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From Thai PBS World The Immigration Bureau has revoked the visa of the Swiss national who allegedly kicked a female Thai doctor, who sat on the staircase of his rented villa on Yamu Beach in Chalong district of Phuket last week. An urgent letter, signed by Deputy Governor Sattha Thongkham in his capacity as the acting governor, was sent to immigration officials recommending the revocation, claiming that he posed a threat to society who may be a danger to the people of Phuket. Pol Col Prinya Klinkaesorn, deputy spokesman for the Immigration Bureau, told the media today that Pol Maj-Gen Songplod Sirisukha, commander of the First Division of the Immigration Bureau, signed an order on Wednesday night revoking the visa of Urs Beat Fehr, managing director of Elephant Sanctuary Park Company in Phuket, with immediate effect. He said Phuket immigration officials will inform the Swiss national of the revocation of his visa and detain him at the immigration detention facility in Phuket, pending his trial on the assault charge. He added that the suspect has the right to apply for bail to defend the case in court.

From Thai PBS World Two Filipino transgender individuals were indicted on assault charges in Pathumwan district this afternoon, for alleged involvement, with others, in the attack on six Thai transgender people at a Sukhumvit food stop on March 4, said Pol Maj-Gen Witthawat Chinkham, commander of the 5th division of Metropolitan Police Bureau. He said that police are looking for a third Filipino, who is also wanted on an assault charge and is believed to still be in the country. Most Filipino transgender people who were allegedly involved are reported to have left for the Philippines. In a separate case, Witthawat said that one Filipino was allegedly assaulted by a Thai national, identified as “Champ”, who has been released on bail, adding that the Filipino victim did not want to pursue the case in court, but would prefer to settle the case directly with the alleged assailant. Witthawat also said that the victim has not yet stated the amount compensation he wants from his alleged assailant, adding that the police will try to contact six Thai transgender people who were allegedly attacked by their Filipino counterparts on March 4th, to ask whether they would like to settle their cases out of court as well. Regarding the Filipinos who have already left Thailand, Pol Maj-Gen Witthawat admitted that he does not know whether any or all of them were involved in the assault. Regarding a complaint filed with Lumpini police yesterday, claiming that some of the Filipinos had stolen a handbag and a gold necklace, Witthawat said that it is still unclear whether the valuables were stolen or were just lost during the scuffle. Regarding the March 4 incident, the police commander said that the case had been settled among those involved, but the issue intensified because one of the Thais posted on social media urging members of the LGBTQ+ community to rally at a Sukhumvit hotel, reportedly to “protect the dignity” of Thai LGBTQ+ people. He said he would invite the social media poster for a discussion and to inform them that the incident was not a conflict between Thai and Filipino nationals, but between private individuals, adding that he has already explained this to the Philippine ambassador to Thailand. Witthawat said any allegation that some Filipino transgender people are involved in the sex trade in Bangkok is groundless. He also refuted the allegation that some Thai brokers had arranged for tourist visas for the Filipinos to come to Thailand for 20-30 days at a time to work, maintaining that there is no need for visas for ASEAN nationals to visit Thailand.

From Thai PBS World Thaksin to visit Chiang Mai next week Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is set to travel in his private jet to visit his home province of Chiang Mai next week, an informed source said today. Currently released from prison on parole, he will pay his respects at the Bangkok city pillar shrine before departing for Chiang Mai on March 14. During his visit, he will be staying at a residence within Summit Green Valley, in Mae Rim district, where he will be visited by family members and relatives in the evening. On March 15, Thaksin and his family will participate in respect and merit making rituals at the temple in San Kamphaeng district, where his ancestors’ relics are interred. Thaksin is scheduled to return to Bangkok the next day.

NOTE -- I highlighted the sentence about street food because I saw that in evidence nightly on Patpong One nightly on recent trip. From Tourism Authority of Thailand A Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) survey has revealed that foreign tourists have increased their spending on accommodation post-pandemic, showing a preference for luxury hotels or resorts despite higher airfares. The survey, which involved 30,054 tourists in 2023, highlighted that average spending per trip rose to 50,900 baht, up from previous years. Accommodation costs accounted for a significant portion of this expenditure, averaging 23,518 baht per trip. The survey also showed a shift in dining preferences among tourists, with an increase in those opting for street food, rising from 63% to 77.3%. This change has led to a decrease in the average spending on food and beverage to 4,094 baht, down from 5,875 baht in 2019. Café hopping has emerged as a new trend, increasing in popularity among tourists. The TAT observed spending patterns among different nationalities, with tourists from the Middle East being the biggest spenders, followed by visitors from Oceania, the US, and Europe. The survey highlighted the evolving landscape of travel bookings, with a majority of individual travelers (53.7%) using online platforms for trip arrangements. Despite this, travel agents and tour operators still play a significant role in the industry.

