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Moses, I can accept and acknowledge an error. You are simply unable or unwilling, asking us to believe that you are infallible. Good luck with the charade. And it’s a shame because you have so much to offer otherwise.

The closing of the G-Zone massage shop has resulted in a transfer of talent to Freshboy. One of its more popular masseurs can now be found on stage in the PP2 bar along with another former coworker who moved over earlier this year.

The irony is overwhelming. Every time you post about Putin the rest of us experience factually incorrect information on this forum. 🫠

Wat Hua Lamphong is located on Rama 4 Road, adjacent to the MRT Blue ine stop at Samyan station. From The Nation A place where kindness and tradition come together In the heart of Bangkok, Wat Hua Lamphong stands as more than just a temple, as it is a place of charity and compassion. Known as the “Coffin Temple”, it is famous for its donation programme that helps provide proper funerals for those who pass away without family or financial support. Wat Hua Lamphong dates back to the reign of King Rama IV in the 19th century. Originally a small temple, it was renovated and expanded during King Rama V’s rule to serve the growing population in Bangkok. Today, the temple is an important spiritual site. The venue is closely linked to the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, which runs a 24-hour coffin-donation scheme. For 500 baht, visitors can sponsor a coffin for a person who would otherwise be buried without dignity. This act of giving, known as making merit, is an important part of Thai Buddhist culture, as it is believed to bring good karma to the donor and the deceased. The donation process is simple yet meaningful. Visitors fill out a form, receive a donation slip, and attach it to a coffin as a symbol of their support. They then take part in a short prayer ceremony and burn the slip as an offering, which many believe helps bring good fortune. Beyond coffin donations, the temple offers other ways to make merit. Visitors can feed cows to save them from slaughter, release birds for good luck, or melt wax to create large candles used in religious ceremonies. These small but symbolic acts are said to bring blessings and remove bad luck. For those seeking spiritual guidance, the temple is also home to fortune tellers who offer insights into the future. Open 24 hours a day, it welcomes both locals and tourists who wish to do good, reflect on life, or seek spiritual comfort. Whether you come to donate, pray, or simply observe, the temple offers a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and giving. https://www.nationthailand.com/life/art-culture/40047203

@Moses, I agreed that your interpretation of the OP was correct. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. But you seem more interested in nitpicking for nitpicking’s sake. A wise man oncr counseled, “quit while your ahead because you only lose ground if you persist.”

From Pattaya News The new feeder bus service connecting Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya is now operational, offering a fast travel option for passengers. On March 8th, Deputy Transport Minister Mr. Surapong Piyachote presided over the inaugural journey of the new feeder bus service connecting Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya. Mr. Surapong stated that the launch of the new feeder bus service is part of the Thai government’s initiative to create seamless public transportation between airports and key tourist destinations. The project aims to boost tourism and economic activity by improving connectivity between major, secondary, and emerging travel destinations. Initially, three routes have been introduced: Pickup/drop-off points: Service Hall, Don Mueang Airport (near Terminal 1, North Side) BorKorSor Bus Stop, Sukhumvit Road (between North and Central Pattaya) Distance: 162 km Fare: 155 THB Travel time: 2.5 hours 8 trips daily (4 each way) Departing Don Mueang: 06:30, 10:30, 13:30, 17:30 Departing Pattaya: 07:00, 10:00, 14:30, 17:00 https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/10/feeder-bus-service-from-don-mueang-to-pattaya-now-open/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Pre-entry digital arrival forms for all foreigners coming by air, land or sea await the starting pistol in several weeks time. But the subject has dropped out of the headlines even though many international visitors have already booked their flights and accommodation. There are increasing concerns in the international travel world about the continuing absence of the actual digital forms and the lack of precise detail. Several airlines and internet travelblogs have already indicated concern that time is short if visitors are to experience a smoother experience at immigration and a welcome modernization of the travel experience with enhanced safety and security. The new system, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), is not technically an application for entry but a digital re-statement of the information formerly contained in the now defunct TM6 whose details were years ago scribbled by weary passengers about to arrive in Thailand. So the TDAC, to be accessed via the official Thai immigration website or mobile application, will need passport details, purpose of visit, accommodation address and contact information including a personal phone number and relevant email addresses. Group registrations by tour operators abroad may be allowed, but no confirmation as yet. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports says all foreigners – on every future trip here – will need to submit the digital TM6 form online. There are no exceptions for visa holders of any kind, apparently including permanent residents who don’t even have a visa but do need a re-entry permit. This has angered retirees, work permit holders and other longstayers who point out that the Thai authorities have that information anyway. Although the idea is to fill in the TDAC in advance of travel, there is provision for filling in the form in special kiosks on arrival at Thai airports or entry points. Thus the temporary conclusion is that airlines will not be refusing boarding to passengers who can’t show their received QR code as there’s an alternative. But nobody knows for sure. The main target of TDAC is obviously the many millions of international tourists who now receive 60 days visa exempt. When immigration officers currently stamp their passports, they have no idea of who they really are and where they will stay. A tiny, tiny number are refused entry if they have a criminal record here or are wanted by Interpol, but that’s about as far as checking goes. TDAC will rectify that issue, provided those filling in the form are honest, but there are currently no details on how to change the information online if a mistake is made or if the foreigner moves address whilst in Thailand. How the changes affect the current, post-arrival TM30 address form isn’t yet clear. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/tm6-requirement-for-all-foreigners-creeping-towards-may-1-493207

