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From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Traditionally, there are two routes for expat foreigners needing or wanting a job here. If offered a post by a registered company or school, the prospective employee needs a non-immigrant “B” (business) visa issued by a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. The employer should provide the bulk of the required documentation, supplemented by the employee’s personal data and confirmed qualifications. If the employer declines to take that basic preparatory responsibility, it can be assumed that the offer of a job is not sincere and that a work permit is a fantasy. The second route is where the foreigner intends to start his own registered company to trade in Thailand and beyond. The first steps are to register a company name with the Business Development Agency, have at least three Thai shareholders (can be fewer in some circumstances), have capital of at least 2 million baht, and notify the Thai labour and tax departments. The next step is to obtain the non-immigrant “B” visa abroad and, on return, submit an application for a work permit at the Department of Employment and an extended visa from the immigration bureau. It’s a complex process usually requiring professional legal input. For foreigners with a Thai spouse, any non-immigrant visa will suffice and the requirement to have specifically a “B” type is waived. Some occupations are barred to aliens. They include manual work, most agriculture and construction, jewelry manufacture and wood carving. A noteworthy point is that a royal decree of 2018 freed up “occasional” work such as business meetings, committee work or participation in cultural activities and sports from requiring a business visa at all. In 2021, a new non-immigrant “M” visa was introduced for foreign media correspondents though this is available only prior to entry from Thai embassies abroad. In 2018 new ground was struck with a four year Smart visa whose holders are excused from having a work permit at all. It is used principally by skilled professionals in targeted science and technology industries, found for example in the Eastern Economic Corridor which surrounds Pattaya. Smart visa holders are excused the 90 days reporting procedure, although this has become less irksome since online signing-in became feasible in most areas. The Smart visa also has provision for start-up entrepreneurs and the wife and children of successful applicants. In late 2022, the 10 year Long Term Residence (LTR) visa was launched by the Board of Investment. Although wealthy retirees and rich global travellers are welcome, the thrust has been to attract digital nomads working for international companies listed on the stock market and professional workers and executives looking for tax breaks and freedom from the rigid quota system whereby one foreign work permit must be supported by four Thai employees. A digital work permit is automatically provided which does not require adherence to traditional employment rules. About 2,000 applications have so far been lodged with the Board of Investment, but there are no published statistics on completions or withdrawals. Although Thai authorities in recent years have tried to diversify the foreigner working rules in Thailand – leaving aside the Memoranda of Understanding with the governments of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos for economic migration – they remain complex, overlapping and off-putting to many. The status of voluntary work and the many interpretations of the “volunteer visa”, which was carelessly used during the Covid pandemic as just another way of extending a visitor’s stay, are also matters of concern. A national review of all working visas in Thailand is well overdue.

From The Tourism Authority of Thailand Some selected events: Concert in the Park #30 5, 12 and 19 February, 2023, from 17.30 Hrs., Sala Bhirombhakdi, Lumpini Park, Bangkok Organised by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), this latest edition of the much-loved Concert in the Park series promises relaxing evenings of music in a delightful park setting. Along with guest soloists and vocalists, the programme features a mix of light-classical music, Thai and Western pop classics, famous movie soundtracks, Broadway numbers, and Thai traditional tunes. Bangkok Design Week 2023 4-12 February, 2023, 9 Districts in Bangkok This the sixth edition of the Bangkok Design Week is being held under the theme “urban’NICE’zation” and features over 530 online and offline activities spread throughout the nine districts of Charoenkrung – Talad Noi, Yaowarat, Samyan – Siam, Ari – Pradipat, Phra Nakhon / Pak Khlong Talat / Nang Loeng, Wongwian Yai – Talat Phlu / Khlong San, Bang Pho, Phrom Phong, and Kaset. The programme includes showcases and exhibitions, talks and workshops, musical performances, movie screenings, and performing art. UnKonscious Beach Festival 2023 9-10 February, 2023, Alexa Beach Club, Pattaya, Chon Buri In its fourth edition, the UnKonscious Beach Festival 2023 comprises a pool party in the afternoon (12.00-16.00 Hrs.) and a beach party from evening into the late night (16.00-24.00 Hrs.). The event is hosted by an impressive line-up of renowned international DJs. For more information, visit: https://www.unkonsciousfestival.com/, or Facebook: unkonsciousfestival. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/01/fantastic-events-and-festivals-on-in-thailand-in-february-2023

Like many of us oldies here I, too, harbor great memories of the Babylon I first encountered 21 years ago. Unfortunately, it gradually lost its allure as the younger local crowd moved on to other venues and farangs came to dominate. In its last 10 years the place became less well maintained and far less of a draw (for me, anyway). But the massage business is roaring in Bangkok now. And for those who are comfortable doing business on the apps, you can still manage to find new experiences to justify a return trip.

The shop's Twitter page posts a number of all-Thai staff photos.

