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From Channel News Asia BANGKOK: A former policeman killed 37 people, including 22 children, in a gun and knife rampage at a childcare centre in north-eastern Thailand on Thursday (Oct 6), later shooting dead his wife and child at their home before turning his weapon on himself, police said. The children at the childcare centre in Uthai Sawan, a town 500km northeast of Bangkok, were mostly stabbed to death, they said. Police identified the attacker as a former member of the force who was dismissed from his post last year over drug allegations and he was facing trial on a drugs charge. The man had been in court earlier in the day and had then gone to the childcare centre to collect his child, police spokesperson Paisal Luesomboon told broadcaster ThaiPBS. When he did not find his child there, he began the killing spree, Paisal said. "He started shooting, slashing, killing children at the Utai Sawan daycare centre." Continues with video https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-mass-shooting-childcare-centre-gunman-killed-himself-former-policeman-2991456

The studio claims that it’s been approved for release in Thailand. Could be cinemas are delaying it to occur during high season when more international travelers are in town.

Agree they have their own networks but those with English skills reading this site it only to learn what we say about them. And we say a lot because they’re our favorite topic of discussion.

A new Netflix (single episode) documentary about the cave rescue became available in Thailand yesterday. It focuses on interviews with the players, their coach and other key players. In my book, this is history’s greatest rescue adventure. What makes it unique is that it’s an event free of corruption, bad intentions or self-serving motives. It is about courage, brotherhood, self-sacrifice and teamwork. And for those of us who believe in such things, a miracle.

I know three working boys in Bangkok (with respectable English skills) who read this site. And why would they not because many comments concern the work they do. I’m sure there’s others I don’t know who look in here to see what customers are saying. So when the guy you’re with impresses you with his English, we shouldn’t be surprised that he reads the same sites we’re attracted to.

From the Thaiger / Condé Nast Traveler Thailand was voted No.3 best country in the world to travel to in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Europe dominated the list of 48 countries, with Thailand and Singapore the only Southeast Asian nations to make the top 10. Thousands of people voted in numerous ‘best of’ lists… best countries, cities, islands, resorts, hotels, etc. Thai locations ranked highly in several categories… Top 10 Countries In The World 2022 Portugal 91.22 Japan 91.17 Thailand 90.46 Singapore 90.09 India 90.01 Greece 89.79 Denmark 89.62 The United Kingdom 89.12 Italy 89.12 New Zealand 89.01 Readers also voted for “Best Cities In The World” to travel to, where Bangkok came in fourth place. Top 10 Best Cities In The World 2022 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 92.94 Singapore 89.49 Victoria, Canada 89.46 Bangkok, Thailand 89.36 San Sebastian, Spain 89.15 Tokyo, Japan 88.32 Merida, Mexico 88.30 Quebec City, Canada 88.29 Cape Town, South Africa 88.27 Mumbai, India 88.27 Continues at https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-voted-no-3-in-list-of-top-countries-in-the-world-2022

From The Nation The Thailand-Laos rail project linking the China-Laos railway is on track, with services expected to commence in mid-2023 and both countries agreeing that Thanaleng station in Vientiane’s Hadxayfong district will be an international one, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said on Wednesday. During the latest meeting last month with representatives from the Lao National Railway Authority, the neighbouring nation agreed to send train operators, maintenance staff and related officials for training in Thailand, the SRT said. The training is expected to be completed by December, after which both countries will discuss train operations and fees, as well as other related issues. The discussions are expected to wrap up before the scheduled opening date in mid-2023. The project will see the railway linking Nong Khai province to the Laotian capital of Vientiane, where it will connect the China-Laos railway that runs to Kunming. This stretch went into operation in December last year. The Thailand-Laos-China railway will be a boon for tourists and cross-border trade among the three countries. Under the first phase, the Thailand-Laos rail line will sport four stations – Na Tha and Nong Khai in Thailand along with Thanaleng and Vientiane Khamsavath in Laos. Train operations commence in mid-2023 with four return trips per day. The route will also run pass the Thanaleng Dry Port and a container yard. In the second phase starting from 2024, the SRT will extend the route to Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima stations, with two trains running daily from Nakhon Ratchasima to Vientiane Khamsavath and back. The last phase, from 2025, will see the route further extended to Bang Sue Grand Station, with two return trips per day between Bangkok and Vientiane Khamsavath.

