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My mother died when I was seven and we waked the body in the livingroom next to my bedroom. I assure you that she wasn't drunk.

A tip of the hat to PaulSF--perhaps the forum's premier fare watcher--for passing this news along. ------------------ From Etihad.com Four weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to the vibrant American city starting 31 March 2024 Boston becomes the airline's fourth destination in the United States, joining Chicago, New York and Washington, along with services to Toronto in Canada Exciting opportunities for American travellers to explore Abu Dhabi's cultural treasures and hospitality ABU DHABI, UAE – Etihad Airways is thrilled to announce its new destination in the United States, with four weekly flights to Boston commencing on 31 March 2024. This addition connects one of the United States’ most vibrant and dynamic cities to the ever-expanding Etihad network. "We are delighted to introduce flights to Boston, which opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from the American Northeast and across the United States," said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “We eagerly await welcoming guests to our extraordinary home as well as offering them access to our growing global network. As one of America's most culturally diverse and thriving cities, visitors from Abu Dhabi will relish exploring its rich heritage and experiencing Boston's renowned hospitality. Expanding US Gateway: This will be Etihad’s fourth US gateway, complementing services to Chicago, New York, and Washington, along with flights to Toronto in Canada. The addition of Boston further solidifies Etihad's commitment to providing passengers with enhanced connectivity between the United States and Abu Dhabi. In addition to providing nonstop access to the Boston market, Etihad will offer convenient connections to cities throughout North America through its partnership with JetBlue. This partnership allows travellers to enjoy a seamless and hassle-free travel experience, unlocking numerous travel possibilities across the continent. For American travellers, the new Boston route presents exciting opportunities to explore Abu Dhabi's cultural treasures and experience its renowned hospitality. From the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the opulent Louvre Abu Dhabi, the city offers a captivating blend of modernity and tradition. Wander through the bustling souks, savour the delectable Emirati cuisine, and immerse yourself in the warmth of Emirati hospitality. A Special Connection: Boston holds a special place in the hearts of many Emiratis who have studied there. Its prestigious universities and welcoming atmosphere have fostered lasting friendships and transformative experiences, making it a city deeply cherished by past and present Emirati students and their families. Abu Dhabi's significant investments in the healthcare and education sectors of Boston have fostered strong ties and collaborations in research and hospital development. Recognising Boston's status as a global healthcare and education hub, these initiatives have not only strengthened healthcare offerings in Boston but have also facilitated knowledge exchange and professional development for both regions. Through these partnerships, Abu Dhabi's commitment to advancing healthcare and education has cemented a valuable and enduring connection with Boston, driving progress and innovation in these vital fields. Etihad will operate flights to Boston four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, utilising its state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring the airline's acclaimed Business Studios and Economy Smart seats, providing guests with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience. Tickets Now Available: Tickets are now available for booking on etihad.com, offering travellers the opportunity to experience the world-class service and hospitality of Etihad on this exciting new route to Boston.

