reader

Your experience calls to mind a sports analogy. Although Man U is one of football's great clubs, on very rare occasions it takes the pitch but fails to score. Some might call it karma or just the odds of playing the game. And like that storied team, you surprise none of us by your penchant for picking yourself up and moving from setback to new beginning.

From The Nation Funeral in Chaing Rai 'drew Duangphet’s soul home' from UK The funeral for one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai in 2018 was held at Wat Phra That Doi Wao in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district on Thursday night. Duangphet "Dom" Promthep, 17, one of the Wild Boar football team members who – along with their coach – was trapped in Tham Luang Cave in 2018, died in England on Tuesday, after collapsing in his dormitory room on Sunday. He won a scholarship to study at Brooke House College, a football academy about 150 kilometres north of London, in August last year, and subsequently flew to England in September. Duangphet's parents and relatives, as well as other members of the Wild Boar football team, attended the funeral. Monks led by abbot Phra Kru Prayut Chetiyanukarn conducted the funeral rites using Duangphet's photo, clothes and shoes instead of his body, which remains in England. The funeral was held to make merit for Duangphet and lead his soul back to his hometown, the temple’s abbot said. "I believe that Duangphet's soul has returned to his hometown to meet his parents and friends who gathered to make merit for him," he said. He also expressed hope that Duangphet becomes his parents' son again in a future life, adding that those who attended the funeral had done their best to bring his soul home. The Royal Thai Embassy in London said Duangphet was sent to a hospital's intensive care unit after losing consciousness in his dormitory room on Sunday. "On Tuesday morning, Duangphet remained in critical condition before he died at 1.43pm [local time]," the embassy said, adding that the hospital had informed Duangphet's relatives.

From Pattaya News The chosen festivals are distinctive to their location, and are examples of the many unique and fascinating festivals that take place throughout Thailand each year. The Ministry of Culture has identified 16 distinctive festivals from around Thailand to be promoted on the international stage in line with the government’s Bio-Circular-Green economic model and the promotion of Thailand’s 5F soft-power foundations – Food, Film, Festival, Fight and Fashion. Bun Ban Klang Festival, Chon Buri This outdoor merit-making ritual in Phanat Nikhom District involves locals putting food onto banana leaves cut into squares, to ward off bad luck. The event is on from March-June 2023. Phuket Food (Creative City of Gastronomy) Festival, Phuket A fantastic occasion for food lovers, with plenty of food – both local and international – to be enjoyed. Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Festival, Pattani A colourful homecoming festival for Chinese descendants of Pattani province. This year, the event took place on 2-8 February. Ban Chiang World Heritage Festival, Udon Thani A celebration of the historical significance of the World Heritage Site-listed Ban Chiang area, considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in Southeast Asia. This year, the event took place on 10-12 February. Hok Peng Festival to Worship Phra That Chao Phu Phiang Chae Haeng, Nan A worship ritual at Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, Phra Aram Luang, in Phu Phiang district. This year, the event is taking place from 28 February to 6 March. Hae Malai Khao Tok Festival, Yasothon A cultural celebration in which thousands of hand-made garlands connecting popped rice together are displayed on floats. This year, the event takes place from 1-5 March at the event’s grounds in front of Mahachanachai District Office. Hae Phra Khuen That Festival, Nakhon Si Thammarat This celebration sees the wrapping of a long piece of sacred yellow cloth around the base of a stupa at Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. Wat Phra Mahathat. This year, the event takes place from 2-6 March. Korat Street Art, Nakhon Ratchasima A lively and colourful showcase celebrating creative works by regional artists. Sdok Kok Thom Festival, Sa Kaeo This festival highlights the renowned historical Sdok Kok Thom Khmer castle. Kram & Craft Sakon Festival, Sakhon Nakhon A festival in celebration of the local community’s cultural creativity, involving the use of natural plants to dye fabric. Vesak Day Festival, Mae Hong Son Known locally as Nataya Heng-sattha Gingala Nom Bucha Visakhaburamee, the event is a traditional merit-making ceremony held on Vesak Day, a sacred day to Buddhists and some Hindus. Tak Baht Dok Mai Khao Phansa (Festival of Floral Offerings), Saraburi A traditional merit-making ceremony involving the giving to monks of white Khao-Phansa flowers, also known as Dok Hong Hern (flying swan flower), held annually on Khao Phansa or Buddhist Lent Day. Phaya Sri Satta Nakarata Worship Ceremony, Nakhon Phanom A religious ceremony for the Naga believed to live in the Mekong River at Phaya Si Sattanakarat multipurpose yard, enshrined on the banks of the Mekong River. The event is on in July 2023. Hom Heet Toi Hoy Roi Jai Tai Lue (Tai Lue Local Festival), Phayao This event honours the Tai Lue ethnic community, and their distinctive traditions. Taking place at Wat Phrathat Sob Waen: Temple of the Tai Lue Culture, Chiang Kham Town, Yuan, Chiang Kham District, Phayao. The event is on from 15-16 July 2023. Phetchaburi City of Gastronomy Festival, Phetchaburi Another great event for food lovers, where they can enjoy fantastic local cuisine. Khom San Duang Festival, Lamphun Literally translated as a festival of a hundred thousand lanterns, this is a picturesque celebration that sees numerous floating lanterns let go into the sky during the annual Loi Krathong Festival at Wat Phra That Haripunchai Woramahawihan. https://thepattayanews.com/2023/02/15/bun-ban-klang-festival-in-chon-buri-with-other-15-distinctive-thai-festivals-to-be-promoted-internationally/

