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From the Associated Press By YUCHENG TANG BANGKOK (AP) — Xinyu Wen traveled to Thailand in June, planning a two-week vacation around Bangkok's Pride parade. Instead, the 28-year-old stayed a month and a half, as her experience at the parade gave rise to discussions and discoveries in the Thai capital's thriving LBGTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ people from China, frequently scorned and ostracized at home, are coming to Thailand in droves, drawn by the freedom to be themselves. When Wen walked along the parade on the streets in Bangkok, “I felt like I was in a big party or a huge amusement park. We could forget all upsetting things and feel fun-filled,” she said. Bangkok is only a 5-hour flight from Beijing, and Thailand’s tourism authorities actively promote its status as among the most open to LGBTQ+ people in the region. Wen got interested in Thailand when her friend sent her a photo of rainbow-colored, Pride-themed ice cream being sold on the streets. “I wanted to go to Thailand to take a look,” she said. Wen describes herself as queer, which she says means that her partners can be any gender and she can be any gender. At home, Wen said she regularly gets judgmental stares on the street for wearing her hair short like a man’s, and was once asked by her barber: “What happened to your life?” But at the Bangkok Pride parade in June, Wen noticed people confidently wore what they wanted. She was excited to be able to express herself publicly and finally drop her guard. More than that, she said she was also impressed by the protest element to the event, in which people carried signs written in traditional Chinese with slogans like “China has no LGBTQ” and “Freedom is what we deserve.” “I felt a mixed feeling, touched but sad,” she said. Ahead of her trip, she read up on the situation in Thailand, finding reports that showed there is still widespread discrimination, especially in the workplace. Thailand does not recognize same-sex unions or marriages, which also means they're barred from adopting children, and other legal processes that straight couples have access to. Wen arrived at the parade somewhat skeptical. But she ended up finding it empowering. “Although I initially had a critical attitude toward the parade in Bangkok because discrimination against LGBTQ individuals hasn't disappeared, I still felt inspired because the neglected groups and the suppressed feelings matter here.” Owen Zhu, a gay real estate agent in Bangkok who sells houses to Chinese clients, said many are also coming to stay. He estimated some 2/3 of his clients are LGBTQ+, many of whom buy apartments to live in part- or full-time. “Among Chinese gay people, Thailand is called gay’s heaven,” he said, noting that there are many chat groups where gay men from China coordinate trips to Thailand and share information about parties and tickets to events.

Knew it wouldn't take you long to pick up on that. 🙂

From Thai PBS World Phat Kraphao is the most basic dish available at most street food stalls. It is sometimes called the “thoughtless” dish, for people who have no idea what to order and now it has topped the “Best Stir-Fries in the World 2023” list, released by TasteAtlas.com today (Saturday). Another favourite, Pad Thai, was placed 8th with a score of 4.4, while Phat Kraphao scored 4.8. South Korea’s Dak Galbi comes second with 4.7. Other Thai dishes which made it into the top 50 were Phat Si-io (4.3), Khua Kling (4.2) and stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts (3.7). The website features recipes and food reviews from critics around the world. It said that Phat Kraphao is the fourth most commonly ordered dish by foreigners in Thailand. According to the TasteAtlas.com description of Phat Kraphao “this traditional Thai stir-fry combines minced meat or seafood with holy basil and various other ingredients, such as shallots, garlic and chili peppers. The dish is flavoured with soy sauce, sugar and fish sauce and typically comes served with rice, a fried egg and fish sauce on the side.”

