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I fondly recall the boy I'd called down from the stage many years ago at Xboys. Noticing that I'd finished my drink, he offered some of his perfectly mixed coke and ice. He turned out to be my most frequent--and expensive--dessert of the trip.

No doubt but more will go right.

From The Thaiger A crane collapse at a construction site within Srinakharinwirot University in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok resulted in the death of a Thai engineer and caused injuries to two Burmese workers. The crane operator fled the scene amid the tragedy. Thong Lor Police Station officers rushed to the construction site at 4pm yesterday together with the rescuers and medical professionals. The crane collapse occurred on the balcony on the third floor of an under-construction hall. On the balcony, officers found a broken crane toppled over 38 year old engineer Thitiphon Rattana-arpa. Although rescuers worked diligently to free him from beneath the crane and administer initial aid, tragically, Thitiphon succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The identities of the two injured Burmese workers have not been disclosed but they sustained minor injuries and were promptly taken to Police General Hospital for medical attention. The crane operator, responsible for the operation that ended in disaster, fled the scene immediately after the accident. Authorities are now questioning other workers to understand the root cause of the catastrophic event. According to initial reports, the crane was being used to transport a load of cement from the ground floor to the third-floor balcony when its cable suddenly snapped, leading to the fatal collapse onto Thitiphon.

From Thai PBS World Pol Col Wachira Yaothaisong, a superintendent at the Highway Police Division and the immediate superior to Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua, who was shot dead in Nakhon Pathom last week , shot himself at his residence in Pathum Thani province this afternoon (Monday). He is one of the 25 police officers, who were at the house of Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok” in Nakhon Pathom province last Wednesday night and who are under investigation following the murder of Sivakorn. Initial reports say that Pol Col Wachira with his service pistol. He was among a group of police officers who had rushed Sivakorn to a hospital in Nakhon Pathom after the shooting. ================= Pol Gen Torsak tipped to be new national police chief In a move, described as a win-win, deputy police commissioner Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote will be appointed National Security Council (NSC) chief, paving the way for Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol to become the new police commissioner, an informed source said today (Monday). Both Roy, the most senior deputy commissioner of the four, and Torsak, the second most senior, will reach their retirement age next September. If either of them is promoted to the top police post, replacing Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat who is due to retire at the end of this month, one of them will retire as the deputy commissioner. “It is likely that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will transfer Roy to be NSC chief and appoint Torsak as the new police commissioner,” the source said.

From The Thaiger Suvarnabhumi International Airport, governed by Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to soft-launch its Satellite 1 (SAT-1) terminal on September 28, following a successful full-scale trial involving 180 mock passengers and their luggage. The trial aimed to evaluate operations at both the SAT-1 satellite passenger terminal and the primary terminal, with Thai Airways offering assistance by supplying cabin crew and aircraft for the process. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the Director of Suvarnabhumi, stated that the trial encompassed a comprehensive operation involving aircraft, incoming and outgoing passengers, transfer passengers, baggage handling systems, and cargo operations. The Immigration Division 2, the Cargo Clearance Customs Bureau, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand and Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services were also present to oversee the operations, he added. Kittipong also revealed that two additional trials are scheduled for the coming days, with Thai AirAsia X and Worldwide Flight Services Bangkok Air Ground Handling Co Ltd conducting one on Tuesday, and Thai Vietjet conducting another on September 20. The latter trial is specifically designed for departing passengers on night flights. The director further elaborated that between September 28 and October 28, the SAT-1 terminal will be open to three airlines: Thai AirAsia X, VietJet Air, and Emirates, during the soft-opening phase. The new terminal is projected to be fully operational by December this year, ultimately providing a solution to reduce congestion at the main terminal. The SAT-1 terminal, which has a capacity of handling 15 million passengers annually, will enable Suvarnabhumi Airport to cater to up to 60 million passengers a year, marking a significant 33% increase. The terminal boasts 28 contact gates, with eight specifically designed to accommodate Code F aircraft (the double-decker A380 superjumbo jets) and the remaining 20 for Code E aircraft (Boeing B747s). The terminal’s four-storey facility spans a total floor area of 216,000 square metres, with two underground floors dedicated to hosting the Automated People Mover (APM) train system and other systems. The APM train system, designed to connect the SAT-1 and the existing passenger terminal, can accommodate 210 passengers per train, or roughly 6,000 passengers per hour. Each trip on the train, which has a maximum speed of 80kph, takes a mere three minutes, Kittikachorn added. The commencement of the SAT-1 terminal will eliminate the need for international passengers to take shuttle buses to their gates, boosting convenience and efficiency, reports Bangkok Post.