As you enter Soi 6 from Silom rd., I can recommend any of the shops on the right hand side, including the very first (Natural Massage). I wouldn't hesitate to make your wishes known.

From Pattaya Mail Police in southern province of Trang have detained a 60-year-old Swiss national, a retiree, Mr. Straumann Dietermatthias, who is alleged to have assaulted a Thai woman. Natchanan Kikkham, 58, filed a complaint with police on Tuesday March 5, claiming that the man had bumped into her and walked away while in a BigC department store in Muang District. The woman then asked the Swiss man to be respectful, only for him to walk back to her and allegedly assaulted by punching on her face multiple times. Witnesses said that the injured person went shopping in the mall. At the scene, there was an altercation with the foreigner that escalated to the point after the shopping carts collided. The injured person warned him to be careful and spoke politely, but the foreigner ignored the warning, punched the injured person four times, and then fled. The injured person then picked up a bottle of carbonated water in the shopping cart and threw it at the foreigner, but it did not hit. This time, the foreigner walked back, pushed the injured person down, used hands to push the head, pressed the knee on the neck, and then punched her about 20 times before walking away. The mall security had to chase and notify the police to apprehend the foreigner. According to the son, Krittapong, his mother suffered a broken nose, had serious wounds to her face, eyes and back. She was admitted to a hospital emergency room for treatment. The Swiss national, police said, refused to give statements. He is residing in Thailand, with a Thai wife, on a retirement visa which is due to expire this November, according to police. On March 6, at the Trang City Police Station, officers detained Mr. Straumann, who had been sitting in the reception room of the station since the previous night. He refused to speak to anyone other than an interpreter and declined to provide fingerprints or sign acknowledgment of any charges. The charges include causing harm to others resulting in danger to life and resisting the duties of an officer. The Trang City Police officers took Mr. Straumann to the Trang Provincial Court to request permission for his initial detention. However, there has been no contact from relatives, friends, or Mr. Straumann’s wife, particularly the latest wife who is known to have fled to Krabi province about a month ago following a domestic dispute. Since the incident, there has been no communication from either party. (TNA)

All the broads on this site.😀

Some may want an extra fee to cum but I find them to be in the minority. Time of day may be a factor for some who can't reload quickly.

I've never used 9-Teen Massage but I'd be surprised if you ran into that some issue elsewhere on 6. Did you make any initiative?

There have been rumors for years that the Montien Hotel doesn't allow joiners but that's the only one in Bangkok i"m aware of.

From VN Express Vietnam Airlines has to ground 12 A321 aircraft, representing 20% of its domestic fleet, for up to 300 days due to engine issues, as supply chain disruptions have doubled the maintenance time, its CEO said. Le Hong Ha said engine issues are plaguing over 3,500 A321/A320neo aircraft worldwide with Pratt & Whitney engines. Vietnam Airlines uses 24 of the engines, he said Thursday on the sidelines of the 2024 International Airline Symposium in Hanoi. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/companies/vietnam-airlines-to-ground-12-planes-for-maintenance-4716762.html

Agree, not complicated. But TIT.

From Thai News Agency BANGKOK, March 5 (TNA) – Thai transgender women gathered in Bangkok downtown last night to reclaim dignity for their peers following an incident where four Thai transgender women were allegedly assaulted by a group of 20 Filipino transgender women. A thousand of Thai transgender women gathered outside a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 11 where the Filipino transgender women involving in the brawl were staying. According to a victim’s friend, the incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Monday outside a restaurant near the BTS Nana Station. They encountered a group of Filipino transgender women with whom they had a previous conflict. A verbal exchange ensued before turning physical outside the restaurant. The Filipino group reportedly consisted of around 20 people, while only four Thai transgender women were present, resulting in injuries to the latter. The incident was later shared on social media by Filipino transgender women, causing Thai transgenders to feel humiliated. This created a significant uproar among Thai transgender community. In response, they gathered at a hotel where the Filipino transgender women involved in the case resided, hoping to resolve the issue and reclaim their dignity. Around 10 p.m., police deployed forces to maintain order at the gathering point in Soi Sukhumvit 11 to prevent further escalation and escorted three Filipino transgender women for questioning at the Lumpini Police Station. Shortly after, about 100 transgender women expressed solidarity with their peers, gathering outside the police station to monitor developments in the case. Thai transgender women, claiming to be victims, also provided statements to the police. Pol. Col. Yingyos Suwanno, chief of Lumpini Police Station emphasized fairness in their investigation for both parties. Once the culprits are identified, they will be summoned for further questioning. Authorities will also scrutinize the purpose of entry into Thailand for foreign nationals involved.

