wildlife protection group has lots to celebrate after they saved and rescued 16 Asiatic Black Bear cubs from a home in Luang Prabang, Laos. The group, called Free the Bears, say the home belonged to a wildlife poacher who hoped to use the cubs as fodder for a bile farm. Thankfully they found the cubs before the worst happened and have since brought the cubs somewhere where they could be safe. Life has changed overnight for the cubs, who now receive constant care and attention from local and international conservationists. According to Reuters, Free the Bears works with local communities and governments across Asia to protect the Asiatic Black Bear (or moon bear, as they are also known because of their distinctive markings), as well as sun bears, which are also at risk across Southeast Asia. But nothing could've prepared them for what they found during a raid in the house of a Chinese national last March. On the day of the raid, neighbors heard the cubs crying from within the home and called Laos police. When police arrived at the property they found the 16 bear cubs inside what appeared to be a bear bile farm scheme, a practice where bile is extracted from a bear's gallbladder to later be used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is legal to do in China, but illegal in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other countries. Police said there was one additional cub found on the premises, but it died before authorities could remove the cubs from the home. "When we arrived at the house there were bear cubs everywhere," Fatong Yang, animal manager with the charity, told France 24. In total, they found 10 male cubs and six females. The cubs each weighed between 1.3 to four kilograms and were believed to be about two to four months old.

The Bangkok Post is reporting that sexually transmitted diseases are rising rapidly among the nation's youth. Cases of syphilis have tripled since 2028. Those in the 15-24 year-old group now account for 47% of new cases of HIV. The Disease Control Department recommends that condoms always be used. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2775464/sexually-transmitted-diseases-surge-among-young

From Thai PBS World Thailand and Vietnam have agreed to elevate their relations to comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry’s press release said yesterday that both countries would announce their upgraded ties in June when their leaders are scheduled to hold a joint cabinet retreat in Hanoi. Vietnam has established the CSP with seven countries including China, Russia, India South Korea, the US, Japan and Australia. In June, Thailand will be the eighth CSP member and the first Asean country. In addition, both sides discussed ways to promote three main areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and investment, tourism and infrastructure. On trade and investment, Sretha asked Vietnam to facilitate Thailand’s goods in transit, especially fruits, at the Vietnam-China border checkpoints. On tourism, both sides agreed to increase flight connections between the two Congress and support the “Six Countries, One Destination” scheme. On the infrastructure development, they agreed to work together to improve the infrastructure, particularly in connecting the road between Thailand, and Laos to boost trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges. Sretha is scheduled to visit Hanoi and take part in the 4th Joint Cabinet Retreat in June.

