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For sex, it sounds like he'd be at home at Heaven Sauna. Lots of Asian daddies and their admirers. https://gaytravelr.com/thailand/bangkok/saunas/heaven-sauna For a different vibe (if he likes this sort of thing) is Maggie Choo's. Every Sunday, Maggie Choo’s hosts a huge, elaborate gay party. From lip-synching shows, fancy costumes, and tons of dancing, Those who do not want to dance can instead opt to sit on the vintage leather sofas or simply lounge while surrounded by the 1930s Shanghai-themed décor. Open until 2 a.m. on Sundays. Maggie Choo’s, 320 Silom Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand, +66 91 772 2144 https://www.instagram.com/p/BQw07iFB3Mn/?tagged=maggiechoos&hl=en

From VN Express Vietnam has received 7.8 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of this year, putting the country on track to fulfil its this year's 8 million target. In August alone, international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.2 million, up 17.2% against the previous month, marking the second consecutive month when foreign tourist arrivals exceeded a million, according to the General Statistics Office. Vietnam has received 7.8 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of this year, putting the country on track to fulfil its this year's 8 million target. So far, South Korea sent the highest number of visitors to Vietnam at 2.27 million, followed by China (almost 950,000) and the U.S. (502,000). Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said the new visa policy from Aug. 15 will help Vietnam attract more foreign visitors and enhance the competitiveness of the tourism industry. There remains a lot of room for the tourism industry to spur its growth when it enters the peak international tourism season at the end of the year, he added. The peak season of international tourism season typically lasts from September until April next year as Western tourists flock to Vietnam for a winter holiday break. Vietnam's new immigration policy accepts e-visa registration from citizens from all countries and territories, with the visa valid for multiple entries and for 90 days. In addition to grating e-visas to all countries, the government also extended the duration of stays in Vietnam from 15 to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas.

From Pattaya Mail A 27-year-old individual, known by the alias “Lee,” bravely recounted his unsettling encounter as both a young transvestite and an online sex worker in hopes of alerting others about potential dangers. Lee’s intention in sharing his story is to caution individuals against falling victim to a similar scam. Lee, who supplements his income by engaging with foreigners on a mobile application, shared his cautionary tale after an unsettling incident. Connecting with a foreigner through a dating app, he agreed to meet the individual at a hotel for a night. Initially, Lee did not detect anything amiss upon entering the hotel room. However, as the interaction progressed and clothes were shed, he noticed hidden cameras discreetly placed around the room. One was protruding from an unzipped bag, while another was positioned atop the television frame. Feeling uncomfortable, Lee moved to a sofa in an effort to avoid being caught on camera. Despite his objections and reluctance to engage in any sexual activity, the foreigner persisted in recording him. Lee clarified that his purpose was solely to secure financial stability and support himself. He made efforts to communicate expectations prior to meetings to preclude misunderstandings or conflicts with clients or hotel staff. Lee also indicated his reluctance to comply with certain requests and maintained discretion about his online work to sidestep potential customer conflicts. To safeguard himself, Lee covertly employed his phone to gather evidence of the hidden cameras. His primary concern is for others who might find themselves in comparable predicaments, and he urges them to remain cautious and prioritize their safety. While he acknowledges the limitations of legal protection in cases like his, he aims to heighten societal awareness to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

From Thai Enquirer Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) has announced that it was selling its fleet of A380 as it would cost more than a billion Baht each to fix the aircraft that has been lying idle for more than 2-years. The fleet of A380 were grounded after the outbreak of Covid-19 and THAI has a fleet of 8 aircraft. Globally A380 are being retired as A350 and Boeing’s 787 are starting to replace the 4 engine A380 that consumes a lot more fuel than the A350 and 787 that can fly the same distance but just on 2 engines.

