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I agree but I'd hope they might want to hold off until they head the offer.

Sure, you're dreaming, Mac. But at least you're having pleasant ones. 🙂

Again, why don't you save this stuff for your own board. Surely you'll enjoy a more receptive audience. Meanwhile, dream on.....

....not if you don't value your co-op. 🙂

From The Thaiger Thailand, hopeful for a Chinese tourism resurgence post-pandemic, faces an unexpected plot twist as a surge of Taiwanese visitors, in particular, reshapes the narrative. Saichon Chounchou now handles a 20-person group of Taiwanese tourists. “Now my clients are Taiwanese. They are regular clients and generate revenue for many local communities as opposed to many Chinese on a zero-dollar tour.” Zero-dollar tourism, a longstanding bane in Thailand, involves Chinese tour companies steering visitors exclusively to Chinese-run establishments, depriving local businesses of potential earnings. In contrast, Saichon’s Taiwanese group opts for opulence, staying in a five-star hotel for five days at a whopping 100,000 baht per person. Government data shows that the Taiwanese influx is no fluke, with approximately 585,000 Taiwanese visitors to Thailand in the first 10 months of this year. With a new visa-free policy for Taiwanese visitors, this number is expected to soar. However, Thailand’s overall tourism revival post-Covid is unfolding more gradually than anticipated. With Bangkok aspiring to host 28 million international visitors this year, compared to the pre-pandemic high of 40 million in 2019, the projections seem optimistic. Saichon’s observations echo the sentiment. “Chinese tourists are concerned about safety in Thailand, and the Thai government just can’t crack the code of why Chinese have not come as much as before.” The shift in tourism dynamics isn’t merely a case of preference but is entangled with safety concerns, economic factors, and even negative narratives circulating on Chinese social media platforms. Reports of safety concerns and unmet expectations have prompted Thai officials to engage in damage control. While Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s push for visa-free entry for Chinese nationals was a bold move, it hasn’t yielded the anticipated results. Projections of four to four and a half million Chinese arrivals this year have been revised to a more modest three and a half million by year-end, reported Benar News. As Thailand grapples with this tourism rollercoaster, the spotlight is turning towards other potential markets. India, with its burgeoning tourism numbers, has become a beacon of hope, said tour guide Patcharee. “If the free visas didn’t work for the Chinese, it worked for the Indians Despite the uncertainties, industry experts like Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, affirm Thailand’s enduring appeal. “Absolutely, this is the start of a new cycle, and Thailand remains a favoured global destination.”

Good news, Mac. An updated article reports that the market should be reopening in less than a month!

Don't you wish in your heart of hearts that you could get away with saying that in Russia?

Why not tell your dictator where he should go?

Sorry, Moses. You make money from the venture. You're in business to realize a profit. Be a humanitarian and inflict your freedom of speech on your own board. Or would that constitute pollution.

From Coconuts Bangkok A popular market fair is ordered to close down after a fire had completely destroyed over 120 shops. The Huai Khwang district office has ordered the shutdown of the Jodd Fairs market behind Central Plaza Rama IX until renovations are completed when a fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators are still trying to find out the cause of the fire, which destroyed over four blocks of the market. Police believe the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. The Jodds Market fair is a popular tourist night market, home to over 700 shops full of food, drinks, and fashion boutique stores. A second Jodds Fair market opened in May of this year at the former Dan Neramit amusement park, offering similar food items and clothing, with lots of bean bags for customers to rest in the open green field and numerous photo spots for social media.

Sounds like a good decision for all involved.

Starting from today, the Thai government officially allows entertainment venues in Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani’s Ko Samui, as well as in legally-registered hotels nationwide to extend opening hours until 4 am. It will be interesting to see how many venues take advantage of it.

So you decided to bring them here? Here, where you get free advertising for your business?

From Thailand Business News he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently hosted an ‘ESG activity in Thailand’ for international delegates attending the Air Canada Asia Pacific Sales Summit in Bangkok. The event celebrated Air Canada’s resumption of its Bangkok-Vancouver service. Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, emphasized the event’s focus on environment, social and governance (ESG) activities in line with the Sustainable Tourism Goals and the United Nations’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Highlights of the half-day event included historical sightseeing of Wat Arun, enjoying Thai ice cream, and creating coasters with concrete waste at a local community workshop. The event showcased TAT’s commitment to sustainable tourism initiatives. Air Canada has resumed its Bangkok-Vancouver service with four flights per week and plans to increase to daily operation in early 2024 to meet high demand. The airline operates using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and has launched ESG initiatives to stimulate travel to Thailand.

From Pattaya Mail Nattaphat Boonchalee, a local journalist who was shot in the face by two assailants on a motorcycle in Pattaya, receives medical attention as he is being rushed to Pattaya City Hospital for further treatment. PATTAYA, Thailand – A local journalist was shot in the face by two assailants on a motorcycle in Pattaya on December 13. The journalist, Nattaphat Boonchalee, 28, works for local newspapers ‘Athip Burapha’ and online media. He is currently being treated at Pattaya City Hospital for gunshot wounds to his cheek and eye area. The shooting occurred at around 6.08 a.m. on Petchtrakul Road, near an entertainment venue. CCTV footage showed that the suspects had a near-hit accident with the journalist’s motorcycle and then chased him on Pattaya Road, where they opened fire. The journalist had just left a hot pot and grill restaurant after covering a news story about a foreigner who caused a disturbance in Pattaya. The Pattaya City police arrested the two suspects, Jirachai M, 36, and Somrak K, 39, at a house in Soi Paniad Chang 4, central Pattaya, at 3.30 p.m. on the same day. The suspects were asleep in a room when the police raided the house. The police seized a 9 mm pistol, a magazine, and 10 bullets as evidence. The suspects denied any involvement in the shooting and claimed that they were drunk and sleeping. Somrak said that he did not know that his friend had a gun and that he had no intention of shooting anyone. Jirachai said that he did not shoot the journalist. The detention of the suspects sparked a commotion at the Pattaya police station, where they were taken for questioning. A group of friends of the journalist tried to storm the police station. They were stopped by the police and journalists who tried to interview the suspects. Niruthep Bodinsri, 34, a senior friend of the journalist, expressed shock at seeing the suspects and said that both of them were acquainted with the wounded journalist. He said that he did not know the motive behind the shooting and urged the police to investigate thoroughly and ensure justice.

