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If you share my bias for Twinks and twunks, IMNSHO you won’t do better than Freshboy. The guys actually make eye contact and smile freely. Number 25 is clearly the star of rotation with a great cast of others to keep your eyes glued to the stage. The acts are well done and LB lip syncing good and infrequent. The attention here is clearly focused on the boys. AC at comfortable level and no smoking. You will have more than your share of fun here.

While walking along back from Phoenix shop yesterday with forum member, we passed “Hi Club,” an all-male host bar on Sutthisan Winitchai Rd. It was still early but we opened door and took Quick Look inside where we saw three shirtless guys preparing for the evening.

From The Nation Low-cost airline Thai Vietjet Air is launching a recruitment campaign for cadet pilots in collaboration with Bangkok Aviation Center Plc (BAC), offering a comprehensive training programme to develop qualified professional commercial airline pilots. Twenty Thai pilots will be selected for training and working with the airline and applications for the first batch of cadet pilots will open in February next year, Thai Vietjet CEO Woranate Laprabang said on Friday. The programme will be expanded to accept 40 cadets by the second quarter of 2025, he said. Under the programme, BAC will be responsible for the training of Commercial Pilot License, while Thai Vietjet will handle the aircraft type rating training. Upon successful completion of the course, the students will have a guaranteed employment as First Officer of Thai Vietjer’s commercial jetliners.

From The Nation No plans to increase VAT to 15%, Paetongtarn assures citizens Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday denied reports that the government intended to raise value-added tax (VAT) to 15%, taking to social media to address public concerns. She said that she had discussed the matter with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, along with the PM’s policy advisory team. She reassured the public that VAT will not be increased to 15% and that the Finance Ministry was studying reform of the tax structure with a comprehensive and fair approach to reduce inequality and enhance the country's competitiveness. Tax reform in other countries has been a gradual process, often taking more than 10 years to study and implement effectively, she posted. The government’s primary policy is to reduce public expenditure, improve government efficiency, and create opportunities to generate new income for citizens, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality of life for all Thai people, she said. "Rest assured, fellow citizens, that the government operates with prudence, listens to all stakeholders, and prioritises the welfare of the people to drive our nation forward for everyone," Paetongtarn concluded in the post. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/policy/40043917

High season drives the demand from tourists for Thai currency that props up the baht. But this reflects seasonal fluctuations in strength and weakness. As for deeper, underlying economic issues, your suspicions may be justified. The governments (former and present) have been pulling out all the stops to boost tourism and view it as panacea to revenue. it’s a tricky balancing act for sure.

From Pattays Mail On December 6th, 2024, Mr. Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, the Thai Restaurant Business Association Chairman, raised concerns about the government’s proposal to increase the VAT rate from 7% to 15%. He warned that the move could devastate the restaurant industry, which has already seen over 50% of businesses shut down since early 2024. The VAT hike would disproportionately impact restaurants, as they must pay VAT on food sales but cannot deduct VAT on raw materials like fresh produce. This unique burden forces businesses to choose between shutting down or raising prices. Sorathep estimated that food prices could surge by 20-25% to cover the increased costs, burdening consumers. He urged the government to reconsider and suggested alternatives, including raising the VAT registration threshold from 1.8 million to 2.5 million baht and allowing a 25% tax deduction for agricultural raw materials, which are currently non-deductible. These measures, he said, could help SMEs remain in the system and avoid mass closures. Additionally, Sorathep criticized comparisons to countries like those in Europe, where VAT rates exceed 20%. He argued that such comparisons are flawed, as higher living costs in those countries are offset by higher incomes. In contrast, Thailand’s proposed VAT increase is not matched by wage growth, leaving businesses and consumers to bear the brunt. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2024/12/06/restaurant-and-hotel-industries-fear-collapse-over-proposed-15-percent-vat-hike/