From Men's Health WHEN YOU’RE DEALING with erectile dysfunction, you usually have to make an appointment with your doctor to get treated. But, soon, you’ll be able to pick up medication at your local pharmacy without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration just granted over-the-counter sale marketing authorization for MED3000, a topical gel created to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The medication was developed by U.K.-based Futura Medical and will be the first topical OTC treatment for ED that’s available in the U.S. without a prescription, according to a news release. “Over-the-counter medications play a significant role in providing accessible and convenient treatment for a wide range of common health conditions—with erectile dysfunction being a very common condition,” says Amy Pearlman, M.D., a Miami-based board-certified urologist specializing in male sexual and hormonal health and co-founder of the Prime Institute. Eroxon, the brand name for MED3000, is currently available in Belgium and the U.K. It claims to “help you get an erection within 10 minutes.” But, even with the OTC medication available, it’s still a good idea to see your doctor, Dr. Pearlman says. ED can sometimes signal an underlying medical problem, like heart disease or diabetes, that needs to be treated separately. Here are five things to know about the new topical gel and how it can help if you’re struggling to get an erection: 1. It Targets the Problem and Works Quickly. Being a topical means MED3000 targets your penis directly and offers a “quick onset of action,” Dr. Pearlman says. “People love spontaneity when it comes to having sex. MED3000’s 10-minute onset of action may be a game-changer when it comes to optimizing spontaneity.” Oral medications, like Viagra and Cialis, which require a prescription and are commonly used to treat ED, can take 30 minutes to take effect, she adds. Injections take less time to work, but they’re invasive and might deter men from using them. 2. Side Effects Are Minimal. Topicals tend to have a lower risk of side effects compared to oral medications, Dr. Pearlman says. Clinical trials for MED3000 found minimal side effects. There were some reports of headaches and nausea, however. No side effects were reported in sexual partners. Oral ED medications are generally well-tolerated, Dr. Pearlman says. But, some side effects, including flushing, heartburn, sinus congestion, and headaches, might prevent some men from taking them even though they work well. 3. You Should Still See Your Doctor. The OTC gel for ED will help you get relief quickly. But, keep in mind that ED might signal an underlying medical problem, like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone, or sleep apnea. “The penis is often considered a barometer of overall health,” Dr. Pearlman says. “When men present to a healthcare provider with erectile dysfunction concerns, it allows the healthcare provider to evaluate the man for other health conditions.” She recommends trying MED3000 while waiting for a doctor’s appointment, which can take time. But, you should still see your doctor to discuss other health issues. 4. It’s Most Beneficial When You're Healthy. For any ED treatment, you’ll benefit most when you’re generally healthy overall. That means eating healthy foods, exercising, getting good sleep, limiting stress, and treating other health conditions that might cause ED, like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and low testosterone, Dr. Pearlman says. That’s why it’s always good to talk to your doctor about ED. 5. It’s Unclear When It'll Be Available. It might be a while before MED3000 is available at your local pharmacy. A spokesperson from Futura Medical said they’re still working out the details on a specific timeframe for the U.S. release and price tag for the OTC treatment for ED. “We are currently in discussions with potential commercialization partners,” the representative said. Dr. Pearlman says the availability of an easy-to-access treatment for men dealing with ED is welcome news. “As a specialist in male sexual health, I am excited to learn more about this therapy and delve into the research to better understand its safety and effectiveness, as well as which men may benefit from its use,” she says.

From Philippine Daily Inquirer / The Nation Some of the most basic superstitions include not going home straight away and covering all the mirrors in the place the wake is being held Filipino superstitions can be a big deal. No matter what belief system people adhere to and where they live, Filipinos can be an awfully superstitious bunch. All sorts of beliefs and practices have been passed down since time immemorial. Some of them are still practised widely today - and some of us may not even know their superstitions to begin with. There are all sorts of superstitions people practice in daily life, but the more important superstitions (that can be a big deal for the older generation) usually pertain to big life events. Births, weddings, birthdays, and certain holidays have important practices tied to them—and those practices don’t just stop when someone’s passed. Superstitions surrounding death are especially interesting and commonly practised by Filipinos around the world. Even during pre-Hispanic times, our ancestors have already cultivated their own set of beliefs. Those beliefs have ended up blending into the Christian narrative the Spaniards introduced, which makes for some pretty interesting superstitions. Here are some of a few interesting Filipino superstitions surrounding death that are still practised today. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40030183

