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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.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Press reports that a new registration scheme will help boost access to healthcare for foreign nationals and the stateless is creating confusion in expat circles. Health minister Cholnan Srikaew is launching a new scheme on January 1 2024 to assist non-Thai people and the stateless to get quicker access to public hospital coverage by a computerized registration which will take five minutes as opposed to the old system requiring weeks or months. However, a ministry spokesman clarified that the new registration operates only in remote regions, notably the border areas with Myanmar, and is available only to nationals from neighboring countries including those stateless persons without any passport. The civil strife in Myanmar has led to a surge in both legitimate workers and refugees in Thailand’s border areas such as Mae Sot, a border-sharing Thai city. The innovation has nothing to do with foreign expats or tourists. The financial data hub of the ministry will allow hospitals to reimburse quickly the medical fees of those non-Thais who are eligible. In separate news, the health ministry has ordered an inquiry after a Taiwanese national died after being refused significant assistance following a serious traffic accident on a journey to Bangkok. He was denied treatment, other than an initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation, by hospital staff on the grounds that the medical costs might well not be recoverable. They had suggested to volunteer rescuers that “Mr Chen”, already unconscious, be moved to a public hospital. The inquiry will focus on whether there was a breach of the regulations of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine which has sections on critical emergencies. Most foreign tourists and expats are not currently required to have comprehensive medical treatment, although the exceptions include some retirees with a longterm (OA) visa issued by a Thai embassy, holders of the new 10-year Long Term Residence and expats with work permits who are separately categorized. Suggestions that Thailand would introduce a 300 baht entry tax on foreign arrivals to cover their medical needs have floundered. The tax still awaits introduction and will be largely used to improve tourist sites and for marketing purposes. A small proportion might be diverted to a compensation fund for foreigners who die in tragic circumstances such as unforeseen accidents.

From The Nation Rukchanok Srinork, a Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok, was convicted on two counts of lese majeste and sentenced to six years in jail at the Criminal Court on Wednesday. Rukchanok was detained immediately after the verdict was read at the court on Ratchadapisek Road. Move Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said he would seek her release on bail pending an appeal against the ruling. Rukchanok was accused of twice violating Article 112 (the lese majeste law) and also breaching the Computer Crime Act for acts during the period from July 18 to August 9 last year. She was charged with posting messages about the Covid-19 vaccine that showed contempt and hatred towards HM the King. Rukchanok pleaded innocent to the charges. Rukchanok was elected MP for Bang Bon in Bangkok at the May 14 election, earning the title of “giant-killer” after beating Pheu Thai heavyweight Wan Ubumrung in the poll.

From The Nation The first phase of the Dusit Central Park mega mixed-use property development is set to open in the second half of next year, chief investment officer La-ead Kovavisaruch said on Wednesday. The first phase, she revealed, would see the official opening of Dusit Thani Hotel, while other facilities such as an office, a department store, and ultra-luxurious residences will be ready in 2025-26. She cited recent Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside sales figures as proof. According to the sales report, it outperformed the initial target by approximately 80%. With over 300 units sold out of a total of 406 units, customer insights reveal strong interest in specific room types. The buyer demographic is made up of 75% Thais and 25% foreigners. The vast majority of foreigners are Asian. Some clients, however, come from the Middle East, Europe, and America. They plan to either settle or invest in Thailand. The majority of the park's 11,200 square metres would be open to the public, with a portion privately reserved for its residents. She emphasised that the Roof Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city, reflected the project's commitment to urban ecology with an amphitheater, jogging track, and urban farm.

NOTE -- If he's serious about wanting tourists to stay longer, it's not rocket science. Granting longer stays on arrival, and making it far less bureaucratic to extend stays, would accomplish that. But trying to persuade visitors who enjoy Bangkok or Pattaya that Hua Hin or other destinations will satishy their tastes doesn't sound like a winning strategy. From The Nation Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined a shift in his tourism policy to promote second-tier provinces and boost spending by foreign tourists in a meeting at Government House on Wednesday. The premier told Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief Thapanee Kiatphaibool and ministry executives that the goal is to sustain a year-round high tourism season and boost per head, per trip spending by foreign visitors. He said tourism promotions should also shift from traditional destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Hua Hin. The premier told the meeting that Thailand should be a high-season destination all year round, instead of just during winter months. He added that TAT should be able to provide information to foreigners in all languages, adding that the focus should not just be on the number of arrivals but also on spending per head. “I want foreign tourists to stay longer and spend more,” he said. While acknowledging that the number of Chinese arrivals did not meet expectations, she expressed optimism about high arrivals from other countries. She also said that she will seek government approval for tourists to be allowed to stay for longer than 30 days per trip. In a bid to boost the tourism industry, the government approved a temporary exemption for a 30-day stay for Chinese, Indian and Kazakhstan nationals in September. The scheme, which was scheduled to end in February next year, has been extended to May 2024 and now includes Taiwan and Russia nationals.