From Pattaya Mail Euromonitor International has announced that more international arrivals visited Bangkok in 2024 than any other city worldwide. Bangkok, with 32.4 million trips, far surpassed pre-pandemic levels and forced Istanbul into second place (23 million) and London into third (21.7 million). Thailand’s visa-exempt policy to allow most tourists into the country for 60 days, with the option to extend for a further month, is a key reason for success. Thailand has also implemented a variety of other visa initiatives to stimulate growth. The Destination Thailand Visa is encouraging longer stays by digital nomads or “activity” tourists such as students of Thai boxing or those seeking significant medical care. Other visa choices include the 5-20 years Elite, the 10- year Long Term Residence and options for retirees. Provincial cities, especially Phuket and Pattaya, are also attracting record numbers of international visitors. Although Bangkok won hands down on the numbers front, it failed to hit the headlines for destination attractiveness, sustainability and business performance. Paris won the top city ranking with five other European capitals appearing in the top 10. Madrid and Tokyo were in second and third place, with Singapore at number 9 as the only south east Asian destination. Total worldwide spending by international tourists in 2024 is expected to reach US$1.9 trillion. Whilst overtourism remains a serious concern in many world destinations, Thailand has far to go in imposing strategies such restricting site entries, reducing traffic and promoting all-year tourism. Nadejda Popova, of Euromonitor International, said the future lies in less-travelled destinations and third-tier cities which will rise in popularity as travellers seek hidden gems, off season experiences and responsible tourism.”

You knows Moses is flustered when he uses terms of endearment. 🙂

The waiting list is long but distinguished.

Outstanding summary. You learn quickly! Thamks for takin time to report. 🙏

Nobody knows how many killed in Russia because free press to report it doesn’t exist. But I’m preaching to choir on that count.

Wrong as usual. Ruble is on the rocks as many other news sources have noted.

Didn’t know Tiger but remember Art and many of the other Nakarat crew.

From Pattaya News

From CNN “The last time I hugged him was June 20, the day the verdict was pronounced,” she recounted in a phone interview with CNN. “He hugged me, cried, and then the guards immediately came up and took him away.” In August, a year after he was first questioned, Arseny marked his 16th birthday behind bars. “Please, I’m asking you to do everything you can to make sure I get released,” Arseny begged his mom in a letter written ahead of an appeal hearing last month and shared with CNN. He had lost 15 kilograms (33 pounds) due to a stress-induced lack of appetite and had been moved to a different cell after episodes of violence from fellow inmates, he said, describing the situation to his mother as “very difficult, critical.” When Irina got this letter, she couldn’t hold back her tears. “I cried because I understand that I am already doing the best I can,” she told CNN. “But I know it’s not enough, and that I can’t change the system.” His appeal to overturn his five-year sentence was denied. The next day, Irina came again for a visit, prepared to demonstrate her strength and resilience to help Arseny cope with the devastating ruling. “I said, ‘Arseny, I’m so proud of you,’” she recalled. “‘You are actually stronger than the people who convicted you,’” she told him, “‘because you have the right to express your opinion and position, while these people only do what they have to do.’” Her only child faces being moved to a correctional facility for teenagers but for the moment remains in Detention Center No. 5. Turbina still struggles to comprehend how this happened. “He is just a kid, he has been different since early childhood,” she said. She describes Arseny as someone with “a love for books and studying,” who showed an interest in politics as early as 14, liked to “delve into everything,” and was not afraid to speak his mind and tell the wrong from the right at school or online. In April 2023, Arseny called a morning live show on TV Rain, an independent network based outside of Russia, to vent about his disappointment in President Vladimir Putin and call out state propaganda at his school. “Human rights are being violated,” he said. Then on June 12, Russia Day, Irina says he staged a solo protest in their hometown and printed out leaflets that read “I am against Putin” and “freedom for political prisoners,” among other anti-government slogans. She tried her best to discourage him, fearing what might happen. still struggles to comprehend how this happened. “He is just a kid, he has been different since early childhood,” she said. She describes Arseny as someone with “a love for books and studying,” who showed an interest in politics as early as 14, liked to “delve into everything,” and was not afraid to speak his mind and tell the wrong from the right at school or online. In April 2023, Arseny called a morning live show on TV Rain, an independent network based outside of Russia, to vent about his disappointment in President Vladimir Putin and call out state propaganda at his school. “Human rights are being violated,” he said. Then on June 12, Russia Day, Irina says he staged a solo protest in their hometown and printed out leaflets that read “I am against Putin” and “freedom for political prisoners,” among other anti-government slogans. She tried her best to discourage him, fearing what might happen. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/05/europe/russia-teenagers-imprisoned-for-dissent-intl-cmd/index.html

When I was coming for shorter stays prior to retiring, this was my go to hotel. It does a lot of the important things right and your dates treated with discretion and courtesy. Good buffet breakfast, compact but very comfortable rooms (your LT may be in no hurry to leave) and terrific rooftop infinity pool.