From The Nation Notorious Arab motorbike riders were forced to cancel their road-racing plans after some 200 policemen and Interior Ministry officials were deployed to keep law and order on Pattaya roads late on Saturday night. Officers from Pattaya Police Station and officials from Chonburi provincial administration were deployed to check the roads and sois where local residents have complained about road racing and the blocking of traffic by Arab youngsters, mostly tourists from Kuwait. Interior Ministry officials also joined the operation. Most of the riders parked their motorbikes on the roadside as soon as they saw the officials approaching. Some, however, were defiant and continued riding their bikes, only to be stopped and fined for violating traffic laws. The officials did not arrest those who had parked their bikes, but they were interrogated and found to be mostly Kuwaiti teenagers. Police said the interrogation of some 200 youngsters continued into the early hours of Sunday. Last week, Pattaya police held a meeting with other agencies concerned to discuss measures to prevent road racing, which has become popular among Arab tourists but is making life difficult for local people. Motorbike rental companies have been warned to strictly check the identification particulars of tourists and their driving licences before renting out bikes.

From Thai PBS World King’s third son, Dr. Chakriwat, joins elder brother in Bangkok His Majesty the King’s third son, Dr. Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, is currently in Bangkok to join his elder brother, Vacharaesorn, who has decided to extend his stay in Thailand. According to a Facebook post by Wassana Nanuam, a senior reporter at the Bangkok Post, this is the first time that the two brothers have been in Thailand after 27 years of living abroad. Dr. Chakriwat has long desired to visit Thailand, to pay respects to his great grandmother, the late Princess Mother Srinagarindra, for being his inspiration to study medicine in order to help the poor, and to pay respects to his grandfather, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. According to Wassana’s post, the two brothers visited Ayutthaya province yesterday (Saturday) and today they went to Siriraj Hospital to pay their respects to the statues of Prince Mahidol and the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Chakriwat and Vacharaesorn, two of four sons born to HM the King and his former consort Sujarinee, will return to the United States together. According to the Chakriwat Medical Information Centre, Chakriwat wrote that his desire to become a physician grew out of his own personal experience as a patient. When he was a teenager, he noticed a lump on the side of his neck and his doctor had it removed and biopsied. He was subsequently diagnosed with Type II Neurofibromatosis. The lifelong course of treatment has included multiple surgeries and repeated radiotherapy. He wrote that as he researched his condition, to understand what was happening to his body, his desire to enter the medical profession grew. “My condition became a motivating factor in my life and served as the foundation for an enthusiastic pursuit of a career in medicine,” he wrote.

You should have "https://www.gayguides.com/forums/" in your browser window. An "s" (for secure) should appear after "http".

I said it over five years ago and several times since: trip and venue reports are the meat and potatoes of this forum. But readers also repeatedly show their appetite for controversy. On July 27 I posted this is the "I went to dream boys last night and drinks price is horrendous" thread: "The most popular posts within the forum invariably relate to trip reports and venue reports. Readers have also displayed a taste for controversy, Take this thread, for example. Although it was started only a few months ago, it's attracted 5.3k views and received 132 replies. (And those numbers only count views by logged on members; not the many many non-members who view the site)." In the three weeks since then, that thread has gone on to log 7.2 thousand views and 167 replies. That is one of the great benefits of this forum: members--for whatever reason--pick up one theme and feel free to run with it. Sure, it soon gets off topic but opinions and information are exchanged in the process. I post a lot of stuff I understand has limited interest to those seeking only sex-related information. I look for items in Thai politics, crime and generalized Southeast Asia travel and current events. Those without interest simply pass it by. I believe that's how it's suppose to work. But there still plenty of posts here for those who want their meat and potatoes without appetizer or dessert. 🙂

