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According to the Thai Meteorological Dept., summer will be two weeks late in arriving this year. “The hottest days, with peak temperatures of 35-36°C, are expected from late March to mid-April. This is close to the seasonal average but lower than last year’s peak of 37.5°C., they predict. But at the moment in Bangkok, it’s 35.9 degrees.

From Tourism Authority of Thailand Bangkok, 12 February 2025 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) staged the Amazing Thailand Out There event yesterday in Bangkok, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to promote Thailand as a premier LGBTQ+ travel destination. Marriott Thailand supported the initiative, highlighting the country’s world-class hospitality, rich culture, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity. Arriving at a pivotal moment following the enactment of Thailand’s Equal Marriage Act in January 2025, the event further cemented Thailand’s reputation as a global leader in LGBTQ+ rights. With the LGBTQ+ travel market projected to generate US$1.5 billion in spending by 2025 and Thailand ranked fifth globally in tourism impact—after the USA, UK, France, and Italy—TAT strategically engaged this thriving sector. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, emphasised the event’s significance: “This initiative is shaped by insights from the Amazing Thailand LGBTQ+ Focus Group sessions held late last year in Phuket, Bangkok, and Ko Samui. These discussions helped us refine our strategies to better serve LGBTQ+ travellers while strengthening opportunities for Thai tourism businesses.” Yesterday’s programme featured three key events: a travel trade meet, an influencer showcase, and a cultural night celebrating Thailand’s dynamic LGBTQ+ community. The Thailand Out There: Amazing Thailand LGBTQ+ Travel Trade Meet 2025 connected international buyers with 20 Thai tourism suppliers, fostering business networking and industry insights. The session included a welcome address by TAT and a presentation by Marriott Thailand. Among the attendees were 18 travel agents specialised in the LGBTQ+ segment from the USA, Canada, and Brazil, who embarked on a week-long familiarisation trip across Thailand, with some extending their stay to explore further. Presiding over the session, Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, Middle East, and Africa, stated: “The LGBTQ+ travel market holds tremendous potential, with Thailand consistently ranking among the world’s top destinations for this community. Through this event, we aim to strengthen partnerships, share insights, and position Thailand as the preferred destination for LGBTQ+ travellers.” Continues at https://www.tatnews.org/2025/02/thailand-elevates-lgbtq-tourism-with-amazing-thailand-out-there-series/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thailand-elevates-lgbtq-tourism-with-amazing-thailand-out-there-series

From Pattaya News Pattaya City is stepping up beach security by adding two new tourist safety centers and extending patrol hours to keep visitors safe. Deputy Mayor of Pattaya Mr. Wuttisak Ruemkijakarn recently chaired a meeting to discuss security measures for tourists and regulate Pattaya Beach. He said that Pattaya Beach has become a popular destination for tourists. However, some people have used the beach as an overnight resting place instead of renting normalaccommodation, which negatively impacts the city’s image. Mr. Wuttisak said it is important to keep people safe and make sure the beach is used properly. To do this, the city has set up security points at: Soi 6 Yodsak, overseen by Pattaya Police In front of Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya, managed by the Tourist Police Mr. Wuttisak also proposed increasing the number of security centers from two to four. The meeting agreed to add new security points in high-risk areas, including in front of Mae Sri Ruen Restaurant by Central Mall and near the South Pattaya Pier. These locations will be overseen by Pattaya City’s municipal officers in collaboration with special task forces and civil defense volunteers. Additionally, patrol hours will be extended from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM to improve safety for both residents and tourists. Regular security roll-call assemblies will take place every Friday and Saturday at midnight. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/02/11/pattaya-steps-up-beach-security-with-new-daily-overnight-patrols-and-new-safety-centers/

