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No, of course we should not praise it. Why would you possibly suggest that anyone should? But here’s story of what very few know of the US helicopter pilot who turned his guns on My Lai attackers and adverted an even greater tragedy. The facts of My Lai are harrowing. The valor and courage of one man can not undo that. But his humanity in the face of this tragedy deserves to be known. It is always tempting to cast the first stones. From Wikipedia Hugh Clowers Thompson Jr. (April 15, 1943 – January 6, 2006) was a United States Army Major, and a former warrant officer in the 123rd Aviation Battalion of the 23rd Infantry Division. He is credited with ending the Mỹ Lai Massacre of the South Vietnamese village known as Sơn Mỹ on March 16, 1968, alongside and hierarchically above Glenn Andreotta and Lawrence Colburn. During the massacre, Thompson and his Hiller OH-23 Raven crew, Glenn Andreotta and Lawrence Colburn, stopped a number of killings by threatening and blocking American officers and enlisted soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division. Additionally, Thompson and his crew saved a number of Vietnamese civilians by personally escorting them away from advancing United States Army ground units and assuring their evacuation by air. Thompson reported the atrocities by radio several times while at Sơn Mỹ. Although these reports reached Task Force Barker operational headquarters, nothing was done to stop the massacre. After evacuating a child to a Quảng Ngãi hospital, Thompson angrily reported to his superiors at Task Force Barker headquarters that a massacre was occurring at Sơn Mỹ. Immediately following Thompson's report, Lieutenant Colonel Frank A. Barker ordered all ground units in Sơn Mỹ to cease search and destroy operations in the village. In 1970, Thompson testified against those responsible for the Mỹ Lai Massacre. Twenty-six officers and enlisted soldiers, including William Calley and Ernest Medina, were charged with criminal offenses, but all were either acquitted or pardoned. Thompson was condemned and ostracized by many individuals in the United States military and government, as well as the public, for his role in the investigations and trials concerning the Mỹ Lai massacre. As a direct result of what he experienced, Thompson experienced posttraumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, divorce, and severe nightmare disorder.[1] Despite the adversity he faced, he remained in the United States Army until November 1, 1983, then continued to make a living as a helicopter pilot in the Southeastern United States. In 1998, 30 years after the massacre, Thompson and the two other members of his crew, Andreotta and Colburn, were awarded the Soldier's Medal (Andreotta posthumously), the United States Army's highest award for bravery not involving direct contact with the enemy.[2] Thompson and Colburn returned to Sơn Mỹ to meet with survivors of the massacre at the Sơn Mỹ Memorial in 1998. In 1999, Thompson and Colburn received the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award. Thompson recounted at an academic conference on Mỹ Lai held at Tulane University in December, 1994: "We kept flying back and forth, reconning in front and in the rear, and it didn't take very long until we started noticing the large number of bodies everywhere. Everywhere we'd look, we'd see bodies. These were infants, two-, three-, four-, five-year-olds, women, very old men, no draft-age people whatsoever."[9] Thompson and his crew, who at first thought the artillery bombardment caused all the civilian deaths on the ground, became aware that Americans were murdering the villagers after a wounded civilian woman they requested medical evacuation for, Nguyễn Thị Tẩu (chín Tẩu), was murdered right in front of them by Captain Medina, the commanding officer of the operation. According to Lawrence Colburn, Immediately after the execution, Thompson discovered the irrigation ditch full of Calley's victims. Thompson then radioed a message to accompanying gunships and Task Force Barker headquarters, "It looks to me like there's an awful lot of unnecessary killing going on down there. Something ain't right about this. There's bodies everywhere. There's a ditch full of bodies that we saw. There's something wrong here."[3]: 75  Thompson spotted movement in the irrigation ditch, indicating that there were civilians alive in it. He immediately landed to assist the victims. Lieutenant Calley approached Thompson and the two exchanged an uneasy conversation.[3]: 77  As Thompson was speaking to Calley, Calley's subordinate, Sergeant David Mitchell, fired into the irrigation ditch, killing any civilians still moving.[3]: 78  Thompson and his crew, in disbelief and shock, returned to their helicopter and began searching for civilians they could save. They spotted a group of women, children, and old men in the northeast corner of the village fleeing from advancing soldiers from the 2nd Platoon, Company C. Immediately realizing that the soldiers intended to murder the Vietnamese civilians, Thompson landed his helicopter between the advancing ground unit and the villagers.[3]: 79  He turned to Colburn and Andreotta and ordered them to shoot the men in the 2nd Platoon if they attempted to kill any of the fleeing civilians.[3]: 81  While Colburn and Andreotta trained their guns on the 2nd Platoon, Thompson located as many civilians as he could, persuaded them to follow him to a safer location, and ensured their evacuation with the help of two UH-1 Huey pilots he was friends with.[5]: 138–139  Low on fuel, Thompson was forced to return to a supply airstrip miles outside the village. Before they departed the village, Andreotta spotted movement in the irrigation ditch full of bodies. According to Trent Angers in The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story (2014), The child, Do Ba, was pulled from the irrigation ditch and after failing to find any more survivors, Thompson's crew transported the child to a hospital in Quảng Ngãi.[3]: 215  After transporting the child to the hospital, Thompson flew to the Task Force Barker headquarters (Landing Zone Dottie), and angrily reported the massacre to his superiors.[5]: 176–179  His report quickly reached Lieutenant Colonel Frank Barker, the operation's overall commander. Barker immediately radioed ground forces to cease the "killings". After the helicopter was refueled, Thompson's crew returned to the village to ensure that no more civilians were being murdered and that the wounded were evacuated.[3]: 89  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Thompson_Jr.

