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From The Nation Seven Thai nationals managed to break out of the clutches of a Chinese call-centre gang in the Cambodian border town of Krong Bavet on Tuesday. The victims said they were allowed out of their detention facility at 5am after their Chinese bosses learned that they had sought help via Facebook. The victims then took a tuk-tuk to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh to seek help to return home. On a Facebook Live clip posted at 1am, a woman can be seen asking for help, saying they were being held against their will by security guards and electric fencing. She said she and other victims had been forced to work for more than 15 hours daily without a break, and their employers had also confiscated their passports and ID cards. “The call-centre gang demanded up to 100,000 baht in exchange for our freedom,” she said.

Richard Barrow is one of the most prolific experts of train transportation in Thailand. He posted this guide today on his websiste in anticipation of the official opening on Jan. 19th of new mega hub popularly known as Bang Sue station. From Thaitrainguide.com It has been a long time coming, but finally the new terminal station in Bangkok will open on 19th January 2023. Starting from now, you can buy tickets for long distance trains departing from this station by entering the official name, “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal” *. Though from experience, you only need to type “Krung” and the full name will pop up. However, it should be made clear that not all trains will move here in January. It should also be noted that Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) will not close despite earlier media reports. As there will undoubtedly be some confusion among the public, and even misinformation in the local media, I will post here everything I know so far about what you need to know about catching a train from Bangkok from 19th January 2023 onwards. Please don’t copy and paste this page elsewhere as I will be continually updating it as and when new information comes in. * The station used to be called Bang Sue Grand when it first opened as a vaccination center. However, the new name of Krung Thep Aphiwat was recently given to it by King Rama X For the time being, only long distance trains on the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern lines will depart from the new terminal station. Other trains such as local, commuter, and tourist trains, as well as all trains on the Eastern Line, will still depart from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong). Despite reports in the media, the old terminal station will not close any time soon. By all accounts, it could still be around seven years from now. This is because they need to extend the Red Line down to a new elevated station next to the present terminal. This will probably take five years to build. As they are experiencing some difficulties with the route (it passes a royal palace), it will most likely be delayed. The following are the confirmed long distance trains that will leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. However, it is not confirmed which will be the first train. It will most likely be Express No. 171 to Su-Ngai Kolok leaving at 1:10 p.m. Trains on the morning of 19th January are still expected to leave from Bangkok Railway Station. Which brings me to another important note. As the new terminal is north of the old one and that the tracks are elevated, trains will leave the city much quicker and more efficiently. Trains don’t need to go through a dozen or so level crossings. As a consequence, the start times will be adjusted. For example, Special Express No. 9 to Chiang Mai normally leaves at 6:10 p.m. It will now leave from the new terminal at 6:40 p.m. but it will still arrive in Chiang Mai at the regular time. A second note is that the number of stops leaving the city will be adjusted. More information on that further down. I will do another update to this page soon with more details about how to get to and from Krung Thep Aphiwat and what facilities it has. I can tell you at the moment there is a Blue line MRT station in the basement called Bang Sue Station. There is also a Red Line Station here on the 2nd floor called Bang Sue Grand, though that may change to the new name. Next door is Bang Sue Junction which is another way to get here. As for facilities, there are no shops or restaurants yet. However at the far end there is a small food court. When I went at the weekend only three shops were open. There should be a lot more in January. In the basement there is also a massive car park. At the moment it is free but that will change once the station officially opens. The concourse for buying tickets is on the ground floor. Shops and offices are on M1 and M2. There is nothing there yet. The Red Line and long distance trains will go from the 2nd floor. This is a closed platform system meaning you cannot go up unless you have a ticket for that train. The 3rd floor is for the airport rail link and the high speed trains. That floor won’t open for some years to come and is off limits. Please follow @ThaiTrainGuide on social media on Twitter and Facebook for latest updates. Continues with train schedule and photos at https://www.thaitrainguide.com/2022/12/20/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-opening-of-bangkoks-new-terminal-train-station-on-19-january-2023/

From Thai PBS World Another six members of the crew of the ill-fated HMS Sukhothai corvette class Thai Navy vessel were recovered from the sea by the crew of HMS Ang Thong today (Tuesday), leaving 24 still missing as the search continues. Five of them are confirmed to have died. Families and relatives of the missing crew members have been wating in the compound of the coordinating command centre, set up at the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province, to follow updates on the search operations. Mental health and medical teams are deployed at the command centre to provide counselling to the missing crews’ families. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Ministry of Defence to investigate the actual cause of the sinking of HMS Sukhothai, which has been in service for about 48 years.