Why is it unfortunate for me? I wasn’t an investor. Then again, I don’t believe neither you or me qualify as oligarchs. 🙂

The boys don’t live by universal principles. Like us, each one is unique and has his own way of proceeding. They way they make their living is fraught with potential problems most of us will never confront. Some of us appreciate this while others remain forever oblivious.

From Yahoo News 84 arrested in UK-led crypto laundering investigation involving Russian oligarchs, spies The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Dec. 4 that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled criminal networks, including Russian spies and oligarchs, to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency. The criminal operations, described by investigators as a "complex scheme," spanned over 30 countries. Criminal networks laundered proceeds from illegal activities to "collect funds in one country and make the equivalent value available in another, often by swapping cryptocurrency for cash," according to the NCA. Investigators allege that two companies, Smart Group and TGR Group, served as a financial laundering hubs to various transnational criminal organizations, including the Irish Kinahan cartel, and Russian ransomware groups. In turn, funds were further laundered to allow Russian espionage networks and oligarchs "to illegally bypass financial restrictions to invest money in the UK," according to a statement released by the NCA. The laundered funds also allowed oligarchs to purchase property in the United Kingdom. https://www.yahoo.com/news/84-arrested-uk-led-crypto-021848182.

From The Nation From being a minor exporter before 2013, Vietnam rose to number eleven in the global rankings of top exporters by 2023, emerging as a surprise player in global trade. According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Vietnam has advanced significantly in import-export rankings, now standing second in ASEAN, trailing only Singapore. Phung Thi Lan Phuong, an expert from KTP FTA Consulting, highlighted how Vietnam became one of the four fastest-growing exporters globally between 2019 and 2023, alongside India, Canada, and China. This achievement is credited to the Government's robust economic integration strategy, signing 16 FTAs and opening markets with nearly 60 partners. Phuong emphasised that these FTAs have attracted foreign direct investment (FDI), created jobs and spurred internal reforms. However, FDI enterprises account for 70 % of export turnover, while the domestic value-added (DVA) rate is only 52 %, below the global average. Notably, in the first ten months of 2024, the domestic economic sector saw robust growth, achieving a rate four times that of the FDI sector. The export-import turnover share of the domestic sector rose to 32 % of the country's total. The increasing share of the domestic sector marks a turnaround after a long period of decline and dependence on FDI. In 2015, the domestic sector contributed 35.4 % to the nation's total turnover, by 2024, it had risen to 32 %, with further growth expected. According to the WTO, Vietnam ranked 50th in exports and 44th in imports in 2006. By 2021, it had climbed to 23rd in exports and 20th in imports worldwide. Within ASEAN, Vietnam is second in goods exports and imports, following Singapore. Despite maintaining a trade surplus since 2012 (except in 2015), Phương noted that value-added in trade remains modest. To enhance this, Vietnamese businesses must improve capabilities, reduce reliance on imported materials, deepen their participation in global value chains and take on higher-value roles.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Legendary Dave Collier, owner of Pattaya’s sole surviving bookshop and chattery, has just published his latest paperback. Speaking to 100 members of Pattaya City Expat Club, he presented a slide show of some of the crank-expat characters he has met in “20 Years of Canterbury Tales in Pattaya Thailand”. Their antics, mostly from the early years, are indeed a collector’s item The majority (not all) of the accused are Brits or Irish with colorful titles such as Crazy Dave, Boring Des, Tits Sandy and Mumbling Daithi. The mischief that they, and many others, got up to in Pattaya was often fueled by too much alcohol and too little sexual restraint. For example Campari Clive enquires of a landlord how much to rent the gorgeous flat he has just visited, only to be told he’s wasting his time: it’s an off-licence unit. Another Pattaya regular can’t remember the four-digit number of his wall safe and foolishly asks his drinking companions if anyone is a historian or knows about the battle of Hastings. More seriously, all the common Pattaya mistakes are here: falling in love, starting a fight with Thais, signing documents in Thai you cannot understand, spiked drinks, talking non-stop about underwear and naked thighs. The author doesn’t seem to have come across many gays, though there are a couple of transvestites included. One asks Dave to take a photo of him in panty drag, only to scream in annoyance, “But you make me look like a guy”. Another doomed category concerns “businessmen” on holiday who naively believe they can sell for a huge profit in the UK assorted cheap stuff bought in Thailand: Tiger balm ointment and colored aspirin masquerading as methamphetamines are cases in point. Tragedy is never far from the expat antics. The book typifies those lonely Brits who want to tell anyone who will listen – ”I used to run a bar” – another way of saying they have lost their life savings. The unfortunate Sean is beaten to death in a Thai prison after an argument, another guy unwisely smokes in bed whilst a goodly number of others die of liver disease. Most of the characters in the book, supplemented by photos, are now dead which may be a blessing in disguise from the legal point of view. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/two-decades-of-pattaya-expat-nutters-weirdos-and-crackpots-482474