Pomposity squared

Pompous even in anger! I do love it so 😀

My dear fellow, you say that you’re not ant-American but all your talk betrays that. I’d have some respect for your views if you simply admitted your bias. Since you can’t, I don’t give a crap about anything you babble on about. You may well be the most aristocratic poster to ever grace these pages. But I shouldn’t complain too much. You give me a reason to log on and see what new windy pomposities you managed to post. You provide a certain modicum of comic relief. And you always use so many extraneous words to say it. 😃

I see that you still want to play bad America card. No problem. The answer is obvious: because its government chooses to. And as I look back again at your comments, there’s nothing germane to same sex marriage in Cuba. The bulk of it is indeed histrionic babble about what you hate about America. Tell us, do you hate American government for its actions on June 6, 1944? I thought not.

I only add personal comments on news items if I believe they’re relevant, and not just to hear myself talk. I try to select items that may be of interest to those considering a trip to Thailand or already living there. It’s indeed time consuming but it’s become a hobby over time. I guess it’s not so unlike the way Richard Barrow shares his fondness for news and current events. But thank you for asking. in all sincerity, I’m heartened that you have a committed partner. I’m sure your relationship brings immeasurable joy to your life.

From Pattaya news Indian and Russian victims in separate cases said they were pickpocketed last night by what they said were a Thai female companion and two transgender individuals. The first victim was a 29-year-old Indian national, Mr. Sekar Mohandoss. He came to report his plight at the Pattaya police station last night, October 2nd, saying his Huawei A4 smartphone was stolen by a female companion whom he paid to, according to him, “just hang out” with him at his accommodation. Mr. Sekar said his phone cost 18,400 baht, and it disappeared when the woman left his room. The Indian tourist came to the police station alone and was reportedly shocked by the incident. Meanwhile, the second victim, Mr. Vadim Korni Iashchenko, a 31-year-old Russian national, also went to report a similar thief incident at the Pattaya police station at 5:30 PM last night. According to him, he was on a night out to enjoy the beach when what he described as two transvestites in sexy dresses approached him to say hi and offer companionship. Mr. Vadim said he refused and tried to walk away, but the two kept following him and touching his body. Once the suspects were gone, Mr. Vadim’s gold necklace, which he claimed was worth over 120,000 baht, had disappeared from his neck.

From Coconuts Bangkok It’s been raining endlessly and we’re ready to move on. And we will. Just a little later than usual. Meteorologists forecast that Thailand’s cooler days of winter will officially arrive in the fourth week of October – a week later than usual – but last through February. Temperatures in the capital city and its metropolitan areas are expected to drop to as low as 15C. Temperatures in the north could fall as low as 8C. The south will get chilly in its upper reaches, but the region will also see heavy rains. Residents are warned to prepare for flash floods and high waves. This long-term forecast will be updated in the last week of October, said the meteorological department.

