reader

As PeterRS mentioned above, many non-registered readers are checking the three Thai gay websites. Their numbers propel the actual readership well beyond the “signed in”. These visitors are primarily interested in scanning for information and have no desire to contribute. Consequently, the sites are more influential than the sum of their members represent.

From AFP A French court on Friday handed down jail sentences of up to 10 years in a people smuggling trial over the death of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a refrigerated container on the way to Britain. The bodies of the migrants who suffocated to death -- two of whom were just 15 years old -- were discovered inside the sealed unit at a port near London in October 2019. They had travelled in the truck from northern France to Belgium before crossing the Channel to Britain. Two ringleaders of the operation -- one Romanian and one British -- were convicted at a trial in 2021 in Britain and sentenced to 27 and 20 years in prison respectively. Other suspects, notably the drivers, received 12 to 20 years, while a Belgian court handed a 15-year term to a Vietnamese man for heading the local cell of the network. Of the 19 defendants in the French trial -- who include Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Algerian and Moroccan nationals -- 18 were found guilty. Four of them, all Vietnamese, were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to nine or 10 years in prison. Four other Vietnamese nationals, two of whom were absent and considered fugitive, were sentenced to between one and 10 years for their role in transporting and housing the migrants.

Aside from the geopolitical issues, the move would be a morale killer for Thai cops who—in my personal experience—do an effective job of patrolling the tourist hotspots. From Thai Enquirer The recent announcement by the government of new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin that it is considering inviting Chinese police officers to help patrol tourist hotspots in Thailand has sparked a wave of concern and debate. The plan, ostensibly aimed at bolstering security and fostering a sense of safety among the large number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, raises significant questions about sovereignty, the effectiveness of such measures, and the broader implications for Thailand’s foreign policy, particularly its long-standing ‘bamboo diplomacy’. At the heart of this issue lies the question of sovereignty. Sovereignty, in its most basic sense, is the absolute right of a country to govern itself, free from external interference or control. By inviting foreign law enforcement officers to operate on Thai soil, Thailand risks eroding this fundamental principle. The presence of Chinese police in tourist areas, even if well-intentioned, symbolizes a troubling concession of Thailand’s authority to a foreign power. This move could set a dangerous precedent, where the line between assistance and interference becomes blurred, potentially inviting future compromises on national sovereignty. Moreover, the presence of Chinese police raises practical concerns about the dynamics of law enforcement in Thailand. Policing is not just a matter of maintaining order; it is deeply intertwined with cultural understanding, language, and legal frameworks. Thai police officers are trained to operate within the specific context of Thai society and law. Introducing foreign officers, who may not have the same level of cultural and linguistic proficiency, or understanding of Thai law and norms, could lead to misunderstandings, ineffective policing, and even conflicts with local communities. This scenario is particularly worrying in tourist hotspots, where the interaction between locals, international visitors, and law enforcement is already complex. The plan also stands in stark contrast to Thailand’s traditional approach to foreign policy, often likened to ‘bamboo diplomacy’. This approach, much like the bamboo plant, emphasizes flexibility and resilience, bending with the winds of global change without breaking. It involves skillfully navigating the complex terrain of international relations, maintaining balanced relationships with major powers while fiercely guarding national independence and interests. Inviting Chinese police to operate in Thailand, however, leans too heavily towards one side, potentially compromising the delicate balance Thailand has maintained in its foreign relations. This shift could be perceived as a tilt towards China, potentially alienating other international partners and affecting Thailand’s reputation as an independent and neutral actor on the world stage. Furthermore, this move raises concerns about Thailand’s commitment to human rights and democratic principles. China’s policing methods and its approach to civil liberties are markedly different from those in Thailand. Allowing Chinese police to operate in Thailand could inadvertently endorse these methods, which often involve stringent controls and limited freedoms. This is especially concerning given Thailand’s own journey towards greater democracy and respect for human rights. The presence of Chinese police could undermine these efforts, sending a conflicting message to both the Thai people and the international community. The argument that the presence of Chinese police will make Chinese tourists feel safer is also questionable. Tourist safety is undoubtedly crucial, but it should not come at the cost of national sovereignty or the principles of effective and culturally sensitive policing. There are alternative methods to ensure the safety of tourists, such as increasing the presence of Thai police in these areas, providing them with additional language training, or establishing special tourist police units with expertise in dealing with international visitors. The plan risks exacerbating existing tensions within Thai society. Thailand is a diverse country, with a rich tapestry of cultures and opinions. The presence of foreign police, especially from a country with which Thailand has complex historical and cultural relationships, could be seen as favoritism or external influence, potentially leading to social unrest or a backlash against both the government and Chinese tourists. This initiative could have broader geopolitical implications. In an era where global politics is increasingly characterized by competition and rivalry, particularly between the United States and China, Thailand’s move could be interpreted as taking sides. This perception could affect Thailand’s relations with other countries and its role in regional and global affairs. As a country that has historically prided itself on its diplomatic agility, Thailand risks losing this edge by aligning too closely with one global power. While the intention behind the Thai government’s plan to bring in Chinese police to patrol tourist hotspots may be to enhance security and reassure visitors, the potential costs are too high. This move risks infringing on Thai sovereignty, compromising the effectiveness of law enforcement, contradicting the principles of bamboo diplomacy, and sending mixed messages about Thailand’s commitment to human rights and democratic values. Thailand must find alternative ways to ensure the safety of its visitors while maintaining its sovereignty, respecting its cultural and legal norms, and upholding its proud tradition of balanced and independent foreign policy. The integrity and independence of a nation are its most valuable assets; they must be protected at all costs.