From Patttaya Mail Thai lawyer argues most expats won’t be impacted by personal income tax Bemjamin Hart, naturalized Thai citizen and managing director of Integrity Legal, claims in a new video that typical expats will not be impacted by the Thai Revenue Department’s recent announcements. His video,“Should I Get a Thai Tax ID Number (TIN)?”, states that the whole subject has been hyped unnecessarily on mainstream and social media. Mr Hart stresses that Thai financial laws have not changed and states that “most” foreigners who are tax residents are ill-advised to request a TIN number from their local TRD. Although the video does not elaborate on “most”, it appears to include those resident in Thailand for at least 180 days in 2024 who are dependent on pensions pre-taxed in their first country. It is this large, mainly retiree group which has attracted the greatest attention. The video attacks foreigners, claiming to be tax experts, who give advice when they are not qualified to do so. Mr Hart emphasizes that financial advice is an occupation generally reserved for Thais. He criticizes unnamed individuals attempting to persuade foreigners to register with TRD in order to boost their own client base and fee income. He recommends that those foreigners with personal concerns should contact a Thai professional company for consultation. Pattaya Mail notes that controlling, auditing and performing or providing accounting services is a profession reserved for Thais except for occasional internal audits or work under international agreements to which Thailand is bound. A further section restricts legal services to Thais except in some aspects of arbitration. The information is provided by the Ministry of Labour. Pattaya Mail has no definitive view of the TRD announcements, but reports the views of agencies and spokespersons because the subject is of great importance to many of our readers. Continues with video https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thai-lawyer-argues-most-expats-wont-be-impacted-by-personal-income-tax-482534

From CNBC Russian authorities are trying to stem panic over the ruble’s sharp fall this week, with the central bank forced to intervene on Wednesday to support the currency. The ruble weakened to 114 against the greenback on Wednesday, hitting its lowest level since March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia’s central bank (CBR) was forced to intervene on the day to prop up the ruble, saying it would halt foreign purchases on the domestic currency market for the rest of the year “in order to reduce the volatility of financial markets.” Following the intervention, the ruble was trading at 110 against the dollar on Thursday morning. Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the situation earlier, saying there was no need to panic about the depreciation of the ruble and that the currency’s fluctuations were affected by budget payments and seasonal shifts. “In my opinion, the situation is under control, and there are absolutely no grounds for panic,” Putin told reporters, news agency RIA Novosti reported. “As for the fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate, this is connected not only with inflation processes, it is also connected with payments to the budget, it is connected with oil prices. There are many factors of a seasonal nature,” he added, in comments translated by Google.

+1 The good news is that there’s no shortage of good looking Lao guys in the shops on Surawong and Soi 6, not to mention Saphan Kwai.