From CNN Travel It was around sunset on Sunday 3 September in Paros, a popular holiday island in Greece's Cycladic region. A crowd of around 50 were gathered on Parikia beach, close to the island's main port. Behind them, the sky blazed a deep orange over the azure sea. On one side, an iconic Cycladic windmill stood stark against the horizon. On the other, a strip of sun loungers belonging to a beach bar stretched out along the sand. Even if you've never visited Greece, parts of this scene probably sound familiar. However, on this day, there were also a few unusual details. Three of the attendees were holding up a huge sign saying, "Reclaim the Beach". A man with a loudspeaker stood next to them. As the audience watched, he read parts of the Greek constitution aloud, which states that beaches and other natural areas belong to the country's citizens. The protest was part of a campaign that media has dubbed the "beach towel revolt", whereby locals are seeking free access to beaches that have been taken over by beach bars and other businesses offering exorbitantly priced sun loungers and umbrellas. While the movement started in Paros, it has now spread all over Greece and even to neighbouring Turkey, with campaigners demanding space to lay down their towels for free. The protests began on Paros in May 2023 when a group of residents, who were already regularly meeting to talk about environmental issues on the island, began discussing how the spots where people can freely swim and sunbathe (without being forced to pay for a sun lounger) were becoming ever scarcer. It’s one symptom of how the island is increasingly catering to tourists at the expense of locals. Beach-side businesses that erect loungers and umbrellas must apply for licences from the Greek finance minister to use designated parts of the beach. Checks are meant to be carried out regularly to ensure they are not taking up more space than their licences allow. However, protestors allege that these checks are rarely – if ever – carried out. As a result, free spots for towels are now few and far between. Continues https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230912-what-to-know-about-the-beach-towel-revolt-taking-back-greek-beaches

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The news that Britain’s old age pensioners are scheduled to receive an 8.5 percent increase next April, on top of 10.2 percent this year, has staggered foreign expats. Many had their entitlement frozen from the date ceased to be “ordinarily resident” in UK. There are about 500,000 British expats living abroad who are denied annual increases, mostly living in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. But the rule applies to Thailand too. The good news for British-based seniors only is based on the triple lock policy which means that the annual increase in the state pension is the highest of average earnings, inflation or 2.5 percent. Since the decline of Covid, there have been substantial worker settlements in Britain to counter inflation which have resulted in a higher-than-expected average wage. For those receiving the new flat-rate pension, going to those who reached retirement age after April 2016, the total for the year is fast approaching 12,000 pounds. It is well known that there are no rational grounds for uprating the state pensions of those expats caught in the freezing process. They paid national insurance in their working lives and should be covered. Although the British government sometimes talks about “reciprocal agreements” there is no sensible rationale why British pensioners living in Turkey or Serbia or parts of the Caribbean should receive increases when those in Thailand do not. The stark reality is a postal lottery pure and simple. The British Department of Work and Pensions in July 2023 published data which likely explain the political resistance and indifference. The report claims that the cost of uprating the state pension in frozen countries-rate countries is around 4,590 million pounds in the five-year time slot 2023 to 2028. Whilst this is not in fact a huge sum in overall pension expenditure terms, it is designed to be the definitive “sorry folks” argument. Meanwhile, there is a division in the Conservative government whether even the trip-lock should continue as Britain lurches in its post-Brexit financial agony. The main lobby group in Thailand is End Frozen Pensions Asia (Thailand Branch) which is easily found on Facebook and has a useful chat describing members’ campaigning activities. Local Brits feeling aggrieved by the lack of political will in UK to resolve the blatant discrimination should support this non-profitmaking pressure group. And yes, it’s likely to be a long haul.

From The Nation Pita Limjaroenrat resigned as Move Forward Party leader on Friday, relinquishing his chance of becoming opposition leader. Pita explained in a Facebook post that he was forced to quit after being suspended as an MP pending the Constitutional Court ruling in his media shareholding case. He also pointed out that Move Forward was forced into opposition despite gaining the most votes in the May 14 election. Pita said he decided to quit as party chief after talks with his party's executive committee and MPs. He added that Move Forward must lead the opposition in Parliament to promote change in Thailand, which is not part of government policies. "Hence, I have decided to resign as Move Forward leader to allow the party to choose an MP who is able to become opposition leader in Parliament and party leader in my stead," he said. He also vowed to contine to do his best for Move Forward and the people in order to drive forward reform in Thailand.