The Bangkok Post reports that 31 crew members remain missing at sea today.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon As UK vacationers return to Thailand in big numbers, an old problem has resurfaced with new urgency. What happens when you owe a lot of money and have run out of cash in the Land of Smiles? The most recently publicized case is Wolverhampton social worker Jo Hoffman whose face is smashed after a horrible scooter accident. The estimated medical bill is 50,000 pounds with only a third so far raised via gofundme, the best-known crowd cash-raising platform. Her case is far from unique as a cursory glance at Google will reveal. 2022 is the worst year in recent memory. There are currently at least seven British accident casualties awaiting collective cash to get back home together with a mortuary corpse. Not to mention two much-loved dogs who somehow missed their flights from Bangkok airport. And the tragedies are not only medical. Thai immigration police are refusing to let a healthy Liverpool tourist leave the country until he offers compensation to a comatose Thai driver injured in a skid accident which appears to have been nobody’s fault. Understandably, victims and their relatives turn to the British embassy. Not much joy there. British government websites make it abundantly clear that there is no cash handout, or even a loan, no matter how desperate the situation. Diplomatic posts will offer a list of hospitals, translators and morticians and even phone relatives with the bad news, but there is a concrete zero budget for hard-luck stories no matter how grim. To be fair, other embassies sing from the same hymn sheet although a few – notably the Norwegian – offer far better counseling and care. The parrot call, of course, is to be properly insured when abroad. Nobody knows how many travelling Brits are uninsured or inadequately covered. Global Protection says it’s around a third, some say a half. The vulnerable total certainly runs into hundreds of thousands every year. Some like Jo Hoffman thought they were covered by credit card travel insurance, only to discover the truth too late. Others fail to pay the premiums to cover emergency operations or fall foul of restrictions which preclude the elderly from claiming. Not to mention catchall phrases like “pre-existing conditions”, “evidence of alcohol or drugs”, “dangerous sports” or “high horsepower vehicles” which can doom even the most expensive policies. Thailand does not insist on prior medical insurance except for one or two longstay visas. That’s true of most of her regional competitors for the tourist dollar. No mandatory insurance for the Philippines, Cambodia or Laos for example. All these countries, including Thailand, did require Covid-specific insurance during the pandemic but no longer. They are currently in competition to pack in as many visitors as possible in the name of marketing. Thailand does have a small discretionary fund for unfortunate foreign deaths on its soil, but it is limited to selected coach crashes and sunken vessels. Realistically, nothing will change. Of course, chances of any individual ending up on the gofundme register are remote. But stuff happens.