From Coconuts Bangkok The fight against Thailand’s draconian booze laws continues next month when a community of brewers gathers for what’s billed as Thailand’s “biggest craft beer event ever.” The inaugural Beer People Festival will run March 11 and 12 – inside The Street Ratchada shopping mall, where more than 200 labels will be shown off by brewers from throughout the country. Among the 400 expected flavors are barrel-aged mango papaya salad, tom yum soup, coconut and coffee stout, and more. Apart from craft beer, people can also expect to taste over 30 locally made liquors such as Thai whisky, rice whisky, and sato (Thai rice wine). The event is organized by the Prachachon Beer (“Beer People”) community that was founded four years ago by Thanakorn “Benz” Tuamsa-ngaim. Beer People Festival will run 11am to 9pm on March 11 and March 12 on the fifth floor of The Street Ratchada. The shopping mall is a short walk from MRT Thailand Cultural Centre. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/food-drink/bangkok-to-host-its-biggest-craft-beer-event-ever-in-march/

The Chon Buri governor says he recommends that the club, that reportedly lacked a license, be closed for five years. Somehow I'm confident the relative parties will stumble upon another method of resolving the matter. 🙂

The Bangkok Post is reporting that The Dragon Man Club in tambon Nong Prue was raided by Pattaya police at 3:30a.m. yesterday. Police said that they found about 50 people dancing and drinking in the "gay club." Fifteen tested positive for drugs and were taken to the police station. Cops observed that "many used condoms were found all over the place". It is unknown if they were collected as evidence. Photo from club's Facebook page.

From the BBC A little puppy is found on the side of road in Thailand, bloody with no fur and hardly able to move. A few weeks later, the dog - now named Rodney - is up and about and capturing hearts on social media. The journey Rodney has taken - and that of many other dogs - has been documented and posted online by County Tyrone man Niall Harbison, who has made it his mission to save as many street dogs as possible. Mr Harbison runs a sanctuary on the island of Koh Samui, where he rescues, nurses and feeds dogs in need. "They're street dogs, which makes them a bit tougher because they have to be," he told BBC News NI. "But underneath they're these lovely characters if you can draw it out of them." Continues with video https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-64650047 If you're a dog lover like myself,you may enjoy this vido about Harbiso's efforts to save stray dogs on Koh Samui.

From Paattaya News By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya mayor Poramase Ngampiches and city officials met on Wednesday to discuss new parking spots after parking on the Pattaya Beach side is set to be banned from March 1st. On February 15th, the mayor announced on social media the return of the ban on parking on the Pattaya beach side of the road from March 1st in response to increasing traffic issues. The mayor said he was finding new parking spots for tourists, which may include a parking space at the wastewater treatment plant in South Pattaya near Walking Street. People could easily get to Walking Street and Bali Hai Pier from this spot, according to the mayor. The ban on parking, which will go into effect from March 1st, is also applicable to buses and boats, Poramase said, adding they would need to relocate to Bali Hai Pier. Boats will no longer be allowed to pickup customers on the beach directly and tour buses should only drop off and pickup passengers at Bali Hai Pier.

