reader

The future is impenetrable, said the Buddha.

From The Nation President Xi Jinping’s order to ruthlessly lockdown Shanghai, China’s financial hub, has resulted in heavy damage to the country’s economy – but also unprecedented criticism of Xi’s zero-Covid policy by his No 2, Li Keqiang. The criticism by Premier Li, who heads the State Council and is the second most powerful person in China, signals a major rift within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Speaking two weeks ago at a meeting of over 100,000 local officials, Premier Li said Xi’s zero-Covid policy was leading the country towards disaster by banning over 25 million people in Shanghai from leaving their homes for almost three months. Analysts speculate that Li’s criticism stems from a deep disagreement within the CCP. In an earlier teleconference meeting of the State Council, Li declared China’s economy is facing a bigger challenge than when Covid-19 started spreading in early 2020. He said the rate of capital outflow was unprecedented, while foreign investors who once believed in the government’s disease control measures are now fed up with lockdown policies that were crippling manufacturing. This had resulted in many multinational corporations halting operations or moving out of China entirely, he added. The criticism of China’s president is shocking and unprecedented in the history of the CCP, though it has made few headlines in the foreign press. Analysts calculate that the true aim of Xi’s zero-Covid policy is not to curb infections but to cement his power after the constitution was amended to allow him to remain as president for life instead of just two terms. They believe Xi is using this policy to show that he is putting the people first by slashing the infection rate. After all, a communist party governs by forcing people to follow the rules rather than giving them options. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/perspective/40016547

If you’re in town, the short walk (or one stop away from Silom on MRT) to Samyan Mitrtown is worth the excursion, especially at twilight. the mall / university complex has embraced Pride month in a big way. In lights, entertainment and colorful signage, the message is loud and clear: it’s okay to be gay. All the shops in the multi-story mall are geared to the needs of the university students who abound in the area, including mini versions of Big C and Home Pro. Not to be missed is the free open air observation deck which takes on a magical atmosphere as the sun goes down. https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/news/theres-a-massive-rainbow-path-in-samyan-to-celebrate-pride-month-060721 (photos courtesy Timeout Bangkok)

The times they are a changing. While walking this evening on Soi Thaniya, some of those ladies of the evening were casting big smiles at westerners.

You say that now but………

You’ve persuaded me. You have my vote for UK equivalent of secretary of transportation so you can resolve this dilemma once and for all.

+1

What you can’t prepare for is strikes by employees. You simply can’t hire people off the street to replace air traffic controllers or flight crews. You have no choice but to negotiate or endure.

What I do know is that greed knows no boundaries. If you think otherwise, you continue to fool yourself.