From Thai PBS World Thai Airways aircrafts and other carriers are parked at the tarmac of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Thailand’s embattled national carrier, Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), said it was looking to add 9 more aircraft to its fleet as its passenger load factor continues to rise. THAI, which is still undergoing its bankruptcy restructuring process after its already loss-making business was severely impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, said it was looking to bring into service some of the parked aircrafts it has in its fleet and it was also looking to lease as many as 4 Airbus A350-900s during 2023. Suvadhana Sibunruang, the acting Chief Executive Officer of THAI, said the plan was to bring in service as many as 5 (badly) parked aircrafts that can be seen at Suvarnabhumi Airport tarmac, into service. The 5 aircrafts that are set to leave the tarmac after nearly 2-years of being parked and their engines and other parts not being covered properly, are 3 widebody Airbus A330-300s and 2 widebody Boeing 777-200ERs. THAI has parked many of its aircrafts at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the past 2-years and many of these aircrafts have not been properly covered to prevent corrosion, unlike other airlines that sealed their aircrafts during the pandemic in order to avoid corrosion in the humid climate of Southeast Asia. THAI, whose shares continue to be suspended from trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), said that it aims to add these aircrafts to popular routes such as Japan, Korea, Singapore and many cities in Europe including preparing to support the return of Chinese tourists in the very near future. Currently THAI has 61 aircrafts that are in operation including: 12 Airbus A350s 4 Boeing B777-200ERs 17 Boeing B777-300ERs 8 Boeing B787s 20 Airbus A320-200 aircraft for Thai Smile Airways. At present, Thai Airways also plans to procure 10 additional aircrafts for THAI Smile Airways, which will focus on aircraft such as Boeing B777. Up for Sale THAI, Suvadhana said, still has assets in the category of aircraft up for sale, with as many as 22 aircrafts that are on the block, which is still in the process of negotiating with potential buyers. The aircrafts up for sale are: 6 Airbus A380s 2 Airbus A340-500s 2 Airbus A340-600s 6 Boeing B777-300s 6 Boeing B777-200s Previously, 19 aircrafts have been sold, pending delivery, including: 1 Airbus A300-600 1 Boeing B737-100 12 Boeing B747-400 1 Airbus A340-500 1Airbus A340-600 There are also 5 aircraft that have already been transferred to the loan guarantors, namely 4 Airbus A330s parked at Suvarnabhumi Airport and 1 Airbus A330 parked at Don Mueang Airport. However previously, THAI planned to refurbish 6 Airbus A380 aircraft that are parked but have not yet been sold in order to accommodate higher passenger travel. THAI says that such type of aircraft can accommodate a large number of passengers, but Airbus has said that trying to fly an aircraft of such size that has been parked for 2 years would be time-consuming to bring them back to flying condition. THAI said that it could take time to check the condition, and various checks could take up to about 7-8 months in order to be ready to return to fly safely, and the cost of such a move would be in billions of Baht.

From Thai PBS World The Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) Ratanakosin-class corvette, HMS Sukhothai, sank in rough seas in the Gulf of Thailand at about 11.30pm on Sunday night. The RTN reported this morning (Monday) that 77 of the 110 officers and men on board have been rescued, with the remaining 33 still floating in the sea. Three were seriously injured. The ship sank after it took on a lot of sea water. According to RTN Spokesman Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin, HMS Sukhothai was on routine sea patrol, about 20 miles from the Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, when it began to list to starboard, allowing seawater to get into the electrical system through the exhaust pipe. This led to a loss of electrical power and the stopping of the main engine. The ship lost steerage, resulting in more water entering the hull, increasing the list. The RTN ordered three other naval vessels and two helicopters to rescue the crew and officers. HMS Kraburi was the first to arrive at the scene and began rescuing those in the sea. The search for crew members who are still missing continues today, as the Royal Thai Navy sends additional vessels and planes to take part in the search and rescue operations, which are being hampered by rough seas and strong winds. The RTN confirmed that there were enough life vests on board the ill-fated HMS Sukhothai for the whole crew, adding that the 33 sailors who are yet to be rescued are believed to have drifted in various directions, but the rough sea has made it impossible for small boats to reach them. According to the Army Times Thailand, 43 were crew injured, most of them suffering minor injuries and four who suffered broken legs. ======================== Oil tanker runs aground near Songkhla beach, cargo ship sinks off Surat Thani An oil tanker ran aground on the coast of Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla and a cargo ship capsized in the seas of Surat Thani province yesterday (Sunday). Initial reports said that the captain and eight crew members of the cargo ship managed to escape from the sinking vessel in a life raft and were taken to Chaiya district hospital by the emergency services, who responded to the vessel’s SOS signal. The report said that the 2,037-tonne oil tanker was not carrying any fuel as it was anchored near Samila Beach in Mueang district of Songkhla. The anchor chain broke, however, and the vessel was swept toward the shore by strong winds and rough seas until it ran aground. The company which owns the oil tanker has asked for tug boats to tow the tanker back out to sea, but bad sea conditions have, so far, prevented the operation. In Chaiya district of Surat Thani province, an SOS signal was received by a ground station from a cargo ship, Santhad Samut 2, which was carrying 36 containers of rubber timber and 10 crew. The vessel was heading for Laem Chabang in Chon Buri Province. The ship later sank in the Gulf of Thailand, off Chaiya district. The cause of the vessel’s problem is not yet known.

When I read whether 1,000 or 1,500 is too much of a tip, or how outrageous a 500 entrance fee is, I apply the Groucho Marx reality test: how much would you have to pay me to have sex with a clone of myself? That puts everything back into perspective.