The Republic of Kazakhstan has now been added along with China to the nations eligible for visa exemption. Tourism ministry expect to receive 130,000 tourists from the country, an increase of 50% over last year.

According to Wikipedia, Fidelity has $10.4 trillion under administration. You don't acquire that investor confidence being wrong very often. I'm a long-time Berkshire Hathaway enthusiast. Buffett's annual reports are one of the most anticipated events in the industry because he eschews incomprehensible an mind-numbing boilerplate language and tells his investors just what happened to their holdings in plain talk. There's nothing he recommends more than taking the long-term view (20-plus years). When his class A share first opened 43 years ago, they did so at under under $300. Yesterday they closed at over $551,000. Btw, the largest chunk of his portfolio today is in Apple. But when you have a Dairy Queen blizzard, or pull on your Fruit of the Looms, you're partaking in a company fully owned by Berkshire. And he still has about $147 billion cash on hand, looking for value investment opportunities. Let's hope we're around in 20 years to find out who was right. 🙂

Fidelity Investments, one of the US's leading brokerage houses that specializes in retirement planning, has published an interesting chart of growth projections for some developed and developing economies. Surprisingly, three southeast Asian nations rank just behind India that tops the list.

From CNN A Georgia judge shut down the effort by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to have all 19 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, to be tried together in October in the Georgia election subversion case. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee announced Thursday that Trump and 16 co-defendants will move forward on their own schedule, with a trial date yet be announced. The two remaining co-defendants, Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, sought speedy trials and are scheduled to begin in October. Thursday’s order is a victory for Trump and his fellow co-defendants who did not want to go to trial this October. The schedule laid out by the judge only cemented some of the steps in the pre-trial process, setting up the possibility that the trial itself does not happen until well into 2024, or even later. Trump’s legal calendar during the first half of next year is already clogged with plans for trials in the other criminal cases he faces, and he is juggling those proceedings with his 2024 presidential run. https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/politics/trump-georgia-trial-date/index.html

From The Thaiger Chiang Mai Airport is set to table its expansion proposal to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his scheduled visit this weekend. The airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaitiam, revealed that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is set to spearhead the construction of the terminal’s first phase. The extension plan is aimed at significantly increasing the airport’s capacity, allowing it to accommodate over 16.5 million travellers annually, a huge leap from the current eight million. The airport also intends to ramp up its flight operations to 30 flights per hour, effectively doubling its existing capacity. Wijit also noted that the airport’s operating hours would be extended to operate 24 hours a day. This is to facilitate a higher frequency of international flights, especially those originating from Europe.

From Thai PBS World Suspect held 1,544 state construction projects Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok, operates two construction firms, P. Phatanarungrod and P. Raweekanok, which have won contracts in 1,544 construction projects in 11 provinces combined. These contracts have been worth 7 billion baht since 2011, according to police investigation reports. Praween, former head of Ta Kong sub-district in Mueang district of Nakhon Pathom province, is currently being held in police custody for the alleged murder of a highway police officer and wounding another at his house on September 6th, after one of the victims declined his request for the promotion of one of his men. Several state agencies, among them the Department of Special Investigation, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Revenue Department and the Central Investigation Bureau are investigating Praween’s vast construction business, to determine whether the contracts with state and local agencies were won through price collusion or the intimidation of competitors.

