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Understand your dislikes but doesn't Pattaya have horrendous traffic and crowds (second only to Bangkok according to tourism report from government this week)?

From The Thaiger The Airports of Thailand (AoT) is altering the Suvarnabhumi International Airport master plan to hasten the development of terminal expansion projects, in response to the rapidly increasing demand from passenger traffic. The revised master plan, which outlines the course of action for the next decade, aims to accelerate the progression of main terminal expansion and the construction of new ones to align with the swift uptick in air traffic, stated AoT director, Kirati Kijmanawat. Three key projects underpin the master plan: the expansion of the western terminal, the construction of a new southern terminal, and the development of the Satellite 2 building. The revision of the master plan will culminate in the decision of which project will be launched first, and once selected, the design phase of the project will begin. This phase is estimated to take roughly a year, with construction projected to commence in 2026. The expansion of the eastern side of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s main terminal, approved for 10 billion baht, is progressing as planned. The design of the construction blueprint for this expansion project has been adjusted. The tendering process for construction firms is expected to open at the latest by August. This expansion will elevate the airport’s total capacity by 15 million passengers, from the current 60 million. This year’s passenger traffic is projected to surpass 65 million, a figure nearing the pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels. This ambitious project intends to increase the main terminal area by 60,000 square metres and includes the construction of a four-storey office building, a car park, and a walkway platform linking to the main terminal. The southern terminal project will eventually need to be constructed due to the continual surge in air travel demand. This project is estimated to span about four years, and it’s only a matter of time before it seeks government approval and commences. The country’s second-largest hub, Don Mueang International Airport, noted for serving mostly low-cost airlines on both domestic and international routes, has also seen progress in its ongoing expansion. The design of the latest development plan for Don Mueang Airport is set to be finalised next year. The AoT has set aside 36 billion baht to fund the project, which involves the construction of a new international terminal where the now-defunct domestic terminal stands. The existing international terminals 1 and 2 will be combined into one and repurposed as a domestic terminal.

From the Thaiger Thai police arrested an American man yesterday at a condominium in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok after he evaded authorities following multiple sex crime charges in the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sought cooperation from Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in extraditing the American criminal, Selva Delano Mudaliar. The 37 year old is described as a US citizen of Asian ethnicity, standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 90 kilogrammes. According to the report on Matichon, Mudaliar has a history of violent behaviour. He committed several serious assaults using weapons, as he kidnapped his victims, deceived and raped them, and forced them into sex work. Mudaliar was charged with 11 offences relating to sexual violence, assault and sex trafficking, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. He failed to appear in court after being granted bail. After a thorough investigation, officers tracked Mudaliar down and arrested him at his condo yesterday, May 6. He will be extradited to the US for further legal proceedings.

Alone or with others?

Hear, hear! Totally agree. It's patently discourteous of these shops to post such ugly photos offensive to our sensibilities. We present our lux bodies and our handsome features to the boys and they have the gall to pester us with these hideous images.

If you can find the guy with military type haircut featured prominently in this video that Macaroni21 posted a few weeks ago, I might join you. 🙂

...and neither has Thailand, thankfully. 🙂

New top at Home Spa New photo array from One Spa

From The Nation A well-known secondary public school in Nakhon Ratchasima is now recognising LGBTQ+ students and allowing them to wear their hair short or long according to the gender they identify with. On Saturday, the Boonwattana School’s students’ council posted an announcement on Facebook that there will be no restrictions on hairstyles for LGBTQ+ students, which won a warm welcome from students and parents alike. By noon on Monday, the post had received over 11,000 likes and was shared more than 4,800 times with some 400 comments. Most comments complimented the school for its tolerant attitude towards alternative sexes. The post was part of an announcement listing uniforms for the next semester. Though the post was titled uniforms for LGBTQ+ students, the only difference was the hairstyles. Transgender children will still have to wear shorts, while girls identifying with the male gender will still have to wear skirts like other girls. The post said transgender students with long hair must wear their hair in a ponytail with a white bow, while “butch” girls can wear their hair short, provided the haircut is neat and tidy. Students who wish to wear their hair differently are encouraged to inform the school office of their choice. Once the post went viral, principal Wician Thongklee said the school’s management recognised the LGBTQ+ and had discussed the hairstyle exemptions with parents and the students’ council. He added that he hopes this freedom will make students happier, so they can perform better academically.

