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if your referring to the HSCU, this Facebook link suggests individual properties voluntarily report on this site. https://www.facebook.com/hotelservicechargeupdate/

Came across an article about the prospects of professional football in Vietnam. Its most redeeming feature was the inclusion of a photo I thought worth sharing.

From Thai PBS World A woman, who was relying on GPS to navigate the way to visit a friend in Phrae province on Sunday, found her car stuck on a small pedestrian suspension bridge over a river. She narrowly escaped tragedy, as the wooden bridge’s planks broke under the weight of her car, causing her left wheel to become stuck. She immediately exited the vehicle and sought help from people nearby. A police and rescue team used tractors to pull the car back onto the bank of the river. The 120-meter bridge over the Yom River connects two villages in Tambon Wiang Thong in Sung Men district. The driver, whose name was not revealed, mentioned that she was from Nong Muang Khai district, hoping to visit her friend in Sung Men. “I have never been to Wiang Thong before. My friend pinned a location for me in the GPS system to cross what is called Wiang Thong Bridge, so I would reach the destination,” she said. She simply followed the guidance of the GPS. She did not see a cement bridge about 40 meters away. “That’s why I got stuck on the bridge. I did not know that a new bridge had been built near the old one, which is used only by pedestrians,” she explained. She said she wants signs put up to indicate that the old bridge is only suitable for pedestrian crossing and that there is a new bridge nearby for vehicles. A villager, who witnessed the incident, said that he saw the car only when it was already stuck on the bridge, adding that “This wooden bridge was built about 40 years ago, and only people and tricycles are able to use it.”

From Thai PBS World The Russian-sanctioned rock band Bi-2, which includes four Israeli citizens was arrested in Phuket last Thursday for performing without appropriate permits, Israeli media reported. The members of the band were all fined, had their passports confiscated, and were taken to a detention center. There is a possibility that the band could be deported to Russia, where they face imprisonment over their opposition to the war on Ukraine. Among the seven band members arrested are Yegor Burtnik and Alexander Uman, Israeli citizens. The band allegedly has two other Israeli citizens, but reports haven’t confirmed these members’ identities. The band has a history of legal trouble with the Russian Government, according the Jerusalem Post. The band has a history of trouble for speaking out against the Russian government, including cancellation of shows, and Burtnik has even been listed as a “foreign agent” by the Russian Justice Ministry. Even more alarming, neither Yegor nor Alexander have Russian citizenship, which would make an arrest very complicated for the Israeli foreign ministry to navigate. According to news reports, the decision to deport the band or not will be made today.

From Pattaya Mail A panoramic view captures the widened and revitalized Jomtien Beach, now stretching to an average width of 50 meters and a length of 3,575 meters, providing an enhanced recreational space for locals and tourists. The Marine Department of the Ministry of Transport marked the successful completion of the Beach Nourishment Project at Jomtien Beach with an event on January 26, titled “Transportation Brings Smiles: Marine Department Creates Happiness – Beautiful Sandy Beaches for the People.” The initiative aligns with the “Transportation for the People’s Well-Being” policy of Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkij. Highlighting the success of the beach restoration initiative from Pattaya Beach to Jomtien Beach, Taweesak Anankaphan, Advisor to the Minister of Transport emphasized its positive impact on mental well-being and economic growth. The THB 521,924,392.40 Beach Nourishment Project utilized approximately 640,000 cubic meters of sand sourced from Koh Rangkwian Island.

Agree that it's heartening to know that at least some hotels share the service fee with employees instead of adding it to the bottom line. Hotel prices continually fluctuate but an industry-wide practice known as yield management pricing is the determining factor. The service fee component has in Thailand has remained at 7%. Airlines use the same principle and can enhance total fares with a plethora of fees (fuel, baggage, seat selection, etc). From Wikipedia: Yield management is a variable pricing strategy, based on understanding, anticipating and influencing consumer behavior in order to maximize revenue or profits from a fixed, time-limited resource (such as airline seats, hotel room reservations or advertising inventory). As a specific, inventory-focused branch of revenue management, yield management involves strategic control of inventory to sell the right product to the right customer at the right time for the right price. This process can result in price discrimination, in which customers consuming identical goods or services are charged different prices.