The factors that most affect congestion are fully staffed immigration stations, ground staff responsible for servicing in arriving and departing aircraft, and, of course, additional gates. The latter may see some improvement next month when BKK's satellite terminal is scheduled for a soft opening. Rumor has it that Qatar has already started notifying some passengers departing late in the fourth quarter that they plan to use the new facility. This is a pre-construction view of cross section: From The Nation The Foreign Ministry is set to overhaul the visa system to boost tourism revenue from Thailand’s main markets, especially China and India. The move comes after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with the airports authority and airlines on Monday for talks on how to attract more foreign visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting revenue of 3 trillion baht from foreign visitors next year. However, Thai tourism operators have complained that lengthy and sometimes costly visa application processes are deterring travellers from Thailand’s top two overseas markets – China and India. Although the e-visa online application process is now available in nine countries – China, the UK, France, the United States, South Korea, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – Thai operators say it needs to be streamlined as it is putting off Chinese tourists from visiting Thailand. Visitors from China accounted for about 28% of the 40 million pre-pandemic arrivals in 2019. Meanwhile Indian tourists still have to pay 2,000 baht for a 15-day visa on arrival. However, this restriction could soon be lifted after the prime minister signalled he wants to expand the list of visa-exempt countries. The Foreign Ministry recently held an online meeting with Thai consular officials around the globe to develop new strategies for tourism and other areas to boost the economy. The visa overhaul will also extend to Thais living abroad. This includes an upgrade of consular data, an e-Help consular app to assist Thai citizens, and the development of e-visa and e-passport systems, as well as a system to monitor overseas voting during future Thai general elections.

From Reuters BEIJING, Aug 28 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Monday that inbound travellers to the country no longer need a pre-departure antigen test for COVID-19 from Aug. 30.

From The Nation Phuket International Airport will begin welcoming taxis from all ride–hailing applications as of Friday, September 1, according to the Phuket Info Center managed by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior. The policy revision has been confirmed by Kirati Kitmanawat, President of Airports of Thailand (AoT). However, the new allowance comes with specific regulations and designated zones, the details of which are yet to be explained. This policy shift is a notable change from just 12 days prior when the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) publicized that ride-hailing apps Maxim and inDriver were still unapproved by the Department of Land Transport. The PLTO had also issued a notice outlining the requirements for app taxis to operate legally in Thailand. The AoT’s change in policy marks the end of the PLTO’s aggressive campaign against illegal app taxi drivers at the airport, a campaign supported by local police that began in February and continued until at least June. Since then, the PLTO has not commented on its crackdown against illegal taxi drivers. he announcement by the AoT President, as shared by the Phuket Info Center, has generated discussion among both tourists and taxi drivers stationed at the airport. Monchai Tanode, General Manager of Phuket International Airport under the Phuket branch of Airports of Thailand (AoT Phuket), confirmed that the airport was set to have an all taxi area but this was not expected to be realized until 2024.

From The Nation Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with representatives of eight key airlines as well as Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) representatives to discuss the future of Thailand’s tourism industry. The meeting on Monday discussed the air traffic situation in Thailand and schemes to promote tourism during high season later this year. The airlines present in the meeting were Thai Airways, Thai VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Smile Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air. The proposals presented to the premier and his economic team by the airlines, AOT and CAAT, were: • Boosting flights by at least 20% • Enhancing aircraft capacity to accommodate a higher number of passengers • Expanding efforts to attract tourists from large markets like China and India • Adjusting aircraft fleet to match tourism promotion. The government’s aim is to launch more travel campaigns next year, and the first step will be getting the airlines ready. Each airline said it would improve flights and routes if the government can boost domestic demand. The airlines are also willing to make tickets more reasonable.

According to the BBC, the popular Only Fans website earned a tidy profit of $525m, up from $432m the previous year. In the past year alone the number of creators on OnlyFans jumped by 47% to almost 3.2 million, while the number of users rose by 27% to close to 239 million. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-66615008

From The Nation Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has scheduled a meeting on Monday (August 28) afternoon at the Pheu Thai Party's headquarters in Bangkok with Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) and the Thai Airline Association to address issues related to inadequate flights and high airfares. They will also discuss the challenges in accommodating tourists during the upcoming high-season period. AOT Plc had previously presented a plan on resolving airport congestion, while major airlines are requesting tax reduction on aviation fuel. Efforts are expected to be made to prepare the private sector for the tourism high season in the fourth quarter, beginning with the Chinese National Day in early October. Airlines are also being told to gear up to be ready and ensure both stability and safety. AOT chief executive officer Kirati Kitmanawat mentioned that Srettha had noted problems concerning insufficient flights and high airfares. The PM has called a meeting with AOT and airline executives through the Thai Airline Association to address these issues. AOT has been told by Srettha to expedite management measures to alleviate congestion at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The issue of high air ticket fares is expected to be resolved by November to accommodate tourists during the high season. AOT will also present plans to the PM addressing congestion at airports. The capacity of the passenger terminal at Phuket Airport would be expanded from the current 12 million people per year to 20 million people per year, with a budget of 10 billion baht, expected to be completed by 2025. During the redevelopment of Phuket Airport, a study will be conducted to build a new airport in Phang Nga province, capable of accommodating 20 million passengers, with an estimated investment of 80 billion baht to help relieve the load on Phuket Airport.

