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From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon In a wave of enthusiasm not sensed since pre-Brexit days, the British pound is now worth just over 45 baht, an improvement of 4.34 percent since the beginning of the year. The UK currency is also at a 15 month high against the US dollar, having successfully tested the 1.31 US$ bar. By most criteria, the pound is the star-performing international champion of the year so far against a basket of currencies. What’s propping up the pound are the UK’s elevated interest rates, created by stubborn inflation rates – the headline figure is 8.7 percent – which in turn are fuelled by the increased prices of imported goods. Meanwhile, inflation has been falling in the United States so that interest rates there are no longer attractive to hot-money inflows looking to make a quick profit. Expectations that the Fed will continue the hiking of American interest rates have faded. Meanwhile, the Thai baht is suffering from the failure of the 8-party coalition, led by the Move Forward Party, to take political power in Thailand with ongoing threat of prolonged civil strife. Additionally, Thai exports have been dropping in the past few months as part of a slowdown in the economy as a whole. At present, the Thai economy is rudderless as the military-backed government of general Prayut-chan-o-cha has been in caretaker mode since the general election of May 14.

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As political tensions rise while senators deliberate the fate of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat in his quest to become Thailand’s next prime minister, the Navy has admitted that tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and grenades are missing from a Marine Corps armoury at the Sattahip naval base. From Thai PBS World: Investigators have checked CCTV footage and have discovered that one ordnance officer had opened the door of the armoury several times, using a spare key, and had stolen the ammunition. Admiral Pokkrong said that the suspect has been absent from work since July 6th, adding that a complaint was filed with Plutaluang police in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri on July 7th. The ammunition was first exposed as missing on the webpage of “CSI LA”, which came to fame when it exposed the expensive wrist watches seen on the wrist of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan several years ago.

Glad to hear good report about this place. I believe it was Vinapu who supplied instructions for locating shop (I described locations of some Saphan Kwai shops) when he was on his way to ride new Yellow line monorail.

From VN Express Young men hit Saigon streets in skirts Men wear conical hats, ao dai with pearl earings at Vietnam International Fashion Week on July 13, 2023. Photo by VIFW Several young men from the LGBTQ+ community became the highlight of the event when they dressed in skirts, crop tops, modern ao dai and accessories like conical hats, beads and pearls. Their outfits used secondhand materials like chiffon and denim to support sustainable fashion. "In my opinion, no matter how modern fashion gets, we still have to keep the beauty of tradition because that’s the identity of our national culture," stylist Khanh Dang said. The Best Street Style is a chance for young people to express their freedom and personal style through the outfits. This event takes place at the same time as the main event, every morning from 9-11 a.m. The jury will choose the person in the most impressive outfit and give them a limited-edition gift set. VIFW is taking place July 13-16 at the Military Zone 7 Gymnasium, featuring 18 shows of domestic and international designers and brands. Continues with video https://e.vnexpress.net/news/style/young-men-hit-saigon-streets-in-skirts-4629366.html

That few were aware of his pursuit of higher education, more were perhaps aware that Adul (Adun) Samon was the one of the three stateless boys and their coach who were granted Thai citizenship a few months after their rescue. Adun became best known for answering rescuer Rick Stanton question about how many of there are you with a reply in English. He speaks four other languages, including Thai, Burmese, Mandarin, and Wa, a language spoken near the Myanmar and China border. Middlebury appears to be a fine choice. One of America's finest liberal arts colleges, the school is well known for its international focus. The following photo was taken at the age of 15, a year following his rescue.

If you have a LINE account, you might try sending them a photo of the guy you wish to book on the same day (including time and duration). I've done that successfully in the past but now just show up and choose from their tablets. Since all are free agents, have at least three guys in mind in case your first choice is not available. No deposit was requested.