This popular and commonplace Thai favorite can had anywhere from sidewalk vendors to Foodland to 7-Eleven for a small sum. From Thai PBS World Five Thai dishes, including Pad Krapao, have been listed among the world’s top 100 dishes, according to the TasteAtlas website, and Thai cuisine generally has been ranked 17th best in the world for 2023. Pad Krapao, a flavourful stir-fry dish featuring Thai basil, minced meat and a savoury sauce, holds third place among the world’s best dishes. A popular northern dish, Khao Soi, ranked sixth, followed by Phanaeng curry in the tenth spot, Tom Kha Gai in the 15th, and Massaman curry in the 73rd position. ============= Meanwhile, the Michelin Guide cited a Thai Indian restaurant for this "small bite." Have no idea what it is. If I want small bite I'll grab a skewer of grilled chicken from Surawong vendor.

Locals have been dealing with this condition annually and that's why they've used facemasks well before the onset of covid. Traffic cops are rarely without them.

If I didn't know better, Olddaddy, I'd think you're not the people person you make out to be.

Actually there's two Hot Male beer bars. The other is one flight up and the balcony affords a good view of the boys from SOL bar opposite. A bit more quiet but with the same friendly waiters who are always ready to banter.

For clarification, Hot Male beer bar is neither "indoors" or "more expensive." It's open on two sides to the environment and the drinks are about a third the price of those in the go-go bar above it. It does a robust business with a wide cross section of customers local, western and Asian, all of whom seem to have no communications issues. The off fees are competitive with those charged on the soi. I presented it as an alternative to the go-go bars and not as another version of them. Drop by sometime and experience it for yourself. As for what things will be like in the "third decade" of the century, let's hope we're all around to find out. Meanwhile, I'll settle for what's it like in February. 😀

Publishing the details could constitute a lese mageste violation.

From Wikipedia On the night of October 6, 1998, Shepard was approached by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson at the Fireside Lounge in Laramie; all three men were in their early 20s. McKinney and Henderson offered to give Shepard a ride home. They subsequently drove to a remote rural area and proceeded to rob, pistol-whip, and torture Shepard, tying him to a split rail fence and leaving him to die. R.I.P.

From VN Express The international terminal of Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport will be expanded in 2024, increasing its capacity to receive visitors from 10 million to 15 million a year, the transport ministry said. In a response to a National Assembly delegate on Monday, on the fact that certain international airports are often congested, the Ministry of Transport said it would deploy certain projects in 2024 as a solution. Specifically, the T2 international terminal will be expanded to increase their capacity by another 5 million visitors a year. The project is expected to be completed in 2026, and will increase the airport’s total capacity to 30 million visitors a year. The general planning of the airport has been researched by international consultant ADPi through funding sponsored by the French government, and has so far been fundamentally completed. The Ministry of Transport is cooperating with Hanoi authorities to evaluate and approve the plan within 2024. For the Da Nang Airport, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam has prepared resources to invest and expand the T1 domestic terminal, as well as building a new terminal, once the planning of the airport is approved. The planning for the Da Nang Airport has been fundamentally completed. The transport ministry has requested the Australian government to sponsor and choose an international consultant to evaluate and approve the planning in 2024. The ministry said an investment project for a new domestic terminal at HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, with a capacity of 20 million visitors a year, is underway and is expected to finish in 2024. The project will increase the airport’s total capacity to 50 million visitors.

From The Thaiger Pattaya Police recorded yet another transgender magpie thief case involving some gold and an Indian man in Sin City. This time a 39 year old transgender woman was apprehended at a condominium in Pattaya’s Nong Prue district, following allegations of theft in the middle of the night. The victim, a 40 year old Indian tourist, reported the loss of a gold bracelet worth 200,000 baht. The incident occurred around 9pm yesterday in a small alley in Pattaya’s Walking Street area. The police, led by Piyapong Ensan, Deputy Director of Pattaya City Police Station, and Thananon Athipansi, a Tourist Police officer, identified Saranpat Bowornkitnusorn from CCTV footage, leading to her arrest. Saranpat denied the allegations, claiming she had just woken up Kolal Avisake without stealing anything. However, police were sceptical due to her criminal history, as she was previously arrested for theft in 2020. Despite her denial, the police have proceeded with the case, reported KhaoSod. During the investigation, the police reviewed the CCTV footage and found a person with a feminine appearance committing the theft near a cannabis shop on Walking Street. The police traced the suspect’s escape route and discovered that Saranpat was staying at the mentioned condominium. “The suspect confessed to being the person in the CCTV footage, but denied stealing the tourist’s bracelet, claiming she only woke him up.” The lack of trust in Saranpat’s statement is due to her criminal record, as she was arrested for theft in 2020. The police are continuing their investigation, and the suspect remains in custody. In related news, the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested a Thai transwoman for stealing goods valued at 40,000 baht from a Danish businessman and an attempt to extort a further 35,000 baht from the victim using blackmail.

If you live your life in fear of what others think and in denial of yourself, your latter years will be marked by regret and self-hated.