From Thai PBS World The Department of Rail Transport believes that, if the Pheu Thai party’s policy to reduce the fare for electric train services in Bangkok and its suburbs to 20 baht, to travel the entire distance of a route, the government must allocate a special fund to subsidise the operators for their loss of revenues, as specified in the concession contracts. The 20-baht electric train fare is one of the Pheu Thai party’s election manifesto promises. According to a study, conducted by Thailand’s Development and Research Institute (TDRI), electric train fares in Thailand are about 20% higher than in Singapore, even though the per capita income of Singaporeans is much higher than that of Thais. The average train fare for a trip in Bangkok is estimated to at 11% of the minimum wage, compared to 1.5% in South Korea, 2.9% in Japan or 3.5% in Singapore, according to TDRI. One of the reasons cited for the expensive fares in Bangkok and its suburbs is the repeated collection of the entry or starting fare, at 16 baht, which is charged on commuters who travel a long distance from one section to another. The Green Line runs from Mor Chit to On Nut and the Silom route from the national stadium to Taksin station. When the Mor Chit-On Nut route was extended to Bearing, commuters who travel from Mor Chit to Bearing will be charged the entry fare for the extended travel from On Nut to Bearing. The entry fare charge for each section of the train route is in accordance with the concession contract, which is binding on BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) and BEM (Bangkok Express Metro) the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Mass Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT). If the new government, led by the Pheu Thai party, can realise this policy, to reduce the electric train fare to a maximum of 20 baht as pledged, it would boost the party’s popularity among people in the city. ============================ From The Nation Business operators oppose 600-baht wage hike The Pheu Thai-led government intends to press ahead with its election promise to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht within 4 years from the current range of 328-354 baht per day introduced in October 2022. The party first introduced what is regarded as a populist policy back in 2011, when it launched the nationwide minimum wage policy of 300 baht per day. Then, like now, the private sector made its opposition known, citing political interference and uneven investment distribution nationwide. According to Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), the proposed policy of raising the minimum wage to 600 baht per day and the monthly salary for bachelor's degree graduates to 25,000 baht would be a heavy burden for the private sector. Even though the wage increase would occur over 4 years, or by the year 2027, it would represent an adjustment of 40-60%, averaging a rise in costs of at least 10% per year. They also believe that this spike in the minimum wage to 600 baht per day could deter foreign business investments in Thailand, pointing out that while such a substantial wage increase could attract labour, it would also impose a heavy burden on the private sector. The government should first focus on achieving a strong economic performance, as a healthy economy would make the private sector more prepared for a suitable minimum wage increase that aligns with the economic conditions. Furthermore, there is consensus that the wage increase should be appropriate for each region, and that efforts should be made to enhance workforce productivity concurrently. The new government should make well-rounded decisions in collaboration with state agencies, the private sector, and employees who benefit under the framework of the law, taking into account recommendations from provincial wage committees responsible for adjusting wages to match the local economy.

Let's hope that changes. If our mothers felt that way, this forum wouldn't exist.

Fortunately the massage industry--the most democratic of employers--has jobs opportunities for all, regardless of education. From The Nation Thailand running out of jobs for university grads The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that new university graduates may find it tough to get jobs as demand is on the decline. This warning came in a recent report released by the agency, which said that new university graduates may be hired at lower salaries or jobs may be given to those with lower qualifications. It said that though the employment situation has improved after the pandemic, the Thai labour market is suffering a mismatch in terms of qualifications. The report cited figures from the Board of Investment (BOI), which showed that demand for university graduates had dropped in 2022 compared to 2018. According to BOI, businesses hired 95,566 employees in 2018, while the number of people employed rose to 168,992 in 2022. However, despite the increase in people employed, the ratio of jobs given to university graduates dropped from 30.1% of overall employment to just 17.2% last year. At the same time, the ratio of jobs for those finishing vocational schools dropped slightly from 23.7% in 2018 to 22.5% in 2022, while the ratio of employment for secondary school graduates rose from 41.1% in 2018 to 57.3% in 2022. The report said companies that have received BOI privileges to operate in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) also hired more people with lower education levels. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40030548