From Thai PBS World Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward party, who almost became Thailand’s 30th prime minister, has been included on Time magazine’s “TIME100 Next” list for 2023. Pita is the only Thai listed by the US-based magazine among leaders whom they identify as shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership. The list is divided into five categories: Artists, Phenoms, Innovators, Advocates and Leaders. “The only thing more stunning than Pita Limjaroenrat’s election victory was the radical agenda he ran on to achieve it,” according to Time’s Charlie Campbell. The Harvard graduate’s upstart Move Forward Party secured 38% of the votes in Thailand’s May 14th polls, by promising to bridle the nation’s armed forces and the revered royal institution, scrapping its controversial royal-defamation law and ending military conscription. “But the byzantine nature of Thai democracy means Pita’s path to power has been blocked by an unelected Senate and a flurry of legal challenges,” wrote Campbell. Pita said his political awakening began in New Zealand, where he was sent to school as a young man. Today, the father of one may not be prime minister at his first attempt, but the reformist movement he leads promises to keep building momentum, especially among young Thais. “I’m proud of what we have achieved,” Pita says. “We can do a lot more to provide checks and balances in parliament and speak on behalf of the people.” Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party, the predecessor of Move Forward, made the list in the same category in 2019.

From VN Express Fifty-six people died and 37 were injured in a fire at an apartment block in Hanoi late Tuesday evening. Of the 56 bodies, 36 have been identified. Most victims were dead on scene while others succumbed in hospitals. Hanoi police on Wednesday afternoon arrested the building owner Nghiem Quang Minh, 44, to investigate whether he violated fire safety regulations. The fire broke out at around 11 p.m. Tuesday at a 10-story house divided into rooms for rent for more than 40 families in an alley off Khuong Ha Street in Thanh Xuan District. This is the fire with the largest number of casualties in recent years in Vietnam. In September 2022, a fire at a karaoke bar in Binh Duong left 32 people dead. In November 2016, a karaoke bar in Hanoi’s Cau Giay District caught fire and spread to three neighboring houses, killing 13. Continues with photos and videos. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/hanoi-apartment-fire-kills-56-4652943.html

Good question. A careful reading of the following press release from the US Attorney's office provides the clue. It appears that the family understood it was the wise thing to do under the circumstances. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-return-significant-collection-antiquities-cambodia

There's always the option of getting the 60-day visa and extending it for an additional 30 days as currently allowed.

From The Art Newspaper Three of the ancient heads from Angkor Wat being returned to Cambodia Courtesy United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Priceless antiquities that were looted from the historic Khmer sites of Koh Ker and Angkor Wat will be repatriated to Cambodia after officials from the US Attorney’s Office for the New York’s southern district and the Department of Homeland Security turned the 33 objects over to Cambodian officials on 11 September. The objects had all belonged to the late collector George Lindemann, who died in 2018, and whose family voluntarily turned the artefacts over to authorities. The objects being repatriated date from the tenth century to the 12th century, and include a reclining figure of Vishnu with Lakshmi that was taken from the Krachap temple at Koh Ker (the Khmer kingdom’s capital), a monumental sculpture of the seated figure of Dhrishtadyumna also from Koh Ker and six heads of demonic and angelic figures that were taken off a gate in the Angkor Wat complex. The US Attorney’s Office for the southern district of New York has now assisted in the return of 65 Cambodian antiquities since 2012; the latest repatriation follows the renewal, on 30 August, of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Cambodian governments regarding cultural patrimony, which was first signed in 2003.

From Thailand News Agency Thailand Offers Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists BANGKOK, Sept 13 (TNA) – The Cabinet has approved 10 tourism measures, including visa-free entry for Chinese tourists from the end of September. The temporary visa waivers for travelers from China and Kazakhstan will be in effect from September 25, 2023 until February 29, 2024. Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong said that the Cabinet meeting approved these 10 tourism measures to serve as quick-win strategies to expedite tangible results. It is expected that in the year 2023, Thailand will attract 28 million foreign tourists, generating revenue of 1.4 trillion baht. Furthermore, in 2024, the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand is projected to reach 40 million. The tourism promotion measures include: 1. Exemption of visa requirements for Chinese and Kazakh tourists. 2. Ensuring the safety of tourists both centrally and regionally to build confidence in traveling to Thailand. 3. Public relations campaigns through the production of films and the involvement of celebrities, artists, and inspirational figures to draw more tourists to Thailand. 4. The prime minister and the Thailand’s team traveling abroad to showcase and visit target countries to promote tourism. 5. Attracting new groups of tourists and expanding into potential Chinese provinces. 6. Developing tourism destinations to meet international standards and create uniqueness, attracting tourists to various regions of Thailand. 7. Promoting year-round tourist attractions, such as the Loy Krathong Festival, to a global level, encouraging tourists worldwide to participate. 8. Creating attractive tour packages in collaboration with hotels, restaurants, and airlines. 9. Elevating Thailand to become the center of entertainment in ASEAN, drawing global travelers. 10. Establishing a news reporting center, especially on social media, for significant events to provide immediate information to tourists. These measures aim to boost Thailand’s tourism industry and attract a significant number of international tourists in the coming years. (TNA)