From Pattaya Mail Thailand is set to enforce stricter regulations for opening new bank accounts following the closure of over 300,000 mule accounts since November. The initiative, spearheaded by the anti-online scam center AOC 1441 in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Securities and Exchange Commission, combats the misuse of banking services for fraudulent activities. Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong reported that these regulations, set to be implemented by June 1, require all banks to rigorously apply the “Customer Due Diligence (CDD)” approach, mandating thorough scrutiny of potential account holders and the purposes for which they intend to use their accounts. AMLO Deputy Secretary-General Pol Maj Gen Eakkarak Limsunggas shared insights into the scale of the problem, estimating that the total number of mule accounts could be as many as one million currently. These accounts are often linked to influential community figures who coerce or pay vulnerable individuals to use their identities to open accounts involved in scams. The police have also discovered instances where over 50 bank accounts were registered under a single individual’s name.

Don't understand why you want to leave Pattaya. Your wedded soccer guy is supplying the bliss that fulfills your desire to be serviced by a straight, married man who finds your body disgusting. What more could you ask?

You've cited many reasons why you are hesitant to return. I'm not aware of any country where prices have not risen due to worldwide inflation. Perhaps you might want to dwell a bit on the reasons you're even considering Thailand now. What's drawing you to it may be a way of balancing the equation.

But she included squats and pickleball.

From CNN Walking has earned a reputation as a great form of exercise that’s easy and accessible for many people, and scores of studies show the popular activity has numerous health benefits, too. Getting at least 2,300 steps per day reduces your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, according to one study published in a 2023 edition of the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. In addition, weight-bearing exercises such as walking help prevent osteoporosis, according to another study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. Yet some experts in the health and fitness fields assert that while walking is certainly good for your health and fitness, it’s not really high-quality exercise. One such expert is Melissa Boyd, a certified personal trainer and coach with Tempo, an online personal training platform. Boyd is based in San Francisco. “Our lives have gotten so busy — we commute, sit all day, then are exhausted at night — that getting a short walk in makes you feel like you’ve done this big, exponential thing,” Boyd said. “But walking is really a baseline movement your body requires to function well, to help with things like circulation and digestion, and to decompress.” To help her clients better understand why a daily walk won’t result in a beach body — something many of them believe, thanks to various social media influencers — she discusses with them the three types of movement that are beneficial for overall health and fitness. First is the movement your body is owed or requires every day, such as walking, stretching and bending. Second is athletic movement, which you can do a few times a week to improve your fitness or to train for a sport. Third is social movement that you do for fun or to connect with others, such as dancing or playing volleyball. “It’s important to think of movement in these different categories because not moving throughout the day has become normalized,” Boyd said. “Our lives are so sedentary, many of us are trying to dig ourselves out of a movement deficit. But exercise is different from physical movement.” Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/04/health/three-forms-movement-weekly-wellness/index.html

From Pattaya News By Adam Judd Recently, prostitution in Thailand is back in the news, primarily due to a report by the International Sex Workers Union, seen here, that states that Thailand is in the top ten countries worldwide for the number of sex workers. This has caused significant discussion online and some confusion about what the current laws are and what proposals are in place for potential change to the laws. With the assistance of our friends and partners at Issan Lawyers, here is a brief overview of the current situation: Prostitution in Thailand is a complex issue with a legal framework that is not straightforward. Here’s a summary of the current laws, legal penalties, and future proposals regarding prostitution in Thailand: – Prostitution itself is, surprisingly to many, not fully illegal in Thailand, but public solicitation for prostitution is prohibited if it is carried out “openly and shamelessly” or “causes a nuisance to the public”. – The legal framework governing prostitution is based on three acts: the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, the Penal Code, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. – The Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act of 1996 explicitly forbids prostitution in public places and brothels, introducing fines for providing sexual services. This essentially makes any bar or club that has prostitutes illegal. Legal Penalties: – Individuals who solicit sex in an open and shameless manner or cause nuisance to the public are subject to fines. – Those associating in a “prostitution establishment” for the purpose of prostitution face jail terms or fines or both. – The Penal Code stipulates that anyone over the age of 16 who subsists on the earnings of a prostitute shall be punished with imprisonment of seven to twenty years and fined, or imprisonment for life. Future Proposals: – There are recent proposals to fully decriminalize prostitution in Thailand to ensure higher standards of safety for sex workers. – A draft law, the Sex Workers Protection Bill, has been proposed to replace the existing Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act from 1996. – The new law aims to grant fundamental labor rights, healthcare support, and social security to sex workers. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2024/05/05/legal-corner-what-are-the-prostitution-laws-in-thailand-and-proposals-for-fully-legalizing-the-industry/