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya, Thailand – The image of Pattaya as a secure tourist haven was marred on August 11 when the Tourist Police swiftly responded to reports of a violent altercation involving an Indian tourist and a group of transvestites. The incident transpired near the Baywalk shopping mall on the bustling Pattaya Beach Road. As the Tourist Police arrived at the scene, they were met with a disconcerting scene where a clash had unfolded between the group of transvestites and Ankit Tibrewal, a 39-year-old Indian tourist. Tibrewal bore visible wounds, including a bleeding mouth injury and a head trauma consistent with blunt force. His shirt was stained with blood, and he suffered scrapes and bruises on his arms and hands. According to Tibrewal, the disagreement with the group of transvestites had ignited while he was walking to his hotel along Beach Road when he was accosted by a group of transvestites. He thought that one of them had taken his mobile phone during physical contact and asked for it back. This simple request spiraled into a heated argument, culminating in a physical altercation. Following statements from both sides at the police station, authorities offered to transport Tibrewal to a local hospital for medical assessment and treatment. However, he courteously declined the offer, opting to return to his hotel instead. The police respected his decision and provided him with an escort. In parallel, the transvestite group embroiled in the altercation exhibited a lack of cooperation, expressing their intention to file grievances against Tibrewal. Adding complexity, their demeanor turned confrontational during the reporting process, as they brandished their phones and cameras to intimidate journalists present at the scene. Law enforcement seized the opportunity to educate both parties about the legal implications of such confrontations and highlighted the paramount importance of upholding tranquility in a prominent tourist hub like Pattaya. Officers clarified that altercations of this nature could result in penalties for all parties involved. Consequently, the transvestite group chose to disperse, defusing the situation and averting further escalation.

Business in Bangkok's gay venues is reportedly unseasonably low and a good portion of that downturn is being attributed to the absence of tourists from China. The continued failure of major Chinese air carriers to resume international service is seen as a significant factor. From The Thaiger In the wake of China’s announcement to allow tour groups to visit Japan and several other nations for the first time since 2020, Thailand’s tourism industry braces itself for a sharp fall in Chinese tourists. This drop is in part caused by ongoing visa application challenges, in spite of the government’s efforts to simplify the process. This recent development comes as China finally moves to lift previously imposed Covid-19 travel restrictions on tour groups. Aside from Japan, other countries including the US, South Korea, and Australia can accept Chinese tour groups. In addition, China has expressed the desire for Japan to consider a visa waiver for Chinese citizens. The honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), Adith Chairattananon, expressed the potential lure of simplifying the visa application process could be for drawing tourists at a time when competitors are welcoming tour groups. Despite the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s attempts to streamline the necessary paperwork for Chinese tourist visas and shorten the approval procedure to seven days, a comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate these market shifts remains vague. Holding on to his apprehensions, Adith, cannot predict confidently that Thailand will attract 5 million Chinese visitors this year given the minimal growth in the number of tour groups since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. In terms of daily visiting Chinese tourists, the numbers are significantly lower than back in 2019 when over 10,000 tourists entered Thailand per day. To ramp up the tourist volume, Atta proposes a temporary hiatus on tourist visa fees for a few months, reported Bangkok Post. Operators in the primary tourist city, Chiang Mai, eagerly anticipate an influx of Chinese visitors to bolster their businesses, particularly smaller establishments like hotels, bus services, and certain restaurants catering to larger groups. These operators previously hosted a significant number of Chinese tourists, with Chiang Mai reporting more than 120,000 Chinese visitors since the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, persistent visa hurdles diminish Thailand’s appeal. Per the Thai Hotels Association’s survey of 91 accommodation facilities, nearly 70% anticipate Chinese customers to recover only to fewer than 40% of 2019’s figures in the fourth quarter. However, Nok Air’s chief executive, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, notes optimistic signs of higher demand from Chinese tourists for Thailand compared to Japan due to the lower cost of living. The airline plans to resume flights to an additional four cities by September’s end, in time for China’s Golden Week holiday in October, to cater to the skyrocketing demand, given the currently limited seating capacity.

About 18 or so years ago during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, police raided the Babylon Sauna at the height of its popularity. It wasn't exactly done in secret because TV news vans and cameras lined Nantha rd. and the event received wide publicity. I happened to be in bkk at the time but luckily missed being there on that evening. It pleased many of Thaksin's supporters, particularly those from his hometown in Chiang Mai. Although Babs was soon back in business, the raid had sent a political message: be careful what you hope for.