In his column in today's Pattaya Mail, Barry Kenyon reports that expats will not be exempt from the fee. "Some press reports maintain that “expats” in general will be exempt. In reality, long stay retirees, married foreigners, Elite card holders and students have not been given an opt-out. The term “expat” in this context means “those paying Thai income tax on earnings” and rules out any foreigners without a blue book issued by the Department of Employment – with the exception of diplomatic passport holders and infants. With tourism again booming in Thailand, up to 4 million baht may be gathered for the Thai treasury in under a year. The money will spent mainly on improving tourist infrastructure, according to previous remarks by the Tourist Authority of Thailand, but around 10 percent will be available on a discretionary basis for public hospitals which have failed to get seriously ill or deceased foreign patients to pay their bills. The policy does not mean that foreigners in any shape or form will be relieved of the need to buy medical insurance. The fund is not a welfare scheme and hospital compensation will be limited to special or notorious cases, such as major traffic accidents or environmental disasters with multiple loss of life, for which special permission from the government will need to be sought by the hospital in question. There will likely be further clarification of the detail once the policy is publicized in the Royal Gazette. Worldwide, travel taxes are becoming more common. Bali already has such a tax added on to all flight tickets, whilst the Philippines wants to introduce one to develop “local culture”. The European Union will tax non-EU nationals by November 2023 but will exempt babies and those over 70. Many Caribbean destinations already charge an entry fee, ranging from US$12 to US$50."

And sometimes a more obscure reason may actually be the one in play. I discount "I don't want to be seen with him" for two reasons. First, they could have just taken seats remote from one another. Second, this guy works publicly in a popular bar in he country's largest city where he can easily be observed in the company of numerous foreigners. Despite his claims he doesn't go with customers, it's fair to assume this wouldn't be his first rodeo. Then you have the mysterious "delivery" on he evening he was scheduled to meet Vinapu in PP. It's unlikely it was a shipment of dragon fruit from China. And then there was the request for a new suitcase that PC had been counting on Vinapu to deliver to him on arrival. If you were planning to bring something surreptitiously into another country, wouldn't it be nice if you could somehow get another person to carry your bag--and on a separate flight--because your own baggage exceeded what was allowed (or some other excuse). Perhaps he got cold feet at the last minute as he began to realize Vinapu wasn't about to buy such a yarn. Maybe he ended up using the ticket Vinapu had purchased for him and went about his business in Bangkok? In hindsight, it's easy to see the red flags popping up. But in the heat of the chase, we're all subject to being thrown off the scent by the cloudy mist of lust and attraction. And there's always the possibility that there was nothing untoward going on here, aside from a deceptive young man trying his best to extract rewards for services he had no intention on delivering.

In this undated team photo taken prior to becoming trapped in the cave, Dom can be seen sitting on left.