Other than that, hope you had a good weekend. 🙂

From CNN CNN) — Just as summer heats up, the US is lifting its long-standing requirement for all travelers entering the country to present a negative Covid-19 test. The news brings both a collective sigh of relief and a likely flood of new international travelers to an already chaotic summer season. For many American travelers, the development means no longer having to worry about the hassle of testing before returning to the States, or the cost and burden of remaining abroad to quarantine and wait for a negative test result if a pre-travel test comes up positive. US-bound international travelers, meanwhile, can plan trips without the fear of having to cancel because of a positive test. Most non-US citizens must still be vaccinated to travel to the country. And the battered travel industry is cheering the removal of the barrier to both groups of prospective customers. The rule, which was put in place in January 2021, will end for US-bound travelers beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 12. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it will reassess the rule if the Covid-19 situation changes. The development comes after intense pressure from travel trade and tourism groups as the industry continues to bounce back after more than two years of a pandemic-induced downturn. For months, such organizations had been calling for the testing requirement to be scrapped, as it has been in Canada and the United Kingdom since March, as well as most countries in Europe. After Friday's news of the rule's end, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and the US Travel Association (USTA) were among the groups issuing statements applauding the move. AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers described it as a "significant win for hotels and the broader travel industry" in a statement released Friday, calling the requirement outdated and creating a "chilling effect" on inbound international travel. USTA President and CEO Roger Dow, meanwhile, emphasized ending the testing requirement could bring an additional 5.4 million visitors to the US and an additional $9 billion in travel spending through the end of 2022. Even as many in the travel industry support the development, some experts are warning about the increased demand, decreased availability and higher prices sure to come as a result, exacerbating what has already been a chaotic travel landscape both Stateside and abroad. "Europe is going to be inundated with American travelers," Mina Agnos, president of Travelive, an agency specializing in travel to Greece with offices in Athens and Delray Beach, Florida, told CNN Travel via email. "In speaking with travel consultants across the US, the consensus is 2022 is 'three seasons in one.' Hotel availability is very tight and local services [such as] guides, drivers, local air, ferry and rail service and restaurants will all be at capacity this season," Agnos said. It's an assessment the tourism industry, especially the hotel sector, is thrilled to see. Chitra Stern, CEO of Martinhal Resorts, a family-centric luxury hotel group with properties across Portugal, said the US testing restrictions have "held many travelers back" from planning trips abroad, especially families, which are the brand's core demographic. Because a negative test is no longer required to return to the US, Stern expects to see a surge in US-based guests -- the top market for Martinhal's property in downtown Lisbon -- booking stays in Portugal and throughout Europe. "We now anticipate welcoming many more Americans booking last-minute summer trips and long weekend city breaks," Stern said. Laura Citron, CEO of Visit London, expects to see a similar bump in US travelers, who make up London's largest inbound tourism market, heading to the capital city this summer. "Throughout the pandemic, we saw spikes in bookings from the US to London when travel restrictions had been lifted," Citron told CNN Travel via text message, adding flight passengers from the US to London nearly reached pre-pandemic levels during the week of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. According to Agnos, travelers with their hearts set on a Greek vacation this summer should start planning their trips immediately, and expect to contend with crowds. If Agnos' business is any indication, the Mediterranean country is poised to see an overflow of tourism in the coming months, so much so, June is "virtually sold out" for Travelive's guides, vehicles for transfers and even yachts, Agnos said. It's a first in the travel operator's 21-year history. "Hotel availability is a serious concern, even in areas like Athens and Mykonos, where inventory was always adequate," Agnos explained. "It is the first time we have ever had to stop taking on business due to the lack of availability." https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/summer-travel-europe-floodgates-us-testing-rule-lifts/index.html

“Essential” permits a helluva lot of discretion on the part of bureaucrat who makes the decision. Gee, I wonder what might possibly influence such a bureaucrat to look favorably on an applicant?

The basic Grindr ($19.95) is very restrictive in displaying wide range of photos. Grindr is constantly trying to get you to upgrade to $39.95 monthly level. I’ve canceled my subscription that expires this week. It’s simply not worth the time or money IMO.

With all due respect, I’ll take the word of a Bangkok off any day before that of China boilerplate claims or third-hand accounts of your hi-so acquaintances. There are also Chinese students currently studying here in Bangkok and Thai students, it was announced today, will soon be returning to study in China.

The same way footballers value their talents. They’re very much aware that they can compete only for a given number of years so they try to maximize their income while in high demand.

From Bangkok Post A large majority of respondents say people of a "third gender" are acceptable to them, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The poll was conducted on June 8-10 by telephone interviews with 1,310 people aged 15 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to gauge their attitude toward people of a "third gender". Asked whether people of a "third gender" are acceptable to them as friends or colleagues at workplaces, 92.82% said "yes" and 7.18% said "no." Asked what if a member of their family is a "third gender", 90.61% said he or she would be acceptable to them; 9.31% said "no"; and 0.08% had no answers or were uncertain. To the question whether people of a "third gender" should be allowed to change the titles preceding their names, 63.59% said "yes"; 36.18% "no"; and 0.23% had no answers or were uncertain. Of the 833 respondents who agreed with allowing people of a "third gender" to change their name titles, when asked which groups should be allowed to do so, 57.62% said all groups and 42.38% said only those who have undergone sex changes should be allowed. Asked about having a law to legalise same-sex marriage, 79.62% agreed with it and 20.38% disagreed. Asked whether there should be an additional gender marking in official papers to be filled up by people of a "third gender", 77.63% said "yes"; 22.14% said "no"; and 0.23% had no answers or were uncertain.

Given the Ibis chain’s reputation, it will fill a niche in the Silom area that has seen a score of hotels go under during Covid. I stayed in an Ibis property only once. I found it exceptionally clean but the rooms very tight.Should attract short-time guests in town for a few days and who plan to spend little time in the room. Perhaps the best thing it offers is added competition. I agree The Quarter maintains an edge, as do some others mentioned above.