You’re just chock full of bigoted nonsense, DOA.

Take an educated guess and I’m sure you’ll arrive at right answer.

It may have become more legally friendly and accepting, but as far as bars and other gay venues it has faded significantly. Those experiences can still be had in Thailand.

Agree that it’s become more expensive to get here but so has every place else. As for being attractive, I don’t think there’s a place in Europe or North America to equal it in available guys or safety.

There’s frequent turnover at most bars. Hopefully he’ll land somewhere else soon as high season nears.

I’ve come across some Chinese language sites that frequently post about Bangkok. Once translated some of the stuff. Not surprisingly, they seemed to be discussing same stuff we do.

I have two pair of pants and one pair of shorts with at least one zippered pocket. Agree with Vinapu about distributing cash in separate pockets. Only place I was ever pickpocketed was in Buenos Aires subway and lost equivalent of $65 because all in one pocket.

Same as anywhere else, I’d think.

Don’t know of any exclusive ones but you might find among “T&B” candidates working Saphan Kwai massage shops.

Don’t drink on empty stomach, GP.

From Thai PBS World A school teacher was killed and a vocational student seriously injured in a shooting near a school in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district on Saturday morning. Khlong Toei police say they suspect that the shooting stemmed from a rivalry between students of two vocational colleges. Quoting motorcycle taxi drivers, police said that a group of about five vocational students were gathered on the pavement in front of a bank, near a girl’s school on Sunthorn Kosa Road, when the pillion passenger from a motorcycle approached the students and opened fire with a handgun. The bullets hit one of the students and a bystander, later identified as a school teacher. The gunman, thought to be a student at a rival college, walked back to his accomplice on the bike, but was told to go back shoot the already wounded student again. The attackers then fled on the motorcycle, heading towards Rama 4 Road. The two wounded people were rushed to Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, where the teacher was pronounced dead.