From Thai PBS World A large group of Thai LGBTQ+ people rallied in front of a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 11 in Bangkok late Monday night, reportedly to confront a group of Filipino LGBTQ+ people following a violent incident early yesterday involving members of the two groups in front of a food shop near the Nana BTS station. A member of the Thai group alleged that about 20 Filipino LGBTQ+ members attacked four Thais and then posted a clip of the incident on social media, in a way they considered to be an insult to the Thais. Two Thais were injured in the incident. They said that the rally was intended defend the dignity of Thai LGBTQ+ people. Officers from Lumpini police station were dispatched to the scene, to prevent the confrontation from intensifying, and invited the two groups to the police station to settle their dispute, with the promise of justice for both sides. Pol Col Yingyos Suwanno, the police superintendent, reportedly said that he would check the papers of the Filipinos, to find out if they have work permits. He then urged the Thais to disperse, a request with which they complied.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Jomtien Soi 5, where the headquarters of Chonburi immigration are located, is now closed to traffic from beach road but can still be accessed from Jomtien two road. Nearby soi 7 is also one way but in the opposite direction. These and other soi restrictions are the consequence of Jomtien beach road being made one way from Dongtan police station to soi Chaiyapreuk about 3.5 kms distant. The major scheme, designed to end flooding issues and beautify beach road, is expected to take 19 months.

Thanks to PaulSF for passing this post from SoL Club along.

From The Nation Swiss expat’s long-stay visa at risk as Phuket locals angered by rude behavior A well-known lawyer said on Monday that the Swiss owner of a so-called elephant park in Phuket may not see his long-stay visa extended due to disputes with local people. Phuket residents have been pushing for the expulsion of Swiss national Urs “David” Fehr, 45, after he allegedly kicked a female doctor and accused her of trespassing on his property. The incident took place on the evening of February 24 on the steps of his property at Yamu Beach in Thalang district’s Tambon Pa Klok. Dr Thandao Chandam told reporters later that Fehr looked down upon her as a “local” who could not read an English sign saying the steps she and her friend were sitting on were part of his private property. After the incident, many residents joined a rally at the beach opposite Fehr’s villa on Sunday, calling on the expat to “get out”. Some carried signs saying in English: “Local people don’t want animal”. The protesters said they will move their rally to Phuket city hall in a few days. Many residents also posted Facebook comments saying that Fehr often quarrelled with locals when they tried to access the beach near his property. All beaches in Thailand are public property. Many also alleged that his so-called elephant park, which he used as an excuse to seek donations, did not really rescue elephants. Instead, they allege, Fehr’s Thai wife did deals with mahouts and rented their jumbos for the park. On Monday, well-known lawyer Decha Kittivittayanan said in a Facebook post that he had learned from well-informed police sources that Fehr was unlikely to see his long-stay visa extended. “He will have to return to his homeland,” Decha said.

