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From The Nation Foreign tourists will receive medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht in case of accidents in Thailand, and compensation of up to 1 million baht in the event of death under the government’s new campaign to enhance tourists’ confidence while travelling in Thailand. The campaign, a collaboration between the Tourism and Sports and Public Health ministries, aims to assure foreign tourists that they will be properly taken care of while they are in the kingdom, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said at the launch of the campaign on Wednesday. Explaining that the campaign’s goal is to strengthen the positive image of Thailand as a global vacation destination, she said the ministry had set aside 50 million baht to fund the scheme. The money will come from the ministry’s budget for emergency expenses and will be used to compensate foreign tourists on a case-by-case basis during their travel in Thailand between January 1 and August 31 this year, she said. The maximum coverage is 1 million baht per person in case of death and 300,000 baht per person for permanent organ loss, loss of sight or permanent disability. Medical expenses will be covered at the amount actually paid, but not exceeding 500,000 baht. Tourists will not be eligible for the coverage if the incidents stem from their carelessness, intention to take part in any illegal activity, or risky behaviour. To apply for the coverage, foreigners holding a tourist visa can submit documents at the provincial tourism and sports offices, or at tourist assistance centres located in Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Applications can also be submitted via post and e-mail. Sudawan said the ministry believed that the campaign would help boost revenue from tourism. She added that foreign arrivals as of February 11 totalled 4.3 million, putting the country on track to achieve its target of 35 million foreign tourists in 2024. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40035582

From Pattaya Mail Thailand’s anti-cannabis laws will have a slow start By Barry Kenyon Although Thai authorities are determined to outlaw smoking cannabis for pleasure once and for all, experts say that there is likely to be a long grace or settling-in period. Jessataporn Bunnag, a specialist lawyer, said “A great deal of money was invested prior to decriminalization of the herb in 2022,and it’s going to take time for a new legislative process to evolve.” Commentator Chokwan Kitty Chopakasai predicted that some shops which had abused the system in the last 18 months – for example opening selling joints, edibles and extracts – would close, but that most would still be able to operate provided they obtained new licences and kept detailed records. Of course, the draft law is still under consideration for public debate. “They let the genie out of the bottle with descheduling and how they put it back is one of the biggest challenges,” he said. Under the draft revisionist cannabis and hemp law, only marijuana for medical purposes will be legal, whilst the police will have expanded powers to investigate the sale of smokable marijuana outside the medical market. There will also be a ban on some commercial imports of the drug. Future ambiguities in enforcement include how the police will differentiate between medical and pleasure marijuana. Presumably, an insomniac enjoys smoking weed which he believes can help him or her sleep better. Thailand has around 6,500 marijuana stores which aren’t necessarily illegal as many operate in a sort-of gray area with cannabis currently delisted as a narcotic. Other shortcomings of the current law include a lack of testing requirements, no seed-to-sale program for marijuana and confusion over taxation issues. Many commentators believe that, once the new legislation is in place, police will focus on the illicit selling of marijuana online, foreigners and Thais selling hash and concentrates and anyone selling imported cannabis, all of which are expected to be crimes. But a full scale assault is much less likely. Matt, a Pattaya marijuana seller, concluded, “Selective enforcement is part of the Thai system. After all, prostitution has been illegal in Thailand since the 1960s, but you still find traces of it here and there.” Future ambiguities in enforcement include how the police will differentiate between medical and pleasure marijuana. Presumably, an insomniac enjoys smoking weed which he believes can help him or her sleep better. Thailand has around 6,500 marijuana stores which aren’t necessarily illegal as many operate in a sort-of gray area with cannabis currently delisted as a narcotic. Other shortcomings of the current law include a lack of testing requirements, no seed-to-sale program for marijuana and confusion over taxation issues.

Tip of the 🧢 for a very entertaining and descriptive account. Only been there once but unfortunately the Venezuelans were not in abundance that far back. The great wine and steak prices were, however.

Thanks for passing it along and neither am I impressed. It comes across as an ultra, politically correct view by someone who very likely has never seen the inside of a bar—or Thailand for that matter.