Why anyone would be carrying that much cash at that time of night frankly puzzles me. Although pickpocket thefts in Pattaya are not uncommon, this stands out as an extraordinary amount. From Pattaya News A Japanese man, who was exploring Pattaya’s night scene with his friend, said he was pickpocketed of over 60,000 baht in cash by two transgender suspects in the late hours of Thursday, November 9th. Mr. Toshiaki Shinohe, the victim, filed a complaint with Pol. Capt. Natchaphon Saengsi, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at the Pattaya Police Station, stating that he was pickpocketed while riding a Songthaew at around 11 PM in Soi Buakhao, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province. Mr. Toshiaki told the police that he is an engineer from Japan and had traveled to Pattaya for a vacation. Before the incident occurred, he and his friend took a Songthaew, a form of transportation in Thailand with two rows of seats in the back, and sat facing each other. Along the way, Mr. Toshiaki recounted that two transgender women joined them and sat next to him. They then struck up a conversation to engage his interest. When the two transgender women disembarked the vehicle, Mr. Toshiaki noticed that his wallet containing 40,000 Thai baht and about 23,000 baht worth of foreign currency (100,000 yen), as well as his ID card and ATM cards, had gone missing. The Japanese tourist suspected that the two transwomen may have reached into his pocket and stolen his wallet while talking with him. He further commented that he was saddened by the incident and promptly came to report the grievance to Pattaya police. Pol. Capt. Natchaphon stated that police were reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Hopes that visa exemptions for countries which provide big numbers of visitors to Thailand will create a further boom have yet to be realized. Currently, Russian tourists are awarded 90 days visa-free, whilst China, India and Taiwan receive 30 days. These discretions are currently timed for a six months limited period, although prime minister Srettha Thavisin would like permanency if no serious security issues loom. Visas on arrival previously cost around US$30. However, the customer savings would be partly wiped out if Thailand goes ahead with its US$9 entry tax to be levied on all international tourists. This proposal has received many starting dates, the most recent September 2023, but nothing has been heard in recent weeks. The difficulty is believed to be collection issues without creating huge queues at Thai airports and border crossings. But other issues are more immediate problems. The Chinese economy has slowed and negative stories about Thailand, including the safety of visitors, have proliferated on mainland media. As regards India, there is currently a shortage of flights whilst many Indians travel in large groups which require lengthy advance notice. Numbers of Chinese and Indian tourists are still 20 percent lower than in the immediate pre-covid era, according to the Tourist Association of Thailand. Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, chair of marketing at the Thai Hotels Association, said that the benefits of visa exemption might be more obvious in the second quarter of next year as more corporations and individuals opt for Thailand, assuming the visa abolition proves to be permanent. Meanwhile, there are no indications that American and European tourists will receive more than 30 days without a visa. However, they are able to extend a further month at local immigration, or visit the border with Cambodia for extra time.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Myanmar’s military regime, which came to power in a February 2021 coup, is in serious trouble. The military leader senior general Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that the country could split if his forces are unable to stop an insurrection in the huge and lawless Shan state which borders China, the junta’s largest trading partner. Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun has separately conceded that several northern towns have fallen to the Three Brotherhood Alliance which has overrun dozens of military posts, forced the surrender of hundreds of soldiers and cut off the junta’s access to the 2,000 kilometers of the Chinese border. Jason Tower, Myanmar program director for a US-funded think tank, said about half the entire countryside was in the hands of insurgent groups which have, for example, cut oil and gas pipelines from the Bay of Bengal to the China border. The junta still controls the main cities, at any rate from the barracks, and has firm control of the capital Naypyitaw and the commercial hub of Yangon. The problem is that the fighting is getting closer to urban centers and even garrisoned towns are under threat. There is speculation that senior general Myint will be forced to resign, although it is not clear who is successor would be and whether he could be any more effective in countering a civil war. In the south of the country, the Karen National Liberation Army has attacked towns which link Yangon with the Thai border. There are rumors that members of the State Administration Council (as the junta calls itself) have already bought properties in Thailand, to flee to if necessary. Some generals are believed to be in favour of a less incompetent leader who would enter negotiations with the disparate resistance groups. It would be no easy task. The consequences of Myanmar’s internal chaos are far-reaching for its relations with other countries. Russia and China have both supplied arms to the junta, but China’s support has waned the Myanmar authorities have failed to check the growing number of cyberscam gangs operating in the border regions. Thailand has followed an ambivalent policy towards post-coup Myanmar and the Thai army maintains good relationships with its senior colleagues over the border. The deteriorating security situation means that foreign tourism, which had shown some small signs of picking up in the last 12 months, is again dead on its feet. Unless there is very soon international intervention to steady the political chaos, Myanmar could be on a course for total collapse or ad hoc division into separatist regions.

