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Fidelity Investments, one of the US's leading brokerage houses that specializes in retirement planning, has published an interesting chart of growth projections for some developed and developing economies. Surprisingly, three southeast Asian nations rank just behind India that tops the list.

From CNN A Georgia judge shut down the effort by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to have all 19 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, to be tried together in October in the Georgia election subversion case. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee announced Thursday that Trump and 16 co-defendants will move forward on their own schedule, with a trial date yet be announced. The two remaining co-defendants, Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, sought speedy trials and are scheduled to begin in October. Thursday’s order is a victory for Trump and his fellow co-defendants who did not want to go to trial this October. The schedule laid out by the judge only cemented some of the steps in the pre-trial process, setting up the possibility that the trial itself does not happen until well into 2024, or even later. Trump’s legal calendar during the first half of next year is already clogged with plans for trials in the other criminal cases he faces, and he is juggling those proceedings with his 2024 presidential run. https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/politics/trump-georgia-trial-date/index.html

From The Thaiger Chiang Mai Airport is set to table its expansion proposal to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his scheduled visit this weekend. The airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaitiam, revealed that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is set to spearhead the construction of the terminal’s first phase. The extension plan is aimed at significantly increasing the airport’s capacity, allowing it to accommodate over 16.5 million travellers annually, a huge leap from the current eight million. The airport also intends to ramp up its flight operations to 30 flights per hour, effectively doubling its existing capacity. Wijit also noted that the airport’s operating hours would be extended to operate 24 hours a day. This is to facilitate a higher frequency of international flights, especially those originating from Europe.

From Thai PBS World Suspect held 1,544 state construction projects Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok, operates two construction firms, P. Phatanarungrod and P. Raweekanok, which have won contracts in 1,544 construction projects in 11 provinces combined. These contracts have been worth 7 billion baht since 2011, according to police investigation reports. Praween, former head of Ta Kong sub-district in Mueang district of Nakhon Pathom province, is currently being held in police custody for the alleged murder of a highway police officer and wounding another at his house on September 6th, after one of the victims declined his request for the promotion of one of his men. Several state agencies, among them the Department of Special Investigation, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Revenue Department and the Central Investigation Bureau are investigating Praween’s vast construction business, to determine whether the contracts with state and local agencies were won through price collusion or the intimidation of competitors.

From Thai PBS World Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward party, who almost became Thailand’s 30th prime minister, has been included on Time magazine’s “TIME100 Next” list for 2023. Pita is the only Thai listed by the US-based magazine among leaders whom they identify as shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership. The list is divided into five categories: Artists, Phenoms, Innovators, Advocates and Leaders. “The only thing more stunning than Pita Limjaroenrat’s election victory was the radical agenda he ran on to achieve it,” according to Time’s Charlie Campbell. The Harvard graduate’s upstart Move Forward Party secured 38% of the votes in Thailand’s May 14th polls, by promising to bridle the nation’s armed forces and the revered royal institution, scrapping its controversial royal-defamation law and ending military conscription. “But the byzantine nature of Thai democracy means Pita’s path to power has been blocked by an unelected Senate and a flurry of legal challenges,” wrote Campbell. Pita said his political awakening began in New Zealand, where he was sent to school as a young man. Today, the father of one may not be prime minister at his first attempt, but the reformist movement he leads promises to keep building momentum, especially among young Thais. “I’m proud of what we have achieved,” Pita says. “We can do a lot more to provide checks and balances in parliament and speak on behalf of the people.” Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party, the predecessor of Move Forward, made the list in the same category in 2019.