From Thai PBS World Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has instructed its representative in Bangkok to investigate a car accident, in which an injured Taiwanese tourist was allegedly denied medical treatment by a hospital and died while being transferred to another. Taiwan News online reported that the ministry also expressed its concern over the matter to the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei and asked them to convey its request to take the matter seriously to the Thai government. Details of the accident are still unclear, but initial reports state that a person called “Chen” was a victim of a hit-and-run accident on Pattanakarn Road at about 2am on December 8. Rescuers rushed Chen, who was still alive, to a private hospital only 500 meters from the scene of the accident. Staff there allegedly refused to admit Chen, despite his severe injuries, because he was a foreigner. He was then taken to a state hospital about 10km away, a journey during which he succumbed to his injuries. Chen’s death came to light after a Taiwanese media outlet posted the story online, which spread to Thailand. It is reported that police have arrested the 51-year-old driver, who drove away instead of helping Chen. He was allegedly intoxicated. Upon learning of the case, Thailand’s Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew ordered an investigation, stating that a hospital cannot deny medical treatment to an emergency patient. Cholnan said hospital staff denying treatment to a critically ill emergency patient could face a jail term of up to two years and/or fines of up to Bt40,000. Cholnan also admitted today that the incident could affect the confidence of foreign tourists visiting Thailand and, since Thailand is a major tourist destination for Taiwanese holidaymakers, the government must take full responsibility and demonstrate publicly that it will solve the problem and prevent a reoccurrence.

I agree about Vietnam. Although it lacks the transportation infrastructure that Thailand offers, it possesses many outstanding national parks and beaches and no shortage of attractive men. The first country that can produce a reasonable cost health care plan attractive to retirees will have a foot up on the others.

I wouldn't worry about it; you're peers are probably all doing the same thing but just opt not to talk about it, either. Prostitution is an equal opportunity exercise. It's those who don't use prostitutes from time to time that are most likely to become predators.

From Firstpost China is trying to get to Taiwan any which way possible: now, they have allegedly tried to bribe a Taiwan army pilot to steal a US-made Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, but the accused Colonel has been arrested. The deal was worth $15 million. As per reports, the lieutenant colonel surnamed Hsieh, was approached by Chinese officers who asked him to fly a CH-47F Chinook helicopter to a Chinese aircraft carrier in the Taiwan Strait. They offered Hsieh to evacuate his family to Thailand in the event of a cross-strait conflict. Initially, Hsieh declined the offer, but accepted when he was offered half the cost of the helicopter, a whooping $15 million. The defection to China was uncovered by investigators in April and Hsieh and others involved were arrested subsequently. Continues at https://www.firstpost.com/world/why-china-offered-a-taiwan-army-pilot-15-million-and-ticket-to-thailand-13495662.html

From The Diplomat Nico Mesterharm has spent more than 15 years as director of Meta House in Phnom Penh, producing films, plays, and books, while offering a stage for aspiring local and international artists who have rebuilt Cambodia’s arts scene with the backing of foreign donors. However, Cambodia is no longer a struggling post-war country nor is it a major recipient of foreign aid, with conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza grabbing the majority of the world’s attention. For that reason, finding backers to support fresh projects in Cambodia is proving difficult but Mesterharm still has a number of works in the pipeline, including the documentary “Fraternal Help,” which details the lives of some of the 4,000 Cambodians who found refuge in the former East Germany in the 1980s. Mesterharm spoke with The Diplomat’s Luke Hunt about the relationship between Germany and Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge, and what left-wing intellectuals did not want to believe about the country. He also has some advice about what international audiences expect from Southeast Asian and Cambodian artists and how the dynamics of funding has changed, particularly for young filmmakers. Mesterharm is also acting director of the Cambodian-German Cultural Association, co-founder of Krossover Media Berlin, and a member of the International Academy at the Free University of Berlin. In 2018, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Continues at https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/making-art-and-finding-an-edge-in-cambodia/