I've found that all three of the airlines I've flown post covid (Singapore, ANA and Cathay) arrived in BKK on time, and in one case early. The immigration queues were relatively short and the Air Train got to Silom in good time.

May the wind be at your back

Based on 21 years of experience in such matters, there's an 89.6% success rate in this category 🚀

From Pattaya News Pattaya City has come up with tougher regulations to address issues related to speedboat operators at Bali Hai Pier, including the introduction of standard ticket prices and the ban on “herding” guests. On Thursday, September 7th, the Pattaya City Council assembled to devise strategies for organizing and overseeing tour boat operators, following a violent altercation among operators vying for guests aboard a boat to Koh Larn from Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya. Most importantly, the city eventually ruled that from now on tour boat operators will be prohibited from approaching and herding tourists who are looking for a boat to Koh Larn. Essentially, they used the word herding to describe pressure selling customers to speed boats versus allowing customers to approach a ticket queue. To tackle confusing ticket fares, the council has also established fixed and standard ticket prices for boat trips to Koh Larn as follows: From Bali Hai Pier to Na Baan Pier: 150 baht for a one-way trip per person, 300 baht for a round-trip per person. From Bali Hai Pier to Tawaen Beach: 200 baht for a one-way trip per person, 300 baht for a round-trip per person. Boat charter prices: For 12 passengers with one-engine boat, the rate is set at 2,800 baht (up from 2,500 baht). For a two-engine boat, the rate is set at 4,500 baht. The operators have signed an agreement with the council to follow the above regulations at the meeting. Violation will lead to a suspension of business operations at the pier for 7 days for the first offense, 15 days for the second, and 1 month for the third.

From the Thaiger Free rides are on the horizon for Thailand’s Pink Line mass-transit system in November as announced on the government’s Thai Khu Fah Facebook page. The 34.5-kilometre monorail system is currently undergoing trial runs, a crucial step in the preparation phase before its official launch, as revealed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The Pink Line’s trial runs are divided into two phases, with the first phase covering the stretch from Min Buri station (PK30) in eastern Bangkok to the Government Complex (PK12). This initial phase will continue until October 22. The subsequent phase, which will encompass the entirety of the 30 stations, will run until November 19. These free ride trials were originally announced a month ago with a lead-up to opening the Pink Line full in November, but the launch appears to have been pushed back. Commuters can anticipate free rides on the Pink Line from around mid-November, serving as a one-month trial period before the tentative start of commercial operations on December 18. The Pink Line, providing a crucial link between Min Buri and Nonthaburi, includes interchange stations that facilitate transfers to and from the Purple Line, BTS’s Green Line, and the forthcoming Orange Line. In terms of capacity, the Pink Line will utilise the same monorail train model as the currently operating Yellow Line. Each train can consist of four to seven passenger carriages, with a total capacity of up to 28,000 passengers per hour. The proposed fare structure for the Pink Line indicates a starting tariff of 14 baht, capped at 42 baht. Adjustments to these fares will align with the consumer price index, ensuring affordability for commuters.

Think I'll continue wringing my hands. 🙂

They're not the nominees until next August when the convention decides the matter in Chicago. They are only the incumbents at this stage. Should Biden become incapacitated during his term of office, the constitution provides that the vice president assumes the office. But between now and the convention, others could still declare their candidacy for nomination. There's also still ample time for either incumbent to withdraw their name from consideration.