From The Nation Residents of tourist city Pattaya in Chonburi province have urged police to investigate gangs of motorcycle riders in the sois off South Pattaya Road in Bang Lamung district whose behaviour at night has become a noisy nuisance. The gangs, mostly made up of Arabian tourists aged 17 to 25, have been racing bikes at high speed in Soi VC Residence Hotel and Soi Yensabai from around midnight onwards, a Pattaya resident told the Nation on Thursday. Some are using bikes with modified tailpipes to up the noise level, he said, adding that those who did not participate in the race also rode their bikes up and down the street in the pack, without observing the traffic laws. The resident said that this has been going on for about two months and that these tourists were mostly using rental bikes from local businesses. “We want police and related authorities to look into these gangs that have been causing such a nuisance and jeopardising the safety of other motorists in Pattaya,” he said. “We also ask that they check the local bike rental shops to make sure that they only provide street-legal vehicles to tourists.” Bike rental is a popular business in the eastern resort city as it offers affordable and fast transport for tourists wishing to visit local markets, attractions and beaches of Pattaya. Prices start from 150 baht per day. ================= The following excerpt from Barry Kenyon's recent column highlights the dilemma the Pattaya tourism industry is facing at the moment. The much-proclaimed Indian market in Pattaya has also ceased expansion and promises of mass flights from dozens of Indian cities to U-tapao haven’t been fulfilled. Meanwhile, Cambodia is preparing to open two international airports in the next 12 months which will be able to accommodate intercontinental wide-bodied jets for the first time. “There is growing competition from neighbors such as Cambodia and Vietnam, whilst Pattaya is struggling to repair its roads,” said a Thai tourism association spokesperson. He added that many business people were concerned that the potentially-violent controversies over the appointment of a new Thai prime minister could spill over into bad news for international tourism.

From Thai PBS World Gridlock likely Friday evening as Pita supporters rally in downtown Bangkok Police are asking the public to avoid the area around the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district, where supporters of the Move Forward party will hold a rally this evening (Friday) in protest over party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s failure to become prime minister. They blame Pita’s loss on the Senate, who harshly criticised Pita and Move Forward on Thursday for insisting that the country’s lèse majesté law must be amended. The rally will start at 6pm. Police say that the public and motorists should avoid the approaches to Pathumwan intersection, near which the Arts Centre is located. The rally is being held in downtown Bangkok during Friday evening rush hour, so the already heavy traffic is expected to worsen. Police advise people to avoid Rama I Road (from Chalermpao-Charoen Pon intersections) and Phaya Thai Road (from Ratchathewi-Chula 12 intersections) Motorists can use Phetchaburi, Bantadthong, Rama 4, Henri Dunant and Wireless roads instead.

There was a period about 15 years ago if memory serves me that scrutinizing single males arriving from Thailand were more carefully screened at certain US airports, Detroit being the most well known for the practice. I was sent for special screening on successive trips but they turned up nothing. Although the luggage searches were conducted professionally they still left me uneasy so I began flying back through different airports and never experienced that again. IMO, customs and immigration practices have improved markedly since.

It's been my experience that the guys in most shops in Saphan Kwai and Soi 6 websites are not models and are available for hire. Have not found any of the guys I booked to have been photo shopped. Some actually looked better in person. I know nothing of Pattaya shops. I prefer shops with set minimum tip. Avoids negotiating and establishes baseline of service. It also keeps the cheap Charlies at bay. Again, this is based on my experiences in Bangkok and not Pattaya or elsewhere.

BTS currently repairing support columns at Saladaeng station. Let’s hope they have good contractor.

Guys can be as greedy for baht as we are for sex. When leaving bar the other night, a waiter complained I didn’t tip him. I said “but you not one who waited on me.”

You have to read the last sentence to learn that the customers did not commit any crime. From the Thaiger Police. raided a sauna and fitness spa in the Thon Buri district of Bangkok and apprehended 36 people suspected of engaging in illegal sexual activities and human trafficking. It was later concluded no money for sex passed hands and there was no evidence of human trafficking. Officers from the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division raided Phoenix Sauna on the Ratchada-Tha Phra Road at midnight on July 8, after receiving a tip-off that the place was providing sex services for its homosexual customers. According to the authorities, the sauna operated within a six-story building. The ground floor served as the reception area and housed lockers for customers, while the second floor was dedicated to fitness activities. The third to fifth floors comprised rental rooms while the sixth floor housed sauna facilities. Officers apprehended 31 male customers, the sauna’s owner, and four staff members during the raid. Some individuals were discovered engaging in sexual activities within the rented rooms and a lot of used condoms were scattered throughout the building. Following drug tests, all suspects’ results came back clean. Staff members revealed to the police that they charge customers 200 baht each and give them wristbands. Anyone who identifies as a giver would wear the band on the right wrist while those who liked to receive anal sex would wear it on the left wrist. After investigating each suspect’s criminal history, only one man came back as having form, a 25 year old named Thanawat Ongwiroj, for fraud. The Commander of the Metropolitan Police Region 8, Nanop Sukonthanapat, concluded that the establishment could not be classified as a brothel as it did not provide sexual services to its customers. The participation in sexual activities was voluntary and no money transactions passed hands between the customers or the sauna’s owner. Consequently, the police were unable to press charges against the owners, staff members, or customers. Nevertheless, the sauna’s owner, 33 year old Surasak Songram, faces a penalty of imprisonment from one to ten years and a fine from 20,000 to 200,000 baht for preparing the venue as a place for individuals to engage in sexual activities. Phoenix Sauna staff members, and the 31 men at the spa, were released without a charge as their actions did not violate any laws.