December and January are always the height of the tourist season but we still always talk about.

From coconuts Bangkok A Sathorn-area vaccination center set to close last week will remain open for the foreseeable future, according to the Disease Control Department. The department reversed plans to close the clinic at the Bang Rak Medical Center, which has been providing free access to vaccines for citizens and immigrants alike, after business groups and an association advocating for Americans petitioned for it to remain open. “The department of disease control considered and agreed to open the COVID-19 vaccine service in addition with the center’s regular health services,” the department said Monday in a letter to the Americans in Thailand Association. It added that the center would provide free COVID-19 vaccinations on a walk-in basis from 9am to 2:30pm every Wednesday and Thursday. The Bang Rak Medical Center, located on Sathorn Road near BTS Saint Louis, has provided an accessible location for free COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots. Due to Thailand relaxing measures and the success of its vaccination campaign, the center had been due to close by Friday. But given the recent closure of another major vaccination center at the Bang Sue Grand Station, aka the Krungthep Apiwat Grand Station, it would have left residents with fewer options. Free injections are also available Saturday and Oct. 29 at the Institute of Dermatology at the Victory Monumentc. Shots will be available to anyone 5 and up on a walk-in basis, including foreigners.

From Thai PBS World The Thai cabinet has made November 16th, 17th and 18th special public holidays for Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan to ease the movement of government leaders and senior officials during the APEC Summit and related meetings. Anucha Burapachaisri, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said today (Wednesday) that the extra days off are also intended to enable security officials to perform their duties efficiently. Commercial banks and other financial institutes, however, will remain open as usual, particularly those responsible for critical functions. Other staff can work from home. State enterprises, private companies and the Labour Ministry can decide, as they think fit, whether to remain operational, as long as they ensure that the public are not affected if they decide to suspend operations. The APEC Summit and related meetings, from November 14th to 17th, will take place at the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre in Bangkok.

New event??? You’ve been posting in multiple threads about events that happened 10, 50 and century or more ago. And not just from Thailand but world wide!

Small payment indeed for moments of afternoon delight 🙂

So you don’t believe that members here would like to be aware of what affects the poor in the city they travel from all over the world to visit. In the past few days alone, members have posted about cities and countries the world over. Posting about what’s happening in Bangkok seems quite appropriate.

Shameless Mack blog has been reincarnated and now known as Shameless Mack Two.

To those who live in high rise condos perhaps. But to the great numbers of working class who live close to sea level, it matters a lot.

Never too late to immigrate. Just follow Hemingway’s advice and take a “Slow boat to Cuba.”

The annual Hindu Navaratri festival and parade will take place tonight on lower Silom rd. Anticipate unusually heavy traffic in the Silom-Sathorn-Surawong area between 6pm and Midnight. Sri Maha Mariamman (also called Wat Prasri Maha Umathewee) is the main Hindu temple in Bangkok. It is located across the street from Silom Soi 20. It is hard to miss since it is a towering Dravidian style temple. It is free to enter and those who have come to sightsee are just as welcome as those Hindus who wish to attend a puja. The temple was built by Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil immigrant to Bangkok in the late Nineteenth Century. The main temple building is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Mariamman. For those interested, the temple was built by a Shakti sect that revers ‘the mother of the God’; somewhat similar to the Catholic obsession to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

From the Thaiger TOURISM British Embassy Bangkok to hold a conference on tourism safety and security This is a one-day conference bringing together the Phuket tourism industry, Thai government departments and the international community to discuss matters relating to tourism safety and security in Phuket. The following topics will be discussed: Security Awareness and Crime Prevention Protective Security Incident Response Panel Discussion: Emerging Consular Trends Post Covid-19 Tourism Industry Cyber Risks Engaging Embassies and Consulates Event is: Free entry to all (no cost and anyone can join) – full day with materials, includes coffee breaks, lunch and networking The seminar will be conducted in Thai and English Meet safety and security experts from the UK Register https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebCA3sLe41HkkDu2BIZv-RbPzni4CPpoRnWkR26CrEzu9urg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0Tq6_zofEhbu_bgRzkUF6hBlFAe7e8ULfSp0fccwx6yYwRfw3-hQQxXJk