Some do, some don’t. I wouldn’t be inclined to trust the quality. Best practice is to BYOC.

So happy to hear from you again, Dead_On_Arrival. You have a wonderful gift for winning an audience. Keep hitting those home runs!

From The Nation Interpol has arrested a Moroccan man in Turkey for the alleged murder of his Thai LGBTQ lover in Chiang Mai in early December last year. The suspect is believed to have fled the kingdom immediately after the incident. Muang Chiang Mai Police Chief Pol Col Pratchaya Thisala confirmed on Thursday that Bilal Chenfinu, 30, was apprehended by Interpol officers at a hotel in Turkey. Pratchaya stated that the foreign division of the Royal Thai Police would be working with Turkish authorities to extradite Chenfinu back to Thailand. The suspect is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Court for the murder of Thitikarn (surname withheld) on December 4, 2024. Thitikarn, a beauty surgeon at a clinic in Chiang Mai, was found dead on December 6. Police reviewed security camera footage and discovered that Chenfinu spent the night with Thitikarn in the building where the body was found on the evening of December 4. The footage showed Chenfinu driving Thitikarn’s car from the building at 2 am on December 5 and heading towards Chiang Mai International Airport. Chenfinu then flew out of Thailand on AirAsia Flight FD515 at 6 am on December 5. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40046517

But it has everything to do hazards associated with charging phones which you pointed out was subject of OP. You’re nitpicking, Moses.

You omitted the excellent public transportation system.

From Pattaya Mail WEEKEND EDITORIAL PATTAYA, Thailand– The-ever readable Stickman internet site for March 9 emphasizes that Pattaya or Sin City no longer revolves around sex and gogo dancers. It reckons only 2-3 percent of overseas visitors these days are primarily motivated by bright nightlife here, although the article doesn’t speculate what the rest of us are doing. The column suggests that the declining ratio of naughty boys to mainstream tourists is caused by several factors. They range from the natural ageing of traditional westerners and the escalating charges for post-covid prostitution to the decline in the quality of the bodies on offer and the booming music which used to be fun and isn’t any longer. Of course, it’s impossible to quantify overseas visitors solely on the basis of their sexual proclivities. A foreigner may visit cultural heritage sites in the daytime but hurry down to Soi Pothole after dark. A businessman could be attending networking conferences whilst the sun is shining, but looking for a very different trade in the light of the moon. To state the obvious, Pattaya has changed beyond all recognition. Five star hotels, penthouse condos, luxury malls, family-friendly entertainment and expensive restaurants are everywhere. Whatever bits of central Pattaya are still standing are in danger of being knocked down and redeveloped. Indeed, the major stumbling block to even quicker transformation is the shortage of both Thai and immigrant cheap labor rather than the lack of investors. Nightlife is increasingly concentrated in streets or areas such as Soi Buakhao, standalone streets such as Soi Sex (Six) and bar complexes scattered throughout the city and Jomtien. There are at least 30 bars in Jomtien’s Rompho market stretch although only a few are really busy. In any case, they mostly cater for retiree foreigners wanting to drink, people-watch and chat with friends. Stickman rarely mentions the gay scene, reasoning that his readers wouldn’t be interested. But here too the changes are substantial. At the Jomtien Complex, gay sex is certainly on offer but there’s a choice of restaurants and several professional cabaret shows catering largely for social groups. Whether the arrival of gay marriage will make much difference to non-Thais in Pattaya is a debating point. So far, insiders say, no real impact. So Pattaya is at a sort of crossroads. The naughty boy market still exists, howbeit on a smaller scale than 20 years ago or even 10. It will likely continue to decline because that once-cheap lifestyle is increasingly expensive even as the steep decline in the Thai birth rate means there are far better life-chances for the 18-35 year olds than selling themselves to strangers on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Pattaya sits adjacent to the Eastern Economic Corridor which is fast becoming Thailand’s most successful technology hub. Chonburi province, which houses the city of Pattaya, is amongst the top three wealthiest provinces in the country according to Board of Investment business data. If naughty boys are now only 2 or 3 percent of tourist arrivals, that number could half by the end of the decade. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/the-decline-and-fall-of-naughty-boys-in-pattaya-493229