From VN Express Fifty-six people died and 37 were injured in a fire at an apartment block in Hanoi late Tuesday evening. Of the 56 bodies, 36 have been identified. Most victims were dead on scene while others succumbed in hospitals. Hanoi police on Wednesday afternoon arrested the building owner Nghiem Quang Minh, 44, to investigate whether he violated fire safety regulations. The fire broke out at around 11 p.m. Tuesday at a 10-story house divided into rooms for rent for more than 40 families in an alley off Khuong Ha Street in Thanh Xuan District. This is the fire with the largest number of casualties in recent years in Vietnam. In September 2022, a fire at a karaoke bar in Binh Duong left 32 people dead. In November 2016, a karaoke bar in Hanoi’s Cau Giay District caught fire and spread to three neighboring houses, killing 13. Continues with photos and videos. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/hanoi-apartment-fire-kills-56-4652943.html

Good question. A careful reading of the following press release from the US Attorney's office provides the clue. It appears that the family understood it was the wise thing to do under the circumstances. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-return-significant-collection-antiquities-cambodia

There's always the option of getting the 60-day visa and extending it for an additional 30 days as currently allowed.

From The Art Newspaper Three of the ancient heads from Angkor Wat being returned to Cambodia Courtesy United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Priceless antiquities that were looted from the historic Khmer sites of Koh Ker and Angkor Wat will be repatriated to Cambodia after officials from the US Attorney’s Office for the New York’s southern district and the Department of Homeland Security turned the 33 objects over to Cambodian officials on 11 September. The objects had all belonged to the late collector George Lindemann, who died in 2018, and whose family voluntarily turned the artefacts over to authorities. The objects being repatriated date from the tenth century to the 12th century, and include a reclining figure of Vishnu with Lakshmi that was taken from the Krachap temple at Koh Ker (the Khmer kingdom’s capital), a monumental sculpture of the seated figure of Dhrishtadyumna also from Koh Ker and six heads of demonic and angelic figures that were taken off a gate in the Angkor Wat complex. The US Attorney’s Office for the southern district of New York has now assisted in the return of 65 Cambodian antiquities since 2012; the latest repatriation follows the renewal, on 30 August, of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Cambodian governments regarding cultural patrimony, which was first signed in 2003.

From Thailand News Agency Thailand Offers Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists BANGKOK, Sept 13 (TNA) – The Cabinet has approved 10 tourism measures, including visa-free entry for Chinese tourists from the end of September. The temporary visa waivers for travelers from China and Kazakhstan will be in effect from September 25, 2023 until February 29, 2024. Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong said that the Cabinet meeting approved these 10 tourism measures to serve as quick-win strategies to expedite tangible results. It is expected that in the year 2023, Thailand will attract 28 million foreign tourists, generating revenue of 1.4 trillion baht. Furthermore, in 2024, the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand is projected to reach 40 million. The tourism promotion measures include: 1. Exemption of visa requirements for Chinese and Kazakh tourists. 2. Ensuring the safety of tourists both centrally and regionally to build confidence in traveling to Thailand. 3. Public relations campaigns through the production of films and the involvement of celebrities, artists, and inspirational figures to draw more tourists to Thailand. 4. The prime minister and the Thailand’s team traveling abroad to showcase and visit target countries to promote tourism. 5. Attracting new groups of tourists and expanding into potential Chinese provinces. 6. Developing tourism destinations to meet international standards and create uniqueness, attracting tourists to various regions of Thailand. 7. Promoting year-round tourist attractions, such as the Loy Krathong Festival, to a global level, encouraging tourists worldwide to participate. 8. Creating attractive tour packages in collaboration with hotels, restaurants, and airlines. 9. Elevating Thailand to become the center of entertainment in ASEAN, drawing global travelers. 10. Establishing a news reporting center, especially on social media, for significant events to provide immediate information to tourists. These measures aim to boost Thailand’s tourism industry and attract a significant number of international tourists in the coming years. (TNA)

A friend was passing by the new bar on Patpong 2 yesterday afternoon and spoke with a worker putting the final touches on the interior. He says owner hopes to have it open as early as this Saturday (9.16).

Why not? Beats having loved only yourself.

