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From Bangkok Post The recent discovery of an ancient human skeleton, estimated to be at least 29,000 years old, in Prachuap Khiri Khan proves that the area which is now Thailand was inhabited by humans in the Old Stone Age. On Monday, the Fine Arts Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (DNP) jointly announced the discovery of a skeleton from the Pleistocene period and ancient cave paintings at the Tham Din archaeological site in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. According to the Fine Art Department's Director General Phanombootra Chandrajoti, the skeleton, believed to be of an eight-year-old child, is the oldest human skeleton ever discovered in Thailand, providing archaeologists with a good starting point to expand the study into the beginning of the development of prehistoric technology. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2968261/skeleton-points-to-prehistoric-life

From Patttaya News Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), raised concerns over increasing foreign acquisitions of hotels, pool villas, and luxury residences in key tourist destinations like Phuket and Bangkok. Some foreign owners, particularly Russians, have been illegally renting out properties on a daily basis, according to Thienprasit. In Bangkok, both Thai and foreign investors are reportedly buying entire floors in condominiums for short-term rentals, while Chinese investors have been purchasing nearly entire luxury housing projects and offering full-scale shuttle services for tourists. THA urged the government to limit foreign property ownership and reconsider the length of stay permitted under visas to prevent economic imbalances. Separately, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association, addressed growing opposition to Israeli tourists in Pai due to concerns over inappropriate behavior. He called for stricter security checks to ensure travelers are genuine tourists and emphasized the importance of enforcing Thai laws. Regarding Chinese tourism, he urged the government to restore confidence following past scams targeting Chinese visitors, such as call center fraud. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/02/25/thailand-considers-stricter-visa-rules-to-curb-long-term-foreign-rentals/

I frequently fly through Narita with a 2:15 layover. On last flight, however, we were late departing, leaving only a little over an hour to make Bkk flight. As I walked up bridge towards terminal, there was a sign saying “international connections” with arrow pointing to open door that led to stairway. I took it and ended airside in Terminal 2 departure concourse. This eliminated the usual bag and body scan. I don’t know if this was a one off tactic due to late arrival or indication that redundant bag scan has been eliminated.

Another key advantage of booking with Agoda is that you can select accommodations for two persons. This saved me when manager of Siam Heritage hotel on Surawong attempted to charge me joiner’s fee. i showed him confirmation from Agoda that stated rate included two persons.

From The Nation Thailand's Public Health Ministry is championing the use of traditional herbal medicines to reduce reliance on costly imported pharmaceuticals. A key goal is to generate 3 billion baht in revenue from herbal medicine sales by 2026. Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin launched the "When Sick, Think of Thai Medicine Before Seeing a Doctor" policy at a workshop for medical personnel on Monday. Ten common herbal medicines addressing frequent health issues are being prioritised: Plai (Zingiber cassumunar) for muscle and joint pain Green chiretta (Fah Talai Jone) for colds and Covid-19 Turmeric for bloating and flatulence Phet sang khat for constipation and haemorrhoids Ginger for dizziness Bitter gourd for loss of appetite Musa (banana) for diarrhoea Hom thep chit for insomnia Chilli for numbness from paralysis Aloe vera for skin burns Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40046666

They must not like you at Tarntawan, @Olddaddy, because I get quote on Agoda of 1,613 for same date.

From The Thaiger Nok Air intends to reduce its flights to mainland China this year due to slow market growth and will instead focus on expanding its services to India, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore. The airline’s Chief Executive, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, highlighted the shift in Chinese tourists’ preferences towards Japan over Thailand and noted the Chinese government’s lack of support for outbound travel. Safety concerns among Chinese travellers related to scams and human trafficking in Thailand have further impacted Thai airlines. Since January, Nok Air has decreased its weekly flights to China from 16 to 12, covering Nanning, Zhengzhou, and Nanjing. The airline may adjust these flight schedules in the future. With the sluggish Chinese market in January, a passenger target for 2025 is yet to be set. To maintain growth, the airline plans to increase its presence in other international markets, aiming to improve aircraft utilisation rates. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/nok-air-shifts-focus-from-china-to-india-japan-taiwan-singapore