From The Thaiger An unnamed Thai police officer revealed that his superiors attempted to suppress a story about the arrest of a British backpacker for selling Category 1 drugs on a notorious island in Thailand. Andrew Brett was arrested on Thursday, February 29, for allegedly selling ecstasy and LSD to other foreign tourists at the Ecco Bar on Koh Tao island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The Thai officer, who wished to remain anonymous, informed a reporter that the police had been monitoring the drug dealer for several months before they swooped to nab him. The Thai cop made known they wanted to conceal the crime because the drug dealing took place on the notorious Koh Tao island, widely known as Death Island. Following a tip-off from a concerned patron, police initiated an investigation into allegations that the British man was distributing drugs at the bar. After monitoring his activities for five months, officers finally apprehended him on his way to the establishment on February 29. Among his belongings, officers allegedly discovered 0.54 grammes of ecstasy in a plastic bag, along with 25 ecstasy pills and 75 LSD sheets, locally known as magic paper. According to police reports, Brett would leave his apartment daily at 8pm to sell drugs to customers at the Ecco Bar, a short distance from Sairee Beach where British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were tragically killed in 2014. The police officer revealed that the case had been kept confidential for several months. Subsequently, they stated that orders had been given to “suppress the case”’to safeguard the island’s notorious mafia-like reputation. “The suspect admitted that all the narcotics found belonged to him. He said he sold ecstasy pills to tourists for 1,000 baht each, while the LSD paper was sold at 100 baht each.” Brett has been charged with possession of Category I narcotics for distribution and now faces a potential punishment of up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the severity of the case. Koh Tao earned the nickname Death Island following the tragic murders of British backpackers Witheridge and Miller in 2014. Subsequent incidents of tourist deaths have raised concerns, with several cases remaining unexplained. Authors, documentary makers, and researchers have attributed these incidents to corrupt Thai police and a powerful group of local families controlling the island, accused of covering up the murders, reported The Daily Mail.

Passed by Sol bar on Patpong 2 tonight. It’s apparently transitioning from a gogo to a bar with dj for dancing. Instead of boys sitting outside on terrace there were customers sipping drinks. It’s billing itself now as Club Sol.

That’s why in 22 years of flying to Bangkok I’ve never checked a bag. I travel light with one 21-inch roller bag and a backpack I can attach to it.

The Bangkok Post is reporting that Bangkok and Phuket are being offered as sites for a PRIDE global summit in 2028. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2752569/bangkok-phuket-offered-as-venues-for-pride-global-summit

From Thai PBS World The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Offices acquitted former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and five other co-defendants today, from charges of abuse of authority over the bidding for the “Thailand 2022 Roadshow” project, worth 240 million baht. The court also revoked the arrest warrant issued against Yingluck. The Supreme Court voted unanimously to acquit the six defendants on the grounds that there is no evidence to prove that the successful bidder of the project was afforded any special treatment. The charges were filed against Yingluck and her co-defendants by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The co-defendants were former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, former PM’s Secretary-General Suranand Vejjajiva, Matichon Public Company, Siam Sports Syndicate Public Company and its executive, Ravi Lohthong.

From Thai PBS World From May 1st, Thai commercial banks will charge their customers a 1% Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fee for making cash withdrawals abroad. A similar fee will also be levied on the use of Visa or Master credit cards for transactions made abroad for goods or services or through online stores which are registered outside Thailand. For instance, paying a Netflix membership fee, buying products through TikTok, Alibaba or Amazon or making hotel bookings via Agoda will also be subject to the 1% DCC fee. The banks claim that the DCC charge is in line with credit card practices for transactions abroad adding, however, that customers have an option to use “travel cards” without any extra fees.

Arriving for my first visit to what was then known as “BKK” in aviation speak, I was startled to look out my window seat in a Northwest 747 to see people playing golf a few hundred feet off the right wing, from Thai PBS World The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has agreed, in principle, to hand over the Kantarat golf course, located between the two runways of Don Mueang airport, to Airports of Thailand Public Company (AoT) for the expansion of the airport. The RTAF is in the process of working out the details of compensation that it expects to demand from the government for the surrender of about 57.6 hectares occupied by the golf course, with the money to be used for the development of a sports complex on a portion of the golf course for use by the public and air force personnel, said Chirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Defence Ministry for political affairs. He said that both Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang have made clear that the three armed forces should give up their non-military business activities, such as supplying electricity to households in the case of the Royal Thai Navy, houses in the Sattahip area and military-run golf courses. As for the Kantarat golf course, or Suan Ngoo (snake garden), Chirayu said that the House committee, of which he is the chairman, has been trying to reclaim it from the RTAF since 2020, to be used for the expansion of facilities at Don Mueang airport. The golf course was opened in 1956, initially with nine holes. It was expanded to 18 holes in 1962. A further nine holes were added in 1972. Four years later, the Civil Aviation Authority asked for a portion of the golf course to be used as apron for the parking of aircraft and the golf course has had just 18 holes ever since.

Can’t think of a shop in Bkk that wouldn’t accommodate a female. Know many guys on Soi 6 that have had women customers. We have to keep in mind that the majority of masseurs are straight and many of them are married.