This will be a good test of new PM's clout. It's a given the Chinese will get 30-day exemption. If he can get 90-days for others before high season, it will help solidify his position early in his term.

Crimes like burglary and robbery that take place at night are generally considered more serious and incur much harsher penalties than those that take place during the day when homeowners are much less likely to be home. Charging and penalties vary in different jurisdictions.

From The Thaiger After a discussion with the Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, Thai Airways (THAI) is planning to increase its flights to China from 25 flights to 35 flights a week in response to the free visa policy for Chinese tourists. Srettha announced after the meeting with the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) that the government planned to extend temporary visa exemptions to Chinese tourists during Thailand’s high tourist season. The policy is expected to start from October 1 onwards, marking a first for Thailand in waiving visa requirements for Chinese visitors. The 61 year old Thai PM then discussed the policy with the Chief Executive Officer of the THAI, Chai Sri-iam, yesterday, September 11. Chai stated that the airline is pleased to cooperate with the government and would increase its flights to handle the increasing number of Chinese travellers. Chai reported that the airline had a plan to increase flights to China from 25 flights per week to 35 flights scheduled to officially be in effect on December 1 of this year. The expanded flight schedule encompasses the following details: Bangkok Beijing: Elevating from six to seven flights per week, starting December 1. Bangkok-Kunming: Elevating from three to seven flights per week, starting December 1. Bangkok-Chengdu: Elevating from two to seven flights per week, starting December 1. Bangkok-Shanghai: Maintaining 7 flights per week from October 29, 2023 to March 30, 2024. Bangkok-Guangzhou: Maintaining 7 flights per week from October 29, 2023 to March 30, 2024. According to the increasing number of flights to China, the airline also announced earlier that it planned to reintroduce nine domestic flights after its subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways, is going to be closed down and merged with THAI. The nine additional routes will connect Bangkok to nine provinces, including Krabi, Khon Kaen, Phuket, Narathiwas, Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Haad Yai, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani.

From Thailand News Agency BANGKOK, Sept 12 (TNA) – A transvestite has been arrested for drugging and robbing male victims across Bangkok. Preying on men, Mr. Apichart or Ping Ping used drugs to incapacitate them before robbing them of their possessions and vehicles. Some victims were subjected to physical harm while resisting the effects of the drugs. This wicked plan involved lacing Clonazepam pills into their drinks. Pol. Lt. Gen. Thiti Sangsawang, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau ordered a thorough investigation lasting over two months. The culprits were eventually apprehended while attempting to flee across border to a neighbouring country. The suspect confessed to commit the crimes 2-3 times a month and was found to work for a Taiwanese boss, who is the head of a call center gang, based in the neighbouring country. Authorities have charged the suspect with robbery during the nighttime. They have also confiscated several items, including six identity cards belonging to others, believed to be used for fraudulent purposes, six mobile phones, cash, and Clonazepam. (TNA)

Which I think will bring you great delight.

I fondly recall the boy I'd called down from the stage many years ago at Xboys. Noticing that I'd finished my drink, he offered some of his perfectly mixed coke and ice. He turned out to be my most frequent--and expensive--dessert of the trip.

No doubt but more will go right.

From The Thaiger A crane collapse at a construction site within Srinakharinwirot University in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok resulted in the death of a Thai engineer and caused injuries to two Burmese workers. The crane operator fled the scene amid the tragedy. Thong Lor Police Station officers rushed to the construction site at 4pm yesterday together with the rescuers and medical professionals. The crane collapse occurred on the balcony on the third floor of an under-construction hall. On the balcony, officers found a broken crane toppled over 38 year old engineer Thitiphon Rattana-arpa. Although rescuers worked diligently to free him from beneath the crane and administer initial aid, tragically, Thitiphon succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The identities of the two injured Burmese workers have not been disclosed but they sustained minor injuries and were promptly taken to Police General Hospital for medical attention. The crane operator, responsible for the operation that ended in disaster, fled the scene immediately after the accident. Authorities are now questioning other workers to understand the root cause of the catastrophic event. According to initial reports, the crane was being used to transport a load of cement from the ground floor to the third-floor balcony when its cable suddenly snapped, leading to the fatal collapse onto Thitiphon.