From Pattaya CCTV footage captured a violent brawl between two transgender individuals at a Pattaya beer bar, shocking passing tourists in the city some call a world-class family friendly resort city. The incident was captured on CCTV footage from a beer bar on Pattaya Central Road Sai 2. Two transgender individuals were seen pulling each other’s hair and slapping each other in full view of passing tourists. The incident occurred on February 15th, 2025, at 10:30 PM, but recently went viral on Thai social media. On February 22nd, The Pattaya News reporters visited the bar in the video and spoke with Teerawat, a transgender woman from Saraburi who works part-time at the establishment and was one of the individuals in the footage. According to Teerawat, she was the victim of an unprovoked attack. Teerawat recounted that on the night of the incident, she was playing pool with her foreign boyfriend when a mysterious ice cube suddenly fell to the ground near her. Looking around to identify the source, she noticed Bella, a 24-year-old transgender woman, sitting at a nearby bar. Bella was an old friend of hers and had previously been romantically involved with Teerawat’s boyfriend. Teerawat claimed that Bella then began to verbally taunt her. Despite the provocations, Teerawat ignored them until Bella approached her, twirling her hair before suddenly yanking it. A fierce brawl followed, with both individuals exchanging blows until bystanders stepped in, as captured in the CCTV footage. Following the altercation, Teerawat filed a police report at Pattaya Police Station. She alleged that Bella is part of a notorious group of transgender individuals known for using violence in the city. Teerawat also claimed she received threatening phone calls from senior members of the group, which warned her to “Watch your back.” Given these threats, Teerawat planned to file an additional report for harassment. Continues at https://thepattayanews.com/2025/02/25/transgender-brawl-erupts-at-pattaya-beer-bar/

From Pattaya Mail PATTAYA, Thailand – For decades, Pattaya has been known not only for its vibrant tourism scene but also for its long-running issues with motorbike rental operators allegedly acting as “parking mafias.” These groups have often been accused of monopolizing public parking spaces, intimidating business owners, and even forcing tourists into unfair rental agreements. A Systematic Control Over Parking Spaces Many motorbike rental businesses operate along Pattaya Beach Road and other tourist-heavy areas, where parking is scarce. Over the years, reports have emerged of rental operators illegally reserving public parking spaces for their own fleet of bikes. They often block spots using cones, chains, or even physically moving other vehicles to ensure only their rental bikes are parked there. Business owners, especially those running restaurants and shops, frequently complain that their customers are unable to find parking because these spaces are unofficially “claimed” by rental businesses. Intimidation and Local Conflicts Several incidents suggest that these rental groups do not just operate passively. Local restaurant owners and small business operators have reported threats and harassment when they attempt to use or challenge these spaces. Some claim that when they park their vehicles in front of their own businesses, rental operators either block them in or have their vehicles towed. This has led to ongoing conflicts, with authorities stepping in on multiple occasions to mediate. Involvement of Authorities and Crackdowns Despite numerous crackdowns, the issue persists. Pattaya police have, on various occasions, removed illegally parked rental bikes and fined operators, but the problem tends to resurface quickly. Some suspect that local enforcement is inconsistent, possibly due to under-the-table agreements between certain rental businesses and officials. Impact on Tourists and Business Owners Tourists, particularly first-time visitors, have also been affected. Some report being overcharged or forced to rent bikes after finding no available parking due to rental operators occupying public spaces. Others have fallen victim to rental scams, where operators claim damages on bikes and demand exorbitant fees. Will the Issue Ever Be Resolved? While authorities continue to make efforts to regulate motorbike rental businesses, the deeply rooted nature of this issue suggests it won’t be an easy fix. Stronger enforcement, clear regulations, and better parking management are necessary to prevent rental operators from exploiting public spaces at the expense of locals and tourists alike. Until then, the so-called “parking mafia” of Pattaya remains a challenge for both businesses and visitors, reflecting a broader issue of informal control over public resources in Thailand’s major tourist hubs. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/motorbike-rental-operators-in-pattaya-a-long-standing-parking-mafia-on-beach-road-491874