From Pattaya News Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok remains the most popular tourist destination in March, 2024, followed by Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Phuket, and Prachuap Khiri Khan. According to the data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Bangkok retained its top spot with 4,459,579 visitors, of which 49.60% were international tourists. The occupancy rate for Bangkok hotels was 76.32%. Chonburi, the home province of the resort city of Pattaya, came in second with 1,892,712 visitors, of which 49.88% were international tourists. The hotel occupancy rate was 76.69%. Kanchanaburi came in third, welcoming 1,185,695 visitors. The tourists, however, mostly consisted of Thai people with only 3.04% being foreigners. The hotel occupancy rate was 65.19%. Meanwhile, in the fourth place was Phuket, which saw only 1,171,189 visitors. 78.75% of these were international tourists. The province’s hotels saw an occupancy rate of 86.37%. Lastly, Prachuap Khiri Khan rounded out the top five with 979,818 visitors, including 6.08% international tourists and an occupancy rate of 72.83%.

Lucille has never been to Bangkok.🙂

Whatever the outcome, voters--regardless of where they are--voters get what they deserve. That of course depends on a fair and impartial election. In the US, that's complicated by fiasco known as the electoral college. In Russia--and other places--it's complicated when the incumbent snuffs out competition. In China--an other places--it's complicated by a complete dictatorship. Much now rests on he Euro Zone to accept the mantle of leadership in the face of a possible Trump victory--as absurd as the possibility is. But it wouldn't be the first time the masses demanded, "Give us Barabbas".

Exactly! No trouble finding handsome guys with lots of attitude at home but not a reason to fly 11,000 miles to see more. 🙂 As I've gotten older I find that I no longer seek out guys with glorious bodies or prettiest faces. Perfectly willing to settle for attractive young men who offer affection and intimacy sans the attitude games. Nevertheless fully appreciate why others do flock to Jupiter.

From Channel News Asia By Jack Board SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia: From the shady poolside cabanas of a newly opened beach club, only the buzzing of nearby passing sand-dredging ships disrupt the serenity of Cambodia’s largest ever coastal development. This is stage one of the Bay of Lights - what is meant to be a US$16 billion 934-hectare “eco city”, nearly three times the size of Singapore’s Marina Bay. Newly forged roads named Sunset Boulevard and Bay Esplanade lead to a menagerie of water sport offerings and a go-kart track. A golf course, shopping malls, luxury hotels and an international financial centre are planned for the future. Visitors can currently pay US$95 for 40 minutes on a jet ski or US$180 for a ride on a jet pack. A reverse bungee can whisk holiday-goers high into the air, where they might fully see the extent of still-incomplete land reclamation stretching out into the Gulf of Thailand. Sand has been poured at such a rapid pace that even Google Maps has yet to catch up with the reality that what has always been water, is now land. The Bay of Lights is reshaping Cambodia’s southern coastline, a sparkling stretch of shallow water. By 2045, when the third phase is pegged for completion, the developers say 160,000 people might live in this new green city, which began in 2019. The area is being developed by a company called Canopy Sands. Its parent company is Prince Holding Group, a powerful conglomerate led by Mr Chen Zhi, a business tycoon from China who became a naturalised Cambodian in 2014, a process that requires a significant investment or government donation. For now, aside from a few well-heeled thrill-seekers and the workers continuing to lay the city’s sandy foundations, it is mostly deserted and incomplete. But local people have already been left wallowing in its wake. There are growing fears among observers that the entire project could end up resembling a ghost city, undermined by shaky financial foundations, environmental concerns and growing scrutiny of the influential business group undertaking the ambitious construction. Continues with video and photos https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodia-sihanoukville-bay-lights-eco-city-prince-group-4252091