From Thai PBS World The Pheu Thai party’s popularity would drop by 62.24%,while the popularity of the Move Forward party would increase by 62.39% if there were to be a new election today, according to the findings of a Blockchain poll, jointly conducted by Sripatum University and D-vote. The two pollsters gauged the opinions of 1,253 people aged18 and over with various occupations and educational levels between August 21st and 24th on the question: “Which parties will you choose when there is another election?” The poll shows 49.05% of the respondents said they will vote for the Move Forward party, 14.69% for Bhumjaithai, 10.65%for Pheu Thai, 7.52% for Palang Pracharath, 7.14% for United Thai Nation and 4.50% for the Democrat party. The poll shows the popularity of the Move Forward party has increased by 62.39% and Bhumjaithai’s by 3.50%. Pheu Thai popularity, however, fell by 62.24%, the Democrats by 9.96%, Palang Pracharath by 6.02% and United Thai Nation dropped by 0.84%. 51.32% of those who voted for Pheu Thai in the May 14th general election said they will vote for Move Forward if there were another election and 10.92% of Pheu Thai voters said they will vote for the other parties. When asked whether Pheu Thai party’s break from Move Forward was planned from the beginning, the poll shows 58.79% of the respondents believe it was plotted from the start between Pheu Thai and the parties in Prayut administration, 25.20% believe it was changed after formation of a government led by Move Forward had failed. 36.52% of respondents believe Pheu Thai’s change of loyalty stems from the party’s concern that its popularity will be negatively affected if Move Forward is in the coalition government, 28.52% said formation of a government will never succeed if Move Forward is included in the coalition. Pheu Thai’s three most favoured policies the 600 baht minimum wage (40.41%), 25,000-baht minimum salary for BA graduates (39.95%) and the 10,000 baht “digital wallet” subsidy (37.47%). Asked about whether Thailand should have a new constitution, crafted by a council elected by the people, 75.53% said they agree, 12.14% said the charter should be amended and 3.85% said the charter should remain as is.

The Saengchan Spa on Inthamara 25 off Sutthisan Winitchai rd. announced by LINE today that it has changed hands. Opened in June, the notice says that the new owner plans to close it for repairs and plans to reopen around Sept. 1st. https://lin.ee/U8JoiP5 (It's probably just a coincidence but the message arrived simultaneously with my daily LINE post from Jey Spa)

I recently applied for a 60-day visa and had it approved within three hours.

Burp....burp.......BURP

Many advantages of red eye flight. (1) You get to nap on board because most other passengers will be doing same. (2) You save the cost of first night hotel stay, arriving in time for breakfast.* (3) And LLC fare is substantially less * Same reason overnight trains are so popular in Europe.