From Pattya Mail By Barry Kenyon Soi Buakhao, or White Lotus Street, is booming post-covid as the cheaper version of the more famous Walking Street. Daytime beers can cost as little as 55 baht, or just over one pound sterling. There’s an echo of knees-up Blackpool with some of Soi Buakhao’s bars and restaurants having English-sounding names: Hungry Hippo, Butcher’s Arms, Churchill’s Munchies (now seemingly closed), Nicky’s, Stag’s Head, Cheeky Monkey, Crazy Dave’s and Witherspoons to name but a few. Not that the comparison should be pressed too far: Pattaya doesn’t have a tower circus and Blackpool lacks cannabis cafes. British expats have long dominated the Pattaya bar scene in south Pattaya. Phil Gardner, a Soi Buakhao retiree for 15 years, explained, “The beer is cold and the women beautiful, so there’s nothing more to be said.” He points out that the district’s visa shops, which can simplify obtaining extensions from immigration for a fee, are especially popular with budget-minded expat Brits. New nighteries, especially go go clubs such as Lips Lounge in nearby Soi Honey, are still being launched. Nearby, Soi L.K.Metro and Tree Town are still expanding their venues specializing in female eye candy. Several are managed by Brits. So successful has Soi Buakhao become in attracting revelers that some businesses have moved out. British born Dave Collier, who runs the popular second-hand book depository Canterbury Tales with his Thai wife, moved from Soi Pothole (adjoining Buakhao) last year to a less noisy and far less hectic district a couple of miles away. Another Brit, Shaun Sharples, who started a very successful fish and chips business in Tree Town, is currently awaiting the total renovation of brand new premises some distance away. “Our business isn’t dependent on loud music blaring out from nearby clubs,” he explained. “Many of our customers want to eat in peace.” Unlike Walking Street, Soi Buakhao has a daytime life of its own. There are two bustling markets where you can buy everything from fruit and veg, microphones and flashlights to second-hand clothes, pots of glue and hair dryers. You can change currencies, visit pharmacies, massage parlors and barbershops, or watch the world go by sipping beer in open bars facing dense traffic and a lack of pavements. There are several English-sounding cafes provoking intense rivalry on Pattaya social media about which one serves the best English breakfast. Or the worst. One candidate, Cheap Charlie’s, is so successful that another branch was opened up in the Jomtien immigration street. There are some cannabis outlets in the Soi Buakhao neighborhood, though fewer than expected after decriminalization of the weed last summer. Phil Gardner said, “Many of the regulars are over 60 and often retired. They want to spend a few relaxing hours drinking with their mates or being merry with the ladies. The trouble with pot is that you smoke it for a few minutes and that’s your evening’s entertainment gone.” He also points out that gay opportunities in Soi Buakhao are limited. “You’ll find ladyboys and transvestites in some bars, but the real gay scene is centered elsewhere in Boyztown and at the Jomtien Complex.” He adds that the gender of some cross-dressers is hard to determine. “I always tell new guys to look for the Adam’s apple which means there’ll be a banana too.” That’s education Pattaya style. ================== From Pattaya News Pattaya Pioneers Free Condom Machines Named “Love Bang, Love Safe” In a bold move to promote safe sex, the Pattaya National Health Security Office (NHSO) has recently introduced a new initiative: a free condom vending machine called “Love Bang, Love Safe”. Yes, you read that right. And no, it’s not a new club or a questionable dating app. The idea behind this machine is simple: To encourage people to practice safe sex and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, especially during the last Valentine’s Day, Dr. Chadet Thammathatchaaree, Secretary-General of the NHSO, said on Tuesday, February 14th. The machines are placed at three spots around the city. One is at Bali Hai Pier with a big and clear message emblazoned at the front that says “Love Bang, Love Safe (เลิฟปัง รักปลอดภัย)”. Well, although the message is meant to be creative and informative, it also has a certain cheeky charm to it that makes it hard to ignore. Dr. Chadet said the machines will pop out a brightly colored condom after pressing some buttons. The condom is part of the gold card universal health care program and is totally free. Dr. Chadet revealed that the response to this machine so far has been overwhelmingly positive because of its convenience and accessibility. Five sizes are available.

I, like many here, became engrossed in the saga of the Wild Boars from the time the first news of their situation first broke. I can't think of any event that brought the people of the world together spiritually than did their subsequent rescue. Here are some photos of Dom from the moment British divers found the team in the cave. R.I.P.

It's heartening to report that at least one man was saved from jumping to his death in Pattaya where it has become an all too common event. From The Thaiger / Pattaya Mail A potential tragedy was averted in Pattaya as quick-thinking police and rescuers stopped an American man from jumping to his death. The 67 year old man was rescued from a 20th-floor ledge of the Arbour Hotel and Residence on Third Road on Saturday. Police and rescue volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation spoke to the man for four hours as he sat on a balcony ledge. When the man looked away, one of the rescuers quickly grabbed him and pulled him away from the ledge. The man had checked into the hotel two days prior and was scheduled to leave the same day he was rescued. Concerned staff opened his room when he failed to leave and found him sitting on the balcony edge. The staff then contacted the authorities, Pattaya Mail reported. Bang Lamung District Chief Phisit Sirisawatnukul stated that the man was struggling with chronic medical issues and was in a distressed state. He will be hospitalised and meet with a psychologist before being released. Just last week, a 39 year old Chinese tourist jumped to his death from a 35-floor condominium/hotel in Bang Lamung’s Nong Prue sub-district. The victim was reported to have jumped from the 27th floor, as indicated by his key card found in a plastic bag attached to his arm with tape. The victim was dressed in a grey t-shirt and black/brown pants and sustained fatal injuries, being pronounced dead at the scene by the police. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.