The enchantment with ChatGPT may be dampened a bit with news that it's probably going to cost you going forward. From MSN ChatGPT is testing a paid version — here's what that means for free users As OpenAI moves toward charging for more sophisticated versions of its popular ChatGPT bot, users may wonder how much longer they can count on it staying free. The company, which recently disclosed Microsoft's multi-billion dollar investment in its technology, has floated plans for a subscription option called "ChatGPT Professional," which would offer better access at a cost. While OpenAI is taking feedback from prospective customers about what they think the AI bot's offerings are worth to them, some users are seeing a $42 monthly option, The Verge reported this month. OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman had indicated that such an option could be in the works when he tweeted back in December that "we will have to monetize it somehow at some point; the compute costs are eye-watering." https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/technology/chatgpt-is-testing-a-paid-version-heres-what-that-means-for-free-users/ar-AA16RKyP

Trump's a big problem for everybody, but especially GOP in '24. He'll drag the party down.

Very presumptuous on part of waiter. A scam actually. I think he respects you more for not yielding. The Rose is a 10-minute walk from Jupiter. 😄

There are probably some Thais who are skeptical of us farang fossils. 🙂

From Thai PBS World More than 10 fossilised footprints, believed to have belonged to a species of carnivorous dinosaur, have been found in a huge sand stone bed in Phu Faek forest park, in Na Khu district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Kalasin. According to the Department of Mineral Resources, Damrongsak Chusrithong, the head of the forest park, and officials went to the park to investigate, after a villager fromBan Nam Kham, in Phu Laen Chang sub-district, reported the find. The footprints range in length from 21cm to 30cm and are from 17-31cm wide. The officials said that the prints belong to a small meat-eating dinosaur, which stood about two metres tall and was about five metres long. It lived about 140 million years ago and this is the first find of this species in Thailand. Millions of years ago, Phu Faek forest park was home to many species of dinosaur, as evidenced by the discovery of fossilized footprints in the park, which has become a tourist attraction.

Did the same four years ago and he uses it daily. Truly a gift that keeps on giving.

HINT: Look for the word "trip" in the threads in this forum. You may be surprised at what you find.

My experience was that virus downloaded automatically (in a matter of seconds) on my android PC but did not on iPhone or iPad. I immediately deleted file without opening and ran complete scan that indicated no infections. I agree with GB that the safest thing to do is avoid the site until problem is resolved.

If you've inadvertently went to site before becoming aware of hack, be sure to check your download folder for file describe above. It downloads immediately and quickly. Do not attempt to open it. Gaybutton, did Moses provide the name of the virus?

From Coconuts Bangkok Photo: Buakaw Banchamek A Muay Thai fighter has stood up to declare he is indeed Thai amid a widening spat between Thai and Cambodian fans over the sport’s origins. Sombat Banchamek, aka Buakaw, announced publicly this week that, even though he belongs to an indigenous ethnic group called the Kuy, he is of Thai nationality and not Cambodian as some have claimed. “Be proud of Thailand that we have Muay Thai … It is the wisdom invented by Thai ancestors,” Buakaw wrote on social media last night alongside a few very welcome shirtless photos. “Do not forget that it’s our national sport that’s accepted by people around the world. Let’s help conserve it.” Why this sudden need to stress the “Thai” in Muay Thai? Khmer and Thai sport authorities are currently battling over the sport’s identity. Cambodia has said that when it hosts the SEA Games in May, they will ditch the name “Muay Thai” for the combat sport and instead call it “Kun Khmer,” after what they say is the martial art’s true origins. It will be the first time Cambodia has hosted the biannual multi-sport event since it was founded in 1959. Infuriated Thai officials responded by saying they will boycott the so-called Kun Khmer sport. In tat for tit, Cambodia said it will retaliate by not sending any boxers to Thailand when it hosts the SEA Games in 2025. The ongoing quarrel quickly spread online, where sports fans discussed whether the 40-year-old fighter and national prize Buakaw was actually Thai or Cambodian. Continues with photos https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/im-thai-boxing-superstar-buakaw-declares-amid-latest-thai-khmer-spat/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Although prostitution between consenting adults has been illegal in Thailand since the 1960s, Pattayans have always known that the many laws covering sex for hire, brothels, backroom frolics, pimps and soapy massages are to be taken with a pinch of salt. Some of the arrests over the years have been quite bizarre. A raid on a Pattaya club hosting “indecent displays” resulted in the arrest of two stage-hands playing backgammon, whilst a buxom maiden detained for “provocative dancing in the nude” was released after arguing successfully that she was not naked after all. She was wearing a top hat. Currently, there is mega-agitation by Thai pressure groups such as the Empowerment Foundation to reform the law wholesale by making adult prostitution legal for the first time. Leader Thanta Laowilawanyabul has campaigned for many years to give dignity to sex workers by providing access to social services and health care, whilst protecting them from nasty brothel keepers and human traffickers. Some politicians are showing interest in a parliamentary bill after finding out that paid sex could be taxable. Cynics say the real issue, as in the legalization of casinos debate, is who gets to milk the cash cow. The Pattaya sex workers themselves are far from convinced collectively about legalization. For one thing there’s the issue of zoning. It’s being suggested by government spokesmen that lawful commercial intimacy would be restricted to certain areas such as Walking Street in Pattaya. 25-year old Samantha said, “I and many others get our johns (clients) on Beach Road and not in night clubs. Many men want to cruise in public at night. Forcing us into restricted areas isn’t going to work.” She also claimed that 10 percent of female prostitutes in Pattaya are migrant foreigners – Ugandans and Uzbeckis for example – who won’t be covered by liberalization of the law in any case. They are usually fined 100 baht (US$3) for a first offence and deported if persistently on the game, according to local media reports. A transvestite prostitute, who goes by the name Sunny Side Up, argued it’s a myth that legalization dignifies sex workers. “The whole idea is to copy Germany and Holland and to make money for the top people.” She explained she had visited Australia with her former boyfriend where she found out that in Victoria government-sponsored casinos authorized the redeeming of casino chips in local brothels. Her friend Eggs Benedict said that most girls-on-the-game she knew were free-lancers who certainly did not fancy registration and health checks with the authorities in return for paltry state benefits. While it is claimed by liberalization groups that decriminalization would not result in an expansion of the sex industry, research from other “liberated” countries suggests otherwise. A more likely consequence in Thailand would be an explosion of tabletop dancing extravaganzas, peep shows, phone sex, porno and bondage centers in the zoned areas as they will experiment just how far they can go. Payments to corrupt policemen won’t stop. The situation in gay areas of Pattaya, notably Boyztown and Jomtien Complex, also has to be taken into account. For example, go-go dancers are forbidden in Jomtien which is technically described as a “residential area”. That distinction might be hard to maintain when gay clubs are part of the hank-panky zones. While it is undeniable that human trafficking and physical and sexual abuse are part of the prostitution game worldwide, it is far from clear that decriminalization in Thailand will bring about the golden dawn promised by the legal reformers. Meanwhile, patrols by police and welfare workers found no trace of prostitution in central Pattaya on a well-publicized night march last month. A prostitute later admitted she had hidden behind a tree whilst the procession passed by as she contacted her john by mobile. “What’s the point of changing the law on night clubs when people prefer to use their telephones?” she wondered. Quite so madam.