From Thai PBS World Jiraporn Sindhuprai, a fast-rising political star from a famous red-shirt family, has been promoted to the Cabinet as the new PM’s Office minister, in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s first government reshuffle. Jiraporn, 36, was elected as a Pheu Thai MP in the 2023 election with the highest number of votes not just in her home constituency of Roi Et but also in the entire country. She increased her share of the vote from 58,842 in the 2019 election to 61,288. Just five years after she entered Parliament, her growing popularity and impressive political performances have earned her a Cabinet seat. Born on September 1, 1987, Jiraporn is the eldest daughter of Nisit and Aim-orn Sindhuprai. Both her parents were Roi Et MPs, but her father was also a co-leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or the red-shirt movement. During UDD rallies more than a decade ago, Jiraporn and her younger sister Chayapa, also a Roi Et MP, were often spotted at the front of the stage. Jiraporn said it was the eloquence of UDD co-leader Nattawut Saikuar that inspired her to develop her own speaking skills. Jiraporn studied at Assumption University’s Faculty of Arts in Bangkok before obtaining a master’s degree in political science at Ramkhamhaeng University. She later headed to England to attend the University of Reading, where she picked up a master’s in science. She also participated in the Cambodia-Thai Exchange Program. After being elected in 2019, Jiraporn was quickly rewarded with the post of deputy spokesperson for the party. She was also handed coveted positions on several parliamentary committees. Among them was the high-powered House panel on economic development, for which she served as secretary. However, it was on the parliamentary debating floor where Jiraporn’s skills really shone. Despite being a first-time MP, Pheu Thai allotted her nearly one hour to grill then-PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha during a headline-making censure debate in June 2022. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/jiraporn-sindhuprai-child-of-the-red-shirt-movement-and-rising-star-of-pheu-thai/

From Pattaya Mail Chonburi Governor, Thawatchai Srithong, met with Banglamung District Chief Weekit Manarotkit, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, officials from the Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and representatives from Eastern Water Supply Company on May 2 to strategize solutions for the persistent water shortage issue plaguing Koh Larn Island. Koh Larn Island, with a local population of merely 3,000 to 4,000 residents, experiences a staggering influx of visitors, averaging 8,000 on weekdays and 12,000 on weekends. This surge translates to accommodating over 500,000 to 1 million people monthly, far surpassing the island’s capacity. Despite this, the current water production capacity, excluding purchases from Pattaya, stands at a meagre 400 cubic meters per day, rendering it insufficient to meet the burgeoning demands for freshwater. To tackle this crisis, a comprehensive two-phase plan was devised. In the short term, immediate steps will be taken to purchase and distribute freshwater to residents, alleviating the acute water scarcity during this dry season. In the long term, the Pattaya City Administration will collaborate with the Eastern Water Supply Company to ramp up the production capacity of desalinated water from 400 to 3,000 cubic meters per day within the year. Governor Thawatchai emphasized that despite the water shortage crisis, tourism activities on Koh Larn Island remain unaffected. Accommodations and resorts have made provisions to provide freshwater, ensuring tourists can still relish their time on the island. However, the crisis predominantly impacts local residents, prompting concerted efforts to purchase and distribute freshwater to alleviate their plight.

Jupiter is the only bar I can honestly say that I have no desire whatsoever to visit. Although fully aware of its reputation to put on display beautiful men, the accompanying attitude makes it a total no-go venue for me. It would be like visiting a museum full of modern art: nothing there to attract me.

From CNBC The auditing firm for Trump Media and the auditor’s owner were charged Friday with “massive fraud” by the Securities and Exchange Commission for work that affected more than 1,500 SEC filings, the federal regulator announced. The auditor, BF Borgers CPA and its owner Benjamin Borgers have agreed to be permanently suspended from practicing as accountants before the SEC, and also agreed to pay a combined $14 million in civil penalties, with admitting or denying the allegations, the SEC said. The agency, calling BF Borgers a “sham audit mill,” said the company and its owner engaged in “deliberate and systemic failures to comply with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ... standards in its audits and reviews incorporated in more than 1,500 SEC filings from January 2021 through June 2023,” according to a press release.

Agree that that knowledge is not lost on the young men of Bangkok.🙂