Thanks for catching that. This is the link I should have posted. https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/awakening

From TimeOut Bangkok / Pattaya Mail Awakening Bangkok is Bangkok’s largest light and digital arts festival that gathers several local artists in the old quarter of the capital. After its journey to Khon Kaen, Awakening Bangkok is set to return to Bangkok again from today – 25th December 2022. The festival will be held under the concept of “Endless Tomorrow: For Tomorrow and Forever” with illuminated creations that highlight sustainability and immortality and will take place at various locations on Charoenkrung Road and in Talad Noi. For a complete list on participating sites and interactive map. go to https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/awakening

From Pattaya Mail North Americans are expected to power a resurgence of western visitors to Thailand in 2023. Thitiporn Maneenate, director of the Americas region for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that arrivals from the U.S. and Canada have risen steadily throughout the final months of this year and are expected to remain strong throughout North America’s winter. Thitiporn attributed the growth to wintery conditions, holidays and pent-up desire to travel after the coronavirus pandemic. Air Canada on Dec. 3 launched nonstop service between Vancouver and Bangkok using Boeing 787-9 aircraft that can carry 298 passengers. Other airlines also have increased fights and frequencies to Thailand, he said.

From Atlas Obscura Luang Prabang was named a UNESCO world heritage site for its well-preserved French colonial architecture, but its true charms spring from the Lao culture. The streets are filled with Saffron-robed monks, local handicrafts, Buddhist temples, and hawker stalls selling river fish and sticky rice. Visitors flock to the old town’s famous Sai Bat almsgiving—a daily tradition unbroken for hundreds of years, but those who go wandering after the ceremony might discover a new tradition a short walk away—the seasonal bamboo bridges across the Nam Khan River. The Nam Khan winds through Luang Prabang before joining the wide Mekong, and during the rainy season residents and visitors use shuttle boats or the Old French Bridge to cross the swollen river. But when the dry season comes along, quicker and more charming options arise—two narrow bamboo bridges. In 2006, a local family erected the twin bridges for the first time and they’ve kept the practice going every November since. Although the bridges are designed primarily for tourist use, the construction is very traditional. Each bridge is made entirely of bamboo and rope (except for the lights), and though they might look (and feel) wobbly, they’re actually quite strong. They rely on bamboo’s natural strength and building techniques employed by Laos for generations. The bridges span the Nam Kahn until rainy season, when they are dismantled until the next year. The larger bridge, set at the picturesque bend of the Nam Khan just as it reaches the Mekong, connects Luang Prabang with two villages noted for their artisans—the weaver’s village of Ban Xieng Lek and the paper-making village of Ban Xiang Khong. The smaller bridge is slightly upstream and connects the old city to the newer side of town, as well as to restaurants and craft shops overlooking the river. This side arguably has the best view; visitors who take the bridge to the Dyen Sabai restaurant at sunset are in for a beautiful view of the fleeting bamboo structure. The larger bridge can be found at the bottom of the path starting below the Riverpoint Cafe on Khem Khong road. The smaller bridge extends from the old steps leading down from Wat Siphoutthabath on Kingkitsarath Road. Make sure you check with a hotel or tour guide if planning a visit to include the bridges; their presence follows the whims of the river. Note that traversing the bridges is not free. Tickets are sold at small booths on the old town side of each bridge. Passage costs 10,000 Kip (about sixty cents U.S.) for a round trip ticket. It’s a pittance well-spent — the money goes to the families who build and maintain the bridges. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bamboo-bridges-of-luang-prabang

From VN Express A rising number of young people are getting STDs in HCMC, causing worried students to make a trip to the hospital to check for the disease. Minh Hieu, 19, went to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato Venereology because he suspected he had genital warts. While he was in university, he had a lover and they had anal sex. When tests revealed that he had genital warts and was infected with HIV, Hieu burst into tears. Dr. Doan Van Loi Em at the hospital said cases like Hieu's are not uncommon. Since the beginning of this year, he said, the hospital has recorded around 1,900 cases of genital warts among students. The number in 2020 was 1,700 and fewer in 2021, when there were many months of Covid-19 lockdown. "There are no official data and statistics for specific cases, but based on our observations, the number of males who have sex with males (MSM) coming to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment is rising," he said. Besides genital warts, patients also come to the hospital to check for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HIV and other STDs. Since the beginning of this year, the number of patients with genital warts, gonorrhea and syphilis who have visited the hospital is around 35,300 cases. At the end of the year, the number of patients getting getting check ups is also on the rise, especially people testing for syphillis. Em said anyone can contract STDs, but certain groups, such as young people, prostitutes and people engaging in MSM, are more vulnerable. Young people in particular often lack sufficient sex education and so have little knowledge about STDs and how to prevent them. This is a contributing factor behind the rising number of STD cases among the youth, Em said. Continues at https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/more-and-more-young-people-are-getting-stds-4547734.html