From The Thaiger Teenager electrocuted by phone charger The tragic death of a teenager electrocuted by a phone charger today has left a community reeling in the Sikhoraphum district of Surin in Isaan. Police revealed that the 15 year old girl was electrocuted after falling asleep with her phone, today, March 7. Officers added that she had burn marks from the phone charger cord. Sergeant Den Wanyang, taking to Facebook, recounted how the Pak Mai patrol was alerted to the tragedy by Supee Sombat, the headman of Pak Mai. “I would like to inform that on March 7, at 5.30am, we received a report that a 15 year old girl had died from an electric shock while lying in bed playing on her phone.” Police, alongside doctors from Sikhoraphum Hospital, conducted an autopsy to thoroughly investigate the cause. Images from the scene showed police conducting their inspection, with a poignant picture of an extension cord and a USB Type C cable plugged in without an adapter. Facebook users were quick to engage, with one, Chang Tu MDS2Sound Surin, shedding light on the potential causes. He explained that short circuits from USB charging often stem from a noise filter in the 315VDC high-voltage system leaking or shorting. This can lead to high-voltage electricity ‘grounding’ through the USB cable, the very part that connects to the phone you hold. Parents have been urged to heed the chilling warning, as well-meaning users debated the presence of blood in the aftermath. It’s possible, they agreed, for electric shocks to cause bleeding and swelling. High-voltage currents can damage tissues and blood vessels, leading to internal or external bleeding. Meanwhile, severe muscle contractions from shock can also cause tears and injuries. Additional advice stressed the importance of not charging devices while using them, underscoring the risks of barefoot contact with potentially conductive surfaces like tile or cement. Faults or moisture in power plugs can lead to easier short circuits, and experts emphasised the need for home safety systems to prevent future heartbreak. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/teenager-electrocuted-by-phone-charger-in-thailand-sparks-warning

From The Nation In early 2025, the Thai film industry made a bold statement, announcing an extensive lineup of movies set to hit theatres throughout the year. With over 100 films planned for release, this aggressive strategy—averaging around two films per week—reflected a new level of ambition within the industry. A major reason behind this surge was the decline of traditional television dramas. Many TV production companies shut down, leaving directors, producers and writers scrambling for opportunities in film and streaming platforms as their last resort. Despite the enthusiasm, the box office results from the past two months tell a very different story. Only one film, “Pa Nor” by Five Star Production, has emerged as a clear success, earning 76 million baht and securing a sequel. Beyond that, the situation looks bleak. Among the major disappointments was “Saensanun Phan San Soo” (แสนสนั่นพันธุ์สั่นสู้) directed by Phing Lampra Phloeng. The film debuted with a modest 2 million baht and quickly vanished from box office charts within a week. Even GDH, Thailand’s most successful film studio, faced setbacks. Last year, GDH dominated the box office with "How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" (“Larn Ma”), which grossed 2 billion baht, but its latest project, “Flatgirls” (ชั้นห่างระหว่างเรา), a coming-of-age romance featuring a lesbian couple, failed to replicate that success. The film closed its run at a mere 5 million baht. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/life/entertainment/40047171

From Pattaya News Bangkok, March 8th, 2025 — Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong and Klong Prem Central Prison officials confirmed the death of former police chief Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphon. Initial reports indicate he died by hanging himself with a 30-40 cm towel tied to his cell door’s bars. He was found sitting with his legs extended, and CCTV footage shows no one entered his cell except staff delivering medication. Joe Ferrari had been held in solitary and protective confinement at his request for two months after conflicts with other inmates stemming from his prior prominence and being a target of other prisoners. He had also previously accused prison staff of assaulting him in January, resulting in bruised ribs. Former police chief Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphone was sentenced to death, later commuted to life, for murdering a drug suspect in custody by suffocating him with a plastic bag at Nakhon Sawan police in August last year. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/09/former-police-chief-joe-ferrari-found-dead-in-prison-cell-authorities-suspect-death-by-suicide/

G-Zone Massage (formerly Natural Massage) on Soi 6 has closed. A non-member tells me that some individuals with experience in the business are weighing the possibility of renting the premises and opening a new shop.