From Pattaya News Four foreign tourists in Pattaya found themselves in hot water after they staged a kidnapping scheme, leading to their arrest and the discovery of illegal drugs and firearms. The elaborate charade began when one of the men, a British citizen identified only as Ian, contacted his parents claiming he’d been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding ransom. Worried and desperate, Ian’s parents, instead of sending money, alerted Thai and international authorities, triggering a swift investigation by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). Following Interpol’s tip-off, police raided the four foreigners’ rented house in Pattaya on Saturday, January 28th, 2024. While no signs of the alleged kidnapping were found, the officers stumbled upon a different kind of surprise: A stash of illegal drugs, including crystal methamphetamine, and a loaded revolver with ammunition. The four individuals, two Englishmen, a Frenchman, and a New Zealander, were promptly apprehended on charges of drug possession, firearm possession, and visa overstay. As it turned out, the kidnapping was nothing more than a desperate ploy concocted by Ian’s friends, facing financial woes in Thailand, to try to extort money from his family. The names of those arrested were not released to the media. ===================== Parachutes from Pattaya Condo to his death A 33-year-old British man tragically lost his life when the parachute he was using malfunctioned after jumping from a condominium complex in Pattaya. The tragedy took place on Saturday, January 27th, at an unspecified condominium complex in the Naklua sub-district of the Banglamung district, Chonburi province. Pattaya police and emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene following a report received around 7:30 PM. There, authorities found the lifeless body of a 33-year-old British national (name withheld pending family permission) sprawled on the ground near the condominium’s exit. The victim had suffered fatal injuries while clutching a blue parachute, which the police suspected he had deployed in a failed attempt to slow his descent. Authorities covered the body with a white sheet before transporting him to a nearby hospital. During an interview with the condominium clerk, 33-year-old Mr. Kanet, it was revealed that the victim and his friends had gained unauthorized access to the premises, parking their car outside before scaling the building for a daring parachute descent. The entire incident was captured on video by a friend on the ground and another on the rooftop. Neither the victim nor his friends were residents at the condo nor had they sought permission from the condo management to perform the stunt, said Kanet. Tragically, the parachute malfunctioned, causing the victim to collide with a tree before plummeting to the ground. Mr. Kanet confirmed that the deceased had attempted similar clandestine parachute jumps from the complex on multiple previous occasions.

From The Nation Fatal attack on rival student triggers 3-day closure The Faculty of Engineering and Agriculture at the Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok, Uthenthawai Campus, has cancelled onsite classes for three days after a student from a rival institution was killed. Faculty dean Assoc Prof Thongpoon Thasiphet issued an order on Saturday instructing lecturers to only hold online classes from Sunday to Tuesday. The order specified that no student was allowed to enter the faculty during these three days. The decision comes in the aftermath of the stabbing of a student from Pathumwan Institute of Technology (PIT) on Friday, who succumbed to injuries in hospital later. The victim was one of the two students who were attacked by a group of young men in front of the Uthenthawai Campus. Police later said the attackers had graduated from Uthenthawai. Separately, Pol Maj-General Samart Promchart, chief of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, said investigators were speeding up efforts to gather evidence to seek arrest warrants for the nine suspects in the attack. He said many of the suspects have been identified, and that the identity of the others must be carefully checked. He declined to confirm if any of them was the injured person, identified as Nattaporn, who is being treated for hand injuries at Chulalongkorn Hospital.

From The Nation A hotel in Phuket has broken the record by handing staffers the highest amount earned in service charge as Thailand’s tourism industry bounces back after the pandemic slowdown. According to Hotel Service Charge Update, JW Marriott Phuket broke the record in December 2023-January 2024 by giving every member of staff a bonus of 95,733.22 baht in service charge. It broke its own record of 79,980 baht handed out a year earlier. Coming in second was Anantara Layan Phuket with 71,715 baht, followed by Four Seasons Koh Samui (Surat Thani) with 69,787 baht, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (Chiang Rai) at 65,931 baht, and Amanpuri (Phuket) at 63,973 baht, which also paid a 1.5-month bonus. The report added that seven other hotels in Phuket handed out more than 40,000 baht to staffers for service charge during the December-January period, with many adding an on-top bonus. William Heinecke, chairman of Minor International Pcl, which operates JW Marriott Phuket, said that he believes some 35 million foreigners will arrive in Thailand this year. This number is still less than 39 million arrivals in 2019 before Covid-19 hit the region. “The tourism industry is bouncing back thanks to the influx of Chinese tourists, who topped the foreign arrivals chart this month,” he said. “Although we may not see as many tourists as before the pandemic, travellers are now spending about 20% more compared to 2019.” He said the trend of increased spending has prompted Minor Group to shift its focus from promoting mass tourism to quality tourism. By offering more premium services and better quality rooms, the group is targeting a more upscale group of foreigners visiting Thailand.

Having read various accounts of the incident, two radio calls from the pilots indicate a fuel problem and that both engines had stopped in sequence. This suggests that fuel taken on at Uzbekistan may have been contaminated or not delivered in sufficient quantity. That fire did not accompany the crash further supports the possibility of low fuel volume. I've seen a photo of the two surviving pilots who have facial injuries and of a Russian medic who also survived. A photo from the scene depicts wreckage strewn over extended, snow-covered terrain.

There's a DQ on the lower level of the new Park Silom building (Silom at Convent Rd.).