When I visited Freshboys in October with PaulSF, the show was very well attended. We arrived about 20 minutes early and got an opportunity not only to select our preferred seats but also to view the guys before the lighting was turned down for the show. Recommended. For those who want to get a sneak peek of what the stage boys look like on any given night at Dreamboy, some can be found sitting outside the entrance in the alley between Patpong 1 and Patpong 2. I've seen them lounging about smoking during the show when they're not required on stage and also at random times before and after show.

From Pattaya News A Russian basketball prodigy raised in Pattaya, Mr. Alexey Sobolev, passed away at the young age of 19 years old after he was electrocuted by a defective lighting pole at a basketball court in the Banglamung district. Sawang Boriboon rescuers came to Mr. Sobolev’s aide at 10 PM on December 15th when they were notified that the Russian teen passed out after touching a faulty lighting pole. Mr. Sobolev, a well-respected member of Pattaya’s basketball community, was barely breathing while lying on a basketball court in Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 15 in front of Pattaya Technical College in Chonburi’s Nong Pla Lai subdistrict. After administering basic life support, the rescuers rushed Mr. Sobolev to the nearest hospital, but unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his wounds and sadly passed away. One of the many eyewitnesses and friends of the deceased player, Mr. Bodin Thongsuea, 20, told rescuers that Sobolev had gone to fetch a basketball that had bounced away and landed near an iron fence and the deadly power pole. While soaking in sweat, the victim accidentally touched the pole with a power leakage and flopped to the ground, losing consciousness and tragically later passing away.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Following the investigations by Thai police commissioner-general Damrongsak Kittiprapas into Chinese mafias operating locally, Thai language schools nationwide are not able to obtain student visa extensions for any nationality at immigration bureaux until further notice. Thai authorities had expressed serious disquiet after revelations that Chinese expats had influenced adult learning centers to issue false statements of academic progress by individual enrollers. A Pattaya school principal said, “We have been told that, in the future, detailed records of language improvement must be kept on individual foreigners.” An American student said he had been asked by the immigration officer to sing the Thai national anthem as proof he was becoming fluent. School managers say there is no doubt that the Chinese crisis has led to the crackdown on education visas. The Thai “establishment” has been shocked by evidence of Chinese tycoons riding around Bangkok in expensive cars with bogus embassy insignia and protected by escorts withy fake police uniforms. A large number of alleged crimes has been discovered including narcotics dealing, money laundering, dubious business activities and wrongful issuing of visas and extensions of stay. The issuing of education visas to foreigners with no intention to study has long been an issue across nationalities, but has become a much bigger scandal of late. n a separate development, Thai immigration offices nationwide are not extending the 30 days visa on arrival now given to Chinese entrants. They are being told they cannot extend by visiting a neighboring land border, but must visit by air a Thai embassy or consulate abroad and apply for a 60 days tourist visa. However, reports from Thai embassies in Phnom Penh and Vientiane indicate that this is proving easier said than done and that Chinese applicants are being told to return to China. Chinese authorities say they are refusing to allow their nationals to board planes for overseas trips if their reason is tourism. Thai authorities appear to be increasingly concerned about creeping Chinese influence to take over sectors of the Thai economy. Separately, the Thai Board of Investment reports that China is the biggest direct investor in the country. The outstanding question now is how far Thailand’s open door immigration policy to boost foreign arrivals in the post-covid world will be sourly affected by the activities of Chinese mafias in Thai cities.

Thanks for report on 9-Teen. This is first review of the shop I recall since two members posted mixed reviews four months ago. 9-Teen is reportedly in process of retrofitting a former eatery on Silom Soi 6 and open another shop in near fiuture. That will bring to seven the number of all-male shops on that road between Silom and the Quarter Hotel. That post appears to coincide with your experience.