From the Thaiger On October 1, Korean Air resumed two direct routes to Thailand. The airline reopened services between Seoul to Chiang Mai and Phuket, which were both suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The South Korean flag carrier announced the return of the popular routes in August. Flights from Seoul Incheon to Phuket depart on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5.55pm and land in Phuket at 10pm. Phuket to Seoul flights depart on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, leaving Phuket at 11.20pm and arriving in Seoul Incheon at 7.55am the next day. A Boeing 737-800 will serve the Seoul – Chiang Mai route, which departs from Seoul Incheon at 5.55pm and lands in Chiang Mai at 9.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Chiang Mai to Seoul flights will depart at 11pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and arrive in Seoul at 6.25am the following day. One-way economy class tickets from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket to Seoul all start from 14,250 baht. Tickets can be bought through the Korean Air website.

Wasn’t the topic of this thread same sex marriage in Cuba, my dear Peter?

And some faring known for ignoring oral hygiene. One of reasons for “I no kiss.”

I believe the non-guest price of very good buffet breakfast at Quarter Silom hotel is baht 1.99.

If an avowed enemy was placing nuclear weapons 90 miles from your shores, I’d hope to hell you’d support crippling sanctions. But in spite of your hard on for Americans, you’ll always remain “my dear fellow.”

My point exactly. You derailed topic to scratch your itch.

Not to worry. Neighbors already know.