From Thai PBS World The Thai cabinet has approved the collection of a landing tax, ranging from 150-300 baht, to be collected from all foreign tourists visiting Thailand, tentatively from June 1st, as proposed by the National Tourism Policy Committee. The landing tax for foreign tourists arriving by land and sea will be 150 baht per head and 300 baht for arrivals by air. The tax is, however, not applied to those who hold diplomatic passports, work permits or special work permits for specific professions as stipulated by the Labour Ministry, children under two-years-old and transit passengers. The cabinet also instructed the Immigration Bureau to streamline its regulations and conditions regarding immigration documents and relevant immigration laws, under which receipts for tourism fee payments can be used by the tourists when applying for re-entry permits. Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn explained that the landing tax will be used for domestic tourism development and for insurance coverage for tourists while they are in Thailand.

Vinapu is not jealous type. Just don't try to take his chicken with cashew nuts. 🙂

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Myanmar Tourist Board has confirmed that the majority of international tourists to the conflict-torn country are in fact Thai vacationers. The Board claims that around 15,000 tourists a month as an average land at Yangon international airport, the only entry point, although observers think the number is significantly inflated. According to the independent Mizzima news site, more than half are Thai nationals visiting cultural sites in Yangon or to attractions such as the Kyaikhiyoh historic pagoda. The estimate is supported by the fact that most daily international flights from and to Myanmar actually service Bangkok. The Thai government still enjoys good relations with the coup leaders in Myanmar, particularly at senior army level, and there is even encouragement for Thai vacationers to book holidays there. Thai TV’s Channel 7, owned by the army, carries promotional material on behalf of the Myanmar hotel and tourist authorities. The military administration of senior general Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader, tries to promote the country in Thailand through virtual shows, group discounts, colorful videos and even dance troupes. But Myanmar’s tourist ambitions beyond Thailand have fallen on stony ground. The senior general has warm relations with Russia and has praised Putin as the guy ensuring global stability. In return, the coup leader has been made an honorary professor at Moscow’s military university. But Russians enjoy beach venues for a vacation and there are none located near the single airport which can receive tourists. Myanmar’s relations with China have cooled, thanks largely to perceived Chinese plunder of the country’s natural resources, and western tour group companies, based in Australia and UK, have shown no interest in resuming their former links with such a troubled and violent destination. Travel gurus say Myanmar’s documentary entry requirements remain cumbersome whilst parts of the country, outside tourist districts, are closed or under curfew. A 10 days notice of intention is required to visit some of the more remote temple districts. The real tragedies of Myanmar are the 200,000 Myanmar economic refugees, mostly women and children and 72 percent of whom are undocumented, who have fled to emergency Thai camps at the border to escape bombing and military conflict. The last thing on their minds is the attempted revival of Myanmar’s international tourist industry.

From The Nation Thailand's aviation sector is buzzing with activity in February as airlines have requested 6,318 flight slots at Thai airports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said on Monday. "The total number of flights in February this year now is 25,256," CAAT director-general Suttipong Kongpool said. He added that the number of flights in some weeks had increased to the level as before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, thanks to the government's move to lift travel restrictions in July last year. Suttipong added that 19 Chinese airlines have requested permission to operate flights to Thailand after China ended its travel restrictions on January 8 this year. Suttipong said the CAAT had allocated 1,910 flight slots to Chinese airlines, including 269 in January, 671 in February and 970 in March. As many as 500 flight slots at Suvarnabhumi Airport have been allocated to Chinese airlines, followed by Don Mueang (684), Phuket (476), Chiang Mai (197), Samui (27) and U-Tapao (26), he added.