I acknowledged that Moses’ interpretation was correct. As this comes from an individual who has a history of posting antisemitic remarks, I believe it’s he who owns the reputation as a clown.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon BANGKOK, Thailand – The British embassy held a party at the British Club in Bangkok to commemorate the so-called Bowring treaty of 1855 which established consular jurisdiction for British nationals in Thailand. Signed between Sir John Bowring, the colonial governor of Hong Kong and Siamese plenipotentiaries, the treaty also gave British subjects the right to live permanently in Bangkok and to enjoy multilateral trade liberalization with agreed tariffs on imports and exports. The party was attended by 200 invitees and was hosted by deputy head of mission Dave Thomas and head of consular services Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin. Mr Thomas said that official Anglo-Siamese relations were now 170 years old, even though British traders and the East India Company had been visiting Siam since the early 17th century. He added that the treaty survived until the first world war and was a model for other Siamese deals with European nations as well as the United States. Mrs Finnamore-Crorkin said that 2024 was a record year for consular assistance work in Thailand. There were over 2,000 cases of distress, including arrests, detentions and deaths, as well as a similar number of notarial (documentary) services and over 600 emergency travel documents issued. She also revealed that just over one million British visitors entered Thailand during 2024, including 99,687 “residents” mainly in Bangkok and tourist-orientated provinces. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/british-embassy-celebrates-thai-diplomacy-and-updates-statistics-493079

You may well be correct about interpretation. However, the greatest danger is the transport of lithium batteries in checked luggage. From CNN TSA battery rules can be confusing, and summer travel often means long days for both you and your electronics — especially if you’re delayed. If you’re in the market for travel gear, the best way to keep your devices charged is by using a power bank. But it can be tough to figure out what kind of mobile chargers fit within the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Aviation Administration’s rules so they aren’t taken away at the security checkpoint. All battery packs face very strict guidelines for air travel. Lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries and portable batteries that contain lithium-ion can only be packed in carry-on baggage. They’re limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. With airline approval, you can bring two larger spare batteries (up to 160 Wh). https://edition.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel/tsa-battery-rules

From The Nation The first 7-Eleven convenience store in Luang Prabang, Laos, has received a positive response from both residents and tourists, according to its operator, CP ALL. Chairoj Tiwatmuncharoen, Senior Vice President of CP ALL, said the 7-Eleven LPB PHOSY branch was officially opened on Thursday and is operated by its subsidiary, CP ALL Laos. Viengthong Hatsachanh, Mayor of Luang Prabang, presided over the opening ceremony of the store, highlighting the city's worldwide acclaim as a premier tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. “Luang Prabang presents strong potential for business expansion, thanks to its rich natural, cultural, and historical attractions,” Chairoj said. He also highlighted the city's well-developed transportation infrastructure, including an international airport and a high-speed railway, which enhances its accessibility for both domestic and international visitors. https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40047122

From Reuters As U.S. President Donald Trump's new trade tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada kick off, sparking another trade war, countries in Asia's complex and integrated global supply chain are in the crosshairs. The following graphics illustrate Asia's exposure to U.S. tariffs on China and the escalating trade war, which is set to impact exports and growth in the region. Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand are the most exposed to increased U.S. tariffs due to their high export-to-GDP ratios with the United States. With Trump proposing tariffs targeting sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, steel, and aluminium, Nomura expects over a quarter of exports from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan could be affected. Continues at https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/asian-countries-cross-hairs-trump-tariffs-2025-03-06/

NOTE — The article does not specify whether the power banks are banned in checked baggage only which is common with many international carriers. The illustration on Thai FB page appears to Indicate that they’re banned in cabin, also. From Pattaya News Thai Airways announced a ban on charging power banks during flights to enhance passenger safety. The new regulation will take effect starting March 15th, 2025. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, Thai Airways stated, “Thai Airways Implements Power Bank Regulations for Passenger Safety. Following incidents of in-flight fires on international airlines, suspected to be linked to power bank usage, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has introduced new safety measures. Effective March 15, 2025, the use of power banks will be prohibited while onboard the aircraft. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/07/thai-airways-bans-power-bank-charging-on-all-flights-from-march-15th/