From The Thaiger A significant breakthrough in the fight against online prostitution rings came to light last Friday when Thai Police revealed the capture of an American-Thai couple. The authorities believe they were the brains behind Thailand’s most extensive online escort service and sex agency website, tailormade to cater to an international clientele. The website, which was revealed in a joint press briefing held by Bangkok Police, the Immigration Bureau, and the Information Technology Crime Suppression Centre, was reportedly the most visited of its kind in the nation. Deputy Immigration Bureau Chief, Police Major General Panthana Nuchanart, disclosed that the site was first on Google’s ranking and attracted a staggering 430,000 visits monthly. The services provided were not limited to a specific location but spanned various popular tourist destinations in Thailand, including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hua Hin. The website offered an array of services provided by women, transgender individuals, and groups of sex workers working in pairs. Interestingly, the website went beyond just advertising. It gave detailed descriptions of each sex worker, including their photographs and even “customer reviews.” These reviews, written by English-speaking foreigners, praised and recommended the various sex workers. The Pattaya News, while reporting this development, decided against naming the website due to the ongoing legal action against the owners of the escort service. The report also revealed that the website remains online, with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society working relentlessly to take it down. The initial probe into the website’s activities started following reports of individuals being robbed by sex workers working for this online facility, as disclosed by Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana. The first arrest in the case was that of the alleged website administrator, a 34 year old Thai woman known only as Kanya. Police arrested her immediately after her flight landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport from overseas on August 13 at 5am. Following Kanya’s arrest, the police stormed a luxury villa in the Hua Hin area of the western province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Here, they apprehended a 48 year old American national believed to be Kanya’s husband, known only as Brad. The police believe that Brad owns the website, which offered extensive prostitution services. The couple’s arrest led to the seizure of assets valued at over 40 million baht, including a pool villa worth 15 million baht, a 3.5 million baht Mercedes-Benz C200 coupé, a 1.8 million-baht Honda CRV car, four computers, and bank accounts containing 9 million baht. According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana, Kanya was responsible for coordinating appointments between the sex workers and the clients, with her take from the transactions amounting to around 40%. He further revealed that the website operators used various communication channels, including Apple iPhones, WhatsApp, mobile phone numbers, and landline connections, and offered payment options like international credit cards and PayPal services. Authorities believe there are more suspects associated with the website’s operation hiding in Bangkok and outside Thailand. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) stated that the negative perception such illicit activities cast on the country makes its suppression a top priority.

From Thai PBS World he median age in Thailand currently stands at 40 years and two months, far older than the world average of 30 years and five months. This startling fact suggests that if Thailand fails to take action now, it could rapidly be overwhelmed by problems related to its aging society. Thailand’s population is on course to shrink by at least 50% by 2100, according to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. “I believe Thai governments both past and present have been aware of this fact. But I don’t know if the [incoming] government will introduce clear-cut or radical policies to address this situation,” said Professor Teera Sindecharak, who lectures at Thammasat University’s Sociology and Anthropology Faculty. Teera warns that the ongoing demographic trend could mean that infrastructure designed to serve huge numbers of people will soon be left half-empty. And businesses may find it difficult to attract enough customers or staff to continue operating. “Every sector will be affected, from nurseries to schools to universities to big corporations,” he said. “Big investments in mega infrastructure projects may be wasted because they end up serving a much smaller number of users.” The trend will also see extended families becoming replaced by smaller nuclear family units, he added. Generation gaps will become bigger because people nowadays tend to marry at an older age compared with previous generations. More people will also live alone, while maintaining ties with friends and distant relatives. More couples who get married may decide not to have children because they cherish their freedom and independence. “Technology will likely play an even bigger role in people’s lives,” Teera continued. “Some people will likely turn to the virtual world for social interaction as there will be fewer people around them, fewer relatives or in-laws.” Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/does-crashing-birthrate-and-aging-society-spell-doom-for-thailand/

From Thai PBS World The new government will consider extending tourist visa validities from 30 days to 90 days and the easing of immigration procedures, to make them more convenient for foreign tourists, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, responding to call from tourism business operators for the government to boost the tourism industry. He also said, however, that the proposal from some tourism business operators for the government to exempt entry visas for tourists from China, India and Russia is a different issue, which has security implications and has to be considered carefully. The prime minister met today (Saturday) with tourism businesses in Phang-nga province, to listen to their problems and their recommendations for tourism promotion and views on the potential of wellness and health tourism along the Andaman coast. The meeting also discussed the possibility of renovating an old airport in Phang-nga, to accommodate small commercial planes, and the promotion of tourism in local communities, to boost sales of local products and the incomes of local people. It is reported that there are about 3,000 communities which have the potential to develop a local tourism business, but most of them are not properly registered and, therefore, have no access to state support. The prime minister told the meeting’s participants that, although the Pheu Thai party does not have a single MP in Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket or Ranong provinces, he will treat these provinces without discrimination and will try to boost tourism there, because he wants “to be the prime minister for all Thais.”

I do hope that "masterchef" did not become disillusioned with Silom's massage offerings.