From Thai PBS World Bangkok authorities on Tuesday urged government agencies and private companies to consider allowing their personnel and employees to work from home in the next few days as Bangkok is expected to be hit by more heavy rains. Bangkok Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej expressed fears that between October 5-7 Bangkok will be facing possible heaving flooding with the arrival of floodwaters from the north coupled with anticipated heavy rains. “We would like to ask for cooperation from agencies and companies to allow people to work from home or to quit work earlier between Oct 5-7,” she said. A heavy downpour on Monday turned many parts of Bangkok into swamps. Hardest hit were areas around Laksi and Chaengwattanawhere many government agencies are located. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt admitted that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was not prepared enough to deal with the flooding in those areas. He said it needs to work more closely with the Highways Department and authorities in neighbouring Nonthaburi to handle the situation.

None has served me better than “trust your instincts.” if the situation looks wrong, feels wrong or just leaves you undecided, heed the message and disengage. Don’t second guess yourself. Sure, it’s possible you’re misjudging the situation but your instincts will minimize the risk of a bad outcome. I can only recall a handful of incidents where this actually kicked in. But they all involved total strangers met on the street. The one that stands out was a guy hanging out on the large steps of the K-bank on Surawong, near the old Twlight site. He offered me a body massage and I brought him back to Tarntawan. After what was just some rubbing my back, he demanded in no uncertain terms that I give him 2,000 bht. I handed him 500 and he took it but still wanted the rest, saying “I not leaving.” It wasn’t until I picked up phone that he shouted some obscenity and left. A few minutes later I got the call from elevator guard if everything was ok. I was tempted to say no but since no physical threat had been made, I let it go. That was probably 15 years ago, but it was the incident that convinced me not to again put myself into a situation that—on reflection—felt wrong from the start. The guy was a bit unkept and badly needed a shower, something I realized back in the room. And he never smiled or said much at all on walk to hotel. And yes, my prior alcohol intake clouded my judgement to some degree. That’s why I much prefer massage shops or bars as meeting venues. Overall, I feel safer in Thailand than in any other country (crossing streets and riding motor bikes excepted).

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Pub fire claims 24th victim From Thai PBS World The deadly inferno at the Mountain B pub in Sattahip district of Chon Buri on August 5th claimed its 24th life last night (Monday), at the Somdech Phra Pinklao military hospital in Thon Buri. The latest victim, Pattharakrit Suwanchim, a non-commissioned naval officer, was pronounced dead at 8.40pm. He had been hospitalised since he sustained severe burns when the fire struck the pub. 57 other people were injured in the blaze, some of whom have since died. 11 others are still in hospital, including three who are on ventilators.

From Pattaya Mail Many parts of Pattaya and Jomtien were inundated on Monday after three hours of heavy rains caused by the monsoon. The east side of the city railroads braced high level of floods. Vehicles were blocked off by the officials to prevent disasters on the railroads, and Pattaya third roads. Soi Buakhao, Soi Yensabai in south Pattaya and Soi Khao Talo were among the locations suffered at least two feet of water height. The water is receding in the afternoon. Nonetheless, the weather is unpredictable since the monsoon is still covering the eastern provinces and the causing high tides in Pattaya bay.

From Pattaya News One of Pattaya’s three biggest festivals, along with the New Year’s countdown and Songkran Wan Lai events, returns in November to light up the skies of Pattaya. Although the fireworks festival did take place in 2020 and 2021, due to border restrictions and business closures and covid rules many people that would have liked to come could not. Additionally the event was majorly scaled down for the past two years from multiple fireworks boats to one. This year, however, the fireworks festival returns with a BANG to Pattaya with many major beach hotel operators reporting their hotels are already fully booked with beach views. Pattaya City officials estimate over 100,000 domestic and foreign tourists will flock to the city for the event, making it the biggest event in Pattaya since 2019, pre Covid-19. The event will take place on November 25th and November 26th on Pattaya Beach, which will have Beach Road completely closed to vehicle traffic and full of various food vendors and a street market. Organizers of the event said they are going all out this year to celebrate Thailand fully open to tourism again without any restrictions and the event will also have many concerts, cultural activities, and other features. Admission to the fireworks is free and many parking areas will be provided around the city as well as shuttles to the beach for the event.

This subject surprisingly seems to arouse as much interest as trip reports. It’s like a Nielsen rating, revealing strong reaction pro or con.