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And worse, maybe he not hard 😩

If only there was a time machine that could transport us chasers back a quarter of a century to the days of yore, I’d be among the first to sign up. Maybe they’d call it “dynamic chaser conversion.”

This is what Wise (formerly Transfer Wise) cautions about dynamic exchange conversion. Here's the simple rule you need to know when using a foreign ATM When it asks which currency to charge you in, there's only one right answer... In the Eurozone, that answer is euros. In Sweden, Swedish krona. In Britain, pounds. In Australia, AUD. In the US, dollars. Always, always, always choose to be charged in the local currency of the country you're in. If a Spanish ATM asks if you want to be charged in GBP, say no. Don't let the machine do your currency conversion. Here's why you shouldn't let an ATM do conversion for you: Foreign ATMs and card machines often say nice things like: This ATM offers conversion to your home currency. On the surface, that seems pretty generous. It looks like you'll know exactly what you're paying, and in amounts you're way more familiar with. Nice, right? But, in reality, paying in your home currency is hidden-fee-hell. It's a scam that goes by the name of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). DCC means you effectively ask a foreign ATM provider or bank to gleefully make up an exchange rate for you. And the only thing more likely to screw you over than your bank, is a foreign bank. This isn't a kind-hearted service. It's something banks use to take more of your money without you knowing. https://wise.com/us/blog/choose-local-currency-at-foreign-atm

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon A recent change in procedure at Pattaya-Jomtien immigration (and Sri Racha) means that all foreigners requiring a service must have a TM30 form receipt in their passport dated since their last arrival in Thailand. This bureaucracy is quite separate from the 90 days reporting for expats which remains intact. The TM30 form, which can be completed by the hotel juristic person or the owner of the residence or the newly-arrived foreigner, has in the past been used mainly when short-term tourists apply for an extension of their 30 days visa exempt entry. It should be completed within 24 hours (72 hours in practice) after arrival in the country. The change in procedure means that the requirement is now extended to any foreigner seeking a re-entry permit, a renewal of a one year extension of stay (including retirement and marriage visas), extension of Elite, certificates of residence for driving licences, opening bank accounts etc. All these categories must now have a TM30 immigration receipt in their passport issued after their most recent entry to Thailand by air or land or sea. A TM30 receipt issued before the last entry to Thailand will be regarded as out-of-date and no longer acceptable. It is recommended that all foreigners check in their passports that they have a TM30 receipt issued since their most recent arrival in the country. This now applies to long-term expats as well as short-term tourists. Updating records now could save inconvenience later when applying for an immigration service. Foreigners in other areas of Thailand need to check the specific regulations of TM30 in operation there.

From Thai PBS Workd The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will send two planes to Israel this Sunday to fly 220 Thai evacuees back to Thailand, followed by a third flight next Wednesday to pick up more evacuees, Deputy Foreign Minister Jakkaphong Sangmanee told MPs in the parliament today (Thursday). The first batch of 15 Thais arrived this morning on an El Al flight, to be followed by a second group of 26 evacuees on the same day, said Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, adding that the number of Thais wanting to come home has increased to over 6,000 while 16 Thais are now being held hostage by Hamas. He said that the government has been trying to arrange for more flights to pick up Thai evacuees in Tel Aviv, but added that, if flights can be arranged in Israel, more evacuees will be able to fly home quickly.

From Bbc Twelve Thais have been killed and another 11 kidnapped by Palestinian Hamas militants who launched a mass assault from Gaza on Israel. Another eight Thai nationals have been injured in the violence since Saturday, said Thailand's foreign ministry. It said air force planes were on standby to fly its citizens home. There are some 30,000 Thais in Israel working in agriculture, many near the Gaza border. Nepal said 10 of its citizens had been killed.

Vinapu can't be a lesbian. I'm one and he's never at the meetings.