From Pattaya Mail With the high season fast approaching, Sanphet Suphabuansathien, President of the Thai Hotel Association (Eastern Chapter), has voiced concerns over national stability and the critical issue of high airfares and seats availability. These uncertainties are impacting traveler decisions and adding complexity to preparations for the upcoming high season. Sanphet emphasized, “To welcome visitors to Thailand and Pattaya, it is crucial that we demonstrate our readiness, particularly in terms of safety. We are well aware of the need to build confidence among both international tourists and Thai nationals.” Yet, uncertainties remain, primarily due to the scarcity of dependable flight options. Sanphet highlighted that airlines operating below full capacity are causing challenges during price negotiations. Potential tourists often cite high airfare rates as a deterrent to their travel plans. Consequently, the outlook for hotel bookings during the high season remains unclear. The hotel industry eagerly anticipates support from the new government, which emphasizes stimulating the economy through tourism and services. This approach is considered essential for generating substantial revenue for the country. The industry is seeking comprehensive policies and proactive promotions to enhance Thailand’s global competitiveness. Somsong Sachaphimukh, Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Industry Council of Thailand, underscored the need to cater to the preferences of Indian tourists, particularly in terms of food and entertainment. Swift adaptation is crucial to prevent these tourists from choosing alternative destinations. As India emerges as a potent force in Asian tourism, Thailand is witnessing a significant influx of Indian travelers. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects around 1.6 million Indian visitors in 2023. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, highlighted the Indian market’s strength. Presently, Thai Airways operates 70 weekly flights to India, in contrast to 14 flights to China. This reduction is a result of COVID-19 challenges. With Thailand’s narrow-bodied fleet poised to expand in the coming decade, future operations might pivot more towards India.

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya City Expat Club (PCEC) is hosting a visit by British embassy Bangkok consul Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin on Wednesday morning August 30. She is responsible for the embassy’s consular, welfare work with British nationals throughout Thailand and will speak generally about the services available as well as those unavailable. One particular concern to the embassy at present concerns uninsured British nationals having accidents requiring hospitalization. PCEC invites all Brits – and anyone else interested – to attend the meeting which will be held in the 4th floor meeting room of the Executive Tower of the Holiday Inn, Pattaya Beach Road, next Wednesday starting promptly at 10.30 a.m.. There is no requirement to be a PCEC member on this occasion and admission is free. Please arrive no later than 10.15 a.m.. A discounted breakfast is available from 9 a.m. in the sixth floor restaurant for those interested: just say to restaurant reception staff you are attending the PCEC meeting. The Executive Tower is the second Tower on your right if you enter via the Beach Road route (after the Beach Tower). Parking available on the premises or on Second Road which offers an alternative access route. PCEC believes this is an important meeting as the role of the embassy’s consular work in Thailand has evolved over time and continues to do so. For example, there is now a partnership for issuing British visas and British passports with VFS Global. The consul will answer questions about embassy services from attenders at the meeting. If any non-members get lost in the Holiday Inn complex on the morning of Wednesday August 30, they can phone 0817827363 for direction assistance.

From The Thaiger Air Japan today announced plans to target Thai passengers by offering a direct flight from Bangkok to Tokyo next year. The president of Air Japan, Minekuji Hideki, revealed to the media that Air Japan is a new low-cost airline under ANA Holdings, which will provide the airline’s first flight from Narita International Airport in Tokyo to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. The airline president disclosed that the first flight will take off on February 10, 2024. The Japanese airline plans to operate the flight with a Boeing 784-9, which can serve 324 passengers. The flight will be available only in economy class. According to Minekuji, the route will be available six times a week in the initial stage of the operation. The airline plans to add one more flight a week within the year. Furthermore, the airline also considered offering direct flights from Bangkok to the Kansai region and from other countries in Southeast Asia to Japan within the first three years of operation. Minekuji anticipates that 70% of passengers would be Thais and predicted that 30% would likely be female Japanese passengers. He added that Japanese women loved travelling in Thailand. Minekuji says the airline is targeting Thai travellers after Japanese reluctance to travel abroad due to the depreciation in the currency, the yen. Moreover, the younger generation is not interested in travelling abroad or applying for a passport. Minekuji also expressed confidence in the growth of low-cost airlines and believes that Air Japan has the potential to compete in the market. He emphasised that the highlights of Air Japan are attentiveness, delicacy, in-flight meals of Japanese style and quality, comfortable passenger seats, the availability of phone chargers, and free Wi-Fi. According to a report on Gorgeous Bangkok, fares for the Bangkok-Tokyo flight will start at 4,350 baht per trip.