Yesterday, February 13th, 2024, the draft cannabis bill that would ban recreational usage of cannabis was not approved by the Thai Cabinet, with relevant officials and the Minister of Public Health calling it a “delay” to speak with the public, pro cannabis interest groups, and get more opinions.

From The Nation Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong confirmed that he has approved Thaksin Shinawatra’s parole as he is believed to have completed half his jail term without spending a single night behind bars. Thawee was responding to earlier reports on Tuesday morning quoting a source from the Justice Ministry saying that the former PM was among the inmates allowed to “spend the rest of their jail terms at home”. Thaksin’s name was reportedly added to a list initially approved by a subcommittee of the Corrections Department, before being given to Thawee for the final stamp of approval. The source added that the subcommittee considered Thaksin eligible for parole because he has “served” half of his one-year jail term. Thaksin, whose government was overthrown in a military coup in September 2006, had been in self-imposed exile overseas for 15 years before returning to Thailand on August 22 last year. He was sentenced in absentia to eight years in jail in a couple of corruption cases. Upon arriving in Thailand, Thaksin was almost immediately taken to the Supreme Court to acknowledge his jail term and then to the Bangkok Remand Prison. However, later that very night, he was rushed to the Police General Hospital for an unidentified condition and has been receiving treatment there since. It was earlier reported that Thaksin would complete half of his term on February 18, as it would mark 180 days in detention counting from August 22 last year. The source, however, said that so far it cannot be confirmed when Thaksin will be released as the Justice Ministry has to complete proceedings before the actual release date can be announced.

From AFP Myanmar’s junta is enforcing a law allowing the military to summon all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve for at least two years, it said on Saturday, as it struggles to crush opposition to its 2021 coup. The country has been in turmoil since the military seized power that year, with massive pro-democracy protests morphing into widespread armed resistance. The junta “issued the notification of the effectiveness of People’s Military Service Law starting from February 10th, 2024,” the junta’s information team said in a statement. The law was authored by a previous junta in 2010 but was never brought into force. Saturday’s statement did not give further details but said the junta’s defence ministry would “release necessary bylaws, procedures, announcements orders, notifications and instructions.” Under the 2010 law, during a state of emergency the terms of service under military command can be extended up to five years and those ignoring summons to serve can be jailed for the same period.

Among other things.

When it comes to the Tuck (not to be confused with Vinapu’s), you have to bear in mind what he truly thinks of Trump. What he thinks of Putin we’ll have to wait on that. From the BBC Tucker Carlson said he hates Trump 'passionately', lawsuit reveals Fox News host Tucker Carlson said in a text message after the 2020 election that he "passionately hated" Donald Trump, according to new court filings. Mr Carlson's message to a colleague in January 2021 emerged as part of a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News. The electronic voting firm accuses the network of promoting baseless claims of vote-rigging in the election. Fox News denies defamation and says on-air comments were taken out of context. The latest filings in the case suggest Mr Carlson expressed his dislike of the outgoing US president two days before Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol to derail lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden's election win. "We are very, very close to being able to ignore Trump most nights," he wrote in a text sent on 4 January 2021. "I truly can't wait." "I hate him passionately," he added. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64886188

Both the convenience store and exterior fascade to old Bangkok Massage were for movie set only. The filming took three days. Construction crew making rapid progress on new venue. One side will have great view of main entrance to Dream Boy.

Could you please comment on the age distribution.

Amen to that.

While entering Foodland for breakfast this morning, was greeted by makings of an expansive new venue opposite Foodland. It extends all the way to sub-soi where entrance to Dream Boy is located. My friend asked construction workers what type of place is going to emerge and was told big bar with dance floor. That leaves a lot of options but we’re inclined to think it may resemble the large music and dance venue at the other end of that sub-soi on PP1. In any case, encouraging to see renewed interest in vacant space.