From The Thaiger Online fraudsters prompt call for halt on unauthorised bank transactions The Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) strongly urged banks to halt unauthorised transactions following a request by their customers. This suggests an effort to mitigate the financial damages inflicted by online fraudsters on unsuspecting victims. The directive comes in light of the recent enactment of the Royal Decree on Cyber Crime Prevention and Suppression, which came into effect on March 17. The new regulation grants banking institutions the authority to suspend accounts that are suspected to be conduits of online fraudsters. Importantly, this action can be taken without requiring an official order by law enforcement agencies or the affected clients. Hence, DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn highlighted the need for banks to devise mechanisms that aid clients who seemingly have been the victims of scamming. His admonition arrived following the unsettling account narrated by noted TV news anchor Paweenamai Baikhloi, who spoke about losing over 1 million baht to online fraudsters who posed as officials from the Department of Land. Confirming these details, Paweenamai submitted her complaint to the Phasi Charoen Police on August 9. According to her account, she was approached by the scammer on Line, which is widely used by Thais for potential fraud because of its anonymity. The perpetrator claimed to be an official who needed to verify her tax details. The scammer was able to extract private information from her after stating the particulars of the land she owned. Despite successfully fooling her at first, the online fraudsters raised Paweenamai’s suspicions after instructing her to open a link and download a file, which he portrayed as the Department of Land’s official application. Although she then ceased to comply with their instructions, the criminals by then had emptied her three bank accounts of over 1 million baht, reported Bangkok Post. Narrating the ordeal, she revealed that upon realising her predicament, her bank initially rejected her plea to freeze her accounts. She was told that only a police complaint could precipitate such action. By the time she managed to gather all the necessary documents, a devastatingly colossal six hours had passed, and the online fraudsters had already deprived her of the funds. DES Minister Chaiwut cautioned everyone not to hit any dubious links shared via Line chat by these online fraudsters, especially if urged by unknown people masquerading as public agency workers. He reminded that all government departments have been asked not to directly contact their patrons via personal calls. He further advised individuals to stay informed about the correct websites or software applications of public agencies and banks. This practice can greatly reduce the risk of such scams conducted by online fraudsters.

Having viewed the video, I found the police exercised restraint and professionalism in handling the matter. They had obviously prepared for just such an incident and maintained a containment triangle around the individual and the situation was soon resolved. From The Nation Police officers at Don Mueang International Airport have been criticised by netizens for not using cracking down on an aggressive Chinese tourist who caused a commotion at the airport in Bangkok on Wednesday night. A video clip of the incident was posted on Facebook page, “Yak Dung Diew Jad Hai”, on Thursday, showing the man shouting at officials at the international terminal after he was not allowed to board a plane heading to China. The post said that around midnight on Wednesday (August 9), the airline announced a change of gate for the flight, enraging the tourist. Later, the captain of the flight reportedly banned him from boarding, infuriating him even more, leading to him shouting at airport officials. The video shows three police officers approaching the man in a bid to remove him from the scene, but he repeatedly tries to hit them with a skateboard that he is carrying. The confrontation lasts for a few minutes before the tourist is escorted out without any damage. After the clip went viral, several netizens commented that instead of circling him, police officers should have immediately charged at the man and restrained him to prevent him from swinging the skateboard that could have hurt other passengers. A news source reported that the tourist was a Chinese national 45 years old. After negotiations with the airline, he was issued a ticket to China and left the country on Thursday. Continues with photos and video https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40030141

The largest one (justifies the use of "humongous") I ever came across was in a bookstore on a Saturday afternoon on Granvlile in Vancouver. He was a uni student and he had left the door to his cabin open. Couldn't take my eyes off it because (unlike many tools that size) it was fully erect and pointed skyward. Three other voyeurs were gathered around but seemed frozen in place. What have I got to lose, I figured, so I reached in and grasped near the base. In an instant, he literally pulled me inside and closed the door. It was a once in a lifetime event, at least for yours truly. That was sometime in the early 90's but I still recall everything very clearly. He was handsome in a rugged sort of way and it was a cool, sunny day. I think I was still smiling the next day.