There were 28 guys on stage at Freshboy Sunday night plus 5 dancers. Of that sum, a few dozen plus were twinks. And there’s probably almost as many in Screwboy downstairs. When the show ends you can easily spot them in their basketball attire at the food stalls on Surawong. Since stunning so subjective, it’s not for me to say if any qualify. But it’s sure fun trying.

They didn’t find any drug use so this was the best charge that they could come up with. And since prostitution wasn’t alleged, that means any sex act could qualify under this statute. Totally bizarre.

Why would Bangkok’s new, state of the art, train hub (originally known as Bang Sue Station) require a transformation. And why is only one firm interested enough to bid on it. ========= From The Thaiger Contrary to the anticipation of a competitive bidding process for the commercial development of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revealed that only one company has stepped forward with a bid. Three firms, reportedly interested, had initially procured invitations to tender. The disclosure surfaced yesterday after the bidding process culminated earlier this week. Ekkarat Sriarayanpong, a prominent figure in the SRT governor’s office, divulged the details of four projects that were recently made open for bidding. The first project involved the commercial transformation of an expansive 47,675 square metre space at the central terminal. Central Pattana, King Power Suvarnabhumi, and Prem Group Engineering had bought invitations to tender initially. However, only the latter made the effort to submit a bid eventually. The second project, concerning the handling of a 2,303m² advertising space at the central grand station, saw Plan B Media and King Power International procure invites. As of now, both have abstained from placing a bid on the table. The third initiative aimed to spur the development of 12 Red Line electric commuter train service stations, covering a total area of 3,759m². It would link the central station and the Rangsit region in Pathum Thani. Peculiarly, none of the parties expressed interest, resulting in zero purchases for an invitation to bid. The final initiative focused on managing a 2,080m² advertising space across the 12 Red Line stations. Plan B Media and King Power International claimed invitations to tender but eventually rejected the opportunity to proceed further. After the deadline to tender bids drew to a close in the middle of the week, Prem Group Engineering emerged as the lone firm that bid for the initial project.

It’s close to impossible to encapsulate the current state of developments in the case of who becomes next prime minister but the Thai Enquirer makes a worthy effort this morning https://www.thaienquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Thai-Enquirer-News-Summary-July-10-2023.pdf

From the original source article that appeared in TPN National News: In total, 31 customers, four staffers, and one owner were found although not identified by police. No drugs were found and urine drug tests were performed on all customers but were all reportedly negative. Most of the customers told police that they came to this place to have sexual activities with other men and not for fitness center activities. Police did not find any evidence to prove that the center provided sexual exploitation. However, four staffers and the owner are facing charges of illegally gratifying the sexual desire of another person, a rare charge. =========== If it’s illegal to cause sexual gratification, how would the species survive. File under TIT.

Really enjoyed it. Considering that he’ll turn 80 in a few days, Harrison Ford has lost none of his charm a little of his powerful stage presence. It’s two hours of non-stop action as he takes down a never-say-die team of Nazis.

You’re right about the offerings at the big mall cinemas. And they all seem to play same movies at same time. No variety.

On BTS/MRT, I’d estimate that 70% wear masks. In Samyan and malls, maybe a third. You’ll still see a minority of locals wearing them outside. In taxis, drivers always seem to be masked. Personally, I wear on public transit and taxis. Still like to think I can spot a cute gut with or w/o a mask. But acknowledge that it’s not some innate ability on my part. It’s just that there are so many hot guys in Bkk that the odds are always on my side.

Discovered a new cheap way to escape a hot Bangkok afternoon when you’re too exhausted for more sex (some of you with insatiable appetite for cock can stop right here). Everyone knows Mitrtown at Samyan is great place to get fast food while watching a seeming endless parade of young men from the adjacent university circulate about. But what I didn’t realize until this trip that on top floor of mall is an art house cinema. A month ago I saw the originally formatted version of Casablanca and today caught Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. At 135 bht for the 4p.m. showing it’s a bargain. https://www.housesamyan.com/site

You can’t afford if you have to ask.🙂