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The Bangkok Post is reporting that the United States had given The Thai Police Marine Division a dozen fast patrol boats to aid in drug interdiction efforts on the Mekong River.

The Bangkok Post is reporting that 24-hour operations commence next Wednesday.

From The Nation Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat blamed unfair distribution of power and wealth for the decline of liberal democracy worldwide. He said “democratic backsliding” is happening in Thailand as well as other countries, even those with “the most advanced institutionalised democracies”. Pita was giving a lecture in English on “Moving Forward: Thailand, Asean & Beyond” given at Harvard University in the US on Thursday. “Democracy is under siege,” he told a packed auditorium at his alma mater. He pointed to survey results by Freedom House, which found that 48% of the world lived in a free society in 2006, compared to 20% this year. “That's democratic backsliding. Something is going on around the world and even the most advanced institutionalised democracies are seeing those numbers declining as well,” he said. According to Pita, the problem is not only about concentration of political power, but also concentration of wealth. “This perfect storm is happening not just in Thailand, but anywhere in the world, no matter where you come from,” he told the audience.

From The Nation Lufthansa has announced it will resume direct flights to Thailand with the world's largest passenger plane on Sunday. Lufthansa has announced it will resume direct flights to Thailand with the world's largest passenger plane on Sunday. The decision to deploy the Airbus A380 on the Bangkok-Munich route from October 29 came in response to tremendous demand, particularly during the winter high season, said the German flag carrier’s regional manager Anlee Do. Nicknamed Superjumbo, the A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jetliner with a capacity of 509 passengers. The standard cabin layout features eight seats in first class, 78 in business, 52 in premium economy, and 371 in economy. Lufthansa is the only airline operating the A380 nonstop between Thailand and Europe, said Do. She added that travel demand for Thailand is consistent and strong thanks to its location as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Only the monkey knows and it’s not made itself available for comment.

In his 2022 memoir, Acquanaut, I recall rescuer Rick Stanton mentioning that Dom was the only team member who didn’t receive a note from his parents when hand-written messages from relatives were brought into the cave following the boys’ discovery in chamber 9. He was reportedly visibly distraught. I think Stanton said he did not live with his parents and was being cared for by his grandmother. The team captain, Dom was a gifted player and the team was like a second family. Who knows if being suddenly alone in a distant land, and without the support he was accustomed to in Thailand, how that may have taken its roll. I choose to remembered hijm as he was when we first got to know about him on his teammates. Those are the memories that will endure.

+1 And. I made the acquaintance of new Isaan masseur today.

I don’t think so but board members certainly do.

From Department of State The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is coming to Pattaya for Provision of Consular Services: Thursday, November 2, 9:00 AM- 11:30 AM The American Citizen Services Unit will be providing limited consular services in the Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel from 09:00 AM to 11:30 AM on November 2, 2023. Please note, we have a total of 40 appointments available, for the following services: 1. Passport renewals (DS-82) 2. Passports for minors (DS-11) 3. Notary services To sign up for services, please register here. Reservations are first come, first served, with additional consideration for those with limited mobility. NOTE: ** Service fees MUST be paid via Pay.gov (DS-82 adult renewals) or Bank Draft (minor passports and notary services) ** ** You MUST bring originals and photocopies of all necessary documents. ** Please find detailed information here.

From CNN Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips announced Thursday that he is running for president, kicking off a long-shot Democratic primary challenge to President Joe Biden. “I think President Biden has done a spectacular job for our country, but it’s not about the past. This is an election about the future. I will not sit still, I will not be quiet in the face of numbers that are so clearly saying that we’re going to be facing an emergency next November,” Phillips told CBS News in a clip posted online. Phillips is expected to formally announce his campaign Friday in Concord, where he’ll file to run in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary. The three-term congressman, who recently left his House Democratic leadership position in the face of intraparty frustration over his calls for a Biden alternative, has argued that the president would be a weak general election candidate due to his age and low approval ratings. Still, Phillips’ campaign launch comes as Democrats are seeking to unify around Biden, fend off spoiler independent candidates and lay out the administration’s accomplishments to voters. Biden allies have described talk of Phillips running as a distraction that would only serve to highlight the president’s weak points. Phillips attempted to reach out to Biden in August, but the president was unavailable, according to a source. Instead, Phillips spoke to White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, who “heard him out,” the source said, but conveyed that the “president is the right person to win in 2024 and finish the job.” Phillips told CNN that he tried to reach out to Biden “as a courtesy to advise him of my intentions, which at that time were to call for a new generation of candidates to compete for the nomination.” He said the call with Zients was “brief but friendly.”

Everything reported on Twitter is gospel truth. Just ask owner Elon Musk. 🫢

I’ve received report from reliable source that bars and entertainment venues will be closed on Sunday, October 29, in connection with end of Buddhist Lent.