From Pattaya Mail Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the government would review the opening hours of the entertainment venues in a bid to boost tourism and the local economy. Mr Srettha said the government was considering the options to extend the opening hours for pubs and bars to welcome more tourists. He pointed out that despite having several advantages, the country is still below par in the promotion of tourist attractions and the organization of world-class events. Mr Srettha mentions about the law amendments to extend the operating hours of the entertainment venues. However, he acknowledges that opening 24 hours a day is not the answer as it can cause social and security problems. Therefore, it was needed to reconsider if the current closing hour of 1am is enough to make Thailand competitive compared to other cities in order to become the tourism hub of the region.

From The Nation A Thai worker in Mishmeret, an agricultural community in central Israel may have been injured, while a Thai couple is being detained by Palestinian militants, according to Thai Foreign Ministry's initial reports Currently, there are about 5,000 Thai nationals residing in the area near the Gaza Strip. The Thai embassy in Israel reported that on Saturday, at around 6.30am local time (10.30am Thailand time), missiles rained on Israel, from the border with the Gaza Strip to the central part of the country, including Tel Aviv, neighbouring cities, and Netivot. The embassy has disseminated videos instructing Thai nationals in Israel on what to do when emergency warning signals are fired. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Foreign Minister Panpree Phathithanukorn have told the embassy to take care of Thai nationals and closely monitor the situation. Israel has declared an emergency within an 80-kilometre radius of the Gaza Strip, including Tel Aviv, and has opened public bomb shelters in various cities. The Ministry of Tourism of Israel has issued warnings to tourists. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the ministry would closely monitor the situation and give regular updates. ========================== The Royal Thai Air Force chief held an urgent meeting with senior officers on Sunday to prepare for the evacuation of Thai workers stranded in Israel after the Hamas attack on Saturday. Air Force chief ACM Phanphakdee Phatthanakul led the meeting at the Air Force Operations with other senior commanders from other RTAF to discuss the evacuation. At the end of the meeting, the RTAF chief ordered that five C-130 military transport planes and one Airbus 340 passenger plane be placed on standby to evacuate Thai workers once Israel opens its airspace. ============================ Deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn has stepped up security at the Israeli embassy in Bangkok following the Hamas attack on Saturday. Surachate, who oversees security affairs, said he has instructed police to deploy frequent patrol cars to check security around the embassy. He said both the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Special Branch Police have been instructed to jointly tighten security around other embassies and residences of concerned diplomats, as well as their places of worship. Surchate said he has also instructed the Immigration Bureau to tighten the screening of countries engaged in conflicts in the Middle East.

He must be telling the truth. Every time he enters her club, Mamasan Lucy makes a beeline for him.

New PM Srettha's honeymoon experienced its first major bump when 99 economist came out against his much-heralded plan to give every Thai 16 and above an injection of 10,000 baht via a new digital wallet scheme in hopes of stimulating the economy. From The Nation The Srettha Thavisin government is in the process of implementing an election campaign promise of handing out 10,000 baht to Thai citizens aged 16 years and above, to be spent in a limited area within six months, with the aim of giving the economy a push. The economic experts, however, argue that it was “not worth the cost”. They advanced the following reasons, according to a Krungthep Thurakij news report: Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40031677