NOTE -- From time to time a feel good story comes to my attention. Today it's from Vietnam where a school for kids orphaned by Covid appears to be thriving. From VN Express Da Nang school opens new chapter for orphans At a school dedicated to children orphaned by Covid, a distressing chapter of their lives is closed so they can move on to a journey full of hope. At 5:30 a.m. one Sunday, 13-year-old Ba Thong asked his teacher to be excused from class so he and his team could complete their unfinished robot project. With the teacher's approval, the boy went knocking on each of his teammates' doors. Six children with drowsy faces then hurried to the robot lab. "Let's take it all apart and redo it," Thong said, eyes fixed on the nearly completed robot that had yet to reach the test run stage. The whole team agreed. Having taken part in a robotics program the previous afternoon, they were aware of the shortcomings of their product, which they had built over four months of arguing and agreeing with each other. With just over 10 days left until the national robotics championship, everyone wanted the product to be in its best shape. The children’s participation in the tournament is the pride of Hope School - where 230 children orphaned by Covid, from 41 provinces and cities across the country, study and live together. More than two years after the pandemic, the children, under the guidance of their teachers, have overcome pains together, and each has matured in their own way. Hope School was opened by FPT Corporation in Da Nang to receive Covid-19 orphans from across Vietnam, providing care and education for them until they turn 18. Continues at https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/da-nang-school-opens-new-chapter-for-orphans-4705710.html

From The Irrawaddy Myanmar’s regime has handed death sentences to three brigadier generals who surrendered to the Brotherhood Alliance at Laukkai in northern Shan State. The other three brigadier generals have been jailed for life, according to junta sources. On January 4, almost 2,400 regime troops, including more than 200 officers surrendered to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kokang on the Chinese border. The MNDAA sent the soldiers and around 1,600 relatives back to the regime. Brigadier General Moe Kyaw Thu, the Laukkai headquarters chief, Brigadier General Tun Tun Myint, the acting chief of Kokang Self-Administered Zone, and Brigadier General Zaw Myo Win, the Division 55 commander, were given death sentences, according to junta sources. Brigadier General Aye Min Oo, Brigadier General Thaw Zin Oo and Brigadier General Aung Zaw Lin, the chiefs of Operation Centers 14, 16 and 12 respectively, were reportedly jailed for life. The Brotherhood Alliance, which also includes the Arakan Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army, launched Operation 1027 across northern Shan State on October 27 last year. The alliance has seized over 500 junta bases, including several headquarters, about 17 towns and vital trade routes with China across northern Shan State.

From Pattaya News On January 26th, 2024, the Thai Metropolitan Police Bureau and Makkasan police officers searched The Office, a massage service center, in Huai Khwang, Bangkok, and captured 43 individuals. According to a report by the Thai police, 43 individuals, including 14 Thais, 12 Vietnamese, and 17 Chinese, were pressed on charges of alleged prostitution offenses. Furthermore, Chinese investors were believed to be behind this shady business leading to the police raid at The Office, according to the police. Bangkok Police stated that they were shocked to find that the massage shop was secretly a front for prostitution, which is illegal in Thailand. Initially, the police escorted the suspects to Makkasan police station for further legal processing and pledged to hold involved individuals accountable for their crimes. The names of those arrested as well as the alleged owners of the establishment were not released as of press time.

You get another job. The unemployment rate is 3.7%.

On the subject of barkers, I think Banana and Fresh Boy make a concerted effort by putting handsome and engaging guys on the street to help cajole passers by to go in. Because of the proximity of Hot Male's Beer Bar, the friendly waiters also double as barkers for both the go-go and the bar. In the Twilight days, never was this more on display than at Dream Boy. The ever-watching owner positioned a cadre of barkers outside. From my seat at Dick's Cafe, I marveled how effectively they went about their task, frequently operating in pairs. Their success rate I estimate was well over 60%. Granted many of those came that far down the soi were looking for Dream Boy but many could still be shy about climbing the stairs. Those barkers dispelled any fears by a combination and saying the right thing and gently touching arms and shoulders. And once they entered it was rare for them to exit before the show was over. There was an owner who knew his audience and put a lot of hot flesh on display numerous times. The offs were legendary in numbers and you rarely heard a complaint about service.

Good point. I was a loyal customer of Lucky Boys pre-covid. It had the best floor show on biggest stage among the Silom bars. And the rotation could on some nights number close to 50. I distinctly recall one older guy who was in that lineup every night. That he never smiled didn't help his case. But when the big cock show came on, he was always prominently on display. Don't know if he ever got offed but he did collect his share of tips due to his huge cock. The other thing I've noticed post-covid is the importance of location. Banana Bar capitalizes on its primo location of Soi 4 that draws a more mixed crowd. It also has a few of the best barkers around. I prefer the shows at Screw Boy and Fresh Boy which are more intimate but have to acknowledge that Banana manages to rack up the numbers thanks in no small way to the foot traffic on he soi.