From The Smithsonian By Lauren Keith From the glint of Tutankhamun’s solid gold death mask, striped with bands of royal blue glass, to the famous pyramids and the weathered Great Sphinx of Giza, the magnetic lure of Egypt is eternal. Images of this ancient culture have long been both ubiquitous and instantly recognizable. But 2022, a year marked by a series of monumental Egyptian anniversaries, ushered in a revival of Egyptomania not seen since British archaeologist Howard Carter opened the tomb of Tutankhamun 100 years ago. A cradle of civilization, the lands surrounding the Nile River Delta witnessed some of the earliest developments in writing, art, religion and government. The ancient culture’s story spreads far beyond Egypt’s modern-day borders, spanning more than 3,000 years. (For context, the reign of Cleopatra, in the first century B.C.E., is closer to 2022 than the construction of the Great Pyramid around 2500 B.C.E.) It is humanity’s story, a shared narrative of societal progress. The museum's design was inspired by the pyramids. Courtesy of the Grand Egyptian Museum Egypt’s riches have drawn colonizers and foreign treasure hunters since as early as 332 B.C.E., when Alexander the Great founded his namesake city on the delta. Wars with history’s biggest empires—the Romans, the Persians, the Arabs, the Ottomans and finally the British—have filled the 22 centuries since; in 1798, Napoleon also led a comparatively short French invasion that led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, which opened Western Europe’s eyes to Egypt and started an undammable flow of ancient heritage leaving the country. As the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) prepares to open its doors in Giza in 2023, some archaeologists, Egyptologists and museumgoers are calling for Egyptian antiquities to be returned to their homeland. Arriving amid a growing push to decolonize American and European museums, these campaigns ask a crucial question: Who gets to claim these artifacts as their own? “People were asleep for years, and now they’re awake,” says Egyptologist Zahi Hawass. “I’m sure [Westerners] have nightmares of what happened: taking the history and the heritage of Africa to their countries with no right. There is no right for them to have this heritage in their country at all.” Continues with photos https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-gets-to-tell-the-story-of-ancient-egypt-180981263/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

One of the joys of riding the BTS and MRT is imagining what those masked guys look like without it. I have yet to ride the trains without finding at least a few in every car--frequently quite a few more.

Just as those of us who have recently traveled to Thailand, we're all too familiar with inflation in our home countries. Guys we meet--or become reacquainted with from earlier trips--are likewise dealing with rising costs. As Vinapu observes, they're making decisions on how they can compensate by raising their fees. And why not? Aren't we receiving salary increases for the services we provide. We always reserve the right to reject their asking price if we feel it's far out of whack. I think that's what I like about massage shops. We get a choice of service provider. If there's no minimum price in effect, we're free to negotiate in advance or tip at the end. In the majority of shops in Silom (with notable exceptions) the latter arrangement applies, particularly those on Silom Soi 6 where I had many very satisfactory experiences. For the moment, there's something for everybody in Thailand. If you want a show and a parade of guys, they're available. Host bars also exist and of course there's always the apps. Sure, there are other destinations but I don't believe they can provide choices in such abundance.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Last month’s commencement of twice-daily Azur Air charter flights from eleven Russian cities, including Siberia, to U-tapao Airport (near Pattaya) has outpaced all expectations. The provincial airport is processing nearly 5,000 Russian arrivals weekly. These flights are in addition to popular Aeroflot routes from Moscow and other urban centers to Bangkok and Phuket as well as multiple connecting flights from and to the Middle East. Just under one and a half million Russians visited Thailand in pre-pandemic 2019 and many travel experts expect to reach or beat that annual figure as early as January 2023. At least a third will be heading to Pattaya where there are lengthy daily queues at the over-busy immigration bureau to register a local address, extend a holiday stay or seek other services. The neighboring photocopying unit has recently hired more staff to cope with the extra demand. There are many signs that the latest Russian arrivals in Pattaya have different expectations from their predecessors. Mikhail Nazarenko, who runs a Walking Street bar attracting mostly Russian imbibers, said, “Some are tourists anxious for a two-weeks sunshine break from Putin’s grim regime, but others are looking to the long haul including some draft dodgers too.” He cited airline reports that the charter flights to U-tapao are always full, but the return journeys have some vacant seats. Mikhail debunked the myth that Russians here are struggling financially because their credit cards don’t work owing to international sanctions. “Travelling Russians are using credit cards issued abroad, particularly the Middle East and China, while others are arriving with mega cash, especially US dollars, in their hand luggage. There’s also the option for new arrivals in Pattaya to obtain cash from affluent Russian expats already here and repay it by using their banking app to transfer funds to the lender’s Russian account. It’s no problem.” There has also been a surge in the number of Russians seeking proof of address letters from Chonburi immigration bureau which are required to open bank accounts in Thailand. Some Thai banks or managers are very cagey about allowing some foreign nationals to start accounts, because of money-laundering fears, so the more accommodating branches often have long queues during opening hours. There is also substantial Russian interest in long-term visas, such as Elite which offers a five year, multiple-entry stay in return for an initial cash payment of 600,000 baht (about US$18,000), or annual renewals based on retirement or marriage. Applications by Russians for Thai driving licences are also rising, according to the Department of Land Transportation, whilst Russians (unlike Indians or Chinese) can take advantage of the same-day Cambodian visa run which extends their visa-free option for a further 45 days with then another 30 days on application to immigration. Russian vacationers (like UK, EU and USA) can now stay in Thailand for 150 days (45 plus 30 and repeat 45 plus 30)) on a visa-free basis. Restaurants and property agents are brushing up their Russian language marketing materials. Not only are the Russians coming, they’re here in abundance.