The following article was first published March 4, 2020 and reposted in today’s edition of Pattaya Mail. From the Pattaya Mail Last week we spoke with a group of Pattaya bargirls. The girl go-go scene is quite visible and known to all. This week we would like to give the men and boys who work in bars an opportunity to tell their side of the story. There is more mystery in their world, and a greater degree of discretion is required. They are hit by a double whammy from society; it’s not okay to be a whore and it’s not okay to be gay. This reporter interviewed three workers from a Pattaya bar. Anu, the oldest was thirty. Looking like an Asian Brad Pitt, he was calm and thoughtful. Torn, 24, was outgoing and higher voltage. He had the look and manner of Tom Cruise, in the movie Cocktail. Chai, 26 dark and muscular, was the most sure of his answers. We spoke in the central Thai dialect. JP: You aren’t what I expected. Are you typical? Torn: You were expecting katoeys?JP: Uh… Torn: Never mind (laughs). Katoeys are very visible. We’re not. JP: Are you gay? Anu: Yes, I am. Torn: So am I Chai: I’m not. JP: You’re sure? Anu: No, he isn’t. He has a wife and kids. JP: I’m confused. Anu: Being gay or straight doesn’t matter. We’re here to make money. Torn: Sometimes straight guys have it easier doing this work. JP: (Looking puzzled) ??? Anu: (thinks) You see, Chai is lucky. He just does his job and goes home. There’s no emotional investment for him. He has a family. Chai: Yeah, right. When I’m finished I leave and forget it. Torn: If you’re gay and do this type of work, you feel like your emotions are in a food processor. We don’t feel being gay is wrong, but in this scene, sometimes we wish we weren’t. JP: Why? Anu: Our customers. Some are very nice, but they get bored with us. JP: May I ask, are you attracted to any of your customers? Torn: Yes. Some of them. JP: Which customers? Anu: Asians. Torn: Yes. Mostly Asians. Chai: Anyone’s fine. As long as they pay. JP: Why Asians? Anu: Because we can relate to them. JP: I don’t understand. Aside from Thais, it must be difficult to communicate with Japanese, Koreans or other Asians. Anu: But they look like us and our cultures are similar. They want fun, so they are kind to us. I also find some of them attractive. JP: Could you explain? Anu: Very simple. We’re gay men. We take all customers, but it’s easier if they’re our type. Torn: Easier? Sure. I remember that Taiwanese guy. You almost went bananas! You JP: I’m in the dark. Anu: I met a very handsome, 25 year old law student from Taiwan. He was very generous and kind. He bought me gold and clothing. I really became infatuated. He even took me to Taiwan. After a week he sent me back here. I couldn’t be a real part of his life. It hurt. JP: What about the Farangs? (Silence). Please be open. What do you think? Torn: We find farangs to be the least desirable type of customer (pause). JP: Why? Anu: Several reasons. Farangs have this idea that 500 Baht is the market rate. They usually give us no more; often less. Also 99.9% of the Farangs who come here are not the least bit attractive. They look down on us. Their attitude’s wrong. Torn: Women bar workers are luckier. They can fake it. If we can’t perform, customers get upset. We usually fantasize. JP: Speaking of the fantastic, do any unusual things happen with customers? Torn: Yeah. I had one who was so afraid of disease; he wore three pairs of surgical gloves and three condoms. Torn: Yes, really. He disinfected himself with Dettol afterwards. He was strange when he first came in. Wouldn’t touch any of the doorknobs. JP: You don’t find Farangs attractive? Chai: Most of the guys don’t. But some only like farangs over forty. They don’t feel the same warmth with young men. Torn: The ones I like usually speak fluent Thai, and don’t like bars. JP: Oh. And you, Chai? Chai: I just think of the money and it works! Anu: Chai’s lucky. No emotional conflicts. JP: Are there any positive points about this work? Chai: For me, the funny things make it bearable. A guy took me to his hotel room. He had a valise full of make-up and women’s clothing. He had me dress up. Imagine me in drag? Ha! He spent the whole night cooing about how beautiful I was. Otherwise, he didn’t touch me. And he gave me three thousand baht. An easy trick. I described the dresses to my wife. She said they sounded dreadful. Anu: The first two years are fun. I was young, fresh and popular. I got taken out almost every night. Customers bought me gifts. I felt really desirable. JP: Why don’t you find other work? Anu: Once you do this for about six months, you’re trapped. We become used to the money. And we can never save any. It comes too easily. JP: Anu, where have you been, aside from Taiwan? Anu: Macao and Belgium. JP: What did you do? Anu:. I did this type of work. My customers were Thai women who worked in bars there. They were lonely for Thai men. I only stayed a month. JP: Why? Anu: Because I’m not attracted to women and they were neurotic. Too many hassles. JP: (to Chai) How does your wife feel about you doing this? Chai: (Laughs) She was the one who told me to do it! She works in a bar herself. She just asks me not to go with women. We hope to save enough to start a business. JP: Do your families know you do this? Torn, Chai: No. Anu: My mother pretends she doesn’t know. My brother is a real bastard. He called me names. I pointed out I was the one who had paid for his education and marriage by selling myself. I told him if he didn’t like it, to leech off someone else! JP: What’s the most difficult thing in your work? Torn: Weirdos! Anu: A lot of Western men are kinky and want us to do things we find distasteful. JP: May I ask what? Anu: Usually sado-masochism and other things. I’m not in to giving and receiving physical pain. And the other things? Think about it. Yuegh! JP: Do you have any future hopes? Anu: A man from France comes here every year on his vacation and always spends it with me. I’m not in love with him. He’s not my type. But I like him as a friend. He promises that he will take me to France to live with him. But it hasn’t happened yet. JP: How long have you known him? Anu: (Smiles ruefully) Seven years. Torn: Anu, you’re a pessimist. I do this because I want experience. Friendly customers are okay. It’s better than loading rice barges. Chai: Yeah, and I’ve had customers help out my family! JP:. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time. All: That’s okay. There are no customers. JP: When we publish articles we usually have an illustration. How would you like it to be? JP: When we publish articles we usually have an illustration. How would you like it to be? Anu: Maybe you shouldn’t make it look as if we’re all happy. JP: Why? Anu: Chai’s not gay and Torn’s still young. I’m thirty and don’t have as many customers as before. I had a Thai lover for three years, but we separated. I was too old for him. Most gay men like younger people. After our looks go, it’s difficult to find customers or life partners. I’ll not have children, and what would I do at home? The future seems lonely. Torn: (his face is bleak) Why did you have to mention that? JP: I’ll try with the illustration. Anu: Thank-you. JP: Thank you. Torn: Come back and talk again. JP: You want to talk to a farang? Torn You’re not a farang. You’re Thai. Wanna ride home? I’ve got a large motorcycle with a small seat. JP: (JP actually blushes).

From Thai PBS World Two more monkeypox cases confirmed Two more monkeypox cases have been reported in Thailand, bringing total confirmed infections to 10, according to Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department. Both cases were found in Phuket province, with one being a 37-year-old Thai woman and the other a 54-year-old German man, who had been in close contact with the infected woman. The woman developed a fever, sore throat and muscle pains on September 16th and took medication she bought from a pharmacy, but blisters later appeared on her body. On September 25th she went to a hospital for treatment and lab tests confirmed her monkeypox infection. The German man also developed blisters on September 27th and a hospital test confirmed his infection. Both are now being treated in hospital. Dr. Opart said that Thailand has taken a pro-active approach in dealing with monkeypox, adding that anyone who has been in close contact with anyone suspected of being infected or who has developed symptoms can seek a consultation at their nearest health facility or call the Disease Control Department’s hotline at 1422.