You’re the only one completely “wrong” here. You unfairly maligned a fellow member and you made an antisemitic remark. You attempted to turn an innocent post into a felony. And you continued to do it in your most recent post by referring to the member as a “groper”. You are without shame. Nothing can excuse your actions. You’ve only succeeded in calling yourself out for what you actually are.

You place yourself in the role of judge and jury in determining whether a sex crime was committed. Very puritanical to say the least. I’m sure you consider yourself the soul of virtue. You still don’t explain why you chose to call the owner “The Jew”. What bearing did it have on the matter? Or why you thought it necessary to publicize his arrest. I don’t know who the Michael is to whom you refer. When members on a site called “Gay Guides” begin accusing other members of sex crimes or being sex tourists, we certainly journey down a slippery slope. And I’m in no way surprised that you chose to double down on your reference to another member as a “sex pest”.

From the Straits Times Plane makes U-turn after taking off in London with missing window Passengers on board an Airbus A321LR that departed a London airport in October were in for a noisier and colder flight than usual when two of the plane’s windows were found to be missing after take-off. Titan Airways Flight AWC305Y had taken off from London’s Stansted Airport on Oct 4 and was headed to Orlando International Airport in the US state of Florida, according to a report from Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). After take-off, the flight crew noticed excessive noise coming from the left side of the cabin’s rear. The report states that “several passengers recalled that after take-off, the aircraft cabin seemed noisier and colder than they were used to”. A crew member walked to the area for a closer inspection and noticed that one of the seals around the window pane had become dislodged, with a noise that was described as being loud enough to damage your hearing. The plane was in the process of its take-off climb and had reached an altitude of 14,000 feet (4,200m) before it was levelled out to stop its ascent and its airspeed reduced so that one of the pilots could inspect the windows. After assessing the damage, the decision was made for the plane to make a U-turn and land back at Stansted after being in the air for 36 minutes. Upon further inspection of the aircraft’s exterior after landing, two window assemblies were found to be missing, while the inner pane and seal of a third window were dislodged. An aircraft window assembly consists of the inner and outer panes and the window seal. According to the report, “there were no abnormal indications on the flight deck and the aircraft pressurisation system was operating normally... the cabin had remained pressurised normally throughout the flight”.

KK Massage has made it easier for customers arriving without booking to scan tablet for their preference. Masseurs are now presented in two categories: T&B’s and “straights”. Plenty to choose from in both.

From AFP Thwarted Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat vowed Thursday to run for prime minister again, defying conservative forces that blocked him from the job earlier in the year and despite a looming court case. The 43-year-old led his Move Forward Party (MFP) to a shock first-place finish in May’s general election, buoyed by young and urban Thais weary of a near-decade of military rule — only to be prevented from becoming premier by royalist and pro-military blocs opposed to his reformist agenda. MFP’s former allies Pheu Thai then formed a coalition government with army-linked parties, leaving the progressive challengers back on the opposition bench — and Pita perhaps in the political wilderness. He also faces a legal challenge thrown at him in the wake of the election, which could see him banned from running for years. But in an interview with AFP, he vowed to take another tilt at the premiership. “Of course. I’m not giving up, and it’s just a matter of time,” he said when asked if he planned to run again. But there are a number of roadblocks in his way — not least his current suspension as an MP. MFP won the most seats in the May 14 poll, but fell short of an outright majority and joined forces with Pheu Thai. But a prime minister candidate needs a majority across both houses of parliament, and Pita could not muster enough votes to overcome opposition in the junta-appointed Senate.