From The Thaiger The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering trips on a slow train to monkey city, from Bangkok to Lopburi in the Northeast Thailand, on the refurbished Kiha 183 diesel-powered trains from Japan. The train leaves Bangkok’s historic Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 12.15pm and arrives A Thailand’s famous monkey city, Lopburi at 2.45pm. The return trip departs at 8.30pm and ends in Bangkok at 11.05pm. The trips this weekend and next will cost 599 baht. Only 200 seats will be available each day. The slow train to monkey city leads to a sightseeing tour of the historical area of Lopburi, which dates back over 3,500 years, as well as cultural performances and light-and-sound shows. Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, home to King Narai’s Palace and Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat. A visit to Lopburi is often a good way to get off the usual tourist trail of Thai cities. Seventeen second-hand passenger train carriages from Japan’s Hokkaido Railway Company arrived at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi last December, with SRT covering the shipment cost of 42.5 million baht. The trains have been refurbished at SRT’s maintenance and repair centre in Bangkok’s Makkasan area. Three of the 17 diesel powered trains delivered in December 2021 are ready for trial runs after being modified by the SRT to fit Thai railways. The trains will be in use for another 15 to 20 years.

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya’s new police chief vowed to revoke the visas of foreign tourists who ruin the city’s image. Pol. Col. Thanapong Photi met with Tourist and Immigration police and other city authorities, Feb. 9 to set policies for how to deal with tourists who break the law or cause “problems” that besmirch the pristine, family-friendly images of Pattaya. Thanapong said the policies will apply to both Thai and foreign tourists, as well as expats, and that “no one is above the law”. If tourists break the law, they will be prosecuted, he pledged. In the case of law-breaking foreign tourists, their visas will be revoked and deported, Thanapong vowed.

From Pattaya Mail HM King Bumibol and Queen Sirikit both music aficionados met with Elvis Presley on the set of G.I. Blues during their visit to Paramount Studies. On this occasion HM King Bhumibol presented Elvis with a combined cigarette and lighter case produced by the Thai Nakorn company. This company was the best silversmith in Bangkok at the time and were bestowed the Garuda emblem by HM the King. The engraving on the front of the box read, “To Elvis Presley Hollywood 1960” and on the inside of the box, the words “King Bhumibol Adulyadej To the King of Rock ดnด Roll” were engraved. Included in the engraving was the stamp of the producer of the box “THAI NAKORN SIAM STERLING” with the Garuda in the middle. Elvis Presley gave the unique combined lighter and cigarette box to Ursula Adelaide Aylmer (Nixon) who was working in America as an English teacher in the 1960s and had come to know or work for Elvis. Ursula Adelaide Aylmer kept the box until she passed away in 2021 at the age of 92. The family decided to sell the box and it will be offered in the Eur-Seree auction in Bangkok on 1-2 April 2023. Other interesting objects at the Eur-Seree auction is the Tamlung, 4 Baht, in gold struck in 1864 to commemorate King Mongkut, Rama IV’s 60th Birthday. On the obverse is the Crown with rays flanked by Umbrellas with three branches in the background and bordered by 32 stars, each star representing one Fuang. On the reverse is the inscription “Krung Siam” enclosed within a frame and the Chinese legend “Cheng Ming Tung Pao” outside the frame. “Cheng Ming” is the name of Rama IV in Chinese and “Tung Pao” means “lawful money. Continues with photos https://www.pattayamail.com/pattayamail/from-the-king-of-thailand-to-the-king-of-rock-n-roll-423949