From The Patttaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Canadian embassy in Bangkok has announced that it will no longer issue letters of guarantee about the income of Canadian citizens wishing to obtain annually-renewable visas in Thailand. The ruling also applies to the Canadian consulate in Chiang Mai. The announcement parrots the line used by the British, American and Australian embassies in the past – officers have no way of verifying the truth of claimed income or cash reserves in the home country. Those affected, principally retirees, will need either to show 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account (which never insisted on embassy confirmation) or use the method of transferring at least 65,000 baht on a regular and continuous basis for the preceding 12 months. Individual immigration offices may differ in the precise detail they require applicants to produce for retirement or marriage visas. The evidence can include detailed home-country bank statements and even proof of the source of the cash if monthly transfers are involved. Pattaya City Expat Club has a useful and detailed summary of the matter in its current newsletter, though obviously the remarks apply principally to Chonburi provincial immigration offices. The Canadian embassy states that the issuing of letters of guarantee had always been an informal arrangement, not a mandatory service required by immigration authorities. The embassy does not claim that abuses have actually been found. The latest ruling will likely require Canadian expats with annually renewable visas to have a bank account in Thailand. They may run into the problem that new bank accounts are more difficult to open at the moment because of the government crackdown on unrelated abuse relating to scams and fraud. New banking registration rules allegedly begin on March 1, including requirements for photo IDs and a restriction of one SIM card per bank account. However, there have not been any recent announcements by the Bank of Thailand about implementation. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/canada-joins-uk-us-and-australia-in-refusing-to-verify-retirement-income-491858

From The BBC The estimated 2.3 million Filipino overseas workers form the economic backbone of their nation. The remittances they send home are vital; sustaining household incomes, driving consumer spending, supporting community development, and ensuring national economic stability - contributing 8.5% to GDP. In the first of our two-part series looking at the Philippine economy, Sam Fenwick meets overseas workers who send money home and those who have returned to set up businesses. Continues with audio story https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3ct5z7t

I’ve used it three times and was quite satisfied with all aspects of the service. Its location in Saphan Kwai can’t be beat. In short, I can recommend it without qualification. I believe my last visit was in 2023.

There was a discussion about this last Fall and some members reported that biz boarding pass was acceptable. I qualify for being 70+. Perhaps other members have recent experience.

In a reversal of form, legendary high-end Apple has introduced a new, cheaper phone while Oppo—long the home of the low cost mobile—is marketing a pricey folding model to compete with Samsung and Huawei models.. From The Verge iPhone 16E: all the news on Apple’s new $599 phone Apple has announced an update to the iPhone SE, but this time around, it’s called the iPhone 16E. As the rumors predicted, Apple’s new budget iPhone model has an updated design with a Face ID-enabled notch, replacing the old model that had a home button and Touch ID interface. Another new element is that this is the first iPhone with an Apple-designed 5G modem inside, the new C1, which Apple says is “the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone.” https://www.theverge.com/news/615399/apple-iphone-16e-event-specs-price-release-date-se ====== From MSN Chinese smartphone firm Oppo launches slim $1,870 folding phone Chinese smartphone firm Oppo has unveiled its new flagship folding phone Thursday, touting a slimmer body and artificial intelligence-focused features in a bid to compete with high-end foldable devices from the likes of Samsung and Huawei. The company's Find N5 phone that can fold in half, will retail at a starting price of 2,499 Singapore dollars ($1,867.70). When it's folded shut, the Find N5 looks like a normal bar-shaped phone with a 6.62-inch display. The device can then be folded outward to show a larger, 8.12-inch tablet. Most notably, the phone has an ultra-thin design. When closed, it measures 8.93 millimeters thick, while when opened out in tablet form, the Find N5 has a depth of 4.21 millimeters. That's slimmer than Samsung's Galaxy Fold 6, which the South Korean tech giant released last year. https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/tech-companies/chinese-smartphone-firm-oppo-launches-slim-1-870-folding-phone-to-rival-samsung-huawei/ar-AA1zr6E3

From Khaosod English SUVARNABHUMI — A potential tragedy was averted at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport when police successfully intercepted a British man attempting to jump from an elevated roadway, with crucial assistance from a Thai woman who acted as an negotiator during the tense situation. The incident, which occurred on February 21 at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Exit Route 1 of the airport’s elevated road system, was first revealed through social media on February 23 when the “Jor Jae Jab Jorn” Facebook page shared footage of the rescue operation. Police Colonel Jakrapong Nuchpadung, Superintendent of Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station (Airport 1), reported that authorities received an alert about a foreign man sitting and standing precariously on the outer edge of the elevated roadway. Recognizing the high-risk situation, police quickly assembled a response team including tourist police and airport patrol units. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/02/24/language-skills-swift-action-save-life-in-suvarnabhumi-airport-drama/

Mid-afternoon to early evening will likely provide best availability.