Peter, my dear, this topic was about same sex marriage in Cuba. You authored the very first response to the OP as an excuse to indulge your penchant for bashing America. You’re obsessed with doing that, poor fellow. This was a deliberate attempt to derail the discussion and now you’re dismayed because there are some members who call you out for it.

We always end up at square one, Peter. Whenever England needs help, it will always speed dial Washington. And Washington will respond. That’s the nature of the relationship between these once enemies. There exits no stronger international ties. The rest of your histrionic babble amounts to shit when balanced against that fact.

McDonald’s used to be at the very intersection (with Ronald figure outside). KFC is in same building but storefront faces Silom. I referred to complex as being Silom Edge. It’s actually “Edge Silom.” Bangkok City Administration is doing extensive sidewalk repairs on Silom. Trees are being planted that will eventually provide shade for pedestrians. Be assured all due respect will be accorded heritage site held in high regard by many.

All one, Peter, but nations must now look to the future and decide where they stand In face of aggression at this very moment in Ukraine that also affects the economies of Europe and the wider world. Putin is either stopped in his tracks or he’ll continue his plans for further annexations.

Just the kind of mindset that enabled Hitler and could further enable Putin. It didn’t work for the British in the run up to WWII. Thank God for the tenacity of Churchill. And be grateful that the Ukrainians don’t lack courage.

Pleased to inform readers that I awakened this morning to my second day of rainless and partly overcast skies over Bangkok. The air is cool enough to open the windows and take in a pleasant breeze. The last two evening were perfect for walking. Getting in about 11:45 on Wednesday night, there was only one person in front of me at immigration. Less than three minutes later I was on my way. Spent the first night at The Quarter Silom on Soi Tarntawan. Check in was quick and I immediately messaged my friend to meet me in the lobby. He arrived 15 minutes later and no problem whatsoever bringing him to room (I’d booked for two, including breakfast). Rooms here are tight an compact but very clean with a most comfortable bed and walk in shower. The buffet breakfast offered much more than I expected and we more than satisfied. Checked out at 11:45 and front desk allowed us to check bags while I went to phone store to renew my plan (200 bht per month). It was raining lightly but not enough to keep us from short walk to Airbnb. Rain cleared by evening and we walked around the Silom-Silom rectangle. In anticipation of Vinapu’s impending visit, KFC has opened a new location in the site at Rama 4 and Silom Rd. Once the home of Robinson’s Department store, it now houses Silom Edge, a multi-use complex and the Colonel appears to be among the first occupancies to open. One thing that caught our eye were massage shops that seemed to be doing a good business. Spoke briefly with a few friendly guys on upper Silom and on Soi Six who reported that business has been good. The outdoor food stalls we’re doing a brisk business along Surawong. Stopped for meal at The Beer Garden and waitress remembered I like ice in my Leo. Have a haircut on the agenda today and a trip to Foodland to gather provisions. It’s great to be back.

From Thai News Agency BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) — Twenty-baht polymer banknotes show different serial numbers in Thai and Arabic digits on each bill due to a production flaw but owners can use them or exchange them at banks and financial institutions, according to the Bank of Thailand. BOT deputy governor Vachira Aromdee said the defective banknotes were produced by De La Rue International Limited (DLR) and the central bank already stopped distributing the bills from the company. Initial investigation showed that normal quality control could not detect the mistake, she said. People could use such banknotes and exchange them at banks and specific financial institutions. The BOT was collecting them and trying to solve the problem with DLR which confirmed its best cooperation with the central bank to work out a complete solution, Ms Vachira said. (TNA)

From Thai PBS World In his first reaction to the ruling by the Constitutional Court which reaffirms his premiership, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to forge ahead with mega-projects initiated by his government. In a post on his Facebook page, Prayut welcomed the ruling and thanked his supporters. “I want to convey my highest regards to the ruling of the Constitutional Court,” he said. Prayut said the one month during which he was suspended from active duty has given him time to reflect on himself. “It makes me realize that I need to spend the limited precious time that this government has left in following up and pushing all the mega-projects that I have initiated to bring prosperity to the country,” he said. It was the first direct message from Prayut to the country since the court suspended him from performing his duty as prime minister on August 24 pending its ruling on his term of office. The court this afternoon concluded that Prayut can continue to complete his tenure which it ruled began in 2017. He said among his priorities are projects to upgrade the country’s communication and digital infrastructure which he said is crucial to the country’s future. “These are projects that no previous administrations had undertaken…I initiated them with thorough consideration for the benefit of the people,” he said. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-vows-to-push-ahead-with-mega-projects/