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya, Thailand – In response to the recent tragic shootings at Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok, the Pattaya police, in collaboration with Central Festival Pattaya, undertook measures to strengthen security protocols and restore confidence among the local population and tourists. Pattaya City Police Chief, Pol. Col. Tanapong Poti, and Krisana Maprangon, head of the facilities management department, joined forces to conduct a comprehensive review and enhancement of security procedures within the shopping complex. Pol. Col. Tanapong underscored the critical importance of preparedness, prevention, and effective public communication. This involved a meticulous examination of the mall’s security systems, with a focus on access points and surveillance equipment. The objective is to ensure that security measures are not only efficient and up-to-date but also in place to enhance the immediate response to unforeseen events. A key facet of this initiative is the improvement of public communication. Pol. Col. Tanapong emphasized the vital role of clear and detailed communication, drawing insights from past incidents. He stated, “Efficient communication is deemed essential for conveying information rapidly and effectively, facilitating a swift and coordinated response. Moreover, the Pattaya City Police have maintained a 24-hour security presence, actively collaborating with various agencies to ensure public safety in the area.” Krisana highlighted the commitment of Central Pattaya Mall to security, stating that it closely collaborates with government agencies to guarantee the safety of customers, tourists, and employees within the shopping complex. As part of their security preparedness, Central Pattaya Mall has instituted 12 inspection points on every floor, staffed by security personnel equipped with walkie-talkies. Their responsibility is to scrutinize suspicious items before entry into the premises. Additionally, Central Pattaya Mall has established a Control and Command (CTV) room and an emergency war room for swift coordination and response during unforeseen incidents, facilitating meetings with local police officers and mall security personnel.

It's worth remembering that today marks the 47th anniversary of he massacre of 46 students and the wounding of 167 others at a demonstration at Thammasat University in a crackdown by police. Unofficial estimates put the number of killed at over 100. They were protesting the return to power of former dictator Thanom Kittikachorn who emerged from exile and staged a successful coup.

Security can be beefed up but can not eliminate incidents like this. A determined assailant will find a way to elude it. The media and government tend to play down events like this that have been occurring in the south of the country for years. Most are directed at police, military and teachers but that doesn't keep others from being killed and maimed on a regular basis. Tightening control of the sales of weapons has been a subject long given lip service. And Although some legislation may emerge from this incident, interest will fade as time passes. Bangkok is a mega city and top world destination. Tourists aren't going to abandon it no more than they did in the wake of the Erawan Shrine bombing in 2015 or in 2010 when Central World went up in flames. People have astonishingly short memories. Lumpinee Park was an armed camp 13 years ago but it was business as usual on Soi4, Patpong and Twilight. For better or worse, what happened this week will, too, soon be forgotten. Tourists will continue to flock to Bangkok as they always have. Many of us will be among them. ========================= Also soon to be forgotten: From The Nation The teenaged shooter who went on a fatal shooting spree on Tuesday had practised at an Army shooting range for over 20 times, police disclosed on Friday. Pol Maj-General Theeradej Thammasuthee, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s investigation division, confirmed that the 14-year-old had practised at the Territorial Defence Shooting Range in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district. “The suspect said during police questioning that on the day before the fatal attack, he had practised shooting for more than 20 times,” the senior officer said. He noted that the shooting range is for members only and any service user aged below 18 must be accompanied by an adult member. On Tuesday afternoon, a 14-year-old boy armed with a modified blank gun fired shots at people in Siam Paragon, leaving two people dead and five others injured. A video clip being circulated on social media appears to show the teenaged shooting suspect firing a round of shots at shooting targets in a place later identified as the Territorial Defence Shooting Range. The Royal Thai Army, which runs the shooting range, found that the teenaged shooter was not a member, so it was possible he came with an adult member, a source said on Friday. An examination of video recordings from the shooting range’s security cameras over the past 10 days did not find the shooting suspect, according to the source. Staff members of the shooting range were instructed to gather information about the suspect’s use of the facility, according to the source. The Army has provided relevant information to police investigators working on the case, the source said. In a related development, the Juvenile Detention Centre has sent the shooting suspect to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute for psychiatric evaluation and treatment at the suggestion of a doctor, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on Friday. He declined to discuss the nature of the boy’s mental issues, saying that disclosing details of health conditions was against the boy’s personal rights. According to a source familiar with the matter, the teenager was sent to the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute on Thursday afternoon after the Juvenile Detention Centre concluded that a specialist’s evaluation of his mental health was needed as this was a serious criminal case.

Certainly hope so. FIFA officials may be corrupt but they're not completely dumb. If the were they'd have chosen Mauritania.