In most situations I would agree. But I've found that the older I get, my concept of "relationship" evolved. Companionship seems to play a more significant role.

Agree that they are represented in far fewer numbers than a generation ago but--thankfully--can still be found in in the Silom area bars and certainly in the message shops. And for app users, the answer is at your finger tips.

From Thai PBS World “The value of heritage comes from its inheritors.” This is what Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, wrote on his Facebook page after visiting The Foundation for Slum Child Care (FSCC) in Bangkok. His surprise return to Thailand lit up social media platforms. On the microblogging site “X “(formerly known as Twitter), the hashtag #SonOfTenReturnToThailand was referenced over 390,000 times. His visit hit the headlines in both local and international media, including CNN, the BBC and Reuters. This is because Vacharaesorn is the second eldest son of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his former royal consorts. His surprise arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on August 5 was intended to be a low-key affair, but the news spread like wildfire after a number of people at the airport recognised and greeted him. Vacharaesorn responded with a wai. The whole scene was recorded and, of course, went viral. On August 8, at a shrine near Ratchaprasong intersection, Vacharaesorn paid his respects to the Ganesha statue, before proceeding to the FSCC to undertake charitable activities. He told the media, “I am delighted to return to Thailand, I have been warmly welcomed. I have been away for a long time, 27 years. It is like a dream come true to be back here. Before the plane landed, I looked out of the window and felt very emotional and grateful to the country.” “I have never forgotten that I am Thai. I have never forgotten about the importance of Thai culture. When I was overseas, I spent my time promoting Thai culture, so foreigners could understand the country’s valuable heritage. Returning to Thailand this time, I would like to learn more about the culture and continue to promote it overseas. I am very happy to be back here,” he added. On August 6th, he visited the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the City Pillar and Hong Rattan Aram Temple. At the FSCC, people waiting for him greeted him as they would a member of the Royal Family. He asked them to just treat him as a normal Thai, because does not hold Royal status. It is reported that he will spend about a week in Thailand, before returning to the United States. He has been busy since arriving, visiting and making merit at temples and enjoying the famous Thai cuisine at both street restaurants and five-star hotels. On his Facebook page, he impressed many netizens by posting a picture of him alighting from a Tuk-Tuk.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon As Thailand struggles post-covid to recover its huge international tourist profile, a renewed effort is underway to attract much more of the US$200 billion annual expenditure by gay visitors worldwide. As the tourist director of Chiang Mai explained recently to the New York Times, “We live in a country that is open and pretty liberal – I can’t think of a market that we wouldn’t welcome.” That’s quite a claim. TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) of late has been sponsoring gay pride events in several Thai cities, not only in Bangkok, and has now expanded its roadshow marketing to gay Muslims in several countries by promoting halal food and spas and publicizing the availability of prayer rooms in public facilities, as well as more quietly including the gay rainbow flag in marketing campaigns. Homosexuality is suppressed in several other south east Asian countries with Muslim majority populations. Another TAT initiative is to attract wealthy medical tourists. Already, Bangkok’s Bumrungrad International Hospital, a leading provider, has opened a Pride clinic that offers medical and wellness services to the gay international market, including specialist hormone, cosmetic and gender-affirming treatment. As regards gender reassignment, the hospital requires evidence of age (usually at least 20 years, 12 months’ estrogen use, already living “new” lifestyle etc) with costs 420,000 baht up. In Japan and elsewhere, TAT is promoting gay romance Thai dramas such as “2gether” and “I Promised You The Moon” which are freely available on the internet and proving to be very popular, even with non-gay audiences. They are mostly puppy-love stories which rarely cover adult relationship problems or the everyday issues facing gay men such as financial and employment difficulties. The boys-love dramas seek to capitalize on gay-related soft power with exports now approaching 3 billion baht per year through international business partnerships. Critics say that TAT’S policy is purely to make money, choosing to ignore the fact that Thailand is well short of being a gay paradise, especially for lesbians who are mostly overlooked in marketing campaigns. Although tourist-orientated cities have a multiplicity of social media contact sites and male-orientated gay bars and clubs – including cabaret shows which employ a sizeable proportion of the transgender community – legal protection is low. In spite of mega-publicity, gay marriage and adoption are still illegal, whilst transgenders can change their names by law but not their genders. Discrimination against gays in employment is largely unprotected by a legal framework. “But,” says the TAT officer, “it’s a wonderful place for a holiday.” Especially for men.