Tech College student killed in Lat Krabang drive-by shooting From Bangkok Post https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2739765/college-student-killed-in-lat-krabang-drive-by-shooting

From Bangkok Post https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2739561/airports-of-thailand-to-invest-b4-4bn-in-suvarnabhumi-expansion

From Thai PBS World Royalists clash with pro-democracy group at Siam Square BTS station A group of royalists clashed with pro-democracy demonstrators at the Siam Square sky train station today, forcing Pathumwan police and BTS officials to close all entrances to the connected malls. The Taluwang anti-monarchy group, led by Tantawan Tuatulanon, held a rally at the station to explain an incident in which she was accused of honking a car horn at the convoy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on an expressway in Bangkok. Simultaneously, a royalist group rallied nearby to protest against the first group’s activities. Speaking to the media during the rally, Tantawan offered a public apology for the incident, saying that she was sorry for speeding and was not careful enough. She was booed and jeered by the royalists, resulting in a clash between the rival protesters, forcing her to end the press conference abruptly. No serious injuries were reported. Uniformed and plainclothes police intervened to stop the affray and the rival groups went to Pathumwan police station to lodge complaints against each other. In 2022, Tantawan was charged with lèse majesté for conducting an opinion poll on royal motorcades.

Don’t think we’ve heard the last of this.

I think you had a lot of fun for the money and much of it from watching the reaction of your date. It was a night he soon won’t forget and will talk about with his mates. Well done! The Full Monty. You’d be perfect for it 🙂

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Take all meds plus any supplements you’re taking to your internist and let him evaluate possibility of interactions, or other condition altogether. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/blood-pressure/art-20050982

From The Nation Thai Airways International (THAI) has placed an order for 45 Boeing 787 jets, with the option to potentially boost the size of the deal to around 80 aircraft as it serves rising international travel demand, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing industry sources. The deal, to be formally unveiled later this month, is already reflected in Boeing's published order backlog as a contract for 45 planes with an undisclosed customer, said the sources. Reuters said both Boeing and THAI, Thailand’s national flag carrier, declined to comment on the deal. The sources added that the aircraft would be powered by engines from GE Aerospace, which currently dominates the market for 787 engines in competition with Britain's Rolls-Royce. The deal opens a new chapter for THAI, which is a longstanding customer of Rolls-Royce and it is also a win for GE as the airline currently flies Rolls' engines on its existing 787s, said the sources. Industry sources that THAI's decision to reject the A350 in favour of the 787 was partly influenced by disagreements over engine maintenance pricing with Rolls-Royce. According to https://pilotpassion.com/, Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a large passenger airplane with capacity from 248-336 passengers. It has three models: 787-8: capacity 248 passengers, range 13,530km, price US$248.3 to $260 million 787-9: capacity 296 passengers, range 14,010km, price $292.5 to $305 million 787-10: capacity 336 passengers, range 11,730km, price $338.4 to $350 million If THAI were to purchase 45 aircraft of the cheapest model, it would cost around $10.755 billion or 385 billion baht. However, buying in bulk usually comes with a 40-60% discount from the manufacturers.

From Pattaya News Romanian Tourist Falls to Death from Pattaya Hotel Balcony A 63-year-old Romanian tourist lost his life in a fall from the balcony of a 7-story hotel in Soi 5, Pattaya, on Friday morning, February 9th. The incident was reported to Pattaya police around 9:30 AM. Police officers and rescue workers arrived at an unidentified hotel to find the lifeless body of the deceased, a 63-year-old Romanian man whose name was withheld pending family and embassy notification, in the garden area below the balcony. The victim, clad only in black shorts, had sustained severe head injuries and dislocated limbs. Authorities cordoned off the scene before transporting the body to a nearby local hospital. The victim’s wife was present at the incident scene, visibly distraught by the tragic incident. She did not provide a statement to the press. Ms. Somjai Benden, a 54-year-old employee of the hotel, stated that she was tending to her duties near the hotel pond when she heard a loud sound above her. Alarmed, she looked up to see the victim clinging to the railing of the 4th-floor balcony before losing his grip and plummeting to the ground below. Ms. Somjai immediately alerted the authorities. The cause of the incident remains undetermined, and Pattaya police are currently conducting an investigation.

Both my mother and sister died at early age due to massive CVA’s. I watch my b/p like a hawk.

List reminds me just how old I am because I recognize quite a few of celebrities on it. 🙂

Agree that Blinken has qualifications and resume for the job, and also smart enough to know that he’d be out of his element in domestic politics. But he’s the perfect Secretary of State and well respected on world stage. Still think O’Bama is the ex-president who could beat that other “X” president handily because he could unite the unenrolled and the young that Biden has yet been able to knit together.