ChatGPT takes exams from law and business schools From CNN ChatGPT is smart enough to pass prestigious graduate-level exams – though not with particularly high marks. The powerful new AI chatbot tool recently passed law exams in four courses at the University of Minnesota and another exam at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, according to professors at the schools. To test how well ChatGPT could generate answers on exams for the four courses, professors at the University of Minnesota Law School recently graded the tests blindly. After completing 95 multiple choice questions and 12 essay questions, the bot performed on average at the level of a C+ student, achieving a low but passing grade in all four courses. ChatGPT fared better during a business management course exam at Wharton, where it earned a B to B- grade. In a paper detailing the performance, Christian Terwiesch, a Wharton business professor, said ChatGPT did “an amazing job” at answering basic operations management and process-analysis questions but struggled with more advanced prompts and made “surprising mistakes” with basic math. “These mistakes can be massive in magnitude,” he wrote. The test results come as a growing number of schools and teachers express concerns about the immediate impact of ChatGPT on students and their ability to cheat on assignments. Some educators are now moving with remarkable speed to rethink their assignments in response to ChatGPT, even as it remains unclear how widespread use is of the tool among students and how harmful it could really be to learning. Continues with video https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/26/tech/chatgpt-passes-exams/index.html

But you must care a little because you continue to think about me. That's so precious that I find myself blushing at the attention. 🤗

From Thai PBS World The COVID-19 situation in Thailand is steadily improving, with the number of hospital admissions and the death toll dropping by 30%, to an average of 90 and six respectively, between January 15th and 21st, according to the Department of Disease Control. DDC Director-General Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong said yesterday (Wednesday) that 627 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals, averaging 90 cases per day last week, 277 of whom were suffering from lung infections, including 179 cases requiring ventilators. The death toll in the past week was 44, or an average of six cases a day, representing a fall of 32.3% compared to the previous week. Accumulated hospital admissions this year are 2,593, with 167 deaths. Among foreign tourists, eight were found to be infected, but only one was admitted to hospital between January 8th and 21st. The eight cases include three Chinese and one each from Myanmar, Cambodia, Japan, the UK and South Korea. According the Medical Sciences Department, most of the infections in Thailand were found to be the Omicron BA.2.75 sub-variant. RT-PCR tests on passengers departing Thailand for countries requiring such tests before departure have shown between 300 and 400 cases, including Thais and other nationalities. There were only 10 cases involving Chinese nationals, representing just 4% of all Chinese arrivals.

You're shy. I find that so sexy in an older man, Scotty.

AI will gradually make idiots of all of us, leaving us virtually incapable of writing a coherent sentence on our own.

I'm just lucky, I guess. 😊

Of course you do, you silly boy.

Love means never having to say you're sorry. 💘

Thank you, Detective.

Tell us something we don't know, Scotty.