From The Thaiger Police officers last week interrupted a kinky group sex session involving at least six men in a public park in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district. Esor News shared a video and pictures of the group of men fleeing from police officers on Thursday, February 20. The video captured police officers blowing a whistle loudly and chasing the perverted exhibitionists as the men hurriedly left the debauched scene. As officers shone their torches on them, it became evident that they gathered near a large concrete pillar. The footage showing the men engaging in sexual activity was blurred. Thai netizens flooded the comments section with humorous remarks. “It’s a sin for you officers! You are interrupting people’s happiness.” “The only ones in the wrong are the police officers.” “Are they creating sex content?” https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/police-interrupt-group-sex-of-6-men-in-bangkok-public-park

From Bangkok Post The Ministry of Public Health yesterday confirmed the discovery of a new coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, by a laboratory in China but said no human infections have been recorded as yet. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said yesterday the virus found by a team of Chinese researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is a variant within the Merbecovirus subgenus. "It is not considered a new strain or mutant virus. Instead, it is a virus in the coronavirus family, which has many subspecies," he said, adding that the research team found that HKU5-CoV-2 can enter human cells using the same gateway as the earlier SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), prompting fears of another pandemic. "However, there is currently no outbreak or epidemiological data related to the HKU5-CoV-2 strain in humans. Therefore, the public does not need to worry at this time," he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2966640/no-need-to-worry-about-new-coronavirus

NOTE —. To those unfamiliar with the market, it serves as both a very popular wholesome and retail food center. Many of the city’s top restaurants source their ingredients there in the early morning hours before locals flow in for the fresh food at bargain prices. My guy loves to visit every few weeks. From Bangkok Posr The pavement next to Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road offers plenty of pedestrian space after the Lao Market was recently demolished. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is renovating a walkway at Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road after dismantling an extension market that had occupied the footpath for almost two decades. The street-side market, known as Rim Khlong Hua Lamphong Market, or Talat Lao for short, has long existed in the area. The sidewalk repairs around the market will be completed by April, resulting in a cleaner and more organised appearance for one of the capital's oldest fresh markets. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt previously said that the Lao Market in Klong Toey District had been in place since 2005, occupying a pathway of over 100 metres. The BMA implemented a policy to remove all stalls from the area following complaints about pedestrians being forced to walk on the road, risking accidents. Vendors were also accused of throwing waste directly into the canal, turning it into a dumping ground, causing foul odours and hygiene issues. The location was originally designated as a temporary vendor zone, with nearly 100 stalls selling food and supplies, primarily specialising in northeastern cuisine. On Aug 30 2018, the Klong Toey District Office formally revoked the temporary vendor permissions. However, sellers continued to set up street stalls until December last year, when the district office mobilised more than 100 officials, including personnel from the Department of City Law Enforcement and police officers from Klong Toey and nearby stations, to reclaim the area after giving stall owners several months to vacate. Officials successfully dismantled the market structures and cleared the area. While most vendors agreed to leave and return to their hometowns, others relocated their shops within Klong Toey. Market.https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2966650/bangkok-administration-renovates-klong-toey-

Two visits to Saphan Kwai in the past week have reinforced my belief that 15M (and its sister shop 27M) along with Phoenix Massage are two of the most reliable shops for service and value. Every time I’ve showed up for appointment at 15M, guy was waiting for me. Service consistently meets high standard. This shop never offers promotions but with a 400 baht house fee for one hour and a stable of attractive and friendly guys, it has found the right formula for success. Made my 11th visit to Phoenix at 9:40 the other night. They were in second day of 250 baht promotion and all rooms were occupied. I agreed to wait 20 minutes until next room would be available. Guy I selected was shooting pool when I arrived but he came over and sat with me until room opened up at top of hour. The experience reminded me of sitting with guy you invited to join you at your table in Dragon and Koi.

From all account’s I’m hearing from the folks back home, the series is taking many westerners by storm. I think many see it as an escape from the cold of a very frigid winter and a very diabolical president.

Thank you.

I used accumulated Singapore miles for a one-way ticket last year because they were close to expiring but had to buy return on another carrier. Very difficult now to find seats using miles to SE Asia from North America. My approach now is to fly carrier that offers one-stop connection at best price regardless of awards program.