From The Nation Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis Panicked residents living on Soi Yensabai in Pattaya City had to rush out of their homes to stop a street fight between Thai locals and Kuwaiti tourists at about 15 minutes before 1am today. The street fight took place in front of a restaurant after a group of Thais on motorbikes chased down a group of Kuwaiti tourists on motorbikes in an attempt to negotiate a settlement for a motorcycle collision the Thais blamed on a Kuwaiti tourist. They said the Kuwaitis fled the scene of the collision on their motorbikes and that they pursued them to the soi. The attempt to negotiate compensation turned into a street brawl, witnesses said. The young Thais later apologised to the owner of the restaurant that the brawl erupted in front of and promised to pay compensation for damages to the venue. The Thais also filed a police complaint against the Kuwaiti tourists for compensation for the motorcycle collision.

If you look back in time, the Thai elite (read the mega wealthy) continually attempt to influence enactment of laws or regulations to restrict immigration to those more like themselves and less like the hoi polloi. They always get others to do their bidding as can be seen from the above news articles. After previous attempts generally fell flat, they've apparently decided to go the simple, more direct route: high net worth individuals. Why not, they figure, make it about one thing everyone can easily grasp: money. Prospective expats would either have it or not have it. It eliminates so much of the bureaucracy. In the process, it would convert their long-time pet peeve, Pattaya, into a playground for the wealthy instead of one for the just the horny. Look how successful attracting rich Kuwait uni students on summer vacation has worked out. What could possibly go wrong? Cash is the common denominator that's worked so efficiently for the elite, allowing them to reverse the popular vote that favored Move Forward to form a new government. In other words, they were able to subvert the election without any legal ramifications. So much less messy than Trump's attempt to do the same on the other wide of the world.

From Pattaya Mail By Lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag A recurrent discussion amongst expats is whether to bother applying for the yellow book (which lists the foreigner’s resident in a property) and the pink card (a Thai ID for aliens). The general answer is a yes as they can oftentimes relieve the burden of repeat journeys to the immigration office. They can be used for registering a SIM card, enrolling as a patient in a hospital, opening a bank account, entering fee-paying sites including national parks, reporting at police stations and transferring vehicle ownership. Why do I say oftentimes? Because each bureaucracy has the power either to accept the yellow book and pink card or to insist on a specific letter from immigration as proof of address. For example, the vast majority of land transportation offices do require a letter from immigration as part of the process for driving licence application or renewal. Applicants for the 5-20 years Elite visa also will find they need the immigration proof of address. But it is still worth the effort if only because possession of the yellow book and pink card sets you apart from the general run of farang in Thailand. The documents required to make an application vary somewhat from province to province. You will certainly need your original passport and preferably a non-immigrant or better visa: the process of application currently takes around six weeks. If you have a work permit and/or marriage certificate, they are needed, but no need to worry if they don’t apply to you. Also you will need the blue house book (and ID card) for the residence you live in plus the owner’s consent if you do not own the bricks and mortar. Whether you need to provide embassy confirmation of your passport and provide a birth certificate depends on the policy of your local jurisdiction. Other requirements can include confirmation of address by immigration, plus photos and a crime-free certificate in some local authorities. You will also need two witnesses, one of which can be your Thai lawyer if you choose to hire one. Advantages there include familiarization with the process as the lawyer will accompany you to the interview at city hall or the district office. In the Pattaya area, the venue for applications depends on the location of your address: city hall for Pattaya and the district offices in Banglamung, Nongprue and Huay Yai. As you already likely know, a foreigner’s name cannot appear in the blue housebook or “tibean bahn”. Possession of the yellow book does not prove you own the property as it is only a list of foreign residents living there. However, there is one exception to the exclusion of aliens from the blue book: a permanent resident can be listed there. Permanent residents are foreigners who have no date in their passport when they must renew or leave the kingdom. They also have a red police book with which they report to the police station and not to immigration. Permanent residency is a privilege usually given to foreigners who have worked successfully in Thailand and/or benefitted Thailand in some significant way by their presence and activities. It’s not “just another visa”. In fact it’s not a visa at all.