From Pattaya News Thai investors are set to launch five new airlines, pouring in a minimum of 3.85 billion baht. These carriers are poised to commence operations in 2024, aiming to tap into Thailand’s burgeoning aviation market, projected to be worth 320 billion baht next year. According to the Nation Thailand report, Really Cool Airlines, P80 Air, Pattaya Airways, Siam Seaplane, and Landarch Airlines have all received an Air Operating Licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). To commence commercial flights, however, they still have to wait for the CAAT’s approval of their Air Operator Certificates (AOC). One of the the above five Thai-owned carriers, Really Cool Airlines, expects to receive the AOC in January 2024, which will allow them to start operating the flights as early as in the second quarter. Patee Sarasin, CEO of Really Cool Airlines, emphasized that during the first two years, Really Cool Airlines will focus on Asian routes, particularly to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai, operating four Airbus A330-300 aircraft. With an initial crew of 130, they will initially offer chartered flights from March to May before transitioning to regular flights and expanding to European markets. “We would not compete with Thai Airways International on their regular routes but would focus on flights to secondary cities, which would also help further promote Thailand’s tourism industry,” Mr. Patee said. On another note, P80 Air, a subsidiary of Thoresen Thai Agencies Pcl, projects getting its AOC in 8-9 months and commencing commercial operations in the last quarter of the next year. In its initial two years, P80 Air will focus on secondary Chinese cities, operating four Boeing B737-800 NG aircraft. Pattaya Airways is also eyeing a launch in the final quarter of 2024, aiming to operate on both domestic routes within Thailand and across ASEAN destinations. The airline will start with cargo delivery using an ATR72 aircraft for the first three years and later add more planes to meet rising demand from e-commerce companies. Meanwhile, Siam Seaplane is considering adding amphibian planes (Cessna Caravan 208 model) to its fleet to cater to high-end customers visiting seaside resorts and ports in Thailand. Their debut route will connect to Ko Lipe in Satun province, significantly shortening travel time to the island. Lastly, Landarch Airlines intends to operate short chartered flights between major cities in southern provinces, beginning in April 2024, with its hub in Hat Yai, Songkhla province. They plan to acquire five Cessna C208 B, 12-seater aircraft in the first five years and expand the fleet to 15 planes, serving destinations in other provinces.

From Thai PBS World People in Thailand will have an opportunity to witness a partial lunar eclipse this Sunday (October 29), which also marks the end of Buddhist Lent, said a director of Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). Suparerk Karuehanon, director of the Astronomical Academic Service and Communication Centre, said the eclipse will begin at 1.01am and last for just over an hour. He said a lunar eclipse is an astronomical event which occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the Moon darken. Those in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, as well as in North and South America, will also be able to see the eclipse, the director said. The next lunar eclipse viewable from Thailand will be a total eclipse on the night of September 7, 2025.

From Thai PBS World Thailand will bid to host World Pride in 2028, to reflect the country’s acceptance of and open mindedness regarding LGBT+ issues. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke quoted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as saying that his government will fully support the bid and, if the country is selected, he would allocate budget for the hosting of the event. The event would also help boost the economy and tourism, Srettha said. The 2024 World Pride event will be held in Australia. In 2025 it will be in the US and the Netherlands in 2026. Srettha was speaking during a meeting in which participants discussed marriage equality and a proposal to allow transgender people to be covered by the country’s universal health coverage. Chai said a draft marriage equality law will be put on the Cabinet agenda next Tuesday, and Parliament is expected to consider it in early December. There should, however, be a roadmap for the process, which must include opinions from all sides, he said.

Although body builders do not attract me, guys with muscular development in proportion to their body type certainly do. You can find them in many bars and massage shops. Some for everyone here in Bkk.

Although I gave up saunas years ago, I hear relatively good reports on Sauna Mania. Short walk from Silom.

But they are quickly replaced by thousands who cross over Mexico border daily. Despite horrible gun deaths, migrants from Central and South America find US much safer than remaining home. Despite what GOP claims, they empower the economy as they are absorbed into workforce.

Worse, monkey never received a tip (well, other than in the biblical sense of course).

Although details are incomplete, 22 persons have died in a mass shooting in the US state of Maine. Although both political parties can be expected to condemn the killings, no gun control legislation will emerge. From the Lewiston Sun Journal LEWISTON — At least 22 people were killed in multiple shootings Wednesday night in Lewiston, Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson confirmed. That number could rise, he said. Maine State Police are searching for Robert Card, 40, in connection with the two shootings at Sparetime Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille. Card, who lives in Bowdoin, is a trained firearms instructor who police believe is in the U.S. Army Reserve out of Saco. He recently reported mental health issues, including hearing voices, and made threats to shoot the National Guard base in Saco, according to state police, who said he spent two weeks at a mental health facility this summer. https://www.sunjournal.com/2023/10/25/multiple-victims-reported-following-shootings-in-lewiston/

From The Thaiger A shocking incident involving a man who was sexually assaulted by a monkey in his hotel room in Cambodia has come to light. The victim, a tourist from the UK, had reportedly forgotten to close his hotel room window, leading to the unexpected sexual assault by a long-tailed macaque. The disturbing sexual assault was reported on Twitter. The victim had travelled from England to Cambodia for a holiday with his friends. On the night of the incident, exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep, neglecting to secure his hotel room window. His friends were greeted by a horrifying sight: a monkey had snuck into the room while he was asleep and was sexually assaulting him in the most unsettling way imaginable by pulling down his trousers and performing oral sex. The friends were stunned by the unimaginable event but tried their best to help their distressed comrade. They ventured outside the room and began calling the monkey from the window, careful not to frighten it as they feared it might bite their friend. https://thethaiger.com/news/world/uk-tourist-sexually-assaulted-by-monkey-in-cambodian-hotel-room-viral-incident-stuns-millions

In that case, treat yourself to a sandwich. 🙂

Right here. You cite three—and only three—parties involved in the conflict. if there are other parties, why don’t you identify them. ”Until something can be done about the US/srael/Iran conflict, is there even the remotest chance of peace?” You place the responsibility solely on those three.

At least you’re not a conspiracy theorist. 😊

No one can understand what you don’t say.