From TIME / MSN by Charlie Campbell / Phuket, Thailand It’s just past 11 p.m. on Phuket’s neon-festooned Bangla Road and revelers are out in force, though the heady atmosphere is distinctly more Sochi than Southeast Asia. TVs overhanging the sprawling beer bars show ice skating instead of soccer; Cyrillic signage proliferates; and Russian-speaking touts dispense flyers for pole-dancing clubs exclusively featuring women from former Soviet republics. “Russians, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Kazakhs,” says one tout in dark Ray Bans and a skin-tight Armani polo shirt. “We have them all here.” The war in Ukraine has entailed an incalculable human toll, while roiling markets, disrupting supply chains, and sending inflation soaring across the globe. But in Thailand, the two-year-old conflict is also having a profound social effect despite being over 4,000 miles away. While many Western nations have shut out Russian air travel in response to Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Thailand sees Russian arrivals as key to reviving its pandemic-ravaged tourism industry. In October, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended 90-day visas upon arrival for Russian passports, insisting in a February interview: “We’re not part of the [Ukraine] conflict. We are neutral.” Last year, Russians ranked top for tourist arrivals in Thailand from outside of Asia with 1.4 million visitors. Meanwhile, Russians were top overall on the southern resort island of Phuket, which has long been a favorite haunt. Last July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Phuket to inaugurate a new consulate to cope with surging visitor numbers. A month later, the Phuket Tourist Association sent a delegation to St. Petersburg and Moscow seeking to court even more vacationers. In the first three months of this year, 366,095 Russians arrived at Phuket International Airport, almost double the same period of 2023 and transforming the island’s commercial and social life. (That figure doesn’t include the significant number who transferred via Thailand’s main gateway of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.) But while a boon for the macro economy, the influx has chafed with locals who increasingly complain that Russians are stealing jobs and upsetting cultural mores. Across Thailand, lurid headlines such as “Rabid Russian assaults police team in Phuket after going berserk at a city centre hotel” and “Russian tourist kicks pregnant Thai woman after asked to leave shoes outdoor” are both a symptom and cause of alarm. (However, transgressions involving New Zealand, Swiss, and Portuguese nationals admittedly proliferate also.) “Russia and Thailand are so different and sometimes they don’t understand Thai law and culture,” Lieut. Colonel Akachai Siri, chief inspector of Phuket Tourist Police, tells TIME. “Sometimes they break the law and they don’t recognize we have law enforcement.” Nevertheless, Thailand’s Russian incursion appears here to stay. Other than the preferential visas, sanctions on Russian air carriers and reciprocal bans on Western airlines have slashed the destinations where Russian nationals can escape their frigid winter, making already-popular Thailand an easier choice. And then there are the not inconsiderable numbers fleeing economic doldrums and a war of choice that they had no part in choosing—not least since the Kremlin has ramped up military conscription amid mounting casualties. “That was the final straw for us,” says Mark, a Russian who fled to Thailand with his boyfriend after an initial draft announcement in September 2022 and asked that TIME use a pseudonym for security. “We understood we can’t go back because anyone can be called to the army and just die in the war.” Beyond 90-day visas upon arrival, thousands are applying for one-year business or education visas. Arnold, who asked that TIME use only one name for fear of reprisals in his homeland, moved from Moscow to the Thai resort town of Hua Hin permanently last year and has noticed an increase in what are colloquially termed “relocants” fleeing the “various negative things which are going on back home.” Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/thailand-s-tourist-towns-deal-with-their-own-russian-invasion/ar-BB1lrptp

I've had different experience but only after I'd had a few massages in shop and got to know them. Developing mutual trust is the key. But agree it takes time and effort. +1

From Forbes As travellers increasingly seek transformative wellness experiences, Indigenous cultural practices have entered the mainstream. From the commercialization of ayahuasca retreats to Mexican sweat lodges (known as a temazcal, it’s now easier than ever to access ancient modalities of healing on your next trip. But many of these cultural practices are divorced from their origins, eliciting criticisms of cultural appropriation. Subsequently, travelers pursuing a more ethical and regenerative approach to travel look to go to the source for their next culturally rooted wellness experience. In Thailand, one such ancient practice that is attracting travelers is bamboo tattoos known as “sak yant.” While the exact origins are not clear, the tattoos are believed to date back centuries; first used by Holy men and later by Buddhist monks across Southeast Asia in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Translating to “magic tattoo,” they’re believed to hold magical powers; ward off evil spirits and bestow the wearer with strength and courage. Due to their role in providing protection and good fortune, they are only to be applied by a spiritual master who can impart their energy in the application process. As a result, sak yant masters in Thailand are in high demand, and can develop an international following for their practice, particularly when they ink celebrities. Now travellers can access one of the most coveted sak yant masters, Ajarn Neng Onnut at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. A master and teacher in the art of sak yant, Onnut has over ten years of experience applying sak yant tattoos to over 10,000 people, including celebrities like Brooke Shields and Ryan Phillippe. As the first hotel in the country to provide sak yant, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel has already seen guests fly from Europe and the United States specifically for the service. In Thai, “sak” means “to tap,” describing the method of tapping the ink onto the skin using a traditional khem sak, a metal rod designed to replicate the shape of a bamboo stick which is often passed down through generations from a preceding sak yant master. Perhaps even more important as the application process of “sak” is the ritual that surrounds it. At Anantara, master Onnut consults the guest the day before the inking to learn about the guest’s life and goals in order to decide on the most appropriate yant, which can range from the most famous Haah Taew five-line yant to larger designs like the Twin Tigers. In becoming learned in sak yant, master Onnut studied the intricate artwork of the tattoos—which consists of almost 1,000 graphic images—and learned to read and write the entire Khmer and Pali scripts, memorizing the tattoo’s associated prayers, chants and mantras. Continues at https://www.forbes.com/sites/annahaines/2024/04/11/would-you-travel-to-thailand-for-a-tattoo

They should reflect the high standard of performance as exhibited by the former president.* * See Trump, golden shower, Moscow, 2013, et al.