In his column in he Pattaya Mail, Barry Kenyon suggests that the 45-day visa on arrival (originally set to expire on March 31) is being extended to the end of 2023. The last I read that the Tourism Authority had recommended the extension but I'm unable to confirm that it has received government approval. By Barry Kenyon Thailand is no exception to the worldwide rule that immigration entry procedures depend on your nationality. Below we list some of the most popular countries – which provide the majority of tourists to Thailand – and update the rules for those who have not obtained a prior visa before departure at their local Thai embassy. Since October 2022, more encouragement has been given to this less-bureaucratic mode of entry by the Thai government to maximize international tourist numbers from favored countries. In general, there is no longer a requirement to show vaccination records or medical insurance on arrival, nor to undergo covid testing. Passports must have six months validity left. UK, US, EU, Australia These are amongst the 64 or so countries which are visa-exempt and their nationals (by air or land or sea) are given 45 days without payment rather than the former 30. The rule change was due to end at the end of March 2023, but is now set to continue even to the end of the calendar year. The 45 days can be extended another 30 days at local immigration for 1,900 baht (50 pounds) giving a total of 75 days visa exempt. However, the additional 30 days does require prior formal registration of the tourist’s address, usually condominium or hotel, by either the host online to immigration or by the tourist personally at immigration filling in a TM30 form and providing documentary proof of actual residence. Paperwork can include proof of payment at the hotel or condominium ownership paperwork and varies at individual immigration offices. The registration process is free but can attract fines if “late”, the definition of which is discretionary. Visa exempt tourists, if they wish, can undertake a one day border run (usually Cambodia or Laos) to begin the procedure once again: 45 days on entry and a further 30 at local immigration. They are advised to travel by minibus organized by a travel agent as prior submission of a passport copy to border police is necessary. The same result is achieved if the tourist returns to Thailand by air from any country worldwide. The limit is said to be two land visa runs per calendar year, or six visa exempt entries by air, but immigration officers are known to discourage back-to-back tourist arrivals on an ongoing basis without good reason. Visa exempt tourists are allowed in most areas to apply for driving licences or to open bank accounts, both of which require certificates of local address issued by immigration. Russia Russian nationals receive 45 days on landing but are separately categorized from the visa exempt tourists above as Russians come under a bilateral agreement between the two governments. Russians are not allowed to extend the 45 days at Thai immigration, but must leave the country. They are allowed to join the visa runs described above for a total of 90 days since initial arrival. How long they can continue to do this without being deemed to be abusing the system is currently a matter of speculation. Many Russians who wish to stay long-term in Thailand are switching to alternatives such as the 5-year Elite visa option or annual extensions of stay. China and India They are two of the 20 or so countries covered by the visa-on-arrival scheme which awards 30 days on payment of 2,000 baht. Initial reports last year stated that these visas could be extended for a further 15 days at local immigration, but these were false. No extension is possible and tourists are expected to leave. Some immigration offices are awarding a final 7 days if the individual can show he or she has an outward-bound flight ticket within that specific time span. Some visa-on-arrival holders have travelled to a Thai embassy or consulate in Laos and obtained a 60 days tourist visa to Thailand. However, this requires the applicant to hold a Thai bank account with a minimum 50,000 baht and recent reports say the process is hit and miss. Last month, China and India both announced that all arrivals to their country would need a RT-PCR test in Thailand to be allowed to board their exit flight. This requirement also meant that Chinese and Indian visitors to Thailand required medical insurance for their vacation in Thailand plus seven days to give cover in case their RT-PCR test proved positive. India has just announced that they are abolishing the RT-PCR test from 13 February 2023. China has not yet made an announcement and the procedures remain – technically – in place. Thai immigration does not examine passengers’ documentation on entry or on leaving, but has occasional checks. So they say. 90 days on arrival There are five countries, with a bilateral agreement with Thailand, whose nationals receive 90 days on arrival without a prior visa. They can then take advantage, if they wish, of the land visa run. The countries are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Peru.90 days on arrival There are five countries, with a bilateral agreement with Thailand, whose nationals receive 90 days on arrival without a prior visa. They can then take advantage, if they wish, of the land visa run. The countries are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Peru.

For you non-American readers, I write today to introduce you to the guy who makes my heart race every time he cocks his arm. I'm one of his legion of voyeuristic worshipers. My affair with him dates back to 2018 when he became the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Tomorrow he plays in Super Bowl 57 against the Philadelphia Eagles for the championship of the National Football League. Having witnessed all of the previous 56, I believe that I'm more excited than in any previous year. He works magic as both a passer and a runner. Agile and unpredictable--and more than a bit sexy, he rarely fails to satisfy his fans' desire for gridiron nirvana. Well, I guess I've blown my wad. If you have the opportunity to watch the game, you won't regret it. If only half of our offs could deliver satisfaction as consistently as he does, I give you Patrick Mahomes. NY Times photo

@young11 I suppose you could cite the old economist's explanation for the phenomena: they charge what the market will bear.

A friend who is a primary care doctor remarked to me once that operations to correct a hernia was a surgeon's "bread-and-butter" procedure because it was quickly performed and paid well. It might be said that the situation you describe above falls into same category for massage boys.