From The Nation The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or Fifa, has chosen Thailand as the host country for the FIFA Congress 2024, which will take place in Bangkok on May 17 next year. The Congress will mark the first-ever FIFA Congress in Asean. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, disclosed that Thailand has been selected by Fifa to host the 74th annual general meeting or FIFA Congress 2024, scheduled for May 17, 2024, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center or QSNCC. This congress is held annually. The important session during the meeting is the opportunity for Fifa members from 211 associations worldwide to nominate themselves to host the FIFA World Cup and propose candidates for the Fifa president position. In this congress, there will be more than one thousand delegates from around the world. There will also be the selection of the host country for the Women’s World Cup 2027. The hosting of FIFA Congress 2024 is the result of a collaboration between TCEB and the Football Association of Thailand Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, to participate in the bidding process to become the host under the “One Ministry One Convention” initiative. Eventually, Fifa has issued a letter of confirmation officially designating Thailand as the host country. FIFA Congress 2024 will build confidence and enhance Thailand’s reputation as a global event host in alignment with the Government’s goals. It also paves the way for Thailand to present itself as a potential host for the FIFA World Cup through cooperation with other Asean countries to become co-hosts. This is because one of Fifa’s requirement for hosting the FIFA World Cup is to have previously hosted the FIFA Congress.

From The Nation Chiang Mai police on Thursday arrested a Norwegian, 58, for allegedly slashing the throat of his Thai gay lover, 39, at their house in Muang district of Chiang Ma province. Ben Roy Eiek was arrested on charges of murdering of Chalit, who was found with a slit throat at a house in Ban Wang Sing Kham in Tambon Pa Daed at 9pm on Tuesday. When police arrived at the scene, they found Eiek in the house but he denied killing the man, claiming he was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and had no strength to attack his lover. He claimed his lover was killed by an attacker who fled the scene. Police investigators doubted his claims and gathered scientific evidence at the scene and studied feeds from a security camera in the house before they obtained an arrest warrant for Eiek. Police also doubted his claims about suffering from ALS disease as he could not provide any medical proof. The man was taken to the Muang Chiang Mai Police Station for legal action and police would seek a Norwegian interpreter and a volunteer lawyer to assist the man during further interrogations.

From Pattaya Mail Over 100 PCEC members packed into the meetings zone of the Holiday Inn, Pattaya, to hear attorney at law Dr Jessataporn Bunnag (Chang) and his colleague Mr Chatchai Seelasophano talk on “Thai Law and You”. They are both based at the V2B international law office located adjacent to the immigration bureau in Jomtien. They began by outlining the services of the company which, apart from court matters, cover notarial and translation, visas for foreigners here and for Thais going abroad, passport renewal for some countries and general liaison with embassies and consulates. Dr Bunnag also runs two language academies, a driving school and the registration center for nationals of neighboring countries working in Thailand. Mr Chatchai then described the differences between civil and criminal law and emphasized the importance of obtaining police reports as quickly as possible. Some areas of Thai law, for example slander and libel, can be criminal as well as civil. He described how foreigners on bail for criminal offences must not ignore their visas but must obtain documentation from the court to allow the immigration bureau to extend the permission to stay. Chatchai observed there were no juries in Thai trials and stressed that cases, with the appeal structures, can take years to resolve. In a lengthy question and answer session, members raised a wide variety of topics from routine traffic accidents and property disputes to capital offences and blacklisting procedures involving the courts and immigration. There were inevitably questions about the collapse in personal relationships or short-term liaisons which one member described as a “coin-operated girlfriend”. When buying or investing in property, members were advised to insist on seeing the originals of documents, such as the chanoot or ownership proof, and not reply on copies. Dr Bunnag described some of the charges for legal services, such as 10,000 baht for a simple Thai will, and pointed out that employing a lawyer can be an effective way of reducing delays or confusion when dealing with police, prosecutors and the courts. After thanking the guest speakers, officers of the club invited several new members to introduce themselves in this popular and welcoming expat society which meets each Wednesday morning in the Holiday Inn, north Pattaya.