NOTE -- It would surely make for a wonderful park. However, four words ("some of this space") could also turn out to mean that "most of this space" will be used for high-rise condos. From The Thaiger The Bangkok Port, located in the bustling Klong Toey district, is earmarked for a potential relocation, the Transport Ministry announced. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed plans for a feasibility study into the port’s relocation yesterday, to transform parts of the 32-rai site into a public park. Manaporn, responsible for overseeing the operations of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), shared that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had proposed during an April 2 Cabinet meeting, a partial relocation of Klong Toey port to the Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri. The 62 year old prime minister’s order will be followed with the formation of a dedicated committee to examine the plan further. This relocation is complex, with multiple factors to consider, including existing lease agreements and employment contracts, Charoensri noted, referencing an initial survey conducted by the PAT. She reassured of the impact on industrial factories and oil refineries, stating that not the entire port would be shifted. Instead, the Bangkok-born PM has proposed methods to make optimal use of leftover space or areas currently misused by the community, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion in the vicinity. Some of this space, she indicated, might be redeveloped into a public park. The BMA aims to shift the Bangkok Port to the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri, with a vision to reduce air pollution and transform the vacated area into a green space for city-dwellers, reported Bangkok Post.

Bangkok Pat takes us on casual amble on the other side of the Chao Phraya river and invites us to get lost in its roads and back sois. Swear my blood pressure retreats as I follow in his footsteps.

NOTE -- Has echoes of the Red Bull cover up. In both situations, the victim was one of their own. From The Thaiger At the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, 15 police officers have been convicted of dereliction of duty for their involvement in a cover-up surrounding the fatal shooting of a highway police officer in Nakhon Pathom last year. Former Krathumban Police Station inspector, Police Major Kiartisak Somsuk, alongside 14 other officers and seven civilians, faced justice for colluding to conceal evidence in the high-profile murder case. Alleged influential figure Praween Chanklay, also known as Kamnan Nok, was implicated in aiding the officers in their malfeasance. Despite the damning evidence, only one officer, Police Sergeant Major Apirak, managed to evade conviction. The chilling incident unfolded during a party hosted at Praween’s residence on September 6 last year. Pol. Maj. Siwakorn Saibua was fatally shot by Thananchai Munmak, an associate of Praween. Shockingly, as the officer lay wounded, the 15 policemen stood idly by, failing to intervene or provide timely medical assistance. The motive behind the gruesome act allegedly stemmed from Siwakorn’s refusal to allow Praween’s fleet of trucks, carrying illegally heavy loads, to pass through checkpoints under his jurisdiction. This act of integrity cost Siwakorn his life. The court handed down varied sentences, with Kiartisak and three other officers facing two years behind bars, reported The Nation. Eleven officers and five civilians received one year and four months, while another civilian was sentenced to one year, nine months, and 21 days. Praween was not spared, receiving a two-year jail term, with additional charges pending.

Although I may attend an occasional show, massage shops are my venues of choice. I enjoy a much wider selection and the cost is always reasonable. Yes, the majority are straight but don't read too much into that. Remember you're in SE Asia now and not Idaho. Many will surprise you--as they have me--with how affectionate they can be. And I wouldn't rule out finding them in Soi Six, Surawong or Saphan Kwai shops as well as some of the high-end ones elsewhere. It's an equal opportunity profession. Good luck!

The owner appears to be well-financed and has set his sights on dominating the soi. I believe that there are four other all-male shops on the soi. In previous trips, they've always had sufficient staff to cover the other two locations. They claim to have an all-Thai staff.