From Bangkok Post Six more students were arrested on Tuesday in connection with an assault on another Bangkok University student who suffered painful injuries after having hot soup poured on him. The two main perpetrators of the assault, which was captured in a video that has since gone viral, were arrested on Sunday by Khlong Luang district police in Pathum Thani. Rasipa “Preem” Satchawan, 22, and Chakatpol “Oshi” Wachirawan, 19, face charges of extortion and assault causing physical and psychological harm. The duo reportedly told their victim that if he wanted them to stop hurting him, he should give them money. The latest group — three men and three women — have been arrested on charges of extortion. All eight suspects have been remanded at the Thanyaburi Provincial Court. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2959010/more-arrests-made-in-soup-attack?utm_campaign=Article&utm_source=article_suggestion_thailand&utm_medium=reccommended&utm_content=suggestion-article

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) targets LGBTQ travelers as spending surges 38% to over 73,000 baht per trip. The number of first-time visitors to Thailand has increased significantly by 19.90 percent. Following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, more and more LGBTQ travelers have been asking TAT if Thailand is ready to be a top LGBTQ destination. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the TAT’s deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, shared that one of the most common questions from European travelers is whether Thailand has dedicated staff to cater to the LGBTQ community, as many visitors want to meet like-minded people. In response, the TAT has assured that Thailand offers welcoming destinations for all travelers, including LGBTQ tourists, same-sex couples and honeymooners. The country’s hospitality industry is known for its inclusivity and high standards of service. A survey of foreign tourists in the romantic tourism category which includes LGBTQ travelers found that spending per trip from January to December 2024 averaged 73,535 baht per person, up 37.72 percent from the same period in 2023. The average daily spend per traveler increased by 42.39 percent to 6,722 baht. TAT’s findings show that romantic tourism travelers, including honeymooners and LGBTQ tourists, seek luxury and exclusivity. They prefer upscale hotels and premium travel experiences, resulting in higher spending than the average tourist. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/tourism/2025/02/10/first-time-lgbtq-visitors-to-thailand-surge-with-high-spending/

The official trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth has been released. Among the landscapes featured are Railay Bay and Toh Luang Cave in Krabi, Ao Phang Nga National Park, and Ko Kradan in Trang.

From Bangkok Post A Moscow-bound Boeing 777-300ER Aeroflot Airlines plane with 346 people onboard made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday night following a landing gear problem. The Moscow-bound flight SU277 departed Phuket Airport at 3.20pm on Monday and circled above the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand for five hours before seeking an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport. There were reports that after takeoff, the nose gear of the plane retracted but its cover failed to close. The pilots then circled the plane over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to burn off fuel before landing the plane safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2958651/aeroflot-plane-makes-emergency-landing-at-suvarnabhumi

From Bangkok Post Bangkok University has expelled two students who were seen assaulting a younger student in a video clip that went viral on social media last week. The clip, which showed the two students pouring hot soup on another student at a noodle shop in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district, sparked a protest by about a hundred people near Bangkok University's Rangsit campus on Saturday evening. They demanded that the students responsible apologise to the victim and urged the university to take urgent action to address the incident, which took place on Thursday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2958250/university-expels-duo-over-soup-attack#google_vignette

For a brief period of three hours in early afternoon they standout before those sexy young men begin assembling the stalls. Know that I’m repeating myself, but it’s one of the best shows in town. They stretch, pull, push and lift, using use every conceivable muscle. And the aren’t adverse to an appreciative audience because they know they’re performers.

One of at least four too msny genders 🙂.