From Thai PBS World Move Forward’s dilemma – Endorse Pheu Thai-led coalition or not? he Move Forward party has been denied everything to which it believes it was entitled, despite being the biggest winner in the May 2023 general election. It has lost its bid for the House speakership. Its leader Pita Limjaroenrat has been denied the premiership, and worse still, instead of being at the core of a coalition government, it is now a mere step away from being consigned to the opposition. On top of all this, it is now facing a new dilemma. Should it endorse the ongoing efforts by its erstwhile political ally to form a coalition or not? Pheu Thai now claims to have mustered enough support from various political parties to set up a majority government. The first hurdle it needs to overcome, however, is to have its prime ministerial nominee approved by parliament – something that is far from certain. Many senators have expressed doubts over whether they would vote for Pheu Thai’s presumptive nominee, real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin, whose business background is being widely scrutinised. To circumvent the uncertainty, the best-case scenario for Pheu Thai is to have support for Srettha’s nomination from Move Forward – but without the party becoming part of the coalition. Some in Pheu Thai describe such a move as a “sacrifice”, which they want Move Forward to make to help break the current political deadlock, but it remains a big question as to whether Move Forward would be willing to take such a step. Within Move Forward, there seems to be a divergence of views on this. Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Bhakdinarinath, a deputy party leader, has been most vocal in his support for Pheu Thai’s efforts to form a coalition. He has publicly called on Move Forward’s MPs to vote for Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial nominee. “That’s the only way to put an end to the political dominance of the Senate,” he said, referring to the role of senators in electing the prime minister. Supisarn played down fears that Pheu Thai might end up coalescing with Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation, the two parties seen as Move Forward’s arch political rivals. The stand advocated by Supisarn has, however, received a cool reception from key leaders in Move Forward. An executive meeting of the party on Tuesday did not take up Supisarn’s proposal for discussion. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/move-forwards-dilemma-endorse-pheu-thai-led-coalition-or-not/

From National News Bureau of Thailand BANGKOK (NNT) - A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Thai Airways (THAI) and Turkish Airlines on a joint venture operation to boost tourism for Thailand and Turkey. The joint operations MoU between both airlines was signed in Istanbul between THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri and Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi. The MoU is expected to enhance cooperation, allowing customers to fully utilize the extensive networks offered by both airlines in transportation and services. With a fleet of 67 aircraft, THAI currently provides flights to 57 destinations in 19 countries. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 425 planes operating flights to 344 locations in 129 countries. The THAI CEO said the airlines aim to accommodate passengers as they travel between both nations and others in Europe and Asia. He added that THAI will introduce a daily flight service from Bangkok to Istanbul in December, which will reaffirm the airline’s position as the gateway carrier to Thailand, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Old Daddy, I think I've found the solution to your quest: encourage a group of lustful young men who want to pound old daddy ass to volunteer to do it on a pro bono basis. Surly among the posse of available talent, there must be a handful of eager, civic-minded candidates. And they'd be no legal problems because they're not getting paid. The clever ones can probably take a tax write off.

Think of it this way: did you work for free or did you ask your would-be employer “how much you pay me”?