From Aviation Week Air Canada will resume seasonal service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from October as the carrier continues an Asia-Pacific push with a particular focus on Southeast Asia. The announcement regarding the YVR-BKK route, which will be the only nonstop connection between North America and Bangkok, came just days after Air Canada launched exclusive service between YVR and Singapore. Over the past two years, the airline has operated the YVR-BKK route from December to March, but it has moved up the start of flights for the upcoming northern hemisphere winter season. From Oct. 27, Air Canada will fly the YVR-BKK route 3X-weekly, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). From December through March 2025, the route will be operated 5X-weekly. The airline will use a Boeing 787-9 configured with 298 seats, including 30 in business class and 21 in premium economy, on the YVR-BKK service. The Star Alliance carrier has said it plans to add 26% more capacity to Asia-Pacific destinations in 2024 versus 2023. It will be starting seasonal Toronto Pearson-Osaka and Montréal-Seoul routes in June. It currently is operating 4X-weekly flights between YVR and Shanghai.

From The Irrawaddy It was to be expected. Min Aung Hlaing and his regime have in the last few weeks suffered a series of major defeats in Arakan and Kachin states and most recently in Karen State at Myawaddy, an important border trade town. These defeats are significant for two reasons. First is the humiliation factor: They have inevitably eroded morale among troops while seriously undermining trust in Min Aung Hlaing within the military and its loyalists. Second is the strategic factor: The defeats have cut major supply and trade lines, giving control over important border crossings to anti-junta liberation forces, increasing the resistance’s access to resources, and significantly altering the regional and international view on the junta’s ability to control the country. For those reasons, Min Aung Hlaing and his regime are left with little choice but to attempt action that: Instantly grabs media and public attention. Is destructive and painful enough to divert attention away from recent defeats in Kachin State and Myawaddy. The junta cannot undertake a major offensive in Kachin for logistical and geographic reasons. Neither can it send ground troops into Arakan State, because this would inevitably lead to massive losses and more humiliating surrenders. Myawaddy is the only place where the junta can realistically mount a counteroffensive. Its goal would not be to seize back the border town (the military and its overarching power structure are no longer capable of retaking and consolidating control over territories and towns they have lost). Continues at https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/spotlight-on-thailand-as-cornered-myanmar-junta-threatens-disaster-on-border.html

From The Thaiger Police arrested an American man, who appeared to be drunk, after he smashed the window of a Thai man’s car in Phuket in the early hours of this morning. The 33 year old Thai victim, Tharathit Na Pattalung, filed a complaint at Wichit Police Station at around 5.30am today, April 11. He told police that a foreign man damaged his car, a white Mazda 3 sedan, parked outside the Seabed Hotel. Tharathit also gave police CCTV footage of the incident. The foreigner, later identified as a 46 year old American man named Danny, was seen in the video wearing a black T-shirt, brown shorts and no shoes. He smashed the driver’s seat window and tried to open the car door but it was locked. He was also seen looking through the window as if looking for something. Danny claimed that he smashed the car window because his friend had left his mobile phone in the car and wanted to retrieve it. The car owner insisted he did not know Danny or his friend. Danny was charged under Section 358 of the Criminal Law: damaging another person’s belongings or causing the loss of another person’s property. The penalty is imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Following many requests to Pattaya Mail, we provide below a question and answer session based on our recent checks with the authorities. You should notice that local immigration offices have some discretion about the detail and we have given examples. If in doubt, that’s where you need to ask. Why bother? It’s the address form in Thailand for “the housemaster, owner or possessor” of a residence where a foreigner is staying after arrival from a foreign country. It should be filled in and returned to the local immigration bureau “within 24 hours” from the time of arrival at the residence. However, weekends and official holiday periods are excluded from this deadline. The reporting was first introduced in the 1979 immigration act, but is now being enforced on the claim it enhances state security. But, at the end of the day, you personally are responsible for the TM30 – and you need one to obtain any service at local immigration. The fine is 1,600 baht. Who should fill it in? Most hotels and some condominiums use the online, dedicated facility to report your arrival to local immigration without bothering you. In return, the hotel or condo will receive by return a dated and written confirmation receipt which you will need when – and if – visiting local immigration to request a service. Alternatively, you can take to local immigration a hotel letter or detailed receipt showing you are sleeping there. If you are residing in a friend’s house or apartment, or if you own your own unit, that’s likely different. What documents are required? If you own your own unit, you will need to photocopy the proof – the chanoot or title deed as a rule. Many immigration offices will alternatively accept your yellow book or pink card (a form of longstay foreigner ID which is not compulsory and must be applied for at the local authority office). A rental contract is another possibility, if professionally written. If you are staying with a friend, he or she must provide you with personal ID (Thai ID card or ID page of foreign passport), the blue residence book of that residence and/or the title deed. How does TM30 affect foreign tourists? 30 days visa-exempt international tourists and holders of 60 days tourist visas (the latter issued by a Thai embassy abroad) will need a TM30 receipt to do any business at local immigration – typically extending their stay without needing to leave the country. No TM receipt: immigration service will be refused until the 1,600 baht is paid and a properly documented TM 30 application is made. How does TM30 affect long stay foreigners? Holders of non-immigrant visas, annual extensions of stay, the Elite visa etc are now drawn into the TM30 net. In the old days, they were advised they needed only to report once, no matter how many times they left Thailand, provided they did not change their main residence. That is no longer true and they will need a TM30 receipt – issued since their most recent arrival in Thailand – to renew their longterm visa or annual extension of stay, to apply for or renew a driving licence, open or change bank accounts, possibly request a re-entry permit and any other local immigration service. However, the fine is on a more discretionary basis than for tourists. What’s the connection with the 90 days report? You will likely be required to show your TM30 receipt before your 90 days residence report will be accepted. The fine for forgetting to do 90 days is 2,000 baht, though you can submit that form 14 days before or 7 days after the actual completion of a three months stay in Thailand. Can I be fined at the airport or border? Thai immigration officers at exit points will examine your passport in case of overstay or damage to the document. They will also check that you are not on a “wanted” list or are trying to leave the country on bail without court permission. They will not check your status with the TM30 or 90 days report. In other words, address bureaucracies come into play when you need a service from local immigration.