From Pattaya Mail On the evening of September 7, a massive fire erupted at the Four Regions Floating Market in Pattaya, quickly engulfing the market due to its primarily wooden structures. The fire left a path of destruction in its wake, particularly affecting the waterside restaurants and shops, resulting in substantial estimated damages reaching tens of millions of baht. Firefighting teams from Pattaya, along with more than 20 additional firefighting vehicles from neighboring districts, urgently assembled to battle the blaze. Moderate rainfall provided some relief, aiding in the firefighting efforts. After more than an hour, the fire began to subside but was not completely extinguished. Intensive efforts persisted to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further. It took four hours to finally bring the blaze under control. The total area of the Four Regions Floating Market encompasses approximately 19 rai (approximately 7.6 acres), with an estimated one rai (approximately 0.4 acres) affected, primarily within the zone housing restaurants and waterside shops. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, pending further investigation. The estimated damage is believed to be tens of millions of baht. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities, with only one minor injury due to smoke inhalation. Established in 2008 with an estimated budget of 100 million baht, the Four Regions Floating Market in Pattaya stands as a cultural tourism destination, providing insight into the traditional Thai riverside way of life. It features various attractions, including street food stalls, paddleboats, and cultural exhibitions representing the four regions of Thailand.

Size is a factor but I'd take a hard. standard issue Thai dick for a flaccid 8"+ one from anywhere, anytime.

Point taken. 🙂

The Dems are crazy if they don't have a plan B in place by now. The only one who can defeat the former president is another former president: Obama.

Or in some cases voted back in.

I applied for a 30-day visa on line and it was approved in six days. The fee was USD 25 and you can choose single or multiple entry. The process is relatively simple. Normally only documents you need to submit is a passport photo and a copy of your passport's data page. The rest is q & a. Be careful to provide accurate points of entry and departure from the drop-down menu. I've read that if you arrive or depart from different location it may slow up your entry or departure. https://immigration.gov.vn/

From Thai PBS World National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found 15 individuals, including former national police chief Somyot Poompanmuang and former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, guilty of involvement in changing the speed of the car driven by Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, to help him avoid speeding charges in the infamous hit-and-run incident in 2012. NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol told the media on Wednesday that they had reached a ruling, adding that the anti-graft watchdog’s ruling is not final and all the accused have the right to prove their innocence in court. Vorayuth was originally accused of driving his Ferrari at over 100kph when he crashed into a motorcycle, being ridden by a police officer, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert, on Sukhumvit Road in September 2012, killing him at the scene. Vorayuth was initially charged with speeding, but the car’s speed was eventually altered to under 80kph, so the speeding charge, which carries a higher penalty, was dropped. In 2020, all the charges against Vorayuth were dropped, mostly due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Fresh charges were, however, brought against him by the Office of the Attorney-General, but Vorayuth has been living abroad since shortly after the fatal incident. The other individual implicated by the NACC, Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob, was found to have committed an offence which is not serious and the case will have to be sent to the government for consideration of an appropriate penalty. ======== From Thai Enquirer Impunity for the rich and powerful undermines Thailand’s democracy Thailand is a country where the harmonious façade is deeply cherished yet the grim reality of unequal justice frequently breaks through. The saga of Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the Red Bull heir accused in a fatal 2012 hit-and-run incident, paints a vivid portrait of an entrenched system that seems to favor the wealthy elite at the expense of everyday citizens. The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s recent accusation of 15 officials for alleged misconduct in dropping charges against Vorayuth adds another layer to an already complex tapestry of injustice and corruption. The charges against Vorayuth, initially dropped in July 2020 but later reinstated following public outrage, exemplify a pattern of authority figures turning a blind eye to the crimes committed by the privileged. High-ranking officers such as former national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung and former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, among others, stand accused of bending the rules to favor the scion of one of Thailand’s wealthiest families. Although not all were accused of grave offenses, the message is clear: if you have the right connections, the law may not apply to you in the same way it does to others. Such actions tarnish not just the reputation of law enforcement agencies but corrode the very fabric of democracy. This isn’t a solitary case. Remember the infamous “Hi-So” crimes—cases involving high-society individuals who seem virtually untouchable? One glaring example is the case of Orachorn “Praewa” Devahastin Na Ayudhya, who at the age of 16 caused a fatal car crash that killed nine people. Despite the gravity of the accident, Praewa faced minimal consequences, leaving the victims’ families haunted by a haunting question: Is justice in Thailand only for those who can’t afford to evade it? Continues with audio https://www.thaienquirer.com/50663/impunity-for-the-rich-and-powerful-undermines-thailands-democracy/