From The Nation Tough new policy will not allow public to own even BB guns Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a strong gun policy on Thursday, saying that only officials would be authorised to possess firearms, and the public would not be allowed to own them – not even imitation weapons like BB guns. The deputy premier on Thursday presided over a meeting to review the laws governing gun ownership in Thailand, following the deadly shooting in Bangkok on Tuesday that took the lives of two foreigners and left five others injured. Several senior officials, including the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration Attasit Samphanrat, attended the meeting. Anutin, who is also the Interior Minister, said that he had decided to entrust Attasit with looking into the rules on the use of firearms and other weapons and reporting back to him to determine which ones needed to be revised. He said he would not allow ordinary people to get a permit to own a firearm, not even imitation ones like BB guns or blank guns, as they were dangerous and needed to be regulated, “Only officials would be permitted [to possess firearms],” he said. The 14-year-old shooter reportedly used a modified blank pistol. Police investigation revealed that the teen also owned other types of weapons, like an M-16 gun and ammo. Anutin noted that anyone under the age of 18 should not be allowed to participate in shooting activities. Anyone using a gun at a shooting camp would have to leave the gun there. No one would be allowed to carry weapons outside the camp, he said.

From the BBC Spain, Portugal and Morocco have been named as the co-hosts, with the opening three matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. The opening matches in South America are to mark the World Cup's centenary as it will be 100 years since the inaugural tournament in Montevideo. The decision is set to be ratified at a Fifa congress next year. Fifa also confirmed only bids from countries from the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation will be considered for the 2034 finals. Following that decision, Saudi Arabia announced it would be bidding to host the tournament in 2034 for the first time. Fifa's decision to host the tournament across multiple continents has drawn criticism, with one supporter's body accusing football's world governing body of engaging in a "cycle of destruction against the greatest tournament on Earth". "[It's] horrendous for supporters, disregards the environment and rolls the red carpet out to a host for 2034 with an appalling human rights record. It's the end of the World Cup as we know it," said Football Supporters Europe. Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: "In a divided world, Fifa and football are uniting

From The Thaiger October promises to be an exhilarating month for Pattaya, with a plethora of intriguing events lined up to stimulate city tourism. There is a range of activities from sports tournaments to cultural festivals, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The International Beach Tennis Tournament Pattaya Open is set to kick off on Friday, October 6, and conclude on Saturday, October 7. Tennis enthusiasts can make their way to Pattaya Beach, situated in front of the Hard Rock Hotel, to witness this international competition. The tournament serves as a fantastic opportunity to observe high-quality tennis in a unique beachfront setting. Following this, the Vegetarian Festival, also known as Mahaguson Im Boon Im Jai (มหากุศล อิ่มบุญอิ่มใจ), will kick off on October 14, lasting until October 24. The festival will be held at the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Naklua. Next in line is the Master’s Fastpitch Softball Tournament, taking place from October 19 to October 22. The international softball competition will be hosted by Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club. Softball fans can enjoy watching adept athletes battle it out in this thrilling event. Towards the end of the month, on October 28, the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race will take place on Pattaya Beach. Touted as the Sexiest Running Event in Thailand, this unique and entertaining run uniquely combines fitness and fun, reported The Pattaya News. On October 29, the end of Buddhist Lent will be observed. This religious holiday will also result in an alcohol sales ban and the closure of entertainment venues. From October 14 to mid-month, the Pattaya School Eight Festival will be held near Wat Chai and Walking Street. This event will further add to the festive atmosphere of the month. Finally, on October 31, Halloween will be celebrated. Hundreds of entertainment venues and bars are set to host spooky and scary parties, bringing the eventful month to a close.

The zoo?