From Thai PBS World A historic map offers insights into Thailand’s past perceptions of geography, politics, and culture.//Photo: Fine Arts Department Step into the Bangkok National Museum and take a journey through the ages with the captivating “Precious Siam Inscriptions and Documents” exhibition. The Bangkok National Museum beckons travellers and history enthusiasts alike with its latest offering. A mesmerizing collection of historic inscriptions spanning various epochs, from nineteenth-century stone stelae to traditional palm-leaf manuscripts and early printed documents in Thailand, the new exhibition promises an immersive exploration of the nation’s rich heritage. As visitors enter the exhibition hall, they are transported back in time by the Siamese Chronicles section, serving as a gateway to bygone eras. Featuring ancient documents and timeless literature recorded on stone inscriptions, Thai manuscripts, and palm-leaf manuscripts, this section offers profound insights into Thailand’s historical landscape from the Sukhothai period to the pre-reformation era under the reign of King Rama IV. For those intrigued by Thailand’s legal history, the Legal Chronicles section presents fascinating tales of punishment, criminology, free trade, and freedom through historic legal documents and international relations. From the Three-Seal Law to the Bowring Treaty, visitors gain valuable insights into the evolution of legal systems, laws, and jurisprudence, culminating in the landmark Slavery Abolition Act of 1905, a significant milestone in Thai human rights development. VISITING THE EXHIBITION The Bangkok National Museum is situated in the historic district of Bangkok, near the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. It can be reached by taxi, public bus, Chao Phraya Express boat, tuk-tuk, or the MRT Blue Line. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4pm. By Thai PBS World Feature Desk Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/echoes-of-time-inscriptions-of-siam/

The 9-Teen group opened it second massage shop Wednesday on Silom Soi 6. It now has three shops in the immediate area, including the original location that fronts on Silom Rd. The new one is situated on the right side before dogleg turn to Soi Tarntawan.

I think you're right. That the captain was sentenced to 15 days detention apparently indicates that his actions were deemed to have hazard the vessel. If he had not chosen to resign, he likely would have been dismissed along with a reduction in rank. Commanders who survive a lost hull which 29 shipmates did not survive would not traditionally be viewed favorably by naval courts of inquiry anywhere.

It's customary to tip a boy who has sat with you in a bar. Amount is normally dependent on length of time he spends with you but expected minimum is 100 bht in addition to any drink you brought him. Mamasan tipped only if they provide useful service to you. Recommend again that you read prior trip reports and discussions about tipping. You'll learn much about like situations above and how to successfully navigate them.