From Thai PBS World Pol Col Wachira Yaothaisong, a superintendent at the Highway Police Division and the immediate superior to Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua, who was shot dead in Nakhon Pathom last week , shot himself at his residence in Pathum Thani province this afternoon (Monday). He is one of the 25 police officers, who were at the house of Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok” in Nakhon Pathom province last Wednesday night and who are under investigation following the murder of Sivakorn. Initial reports say that Pol Col Wachira with his service pistol. He was among a group of police officers who had rushed Sivakorn to a hospital in Nakhon Pathom after the shooting. ================= Pol Gen Torsak tipped to be new national police chief In a move, described as a win-win, deputy police commissioner Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote will be appointed National Security Council (NSC) chief, paving the way for Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol to become the new police commissioner, an informed source said today (Monday). Both Roy, the most senior deputy commissioner of the four, and Torsak, the second most senior, will reach their retirement age next September. If either of them is promoted to the top police post, replacing Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat who is due to retire at the end of this month, one of them will retire as the deputy commissioner. “It is likely that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will transfer Roy to be NSC chief and appoint Torsak as the new police commissioner,” the source said.

From The Thaiger Suvarnabhumi International Airport, governed by Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to soft-launch its Satellite 1 (SAT-1) terminal on September 28, following a successful full-scale trial involving 180 mock passengers and their luggage. The trial aimed to evaluate operations at both the SAT-1 satellite passenger terminal and the primary terminal, with Thai Airways offering assistance by supplying cabin crew and aircraft for the process. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the Director of Suvarnabhumi, stated that the trial encompassed a comprehensive operation involving aircraft, incoming and outgoing passengers, transfer passengers, baggage handling systems, and cargo operations. The Immigration Division 2, the Cargo Clearance Customs Bureau, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand and Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services were also present to oversee the operations, he added. Kittipong also revealed that two additional trials are scheduled for the coming days, with Thai AirAsia X and Worldwide Flight Services Bangkok Air Ground Handling Co Ltd conducting one on Tuesday, and Thai Vietjet conducting another on September 20. The latter trial is specifically designed for departing passengers on night flights. The director further elaborated that between September 28 and October 28, the SAT-1 terminal will be open to three airlines: Thai AirAsia X, VietJet Air, and Emirates, during the soft-opening phase. The new terminal is projected to be fully operational by December this year, ultimately providing a solution to reduce congestion at the main terminal. The SAT-1 terminal, which has a capacity of handling 15 million passengers annually, will enable Suvarnabhumi Airport to cater to up to 60 million passengers a year, marking a significant 33% increase. The terminal boasts 28 contact gates, with eight specifically designed to accommodate Code F aircraft (the double-decker A380 superjumbo jets) and the remaining 20 for Code E aircraft (Boeing B747s). The terminal’s four-storey facility spans a total floor area of 216,000 square metres, with two underground floors dedicated to hosting the Automated People Mover (APM) train system and other systems. The APM train system, designed to connect the SAT-1 and the existing passenger terminal, can accommodate 210 passengers per train, or roughly 6,000 passengers per hour. Each trip on the train, which has a maximum speed of 80kph, takes a mere three minutes, Kittikachorn added. The commencement of the SAT-1 terminal will eliminate the need for international passengers to take shuttle buses to their gates, boosting convenience and efficiency, reports Bangkok Post.

I've found that all three of the airlines I've flown post covid (Singapore, ANA and Cathay) arrived in BKK on time, and in one case early. The immigration queues were relatively short and the Air Train got to Silom in good time.

May the wind be at your back

Based on 21 years of experience in such matters, there's an 89.6% success rate in this category 🚀