The following exhibit will be on display through Nov. 26 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, located opposite MBK and Siam Discovery. From Thai PBS World In the realm of photojournalism, James Nachtwey is a name with resonance and significance. He has traversed the globe, documenting the most pressing issues of our time with a lens that captures the essence of human suffering and resilience. With a career spanning over four decades, Nachtwey has dedicated his life to bearing witness to some of the world’s most significant and harrowing events and has covered nearly every armed conflict in the world. His evocative and heart-wrenching photographs have not only garnered global recognition, but have also been a catalyst for social change. Recently, Thailand has had the privilege of hosting a captivating exhibition of his work in ‘James Nachtwey: Memoria’, which serves as a poignant reminder of the power of photography in bringing about social change. The ‘James Nachtwey: Memoria’ exhibition, a large-scale retrospective by James, has been organised by The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, with support from The Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand. One hundred and twenty-six photographs are on display. Each photograph in this exhibition represents a fragment of a memory, captured within the continuum of the events Nachtwey experienced. Each image was intended to reach a mass audience during when these events were taking place, as a way of raising public consciousness; one element amongst many in the process of change. He has presented numerous solo exhibitions in New York, Paris, Milan and Stockholm. This is his first exhibition in Thailand and the Asia Pacific region. Naphat Ratanasakdi, Secretary of The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, said that “James Nachtwey shows the truth of the event with very hard, depressing, and aggressive photos. The photos of James Nachtwey have a lot of photogenic sense, they have a lot of aesthetics in his works. So, this is why James Nachtwey’s photos are very special and stand out.” One of the most moving sections of the exhibition showcases Nachtwey’s extensive documenting of global conflicts. His lens has captured the devastation of war in Bosnia, the brutality of apartheid in South Africa, the terror of the siege of Kabul, the September 11th attacks in New York City and war in Iraq, among many other tragic events. These images not only chronicle the horrors of conflict, but also convey the resilience, courage and hope that persist amidst the darkness.

My point was what is the significance of referring to his religious identity has nothing to do with in context of the poster’s remarks about the museum any more than if he was a Buddhist or a Christian. The writer went out of his way to emphasize “Jew.” When done in that context it’s often an antiseptic connotation. As I described in previous post, Department of Agriculture (DOA) falsely assured a member of committing a sex crime because he noted in a trip review that the masseur had grazed his genitals. It was an absurd attempt to vilify the individual in a most heinous manner, especially considering there was no basis for the claim. This is what they trip reporter said (Orson) posted: “I went to prime bringing along all the stuffs I bought for the day. I availed of their 90 minute oil massage. I was ushered into a different building as the main one was already full. The massage was ok and relaxing. I would've preferred more heavy pressure, but I was too tired to tell the masseur. I know this is a no hanky panky place, but he seemed ok with my hands grazing his crotch "accidentally" while he massage my forearms. After the massage, he offered me to shower in a separate room and later gave me hot tea and towel. I tipped him 300 baht which he accepted happily.” But DOA wrote: “Are you really so pathetically desperate that you need to paw away at a boy who is giving you a massage in a legitimate massage place? If that is what you wanted, you should have gone to the places that offer those services one hundred feet away. Why go and sexually assault a boy who has chosen to work at a legitimate massage parlour and trained to do so? At a bare minimum, your behaviour would mark you out a sex pest in the West; more likely it would have led to a police report and you, rightly, being detained for sexual assault. It's a shame that people like you think that you have the licence to act like an animal when in Thailand simply because a boy may choose to avoid causing a scene in order not to jeapordise his job.”. This constituted an outright attack on the poster without any credible evidence that he did any of the acts that DOA alleges. So I wasn’t shocked to read that DOA inserted “Jew’ into his remarks in another post just days later. Can you imagine how any member would feel if falsely accused of committing a sex crime.

From VN Express The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said Myanmar authorities recently rescued hundreds of foreigners, including 166 Vietnamese citizens, from fraudulent casinos in its northern border areas. "Among the foreigners rescued, 166 Vietnamese nationals have been identified and have been taken to a safe place in the northern area of this country bordering China," the ministry's spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said at a press meet. Hang said conflicts in northern and other parts of Myanmar, including Kayin state, are hampering efforts to reach and protect Vietnamese citizens. "The Vietnamese embassy in Myanmar is coordinating with authorities in Vietnam, Myanmar as well as those in China on citizen protection plans to help repatriate the citizens as soon as possible. The embassy has also asked the Myanmar authorities to guarantee security and safety for the Vietnamese nationals," Hang said. The ministry recommended that Vietnamese citizens avoid travelling to Shan and Kayin states of Myanmar, while people staying in the two places should make plans to evacuate to a third country or return to Vietnam, she said, adding that Vienamese citizens should follow information from local administrations, the foreign ministry's Consular Department and embassy.