A friend was passing by the new bar on Patpong 2 yesterday afternoon and spoke with a worker putting the final touches on the interior. He says owner hopes to have it open as early as this Saturday (9.16).

Why not? Beats having loved only yourself.

This will be a good test of new PM's clout. It's a given the Chinese will get 30-day exemption. If he can get 90-days for others before high season, it will help solidify his position early in his term.

Crimes like burglary and robbery that take place at night are generally considered more serious and incur much harsher penalties than those that take place during the day when homeowners are much less likely to be home. Charging and penalties vary in different jurisdictions.

From The Thaiger After a discussion with the Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, Thai Airways (THAI) is planning to increase its flights to China from 25 flights to 35 flights a week in response to the free visa policy for Chinese tourists. Srettha announced after the meeting with the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) that the government planned to extend temporary visa exemptions to Chinese tourists during Thailand’s high tourist season. The policy is expected to start from October 1 onwards, marking a first for Thailand in waiving visa requirements for Chinese visitors. The 61 year old Thai PM then discussed the policy with the Chief Executive Officer of the THAI, Chai Sri-iam, yesterday, September 11. Chai stated that the airline is pleased to cooperate with the government and would increase its flights to handle the increasing number of Chinese travellers. Chai reported that the airline had a plan to increase flights to China from 25 flights per week to 35 flights scheduled to officially be in effect on December 1 of this year. The expanded flight schedule encompasses the following details: Bangkok Beijing: Elevating from six to seven flights per week, starting December 1. Bangkok-Kunming: Elevating from three to seven flights per week, starting December 1. Bangkok-Chengdu: Elevating from two to seven flights per week, starting December 1. Bangkok-Shanghai: Maintaining 7 flights per week from October 29, 2023 to March 30, 2024. Bangkok-Guangzhou: Maintaining 7 flights per week from October 29, 2023 to March 30, 2024. According to the increasing number of flights to China, the airline also announced earlier that it planned to reintroduce nine domestic flights after its subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways, is going to be closed down and merged with THAI. The nine additional routes will connect Bangkok to nine provinces, including Krabi, Khon Kaen, Phuket, Narathiwas, Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Haad Yai, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani.

From Thailand News Agency BANGKOK, Sept 12 (TNA) – A transvestite has been arrested for drugging and robbing male victims across Bangkok. Preying on men, Mr. Apichart or Ping Ping used drugs to incapacitate them before robbing them of their possessions and vehicles. Some victims were subjected to physical harm while resisting the effects of the drugs. This wicked plan involved lacing Clonazepam pills into their drinks. Pol. Lt. Gen. Thiti Sangsawang, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau ordered a thorough investigation lasting over two months. The culprits were eventually apprehended while attempting to flee across border to a neighbouring country. The suspect confessed to commit the crimes 2-3 times a month and was found to work for a Taiwanese boss, who is the head of a call center gang, based in the neighbouring country. Authorities have charged the suspect with robbery during the nighttime. They have also confiscated several items, including six identity cards belonging to others, believed to be used for fraudulent purposes, six mobile phones, cash, and Clonazepam. (TNA)

Which I think will bring you great delight.