Peter RS raises a good question about how the uncovered entrances will compensate of accumulating rain water. I can appreciate the aesthetic desire to keep the entrances as low-profile and unobtrusive in this historical area so I have to assume they took that into consideration in the initial engineering designs. Nevertheless I'd be fascinated to learn what method they arrived upon as a solution. Apparently the underpass had a soft opening some time back based on the YouTube video below. I've also found some photos that reflect just what an attractive architectural achievement the project turned out to be.

From Time Qatar Corruption Scandal Is Rocking European Parliament A high-profile corruption case that alleges Qatar bribed European lawmakers to sway policy has rocked the European Parliament. Belgian federal prosecutors arrested and charged four people as of Tuesday with corruption, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization on behalf of a “Gulf State,” which Belgian media and some members of the European Assembly have identified as Qatar. European authorities have not named the country. Among those charged is Greek MEP Eva Kaili, 44, who is one of 14 Vice Presidents of the E.U. body. The European Parliament on Tuesday voted 625 to 1 to strip Kaili of her role over the allegations. She has denied any involvement in the bribery scandal. The federal prosecutor’s office said “it is suspected that third parties in political and/or strategic positions within the European Parliament were paid large sums of money or offered substantial gifts to influence Parliament’s decisions,” in a statement. Between Friday and Monday, Belgian police raided at least 20 raids across homes and parliamentary offices, seizing €1.5 million ($1.6 million) in cash, as well as computers and phones. Six people had been taken in for questioning by authorities so far, with two released, the New York Times reported. Others who were detained on Friday include Kaili’s husband Francesco Giorgi, who works as an aide to Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino, as well as her father, Alexandros Kailis. They also include Luca Visentini, chief of the International Trade Union Confederation and Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former member of the European parliament, per the Times. The identity of the sixth individual is not known. The E.U.’s top official, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed “utmost concern” over the allegations on Monday. “This confidence and trust in our institutions need the highest standards of independence and integrity,” von der Leyen said at a news conference. She called for the creation of an independent ethics body moving forward.

From ASEAN Now / Thaiger A huge fire has reportedly erupted on Sukhumvit Soi 3 in Bangkok, near the traffic lights. The story is developing. Smoke is engulfing the air above, in what seems to be a fire from a building. Videos below courtesy of Khun Steve and ASEANNOW. Continues with videos https://aseannow.com/topic/1280448-just-now-big-fire-on-sukhumvit-soi-3-near-the-traffic-lights/

In my experience, the best and safest place to cross Surawong is the crosswalk directly in front of Burger King on one side and Shenanigan's and the opposite side (near Patpong 1). I used this at least twice a day on my last two trips. It's well-lighted and many pedestrians use it.