From Khaosod English OPINION Xenophobia, particularly anti-Burmese sentiment, is spreading in the past few months, particularly on social media in Thailand. Concerned Thai citizens should pause and think as to how we can be part of the solution in mitigating, if not neutralising, such negative bias. If not handled properly and in a timely fashion, the situation could become more toxic and affect not just the relations between the people of the two neighbouring nations but Thai society as well. When I interviewed Ms Onravee Taengmeesang, a Thai activist who has been working for over a decade to promote warmer ties between people of the two nations, on my weekly Thai-language video programme for Khaosod Thai on Friday, it want greeted by over 1,600 comments on FB, the majority of them expressing dissatisfaction, bias, if not hatred and phobia towards people from Myanmar in Thailand. “Myanmar is swallowing up Thailand…,” wrote FB user Paiboon Arunthanawanich, in the comment section following the programme. “[Our] medicare budget has to be shared with these aliens. Burmese sell goods in competition with Thais. They bring in Burmese to work here. Look at the places where Thais used to work before… it’s now full of aliens… Then they stage protests, they take away Thai jobs… These problems need to be quickly fixed…” “Even the world’s Number 1 superpower, America, couldn’t handle migrants. Every country in Europe is beginning to review their policies towards aliens. Local people come first: the national budget, medicine, medical doctors, hospitals, paid by Thai tax payers must first be catered for the Thai people. Those blind optimists and academics should take the 75,000 refugees in and care for them at home,” wrote another comment, by FB user Numnakhon Wanlek. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2025/02/09/the-rise-of-anti-myanmar-worker-sentiment-among-some-thais/

From The Nation Police have intervened after a video clip showing one LGBTQ+ university student assaulting another went viral, sparking a large protest outside the assailant’s condominium in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok. The senior student, Peem, is accused of throwing hot soup over his junior, Andrew, multiple times at a restaurant, causing burns to his arm, neck and back. The incident, which was caught on camera last Thursday, escalated when Peem threatened Andrew with a pair of scissors and demanded 50,000 baht. After the video clip was shared on social media, a large group of LGBTQ+ students gathered outside Peem's condominium, demanding an apology. However, Peem was nowhere to be seen. Police intervened on Sunday, arresting Peem and his friend Oshi on charges of assault, extortion, and violating personal freedoms. The suspects were taken to Khlong Luang Police Station for questioning. Reporters waiting outside asked Preem if he was sorry for the attack, but he remained silent. Andrew’s mother, who was also present, screamed at the suspects but received no response. Police opposed bail release for Peem and Oshi, who will appear before Thanyaburi Provincial Court for detention approval. Andrew shared his account of the feud with police earlier on Sunday. He stated while he had no direct conflict with Peem, the senior had previously attempted to break into one of his friend's rooms, but the friend had locked himself inside. Later, Peem spotted Andrew dining nearby and went berserk, throwing soup and attempting to grab a knife from the kitchen. Restaurant staff intervened before the situation escalated. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/general/40046108

From Bangkok Post KANCHANABURI - Karen rebels have issued an ultimatum to Chinese nationals illegally operating scam centres and other illicit businesses - leave all areas under their control by the end of this month. Thai authorities have, meanwhile, intensified the crackdown on the smuggling of fuel into Myanmar, as the gangs attempt to work around the ban on the supply of electricity, petrol and diesel from Thailand. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) released two statements on Sunday. The second announcement said Chinese running illegal online gambling sites, casinos or restaurants and those trading illegally or operating other scams must leave Phayathonezu township in Kayin state by the end of February. Anyone defying the warning would suffer the legal consequences. The DKBA would also step up patrols and take other measures to prevent Chinese from entering areas under its control, Col Saw A Wan said. The warning was released shortly after the DKBA issued a statement on Sunday informing its people it would take action to help them, after Thailand cut off the supply of electricity, petrol, diesel and internet signals to Phayathonezu and four other border locations in Myanmar on Wednesday. The rebel group stressed the importance of creating trust with the Thai government in the hope Bangkok would reconnect the power and resume deliveries of fuel. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2957918/karen-rebels-give-chinese-gangsters-deadline-to-leave