The Ibis hotel chain will soon open a new location on Silom, opposite the Bangkok Christian Hospital. Ibis has other locations in the city. Rooms tend to be on the small side but so do their rates. Ibis Styles Silom plans a soft opening beginning June 24. It’s set about 100 feet back from the street. https://www.facebook.com/ibisStylesBangkokSilom/

Don’t fool yourself. China has its elite same as Thailand does, perhaps more so. If they’re connected, they travel, some to Thailand. But the 67% who are were treated with some of the most effective vaccines available. Forever testing is the route China is taking. Please feel free to join at your pleasure.

Glad to hear you had good experience at K-Man. My two sessions there were the two best massages of trip so far. I find you can depend on what to expect at K-Man. Only surprises there are happy ones.

It involved many underage girls

I think we all pay more than we like in special circumstances. But if we are satisfied with results then the experience was worth it. We make decisions like that not I just our offs but in our everyday life. We can’t go back and un-spend those amounts so no sense dwelling on them. It’s tomorrow that should concern us:

From The Thaiger The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases yesterday sentenced a cop to 50 years in prison for taking bribes, totalling 641,000 baht, from a Bangkok massage parlour. The unnamed police officer was indicted on 65 counts of bribe-taking after turning a blind eye to illegal activities at the massage parlour on Ratchadaphisek Road. The ruling was published in a Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission news bulletin last month which revealed the policeman, attached to the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, was found guilty of bribe-taking. The court found the defendant guilty of violating the anti-graft law and was initially sentenced to 325 years in prison, five years for each of the 65 counts of bribe-taking. However, the law states he can only spend a maximum of 50 years in prison.

From Bangkok Post Tourism operators have reached an agreement with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to propose a visa fee exemption for international arrivals and an eligibility extension for visitors from nations not requiring a visa to enter the country from 30 to 45 days during the second half of this year. A joint meeting between the TAT and more than 100 representatives from 10 tourism associations yesterday ended with five proposals that are expected to be presented to the subcommittee of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) next week. "All tourists should have been treated on an equal basis. If possible, we should also provide a fee waiver for multiple entry to allow them to visit neighbouring countries during the same trip," said Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association. “This could be a good opportunity for us to lead the reopening of CLMV [Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam]." At present, Thailand grants a visa exemption to 56 countries whose citizens don't have to apply for a visa or pay the 1,000-baht fee, but the stay is limited to 30 days. However, most countries, including potential markets such as India, still require visitors to apply for a visa and pay an application fee for a stay of no more than 60 days. The visa-on-arrival (VOA) option, which is the leading choice among visitors who do not wish to deal with the inconvenience of visiting a Thai consulate, costs 1,500 baht. However, this option only allows a visitor to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 15 days. The 30-day limit may be insufficient for the current environment as tourists nowadays wish to take longer trips, as seen by the increase in average spending per visitor from 47,000 baht to 77,000 baht, said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the TAT. He said among high-spending tourists the visa fee amount may be insignificant, but if they can save on this cost it would leave them more money to spend while travelling around the country, which would directly stimulate the local economy. As the government previously extended the right to remain in the country from 30 to 45 days during the period when quarantine was required, if tourism operators want to seek another extension, it should not be an obstacle, said Mr Yuthasak. “We totally agree with the proposal to waive the visa fee for those who must apply for a visa, in addition to extending the length of stay for both visa-free countries and the VOA," said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association. "The longer they stay, the more they can spend more locally." In addition to visa issues, the private sector also agreed to ask the CCSA to lift restrictions on night entertainment hours by returning to the same practices adopted by each area before the pandemic. They also support the idea of promoting Thailand as a mask-free destination by revoking the mask mandate in all areas.

To be fair, Covid presented the industry with the perfect storm: pilots who had no planes and attendants who had no passengers to attend. After keeping them on payroll for months they offered early retirement to most senior people and laid off a ton of others.then they had to mothball aircraft they wouldn’t be using. When the urge to travel returned they were unable to build back staff in sufficient numbers. You can recall furloughed pilots but you have to put them through simulator training to get their skills back.other categories of employees took jobs elsewhere (as Vinapu recently noted). You can’t train new pilots in a few weeks or few months. It’s a time consuming and expensive endeavor. Flight attendants need at least two months of training and ground somewhat less. And the most overlooked workers were those who literally make the planes run on time: gate agents, baggage handlers, refuelers, tarmac traffic directors, mechanics, ticket agents. IMO, the carriers have done their best to recover. It’s the airports that also laid off tons of lower paid workers, many of whom found employment elsewhere. Travel demand may be returning to pre-Covid levels but the travel infrastructure will take considerably longer to catch up.