Some carriers offer occasional reduced redemption mileage offers during low-volume periods, Singapore among them. A few weeks ago they were allowing for a reduction if you allowed them to choose your itinerary. You just picked point of departure and date. You need to be a member of carriers' frequent flyer program to receive the notices.

After all is said and done, workers from Laos are choosing to work in Thailand--and other paces--because they're industrious workers and can make a better living there. Among the factors that drove them to look elsewhere was runaway inflation, the fallout from the enormous debt service Laos pays to Chinese lenders, none of whom is Harold Wilson.

From VN Express National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines continues to increase flight frequency on routes to Europe, Australia, and China, thereby restoring nearly 90% of its pre-pandemic international flight network. From September 23, it will increase the frequency of flights between Hanoi and Beijing from three to four weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. At present, the airline is still operating one daily flight on the routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to China's Guangzhou and Shanghai. From October 29, 2023, Vietnam Airlines will increase the frequency simultaneously on many routes to Australia and Europe. The number of flights between Hanoi and Melbourne will increase from two to three weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. At the same time, the airline will launch a new direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Perth from December 7, 2023, with three round trips per week. Flights to the U.K. will increase from five to seven flights per week, including four from Hanoi on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays and three from Ho Chi Minh City on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. In addition, the route to Germany will have seven flights per week from the current six, with flights departing from Hanoi daily. Flights between Ho Chi Minh City and France will increase from three to four flights per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

From Pattaya News / NNT BANGKOK (NNT) – Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has confirmed that the military has outlined plans for an immediate reduction in military conscription quotas, in line with the new government’s policies. Minister Sutin, along with Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, held discussions on September 3 with incoming military leaders. The talks focused on the nation’s present situation, addressing pertinent issues, and exchanging the requirements and demands of each party involved. Both the government and military said they are in agreement on several policy objectives, including transitioning to a voluntary military service system. The two sides also discussed the military’s need for government support across various aspects. Emphasizing its proactive stance toward organizational improvements and alignment with government policies, the military said it is committed to keeping the government informed about any challenges that might take place in the future. When questioned about the timeline for these measures to take effect, Sutin indicated that tangible results would be noticeable without delay. Specifically, the transition to a voluntary military service system by April 2024 is expected to result in a significant reduction in military conscription quotas. Addressing concerns related to the excessive number of high-ranking officers, the defense minister noted that plans are in place to gradually reduce the overall size of the military.

From The Nation The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Ittipol Khunpluem, former Culture Minister and former mayor of Pattaya City, after he failed to report to the prosecutor following a court summons on Monday (September 4). Ittipol is accused of abuse of power for issuing an illegal construction permit to Bali Hai Co Ltd to build a luxury condominium at the base of Phra Tamnak Mountain in Pattaya City, Chonburi province in 2008 during his tenure as mayor of Pattaya City. On August 3, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General resolved to file charges against Ittipol and 9 others for taking part in the issuance of the permit and ordered them to report to the prosecutors on September 4. After Ittipol, the former Culture Minister in the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration from 2019 to 2023, failed to show up on Monday, the court decided to issue arrest warrants against him and some of his alleged accomplices who also failed to show, as it was believed they would flee. Born to a prominent political family in Chonburi, Ittipol, 49, served as the Mayor of Pattaya City from 2008 to 2016. His late father, Somchai, better known as Kamnan Poh, was a local politician who was dubbed the “Godfather of Chonburi” due to his high influence in the eastern province.