From Bangkok Post The air quality in all provinces of Thailand was declared "safe" on Monday morning, with the capital, Bangkok, registering the lowest level of ultrafine dust, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda). Gistda reported at 10am that levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) ranged from 18.4 to 30.2 microgrammes per cubic metre of air nationwide over the past 24 hours. The government-set safe threshold is 37.5µg/m³. Thirty-two provinces had good air quality, with "green" levels of PM2.5 ranging from 18.4 to 25µg/m³. The lowest level was recorded in Bangkok, followed by the adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi (19.9), Samut Prakan (20.3), Pathum Thani (21.3) and Samut Sakhon (22.2). Other provinces with good air quality included Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phangnga, Phuket, Satun and Trang. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2957926/safe-air-nationwide-cleanest-in-bangkok

From Patttaya News This week, Thailand celebrates Makha Bucha Day, a Buddhist holiday observed on the full moon day of the third lunar month. This year, it falls on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Makha Bucha commemorates the day when 1,250 of Buddha’s disciples spontaneously gathered to hear his teachings, which included the core principles of Buddhism: Cease from evil, do good, and cleanse the mind. On this day, people visit Buddhist temples to participate in rites, offer food to monks, meditate, and join in a candlelight procession. It’s also common for people to abstain from alcohol and other vices as a sign of respect and reflection. Due to Thai law, alcohol sales are BANNED on religious holidays and as a result bars will be shut and even sales at convenience stores prohibited from legally midnight to midnight on Wednesday, a full 24 hours.

+1 no problem with joiners.

Sorry, @Olddaddy, he’s not offable.

Bag snatchers, gold thieves, crazy drivers. And now a lion. The family friendly town by the sea. =============== From Patttaya Mail In the Pratamnak area of Pattaya, residents were left shaken and unable to sleep after the continuous roaring of a 2-year-old male lion echoed throughout the night. The roar, which could be heard intermittently, came from a house located between Soi 5 and Soi 6, directly across from the Art Condo Hill. Concerned citizens living nearby contacted the Pattaya City Police Station after the disturbing sounds caused widespread fear among both local residents and tourists. Upon receiving the complaint, Pattaya police officers responded by visiting the scene. The residents confirmed that the noise was not from a loud party or speakers, but from the lion, which had been kept at the property. The lion’s roars reverberated throughout the area, unsettling everyone in the vicinity. The police tried reaching out to the homeowners or tenants of the house, but they were unable to make contact. This house, which had previously made headlines, was known for an incident where a foreign man had been seen driving a lion in a convertible sports car around Pattaya, a situation that attracted significant attention. The property had already been inspected by police and park authorities in the past. In response to the disturbance, the police have planned to report the issue to higher authorities and coordinate with relevant agencies to find a solution. Authorities aim to ensure the safety and well-being of both the residents and the animals, as well as to prevent further disruptions. The unusual situation has raised concerns about the legality of keeping such exotic animals in residential areas. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-residents-alarmed-by-roaring-lion-disturbing-night-in-pratamnak-area-a-repeated-headlined-incident-489994

I take that as compliment.

Agree. Better plan.

Amen to that🙏

You can’t be near both. But Bally Suite Silom (from 896 bht) is steps from DJ station and Salsdeang BTS that takes you to Heaven in three stops.

I was with Jason at FB and can confirm his description that they have no problem in finding new blood that fit seamlessly into the mix of about 40 guys on stage. I was happy to find a twink I first met at the since closed SOL bar (now Atlas) in the rotation. What surprised me was when he stepped on stage for the big cock show. He may have been smallest guy in all aspects except one that counts 🙂. Also appeared in a dance routine. There are fair number of twunks in the mix that represent greater ASEAN. And unlike Jupiter, they’re the first to beam a smile your way. And if they sit with you, they are very interactive from the get go. I enjoyed more massage from a handful of guys than I get in some shops! The seven in the BC show circulate among the crowd naked for tips. Love watching them approach the female guests, most of whom are young women tourists in groups. For some I’m sure it’s their first handful. The show itself moves along quickly. There are only two lip-syncing performances but both well done. Remainder of show is guys in erotic routines.