From Pattaya News UPDATE: Chonburi Officials Confiscate Escaped Lions On January 25th, 2024, wildlife officials in Chonburi decided to confiscate two lions reportedly kept illegally as pets in a residential area, after the lions briefly escaped from their enclosure due to a malfunctioning gate. In a joint operation on Thursday, wildlife officials and police confiscated two lions kept as pets in a residential area in Huay Yai, Chonburi. The operation, led by Mr. Kongkiat Temtumnan, Director of the Office of Conservation Area 2, followed up on reports that the lions escaped from a residence and were spotted roaming the streets of Soi Khao Makok 13 on the same day. According to reports, the lions were housed at a single-story residence, where two Rottweilers were also found. They are a male and a female, both approximately one year old. The homeowner, identified as 28-year-old Ms. Pha, declared ownership of the lions and admitted purchasing them for 500,000 baht each from a lion farm in Nakhon Pathom in December 2023. However, discrepancies emerged upon verification. According to the officials’ revelation, documents presented by Ms. Pha stated both lions were male, but initial inspection revealed that there were one male and one female. Additionally, microchip scans revealed that a microchip in one lion appeared to be mismatched with the information in the handover letter, the officials stated. Neither lion was registered with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, as required for Category A animals like lions.

From Pattaya Mail The operator of a beach bench service opposite Soi 13 Pattaya Beach Road has been suspended for 15 days by the local authorities after they were found to have verbally abused foreign tourists on January 17. The incident was reported by the tourists to the Health and Environmental Department and the Complaints Department of the Pattaya City Administration, who conducted an investigation and confirmed the misconduct. The operators admitted their wrongdoing and apologized for their behaviour. The suspension order, which is effective from January 25 to February 8, is meant to ensure the safety and tranquillity of the area, as well as to comply with the law. The local authorities said that they want to maintain a positive image of Pattaya as a tourist destination, and provide satisfactory services to all visitors. They also said that they are committed to promoting sustainable tourism development in Pattaya’s future.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The 90 days reporting desk has pride of place at Jomtien immigration bureau. There are several reasons why most expats in Thailand have to report their presence and address every three months. The usual justification is to keep an eye on any wayward farang or to prevent tourists from staying more than three months (including an extension) without leaving the country. But immigration officers say the 90 days report has other uses, for example assisting embassies to locate an individual in Thailand whose relative has just died in the home country. Up to date registration of 90 days is also likely to be necessary for obtain Thai police clearance. Expats can also avoid 90 day reporting if they hold a four year Smart visa or a 10 year Long Term Residence or have qualified for permanent residency, quota or non quota. All neighboring countries have procedures in place to monitor long term expats. In the Philippines you will need to deal with the ACR (Alien Certificate of Residence) whether a business person, a pleasure seeker or a health tourist. Those with work permits, and some others, must even appear in person for the annual reporting review. Moreover, medical clearance must be obtained via the Bureau of Quarantine in Manila. Vietnam, by contrast, is the only south east Asia country with a government website which suggests you obtain your annual visa through an agent and pay them extra. Vietnam’s visa policy has vastly improved of late, although your landlord is required to register you with the commune police not more than 12 hours after arrival. It’s extended to 24 hours if in a rural or remote area. Cambodia has the nearest equivalence to Thailand with its app-based Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS), technically the responsibility of the landlord although (as in Thailand) do it yourself if necessary. Unless registered on FPCS, no visa extensions after the first 30 days can be granted and you’ll likely face fines when trying to leave Cambodia even if you are not on overstay. It is assumed that your notified address on the FPCS remains the same indefinitely unless you change it. Failure to give an update may lead to problems and fines. In fact the FPCS has more in common with the TM30 form in Thailand than with the three months check. Like it or not, 90 days reporting is here to stay in Thailand especially as the anticipated improvements to the online service take effect. The computer illiterate will still be able to trek to their local immigration office. Expats who leave the country within three months do not have to participate and the clock starts ticking again on return with day one. Registration can be within a three weeks window: 14 days before or 7 days after the due date. Immigration bureaucracy, of course, is one of the biggest areas of expat complaint in Thailand. But moving abroad won’t necessarily free you from the frying pan or the fire.

Soi 6 shops close at midnight but if you arrive just shy most guys will still accommodate you. Some guys stagger the time they report for work. If they come before noon they get to leave at 10 or 11pm. Personally I think best time to go is mid afternoon to early evening. Told you that luck would change in Bangkok. 👍

Trump in military school as toy soldier: But when Trump was eligible for draft to become real soldier...

Lions appear to be impressed by bulge they see in caretaker. 🙂