From the Thai Enquirer Latest Updates on Victims and Investigation Here is what we know so far from the shooting at Siam Paragon in Bangkok on October 3: Casualties and Injuries: Two females have been killed, one Chinese national and one Myanmar national. Five people were injured, with two in critical condition, one of whom was shot in the head. The injured include one Chinese national, one Laotian, and three Thais. According to Siam Paragon, one of the injured is their security guard. Out of the seven people who were shot, six were female. The Shooter: The shooter is a 14-year-old Thai male who attended Essence School, located at SiamScape Building, not far from where the shooting took place. According to his parents, the shooter lives alone. The national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, said the shooter claimed to have heard voices telling him to commit the crime. Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said the shooter has been treated for a mental health problem at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health since February and had received treatment at another institution before. The gun used in the crime was a plastic blank gun that had been modified to shoot real rounds. The police are still investigating the source of the gun and who modified it. Some reports suggest that the shooter acquired the gun and bullets online for around 10,000 baht, but this has not been confirmed by the police. Pol Maj Gen Nakarin Sukontawit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, said the motive is still unknown, as the shooter was not in the right mental condition to provide a coherent statement last night and this morning. The police have pressed five charges against the shooter, including premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm without a permit, carrying a firearm in a public place without a permit, and shooting in public without a permit. Additional charges are pending for the bullets recovered at the shooter’s residence in Bang Khae district. Pol Maj Gen Nakarin said the police are also investigating the parents of the shooter to determine whether they violated the Child Protection Act. Sorawit Limparangsri, spokesman of the Court of Justice, stated that the parents might have also violated Section 429 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which holds parents or guardians of a minor who committed a crime accountable unless they can demonstrate proper care and supervision. Unconfirmed news reports suggest that the murder was premeditated because the shooter concealed the weapon in his bag before entering a restroom on the M floor of the department store, where he changed his clothes before committing the crime. A video from the shooter’s phone showed him practicing reloading a gun, and he sent a photo of the gun’s magazine to one of his friends before committing the crime. A circulating video shows that he had been practicing shooting at a shooting range before committing the crime. According to unconfirmed news reports, messages from his phone indicate that he was under pressure from his mother due to his low academic performance in school. He had been sending photos of himself holding a gun or shooting at the shooting range to his parents. Responses: A command center has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination, as some of the casualties and injured individuals are foreigners. The Department of Mental Health has dispatched members of the Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team to the shooter, the victims, and the victims’ families. A team is being set up at Siam Paragon to provide advice to witnesses on how to cope mentally with the situation. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is currently exploring the implementation of an alert system to notify the public about emergency situations in the future. He also said the government plans to tighten controls on the online sale of blank guns to prevent minors from accessing them. PM Srettha personally spoke to the Chinese, Myanmar, and Laotian ambassadors to inform them of the situation updates and convey apologies for the incident. Their Majesties the King and Queen have taken all the victims injured in the shooting under their royal patronage. Siam Paragon’s staff have received praise from National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Torsak and PM Srettha for adhering to their training during an active shooting incident. They assisted customers in hiding and escaping from the hazardous areas, which managed to minimize the number of casualties and injuries, Pol. Gen. Torsak said.

I've stayed in Amara executive rooms many times and recommend this location. Rooms are compact but very well appointed and spotless. Buffet breakfast is excellent and the roof-top infinity pool has many lounge chairs. No problem whatsoever with guests.

NOTE -- The Bangkok Post is reporting that the suspect is a 14-year-old boy. Other reports now put the number of killed at four. From Reuters / The Star BANGKOK (Reuters): Police have arrested a suspected gunman after a shooting at a luxury mall in Thailand's capital Bangkok, local media reported. Emergency services said at least three people were killed and three were injured in the incident at Bangkok's Siam Paragon. Television station Thai PBS reported five people wounded. Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau posted an image on its Facebook page of a man they said was the suspected gunman. Unverified videos shared on social media showed people, including children, running out of the doors of the Siam Paragon mall while security guards ushered them out. A picture posted on social media reportedly showing the culprit being arrested. - @DEENWCRP/X